Chapter 555: Roots (1/2)

“Can you build those containment walls again?” Ilea asked.

“They reduce the range at which I can operate slightly. If it’s acceptable, I will simply add warnings in the vicinity where my mana could be considered troublesome. And I can of course simply move whoever gets too close to protect them. Or smack them with a few rocks if they don’t understand the simple message,” it explained.

“It’s also a good way to train Arcane Magic Resistance,” Ilea said.

“I doubt many would see that as a benefit,” Catelyn said. “Though I suppose a few might.”

“How far away should we go?” she asked.

“I will inform you when it should be acceptable for most creatures at level two hundred,” Meadow said.

“Let’s go then,” Ilea said and put the ball on the ground, waving for Catelyn to follow.

Catelyn gave the Meadow another look, its size reaching about half the height of her small form.

Let’s see you bloom then, she thought with apprehension.

They walked away in the long corridor.

“We will get some distance before it expands, the mana could be dangerous,” Catelyn said.

“I shall take this challenge,” Doravin said.

“No you won’t,” Ilea said, the both of them disappearing further away into the corridor.

She can move Doravin with so little effort. I need to get back to fighting. There’s just been so little time.

“Are you certain this is the right course of action?” Elana asked.

“Certain?” Catelyn asked, glancing at her as they walked towards the two fighters who were now engaged in combat. “We have welcomed an ancient and powerful creature into our home. There is little certainty to expect with a decision like that. And yet I stand by it, if that is what you’re asking. Do any of you have doubts?”

“Doubts, yes. But I agree. The potential benefits are simply staggering,” Elana said.

“This one agrees,” Varahan said.

“There is little reason for me to oppose,” Haiden said. “If it had been anybody else but Ilea to bring it here. But it was her.”

She really is the bridge we need. I didn’t expect the council to be as convinced as they are. Especially Elana and No.

Catelyn glanced at the former Queen.

They soon reached Ilea and the broken Doravin, his armor reforming where it had been dented and penetrated.

“I told you, if you can’t get past me, you won’t survive in its mana,” she said.

“My resistance is in the second tier,” Doravin said.

“Come back when it’s in the third,” Ilea retorted.

“How would that even-” Doravin started, a wave of power interrupting him.

Catelyn braced herself, feeling the sudden pressure in the hall.

Waves of mana exuded from the location of the Meadow, increasing in power until it finally stabilized.

Incredible.

Catelyn realized Ilea had her ashen limbs connected to everyone, healing mana flowing into her too.

“I’m alright,” she said.

Ilea glanced over. “I know.”

______________________

The council was dealing surprisingly well with the high mana coming from the Meadow. Her healing wasn’t exactly necessary, but she supposed it did help a little. If only to alleviate the overwhelming sense.

“Way to make an impression,” she sent to the Meadow.

“I can’t change the fact that everyone is so incredibly weak,” Meadow retorted.

Ilea snickered, rolling her eyes.

“You got your place now. Happy?” she asked.

“Very, yes. This is… perfect. There is such an abundance of life here… some even close to awakening it seems,” it said.

“Well, do knock yourself out. Just make sure not to awaken whole tribes at the same time, or they might attack the town,” she said.

“It’s a lengthy process, one I can only nudge towards, not cause myself. I shall honor my obligations to Hallowfort,” Meadow said.

“That’s good,” Ilea said.

“So that’s it. You have your four mark protector tree,” she said, looking at the glittering crystal tree in the distance, black grass growing on the ground, walls, and ceiling close by. The wall towards the cavern disintegrated slowly, letting more light enter the slowly expanding hallway, shifting at the will of the Meadow.

“Indeed… that we do,” Catelyn said.

“I’ll be back at some point soon. If anything comes up, just call for me,” Ilea said, walking towards the Meadow.

“I will. Thank you, Ilea,” Catelyn said, glancing at her for a moment before her attention returned to the space creature.

“I’ll get back to you about that teleportation stuff. Hope you settle in nicely. And keep the godly acts to a minimum,” Ilea said, stepping onto the shifting grass.

“I will try. Though sometimes the odd miracle does slip out on accident,” Meadow said.

“Can’t do anything about that, I get it. We are just too incomprehensibly awesome to fool people consistently,” she said.

“We? Oh don’t lump your uppity weak self into the same basket as me, the great Meadow,” it said. “Would it be acceptable if your mark on me remains? You offered Catelyn to call for you but her perception is somewhat limited compared to mine. I’ll be able to judge an enemy threat far earlier and may gauge if an intervention from you is needed.”

“Sure, I have plenty of open slots. Just don’t call me here for nonsense. Do call if you get lonely or want to vent about something. We’re friends after all,” she said and winked towards the general vicinity.

“I do appreciate it, Ilea. More than you know. Now hush, I can feel that you are restless. These gatherings and talks bore you. Ah to be young and reckless again,” it said.

“You were never reckless,” Ilea said.

“But I was young,” Meadow said.

“I suppose you were. Hey, mind giving me a boost… lemme deactivate my space resistance. Hmm,” Ilea tried to gauge where they were exactly, looking out into the crystal lit cavern to find anything resembling a landmark. “This way I think. But up and out too.”

She pointed in a direction.

“Of course. Your four mark transportation service is ready,” Meadow said.

“Hope you have a good stay. See you soon,” Ilea said and touched the tree lightly.

“Thank you. For everything,” Meadow said.

Her view shifted, sunlight suddenly visible to her. Storms raged nearby, their purple lightning mangling the landscape relentlessly.

Pretty far. Nice, Ilea thought, looking back to where she assumed Hallowfort to be.

She sped up and flew through various storms as night slowly set.

Ilea arrived near the Izna dungeon when the mists started to fill each crevice, burrow, and crater as far as the eye could see.

The first spinning Miststalkers appeared soon after, twirling in their ethereal dance as the stars watched from above.

She entered the facility and quickly made her way towards the factory part of the dungeon.

Ilea didn’t exactly have to use any skills to find her first victim.

She sneaked up from behind and jumped, hugging the floating being as the two slowly moved to the ground.

“Long time no see,” she said and laughed as the being struggled to escape her grasp.

“Hunter of ash… I ask of thee… let go,” Goliath said with his deep vibrating voice that came from everywhere at once.

Ilea obliged, rolling away before her wings flapped once to push her to an upright position. She watched the creature of stone and steel slowly float back up, his two golden eyes twinkling as he turned towards her.

“Here,” Ilea said and stepped up to him, a plate held in her hands.

Goliath stared at the cake, his right arm moving towards it slowly before he hesitated. “For… me?”

“Of course. You mentioned it to Catelyn, didn’t you,” Ilea said.

The ancient blacksmith opened his otherworldly eyes wide, a deep and resonating sob resounding from him.

“Ashen huntress…,” he said.

“Just take it and eat,” Ilea said and laughed, sitting down on a nearby forge.