Chapter 582: Entanglement (1/2)

Chapter 582 Entanglement

Ilea stood as the storm subsided. Pouting as she glanced at the ancient elven mage. “You interrupted,” she said and winked.

The shade of a smile returned to his face as he turned to face them. “You have fought well. Perhaps I had the want to show my power.”

Bullshit, Ilea thought, raising her eyebrows at him. Thought we couldn’t survive this one. But now we will never know!

She checked the messages, not exactly expecting much from the fight.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Executioner Praetorian – lvl 800]’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘You have survived and prevailed in battle against a level 800 foe despite brain death and continued damage to your body – One Core skill point awarded’

Let’s not get dramatic okay? I was barely in danger there, she thought and crossed her arms with an annoyed expression behind her ash.

The lack of levels made sense to her based on the group setting. And still it seemed harsh after that battle. New enemies, especially that dangerous, usually rewarded at least a level. It was three hundred levels higher than me, she thought, checking if Deviant had the option to be advanced.

- Deviant of Humanity

You have proven without a doubt that you are the exception. One of few to have faced creatures of the likes you have killed in droves. Your name is a myth to many, feared or revered in the lands of humanity.

Hmm… two points available. Could also go for something else.

Ilea decided to keep her points for now, not seeing the reason to have another intimidation bonus when she already had little problems pissing off creatures far above her level. With fellow humans, the aura was plenty already, let alone skills like Monster Hunter or just her ash alone.

She noted that Feyrair had also not leveled since the fight had started. No wonder he wants to be alone when he fights these machines.

“Well done,” she said to the elf who had finally returned to his normal form, lying down on the floor as he caressed his temples.

“You two fought well together,” Asay said as he landed. “Thank you for the help, though it turned out unneeded,” he added, gesturing to Isalthar.

He would’ve at least gotten more range out of his own teleport with the initial displacement. Ilea hadn’t really expected Isalthar to intervene, let alone as effectively as he did.

“Advance with caution,” he said, looking at the splatters of silver left behind. “Creatures like these are rare and placed only in facilities of high importance.”

The elf turned and vanished.

Ilea watched the line in the spacial fabric, curious to see that he could teleport past the hall’s entrance.

“Hey Fey, I know a place where you could show off your fire,” Ilea said.

He glanced at her, still on the floor. “Please let me rest for a few minutes.”

“You can rest on the way. Want me to carry you?” Ilea asked.

The elf hissed and flew up. “Very well.”

“Asay?” Ilea asked, turning to the elf who was examining one of the remaining blobs of silver.

“I shall rejoin Farthorn, to continue our exploration,” he said. “However I must thank the two of you, for that wondrous display of arcane spectacle,” he added with an elegant bow.

Ilea smiled, waving at him. “We can pause longer if you need it, I was just kidding.”

The elf waved her off. “No, you’re right. There’s plenty of time on the way. I just usually prefer to start any battle with my spells ready and resources topped off.”

“Reasonable, but you have me. Worst case, we run the fuck away. I doubt even another Executioner could catch us. And then we can still call for the Avatar,” she said.

“Avatar?” Feyrair asked.

“Hmm… you’re right that doesn’t make any sense. He can only control wind. Isalthar I mean,” she said.

“I see. You make peculiar remarks. Perhaps it’s just your human nature,” he said.

Ilea twirled to face him in mid air. “Said the hissing carnivore.”

He looked at her and smiled. “I suppose our species would have its peculiarities when viewed with human eyes.”

“It’s your teeth mostly,” Ilea said.

Feyrair smiled, showing the aforementioned.

Ilea smiled and led the elf to the facility she had destroyed. “How many points did you get by the way?” she asked as the elf looked around the far larger hall she had fought in, a dozen small craters showing where the cores had gone off.

“I was stuck with the Executioner,” he said with a hiss.

Oh but I thought it appeared just before we arrived, Ilea thought but decided not to push him further. She knew his defeats had affected him. If anything, she respected the more stereotypical elf for having the discipline not to lash out. The only reason someone like Seviir or Heranuur didn’t do so more frequently were the beatings they received in turn.

Feyrair at least put up a fight and even if he lost, no damage would last for more than half a minute.

“Do you think we could take Isalthar if we worked together?” Ilea asked, thinking back on the powerful display of magic.

“No,” the elf said. “Not yet. He is far more powerful than what little he shows. You should treat him like a force of nature. But I suppose he wouldn’t truly fight us anyway.”

“How did he become as powerful as he is now? If he’s not even up for a bout,” Ilea asked. “Or are higher ranked elves just born that way?”

Feyrair’s hair color changed from orange to a deep red. “Isalthar’s past is his own to share. We are not born into such power. None but the Oracles. You know the risks of reaching such heights, the battles and bloodshed needed. You humans are far more concerned with political power and wealth, but even you should already know the attention personal strength can bring. Little of it beneficial. Now replace every political move, every form of blackmail, or assassination plot you love so much with direct and open duels.”

“Sounds like a lot of capable people dying,” Ilea said.

Feyrair grinned. “Every elf to reach his level has killed their own. You may question our ways, as I question yours, but know that no elf has reached their standing without the necessary skill and power to back it up.”

“I judge them individually anyway,” Ilea said, glancing at him.

A people forged by constant strive. In a world where killing rewards power.

“Why did you become a Cerithil Hunter?” she added. “Or did you accidentally stumble into a dungeon.”

The elf slowed down, glancing at her. “Why do you care?”

Ilea shrugged. “We fought together, defeated an Executioner even. Why wouldn’t I be interested?”

He looked at her, the suspicion obvious in his eyes. “Very well. I thought our ways stagnant and meaningless. Fighting I always enjoyed but Isalthar gave me purpose where there was none before. I gained no pleasure killing other Elves and the most dangerous creatures lurk in the places of creation. What better enemy is there to fight than the very one who has kept us occupied without perspectives for millennia?”

“You think the Elves would change if the Taleen weren’t here?” she asked.

He shrugged. “Who knows? I’m not knowledgeable on the various Houses and their dealings, nor do I know the monarchs on a personal level, or understand the plans of the Oracles. But I know that far fewer of our young would die as early as they are right now. It may bring change, for the better or the worse.”

“Wouldn’t they just find something else to fight and die to?” she asked.

“Humans you mean? Possibly, yes. But even now they could not take your cities. Not the larger ones in the east that is. And no established elf would have an interest in venturing into human lands. It’s so terribly drab and your cities are noisy and stuffed,” he said.