Chapter 586: The Grind (1/2)

Chapter 586 The Grind

Isalthar sent a few waves of air at the remaining two Praetorians, breaking through their shields and nearly splitting them apart before their cores exploded.

Elfie and the rest joined the group. He gave her a sad smile and a questioning look.

“Heranuur and Seviir were there, kneeling before the Monarch. What was his name?” Ilea said.

“The Sanvaruun, monarch of Verleyna and the domain of Sky,” Isalthar supplied.

“Then they betrayed us,” Neiphato said, his voice a murmur before he stepped away, his magic wavering a little before he left Ilea’s sphere.

Wasn’t that already obvious? Ilea thought but didn’t comment on it. “I was immediately attacked by the armored elf, apparently called Noro. Couldn’t even talk to the two and that one wasn’t particularly communicative either.”

Farthorn smirked. “You survived against the Noro? Why should we believe such stories?”

“Have you lost the function of your eyes?” Asay asked. “You have seen her battle the Executioner. How is your doubt still present?”

The elf looked at her but didn’t seem convinced.

“She has certain prerequisites that allow her to stand against such monsters,” Isalthar said. “Nor is the beast undying and all powerful. However I do assume, your escape has to do with a nearby dungeon.”

Ilea nodded. “Yeah. He didn’t come inside. But I could’ve escaped either way. My teleportation is faster.”

Isalthar smiled ever so slightly. “And even Sanvaruun cannot force his will onto a powerful master of space itself. Did you battle him?”

He’s enjoying this, isn’t he.

“Battle is an overstatement. He showed up after Noro left, tried to pull me out of the dungeon with space magic. When he failed to do that, he burned me with light magic,” she explained.

Asay started snickering again. “Didn’t work either. A human of all things… he will be losing his mind!”

Ilea glanced between him and Isalthar. “Will he come for human settlements?”

“No,” Isalthar said immediately. “He may send the Noro or others to deal with you directly. But attacking a settlement of humans is too far below his standing. He cares too much about his reputation. Or so it has been, last I knew the monarch.”

“He would not have changed. He has not changed for too long,” Asay said.

“But he could just wipe out a whole town,” Ilea said.

Ben shook his head. “It would be comparable to a human king dealing with a roach infestation in the village furthers from his capital.”

“Okay, wow,” Ilea said. “You guys really thing that low of humans?”

The group was silent, glancing at each other and hissing a few times.

“Even after you’ve met me?” she asked.

“The sentiment is important for your species’ survival,” Isalthar tried.

“That doesn’t make it better,” Ilea said, raising her brows.

Isalthar looked at her, contemplating his next words. “Apologies.”

Sorry your species sucks, Ilea thought and rolled her eyes. You’ll learn too, Isalthar. When I kick that monarch’s balls into a slushie.

“He told me to let you know that he wants to see you in Verleyna,” she said.

The group looked at Isalthar but he didn’t seem to mind. “Yes. He has demanded such for many centuries. And I shall face him in due time. Our purpose however, takes precedence.”

Ilea shook her head slightly. “Wait, so he came all the way up north just to tell you something you already know?”

“He demands. But a duel in the north serves his purpose just as much. I believe he had hoped to find me, not within a dungeon. Perhaps it speaks for the young to have waited with their betrayal until we had found this place,” he said, glancing at Elfie.

“Or it speaks for their incompetence,” Farthorn said.

Elfie hissed, and he hissed back.

“A request to duel must be answered, it is fundamental,” Ben explained to Ilea. “It’s possible that Sanvaruun believes his request has simply not yet been delivered.”

Ilea just stared at him. “What? After centuries?”

“I have not declined him directly,” Isalthar said.

That’s the stupidest shit I’ve ever heard, Ilea thought and looked at the group. “That’s the stupidest shit I’ve ever heard.”

“It’s what saved you today,” Ben said with a shrug. “Except if you think you could’ve ran from them even if they had entered the dungeon.”

“Probably not to be honest. But I would’ve had a shot at least,” she said with a smirk, cracking her neck right after. “Which means I have work to do, in case Noro shows up again. I do want to beat that fucker down. Any idea what his fucking pole is about?”

“The Blessing of Asseth. A divine artifact given to the Noro in his timeless devotion and purpose,” Asay informed. “It is said to be both weightless and… well not weightless.”

“How poetic,” Ilea mused. “That thing hit like an oil tanker.”

“You’re making up words again,” Ben said.

Asay quirked up an eyebrow and smiled brightly. “I see…,”

Ilea smiled back but didn’t say anything.

“What about Seviir and Heranuur? Will they be killed?” Elfie spoke up, looking at the ancient elf.

Isalthar looked at him. “It is possible. But their power is no challenge to him. I would not put it past Sanvaruun to hold his promises. However it is not him they will face, but the Oracles themselves. And their will is unknown. I know not of the fate that awaits those who return, seeking salvation.”

“If it becomes known that they’re Cursed, the two will be dead within the week,” Farthorn said.

Elfie nodded, cursing to himself in Elvish. “I had been sure.”

Isalthar stepped over and clasped his shoulder. “Do not blame yourself, Niivalyr Olanis. Our mark of birth is not easily overcome. It is a challenge we face each day. They are not the first to forsake this purpose but already, they have saved lives that would have otherwise been lost.”

Elfie hissed and stepped away, joining Neiphato who had sat down on a set of interlinked wooden branches.

“So what now?” Ilea asked, looking at the group.

“Nothing changes,” Asay said. “Except perhaps… for you.”

“She’s not the only one he now knows about,” Farthorn said with a sigh. “Just because you don’t care about Verleyna doesn’t mean the rest can be so casual. I’ll try to avoid leaving a dungeon for the next few years.”

“They would’ve found you a long time ago, if they cared at all,” Ben said.

“They didn’t know we worked with the Val Akuun,” Farthorn replied.

“We all work with him, in one way or the other,” Ben said.

Ilea sighed. “Well I’ll better prepare for the next battle then,” she said. “Where’s Fey?”

Seithir pointed in a direction.

Could do with being in control for a change, she thought, glancing over at Elfie but deciding to let them be for now. She spread her wings and sped off into the corridors of Izta.

Their methodical clearing of the massive Praetorian facility continued. Ilea mostly worked together with Feyrair, the two of them splitting up the enemies in the various halls beforehand and mostly doing their own thing until they were forced to work together.