Chapter 666: Stormy Weather (1/2)

Chapter 666 Stormy Weather

The journey brought them even further north, the winds picking up as they advanced. Ice started to form on the group, despite their heat generation and fire magic. It hadn’t reached Ice Elemental levels but Ilea wondered how anything below level five to six hundred could feasibly survive in an environment like this.

They took a break in a small cavern above a mountain outcrop, Feyrair producing a flame that provided warmth.

None of them would be in any danger of actually freezing, but the comfort was appreciated. Ilea shook the ice off her wings and shoulders, her own heat generation not currently active. “Shit weather up here,” she murmured.

“Lightning will still strike here. We’re not past that height yet,” Pierce informed. “Gets more dangerous there, if you can believe it.”

“Of course, that’s where all the creatures live who can claim a place in the suns,” Feyrair said with a smile.

“Have you been there?” Ilea asked, sitting down and summoning some food.

“A few times, yes,” he said and hissed. “Dangerous, for someone below level three hundred. More so for those above.”

Verena nodded to herself. “Worthy prey.”

“Elves are not the only ones interested in hunting,” Fey said with a grin. “But of course that dragon vastly underestimated me. I was about to win that battle when he decided to retreat.”

Pierce started laughing, dodging a fire beam that burned into the cavern wall.

“Stop it children,” Verena said. “You will attract attention,” she added, looking at Ilea.

“You want to go alone instead? None of you is particularly geared for stealth,” she said.

Feyrair waved them off. “Ilea’s space magic easily offsets her lack of stealth. She escaped a dragon after all. Not quite the same feat as challenging one, but it’s impressive enough to travel north from here.”

“She did challenge it,” Verena said. “To save our lives.”

“How did you fare?” Feyrair asked with a toothy smile and glowing eyes.

“About as well as against the Meadow? And I know both were holding back,” Ilea answered.

“I can still hear her frustrated roar before you moved us out of there,” Pierce said and giggled. “I owe you one for that experience. Whatever you want,” she added and grinned.

Ilea looked at the woman before she glanced at Feyrair. Hmm.

There was nothing quite as good as an enjoyable fight after a near death experience, but some things came close. “As long as we’re all in the clear that this is strictly casual.”

The Elf looked at her, raising one eyebrow.

Pierce blushed lightly, a broad smile on her face as she covered her mouth with both hands. “The elf… and… Lilith?” she muttered.

Verena sighed. “I’ll be waiting outside. Don’t take too long.”

“Interrupt if something shows up,” Ilea said.

“No I won’t,” the Elder said in a matter of fact one, vanishing from the cave.

Feyrair grinned, looking at her as he rested his chin on one hand. “There wasn’t even a fight to get me excited,” he complained.

Ilea appeared in front of him with a fist to his face, bones cracking before he slammed against the wall behind. She heard a hiss as his face and skull reformed.

“Is... it always like this?” Pierce asked in a purring voice as her metal armor flowed away.

“The fighting usually takes longer,” Ilea said, appearing behind the woman, her arms coming to rest on her chest as a spark of lightning flowed through her. “Now, do you want to try me too?” she whispered, her ash spreading through the cave.

Ilea sighed, rolling around in her bed of ash with two defeated monsters by her side. Despite her many prejudices against this experience, she had found it rather exciting, and surprisingly enjoyable. I suppose as long as the relationships are clearly defined, nobody gets hurt.

She stood up, her mantle layering over her body before she stepped out into the blizzard. Some of the ground inside still glowed, the cave certainly looking a little rougher than it had before.

Ilea found the Elder sitting on a boulder about ten meters away, ice and snow covering half her form as she meditated. She glanced down at the woman and smiled, joining her as she formed heat within herself, creating a small shield of ash against the blizzard.

Verena opened her eyes and looked over, accepting the bottle of ale Ilea handed to her.

“Not everyday you can share a cold one in a blizzard,” she said.

“What does that mean?” Verena asked, removing the cork of the bottle.

“My attempt at a joke,” Ilea answered. “Sorry for taking so long.”

They clinked their bottles together, Verena waving her off. “I hope you’re not insulted that I didn’t join.”

“Why would I be?” Ilea asked.

“Pierce was always annoyed,” she said and laughed. “But I should stop using her as a baseline.”

Ilea chuckled. “You really should,” she said. Lightning wasn’t only made for flying, she mused, feeling considerably more calm. She had never visited The Root again, but she imagined the experience would be a little underwhelming with her enhanced body.

“It’s nice,” Verena said after a short pause. “To feel nature, as well as here.”

“Not easy to find climates this extreme,” Ilea said, her bottle nearly glowing with the heat her body put out, Verena’s literally on fire. Just for the liquid to stay, well, liquid. “If we’re back in Hallowfort later, you have to try a lava bath by the Trakorov, it’s the laziest four mark monster you’ll find. Great for resistance training too.”

“Hmm, that sounds lovely. After this. A monster though, won’t it just eat me?” she asked.

“Not if I’m there,” Ilea answered. “Wait, you know Helena, right?”

Verena nodded lightly, the ashen shield moving a little to adjust for the changing winds.

“She makes poison cake. And other insane foods that only high level people can even survive,” Ilea said.

Verena smiled. “I see. My interest is limited, knowing what she likely uses them for on a daily basis.”

Ilea sighed. “I think she has less extravagant ways to conduct her, business. She struck me as somewhat practical.”

“That she is,” Verena said. “Just so we are clear, I don’t think there’s a better alternative than Helena, but that doesn’t mean I have to like her.”

“Maybe one day, her business won’t be needed anymore,” Ilea said. I’m still unsure if it’s needed right now.

Verena chuckled and finished the bottle. “You’re awfully optimistic,” she said and threw the glass into the storm.

“Didn’t think you’d be one to litter,” Ilea mused. “Throwing trash into nature,” she clarified.

The Elder smiled wickedly. “What other way do we humans have to leave our mark in these hostile lands?”

Ilea considered the words and smiled. It resonated in some ways. Back on Earth, they had been the Apex predator, the beings controlling everything. Here however, they were lucky to have a territory of their own. She looked at the bottle and threw it into the storm, wondering if another intelligent being would ever come across their unforgivable crime.

Pierce joined their side, hugging Ilea with her metal armor and giving her a kiss on her cheek. “Thanks, darling.”

“You’re making it weird,” Ilea deadpanned but smiled right after, seeing the woman give her a wink before her helmet formed as well.

Feyrair stepped out from the cave and transformed into his dragon form. He spread his wings and roared into the storm, most of the sound lost rather quickly within the fast moving winds and snow.

“Men will be men,” Pierce said.

“Elf,” Verena said and stood up.

“It’s not the teeth and ears that make a man,” Pierce replied and laughed when she saw Verena’s tired expression.