Chapter 710: Introductions (1/2)

Chapter 710 Introductions

Trian looked around the underground domain. The cube like structure set into the stone ground looked interesting, especially compared to the few stone buildings that were present as well. He had of course known about the teleportation gates beforehand but he hadn’t quite grasped the reality of it until he stepped onto the platform and appeared here. In the supposed North.

Aki’s new form wasn’t a surprise. It had only been a matter of time until Ilea would’ve found his colleague an upgrade to his previous form. Necessary too, the students were getting off too easily. He allowed himself a slight smile, looking at the large but slender form walk through the very air. Enormous power radiated from its form, a near invisible shield protecting the machine. He just hoped the other members of the Council didn’t think to convince Aki to work for them instead. He wouldn’t. He’s a Sentinel through and through.

The floating form in the distance talking to a dwarf didn’t stand out in the grand scheme of things. The smith Ilea had mentioned, he assumed. They had been informed about the various beings that lived here in Hallowfort, though the town itself would be located up above. He glanced at Kyrian and looked towards the black grass, a crystal tree visible a few hundred meters away. Pillars of stone rose throughout the vicinity, fireflies moving in serene patterns over the downright eerie meadow. Beyond, the cavern opened up, what he knew to be crystal light coming in from outside. The edge of a cliff suggested a drop, how far he didn’t know.

Kyrian glanced at him and gave him a slight nod.

He straightened and bowed in a respectful manner, ignoring the looks he was surely getting from both the present representatives, the Elders, and his friends. “Greetings, Endless Meadow,” he said in a clear voice. He waited a few seconds, almost starting to feel a little silly when he felt a magical presence connect to his mind.

“Greetings, young human. You are receptive. Do scream should this cause you any distress,” the voice spoke, undefinable to any standard. A voice, commanding power. Almost mocking, patronizing, but not arrogant. Simply knowing.

“It doesn’t seem to be an issue. And we have an arcane healer present anyway. I have heard a lot about you,” he said, used to telepathy by now with Ilea’s new acquisition. Ready to meet another friend of hers, he thought, squishing the feeling of being in the presence of a god. Just treat it like you would Ilea.

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Navalis glanced at the Headmaster who had greeted what she assumed to be the overwhelming presence behind them. She gulped as she watched him move towards it, the others too preoccupied with the Taleen death machine to react. Is he communicating through telepathy? She turned to Wayland but the man seemed focused on the Pursuer too, green eyes taking them in as the machine stepped behind the woman she had once known to be Ilea.

It irked her. She wanted to see, wanted to learn everything she could about this place and its denizens but she knew it was beyond her. Navalis ground her teeth when she noticed Ilea looking right at her.

“No need to freak out. Were you not informed?” the woman’s voice appeared in her mind.

Telepathy. She’s a mind mage too now? She had thought the arcane presence was her main magic, and with all the stories of ash, she assumed that to be her second. A general skill? Or another Class, if such a thing is even possible?

“You can reply you know,” Ilea said. “Come on, we fought Elves together, I’m still the same, just way, way more powerful.”

“Are you really? You don’t feel the same,” Navalis said, immediately regretting her words. It was so easy to slip with telepathy, the lack of air and movement of her mouth barriers not present. Her eyes opened wide.

“I’m above level five hundred. Don’t tell the others. Plenty of evolutions and a third Class. I’ll have to show you some of my magic later, the space stuff is super cool,” the woman said and smiled, winking at her.

She’s the same. No monster would be so nonchalant. Five hundred?

[Battle Healer – lvl ??]

Is she hiding it then? Her magic feels closer to that of the Pursuer, maybe even beyond. She gulped again. “Sorry, it’s just a lot to take in. I didn’t know what we were going to do. Sulivhaan only spoke of a meeting.”

“Yeah, they were fucking with you,” Ilea said with a smile. “Though he seems just as freaked out as you are. Rock wants to fight it seems. Maybe you can dissuade him, I don’t want to shatter his self confidence.”

She’s genuinely concerned. Not a surprise with her power. The stories of Lilith were confirmed to her. Beyond even. Navalis assumed they were not exactly exaggerated, but more the opposite. Her acquaintance from a few years past had risen in power to the point where the entirety of the Shadow’s Hand would fall to her. She had seen her sustain and heal from injuries back when she had been at two hundred, she couldn’t even imagine what a healer at her level could survive.

The Elders didn’t react much to the introduction of the Pursuer, but Lucas seemed curious as to the visitors and the surrounding people. He’s not in the know, not like the other Elders. I thought he had died years ago, Navalis thought and bowed respectfully towards the three people.

Elder Quil nodded in response. Pierce seemed excited, watching the various people but mainly Sulivhaan and Wayland.

Does she know the man? Past dealings or an enemy? No, more the curiosity one would show to a friend, similar to how Kyrian watched Trian.

“Aki will return to the Headquarters soon, but we’ll have to figure out how to hide him throughout the city to avoid a panic,” Ilea continued. “He’s a three mark after all.”

So are you, Navalis thought.

“This cube thing is going to be the northern site of the Sentinels, Trian already knows about it. You can inspect it whenever,” Ilea said.

“I will, thanks,” the man answered in a slightly absentminded way. He had sat down on a nearby stone, a thoughtful expression on his face as he looked towards the distant tree.

“Over there is Goliath, the floating Dark One, and an excellent smith from Hallowfort. Claire, I’m sure you can figure out some projects that might interest him enough to actually work on it. Bralin is the dwarf next to him, he’s from the Pit, another settlement closer to the Naraza mountain chain. We can talk about that stuff later, their leader… well the closest they have to a leader, is interested in potential relations with us as well,” Ilea explained. “Don’t be alarmed by the various beings here, all should be awakened, meaning they’re capable of thought and communication. Let’s get this out of the way then, Owl?”

Navalis froze when she felt the presence of death intensify, the power overwhelming despite her lack of perception abilities. All she could do was fight against her instincts. A four mark wielder of magic. They had specific procedures in place whenever they encountered such a being. Standing in one place was not part of that. She saw Rock raise his hammer and immediately touched his back to try and dissuade him.

Senia gave them a glance before she looked at Sulivhaan but the man stared forward instead.

The presence appeared next to Ilea, floating a meter above the ground. Humanoid in shape but entirely different in every other way. Its body had an ethereal quality to it, a purple sheen to its form with two glowing eyes and a line that suggested a mouth in its head. Navalis held her breath, her hand shaking lightly as she resisted the urge to teleport away. She saw the hand sign Senia gave her, the woman as tense as she was. Teleportation restricted.

[Greater Lich – lvl ????]

Navalis could feel the fear now. Everyone present was a veteran, the only reason nobody had tried to flee the calm presence of both Ilea and the Elders. Claire and Kyrian seemed mostly unbothered as well.

“Uhm… hello everyone,” an ethereal voice spoke as the Lich raised a hand in a wave like gesture.

What?

Navalis watched the being glance at Ilea, the latter giving a reassuring smile and nod. Who… what…

“Hello Owl,” Claire said. “It’s nice to meet you.”

The Lich seemed relieved by that, the tension broken in an instant.

Rock started laughing, Senia giving him an annoyed glare.