Chapter 766: Enhance (1/2)

The present people in the Soul Forge sat down around the large table set into the main hall. Nelras Ithom, or the war machine now housing his soul joined them.

“His ability to adapt to this situation is impressive,” the Meadow sent.

Ilea nodded lightly. “I agree.”

The makers of the war machine asked a bunch of questions in regards to how the vessel and machine felt. He would likely not be the last one to go through the process.

Ilea wondered if her soul, even if trapped within a marble, could be moved that easily. She did have her fires protecting her essence, so she assumed it would at least damage the transfer machine.

Feyrair confirmed a few questions from the former Monarch, mostly about the well being of his people.

“Do you know what happened after I was defeated?” Nelras asked, looking at Fey.

“I was not alive then, nor do I know the secrets of your domain,” the dragonling said.

“I’ve been told that there was basically a civil war after your defeat. Centuries of bloodshed, I assume to find out who would follow as the next Monarch?” Ilea said.

Nelras hissed in a joyous manner. “Good. I would not have it any other way. I hope to find out who has claimed my title, after all these years. But it is secondary, and too dangerous. The Ascended remain.”

“Kind of,” Ilea said. “Their Unity was broken. As far as I understand, they had an internal conflict too. The factions that managed to invade Kohr declared their victory and returned.”

“I did not invade Kohr. I was taken there, by a powerful space magic spell,” Nelras said.

“Same as me,” Ilea said. “A trap laid, maybe for someone that would seek your essence.”

“Did you seek it?” the being asked.

“No. I found you among a few other artifacts. This thing here too,” she said and pointed at the Azarinth Star around her neck.

“Indeed. Though it seems the threat is gone, Ker Velor remains,” he said. “And one of the suns has been taken. It would’ve been a blow against our entire domain.” He shook his head.

“How did the Elves get involved anyway? The Oracles don’t seem to care much. You have Elves defying them and going into dungeons because the Taleen machines are doing so much damage,” she said.

“Taleen machines? I… elves would choose to defile the places of creation?” he asked.

“You seem more shaken about this than knowing your soul was trapped for thousands of years, or knowing that the war was over,” Ilea said. “You guys are fucking indoctrinated.”

The former Monarch considered for a moment. “It is… fundamental. We are made of mana, Lilith. It is only natural for us to follow the guidance of the Oracles, though to think that some would defy them. It is… confusing. Heresy, though impressive in a sense. Perhaps inspiring even, though had I my former body, I would hunt them down.”

“Surprisingly honest,” Ilea mused.

Fey hissed.

“You disagree?” Nelras asked, looking at the elf.

“I do. I’m a Cerithil Hunter myself, one deemed Cursed by most of our kind,” Fey said.

Nelras laughed. “Amusing. Why then, tell me, young warrior, did you choose to defy the Oracles? To fight the Taleen? To protect the young? Those unable to fend off an attacker?”

“I agree, they have to learn to fight for themselves. I fight at Isalthar’s side because our species is stagnant. Humans adapt and improve, they build homes, create technology, study the theory of magic. Dwarves have created teleportation gates, have made machines to fight for them, have burrowed deep below ground to protect their own. It feels… wrong… sometimes… but I wish to, not be guided by instinct alone,” Fey spoke.

“Fleshy form, controlled by instincts,” Ilea murmured.

Fey glanced her way.

“Apologies,” she said. “I get where you’re coming from.”

“I… must say, I expected myself to reject such ideas,” Nelras said. “Though I find myself… intrigued. I will have to think on this.”

Did we just create our first Ascended? Ilea wondered. “Meadow… Ker Velor told me something similar. He was annoyed about my want to eat, to sleep.”

“You don’t exactly sleep,” the Meadow said.

“Beside the point. How much could Elves be guided by their instincts and biology? The Monarch so easily accepted these ideas…” she spoke.

“He could simply have considered such before. He is older than most here,” the Meadow said. “Even before his soul was trapped.”

“It’s possible. Just think it’s interesting. What if we for example moved the essence of a demon or monster into one of these war machines?” she asked.

“Awakening is not something that can be forced in such a manner. I have considered such before but both Owl and Twin confirmed that such an attempt at awakening would destroy the soul,” the Meadow spoke.

“Sure… but what if… I mean the Navuun were awakened beings before whatever happened to them in Kohr. Not even worth an attempt?” Ilea asked.

“You have killed thousands of them, have you not?” the Meadow asked.

“They attacked me. Just because there might be someone hidden below that monstrous nature doesn’t mean I should be considerate, if anything I freed them from that horrendous existence,” Ilea said.

“So easily reasoned away are the ethical implications by a killer,” the Meadow said.

“I won’t deny that,” Ilea said.

“To return to the matter at hand. The Ascended are reliant on energy sources, most of their more powerful spells are prepared and executed with runes,” Nelras said. “A language I had not been familiar with, nor one our Oracles knew.”

“We’re aware of that,” Iana said.

“I assumed as much. Though I have spent years studying their runes. I require steel, and something to etch into said steel,” Nelras said.

Iana stood up. “Steel… of course… how could we miss that!” She rushed away.

“A being with knowledge of the Ascended runic language. That… is interesting,” the Meadow spoke, everyone looking up.

“So there is a being here… I was not wrong,” Nelras spoke. “Your god?”

Ilea started laughing.

“A king of sorts?” the monarch asked, a little confused.

She kept laughing.

“Why is she laughing?” Nelras asked, looking at Fey.

“Her… relationship with the Meadow is… complicated,” Fey said.

“That doesn’t explain anything,” Nelras said.

“I am neither god nor king, young elf. Merely friend and guide to those I now choose to protect,” the Meadow spoke.

“A being of your power… deciding to ally itself with… humans,”the monarch spoke.

“Unfathomable,” Ilea said with a grin.

“Yes. Which makes it intriguing,” Nelras said. “Though I have heard much today that has been… new.” He didn’t sound disappointed in the slightest.

Iana rushed back inside, thin sheets of metal at the ready. Her hands shook lightly.

Chris handed the war machine a thin knife, Iana setting down the sheets.

Nelras took the tool and glanced at the steel. “Vel rath itor nevelia. Art vekuhm.” He spoke the words in a whisper and started etching the first rune.

“What did he say?” Ilea asked Fey.

He smiled. “To destroy those who would shatter the balance. May the light shine on us all.”

“Sounds like he’s on board,” Ilea mused.

“The latter part I believe is a saying common in the sunlight wastes. The former is something Elves recite before they fight and kill Cerithil Hunters,” Fey said.

“Well. That sucks,” Ilea replied.

“Unfortunate circumstances,” Fey added before he went quiet, watching the war machine etch runes into the steel plates with deliberate consideration.

Ilea left them to work, returning to her room, soon sitting in her bath.

“Will you return?” the Meadow asked.

“Was it today?” Ilea asked.

“Yes. Your progress has slowed down below Karth. It is a risk, to return to Kohr, but if you wish to keep advancing, you will have to fight more powerful monsters,” the Meadow said.

“Another Drake hmm?” Ilea sent before she once more looked through the messages she got during the past three months.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Hadranim – lvl 1034]

Thousands of creatures, many of them below the four mark stage, though the Depths of Karth did not disappoint.

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 571 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 569 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 554 – One stat point awarded’

Ilea was closing in on six hundred, though the returns from the Karthian monsters were slowing down rapidly. Mostly from levels that was, the Hadranim were still a wonderful source to grow her skills, mostly due to their reliance on physical fighting, but their toughness and speed helped too. She even got a Core point when she killed the hundredth of their kind. Enough with her level gains to enhance her last two Class skills, both of them in her third Class.