Chapter 780: Meat (1/2)

Ilea landed near the massive gate of the supposed main Guild hall. The connection to the Sphere remained. “So… there’s really a sun in that thing?”

“A Source. Calling it a sun is… both wrong, and simplified. I’m still deciphering the information I have available, on everything. The nature of the Source is not a priority, nor something I will be able to grasp quickly. It seems even the High Makers did not truly comprehend what they found in Kohr. The Ascended are… terrifying,” Aki spoke.

“Seems like you’ve got your work cut out for you then,” Ilea said. “Hope you’re not angry that I put you into a supercomputer.”

“I’m just overwhelmed, Ilea. Even with everything here, it is a lot to take in. I’m not a machine, not in practice,” Aki said.

“Right. You’re a dagger I found in an old dungeon,” she said with a smile, watching the Executioners push open the dusty ancient gates.

“Technically, yes. But you have a hammer now anyway. Perhaps that one will be in control of the next army of forgotten beings you come across,” the dagger said.

“Don’t joke about that. Silent Memory might actually be capable of that. Not in a good way though,” she said and followed the Hunters into the massive hall. Green lamps flickered to life on the ceiling, a few of them not turning on.

“The ancient halls of our enemies,” one of the elves spoke. “Forgotten. Left to ruin.” He hissed and sent a sphere of fire into a part of the table. Bits and pieces of stone exploded outwards. “None to pay for their atrocities.”

“That was always how it was supposed to end,” Isalthar spoke, moving closer before he touched the elf’s shoulder. “Thousands will live, due to our actions here.” He hissed.

“The Monarchs will not watch without action,” Zorithanael spoke. “A vacuum will be created.”

“We will deal with that, when the time comes,” Feyrair said with a joyous hiss. “Now let us feast.” He summoned a carcass and threw it onto the large table, the dead beast leaving a trail of fresh blood behind as it slid before coming to a stop.

Ilea opened her eyes wide as the elves started hissing, some of them summoning their own food, others simply slumping down onto the various stone chairs, exhausted from the battle.

Violence.

“Yeah. I suppose they do have a way with food,” Ilea said, moving her hand to stop a splatter of blood with her space magic. She chose one of the massive stone chairs and improved it a little with some ash, sitting down before she summoned her own meal. She chose a salad. Not because of the carnage around her, but because she didn’t feel like eating anything hot right now. Even warm was too much. Gummy teeth. Maybe I should drink smoothies for a while.

She relaxed in the chair and finally looked through the notifications from the battle.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Guardian – lvl 203]’

I suppose the Sphere Guardians did fight at my side, she thought with a smile. It felt strange, to think that this was it. She had fought the green eyed machines since Dawntree, coming across the Taleen creations time and time again during her travels. And now. Well, in a way it felt fitting, to have brought an end to it with the strange dagger she had found in her first dungeon. While exploring with Lorcan. He still didn’t get that bow. Hmm. She smiled to herself as she recalled the battles, nearly dying against single Centurions, their core explosions enough to endanger even the highest leveled fighters of the expedition.

And now I’m eating in the Guild Hall of the Taleen, alongside the Cerithil Hunters.

Niivalyr entered the hall with a group of elves, Neiphato one of them. He dusted off his coat and sat down next to Ilea.

“You survived,” she murmured.

“Yes, barely,” he answered.

“I’m checking through my messages,” Ilea said, tapping her head.

“I’ll do that in a minute,” the elf said and sighed, slumping into his stone chair before he hissed in annoyance. “Who makes chairs out of stone?”

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 622 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 619 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 612 – One stat point awarded’

Would you look at that. A whopping three levels. She wasn’t surprised. Executioners were the only machines aside from the sphere guardians that provided some challenge, and even then she could deal with entire groups of them by now.

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Huntress [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Sight [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Origin of Ash and Embers [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Vision of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Shift [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Fabric Tear [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Reality Warp [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Flesh [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Space Manipulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 25’

I suppose the corridor was good for something. Not that I’d repeat that.

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Limbs reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mystic] reaches 2nd lvl 15

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Warhammer Mastery reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Astral Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Astral Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

‘ding’ ‘Astral Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

Now that. Is interesting. A breakthrough without using a third tier point. And the benefits for my regeneration are nice to have. Most significant for my stamina actually, with all the bonuses I already have for the rest. Nice.

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 19’

Not even enough for another void resistance level.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill – Star Touched – lvl 1’

Star Touched – lvl 1

We both know I won’t stop, Ilea answered with a smile on her face. So. Astral magic, without an evolution, elixir, or anything else. Maybe just the third tier was enough? Or me specifically absorbing the heat and energy in there and shooting it out? Just being in there for a while?

She didn’t particularly care for now. It was nice to have as an option, and for future evolutions it would certainly be a considerable achievement.

‘ding’ ‘You have walked through the fires of a star – One Core skill point awarded’

Reasonable. Wasn’t really me who replaced the One without Form though. But I suppose Aki got a bit more than just a few core points. Now… can I get a Mystic skill to the third tier?

- Azarinth Barrier [Mystic]

You have pushed the Azarinth Star to its very limits, protecting both yourself and your allies from harm whilst charging into battle. You may wield its full potential, should you will it so.

Why not. I have enough points. I will it so.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mystic] reaches 3rd lvl 1