Chapter 780: Meat (2/2)

Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] – 3rd lvl 1

So like a shield the size of my dominion, or larger? Gonna have to test that out. Could be pretty useful if the activation time is short. Not being able to move sucks, but maybe I can teleport away at least?

Ilea touched the necklace when a group of Executioners entered the hall, carrying large carcasses of dead creatures. They threw the bodies onto the large table.

“A gift, and a token. Given freely, and without asking anything in return,” Aki spoke, through one of the beings.

“I shall accept,” Isalthar said, walking over before he ripped out a piece of the large dead monster, its skin a deep blue. He ate the flesh, blood dripping down his chin as he chewed.

“What does that mean?” Ilea asked, glancing over at Elfie.

“An old tradition. Dead prey can be offered in an effort to start some kind of conversation. One preferably without ripping each other to bloodied pieces,” the elf explained. “Blood in place of blood, so to say.”

“I should do that too,” Ilea mused. “Then at least I get something out of it when someone recognizes me.”

Violence, the Fae confirmed.

“It’s about the food though,” Ilea said.

Boring

“You take that back,” she growled.

One of the Executioners stepped forward. “The remaining Hunters in Iz have agreed to join us. Those interested in the conversation. A few have already left.”

“Left? Iz?” Ilea asked.

“Indeed,” Aki replied through another machine that glanced over.

Ilea looked at Isalthar. “Why would they leave now? Wasn’t the whole purpose of the Hunters the destruction of the Taleen? The end of this war?”

The white haired healer looked back at her and smiled ever so slightly. “The war is over, is it not?”

“Yeah, but what’s the plan? Where are they going? Where are you going?” she asked.

“I am surprised to hear such questions from you of all beings,” Isalthar spoke.

Ilea thought about it for a moment. “Fair enough.”

“They will find their way. As will we,” Isalthar said. “However we remain exiles. Cursed and hunted.”

“You plan to fight the Monarchs?” Ilea asked.

He looked at her for a long moment. “That remains to be seen.”

Isalthar turned towards the Executioner. “Sentinel of Akelion. We have fought the Taleen for centuries, have crippled production facilities, and have destroyed entire armies. It is strange now, to see our enemies stand before us without hostility. What is it you intend to do with this army of machines?”

A series of green eyes looked at the Hunter, other elves now interrupting their meal to listen to the Val Akuun and the new Guardian of Iz.

Ilea glanced to the broad entrance where a few more elves arrived, the group soon finding seats at or near the extensive table.

“The One without Form… was limited, in its creation. The Taleen feared a more elaborate being in control of their armies would betray them, in pursuit of total power. A being like myself was never intended to be the Guardian of Iz. And yet I am here.

“I am a Sentinel, but I’m not bound anymore to one body. It will take time, for me to fully understand the extent of my capabilities and the reach of these creations,” Aki spoke as the Executioner glanced at a closing silver hand. “The Sentinels aim to defeat monsters in the wild, they aim to teach healing, and to protect adventurers in their endeavors. I was tasked with the protection of our Headquarters, but I believe the interpretation of my duties has to change. In accordance with this newfound power.”

“Then have you reached a conclusion already?” Isalthar asked.

“These machines were made for war, the One without Form created in a combined effort of fear and greed. I reject those ideas. With this reach, I shall guard not only Ravenhall, but all of humanity and its allies.”

“You will not hunt our kind?” Isalthar said.

“I will answer any aggression as I see fit. Elven, human, dwarvish, Dark One, and anybody else. I have no reason to hunt for your kind, Val Akuun,” Aki spoke.

“And how do we know you speak the truth?” another elf asked.

“I know what you are, Hunter. I do not speak deception. Cer areth akaar,” the Guardian spoke.

Hissing and whispers went through the attendants.

Elfie too hissed at the exclamation.

“What did he say?” she asked him.

“A vow… of sorts. An old one. I have only heard it spoken thrice, every time before a duel to death. It is not spoken lightly,” he answered.

“You are no elf,” another Hunter said.

“It does not matter. The Guardian has said the words,” another elf said.

More hissing went through the room but it seemed most of the present Hunters now had a respectful attitude towards the Sentinel. The entire air in the hall had changed.

Yeah, they do take that seriously.

“I will consider the best use of the remaining facilities and machines under my control. The Cerithil Hunters are welcome in all of them. You may remain in Iz or use the teleportation network of the Taleen to travel to a destination of your choosing, all of you,” Aki said. “I have collected the bodies of the fallen, so they may be consumed.”

Isalthar bowed his head lightly. “I thank you, Sentinel,” he said and turned to address the Hunters in an Elvish speech.

Elfie translated into Ilea’s mind. “You have answered my call, and I shall answer yours. Our duty is fulfilled, the ancient enemy that has plagued our lands defeated. Better, changed, a guardian to those who might become our allies. I do not ask of you more now but to consider the future. Too long have the Domains remained unchanged. We have found purpose in our exile, in our betrayal, and have been freed of the ancient rules. Those who would consider, I ask you to remain here.”

Ilea watched as some of the elves whispered amongst each other, many of them hissing. A few stood up and left, some of them showing respect in their departure, others leaving without a word or gesture. None were openly hostile.

She glanced to the entrance where a familiar sand mage landed and rushed inside, wide eyes as he looked at the scene, a tome appearing in his right hand and a pen in the other. He appeared by her side and started talking. “I… ca-” he coughed, bloodied sand hitting the ground. “I… finally… what’s happening? Don’t tell me I missed it!”

“You missed it,” Ilea said immediately. She saw his eye twitch and started healing his mind.

“I shall retell what I have seen, librarian,” Elfie said, a light smile on his face.

Ilea could feel the frustration in Evan as he glanced around the room, unable to even consider sitting down.

“Why did the machines stop?” he asked. “They talked to me!”

“Lilith went into the sphere,” Elfie said. “And replaced the previous Guardian of Iz.”

“You… did…” Evan murmured, looking at her before his eyes wandered to her shoulder. “Is that a… Fae?”

Violence

“I did not mean to offend,” Evan said and bowed lightly.

Manners, the Fae sent to Ilea before he tapped the side of her head.

“Can’t even squish my eyes, why should I bow to you?” Ilea asked. “Elfie can tell you all about it.”

“Elfie?” Evan asked.

“Niivalyr is the name. But I’m sure you’re familiar with Lilith,” Elfie said.

“I am. Now… please repeat what you said before. The Guardian of Iz was replaced?” Evan said, now leaning against the broad table with slightly shaking hands.

Ilea let the two have their talk, herself watching the remaining Elves mingle. There were still quite a few present, including of course the ones she knew. “With that offer, I guess it’s time to introduce the Hunters to the Accords,” she sent to the Sentinel of Akelion.

“I will try to smooth things over. Few of them should have more reason to reject the Cerithil Hunters than they have rejecting me. But we shall discuss the possibilities. Whenever you are ready,” Aki sent.