Chapter 119 (2/2)

The first was a huge whirlpool, spiraling ever closer, ever more tightly, the outsides gentle and slow, but the inner circle viciously powerful. The other was more like an ever branching stream, flowing from the same source, but parting and spreading outward, its arms covering an area that was many times larger than the whirlpool.

Although the whirlpool was clearly more powerful, it was also more concentrated, and the feeling that Aether gave Randidly was very different than the river. The Whirlpool was anger and greed; the river felt of generosity and sharing. It was a river of life, that a civilization could be based upon.

Of course, that really did very little to inform him of how this Aether change would affect Arbor, but still…

Randidly pressed, superimposing that second image of how Aether should flow on the connection, and watched as it slowly seeped inward, altering their relationship.

Sighing Randidly returned to himself.

Mrs. Hamilton yawned. “Finally ready to put in some work…?”

*****

Kiersty couldn’t contain her smug look, but the grey children didn’t notice; they were too busy staring slack jawed at the strange tree in front of them.

It grew and stretched, wiggling, as if the only thing keeping it from being 20 feet tall was the small hole it was using to get out of the ground. Its branches multiplied, and several flaming leaves formed on the tree. It settled in about as large as all of the trees are, or were, back in Donnyton, being slightly taller than an adult.

But somehow, Kiersty knew that this tree had a lot more potential for growth.

“It grew, just like that….?” The vocal grey child asked, her eyes wide.

“Well, it doesn’t always grow so suddenly.” Kiersty allowed. “But it grows on our love, slowly, but always growing. And I am its Priestess, Kiersty. You may call it Arbor.”

*****

Decklan grimaced, wiping blood off of his knife. It was a worn thing now, but it had been given to him by the Ghosthound, and Decklan was sure that there was some secret still hidden in its depths. But against these higher tiered enemies… it was starting to reach the limits of its usefulness. He needed another blade.

They were stuck in a slightly awkward position right now. Decklan and Devan’s squad were over here, and were currently being used to mop up the raid parties led by the Raid Bosses’ lieutenants. The locals were rather unwilling to let such useful and trained warriors go, and so stood constantly guarding the portal.

But of course, this was only because Kith Klark was basically on their last legs, and was only a step away from being wiped out. Although their defenses hadn’t been breached, most of their industry and food sources were slowly being ripped away by the stranglehold of the Raid Bosses. Decklan couldn’t bring himself to hate the covert threat that the turtles and rabbits were using to keep them here.

In addition, 3 more factors weighed in the favor of them remaining and helping. First, the council wanted to maintain cordial relations, and their continued presence gave them further insight to the strange situation that heralded their arrival. Second, the council wasn’t sure what would happen to the portal if the village fell.

If the portal remained, and suddenly Raid Bosses could appear inside of Donnyton at any moment…

The third reason was Kiersty’s continued refusal to return, which was surprising, and an obstacle that Decklan had no idea how to handle. Sure, he could physically take her back, but…

The Ghosthound’s plants loved her, even Thorn, so Decklan was slightly leery of that option.

Kiersty’s mother, upon hearing the news, wanted to come over and drag her back, but Donnyton also didn’t want to send anymore people over, in case things over on this side became serious. As such, they were at a weird impasse. At the very least, the experience was good…

Which was increasingly important, because after hitting Lvl 30, all of them, Donny, Dozer, and Decklan, had hit a wall in terms of leveling. Experience was harder to get, and you required more. He had only today reached 32, and that was after battling against enemies whose level were in the high 20s for almost 14 hours straight. It seemed like 30 would be something of a dividing line in the future, and Decklan intended to be above that line. Meanwhile, less combat focused classes, like Daniel and Ptolemy, would probably have a much more difficult time…

There were benefits to the stranglehold that the Raid Bosses had over the area. They were not particularly friendly with each other, and had clearly defined territories. But they also were very stern about newly spawned Raid Bosses in the area, and would group up and deal with any fresh arrivals, unwilling to see anyone else rise to join their ranks. For the same reason, they didn’t launch a serious offensive, apparently worried about being attacked by one of their own while they were distracted.

There were currently 3 Tier I Raid Bosses and 1 Tier II active in the area, and-

A rumbling distracted Decklan from his thoughts. He frowned, because it was a rumbling he recognized from long experience in battle; that was the noise hundreds of feet made when moving.

He left his small burrow house and sought out the others. Alana and Devan were already there, grim faced, and the rest of his squad was waiting for him. Tera was wide eyed, talking to Annie, who was covered in dirt and blood, but appeared unharmed.

“Did you cause this?” Decklan asked, already knowing the answer.

Annie winked back at him. “Well, technically no. It’s the Tier II raid boss, that asshole, who's at fault. If he would have just stood still for one more second…”

The Rabbits and Turtles were panicking, groups of them hastily throwing on armor and moving up to their low walls. Decklan quickly followed, gazing out at the mass of monsters that was coming for the village.

Quickly returning, Decklan grimaced at Annie. “If that giant Ape Raid Boss was the culprit, why are monsters from the other Raid Bosses attacking too…?”

Annie pouted. “Because they are dead, dummy. I figured if I just killed all the Raid Bosses we could go back. And I was so close…! That dumb neanderthal just has such thick fur, how was I supposed to know that even an Empowered arrow would just annoy his throat?”

A roar rang out, too close for Decklan’s comfort.