237 Understanding (2/2)

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Li sat around the heart of his shrine with Ivo. Iona hovered in front of them, and threads of green, luminescent energy flowed from Li to each of them. Tia sat on a bed of leaves a little distance away, looking at the whole ritual wonderingly.

It was nightfall now, and Riviera was visible in the far distance, its great walls and sentry towers brightly lit with firelights and the glow of magical staffs.

The city had grown much quieter now that the five armies had left, leaving behind only native Rivieran knights and the blood legionnaires under Launcelot. The followers had spread out across the city walls, returning to their fields and homes as Li bid.

They moved with renewed confidence, their souls touched by Li's words, but he did wonder how long that effect would last upon them with his absence.

”I believe I have committed the spell to mine heart,” said Ivo. He was cross-legged in meditative position, his scarred and calloused, dirt-stained hands at his knees. His eyes were alight with green energy, and his breathing was shallow as he tried to circulate the vast amount of magical energy running through him.

”Good,” said Li. He noted the old priest's struggle. ”Are you sure you can handle it?”

”So long as I attuned with the Root, it will not be too much of a burden,” said Ivo. ”It reminds me of when Morrigan taught me a spell to bind myself to the lives and fates of all her followers.”

”The burden you face now should be far less than that,” said Li. ”So long as you have conduits to channel and manage it from. Here, Iona will ease your burden. Away from the Winterwoods, I have erected a totem at my cottage that you can utilize as well to channel the spell.

Of course, this is in the slightest chance that the demonrot somehow ever does make its way here. Which I do doubt, considering I will be battling the demons in their home.”

”Aye, but it is always better to be prepared,” nodded Ivo.

”A wise sentiment,” said Iona. ”And do not be worried if the spell is difficult to grasp for now. I can teach you to better handle it over time.”

Ivo bowed his head. ”Much thanks.”

Li looked westward, thinking.

”Does the battle worry you, good seer?” asked Ivo.

”No, not that,” said Li. ”I am just wondering of the future. You know, Ivo, I intend to spare the demons.”

Ivo's jaw set as he looked down, his expression hardened. He must have had countless memories of war and loss regarding the demons.

”You know my vision,” said Li. ”A world without senseless bloodshed. A world where ecosystems can stay in balance and where all life can respect each other. Not a world without death, of course, for that too is part of the Cycle, but I wish to see a world where petty conflicts do not upturn the order of the world.

In that world, the demons play a part also, for they too tread upon the dirt.”

”This may be the first I disagree with you, good seer,” said Ivo. ”But I believe that vision far too idealistic. Demons are beings of chaos. They exist to devour mortals, and they revel in our suffering. That is their fundamental nature.”

”Where there is light, there must be darkness,” said Li. ”And the demons are not as one-dimensional as you would like to believe. I believe there is room for them to harmonize with the rest of life. These invasions the demons drum up will end, for they topple the nature of balance in this world. But their existence, I will preserve.”

Ivo frowned. ”And in preserving them, they must reach out and consume mortal life. It is part of their inherent desire. How will it be when they devour one of our own? Forgive me for questioning, good seer, -,”

”No, it is good to question. I brought this topic up because I want you to question me. To make me think.” Li grew silent as he continued to stare at the westward distance. ”I do not intend on having the demons integrate among common mortal lives. But land that is theirs shall still be theirs.

As for the matter of consumption, it is my hope that in times to come, both demons and mortals may reach a mutual understanding and respect that prevents it.”

”Respect?” Ivo furrowed his brows before his expression eased up. ”I cannot begin to understand how that will be achieved, but if it can be, it will be under you. That, at the least, I can believe.”

”As I said to the rest of the followers, have trust in me,” said Li. ”But for now, I am afraid we must halt our conversation for there are a few intruders approaching us.”