After having released the tiger, Ilea went back to her reading spot and continued where she left off. For the first ti in three months she had more than just an hour or two to invest in reading and to relax. It was incredible how much the team had progressed and tomorrow they would have to prove themselves against an actual threat. Ilea was definitely more excited than nervous which left her not quite in a state to relax and read.
In the end she decided to eat in bed and maybe visit Viscera at a later point to enjoy so live music. She did miss the existence of headphones or even a radio but couldnt find anything remotely capable of producing music that wasnt alive. Perhaps they have record players sowhere maybe ask the librarian about it... the thought was interrupted by her enjoynt of the food. One of the reasons she considered the past months to be so of the best in her life.
The training was effective but her skill growth had been slowing down steadily over the past couple weeks. She was ready for so adventures again and tomorrow would see a start to them.
A cold wind was flowing through Ileas hair as she stood on top of the wall near the north gate of Ravenhall. The guards nearby seed to avoid looking at her, likely a cause of her black elven armor and more importantly the black wisps of shadow occasionally flowing from it. They had no effect other than visual and Ilea was inford by the enchanter that one could easily disable it so the movent wouldnt reveal ones hiding place.
Her head was covered fully by the black helt and the tal horns protruded a little to the side and then towards the front. The armor was heavy but Ilea didnt notice much of a difference compared to the usual leather armor. She felt safe, safer than she had ever felt before when going out into the wild of Elos. When she cald herself down with the knowledge that she could probably flee, she was now confident that she could at least give her team mates so ti before they would have to retreat, even against sothing like the Basilisk.
Her level was of course nowhere near a monster like that and she had no illusions about killing one but her reflexes, her perception and resilience were nothing to be easily bypassed. Adding the rare juggernaut armor on top and Ilea made quite the convincing mber of the Shadows Hand. Sothing to be looked at in awe by most of the population. She rembered that Jirayu the fire mage had been an impressive sight, nothing comparable to any mber of her new guild. The top of humanity, at least officially.
Ilea was sure there were secret societies and noble houses holding so quite impressive mbers themselves but this was the general pinnacle of humanitys strength and she had reached it. Now to go beyond... she thought as a dark rogue with a black face mask landed softly next to her.
Eve had a smile painted on the mask in white and Ilea couldnt discern any holes or a slit for her eyes. The woman wore black leather armor with tal pieces guarding vital points but she was certainly geared much lighter than Ilea. Both had a small pack on their backs that had also been dyed black. The few resources they took with them was a testant to their enhanced bodies, needing little to no sustenance to work for days and weeks.
Claire and Kyrian walked up to the gate, the man looking downright scary with his spiked armor now completely black. So of the guards veered back a little even with their high levels. The Hand went out there and into the unknown. There was quite a difference between them and a high leveled guard.
Claire was wearing an armor Ilea hadnt seen her in before. It looked sowhat heavy and had a long armored skirt that went further than her knees. With her sphere Ilea could see a lot of hidden pockets for runed plates, disks and stones inside the skirt. Her pack was the biggest, likely holding similar items within. Claires head was only covered by a hood and cloth, revealing only her eyes.
The last to arrive was Trian. He couldnt resist putting up a show again and flew high above the city with his bright red wings of lightning, only to land next to Ilea and Eve on the wall, bending down in an exaggerated pose that wasnt quite necessary considering the fall. Ilea knew that but the guards didnt. She heard them whisper about him being the leader of the team while wondering about who they were exactly.
The noble wore an impressive looking black full plate armor that seed both light and sturdy. Perfect for his high mobility but more geared towards defense than Ilea had expected of him. His helt was black as well and reminded Ilea of a Greek warrior. Wisps of black smoke ca out of the slit for his eyes as he moved himself to an upright position. Ilea wouldve clapped and joked about his dramatic entrance but she had to admit that they looked pretty scary.
She couldnt help but be a little proud of the team as well. They had worked hard and today all their training will be tested. Considering it was labeled as a level one mission it likely wouldnt be too much trouble but Ilea had learned before that an overwhelming advantage could quickly turn into a downright massacre.
Ilea looked down on Trian and couldnt help but chuckle a little in the end. He had actually gone and put blood on his armor to get so red in there. Were not even on a mission yet...
I can sll you. she said to the noble, motioning to the blood. I hope you wash that off as soon as theres nobody to see you anymore. she finished and looked towards Claire. Where to?
Trian looked down on himself while Claire and Kyrian walked up to Ilea. West over the mountain chain until we co to the Isanna desert. As soon as we et the next chain of mountains well have to slow down to find the specific town. It should be about a third of the way across the first mountain chain. her explanation was easy enough. Ilea knew more or less where to go, having studied her own and so other maps along the way.
I hope you know not to fly too high. Claire said and continued, not getting an answer from Ilea The skies do not belong to us. Never forget that. she finished and Ilea took the advice as fact, knowing that Claire wouldnt warn her about sothing trivial.
Lets go then. Trian said and started hovering.
Hows your flight Kyrian? Claire asked the man and in response four tal spheres hovered out of his quiver that hung next to his pack. Two of them ford disks which he stepped onto while two of them he grasped with his hands. Slowly he started flying as his magic control of the tal pushed him upwards.
Ilea wondered why he didnt just control the tal in his armor, she knew it was tal he had bonded with as he called it. She shrugged internally and decided it had likely to do with stability or speed. The man quickly flew to where Trian was waiting and twirled around in a steady maneuver, showing his apparent expertise.
Alright you two? Ilea asked and extended her arms a little.
This is so embarrassing... Eve muttered as she ca to a stop next to one of Ileas arms. Claire stopped next to the other and nodded to Ilea.
Then try to get a flying skill. Its actually pretty rare to have three people in a single team able to fly. the explanation did nothing to quell the feeling of Eve as they both grabbed Ileas upper arms. Dark gray ashen wings with lines of red fire in between ford behind the woman and started moving quickly thereafter.
The three people ascended slowly as Ilea got used to the weight. She would be slower but not by much, as long as the two didnt move a lot. Claire, hand your pack to Eve, Im unbalanced. she said, having her orders followed quickly.
Why dont you put everything into your ring? Kyrian asked the noble hovering next to him but didnt get a response.
I wouldnt want him to have my stuff... Eve said as the three people carried by Ilea ca to a stop next to their male teammates.
Co. Ilea stated and started flying westwards, her speed increasing steadily. Five minutes of flying later she found the sweet spot and continued on as Trian flew next to her, nearly at his top speed. Kyrian didnt seem to have a problem keeping up but Ilea quickly noticed that any turns she did made him fall back a little. Good exercise for him... she thought as she continued, concentrating on balancing the weight of the two people she was carrying.
The mountain chain both Ravenhall and Morhill were built on was left behind just two hours of travling later, a rocky but much lower terrain opening up before them. Ilea followed Claires notion and went down a little lower. The barren hills and rocks went on for another hour until they were slowly replaced by dirt and sand. Ilea could now see the supposed mountain chain in the distance but it would take a while to reach it.
The team was mostly quiet through the travel, either concentrating, excited, nervous or embarrassed. All of them had mostly fought alone up until this point and though they knew each other sowhat there was little actual trust. Especially towards Trian. Eve had outrightly despised the man and was now close to tolerating him. Ilea didnt know how exactly she felt about the others but was confident enough in her own abilities to escape should worse co to worst, hopefully while carrying so of them out with her.
Three hours later the team finally reached the first mountain and paused to quickly eat and drink sothing. Trian had still not cleaned himself of the blood and Eve didnt like that one bit.
Fuck off, Ill clean it when were there. several illusions of Eve appeared after the remark was uttered, making so red lightning spark around Trian before the others intervened.
Keep the heat for your actual enemies sparky. Ilea said to the noble as her buffs flared up, the slit in her helt shining with a subdued blue and red. Claire cald down Eve in the anti while Kyrian stood a little helplessly to the side.
Lets just move on. Nobly Im sure you have water with you, nobody in that mining town will even know your family so give it a break. The sll of blood on you is gonna be a problem and you know it. Ilea said, reasoning with the man who slowly cald down. Glass bottles of water were summoned by the man including a cloth to wash off the blood. At least he was smart enough only to put it onto the tal parts... Ilea thought as she watched the blood flow down and into the sand below.
The heat had increased a lot in the small distance they had traveled. It wasnt an issue for any of them, heat resistance being one of the skills they had worked on at least a little but it was still noticeable. The town is near the fourth mountain from here. We should be able to make it in half an hour or so. Claire said, one of her hands resting on Eves shoulder.
Ilea couldnt see below any of their helts even with her sphere. A handy byproduct of the shadow enchantnt but a little detrintal for her at the mont. At least there were no more comnts for the rest of their journey but Ilea felt emotionally more drained than at any ti in the past three months. Any tension they had was easily resolved by fighting each other, sothing a little ill advised in their current situation.
At least well get sothing to fight soon enough... she thought as she slowly landed, seeing the supposed town in the distance. It was located in the valley between two of the mountains, surrounded by rocks and sand. Barely any green was visible from the elevated position they had landed on.
That the town? Eve asked as she stretched her arms and legs after hanging on to Ilea for the flight.
It should be. Lets find out. Claire said, jumping down the slope and speeding up into a run. The others followed quickly, forming a vague formation with Claire at the front. The walls of the city werent very high and looked flimsy compared to sothing like Ravenhall. The guards visible on top of the wall ford a line as more and more of them appeared while the group got closer to the town.
A couple hundred ters around the walls was nothing but sandy rock. Claire slowed down to a jog and stopped around fifty ters before the wall, all of them clearly visible to the guards on top of the wall.
Theyre a afraid. Kyians comnt was a little unexpected. They werent close enough to the city for the guards to be able to identify them.
Why? Were here to help them. Ileas question got a condescending chuckle from Trian.
They dont know that. Ill go talk and you wait here. If anything happens wait for my signal to interfere. Claire said and slowly walked towards the gate of the city.
Whats the signal? Ilea whispered to Eve next to her.
An explosion and flying bodyparts I assu. Eve answered her in a similar whisper while shrugging.
The four people watched as Claire approached the gate and ca to a stop around ten ters in front of it.
The captain will soon be here. Wait until then. Ilea made out the words of one of the guards even from the high distance.
What are they waiting for? Trian asked, obviously impatient. They should be happy to receive us for fucks sake. Ilea tended to agree, especially because the town had sought help from them and should know about it. She rembered how Aaron, herself and the group of adventurers who were trapped inside the Calys mine had reacted to the group of the Hand they had encountered.
They are but they also arent. Kyrian said, getting a quick look from Trian.
Stop talking in riddles. The noble said with a calm voice.
The Shadows Hand appearing anywhere near you ans theyre needed there. Its a bad fucking sign. Ilea explained, making the man shut up and wait. Ilea had missed if any further communication had happened between Claire and the town because of her teammates.
Two minutes of waiting later a new armored man appeared on top of the walls and promptly jumped down, landing in front of the gate and walking up to Claire. He shook her hand and talked too quietly for Ilea to hear.
Claire nodded a couple tis before they shook hands again. The captain walked back to the town again, a blue fire exploding below his feet, propelling him to the top of the wall while Claire ran back to her team.
Another team of adventurers went in two days ago and they havent heard back anything. The mine is in that direction, half an hour and up the mountain. We just have to follow the rails. Claire finished, motioning towards a mountain side. Ilea couldnt see any rails nor any other signs that there was anything nearby but she nodded nonetheless. No questions were asked and the team started running towards the indicated spot.
Five minutes later they ca up on an iron railway, likely used to transport tal with a mine cart or sothing similar. Dust and sand was shot up as the team ran up the mountain, following the tal tracks until they passed so high rocks followed by an opening in the mountain. The sun was high and burned down on the armored squad of rcenaries.
Lets get so shade... Trian said and took the lead, walking into the mine.
What is he doing? Eve asked and shook her head.
Trian let Eve scout ahead, youre here to deliver lightning and death, not die by going in alone. Claire said, impressing Ilea with the subtle manipulation by complinting his skills. He did in fact stop and motioned to Eve.
The woman walked up to the entrance as several illusion copies of herself ca to life around her. Quickly they ran into the mine one by one. The rest of the team closed in on the girl and strained their ears to hear anything inside. Stop the shadow enchantnt. Claire said, becoming unusually talkative when she gave commands. She had never led the whole team before but Ilea found her instant reactions and instructions to be the main reason whatever team she was on had won most bouts.
The others knew that as well and though this was their first actual mission together they all knew that Claire was good at it.
The cavern is huge I havent encountered anything so far but the illusions had to split into three different tunnels. Not a single torch is lit its cold inside. Very cold. Eve comnted as her illusions advanced through the tunnels, going deeper and deeper inside.
Dead end on the left she said what? suddenly there was silence as Eve shook her head. There is a corpse. Its facing towards the exit with a pained expression on his face. He is armored, no weapon to be seen. Hes curled up as if he was in pain. Ill go further in... she continued.
Death... Eve said and staggered back a little. My illusions in the central tunnel have faded, a last impression of death ca to ...
Explain. Claire asked.
My illusions were sighted and attacked by sothing that caused death. I have no idea what it ans, Ive never encountered this impression. Its odd.
Spirits. Kyrian said from the side. Liam had talked about them before but little was known about the creatures, only that they had a strong ntal attack and were sighted in seemingly random places.
Lets go then. I hope your attack is stronger than theirs. Ilea said and put a hand on Eves shoulder, grinned and walked into the mine.
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