Chapter 694 Lockpicking Mages
Ilea cracked her neck, ripping out the last few spears stuck in her chest before she threw them aside. Thanks darling, she said, smiling at the tree. The last few liters of blood flowed into the black grass covered earth below.
Of course, Lilith. Whatever it is you require, the being said.
She looked at the ground. Do you actually drink all that? Cant say Im thrilled about that.
What do you an? Is that not the pact we made? Your blood for my endless knowledge? the tree asked. Many children will be born of your sacrifice.
You know I never know when youre joking with shit like that, Ilea said and stretched.
I do use it to feed certain beings in the area, so unable to sustain themselves from ti to ti. I assud you wouldnt mind, spoke the adow.
I dont. Donating blood is important. Happy to give so flesh too if it helps, she said.
I didnt know you could shed, the tree said.
Ilea huffed and rolled her eyes before she checked her notifications.
ding Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 10
ding Transfer [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6
ding Arcane Dominion [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2
ding Embered Heart [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2
ding Fires of Creation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2
ding Bulwark of Ash reaches lvl 12
ding Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 23
ding Monstrous reaches lvl 6
ding Telepathy reaches lvl 2
ding Earth Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 6
ding Space Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 8
ding Space Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 9
ding Wood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2
That one circle did more than this entire forest for the past hours, she mused.
I presu you hadnt seen it before, the adow spoke.
Ilea summoned her armants and healed the heavy damage it had sustained. Sorry buddy, she said, tapping the living armor. She glanced to the tree. Can living armor actually awaken? Like develop its own essence, conscience, mana, or whatever else is necessary?
Your Primordial Shift is far stranger than the prospect you suggest, it said. However, I think it unlikely. But with you, that doesnt an much.
Breaker of reality and all, eh? she mused.
Quite infuriatingly so, yes, the adow sighed.
Says the eldritch being, Ilea retorted.
Just because you fail to comprehend sothing doesnt an its incomprehensible. Your spells are the sa, but while I might make sense of it so day, you will already have new abilities, it said. The being sounded excited, annoyed, tired, and hopeful at the sa ti.
Ilea smiled and walked towards the others. And thats why you like . New puzzles.
The adow sent a wave of space magic past her. Perhaps the equivalent of waving her off.
Were leaving everyone, she said. Monster Hunter made her voice and intent travel through the spacious cavern. Where are the Elders?
Verena says they are ready to leave in five minutes. Dragonkiller Pierce is currently locked in a card ga with high stakes. It appears most of her accumulated wealth is in the pool. I estimate her chance to win at around two percent, the adow spoke.
Just dont let her murder everyone once she loses, Ilea said and smiled at Owl and the enchanters. She raised a finger to her cheek and teleported to the smith. Ah before I forget. Goliath, I have sothing for you. Maybe you can use it to improve my armants. Also thought about it being useful to Kyrian once hes back, she said and summoned the Soul Warden machines and half the swords she had taken from them. Those especially might be interesting to him, or at least whatever enchantnt or power is within them. I can even use the fla of creation with the blades.
A few of the blades and two machines vanished instantly. Rent, the adow said.
Rent? Ilea asked.
The smith didnt react, wholly focused on taking in the heap of tal. I will do as you suggest, mother of ash.
Mother of ash? Ilea asked but shook her head before he could answer. Forget it. Yeah, Ill let Kyrian know about it.
She focused on the mark and sent a ssage. New tal at adows. Check with Goliath whenever. Hugs, Lilith.
Thanks. Will check in later. Dont hug, it kills people, the tal mage sent back.
Yeah, but not you hopefully, Ilea thought. Maybe I should give him a charged fruit press hug next ti we et, she mused, tapping her lower lip before she moved over to the gathered group.
The Shades bowed as they had before, not a word spoken.
Stop it with the bowing please, she said to only them before she glanced up. Do you want to co as well by the way? she added, looking at Aki.
The Pursuer jumped down from the wall and landed in a low crouch, the motion smooth before his bladed arms molded themselves into rapiers. There is much I have yet to learn.
Sure, but you can continue afterwards. I doubt well be there for a long ti, Ilea inford. And you might get so actual combat experience, heaven knows you lack it.
If you think it reasonable, and myself not a burden, I shall accept, the Pursuer said and bowed lightly.
Ilea laughed. Youre literally past level eight hundred.
And you faced the adow, the dagger deadpanned with glowing eyes.
Fair enough, Ilea said after a mont of consideration. I am pretty aweso.
Hmm, Aki mused as he moved closer with fast steps. Perhaps I should travel with you again. It seems your growing power has infected your mind.
Its just her Earth Magic Resistance, Iana said with a yawn. Prevents her from staying grounded.
Owl made a weird noise, her eyes flickering with purple light.
High Enchantress, good morning, Aki said.
Morning, Aki. Ilea, why do you have to scream like that, the woman asked while rubbing her eyes.
I forgot you were sleeping. My apologies, High Enchantress, Ilea said and mimicked Akis bow.
You better be, Iana said.
How did she sleep through the entire battle before? Ilea wondered. Noise canceling enchantnts probably. But Monster Hunter got through?
Is it fair to assu that an outside party would consider this group strange? Owl asked, glancing between the beings.
Bralin joined them again, his steps nearly skipping. Strange doesnt even co close, Greater Lich. Im nearly certain Im dreaming, or dead.
Your essence is untouched and healthy, young dwarf, Owl said in a joyous voice.
He nodded while taking in a deep breath. Wonderful. Yes. Thank you.
Uncursed and blessed with youth, Ilea mused.
You shut it, goddess, the dwarf said. Oh wait what,
Hmm? Ilea asked, tilting her head a little to the side.
He looked at her and squinted his eyes. I just got a level in Veteran.
She laughed. It is indeed very brave of you to offend , fool.
Three Elders of the Shadows Hand appeared nearby, perhaps the most normal looking people in the group. Form a human perspective at the very least.
Noooo! The next draw wouldve- Pierce fumbled, her face red as she stepped over to Verena and grabbed her shoulder. A small loan, please. I cant leave like this!
The Berserker stared back before she burst into flas.
Pierce held on for a few seconds before she stepped back. She gave a glance to Lucas and reconsidered, turning instead to Ilea before she vanished and appeared right in front of her.
Ilea displaced the woman as far away as she could and clapped her hands. You made it. Lucas do you want to join as well?
I will return to my work. Im sure that whatever it may be this group is more than suitable to deal with it, he said as he looked at the beings.
Probably, yes, Ilea mused. Ill bring the kids back later.
Dont lose any of them. Youll be the one responsible, the teacher reminded.
Of course adow. But if I dont get so practice in, how will I ever beco a guardian of reality like yourself? she asked and activated her third tier teleportation, connecting everyone except for Lucas.
The fabric shifted and a mont later they stood once more in the Shining Caves. With reinforcents to take on the Soul Forges defensive fields of enchantnts.
Wow its beautiful! Iana exclaid, her and Christopher carefully approaching the cube as magic flowed through them.
Aki moved up through the air and checked the periter, two void cannons at the ready.
The others spread out slowly, Bralin and the Elders preparing for battle.
Owl, care to take a look as well? Iana said, looking back towards the Lich.
Ilea approached with her, the two Shades further back.
First impression? Ilea asked and sat down on the stairs, a al summoned into her hands.
Christopher smiled. Its good that you got us before fiddling with any of this. Its quite extensive.
Comparable to so of the more complex shes the adow showed us. Just that this one is nowhere near as stable. Any wrong tampering will set it off, Iana said and got to work.
Ilea enjoyed her al. She was impressed with the deanor of the enchanters. Both had grown in level since she had brought them to Ravenhall, neither near two hundred yet but she knew they were at least not only working. That or they gained so much skill experience from the adows teachings and their experintation that they had jumped twenty levels each.
They wore armor that looked similar to their previous sets but most certainly enhanced in so ways. She assud the Dark One smith was responsible, either offering his work during their ti in the north or they managed to trade sothing for so enhancents. The main thing she noticed was the calm both of them showed, not a speck of fear on their faces despite the dangerous magic they were about to play with. Nor were they overwheld by excitent.
Workbenches covered in tools, large books, and a single empty sheet of thick paper had been spread out before them. The two enchanters worked in tandem, dozens of runes noted down quickly as they deciphered the layers and connections.
Ilea finished her al and spread her wings, floating over them to get a better look at the growing puzzle of symbols she didnt know.
I dont think Ive ever seen soone decipher runes that quickly, Verena said, the woman flying next to her.
You understand any of it? Ilea asked.
So. I learned about basic and advanced rune combinations when I beca a Shadow. The more common systems are quite useful in ruins both in and beyond the human plains. A lot of traps can be disabled with so understanding and the right docuntation, the Elder said.
Ilea huffed. Yeah. I prefer to just trigger them.
Its been a while since I used them too. I assu most enchantnts or rune traps that could actually hurt are using languages I never learned, the woman said. They dont seem to be as limited in their knowledge.
How complex are we talking? Is learning about advanced runes comparable to another alphabet? Ilea asked.
Verena looked at her and smiled ever so slightly. And here I thought I neglected my education.
That actually hurts a little, coming from you, Ilea answered.
Im sure youll survive. And no, there are far more runes in a single system than most languages will ever need letters. Pronunciation isnt an issue, nor is sentence structure. But as far as I understand it, runes can be linked and expanded with no theoretical limit, Verena said.
Ilea could believe as much, looking at the connections drawn before her. There were already a few hundred, various sections marked and comnts added. I assu the more you add the more unstable it gets?
Practically, yes. The margin for error just gets larger. And I believe it becos exponential with certain combinations. The sa is true for the mana required to activate certain fields. Many devastating rituals are known to powerful people all around the Plains but few of them could ever actually activate one, she explained.
So the adow is pretty much working with perfect precision when it sets up those circles, Ilea mused. And it puts them down near instantly. Blood magic can substitute the energy needed. I saw it in Baralia.
Yes. Life, essence, mana. Heat can work too. Each form requires alterations, she said and sighed, looking up. She smiled. Not my favorite topic, to be honest.
You seem to know it quite well, Ilea said, crossing her arms.
Easy to learn a few words in a new language. But sothing like this requires perfect fluency, in more than a few languages, the Elder said.
So theyre monsters like , she thought with a grin. Just knowledge instead of levels.
They watched the two work for another ten minutes until they stopped sketching.
Iana sighed and looked at Christopher. This wont be an easy one to crack.
The others joined them at the main workbench.
Owl, I need you to confirm a few things, Christopher said and motioned to the being. Can you help levitate?
I can make a flying copy, Ilea said but the Lich had already grabbed the significantly smaller enchanter.
Iana gave them a look for a second but returned her attention to the sh they had drawn. Alright. Whoever set this up knew what they were doing. And they most certainly didnt want anyone getting inside without their permission.
Is it possible at all? Bralin asked. There are vaults in the Pit I deem pretty much unbreakable.
Enchantnts are not living beings. They are static, Iana said. Once you have physical access, there is a way through. Practically speaking neither nor Christopher could get in there. I doubt even the adow could do it, not without triggering at least a few of the defensive asures.
If the adow couldnt do it, Ilea murmured.
The adow would know how to get in, but without a high level soul mage and enough heat to lt steel, it wouldnt get much farther than anybody here alone, the woman explained.
Let guess, there are lightning magic seals too, Pierce said from within her repaired war machine.
Iana glanced at her. No. Nothing for Aki either, Im afraid. But just because we have the tools doesnt an it will be easy. Youre an earth mage, right? she said, looking at Bralin with the last note.
Yes. Bralin is the na, he said.
Great. Bralin. I take it youve broken into sealed off areas before? Iana asked.
Owl landed with Christopher in tow, the man adding a few more notes before they flew off again.
The dwarf glanced at everyone looking at him. He chuckled. Dont think I can lie here.
Perfect. How precise can you be with your stone magic? she asked.
I build and repair war machines. Precise enough, he said with a confident tone. How extensive are we talking?
Iana grinned. The whole thing.
He looked up at the cube and mirrored her expression. Thats a piece of work.
So we better get working then, the enchantress said when Owl landed again.
Just a few complications, but we should be fine, Christopher said as he added the notes. Are we using Ileas ash? Or have the adow set up sheets based on our asurents?
Bralin will provide the setup. As an explanation for the others, we have to build a cover to mark the specific areas where each problematic enchantnt has to be disabled. and Christopher will prepare foci for each enchantnt and then we just have to perfectly ti everyones magic to crack this thing in the span of about a third of a second. Well, when I say everyone, mostly Ilea and Owl, she explained.
Ilea looked at the Lich and gave her a nod. Maybe we should work on our coordination for a while.
Were going to need powerful attacks from the both of you. Train with that in mind, Iana said as she summoned another sheet of paper. She summoned a few tools and started laying them out.
Christopher opened a notebook and started reading asurents, the woman following with a pen in real ti.
Bralin chuckled to himself. Professionals all around. He summoned his own tools and nodded to Pierce. Care to fly around this thing? Always good to triple check the asurents.
Ask Verena. I need a bath after I lost all my gold, the woman said and vanished into one of the basins.
I can take you, Aki said from above, stepping down with a few fluid movents.
Bralin took a step back, both arms raised. Ah sorry. Havent seen a Praetorian in a long ti. Old habits.
Im a Pursuer. Its a far more dangerous model than the Praetorians, Aki supplied, knowing full well what he was doing. His blades morphed into long fingered hands. Ready?
Bralin glanced to Ilea and raised a brow.
He only sotis loses control and kills allies, she said and gave him a thumbs up.
He sighed and gave the machine a nod.
Do you have any remaining information that may be important? Verena asked, looking at the two Shades.
We have already shared all with the enchantress, one of them said.
Direct observation is beyond the information passed down to us, the other added.
Great, so you prepare your thing. Call for if anything cos up, Ilea said and moved her wings.
Owl followed.
Youre pretty quick with that hover, Ilea said when they had gone a few hundred ters away.
The acceleration is difficult to control. Far more powerful than it was before the ritual, she said and closed her fist. Perhaps a part of them lives on within .
Do you have an urge to kill everyone you see? Ilea asked.
No, she said and looked up with glowering eyes. I do not.
Then Im sure youre fine, she said with a smile and charged up her heat.
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