Chapter 726 So gates close. So gates open.
Ilea. Claire ntioned you were going south again later. Did Riverwatch and Yinnahall agree to the terms? Iana asked after she had approached.
They did. I assu I should carry the materials and you set the things up? Ilea asked in turn.
Iana scratched her neck and looked away. Pretty much, yes. Your space storage, high speed, and teleportation just makes this whole thing so much easier, she said and clasped both hands together. But once theyre set up, we wont need you anymore.
Ilea stared at her bright smile and nodded. Encouraging. Im glad Ill be replaced by so enchanted groundwork. You know Im happy to help, Iana.
You vastly overestimate your value if you compare yourself to the complexity of this magical technology, the adow helpfully supplied.
Thanks. Guess you can talk to the gates in the future, she sent back.
You know thats not what I ant! Iana said and shushed her. Just let know when youre going. Everything on our side is ready.
Ill go for a training session before. Probably this afternoon, Ilea sent to her.
You are a valued friend, Ilea. Rember that, the adow sent, with a space magic pat that she swatted away with her own manipulation.
Good, Ill be here, Iana said and paused. Theres sothing else. Id like to talk to you about Aki. What you found in that facility.
Not here? Ilea asked.
Our place might be better, Iana said and started towards the ho.
Ilea followed, glancing at the large Pursuer standing amidst a group of warriors, all of them focused on a floating stone tablet with a map of what she assud to be Morhill and the surrounding landscape.
The ho of the enchanters looked rather simple from the outside. She found its walls as protected as the central district of Virilya. To be expected of course. The inside was much more welcoming, a warm and holy atmosphere created by fur rugs, paintings, and wooden furniture.
Iana led her to the expansive kitchen. A large wooden table stood in the center, covered in notes, tools, and books. At least it seed the enchanters focused their ss onto that one piece of furniture. Theyre not gonna have cleanliness as a priority, I imagine. Thank fuck for storage items.
The woman sat down, Ilea instead leaning against the reinforced wall. You figured out the research?
Yes. Most of it. adow helped with the translation but we have a reasonable understanding of Taleen now too. Its fairly similar to a few other languages, though I think they themselves would not have acknowledge that. They certainly believed themselves superior, Iana explained.
You got that from research notes? Ilea asked with a slight smile.
Yes. Exactly, Iana said and sighed. Well where to start. You know that Khan Joggoth dealt with them. The device in the Soul Forge allows for soul transformation but it seems his dealings with the Taleen broke off before he achieved that feat. Not that he wouldve shared that knowledge with anybody else anyway. We have it now by the way. Claire suggested it may be an option to help people with permanent disabilities or birth defects, but of course its quite an invasive and well, permanent change.
Our own Ascended so to speak, Ilea mused. I dont think its the worst idea. Soone that cant walk or is in constant pain might prefer having a war machine as a body. Though Im sure that creates its own issues.
Yes. His research is quite fascinating on its own. Owl has helped us try and understand a lot already, and the Shades are knowledgeable themselves. But back to the main topic. The Taleen did their own research, and that specific facility went with a very technical approach. One based on enchantnts. And Ilea, they were far ahead of everything else Ive seen. Before I t the adow that is. I dont have to tell you how incredible their teleportation gates are but their Guardians are just as impressive, if not more so. She paused for a mont and took in a deep breath.
The process they developed in Izcural. It analyzes and maps the very Essence of a being, and then creates a copy, infused into steel, Iana explained.
So Aki is the copy of soone else? Ilea asked.
Soone who died. They never figured out how to make the process non lethal. The research looks interrupted. Maybe they stopped receiving funding or support, or sothing else happened. They tested the process on various prisoners and monsters, only one imprinted into a dagger. So sort of sick joke it seems. The details arent exactly plentiful but Aki or well the original, he was an elf from the Fire Wastes, one that was captured when he attacked Iztacalum, Iana explained.
A Cerithil Hunter? No, if he attacked when the Taleen were still around, their cities wouldnt have been dungeons, Ilea said.
I doubt it, yes. As far as we understand, the Hunters didnt exactly exist in that ti, Iana confird. I assu he was quite young. The described asures to hold him are not enough to stop any of the Cerithil Hunters I have seen, Iana added.
Fuck Akis the copied soul of an elf Ilea said.
Yeah, Iana said and tapped the table a few tis. I havent told him yet.
Whelp, could be worse I guess. He could be the copied soul of a bird or sothing, Ilea said. Should I tell him? I dont mind.
Id I think Id appreciate that, yes. I dont know its just cruel, Iana murmured.
Ilea shrugged. Eh, he ditated through most of his ti down there. And now hes got a Pursuer body. Better than most forms I suppose, she said with a smile. Ill let him know.
Iana nodded.
Thanks for looking through all that, I appreciate it, Ilea added and patted the enchanters shoulder. She left and addressed the machine. Aki, can we talk for a mont?
Of course, Lady Lilith. What else could my ti be invested in but to listen to your insightful thoughts? the being said and moved over, decidedly slow.
Youve been hanging out with the adow too much, Ilea said.
The adow has been hanging out with too much, Aki replied when he reached her and crouched down.
Youre moving differently. Trying not to freak people out? Ilea asked.
Yes. I love this form but its very powerful, and it seems people have bad mories associated to Taleen beings, Aki replied.
Makes sense. Speaking of form Iana figured out what happened to you. And what you are. Do you want to know? Ilea asked.
The machine looked at her for a long mont, his eyes shining a little brighter. How horrific is it?
Ilea waved her hand sideways. Could be worse. Could be better.
Im listening, the dagger said.
She nodded and explained the findings. He listened in silence, sitting with the knowledge for a while after. Ilea waited.
A sigh reached her mind. Ironic, I suppose. Elf turned dagger and now Im in the body of a Pursuer, one of the most powerful Taleen machines, he mused and started laughing, the sound echoing in Ileas mind. I dont hate it.
Ilea grinned. I thought as much.
I was saved and brought to purpose by you, Ilea. I am grateful. You uncovered my past its less glamorous than I had perhaps hoped for but I think deep down, I knew. I am Aki, Pursuer of Akelion. Who I was before does not matter, whose soul I was molded from does not matter. I am the Guardian of the dic Sentinels, and so it shall be. Neither Elves nor Taleen will determine my path, he spoke.
Youll find your own way. Thanks for keeping the Sentinels safe, and helping out with all the work here. Were there for you, whatever you will do in the future. That, I promise. Well, if you decide to murder all the kids in the world, I might take issue but you know what I an, Ilea said.
The murder robot plan is a no then? Thats very sad. The adow had so other great suggestions however. One involves a haunted house, I quite like that, Aki mused.
Poor Sentinels, Ilea thought with a sigh. Stop being a bad influence, she sent to the adow.
Redy from his exposure to you, the being answered.
Were horrible parents, she sent, shaking her head.
I am the ideal parent, the adow said.
Thats exactly what a horrible parent would say, Ilea sighed. You know parenting is more complicated than helping creatures awaken?
I appreciate the reminder about my inability to conceive a child, it spoke.
Have you tried dropping a few crystal seeds? Ilea suggested.
I will complain to the Accords in my behalf. Your behavior is unacceptable, the adow said.
Feel free to make up and fill out a form. Good luck finding an enforcer. Besides that is, Ilea said with a grin.
Then Ill just have to make you punch yourself. Wouldnt be the first ti, the being said.
I knew that was on purpose. You absolute piece of shit, she sent with a squint.
A giggle went through the vicinity, so people looking up at the strange phenonon.
Well, let know if you need anything. And hey, if youre up to it, maybe talk to Iana, Ilea said to the Pursuer.
I will. Thank you again, Ilea, he said and looked at his long knife like fingers, the blades retracting before he closed his silver fist.
Great. Im around too well back to Iz now. By the way, you dont have a mark yet. Mind if I put one on you? We can share ten words once per day. And I know where you are, Ilea suggested.
Of course. It would be useful in case of an ergency, the dagger said and received her mark. It appeared on one of his arms, the rune still looking distinctly Azarinth. Thank you.
Sure, she answered. Hey adow, a lift to our frustrated Elven friend?
Kyrian too I assu? the being spoke.
If hes up for more near death, she answered.
A mont later she vanished, and appeared at the edge of the adows domain.
Feyrair was sat on a boulder. He looked up when she appeared, followed by the tal mage. You know, he said. It does feel like Im unwanted in there.
Aw hush, people are scared of your kind. Tell your younger brothers that they should stop with the genocide. Im sure youd be welco in a few hundred years, she said.
The elf hissed but he had a smile on his face. Back to Iz then?
Thats the idea, Ilea said. Speaking of which you know how the Ascended stole one of the suns from this realm? As far as I understand the reason for the ancient war in the first place. Its probably inside that sphere in Iz.
The elf looked at her. I dont care.
You dont? In whatever form it is now, that thing was the reason entire civilizations went to war, Ilea said.
The reason people went to war is because of those that were lost. Because of an external invasion, because their power was challenged. Because their kingdoms were destroyed. If we have a chance to end what the Taleen have left behind, that is what I will work towards. Elves dont much care for artifacts and devices, Im not much different. I suspect you dont plan to tell Isalthar? Feyrair said.
I wouldve left that decision with you, Ilea said. I wont, but neither will I stop you.
He smirked, sharp teeth showing before he hissed. Yes. I believe you have proven more than trustworthy. With all that my kind has done, to both , and all that were deed cursed, I would rather have it with you. Not just the sun, if it really is sothing that can be acquired, but everything else we find as well. It is why I hoped to entrust the keys with you in the first place. It brings joy, to know that perhaps a Monarch or two are seething with rage at the thought of a re human possessing such power.
Thanks, Ilea said and smiled. Ill try not to abuse your trust. And Ill be there, when the ti cos.
And it will co. But not yet. I want it to be decisive. And for that youll have to reach quite a bit more power. I will focus on catching up, the elf said.
You two plan on fighting the Monarchs? Kyrian asked.
He does. I an I do too, the sky one at least, hes a piece of glowing shit, Ilea said. And I want a rematch with the Beast.
The pole wielder. You ntioned him, Kyrian said. To think theres soone out there that can demolish you like that.
Ilea raised a finger. Its been a while. Im much stronger now.
She is, Feyrair confird.
Of course, Kyrian said and chuckled.
What? Ilea asked.
The elf hissed.
I can tell its personal. Ill help where I can, the tal mage said and laughed.
Rember when you were shy? Ilea asked.
Yes. Your influence on people is quite remarkable, he answered. I dont know if you noticed, but theres an entire group of peculiar beings working together because of you. One of them being a Greater Lich.
adow Accords, rember. Not Lilith Accords, not Ilea Accords, she reminded him.
Sure. Sure, he said with a smile.
Dont worry Fey, well include you sooner rather than later. I t Syrithis last night, shell be key to people accepting the Cerithil Hunters. We just cant rush everything. Hallowfort and all its Dark Ones is already going to be difficult, she said.
Ah, you did? She is grown now I imagine. Was she stronger than ? he asked.
Honestly? No, Ilea answered. But shes not weak by any ans.
Good. Shed never shut up about it. Enough talk, Im bored. Let us depart. Where is the closest gate? the elf said.
I guess revelations just dont hit the sa if youre centuries old, Ilea thought as she summoned her key locator.
They found a nearby dungeon in less than half an hour, all machines already cleared out. Ilea put in the gate device and opened the map. Oh. She tried again but nothing changed. Her locator ca to life and she double checked the map. Well, shit.
What is it? Feyrair asked.
Iz vanished, Ilea said.
What do you an it vanished? Fey asked.
Ilea pointed at the holographic map. All the destinations around Karth are gone. Fucker turned off the gates.
The elf hissed.
Kyrian sighed.
Guess we left an impression, she said with a smile.
Any other way to get there? Can you not teleport us in? Kyrian asked.
I didnt really plan for this. But I an we know where it is, more or less, she said. Care for so digging?
You rember the passages we uncovered, right? Feyrair asked. Hundreds of them died just getting there.
That just ans there might be interesting creatures to fight on the way there, Ilea answered. I probably wont be able to make the whole journey but my gates got an upgrade, she said, having set one of the marks in the domain of the adow. Just have to reset them every day so that we dont lose any progress.
Down into Karth, Kyrian said.
Yeah. Fey cover your Elvishness. Were going into human lands, she said.
You and your fear, the elf hissed, his face covered by scale armor.
Just choose a human evolution at five hundred, Ilea suggested and activated her third tier transfer.
The group appeared near Riverwatch where Ilea set another mark for her gates. Ill so forget resetting these. Ah well.
She tried to open them quickly. adow? she sent. Doesnt seem to register. She put her head through the gate and tried again.
There she is again, the tree sent.
You cant see through? Ilea asked.
If I wanted to, but I decided not to interfere. For your self confidence, the tree lied.
Of course. But you can send spells through no? Ilea asked. A stone sphere floated through the gate and out on the other side. Great. So now I can summon heavy bombardnt from you, she said with a grin.
I cant exactly aim through that, the tree answered.
If I need you to hit sothing, I dont need accuracy. We should figure out a signal. Three spheres of ash for full force bombardnt. Two for a push of space magic? One as a warning that sothing is going to co through? Ilea suggested, her head still through the gate.
You intend to use as so kind of garbage disposal? the tree asked in return.
Youd get blood and stuff, she said.
Well, its a deal then, the eldritch being spoke.
Great. Ill send a few Dragons your way, she said.
Please refrain from sending four marks, or even opening a gate at all. I recognize the fluctuation but I cannot guarantee the safety of everyone here, it said.
Sure. Only for ergencies. Or just to show off. Or if its funny. Or if I want to show you an interesting creature, Ilea said.
The adow was quiet for a long mont. That is. Acceptable.
Great, see you then, Ilea said and closed the gate again, with her head out of course.
I understood that correctly, Kyrian said. You can open a gate directly to the domain of the adow?
Pocket adow, yes, Ilea said. For ergencies only.
The elf and human looked at each other, Kyrian raising a brow. Of course, they said in sync.
How large can I make these gates. Im sure throwing a few hundred tons of dense rocks would flatten pretty much anything. She considered the thought while getting concerned looks from her companions. Surely they simply didnt understand greatness. Dont act like that. Ill be stronger than the adow soon enough. This doesnt make a difference, she said, like a liar.
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