Evan slowly stood up and made his weapon vanish. You let my blade pierce but ignore its magic, my sand cannot catch you, your armor regrows faster than I can damage it. Even heavy impacts show no reaction, you are more durable than most monsters I have fought. And your bone withstands my magic. I expected you to be powerful, Lilith, but that bit in the reports about your resistance training I had taken it for a past ti. Not a calling.
Ilea smiled, her face revealed as well. I do enjoy it quite a bit. Sadly the only thing I can get from you is soul magic resistance. At the mont that is.
He cant beat . Shit is, the sa is true for . Dodges my spells and survives my fires. Plus in the end he can just hide again. His blade even got rid of my mark on him. Maybe if he didnt have a healing spell himself but like this its just a battle of attrition. She trusted herself in that kind of battle but his soul blade gave her pause. She could teleport him away continuously but that would just prolong the fight and he would hide again. The only reason she got in hits was because he fought extrely aggressive. And everyone else he would just shred apart. Suppose the sa is true again for .
Ah you are exciting. Frustrating too, but its been a while, since a battle was quite as difficult, he said. I do not believe there will be a victor soon.
Ilea smiled and looked up at the suns. Yeah. I dont think so either. But I dont much care.
His bone mask reford over a broad grin, the sand under him spreading out once more. neither.
White fla covered a stretch of several kiloters of sand in a remote part of the Isanna desert. Onlookers might think it the result of a monsters hunt or the battle of ancient predators. A good eye would reveal a single table made of bone, standing amidst the lingering fires. Two chairs, one of bone, and one of ash, stood with two people sitting down.
Evan poured two cups, setting down the kettle with a steady hand. He once again wore his robes, sitting opposite an ash covered Lilith. Her face was revealed.
Thank you, she spoke and received the cup, taking a sip before she sighed.
I like to brew it fresh, the man said. He looked at the brew with considerable suspicion before he took a sip.
Storage items keep it at the sa temperature, Ilea said. Well, most do.
Thats what I dont quite believe, Evan said. Or perhaps its the act of brewing that I feel adds to the taste.
Ilea raised her cup. That I understand. Sothing about making things yourself. Im not exactly the best cook or brewer though so I prefer to consu what others make.
You are young still. Plenty of ti to gain expertise in whatever skills you may find an interest in. Not to the extent of a high level specialist but close enough, he said. If that is, you continue to survive, and stop at so point.
Stop the fighting? I dont know. Sounds boring, Ilea answered.
Well, either you die, or you run out of things to fight. Things that provide a challenge that is, he said.
Dont talk about such a nightmare scenario, she said. But I suppose Id have to get another hobby if that turns out to be the case. Dancing seems alright. Maybe an instrunt? Lilith, the legendary rock star.
The suns will soon set. I will have to return to my affairs, and I assu the sa is true for you, Evan said with his eyes on the horizon.
Ilea sighed. I wish you were wrong. But there are indeed things to do. Would you mind sparring again? I dont have a training partner that could prepare for humanoid sapients in the fourth tier.
You plan to face such beings in the near future? the man asked, taking a sip from his tea.
One never really knows, Ilea answered as she stood up.
I enjoyed our fight. I could offer you a few hours per week. Though I understand if the journey is not worth your ti, Evan said.
Ilea moved her fifth transfer mark to their current location. That wont be a problem.
I suppose a space mage would not need teleportation gates to move long distances, the man said.
Surprised? she asked.
No. Its not unheard of, though near always extrely restricted. I would imagine such is not the case with you. Or not anymore, Evan said.
Speculations, Ilea said with a smile. She stood up and stretched. Ill be there in a week or so.
The man raised his cup. Do not lose yourself in the dark.
I dont need light to see, Ilea said and opened a gate to Riverwatch. It was good eting you.
The man gave her a nod. Ilea.
Evan, she said and stepped through the slightly shimring space, closing the gate right after. Could use him to dump half a desert through a gate if I ever need one. Hey I can do that with water too. Pressure from the bottom of the ocean? Wait no dont want to open a gate to that hellzone.
She stood on the hill for a mont. Lava is too slow. Arcane storms are unreliable. Would gravity even apply? Or just montum? A river could work but thats not exactly going to be more than a shower. One with lots of water but if I want to kill level monsters I can do that with ash.
Either way she deed the adow a more effective option. Magically enhanced elents were stronger anyway.
What now. Still have so ti until my etings with Alyris and Helwart, she murmured and quickly checked through the ssages from her extensive battle with the Founder of the Foundation.
ding Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 13
ding Arcane Dominion [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 7
ding Sentinel Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 15
ding Eternal Brawling [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 8
ding Eternal Brawling [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 9
ding Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 10
ding Mantle of the Titan [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 10
ding Tempered Seal [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5
ding Ashen Wings [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 10
ding Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 13
ding Embered Form [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5
ding Embered Form [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6
ding Fires of Creation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 9
ding Fabric Tear [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3
ding Ashen Limbs reaches lvl 19
ding Soul Perception reaches lvl 14
ding Soul Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2
ding You have survived an earnest battle with the Desert Chosen One Core skill point awarded
Survived? What do you an survived? Just need another hundred levels and that tea enthusiast is toast. That or a thousand years of training the blade.Ah shit I forgot to show him the hamr. He mightve been interested. Well, next ti.
Ilea sat down in the grass and changed into comfortable clothes, summoning a al as she watched the suns go down over Riverwatch. She could see the teleportation gate building in the distance, an entire company of guards standing around with various mages putting additions and walls up against monsters or other attackers.
Way to paint a target, she thought but didnt really mind. If this was how Riverwatch decided to go about their first gate, that was that. I wouldnt even have questioned the existence of teleportation gates if they had been here upon my arrival. With magic being real.
She finished and summoned her key locator. The arrow spun before it focused northwards. North I can do, Ilea thought and stood up. She teleported towards the clouds a few tis before she spread her wings and charged them.
She flew until the Naraza mountain chain beca visible in the distance. Storm clouds hung over the edges, lightning flashing from ti to ti as the lone winged figure closed in on the landmark that spanned beyond the entire length of the human Plains. The arrow turned. Westward but still towards the mountains.
Interesting. Closer than I expected. She entered the storm about twenty minutes later, wind and rain clashing against her mantle. Ilea followed the many mountain tops lining the spine like barrier to the North. She slowed down in an empty valley, kiloters of nothing in each direction. Patches of wild grass grew where she landed, white flowers clinging to life in the harsh climate. Snow still covered the mountain tops she could see. She had left behind most of the storm clouds but it still rained lightly at the lower altitude.
A strong gust moved through the valley, the rain turned sideways and near frozen. Thank fuck for resistances and magic armor. She looked at the locator and found it pointed towards a small hill a few hundred ters away. Might as well check it out while Im here.
The walk was brief and she soon ca up on a strange field of magic. Barely noticeable and certainly not sothing she wouldve registered if the locator hadnt brought her here. She put her arm through the field. The gesture caused no reaction, so she walked through.
At the top of the hill now stood a decrepit building that looked a little like a monastery, long stone walls lined with windows, a single broad door at the front. A statue stood at the top and back of the structure, winged and holding a sword. Any color the entire thing mightve once been covered in had long faded, a single green flag flattered in the wind, connected to a small pole above the entrance.
Doesnt look like the dwellings of a Dragon, Ascended, or a Monarch.
Ilea paused when she saw the three swords sticking out of the ground to the side of the hill, helts placed on top. All were faded and entirely consud by rust. Though she didnt miss the dull green color. Lets see if soones ho. She walked up the slope and arrived at the door. Her dominion picked up a few peculiar things inside. She knocked. It had no effect on the one sleeping resident. Instead she opened the door and peered inside. Hello?
The hall was rather dark, a few magical lights giving the chairs and tables a green hue. Rusted piles of tal lay in various corners and to one side of the structure, only experience letting Ilea identify them as Taleen Guardians. A pot sat atop an assortnt of runed plates at the back, the entire hall quite a bit warr than outside. Behind the largest table sat a single dwarf. Broad shoulders, an enormous black beard with gray strewn within, a dark green tal helt. A sword lay on the table next to a mug. He looked heavy.
[Paladin lvl 240]
To his left stood a Centurion, missing two of its legs. A large dent showed on its head, much of its body sporting scratches and dents from long past battles. Compared to the destroyed machines it had no rust on it, one of its eyes dark with the other occasionally flickering. It propped up its body with the butt of its spear, taking a shuffling step forward when it spotted the visitor.
[Taleen Centurion lvl 323]
Highest level base Centurion Ive seen? Ilea wondered and waved carefully. Neither of them seed quite up for a fight. She turned her head to one of the piles, realizing it wasnt just a bunch of scrap.
Two green eyes stared back as a rust covered arm raised a spear.
[Taleen Centurion lvl 327]
It threw the spear in a slow arc, missing Ilea by about four ters. The tal weapon clattered to the ground before it rolled around and hit a table leg.
W what is it, a deep voice asked, the dwarf coughing a few tis before he looked up with slightly dulled black eyes. He squinted before he touched a nearby magical lamp, the light intensifying. He scrambled up when he saw the intruder, sword in hand as the chair behind him clattered to the ground. Elf! You stand on holy ground. Prepare yourself!
Ilea revealed her face and gestured with both hands. Calm down Paladin, Im not here to fight. And Im not an elf.
He jumped over the table, the movent sowhat less impressive than it mightve been a few hundred years ago. He pointed his blade. Elves lie, he spoke as the Centurion behind him advanced, using its spear as a crutch.
Ilea sighed lightly. She bit her lip and thought for a second. Then she summoned a small barrel of Walters ale. Would an elf share ale with their host?
The dwarf squinted at her but the question gave him pause.
She didnt wait for a response and simply walked past him, her mantle gone as she sat down. There was no threat here. She cracked open the barrel and summoned two mugs, filling both before she started drinking. Whens the last ti you had anything reasonable to eat? Your stew slls bland.
He watched her and considered. A human ye say? Yer not one of them Azerith healers are ye? Them teleportin nut jobs.
Im not, Ilea said. Theyre not around anymore anyway.
He sighed. Good to hear. See I dont trust ye, but ale and food if ye have any?
Ilea summoned a few als. Got plenty more too. Your Centurions dont look particularly well. I assu you cant do maintenance up here?
He opened his mouth to say sothing when the sll reached him. Sothing in his eyes changed and he advanced, sat down, and started eating without a word.
Ilea was sure she heard a few sobs as he wolfed down three plates of restaurant food. She didnt want to ruin his expectations with Keylas creations.
He sighed and leaned back, looked at her, then grabbed the mug and downed it in one go. Good. Thank ye. A stranger cos at a last. Not what I had hoped for but here we are. Maintenance yes. It has been a few years? Theyre hanging in there. Im not a Builder ye see no I cannae share this with an outsider.
What makes you think Im an outsider? Ilea asked and showed her necklace. She summoned the Tungsten Key and set it down on the table. Im a key warden, and here to collect yours.
He glanced at the necklace and then the artifact. Whats that?
You dont know what this is? Ilea asked. She blinked her eyes a few tis and looked to the Centurion for confirmation. Its one green eye stared back.
He thought for a mont before he squinted with one eye. It looks like reminds of a thing in the cellar. I think. Strange shape. He scratched his head and leaned back, now taking off his helt. Yer with the Makers then? Necklace like that only belongs to them, though never thought theyd take in a human.
Ilea found the key down in the cellar, inside a crate of scraps and tools. For now she was more interested in the dwarf however.
Its classified. But because I know you did a good job here they trained so humans as a special operation team to infiltrate their ranks. Thanks to us we managed to destroy the Azerith Order, Ilea said.
He pointed at her. That. I did. Its Azorinth. He paused. I think. The dwarf looked at her with so clarity returning to his eyes. What year is it?
When did you arrive here? Ilea asked.
He considered but then shook his head. An awkward laugh. Dont know. Spose Ive grown old. By Henel.
Whats your na? Ilea asked. Im Ilea.
Ilea what an unusual na for a human. I am Gretmoor Valarian of the Guards, Paladin of Henel and guardian of this sanctuary. Did ye bring a Builder? Or reinforcents? group has suffered casualties a long ti ago. Foul Hunter over there did two of em in, he said and pointed to a large drake like skull hanging from an improvised hook at the back of the hall. Buried em. Guardians didnt make it. Twas a glorious battle. He didnt sound quite convinced.
Ilea listened and refilled both her and his cup. What happened to the third? I saw three graves.
He refocused and took the cup with a thankful nod. The third Mart, ye. May he fight on! he raised his cup.
Ilea did the sa. May he fight on.
Gretmoor grew quiet for a mont before he looked up. Machine related accident.
What happened? Ilea asked.
He downed his cup. As I said. Accident, with the machines.
I see, Ilea said. Sounds bad.
Twas, he murmured.
So you were stationed here to guard this sanctuary? A holy site to Henel? Ilea asked.
Aye, such were orders. Havent heard anything since, Gretmoor said.
Now thats a paladin. He mustve been here for millennia. How is that even possible. What do you do all day? Are there many attackers or faithful visiting?
Nay. Henel was never quite popular. Makers donae believe in the gods, and youth these days rather look to Praetorians for guidance, he said and laughed. No faithful here besides self, and two Centurions. Few attacks too. Harsh climate, and I keep the enchantnts working. Got so maintenance manual sowhere. Hunting mice, hare, occasional birds. Tis a quiet life, but Ive co to like it.
Ilea smiled. She couldnt help but like the guy. An artifact from a long past age, perhaps a little mad. His continued loyalty was both sad and inspiring, the forr only because it seed his people had abandoned him. That or it was incredibly unfortunate timing. The sheer fact that he survived all this ti was downright insane. Guess that speaks for the life span of a level two forty dwarf. She didnt doubt there were people capable of living alone in the mountains but his lack of social interaction most certainly showed. Gretmoor. When was the last ti you went on a vacation?
Cant leave post, he said. Not an option.
What if a Pursuer takes over for a little while? she asked with a grin.
Whats a Pursuer? he asked.
Newest tech. Stronger than even a Praetorian, Ilea whispered.
He paused and looked at her with so suspicion. Stronger than a Praetorian ye say?
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