Willa joined the throng of people with a mug in her hand, the cold tea balanced as she rushed down the stairs of the headquarters. She smiled at the Sentinels around her. Many she had never talked to or even seen before. Entire teams she couldnt identify, small marks on their stonehamr and bone armor identifying them as Hunters.
Above level two hundred, and they passed the exams. She couldnt help but stare. They were the elite of their organization. It didnt help that many chose to wear their helts, ash armor, or face obscuring hoods, even down here in their ho base. The faces she did see were as diverse as the people she saw on a daily basis. So were smiling, poking each other with jokes and gestures, others entirely silent, perpetual frowns on their faces and death in their eyes.
Dozens of excited talks made it difficult to focus on anything in particular, people constantly greeting others with joy in their eyes, hugging or punching each other. So had been out on jobs for months, only coming back to get new assignnts.
The past few weeks had been quite hectic, their regular training interrupted for so construction work and monster extermination down near Morhill. Rumors had been going around that Hunters werent getting new jobs, instead asked to stay here for an event that would soon take place. The rumors soon beca a well known fact when the headquarters filled up more and more, new rooms created to accommodate so of the Sentinels. Many chose to stay in various Ravenhall inns instead. Willa even heard that so were living out in the wilderness, preferring the quiet nights to the bustling city.
She wondered what that felt like. To be powerful enough to sleep in the forests, to survive the chill, to fight off the monsters and continue sleeping. Soon she would reach that point as well, having finally unlocked her classes. One even as a first among all the Sentinels. All her early resistance training had payed off, just as she had hoped.
Ash Huntress proved to be quite different from the usual dic classes, the nuance in its manipulation spells giving her both more things to figure out and fine tune, but more options as well. Coupled with her Ashen dic Class that she chose for her second one, she would surely overtake even Lilith in power. A few years at most, she speculated. Maybe longer, because she worked in a team. A restriction that Lilith herself didnt have, and the only reason she was as strong as she was.
Willa heard a hush go through the crowd, many of the conversations stopping as the crowd parted to let through a large man covered in ash.
His silent form moved past with confident steps, so of the present Sentinels giving him respectful nods.
She head whispers of the na Gael. Her eyes opened wide at the ntion. The first Veteran. Level three hundred.
There were a lot of rumors going around about various mbers. The joke to introduce oneself as Lilith to new mbers was getting old, which ant people started to instead introduce themselves as various high level mbers, so even going as far as using Trians na, which admittedly didnt make much sense. And still, the tradition stuck. People started to spin stories about their exploits, which led to conversations and inquiries amongst the students. They had songs about Lilith, but how powerful was Gael? How strong were Vienna or Chana? Plenty of mbers had shot past the two hundreds and many were out for months at a ti, only back to eat and sleep for single nights, so only for a quick visit to the Headmasters office. The brave ones asked questions but it was difficult to say if the high level mbers answered truthfully. And so it beca a bit of a ga. Legends were born, stories attributed to people that had happened or not.
Much of it was proven wrong, mostly just dismissed by the mbers themselves when asked about it. Gael however, had songs about himself. Songs that had even reached the inns of Ravenhall. His monster exterminations near the forr Baralia were well known by now. They told of the Ashen Butcher. He refuted few of the stories.
She could hear the stairs groan under his weight, his eyes sharp as he watched everyone. Like so monster in an unknown environnt. She gulped. So rumors had said the man was insane. He was one of few who refused a team entirely. Willa didnt think any of that was true. He looked intimidating, but so did others. The man had chosen to beco a Sentinel. The hair on her neck stood up when he walked past her. She slled blood. Maybe hes just not very sociable.
The crowd reford behind the man, chatter resuming now that the novelty of his presence had passed. They soon stread into the main training hall where dozens of Sentinels were already waiting.
A few groups were standing around people engaged in battle, others showing off various magical skills and abilities. So were using the opportunity to gain new resistances or more levels in certain rare types that few Sentinels wielded. People shared stories and songs. A few tables had been set up with food and drink being shared, card gas and instrunts adding to the atmosphere.
To Willa it looked a lot like the inn she had visited so many tis back ho. With a few choice differences. Everyone here looked similar for one. Ash armor for those at a higher level who could sustain it indefinitely, stonehamr and bone armor for those that ca from recent jobs. The rest was dressed in the leather armor sets or clothing provided by the Sentinels. Very few mbers had clothing of a higher quality when they joined, nor would they have wanted to wear it. It was an honor after all, to be part of the dic Sentinels.
Another thing Willa missed compared to the Rotten Inn was an often present tension. Sothing that had just lain in the air. A feeling she had learned to discern. Frustrated adventurers who had been injured or pushed back in the Caverns of Rot. People looking for a fight. Drunkards at the end of their wits, the dungeon more dangerous than rchants or guilds in Utach had advertised.
People were outright fighting here, so beating each other to bloody pulps, others watching, offering advice or healing. But there was no real tension, no conflict. They had all gone through the sa, had trained to reach similar goals, had learned from the sa teachers.
Lastly, Willa felt an awareness here that she had only started to notice a few weeks prior. Sothing downright instinctual that ca with a lot of combat and training. The way people stood, sat, the way they moved. She could tell they were experienced. Fighters each and every one of them, in tune with their bodies and their magic, so more dangerous than others. And I am one of them, she thought with a grin, spotting her little group standing with a few ard Sentinels.
Phoebe was talking to a Hunter, asking questions about a beast they had encountered.
Hey all, she greeted, both her team and the other four, all but one not particularly interested in the conversation. Their armor had so visible dents and scratches, none of them wearing their helts. Back from a job? she asked a woman that looked a few years older than her, near white hair with three scars across her neck.
[Battle Healer lvl ??]
She had learned in the inn that it was generally not the best idea to strike up a conversation with soone you couldnt identify. For more than a few reasons. Within the headquarters however, that hardly ever applied. Best case, theyd take the ti for a bout, and people were encouraged to do so. Both by the headmasters and Lilith herself, the latter always open to train people when she was around. Worst case, they would neither be interested in a conversation nor training.
Yes. We ca back late last night. Six weeks in the forests near Stormbreach, the woman explained. Morhill looked different. Does this have sothing to do with the tournant?
Willa grinned. She knew sothing they didnt. A glance to her team showed a scared Ember, disinterested Mila, and entirely focused Phoebe. Hah, cant stop now. She moved closer to the woman and sat down on the bench next to her. We helped build so of it. Its not just a tournant, but a demonstration too.
The woman turned her head with one eyebrow raised.
Of course Willa and her team hadnt just helped set up arenas and stands. They had done their own scouting. The newly added buildings covered in enchantnts were especially interesting. Mila had offered quite an interesting theory. Long range teleportation, she whispered.
The two remaining disinterested mbers now perked up too, one turning her way, green piercing eyes taking in her form. She could feel magic move over her but couldnt place it.
Well its a theory. But it makes sense, with how the new buildings are positioned. The enchantnts are set up to contain what is within but nothing suggests theyre a prison or supposed to hold monsters, she explained rapidly. Well there are enchantnts to keep people out too but that just makes sense.
And you ca to the conclusion that soone figured out long range teleportation? the woman said.
Phoebe and their last mber had stopped their talk as well, the forr glaring daggers at Willa.
Willa stuck out her tongue. Its fine. Theyre all Sentinels.
You never know with Ilea, the woman who had talked to Phoebe said. Her set of armor had three deep elongated dents across her torso.
Shes been busy too, the green eyed man said. Heard shes not been here often in the last few months.
The white haired woman smiled. Well, well learn about it soon enough. Not much of a point in speculation.
Id just like to go back to work, their last mber said, his voice a near whisper. Trian is wasting our ti.
Our reputation is as important as our capabilities, their supposed leader said. She crossed her arms and looked around the hall. They have a good reason for keeping everyone here.
A hush went through the Sentinels in that mont. Dozens of them tensed up, with auras coming to life in twice as many. Conversations and music died out as the attention shifted towards the entrance.
Willa stood up to see but she quickly realized that wasnt exactly necessary.
It had taken re seconds for the entire hall to be silent, the only sound now a clinking of tal against stone. Silver legs moved over the well used battle grounds, a familiar form walking past the waiting Sentinels. Green eyes flickered in an angular insect like head towering over the human healers. Two elongated arms clinked with blade like fingers, the machine turning its head to the side before it spoke in a familiar voice. Is this how you welco your favorite teacher?
Willa couldnt help but grin, so of the Sentinels going as far as cheering. Talks erupted all over as many rushed to the machines side, asking rapid questions or challenging it to a bout.
The quiet man in the nearby group appeared on the bench. Willa hadnt seen him leave.
Pursuer of Akelion. Three mark but the magic feels far beyond five hundred, he remarked in the sa whisper like tone.
Willa didnt miss the slight excitent she heard.
Pursuer. Thats fucking aweso. I want to fight him, she whispered.
The white haired woman laughed.
Youre not the only one, their leader spoke, another hush going through the vicinity when Gael stood up from where he had sat ditating. Everyone made space, tables vanishing and previous circles disrupted.
Im afraid it will have to wait for after the announcent, Aki said, addressing the large ash covered man. But youll have quite a few very interesting beings to train with. If they are willing.
A slew of people appeared in that mont. One of them was Trian, the man wearing his usual outfit. Next to him were Kyrian and Lilith, nearby the other faculty.
Willa watched in amazent as Gael bowed to the woman with one hand to his heart, vanishing to join the ranks of the waiting Sentinels.
Wow, I can downright taste the need for battle, Ilea said as she looked around. She was clad in her ash armor, her face revealed to everyone.
Kyrian chuckled.
Trian clapped his hands together. Can soone close the entrance?
Lilith raised her hand and the gates shut with a crash.
Yes. Exactly that, Willa thought with a wide grin. She glanced at Phoebe who gulped. Her team leader at least smiled a little bit, but she always feared for the worst. A trait that had probably saved their lives a few tis already. Not more often than their healing.
Ill make this quick. I know many of you are eager to go back out and I apologize for the delays and lack of communication. As many of you know, both and Lilith are part of the Ravenhall council and thus entitled to vote on major decisions regarding the city and its allies. The tournant and planned events in Morhill involve not only our own city but various factions throughout Elos, the Headmaster spoke.
Throughout Elos?
We will be around to answer questions afterwards so please hold on to them for now. Lilith, in one of her adventures, managed to save and bring back a being from another realm. The adow, a high level four mark creature capable of various advanced magics. Iana and Christopher worked together with Lilith to find a way to replicate the Taleen teleportation gate technology. Involving the adow made the technology a reality far faster than we expected.
I knew it, Willa whispered to herself.
Oh did you now? a voice spoke into her mind.
Her eyes whipped around until she found Lilith glancing her way. She gulped, unable to formulate a response.
Im sure you understand the implications of long range teleportation. An alliance was ford with various settlents throughout both the Plains and the North, involving awakened beings of species most of you have likely not encountered before. Hallowfort and the Pit are the current northern allies. The dic Sentinel Corps too has entered the adow Accords. Youll receive detailed docuntation on what that entails. Should any of you not agree to such terms, you are free to discuss with us and in the worst case exit the dic Sentinels. However based on what I know of each and every one of you, I dont see much of an issue, Trian said and paused for a mont.
We offered to provide security and healing in the festivities around Morhill. The city will beco a teleportation hub for both adventurers and travelers. You too will benefit from those installations. Travel tis to many parts of the world will be shortened. Current frontiers will be reached in re seconds. Any participation is paid and of course not mandatory. Should you be interested to join the tournant itself, we rely ask the higher leveled mbers to reconsider. It wouldnt be the best look if all the winners are dic Sentinels. A few might be good however. We have so ti until the festivities start, which ans an internal set of discussions and bouts could be held here to determine who wishes to take part, he explained.
Willa glanced at her team. They could participate. Were too low to be guards at such a prestigious event. But against others of our level we will absolutely dominate!
Teleportation gates, the other team leader murmured. Still think its a waste of ti?
The man didnt reply.
We will guard this event, the woman added. In favor?
The three others instantly made the sa gesture.
Good. I will talk to Trian in an hour. Clean up and get your repairs done. Briefing in two hours, Harpys Inn, the woman said, two of her allies vanishing instantly.
The white haired one remained, both hands behind her head as she leaned back.
You should clean up too, the leader said.
Gael is eyeing the machine. I want to see, she said with a smile.
I want to see too, Willa said, hands on her thighs as she tried to follow the womans gaze.
_______________________
Ilea watched the Sentinels that approached, Trian handing out copies of the adow Accords and answering questions to the best of his abilities.
Gael had stood up and glared towards Aki.
Might want to go show off a little. Reestablish your dominance, Ilea said to the machine.
What do you an re establish? Aki asked, one of his eyes sparking. He moved over to face the single Sentinel as movent returned to the hall.
Many of the higher leveled ones had already left, so still discussing various options in their teams. There were nearly two hundred of them now, about a fourth above two hundred. With them all being healers, Ilea didnt exactly know how to gauge the gathered power. She gently brushed her hand against Trians shoulder, smiling to herself as she watched the heated conversations. The clash of steel against ash resounded in the sa mont, cheers resounding as Gael ramd his large head against the high level Pursuer.
Thats going to be one chaotic as fuck tournant, she thought when a group of ten battle healers approached.
Lady Lilith, we e while youre here maybe you c could help with so pain tolerance training? one of them asked, urged on by the others. None were above level one hundred.
Sure, Ilea said with a smile. Ill be in the city for a while. Trian, do you need here still?
Expected you to take part in the bouts, he said.
We can half participate. Just need a corner of the hall for them to lie down in horrific pain, she said and gave him a thumbs up.
So of the Sentinels gulped.
Dont worry. Thats the good part with my healing. No permanent damage, she said and tapped her temple.
Im not so sure about that, Kyrian said in a dry tone. He deflected a chunk of stone that had flown towards their group, Gaels roar reverberating through the hall right before his legs were ripped off.
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