Ilea stepped back when the Elves started tearing open the ground, so of them hissing at each other. She assud they were arguing about who got to go first. That nice railing. And its gone.
She watched the masked elf move closer to her whilst everyone else either stepped away from the entrance or tore away the stone. The elf downright moved on all fours as he got closer, looking up at her before he straightened.
[Wood Mage lvl ???]
She gauged him to be close to eight hundred but not quite there. He had a strange feel about him. Hi, she sent, establishing a connection. Sohow she felt like it was the right approach.
He tilted his head to the side, his hands raised before he clapped once and hissed. A hiss like nothing she had heard before. It sounded, joyous in a way. Not only amused but happy.
Hi, he sent back and giggled. Human. Healer. Lilith. Space mage. Why ash?
Why not? she asked.
He recoiled, taking several steps back as he went back into a crouch. He raised a hand to his masked face and looked down to the ground. Why not
Why wood? Ilea asked in turn, getting his attention back.
Wood. Its everywhere, all around. Not here, deep below, but so roots reach far, he said as he twirled, roots sprouting from his hands with leaves and flowers growing out in various shades and hues, a few even glowing to illuminate his form.
The first heavy hitting magic reverberated through the hall, the entire structure vibrating slightly as the more eager elves started their attempts to break through the barrier.
Ilea didnt like their chances but she would have her go as well. Until then she wanted to learn more about the strange elf.
Youre wasting your ti, human, Veratin comnted as he walked by.
She assud the fire mage wanted to have a go at the barrier as well, his magic downright palpable.
Envious about my attention, are we? She wasnt sure. Either he was interested in her or he just had a lot of disdain for the wood mage. He would certainly not be strong enough to challenge the crouching bird elf. Few here would be, herself included. Maybe.
Whats your na? Im Lilith, she said.
Nas. I am known as Naradan. But I am the one who moves through the forest. The one who breaths the air of life. I am the hunter, and I am the hunted. Who are you? the elf answered, glancing at her as he leaned forward in anticipation.
Interesting hmm I am known as Lilith. The one who fights. The one who heals. I am a Sentinel. Free and flying, a being of ash and embers, she said. It could use so work but she felt it was close enough.
The elf giggled. It was a strange sound coming from an elf in the first place. He bowed in an exaggerated manner. Thank you, Lilith. For introductions.
The sa to you, Naradan, she said with a smile. More explosions resounded, bits and pieces of stone flying through the hall now as dust fell from the ceiling. One nearby hunter slapped away a falling chunk of rock.
The wood mage glanced around before he vanished, appearing near the ceiling. Roots grew from his legs as he watched the Hunters below whilst upside down.
I like that one, she sent to Kyrian.
Did he want to eat you? Zorithanael asked, looking up at the wood elf before he glanced at her, silver eyes taking her in.
Who knows? Ilea mused, forming an ashen chair to join the group. She heard the familiar roar of Feyrairs dragon form and glanced over, seeing him breathe in, a torrent of flas rushing down into the bright barrier a mont later.
Who knows indeed, Zori said, watching the dragonling as well. The fla of creation. Its beautiful, isnt it?
Ilea smiled. It is.
Kyrian chuckled from behind them, his arms crossed, still covered in tal.
Ilea hadnt removed her mantle either. It just felt right to be armored around so many unknown elves. Beings most humans would consider monsters. So of them seed close enough. She wondered what wouldve happened if she found this room at level one hundred. Would they have killed her? Just for being a human? Or for being too weak? After her short delve into the Still Valley, she really felt like so of the elves acted purely on instinct, or just on a whim, their moods more important than reason. Was it just due to their education? Or was it really their nature?
What would humans do if they just lived in a wasteland of ice trees? No need for food either really, just hunting for fun when prey cos wandering in, or perhaps going out on so fun adventures. She had compared young elves to children or teenagers before but maybe her perspective wasnt exactly right. Which domain are you from, Zorithanael?
The elf glanced at her, a wave of sound magic lashing out at a one ter broad chunk of rock that ca his way, stopping the thing in its tracks entirely. It fell to the ground with a heavy impact.
The Domain of Dark, young human. In the western mountains of Vannok. I have not been there in a long ti, he sent. Where do you hail from, Wanderer?
Domain of Dark. Caverns I assu? she sent. Im not from this realm.
A wanderer indeed, he said with a toothy smirk. By choice?
Ilea shook her head.
A rare thing either way. It is fortunate that you have found your way in these strange lands. My forr ho yes. It was warm. Dark. Quiet. I feel comfortable in the depths. I did not see sunlight until after I had joined the Hunters, he spoke.
How did you even learn about them? Ilea asked.
There are those of us who learn. Those of us who talk. First you share stories. Perhaps you learn to write from soone else. Gifts exchanged. An Oracle might take interest or pity, may teach you of the world, of sunlight, the sea, the northern storms. I have learned from ancient kin. Perhaps you have seen the raging fires of the eastern Wastes, the tal armies of unfeeling machines moving through the Navali forest on their hunt for elven kind, but as they move on the surface, they move below. Thousands, from caverns, cliffs, and cracks they co. To hunt. Unending in numbers and unwavering in their purpose, he spoke.
Did you et many Oracles? Ilea asked.
He paused, looking at her for a while. What about you?
Ilea smiled. Only one. Recently.
Did you speak? he asked.
Yes. We exchanged gifts, I suppose.
He smiled. Indeed. You are quite strange. Yes. I have t a few in my ti, though all of my domain. They live in the darkness, deep below the earth. The very magic around you feels alive, when they are present. I myself have felt insignificant. Perhaps due to my nature. Have you felt the sa?
Ilea thought about it for a while, watching bright fires explode down into the barrier, half the hall gone again now that the elves were trying to break through. Hissing and taunting comnts had already faded into background noise for her.
She was certainly powerful. A being of magic very strange, and ancient. But I felt similar with the Elentals I have encountered. I think its just a matter of pure magical prowess, she said.
Elentals yes. The few I have seen were, more a natural force. Though with Oracles there is more intent. A being of thought, he said.
Maybe. But you know when I first encountered elves, I was barely level fifty. They were monsters to . Everyone around ran for their lives. We could barely escape one, even in a group of fifty. And you are beings of thought as well, she said.
I am sorry. That you have suffered at the hands of our kind. You call us beings of thought, but I sotis question that statent, he said and gestured to the hissing mages sending spells against each other and the barrier.
Dont overestimate the average human, Ilea said with a grin.
In which domain did you et an Oracle? Or did you see one in the northern marshes? he asked.
The Still Valley, Ilea said.
He hissed, amused at her answer. I knew one could escape. Even more amusing that its a human. No offense.
None taken. I thought the sa when I heard about it. But its dangerous. Space magic and teleportation in general is barely usable down there. And the Oracles ice magic affected despite third tier resistances and a shit ton of healing, heat, and regeneration, she said.
Yes. They are powerful beings. As are you, though I know of no human who has reached such levels. You may very well be stronger than I, Zori said.
We could test that, Ilea said with a smile.
And I am to live in sha after demonstrating my inferiority to everyone present? No. There is enough talk about as it is, he said with a smile. Besides. We are here for a purpose, despite the downright bestial performance of my kin and fellow Hunters.
Right, Ilea said. She wasnt particularly disappointed. They could have a bout whenever. And shes fought higher leveled elves. The one she wanted to fight wasnt in this hall after all. You ntioned marshes? Thats not a Domain Ive heard of.
He rested his head on his right hand, watching the magic spectacle at the center of the hall. Because it isnt one. The marshes span far into the west. South of the Frozen Wasteland and west even of the Mountains of Vannok. Once ho to the Druned, monsters now roam those treacherous lands. It is said that ancient Oracles have wandered into the northern marshes. It is said that they remain there, to this day. Beings perhaps, who have lost their wits. So suggest it is exile of sorts, most do not speak of it at all.
Have you been there? Seen one? Ilea asked.
He smiled, the expression wistful in a way. Tired. I have shared a lot with you, Lilith. You are more interesting than I dared hope. But this, shall remain with .
I understand, Ilea said. So he did go there, and then had a tragic romance with an ancient Oracle. She nodded to herself.
Whatever conclusion you have co to, I assure you, its wrong, he sent.
Certainly, Ilea said, summoning another bottle of ale as she montarily shifted her attention to the arcane beams that lashed into the golden wall below. Youve traveled a lot?
May I have one of those drinks? Its been a long while since I tasted it. Ale, beer, or what was it called? Zori asked.
Ilea summoned another bottle and displaced it in front of him.
He caught it and flicked it open, slling on it before he took a sip. Interesting.
Not a fan? Ilea asked.
I said, interesting, he repeated.
Ilea glanced over at the wood mage who had appeared again. Do you want one too, Naradan?
He looked up at the ceiling. Yes. A trade, as humans do, he said as a large black flower grew from his palm. It had thorns and black leaves, the top looking almost like the maw of a wild beast, though it remained delicate. Its you, as a flower.
Yes. I got that, Ilea said with a smile, summoning another bottle before she displaced it towards the elf.
He giggled and took the thing, the flower floating towards her in turn.
Thank you, she said.
He was already gone, now stuck to the wall at a ninety degree angle.
He is quite peculiar, even for our standards, Zori said. I have not offered anything in return for your gift, he noted.
A bout, soti in the future? Or you could show an interesting place you found in your travels, she said.
Perhaps I will, Zorithanael spoke. Though I believe it difficult to impress the Wanderer.
I have seen so impressive sights, she said. Will you try yourself against the barrier as well?
He hissed. I may consider myself a scholar of sorts, but I am still of elven descent. Of course I will. As will you I presu?
Sure. I have to one up Feys weak fla of creation after all, she said and set alight a flake of ash.
His eyes opened wide before he grinned. Yes. Interesting indeed.
Dont fall for now, Ilea sent as she stood up.
Oh please. You are far, and I have to empathize, far too young for , Zori said. Besides. I do prefer males when it cos to sexuality.
Ilea smiled as she glanced back. I did wonder about Jomraa, she said, receiving a strange hiss in return. There was annoyance there, and sothing else. Cant speak elvish, but I am getting better at interpreting their hisses. She spread her wings and flew the twenty ters towards the center, a high level elf currently freezing over the visible barrier, others watching, so flying, so on the walls, a few simply standing there. They didnt seem particularly impressed.
May I have a go? Ilea asked, monster hunter enhancing the last word, a few of the elves tensing up slightly. None were frozen. To be expected with experienced fighters.
The ice mage hissed, floating in her way as he ford a lance of ice aid at the barrier.
Ilea watched as the magic struck down, splintering into a thousand shards without a visible impact. She walked closer, displacing the hissing level five hundred elf. She repeated the spell when he charged at her, the ashen mantle covering her body flaring up with white fla. She enjoyed the reactions, so of the hisses impressed, others annoyed, so downright shocked. Heat ford within her core as she slowly descended towards the golden barrier.
Her weight increased as she felt the heat build, burning ash spreading into the vicinity. The barrier was already covered by her magic. She raised a hand and sacrificed twenty thousand points of health, her fires flaring up with a bright flash before she released Embered Heart. The chaotic beam rushed down and parted the fires and ash, impacting the shield with a thrumming sound. She waited and watched. Ilea found the barrier slightly discolored at the top, the damage repaired in re split seconds. Closer.
Her weight increased more as she floated down. She ignored the Elves and charged up Archon Strike. Her fist slamd down five seconds later, Tempered Seal released at the sa mont. Bright turquoise and near orange light flashed up as her spells were sent into the barrier. Burning limbs of ash expanded out of her back before they started thrashing down into the golden light, each releasing Tempered Seal with every single strike. Her left palm aid downward, Embered Heat released again, her right fist raised and charging Archon Strike.
Powerful magic flared up ti and ti again as she slowly worked her way into the golden light. Ilea found herself making slight progress when her mana ran out. She watched the slightly darker part of the barrier lighten up again in less than a second as she lessened her weight again and moved her wings.
A testant to their defenses, Zoris voice reached her mind.
She noticed a lot of eyes on her, a few hisses resounding. It was difficult to discern the specific ones.
I ran out of mana, she sent back, shrugging slightly as she flew past the well dressed elf. She glanced up and teleported next to the upside down Naradan.
Hot, he said and hissed in an approving manner.
Yeah, heat is one of my main things, she said. Will you try too?
Wood is not very good against barriers, the elf answered. Maybe. Watch.
She glanced down and saw Zori floating above the defensive asure. Runes lit up in the air around him, blue, near purple as they ford a circle. He closed his eyes and pointed downwards. A single note resounded, followed by a wave of pressure. It impacted the barrier with a shock wave emanating through the hall, the very stone shaking at the power. More runes appeared, a second circle forming around the first one. Zori spoke, though his mouth produced no noise. This ti the sound was visible. Or rather, the split air, as a pressurized line ford and dug down.
Ilea could see the slight surface level crack, more than what she had managed. His focus is insane.
The damage had repaired itself when a third circle of runes had ford in the air. This ti the attack wasnt as focused, but far stronger instead. The damage however seed less. Zori frowned and hissed in an approving manner before he teleported back and away.
Found your match, hmm? Ilea sent.
A most impressive conjuration. I have never seen a barrier this durable, he sent.
Among the Cursed, a mage of curses walks, Naradan murmured, leaning forward whilst upside down.
Ilea smiled when she saw Kyrian appear near the barrier. His three ter form floated as he raised his arms to the side, a pulse of curse magic flowing through the hall. Cloaks fluttered and the walls shook ever so slightly. A strange whisper ca from her friend, though she couldnt say if he produced the sound with his mouth. It felt like a tongue that should not be heard.
A complex glowing rune circle appeared on the ground, ten ters in width. Another glowed ten ters above, floating in the air. Kyrian brought his hands together in a slow motion, his thumbs and index fingers touching. Curse magic broke out in a torrent, the circles connecting as a beam of green light appeared, the hall illuminated for the next five seconds as his spell endured.
The onlookers remained quiet when the magic waned, the barrier repairing itself in re monts.
Not bad, she sent to the man who floated up to join them.
Barely a dent, he sent.
Well. Im pretty sure now whats powering this thing, she answered. So lets see if we can get a combined effort going. She smiled, looking for the earth mages who had gone to search for a better spot. And if that doesnt work, Ill try to space us through.
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