What do they plan to do then? Now that their main task is fulfilled? Trian asked.
The Executioner glanced his way, its green eyes glowing a little brighter. They are talking about that as we speak. And I believe the Accords should be a part of that conversation.
It may an war with the Domains, Claire said.
I dont think sothing like that is really possible, Ilea said. Not after eting an Oracle. War with the Monarchs, maybe. Even then I dont think the different ones will stand together.
And yet the danger is not unsubstantial, Aki said. I understand your concerns, Claire. Even the One without Form did not consider any direct attacks on the Domains and its defenders as likely to succeed. Being part of the conversation however doesnt an participating in an all out war with elven kind. What we need is ti. If the Cerithil Hunters act too quickly, they might overextend. If only due to their nature and arrogance.
Sounds like so of the previous Guardian is still in there, Ilea said.
You have charged in here with them. I include you in that statent, Ilea. The assault on Iz has only resulted in this outco because you had collected all of the keys and sohow survived the unsurvivable. It would be an unimaginable loss if the Cerithil Hunters attacked a Domain and were killed in the process. They have had no allied factions throughout their fight, and it will be difficult to convince them to accept any. But if they are ever open to such a conversation, it is now. I understand what that ans for many humans, dwarves, and even Dark Ones, but I believe it isnt just worth it, it is a necessity, Aki spoke.
Can we talk to them and see where everyone stands? Catelyn asked. We cannot speak for all of the Accords but we do have a lot of influence. If we plan to convince the respective Councils and city leaders, we have to know more.
Ill introduce you to Isalthar, Ilea said.
It would be a start, Aki said.
More and more things to consider, Claire said, rubbing her most certainly headache free skull. It was likely one of the healthiest skulls and brains around. Full of healing magic.
Indeed. And I understand that this is a lot to process. However without my own creation and Ileas ability to get into the Sphere we wouldnt be here at all. These are all great opportunities, Aki said.
Of course. If you really have full control of all these machines and facilities, well be able to achieve I dont even know where to start these considerations, Claire said.
Im working on it, Aki said before the machine chuckled. But yes. The potential is enormous. Speaking of opportunities and potential. There is sothing else.
Claire just sighed.
Dont act so mysterious, green eyes, Ilea said, watching the lithe silver killing machine.
Hypocrite, Aki said.
Im human. Fallible. Weak flesh, and all, Ilea said and winked.
Understandable. The machine winked back. Enough ti invested in humor. Ilea, you know about the core directive, and you tried to remove it. However destroying the Elves was only one of the directives. The other main one was the protection of the Taleen.
Doesnt sound like the One without Form did a particularly good job with either, Ilea said. Ive only t one surviving Taleen dwarf.
Well that is the thing. Id argue it did a better job on that directive, though its interpretation is questionable. Perhaps malicious, but its impossible for to decipher how the One without Form developed in the past millennia, if it changed at all. It was highly complex, though artificial instead of sothing more akin to a copy. Perhaps it was the first of its kind and the last, Aki spoke.
A better job? Catelyn asked.
Yes. To protect the Taleen, they were taken to a newly built facility deeper below ground than even Iz. Protected so to say, by the very machines they had created, Aki explained. They remain there to this day.
Wait what do you an? Ilea asked. Remain. Its been thousands of years.
And for thousands of years they have lived, built, educated, reproduced, and survived. Within what they ca to call the city of Io. Under heavy surveillance and security of Guardians. They remained protected, the core directive fulfilled to the very end, the Executioner explained.
Thats insanity, Kyrian spoke.
They wouldnt have let that happen. The most powerful dwarves and most innovative minds? They would have resisted, Claire said.
And resist they did. The core directives prevail over single Taleen deaths. And so they were fought and killed. Those who were considered a danger to the core directives were executed, even if they did not resist at first. I could tell you the specific numbers of deaths, even the nas of everyone killed, but I dont see how that is beneficial in any way. More importantly, there are currently three hundred seventy three thousand five hundred and twenty eight dwarves living in Io. The entirety of the Taleen peoples, minus Gretmoor Valarian, the one now living in Hallowfort. Of course there is a possibility of others having survived outside of the influence of the One without Form, however it tried to fulfill that directive with the sa fervor as it did trying to destroy Elven kind, Aki explained.
Ilea whistled. Now thats fucked up.
Nearly four hundred thousand people, Claire murmured.
Indeed. And another potential ally. Ilea I know you dont exactly like it but your actions did free an entire peoples. While I suggest the present mbers of the Accords should talk to the Cerithil Hunters, I think it best for Ilea to go to Io, Aki said. You do have a tendency to sohow befriend everyone you find.
Not everyone, Ilea said, crossing her arms.
Not everyone. Will you assist anyway? I dont think it should be the very machines that oppressed them to inform them of their freedom, Aki spoke.
Ilea sighed. Sure. Im dodging every other responsibility after all.
Any other big reveals? Train asked, looking at the machine with a smile on his face.
Nothing that is relevant right now, Aki said. If you are in agreent with my assessnts, we shouldnt waste anymore ti. Every minute could an a major shift in potential outcos.
No wonder youre so stressed out if you constantly think about all the potential outcos, Ilea said before she stretched her arms. So, Violence, ready to see the hidden city of Io? Or prison I suppose.
Violence!
Well lets hope there isnt much of that there, Ilea said.
They had quite a lot of freedoms. The One without Form ca to the conclusion that total oppression could lead to a total rebellion, which in turn could endanger the core directive, Aki explained.
I dont suppose the dwarves just accepted all of that for thousands of years, Ilea said.
No. In this past year there have been eighty six executions and six hundred twenty five prison sentences, Aki answered.
And you really think it should be ? Not soone like the adow? Claire? Catelyn? Sulivhaan? Ilea asked. Or even Alyris?
You freed them. And you want to see them free. Or am I wrong in those assumptions? Aki asked.
No of course I want them to be freed, Ilea said.
And while you are an important figure in many organizations and structures, you do not see them as a potential asset to exploit. That I believe is why you are the best choice to explain their new circumstances, Aki said.
Arent you considering them an asset to exploit? With all these considerations? Ilea asked.
The Executioners eyes glowed a little brighter. If you look at it in a cynical manner. Maybe. My goal is to protect the Accords and its allies. You suggested the na Guardian of Cerith. The Taleen are a part of that, and I believe there is potential for civil war, conflicts of them trying to retake their cities, conflicts with elven kind, conflicts with humanity, and the Accords. None of that would be beneficial to anyone. That is what I believe. And I believe Lilith is the best choice of a first contact with a peoples that has not seen anyone but their own in nearly three thousand years.
Ilea grinned. Primordial Arbiter and all.
The Baron chuckled.
Friend!
Yeah. Lets hope they dont try to catch and imprison you imdiately, she said to the little Fae.
There shouldnt be anyone there that you cant easily defeat, Kyrian said.
Right, Trian said. Otherwise they wouldve long freed themselves.
They will ask for their cities and machines back, Claire said.
And they shall find shelter in what they had once built. However they have proven inadequate to wield this power. I shall remain the Guardian of Iz, if anything to prevent another three thousand years of conflict and imprisonnt.
I doubt theyll be happy when they learn about that, Claire said.
Better than the One without Form, Ilea said. They can do whatever they want now. Why cling to this old power? After all this ti?
Power is desirable, and they know what the Sphere is, what it controls, Claire said. This wont be easy.
No. It wont. And a large scale conflict might just be inevitable, but I do not wish to slaughter an entire city of thinking beings in a re preventive motion, Aki said.
Thats a lot of responsibility youre putting on my shoulders, Ilea said.
My
Shoulder
Yes, Violence. You know what I ant, she murmured.
I cannot force you, Ilea, nor would I if I could, Aki said. But I do believe you are the best choice.
Ilea interlinked her fingers and cracked them. Yeah. Alright. I an its not like I havent talked to Queens and Empresses before. Plus youre there if Im behaving exceptionally offensive. So is there a gate that leads there?
There is. One that has been inactive for a long ti, Aki said. It is now connected once more to the network.
Then lets go. Can you lead to the closest gate? Ilea asked.
Good luck, Trian said.
Yeah you too. The Hunters can be a pain in the ass. Call for if they attack you for so reason, she said.
They wont, Kyrian said, his green runes slightly glowing.
No. They wont, Aki confird, green eyes glowing in turn.
Did they just beco best friends? Ilea smiled and left through the opening gates, an Executioner leading her to a nearby teleportation gate.
The platform activated as she closed in.
The destination is set, the Executioner said. Enjoy the city. Its certainly sothing to behold.
Youre funny. Who exactly do I talk to once Im there? Ilea asked.
The governntal body is at the very bottom, Aki said.
Great. Ill see you there. Dont take over the world while Im away, she said.
I will first have to fight and defeat the adow, Aki replied.
Yeah. Good luck with that, Ilea said and activated the gate.
The space magic took hold as she deactivated her resistance, the spell sowhat similar to the one their own gates produced. Ilea appeared in a sowhat spacious hall, two dozen silver machines standing near the walls, each one looking her way. Green light shined on from above, the walls, floor, and ceiling made of tal.
Welco to Io, one of the machines said. Now that youve arrived, Ill be removing the Guardians from the city. The prisoners are being freed as I speak. A few Executioners will remain here, in case my communication is asked for or required.
Great. Thanks. Ill call for you if I need anything, Ilea said as she watched the large tal gate open up. Dozens of enchantnts fizzled out when the steel parted, machines already moving into the room in sync. She spread her wings and flew over them, seeing Praetorians as well as Destroyers moving past, coming from a broad stairwell leading down. She could see dozens of traps within the walls, each one deactivated. The underground corridor was lit by the sa green light, another set of tal gates at the end of it all.
According to her marks, she was sowhere in the North. Pretty far east but still quite a ways off from the Naraza mountain chain and Hallowfort both. One thing was clear however. She was deep underground. Farther maybe than she had ever been.
And they built a city here?
She had her mantle and wings active, flying past the hundreds of machines that spilled into the corridor from below. Ilea turned to look at the masses, soon passing two more steel gates, all open now. And finally, she could see it. The light at the end of the corridor. Not green like everything around her but a warm orange. Then red, yellow, blue, and a dozen other colors, all intermingling until she flew out into the open. She slowed down, a Destroyer flying up and past her, then another three.
She was hovering over a circular Descent much like the Centurion facility she had visited with Elfie. Even with her enhanced eyes she could not make out the bottom. Every twenty ters down there was another floor, bustling with color and life. Shops and houses had been built onto the tal railings, magical lights of every color decorating the gaps between buildings. Enchantnts flared with magic as they gave life to growing plants, many of them lush with fruits, oranges, blueberries, even sothing that looked like pineapple. She saw trees growing out towards the central open space of the city, roots clinging to the steel.
Platforms had been added, bridges of every kind of material connecting the layers or simply reaching to the other side. There were flying machines delivering parcels, others moving people. She saw a group of young dwarven kids use hooks to slide down a set of tal wires, sparks flying out around every ten ters. Hundreds were rushing to the center to see the Destroyers and Executioners fly or run up towards the top floor of the city. Ilea could see the confusion in their eyes. Fear, hope, and curiosity. She even saw plenty of dwarves returning to their own business.
This doesnt exactly look like a prison, she thought as she moved her wings, flying downwards. A lot of eyes were on her as she passed the first layer. She waved, so of the younger dwarves mimicking the gesture.
Every layer had buildings reaching from the tal ground to the tal ceiling, tight alleys leaving just enough room for perhaps two dwarves to walk past alongside each other. There were balconies on many of the houses, so close enough to touch the ones on the other side. Enchantnts were everywhere, the glow of magic downright overwhelming within Ileas dominion, even as she flew down the center where there were only bridges, wires, and the occasional platform reaching out into the open space.
Who are you? soone shouted.
What are the Guardians doing? another added but she was already past their level. More shouts ca now as the people got over their initial shock of the changes. So rushed to their houses, others up and towards where the machines were going, more yet went down and tried to follow the winged ashen being going down the center.
Ilea felt like a harbinger of so kind, her wings moving slowly as she descended. A Destroyer flew around her in an effort to avoid a collision. She saw Guardians and Centurions move through the layers as she passed, large tal stairwells occupied entirely by the machines. So far she saw no end to the torrent of Guardians. Hundreds of eyes were on her, so bolder individuals using the wires to follow her down, others using a flying machine or their own magic. The latter were rare.
Maybe not a skill the One without Form allowed? Or were most higher level dwarves who could fly killed due to the danger they posed to the machine?
Ilea ca face to face with a young dwarf, the dark skinned girl looking at her with deep green eyes whilst sitting on a floating bowl like machine.
Those are very nice wings, the Taleen girl said in common.
Ilea smiled. Thank you. I like the flying machine.
The girl smiled brightly. I made it myself!
Herin get back here! soone shouted from the layer above.
I have to go. See you! the girl said and floated upwards.
Sure, Ilea said with a smile.
The food slls fucking nice. Strange spices, she observed on her descent, picking up speed now as she still failed to see the bottom. Ilea noted that the layers were more packed as she got deeper, fewer lights and more buildings, more platforms reaching out towards the center with hos on them as well, many were supported by more structures farther down.
It took her nearly twenty minutes to reach the bottom, in the end flying quite quickly. Still there were machines moving upwards, up until the last few hundred ters where the Guardians seed to have already vacated the area entirely. There was no big square at the bottom but what she did see was a building that seed at least partially inspired by the Guild hall Aki had invited the Hunters into back in Iz. A few dozen dwarves were watching her arrive, standing outside or looking out from windows and balconies.
I guess this is the place, she thought and landed a few ters away from the closest group, her wings dissolving as she waved. Hey. Nice to et you all.
Violence! the Baron greeted, the Fae now sitting on her shoulder.
No. No violence, she said and flicked the little creatures skull.
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