Ilea left Feyrair to his own hunts after a single minute of additional fighting. Though calling it a fight was certainly generous. As she had expected from him, the display didnt discourage him. Quite the opposite.
He simply vowed to reach the sa heights, as he had done many tis before.
She didnt doubt that he would reach her current power in ti, but without quite as extensive healing as her, and perhaps less luck in finding high level creatures, it would certainly take a lot longer. She suggested he should go to Kohr, but he refused, with no way to get back on his own. The chance was slim, but if she died or was preoccupied, he would be stuck in the realm of the Navuun.
Ilea wondered how much of his refusal was due to reason. Perhaps he wasnt quite as eager to take the sa kind of risks as she had. She didnt bla him, knowing how close she had gotten to death ti and ti again. He didnt have the sa kind of healing, nor anything like her space magic, both major tools that allowed her to face the god like creatures she had recently taken down.
Before choosing her next hunting grounds, Ilea contacted Trian through her mark. The adow told there was progress with the Bluemoon root?
Yes. Its been quite promising. Prioritize your endeavors, but feel free to visit, he sent back seconds later.
Ilea took in a deep breath as she flew up to see the vast expanse of the mist laden landscape. Maybe theres an Oracle here too or sothing of the like. She imdiately questioned the thought, knowing how vast this landscape was. The Marshes stretched far, but nowhere near as far as the wracked land of the North. Sa lightning on the Krahen Isles, and in the mountains above Paarah.
She opened a bottle of ale and soon focused on the mark of Trian.
_________________
Malise kept her expression neutral as she healed Sentinel after Sentinel. Of course they had no injuries remaining on their bodies, but every last one of them sighed with relief when her arcane healing flowed through them. Hours and hours she spent on this, every single day.
The opportunities granted to her were ridiculous. She had been lucky, as were the others in her team, their suspicion the sole reason they had been chosen as the first to ingest the Bluemoon root. A choice instead of ferocious loyalty or a wish to get favor. There was certainly plenty of both in the mbers of the Sentinels, especially those younger and at a lower level.
Veyra had comnted on it a few tis. How it reminded her of her forr Healing Order. The downright worship of higher level mbers, let alone the faculty and Ilea.
Though they quickly learned during their bouts, resistance training, and in the many classes, that independent and critical thought was not only allowed, but expected. Many of the higher leveled Sentinels interrupted the faculty or held their own lessons and bouts, sharing what they had learned through experience, and teaching others.
Refugees from all over the Plains, forr slaves, orphans. All of them had their own history, so more willing to share than others, but Malise had enough experience with people to know that every last one of them had their own purpose to be here. Purpose that drove them, purpose that let them endure the arduous training. She herself didnt even know if she couldve gone through with it all were it not for her new ability to heal ntal strains.
There were many here more capable than her, and not just in re magical power. She had found her match in many of the Sentinels. Competitive and ambitious souls, others selfless with unwavering will, others yet inspiring leaders, and so single minded battle maniacs. All of them, she respected. And all of them made her want to exceed even the expectations she had of herself.
Her new Class at the mont was both boon and bane. They were the first, others just recently having eaten the Elixir. She wouldve liked to train like everyone else, but the often untold expectation for them to heal everyones minds was all present. And the Sentinels trained as much as they could, especially the newer ones. At the mont, herself, Veyra, Halra, and Balt took shifts using their healing abilities.
She herself had received the Arcane Healer Class re days prior. Halra got sothing called Arcane Fla Wielder, Balt received the Arcane dic Class, and Veyra received Arcane Priest. All of them had at least so ability to heal, both themselves and others, with Halra having the least potent healing, and Veyra the most powerful, though all of them had to touch their respective targets to use their spells.
Just a few more weeks of this and well have at least a dozen people capable of arcane healing. She suppressed a sigh, knowing that she was building a lot of goodwill and connections with the many Sentinels she healed. Though with how straightforward and purpose driven most of them were, she wouldnt exactly benefit as much as she wouldve with normal adventurers or even healers. They would help her if she asked for help, but they wouldve done so regardless of her ntal healing abilities. And they expected her to work hard to improve, her status beneficial to everyone, but not sothing that made her be seen as special.
Thank you so much for this, Ferren said, the young dic Sentinel teleporting away to let the next person receive their ntal healing.
Malise glanced towards the open entrance to the enchanted training hall, seeing Trian walk in with Ilea. It was the first ti she had seen the woman since the feast. Her presence instilled the sa instinctual feeling it had before, though she felt as if channeling her Reconstruction spell into her own mind helped sowhat with the presence of the Godslayer.
[The Untainted lvl ???]
She evolved? Or her title is different.
Malise got the Arcane Healer Class. As I said, theyre all relatively basic and besides the Arcane dic Class that Balt received, none of them have offensive intrusion abilities. It is surprising that even Halra has a healing spell, though the adow assus its due to the original Bluemoon Grass the new Elixir is based on. Trian explained before they stopped near Malise.
A remnant maybe, of the Azarinth Order, Ilea said. Hey. Hope youre doing alright. She glanced at the line of waiting Sentinels.
Malise was about to answer when she felt healing similar to her Reconstruction enter her mind, far more potent than anything she could conjure up.
Many of the Sentinels still waiting said their thanks and left the hall, others asking what just happened with so confusion. A few just glared at Ilea with terror or admiration.
That has to get pretty annoying at so point, Malise thought. Im doing fine, Lilith, she said, choosing not to call her Ilea in front of other Sentinels. She didnt expect it but it could create unneeded tension. My Arcane Healer Class is at level eight, the skills growing quickly with my continued ingestion of the Bluemoon root. Reconstruction is already at level twelve. I have to touch people to heal, and it requires quite a lot of mana. She used the spell on herself to demonstrate, assuming Ilea had a way to perceive her magic.
Arcane Form is a body enhancent spell that increases my resilience and Dexterity. Arcane Shield lets conjure armor made of pure arcane energy. She activated her aura and shield, slight blue light shimring around her black leather armor. Runes shimred in the sa light where her skin was exposed.
Blink lets teleport, with a very short ti between uses. She teleported one ter away and then back. And Arcane Body reduces the pain I feel. It also lets recover with natural regeneration, no matter how bad the injury.
Ilea didnt interrupt her. She smiled when Malise was done. Kind of funny to hear those nas again. No Destruction spell yet?
Balt has it, Trian said. He also has an arcane beam, and arcane shard spell, both ranged abilities that leave intrusion damage. Halras abilities are closer to a standard body enhancers, but built on arcane fire with a blueish color. Her ability to heal herself will set her apart of course, as it did you.
Battle healers like Malise? Ilea asked.
Balt is an Arcane Mage, Halra an Arcane Warrior, and Veyra is an Arcane Healer, Trian explained. And were sure to have more soon, likely with a deeper connection to the Sentinels.
As long as we dont beco another Healing Order, Ilea murmured.
Plenty of examples to learn from, Trian said.
Thanks for showing your abilities, Malise, Ilea said.
Malise bowed. Thanks for freeing up an hour of my ti.
I used to heal an entire hall of writhing Sentinels. Im sure you wont be busied for long, Ilea said and grinned.
Writhing Sentinels. Of course. Shes the one who founded this place.
__________________
Ilea got a serving of food from the Golden Drake supplied ss hall, greeting a few of the present Sentinels, most of them quite new to the organization. Everyone else already left again, I guess. I just hope they get to travel around from ti to ti. Teleportation gates are useful, but spreading your wings and flying through an untouched snow covered valley is just too good to pass up.
She teleported down and into Trians office, past the enchantnts that failed to prevent her entry.
You dont have to demonstrate just how insufficient these defenses are against high level space mages, he murmured, pouring himself a cup of tea.
Ilea sat down on an ashen chair to not damage the nice armchairs in the mans office. Not just any high level space mage. .
He turned and sat down. You. I heard of your recent adventure in the Marshes.
Interesting fights, yes.
You know you dont have to push yourself this hard, dont you?
What do you an? I enjoyed the battles, she answered.
I know you do, but I hope youre not taking even more risks because of the Architect, Trian said, sipping from his tea.
Ilea ate in silence.
No matter who or what attacks the Accords, youre not the only one there to defend us, he said.
Ilea finished chewing before she gulped. She smiled. No, but Im part of the Accords, and I want to pull my weight. Youre nurturing the next generation of Sentinels, and I do what I do best. I fight monsters. You know , Trian. Ive taken arguably stupid risks since coming here to Elos. Ive taken stupid risks in the past week even. Not because I want to protect people, but because its who I am.
I know who you are, Ilea. he said with a smile. Just be careful, okay? Possible danger will always be there. We all know you will pull your weight. But you can rely on us doing the sa.
She looked at him for a few seconds, then continued eating. What he said made her feel strange. As if tension in her stomach had vanished that she hadnt even felt was there. She smiled and nodded, finishing her food before she stood up. I will try. Thank you, Trian.
He just smiled and sipped at his tea.
Ill see you around, she said and stepped through a gate, to the domain of the adow.
Can you teleport outside? she sent to the being, removing her space magic resistance.
Ilea was moved in the next instant, appearing once more in the dark northern landscape.
She flew to a spot with a nice view, overlooking a few mist lakes with dancing Miststalkers.
Are you alright? the adow sent, the being still present, even kiloters away.
Ilea didnt answer for a while.
Do you think the Miststalkers will ever awaken? she asked instead.
They are strange spirits. I will continue to try of course, but they are gone when the suns rise, and return when they set. I cannot tell the difference between these spirits, and I dont know if I have seen the sa one twice before. Even Owl has difficulties differentiating them.
Hmm.
Are you concerned about the Cerithil Hunters? You t with them, didnt you?
I did, but no. They seem more than capable. she sent and paused. As is everyone else. Her eyes opened wide. A light smile ca to her face. Trian, you shithead.
Ilea sighed and fell onto her back, spreading her arms wide. The rock felt comfortable.
I think Ill stay here for a while, she sent.
Ill be here. If you need anything, the adow sent back.
Ilea lay there and ditated, letting the magic flow through her as she started to breathe consciously. She soon cald.
Ilea opened her eyes slightly when a nearby explosion rocked the ground. Already morning, she thought, turning to the other side when another bolt of arcane lightning cracked into the northern landscape. Checking her ditation Fourth Tier, she found that 33 seconds were available to her by now.
I guess that counted as motionless and focused.
She smiled at the thought of focused ditation. A focus on breathing and mana flow many.
Keeping her eyes closed as bits of rock impacted the ground nearby, she decided to use up a few seconds of her Fourth Tier, if only to better understand what perfect synergy ant, and how quickly she could turn the skill on and off.
Ilea activated the skill and she imdiately felt herself calm. Any doubts, any confusion, all gone in an instant. She could feel the mana flow through her, could feel the ground she was laying on. She heard her own heart beat and took a single breath before she deactivated the skill yet again. One second had not passed, but she found her remaining ti to sit at 32. Testing with another split second, she found that there didnt seem to be a ti requirent between uses, but her saved up ti would shrink by one second either way.
Which ans in theory, Id have one hundred one second monts where I can both calm myself down and assess the situation, and to cast spells for cheaper.
When she used her Reconstruction Fourth Tier, she felt powerful, as if she was one with her magic. Her Ash Fourth Tier still felt sowhat overwhelming, as if she temporarily unlocked unlimited potential, at least for her ash. But ditation cald her down. She just knew what to do, and while it didnt explicitly increase her perception, it almost felt like it. She assud because her entire being knew what to focus on, and where to put resources. Perfect synergy, with everything that I am.
Ilea looked at her hand, closed in a fist. She lay on her back again and closed her eyes, deciding to try and ditate as the arcane storms drifted by.
She wondered if Trian had been right. Wondered if she really did push herself more than usual. But Ive done that before, when it was necessary.
Ilea smiled. Hmm. Guess that ans he was right. Partially at least. Continuing the fight against the Wind of Aveer was a monts choice. But I suppose my want to improve as fast as possible in case that I have to face the Architect couldve influenced subconsciously.
Difficult, to really find balance when I both enjoy what I do, and have so many reasons to do it. Should I seek out less powerful monsters? Should I help train the Sentinels?
For now, I think Ill just ditate.
And then, well. One Drake at a ti.
Ilea was woken from her ditative state a few tis when she was directly struck by arcane lightning. With her precognition, she had enough ti to raise her shields and so ash, not ttat either was necessary, but it proved the quickest way to be back in her ditation right after.
Hours passed in what felt like monts. Ilea felt similar in so ways to how she had felt back in the Azarinth temple, weeks before she had unlocked and leveled her Blink spell far enough. She often felt the urge to go and hunt the next creature, but she stopped herself. It felt right in a way, to stay here. To breathe. To not be among the busy life of the Accords, preparing for a threat that may appear tomorrow, in ten years, or not at all.
She felt an urge to explore, to fight if anything ca up, but more so at the mont, she just wanted to be here, to have so quiet among the storms. By now she had already maxed out her available 100 seconds in her ditation Fourth Tier, which ant there was no longer a productive need to stay here and ditate.
She decided to stay nonetheless. The decision, she found, made her smile. It felt right.
There are a few four mark targets that Aki could guide you to, the adow sent what felt like half a day later.
Ilea found that night had fallen yet again.
I think Ill stay here a little longer, she sent back.
The adow spoke to her again when the suns rose in the morning.
Did you co to any conclusions?
Ilea rolled to the side, as if she was looking towards the tree far in the distance, and below ground. That it can feel nice to sit around and ditate for a while. Though I suppose Ive always known that.
Contemplating existence and your own mind, your own being, it is a marvel, and a privilege, but just as much necessity. For life itself, the being answered. What made you forget?
Ilea smiled. Many things, I guess. Its just been busy. Sa issue with my power leading to responsibility, but just as much a shit ton of opportunities that ca with both Aki and you. The last few weeks have been quite intense. Ca close to death a few more tis than mightve been necessary.
Is it necessary at all?
She grinned. Hardly anything quite as exhilarating than a close fight with sothing as strong or stronger than .
Im glad you have found so perspective. I woke you from your trance because the Seals below the Haven have been broken a few minutes ago. They await your presence, should you wish to be there, the adow sent.
Ilea sat up and stretched, yawning before she rembered she hadnt eaten anything in more than a full day. The thought made her smile slightly. Ill go check it out. Cant well ignore it now that theyve put in so much ti and effort.
You could.
Yeah, I know. But maybe theyll find sothing interesting, she sent and focused on the mark she had on Nes.
Once youre done, Ilea. Perhaps there is sothing we can discuss, the adow sent, its voice in her mind contemplative. Uncertain in a way she had rarely perceived.
She cast her third tier Transfer spell and cracked her neck. Ill let you know when Im back.
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