159. A Heroic Act
Edithe felt her heart racing as she followed the Lich down the dilapidated steps. They were covered in moss and lichen part of the aesthetic of the ancient garden, overgrowing with dead plants and blight flowers. Taking in a deep breath... she almost puked.
The stench here was far more rancid than anything she had ever slled before. It was a beautiful perfu of death and disease. The only thing that couldve made this little night stroll better was a few corpses added to the mix.
And there they were. Edithe saw the glints she caught sight of the frozen redheads. They stood in varying degrees of defiance and fear, a stark contrast to the more resigned won in the bedroom.
There were dozens of them. Maybe even over a hundred alone, just out in the garden. This was the fate that awaited Edithe. Faced with the Lich, entrenched in a myriad of lies, there would co a ti when it all ca cascading down, and with nothing else to die, she would die.
She was afraid. More than she had ever been before. It wasnt sothing like the company war, where there was a chance of fighting back. The Lich was far above her level. Anything she attempted would result in her death.
It is beautiful, is it not, my Lilian?
The Lichs voice was ethereal creepy. It sent shivers down her spine, especially with the cold aura he seed to exude.
It is indeed beautiful, my Zacharius.
She copied his speech pattern. That was the only hope she had in fooling him long enough for Salvos and Daniel to arrive. Except could they even find her? It wasnt even close to midnight. There were still a few more hours to go before she should blow the Horn of the Caller.
Well, she could try it now. But would her friends even be ready?
Everything we touch turns to gold, my dear Lilian. If only they understood that. Theyre too afraid. They are far too obsessed with doctrine of a ti long gone. The Immortal King Alexander fooled them. He has led them all astray.
Edithe heard a crack. She glanced down, seeing the balled fists of the Lich. His hand was shaking, trembling, as if overco with anger. The first real sign of emotion he showed, beyond his deep obsession for Lilian.
The world is ending, but he has erased it all from their mories. Instead, he ford a pact with the Spirit Lord and turned necromancy into a scorned art, just so Spirit summoning may reign. He threatens the very existence of the Nexeus for his own gain. What a capitalistic pig!
The Lichs eyes burned with fury, the kind that chilled Edithe with fear of reprisal just from standing near him. And yet, there was sothing to what he said which piqued her interest. Against her better judgent, she spoke slowly, drawing the Lichs attention.
And yet, the Kobolds still oppose us.
She flinched when the Lich twisted his neck to face her. But what she said was true. At least, partially. Everyone knew that it was the Kobolds who slew Lilian and Zacharius. With a bated breath, Edithe waited for the Lichs response.
Yes, they oppose us. Even when we offered their Scale Guard peace. A chance to work together for a better future. They t with us and betrayed us. Broke the treaty. Took my life from . And killed my beautiful Lilian
He paused. Edithes eyes grew wide in fear. Was this it for her?
Why are you?
But the Lich shook his head.
My mistake. They took you away from . Temporarily. But I have found you now, my darling Lilian. And I have brought you back to .
Yes
Edithe didnt pry any further. If she said anything else hed have her head. She got lucky, this ti. It wouldnt happen again.
They took everything from . But slowly, I am regaining it all. My mories. My beautiful Lilian. All of it. Once I have it all back, Ill be able to finally do what is right. Ill be able to save the world.
With by your side, of course, yes?
The Lich nodded, a satisfied look passing over his skull face.
Yes, together.
Edithes heart was beating faster and faster. But it was no longer of fear. What the Kobolds said was true this was all the confirmation she needed. Salvos wouldnt care. However, if she could sohow convince Hadrian and Baris that this was true maybe even find proof in the history books then sothing could be done.
She was excited. But that feeling was snuffed out as the Lich turned to her.
Ah, yes, Ive almost forgotten. My beautiful Lilian, I have a request for you.
What is it, my h-handso Zacharius?
He moved his jaw, the teeth clattering with no muscle to move them. But an ethereal voice still seeped out.
I have lost my [Hero] Class in death, my dear Lilian. Without it, I am far too weak to carry out my duty to protect the Nexeus. However, now that youre here, your great magic will surely restore of what Ive lost, yes?
Edithe froze. What could she say? She highly doubted that even the real Lilian would be able to return his lost Class to him. If it was never preserved in the first place, that ant that Lilian couldnt do it.
That was the only valid response, right?
I apologize, my dear Zacharius. It is not within my domain of power. If I were able to cast such grand magic
Oh, you jest! You are the greatest [Necromancer] to have walked this world. If not you, then it is impossible.
Edithe jerked as he grabbed her arm. He brought his face close to hers, a peering gaze that stared straight into her soul.
I-I c-cannot
You must jest, my Lilian. Unless you are not truly my Lilian, are you?
Was this how the other won t their end? He made a demand for sothing that no soul could possibly accomplish?
She breathed deeply, trying to steel herself. Speaking placatingly, she raised a hand.
My Zacharius, I assure you
Edithe ripped a dagger out of her pocket, stabbing it at the Lichs arms. He hissed as he stumbled back, his bones rapidly decaying as he looked down in shock.
This is corrosion magic?
She pointed at him.
[Arrow of the Fla Elental]!
A fiery bolt struck the skull of the Lich. It sent him reeling back, blowing his head off his neck. It didnt smash it into a thousand pieces. It was just sothing else to delay him.
Spinning around, Edithe pulled out the Horn of the Caller and blew it with all her strength, Then she ran deeper into the garden, hearing the heavy thumping of her heart, and the screams of a maddened Lich behind her.
YyyyYOOuuuuUU aRE NoT mY LILIANNNNNNNNNNN!
Edithe pocketed the Horn of the Caller and the Fangs of the Devouring Deep. It was a good thing she kept the weapon with her. The Lich would heal from any attack inflicted upon him. But the corrosion magic would allay his regeneration.
It would buy her ti. Hopefully enough for Salvos and Daniel to arrive.
Snow began to descend from the sky. The ground was covered in a thin sheet of sleet. Edithe sighed a misty breath, knowing that they had to co soon.
***
Defeated [Ghoul of Despair - Lvl. 108]!
Experience is awarded for defeating an enemy!
Defeated [Wight - Lvl. 109]!
Less experience is awarded for defeating an enemy with the help of others!
Class [Adept of the Fae] Level Up!
[Adept of the Fae - Lvl. 20] -> [Adept of the Fae - Lvl. 21]
Gained 2 Secondary Skill Points!
Class [Adept of the Fae] Level Up!
[Adept of the Fae - Lvl. 21] -> [Adept of the Fae - Lvl. 22]
Gained 2 Secondary Skill Points!
Did you hear that?
I did, Salvos.
I exchanged glances with Daniel. It wasnt midnight. Not even close. And yet, Edithe used the Horn of the Caller. That ant
Shes in trouble. Co on!
Dashing forward, I cast [Haste] on my companion. He ran forward as I felt a sharp pain running through my back. My [Wings of the Netherworld] spread wide as I took off into the air, the Heralds Brush in one hand, Daniel in the other.
There was a blight flower field ahead of , in the direction I heard the blare of the Horn of the Caller. I couldnt see past it. Not unless I removed the blight.
Be useful, you stupid thing!
I swung the Heralds Brush. The smog with a greenish hue at night slowly vanished. I saw [Nightscourers] flying above . I downed a mana potion as [The Primordial Spark] flared up around . It was stronger now that I raised its level. I could create up to five weapons at once. I launched them at the flying undead, keeping them away from .
Below, I saw a horde of Ghouls, Skeletons, [Zombies], and [Wights] giving chase after us. But they couldnt reach us. I cleared the land of the blight, their flowers wilting rapidly as their foul magic was countered by the Heralds Brush.
The curtain fell, and I spotted a castle in the distance. Ten miles was far. But I was over Level 100. I reached the keep monts later, still carrying Daniel.
A pair of black undead shot up after us. They were shrouded in a dark mist, wielding ethereal weapons as they ca after us. I pursed my lip.
[Revenant - Lvl. 116]
[Revenant - Lvl. 118]
Can you take care of them, Daniel?
Just find Edithe!
I nodded, letting go of him. His sword was wreathed in a bright light as he fell on the first [Revenant]. It let out a shrill screech. The other tried to ignore him, but he pulled it by the leg, dragging it down with him.
I made laps over the decrepit castle, trying to spot the red-haired woman, wherever she could be. I caught glints of blue and white: figures made of ice, standing in courtyards, in balconies, in the garden
A giant wall of ice shot up, and my eyes widened. There. I recognized that Skill it was Edithes [Shield of the Misty Lord]. It was shattered a mont later. Dark clouds gathered over it as I dove straight down.
My body rippled with energy. My form shifted as cracks resounded from my body. I saw a figure looming over Edithe, her legs turning to ice.
I growled.
[Title Skill: Zealous Call]!
His head snapped my way. Edithe blinked as the magical ice stopped forming under her. She broke out as I zipped past the Lich.
Over here, you stupid skeleton!
The Lichs eyes burned with fury and anger. The green flas filled his eye sockets entirely, his gaze trailing after with pinpoint accuracy. I watched Edithe stumble away as the Lich raised a single finger at .
[Ray of Frost].
I made a sudden turn as the beam of ice shot out. It froze everything in its path. Even the things it didnt touch. Then the ice cracked, and the earth broke with it. [The Primordial Spark] blazed around a sphere of flaming armor that protected from the freezing effects of the attack, even as I managed to avoid it entirely.
My fire froze, slowly breaking apart, just like everything else. But I mostly escaped unscathed. When I glanced back at the destruction wrought from that Skill, I saw half of the Lichs keep had crumbled to the ground. The rest was still being kept up by so great magic, one that I didnt spend ti investigating the source of.
The Lich let out a roar.
You Demon, how dare you. How DARE YOUUUUUUU!
He was no longer under the effects of [Zealous Call]. And yet, he directed his rage at . He clapped his hands together, and spikes of ice shot up from the ground. I weaved around the magical terrain, avoiding anything that jutted out, barely escaping with only the slightest of scratches.
Salvos!
A voice called out to . I saw Edithe gesturing towards the keep and running in its direction.
His phylactery his life force its in the throne room!
I nodded.
Go destroy it
I was cut off. I stopped flying. I didnt know why, but I started freefalling. I looked back and saw my wings were frozen. Turned to ice. They fell apart behind , an agonizing pain that accompanied my descent. I glanced up, barely seeing a sphere of frozen ice falling with .
The Lich lowered a hand, shaking his head.
I had aid for your head, but your wings are fine too.
I ca crashing down before him as he spread his arms wide.
Now, perish. [Ribloom].
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