In the middle of the ocean was a sight that was hard to accurately describe. A wall made of giant storm clouds rotated with an unstoppable ferocity. The waves below the storm followed the sa pattern, deadly whirlpools ford and made it clear that any organic life caught inside would quickly be ripped apart. A few hundred feet away from the Storm Wall a doorway opened up and several people walked out.
Kesver. Lyra called out.
As a Naiad, Kesver had a natural control over all forms of water. The surface of the ocean entered a near solid state and allowed everyone to literally walk on water.
Lyra, Gicae, Theissa, Ustia, Lua, Myr, and Ira made their way out of the doorway and observed the Storm Wall. Anyone who saw it would agree that scale of the storm was incomprehensible as it stood around 15 miles into the air.
Ira silently looked on with nothing other than a small grin.
You can clearly see that this isnt a normal storm. When the barrier was raised, it caused an incredible amount of energy to go out of control which led to the creation of the Storm Wall. Below the wall are undercurrents that Kesver cant control. Above the wall is a series of magnetic storms that the Valkyries cant fly through. As for going through it? Lyra raised her hand as the small white circles around her pupils lit up. A beam of light continuously shot out of her hand and tore through the Storm Wall. For a brief mont an opening ford in the wall, but within a few seconds, the beam dissipated. Even if Lyra could make an opening it wouldnt matter as the Storm Wall was the size of a small country.
Iras expression changed at the display of Lyras ability. Is that magic? He asked.
Lyra looked at him strangely as she recalled the tallic humanoid that she saw in his mind. You can say that. Its star magic that is only native to Siderans, she explained while regaining her composure.
Thats too bad. Iras expression turned to disinterest as he looked back to the Storm Wall.
Can you remove it? Myr questioned.
I can Ira said with a lazy smile, Just not right now.
Myr felt her annoyance rising as she looked at Iras smile. If it wasnt for Gicaes warning she would attempt to cut him down where he stood.
Ustia, on the other hand, had more patience. Ira was connected with the Black Forest and that made him incredibly dangerous in her eyes.
How long do you need to prepare? Thessia asked. She was the youngest of the group by a few hundred years. She was aware that the higher races were strong early on but took years to reach their peak.
I dont know. Ira shrugged with a passive smile. It would be hard to believe that he threatened to kill all of them a few monts before, that is, if one didnt look at his eyes which landed on Gicae every few monts.
...How long did it take for you to reach your current point? Ustia asked. She was more interested in understanding the scope of his abilities.
Ira showed a contemplative look as he went into thought, Almost a year, he said.
For a mont the only sound was the wind howling in the background and then everyone finally showed so sort of realization.
That cant be true, Lua said in disbelief, but all she got in return from Ira was indifference. It was clear he didnt care if she believed him or not.
Then how old are you?! Thessia asked with far more emotion.
Sowhere between eighteen and twenty-one, Ira responded. Probably. He added.
Ustia took a few monts to recollect her calm. In fact, all of them made sure not to show any sense of distress in front of Ira, but inwardly they viewed him as a monster. There were very few people who knew Iras growth and the ones that understood what it ant were even less. It was apparent that after the Summit, Iras origins would be investigated by everyone and then they would be struck with the sa realization.
You dont know your own age? Kesver showed a look of skepticism.
Doesnt everyone lose track of ti occasionally? Ira responded.
Those two things are nothing alike, Myr interjected.
Speak for yourself. Ira shrugged before he thought of sothing. I dont like you, He said to Myr.
I could say the sa about you. I especially detest your smile, its very off-putting. Myr retorted.
If I get the chance, Ill kill you first, Ira mumbled aloud.
Myr was barely able to restrain herself from drawing her sword as she glared at Ira who yawned in response.
Can we leave? I saw everything I needed to see right? Ira asked Lyra.
Gicae. Lyra signaled.
Gicae opened the doorway once again and everyone began to enter.
It had been a few hours since Ira was taken away by the higher races. The rain had long since stopped, but Avery didnt seem to notice as she kept her eyes where Ira had last been until Rhys notepad appeared in her peripheral.
[Im sorry.]
For what? Avery asked apathetically.
Rhys sat quietly before writing her response, [I couldnt provide any real help.]
What is it about Ira that made you interested in him? Avery inquired in an empty tone.
Rhys started to write but was cut off by Avery. I dont think you need to be around him anymore. In the beginning, I was searching for possible allies for him and you were an important one for him to have until the Dark Elves appeared.
Rhys hands tightened in frustration before she began writing, [I can get stronger.]
You seem to be misunderstanding , Its not a question of your abilities. I am sure you will beco stronger and very soon at that. I just doubt you understand Ira and I doubt that youll co to understand him even more. I can see how his friendly deanor can be misleading, but hes capable of imnse brutality and full of apathy toward most other living things. Still, hes so much more than that. Near the end, Averys eyes showed a sense of longing. It was one of the rare tis her emotions beca visible.
Rhys took a few monts to think before she scribbled her response, [You said sothing similar once before and I told you my decision.]
Averys usual expression of coldness returned as she read Rhys response, Well see if you can maintain that stance when youre around him long enough to understand, she said.
Rhys wanted to write sothing to respond, but at that mont the air around the arena rippled before the turquoise doorway opened up. The Dark Elves stood up in a frenzy as they began to shout.
Ira and Lyra stepped out of the doorway and stood in the arena.
Well be checking in on you periodically to monitor your progress. I would prefer if you left a location that we can easily reach. It was quite difficult to locate you the first ti, she said.
Theres a restaurant in the Grenitian Kingdom that I live near, he should be able to find that. Its kind of strange that he didnt know that after poking around in my head. Iras aggression began to spill out as he talked.
Is it that much of an issue for you? I understand your hostilities to a degree, but would it be far-fetched to say that it was necessary? Lyra inquired. As far as Ira knew, Gicae decided to enter his mind on his own accord. Gicae took direct responsibility and didnt include the others as being involved with the decision. Although Lyra wasnt the one who pushed for it she had followed Gicae into Iras mind.
What kind of question is that? You dont know anything about so dont tell whats necessary. Being powerless to resist was the thing Ira hated the most. It reminded him of what was done to him years ago.
Youre right, Id hope you can forgive for being presumptuous, Lyra responded.
Were a bit past the point of forgiveness. Ira smiled before he looked at the stands, or more specifically, Avery.
...Youll be hearing from us soon, Ira, Lyra said before stepping back through the doorway which disappeared after she entered.
Keeper! The Dark Elves shouted as they looked at Iras good condition from afar.
Avery jumped down from the stands and began walking toward him causing Ira to form a cheerful grin. She arrived in front of him and hugged him tightly which surprised Ira. Until that mont, they never displayed much affection in public. Ira decided to ignore that little fact for a mont and returned Averys embrace.
Worried? Ira asked with a self-assured chuckle.
I doubt you were much different when you woke up, Avery said as she held him tighter. All she could think of was how warm he was, even with her Phoenix Heart increasing her resistance to heat.
Well, you got there, Ira confessed.
Avery finally stepped away and spoke, So how was it?
It was a literal wall made out of a storm. I need so ti to get through it, but when I do I should be able to kill so of them, Ira said.
You plan on getting through it? I assud that was to stall for ti. Avery comnted.
Maybe that was the plan at first, but the continent of the Higher Races sounds quite interesting. Ira smiled mischievously before he looked over Averys shoulder to see the Dark Elves and Rhys standing a dozen feet away. It was clear that they were waiting for Ira and Avery to finish their conversation before speaking to him.
Looks like they have sothing to say, Ira said.
Avery nodded and followed him as he moved toward the group of people waiting for him. Rhys grabbed her notepad, but Sylun spoke up far quicker than she could write.
Keeper, forgive us for our inaction. I wasnt aware that they would take you away after your fight. Sylun said with an apologetic bow. Needless to say that her subjects did the sa.
Its fine. Ira waved his hand. He doubted that they would provide much help if they were to face those of the higher races.
While Sylun continued to offer her apologies, Rhys found herself unable to properly get a word in. Beneath the mask her expression show restlessness as she looked for a chance to speak to Ira. When she witnessed Avery hugging Ira she found herself wanting to do the sa but knew that he didnt see her the sa way.
Rhys? Iras voice gained her attention. At such a close proximity, he could hear the hear her facial muscles repeatedly contracting.
Rhys looked at Ira for a few monts before she began to write, [Im glad youre ok.]
Ira opened his mouth to speak, but he coughed out a black liquid instead which caused everyone to panic.
Ira? Avery narrowed her eyes questioningly.
Its uh Ira coughed out more and it fell to the ground before evaporating, ...If I teleport too much this kind of happens. Dont worry, this isnt the first ti. Ira smiled but noticed the Dark Elves looked especially shocked as they looked at him.
Avery pulled out a cloth and handed it to him without a change of expression. Your eyes, she said.
Ira grabbed the cloth and wiped below his eyes and looked at it only to see that it remained unstained.
Its pouring from your eyes, Keeper, Saren said.
Really? Thats a first. Ira said as drops of black liquid continued to spill from his eyes.
Over the past few days, Aldis had adjusted to life under Harpers tyrant-like rule. He regretted the fact that he was unable to beat her and considered her Phantom as the leading cause of his repeated losses.
When do we depart on a job, Harper? He asked as he polished his swords at the table.
Im waiting for sothing, Harper said stubbornly.
That was Harpers usual response to his inquiries and any protest or repeated pestering would lead to her challenging him to a fight.
He looked to Amy for so sort of help, but she could only give a wry smile. She fared no better than Aldis in a fight with Harper.
Suddenly, Harpers ears perked up and she rushed to the door. Aldis and Amy stood up with hopeful expressions as they looked toward the door.
Harper opened it and looked out only to see a man holding a crate. Her gaze briefly flashed with disappointnt at Iras lack of an appearance, but so excitent returned.
A custom rework for soone nad Harper? The man asked.
Yes. Harper nodded.
She signed an invoice and grabbed the crate before closing the door and placing it on the kitchen table.
What is it? Amy asked curiously. She had never seen Harper spend much money on anything other than food so she was surprised to see that Harper purchased sothing.
Harper didnt say anything as she opened the wooden crate and sifted through the straw. Her hands made contact with a solid object and she hurriedly pulled it out. A long chain made of bone rattled as she pulled it out. At the end of the chain was a small scythe blade.
Um...HarperIs there sothing special about that? Amy showed a confused look. She was aware of Harpers ability to create bone armor, so she didnt understand why Harper would need to purchase a weapon made out of bone from an outside source.
I fought soone who used this up North, Harper said as she ran her hands over the interlocked skeletal segnts.
That exact one? Aldis asked.
Yup. Harper nodded, I had to pay so else to file it down for too, she said proudly. Of course, that process required quite a lot of money. There was rarely anyone willing to work with actual bones, especially when they were of a human nature. Then there was the fact that Harper chose not to alter soones mories to get them to work on it. She would only do such a thing when Ira asked and was aware that it wasnt always guaranteed to stay permanently.
Harper sent a large amount of spectral force through the skeletal chain before it began to float. The loose segnts clicked together and the bone-like rattling ceased altogether. Harper then grabbed the skeletal chain and hung it on her side before smiling happily.
Now we can do a job, she said with a very Ira-like smile.
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