"During his rebellion, he was able to influence many of the other Wardens to overlook what he had planned to do. He used Nexis as a sort of diversion, giving him information that would have otherwise been reserved for higher beings, eventually leading him to commit a taboo crime," he continued, making Ardrin shift uncomfortably. "Athar," he muttered, getting a nod from Ryfon in response.
"That was the moment we knew he had to be stopped. His goal was to be able to spread his influence as far as he could, reaching the far corners of the Twilight Sea by using that technique to control everything and everyone he needed to," Ryfon said gravely, getting a gasp from the others, particularly Wien, who'd never even heard of any of this.
"However, his power alone wasn't enough to do that, so he led the Wardens under his influence, as well as a handful of my own kin, to challenge the rest of us for control of the powers. We knew we couldn't hold them off forever, but we did what we could when we separated the citadels that contained relay conduits of those powers from the realm," he continued, though only a handful seemed to understand what he meant entirely.
"That's why Harut has those mana-storms between the Rhydian mountains and Escea, isn't it?" Bernar asked, getting a confirming nod from the dragon. "Indeed, though that wasn't the only scar we left upon the land. The Rhydian Mountains themselves are one, while the Gramm Isles are the other. Still, the latter was at the request of the then-dwarven ruler," Ryfon explained, letting his words hang for a moment before continuing to make sure everyone was keeping up.
"So, where are these relays now? Are there any still present in this realm?" Leona asked, getting a concerned look from Erumon. Ryfon saw the glance, but paused and gathered his thoughts before replying.
"That's… difficult to answer. We moved or destroyed the Ethereal, Leech, and Shifting relays that we knew of with the Wraithborn's help. It was Mideia's followers who nearly wiped them out because they quickly found that Tyrant mana simply can't affect Wraith mana in the same way Meridian mana can't, either," Ryfon explained, though instead of their eyes widening at his response, their gazes landed firmly on Ren and Aurae.
"If Mideia knew there were more Wraithborn who were enhanced with the Authority, regardless of whether it was synthetic or innate, he would stop at nothing to ensure they would die by his hands," Ryfon said, his gaze landing on the other two, as well.
"Thoma," Bernar muttered quietly with a worried expression. "Don't worry. He was still beneath Vareluth's barrier when he used and learned it. It's doubtful that Mideia was able to know he could use it to that degree," Erumon said, raising a hand to stop Bernar from worrying excessively.
"What of all the training we've done here?" Leona asked, mirroring Bernar's expression. "Also doubtful, since the power of the Hynafol Arboraneth still protects these lands. If it didn't, Caegwen would look much the same as Harut by now," Ryfon added, getting a sigh of relief from the others.
Well, everyone except for Taegin, that is.
"The Hynafol is one of those relays, isn't it?" he asked, prompting the others to freeze solid. "Yes, but it's the last known Ethereal relay in Kavrass," Aurae replied with a solemn nod. "I see," Taegin said, leaning back to process everything he thought he once knew.
"Alright, but what about this alternate? Why did it come here to attack Her Majesty?" Trina asked, still trying to piece it all together.
I have no idea how all of this has been hidden for so long, but I feel like I need to know as much about it while I still have a chance to get the answers, she thought through the cacophony of her mind.
Ryfon, having read them, smiled. "I appreciate you seeking knowledge, Trina Lande, and I apologize for this having been hidden from the realm. We figured that the fewer people here knew about it, the less likely they were to be influenced by Mideia; unfortunately, that was a poor assumption made on our part," he replied, though Trina blanched when she felt the dragon's mana leaving her core.
I hadn't noticed it, but did he just read all of my memories? Trina wondered, getting a warm smile and a nod from Ryfon. I did, he replied.
"To answer your question, however, the alternate's body was used as a form of bait, but the sealing runes Ardrin placed on it seemed not to be strong enough to contain him. It broke loose and made its way here looking for something, though for now, I must keep what that is a secret. If anyone here were to be captured and forced to speak, it could spell trouble not just for this realm, but for all realms," Ryfon said gravely, forcing a handful of them to swallow dryly.
His words hung heavily in the air, as each one of them did their best to understand the gravity of what he meant.
"So, then, what of the orb that showed up near the Dericoed? What does that mean for us?" Leona asked, causing Erumon to sigh. "It means that he's found a way to lace his mana with Tyrant mana, breaching the barrier around this land from the Hynafol. It's a tell-tale tactic of his, though he only uses it when he thinks he can win," he replied.
"That means an invasion is imminent, then," Bernar said, placing a curled finger to his chin. "If he can break through the barrier, that means he's going to send his minions to try aga-..." he trailed off, suddenly realizing something, as he turned to face Thorn. "When we first met, didn't you say they were studying Rivet mana in Soule?" he asked, trying to recall if he'd heard it correctly.
Shit, I'm right, aren't I? Bernar thought, gauging Thorn's wide-eyed expression of fear and worry beginning to grow more pronounced.
"Ryfon, Erumon; I think I know what's going on," Bernar said, standing up immediately, getting raised eyebrows from them in response. "Go ahead, then," Ryfon gestured to the table, prompting him to create a map of Caegwen by infusing his mana into it.
The Rhydian Mountains rippled across the table, as tiny ridges began to grow half a meter in height, while the trees and surrounding landscape details were like miniature sculptures crafted by an expert artisan. The Hynafol Arboraneth stood proudly at nearly the same height as the ridgeline of the mountains, and began to glow with a bright aura of Ethereal mana.
"Soule is over here to the west, while the Hynafol is here in Myrdin," he began, gesturing to each landmark on the table. "Now, watch this," he said, highlighting the location of the communion chamber where they'd found the orb of Leech mana.
Everyone's eyes widened in surprise at the revelation.
"Supposing he breached the barrier at this location, he would be located equidistantly from Myrdin and Soule, where, according to Thorn, they've been conducting experiments with Rivet mana. If I'm right, he could attack both places simultaneously, provided he has the forces to do so," Bernar continued, getting an approving nod from Trina.
"I agree. From a tactical standpoint, with enough forces, he could accomplish that easily. If one alternate under his influence was nearly enough to attain his goal, imagine what an army could do," she added, getting a smile from Bernar that she could see the same thing he could.
Ryfon and Erumon considered this with a single glance.
"Heh, it seems Thoma's view of you wasn't wrong after all," Ryfon said, making Bernar blush slightly. "Y-You talked to shit-bi-... I mean, Thoma?" he asked, rubbing the back of his neck. "Not directly, but he is a Wraithborn, and while none of you here aside from Erumon have gone beyond the fifth stage, it would be difficult for me to explain how I knew that," Ryfon chuckled.
Be-beyond the fifth stage? Wien wondered with a similar expression to Trina's.
"Indeed," Ryfon grinned wryly. "However, now that we know his goal, we also know that he won't be bringing his corrupted allies here. It's most likely he will use a different force, with perhaps only one or two Wardens leading the way to not draw enough attention from the other dukes who aren't allied with him," Erumon said, moving closer to the table.
"After he prodded our defenses using our failed experiment, he must think we're much weaker than we are," Ardrin added. "I wouldn't say that. It took nearly everything I had to stop it, and that was just one creature under his influence," Anwill said, placing his spread fingers across his chest.
"He won't have that sort of opportunity again. It's more than likely he will use the Thran to his advantage," Erumon began, getting a few raised eyebrows from the others. "The what now?" Marte asked.
"They're powerful creatures, to be sure, but it's their numbers that usually give them the advantage. If Kalia the Annihilator, as they call her, were here, I'm sure more than a few of them would question their decisions to follow him," he continued, but immediately noticed Thorsen and Nenvalur had been silently fidgeting.
"Anxious for a fight, are we?" Bernar asked Thorsen hushedly. "I've been meaning to try out this Shifting mana, and I wonder what new kinds of abilities I can use with it," Thorsen admitted. "I already know what you want," Bernar chuckled and shook his head at Nenvalur, who'd been uncharacteristically quiet the whole time.
"Just point me in the direction of whatever it is I have to kill, and consider it done. You should know from the attack on Coltend that I don't really care for much outside of a good fight," Nenvalur chuckled, recrossing his arms and leaning back.
Fair enough, Bernar thought with an upturned lip.
"If they're as powerful as you say they are, we definitely won't have enough time to get stronger in such a short time," Neko said, getting a nod of agreement from Leona and Marte, who were still at the early stages of mana manipulation.
Can you help them? Erumon asked Ryfon with a slightly raised eyebrow. Of course I can. Who do you take me for, child? Ryfon asked with a tone that suggested mild offense taken at the question, getting a stifled giggle from Aurae with the exchange no one else had been able to hear in their minds.