Myrdin's citadel quickly vanished from sight as Bernar, Taegin, and Ryfon made their way above the forest. It had only taken them the better part of an hour to reach their destination, but even with their rapid means of transportation, none of them could feel at ease.
They landed a few kilometers outside of Soule to ensure that if there were enemies already present, they would have had a difficult time seeing them through Caegwen's naturally tall canopy.
"The research chamber should be just beyond the eastern gate, but we haven't seen any sign of the creatures during our flight at all," Bernar noted, adjusting the blade on his hip with one of the pull-tabs Maikell had developed for his armor.
Mom would have loved to see me in this, Bernar allowed himself a mental chuckle.
"Just because you haven't seen them doesn't mean they're not already here. The Thran are notoriously good hunters in Vareluth, and it would be wise not to underestimate their capabilities for laying traps," Ryfon said, shrinking back into his human form. "W-Wait, really? I thought you said their numbers were their advantage," Bernar said between a few rapid blinks and shakes of his head.
"It's precisely because they're good hunters that makes their numbers so terrifying," Taegin added with a nod, as they began to sprint again. "Ah, I forgot about your past with Kalia. Do they really call her the Annihilator?" Bernar asked with a crooked eyebrow. "From what I've heard, yes, though there were never any of those Thran left alive to tell the tale personally," Taegin said with a grin, causing Bernar to whistle critically.
I really should have a duel with her someday. Get home safely, guys, Bernar thought momentarily.
As they approached Soule's outer walls, not even the birds were singing their customary songs. The woods were silent, almost lifeless, and not even a branch dared make noise as it swayed in the light breeze that always flowed through them. Something's off, Bernar sent Taegin and Ryfon, who nodded their agreement. No more verbal communication from here on until we find out what the situation is, Ryfon sent them in a grave tone before his eyes widened.
Incoming! Bernar sent the others, though Ryfon was already well aware of what moved toward them. There were three titanic dericoed simultaneously using their innate abilities to control the roots of the trees around them. Sharpened roots the size of castle pillars careened toward them, shearing and splintering the bark and wood of the trees in their path.
Bernar and Taegin both prepared to dodge and counterattack accordingly, but Ryfon held up a hand for them to stop. If you do that now, our chances of bringing them back to our side will be slim. Let me handle this, he said, having read their intent, causing both Bernar and Taegin to glance at each other worriedly.
As the trio of spears approached, Ryfon thrust his palm forward to put up a barrier of mana reminiscent of the one he'd had at the entrance to his cave. The spears crashed into his wall of mana, shattering as they did so, and creating a thunderous boom that echoed through the silent forest. The shockwave shook the very foundations of the titanic trees around them as the trio of dericoed struggled against Ryfon's might.
Both Bernar and Taegin could only stare in astonishment at the ease with which he held back not one, but three of these attacks. One's bad enough, but to hold back all of them is pure fucking insanity, Bernar chuckled to himself nervously. I can't even disagree with that statement, Taegin admitted, still trying to understand what he was seeing.
Listen to me very carefully: no matter what or whom has infected these creatures, they are still guardians of Caegwen and the realm. They know who I am, and if they have forgotten, then I will remind them swiftly. Save your energy for the fight to come, Ryfon sent the two of them, who nodded in silent agreement.
He turned his attention to the attack and slammed his hand on the ground, pouring his mana into the earth like a waterfall being fed by a sea. The dirt beneath their feet rippled like a stone thrown into a calm lake, but suddenly focused all of its energy into three, straight lines, each linking directly to one of the dericoed.
Within less time than it took to blink, the spears dissipated and returned to the earth, while the trio of creatures suddenly dropped to their knees. "Hera fy, Dericoed," Ryfon said, staring at them imperiously. It wasn't a shout by any means, but the forcefulness of his voice carried through the forest like the sound of a falling tree.
Holy fuck. I don't think even Mom can do that, Bernar said, his eyes widening to their utmost limits. This must be only a small portion of what someone beyond the fifth stage can do, Taegin realized, holding a similar expression.
"L-Lord Ry-f-f-on," one of the creatures spoke, his voice much more distorted and shaky than the one who'd talked to Erumon. "W-We can-n-not h-hold it b-back," it said, struggling through each word through immense pain that was both audible and visible. Blackened, green sap poured from its mouth as it spoke, creating a small patch of disfigured flowers wherever its drops landed.
"I know, my friends. That is why I have come," Ryfon said gravely, balling his partially scaled fist tightly to where his knuckles turned white as he moved toward them. Bernar and Taegin followed closely behind, but with just enough caution to not be caught off-guard. "S-Save usssss," one of the others hissed, but the sound of this one's voice prompted Ryfron to stop in his tracks as his features darkened and brow furrowed.
"You," he seethed through clenched teeth, while his aura of pure mana grew to an intensity neither of the other two had ever seen before. "Welcome back, lord. It's been a while," the creature spoke again, rising to its feet shakily as it used Ryfon's title with blatant derision.
What… is… that? Bernar asked but received no answer, as they saw a being nearly twice Erumon's height reveal itself from behind a tree.
The man's eyes were glowing a bright, sickly green, with blackened tendrils swirling within their irises, hidden beneath matted blonde locks. Pale skin showed no signs of aging, save the dark circles beneath his eyes and the evident scars revealing missing scales where they were more prevalent. His undoubtedly muscular form was hardly concealed by his filthy, stone-gray robes that clung tightly to him.
In his right hand was a long, black spear with a single, blood-soaked cloth tied to the base of the tip, which he aimed in their direction. "We've been waiting for you," the man said, slamming the base of his spear into the ground and summoning a portal nearly the size of the cave's mouth just behind him.
We're in for one fuck of a fight, Bernar sent Taegin with a glance. Indeed, we are, but we should leave the big one to Ryfon. As we are right now, we don't stand a chance against him, Taegin replied grimly, to which Bernar agreed wordlessly. After being cooped up for a thousand years, you think he's going to be alright? Bernar asked, but Taegin could only chuckle through his nose and shake his head.