Eryssa was gently caressing a few butterflies flowing in the area around the flower plants. The surroundings were still the same, with flower fields stretching around them and mist lingering in the distance. There were traces of ancient architectures here and there which made it seem like a realm separate from reality.
Eleana had a thoughtful look as she said, "Well they should have come back by now ." She seemed to sense a deep gaze from Veer as she asked,"What are you thinking about?"
Veer shook his head. He was thinking about their journey from the camp to here . He did not give give it much thought then but now after some careful consideration he seemed to come up with some preliminary conclusions.
He felt John seemed to act a little out of place and Caria was also being insensitive to surroundings. They are top tier knights . Even he himself seemed to have to think that there would be no danger in this place. His face gradually became grave and said, "I think we might have been influenced somehow .What do you think ?"
Eleana raised her eyebrows as she looked around seemingly trying to sense something. Her face changed a bit as she muttered, "Something really feels out of the place. Hmm it seems we discovered the elixir rather quickly."
"Months ago when I came here on a mission, I am not sure but the surroundings were a bit different."
Then she suddenly sensed something and looked there. Her face changed again.
She said gravely looking to the direction where they came from, "I can sense Caria and John coming but their presence seems a bit disoriented. Be careful." As she said this, she moved near Eryssa and took out her sword and scanned the surroundings carefully.
Veer moved ahead a bit as he said to Eleana as she nodded, "Protect Eryssa."
Moments later Caria and John came over walking unsteadily. Caria seemed fine as she laughed," Haha, Veer you should have been there , this idiot has no sense of direction." She was laughing while John followed her unsteadily.
When she came very close to Veer, suddenly there was a silvery white flash as a knife slashed horizontally at Veer's chest. Veer jumped back to avoid that but just at that moment John disappeared and moved out of Veer's shadow as he conjured a shadow sword and plunged it into Veer's back. Veer felt that just in time to bring forth his sheath to block that as he rolled a few meters away.
He did not even have time to pull out his sword. He looked ahead to see Caria's eyes shone as a golden spiked crown appeared on her head. The glare was dazzling. She unleashed a golden sword from her sheath.The sword was a longsword not like Eleana's very sharp but thin sword.It was a bit on the heavier side.
She walked gently as she said, "You know Veer, I hate you. You couldn't protect Eryssa when she needed and caused her to be in so much distress over the past few days. I am tired of your pretentiousness. You seem to care about everyone but you are just a selfish guy."
Each word seemed to struck Veer with effect no less than of a sword as Eryssa started crying in the back. Veer understood that something seemingly was agitating their emotions. But none seem to effect Eleana. Even he was feeling very hopeless in this situation. Veer took a deep breath and unsheathed his sword as he faced Caria who leaped into the air.
Veer parried each attack coming from Caria who seemed to have much more power. Almost like become a golden knight . She was rapidly following up with her attacks .Veer was barely parrying and dodging her moves. He was not attacking at all.
He knew John somehow had gained a power or more likely controlled by an entity far more powerful than them. Even though the situation was dire, Veer did not let his emotions falter.
He kept his eyes on John who was seemingly just nodded looking at Veer which was very odd. Eleana's face was very grave as she tightly held her sword and seemingly chanting something.
Veer focused on Caria who had no intention of stopping and he just jumped and parried the attacks Caria launched. She launched herself again at him as he dodged .She immediately made a slash as he parried. Veer continued to maintained gaps as he defended her fiercely.
Caria suddenly raised her golden sword and there seemed to be shimmering runes that were coming alive. It was like words inscribed in sword coming and resonating with her . Then she started her attacks again.
Each attack would also launch a golden sword projectile that would attack Veer from a random direction after circling over. In just a nick of time, Veer was out of his breath.He continued to dodge but he was tired. This couldn't go on.
He looked over at the corner of his eye to see Eleana conjured a moon. It was shimmering with moon light and that was protecting Eryssa. The moonlight gently surrounded them.
Eleana seemed to come over to him .It seemed she understood how tired he was. Just then, John who was still nodding over like a fool disappeared and emerged from Eleana's shadow. Before he could strike her, Eleana's sword glowed as she pierced him. The attack was from her sword. Her sword was also surrounded by small butterflies flying that seem to not exist in reality.
A shadow was thrown back from John's body. The moment it happened. Caria stopped attacking Veer as he eyes went dull and she fainted. John also fainted. Veer immediately went over him t check .It seemed despite being attacked with a sword did not have any injuries and just fell unconscious.
The shadow manifested. It said in an inhuman voice, looking over to Eleana, " So it was all your plan using power of the one, the spirits obey. "
"You seem to be one of Drudar's princesses."
Eryssa nodded heavily.
Veer noticed the shadow. Suddenly his thoughts went back to that shadow they encountered. It seemed similar. It's eyes were also a bit white which was very disturbing. He prepared his sword for a quickstyle.
Veer was also confused as he shifted his eyes from the shadow over to Eleana to Eryssa. Eryssa had a apologetic face. He looked back and forth as he understood something.
So, Eryssa's power was a natural counter to the shadow being. It seemed it was due to Eryssa's powwr that Eleana was able to force the shadow out of John and remove their interference.
The shadow looked gave a deep look at Veer as though it wanted to say something but then just vanished leaving a comment.
"It sure is interesting."
Veer wanted to talk to Eleana about specifics as Eleana suddenly shouted," Come out now. You all. I think you have tested us enough."
Veer was utterly confused and wary as he looked around. Suddenly he sensed numerous presences across the mist and surroundings.
Then a lot of figures appeared . Rather felt like they started noticing. Everyone seemed to have very fair skin and very thin frame. The ladies were outright stunning. They had pointy ears and it seemed they were an enlarged version of the spirits Eryssa seemingly summoned.
All of them had weapons in their hands mostly enchanted bows and spears. The was a loud landing near Eryssa as a figure appeared from somewhere. She had long blond hair and beautiful figure. she wore a crown of flowers and a long white yellow dress. Her eyes were a bit blue. She seemed to naturally exert very deep pressure that seemed to surpass Eleana .
She did not give any importance to him or Eleana but just looked carefully at Eryssa. She said in a respectful melody as she bowed , " O inheritor of spirits, the one spirits embraces, I Sylwen, guardian of the shrouded kingdom, Mythria, greet you."
"I hereby extend an invitation to you for visiting our realm."