I haven't posted any new chapters for a while because I was working on creating finals, administering finals, grading finals, and entering the grades. I haven't been able to check here until I finally finished this afternoon and got to work. It'll be about three weeks before my summer job starts, so I'll have some time between now and then to right.
Remainder of Book 7 Spoilers and some Book 8 Spoilers
Spoiler :
So far, the plan is that this arc is going to end fairly abruptly without the major problems being resolved until the future.
1) The Dark Mages are continuing to try to whittle down the city with undead, but with no avail thanks to the small army that is now there leveling up from the undead attacking the city.
2) The Grey Ghosts will plan a proper attack on the city once the scouts get some data on the city. Firefly only serves as a scout at the moment.
3) Plans are interrupted as a new Invasion suddenly appears over the city. Riley and Anna return with Anna telling Garnet that she must become stronger than Anna before the high level Guides start to appear.
4) Both the Dark Mages and the Grey Ghosts will pursue Garnet into the next arc as Garnet and her friends try to temporarily shake off both groups by heading to the Eastern Empire. Both groups eventually decide it's too much of a hassle to chase them and settle on trying to siege Constantinople instead.
5) Garnet and friends discover that Zedd is the target of many powerful individuals there because his information exchange in the past led to the start of an arms race. Garnet is forced to take action as the arms race has made it easier for Invaders to cross the border between worlds.
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Garnet was keeping an eye on the large summoning circle that was created by Marianne. It continued to release undead creatures at a steady rate. With one squad of automata watching over it, they were able to slay the undead before they moved away from it. For now, the problem was contained, but it was not solved.
Zedd was getting a close look at the magic circle, but he too realized it was a problem. "It's like the Teleportation Summoning Circle, but one that doesn't seem to be releasing any mana despite staying open," he said. "Wiping it away or breaking it won't get rid of it."
"Is there anything we can do?" Garnet asked.
"We have to get rid of whatever is providing it with its mana," said Zedd.
"And that is?" Garnet asked.
"I don't know," said Zedd. "It feels like its channeling mana from its surrounding, but at the same time, there's something else feeding mana into it to keep it going. It is likely mana is being channeled into it from another location."
"Do you know where," said Garnet.
"It's likely there's someone close by still maintaining it," said Zedd.
Garnet opened her Map, but there were no signs of exclamation marks or anything that would point her in the direction of its source. There was no quest either. The only clue was the magic circle itself. With no clues as to where to look, Garnet was lost. The only option was to storm their headquarters, but that would be a terrible idea considering how much power they had in comparison to Garnet. If it was one on one, Garnet was at an advantage. Against three of them, Garnet could probably stall out long enough to wear them down and win. Against all of them though, she would quickly be overwhelmed.
"What if you deployed an anti-magic field over it?" Garnet asked.
"An anti-magic field only restricts new spells cast in the area," Zedd explained. "It would not affect the summoning circle that is already here nor will it make it require more mana to maintain."
"Recall!" Garnet had one other person she could turn to help. "Sunny! Do you know how to break this magic circle?"
Sunny took his staff and smashed it into the ground, cracking the entire area and displacing the stones. "That didn't work," said Sunny.
"We already know just smashing it won't work," said Garnet. "I figured since you knew about things like chi, you might know how to stop it."
"I'm knowledgeable in training and developing my own skills, not in magic," said Sunny. "I don't know how to stop channeling magic other than killing its user."
Sunny was useless. Even Serena was more knowledgeable in magic than Sunny was and she only knew the basics in addition to her current magic. "Never mind," said Garnet as she put her hand to her forehead. "Just go back to whatever you were doing."
Sunny ran off again. "That guy is useless for anything but fighting," Garnet thought to herself.
"Sunny called it channeling magic did he not?" said Zedd.
"That's right," said Garnet.
"I see," said Zedd. "This is not a summoning magic circle. I've been looking at it all wrong. This is channeling magic."
"Is there a difference?" Garnet asked.
"Yes," said Zedd. "What we need to do is isolate this magic circle from its magic source."
"Can you do it?" Garnet asked.
Zedd took out ten sheets of rectangular paper. "I need you to create the Teleportation Summoning Circle on these," said Zedd.
Garnet took them all in her hand. "Teleportation Summoning Circle!" the Teleportation Summoning Circle appeared in each one.
"What are you doing?" Garnet asked.
"I'm interfering this undead summoning circle into a teleportation one by overlaying our own magic circle on top of it," said Zedd. "Even if it doesn't work, it should at least disrupt it enough to slow it down."
Zedd placed the ten sheets of paper equidistant from the center and from each other. He then channeled his mana into it. "Teleportation Summoning Circle!"
The two magic circles laid on top of each other began to combine together. "Are we sure you won't just end up having the undead creatures spawn at all our magic circles?" Garnet asked.
"I'm sure," said Zedd. "I know how to disrupt a channeling magic circle as well as a summoning one. Just make sure you don't try to teleport to this one."
Garnet took a look at her own Teleportation Menu and saw that this location was not an option, so that was not going to be a problem.
The undead creatures stopped appearing. Mana was still being channeled into it, but no new creatures were appearing. The magic circle still lit up as mana was channeled, but it would go dark every few seconds and then light up the teleportation one instead. It was successfully disrupting the flow of mana. "Done," said Zedd.
"It worked," said Garnet. "Now I know what to do if we find more."
Garnet suddenly felt someone approaching. "Someone is coming," she said to Zedd.
"Where?" Zedd asked.
Garnet turned to face west. "From there," she pointed.
Zedd could not see anyone approaching. The two waited for a few moments before a brown cloaked figure came into view. The figure was being chased by another group of undead. Behind him were two armored men who were trying to fend off the undead. "Should we help?" Zedd asked.
Name: Fox
Level: 31
Class: Speedster
Sub-Class: None
Stats: High Agility
"Yes," said Garnet.
"Earthen Fissure!" Zedd created a gap between the figure and the group of undead chasing the person.
The person gained distance on the undead chasing him. Some of the undead fell into the opening in the ground. They began to make their way around.
"They're really persistent," said Garnet.
The automata next to them turned to face the oncoming undead and began to march forward. The figure ran past all of the automata and towards Garnet. The man stopped in front of Garnet. "Thank you," said Fox.
Garnet could see that he had brown hair and a beard that went around his entire face. His dirty brown cloak had holes towards the bottom and covered almost his entire body. Underneath his body was just clothes, not even armor. He only carried a single plain looking sword on his back. "I was almost caught," he said.
The other two that were with Fox kept their heads down and stayed quiet. They were probably servants meant to protect the messenger.
"What are you doing out here?" Garnet asked.
"I cannot say," said Fox. "My Master entrusted me with a mission."
"Who is your Master?" Garnet asked.
"I cannot say," said Fox.
"Sigh," Garnet moaned. "I'm trying to help you, but I can't if you won't tell me anything."
"Sorry, but my mission is of the utmost secret, which is why I was sent without any escorts," said Fox.
"What is your destination at least?" Garnet asked.
"I'm not sure," said Fox. "All I know is that they are probably in Constantinople."
"You probably won't find anything there," said Garnet. "It's only populated by monsters at this point."
Fox sat down onto the ground to catch his breath. "Are you sure you can't tell us anything?" Zedd asked. "Like where you're from?"
"I'm from Anzio," said Fox.
"Is your Master from Anzio as well?" Zedd asked.
"Yes," said Fox. "He told me I was looking for a pair of young women who were being chased by men in grey cloaks. One of them had different colored eyes."
Garnet immediately knew who they were talking about. Fox was looking for her and Riley, but since Riley was no longer here, Fox did not suspect that Garnet was who he was looking for. "Is there any information that you can provide us about the people you are looking for?" Garnet asked.
"They participated in the Expedition to slay the Zmaj with my Master," said Fox.
That helped to narrow down the number of people who it could be. "Is your Master Gus Hawk?" Garnet asked.
"No," said Fox. "How do you know that name he asked?"
Garnet thought about who else was on the Expedition. "Is your Master Sergio then?" Garnet asked.
"Yes," said Fox with a surprised look on his face. "Did you know Master Sergio?"
"I was one of the mages on his Expedition to slay the Zmaj," said Garnet. "Unfortunately, I don't have the broken Dragon Core to prove it."
Garnet took her Guild card out and showed it to Fox. "This is the only proof I have."
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
"You're Garnet?" asked Fox.
"Yes," said Garnet.
"Then you are one of the two I have been looking for," said Fox.
"Why are you looking for me?" Garnet asked.
"Master Sergio got news that you were being hunted by the Grey Ghosts," said Fox.
"That is true," said Garnet. "But what does that have to do with me?"
"I was told to warn you that the Grey Ghosts are coming for you once more," said Fox. "And not just any, but the Firefly himself is coming for you."
Garnet had no idea what Fox was talking about. "Who is the Firefly?" Garnet asked.
Garnet looked at Zedd who shrugged. He had no idea who the Firefly was either. "Only a few of the highest ranking members in the government of Anzio actually know who he is," said Fox. "He is said to be the strongest of all the Grey Ghosts in Anzio."
"I thought Morgan was the leader?" said Garnet.
"Morgan was merely an officer with a few dozen under his command," Fox answered. "Firefly is the ace fighter and he has been mobilized in hopes of Constantinople the city for Anzio. He is able to use green colored flames and has a backpack that allows him to fly. He also has very long range magic, so it is recommended that you fight within the ruins of the city."
"Thank you for the information," said Garnet.
"No, thank you for saving me," said Fox. "I have to return now that my job is complete," he said as he took out a small crystal attached to a ring. He smashed the ring, releasing an orange cloud and disappeared with his two guards.
"It looks like the people you've helped and the friends you've made has paid off," said Zedd.
Garnet knew she could not take on both the Grey Ghosts and the Dark Mages at the same time. "Do you know of a way that we can get the Grey Ghosts and the Dark Mages to fight each other?" Garnet asked.
Zedd thought about it for a second. "We can use some of the undead," he said.
"But the Grey Ghosts certainly know I can use undead if they've been observing me right?" said Garnet.
"Then we need to provoke them to attack at about the same time," said Zedd.
"I have an idea," said Garnet.
"Oh?" said Zedd.
Garnet and Zedd returned to the city in order to prepare for the next attack. It looked like it was not going to end any time soon with the constant stream of undead. "Recall" Garnet called Sunny again.
"I want you to trash this place a little," said Garnet as she pointed out the Dark Mage base on a map that was copied earlier.
"Finally, something I can do," said Sunny.
"Don't kill everyone," said Garnet. "We need them to remain strong. We just want them to get angry enough to attack us."
"Can I ask why you're doing this?" said Sunny.
"We're going to get our enemies to fight each other," Garnet replied. "Besides, they attacked us first."
"Alright, I'm off," said Sunny.
"If you can capture one or two of them alive, that would be great too," Garnet added.
"I'll try, but no promises," said Sunny. "I might even have to kill a few." Sunny threw his staff into the air and turned it into a white board that he jumped on and flew off.
"I hope I can do that someday," said Garnet.
"You haven't even used your staff to fight yet," said Zedd. "You have to use it now if you ever want to be able to use it in an actual fight."
"I've had practice with a staff and I've even used it a little in fights before," Garnet retorted.
"But not a transforming staff," said Zedd. "That's much different. You have to account for things like delays in transformations and the difference in weight or balance."
Garnet began to position some of the automata, Revenants, and Cerberus outside of the city in order to get an advance warning. For the most part, her forces were located within the walls of the city. There was no telling when they would arrive, but since her army was undead, she did not need to worry about things like exhaustion. They were strong and did not have to worry about things like fatigue. The Revenants would be the key to this battle. For every person they were able to Assimilate, the more powerful her own side would become.
Soon after Sunny returned with a prisoner in hand. There was a small dent on his armor with a few scratches in several places. Sunny showed no signs of injury though. It was just his clothes that were damaged. "I did as you requested," said Sunny.
Garnet lifted up the purple robed woman with black hair that stretched down to her shoulder blades and looked at her.
Name: Karina
Level: 39
Class: Symbol Mage
Sub-Class: Barrier Mage
Stats: High Intelligence
"What do you want with me?" she asked.
"I want information," said Garnet. "I want to know when Murad will be attacking Constantinople."
"I don't know what you're talking about," said Karina.
"Embodiment of Lust!" Garnet used her ability to force Karina to answer. She did not even need to touch Karina for it to work.
"Ugh," Karina moaned as she fell under the effects of Embodiment of Lust.
Garnet asked again. "When will Murad and the other Dark Mages attack the city?"
"They've already attacked," said Karina.
"I want to know when they will attack again," said Garnet.
"I don't know," said Karina. "They are setting up magic circles to summon forth an undead army on the west and north of Constantinople."
"Are you supposed to be there?" Garnet asked.
"Yes," said Karina.
"Will they know if you went missing?" Garnet asked.
"Yes," Karina replied.
"Alright," said Garnet. "Recall!" Garnet recalled a Revenant. "Assimilate her," Garnet commanded.
The Revenant fused into Karina, transforming into her, but with the trademark red eyes. The Revenant kneeled before Garnet. "I want you to remain in their ranks and follow their orders, but when the fighting starts, I want you to disrupt them any way you can and then immediately abandon them."
"As you command," said Karina.
"Not going to fight fair?" Sunny asked.
"We're vastly outnumbered," said Garnet. "There's no way this is going to be a fair fight to begin with."
"I'm more than a match for their army," said Sunny.
"You got the surprise on them," Garnet retorted. "I'm not going to take any risks. I'm going to make sure that there are as many favorable factors as I can possibly make."
"Then I suggest we begin plans to immediately undermine any potential operations they will carry out," said Zedd.
"The Revenants need to patrol the outskirts of the city pick off any stray mages outside of the city that she finds as well," said Garnet. "Hopefully, they will convert a few to our side. Adam and Raphael should continue to produce vessels and Revenants. Serena, Nian, and Sunny will continue to keep an eye for anything suspicious on the walls of the city. The automata will be set to patrol the city and support you guys."
"Spoken like a true leader," said Zedd. "But what about me?" he asked.
"You're going to serve as my tactician, like you did for Charles," said Garnet.
"Might I suggest to make the battlefield more favorable to us?" said Zedd.
"How?" Garnet asked.
"We're going to mess up the terrain outside of the city," said Zedd. "Say large mud pits or numerous tree roots to make it difficult to advance."
"Recall!" Garnet summoned Nuria, Mazu, Sino, and Meliae. "You four are in charge of creating as many terrain hazards as you can to the west and north of the city. The goal is to slow down advancement of potential summons and mages."
"Easy," said Nuria confidently. "Lava pits, here I come."
"Finally, something besides collecting clay," said Meliae.
"Mud pits it is then," said Sino.
"What about me?" Mazu asked.
"Perhaps join Meliae and Sino in creating more mud pits or something?" Garnet suggested.
The four spirits headed outside. Garnet observed as they went to work. The Dark Mages were likely capable of using different elements, so these traps might not be effective since they could be neutralized, but it would at least prevent a standard army from approaching them easily. It would give them the opportunity for Garnet to bombard the enemy before they approached the city.
"Zedd?" Garnet asked.
"What is it?" said Zedd.
"Do you know of any special formations that might help us?" Garnet asked. "I remember you tried to make one to increase our attack power for our swords back during the Invasion."
Zedd thought about it for a second. "Do you want defense or offense based?"
"Defense," said Garnet. "Specifically something that can prevent magic from getting through."
"An anti-magic barrier huh?" said Zedd.
"Can you make it protect from magic coming in, but still allow for magic to go out?" Garnet asked.
"That will be a challenge," said Zedd. "But I will do my best. It should be possible with the right combination of runes, but it will be difficult."
"If anyone can do it, you can," said Garnet.
"But I barely created any original magic," said Zedd.
"You've done well to create the ones you already have," said Garnet. "I am confident you can do it."
"I'm not going to fail you my Queen," said Zedd as he sat down and began scribbling things on the floor, trying to figure out a way to make a magic barrier that would protect them while still allowing spells to be launched outward at their enemies.
The plan was now set into motion. Hopefully, it will work out and the Grey Ghosts will end up fighting the Dark Mages and thin each other out, giving Garnet the chance to finish off both groups. However, she needed a backup plan as well in case things did not work out. Garnet realized that there are always surprises on the battlefield and she needed to be ready for them.
Spoiler :
No stat changes