Fate Online...
Surface- Obsidion Coast Region
Free Lands- Broken Coast
Three days and four locations Darren had checked out since he had begun to scout the Obsidion Coast and Obsidion Flats Regions. The first three locations had been to close to populated areas of Locals and trade routes. The last was the closest to the mountains and the Obsidion Kingdom and near a trade route, but so far Darren had only seen monsters and animals. No Locals of any kind yet.
This last location was in a small vale between two mountain spurs. Large Dire Wolves, deer, and elk populated the area with an occasional bear thrown in. The wolves would overwhelm individual adventurers and roamed in groups of three to five. Each individual wolf's average level was one hundred and fifty to one-hundred and sixty-five. They were on the lower level of the area, but with their numbers, they matched anything nearby or coming into the area.
Darren hoped that this location would prove fruitful otherwise he would have to venture deeper into the Dark Lands and he had already lost half a day when he had been killed by a tiger on the first day by being foolish. Since then he had kept a wary eye out and gave any predator or groups a large berth. He had not seen any Immortals or signs of them, but they usually congregated further north and to the east, so the location should be secure from them for the foreseeable future.
The problem was what would be guarding the locations of the Mana Spring. Usually, a higher-level monster made a Mana rich area home and guarded it against all comers. So far Darren had seen no sign of a creature that would fit the description. Darren calmly took a breath and checked to make sure his Stealth was active before stepping into the cavern. Beyond the entrance, the tunnel gradually went deeper into the ground. Darren slowly stalked down the tunnel and after fifteen minutes of walking, he entered the main cavern.
Nothing jumped out to kill him and the only thing apparent was the Mana Spring sitting in the middle of the chamber. Darren looked around and studied the small cavern that was almost fifty feet around. He didn't see another way in other then the tunnel he had walked into. There was no monster corpse, bones, or anything to suggest something lived here. It put Darren on edge, there was always something living near the Mana rich areas. ALWAYS!!! Darren thought as he slowly moved around the spring. He could see motes of energy float out of the liquid Mana before dissipating, but nothing else. Darren looked around and grabbed a potion that would fill the small cavern with fog quickly if anything too hostile jumped out. Darren took a deep breath and dropped out of Stealth...
It was anti-climatic, nothing jumped out at him. Nothing roared in anger. It was still dead quiet except for an occasional chirp of a cricket. Darren grabbed small pebble and tossed it into the Mana Spring, the last place any guardian or monster would be hiding. Nothing responded. No additional ripples within the liquid mana suggesting something was underneath. "HEY!!! ANYONE THERE!!! I AM GOING TO STEAL SOME MANA!!!" Darren yelled out as he whirled around waiting for a silent guardian to appear.
"Why are you screaming and yelling Immortal?" Darren heard from one of the dark corners of the cavern.
Darren studied the area and saw a man-shaped shadow with two eyes reflecting the light from the Mana. "I was seeing if any guardian or monster was present. Since you are here, I will be on my way." Darren replied before bowing slightly and turning to leave.
"Wait!!! I can sense you did not come here to steal from the spring. Why are you here Immortal? Sit and rest.' the man said as he waved his hand and the earth moved to form a chair. Darren looked at it and the man before slowly sitting and making sure the man could see his hands. 'I apologize I rarely receive guests, my name is Anton. I am an Earth Elemental." Anton said causing Darren to gape at him.
"I am Darren, no offense taken. I have encountered Earth Elementals before, they are usually more...rocky though," Darren replied causing the Elemental to smile.
"Yes, the younger Elementals cannot take humanoid form. I can assume that form if you wish, but I sensed you were here on a mission of discovery and not conquest, that is why I assumed this form." Anton replied.
Darren smiled and nodded, "Yes sir, I was looking for a Mana Spring and I was hoping it was abandoned. I need a Mana rich location but I do not want to displace anyone to get it."
Anton frowned and cocked his head and Darren, "That is not the way of Adventurers and Immortals. No offense but you take without consideration to those around you."
Darren nodded his head in acknowledgment, "True, very true. However, I was looking to make no impression on the immediate or surrounding area. I did not want to leave any impression for those looking to follow."
Anton raised his eyebrow as he conjured another earthen seat and sat down. "You are looking to hide something or someone?"
Darren considered telling the being truth and decided to be honest. "I have an Immortal friend that is in a coma. The Primordial Power of Balance indicated if we placed him near a Mana rich area, it would help him and speed his recovery. Currently, we have no idea how long until he wakes up. So we are looking from a place off the beaten path that could easily be defended. We were going to leave him here with some Golems to defend him if he or the location came under attack. However, I do not wish to disturb you or place you in danger." Darren replied as he stood but stopped at Anton's gesture.
"You jumped to a conclusion that I am unwilling to host a guest," Anton said causing Darren to frown.
"I do not want to place you in danger Anton. People will come looking for my friend and he could be here for a couple of days, weeks, or worse years. Your cavern would be a target just for the Mana Spring if people knew he would be here...Even more, would come to claim both." Darren explained.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Anton smiled and gestured Darren to look behind him The Rogue did and almost jumped out of his seat as over a dozen Earth Elementals emerged from the ground and walls. "I am far from alone Darren and I am not weak. We can protect this cavern if necessary and no Adventurers, Locals or Immortals, have ever succeeded in defeating me. However, more defenders are always welcome as long as they do not attack me or my kin." Anton finished as Darren turned back to face the Elemental.
"So you are willing to host my friend?' Darren asked and Anton nodded with a smile. 'Thank you. I will place a Portal Anchor here so we can come back here directly. We will be back in a couple of days at most." Darren said as he stood and activated the Artifact and placed it in one of the corners. Once it indicated that it was active Darren made sure he saved the coordinates and code so they could come back. Darren quickly broke the seal on a Portal Scroll and nodded his head in thanks to Elemental before disappearing through the open Portal.
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Surface- Obsidion Coast Region
Free Lands- Broken Coast
Antons' Cavern
3 Days later...
Darren studied the Dwarves as the conversed excitedly with the Earth Elemental while Jacob lay nearby all but forgotten. Darren looked at the container built from pure Obsidion with Platinum, Silver, Gold, and jewels emplaced all around it. Darren had no idea what it all did, but the Dwarf Archmage that had come with the Dwarf party assured Darren it was built to focus and amplify the ambient Mana in the air. It would also theoretically assist Jacob in absorbing the energy and hopefully speed his recovery. The other notorious occupant of the cavern was Balance. The Primordial being was placing Sigils and Runes all over the cavern to keep it hidden from the gods and any scrying magic. While the Dwarves were busily conversing with the Elemental, Anton was studying Balance and was a little in awe of the older being.
"Thank you for doing all of this. I know Jacob saw you as a brother and cared about you. That's why he trusted you with so much. He wanted to be completely honest with you about everything, but he had limits on what he could say and keep you safe." Cathrine said as she joined him.
Darren smiled as he watched as she ran her fingers through Jacob's hair. Other Dwarves were working on the container nearby making last-minute alterations to it. Darren had to be honest with himself, it looked like an oversized coffin which in any other situation, would be funny considering Jacob was a Vampire. Darren looked at the large Golems stationed evenly around the chamber, their one mission to defend Jacob at all costs from any intruders. "He would do it for me. I owe him my life, he saved it years ago back on Earth. Without him, I would not be here so the least I can do is make sure he has a safe place while he heals." Darren told her as the Dwarves broke off from the Elemental, some went to make some last-minute adjustments to the Golems while others moved to the cart that held Jacob preparing to move him to the container.
They were all of Clan Thunderhammer or Flaming Anvil, all of them were loyal to Jacob and would take his location to their grave if called upon. Darren was sure though it would not come to that. The invasion of the Dark Lands was only weeks away and once it was kicked off, the Empire and the Eight Houses would be too busy ensuring it was a success to go hunting for an errant Emperor. "I understand that. He told me that you never owed him anything especially after you put him back together after Ava tore him apart." Cathrine replied as watched the Dwarves almost reverently moved Jacob's unmoving body from the cart into the container and gently placed it within.
"He would do the same for me. That's what family does." Darren told her as he looked down on the unmoving form of his friend.
Cathrine smiled then turned to face Jacob before leaning down and kissing him. She smiled and caressed his face before whispering in his ear and stepping away from Jacob. The Dwarves looked at him and he gestured for them to continue. One of the Dwarves moved forward and manipulated the container causing the top to slide shut and seal. The locking mechanism engaged sealing their comatose friend away and the Dwarves immediately scooped it up and moved it into the Mana Spring. The liquid Mana bubbled and frothed a little as the container settled in as the Sigils and Runes all around the container started to light up as it started to absorb the ambient energy.
Darren walked closer and watched as some of the liquid Mana flowed up and into the container. Darren looked at the nearby Dwarves but they just shrugged. They were here to make sure the container was placed here and the Golems were set to defend it, they had not built it. "I know you can hear me, Jacob. Your people, your Empire needs you. So heal and get better, become what you are meant to be and come back to your people. I will see you again Brother." Darren told him before striding over to Anton.
"We will watch over your friend and nothing will happen as long as we live. Something tells me though, he is no normal Immortal that you have placed there." Anton speculated causing Darren to snort.
"You are protecting Jacob Longstrider, Emperor of the Empire of Night. One of the most powerful Immortals on Ithea and the hope of an Empire. Without him, the Empire very well can fall into a civil war. Time will tell. I will be back to check on him occasionally. Thank you for doing this Anton. I won't forget it." Darren said before turning and leaving.