As they finally exited the Copses, having been beleaguered by constant attacks from both monsters and men, the army as a whole had diminished in size, but increased greatly in strength. The only problem was that they were not in Slothari’s home turf. The Fetid Plains were by far the most densely populated part of Mire, a region where there were few trees to block the passage of massive armies, and where the line of sight was near unlimited.

Their arrival brought a more welcome development, as about a day after entering the Plains, they were greeted by a certain spear wielding elf. Jonathan had been the first to spot her, riding on her weapon across the skies, likely drawn by the small congregation of fighters. He soon recognized her.

“Edgar,” he called. “I think there’s something you should see here.”

“What?” Then he spotted her. “Eva!”

The man ascended into the air on a gust of wind, and jetted forwards, towards his partner. He left a contrail in his wake, a testament to his determination to reach her. Jonathan watched as the two embraced, and then slowly returned to the ground.

The two landed in front of the army, and Jonathan took the time to analyze Eva.

Eva Windstar

Level 254

Health: 34560/34560

Status: Healthy

Jonathan raised an eyebrow. It seemed that the woman had been busy since she had arrived. He had no idea when she had entered Mire, but it must have been a few weeks ago, given her level.

“Eva. I’m glad you could make it in time for the final push against Slothari.”

“It’s been a while. I searched this realm, but couldn’t find any of you. It was only recently that I heard rumors of a few rebels amassing an army in the Waste Warrens and marching towards the Oozing Bastion. I assumed that it was you.”

“Whenever something unlikely happens, always assume Jonathan,” Edgar added, a slight smile on his face. “It’s not all been fun and games though. Some of our allies have been captured by Slothari. Maranta, Bordeg, Tukar and another one we met here named Branth.”

Eva noticed the glower that coated Hushar’s face a moment later, and simply nodded, not wanting to extend the clearly uncomfortable conversation. “I’m ready to join you. Granath has already fallen, and I hope Slothari will as well. Perhaps this final battle will give me enough levels to ascend to the next realm with you, if we win.”

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“When we win,” Hushar said, staring straight ahead, as if he could see both the Oozing Bastion, and the future itself. “When we win.”

Jonathan nodded, and crossed his arms. “We’re going to have to work for that to happen. There’s nothing standing between us and that goal, save for a few minor inconveniences. Like, the entirety of a realm’s defense, likely a hundred thousand Tier 3 fighters, and a circle lord at the peak of what this world can support. Odds we have defeated in the Ash Heaps, and will have to again.”

“Also,” Eva interjected, “it’s been a while since you have checked in on the Ash Heaps. It’s a mostly self-sufficient realm at this point, but it has been over a month since I left. Perhaps things have happened there that need the addressing of the realm’s ultimate lord.”

“Let's get to a safe place to camp, and I will return. However, I’ll have to figure out a way to combat the mana deprivation.”

“Right,” Eva said, snapping her fingers. “I almost forgot. Some of the new administrators in the Ash Heaps found the mana generator that Granath was using to prop up his power. They found that it could be increased to even greater levels of power by reducing the range. It isn’t useful for much, as nobody in that realm has reached Tier 3, but if you ever return, it could be invaluable. If you ever reach Tier 4, existing in the Ash Heaps would be impossible.”

“Sounds good to me. Even if it doesn’t work, I can still tolerate a dip in my power. It can only go up to three quarters anyway, which still would leave me stronger than most there.”

“Well, a lot of things have changed there in your absence,” Eva said. “You might not be on top of the realm in that state. Now that people are free from the tyranny of Granath, they have embarked upon leveling sprees. Some have decided that just reaching Tier 2 is worth it. If you have enough titles and strength, you might still gain something out of ascension, even with the mana deficit.”

Jonathan nodded. A grand vision for the future of the Hells was germinating within his mind, spurred on by his insights into the nature of runecrafting. It was nowhere near complete, but perhaps he could eventually find a solution.

He heard a few sets of footsteps approaching, and turned to see Kendal and a few of the other elites approaching.

“Who is this?” The fire mage asked, tilting his head. “An enemy or a friend?”

“Most assuredly a friend,” Jonathan replied. “Eva came from the Ash Heaps to join us.”

“I’m Edgar’s girlfriend,” she explained. “Perhaps to become more in the future.”

Jonathan noted that Edgar almost choked on his own tongue, an unusual display of clumsiness for the Tier 3 mage.

“So you are our liege’s partner. I apologize for the disrespect,” Kendal added, bending one knee.

“Liege?” Eva asked, raising an eyebrow. “You’ve certainly been doing well for yourself, Edgar.”

Still a bit perturbed from the revelation that Eva had dropped about her future plans, Edgar simply nodded. Eva smiled slightly. It was too slight for anyone but Jonathan to notice, but it was still there.