Sotarr stayed around longer this time, checking in on them more often than ever before. He made sure they didn’t pick up any new bad habits while helping them shed the old ones. Alistair started to truly realize just how much wasted movement and untapped potential there had been in both their combat techniques and their use of magic and core concepts. He knew there were still plenty of gaps to find and fill, and the thought of uncovering them excited him more than any hobby he had before the initiation.
He had always enjoyed self-improvement, but magic was different. It fueled him in a way nothing else ever had. Even when he was working with concepts that actively resisted him, he couldn’t help but smile, driven by the thrill of overcoming those challenges. Sometimes, it didn’t even feel like work, a quality that Riseth envied in him. Though she, too, loved magic, she admired how effortlessly Alistair embraced the challenges. The time they spent together, figuring things out and pushing each other to get better, had become something they both looked forward to, bringing them closer as they shared in the joy of progress.
After nearly a month, James informed them that preparations for the expedition to Riddickulus were finally complete. This timing aligned perfectly with their growing confidence in their new techniques—Sotarr rarely needed to intervene anymore, content to silently and keenly observe their progress. It was during this period that they saw his true form for the first time.
Sotarr was massive, his scales a lustrous pearly white with hints of golden spikes and hues accentuating his form. Three golden horns curved backward from each side of his head, and he possessed two sets of wings, one pair that also functioned as arms, like a wyvern's. However, despite these wyvern-like features, he was still very much a dragon, with powerful hind legs and sturdy front limbs that doubled as arms, easily supported by his winged arms when not in flight. Both pairs of wings were adorned not with leathery membranes but with long, elegant white and golden feathers. His tail was lined with feathers and golden spikes along the ridge, and his draconic features were sharp, with piercing golden eyes that commanded attention. His neck was covered in a series of ridges, both white and gold, that almost seemed decorative. He exuded a powerful sense of warmth and authority despite only being a projection from the Token of Connection.
Though he could shift into his humanoid form in the blink of an eye, Alistair could tell that Sotarr felt most at ease in his dragon body, a form that truly embodied his true nature and power. Alistair watched closely, hoping to catch a glimpse of the technique Sotarr used as he smoothly polymorphed back into his humanoid shape before approaching them.
"With your clan ready to move out and the two of you now comfortable with your new techniques, it's time for you to venture out and experience the wider universe once again and apply your new skill outside of training."
Both Alistair and Riseth bowed deeply, grateful for all he had done for them and their clan by sharing his knowledge and training them. "Thank you, Sotarr. Your help means a great deal to us," Riseth said, meeting the dragon's eyes.
A toothy grin spread across Sotarr’s face, his sharp fangs on display as he chuckled softly. "No need for thanks," he replied, warmth in his voice. "I'm just glad to see your progress. I only wish I could meet you in person and have you spar with the other disciples of the Lyraxis Ascendancy; it would let you interact with more peers and give me something to brag about." He laughed good-naturedly, clearly proud of how far they had come in the time they had spent together.
"I'll be checking in on you both regularly," Sotarr began, "but for the foreseeable future, I’ll be occupied with other matters. Several wars have broken out over the impending opening of the bridges to a new universe, sparking a chain reaction." Noticing the concern in their expressions, he quickly reassured them, "No need to worry. The Lyraxis Ascendancy isn’t under attack. But chaos breeds violence, and many are fleeing from it, while others seek to take advantage of the turmoil. Neutral Factions like ours are often called upon to mediate, and my assistance is required to manage the situation."
Alistair nodded, feeling a twinge of disappointment as Sotarr prepared to depart. Yet, the anticipation of testing his newfound power and techniques tempered that feeling. After exchanging final farewells, they watched as Sotarr’s form began to shimmer, gradually fading and becoming more ethereal. Just before vanishing completely, his head turned as if addressing someone or something beyond their perception, speaking words they couldn’t hear. And then, with a final flicker, he was gone, leaving them alone.
Riseth dispersed the arena array, causing the serene dojo that had been displayed to vanish, leaving them standing in an empty chamber. The array had created a tranquil courtyard scene, complete with a stone-tiled arena, bonsai trees, bamboo, and a small pond with koi swimming peacefully. Alistair had been particularly proud of this variation, having spent a lot of time perfecting the ambiance. Even Sotarr had appreciated the atmosphere it created despite grumbling over the cultivator aesthetics.
"I think it's time we take care of that infestation problem of ours," Riseth said, her voice laced with excitement.
Alistair joined Riseth as she made her way to the door, though he couldn’t quite muster her level of enthusiasm. He was eager for a fight, but he’d be happy to face anything—except those goddamn Wendigos again. Simon felt the same way, which was why he and some of the other strong fighters were staying behind to maintain security in their absence. In the event of an emergency, Alistair would return to Lacustrine first, while the rest of the team evacuated Riddickulus and followed after him.
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The expedition had been prepped for nearly a week, during which time the team thoroughly mapped Riddickulus and its wendigo hives, trained extensively, and constructed another of the broad, diamond-shaped bastions James had named 'Valrus.' The name drew inspiration from a Neshan legend of a flying mountain, a tale with intriguing parallels to Arthurian myths. However, the human members of the clan quickly nicknamed the bastions 'Walrus' due to their slow, massive, and ponderous movement. These airborne fortresses were primarily constructed from magically infused stone excavated during Rathos's creation, reinforced by an adamant support frame. Despite the stone's density, it surprisingly didn’t add as much weight as Alistair had anticipated. The bastions were powered by reactors that absorbed atmospheric mana and converted water-aspected crystal reef chunks into a steady stream of energy, keeping them aloft and their formidable defenses fully operational. While they had considered using some of the flying islands of Skyreach, it would have disrupted its ecosystem quite a bit, and they could emulate the desired effects easily enough with some material investments and time.
The next day, Alistair and Riseth entered the TOC aboard the Kaiakos, which was positioned in high orbit over Riddickulus, overseeing the deployment of four Valrus bastions above large pockets of Wendigos. Inside, Nessyra, Desily, and Melissa were already deep in discussion, while Levine and Maldoras, members of Nessyra's retinue, stood off to the side, with Levine and Karrut engaged in an animated conversation. Alistair gave a brief wave to his former students before approaching the holographic display that depicted Riddickulus, highlighting underground locations in red to indicate the massive concentrations of monsters within the caves.
Nessyra’s expression was tense, and her tone matched as she acknowledged their arrival. "Good, you're here. We've got a situation."
Alistair felt a sense of unease at her words and exhaled slowly, waiting for her to explain.
"The Wendigos and Daxtzal have crossbred, and some of their hybrids—especially the winged Wendaxzal—have evolved into enormous flying monstrosities. We’re also seeing far more Grade 8 monsters than we initially anticipated. Though the overall number of monsters is lower than expected, it seems they've been fighting among themselves, growing stronger in the process. They’ve nearly wiped out the planet’s fauna, and without magic, I’m sure the flora would be next," Nessyra explained.
Alistair could sense the tension of everyone in the room rising as she said that. Their primary goal was to not lose any lives on this expedition but it suddenly seemed a bit more far-fetched than he had hoped.
"It’s a good thing we got here when we did," Nessyra said, her voice tinged with concern. "If we leave them unchecked any longer, they’ll grow too powerful and numerous for us to wipe out without having to glass the planet."
"I’ve only had to deal with these things once, and I say we should glass the planet right now," Desily remarked, her tone casual but her expression deadly serious.
Melissa looked at the fairy in shock. "It's not that dire yet. As long as we focus on the clusters of hives and don’t spread ourselves too thin, we should avoid any losses. There's a lot to gain from this."
Desily huffed in frustration. "You’re only saying that because you haven’t faced these vicious bastards. When you go down there, and one of them grabs you, trying to stuff you into its maw, we can talk again if you still feel the same way." She shuddered at the memory, recalling a too-close-for-comfort encounter during their escape from Riddickulus. Despite her void magic allowing her to escape the wendigo’s grasp after it had breached the turret fire and snatched her, the experience had clearly left its mark.
Alistair couldn’t fully grasp what it was like for Desily, being so small that every monster loomed enormous in comparison. He sympathized with her fear but found himself siding with his sister.
"We can handle it," Alistair said casually. "But if you’re not comfortable fighting them, it's fine if you stay on the Kaiakos."
Desily shot him an offended look as she took the bait. "No way am I hiding up here while you guys are fighting. I'm no coward. Watch me—I’ll kill more of those fucking things than you!"
Alistair smirked, knowing he’d sparked her competitive spirit. "Oh? Want to bet on who takes down the most of them?"
"You're on!" Desily declared. Then, turning to the room, she asked, "Anyone else want in on this action?" Her challenge drew chuckles and a few raised hands.
Alistair knew he had lit a fire under Desily and suspected this could boost overall morale if they tied some rewards to performance. To his surprise, Nessyra grinned widely. "I was planning to track kills and performance anyway. I can keep tabs on the bets through the Akashic Link while coordinating our deployment from the Kaiakos," she offered.
"Do I get credit for the kills the bastions rack up?" James asked.
"No," Desily and Alistair replied in unison.
But Nessyra had a different idea. "Actually, yes, but the credit will be distributed among all the crafters involved in creating them."
James clicked his tongue in mild disappointment but then shrugged, stepping out to board one of the platforms. Jessica joined him, giving the group a wink as they exited the TOC.
"Anything else we need to know before we head out?" Alistair asked, glancing at his rapidly accumulating message notifications, not in the mood to sift through them.
"Yes," Nessyra responded. "Our strongest fighters are assigned to intercept any Wendaxzal that might target the platforms. They're powerful enough to bring the bastions down, and we can't afford the casualties that would result."
"I'll inform our clan battle groups," Nessyra said. Then she turned to Alistair, "I've transmitted the data you requested. Give them hell."
Alistair grinned while Desily eyed him suspiciously, and the rest of the room—with the exception of Riseth—looked at him with curiosity. "You got it," he responded, heading out of the TOC. Desily determined not to let him get ahead, she flew over to him and perched herself on his shoulder with a determined expression.
Riseth found the scene amusing and gave Alistair a quick peck on the cheek before rushing down another corridor. She would be deployed closer to the Valrus platforms to support and distract the enemy forces alongside their main troops. Alistair, however, had something else in mind.