“I am surprised you didn’t get anything. The bandit corpses have all been rounded up as well. I am sure they have been processed for you and Aureole. I don’t think any were elves though. Will you be fine with human meat?” Kokou asked with a mug of fruit juice in his hand.

“I still have quite a lot of food in my storage and inventory so I will be fine for a while and that line is too long. But human or elf flesh will work for me. Elf blood would be preferred though.” Pneuma stated.

Pneuma reached into her incorporeal inventory and pulled out a small vial full of fresh blood. She opened the stopper and knocked back the liquid into her mouth. As a vampire she could only survive on a diet of elf blood; humans and other intelligent races could substitute but not indefinitely. The remains of the bandits that could be salvaged were collected and stored for Pneuma and Aureole who were both cannibals.

“I still think it is fascinating that the Dark Gods made your people into immortals but still made it so you require sleep and food.” Kokou said after another sip.

“Immortality was a gift and a shackle, the Dark Gods wanted us to be feared so we would rely on them for survival. We can’t compare to true Celestials.” Pneuma said with a sour look on her face.

“Don’t put yourself down like that!” Kokou said as he slapped her on the back so hard she nearly fell over. “You are stronger than you know and it is a good thing you are here. If things start taking too long to get back you can always turn Vara so we don’t lose her to old age.”

The sudden pat on the back didn’t hurt but Pneuma shifted in her seat a few inches further away from Kokou in case he did so again.

“I… I don’t think she will want to become a dracálfer.” Pneuma stated as she pulled out a second vial of blood from her inventory. “The dark elves were firmly against vampirism. Not to mention that even before the light elves became the dracálfer our people weren’t on the best terms.”

“Well if she doesn’t we still have a few hundred years with her before she passes.” Kokou stated. “Speaking of, I think I have heard her call you a blood elf before. I thought it was a vampire.”

“Either is fine…” Pneuma started to say.

“Aww, I didn’t know you cared about me so much.” Svaralfer said as she walked up to the table. “Sorry Pneuma no offense, I think a few hundred years around this man is about all I’ll be able to take, vampirism is out of the question. Although I do appreciate you finally doing something with your shoes. Thank you.”

The small group continued to talk for a few minutes and it was odd to see Kokou and Svaralfer talk without starting an argument. It was kind of refreshing before one sly comment led to another and before long a screaming match started. As the two argued, Pneuma suddenly stood up which caught their attention but only for a moment. She could finally sense Harahel walking around outside of Lilitu’s room and wanted to meet him as soon as possible. She excused herself to quickly chase him down. Excitement and nervousness weighted evenly on her mind as she sought him out.

***

Kevin walked outside of the Guild Hall into the throng of tents that had been packed tightly in the now large clearing. After his bath he changed into his finely tailored blue and silver victorian aristocrat style vest and suit pants. His wings still perched across his shoulders which gave him the appearance of a man wearing a feathered cloak. The regal appearance caused heads to turn in his direction as he walked the area outside amongst the people.

There were well over ten thousand people uncovered in the forest all of whom had been brought to the Guild Hall. The homes closest to the hall were filled to capacity and the additional rooms in the housing complex originally on the guild hall campus had been filled as well. Even so there were just too many people and thousands slept in tents and temporary housing built in the clearing. It was starting to look more and more like a shanty town. The uncertainty in the people's eyes he passed made Kevin feel uneasy. He wanted to provide some sense of normalcy to the people but until they knew more about the world they found themselves in there wasn't much they could do.

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He walked to the perimeter of the clearing and saw several trees had intricate magic circles engraved on them with glowing golden light flowing from them. The lines and runes on the circle moved and twisted in uniform patterns almost like a 3D image. He touched the empty space between the trees and felt a slight pressure push back against his hand. It wasn’t enough to stop him as he took a step forward and felt the pressure pass around his entire body. When he was through he turned back around to where the Guild Hall and clearing should be, but all he saw was dark forest. He took a step forward and the image of the forest waved in flickered out as he felt the pressure pass over him and he was back in the clearing. He looked back at the glowing circle on the tree.

“Master Harahel, goodmorning.” A shy voice almost whispered.

Kevin turned to see Pneuma walk towards him. Pneuma's face was flush red and she looked more nervous than usual. Kevin wasn’t sure how to really handle the situation. He and Jessica talked about Pneuma this morning and how they needed her to create divination nods which would allow them to have longer range surveillance. He of course knew the young vampiress was in love with his character but also knew she was needed and didn’t want her to feel dejected and leave the guild. He pushed the thoughts to the side as his logical mind turned his attention back to the magical force field.

“Good morning, I take it the barrier is your doing.” Kevin stated.

“I created the illusionary base that the barrier is using to camouflage us. It should also prevent surveillance magic from outside. If anyone tries to spy on us all they will see is forest and all sound is also muted.” Pneuma said as she came to a stop in front of Kevin. “The barrier was put in place by Awen; it should allow only guild members to come and go. She said it can be easily expanded as well but we will need to make more mana crystals to power the extensions.”

“You all did a good job with it.” Kevin stated as his eyes went back to tracing the magic circle. “That must be why this is so complex.”

“Yes, it is a custom spell created using a mixture of several magical disciples.” Pneuma said with a nervous nod. “I know lady Lilitu would have done much better but I think it is adequate or are you displeased?”

“Give yourself more credit.” Kevin said as he turned to look at her. “I don’t have nearly the same grasp of magic as you do but even I can tell that this took a lot of work to do. I think it is rather impressive.”

In the game the avatars wouldn’t be able to make new spells like this so it must be because magic is real here and they have their own magical theories. Since coming to this world I have slowly gained more and more knowledge from the mind of Harahel so maybe Jessica will actually know how to do stuff like this too.

“I know that there is still a lot on everyone’s plate.” Kevin continued to say. “I was debriefed by Hyperion and Liminal last night. No more buildings or blinked people are appearing, right?”

“No, not that I can see in my radius.” Pneuma responded.

“Well let's do a quick sweep around just to be sure. Your range with your skill is eighteen miles until we put up some divination nodes, right?”

“Yes, I will put together an escort of guards to look around with me.” Pneuma said. “I could also have my summons come with me.”

“No need,” Kevin stated.

“No need? I thought you said we shouldn’t travel alone?” Pneuma questioned.

“I will fly you. If that is fine with you of course.” Kevin said as his wings opened. “I know that flying might sound a little…”

“Of course it is fine with me. Thank you!” Pneuma blurted out, she then composed herself. “I mean it will make it go much faster if we can just fly.”

“That is what I was thinking. Just let me know when you are ready and we will…”

“If I may,” Pneuma stated as she took a step forward. “I am ready now.”

Kevin nodded, turned to her and in a swift motion swept her off her feet holding her in his arms. Kevin was taken back with how light she felt and how fast her heart was beating. However, he was more concerned with the task at hand. Potentially saving the lives of hundreds of Blinked people lost outside of the Pneuma’s visual range took priority.

To Pneuma this was a dream come true as she held onto him for support, being sure to press as much of her form into him as possible. Pneuma could not help but have a twisted and lascivious smile stretch across her face as she became lost in her own erotic fantasies. She was sure to angle her face so Kevin would not be able to see her smile. However, she was so caught up in the moment she didn’t even realize they were in the air over the first location she would have to map. Kevin let out a sign that also evaded Pneuma’s perceptions as he landed in a small clearing.

Jessica, how in love did you make this avatar? This is going to take all day if she is going to act like this. Kevin thought to himself.