In the days that followed, Altheack's recovery was slow but steady. Valicar and Gorlion worked diligently to unite the various clans and factions into an organized force that could stand against the church's tyranny. They held meetings, delivered masterful speeches, and worked tirelessly to build a coalition of elves and orcs, something that was previously unthinkable.
As Altheack regained her strength, she found herself caught in a whirlwind of conversations with Valicar. The discussions went in circles, with Sophia's compassionate and understanding nature contrasting sharply with Mike's cold anger and calculated reasoning. Despite their differing approaches, both cared deeply for Altheack, and it showed in their interactions.
One night, as the moon hung high in the sky, Altheack took off in the middle of the night. Transformed into a griffin, she headed west, in the direction of her father's kingdom. Her departure left an air of uncertainty and tension in her wake. It was clear that she was leaving, driven by distrust and anger with the situation, particularly the fact that Gorlion had not been dealt with as she had hoped.
"Fuck, I knew we would never find the right words to keep her," Mike thought, his frustration evident as he recalled their earlier conversations.
"If you had left it to me, we could have worked it out," Sophia chastised Mike for his outburst, her voice tinged with disappointment.
"Oh, yes, I'm sure you could have done much better. You know as much as I do that her mom needed to be dealt with," Mike continued to defend his stance, his anger simmering beneath the surface.
"She was murdered in front of her, Mike! Just because she picked our side doesn't mean she wanted her mom dead, let alone slaughtered by her men and thrown away like trash!" Sophia ranted, her emotions raw and unfiltered.
"She tried to kill us! Fuck that scumbag. I didn't want to hurt Alth, and I'm glad she took our side, but Gorlion is right. At the end of the day, it's for the greater good, which you damn well know!" Mike yelled back, the tension between them palpable as they prepared to go after Altheack.
"She needs a reassuring friend, not a cold sociopath, Mike! We have to find her and not only make her understand but help her work through this trauma," Sophia insisted earnestly.
"You're just as crazy as I am if you think that's a normal thought process, Soph," Mike retorted, his words carrying a note of hurt. The siblings stood at an impasse, their love for Altheack driving them in different directions, each convinced that their approach was the right one.
The chase continued westward, with Altheack maintaining her griffin form as she flew. Valicar followed with their new sandals granting them flight, passing into dwarven lands along the way. These lands would undoubtedly have fallen to the orc horde if the elves had succumbed to their assault. Their hope now was to get their armor repaired as they traveled, and their flight had allowed them to maintain a steady pace.
Back in Eldoria, Gorlion took control of the city, and reluctantly, they accepted his deal that would grant them his army in exchange. They believed that he would join them in another year and a half on the southern island to launch their united assault against the empire.
Currently, they had a limited alliance of houses from the south, mostly mages, and allies from the republic to the west. Additionally, they now had the support of the beast kingdom, and, if rumors were to be believed, several city-states from the elven kingdom. However, the ties to their high king were loose, and the city-states were free to join their battles. The orc clans, despite the decimation they had suffered, were undoubtedly the mightiest force now at their command. Recruits would fill their ranks in the years to come, as orcs were quick to replenish their numbers.
As they descended upon Boaldoria into the dwarven mountains, they were met with a sight that left them in awe. Beneath the rugged surface of the mountain, an entire city sprawled out, a subterranean marvel that seemed to defy the very concept of what a city could be.
This underground city of Boaldoria was a sprawling labyrinth of streets and structures. The city's heart pulsed with the rhythmic clang of hammers against anvils, echoing from countless smithies that lined the thoroughfares. These master artisans, with their soot-covered faces and muscular arms, worked tirelessly, forging weapons, armor, and ornate creations of all kinds.
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Steam-powered machines, resembling mechanical behemoths, strolled through the city streets, billowing steam and emitting an otherworldly hum. These colossal contraptions bore the fruits of dwarven ingenuity, serving various purposes, from hauling immense loads of ore to powering the city's elaborate systems.
Illuminating this underground realm were colossal gems embedded in the stone walls and ceilings. These gems radiated a soft, ethereal glow, casting a surreal and enchanting light throughout the city. Each step was guided by their radiant luminescence, painting the surroundings with an otherworldly palette of colors.
In Boaldoria, Valicar found herself of average height, blending in with the inhabitants of this hidden realm. Dwarves, renowned for their stout stature, moved about with purpose, their sturdy forms and bushy beards distinguishing them as the masters of this underground world. Valicar, usually on the shorter side, the twins felt a sense of belonging among these industrious folk, and the dwarves regarded her as just another visitor.
Finding a smith with sufficient skill proved to be a challenging task. However, their luck changed when they were recognized by the fifth vendor they came across. He helped them due to his knowledge of their family's wealth, putting them in contact with a smith known as Ures the Iron Born. After some negotiations involving gold and gems, they reached an agreement, and Ures stated that it would take three days to repair the armor.
Neither Mike nor Sophia wanted to give Altheack that much of a lead, but they understood the necessity of repairing the armor before attempting to return to unlock the dwarven vault. They also hoped to learn something about the armor itself, perhaps uncovering Valicar's past exploits on the eastern continent.
With the armor in the capable hands of Ures, they turned their attention to the dwarven brew. It was far stronger than anything they had encountered before, and as the night went on, Valicar found herself quite drunk in the middle of the entertainment district.
Amid their drunken night in the dwarven mountain, Sophia made a decision that diverged from their usual path back to their inn. They found a dwarf in an alley, "Is he dead?" Sophia questioned.
Mike checked the dwarf's pulse and confirmed, "Yup... so why not try it out?" Their drunken conversation revolved around necromancy, a topic that had been common to their discussions for some time now.
Sophia hesitated, expressing her reservations, "It... just feels wrong," her voice wavering as she considered the implications of using such dark magic, even if she had been quietly learning it from the book they had obtained from the archmage's office.
Mike, frustrated by his sister's self-righteous attitude, even in their inebriated state, retorted, "It feels wrong to share a body too! You promised to fix this, Soph."
Sighing and trying to reconcile her own beliefs with Mike's insistence, Sophia reluctantly agreed, "Fine... You're right. I did, and I will fix this. I guess he is already dead, so it shouldn't burden his soul too badly."
Summoning the incantation, "FHADS COUSA MICAVULA," Sophia chanted, feeling the delicate threads that once bound the man's soul to his mortal coil. She called him back from beyond the Veil, ripping his soul back to their plane. In the process, she could sense his suffering, his anguish at not only dying but also being forcibly torn from paradise. He had not been dead long, and even as he reopened his eyes, all they could see was pain.
The dwarf spoke in a horrific rasp, his throat dry and agonized. "Gods! Why am I here?" he yelled in panicked shock, his memories from beyond the veil flooding back in full.
"Don't like life, do you? Here I'll help you out," Mike said with a grin. With a swift stomp, he destroyed the dwarf's skull, silencing his screams and granting him a second death.
Sophia, disgusted by the dark act they had just committed, yelled, "There had to be a better way to shut him up!" Her voice carried a mix of anger and remorse, regretting the path they had chosen even in their intoxicated state.
After their eventful night, filled with drunken decision-making and haunting nightmares, Mike and Sophia awoke to a new day, feeling the weight of their choices and experiences. Mike's memories from a past life now haunted him due to his new pact, while Sophia grappled with the knowledge of what she had become, longing for the innocence she once possessed.
Their armor was ready, and they eagerly retrieved it from the skilled dwarf smith, Iron Born. Although the armor now retained a distinctive crop-top style, it had undergone significant repairs and enchantments. The gold trim had been retained, but red and blue accents had been added, enhancing its overall appearance.
Ures had proven to be a powerful enchanter as well, adding ice and fire enchantments to the armor. These enchantments not only increased the twins' abilities with fire and ice but also matched their unique combat style, making their armor not only functional but also a reflection of their identity.
With their enhanced armor fully repaired, Mike and Sophia were now better prepared as they continued their journey to forge alliances new and old, collect keys, and confront the church that threatened the world.