As Valicar's body healed, her strength gradually returned, and the remnants of her hangover, as well as the half-formed stump of her foot, became mere memories. With only a few days remaining until their meeting with Easton, they flew at full speed, taking advantage of her fully healed leg and regenerated mana supply.
During this journey, Sophia seized the opportunity to develop another magical nuke. The Pillar of the South's abilities were still not entirely understood, but they were well aware of her near invulnerability. Her healing process was distinct from the Pillar of the East's, as it involved the wounds vanishing through what appeared to be some form of spatial magic.
This frightening ability made Sophia reluctant to create another magical nuke. The memories of unleashing such destructive power haunted her, and she was hesitant to resort to it again. Mike, however, reminded her of their encounter with the Pillar of the East, emphasizing that the nuke had been their only means of victory in that situation. It was a harsh reminder of the challenging and dire circumstances they faced, which ultimately led Sophia to reluctantly agree to keep the nuke as a last resort in their arsenal. The impending confrontation with the Pillar of the South was fraught with uncertainty, and they had to be prepared for any eventuality.
"What was that bitch's name again?" Mike called out as they neared the port city.
"Talia White, if I remember right. Easton didn't talk about her much, you know that," Sophia replied.
The city was a massive port located at the the Great Elf's Tree, a behemoth that reached unimaginable heights, even by elven standards. Its roots sprawled out into the sea and along the beach, making the very foundations of the city awe-inspiring.
Like most elven cities, the metropolis sprawled intricately along the colossal branches of the tree. The port, a spectacle in itself, was an incredible feat of nature magic. Gigantic vines, thick as ancient oaks, lifted the ships out of the water with the assistance of elven druids. They hoisted these ships high into the branches where the bustling hub of activity continued. Cargo was unloaded in an astonishing display of coordination, travelers disembarked, and the city's various levels were interconnected by elaborate walkways and bridges.
The sheer scale of the tree and the city built within it left Sophia in awe, even considering all they had witnessed in their adventures. This tree was by far the largest they had ever encountered in elven lands, and it reminded her of the sacred and primeval connection that elves had with nature.
"So, Easton will be here soon," Mike commented casually as they flew into the city above.
"Within the day," Sophia predicted, still struck by the magnificence of their surroundings. "Then we have to deal with his sister. No doubt she won't be alone," she added, recalling the vast army of templars she had once led to Helm Hold.
As they landed amidst the colossal branches of the ancient tree, they found themselves at an extraordinary inn. Its balcony provided a breathtaking view of the bustling port below, where ships and airships of various designs and sizes moved with purpose. The inn itself was constructed around a massive, centuries-old tree branch that had been carefully hollowed out to create rooms, walkways, and balconies, giving them a unique perspective on the city. It was a true marvel of elven architecture.
Amidst this tranquil spectacle, they kept their eyes glued to the horizon, waiting for the Strombreaker's arrival. The grand ship had been Easton's ticket into the city, and they could only hope it had made it ahead of the Pillar, or at least before the Church and Empire fleets.
But the hope of a quiet arrival was shattered when dark sails appeared on the horizon. These weren't the peaceful sails of a merchant vessel; they were the ominous banners of the Church and the Empire. Time was no longer on their side, and their chance for coordinated action slipped through their fingers like grains of sand through an hourglass.
Sophia's heart sank as she watched the city's defenders scramble into formation. The fate of the city now hung by a thread, and the outcome had profound implications for their grand quest. The potential sacking of the city was a double-edged sword, capable of delivering a heavy blow to morale but also kindling the flames of vengeance against the Human Empire and its Templar Order. Their position was precarious, and they could only watch, hoping that the city's defenders would hold the line as the forces of the Church and the Empire approached with ominous intent.
The Strombreaker, Easton's vessel, had made it to the city, but the massive Southern fleet was right on its tail. Hundreds of Empire ships, their sails adorned with holy symbols and banners, advanced with an air of inevitability. This armada was crewed by thousands of ordinary men, but the potency of holy magic coursed through their veins, empowering them beyond the capabilities of mere mortals. In the absence of mages, the blessings of their deities more than compensate for the lack of magical prowess.
The elven defenders, on the other hand, had their own formidable assets. Dozens of druids among their ranks were deeply connected to the essence of nature. They were the heart and soul of daily life in Biosobia, and their magic surged like a powerful undercurrent. While the prevalence of magic was approximately one in a hundred among the population, in the heart of the city, the ratio of magically gifted individuals surged dramatically. A druidic conclave in Biosobia meant that the city was teeming with nature magic, ready to be harnessed for its defense.
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As the Southern fleet approached the city, the massive vines of the Great Elf's Tree reacted. They lashed out with incredible force, making it clear that the very foundations of this awe-inspiring city were not to be trifled with. A towering vine, thick as an ancient oak, menacingly aimed at the Strombreaker, which was the primary target of the Church and Empire's aggression. The vine's sudden aggression was a bold declaration of the city's resolve to protect its sanctity but not knowing friend from foe.
Sophia, her connection to nature magic not as deep as Altheack's but still powerful, was able to intervene at a crucial moment. She issued a command to redirect the vine's intended assault on the Strombreaker. "Navas Aue!" she enchanted fervently, and the massive appendage abruptly changed its course, wrapping itself around the ship, saving it from potential disaster.
However, the Church and Empire were not to be underestimated. A blinding golden flash erupted from the enemy's flagship, a magnificent ship adorned with gold and religious iconography. The golden light surged forth from a young woman on the deck, consuming everything in its path as it blazed toward the ancient branches of the city. It collided with the barriers created by the mages of old, creating a spectacular clash of magic that sent shockwaves through the city.
As the initial salvos were exchanged, normal projectiles followed suit. Trebuchets on the Empire's ships hurled flaming balls into the air, aiming to wreak havoc among the city's defenders. Above, elven archers, renowned for their marksmanship, retaliated in kind, launching arrows with deadly precision, turning the sky into a lethal battleground.
But it was not merely conventional warfare that unfolded. Magic manifested as attacks from above and below. Nature's fury rained down as the elven defenders channeled the living city itself to thwart the invaders. Holy magic, wielded by the Church, burst forth as beams of golden light, striking with divine power.
As the massive vine of the Great Elf's Tree brought the Strombreaker closer to Valicar, waved energetically at their old mentor. "Shit timing as usual!" Mike called out to his old friend and teacher, a wry smile on his face.
The man they knew as Easton Von White had been more than just a mentor to them. He had shared not only the secrets of the sword but also the source of Mike's newfound demonic power. During their exploits at Helm Hold, a fateful connection had been formed, and Easton had provided the foundation for Mike to make a demonic pact. Though the nature of the pact was simple—kill them all—it was the depths to which Mike's demonic entity would take that oath that remained a mystery.
The blood of many foes had been spilled, and the pact had been satisfied, at least for the next few years. The brutal campaigns, particularly in the orc siege, had provided an abundance of blood, ensuring that the demonic pact was more than adequately nourished for the time being.
Easton, standing on the deck of the Strombreaker, recognized his former apprentices. His stern expression softened into a warm smile, and he raised his hand in response. The ship, thanks to Sophia's intervention with the Great Elf's Tree, had been saved from the treacherous waves.
Easton's leap from the Strombreaker to the tree's trunk was a display of his exceptional skill and agility. As he landed gracefully next to Valicar, he wasted no time in getting to the point.
"I do miss your twisted sense of humor, kid, but we don't have the luxury of time," Easton began his tone a mix of seriousness and nostalgia. "We must swiftly organize our defenses before she reaches us. The regular troops will do their best to hold her off, but you should know some things, the Pillar of the South has recently gained a significant power boost and her most fearsome ability is this: whenever she's wounded, a random member of her cult takes the same injuries on her behalf. This peculiar healing makes her even more formidable than the Pillar of the East. So, whatever tricks you used against the Eastern Pillar won't be effective this time."
Easton explained the grim reality of the Pillar of the South's near-invincibility. Her massive number of followers, gave her the power to draw upon countless lives and survive even catastrophic events, as evidenced by her previous encounter with the Archmage's meteor, so the nuke was out.
Sophia contemplated the situation. "Can we cut her off from her followers somehow? Like the way those mages disrupted Mike's pact?" she asked, hopeful that there might be a way to weaken the Pillar's connection.
Easton considered the idea but quickly revealed the harsh truth. "Not a bad idea, but even if you had the know-how, we'd need a massive rune circle prepared in advance. The numbers are just overwhelming. No matter how many times we defeat her, she'll just come back."
Their situation was growing more dire by the minute as the Pillar of the South's relentless assault continued. Mike and Sophia knew that they had limited options and that time was running out.
Frustration was evident in Mike's voice as he summoned his swords. "What can we do then?"
Easton's response was resolute but somber. "We only have one chance. We have to teleport her away or flee," he declared as he tossed a dagger to Valicar. "Anything this blade cuts can be sent anywhere in the world, but it comes at a great cost. It's a one-shot deal. The dagger will shatter upon use, so don't miss."
Sophia couldn't hide her curiosity. "And where do you want to send her?"
Easton's answer was grim. "To the bottom of the ocean or into a volcano. Anything short of that, and she'll come back."
As the city's protective barriers began to falter under the relentless onslaught of the Pillar of the South, Valicar, and Easton knew that their time to act was fast approaching. Facing the formidable Pillar of the South, Sophia couldn't help but ponder how their predecessor, Valicar, had managed to defeat the previous Pillar of the South. "How did the last one die?"
"He managed to bring down their temple, at the cost of thousands," Easton explained with a solemn tone. "However, the situation with Talia is quite distinct. Over the past few decades, she has been meticulously amassing a massive following throughout our home city, essentially turning the entire area into one colossal magical conduit that continuously feeds her power from the souls of those within the circle. It's a daunting challenge, as the number of souls devoted to her exceeds a million."
Sophia absorbed the information with a growing sense of concern. The odds were overwhelmingly stacked against them, but they couldn't afford to retreat. With a plan in mind, it was up to them to stop her here, for the fate of the entire eastern continent likely hung in the balance.