Amid the Alliance's recounting of war stories to Valicar, they vividly portrayed the ongoing conflict. The West had suffered devastation, but the remnants of its forces had rallied under the Alliance's banner. A colossal fleet, drawing warriors from every corner of the world, was being assembled.
Once-neutral elite adventurers now stood united against a common enemy, with several S Rank individuals among them. Even former bandits and dark mages had joined the military ranks. Armor enchantments and magical enhancements had transformed ordinary soldiers into formidable warriors, with HelmHold playing a crucial role in supplying magical support that elevated the mundane to the extraordinary.
What was once a diverse assembly of individuals had evolved into a force of enchantment, countering the divine powers wielded by the Pillars and their followers. The magical prowess displayed a harmonious blend of arcane forces, strategically integrating a few daemonic users among the adventures, though not entirely trusting their strength was needed.
Over the next few days, the Alliance diligently prepared, meticulously assessing the defenses of the Empire's cities and fortifications as they scouted ahead of the main forces. Altheack, the legendary Beloved of the Sky, lived up to her title, showcasing her ability to bring the fortress to life and control the entire island. The military prowess of the Alliance had transformed, surpassing anything seen in centuries, with a convergence of military and magical might gathered in the same spot.
While the origin of these marvelous structures remained a mystery, their undeniable capabilities contributed to the Alliance's strength. Technological advancements from the dwarves, such as several war golems, not magical but mechanical in nature, were being deployed as prototypes. Sophia couldn't help but see them as mecha, surprising additions that challenged Mike's initial skepticism of the mechanical beings. Additionally, the twins encountered a new species, cousins of those they had met on the southern continent – intelligent trees indigenous to the southern continent that had joined the Alliance. These sentient tree beings rivaled even Altheack's druidic abilities with their nature magic.
Though their numbers were currently few, the sentient plants promised that more were on the way, arriving with the original fleet. As the Alliance awaited the gathering of their forces, including the twins' unusual allies from the universally despised Death Tooth cult – invaluable in the upcoming fight – they pondered the crucial meeting ahead.
Stumbling upon Altheack in a rare moment of privacy one evening, the weight of the approaching conflict hung heavy in the air. In the intimacy of the conversation, Altheack had become not just a close friend but a confidante over the years, with both twins harboring unspoken desires for something more. The impending meeting carried the gravity of the looming conflict, drawing ever closer as they shared their thoughts and fears in this intimate exchange. The challenge of introducing the necromancy users from the Death Tooth cult to the Alliance, along with their unknown location after teleportation, added an extra layer of trouble for the twins.
"So how have you been, Val?" Altheack asked one evening when Valicar and the half-elf found themselves alone. Altheack was one of the few people who knew the twins' secret of being two people in one body, their souls intertwined. As she spoke, a faint blush colored her cheeks, a subtle indication of emotions held beneath the surface.
"Better now that you're here," Mike said with a grin, admiring the sight of the half-elf's beautiful face, her platinum hair flowing in the wind. Yet, his smile faltered a bit when he noticed her one emerald eye looking back at Valicar, the other scarred by the Pillar of the East, who had taken her eye. They wished to heal her, but even their magic was not strong enough to overcome the Pillar's curse preventing healing magic.
In the quiet moment of privacy, Altheack began to explain the situation, her cheeks tinged with a subtle blush. Neither of the twins was particularly adept at picking up on social cues, but there was an unmistakable flutter in both their hearts as she spoke.
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"I would never have been able to do all of this without you two," Altheack admitted, her eyes reflecting gratitude and sincerity. A soft smile played on her lips as she continued, "So really, I owe you both my life."
A charged atmosphere enveloped them, unspoken emotions hanging in the air. Despite their usual bravado and chaotic energy, the twins found themselves momentarily struck speechless. The weight of their friendship and shared experiences pressed against the backdrop of the impending conflict, creating a rare and intimate moment among the trio.
During this intimate conversation, Mike subtly hinted at something more, his gaze lingering with a warmth that surpassed the bounds of friendship. Sophia, ever mindful of the mission to convince Altheack to accept necromancy, broke the silence and guided the conversation. Yet, beneath the surface, the twins yearned to express their true feelings.
As they delicately broached the subject of necromancy, Sophia's voice held a compassionate undertone. "We know it's against everything you've been taught, Alth. But we believe in the greater good this can bring. It's a tool, a power we can use to turn the tides against the Pillars and the Church. As wrong as it is, it's also the only way to bring Easton back and free our souls – it's a sacrifice we're willing to make." Sophia said guiltily, her conscience heavy, but her drive forward, spurred by her brother's haste, had left her tired and more accepting of Mike's actions.
Mike chimed in, his tone was sincere. "We've seen what you're capable of, Alth. The fortress, the island – you've harnessed incredible power. Necromancy could be another piece of that puzzle. We're not asking you to change who you are. We just want to give you the means to protect what you love and the power these souls can offer. This is only one step to us getting our bodies back, so please also help us convince them to allow the help of Death Tooth." Mike said, ignoring his doubts. Anna Sha had told him this was the way, and his sister followed his lead.
"In facing the Pillar of the North and the church, there's something more," Sophia hesitated, glancing at Mike. "To bring Easton back, we need to use the Shadow Orb, but it comes at a great cost – the sacrifice of one million souls. And there's another complication; it could separate our souls. If we go through with it, Mike might be forced to return to his original world, Earth."
Altheack's eyes widened, absorbing the weight of this revelation. "You would leave...us, Me?" Altheack asked Mike, sadness in her eyes. Mike's expression softened, and he confessed.
"We care about you, Altheack. A lot. It's not just about the mission. It's about you – the girl we went to school with, the one who became a hero to save her people. We've heard the rumors and seen the scars, but none of it changes how we feel. Even after losing your father and mother, even after the Pillar took your eye you have stayed by us. We will avenge what they did to you, but then I have to worry about our souls. We believe in you, and we believe in us."
Sophia gently added, "We know it's a lot to process. But we're here for you, Alth. Whatever you decide, we'll face it together. Necromancy or not, one person or two, we're a team, and Mike and I will find another way."
The vulnerability in their words hung in the air, revealing the depth of emotions they harbored for the half-elf who had become an integral part of their lives.
"You know I accept you both," Altheack's gaze shifted between Mike and Sophia, observing the red and blue in Valicar's eyes grappling with the weight of the impending conflict and the unspoken desires that lingered beneath the surface. "We have this alliance you built, and I knew many would die in the war to come. But using that magic... using that cult, it's wrong, Soph, Mike. But I would do anything for you, both of you."
Sophia gently broke the silence. "We want you with us, Alth, not just for the mission but for everything we've been through together."
Mike, his usual playfulness subdued, added, "Thanks for always having our back, Alth. We've got your back, against the Pillars or anything else. And about what we said before... well, we just wanted you to know." Mike admitted, still hiding his intentions once they got the vault open. Even he did not know if he could sacrifice this girl when the time came.
Altheack, vulnerable yet grateful, responded, "I appreciate your honesty. It means a lot to me. I will do what I can to smooth over the use of Necromancy with the Alliance when I can. Using it to save the elves is already in your favor, and Gorlion will help, but the Archmage is very against it."
As the conversation shifted back to the impending conflict and the introduction of the Death Tooth cult to the Alliance, the trio found a delicate balance between personal revelations and the weighty responsibilities they carried.