The crack of thunder could be heard in the distance. The fight between Invera and what was once Norton had been going on for several minutes now. With no end likely to occur for quite some time.
Although both were only at the lowest Step of the Mythic Tier, both were still Mythical beings. Even their weakest Spells were more than enough to cause harm to a Legendary. Even if it was unlikely to kill or grievously injure them.
However, even as this was going on, it was not on Ezekiel’s list of priorities, even as he tried to meditate in order to regain as much mana as he could within the time that they would have while waiting for Invera’s battle to end.
No; his priority was the pressure he felt as he was surrounded by Riley and his family. The angry glare from the woman he had been forming a close relationship to for months was scathing, and it felt like the guilt it was causing to grow in him would eat away at his soul.
His heart was heavy, and his head hung as he knelt in the room that his mother had brought him to. The looks of shock on his family’s faces showed just how unexpected their return was.
What was just as bad as the guilt he felt from leaving Riley, was the guilt he felt as he saw his sisters run to their mother. Each one cried as they held her as tightly as they could.
The glare that Ellen sent toward his after they calmed down nearly broke him. He almost tried to leave the room, but his father’s firm hand on his shoulder kept him there.
‘It’s not your fault.’ Shine tried to lift Ezekiel’s spirits. ‘You know full well that your choice was the best option to ensure that everyone here managed to survive.’
‘That doesn’t mean that the feelings of those precious to me don’t matter.’ Ezekiel did, in fact, know that Shine was right. ‘I’m just tired of being the reason the people I love get into these situations in the first place.’
For this, Shine had no reply. As much as they hated it, Ezekiel was right. While he couldn’t control the hatred of others, the fact of the matter was, he knew that the cult hated him, and would do nearly anything to kill him. So, him sticking around was only causing strife to effect his family as the cult hunted him down.
‘We need to recover as soon as possible. Then, we need to figure some things out.’ Ezekiel determined, as his mind settled on a plan. ‘Neither the cult, nor the Kindled family, can be allowed to hurt our family anymore.’
‘Agreed. What’s the plan?’ Shine was also tired of what had been happening to them. They had gotten some reprieve, but the fact that they were, apparently, back at square one, was something that they hated.
Ezekiel paused for a moment. Settling his thoughts as he figured out what exactly he needed to do. While also trying to figure out to either include, or at least not further upset, Riley and his family even further than he already had.
But before he could reply, there seemed to be a shift in the air.
Whipping his head up and gazing at the wall that stood in the direction of the battle between Mythic beings, Ezekiel realized that no one else could feel what he had sensed. Only Shine, who was literally connected to his soul, was aware of what had happened.
“What is that!?” Ezekiel whispered at the same time Shine spoke in his head.
Warren, Evelyn, and Riley all turned to him, confused at first. Their questions stopped in their mouths as they saw Ezekiel turning pale.
For Ezekiel, it was as if time stopped as he gazed at the wall.
Almost as if he could see through it, Ezekiel saw past the wall and fell into a trance-like state, unaware of what was happening around him.
By this point, Ellen and Wendy, who were still clinging to their mother, were also looking worried.
Yet the only thing that Ezekiel registered in his mind was the vision that assaulted him.
The wall faded away, and two titans standing in the distance filled the world.
One, a violet figure with multiple arms that cracked with Lightning that spread out behind it like countless wings.
The other, a humanoid made of golden light, and nothing else.
As one, the two titanic figures turned to him. The violet one inclined its head, while the golden one snarled and looked away.
Ezekiel felt a sense of familiarity from both of them. Though it was tainted by confusion and apprehension.
A moment later the vision faded. Ezekiel found his sight once more focused on the room around him.
“... Defend...” Ezekiel muttered. His voice was weak, and he sounded like he was out of breath.
“Ezekiel, what’s wrong?” Evelyn moved to check on her son, but Ezekiel snapped his neck around. His mother was so surprised, she actually jumped in fright.
This was an understandable reaction, however, and the rest of the room’s occupants nearly did the same. The scene before them was something they hadn’t experienced.
For Ezekiel’s eyes had changed from black and white rings to pure to that of a swirling vortex of countless more of different colored flecks of light.
“Reinforce the defensive formations! Now!” There was a heavy undertone to Ezekiel’s voice, as both he and Ezekiel spoke at the same time. Shine cast a spell to be heard as they spoke alongside their partner.
The sheer weight that the Legendaries in the room felt when Ezekiel and Shine said those words forced them to move. They left the room as fast as they could, yelling to the guards in the area.
Instinct was driving them forward. An authority within Ezekiel’s soul had been expressed, and they knew that they needed to comply. For their own safety, and the safety of everyone in the camp.
“Defensive formations! Reinforce the enchantments on the walls and ensure that no one is in the open!” Warren’s voice carried across the whole camp, and the various guards that were keeping alert immediately bunkered down wherever they could. With the one’s on the walls reinforcing the temporary enchantments that were carved into them beforehand.
At the same time, Warren, Evelyn, and Riley each went to a different point on the wall and channeled as much of their mana into it as possible. Lights ran alongside the wall as a translucent barrier formed a dome above the camp. Powered by three Legendary Hunters, it would be strong enough to defend against at least a couple of Legendary spells.
As for Ezekiel, he grabbed his panicking sisters. Holding them tightly, he crouched low as their Spirits nestled between them.
He and Shine threw up an additional barrier. One that was multi-layered and had every mote of mana they had gathered focused into it. It wasn’t much, and it flickered as Ezekiel and Shine nearly started burning their souls to fuel it. So, Ezekiel was mostly relying on his body to protect Ellen, Wendy, and their Spirits.
A moment later, the earth shook, the barrier held for a couple of seconds, but still broke nonetheless, when the walls of the camp cracked open.
But to the surprise of everyone in the camp, there was no blinding light like what had accompanied such explosions earlier.
Instead, there was merely the shockwave from whatever happened, and nothing more.
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Several minutes passed after the shockwave took out most of the structures in the camp. No one ended up dead, thanks to the quick response by Warren, Riley, and Evelyn. However, there were still injuries, and the few healers that were within the camp were swamped with work the moment the blast wave dispersed.
Fortunately, it seemed that the conflict was now over. So, efforts to recover and reinforce their defenses began immediately. Though it was obvious that such efforts were unlikely to be worth much. Since, if they were attacked by any Legendaries then there would be no defenses to call upon.
For Evelyn and Warren, their focus was less on the defenses, and more on their children. Who were currently trapped beneath a partially collapsed makeshift building.
“Heave!” Warren called out as several Cavern Mages and a couple of Spirits pulled on ropes that had been wrapped around a fallen wall. “Come on! Pull!”
Warren, wearing his full Spirit Armor, aided in the efforts, but restrained himself from using any mama for the moment. Physical fatigue would be more easily recovered from at this point. His current lack of mana was also something that he needed to be wary of. Since he had drained himself reinforcing the now broken defensive formations.
To the side, Riley and Evelyn also pulled on a set of ropes. Careful not to overdo it and cause excessive damage that could hurt Ezekiel and the twins.
As the group pulled one more time, the wall finally fell outward and away from the huddled-up trio of Hunters and their Spirits.
Ezekiel’s hunched over body was battered and bruised. The enchanted armor and clothing he had worn was ripped and torn from where the stonework had rubbed against him. His back and arms were covered in cuts and bruises. Those were revealed as smaller stones fell off him as he shifted. The weight of the wall no longer pinned him down.
“Girls!” Evelyn seemed to teleport as she moved forward. Wrapping her daughters, now free from Ezekiel’s protective cover. At the same time, Ezekiel coughed and fell over as he finally allowed himself to collapse.
“Ezekiel!” Riley managed to catch him before he could hit the ground. He was still conscious, but it was clear that he was in great pain. Though he was grateful that Riley still cared enough to be so worried about him. Given how upset she had been with him earlier.
“Hey... is everyone else, okay?” Ezekiel asked. “Did we reinforce the defenses in time?”
Riley nodded and gently shifted him into a more comfortable position so that he could lie down and recover. For Ezekiel, he was thankful, as he was incredibly sore, and was in dire need of some basic medical aid.
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With his enhanced constitution, he wasn’t as bad off as any other Legendary Mage without Spirit armor would’ve been, but given everything that had happened so far, he was definitely not going to be fighting again anytime soon.
Warren, seeing that Ezekiel and the twins were relatively okay, and able to clearly communicate with others, he allowed himself to relax for a moment. Taking a deep breath, he turned to continue directing the forces that were able to move around.
In particular, he focused on the Morse family guards, and their leader, Lance Morse, who had a bandage wrapped around a now closed head wound. Beside him, acting as a backrest, was the young master’s bonded Spirit. The bright blue water buffalo.
“How are you feeling, young master Morse?” Warren asked as he walked over. Near Lance was his guard captain. One of the remaining higher Step Adepts.
“I am doing fine. Though I would certainly be worse if not for your warning.” Lance said as he turned to Warren. His Spirit doing the same and focusing on the Radiant Legendary. “Your senses are quite amazing for one that is only a mid-Step Legendary. Is that something unique to you, or something else?”
Warren gave a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
“It was my son who sensed the shockwave approaching. So, it could be either.” Warren shrugged his shoulders, while Lance turned to where Ezekiel was lying on the ground. “The secrets of Void Magic are beyond me. So, it makes things hard to figure out at times.”
“Yes... I would imagine so.”
“Regardless, the fact that you are doing well means that we will, hopefully, be able to move out sooner.”
Warren’s words made Lance look at him in confusion, while his guard captain puffed up in outrage. The buffalo shaped Spirit rumbled in discontent.
“The young master is still hurt and won’t be fully healed for at least a day while the Life Mages recover from treating the other, more life-threatening injuries.” Lance tried to wave the captain down, but he was ignored as the man moved forward. “Unless there is an immediate threat to the young master’s life, we will not be moving, and neither will you.”
Warren glared at the captain and flexed his mana, which caused the man to fall to his knees. Stepping past the gasping man, Warren addressed Lance once more.
“As I was about to say, given our current state, it seems like the Spirit Haven is no longer a haven. The natural boundary has been destroyed, so, once you are recovered, we will need to head out and return to Trimble for safety.” Warren explained as the captain climbed back to his feet. He moved next to Lance, who acknowledged the man’s protectiveness with a nod of his head and waved off any apologies.
“Will we be able to safely return?” Lance began petting his Spirit, and the buffalo let out a few happy sounding noises. “Even if most of them are dead, the Cult of Light is certainly not gone for good. Let alone the members of the Kindled family.”
“Indeed. Those threats are still around. But I believe that, given the circumstances, we will be able to get a powerful escort home.” Warren didn’t bother to elaborate when Lance raised an eyebrow. “Let’s just say that my son’s actions have almost certainly bought him some good fortune amongst the Spirits. The Legendaries in particular.”
Lance just continued to look confused but didn’t ask any more questions. He knew that Warren couldn’t betray him and his men until they returned to Tollren.
Warren spent a few more minutes checking on what Lance knew of the situation, and how they needed to direct their supplies and forces for efficient recovery.
In the meantime, it seemed like Ezekiel and his sisters had finished being treated, and Warren was about to return to his family. But a sudden pressure fell onto the camp, and within moments, they were surrounded by the remaining Legendary Spirits who hadn’t perished in the battle with the cult.
Compared to the dozens that had left and led an army of Adept and Apprentice Spirits, the handful that remained was a pitiful number, but still more than enough to wipe out the remaining guards.
There was a beat of silence as the Spirits settled on the walls and rubble of the camp.
But before either group could speak, and even greater pressure forced all the Legendary beings to their knees. But surprisingly enough, none of the Adepts felt anything.
As if they couldn’t comprehend the force that had approached.
With a mighty crash, two massive talons broke into the ground as crackles of electricity spread through the ground. Nearly causing greater damage to the humans and Spirits still in need of healing.
Upon setting their eyes on the violet bird in their midst, the Adepts and below suddenly fell over. Dizzy and disorientated, they lost all control over their bodies, and began flailing about in fear.
“Restraint!” Ezekiel’s voice spread through the camp. “You need to increase the restraint on your power! You’re affecting the souls of the Adepts and below without them even realizing it!”
Invera, who looked around the camp in confusion, pulled back her aura even more, and the Adepts and Apprentices stopped flailing. Instead, they began showing the same symptoms of the Legendaries who were still being pressed to the ground under the weight of the Mythical bird’s pressure.
Only after compressing her power even further did the pressure let up enough for the others in the camp to finally stand up again. Each and every Mage and Spirit there was gasping for breath.
“... My apologies.” Invera bowed her head as she spoke to the survivors in the camp.
For their part, all of them, except for Evelyn, Warren, and Ezekiel, looked upon the violet bird in awe. Her presence attracted their attention like moths to a flame.
As for Ezekiel, he just sighed, and in the back of his mind Shine lamented the fact that they still wouldn’t be able to rest just yet.
But at least it seemed that, for the moment, they were safe.
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Ezekiel looked around the makeshift meeting area that had been set up within the camp. It had been nearly an hour since Invera had landed, and he had mostly recovered from his fatigue and bruises.
Given the current circumstances, all of the Legendaries within the haven had been gathered for this. A solemn weight settled on their shoulders.
For the Hunters, Evelyn, Warren, Riley, and Ezekiel, they were still responsible for the guards from Tollren. Which meant that they would be figuring out how to safely get them all home.
Fortunately, their goal had already surpassed what they had hoped for. With roughly half the guards having bonded to a Spirit. Some of which had bonded in the aftermath of the most recent battle.
For the Remaining Legendary Spirits, they had to deal with the fact that a home that had existed for nearly a year was now no longer safe. As well as the fact that the Cult of Light’s power was far greater than expected. If they continued as they were, then it was highly likely that the cult would spread further through the Fjorya.
“It seems like we are all gathered. So, let’s get to it.” Invera was centered between the two groups and was overlooking this meeting as the most powerful being in the region. “I believe the humans had an additional request, given the current circumstances?”
Warren nodded and took the lead. Technically, it was Ezekiel who was allied to the Spirits through the Legendary birds of the Feathered Peaks, as was Riley, thanks to her recent actions. But since he was the most powerful Hunter there, it was decided that they would be better off if he was their spokesman.
“That’s correct, Ruler Invera. Specifically, given the current conflict, and the target on our backs for allying with you, we would request support and aid in returning to our home. North of the Fjorya.”
Most of the Spirits shuffled, and were close to acting out, but a sharp glare from Invera kept them under control. Not that they couldn’t scream at each other through their spirit speech. But the Hunters didn’t hear those complaints directly. Instead, their bonded partners explained things for them.
‘It seems that, while grateful for your aid so far, and the resulting heads up regarding the cult’s new weapons, the Spirits feel that the fact that they housed you within their haven, even during their conflict, was already reward enough for all that has happened,’ Shine said to Ezekiel.
‘... They’re concerned about their own safety, aren’t they? Sending help with us will mean that they don’t have as many people to hold the fort. Even if they have Invera.’ Ezekiel could understand the Spirit's side of things, but that didn’t mean that this was an acceptable outcome for him and his group.
‘Well, it seems like Invera is siding with us, because she’s not dropping the subject.’ Shine observed as Invera’s feathers began to ruffle. ‘Now she is going on about how, since the haven is going to fade in the next few days, there’s no need for there to even be a council of rulers. So, she’s saying that she’ll accompany us herself, since she owes us, meaning you, a personal debt of gratitude.’
Ezekiel allowed himself to slump in his makeshift chair. Something his parents and Riley copied. Their own Spirits conveyed similar words to them.
“Enough!” Invera cried out loud. “I have decided what I will be doing, and the dispersal of this haven is inevitable. Leave back to your old territories, and either aid in the breakthrough of other Spirits to increase our numbers or increase your own power. The Fjorya is our responsibility, not these humans. Yet, they have aided us all the same, and they will be rewarded for it.”
The Legendary Spirits all flinched back as Invera’s voice rolled over them. But they slowly dispersed, each one giving Invera a dirty look before leaving.
The only ones that remained were the other Legendary birds. Though, Ezekiel felt that there were likely Spirits that were still watching them from afar.
“My apologies.” Invera bowed her head toward Ezekiel and his family. All of them waved her off, since she was the one to ultimately save them. “If it would please you, I will personally escort you to the edges of your home of Tollren.”
The Mythical bird’s promise was a shock to the Hunters, who had expected the other Legendary birds to be the ones that would escort them. Not one of, if not, the most powerful Spirit in the whole of the Fjorya’s mountainous region.
“If that is what you are offering, Ruler Invera, then we will, of course, graciously accept your aid.” Warren stood up and bowed to the Mythical Spirit. As did Ezekiel and the other Legendary Hunters.
“Wonderful. Then the moment you and your group are ready to leave, we shall do so.” Invera spread her wings wide, casting the Hunters in her shadow. The skies were now clear, and the sun was setting. “I will keep watch until then. But I must also warn you, the haven will be reclaimed by nature within the next three days. The focal points keeping it stable have collapsed, and much of the land has been destroyed in the cult’s last attack. We will need to leave before then.”
Ezekiel and his fellow Hunters nodded again, and Invera took off into the air. Most likely to hunt down any lingering forces that weren’t Spirit allies. Though Ezekiel didn’t believe that any would remain after the devastation the cult and Kindled forces had suffered.
Sharing a look with the others, Ezekiel knew that they would be crunched for time.
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As the days passed, Ezekiel and the rest focused on recovering as fast as possible. Including repairing the wagons and carts that they would be riding in when they left.
Given the chaos that had occurred, the draft animals that they had used before this were dead, and they would need to rely on Lance’s Spirit and a few others to pull them along.
In a way, this made things easier for them, as it was simpler to direct Spirits than to control animals. But Ezekiel still felt that it was an unfortunate waste, nonetheless.
Things were also going a bit better for Ezekiel. He managed to talk things out with Riley, and while there was still a sense of frustration at being left behind, she had understood Ezekiel’s reasoning when he explained it in full.
This led to them sparring more, as Riley felt her drive to become stronger growing even more than before. Which Ezekiel couldn’t help but admire, since he often felt the exact same way.
For the rest of his family, however, Ezekiel’s relationship was a bit more strained.
His sisters blamed him for nearly taking their mother away from them, and Evelyn was upset that he had abandoned her when the cult’s monstrosity caught up to them. Something that both groups had told him to his face.
Warren was conflicted, as he understood Ezekiel’s point of view, and had come to realize that Ezekiel was a man of his own. Telling him as much when they had gotten a chance to talk. But this also meant that Ezekiel had to deal with the problems he made for himself.
“Ezekiel, are you ready?” Riley asked as Ezekiel stood over his taken down tent. “Everybody is ready to go, and the cart and wagons have all been set up.”
Ezekiel turned toward her. He nodded his head before he gathered the rest of his tent into his Void Pouch. “Let’s go.”
The pair walked off, taking a seat on one of the rear wagons as they arrived.
At the head of the caravan were Warren and Evelyn. As well as the twins, who were playing with their Spirits inside the wagon his parents were seated on.
High above them, the silhouette of a six-winged bird circled overhead. Almost too far away to be seen, but close enough to respond to any threats that might pop up in the time they spent traveling.
The other Legendary birds had left a day ago. With a little present that Ezekiel had given them.
A book that he had written explaining experiments that could be performed that might aid in improving a being’s Understanding of their element.
Including, but not limited to, the color of Flames, the energy of motion that changed solids to liquids, to gasses and back. Plus, things like fault line pressure build up, and air pressure vacuums.
He basically had something that could be used to give examples of different elements to give context to his insistence on experimenting with your element to encourage the breakthrough to Tier four.
Not everyone would be able to make use of it to break through, but he hoped that, with this knowledge, the Fjorya would be able to build up their forces to be able to fend off against the cult in the future.
For now, however, Ezekiel allowed himself to settle into his wagon. He fell into a meditative state as Riley watched over him. Granting him a sense of comfort and protection, knowing that someone was guarding him.
‘Let’s begin, Shine. We can’t afford to wait much longer.’
Shine was silent as they began sinking into Ezekiel’s soul. Their combined consciousnesses got to work on repairing his Spirit Paths. They had a couple of weeks between them and Tollren. So long as he wasn’t interrupted, he would be fully healed by the time they got back.
So long as he didn’t run into any more complications.
Alongside this repair work, plans began to form in Ezekiel’s mind. Each one relating to his own progress, and his eventual actions against both the Cult of Light, and the Kindled family.