The silence was deafening as the Lights of Radiance met once more. This time, there were no plans to discuss, no secrets to be told, nor warnings to be made. Merely the furious quiet emanated by Legends whose operations had been destroyed.
Countless resources had been invested, and wasted, in the Followers of Radiance’s plot to take over the Fjorya. Had they succeeded, it would’ve opened up an entire global region of raw materials that couldn’t be harvested while the tribes retained control.
“So... does anyone have an explanation for this? Anyone at all?” The Radiant Speaker’s voice was a soft whisper that hid a deep and chaotic fury. “Tell me... who is to blame for this outrageous failing!? Who is responsible for this complete, and utterly disastrous, annihilation of a quarter of our southern forces!?”
The other Lights remained silent. None of them were willing to become a target for the Speaker's anger. He was a man who seldom showed his emotions, beyond his fervent devotion to the Radiant Lord.
This display was utterly terrifying in its rarity. It meant that heads were going to roll. Worse yet, the meeting was different this time. As if there was an undercurrent that wasn’t present in past meetings.
“Someone say something, or else there will be hell to pay for each of you!”
Cautiously, Typhos leaned forward, and the Speaker’s attention swiveled toward him.
“I don’t believe that this is any of our fault.”
A weight settled on the shoulders of all the Lights of Radiance. Each one struggled under the pressure released by the Radiant Speaker. His aura shone blindingly through the communication Relic.
Pain seared through their minds as it seemed as though the sun lit up inside them. All-consuming rage echoed in their minds, and they all knew that they were no longer addressing the Speaker.
Their Lord had deigned to speak directly to them all.
“So, you believe that none of you are to blame? How might this be so?”
In place of the Speaker’s voice, there was a mellow tone that did not reflect the emotions emanated by the being that was communicating with them. It was terrifying in its contradiction. Like being hit by a snowball in the desert. You craved it more than anything, but its existence was fleeting, and you found yourself within the scorching heat moments later.
Only now you were even more thirsty and suffering all the greater due to the reminder of the relief you so dearly sought.
“We... we are merely mortals... The Anathema’s power... it is beyond our comprehension...” Typhos was clearly in distress. He had hoped that his words would have granted him time to explain, but not directly to his lord. “Even with the wretches we have captured, and forced to Tier one, we know little of the Void’s powers. We know not how he healed his crippling injuries, nor the full extent of his Legendary might. Even the thought of his Understanding is well beyond us.”
Upon finishing his explanation, Typhos fell silent, awaiting judgment. The other Lights waited with bated breath. Only flinching every now and then when their lord’s emotions changed. His thoughts well beyond their comprehension
Finally, their lord reacted.
“Aaarrrrgghh!!!”
Typhos howled in pain as his blood literally boiled, but he didn’t die. His flesh melted and charred but was healed a moment later. His hair ignited, and the smell of it burning filtered through all of the Light’s senses. Something that should’ve been impossible through the Relic they were using.
Then they realized that they were experiencing the scent through their souls. A terrifying awe filled them all, as they knew that this direct influence on their soul, without damaging it, was something that not even a Mythical being could easily do. Especially to so many people at once.
After a few moments, Typhos’ screams died down, and the Lights could see that he had healed from his punishment.
“Feel grateful that you are still alive. Your excuse was... satisfactory.” The Radiant Lord, or the wisp of consciousness that flowed into them through the Speaker, seemed to sigh. “But do not make the mistake of speaking out of turn like that again. Your failure is still yours. Do not forget that.”
Typhos nodded. His figure was slouched over the Relic he was seated at, and it was clear to the other Lights that he was barely holding on. Though, they all felt a sense of admiration at just how sturdy Typhos’ ‘will’ was.
The rage they felt lessened, not enough to remove the pressure pushing down on them, but enough that they could more easily breathe. Though, now there was a sense of guilt in them all. Born from the disappointment that filled the emptiness that was left when the rage retreated.
“I forget how pitiful, how weak, and how fragile you mortals truly are.”
None of the Lights felt a sense of indignation at their lord’s words. In the face of this awe-inspiring power, none of them could feel like they were anything else than what they were described as.
Suddenly, the presence of their lord faded away, and all that remained was the Radiant Speaker. He immediately gasped for breath. The strain of directly hosting such a powerful being’s ‘will’ for even a few seconds, was a tribulation in and of itself. Let alone for the minute or so that he just had.
“Do we know where the Anathema is going?” the Speaker asked after a few minutes of silence.
Peri shifted, and the rest of the Lights turned to the violet-colored silhouette.
“Given that he was reported as departing with Exalt Wolken, it is likely that he will be headed my way. To interfere with events happening in Quintessa.” Usually, Peri would be overjoyed at the opportunity to strike against the Anathema that plagued them all. But given the recent developments, she was no longer certain of the outcome of such a meeting. “Given the still... delicate, nature of my operations in this kingdom, I believe it prudent to ask for support. As much as I can get, since I will be up against a Myth. Two, since one of Wolken’s vice-Guild Leaders broke through a month or so ago.”
All but the Speaker and the Green Light flinched at the thought. Mythic Hunters were terrifying for completely different reasons than Legendaries. The latter could be outnumbered or outmatched, by a peer of the same Tier, if one was skilled enough. While it might have taken an army of Adepts to take one down, it was possible.
Stupidly costly, but it had happened before.
Mythics, on the other hand, could make a within their range Legendary pop, just by enforcing their ‘will’ and mana to crush their Spirit Armor, and the Hunter inside it.
Even now, none of the Lights knew what made a Mythic a Mythic, beyond their terrifying power.
“... I do not like this, but it seems like we have little choice in the matter.” The Speaker was grim as he folded his arms in front of him. “Endaria.”
For half a moment, the Lights looked confused. Not one of them recognized that name. But as the figure clad in green light stood up, their focus entirely directed at the Speaker, all the Lights were surprised. They had never heard the Green Light’s name before.
“Yes, Speaker!” Endaria seemed just as eager to fulfill the Speakers words as they were to rebuke the other Lights. Her entire demeanor changed from the disinterested Hunter they presented as, to something far more focused.
She also discarded an Artifact on her end of the communication Relic, as her previously neutral figure shifted to display her true figure.
“It seems like your duties at the Temple of our Radiant Lord will need to be put on hold. I cannot leave, and Peri is right. We will need a Mythic of our own to face off against Wolken and his Guild.”
Shock flooded each of the Lights. They had never known that they had a Myth amongst their number. Though, it did clear up a few questions they had regarding their green light. For instance, why they had been granted so much leeway in their behavior.
“You will need to be careful. While I have no doubt you could face off against Wolken on even grounds, to face him and his once vice, now fellow, Guild Leader would be too much, even for you.”
Flinching at the thought of facing off against two Mythic Hunters, Endaria nodded in agreement.
“I understand, but if I get the chance to kill the Anathema, I will take it, even if it means losing my life in the process. I’ll ignite my core itself if I have to.” The rest of the Lights wondered what she was talking about. They had never heard of the core she was referring to before.
“... Only do that if there is no other choice, and you can guarantee that the Anathema will die.” The Speaker’s voice lowered into a gravelly whisper. Pride filled him as he witnessed Endaria’s devotion. “I would not have one as devoted as you, destroy your soul itself, and never be able to join our Lord’s Kingdom of Light in death.”
Silence permeated the room at the Speaker’s words. The information flooding the other Lights of Radiance was mind blowing and held secrets pertaining to the Mythic realm. But was also terrifying, as the idea of a soul being damaged was known to them.
The thought of it being destroyed so thoroughly that nothing remained, even in death, was heart stopping. Such dedication was something that the other Lights weren’t sure they had.
“I will do what I must,” was all Endaria said.
“Then you will head to Quintessa the moment this meeting is over.”
Endaria sat back down. From there, the rest of the meeting seemed dull. Some plans were made regarding the Anathema, but nothing was finalized. Ideas were thrown out regarding his family, but were dismissed, since they didn’t know for certain where they were.
“What of the Anathema’s father? Do we know whether or not the Kindled family will be handing him over to us anytime soon?” Erkan asked after it was decided to write off Ezekiel’s mother and sisters for now. “Given his expertise in Radiant magic, it might be smart to convert him sooner, rather than later.”
The Lights all turned to Lana, who merely shook her head.
“Unless you wish to destroy all the good will and alliances we’ve made with the Kindled family and their subordinate clans, we’ll need to put such thoughts on hold.” Lana sounded tired as she addressed this issue. “It seems like the Kindled family wishes to keep Warren Luminance. One month of confinement and various punishments for each year he remained away. That’s twenty months they intend to keep him for. He’s being used as an example, and a donor, for the future generation of Kindled family’s main and subbranches.”
Looks of disgust formed on many of the Light’s faces. Such a treatment was barbaric by their standards. They all felt that Warren could be used in a far more effective way, and that this treatment was just a waste of time and resources.
“Leave it for now. We can return to the topic once we fully convert the Kindled family into fellow Followers of Radiance.” The thought that the Kindled family wouldn’t eventually be converted never even crossed his mind. “Moving on, how are things in the Empire?”
Erkan straightened up in his chair. Now it was his turn to be the center of attention.
“They are slowing down, unfortunately.” Erkan’s frustration was obvious to all. “While not directly going against the Emperor, the Willowbrush Exalts have expressed their disapproval of the Followers’ elevated authority in the Empire. Given they are the most powerful Hunters there, they each have quite the following. Ones that nearly match the following of the Emperor.”
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
Thoughts of simply forcing matters and progressing their lord’s plans had crossed Erkan’s mind a few times. In particular, plans that removed the Exalts from this world, thereby removing their obstructing presence. Of course, these thoughts only flitted through Erkan’s mind briefly.
They were suicidal, after all.
“Make it work, Erkan. With the loss of the Fjorya to the Heathen Church, we won’t be able to support another civil war. Especially if the Exalts determine that our side is detrimental to the Empire’s survival. If they can frame us as being detrimental to the Empire, that will mean that we will have three Mythical beings ripping out our presence, root and stem.”
The Speaker's words chilled Erkan to the core. He had already been on the receiving end of more than a few glares from the Exalts of the Empire.
“Understood.”
“Then, if that is all, I call this meeting to an end.”
With that dismissal, the Lights flickered off, one by one, until there was nothing but darkness within the strange zone that these meetings took place in.
Unseen and unheard by all, a harsh cacophony of whispers, growls, and hungry rumbling took place as pinpricks of light flicker in and out of existence.
“Soon, Eldramir. Soon.”
Darkness returned, and silence reigned once more.
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Within the more central regions of the Willowbrush Empire, a carriage with the emblem of the Cult of Light was traveling down the road. Around it was several smaller carts carrying several Hunters of Apprentice and Adept Tiers.
This group had left the city of Trillious a few days ago and was making its way toward the western border. Given the sheer distance required to travel, however, it was going to be a few more weeks before they reached their destination.
There were four individuals sitting within the carriage, and of those occupants one was a Legendary cultist, while two were Guild Leaders. Each of the Guild members wore the same symbol on their sashes. But they were acting subservient toward the cultist.
Finally, the fourth passenger was an overweight man dressed in much more opulent finery than the others. A noble sent by the Emperor to meet with their contacts in the Morathi Alliance. He was only an Adept and didn’t have a Spirit with him.
“It seems like our journey will be full of even roads, and clear skies.” The cultist in the carriage leaned back in his seat. “The news we will be bringing to the Kindled family will be a great step toward the betterment of the Empire.”
“I still fail to see the practicality of going there myself.” The nobleman muttered derisively.
“It shows our sincerity and ensures the authenticity of the message and gifts we carry.” The cultist looked at the center of the carriage, where a small chest was carefully set into the carriage itself. Several enchantments protected it from outside forces.
“So, you’re saying the Com-Slates you people made are completely pointless, is that it?” the nobleman mocked before scoffing and looking out the window. “Whatever. So, long as you remember who you serve, that is enough.”
The Guild Leaders both glared at the man, prideful as they were in the higher Tier of power.
It was incredibly insulting to them to have an Adept talk down to them like this. But there was nothing they could do, since their contracts ensured that they would protect this man.
The cultist’s smile also began to strain, but he knew that acting against this bratty man would do no good for himself and his mission. Not that he would have to worry about it for long. Not everyone was meant to return from this mission, after all.
Suddenly, the carriage slowed down, until it almost stopped entirely.
“Oh, what now!?” The noble let out a frustrated groan, but the three Legendaries in the room tensed up. There was nothing that should’ve caused them to slow down for any reason. Several outriders had been sent out earlier, and nothing had been reported back.
This did not bode well for them.
“Scout team, report your position and status.” One of the Guild Leaders took out a Com-Slate. This one was even more advanced than the ones that were being used in the Fjorya. A vibrating set of stones allowed for audio transmission.
But nothing responded. Usually, the scout teams would have replied within a few seconds of receiving a message. The silence indicated that the scouts could not reply. Either because they were caught up in something, or they weren’t alive to reply.
“Get ready. It seems like some rebellious forces are--”
A flash of light and a thunderous boom were the only warning that the group received before they donned their Spirit Armor. Receiving only minor injuries, the three Legendaries were none the worse for wear. The same could not be said about the nobleman.
Having become alert thanks to the strange circumstances, the Legendaries were somewhat ready for the explosion. But the Adept noble was not only unprepared, but also too weak to keep himself safe. Even with the support of the Guild Leaders in the transport.
Crispy chunks of meat and bone splattered across the road, and several other carts were destroyed in the process as large rhinoceros Radiant Spirit charged through them. It was only a Tier three Spirit, but it was covered head to toe in enchanted armor.
When such a figure moved at top speed, breaking the sound barrier, its sheer mass was almost enough to equal a Legendary Spell in might. Though, the fact that it stopped moving and fell over, unconscious, just a few dozen meters behind the caravan of Hunters escorting the noble and his package meant that it had used up all its usable mana in that attack.
Tumbling to the ground not far away, the chest was still pristine as the glowing Runes engraved on it shone brighter upon being struck.
“Damned Wild Spirits!” one of the Guild Leaders roared.
“That’s not a Wild Spirit.” the other called out. “It’s been equipped. Prepare for battle!”
The second Guild Leader’s observation was correct, and a number of holes opened up in the ground not far away. Hunters and Mages that were completely covered in concealing clothing streamed out and ran toward the caravan without a care for themselves as they started their offense.
However, the Hunters in the caravan weren’t worried, as they could tell that there were no Legendaries amongst their attackers.
They all felt that this would be easy picking, with their attackers merely getting a single lucky shot.
Even the Legendaries relaxed, a little bit, upon seeing this. Though they were somewhat surprised that they hadn’t caught on earlier. This group must’ve had more powerful Cavern Mages than expected. Since they should’ve been able to sense these attacker’s underground presence.
This attitude lasted until a massive stone spear burst from the ground and pierced through the body of the cultist floating in the sky. His Spirit Armor was like wet paper with how ineffective it was in protecting him.
“Exalt-”
Two more spires burst upward and stabbed through the Guild Leaders. The three Legendaries were then pulled from the sky and dragged into the ground. The earth swallowed them up and left no evidence of their presence.
A moment later, the unconcerned caravan fell into disarray, and was unable to properly mount a defense as they were thrown into battle.
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Completely covered from head to toe in form fitting enchanted armor, which was also covered by concealing robes and wrappings, Shari wove between combatants as she swung a hammer-pick in each hand. All while mounted on a pitch-black pig.
Shadows seemed to warp and weave around her, thanks to the help of clothing’s enchantments. All for the purpose of keeping her identity a secret, just in case there were any survivors that could report the battle afterwards.
Though, with their backer’s support, such a thing was highly unlikely. From what she had seen, the cult and the guilds hadn’t even managed to get a message sent via their Com-Slates before they attacked.
‘Hey, keep focus!’ An arrogant voice blasted through Shari’s head. Bonnie had sensed her lack of attention and wasn’t pleased. ‘We need to finish this before any bigger fish show up.’
‘Right! Sorry.’ Shari focused on the enemies before her once more. Swinging her hammer through the skull of an Apprentice level Hunter, while one of her allies took out their Spirit.
A sudden blow to her shoulder threw her from Bonnie’s back. But a quick release of mana softened the earth beneath her to absorb the impact.
Rolling to her feet, she crossed her hammers to block the overhead swing of a claymore.
A shift of her toes made the earth beneath her attacker rumble, and the man lost his footing. The burst of fire he tried to hit Shari with was diverted to the side as she swung the pick side of her hammers into his gut. But his armor was much tougher, and her attack didn’t get through.
“Rebellious traitors! How dare you act against the will of the Emperor!” The Flame Mage in front of her screamed in her face.
“The Emperor is not the Empire, and I know which one is more important.” Shari replied with a gravelly voice that vibrated from the enchanted color she wore.
Bonnie charged the Flame Mage from behind and managed to take out one of his knees. But the man was still much larger than Shari and was obviously more experienced.
Even with the intense training and meditation she had been through to just barely reach Tier three, Shari was barely a match for her opponent. A horizontal swing that launched her a few meters away was proof of that.
Letting out a grunt of pain, Shari kicked the ground and sent a reinforced stone caltrop into the eye of a Spirit that was bearing down on her. It yelped in pain and died to a burst of lightning as it tried to get away. She then covered herself in a stone blanket as a line of fire passed through her position.
Melted stone dripped down on her, as the stone wasn’t very thick, or reinforced.
Sparing a glance around her, Shari could tell that she and Bonnie wouldn’t be getting any assistance anytime soon. Worse yet, her efforts to harm her enemy had been unsuccessful so far. So, for the moment, her best plan was to play defense and wait until someone noticed her plight.
“You’re a deceptive little bitch, aren’t you.” The Flame Mage formed a set of four fire construct claymores that circled around him. “You’re no Obscure Hunter. Tell me, how did a rebel like you get such enchanted gear?”
Shari didn’t bother answering this time. She knew her cover as a Cavern Mage was blown the moment that she used it to affect the man’s footing earlier. Something she was specifically warned about doing before the attack occurred. Along with everyone else, for their own respective covers.
“Fine. We’ll just get the answers from you later!” With that said, the man charged forward, but failed to make it more than a few feet toward Shari before sinking into the ground.
Knowing that she couldn’t face this Mage in direct combat, Shari had released her mana into the ground, softening it and turning it into a muddy terrain that was hidden beneath a thin and crispy stone covering that broke the moment anyone stepped onto it.
A wrathful wave of fire flew toward Shari as the Mage screamed in rage. But he missed as she rolled out of the way. A second flex of her mana solidified the stone once more, and since the man had sunk up to his waist by this point, his ability to get himself out of the ground was incredibly weakened.
Though, that didn’t stop him from trying as Shari recovered to defend herself once more. This time from a quartet of flaming claymores that were swinging at her head.
“Squeeeeee!” Bonnie let out a war cry as she charged the sunken Flame Mage.
He grunted in exertion as he strained against Bonnie’s tusks. The weight of the pig Spirit increased as she grew in size. She wasn’t as large as the Rhino that had attacked earlier, but she was still heavy enough to cause the large man to feel some pressure.
Distracted by the large pig pushing down on him, the Flame Mage’s constructs flicked and chipped, but didn’t lose their form. So, Shari still wasn't able to do anything other than dodge and deflect them to the best of her ability.
Opening his mouth and letting loose a stream of fire into Bonnie's face, the Flame Mage found some relief as the Spirit recoiled and shrieked in pain.
“You bastard!” Shari yelled as she ducked beneath a claymore once more. The second one that followed it was harder to evade, and she took a cut to her arm that was immediately cauterized.
“Get down!”
Acting without thinking, Shari did as she was told, and a stream of water doused the flaming claymores. Allowing Shari to fall onto her rear in relief. A second later, two Adept Mages took over for Bonnie, and made quick work of the Flame Mage screamed in rage as a Light spear from another Mage went through his throat.
“You good?” the Glacier Mage asked Shari.
“Yeah, I’m okay. Are we done here?” Shari looked around the battlefield and saw that most of the other fights had wrapped up.
Bonnie trotted over, her face covered in soot, but barely noticeable due to the paint and dyes that had darkened her fur. The pair took a moment to catch their breath before joining in the efforts to clean up the area. A few minutes later and the area had no evidence that a battle had taken place here.
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On the other side of the Willowbrush Empire, within the Cathedral of Harkem, the Grand Scholars were meeting with a group of Legendaries that had just finished dealing with a conflict at the border of the Empire. The Cruor were gone, for now, but their territory was still greatly reduced, and they had to hold onto what they could, especially with the Umbral beasts that were still a problem.
But that was not the reason they were gathered this time. Instead, they were circled around a Com-Slate that had just finished conveying information regarding the attack that had occurred east of Trillious.
“That is all there is to report.” A voice that was somewhat echoey finished speaking. “No cult assets remain, and the gift has been confiscated for our use. We can try to use it to get support from the north, but that might be difficult due to their isolation policies.”
“That’s fine. The fact that we managed to confiscate that treasure is already a massive gain. Using it as a trade for our attempts at making allies will come later.” Harolt faced the rest of the room. “That will be all. Scatter to your respective rendezvous and lay low for the time being.”
“Yes lord.” Harolt winced at the term of address used but understood the need for secrecy.
The room descended into silence for a while as each of the occupants took a moment to think.
“It seems our efforts are not going to waste.” Naeri slumped into her chair. “Now, we just need to keep doing this, over, and over, and over again, until the Empire pushes out the cult.”
“Or until the Emperor learns better.” Garrad was only speaking his mind, but he knew how pointless his words were.
“Miracles are possible,” Naeri muttered. “But they shouldn’t be relied upon.”
“Enough.” Harolt shut down the argument before it could begin. “Does anyone else have any news?”
No one else in the room responded.
“Then we will continue with our duties until our sponsor is free to make another move. I shall keep you all posted on my part, but I need you all to keep an eye out for news. Especially regarding the situation in Quintessa.”
“Because of Ezekiel?” Garrad asked the question that everyone was thinking about.
“Especially because of Ezekiel. But also, because they might be our most powerful ally if things take a turn for the worse.”
Grimaces passed over the faces of all the Legendaries that herald this. None of them wanted to think about what losing would mean. But they had already decided to take the risk needed to purge the cult from the Empire.
As the others left the hidden room, Harolt sighed and looked toward a crystal ball in the corner.
Going over to it and pushing his mana into the orb, a sequence of runes suddenly appeared within. Each one glowed with a different level of intensity, and an oily color swirled around them. The same color as Ichor.
“There’s not much time left now.” Retracting his mana from the orb, Harolt waited until the light faded away before leaving as well. Thoughts pertaining to the genius Void Mage he’d known for years flooded his mind.
As well as hope that the portents left behind by the Ancients’ Relics wouldn’t be given the chance to come true.