The week had passed quickly. Azura was worried about the others. Perhaps she was being overly protective. They were the strongest gas cultivators they had. She had to trust them to do their part. She just wished her mother hadn’t gone with them. Azura sighed. She now knew how her mother felt when she was in danger.
“You ready?” Fatania asked. The rat-kin had stayed behind. She was too important to the daily operation of Azure’s Rest to leave.
“I think so,” Azura said uncertainly.
“They’ll be fine. If the mages behave they won’t have to do anything,” Fatania said giving her a hug. Azura squeezed back thankful for the contact.
“I know,” Azura said pulling away. “What are the chances of them behaving?”
“Virtually zero,” Fatania said confidently. That got a small laugh from Azura.
“Let’s start operation ‘screw up the mages plans’,” Azura said as she hefted her pack.
“Be careful,” Fatania said.
“I’m a paragon of caution.”
“Another one of your titles?”
“Something like that,” Azura said as she began running. Before long she was before the city gates where three figures on horseback were waiting. She was a bit disappointed. Azura had imagined tromping through the city as mages panicked around her. Ah well.
There was her father Loric, her sister Elise, and the Archmage Denayd. At least none of them had been hostile to her. That should make thing marginally better. She came to a stop in a cloud of dust a short distance away that startled the horse slightly. Denayd eyed her as she approached at a casual walk.
“Greetings my dear!” The Archmage said cheerily. “Are you ready for our adventure?”
“Yup.”
“Where’s your horse?” Elise asked.
“Don’t need one,” Azura said confidently. “Why did you all bring one? I thought we wanted to move fast.”
“Umm, that’s the fastest way,” Loric said.
“Can’t you use haste spells or something. Perhaps fly?” Azura asked. Were mages really this limited? Her cultivators should already be in position. In all fairness their dense mana meant they could travel incredible swiftly for long periods of time.
“We can but it won’t last long and it’ll wear us out,” Denayd said. “I can do a fly spell but again that will take too much out of me. It would be difficult doing either spell for weeks.”
“Weeks? How long will it take us to get there?”
“Almost two weeks,” Elise said patting her mount.
“Let’s do this the easy way instead.” Azura said.
“How’s that?” Loric asked confused.
“Are you going to show us how to move faster without tiring!?” Denayd asked his excitement clear.
“Exactly,” Azura said. “First step, dismount.” She waited as all of them got off their horses.
“Next grab all of your belongings and close your eyes.” Again she waited till they all followed her instructions. Then she smirked as she moved toward them ensuring each of them were in her ki range. Then she gently picked them up with her ki along with their possession. She ignored their startled comments and started running.
“AAAHHH!!!” Elise shrieked.
“GODS ABOVE!” Loric shouted.
“How fast are we going?” Denayd asked once he got his bearings. He looked at Deepmere already receding in the distance.
“No clue,” Azura said easily as she ran. With a leap she cleared over an entire hill and continued on without break her stride.
“I think I’m going to be sick,” Elise said.
“Don’t look at the ground,” Azura advised. “Look forward or close your eyes.” She apparently took the suggestion as her breathing calmed.
“How can we even speak?” Denayd asked. “I would think the wind would be howling around us.”
“I’m disrupting it,” Azura said. “Which way now?” They had come to a crossroads she hadn’t been too before.
“Belmuth’s Crossing!? That is over five miles away!” Denayd exclaimed.
“What!?” Loric shouted looking around. “It is. Amazing. We’ve only been traveling around five minutes or so.”
“With this speed we will reach Fortunia before nightfall,” Denayd grumbled. Azura could see he wasn’t happy about that. He probably wanted to spend more time on the road to pry secrets from her.
“Take that path,” her father said pointing down the western most road. Azura took off again.
“Can you really run all the way?” Elise said.
“This speed isn’t too strenuous. I could go faster but I don’t want to tire myself.” Besides she was unsure what surprises might be instore for her at Fortunia. She doubted her father or Elise knew about any plot, but Denayd was another story. The man was friendly enough which made her all the more suspicious.
“This is speed is on par with Greater Flight,” Denayd said. “How much faster could you go?”
Azura shrugged not wanting to give any else a way. “I could go a bit faster but I’d tired considerably quicker,” she lied. Her passive mana absorption was already replenishing the small amount of exhausted ki she was generating. She could keep this up indefinitely. She could probably double her speed before the drain on her ki became more than what she was absorbing.
“Elise, are you feeling better?” Loric asked. Azura kept her eyes on the road as she blurred past a group of mages on a cart.
“I think so,” Elise said. “This is really amazing. It’s like riding a cloud.”
Three hours passed before Azura stopped. Elise need a bathroom break and the others took the same opportunity. Soon they were off again. The trip was uneventful and after a few more breaks they arrived. The sun hadn’t yet set but it was low on the horizon as walls of Fortunia came into sight.
“Stop outside the gate,” Denayd said. “We must present ourselves.”
The group stopped immediately before gate. Azura cradled her passengers with ki so they didn’t feel the sudden stop. The guards above them weren’t as fortunate as a plume of dust assaulted the wall. Coughing and cursing came from above.
“Gods above!” One guard shouted. “What was that?”
“This is Archmage Denayd convey a message to General Darkfall. That the representatives of Deepmere council have arrived with the Magebane.”
The guards peered down at them as the dust settled. They looked at Denayd then at her. They blanched then couched down. Azura could see frantic gesturing and the pointing of many fingers. Finally one of the guards left at a sprint.
“Wait there.”
Azura sighed and sat down. She opened her pack withdrawing a package. She unwrapped it to reveal sticks of dried meat.
“Manticore Jerky anyone?”
“How?! How had they arrived so soon?” General Darkfall demanded of no one. This was a disaster. They were supposed to have almost two weeks still!
“Get the elves hidden! We need some excuse to delay her.” Darkfall racked his brain for an excuse. He couldn’t leave her out there for too long that would raise her suspicion. His best bet would be to escort her directly to the keep. There he could wine and dine her while the elves got off the streets.
“Fester! Someone get me Fester!” Darkfall snapped.
“I’m here General,” a panting mage said as he ran over. He must been alerted by the news.
“Clear the streets from the gate to the keep.” Fester didn’t waste time on a reply, he was good like that. Instead he just began barking orders as Darkfall made his way. Soon he neared the gate when he felt the pull on his mana. The Magebane’s mana consumption. It was like the Mana cannon but on a much smaller scale. The thought that a kin could resemble the powerful weapon disturbed him greatly. Just what were they dealing with? He pushed the question aside barking out a quick series of commands to open the gate as he straighten his garments. His robes were that of a General of Deepmere which was entirely black with gold trim with several decorations pinned to his left chest denoting his station.
“Welcome to Fortunia,” Darkfall said bowing once the way was clear. He rose from his bow to take in his guests. Of course there was Archmage Denayd, a slime of a toad if he’d ever seen one. The man would make nice with anyone if he thought he could gain knowledge from them. Then there was Loric. He never met the man, but anyone who had a fetish for kin was depraved in his mind. Next to him was his daughter, Elise. She was young, but already lovely. As long as she didn’t inherit her father’s tastes she would make a fine mage. Last, he turned toward the Magebane. He hated to admit it, but she was rather lovely. It helped that she was only a half kin and her blue hair contrasted nicely with her pale skin. Her eyes were amazingly green with slit pupils. When he met her gaze he froze. Darkfall felt a death chill settle in his bones.
One of Darkfall’s lesser known magical aptitudes included that of a seer. It was a rare subset of magic that had proven very useful over the years. Of course no one knew the future absolutely and he was no exception. His ability allowed him to judge the threat level of an opponent. Right now his entire being screamed at him. RUN! HIDE! OVERWHELMING DANGER! It was so overpowering that he had to lock his own muscles down and shut off the ability so he wouldn’t do just that. As the sensations faded he swallowed hard.
“Hi. Want some jerky?” The Magebane asked offering a dried piece of meat. The question came out of nowhere taking him by surprise.
“Thanks,” Darkfall said reaching out automatically. By the time his thoughts had caught up to the words spoken he already held the meat. It was the size of his forearm. Unsure what to do he took a bite as the Magebane did the same. Flavor assaulted his tongue as dense mana coursed through him.
“Amazing right?” Elise asked as she got to her feet taking another bite of her own.
“It truly is. What did this come from? Surely some kind of mana beast.” There could be no other explanation. Darkfall only regretted having taken a bite. He should have saved it.
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“Manticore,” the Magebane said simply brushing herself off.
Darkfall froze for a second before continuing. “I see. A truly fearsome beast. May I presumed you killed it by yourself?”
“Yup,” the Magebane said. “So can we come in or what?”
“Oh! My apologies. Your quick arrival has left me flustered. How did you make such excellent time? I was told that you would be leaving today but clearly that was in error.” He escorted the group inside. As he talked he made a slow pace toward the keep.
“Luck mostly,” the Magebane said winking at him.
Loric coughed. “Indeed we were most fortunate in our travels.”
Elise just smirked and Archmage Denayd kept silent. No doubt the man would fill him in later. No reason to pursue it now.
“So, are we going to see these mists?” The Magebane asked.
Again the question threw him off.
“Surely the three of you are exhausted from your travels. I’m having a meal prepared as we speak. Then you can rest. We can reconvene in the morning.”
“That won’t be necessary,” the Magebane said. “I want to evaluate these mists now. It’s that way right?” To his horror the Magebane pointed to the western gate. She then started down that path without waiting for a response. Which was directly away from the keep. Darkfall mentally cursed. Why fuck was everything going wrong already?!
“Miss Magebane. I don’t have any mages free to escort you to the mists. If you’ll come to the keep we can…”
“That’s not necessary. I rather go alone. It won’t take long.”
Damn it! Darkfall thought. What could he do?
“My dear Azura,” Archmage Denayd said. “The mists are dangerous. You should be at your peak before you approach them.”
“I’m not tired,” Azura said not breaking her stride.
“At least we should go with you,” Denayd said.
“If you want to tag along that’s fine,” Azura said looking around her. Elves and mages watched her approach. Darkfall winced at all the aggressive stares she got.
“There’s a lot of elves here,” Azura said conversationally.
Darkfall began to sweat. “They’re defenders of this city along with the mages from Dageth. It’s only natural for there to be many here.”
“Uh huh,” Azura said. “So those are the mages of Dageth right?”
“Yes. They’re our allies,” Darkfall said glad the attention was drawn away from the elves.
“Who’s the weird looking kin?” Azura asked pointing at one of the kin in the white sleeveless robes. The kin stiffen at her words. Before Darkfall could respond the kin spoke for himself.
“We are warriors of the great mage Raphael,” the bear-kin roared.
“Uh huh,” Azura said. “I haven’t really seen any mage I would consider great.” Then she appeared to notice the glares from her companions.
“Present company excluded of course!”
“Naturally,” Elise said snidely.
“HOW DARE YOU INSULT OUR MASTER!?” The kin appeared ready to charge when another held him back.
“My apologies,” the other kin said. “He is quite passionate regarding our master.”
“Whatever,” Azura said turning from the fuming kin. Darkfall and every other mage failed to notice the briefest of smirks that crossed her face. She walked on and soon arrived at the destination.
“Impressive gate,” Azura said. Darkfall felt some inner pride at the comment. Indeed they were impressive. Once he had taken command his first priority was reinforcing the walls. Runic script and enchantments lined the entire wall. That was additional impressive considering it was forty feet tall and seven thick.
“Thank you,” Darkfall said as the gate began to open. “I’ve worked hard to ensure that Fortunia will not fall to the mists.”
“Yet you planned to send kin to their deaths,” Azura said coldly.
“Not by choice,” Archmage Denayd quickly said.
“It’s your choice not to send mages though.”
No one said anything. They couldn’t. Darkfall tried to think of something to cool off the sudden tension but nothing came to mind. It didn’t help that the mists were now visible on the horizon like a wall of shifting gray.
“Who’s coming with me?” Azura asked looking off in the distance.
“We all can go to the edges. There is a base camp not far from the mist’s border. It’s only a few miles away. I’ll get some horsessss!” This last words came out in a strangled cry as he was lifted into the air. Before he could protest the world was blurring beneath him. His nausea quick rose.
“Don’t look at the ground. Instead look into the distance,” Elise suggested.
Darkfall peeled his eyes away from the blurring ground to straight ahead where he could already see the basecamp a short distance away.
Gods above! How fast are we going?
Before he could feel much more discomfort he was back on the ground where many startled mages sat. He attempted to keep his balance but failed falling on his backside.
“General Darkfall!?” A mage said as many appeared ready to attack the Magebane.
“Stand down!” He shouted.
The Magebane for her part ignored the mages and walked toward the mists. He stared intently as did Archmage Denayd as she neared. Only the gods knew what would happen next.
Azura approached the mists. She could feel the wrongness in the mana. It was like someone peeing in the bathtub you were using. She mentally dragged her thoughts away from that traumatic experience.
At the edge of the mists her pull on the ambient mana drew in some of the strange green energy along with the mana. The corruption as the mages called it. Immediately she stopped. She waited to see what would happen, her ki ready to intercede. Once the bit of corruption entered her it broke down much like any impurity. Auzra smiled. Her ki could break down the corruption. She let out a relieved sigh as she walked forward at a slow pace nearing the border. More and more corruption swirled into her along with the ambient mana breaking apart shortly after entering her.
Azura frowned. She was breaking the corruption apart but it was exhausting her ki to do so. Fortunately the rate of mana she was absorbing with the corruption was sufficient to allow her small gains. Once she was fully emerged it was probably be less than quarter of what she normally received from the ambient mana. She could enter, but recovering exhaust ki would be much slower in there. Taking a deep breath she entered the mists ignoring the alarmed shouts from the mages.
Damp. That was the first word that entered her mind. The mists were far thicker than any natural mists she had experienced before. Carefully she made a small patrol along the inner side of the mists. Even that thin layer blocked all sight. Around her she couldn’t see more than a few feet in any direction. Good thing she wasn’t that limited. She closed her eyes and felt for blood. Soon she could feel it around her. Her attuned ki resonating with the life giving fluid. In fact there was a rather large something approaching. How did it find her? Was it her mana absorption? Probably not. These creatures had to have some way of navigating the mists. Well she hated being the only one not able to see. Azura summoned ki to her hands then smacked them together with an explosive force in the direction of the blood she felt. A ki enforced gust of wind that made a tornado feel like a light breeze erupted from her palms scattering the surrounding mists.
“No!” Elise called out when Azura had entered the mists. She knew intellectually that it was part of the plan. Indeed it was their entire purpose here but knowing that and feeling it was too different things. She nearly ran after her sister when her father clasped a hand on her shoulder.
“She’ll be alright.”
She wanted to argue, but could see the fear on his face. He was struggling too. Together they waited. Less than a minute passed by when an explosion sounded to the left. The mists there were blown back revealing her sister and something else. Elise nearly gaged at the sight.
The creature was unrecognizable whatever it had started life as. Perhaps it had come into being entirely in the mists? Such an abomination could have no other origin. The creature was a sickly purple not unlike a mushy eggplant. It was roughly the shape of a slug but grown to the size of a large wagon. Luminescent green veins traveled across its carapace evidence of its corruption. No. Not a carapace. Faces. The creature’s shell was covered in human sized faces all gnashing their teeth in a clattering rhythm. The creatures own face consisted of a long proboscis the length of a lance that rested below two bulbous eyes the size of watermelons.
“She blew back the mists?” Archmage Denayd asked turning to General Darkfall. He seemed utter unconcern about the creature as it began charging. “I thought the mists were resistant against such activities.
The General at least had his priorities straight as he called out to the mages to attack ignoring Denayd. Before anyone could do anything her sister punched. She wasn’t next to the creature. There was no way for her fist to hit it. That didn’t seem to matter. A massive force was expelled toward the bug like creature which promptly exploded. Bits of flesh coated in corrupted blood painted the ground where it stood as more mists swirled from the impact. Her sister nodded before calmly striding back toward them. She had a satisfied smirk as the mists returned to its previous state.
“This won’t be a problem,” Azura said to the stunned onlookers. Elise was equally as stunned. How could she be that strong? Was the corruption not even bothering her?
“Let’s head back to the keep. We can get the details done tonight. I want to attack tomorrow.”
Elise watched Darkfall nod numbly as they were once again picked up by that invisible force as they were whisked back to the keep.
General Darkfall took a long drink from his flask. This was going to be far, far more dangerous than he originally thought. Archmage Denayd appeared to be in agreement as he gulped heavily from a wine glass.
“How bad is it?” Archmage Denayd asked a bit of wine soaking into his moss like beard.
“There are just over a hundred elves here,” the elf Sylvar said flexing his regenerated hand. It had never felt right after the Magebane had destroyed his original. Absently he grabbed his own goblet downing it in a single gulp. At least he had managed to be unseen by the Magebane. It truth she might not had notice him regardless. Like most from his grove he was fair skinned with blonde hair the color of daffodils. Non elves were not refined enough to tell most of them apart. Barbarians. “By next week there would be two hundred more.”
“Far too late,” Denayd noted taking another sip. “If only the mana cannon wasn’t preventing the installation of a gateway…” Transportation to Fortunia had always been an issue. Gateways required constant ambient mana otherwise the connections would permanently break causing spatial distortions. Nothing like seeing a mage twisted into a pretzel to convince one never repeat that mistake.
“Can we use some of your local mages?” Sylvar asked.
“No. If the attempt fails we need to place the blame entirely on the elves,” Denayd said. Sylvar glowered at him but didn’t disagree. That was the plan after all.
“I thought as much. Fortunately we have another that might assist. He should be here soon,” Darkfall said taking a long swig.
The three drank in silence for another minute when a firm knock came at the door. His personal mage assistant opened the door to reveal Raphael. The mage gave a low bow to the pair.
“Greetings gentlemen. I was told you wished for my company.”
“Ah Raphael please take a seat,” Darkfall said gesturing to an empty chair. He then turned to address his aid. “Go fetch more refreshments then wait outside. See to it we are not disturbed.”
“Yes General,” the mage said before scampering off.
“Allow me to do introductions. Archmage Denayd, Commander Sylvar this is Runic Master Raphael. He is a representative from some financial backers who do not wish to see the mists spread further. Raphael is this Archmage Denayd a representative from the Deepmere council. This is Commander Sylvar. He is in charge of the local elven defense force.”
“A pleasure to meet you both,” Raphael said taking a seat. Denayd frowned at him.
“I’m unfamiliar with the title of Runic Master,” Denayd said.
“Not surprising. It is a specialized field. It is more of a local title than anything. I specialize in flesh runes and mass enhancements using those very runes,” Raphael said taking some meat and cheese form the diminishing plate before them. Darkfall’s assistant arrived at that moment bringing fresh snacks and two additional bottles of wine. He bowed then left the room.
“While I appreciate the refreshments. I assume there was some other purpose to my visit other than to extend my girth.” Raphael patted his stomach.
Darkfall chuckled pouring a glass of wine. “Indeed there is. Have you heard of the Azure Magebane?” He offered the glass to Raphael.
“I have not. It is a strange name for a mage to possess.”
Raphael grabbed the proffered wine and took a long sip. “Exquisite.”
“The name does not belong to a mage rather a kin,” Sylvar said refilling his glass.
“Even stranger,” Raphael said.
“You haven’t heard anything yet,” Denayd said with a long sighed as he began to speak.
“You think that was wise?” Denayd said after Raphael left to discuss terms of service with Sylvar.
“Do we have a choice?” Darkfall countered. “Unbelievable as it might be the elves might not be enough to ensure the job is done. His kin soldiers might make her hesitate. That could make all the difference. We can have the official story be that the elves hired him independently of our involvement. That is mostly true.”
“I suppose,” Denayd said. “I’d really hoped the elves would be sufficient by themselves so we don’t have to rely on anyone else. It’s a shame that we couldn’t come to an understanding with her.”
“Some people can’t be reasoned with.” Darkfall gave the Archmage a salute with his glass before downing the rest.
“Seriously?” Azura asked. She had left her room and was sitting atop the roof.
“Seriously,” Hamal said his dark clothes hiding him from all eyes. He had removed his cultivator robe in case he was spotted.
“Well I guess that answers the question on how they planned to screw me over. Still I can’t believe they actually approached Zultar.”
“You’re quick arrival fucked up all their plans,” Hamal said.
“Remind me to be more unpredictable in the future,” Azura said. She paused a moment thinking. "Should we abort?"
Hamal paced the roof top his shadow falling over her. "We can if you want. I think we shouldn't. Deepmere is separating itself from the elves which means I think they will let the kin go. Besides crushing the elves will make a strong statement all by itself."
"Alright. I guess we couldn't ask to be in a better position," Azura said.
“They might try to buy more time tomorrow,” Hamal said. “Don’t let them.”
“They were whining about it all during dinner. At least now I know why. I was actually thinking they were being honest when they said the mages were tired from fighting the mists.”
“I think they are,” Hamal said. “The best lies are the truth.”
“Is that one of your mother’s sayings? That’s too profound coming from you.”
Hamal scowled at her. “I can be deep and profound.”
She started at him.
He stared back.
“Okay fine! It was one of her sayings,” Hamal admitted.
“I knew it!”
“Just be careful tomorrow,” Hamal said.
“I will be. You too. It’s funny. They’re bring about their own fall.” Azura gave a dark chuckle.
“True. We’ll ready the local kin to come back with us. There’s no telling what will happen tomorrow. It’s not safe here for them. Besides we have no idea what that will do.” Hamal said pointing to the gray wall in the distance.
Azura looked at the mists and for a moment swore it was looking back at her.