[Book II Chapter 125] KATE: Returning To Messanic

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The giant white Heron flew alongside them, effortlessly matching their velocity. “Does she get never tired?” Kate wondered out loud.

“It’s a good thing she doesn’t.” Silver grumped. “Or this would be taking even longer than it is.”

Kate glanced at her boyfriend. He was sitting besides her on the front deck of Mane’s airship, a dour look on his face. Other than anger on her behalf, it was rare to see him display such open signs of irritation.

Three days ago, Dalyse had brought them to a dense jungle. There they found not one, but three rifts to Mount Gull, each hidden underground or surrounded by impenetrable foliage. The subtle yet powerful enchantments which masked their presence proved no match for Reagan’s nose.

Pleased by these discoveries, Dalyse had immediate requested aid in searching other regions. From then on, they’d followed the heron through countless lands, hunting more rifts. They’d only paused at dusk, returning to Agatha’s manor where they would start again at dawn. While they’d locate over a hundred portals, Shangri-la’s borderland was vast. At this rate, it’d take another two weeks to finish scouring everywhere.

I thought Reagan’s lessons on aura mastery in the evenings would ease his impatience, but obviously not. Her own anxiety had eased since giving up her role as teacher. “Are you doing alright?” She asked.

Silver sighed. “Astra wants Reagan to investigate the threat from the Moonlit Lands. By the time we’re done here, it could be too late.” He turned to her. “You’ve known him a long time. Isn’t there anything you can do about this?”

“Even if you say that…” Kate hesitated. “Dalyse is an architect of Shangri-la, and Reagan already accepted her request. Telling him to break it off is…”

“So are we stuck?” She could hear the disappointment in his voice, and it hurt.

“Well, maybe…” An idea formed in her head. “Let’s go talk to him.”

Kate had questions of her own that needed answering, and this was the perfect opportunity. Reagan was rational. If they pressed him on the usefulness of their endeavor, this might prompt him to reconsider. If nothing else, a clearer explanation could relieve our anxiety.

Reagan was below deck, pouring over a zoomed-out projection of a map. They were traveling the Borderlands, the wide elevated region which ran around the edges of Shangri-la. Mane’s and Reagan’s savanna was towards the center, not far from an indentation the size of large coin. The Valley and Premier are tiny compared to the rest.

He looked at them. “Those are some serious expressions.” He noted.

“Why are there so many portals?” Kate demanded, gesturing to all the blue points he had plotted. “We haven’t discussed it, but doesn’t it seem strange?”

“I was contemplating that myself.” Reagan admitted. “Also, why is Kaygren opening new ones when so many exist already? I believe Debra is keeping something from us.”

“Then what are we doing?” She asked.

Reagan let out a long sigh. “Debra’s husband, Calumn Sunder had close relationship with many of Shangri-la’s ruling sovereigns. After he died fighting the White Dragon, Arther send me here. I was to monitor the situation and try to reestablish the influence lost we lost.”

“That’s the reason, when Dalyse approached me with this request, I couldn’t refuse. An opportunity currying favor with an architect was too precious to pass up. However, I might have overindulged her…”

He walked over to the stairs to the cabin and shouted up. “Mane, please invite Dalyse to join us below deck and then set a course to the swamp we visited yesterday.”

The transformed heron descended in her royal white robes. A smirk crossed her face as she appraised their demeanor. “I suppose you are reconsidering your offer of assistance?”

Reagan nodded. “I’m afraid I didn’t understand what I was agreeing to.”

“Too bad.” The heron said. “I was hoping to locate a few more, but this will have to do.”

“Considering you showed no surprise at the number we uncovered, I imagine everything was within your expectations.” Reagan said. “You undoubtedly had discovered some already, which is why I’d like an explanation. Why so many rifts? And why don’t I smell any demonic beasts on the other side?”

“Sorry, this is a sensitive topic.” Dalyse paced back and forth restlessly before continuing. “I told you I suspect one of our members of cooperating with Kaygren. It’s not simply because Mount Gull’s precipitous enlargement.”

“Shangri-la has long allowed unaligned sovereigns to tether their realms to our borderlands. This provides them nearly the same benefits as rifts to Enera, with the advantage of not having to interact with humanity. Many repay this favor later by joining us.”

“This is the reason we usually don’t pay much attention to rifts unless demonic beast are coming through, in which case we quickly shut them down. That’s why it took so long to notice the portals to Mount Gull. If not for the raids, it’s possible we would’ve never understood their scale.”

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“The traitor assisting Kaygren…” Reagan said slowly. “They didn’t just provide advice, they set up a network of portals to act as a stabilizing force to enable Mount Gull’s rapid expansion.”

“The betrayal is shocking.” Dalyse agreed. “We explored a few of them. They led to deserted caves deep inside the mountain, with wards on the exits to prevent demonic beasts from wandering in. It’s intriguing how both sides were camouflaged to avoid detection.”

“If they were removed, would Mount Gull collapse?” Kate asked. That would almost be too good to be true.

Dalyse shook her head. “I’d wager Kaygren no longer needs them, else he would not have risked alerting us to their presence.”

“In any case, thank you.“ Dalyse bowed to Reagan. “My purpose in approaching you was to gain a clearer assessment of the situation, which I have now obtained.”

“Will you be taking your leave?” She added.

“Yesterday, I detected a fain scent of Messanic from a pair of portals. We’ll be using those.” Reagan affirmed.

“Best of luck on your journey.” Dalyse returned to the stairs. “I must now return to Premier and consult those I trust about how to proceed.”

They followed her above deck then watched the white bird fly away. “We’ll reach the swamp in a few minutes.” Mane reported.

“I’m not sure how you did it so easily, but nice job convincing Reagan.” Silver whispered.

“Hmm, thanks…” Kate replied sheepishly. It’d been mostly luck, but she kept that to herself.

Soon a vast wetland appeared. At their destination, they bid Mane farewell and dropped down, entering a thick grove of trees where a rift was hidden. Kate was apprehensive of this journey, but Reagan’s confidence somehow reassured her.

The other side was pitch black and silent. Silver summoned shining fairies, revealing the grotto they were in. “This way.” Reagan announced, heading off at a brisk pace.

As they headed upwards through the winding darkness, Silver spoke up. “I don’t understand why Kaygren opened new rifts instead of using these existing ones.”

“There’s is no way to know for sure.” Reagan answered. “Perhaps his Shangri-la conspirator was irked at the idea of his portals being used to invade the Borderlands. There are also the enchantments guarding both ends, which would be difficult for newly-dominated demonic beasts to cross. Likely, opening new portals was easier.”

They reached an apparent dead-end, causing Reagan to scoff. “They even sealed this passageway.” Power gathered in his arm.

“Why bother taking such precautions?” Kate asked.

“To prevent discovery by humans, including the Fang Ninjas residing on Mount Gull.” Reagan replied. His fist smashed the boulders blocking the way.

“That wasn’t subtle…” Kate reproached timidly.

“It doesn’t matter.” Reagan shrugged. “We won’t be here long.”

Walking into the light, Kate gasped. The mountain slopes around them went on endlessly. This verticality gave off a majestic, if oppressive, feeling compared to Shangri-la.

She wanted a better look, but Reagan rushed off. They raced after him, catching up at the edge of a crater. The bowl was a rocky dessert where a dozens of rifts shimmered lazily.

“There.” Reagan pointed to one not surrounded by demonic beasts. They made their way over with surprisingly little issues. Those enemies who encountered them quickly scurried away before Reagan’s intimidating presence. As for this region’s sovereign, he was nowhere to be seen.

“That was refreshingly simple.” Kate said as they plunged through the gleaming veil.

They emerged to a disorienting cold darkness surrounded by barren trees and withered plants. “I know where we are.” Silver offered, looking up.

A shadowy mass engulfed the broken landscape above them. At one point, a dim light was visible on the other side. That’s the sun… We’re under the ice sheet.

“Let’s move.” Reagan guided them purposefully through the desolate Twisted Lands. It wasn’t long before Messanic’s sunlit fortification appeared in the distance. Kate was delighted to leave the frigid depths. I wonder how long it will take the ecosystem to recover from what Astra’s ice.

Reagan paused at the city’s outer wall. “We’re back.” Silver exclaimed, his relief obvious.

“Barsal Farran is here.” Reagan declared, darting off towards the Adventurer’s Guild. He entered the central building and flung open an impressive set of doors, striding into the command center. Silver and Kate paled seeing the dour expressions of Astra Skyfell, Barsal Farsal, Yuria Raven, and several other immortals who were gathered around a large table.

“I have returned.” Reagan smirked sardonically. “What have I missed?”

“Have a look for yourself.” Astra moved aside and gestured to a projection showing a close up of the planet’s surface. Kate recognized the area as the Twisted Lands northwest of Remnant, yet something was off. A black spot marred the chaotic green. Driven by curiosity, she creep closer.

A large section was simply gone, replaced by a dark hole. Large columns of smoke were rising, obscuring the few remaining pieces of land which hung scattered and isolated by themselves.

“What happened?” Reagan asked.

“The Laughing Man and Simon Black battled,” Astra explained, “and ninety-five percent of the region fell into the new crust. From reports, this was the work of Simon’s dagger.”

“Aery is in a panic.” Yuria added. “If the Necromancer of the End has the ability to negate the gravity fields holding our land masses aloof…”

“That worry is overblown.” Barsal cut in. “Whatever magic he employed must have limitations, else he could simply destroy the world by himself.”

“While I mostly agree,” Astra said, “caution is warranted. Simon Black must never be taken on near populated lands.”

“Who won?” Silver asked suddenly, causing Kate to jump.

Astra crossed her arms. “While there were no witness to the battle’s conclusion, my gut tells me the Laughing Man escaped. If Simon had truly managed to slay his foe, I half-believe the dark age might’ve ended.”

“So you too suspect the madman is Simon’s driving motivation?” Barsal asked.

Astra nodded. “It was his obsession during the brief period I knew him.“

“Is there more?” Reagan pressed. “A destroyed bit of Twisted Land doesn’t explain the serious faces.”

Astra sighed. “Nuzou’s claws fell into Simon Black’s hands.” Yuria shrunk at these words. “And Amare Vitiose is back.”

“Damn…” Reagan said softly. “That is dire news.”

“Indeed,” Astra agreed. With a wave, the projection above the table vanished and a giant mountain appeared in its place. “But enough of that. It’s time to focus on Mount Gull.”

“I am ready to participate in any operation you have planned.” Reagan affirmed energetically. This caused Astra to pivot.

“No.” She said. “I need you to investigate the threat posed by the Moonlit Lands.”

Reagan hesitated. “Surely that can wait a couple of days…”

“Torak’s disciples are running around unchecked in the Undermist.” Astra said. “Of special concern is Adam Bishop, the oldest fearmancer. Whatever they have planned could potentially be a worse threat than Kaygren and his demonic beasts. Now that you’re finally here, uncovering this plot is your task.”

“I understand.” Reagan gave a curt salute. “It’ll be done.”

“Take Silver and Kate with you.” Astra continued. “They’re already involved, and I’m sure they could learn a thing or two.”