Vile Energy
It was later in the afternoon when the ship finally docked in Gelkmaros fortress. It was surprisingly sunny and humid even.
Tina exhaled and smiled. "Well, I guess we're here now. I'll go get Innes."
Arthen nodded and proceeded to step off the ship and waited for them below on land. He took a minute to take in his surroundings.
Men, women, and daeva were all about working and conducting trade and soldiers were coming and going. The base was surrounded by a large stone wall and the far side before them were several rooms indoors at the top of a massive incline of stairs.
"This place…" His words trailed off.
"This is Balaurea, my friends! Akakakaka." A shugo chirped. "Need help with carrying any of your things?"
Arthen shook his head. "No, but thanks."
"Okay. Nyerk!" The shugo went back on the ship anyway.
Arthen turned to see Tina and Innes both getting off the ship and smiled. "Feeling better?"
"Yes," the red head answered. "Wow, I don't think I've been here before."
"I don't think any of us have," Arthen told him.
"Arthen?" A young slender woman approached them. Her hair was long and curly and silver. Her eyes were a shade of light blue. She carried a logn wooden staff with her as she walked.
Arthen turned to her. "Yes, that's me."
She smiled. "I am Richelle. Will you come with me? I've been waiting some time for your arrival."
He nodded and the three followed her into into the center room where some of Asmodae's best strategists and generals were all working to dispatch and receive missions and soldiers where needed.
"As you know," Richelle started, "The balaur have already apprehended the relics. But there's hope." She paused. "It appears to have been a rogue from the recent dredgion that crashed near base. He was able to make off with the Relics after the crash and both Asmodians and Balaur alike are pursuing him."
Arthen raised an eyebrow. "What does he intend to do with them?"
"We don't know. What we can assume is that he is acting on his own personal agenda. We haven't been able to locate his exact whereabouts because he is constantly on the move, but we have our teams on it."
"Do we know his name?" Tina inquired.
"Yes." Richelle answered her. "Our sources have informed us that the other balaur address him by the name Kumbanda. He isn't more than an ordinary soldier in possession of possibly a few extraordinary items."
"So what is our mission?" Arthen asked her.
Richelle shook her head. "Until we have more information, we can't do anything about that now. I need you to help us with a different problem for now." She sighed. "Recently our Aetheric generators have stopped working correctly. Without them, we will be forced to operate through even darker days ahead. However, we think that the the Balaur and their Drana growing devices could be the reason behind it."
"So you want us to destroy them?" Innes added.
"Not quite," Richelle told him. "We think that we can actually take out the devices and change them into Aetheric generators and possibly further our territory by doing so at the same time. We've been working on a solution that would be able to do this, but we need someone to test it."
"Sounds easy enough," Arthen remarked.
"It does," Richelle continued. "But the Balaur patrol and keep close watch over their devices as we do ours, so it might prove to be challenging. In addition, there are a lot of strange creatures around the devices that have become feral from contamination caused by our generators reacting with their devices."
Tina frowned. "What do you mean?"
Richelle turned to her. "Our generators produce artificial aether to supply ourselves with enough necessary to live and carry out our operations in Gelkmaros. It's our energy source. The Balaur's drana growing devices seem to be absorbing the aether it's producing and mixing to create some toxic effects on the creatures and plants in the areas between them. How exactly it's happening, we're still not entirely sure and we have our best people investigating and taking samples to understand it."
"I see."
Richelle looked back to Arthen. "I want you to take the Aetheric Air Line terminal to go south to the Subterranea Outpost and go north from there to the Marayas Scrublands and speak to a man named Farbin who is currently working on the solution. When he's done with it, I want you all to test it on the drana growing devices. There is one there in Marayas and another that's north in Nunglark Ruins. If it works, then this would be a great victory for Asmodae and a step forward in defeating the Balaur and reclaiming the abyss."
"Got it," Arthen told her. "Anything else that we should know?"
"Yes," Richelle continued. "While you are out working on this mission, you should try to introduce yourselves to the natives here. The Reians are still learning our language so be courteous to them. They have been more than helpful so far to our cause."
"Sounds good." The warrior turned to Tina and Innes. "Are we ready?"
"Yes," Tina replied.
The mage nodded.
"Then let's go." He glanced back at Richelle before he continued. "We will be back soon."
She smiled. "Goodluck."
Arthen nodded and the three made their way back outside.
"The terminal is over here, I think." Tina told them as she made her way left from the room.
The two followed her to what looked like a white stone sculpture pulsating with aether. On the sculpture were instructions scribbled in small letters.
- How 2 Use Air Line -
1. Press button.
2. Spread wings.
3. If no start, check Aether supply. If no Aether, no start.
Arthen tilted his head. "Interesting. Sounds easy enough,"
"It's weird," the red head remarked.
Tina sighed and pressed the button.
Suddenly a glowing blue aetheric light surrounded them. Dark wings materialized on their backs as they spread them wide and were lifted high into the air. The three rose high into the air and south bound for Marayas. Below them they could see the path and the overgrowth of foliage all around. They flew down through a deep canyon and up again. They continued where the aether pulled them until they arrived at the terminal in an observation post a little ways south of their destination.
The outpost was a small camp set up by the Pandaemonium Expeditionary Force. A few archons stationed there glanced their way before resuming their work. And then there were the Reians, the people of crimson wings. Their hair was silver and their eyes were also colorless. Their demeanor was proud but stained by despair and hardship.
Tina felt a slight tugging in her heart when she saw them.
Arthen looked around, noting the stone monuments and columns all around him, until he noticed a stone bridge off to his right that reached across a deep fissure. "That way, I bet," he thought aloud.
Tina looked over at Arthen and nodded. "Alright, let's go then."
The other two followed Arthen down and across the bridge to the other side where the effects of the drana problem became obvious.
To their left was an aetheric generator, but also beasts roamed with mutated bodies. Feral dogs with multiple heads and odd dragon like creatures with glowing antlers. Some parts of the grass growing in the area were discolored into shades of purple and blue. As they continued up and around the path, the remnants only became worse.
Their walk was silent until they made their way up to another bridge that lead across to what looked like an ancient city or arena perhaps with a circle of tall columns at its heart. Giant stone statues of ancient daevas and beasts were erected all around it.
"This place is amazing." Tina told them as they came closer.
"Wait." Arthen stopped. "We need to be careful here. Stay close to me while we pass through."
Tina nodded and they continued forward.
Innes jumped and cried out.
Arthen swung around. "What is it?"
"That statue!" The mage pointed. "It moved! I swear to Aion it just moved."
Tina sighed. "Don't pick now to be chickening out on this."
Innes shivered. "I swear it did."
"Hmm." Arthen looked around. "Let's keep going."
The three continued on until they made it to the other side and back onto the trail again. They passed what looked like the ruins of several sandstone buildings with statues all around them. Strange mutated creatures wandered around off of the trail. It was not long until they came upon a small encampment ahead of them.
"That looks like the research team," Tina noted.
At the camp were quite a few researchers and archons and a tent was set up right across from one of the asmodian aetheric generators.
Arthen approached them. "Excuse me, I'm looking for Farbin?"
One of the men looked over at him. "Did Lady Richelle send you? He's in the tent behind me."
"Yes, thank you," he told them before heading over.
Inside was a shorter dark haired man dressed in robes. He stood at a table covered in what looked like alchemy supplies and books and notes which he was franticly shuffling through.
Arthen and the others walked up to him but he didn't seem to notice.
"Hello?" Arthen greeted.
Ignored.
They overheard him talking to himself. "Oh, but that must mean…Yes! The pre-Phoristian peasantry must have…. But wait, that can't be right. What about the Cambrus Tablet, which clearly states…. Of course! Drakan worship must have led to the Senmonji Debacle! So it follows that…"
Arthen sighed. "Hey, Farbin?"
The man stopped and turned around. "Oh! I didn't see you there. What are you here for?"
"Richelle sent us here to help you if that's alright."
"Oh," he paused. "Well, I do need some help. Hmm."
"Have you made the fix for the drana devices?" Tina asked him.
"Indeed I have!" Farbin grinned. "I, myself, have created the perfect solution for the problem, it's right here in this bottle!" He snatched a flask with a strange liquid inside off the table and waved it in the air. "Literally, it is a solution, get it?" He laughed.
Tina rubbed her forehead and sighed. "Yes."
"Take this and pour it on the devices. That should make them unable to function correctly and our generators should be working properly again."
"That easy, huh?" Arthen crossed his arms.
"Yep!" Farbin responded. "Hmm…but maybe.."
"What is it?" The warrior inquired.
"After you pour the contents of this on the devices, you will also install this onto them to turn them into aetheric generators instead." He dug through his things and pulled out two mechanical devices and handed them to Innes and Tina. "And of course, you'll want this." He handed Arthen the flask. "Take care of that and make sure you get it on the device so it works. That's my hard work there. All my work…"
Arthen sighed. "That's great. So where are the devices?"
"West of here is one of them," Farbin told him. "The other that is causing problems is in Nunglark which is far north of here. Oh, you'll need to fix both."
Innes groaned. "I hate walking."
Arthen paused. "Any particular way to install these?"
"Oh! I almost forgot." The man laughed. "You can set it up anywhere on the device by pressing the button and then it's set up. That easy."
"Good to know," he told him. "We'll be off then."
"Yes, yes." Farbin said as he turned back around and continued to shuffle through his things.
The three headed out and started west.
"What a headache this is going to be," Arthen remarked.
"As long as we are being paid," Tina told him.
The three continued on until they reached a clearing. Several balaur creatures were patrolling around, dragon kin clad in white armor plates. Their claws were long and sharp and a long tail extended from their backs.
Along with the balaur were corpses of mutated animals scattered all over the ground around a drana device. Mutated and stained by hues of purple and green.
Tina frowned and whispered something under her breath.
Arthen waited for the Balaur to finish their course, being careful to remain unseen before he darted over to the device and poured half the concotion onto the device. It's low mechanical hum came to a halt.
Immediately one of the balaur guards turned around and saw them. "Daevas!" He shouted.
"Not good.." Arthen drew his sword and shield. "Tina, install the device, me and Innes will hold them off."
Tina nodded.
Two other balaur answered their comrade's call and rushed to his aid.
Arthen extended his arm at one and a beam of light emanated and trapped one of them in a case of aether and pulled it to him and the warrior cut through the balaur with his blade.
The other two balaur watched and hesitated to attack.
Before they could run, Innes slammed his fist into the ground, sending a shockwave of ice that froze the enemy's legs in place.
They shouted something again in Balic tongue to call their comrades but to no avail.
The mage blinked back and casted a blazing ball of fire at one, burning him.
The Balaur winced but was able to move again. Immediately he charged at the boy and swung his powerful blade and knocked him to the ground.
Arthen breathed a curse before a bolt of lightning came down from the sky and killing the drakan where he stood.
"It's installed," Tina finished, her arm still pulsing with electricity.
"Good work," Arthen told her before he turned to the remaining enemy who had began to flee.
Innes pulled himself back up onto his feet and gave chase with the others.
An entanglement of vines sprouted from the ground and caught the drakan's legs.
The warrior swung his sword only for the balaur to turn around and block it with his own.
"What an impudent rat," the enemy muttered.
Arthen spat and swung his sword back around only for the balaur to knock him back with the sheer brute force of its other arm.
Innes began casting again, the ground beneath him glowing in the shape of an arcane rune.
Arthen guarded himself with his shield before him as the drakan charged at him again.
Suddenly a shower of fire and ice fell on the balaur, killing him instantly.
Arthen exhaled and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "All finished?"
"Looks like it," Tina replied.
"Let's start heading north then," Arthen told them.
The cleric and the mage nodded.
"I hope you guys like walking." The warrior smiled.
Innes groaned.
Primum Landing was the first biggest Asmodian stronghold in the abyss. A massive fortress complex filled with military vendors and only the best archons ready to be dispatched at any moment for both defensive and offensive tasks. It was also the home of the Blood Crusade and their commander, Viscum.
Vince stepped off the teleported and brushed himself off. He looked up at the grand fortress and grinned before finally making his way inside. Once inside, he saw the large balcony supported by stone columns before him overhead with a large obelisk towering over the lobby room. Stairs lead up on either side and there were also rooms where goods were sold and traded and awards were received for contributions in the name of Asmodae.
The scout made his way up the stairs to his left and across the balcony and finally approaching a man with cold eyes and frigid cool blue hair combed back into spikes. "Commander, Viscum," he started. "You needed me?"
The man turned to him and smiled a half smile. "Azphelumbra, Vince." His voice was deep and strong. "I have another task for you and I called you here because information was too delicate to slip into untrustworthy hands."
Vince nodded and continued to listen.
"This time…" the commander continued. "It is an Elysean army general named Atira. She is one of their best soldiers right now and she is skilled in both sword and halberd and has torn through many of our own men with her forces.." He paused and smiled before taking a folder out from his jacket and handing it over to him. "But I am confident that this will be an easy task for you, daeva."
Vince took the packet and opened its contents to take a glimpse of what was inside. Several documents of past feats and locations as well as personal data gathered on her were inside as well as photographs. Wowza.. She was a tall warrior clad in plate with vicious green eyes and long flowing blonde hair. Her body was carved masterfully like a fine porcelain doll. The scouts eyes fell glued to the middle of the page for a moment before glancing back up. "Everything I need to know is in here?"
The man nodded. "Yes. Over the next few days, our intelligence officers have gathered that she will be planning an assault on the Baranath Dredgion when it is enroute. Find a way to infiltrate as well and bring her down and get out as fast as you can."
The scout nodded and sighed. "I'll do my best."
Viscum smiled. "You are one of our best. I have faith that you will be the one that will bring an end to her once and for all. Report back to me once the task is complete and I will reward you handsomely for your contribution, Assassin. That is all."
"Understood. Blood for blood, commander." The scout told him.
Viscum nodded. "Crush our enemies."
Vince put away the folder after one last glimpse of his mark. Afterwards, he started to make his way out.
"Vince!" He heard a mans name call his name.
He turned to see an archon clad in steel run up to him. "Oh… Edvar, what's up?"
"I've been working on this poem.. And I wanted to see what you thought of it."
"Uhh…" The scout hesitated. "Sure."
"The title is called "Roast Pujery with Salt."
Vince stared blankly in silence.
"Roast Pujery with salt, laid out on the table… You are rather salty, sprinkled with too much salt…. Suddenly our eyes meet, and I flinch…. Please forgive me, Pujery."
The scout didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"That's the end!" The man exclaimed. "What do you think?"
"Uhh…" Vince scratched his head. "It's great, but I need to be going. I got something I need to take care of." The assassin darted off.
"Really! I knew you'd be a good judge!" The archon told him as the scout hurried off.
The scout continued before finally stopping at the abyssal teleporter. I wonder how Tina and the others are doing… I hope they're alright.