An
The ages are as follows for the characters from last chapter.
Edan: 20
Valak: 20
Speka: 19
Chapter 26
Discovery
Fieta Camp site
Early Noon
Elsword's PoV
We finally made it to the camp site after a long night. Mostly since the carriage wasn't meant for like 7 people and some people, Aisha mostly, wanted space when they slept.
This place, it felt so different. Like we're in another world. Its hard to believe its a small region compared to the others. There was also large towers in the distance though, im guessing that they are the alters the demons are using to open their world.
The camp site was surrounded by ruined structures on a large open field. It was misty and dark clouds covered the sky. Im not even sure if the sun shows here.
There was also a strange structure at the bottom of the camp site. There was strange runic letters and symbols on it.
Allergo leads us to a tent and looked around in it. "Eh?" He scratches head before coming back out. "missing something?" I asked him and he shakes his head. "So-someone actually. A guard captain."
Allegro told us to stay inside his tent for the time being. Since the tent was really meant for one person, me and Raven stayed out while the girls stayed in. Im not even sure how it came to this really.
"Feels like something could come out of anywhere here." Raven was looking around slowly. "Yea, this place just feels so dangerous unless you know the region." Allegro then came running to us.
"Lento!, hes gone!" He catches his breath and we went on alert. "Some demons were spotted near here and Lento and some other soldiers chased them down." So now we find him.
"Do you know where they could have gone?" The girls cane out of the tent hearing what was happening. "H-he must have went to the shrine near here. It was a dedicated to El jewel." So thats our first place.
"We will go and see if we find him then." Rena says and i turn to Allegro. "Think there are still enough soldiers to defend the camp?" He nods his head. Good.
Shrine of Dedication
A shrine that stood since ancient times. It was used since for worship and as a tribute to the El Shard until even now. Since the demons came, it was now abandoned.
3rd PoV
Elsword and Rena took lead with Aisha and Raven center and Eve rear. They arrive fairly quickly to the shrine and saw demons and a few soldiers dead ay the ground.
"Damn, some must have made it in since there are still footsteps going in." Aisha gave her theory. They all went in and walked about carefully. The path was straight forward with a few curves but it was nothing to navigate through.
"Rena, what are those." Eve asked and pointed to small purple and yellow colored wisps. "Im not sure. Spirits perhaps?" Rena says and Raven and Aisha shivers a bit.
"Im sure there just decorative mana balls or something, no-not ghost." Aisha has a nervous smile on and Raven shakes his head wordlessly. "Scared?" Elsword asked not turning back. "Ju-just alittle." She says.
They then felt a rumble and looked up and saw several glitter demon archers. They fired their arrows at the roof above the crew and it began to crumble to pieces.
"Its never easy." Raven remarked and they all broke out into a sprint, however Eve soon flew past all them since she has Moby and Remy to fly her. The rocks were crumbling in front of them as well removing their hopes of escape.
Raven drew his sword and ignited with flames and swung his blade releasing the fire into a wave. The wave destroyed the rocks and made passage for them.
The glitters saw that their plans was not giving in success, they whistled and more glitters this time equipped with large dark grey shields came from their position. More archers came down and aimed their bows at them along with giant boulders.
Elsword was the first to stop and clasped his hands. "Searing dragon lantern." The flames zeroed in on the glitters. The glitters dodged them but the fire balls still gave if an explosion and knocked them away.
"Singing maelstrom!" Rena breathed out a large gust of wind that enclosed the glitters. The wind then grew wild and began tearing at the skins of the glitters and causing gashes some of the boulders.
When the storm stopper the glitters were already dead. "A simple ambush wont work." Aisha says swinging her staff behind her back. They began once more but then the boulders began to shake and move.
The boulders began to shape and form and grew large arms and legs. The 5 boulders towered over the crew and began to advance to them.
Raven and Elsword was first to react. Raven charge the golems with his blade charged with fire.(An, Raven uses a new mechanical nasod arm so he doesn't he can't use any skill that involves it.")
The flame blade struck the golem but with little effect, Just a scratch. The golem grabbed Raven, but was knocked down by Elsword. Elsword grabbed Raven's sword and charged it with his energy.
The blade glowed red and the energy around it made the blade shaper. Elsword swung the blade down cutting down the golem's arm and kicking it away. Another golem was knocked into it by lasers and wind blast.
"Tch," Raven sucked his teeth and held out his hand. Elsword threw his blade back and Raven rushed forward with the sword still charged. Raven swung his blade and released a wave of energy, slicing through two of the golems.
The last golem began to run but was knocked over. "Mercenaries? or adventures." A voice came from the smoke. When i cleared, a man with silver and green plate armor was revealed with black long hair and green eyes.
"Are you the captain?" Aisha asked and the man nodded. "Yes, im Captain Lento, of the Feita guards. Are you a seach party?" He asked walking over to the others.
Feita Camp
Evening
Eve's PoV
After retrieving the captain, we met back with Allegro back at the camp. Lento informed us that he was making his daily rounds around when he saw glitter demons around the camp. He gathered a few soldiers to chase them down and it lead them to the Shrine.
We gathered inside a larger tent that was most likely used for tactical meetings.
"If they lead you to the shrine, does that mean they are plotting something over there?" Aisha says looking at the map. It seems that when entered we were only half way through the corridors.
"Maybe so, even if they wanted to escape, there were already too many demons over there and they even had an ambush set up for anyone not a demon." Raven said leaning against a wall. It is a probability.
"When i went in, i saw nothing, just glitters and ruins. But i can be mistaken." Allegro begins to think. "Shall we investigate tomorrow then?" i suggest and all eyes went on me for some reason.
"Yea we should. Nice Eve." Elsword says. Ah, well it was a simple suggestion but ill take thanks from him. "Yes we should, we need to clear out those demins that roam there so we can advance to the spiral corridor." Lento says.
"The spiral corridor?" Rena asks and Allegro speaks up. "The Spiraling corridor was a tunnel that lead to underground Chapel. It was a place used to worship the El shard." Lento then pointed to the map.
"Our goal is to reach to the top of this tower. If we take out this tower, then the others will fall in place." He finishes. So there are multiple towers that are being used as gateways. It seems they took advantage of the geological features here to use to their liking, impressive.
"So this is the main tower. Why not just take out the other towers first though." Raven asked and Allegro shakes his head. "There is a powerful demon using magic to guard each of the towers." Allegro says.
"We need an item to dispel it, which is located in the Underground Chapel.". "Once we do that we can start to take them out. but even then we only have few soldiers from Bethma and Elder so we cannot expect alot right now."
"Altera can also provide support." I say and they both look up ay me. "Altera? you mean the nasod kingdom that resurfaced?" Ah they are well informed.
"Yes, i can have some soldiers sent here once we dispel those barriers." There faces light up with happiness. "Thanks you!"
Night
Rena's PoV
After the meeting, we all ate, cleaned ourselves, and went to the sleeping quarters for the investigation tomorrow. "Sleeping bags...well i guess i should not have expected much." Aisha says going inside.
From right to left was Elsword, me, Aisha, Eve, and Raven all in a straight line. "Oooooo." I groan groans. "I guess living in Altera screwed us over." Aisha said with a sad laugh. "Speak for yourself." Raven said turning to his side.
"Not everyone can sleep like you can!" Aisha says puffing her cheeks. "Guys, sleep. Now." Elsword says with his eyes closed. "We dont even have a pillow Els!" Aisha complains more. She is more high maintenance then me...
After awhile of talking, we all settled down. I was the only one awake since i wasn't used to the change in environments too well. I looked over and Saw Aisha hugging Eve and Eve just laying there still. She must have put herself in sleep mode.
I turn to Elsword, who i think was sleeping. I put my head on his chest and played with his hair strands. They were such a deep red, and surprising soft, but not silky like Elesis's. Elesis never really cared for her hair but still washed it but it looked so well maintained.
"Hmm, i can't sleep.." I say to no one. "I know you can't." My heart skipped a beat and i saw Elsword eyes open now. "I-uh-" How did he know? wait why is even still up?!
"I know its hard for you to sleep in different places, especially places like this. He says getting up he holds his hand out to me. "Wanna take a small walk?" Times like this, i was grateful for meeting someone like Elsword.
I took his hand and he lifted me up. He grabbed his shirt and draped it over my head. "Gonna need that first." I wasn't planning on going out in a nightgown...
We walked out and began walking mindlessly. In such a short time, Elsword tool my mind off the creepy, and unknown place of Feita. It almost felt like i was back in Ruben with him.
We laughed and told stories of what we did while in Altera after the battle with the king. "Yea, and Apple tried to make Raven's arm into a giant cannon with turrets." Elsword laughed and i did too. Imagine Raven's face hauling that around.
We then made it to a small hill and sat down. I dangled my leflgs at the edge humming a little Ruben song to myself and we both look out through the plains. Feita maybe creepy but i can tell it was once beautiful. I can sense the forest spirits that are hiding from the demons.
"Hey Els." I call to him and looks my way. I lean my forehead on his and close my eyes. "Thanks." To my surprise he leaned back making me blush alittle. "No probs. Its been while since we were like this." He begins.
"Always went to my house in the middle of the night and sneak into my bed since you were scared. I eventually began to know when you were uncomfortable." Hey! the past is the past! He then gently grabs a few strands of my hair.
With Els around i think i sleep now.
The next Day
Mid day
Velder Campsite
Elesis PoV
Morning practice went well today surprisingly, I even went a bit further than usual. After practice i walked around the area until a guard runs up to me.
"Miss, Colonel Edan is here requesting for you." Ah Edan? i thought he was at clock tower square. "Take me to him." The soldier leads me to building and upstairs to met him.
Edan was a tall man with black hair and red eyes. He wore the official Velder which was red and white commander suit with his sword sheathed by his side. He wore a neutral face and nodded to the soldier to leave.
When the soldier left Edan dropped his stern cold vibe and smiled at me and held out his fist. "Elesis, how you been." I laughed a bit and fist bump him. "Bored really but glad to see someone who isnt a mindless soldier."
Me and Edan have been friends since i first arrived to Hamel. When i first got there, he had a cold aura around him and didn't want to be approached. We were assigned in the same squad and of course we didn't see eye to eye.
We eventually fought and he was pretty fast with precise blows. It ended in a draw and at the end he smiled and told me that i was the first to stand up to him. After that we became good friends and sparred in our spare time.
"Hah, Valak says the same back at the square. He's practically dragging himself around the square." Yea sounds like Valak, he hates patrol as much as he hates doing nothing.
"Heh so what brings ya here?" I asked after a few laughs. Edan makes a serious face indicating playtime was over. "The reports came in and it stated the Earth Priest was captured and taken with the demons." I had a feeling that was the case. "Any locations pop up?" I asked him and pulled out a yellow folder.
"It is possible he went to Hamel, to capture the water priest." Why are they hunting down the priest? "Any speculations as to why?" He shakes his head. "Also we may-" The ground began to shake.
We ran outside and looked around. A soldier came flying toward but Edan caught him with one arm and threw him to the side. The building in front of us was destroyed and out a large demon with full black heavy armor but had no head?
He went into a knight positron, knees bent with his shield in front and sword behind it. His shield had a strange shape through and then he began a shield charge. Edan threw my claymore to me and drew his sword. "Finally." Heh could say the same.
3rd PoV
The demon charged at Edan but he rolled out the way and swung his blade at the demon. The strike only bounced off the dull hard armor and Durahan turned and swung his blade in an ark motion.
Edan ducked and rolled back. Elesis jumped up and went for a downward swing. Durahan looked up and held up its shield blocking the strike and pushed Elesis away. Edan took this chance to strike.
He charged his blade with energy and swung it creating a shockwave of energy. The blow impacted with Durahan's armor creating smoke. Elesis came down and observed the damage caused. Durahan had little damage but did have a gash in its shoulder revealing nothing inside but a purple glow.
"Must be alchemy. So magic wont be enough or effective on it." Edan says and Elesis stands up straight. "So how do we deal with this." Elesis asked and on cue, a small black bat came down her shoulder.
It then glowed a purple glow and when it died down, Speka was sitting on Elesis shoulder with one leg up. "I have the perfect solution Ele" She says winking. Elesis looked at her and sighed. "Get off of me.." Speka jumped down and stood in front of them.
"What are you planing." Edan asked and Speka smirked. "Easy." She said and told them to cover her and she charged forward. ""That's our line..."" Edan and Elesis said at the same time but nonetheless charger with her.
Speka fired several dark orbs at Durahan but it simply bouncer off its shield as he waited for them to come close. Speka jumped up and Elesis and Edan came from under her with blades drawn. Durahan swung its sword to parry their strikes but they went right past him.
He turned back to see where they were going and saw Edan firing another shockwave. He held his shield to block it but Elesis came up under his shield and struck the opening his armor. He stumbled back but recovered and swung his sword down on her.
Speka sent several small black bats into the opening of Durahan's armor where his head should be. The bats began to circle the glowing orb inside Durahan and came out with a small shard. When the shard left the armor, Durahan's armor fell to the ground motionless and shield lost its glow.
Elesis and Edan was amazed at how Durahan went down and looked up at Speka. "See easy." She said flying on her enchanted broom. "Now we have its armor and its core." She came down.
"Elesis who is this?" Edan said and Speka bowed. "The Black Strider, Speka , at your service." She says and stands back up and Edan nodded. "Colonel Edan." He said simply.
"Ooo i heard bad things about you ya know." Speka says tipping her hat at him. "Yea i heard." He said simply. "Anyway lets go get this thing checked out." Edan walked off and Elesis shrugged and followed him along with Speka.
While walking Elesis caught up with Edan. "So was that last part you were going to tell me?" She asked and Edan have her his serious face.
"We may have found the demon who attacked Ruben 2 years ago."
Elsewhere
Night
Alter of Dedication
The Alter of Dedication was a tower and was a historic landmark. It was considered a holy ground for worshipers of earlier civilizations. It stands as the highest and serves the most important role amoung the 6 towers.
Each tower represented a for the El would take. Fire, water, Wind, Nature, Light and Dark. The towers created a circle around the alter where the main El shard would be placed.
3rd PoV
Berthe, now wearing black armor pads on his shoulders, arms, knees, and feet with a chest plate was looking talking with The hysterical sullen Joaquin.
Joaquin wore a grey and yellow robes with a large grey cape over it. Around his body, there was liquids of different colors in different bottles of different sizes.
"So, Durahan has already passed eh. Tsk, tsk. Berthe you pup, your not meant for leading. The first command you gave killed a valuable soldier." Joaquin said in a hysterical voice.
"Tch, dont patronize me you insane fool. I sent Durahan because he essentially immortal." Berthe says.
"Hmm your right but you still got him killed and captured." Joaquin said calmly. "What of the towers." Berthe said changing the subject.
"Without the orginal El shard, the Alter can't activate its full power. Also we still need shards and well those are in a whole part of this world not in this region." Berthe clenched his paws? i guess?
"We only have Durahan, our resources are limited." Joaquin deduced. "So we need a way to retrieve them somehow or this plan wont work." Berthe said finally.
"Oh i may have a way to do that." Joaquin said finally with a hysterical smile.
Elsewhere
Dead Man's Hill
Luto materialized within the a castle at the dead of night. The moon shone brightly casting a shadow apon everything.
He walked about ignoring the black humanoid bodies with orange streaks on their bodies. "hmmm, i have located the 7th." He stood in front of the sword. "Now to go and make those preparations. But first." Luto said in a somewhat amused voice. When it came to Elsword's crew and Elesis he could watch them for an enormity.
"Well now time to bring you back into the picture." Luto made a motion with his hand a rift opened.
The rift then spat out an unconscious person with a few scratches on his face and torn clothes. "You still have a role, surprisingly. Add." The boy stirred awake and slowly got up.
He looked around before see Luto standing above him. "You saved me?" He asked and Luto shakes his head. "I want you to stay interesting. I gave you helping hand but you still failed to impress, only give me a 'oh?' but for such a short time." Luto said replacing his amused tone with an emotionless one.
Chains came off Luto's body and latched into Add. Add struggled trying to pry the chains off but to no avail. Luto then came close to Add's face. His yellow eyes reflecting Add's face.
"Its time i really stepped in, this viewer wants things changed"