The crater in Limgrave was massive, dark, and deep, located in the forest near Fort Height.
The inhabitants must have panicked at the impact and rumble caused by the fall. I will visit them when I have the opportunity.
Small fragments of rock formed a thin swirl towards the sky, remnants of gravitational magic that apparently resided in stones traveling through the cosmos, while larger pieces served as flying platforms towards the depths.
It was an impressive sight that we would soon observe up close.
Godwyn threw a stone into the hole and we waited for a noise that never came. Exchanging a glance, we nodded and I cast Fall Control on the three of us as a precaution, then we jumped into the crater.
We landed on one of the many stone platforms that formed along the way, jumping to the next one afterward.
We saw a waterfall flowing upwards as we used a floating rock to cross the chasm, a curious sight, and as I reached a tunnel extending out of a wall, we noticed the immediate change in the environment.
Broken tiles mingled with earth and grass, elaborate architecture merged with the stone walls, revealing arches and pillars illuminated by blue torches.
Descending further, avoiding falling into the fissures, we stepped onto the dark blue tiled roof of a building, and the landscape we witnessed was breathtaking.
An ancient city built suspended underground. Several parts of the structures, whether roof, base, or walls, connected to the rough stone of the ground, preventing them from falling into the Siofra River below.
Speaking of the river, I could barely see it from the height I was at, only catching glimpses of its glow piercing the darkness that resided between the two locations.
"Impressive, the level of knowledge and magical power required to erect this architecture is colossal!"
I approached the edge of the roof, analyzing the details of the constructions that appeared before me. I could feel the traces of magic in each brick as I ran my hands over them.
"How did a place like this remain hidden for so long? Surely there would be groups trying to plunder it, wouldn't there?" Godwyn spoke next, crouching beside me.
"It's a tragic story, but from what Miss Ranni discovered, the people of Nokron had their civilization and cities destroyed and banished underground due to their attempts to create artificial life, especially a powerful being. Which, for the Greater Will, was a great betrayal, deserving a terrible punishment from the Outer God." Blaidd commented.
Silent seconds passed, broken by a low hum coming from Godwyn.
"Hm… I've never heard of that…"
"It's something that's been erased from history. After all, if everyone knew the cruelties committed by the Greater Will and its Golden Order, no one would follow their religion and teachings."
The half-wolf laughed, leaping to the rooftop below. The demigod stood still like a statue before sighing and following our companion.
I was the next to act, and during the fall, I remembered everything I'd seen so far.
The Greater Will and Golden Order seem very selective about who deserves their blessings or wrath, adapting only when it suits them or when there is no other option.
Not unlike any other ruler desiring power.
The Misbegotten are related to the Crucible, the people of Nokron tried to create unnatural life, the Fire Giants represented a risk to the Erdtree. Who else suffered during the expansion of Gold?
As soon as I landed, I spotted my companions fighting strange beings, silvery blobs that crawled across the ground.
Some fired spears from their bodies while others used the same weapon to try and pierce them as they approached.
I stepped aside, dodging a silvery weapon that stuck in the wall behind me and with a quick conjuration of Dark Orb, dispatched the creature.
"So these are some of Nokron's creations?"
"I suppose so. I expected them to be stronger." Blaidd replied, wiping the silvery liquid from his weapon.
Our advance continued, having to walk in single line to step onto narrow beams suspended over the precipice, where I found a magical torch exhaling ghost flame on a corpse in the middle of the path and handed it to Godwyn.
After that, we crossed a collapsed tower that served as a bridge, easily taking down more of the bubbles that stood in our way, and passed through a window in the next building, entering the structure.
There were more ruins ahead, but something was shining in the darkness. I quickly raised my shield, blocking an arrow, but more came after it.
We jumped to the lower floor and saw the source of the projectiles: reanimated corpses with silvery skin, some carrying bows and arrows covered in ghost flame while others carried short swords and a torch similar to Godwyn's.
The demigod placed his large shield on his back and advanced, striking his torch against the chest of a corpse, making it scream in pain as the blue flames burned it. Paradoxically, ice formed on its skin.
The creature dissolved into souls and runes that came to me, as well as those originating from the ones Blaidd split in two with the swing of his sword.
Not to be accused of laziness, I cast Dark Hail, tearing apart a group that approached with raised swords.
With the path clear, we crossed the door on the other side of the room and arrived at a circular chamber of detailed architecture, illuminated by candelabras of blue flame and, most notably, a Grace at its center.
"Do you think those things were what remained of the inhabitants of Nokron?" Godwyn asked as we walked down a staircase towards a main square with a stone gazebo at its center.
"I hope not, but I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case." Blaidd shrugged.
"It's not the first time I've invaded an ancient city only to find the dead defending it. Perhaps they are the last defense left to prevent looters from defiling what was left behind."
I would have continued my explanation, but a group of corpses, these bearing large metal shields, rushed toward us in a wall formation.
It was sad how they could barely hold their weapons and stumbled with every step, but they were in our way.
I cast Chaos Fireball, reducing them to ashes in a blazing explosion followed by a pool of lava.
"Honestly, ease is welcome after facing Radahn, but I'm a little disappointed."
"And now you've cursed us all." The half-wolf replied sarcastically.
"How about you just use the spells and incantations of the Lands Between? That should be challenging enough." Godwyn laughed as I raised my eyebrows thoughtfully.
I shrugged and did as he suggested. I'll use my other arsenal when we encounter new dangers.
During a quick exploration, I found a bell that could be used at the Twin Maiden's Husk in the Round Table, smiting stones, ghost gloveworth, and a spirit ash in a cemetery in the form of corpses bearing shields.
With that done, we crossed the square and descended a narrow staircase between two buildings, arriving at an open courtyard.
The night sky, created by ancient magic, was closer than ever; I felt I could touch it with my hands.
It was marvelous: the bluish mist representing the darkness of the night, the various luminous points imitating the stars, and at the center of it all, a pink nebula pulsating with power.
Unlike other times, my mouth didn't open and my eyes didn't widen; I simply observed, feeling something in my chest—nostalgia.
"I miss Heide."
My words caught the attention of my friends, who were also admiring the landscape, and their questioning looks compelled me to answer.
"Heide's Tower of Flames was a place I visited in Drangleic. There was a sky similar to this one there. I never imagined I'd miss… Home…"
Since when do I consider Drangleic my home?
They nodded, with Blaidd patting my shoulder before we continued. There was a long bridge in the distance, connected to a rectangular building with another bridge leading off on the other side, near a circular building with a dome on top.
However, as we descended the courtyard, someone came from the opposite direction, a tall woman wearing a long dress, with a veil and wide-brimmed hat hiding her face.
She assumed a fighting stance upon seeing us and swung her shotel, the blade of which extended, transforming into a whip.
I wish I could say it had been a challenging fight, but I'd be lying. Each of us leaped in a different direction as the whip cracked the ground where we stood.
Quickly, I raised my chime and conjured Bestial Sling, hurling a wall of sharp stones in her direction.
The woman narrowly dodged, her left sleeve torn by the stones, but a golden disc appeared in her blind spot, leaving a deep gash in her stomach.
Her cry of pain turned to silence as Blaidd decapitated her and her body fell to the ground. There was no blood, and to our surprise, the woman had wood in place of her flesh; she was a puppet.
"So this is where the art of creating living puppets originated."
The half-wolf spoke more to himself than to us, but his words piqued my curiosity. The puppets of Raya Lucaria, Ensha, and the victims of Seluvis.
Perhaps there's a way to cure them here?
Leaving the courtyard, we stepped onto the long bridge, walking towards a mausoleum blocked by a wall of golden mist. We prepared for combat and crossed it, finding other silver bubble in the center of the structure.
However, two silver threads dragged across the ground, originating from the bubble and forming beings similar to the original. Their form pulsed and undulated, and to our surprise, silver copies of ourselves rose in our path.
The copies advanced against the originals, snapping us out of our stupor, but what I imagined would be a difficult fight proved easier than I had anticipated.
They imitated our fighting style, but lacked technique and strategy, like someone who decided to fight with a sword after observing duels for days.
I swung my shield, blocking a Dark Orb sent in my direction, and conjured Greatblade Phalanx, sending three massive magical swords towards my enemy.
The silvery being awkwardly rolled to the side, barely dodging the attack. A flame blazed in its hand, and it prepared to cast a Pyromancy spell, but I moved faster.
My flame took on a blue glow, and I closed the distance in a burst of speed, pointing my hand at its face. A horde of vengeful spirits in the form of screaming, flaming skulls collided with its body.
The Ancient Death Rancor generated several bluish explosions, throwing it backward. The being rose and tried to drink from a flask, but I didn't give it the opportunity.
I raised my chime, casting Honed Bolt; a bolt of lightning shot up towards the sky and struck its head.
Lighting coursed through its writhing body on the ground, and with my flame shifting to a deep black, I conjured Black Flame, using the god-killing fire to reduce it to ashes.
There was a wall of golden fog to the left of the mausoleum. I approached it and sat on the nearby steps, watching my friends fight.
Godwyn alternated between his axe and torch, burning and slicing his copy. The being tried to fight back, but his opponent surpassed him in strength and skill, parrying his blows and breaking his balance.
The copy's back hit the ground, finding Godwyn with his large golden weapon raised above his head, bringing it down towards his enemy's stomach with an Ash of War.
CRASH!
A powerful shockwave shook the mausoleum, the earth rose, and Godwyn emerged from the hole where his enemy had previously been, waving to me as he went.
I returned the wave, and he sat beside me, where we watched Blaidd's fight.
The situation was similar to Godwyn's, but with the half-wolf demonstrating great speed. With a mix of leaps and runs, he disoriented his enemy, leaving deep cuts at every opportunity.
With a final leap, he plunged his sword toward the copy, splitting its head in two and the rest of its body in an explosion resembling the night sky.
Runes and souls came to me, and the wall of mist vanished. A Grace appeared behind us; I touched it, and we continued across another long bridge.
"I have to admit, that was quite fun. A good exercise to shake the rust off the armor." Godwyn chuckled, spinning his axe before resting it on his shoulder with a snap.
"Better than fighting in a cramped, labyrinthine cave against grave robbers." I shuddered, regretting my words as they brought back memories of Shulva's notable enemies.
"The only thing I can complain about is that those things failed to capture my beauty." Blaidd raised his head proudly, stroking his chin with an arrogant smile.
He gave us a sidelong glance, and we couldn't help but laugh at the joke. Then we continued across the long bridge, chatting and admiring the subterranean sky.
There was a mausoleum that gleamed in the distance, almost blending into the nebula. And on the ground below the bridge, meters away, I glimpsed what appeared to be a giant seated on a throne.
I had hoped it was just a statue, but my luck tended to prove me wrong.
We left a bridge through a destroyed section to our left, arriving at an open area filled with hills and Ancestral Followers.
We left them in peace; after all, they were just going about their daily lives. Some were herding deer, others fishing in the nearby bodies of water.
There were also those who, judging by their voices, were women, singing a beautiful but sad melody as they raised the skull of some animal towards the sky, emanating a blue aura.
We observed from afar what appeared to be some kind of ritual: several tall, muscular women with blue skin, wearing leather clothing and elk antler helmets, singing around a dead or sleeping being.
The blue aura surrounded them, and a flame of the same color gushed from the skulls they held. The object of worship was a large, decrepit elk, but whose ancient, sleeping power I could feel from here.
Was this the Ancestral Spirit they followed? I remember Godwyn mentioning something like that.
"I wish I had visited this place before it was all turned to ruins."
"You and I, Alden, you and I…" Godwyn replied, still disturbed by the Greater Will having condemned these people to the underground.
There were also several braziers scattered around the area that lit up when I touched them. I didn't know their purpose, but nothing happened when all the ones I found nearby burned with an intense flame.
There might be more hidden, or what they do isn't so obvious. There's a possibility they do nothing and I'm wasting my time, like trying to light all the braziers in Drangleic while looking for something different.
After further exploration, where we had some difficulty figuring out where to go, we discovered a Grace on the outskirts of the area, with a deep drop separating us from the roof of a lower level of the large building we had seen earlier.
I touched the Grace and we jumped onto the roof, forming a line in the little space we had, then continued down, stepping on narrow stone ornaments, jumping from roof to roof with a deadly drop below us.
Eventually, we landed on a balcony beside a set of large staircases with humanoid statues of equal size fused to the ground from their waists.
They were faceless and stood with their hands raised towards the sky in reverence, and as soon as we looked in the direction they indicated, we realized the extent of this place.
From the outside and from a distance, everything seemed like a single structure, but now that we were getting closer to our destination, the complexity of these ruins revealed its true form.
It was a labyrinthine complex of towers, buildings, and cathedrals of pointed, angular architecture, with stone adornments extending from the pillar-covered walls and arches with dark stained-glass windows.
The place was silent, filled with a solemn peace that we disturbed.
Our admiration grew as we explored, stepping onto the dome of a tower to reach the courtyard of the next building where we turned left, using a partially destroyed wall as a bridge.
Halfway there, I spotted the throne with the gigantic being again, finally realizing it was a corpse covered in ancient robes.
Apprehensive, we continued on our way, entering the upper level of a cathedral through a broken window.
There, a rectangular altar covered in lit candles stood, with a statue of a woman on each side. And in front of the it, a corpse with a black sharpening knife in its hands.
I put the knife in my bag and observed the ancient decoration. It was as if I could hear the prayers of those who once frequented this place of worship; they were waiting for something, but what?
Behind the altar, in a corridor to the right, there was a magical barrier blocking the entrance to a room containing a silver chest, in front of a statue of a woman surrounded by several beings similar to the figures on the stairs.
I placed a stone key on the head of an imp statue beside me, hearing the sound of a mechanism and seeing the barrier dissolve.
I hit the chest, much to Blaidd's confusion, and seeing that it wasn't a mimic, I opened it, finding a spirit ash with the appearance of a silver bubble.
I raised an eyebrow in curiosity and rang my calling bell, but instead of my magic, this ash consumed my health, making me grunt. I stepped back in surprise when a silver copy of myself stood before me, staring with an impassive face.
"Impressive! I didn't expect to add one of these beings to my inventory!"
I spoke in admiration, walking around my copy while analyzing its details.
"Do you think this thing can fight as well as the ones we've faced?"
Godwyn asked, poking the silvery being's nose, making it point its staff in his direction.
"Stop!"
I shouted immediately, and the being canceled its spell and returned to its original position, to the demigod's relief.
"How about we put it to the test? I'm curious to know what else this thing can do."
"Likewise, Blaidd."
Following the half-wolf's suggestion, we approached the edge of the upper level, observing the ground floor of the cathedral where a huge iron ball and a woman, this one with a pointed hat and wielding a sword, awaited us.
"Dispatch our enemies, please."
My copy made no gesture or uttered any words, only raised its staff and cast Crystal Soul Arrow towards the ball, destroying it after two more shots.
Leaping to the ground below, a flame ignited in the copy's palm, conjuring Flame Whip as the woman approached, forcing her away with her body burned.
Its opponent finally perished when the silver being raised its chime and conjured Lightning Spear, piercing her chest.
"Hm… The spellcasting speed leaves something to be desired, but the extra offensive power is welcome." I commented, approaching my copy.
"Look on the bright side, now you can sit back and let the copy fight for you." Godwyn spoke next, placing a hand on the being's shoulder, who slowly stared at him, causing him to remove his hand.
"Or better yet, you can bombard your enemies with magic faster than they can react." Blaidd finished, walking towards the cathedral entrance.
"That would take the fun out of the fights, but I see its benefit in times of difficulty. I will consider the option."
We left the cathedral, strolling past the lined church pews and lit silver candelabras, descending a staircase to the right and arriving at a long courtyard, which, to our frustration, was full of silver blobs.
It was more irritating than difficult; some shot arrows, others advanced with spears, while some transformed into half-naked men armed with swords and maces, one even became a troll and tried to crush us.
However, we quickly took them down; my copy and I kept our distance, casting spell after spell while Blaidd and Godwyn dealt with the men and troll.
With the fight over, we stood before the giant being on its throne, the front of which had a door leading to a room filled with treasures and artifacts.
"That thing will rise as soon as we get the treasure, won't it?" Godwyn asked sarcastically, his weapon ready for combat.
I cast a simple Soul Arrow towards the being, but it didn't react to the spell, remaining motionless on its throne.
I ordered my copy to go ahead, open the chest inside the room, and return with its contents, and so it did, bringing us a strange dagger and a plant used to strengthen spirits.
I put away the plant and observed the dagger in my hands, with my companions beside me sharing my curiosity.
It was a curved, spiral-shaped blade, dark in color and stained with dried blood, but its material was most uncommon: body parts. I could see flesh, bones, and things that looked like fingers in its formation.
Weapons made from corpses weren't unusual, but something like this wouldn't be behind so many defenses if it were just a quality piece of equipment. There was more to it.
"Blaidd, is this what we came for?"
"I believe so. Miss Ranni has mentioned this artifact a few times. But I don't have the authority to reveal its purpose to you; you'll have to ask her when we return."
I nodded, putting the dagger in my bag, but I couldn't fail to notice the intensity in Godwyn's gaze, and it wasn't just displeasure at being near Ranni again.
Like me, he must be wondering why his assassin desired such an artifact. I will try to get answers, but I can't demand much while I'm in the Demigoddess's service.
The feeling of accomplishment failed to materialize this time, and we approached a way gate near the giant throne.
Interacting with it, we found ourselves in the land of the Ancestral Followers once more, especially near their ritual site.
It was a relief not to have to walk all the way back, so we set off for the nearest Grace and from there to Ranni's Rise.
-XXXXXX-
The witch awaited us outside her tower. Godwyn preferred to stay behind, leaning with his arms crossed against a ruin, refusing even to look at the Demigoddess.
Blaidd and I approached, me offering the dagger to the living doll, who accepted it with her lower hands, smiling broadly as she caressed the artifact as if it were a child.
"My thanks, finally, all the pieces are in place. Soon I must begin my journey; only I can tread the dark path."
"So this means I can have my crown back?"
Ranni's ghostly face furrowed its brow, averting her gaze before sighing and extending her upper right hand, where the object of my desire appeared in a bluish glow.
I wasted no time in taking it from her hands, using the Priestess's Eye to confirm it wasn't an illusion.
"You have proven yourself a competent and loyal servant, but it seems my past prevents you from walking this path without me possessing something of interest to you."
"I apologize to Blaidd and to you, but I only participated in this undertaking because I had something to gain from it. I disagree with your actions, and I believe the same will apply to the final outcome of your plan. But if there is still any vestige of goodness in you, then I implore you to visit your mother. I did my best to heal and protect her, even restoring her sanity. As if that weren't enough, I went through the trouble of curing Radahn of his Scarlet Rot, and I will soon reunite him with his family. My heart would rejoice if Rennala saw that her children are alive and well, and I believe this would greatly improve her health."
Both of Ranni's faces contorted in surprise, and her eyes met Blaidd's, seeking confirmation.
"He speaks the truth, Miss Ranni. Our mother rests in her mansion while Radahn remains in his castle in Caelid. Honestly, Alden did far more than he was required to for our mother's sake."
"Our dear mother and Radahn healed?"
Various emotions coursed across Ranni's faces as she acted erratically, a mixture of laughter, smiles, confusion, and anger until it all ended in an impassive expression.
"I… I don't know what to say to you… I'm grateful for your services and for… For taking care of my family, but why? Why go to such lengths for strangers?"
"Because I'm able to put myself in your mother's place and understand her pain. I know what she went through, losing her family, because it's something I went through too. But at least this time, I have the ability to alleviate someone's pain."
The witch remained silent, averting her gaze with what I perceived as shame, then she sighed and offered me a second item, an upside-down statue.
"What you seek is in the Divine Tower of Liurnia; use this statue in the Study Hall to reach it. I also imagine you must be wondering what happened to the people turned into puppets. I will take responsibility for Seluvis's actions, after all, I was his master, but there is nothing I can do to cure them. Their flesh has been transformed into wood and their spirits imprisoned. I imagine the reborn granted by my mother could fix them, but she would need her Great Rune and a sound mind for that, otherwise… You saw her creations in the library."
I nodded and put the statue in my bag, as well as the crown, pondering what I should do next.
"I moved them to my tower; just retrieve them when everything is ready. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to retire; I have much to think about."
"At least consider my words."
Ranni didn't turn around and disappeared into her tower, leaving us behind. Blaidd turned to me, hesitant, his next words coming as a whisper.
"Ranni intends to continue her journey alone… So… W-would you mind if I continued traveling with your group? I-I would like to see my m- Miss Rennala again."
"Are you sure? Will Ranni be safe without her guardian?"
"I won't be able to protect her forever, so I'd like to enjoy the time I have left."
The tone of his voice; he was hiding something, but I wouldn't force him to reveal it.
"Then I see no problem with you accompanying us."
Blaidd smiled gratefully, a gesture I returned. Then we met with Godwyn and from there we went to Carian Manor, however, as soon as we left the Grace, we found someone waiting for us, Miss Rennala without her crown, her long black hair flowing in the wind and her porcelain face staring at us emotionlessly.
However, her eyes told a different story; there had never been so much life within them.
OMAKE / ALTERNATIVE SCENE: An Undead Arrives on Terra PART 3
On the third tedious day of our journey, riding through the desert, I finally spotted signs of life, but to my displeasure, the sight could not have been more revolting.
I conjured Chameleon to transform myself into a cactus and removed my binoculars from my bag, spotting a small caravan of mercenaries riding in wagons pulled by beasts that looked like boars with horns on their heads.
The focus of my anger was their cargo: cages filled with imprisoned Sarkaz, men, women, and children of various ages.
As much as I wanted to act, following them was a good way to reach the fortress, so I swallowed my feelings and kept my distance.
Hours later, I spotted a stone structure in the distance. Light brown in color, its high walls were built in a rectangular shape with a watchtower at each point where the walls met.
I saw the roofs of smaller buildings inside, the largest of which rose slightly above the height of the walls, all made of stone bricks.
The main gate was made of wood, and the windows of the buildings were not blocked by glass or other material, but the main entrance was guarded, as were the walls and towers where troops marched.
I found no obvious water sources, so they must have been hydrating themselves through an internal well. And the disposal of waste had to be done manually, so there was no sewer or aqueduct I could crawl through.
I could break in through the front entrance and destroy everything in my path until I reached the warlord, but there was a risk they would use the slaves against me.
In the end, I decided a distraction would be best while I scaled the walls. I rang my Spirit Calling Bell, calling the twin Dragon Riders and ordering them to attack the main gate.
The archer twin positioned himself atop a rock formation while his brother, with shield and halberd, approached the fortress at a frantic pace.
I couldn't hear what the guards said, but their erratic movements indicated surprise at seeing two ghosts approaching them.
Soon a fight broke out, with the guards facing the knight while his brother offered support with his bow.
I circled the fortress, approaching along the east wall. On the way, I heard the string of the heavy bow tightening and an arrow shrouded in magic tearing through the air.
A mercenary screamed as his arm was ripped off and stuck in the ground in a cloud of sand. In his agony, he failed to dodge a halberd blow, being split in two, as was the man beside him.
I leaned against the wall, listening to the hurried footsteps of the guards heading towards the front section of the fortress. With that done, I removed the Ornate Blades from my bag and stuck them in the rock, using them to climb the wall.
Upon reaching the top, I lit my flame and snapped my fingers, creating a fireball behind the main gate. An explosion reduced it to ashes and flaming fragments.
The nearby mercenaries flew away, wounded or dead, allowing the spirits to enter unimpeded. Then, I donned my Simpleton Ring and the Slumbering Dragon Ring.
With my footsteps silenced, I ran towards the main building, leaping onto the roof of a nearby building, where I gained some distance and jumped towards the open window.
I clung to the doorframe, climbing up and entering the building. I rolled into a room, becoming invisible thanks to my magic ring, avoiding being found by the mercenaries who rushed past.
Then I traversed the corridors, searching for the leader of this place while avoiding enemy troops. Midway, I spotted the spirits fighting in the courtyard below, wounded and with weapons stuck to their bodies, but with several bloodied corpses around them.
The crossbowmen and archers on the walls proved to be the biggest problem, and I believe that the sorcerer equivalents would soon join them as well.
Fortunately, I found what I was looking for: a room blocked by a wall of gray fog.
I crossed it, finding myself in a kind of throne room, and on the other side, I found the supposed warlord, desperately trying to cross the fog that blocked one of the windows.
He was a tall, muscular man, wearing black plate armor and carrying a great sword in his hands while a kind of wand remained at his waist, indicating a talent for spells.
His tanned face and brown eyes turned towards me, his black hair following his movements, flowing down in horns. However, there was one detail that worried me: the numerous black crystals sprouting from his body.
He looked sick, gravely ill, with almost half of his face consumed by the dark stones.
He shouted something in a language I didn't understand, so I just shrugged, making him click his tongue and point his wand in my direction.
I swung my shield, reflecting the fireball back at its owner. He jumped aside, avoiding the attack, but I raised a curious eyebrow when the crystals sprouted from his flesh.
The warlord charged forward like a raging bull, swinging his sword vertically. And in a stunning display of strength, the ground where I had previously stood split in two with the attack.
Hm… Perhaps I underestimated these people.
The second swing came swiftly as lightning, and I raised my shield to block it. My arm trembled, and my feet slid lightly across the ground.
My eyes widened in surprise, and my opponent's good eye did the same. I wasted no time in aiming my flame at his stomach, forcing him to recoil immediately, but a fireball awaited him behind his back.
The explosion made him scream, his flesh and clothes burning as he flew towards me, his screams turning into a wet thud as my ornate blade pierced his neck.
I expected him to die right there and then, but the warlord had one last trick. He yelled something, glaring at me with blazing hatred as the wand in his grip began to glow.
That same glow coursed across his skin, and crystals exploded from his flesh, vibrating audibly and emanating a blinding orange.
He laughed madly, but I was already used to exploding enemies.
I removed my sword from his neck and kicked him away, however, I pondered how resilient a Sarkaz really was, because despite turning into a statue, he ran towards me, screaming at the top of his lungs.
I conjured Iron Flesh and raised my shield in time to hear an explosion and several crystals impacting my shield and body.
When it was all over, there was only a dark stain on the ground indicating that someone had been there at some point.
The fog blocking the exits disappeared, I absorbed the souls and obtained the warlord's sword as loot.
I left its details for later analysis. With the leader dead, it was time to free the slaves. First, I searched the fortress's armory, finding it quickly.
With my bag full of weapons, I descended to the lower levels where the dungeons were usually located. The path was unguarded; the guards had probably joined the ongoing fight.
I descended the dusty, dimly lit stairs without difficulty, finding myself in a dark underground chamber where several eyes stared at me with fear, distrust, and hatred.
I approached one of the cells, causing the prisoners to spit something out in their native tongue. I didn't respond, sliding my hands along the bars and locks.
It was something heavily reinforced. The people of Kazdel seemed naturally strong, so their constructions should be capable of withstanding such strength.
Preferring the quickest route, I lit my flame, melting the lock and opening the cell, then moving on to the next one.
Confused and curious murmurs filled the air as I freed everyone present. Soon I found myself facing at least two hundred prisoners.
I poured the stolen weapons onto the floor and pointed towards the stairs. There was hesitation, with only a few stepping forward and picking up a weapon.
I didn't turn my back, expecting someone to attack me due to some misunderstanding, but a man and a woman nodded in thanks, each with a sword, before leaving with a child in their arms.
That was enough for the rest to do the same.
Suddenly, a roar echoed through the underground, coming from a deeper area of the dungeon. I turned toward its source, despite the prisoners' protests.
Minutes later, I found myself facing a woman bound in chains attached to a wall inside a cell blocked by a heavy iron door. The door I had now broken open was covered in claw marks, punches, and kicks, as were the walls of her cell.
She had a thin body due to lack of food, extremely pale skin, bright red eyes, pointed ears, and white hair, but her long, sharp fangs captured my attention every time she screamed.
I didn't know if she was screaming at me or if she had gone mad from isolation and hunger. Each kick and struggle caused the chains to snap, and not understanding her language made communication difficult.
I retreated out of the cell and cast Dark Orbs in rapid succession, each one striking the point where the chains connected to the walls.
The woman vanished into a blur, and before the chains even touched the ground, I stepped aside, dodging her sharp claws, though receiving a slight cut on my neck.
She licked the blood like a hungry animal, and immediately, her health seemed to improve. Her eyes, now healthier, observed me for a moment before she disappeared towards the exit.
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose in exhaustion, then returned to the fortress courtyard, watching as my spirits and prisoners slaughtered the remaining mercenaries.
Their weapons turned against the spirits, preparing for combat. In response, I ordered them to stop and rang my bell again, sending them away to everyone's surprise.
Now I have to deal with another problem: organizing these people and taking them back home.
"Can anyone here understand my words?"
No answer, this will be harder than I thought.
"I can, stranger. And if I may say so, your accent is quite peculiar, as is your smell."
Turning to the source of the noise, I spotted the woman from before approaching, wiping her bloody mouth while a dried corpse rested at her feet.
"Well, it's the first time anyone has said that to me. Would you mind being my translator for a moment? I'd like to clarify my intentions to these people."
"I have no problem with that, Mr…"
"Alden."
"Mr. Alden, but I would like payment in return."
Her wide smile and smug voice showed someone who wasn't going to leave without getting what she wanted, so I removed a handful of gold and jewels from my bag and handed them to her.
Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. She looted a bag from the nearest corpse and pocketed the small treasure.
"So, how should I address you?"
She seemed to think for a few seconds before answering.
"Warfarin, you can call me Warfarin. Changing the subject, could you give me some more of your delicious blood?"
Her fangs gleaming in the sunlight gave me a bad feeling, and I prayed to find Godwyn again for the further I traveled, the more madmen I encountered along the way.
END OF CHAPTER