Chapter 150: Home Sweet Home
It disappeared inside of the fog only to reappear and consume its victim. A pitch black beast that emitted a low chuckle with each life it took.
Move, A legionnaire whispered as he kicked at his comrade with viciousness.
Stop. Hes...gone. Quiet down before he comes back, Someone said.
They were huddled together in a crevice, hoping to avoid Iras detection. They fell into silence, but their breathing was unsteady. Occasionally, a faint scream would ring out every so often causing them to tremble. The longer they stayed in the fog, the more fear grew within them.
S-Should we run?
Run where?
Wed have to gather our bearings. Does anyone know where we came in from?
Forget about it, hes still out there. All we have to do is wait.
Ill check.
Dont!
Quiet. If he wants to check let him.
The legionnaires fell into silence as one raised his head slowly. His heart was pounding and sweat gathered at the edge of his brow. Once his eyes reached ground height, he slightly peered over the top of the crevice. There was nothing to see but a reddish-white fog that seemed to be endless.
The brave legionnaire concentrated his hearing and he could make out a crunching noise.
You see anything? Someone tapped him from the crevice.
No...but I hear something...branches snapping, maybe? The Legionnaire lowered his body slightly as the sound got closer.
Is it that monster?
Shhh...Just wait. The Legionnaire continued to lower his body until he thought he was unable to be seen. For good measure, he placed a few leaves atop his head and then calmed himself down.
Soon, the source of the noise was revealed. The beast was sauntering forward with half the body of a Legionnaire in its onyx-like claws.
H-Help...me The unfortunate Legionnaire muttered.
The beast, completely unfeeling to the cries of mercy, lifted him into its jaws and bit into his skull, beheading the man instantly. It tossed him away and then its head turned sharply to look at the lone spectator.
For the Legionnaire watching, that brief moment of contact seemed eternal. He reflexively dropped down and then began heaving loudly.
What is it? Someone shook him but the Legionnaire couldnt calm down, his eyes were unblinking and his chest rose up and down in a hurried rhythm.
We have to run! He coughed out.
Before any of them could crawl out of the crevice, an eerie chuckle echoed through their ears. Each of them began to tremble and only one could find the courage to look up only to see four bright yellow eyes were looking down into the crevice.
The fog began to dissipate and soon after Ira walked out while stretching. Ustia looked at the carnage Ira left behind, broken trees, craters, and mutilated corpses that were strewn about like decorations. Ira had reached the level of a being that didnt belong in the Mortal Realm and both of the Valkyries seemed to realize it.
Did you want this? Ira waved his hand and produced the cracked Ivory sword that Bramich previously wielded.
...No, Lauren said. If youre ready to return home I ask that you teleport us as soon as possible.
I cant. Ira smiled wryly.
Is there something more important you need to do? Lauren asked.
No. I cant remember how to get there. Whenever I try to think of it, it gets a bit...blurry, Ira explained. He thought about flying across the ocean but it was likely he would end up getting lost once he reached a certain point.
I see...Well, I have no problem with carrying you. Lauren offered her hand but Ira shook his head.
I can fly...Well, it's more like gliding, but you get the point. Ira pushed wind under his feet and began to hover as a short demonstration.
I thought you couldnt use magic?! Lauren looked extremely surprised to see Ira controlling the wind.
Its an attunement, Ira said. Anyway, can we get going? I really want to get back. Ira seemed to be slowly growing impatient.
Of course. Follow along if you can. Lauren looked at Ustia. Are you coming with us?
I think Ill try to visit the Grand Hall to see if any of my companions survived in my time away. If it doesnt go well, Ill come back here and leave a message if you wish to find me. Ustia smiled.
Lauren gave a slight bow full of gratitude toward Ustia before she summoned her wings.
Farewell for now. Lauren took to the sky and Ira nodded toward Ustia before he leaped into the air after her.
Ustia exhaled lightly before giving one last look at Iras work. She knew deep down that the moment she learned of his connection with the Black Forest he would become something incomprehensible.
Raveria stood atop a chair and read a book that was placed on a wooden table. She was currently dressed in a simple black tunic with golden embroidery while her small feet were covered with a pair of leather sandals.
Would you like another book, Raveria? A female dark elf asked politely.
No, Raveria answered back while thumbing through the pages.
It didnt even seem like she was reading the books, but she was...It was just at an incredibly fast rate. Raveria had discovered that it was extremely easy to learn. Of course, Avery had shown her written language, but she picked up on it almost instantly. After all, she could alter her own perception of time to contemplate as long as she wanted. From an outside perspective, it would appear as if Raveria was just skimming pages.
Done, Raveria said before she clasped the book shut. She handed the book over to a Dark Elf who accepted it eagerly before placing it in a huge pile.
Raveria yawned and then looked at a bookshelf that stretched to the ceiling. What books are those?
Uh, I believe those are chronicles of the Queens exploits during the early days of the Empire.
Eggs...ploits... Raveria quietly repeated the words as she tried to recall the meaning. She had grown rapidly in the period of a few months and was beginning to acquire a great deal of knowledge but she still was attempting to understand it.
The Dark Elves women watching over melted at her cute display, Yes, great figures often have their deeds recorded to be passed onto the generations that come after. As a Dark Elf with a prime lineage, her majesty has lived to accomplish the tasks of hundreds of people. Weve recently started recording the actions of The Keeper, your father.
Raveria made a thoughtful face before she disappeared from sight and reappeared with dozens of books in front of her. She opened one up and began skimming it just as she did previously while the Dark Elves waited patiently.
A little while later, Avery had come to retrieve her so Raveria finished up.
Youve been spending a lot of time reading, Ria, Avery commented as she grasped the Raverias small hand.
...I like it, Mom. Raverias actual purpose was to gain more experience so she could follow her parents more often.
Then you can continue as long as you want. Avery smiled softly at Raverias obvious intentions.
Raveria smiled back as she grasped Averys hand tightly. The two made their way to the massive compound that was still yet to be completed. It was to serve as the new home of the Valkyries so it would be a little longer until it reached their standards.
Raveria A soft whisper reached Raverias ears and caused her to stop walking.
Is something wrong? Avery instantly noticed the puzzled look on Raverias face.
Um Raveria looked around before shaking her head.
Avery didnt detect anything out of the ordinary so she continued on while paying attention to her surroundings.
Far away, a shadowy figure dressed in a tattered fur cloak looked at the mother and daughter. It reached its hand out toward them but it quickly faded from sight as if it hadnt existed at all.
Ira! Lauren shouted as she watched him slowly drift away.
Oh! Sorry! Ira corrected himself while trying to focus on Lauren. The closer he got to the continent the more his sense of direction got away from him. For him, it was like following a road that looked straight only to have someone alter its direction without him knowing. He would follow Lauren and then would get the strange feeling he was going the wrong way which caused him to slightly adjust.
Were almost there, just hold on. Lauren slowed her speed to pay close attention to him.
Ira gave her a thumbs up and let the wind carry him forward.
The journey took longer than Lauren expected due to Iras condition but they arrived within a day.
Ira grew exhausted from gathering the wind and landed on the coast while breathing deeply.
You know, I think I can make it from here, Ira said.
Our destination is the Dark Elf Empire. Weve started building a place for us in the Underground City. Lauren moved closer and waited for him to teleport.
I cant wait to see it. Ira warped the space around the both of them and they vanished.
When they reappeared, Ira found himself within the throne of the palace located in the Underground City.
K-Keeper?! Sylun jumped up from her seat and everyone else immediately halted what they were doing.
Ira didnt pay her any attention as he searched for Raverias presence with his bloodline resonance.
Ah! Iras eyes widened before he disappeared from sight.
The Keeper isI see... Sylun looked to Lauren for an explanation but realized that he was going to look for Raveria.
Raveria entered the garden located in the center of the compound and found a shady tree she wanted to rest underneath but she saw someone standing there with a smile.
Dad! Raverias voice trembled with excitement as she zoomed toward Ira. She jumped into his arms and hugged him tightly.
Ria, Ira said with a satisfied smile. Youve grown a lot.
He lifted Raveria up and kissed her on the forehead before spinning around gleefully. Ive missed you so much.
Raveria giggled as she held onto her father who stopped to look at Avery who was standing nearby.
Avery, Ira moved to grab Avery with his other hand.
She gave a soft laugh as he embraced and it seemed that she was calm but there was a sense of relief in her eyes.
Ira, Avery said his name in a low voice.
The three stayed close together for a few minutes until Avery stepped back and spoke, Rhys is pregnant.
Ira blinked repeatedly with an odd expression. What did you say?
After Raveria had settled down, Ira had gone to see Rhys. He had to ask himself what was it about the thought of another child made him feel strange. It was a warm yet frightening feeling that grew inside of his chest. It could be better described as a sense of fear that he openly welcomed.
Ira took a breath and knocked on the door once and opened it. The first thing he saw was Rhys writing at a table with her back facing toward the door. Rhys assumed it was Sylvia or another Dark Elf coming to bring her something so she waved her hand before she continued writing.
Ira smiled and moved further into the room while looking around. He noticed that every metallic object was wrapped in bundles of rope or string and tied down. One of those things was Rhys mask that she had been rarely worn since arriving in the Underground City.
Ira walked over and untied the string wrapped around the mask before holding onto it. There was a lot of history attached to it and he couldnt help but notice there were things he didnt understand about Rhys.
Rhys finished writing and stretched her arms before standing up and checking to see what food she was given but when she turned around she saw Ira. She covered her mouth and silently gasped as she looked at him. Ira, in turn, looked at her, or rather, her stomach which had grown considerably and there was no doubt she was pregnant.
It must be an important letter, Ira said with a chuckle.
Rhys moved to hug him without even thinking and the tears followed soon after. She didnt understand it but she couldnt stop herself from crying. It seemed to be the effect of being pregnant while in a place she had never been to before surrounded by people she didnt really know. They all treated her with reverence but Sylvia was the only she could call a friend and even that wasnt enough to comfort her completely.
Was it hard for you to be here? Ira asked.
Rhys didnt say anything but her face changed into an apologetic expression.
Dont lie about it, Rhys, Ira said as he placed a hand on her abdomen. He channeled his bloodline resonance and got a feel for the life inside. As soon as he did, the metal in the room flew around wildly, ripping through the strings holding it. It was a few utensils and miscellaneous items so there was no real danger.
Ira watched it unfold with a surprised expression but it wasnt as strange as Raverias abilities.
You think its a girl or a boy? Ira asked quietly.
Rhys expression went through several changes before mouthed her reply with an assured look on her face which caused Ira to laugh. Yeah, I think so too.
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