The Velmoryns moved silently through the dense forest. The deeper they went, the more the environment changed. The area was completely devoid of animal life. Even the trees seemed to recoil from the center of this territory; their trunks were twisted and bent, leaning away as if trying to flee the presence that dwelt ahead.
They approached a massive hill that rose from the forest floor. A giant cave mouth gaped open in its side, dark and chilling as a grave.
Despite the Velmoryns’ caution, their stealth seemed unnecessary. I had been observing Kurraghal for over an hour. The creature hadn’t moved once.
Either its senses are dull, or it has become too arrogant to perceive a threat.
Kurraghal was the apex predator. In this forest, nothing challenged it. If a single mutant spider was strong enough to threaten a Silver Rank Velmoryn, Kurraghal could level entire tribes - unless, perhaps, a monster like Karla stood in its way.
Yet, it was strangely passive. Unless its territory was breached, it never left to hunt. I had never seen it feed or attack anything, other than Roy’s hunting party all those months ago.
If Kurraghal hadn’t chased Roy back then, would I have found Avenor? Would I have made an enemy of the God of Night and Moons without Avenor meeting Elizabeth?
The memories reminded me just how much had changed. The Velmoryns of the past were prey. The ones marching now were hunters. They were well-equipped, trained, and confident enough to siege the monster’s lair.
“Mirion, do not use the skill that numbs your mind,” Karla whispered.
Despite everyone acknowledging that she was the strongest warrior of the Eriavel, Mirion was still the commander. She was careful not to damage his authority in front of the troops.
“I know. The last thing we need is for me to get in your way,” Mirion replied bluntly.
Unlike Karla, he didn’t care about his image. To him, authority and respect were things to be earned, not performed. If others stopped following his orders, it would be because he had failed, not because of the Elf’s words.
Mirion scanned the group of fifteen Velmoryns walking behind him, his brow furrowing.
“Karla, are you sure our strength is enough? Without Aria, Avenor, and Lyle… those three are our strongest… well, after you.”
“It certainly would have been easier with them, I do not doubt that. But I believe in us. If we do not cower, we will win. He is with us, after all.” Karla chuckled softly, nodding toward the rear of the formation.
Aurelion had invited himself on this campaign.
I was starting to think my Angel was considering moving to the mortal world permanently. He hadn’t returned to my realm since delivering the gift to Tekla and Mel. Even now, he walked with them, the white griffin cub resting comfortably on his massive shoulder.
“Ahem.” He coughed awkwardly, drawing everyone’s attention. Several Velmoryns standing near him flinched, jumping slightly in their tracks.
Even though everyone knew Aurelion was my Angel and meant them no harm, knowledge and instinct were two different things. A being with massive crimson wings who constantly radiated an overwhelming aura inevitably invoked fear and caution.
“Children,” Aurelion said, his voice deepening unnaturally. “I sense the creature has noticed my presence. Though I tried to conceal my aura, at this distance, it still managed to detect me. I shall take Gwyn and teach him how to fly. We will be above you and help if you are in danger. Our Lord does not wish you to die. Do not disappoint him!”
The Velmoryns stared at him with mixed expressions. Some, strangely, looked motivated. Others just looked confused and worried.
What kind of motivational speech is that?
I had already noticed that Aurelion wasn’t good with words, to say the least. But this performance was bad even by his standards. He was living proof that immortal beings weren’t perfect.
He grabbed the griffin from his shoulder with surprising gentleness and threw it upward. The poor creature soared past the canopy of the tall trees. Then, Aurelion jumped. He flapped his wings once, disappearing in a streak of red light as he caught up with Gwyn.
The griffin, despite being thrown like a sack of grain, quickly found its balance. It spread its wings, catching the air. The mythical creature was born to rule the sky, and it showed.
“Karla, isn’t our Lord’s Angel a little…” Mirion started, but the Elf interrupted him.
“Not now,” Karla interrupted, her gaze fixed on the darkness between the trees. “Kurraghal is coming.”
The forest floor began to tremble, a rhythmic, heavy vibration that shook the bones of every Velmoryn present. The ancient trees around them groaned and shifted, leaning away as if bowing to open a path for their sovereign.
A colossus of dark, ancient bark and moss stepped into the light. Burning red eyes glared from a face of twisted wood, and veins of liquid gold pulsed beneath its timber skin.
The moment its eyes landed on the Velmoryns, it reached out and grabbed a massive tree. It tore the trunk from the earth, roots and all, as if it were nothing more than overgrown grass.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Kurraghal roared, a sound of grinding wood, and hurled the massive tree toward the group like a spear. Simultaneously, vines slithered forward from beneath the giant's feet, rushing toward the Velmoryns like hundreds of starving vipers.
Karla was the first to react.
She extended her right hand, her expression completely calm despite the danger. A sphere of pure silver light manifested in her palm. The orb swelled instantly, then exploded outward, forming a shimmering wall of light that rushed upward like a violent tide to meet the incoming attack.
The massive tree-spear crashed into the wall of silver light. It made no sound. There was no splintering of wood or shower of debris. The tree simply entered the light and vanished, swallowed by the void as if it had never existed.
The wall of silver dimmed and faded, replaced instantly by a surge of crimson. Intense, blistering heat radiated from Ninali. She was weaving an intricate diagram I hadn’t seen before.
A swirling circle of flames formed on the ground before her, incinerating the encroaching vines. The green creepers withered and turned to ash in seconds, but the fire didn’t die down.
The flames grew violent, spinning faster and faster until the circle collapsed in on itself.
A small, round creature jumped out from the collapsing spell.
[Eshma (Incomplete)]
Your believer has created a new spell.
Her flames contracted a creature from the Netherworld called Eshma. However, her mana and control over the element of fire are insufficient to unleash its full potential.
Limitation: The spell will collapse in 30 seconds. Eshma will manifest only 10% of its power, and its form is degraded to an undeveloped state.