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Chapter 574 Younglings
🕑 Added 2020-10-03 11:08:07 +0000 UTCAuthor's note: Hey all. New chapters up and more hopefully on Tuesday :).
Thank you for another month of support (despite recent changes and all). I really appreciate it and will continue to try and bring enjoyable stories to you :).
Let me know what you think and thanks for reading!
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Chapter Index: https://www.patreon.com/posts/37813894
Chapter 574 Younglings
Ilea followed the elf through the forest, both of them flying below the treetops.
How far away exactly is that dungeon? she asked after a while.
Ben had been flying at a slow pace so far, constantly checking around them and often pausing when he discovered anything that seemed suspicious to him.
Ilea didnt try to argue with the elf, knowing that the forest was very much his territory, let alone this specific forest. She simply supported him with whatever her skills could find in the vicinity. A whole lot of nothing so far.
The main thing she noticed was that compared to the Navali forest south and east of Karth, this part located northwest of the massive looming mountain was quiet.
Not entirely so but she hardly ever heard anything larger than a squirrel. No challenges, no roars.
At first it had been nice, to hear the birds chirp again. Ilea had spent so much time in cities, caves, or the north, she had nearly forgotten what a normal populated non mana overdosed forest sounded like.
Compared to the east, the birds didnt have a reason to periodically swarm out in fear of whatever massive monster decided to declare its superiority.
As time went on, the serenity made room for something else.
Ben signaled her to be quiet, hovering next to a tree as he stared into the undergrowth.
I cant see shit here, Ilea thought. Neither her sphere nor eyes suggested anything that demanded attention.
But hes a level three hundred elf. Im sure he knows what hes doing, she thought, keeping her careless side under control. Perhaps all those points into Intelligence finally did something.
Who am I kidding? she thought with a slight smile, flying closer to the elf without making a noise.
He glanced at her and motioned her to follow.
They continued onward but circling something she couldnt discern.
Ben finally spoke a few minutes later. Something didnt feel right.
Aha. Well its your forest, Ilea said.
The forest is home to many a creature, our kind just one of the many predators that roam these parts, he explained as they continued onward.
They moved in silence for nearly an hour, the trees around them slowly growing in height. Some were broad enough Ilea couldnt discern where they began and ended.
Do you guys live in tree houses? she asked, glancing up towards the distant tree tops. There were smaller trees growing below, grasping at the light that broke through far above. Closer to the ground moss had taken over the stone and much of the ground, creeks sneaking through the terrain and flowing into rivers farther down below.
The forest had split into various layers, each housing different animals and monsters, few of which showing themselves. None had challenged them so far.
Tree houses? Ben asked intrigued.
He refilled a water flask in a nearby creek, careful not to leave behind any tracks in the moss.
Ilea floated close by, barely any light reaching down to the ground where they stood. Its just another cave, she thought. But green.
Yeah, like made of wood and built on the side or within trees. Some of these could hold entire settlements, she said, staring at one particularly massive trunk. The thing was surrounded by dozens of other trees and vegetation, moss and ivy snaking up on some parts, large mushrooms and purple sludge clinging to others.
Ben chuckled to himself. What a silly idea. Such houses would provide very few ways to defend against monsters.
Nothing showed up so far, Ilea said, gesturing to their surroundings.
There are reasons we travel through the Navali forest by day. When the suns shine, we have to be wary of hunters. By night however, we will hide, Ben said.
Scary, Ilea said.
Monsters prowl these lands that even you would have difficulties facing. Though I suppose that will only encourage you, he said and smiled. No. We do not live in tree houses. The forest is the hunting ground of many a domain and often the battlefield of our endless war.
And yet there hasnt been a single Taleen machine, nor an elf for that matter, she said.
Let us hope it remains that way, Ben said.
They continued onward, Ilea only able to somewhat estimate their locations thanks to her various marks strewn through the continent. By now it wasnt possible for her to track the cats. Instead she focused on her own position in relation to her marks.
Half an hour of slow flying later, Ilea stopped her companion with a gesture.
Theres fighting going on, she said.
We shall avoid it, Ben said.
Aw come on, its been so fucking boring, Ilea hissed. If there are Taleen, we can take them out.
Meeting other elves is unwise, Ben said.
What if theyre in danger? Ilea asked. Bunch of young idiots overwhelmed by Centurions?
He stared at her for a moment. Youll get me out if they attack us instead. Otherwise Ill leave you behind right now.
Ilea grinned. Of course. If they cant stop space magic somehow, well get out of there. Even if theyre four marks.
Speaking of do you have four marks? she asked.
Ben glanced at her but didnt answer the question.
They do? Sapient four marks? I mean someone had to otherwise this realm wouldve long been fucked by the Ascended.
There is a minuscule chance that we will encounter anything beyond my level in these parts of the forest. That is if theyre elves at all. Young from the Wastes of Ash, looking to find a challenge in the forest or facing Taleen sent to hunt them down, Ben explained.
Wastes of Ash? That sounds like something Id like, Ilea said with a broad grin.
The Domain of Fire, the Wastes of Ash. And where hundreds of Taleen find their end every single day, he added.
That sounds way cooler than this boring forest. Why arent we going there? Ilea asked.
We do not enter the domains themselves. No Cerithil Hunters would remain were we to be so reckless. No, we destroy the gates and dungeons our enemy continues to set up. A fight just as important as the endless battle in the wastes, he explained.
I know, I know, she said, moving onward towards the noise.
She saw them soon. A group of four elves fighting two Centurions. Destroyed Guardian parts littered the surrounding forest. Probably from a dozen or more.
Two of the elves floated near the Centurions. Both had red hair, wearing crude dark red metal armor that looked damaged and singed in parts.
One of them formed a small ball of fire, sending the projectile at the closest Centurion currently engaged with the third elf.
The explosion of heat and flames made the elf stumble, his arm nicked by the Centurions weapon who had weathered the blast much better.
He said something in elvish but continued the battle, his blue fire whip materializing yet again.
The fourth elf was busy dodging the second Centurion, chaining teleports with a bored expression on his face. His body was covered in ice, two blade like extensions of the same material growing out of his arms.
The ice mage occasionally attacked the Centurion, using precise timings and openings to get in his damage. None of the machines spear attacks connected with his armor.
Ilea watched as one of the floating mages charged up a lightning blast.
He aimed before a loud snap resounded, the lightning traveling through both the whip wielder and the Centurion he was facing.
Ben approached from behind and lightly touched Ileas shoulder.
The hit elf went down to one knee as the Centurion in front of him advanced and embraced him in a tight hug. Its core started to glow as the elf struggled, shouting something to his team.
Monsters, she said, seeing the despair in the elfs face.
Children, Ben said. We should go. More might be on the way.
Youre really going to walk away from this? she asked.
Even if you help, they will attack us, Ben said.
Ilea shrugged. Who cares. Theyre not exactly heavy hitters, she said.
The group was too far away to identify but she was hardly impressed with their display.
We shouldnt risk discovery, Ben said.
We can get away. Trust me, I can escape from worse than this. And theyre not going to enter the dungeon anyway, she said.
Ben looked between the group and Ilea, hearing the pleas from his fellow elf. If they find the dungeon, they will wait, preventing both us and them from leaving.
Not if you have me, Ilea said and raised her arm.
She smirked as Displacement took effect, teleporting the Centurion right between the two floating elves. A little closer to the lightning one. By now she knew exactly when the machines detonated.
Her timing was so impeccable that the elves didnt even realize what had happened. The explosion wracked through the surrounding vegetation, sending both of the floating assholes into the branches.
To be fair, they couldve been training the whip guy.
Hey do you think my voice will reveal that Im human? she asked.
That depends on their perception. But you being with me I would think it unreasonable to assume they would believe it. Even if they saw your face, Ben said. Theyd think it a spell.
Its so unbelievable that a human is working with an elf? she asked.
The ice mage shrugged. No well yes but the main thing is your actual power. Youre no more than an inferior race to them.
Aah, that makes sense, she said and cracked her neck and knuckles.
Ben moved a hand through his hair with a sigh. You dont seem terribly different than them.
Maybe, Ilea said with a grin, her body covered in ashen armor.
Ben smiled and formed his ice armor. Have it your way. Welcome to our lands.
Their ice mage had taken out his Centurion in the meantime, his body twirling with both hands holding two of the machines legs.
Spotted us eh?
He let go, sending the live grenade towards the two of them.
Ilea flew towards the Centurion and stopped it with her arms. She moved it a little farther down to make eye contact with the ice mage.
His smug expression took a hit when the Centurion exploded in bright light and energy.
Ilea let go of the bent and singed chunk of steel that was left and floated a little closer. Youre the only one who spotted me. Well done, she said in a deeper voice than usual. Most elves she had met werent exactly the pinnacle of testosterone. Perhaps it was enough to fool them, coupled with Bens assumptions.
Refusing to speak our language. You really are Cursed, the ice mage said.
[Mage lvl 280]
Oh boy. And he really thinks Im one of theirs. Well it hardly matters. Better not have them go on a rampage in Dawntree. If they manage to escape that is.
Injuring your own and you call me Cursed. Spectacular, Ilea said.
The two floating mages from before had woken up again, both looking much worse than before. Their armor was even more in disarray. Burns and cuts from shrapnel showed on their bodies but they just gritted their sharp teeth and joined in on the confrontation.
At least they have guts.
If he cant survive a Centurion, hes not worth his name, one of them spit and vanished.
Wai- the ice mage said but it was too late.
Ilea could see him appear in front of her, one bright ball of fire in each hand before he slapped them together. She just moved through the fiery explosion without a care in the world, a single quick jab to his throat shutting him up for the moment. A gentle kick sent him flying before he slammed into yet another tree, slumping down as he grasped at his throat.
Ben had moved closer again. If I may ask, I would appreciate it if you spared them.
She glanced at him. So thats why you didnt want me to engage.
He looked down. I know of the history but please. Theyve never known anything else but this, he said and gestured to the destroyed machines.
Ilea saw the whip wielder glare up at her with angry yellow eyes, forming his weapon yet again.
Cursed, you are not welcome in these lands. Leave now and you shall come to no har- the ice mage spoke when Ilea appeared in front of him.
He vanished but she displaced him right back, grabbing his throat as he lashed out with his ice blades. She pressed her hand together, hearing the ice crack beneath her pressure.
I dont remember asking you anything, Icy, she said. Now you better stop that useless flailing or Ill snap your neck like a twig.
He listened, the blades dissolving.
Hes the smart one.
Hey whip guy, arent you mad at your lightning friend? Why are you staring at me?
I dont need your help, he said in a seething voice, snapping his whip.
The fire extended and lashed out, aimed perfectly at Ileas eye.
She caught the thing in her free hand. How old are all of you?
Kill them! the lightning mage howled, shooting a bolt at Ilea.
Well not her exactly. The ice mage was in the way after all. She just moved him aside and let the lightning hit her. How very impulsive. I mean I know theyre young but do they just die if they ever meet anything stronger than them? she asked, looking between the ice mage and Ben. This guy at least had the sense to call it off.
A defeat is shameful. Dying in battle brings more to ones name than retreat, Ben explained.
Very logical. Good thing I grew up under a less idiotic trainer. Ever heard of the Cerithil Hunters? she said. Maybe you should consider joining someone that actually teaches you instead of throwing away your lives at the whims of the Oracles.
Heretic, the lightning mage called out with an angry snarl, forming another bolt. He was interrupted by several ice lances penetrating non vital parts of his body.
He slumped to the ground, moaning in pain as blood seeped from the wounds.
Quiet, fool, Ben said.
Ilea just looked at the angry elves and shook her head. And idiots like these slaughtered thousands of humans?
Youre just children, given power beyond your senses, she whispered, the ice between her fingers cracking more now as the elf started struggling.
Ben grabbed her arm. Please. Their deaths will bring you nothing.
She didnt stop.
Keep your anger for those who are responsible. They are tools, thrown into the world without purpose. Give them a chance to rise beyond their shackles, Ben said.
Ilea could see the fear in the mages eyes, even behind the veil of ice that started to crack more and more.
She sighed and let go.
He vanished immediately, joining his injured brethren with a hand on his throat.
Thank you, Ben whispered. He summoned four small booklets and threw them at the group, two of them conscious and watching. Think for yourselves, he said and leaned closer to Ilea. We should go.
She just nodded, sharing one last look with the yellow eyed elf and the ice mage.
They moved in silence for a few minutes, flying through the tall trees with a faster pace.
Will they hunt us? she asked.
Theyre fools, but not quite that stupid, nor capable enough to keep up. If a report is made, which I doubt, there may be stronger ones on our tails soon enough, Ben said.
Good. You wont shy away from killing adults I hope, their choices not controlled or based on little experience, she said.
He glanced back at her. We wont have a choice if it comes to that.
How old were they Ben? she asked.
The elf remained quiet for a while.
Tell me, Ilea insisted.
Twenty, maybe twenty five years old, he supplied.
She just shook her head. Humans are held accountable at what? Fifteen? Sixteen? And you call them children?
Would you strike down an orphan who tried to kill you? A child who never knew the love of a parent or peer? One who trained with assassins all their life? Beaten and abused until they could finally fight back?
I know how many humans our kind has murdered. I wont judge you for retaliation but at least I want you to understand, he said.
Your society is fucked up, Ilea said.
Yes it is. And there are those who wish to change it, he said.
This isnt about the Taleen at all, is it? What difference does it make if we save these young elves from death? Theyll just find something else to fight.
What were those books you threw at them? she asked.
A collection of Elvish stories, written down by our ancestors and carried through the millennia. With more recent additions. History long forgotten and not shared within the domains. Our heritage, or what little is left of it, he said.
Can they even read? Ilea asked.
They should know that much, yes, he said. If only for their selfish dream of political power and influence.
Are those booklets illegal? she asked.
He shook his head, gesturing to a part of the forest. Beneath a set of trees, a tunnel opened up, leading down into the dark.
Illegal? No. There are only few rules given by the Oracles. Each Domain is different but I wouldnt put it past some higher ranking males to kill another for something as small as owning that booklet, he explained.
Why would they care then? If its not a rule by the Oracles? she asked.
They landed in the tunnel, tracks from other elves visible in the soft earth.
Because the stories are not about them. Some might see it as an insult, or as a weakness in those who read it. We strive to achieve greatness, each and everyone of us. Our arrogance is just one of the many barriers that prevent us from achieving such, he said.
Comments
Melting Sky
That's actually a very solid theory. It could just be that Elves in this world just happen to be very un-elf-like, but your explanation really does fit some of the hints and foreshadowing we've seen very well. I had my own simpler theory which was simply for whatever reason it was something akin to Dark Elves that originally arose in this world rather than the more standard interpretations we've seen in other fiction, but your explanation actually has a lot more flavor and is supported by some of the clues we've seen about the past. It explains why the Elves we see today are so socially aggressive and backwards and very much look like they were displaced from somewhere with much higher mana density. Other than their "the curse" the Elves in this world would actually fit way better deep inside some high mana density region than along side weak ass level 0 beings like humans. Elves are instinctually aggressive and are born high level with insane intrinsic abilities which is exactly what we see in other powerful beings that originated in high mana density areas like dungeons and in the North. In a lot of ways, Elves are physically much more on par with Dark Ones than something like humans. Had the Elves originated on the surface in the same general areas that humans arose then humanity would have been wiped out back in this world's stone age.
thkiw
these are all just dark elves who killed the light ones. now that they ascended to the forests the oracles (or matrons) refuse to let them go back into dungeons for some reason (maybe because it'll spell the truth or something). after the war and the former elves and dwarves deaths, the taleen used last countermeasures to kill off or at least hold off the rest of them. now it's been millenia. at least, this is my theory as to why elves are bloodthirsty monsters. aki was a dark elf dagger. it makes sense.
If there is one thing im dying to see/know about in this story its Kyrian. (i think i spelled that wrong but you know who im referring to) He was one of the more interesting characters and i enjoyed his progression. Maybe that is something coming up soon since Ilea will be exploring more Taleen facilities with gates. Either way im super excited to see him. See how much he has changed both strength wise and mentality wise. Has he been isolated all this time? Has he discovered life other than Taleen. Maybe he has even discovered Sapient Machines? Are they friendly? ahhh there is just so much waiting to happen with this whole Kyran situation .
Fear Style
She kinda almost did go full Anakin here
Adam Roundfield
Barbarian pseudo-communist elves, I like it.
Han Pol
I kinda guess so, but then i wonder how it's really done, and how many of them are around. If every female is an oracle they would be a large force if they have a very high level. or maybe they are few but able to give birth rapidly.
Michael scott
Thanks for the chapters. I like this, it will be very interesting to find out more about the elves. They have been a mystery pretty much the whole story. Also, the elves have 4???? Mark fighters. I'm assuming that it's either the oracles or these male leaders.
Connor Bruha
Thanks for the chapters!
Ulbert
Anyone else getting flashbacks from only the word younglings? Because I know master Anakin ain’t roasting Bratwursts with that thing
Luciaron
Thanks for the chapters!
Andrew
Thank you!
Null
I like the talen dwarves theory... I do feel like talen are machine with promam but some where there should be a sentient manufacturer... since a war is fought for century's.... I like to say it's other elves and dwarves that want that particular piece of elves to disappear and since they are elves there should be some kind of tree they Revere or Pray ... with the normal elves girl for Oracle... and one of those Oracle went rogue and start slaving males to fight... Or something...
Jonathan Timm
Honestly she did the right thing if you don't step in when things need to change, how are they ever going to change
carebear90
How would that work? ^^ Kidnapping elf children and shanghai them into the north? XD
carebear90
Well... what levels were the elves she killed way back in the beginning, that destoyed most of the western independent cities? I think they were even younger, than the four she met here. Of course she didn't know that and didn't have another choice but to kill or be killed. Now she has the power to be able to make that choice. It's just sad, that it isn't likely to change them much. Even the 3 elves she met with Elfie in the North still had this attitude, when she first met them. And they've allready been cut off from the Oracles influence at that point.
Torbjørn Nilsen
I think it might be time for the Meadow educational camp.
Nate
Jeez Ilea, killing children, even those in the process of getting other kids killed, isn't a good look. Also she should grab some of those propaganda pamphlets, haha.
carebear90
So my guess is... sometime long ago elves lived differently? Then some female elves, which seem to be rare developed a spell or gained excess to a class (Oracle?) which allowed them a degree of control over other elves? Maybe through some kind of babtism at birth? That or considering the name Oracle they subordinated themselves to one or more powerful deity like ????s? And entering a dungeon breaks this control. I'd really like to know, who or what oversees a Domain in this context. Well... my guess is, that this change in elven society was also what caused there conflict with the Taleen somehow. Or maybe it was a reaction to that conflict? But the latter would not explain, why they want to keep the status quo, if it wasn't allready established before the conflict started. I'm also not entirely convinced, that there are no Taleen Dwarves left. But there I'm tending more to the possibility, that they abandoned there mortal forms and conserved there conciousness in machines. Or maybe they are in some kind of suspended animation capsules while remote controling their war with the elves. It just seems unlikely, that the Taleen Machines military movements are a completely automated process if they are establishing new dungeons and facilities. There has to be some kind of intelligence behind them and I somehow doubt, that it is as simple as "they created an AI". Of course it is possible, that one ore more of their creations became sapient (Dark ones) if even a Meadow can gain "eyes". But why would they be so single mindedly fighting against elves, if that is the case?
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
carebear90
I still don't get why she didn't try to learn new languages to bring up her general skill counter. I mean... it has to be easier than her getting the Heavy Archery skill or Harmony of the Drowned, right?
Martin
It would be lost cause to reason with elves so young. At least is Ilea consistent trying to help them first. So far she has not shown any effort to learn any additional languages, so in the future encounters it will be either telepathy, common or language of power :-)
zsell
Because she knows how powerful she is. In the past she would avoid causing too much trouble like when she abandoned the Taleen dungeon after knowing it was too powerful for her, but now she is in a different league. A league that can survive against a 4 mark. She can do what she wants with impunity, so she does
MacDB
Why does llea feel the need to stick her nose into everything and possibly bring down trouble on her companions for 0 reason or gain.. the woman can be so insufferable sometimes
Ghornet
Children, please, control yourselves. Elves are born at level 200 or something, right? That's far too much power for a child yeah.
