Arrival at the Cliffs
The night was serene, with a cool breeze rustling through the trees, carrying the faint scent of the sea. The kruiser slowed to a halt atop a high cliff overlooking the breathtaking expanse of Ignir. Anuel stepped out first, her sharp gaze scanning the vista before her.
Ignir was a sight to behold. The town was 80% surrounded by glimmering water, which reflected the countless glowing runes etched into the buildings and trees. These runes shimmered with soft, multicolored light, illuminating the area like a dreamscape. The lights of the town seemed to dance on the surface of the water, creating an ethereal glow that stretched far into the distance.
"Look at that," Festron said, leaning on the edge of the cliff. His voice held an uncharacteristic note of awe. "Ignir really is a jewel."
Lisa stepped up beside him, squinting at the distant view. "Where are the Earthers?"
Anuel pointed toward a dense forest just beyond the town. The forest was surrounded by a towering wall constructed from ice and wood, its imposing height a testament to the effort that went into its creation. "There," she said, her tone clipped. "One million Earthers, though I suspect the number has dwindled thanks to the wildlife."
Lisa frowned, her analytical mind already calculating the sheer scope of what she was seeing. "How did they build a wall that large?"
"It must have been a high-level magic user," Festron suggested, his voice casual.
"Or just a collective effort," Anuel added. "Desperation can make people resourceful."
Lisa tilted her head. "The forest makes the town look tiny in comparison. It must span for miles."
"Lisa, make us a boat," Anuel commanded, shifting her focus. "We'll use that stream over there to bypass the town and head straight to the forest. If I were alone, I'd simply run across the water, but Dreados insists you all need experience."
Lisa raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Run on water? You can actually do that?"
Anuel smirked, her confidence palpable. "Of course. It's not as hard as it sounds—if you have the speed and control."
With a nod of acknowledgment, Lisa walked to the edge of the stream. She closed her eyes, her hands outstretched as she began to chant softly. "Concentrate. Visualize the form."
Before she could complete her spell, Festron leaned in close, his mischievous grin unmistakable. "Yes, visualize it well," he teased, his face mere inches from hers.
Lisa's concentration snapped as she opened her eyes, glaring at him. "Stop it, Festron!"
"Fine, fine," Festron replied, stepping back, though his grin didn't falter.
Lisa shook her head, muttering under her breath as she began again. "Concentrate. Visualize the form. Collect Mana. Input its mechanism. Manifest."
The nearby trees groaned as their wood began to reshape itself. Branches twisted and merged, forming the sleek outline of a boat. Slowly but surely, the boat took shape—a perfectly crafted vessel with smooth edges, glowing runes along its surface, and a large propeller at its stern.
Anuel nodded approvingly. "Good job."
Without further delay, Anuel walked toward the kruiser and tapped its side. Turning to Ziraiah, she said, "Get out, little girl."
Ziraiah hesitated, her feet rooted in place.
Anuel's patience waned, and she struck the kruiser harder. The sound reverberated through the air. "I said, get out, or I'll come and get you myself."
Reluctantly, Ziraiah stepped out, her movements slow and unsure. As soon as she did, the kruiser began to shrink, its panels folding inward with mechanical precision. Within moments, it transformed into a small, toy-like object. Anuel picked it up and placed it in her bag.
"Put the boat in the water," she commanded, gesturing toward Festron.
Festron picked up the lightweight vessel with ease, carrying it to the stream and setting it down. The boat floated effortlessly, its sleek design cutting through the gentle current.
Anuel, Festron, and Lisa climbed aboard with practiced ease. Ziraiah, however, remained on the shore, her hesitation evident.
Anuel rolled her eyes, exasperation creeping into her voice. "Lisa."
Lisa smirked knowingly and waved her hand. A strong gust of wind surged forward, sweeping Ziraiah off her feet and depositing her unceremoniously into the boat.
Ziraiah stumbled but managed to steady herself, shooting Lisa an annoyed glare.
Lisa placed her hand on the boat's edge, her fingers glowing faintly as the runes activated. The propeller hummed to life, and the boat surged forward, gliding across the stream with impressive speed.
Anuel stood at the helm, her eyes focused on the path ahead. The glow of Ignir's lights reflected off the water, creating a mesmerizing display that danced around them as they traveled.
"Hold tight," Anuel said, her voice steady but commanding. "The real work begins soon."
---
The Unbound's Hideout
Hours earlier, in a vast chamber carved from black stone, the hideout of the Unbound buzzed with activity. The vaulted ceilings were adorned with glowing runes that pulsed faintly, illuminating the room in an eerie blue light. The air hummed with a mix of voices and footsteps as beings of various races moved about, each with their own tasks and conversations.
A portal roared to life in the center of the room, its edges crackling with arcs of electric-blue energy. From its swirling depths, Gustein's barrier tumbled out, rolling to a halt with a thunderous crash. Moments later, Valerius and Eryndor were flung unceremoniously onto the cold, polished floor, their bodies hitting the ground with dull thuds.
Dreados stepped through the portal, his entrance deliberate and commanding. He straightened his coat and surveyed the room, his sharp gaze sweeping over the gathered Unbound. His presence alone was enough to silence nearby conversations as heads turned in his direction.
Before the portal could fully close, another swirled to life beside it. From its depths, Silvie came tumbling out, landing in an awkward heap. She scrambled to her feet, her disorientation evident as she brushed herself off.
Dreados's lips curved into a sly smile as he addressed her. "Well, look at that—you succeeded"he said, his tone carrying a mix of mockery and approval.
Before he could say more, the room shook violently. Another barrier hurtled through the same portal Dreados came through, crashing into the wall with a deafening impact. The force of the collision sent cracks spidering across the stone surface, filling the air with dust.
Dreados sidestepped the incoming barrier with inhuman speed, his movements precise and unhurried. The room fell silent as Beily emerged from the portal, his towering form striding toward Dreados.
"Mission success," Beily declared proudly.
Dreados's expression darkened, and with a swift motion, he slapped Beily across the face. The sound echoed through the chamber. "Why did you throw it?" he snapped. "Look at the damage you've caused!"
Beily rubbed his cheek, muttering an apology. "Sorry…"
The tension was broken by the arrival of Sumshus, who stumbled through yet another portal. "That Elf King," he muttered, his voice shaking. "I almost died out there. He's terrifying."
A woman with light brown skin and glowing blue wings entered from a nearby hallway. Her voice rang out cheerfully. "Dreados's team is back! Hey, everyone!"
The room erupted into chatter as members of the Unbound gathered around, their curiosity palpable.
Meanwhile, the red-skinned Omfry stepped forward. Without hesitation, he placed both hands on the queen's barrier, his immense strength shattering it effortlessly. The shards dissolved into the air as the queen and her daughter collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Dreados turned sharply. "Omfry," he warned, his voice low and dangerous. "These hostages are of considerable value."
Omfry stepped closer, his towering 10'2" frame slightly overshadowing Dreados's 9'10" stature. The tension in the room was palpable as their gazes locked, their sheer presence commanding the attention of everyone around them.
After a long pause, they both smirked and raised their arms, performing a powerful dap. The force of their grip sent a shockwave through the room, and the gathered Unbound erupted into cheers.
"You bastard," Omfry said with a wide grin. "You really did it."
---
To Be Continued...