Chapter 248
Chapter 248
Earl Kamron, the Seven, and his Order bombarded the enormous giant with numerous spells. But the beast wasnt falling. Then it started fighting the Leviathan. Mighty screams bounced across the turbulent waves of the ocean.
Pain burrowed into his eyes.
We will take you down with us.
The voice was incessant. A stream of red trickled from both his eyes, staining his golden robe. That last attack had drained a lot of his strength. He was aiming for the engines, but the voices in his head had interrupted him at the last second. He grinded his teeth. His vision locked onto Rebirth.
He was running out of time.
What is the secret? How do I fuse with the symbiotes without breaking down? He thought as impatience tugged at his shoulders.
Earl Kamron and his Order had studied them for a while now. Ever since he obtained his very own within a city. [Luminescence] and [Righteous] had given him power beyond what he could ever hope to achieve. It was enough to bridge the gap between him, and the monster talent that was Lord Sinwen. But it had come at a cost.
Every time he used his unfathomable power, it was not only killing his very own Classes, but himself. He was desperate to find a way so that he could fully utilise the power granted to him. Astrid held that secret.
Forget about the giant, Earl Kamron ordered. Bypass it.
The moment his command left his mouth, Kellahis most trusted warriorsprinted across the water. He moved so fast that he was practically a blur. However, the moment he was about to pass the king, an enormous wall blinked into existence. Kella slammed into it. Blood splashed.
The wall was so large that it engulfed Earl Kamrons vision. It was dark grey and imposing. Each brick was the size of a house. Each brick was scratched; like a savage beast attempted to tunnel their way through it.
A man let out a beastly scream. His name was Leon. He was one of the seven of the Great Migrators. A large fireball formed in his palm. When it grew to the size of a football, he would shape it with his hands, and press it together with both hands. He would form it into a blaze the size of a marble, then it would grow once more. He repeated the process of shaping six times. Sweat beaded from his forehead. Then, he let out a low, tumbling growl, and threw the fireball the size of a fingernail at the wall. The air shattered. A sonic boom remained in its wake.
Earl Kamron couldnt keep track of the strike until it impacted the wall. A black billowing wall of smoke covered the impact zone. The sound of the strike was so loud that even the king had to stop fighting the Leviathan to take a look.
When the smoke screen settled, a small hole was revealed.
Even that strike can only leave such a mark?
He questioned what kind of material it was made of. The same as the arc? What was in these so-called Dead Seas? The more Earl Kamron scrutinised both the wall, and the giant guarding it, the curiosity bubbled.
It seemed Ruitera held more secrets than what was on the ocean floor.
Leon screamed once more. He was about to unleash another attack, but his arms fell limp. He was exhausted. Everyone was. For this day, they hadnt slept for weeks and months. Every second of their life was entirely consumed for this moment.
Earl Kamron watched as the Leviathan and the giant had entered a stalemate.
Nathaniel turned to Earl Kamron, Pope, what do we do?
We chase them, Leon added through gritted teeth. They murdered Jabari. I want that golden-haired girls head on a spike.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
She is mine. No one else may touch her, Earl Kamron snapped. He shot Leon a bloodied glare as his words rang cold.
Everyone looked as two rivers of red streamed down his neck. It was ironic. His own Classes were eroding his life. Yet it was because of them that he was still standing. Blood didnt matter when everything in his body was continually being regenerated thanks to [Luminescence].
Earl Kamron continued, It matters not. We didnt need them dead. We proceed with the plan. He turned to the Six. Activate the drill.
What of the natives? Mindra asked.
What of them?
Earl Kamron ordered the Leviathan to return. Rebirth disappeared into the horizon.
It was time to rip Ruitera apart.
***
The south of the Dead Seas was an area void of life. The water was grey, and so was the island that Rebirth had run aground onto. The trees were dead and lifeless, but Astrid could see beating red hearts as far as she could see on the island. They were hiding. Behind the trees, within the trunks, or under the soil. Astrid didnt know how long that would remain true.
It was a small island. Smaller than Mount Hullbeck. Thankfully the arc hadnt turned on its side as they came aground.
The enormously powerful engines of the arc finally lost their juice. With a final loud bang, and a cough, the thrusters lost all power. Silence remained.
Astrid flew to the front of the arc to where Noah and her mother were situated.
We made it! She said, stopping right in front of them. She followed their gaze as they took in the sights all around them. So this is the Dead Seas.
The creatures will remain hidden for a day or two, Noah said. They like to watch first. Only after they know what they are dealing with will they resurface for a snack.
How are the power levels here compared to the rest of the ocean? Astrid asked.
Noah said after a few seconds of silence, Strong. The overabundance of mana and the harsh competition for food here has provided them a proving ground since young. Some monsters have hulking frames of muscle, but with most of them, you wouldnt notice a difference in their bodies. Hell, some of them are even smaller than the spawn. Dont let that fool you. Its the average sized ones you need to worry about.
Youre a hell of a talker. Brett chuckled.
I usually talk with my sword, Noah said as she patted the cutlass sheathed at her waist.
Words to live by, Brett replied.
So what now? Astrid asked, turning to her mother.
Gather our strength, She said without turning her head from the horizon. Although this new land brings unfathomable dangers, it provides us a chance. The monsters here are stronger. The experience they provide will be very beneficial to us. And it is a place unexplored. There is no telling what treasures lay in these waters. We will fight. We will explore, and we will return stronger than before.
And well beat the bastards back to where they came from. Rachelle punched her palm.
No, Astrid said with a calm voice. They wont be leaving Ruitera alive. Especially the Order.
That settles that then, Losef said. Lets go. We have a lot of planning to do.
Oh, Astrid said. Where are we going?
Losef smiled. Youre not coming with us for this one, Astrid.
Why not? Astrid frowned.
Because we will only slow you down, He replied. You heard Lady Sinwen. This is a new land that will help us get as strong as possible, as quick as possible. And you need to catch up to the Grand Elders, if even slightly.
Astrid stood rooted to the spot. Only after a few seconds did she sigh. She nodded. Ill send the kobolds, and the psychos together to claim this area as our own. She turned to her mother and Noah. Will they have reinforcements?
Her mother nodded. We will provide them with elites.
Alright then, Astrid said, clapping her hands. Ill be staying on Rebirth. My training will be done here.
Her mother looked at her in confusion. Astrid smiled in response. I have my methods.
Time to go back into the Eye-Queen trials.
Losef and the rest of the Severing Paths headed to the other side of Rebirth. Brett disappeared a second later. No doubt he was the one responsible for scouting out the terrain. Soon, the other scouts belonging to the militant factions would be sent out.
Of course, the same went for the noble families. In an area never explored, there was no knowing what treasures lay hidden. With danger, opportunity arose.
Astrid didnt care for any of that. All she wanted was to get as strong as possible, as fast as possible, and get busy pulling a hell of a lot of eyes.