Chapter 617: Great Wall of Arda

"Got more than we bargained for," escaped a sly remark. The salty western sea breeze warmed the lungs. Pseudo medicine recommended the sea's aroma to cure various illnesses. Without proof nor reason to break the myth, many countries have one or two hospitals around the ocean's vicinity. The last village, Ohm's port, harbored trade ships from the western lands. Easel Run Gard and Dreqai to name a few. 

"You're right," added Igna deeply. A viewpoint gave onto steep slopes, the last point had been joined. The dotted diagram of protection finished on the 20th of August. 

"Julius," giggled a lady at the back.

"What is it?" wondered he facing the murmur.

"Look, a traveling food merchant. He must have meals specially made for the beaches."

"Probably not," added Igna, the excitement shattered, "-he's selling raw fish and the lot, not cooked items. Tis no wandering chef."

"POPS!" a loud crash levied the ground, "-I'M BACK!" 

"Welcome back," sighed Igna, "-how's the griffin?" 

"It's awesome," cried he tightly holding reins, "-He has a name, Potery." 

"Potery…" the visage dulled. Julius and Malley followed said reaction.

"Potery?" she scratched her head, "-what about it?"

"I see," he leaped into Igna's arms, *snap,* the legendary beast vanished, "-I saw it in town. Some strange man was selling flasks named Potery…"

"Honestly," facepalmed Julius, "-why does my nephew have to be so-"

"I know," murmured Igna, "-I know. Dealing with him has shaved off years off my life," a gentle shake of the shoulder begot an annoying snarl.

"L-leave me alone," yawned Vanesa, "-I'm sleeping here."

The shoulders slumped, Julius comfortingly tapped Igna's back, "-hang on in there, cousin. Things will only get worse from here."

'Only get worse?' shivers darted down the back, '-I forgot about her…'

A portal summoned to the lively Glenda, '-today's the last day,' he reminisced. 

"Can't believe our adventure took on so many twists and turns. A simple project to make a wall turned into fighting off the Invasion, what a joke."

"Go on and meet with the others," said Igna, "-I'll check on preparations for our departure." Malley giddied down the mossy steps. 'The new district's started construction,' off the walls himself, '-we're headed to Rotherham. I wonder what the others have been up to?' 

"Unacceptable," resounded along the watchtower, "-these mustn't be packed!"

*Creek,* "-excuse me?" 

"MY LORD," fired Alta, "-please tell Éclair to stop packing these shabby clothes. You're not headed to Oxshield in such attire."

"Calm it you two." Draconis escaped his grip and bolted down the stairs, "-I'm going to see Ota," he bellowed. A roar gave rise to subtle tremors, a shadow briefly covered the inside. 

"Can't believe the boy's tamed a griffin," added the bemused Alta.  

"Well, the griffin was tamed to be a familiar. I forgot about many things, one of them being that as well as its master."

"It's master?" squinted Éclair.

"Oh yes," the monster signet ring glowed, an empty circle covered the dirtied floor. Above it rose what could only be described as a humanoid figure. Long legs of blue complexions, light blue hair, long inviting lashes, and sharp facial features. A crown of coral gently merged onto her head, the ears were long, same as an elf, but different. Her neck bore a black line, tattoo for the clueless, and grills for those in the know. The appearance was one of animosity. For once, the instant she appeared, her arms crossed, the lips slid into an annoyed frown, "-I present thee, Saniata, the spirit of water."

"Shut it," she fired in a soft-spoken tone. The would-be hurtful words floated to the recipient, "-I won't forgive so easily," she moved to the office chair, "-forgetting about me and my griffin. How can a master do so to his companions," she ignored his gaze, "-I won't forget."

"Another girl," commented Alta.

"Another one," joined Éclair, "-I think my master's a bit of a-"

"Don't say it," he thundered, "-regardless, meet Saniata, she's the master of the griffin. Draconis made a pact with her."

"Pleased to make your acquaintance," said she softly, "-I hope we get along," she nodded, "-unlike a certain forgetful mongrel."

"Saniata," said he coldly, "-do refrain from speaking so harshly. Misplace words might end in an untimely accident."

"No, I think she'll be fine," grinned Éclair, "-as long as the goddesses aren't around to hear the insults, I doubt anyone would complain."

"You decided to show me attitude now?" he exhaled to shake of the head, "-whatever." 

"Pardon my intrusion," coughed Alta, "-I'm pleased to see another companion has joined my lord's rank. Preparations for the departure are complete. A jet awaits at the secondary manor."

"I see," he nodded, "-I've asked for my forces stationed at the first manor to return."

"Understood. We sent for a new garrison earlier this week. Defense-wise, Glenda's reached a new mark. Mounted turrets and tanks at the ready to defend."

"Won't be necessary," he smiled, "-today's the day our project comes to fruition." 

"Master," glared Saniata, "-I've decided on thy punishment."

A defiant side-glance said, "-how very generous of you."

"Let's see how the attitude holds me," she smirked, an upward spiral of water shattered the chair and roof, her tall stature shrunk. '-Oh no,' realization hit,' -please don't tell me.'

The body reversed in time, "-hey there pops," she giggled, "-I am, sorry not sorry years old. Saniata Haggard, the illegitimate child of my poor father, Igna, who sadly had intercourse with a water spirit," she wept into her elbow, "-why did you leave mother…" a soft-tone of woe broke Éclair, '-she's so adorable…'

"Pardon me, master, are her words truthful?"

"NO," he thundered, "-Saniata's blatantly lying…" Then again, '-she fooled Éclair without making an effort.'

"Well then," he laughed, "-Saniata, I'll gladly play your game."

"Tis no game," she leaped to hug his leg, "-I'm serious about being called thy daughter."

"Why, what's the merit," he gritted.

"To play with Draconis and Vanesa," she smirked, "-they seem like fun." 

*BANG,* the small hole exploded, "-INCOMING," cried a curled-up boy. The roof broke into an open ceiling. 

The dust settled, "-mind explaining the meaning of this?" Igna wondered whilst he gripped the boy's nape.

"A DIVE BOMB," he thundered recklessly, "-I heard my name."

"Where's the griffin?" the finger rose, '-I can barely see the beasts. Just how high did he fall?' 

"Blue lady," he escaped the tight hold, "-who are you?"

"Igna's child," she laughed, "-nice to meet you."

"A new friend," the eyes widened, "-AWESOME!" a whistle responded in a heavy gust. "-I'll be off with Draconis, see you later, pops!" winked the mischievous Saniata. 

"What's the noise about…" coughed Vanesa, "-pops, keep it quiet, I'm trying to sleep."

Fatigue buckled the baron's knees, '-what have I done to earn such a punishment.' In face of an army and god-like entities, the strength never once escaped, despair never crossed the mind. However, faced by the children, even the strongest of men could but cower. 'Draconis was one thing,' he facepalmed, '-now there's her too,' visibly irritated, '-at least Vanesa's somewhat normal.' The normal weight of her body lifted, he turned to a green mist of transparent arms, she hovered as if possessed, "-POPS, I NEED FOOD!" 

"HELP ME!" bellowed the broken tower. 

Minutes turned to hours; Julius's preparation was readied. The jeep made down a gravel path, Malley and the children sat in the back. "-who's the new addition?" inquired Julius.

"My bastard," he headbutted the steering wheel, "-or so she says. The lass is but a water spirit."

"The devil of Glenda brought to his knees by children, feels poetic."

"Don't mock me," he grabbed his collar, "-try babysitting for once a day, I swear, you'll choose an army over their whims."

"No thanks," he countered the grip, "-we're at the spot." 

A ravine dipped a few meters ahead, "-ready?"

"Yeah," smiled Julius, the hands pressed, golden circles spun about his limbs.

*Mana Control: By-pass,* palm against Julius's back, "-do your thing!"

Tremors rocked the entire province, from Noctis's Hallow to Castle Eldo. Fauna and flora reacted, a giant shot of energy spread around the fourteen points, the culmination of a few month's work. A deterrent to any who wishes to fight against the Blood-King's faction. Previously invisible lines shuffled into sight, *Creation: Conjuration,* he swiped, the wall summoned to follow the gesture, the lips parched, the skin paled, Julius fell from exhaustion. 

"Good job," said Igna, "-I got you," the prince solemnly napped, "-with this, our quest's complete." What was a ravine filled into a monstrous edifice of strength and defense, the shadow it cast went on meters on end. Archways were built along the common trade routes. Not only did the prince construct the wall, but also added military outposts for increased defense. The size was a little taller than the Azure Walls. Like them, soldiers could patrol along the very wide summit. One end of the continent to the other, a journey of a few months on horseback, excluding weather conditions and monster attacks. 

"They've done it," mumbled Serene.

"What's the matter?" inquired Alaric strolling along town-square

"Why's everyone out here?" wondered Lord Balthazar.

"The tremor," yawned Lady Gabrielle, "-the mana's potent."

"I fear we're under attack," gulped Aurora, "-should have expected as much, there's no way the Empire would stay quiet after their shameful defeat."

"Got to hand it to Baron Igna," complimented Alaric, "-he turned the tide of war on his own."

"He's blessed by the god of war," added Julia, "-the devil of Glenda."

"Actually," breathed Serene, "-it's the prince and Igna, the Haggard's have completed their quest, a great wall reaching from one end of Arda to the other. It encompasses the villages."

"Surely you jest," added Julia nervously.

"No, I'm serious," a portal summoned, "-they'll head for Rotherham."

As was said, the jeep reappeared at the secondary manor. There in rested the children of Svein's hill. Julius was quite the softie, the property transformed into an orphanage. The Head-maid reluctantly became the dorm-mother. In addition, an asphalted road of a few minutes led to Glenda, where, in the new district, a school neared completion. More scholars escaped the clutches of the Empire, the town being a haven changed many lives for the better. People in Oxshield were hired to provide care. Pulling a few strings garnered affiliation to Sky-Heart Academy, a relatively prestigious establishment. Thus, the first fully endorsed complex for magic, trading, and any in-between, was formed. 

A black jet laid in wait; Malley dragged the prince mercilessly across the yard. Children inside rushed for a farewell party. 'The Haggard's truly care for their people. How nice to see those smiling faces. Makes all the bloodshed and deception worth it. The youth are the ones to truly reunite our continent. Quite a stroke of genius, cousin, involving Sky-Heart Academy will allow for exchange programs. I can't wait to see what comes of it.'

Bloodied doors opened to the sunny outside, "-my eyes," complained Alaric.

"So warm," melted Gabrielle, "-it's been so long!"

"I presume you're Igna Haggard?" inquired Julia, "-are the rumors of the wall true?"

"Yes," he stopped as the others carried inside the jet, "-Lady Julia Fawn of the Sabbath clan, what brings the clan leaders to this humble abode?"

"You," retorted Serene, "-lady Elvira's been quite adamant on your prowess. Seems her trust wasn't misplaced."

"I did what I sought out to accomplish. Will the pessimism take a re-"

"Yeah, yeah," she shrugged off the provocation.

"Baron," called Aurora, "-mind you show us thy wings?"

"My wings?" he paused; "-I doubt it to be of any use."

"Do it," mumbled Lord Balthazar.

*Blood-Arts: Enlian,* the hair bleached into pure white save a few crimson strands, the canines sharpened, the nails followed into inky black, long wings of a fallen angel stretched, "-will this be enough?" a few flaps had the council in jeopardy.

"The Blood-King's wings," they knelt, "-there can be no other who has the first progenitor's blood, my lord, have thee returned?"