Chapter 274: Zach

Chapter 274: Zach

Mission and Goals

The rooms that they were assigned were large, aside from having the large common room, they also had separate bedroomseach with its own bathroom. Zach sat in his and Nahas room, focusing on his |Phantom Training|. He had been using every chance he got, training inside his mind. He was aware that his job on this mission was simply to serve as a backup, a way for their group to have someone who could get them out of the Ethereal Realm, as that seemed to be a big part of the plan. They didnt want to rely on someone from the Empire, there was too much there for Zach to unpack with limited understanding, but it was obvious that trust was lacking on both sides.

He was under no illusion as to the amount that he could contribute to the team. Still, they would be going against the dome monsters, and he needed to be as strong as he possibly could be. Inside his head, through his skill, he fought with the monsters he faced in the core. His memory of them always seemed somehow clearer when he used the skill, which allowed him to fight a more faithful representation of them. At least he hoped that it was.

Finally, he felt himself tire and decided to end todays practice. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Naha standing above him.

All good? He asked her.

She nodded her head. Eratemus called for a meeting, we are gathering in a few minutes.

Zach stood and stretched his neck. Yeah, there are things that we all should probably discuss.

Naha looked at him, her hand crossed over her chest. I believe that others were taken aback, as much as I was, concerning the Empire and the scale of their power, I guess that I should say.

I did notice that, yes. Is it really that impressive? I know that it is to me, but I am a Ranker that had spent barely a handful of years here.

Naha sighed. Ive visited most of the great cities in the Settled Territories, the great headquarters of the most powerful factions. All pale in comparison to this city. I dont think that you can quite appreciate what it means. This is a monument to power, an achievement, a message. Only the highest tiered builders couldve imagined and brought to life something like this, and I honestly doubt that any of the highest builders in the core could match this.

I guess that I have no point of reference, Zach noted.

These are a dangerous people, Naha told him. We would do well to remember that.

Zach nodded.Updated from n0velb(i)n.c(o)/m

With that, the two of them walked out of their room and into the common area. It was already occupied, Maleatus and Vryull stood together in a corner, talking softly. Selia and Erdania sat on the cushions with their legs crossed, and Ryun stood nearby, his eyes closed and head tilted to the side.

The skeletons were no where to be seen, so Zach assumed that they were in one of the rooms. Eratemus walked out just as Zach and Naha took seats on a couch. Zach wondered what he was doing in the room, as an undead, he didnt really need to rest.

The undead walked to the center of the room and took a position that had him face all of the rest.

Well, we are here, Eratemus said.

We are, Maleatus said slowly, then waved his hand at the walls. What the fuck is this?

The undead seemed unsure himself. We were aware about the Empire for quite some time. Though our people hadnt been able to penetrate deep in their territory. Still, we knew a lot about their movements and their power. Obviously, we did not know everything.

I cant even imagine what it would take to make this Citadel work, how much power it would take to expand a structure on the inside, Maleatus said.

Dont the storage rings work in the same way? Zach asked.

Maleatus shook his head. Only at the base level. A storage ring is a space that had been cut off from the Real Realm by Void, then attached to an item. This citadel exists here and now.

Zach was still not quite sure how it worked, so he moved away from the topic. Does this change anything about why we are here, though? He asked.

Zacharia is correct, Eratemus told Maleatus. Weve been focusing on things that are not currently relevant.

Like slavery? Someone said. Zach turned to see Erdania looking at the undead.

I know, Eratemus said. But we just cant do anything about it without making things worse and losing against the dome monsters.

No one seemed quite happy with that, but no one said anything. Zach was wondering how one could affect something like that. One answer was obvious, be powerful enough that you could change things and kill anyone who disagreed.

They do not seem in any rush to send us off, Vryull said.

They are clearly in an all out war, Zach added. There was an entire army out there beyond the Wall.

Our agreement was always for us to send a force, a small group that would join their people in an attack on the dome leader, Eratemus started. Perhaps there are things that are not yet in place for that mission to be possible.

We didnt come all this way, Erdania started. Leaving our own people, just to sit here and waste our time.

She pointed and Zach could see the pockets of enemy forces in the Under, but a lot further from the Wall.

They are holding that line there, she said. And weve been unable to find extra routes around them. But it doesnt really matter.

Rella Re Raha interjected. Because, our goal is here, she pointed at a cavern near the enemy position in the Under. There is an entrance to the Ethereal that leads directly to our Fort near the Dome. It is not the most stable of routes through the Ethereal, but it is the only one that will get you where you need to go.

So, your plan is for us to go through there, reach the Dome and kill the Leader? Eratemus looked pensive. Do you know if the Leader is even still there?

He is, Knight Commander Rew said. We had a scout confirm it.

Why not send an army through? Selia asked.

The Knight Commander met her eyes. An army would be noticed, not just by the enemy but also by the denizens of the Ethereal Realm. Regardless, we cant afford to send an arm even if we wanted to. Everyone is needed to defend the Wall.

Zach was slowly getting a bigger picture of just how dire the situation was. If they could barely afford to send a handful of people, then they were on the verge of falling to the enemy.

When you asked us to come, Eratemus started. You said that you preferred a few people that could hold of armies. What kind of a team are you attempting to gather?

That will depend on you, Rew said. The assault team will be coming out into the deep reaches of the enemy territory, surrounded by their forces. The goal is to punch through the army and hold the rest of it off while the rest kill the Leader. There is no point in making it more complicated than that. Things are going to go wrong anyway, no plan survives for long in the real world.

Zach agreed with that. Sometimes plans might work perfectly, but more often than not, something would go wrong.

And what kind of help will you provide us? Maleatus asked.

Rew turned and looked at the ravzor. As weve said, items, essence if you need it, potions, elixirs, and arrays, knowledge of Class and Skill. He glanced at Selia, Erdania, and Ryun. We have little to offer to Cultivators, but any resources that are within our means to obtain will be provided. Teachers if you need it, trainers that can help you improve. Once the team is assembled, we will have you train together, learn how to act as a team.

You think that we have the time for that? Eratemus asked.

Rew grimaced. We estimate that we can hold for at least another year. Each day we hold is bought with blood, so we would prefer to do this as quickly as possible. But that is our timeline.

I will need to talk with my people, this is not a decision to be taken lightly. You want us to share all the secrets of our power, Eratemus said.

Very well, Rew said. Just know that every hour you take to make this decision, is bought by the blood of the Empire.

There wasnt really much that anyone could say to that. As they all turned to leave, Zach spotted one person remaining where he was. Ryun faced the four people across the table and then spoke.

There is another matter, a personal matter, he said slowly.

Everyone paused and turned. The Empires people looked at each other, then back at him.

What is it? Rew asked.

There are two matters that I need to be resolved. A matter of an oath and a member of my sect that was kidnapped. I have no desire to make you problems, to harm you or your people. In order for it to be resolved, I need to speak with someone from the House Ornn.

They blinked at that, confused. And then the Knight Commanders eyes narrowed. Ah, I remember now. Ryun Nacht, the Twilight Melody Sect. Nayra Ornn abandoned her duty and the Empire in order to stay in your sect.

She is my Sect Leader, she will be returned, or I will make those who have taken her pay and take her anyway, Ryun said evenly.

Zach looked at him, at the situation, and wondered how he could stand here in the seat of their power and say something like that.

Ryun, Eratemus stepped closer to him. This isnt the time nor the place for such threats.

I dont threaten, I give promises, Ryun said, his eyes never leaving the Empires people.

This is not a matter that we can speak on, the Custodian said slowly. I will inquire, and a message will be sent to House Ornn.

Ryun stood still for a long few seconds, and then he inclined his head. That is sufficient, for now.

He then turned and walked away, everyone else following behind him.

Zach exchanged looks with Naha, wondering if he would ever become like that. If he would ever have enough power and certainty in it to not care about what anyone else thought or wanted.