Chapter 327: Beneath the Veil

Chapter 327: Beneath the Veil

Travelling across the real sea was very different from the trip Dallion had gone through on the one above. Speed was not a priority. If anything, Lux moved the boat deliberately slowly so as not to attract attention. Gleam had managedafter considerable effortto cover the entire boat with illusion glitter, making it appear like a creature of sorts. That, combined with Noxs presence, let the boat float through shoals and patches of cracklings undisturbed.

This is one time I prefer being in here and not out there, Gen said with within Dallions realm. Unlike the kid.

Huh? Dallion blinked. I didnt get the impression hes that reckless.

Hes not. Hes just worried about Gleam.

Dallion suppressed his comment. Out of everyone involved, the shardfly had the greatest chance of survival. Listening to her, it was clear that she was but a pale imitation of her former self, but even so Gleam had the ability to disguise her appearance pretty well. Dallion had a strong suspicion that if he wasnt from another world, he wouldnt even have noticed the creatures real nature; and even when he knew there were times in which her illusions continued fooling him. For one thing, travelling on what looked like a crackling manta ray made him feel nervous, despite being fully aware it was a boat.

What had lasted hours before now lasted days. On a few occasions Dallion had to stop and rely on Lux and Nox for food from the starting areas of the realm. Gleam had offered to go as well, making a good point that she could catch animals much easier. Dallion, however, preferred to have her nearby in case more illusions were necessary.

Initially, hunting took the familiars a couple of hours. Lux would fly the crackling to the area in question, where Nox could proceed with the hunt. The experience made the creature quite happy. After all, Nox was a hunter by nature and now that he had grown sharpening his claws on more than booksto Nils great annoyancewas very welcome.

Having a catch brought to the ship didnt constitute finding food, though thanks to the realm, the cooking process was easy enough. Strictly speaking, Dallion had to follow the same processes like in the real world, or even Earth, but thanks to Lux, there was no chance of getting food poisoning. The taste left a lot to be desired, but it was good enough to help Dallion keep his strength.

Close to a week since the start of the sea journey, Dallion finally approached land. The shardfly was the first to notice, catching a glimpse half a day before Dallion could. By evening, everyone could get a good look at the coastline. The sign made Dallion feel insignificant.

So, this is what Agnii meant, Dallion thought.

The land was filled with rust and cracklings. It wasnt just packs of beasts roaming between crimson vegetation, entire cities were visible. These were not mere villages, either. Stone walls rose, shielding massive castles, forges releasing black smoke into the air, as well as scores of ordinary everyday buildings. As far as Dallion could see, there were three distinct cities on the coast, some larger than others.

What are the walls for? Dallion asked. I thought that cracklings stick together.

It is believed that they do, Nil replied. Which some consider proof that humans, or any of the six races, cant be cracklings since there are frequent internal conflicts. To answer your question, the thing they are guarding themselves against is the same that is keeping the realm together. Take a look at whats behind the castle city.

Dallion looked. On a hill, a considerable distance behind the largest of the cities, he could see there was an entire area covered in grass and trees. That was the only patch of green in the blackness. From this distance Dallion couldnt be sure, but it seemed like the patch formed a circle if so, there was no doubt what was in the middle of it.

Theyre fighting the guardian, Dallion thought.

Like in any other items, the cracklings overall goal was to gain enough strength to defeat the guardian, even if that would result in the destruction of the realm itself. Considering the time passed, they probably had been at it for thousands of years, and despite that, the guardians had held strong, to the point that the cracklings had become scared of them.

Gleam, any chance we can get there? Dallion pointed at the green area.

That will be pushing it, the shardling replied. Maybe if we go between the cities, but even then, I cant guarantee. The cracklings appear much smarter inland. If they rely on more than instincts youll be caught.

We all have to take risks.

Strictly speaking, Dallion was correct. It was mid-afternoon, hours before sunset. And still, one moon was visible in the sky, as if to rival the sun the Green Moon.

Instinct took over, making Dallion split into five instances. He knew well enough that fighting here was pointless, but even so, he wanted to have escape options ready.

A flock of cracklings filled the sky. Like crows they flocked, flying towards the dryads. That didnt seem to bother them in the least. Fighting individually, the duo continued destroying trees with such ease it looked as if they were toppling card towers.

Youre not at the level to see their movements, dear boy, Nil said. Youll need another ten perceptions, at least.

Dallion thought back, trying to remember any achievements for perception. Sadly, he couldnt remember any. Even if he could, though, it was unlikely that there were any that would help him in the current situation.

The gates of one of the crackling cities opened, releasing a host of gremlin knights. These werent the scruffy creatures Dallion had encountered before, they were significantly larger, clad in full plate armor. A genuine crackling army poured in the direction of the intruders, and Dallion instantly understood what the shardfly had feared.

Were going back, Dallion turned around. No matter who won this encounter, they would prove stronger than Dallion could handle. He had found a way to the remaining temples and gotten to see first-hand what the situation was there. The best thing to do now was to flee and

Stay. A dryad appeared in front of him. Like the fighting duo, this one was young, wearing simple linen clothes. Off the battlefield he would seem more at home as a bard or scribes apprentice. Here, he was the biggest threat there was. The guardian wants to talk to you.

Youre an echo, Dallion noted.

And youre from another world, the dryad replied. You can fly to the temple, if you want. The guardian already knows you can do that.

I prefer to look at the battle a bit, Dallion lied, adding confidence to his words. How did you see through my illusion?

There used to be shardflies in this realm, the echo replied, reaching out towards Gleam. The familiar fluttered half a foot away. Not anymore. The dryad lowered his hand. Its not safe for you here. Were bound to lose soon.

Then Ill stay until its safe.

The battle continued. The dryads actions had managed to create a patch of fertile land among the decay. Cleared of rust vegetation, it almost looked like a picnic garden. As the crackling troops arrived, though, that quickly changed. A new battle began, this one far fiercer than before. Initially, the echoes had the advantage, but as the gremlin army stacked up, the tides began to turn. After losing a few members, the crackling squads merged together increasing tenfold. With speed rivaling that of the dryads, these new armored soldiers continued their attacks. With each hit, their size shrank, but that didnt seem to matter, since a constant wave or reinforcements quickly restored them back to what they were before. At one point, one of the soldiers managed to pierce a dryad by piercing through a comrade and striking the echo from its blind-spot. One hit proved to be enough. With as little as a poof, the echo vanished, leaving the other alone.

You should fly now, the dryad next to Dallion said.

Dont you have reinforcements?

No, just the three of us.

How do you expect to defeat several cities with just three echoes?

We didnt come here to defeat armies, came the reply. We came for you. This should be a good enough distraction for you to reach the temple. Dont waste it. It would be tedious to send a second batch just for this.