Chapter 442: Necessary Sacrifice

Chapter 442: Necessary Sacrifice

There were moments in life when unexpected, even unimaginable, events took place. While stubborn and reckless in his own way, Dallion had always acknowledged the difference in experience and level. It was normal to let people who knew what they were doing make the decisions, and so far, Dallion had agreed with most of them. This was the first and only time he had shown open opposition to a decision made. Not only that, but an air of certainty emanated from him, making it clear that his demand couldnt be brushed away.

There was a long moment of silence, broken only by the sound of the sea.

Only one can join Jiroh, Euryale said at last. Dallion expected for her to add that he wasnt ready, but she didnt.

Then it will be me, he said, adding confidence to his voice with his music skills.

The gorgons snakes moved about. There were dozens of reasons for her to refuse, dozens of reasons for everyone in the party to ignore Dallions request, with several valid reasons. However, no one did so.

I have to be there, Dallion added.

The gorgon opened her backpack, took something, then tossed it to Dallion. The only way it could be described was like a strange armor addonor a medieval exoskeleton of sorts.

Well both go.

Didnt you say that only one could join? Dallion asked. While he wasnt complaining, the gorgon seemed to have agreed far too easily.

I lied, she replied. Put that on. Youll need it.

Whos going to watch the boat? Largo asked.Nnêw n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com

Shell be here, Dallion said.

Right? He asked.

Of course, Seamoon replied.

That settled the discussion. The boats anchor was dropped, after which half of the team jumped off. At their level, they could last several hours without air easily. Meanwhile, Eury and Dallion got ready for their trip.

The armor additions were quite strange. Dallion could see that they were composed of large sea iron segments held together with sky iron wiring. There were eleven pieces in general: two gauntlets, two elbow protectors, two shoulder protectors, a belt, two knee protectors, and two iron soles. Attaching them felt weird, though once everything was set up, they didnt feel particularly uncomfortable. It was interesting to note that Euryale had a pair of her own. Apparently, the gorgon suspected that Dallion might pull off what he did and had come prepared. That didnt make her pleased with the development, however.

Once everything was ready, and all the elements were checked, the three otherworlders went to the edge of the cloud fortress. Jiroh was the one doing the heavy lifting, using her fury powers to effectively levitate them on the edge of the cloud.

Stepping on felt weird, as if Dallion was trying to balance walking on water with balloons on his feet.

Careful, Eury grabbed hold of his shoulder. If you trip, youll splash down to the ocean. I didnt have enough material for a fill set.

Grasping what she had in mind, Dallion removed his left gauntlet, then passed his hand through the cloud surface. Nothing stopped his hand from passing through.

They really are like clouds, Dallion thought.

No one can touch it? he asked.

Furies can, Jiroh replied as she made her way to the citadels walls. No one else.

There wasnt arrogance in her voice, just a calm of fact. And just to prove the point, she walked into the armory. The dozens of shelves and columns disappeared, revealing nothing more than a bare, empty room. A few steps later, however, a single table of cloud material emerged. On top of it was what appeared to be a cube of cotton.

Hesitation swept through Jiroh. Her right hand trembled for a moment, as if remembering something, then moved forward to touch the cube. Before she could even touch it, the cube moved, changing into a cluster of threads that moved up her arm and onto her armor. As Dallion and Eury watched, a new layer of armor took shape.

Just like I imagined, Dallion thought.

This was made for my by the citadels thread forgers, Jiroh said. Armor that would grow as I did. I must have been five or younger. I cant believe they still kept it.

Are you sure its the same one?

It is. The moment she said that, the armor shifted, transforming into a thick white belt. Its not far now. We just have to"

How do you plan to go back? Dallion interrupted.

Jiroh looked at him.

You said that you found a way to go back to your home. What is it?

You really know how to make things complicated. A sad smile appeared on her face. The moment you walked into Hannahs inn, I knew there was something about you. However, even I didnt think youd end up walking the path of the empath.

Crap! Dallion looked at Eury. In theory, the rules should have prevented her from sharing information. Apparently, that wasnt the case. Either that, or Jiroh had managed to find out on her own.

Thats why I didnt want you to join us on this. It wont be pretty.

In what way?

The reason I was searching for the cloud citadel I was born on was because it knows me, the fury said. Because only a citadel that knows me would be willing to do what I ask of it.

Dallions heart tightened. He already got a sense where this was going.

It takes a lot of energy to have someone cross worlds. Even the Moons cant do it all the time. And youve seen how difficult they are to convince in anything. The only realistic way for anyone to go back is to sacrifice a magic creature, but not just any creature. In order for the portal to give me that single second between worlds, I need the magic of a citadel.

I didnt see that coming, Nil said. He too believed that the citadel held some secret information or an ancient artifact from times past that would allow her to go. Reality was much harsher. It was just like what happened to the dragon; the only difference was that Jirohs goal was to have all the energy consumed. There would be no skill gem, no crackling remnant, just a portal.

Why didnt you tell me? Dallion managed to ask. The real question he was wondering was why she had told him at all. If it was about sacrificing all the creatures that maintained the shape of the citadel, she could have done it without revealing anything. By the time Dallion figured it out, the fury would have been gone, and nothing in this world would have mattered.

Because I know what hearing it would cause you, she replied. Youre not the only one to be a chess piece of the Moons. My Moon found me interesting enough, so she gave me a gift as well.

Dallion gasped.

Thats right. Im a favored too, and the path I follow is the Path of the Traveler. My purpose is to travel as much as possible, never stopping for long. The irony is that I could never make use of this gift, for by the time I received it, I had stopped using my awakened powers, so as to get used to my old life back home.

There has to be another way.

Always thinking like an empath. Jiroh said right next to Dallion. Her normal movement speed was greater than he could follow. Combined with the blessings of the Orange Moon, it was as if she had teleported next to him. Im not going to harm the creatures in the cloud. She put her hand on his cheek. Ill just ask them to rest for one last time.

Suddenly, a blue rectangle emerged.