Chapter 550: A World's Destiny

Chapter 550: A World's Destiny

Dallions voice rose up, filling the air. The sensation of wonder and allure flowed in the words, blossoming within all that could hear. It wasnt enough to change the attitude of the guardianthe dryad could resist without issue. However, they werent targeting him, but rather the ones he was protecting.

It started slowly, at first. A few dryads would peek from the temple doors, maybe go to the entrance to see what was happening inside. The moment they did that, they were already ensnared. Dallion's song described wonders and marvels in the world, tempting them to check it out. Even from this distance he could see the conflict brewing within them, like two large balls of color; caution urged them to remain where they were told it was safe, while curiosity pulled them out.

The guardians eyes narrowed. Dallion could see that he had figured out what was going on, however, wasnt able to prevent it. Or, rather, he was facing a dilemma. Still too weak from his last attack, he couldnt either wait until he was in a condition to fight again, and so risk the life of the dryads, or he could take his chances now while at a significant disadvantage. Neither of the options were good. Dallion was glad that he wasnt the one who had to make a choice like that, at least not yet.

Well played, the guardian said. Not elegant, but effective.

Dallion didnt stop singing, despite wanting to. He wanted to have a talk with the guardian, to tell him that if he were stronger, he wouldnt have resorted to such means. That was the thing, thoughonly the strong had the luxury of imposing rules on themselves. Dallion had seen it while hunting, but there was only a single life involved. Here, he was playing with the lives of many others. It was no longer a battle, but an all-out war, only at a smaller scale.

Just surrender, Dallion thought, hoping that it would end at that. However, the determination glowing within the guardian had only kept on increasing until it filled the dryads entire body.

There was a brief moment of hesitation. A strand of indecision materialized. Moments later, though, it was gone once more.

The guardian charged forward, aiming to kill Dallionthe one who was threatening the last remaining inhabitants of a poisonous realm. There was every chance that the attack would leave him vulnerable to Euryale, but it didnt seem it mattered at this point.

Hes fast, Dallion thought, moving his shield arm in front of his body. If the distance between the two was less, it would all be over by. Now, though, he had a chance.

He can still do a final attack, Nil raised his voice, alarmed by the development of things.

He wont, Dallion whispered. Reverse cocoon! he ordered.

The armadil shield extended, but only this time the curve was in the opposite direction, extending around the spot at which the dryad was going to be. There was no telling whether the guardian saw the trap or didnt. The end result was him ending up surrounded by a sphere of metal.

MAJOR WOUND

Your health has been reduced by 50%

Dallion felt as if his arm was being torn off his body. Even the shield hadnt been able to negate the attack, leaving Dallion at barely five percent health. The good news was it had completely exhausted the guardian, rendering him powerless.

Make an attack opening, Dallion said, collapsing on the outer side of the metal sphere. Without Luxs healing ability, he was finding it impossible to keep standing up.

Thankfully, Euryale was well aware of what had to be done. Catching up to the imprisoned guardian, she punched the air in front of her. Golden tendrils formed, thrusting forward through the opening that Vihrogon had created.

For a moment, all time stopped. Dallion felt the thud within the cocoon, but was uncertain whether anything had happened. Then it came: the red rectangle he had been hoping for.

TERMINAL STRIKE

Euryales damage is increased by 1000%

Open up, Dallion managed to say.

Youre in no state to be standing, Vihrogon said.

Do it.

Slowly, the metal sphere shrunk down to a half sphere, then to the shields original size. Dallion made an attempt to keep standing, but his legs gave up, causing him to start to fall. Before he hit the ground, though, Eury caught him.

Youll always be the owners until someone defeats the guardians again. You can leave me, or you can call back the other eight guardians. Its all up to you.

I prefer that its just you, Dallion felt the urge to say. There arent enough dryads to need more. And theres less chance of conflict this way.

Maintaining the realm will be more difficult, but youre likely right. Is that your decision, then? He looked at each of them in turn. No plague, a sea, and me as guardian?

There were dozens of more things that could be added. Just thinking about it, Dallion could add flutters of shardflies, water equines, or many of the creatures he had seen in sphere item realms, but nowhere else. There could even be a flock of firebirds, so that Lux would have others of his kind. However, that was too much. It was like going down a rabbit hole: unless one stopped at the entrance, there was always a step further to go.

I helped too! Dark grumbled, as he approached. His wing had fully healed already, although the dragon did look less energetic than usual. Do I get a say?

No, the guardian said flatly. Dragons cant rule this realm.

Why not?

Because it wasnt made by you.

Well, I think

Weve decided. Both Dallion and Eury said in near perfect unison, seeing the sparks fly between the young dragon and the semi-formed guardian. Apparently, dryads didnt get along with dragons. Who would have guessed? Do we have to say it out loud?

The dryad shook his head. Despite that, Dallion did.

I want the plague to be purged from this realm, he said.

And for the sea to return, Euryale added.

And for Prolet to be the realms only guardian.

AURA SWORD level increased

The AURA SWORD has been improved to a mono-guardian realm.

Your SCHOLAR skills have increased to 31.

A green rectangle emerged.

Thirty-one? Dallion thought. After all that fighting, that probably was the only skill that hadnt reached its cap. Not that he was complaining, but seeing its low number made the whole thing seem sort of cheap. At least I got an achievement out of it.

Getting a twenty-point achievement is quite significant, dear boy, Nil said. Not to mention it was a much-needed boost. Dont forget you have another fight to go through.

Dallion wanted to say how could I forget, but that would have been a lie. In truth, he barely remembered the circumstances under which he and Eury had been cast into the realm of the aura sword.

From what he could piece together, the two of them had rushed the mage in an attempt to distract him so that March could deal with him? Dallions whole motivation was sort of blurry. Sadly, readjustment was going to be the least of his worries. Even with the trait boost, his health remained remarkably low. True, there was a difference between his health in a realm and in the real world, but the fatigue was the same. As he was now, a single hit could render him unconscious. It didnt even have to be particularly strong.

Any advice anyone can give me? Dallion asked in the fleeting fragments of a second before the return to reality. Not that he thought it would be of much use.

Just one thing, dear boy. Nil was the one to voice an opinion, as expected. Dont forget the dragon. Only two of you were banished into the realm, but three are coming out.