Chapter 997: The Path to Follow

Chapter 997: The Path to Follow

Are you still set on this? Tiraeses asked Leon as they gathered the morning after defeating the raelonor so Tiraeses claimed, Leon could hardly tell if it were morning or evening given the thick black clouds still hanging in the sky.

Set on what? Leon asked.

Continuing to the Mandian Lands, Tiraeses clarified.

Leon lightly grimaced, Xaphan and the Thunderbirds urgings to leave still ringing in his ear, the silver twig gleaming in the soft light that filled his soul realm. He could use it any time, and that gave him no small amount of confidence. While it was clear enough that a Primal Devils power had flooded the plane, there was still the matter of Qo Weylekhs disappearance and the whereabouts of his Universe Fragment.

Its a risk, Leon conceded, but I still want to attempt this journey. I think the better question is whether or not youre still set on being my guide. I would be most grateful for the knowledgeable company, but I wont hold you to any oath made in haste.

I made my decision; I wont back down now, Tiraeses stated simply. I would be judged harshly by Just Helior should I go back on such an important oathespecially one made to a man who aided me in finally defeating that devil-sent raelon. He paused a moment and gestured to their surroundings.

They were in a chamber set up in one of the mountainsit was a beautiful room, with a floor of polished but otherwise unworked stone, while the walls were enchanted to project what Leon thought was an idealized vision of the exterior, much like the gazebo hed rested in earlier. The ceiling was enchanted to look like the noon sky, giving Leon some mental relief from being underground, even if he knew it was fake. Between him and Tiraeses was a large red stone table.

My sanctuary lies empty, save for an old man too long ignored by the Red-Eyed One, he said. It is my home, and I love it dearly, but by the Mother Above, and Lika, Lady of the Hearth, this hasnt been a true home for seventy years. Your arrival is a sign of the gods that my time here has come to an end.

Leon cocked an eyebrow and asked, Why do you say that? I was sent by Ambrose, Grave Warden of Aeterna, not by any gods. The only god Ive ever encountered was the Primal God Krithis, and Im lucky to have made it out of that one alive, to be honest.

Luck is only how we rationalize the works of the gods we do not yet understand, Tiraeses said with a soft smile. It was the gods will that you come here, and so it was that you found yourself here.

Leon opened his mouth for a moment to argue before thinking better of it. I suppose the how or why of it doesnt matter too much; Im here anyway. Though, I have a question for you, Tiraeses, if youd indulge me? A couple, actually.

A couple? Thats fine. Ill answer any questions you have.

I hope so. Ill start with the easiest for you to answer. I was sent here with a method to escape: an object that, if I were to break it, would generate a spatial tunnel that would whisk me and anyone else who jumped into it back to Aeterna. Ive been urged by my demonic partner to use this as the darkness magic thats inundating this plane is consistent with the power of a Primal Devil. So, I suppose what I want to know is if I were to use this object, would you like to come back to Aeterna with me?

Tiraeses expression grew grim, and the silence that fell in the wake of Leons question stretched uncomfortably as the monk considered Leons question.

Would I he finally muttered after what felt like hours but had only been about ten seconds. Would I leave this plane, my home, everything Ive ever known

I told you a bit about how I spent my youth, Leon said as Tiraeses seemed about ready to lose himself in contemplation again. I also told you about why I was forced to leave the Forest of Black and White. Ive returned a couple times in the Ancestors, almost a quarter of a century since then. Its always been quite calming to be back there, but its never felt like home. My father was gone, and my home was ruined. By my own hand, of course, but it couldve been easily rebuilt. My point is one you made only a couple minutes ago: is your home still your home if everyone youve known there is gone?

Tiraeses murmured, Mothers Above and Below, Sky and Earth, show me the path to peace. Strength within to strength without; Valiant Ashatar, steady my heart. He then looked up at Leon and said, I am not yet ready to give up on my plane. I dont know if all Ive known is gone.

Fair enough, Leon replied. Im willing to continue onward, but know that if I ever judge its time to use this objecta silver twig that I snapthen the invitation to join me will remain openespecially since Im unlikely to snap the twig for no reason, and we may be in a tight situation at the time.

Tiraeses slowly lowered his head in acknowledgment.

Now, for my other question: you recognized the name Qo Weylekh when I said it yesterday. As Leon spoke the name of Arkhnavis Grave Warden, Tiraeses stiffened slightly. Leon leaned forward, resting his hands on the table between them, and asked, What do you know of him?

Tiraeses stared at him for a long moment, his expression growing dark enough that Leon wondered if the monk was trying to set him on fire with his gaze alone. When the moment was over, Tiraeses explained, I have little personal experience with him. He ruled the Mandian Lands as King of Kings and had little knowledge of me. I was sworn to one of the Kings he was King of, though, and had some dealings with him, if indirectly. If youre looking for detailed knowledge, I cannot give it to you, but I can say that Qo Weylekh was a profoundly arrogant man, and one who falsely claimed to be the sole speaker for the gods. He had the power to back it up, but by Strong Ashagon, had I the strength to It does not matter. It is a matter for Mulitan, Lord of Memory, now.

You seem to carry a lot of antipathy for him even though you, by your own admission, didnt know him personally.

I des Tiraeses began before his mouth and eyes snapped shut. Leon was almost worried before he heard Tiraeses taking a few long, deep breaths. He then opened his eyes and said in a much calmer tone, I have seen many unpleasant things done in the name of the Blue Sky King, my Lord and close friend. I it shames to say it, but I participated in some of those unpleasant things, myself.

Tiraeses paused and locked his gaze on Leon, his expression gravely serious.

Leon pulled out a pair of spells inscribed upon some of the highest quality spell paper he had. Upon the paper hed inscribed a complex enchantment, though the complexity mostly came from a single rune: the same rune that he and the Thunderbird believed was holding back the darkness from flooding through the underground monastery.

Surrounding the ancient rune were amplification runes, as well as a few additional runes to keep funneling magic power into the spell so it didnt have to be consciously maintainedan easy enough feat for modern runes, but it was the first time Leon was trying something like this with an ancient rune. Ancient runes in his experience required great concentration and mental fortitude, but the ancient runes hed used before werent specialized. The ancient rune for open was simple, but the scope was broad, and with that broad scope, the power of the rune was greatly lessened. The narrower the scope for an ancient rune, the more powerful it became at doing what it was meant to do, not to mention the less concentration it required on the part of the mage.

These spells should help us, Leon said. Not enough, I think, to allow us to fly out there, but enough that any ill effects of being out in the Primal Devils power might be lessened. Theyll surely not last long if we are directly attacked, but when walking outside, even a little protection from the elements goes a long way.

Wise Farangeun has blessed you, Tiraeses said as he took one of the spells and admired it. There is no other explanation for how you could have created something like this otherwise

[I hate this man,] the Thunderbird viciously grumbled. [Sins himself by mixing power and morality, then insults our skills! He attributes my blessing to his Fool Farangeun!]

[I can feel your desire to fry him,] Xaphan added. [Finally, something we can agree upon: lighting this arrogant baldy on fire!]

[Id rather incinerate him with lightning,] the Thunderbird nonchalantly replied.

As the two began to bicker amongst themselves about how theyd rather see Tiraeses die, Leon ignored them and moved on.

What is our route? Leon asked. Whats in our path?

Tiraeses bowed his head slightly and then conjured a detailed map of the local region, then another map of the neighboring region, and kept going in that direction until they had a good path to the Mandian Lands.

This region has always been sparsely populated, Tiraeses explained. A few towns here and there, but most people lived in farming or fishing villages. We wont find much remaining after the catastrophe that brought the curse and pestilence. Well have to travel more than two hundred miles before we reach the nearest city

Tiraeses traced the path across the first map to the second.

I have not been that far from my sanctuary in two centuries, he said. Only the gods know what became of this city, Yu Nok Tor, but given what drove so many desperate souls to deprave and despoil these fair lands, I do not think the city yet remains. But I wish to see with my own eyes what has become of it, and the people who once lived there. If theres anything left to see.

Leon nodded along as Tiraeses traced their path further.

After Yu Nok Tor, I would see us follow the cities of the Plains of Paradise southeast, then through the Many-Flowered Hills. At the end of the Rainbow Valley within the hills will be Wise Farangeuns Gates, and beyond them, the Mandian Lands. Once through the gates, well only have to follow these highways to reach Tell Kirin, the seat of Qo Weylekh.

Leon frowned more and more deeply as Tiraeses narrated their path. There were a lot of cities along the way, but it wasnt until they entered the Mandian Lands that Tiraeses went out of his way to avoid any, with him taking a somewhat circuitous route swinging north of Tell Kirin before approaching it almost from the northeast.

Thats a lengthy route, Leon observed. I dont want to question you as the guide, but why are we going so far east before heading for Tell Kirin?

Tiraeses grimaced. The Kingdom of the Blue Sky lies in that direction, while the more direct route goes through the city of Naxor Amis, where I was told the original ritual that summoned the first pestilence was conducted. I would need the strength and courage of Strong Ashagon and Valiant Ashatar to venture into that city even alongside you.

Leon stared at the city in question on the map, curiosity prickling at his skull. He wanted to see what happened there, but he forced it back. He was already taking a risk staying on the plane despite having an easy way back to Aeterna, he didnt have to purposefully increase that risk by venturing into the city. He agreedreluctantlythat avoiding Naxor Amis was the right call.

How long do you think this will take? Leon asked. If they could fly, he thought this would be a weeklong journey at most, but without access to flight

It would take me a week on foot to reach the Yu Nok Tor if Swift Haecal blessed my journey, and then another to reach the Many-Flowered Hills. After two and a half weeks, under less devilish circumstances, we would be through Wise Farangeuns Gates, and then with the infrastructure of the Mandian lands, only another week to reach Tell Kirin.

Three to four weeks? Leon said aloud. Ill assume three or four months if were lucky. He frowned lightly. I was given nine months to finish any business here and return before the Grave Wardens assumed everyone they sent failed, and they destroyed this plane entirely.

Tiraeses put on a stoic expression and after a moment of thought said, I understand their reasoning. But I cant imagine anyone would be judged well by Just Helior if they condemned an entire plane to death, no matter the circumstances.

The release of Primal Devils are circumstances, Leon emphasized. But I see the moral argument youre making. For now, why dont we go over the particulars of the route were going on, and then prepare for it as best as we can? I cant imagine this journey is going to be anywhere close to smooth