Chapter 998: Yu Nok Tor

Chapter 998: Yu Nok Tor

Leon and Tiraeses departure from the monastery came without much ceremony. After they agreed upon their course to Tell Kirin, the seat of Qo Weylekh, Tiraeses set about facilitating their move with an efficiency that Leon greatly appreciated. The monastery was locked down, what little that lay within was brought into Tiraeses soul realm, and the two met near the monasterys main gate, where Leon and Tiraeses had first come face-to-face.

Of the two, Leon was the first to arrive, not having much to gather together. Tiraeses followed about half an hour later, his expression unreadable. He stepped out onto the flat stone platform and gazed out at the dunes to the east, saying not a word.

Having second thoughts? Leon asked.

You asked me that before, Tiraeses pointed out. My answer remains the same.

Leon jerked his head back toward the now-closed door to the monastery. You may never see this place again. I dont see a way to fix this plane, though Ambrosethe other Grave Wardens may be able to intervene. May.

Tiraeses took a long, deep breath. It is in the hands of Mandious, Lord of All in Heaven. Let us no longer dwell on the past, but look ahead. Specifically, let us look to the journey in front of us. Shall we begin?

Lets, Leon responded, and together, the two launched themselves off the cliff and into the dunes.

It was immediately apparent that the enchantment Leon wrote to protect them from the darkness magic around them was working, as the oily darkness in the environment had a much harder time sticking to them. While this alleviated some of the pressure keeping them down, it wasnt enough to allow them to fly, though Leon expected that.

Despite this limit on their abilities, they made good time, practically flying across the dunes as they ran and leaped around, crossing miles in seconds.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

Not long after they left, they passed the corpse of the raelonor rather, what was left of it. The darkness ate away at its flesh like extraordinarily quick decomposition, devouring all that was exposed to the air. No magic remained in the corpse to protect it, leaving it reduced to barely more than a skeleton sticking out of the dust. Leon found it rather remarkable but didnt stop to remark upon it. He simply filed what had happened away to consider later.

Dont die here, he thought with some sarcasm. Wont be much left to be sent home.

Of course, the speed with which the raelon had rotted away was deeply disturbing and certainly explained much of what had happened to the formerly-fertile land that Leon and Tiraeses now ran through. What was left was beautiful in a stark way, but it was all rocks sticking out of dark gray dust, leaving little to draw the eye. Leon found himself zoning out as he followed Tiraeses through the seemingly endless dunes, wondering just what these particular places had looked like before their great ruin, and speculating as to the nature of the power that caused it.

[Does any of this look familiar?] Leon asked his soul realms passengers.

[Ive never been here before in my life,] Xaphan responded.

[Your insight is, as always, supremely useful,] Leon responded. [Ancestor?]

[The Primal Gods and Devils were numerous beyond counting; humanity would never have usurped their position in the universe were it not for their infighting,] the Thunderbird responded. [As it is, Im still surprised that humans managed what they did. But thats irrelevant. Many of the Primal Gods and Devils had powers beyond what many of their fellows had, much like Ascended and Divine Beasts. Your rather saurian Ancestor, Leon, had incredibly destructive powers that none have managed to replicate since.

[What Im saying is that I dont recognize the effects of this Primal Devils power, though Im under no illusions that its anything but a Primal Devil. I cant tell you anything about them, though I wish I could.]

[Your insight is appreciated,] Leon replied, his tone far more genuine than his sarcastic response to Xaphan. [The enchantment seems to be working, though.]

[It warms my heart to see your skills improving,] the Thunderbird praised, an audible smile even in her mental voice. [It takes a learned enchanter to weave together modern and ancient runes.]

[Maybe soon he can actually make something notable,] Xaphan caustically added. [A few weapons arent enough where youre going.]

[The demon shits from the wrong hole, but hes not wrong in principle,] the Thunderbird growled. [Should you survive your current foolishness, youre going to need to drastically increase the power of your forceswhether by your hand, or someone elses.]

Leon scowled. [There are only so many hours in the day, and I have to carve some off to be King.]

[Delegate, boy,] Xaphan crackled.

Leon clicked his tongue but didnt argue; he knew the advice was right. He couldnt do everything himself, and neither did he intend to try. But as a King, he knew he ought to do at least something.

[Ill think about it,] he responded. [In the meantime, would you two kindly help me analyze this Primal Devils power? Id like to see if my enchantment can be made more efficient]

And like that, Leon and Tiraeses sped onward toward Yu Nok Tor, their first stop.

---

[Dont look at me, I never allowed blood sacrifices,] Xaphan practically spat. [I have no interest in such inferior methods for gaining power. Convincing others to give you their power willingly is always far more potent.]

[Yes, yes, youre such a good demon,] the Thunderbird crowed. [Leon, this ritual is essentially the more powerful precursor to what the demons as a whole do. All power inherent in life is ripped from that which bears it, is captured by the rituals focus, and then channeled into the Primal Devil on the other end. Your companion spoke the truth: such a traumatic process would drive everyone murderously insane, and eventually destroy them. Not even a corpse would be left behind.]

Leon deeply frowned. [Why is the ritual still going?] he asked. [Wouldnt it have finished by now? Doesnt it cost power to maintain?]

The Thunderbird was silent for a moment as everyone turned the problem over in their heads.

Xaphan was the first to suggest a theory. [I would not fill you with false hope Leon, but it could be because the Primal Devil this ritual benefits hasnt yet been released. It still needs more power.]

[Or its just greedy,] the Thunderbird countered. [It seeks to rip every last shred of power from this plane before departing. Or it needs this kind of siphon to remain active for some unknown purpose.]

[Maybe to keep the plane inundated in its power?] Leon offered as explanation. [This ritual remains active, allowing the Primal Devils power to fully saturate the plane by ensuring all foreign magic power is captured?]

As the implications deepened, Leon grabbed Tiraeses arm, preventing him from venturing deeper into the city.

Wait, Leon sternly said, his tone brokering no argument. Tiraeses looked for a moment like he wanted to protest, but Leon glared at him, daring him to try. The old monk wisely kept his mouth shut.

[Will using magic here be a problem?] Leon asked.

[In most circumstances, I would advise against it,] the Thunderbird replied. [But you have a Universe Fragment; even a Primal Devil would not be able to control such power without the Fragments leave.]

[Dont take that as law,] Xaphan cautioned. [This power is intense; its source is a powerful Devil. Ancient and strong; if there is an exception to what the pigeon just said out there, this Devil would be it. Again, I would urge you to leave this city and then the plane. Do not press further, and do not feed this ritual with power. Leave.]

Leon stared at the shells of buildings around them, fairly small and scattered as they were still out in the suburbs, then glanced further down the street. He couldnt see that far as several blocks down the street ended at a five-story building, but the tallest towers of the city could still be seen crumbling in the distance.

Theres no one here, he stated.

You said someone could be, Tiraeses quietly responded.

Leon glared at him. This power is different. Dangerous. Were not prepared for it. He quickly filled the monk in on everything he, Xaphan, and the Thunderbird had discussed.

Tiraeses face fell as Leon continued. The people here taken by this ritual? Denied even rest? Stolen from the Red-Eyed One and the judgment of Just Helior? Such profane power cannot be allowed to exist

He made to break free of Leons grip, but Leon tightened his hold and began dragging Tiraeses out of the city. As he did, he steeled his heart and his pride. Theyd made good time and only a week had passed since leaving Tiraeses monastery. Leon had hardly scratched the surface of what had happened on Arkhnavi, but he felt given what he was encountering, honor had been satisfied, and it was time to return to

He stopped, his thoughts frozen from surprise, as he stared down a side street that exited into a large plaza with a fountain in the center. The fountain was simple, simply a bowl sat upon a column from where the black river water oozed over the rim into the large pool at its base.

Kneeling in front of the pool was a recognizably human figure; their spine arched back beyond the limits of comfort; their arms spread wide as if welcoming something; their head lolled back and limply hanging from their neck, pointing back down the street directly at Leon and Tiraeses. The figures skin appeared the color and texture of charcoal, with not a stitch of clothing covering it. Despite this, their body was so mutilated and emaciated that he couldnt tell if the figure was a man or woman. Worst of all, their eye sockets were empty, their nose gone, and the desiccated remains of the flesh on their face had been pulled back from their blackened teeth into a terrible, unnatural grin. Not a speck of magical power emanated from the figure, and the body seemed frozen in that position, as if whatever had seemingly charred them had also petrified them.

And yet it hadnt been there only a moment ago when Leon and Tiraeses had first come down the street. Leon stared at the figure in shock, the thing appearing to be immobile, yet had clearly not been there before.

And then the limply hanging head twitched and turned slightly, the few wispy remnants of blackened hair that still stubbornly clung to the figures skull shakingly slightly, and a terrible shudder traveled up Leons spine.

Something could see him. Something knew he was there.

The figure twitched again, a sickening crack resounding through the streets.

Run, Leon growled, and this time, there wasnt so much as a look of reproach from Tiraeses.

They hadnt even turned when the figures exposed jaw opened and a terrible, inhuman screech filled the air, and the city was suddenly filled with the sounds of motion.

RUN! Leon shouted again, and he and Tiraeses began running back the way theyd come as the dark aura of the city intensified, focusing on them, and the ruined buildings began to shake as things moved within them, roaring and screeching and growling.

The city, it seemed, wasnt nearly as deserted as first impressions had led them to believe