Return to Jorgaldur Volume V: Reunion (2)

Lyavmol

Although it was expected, although they had assumed it, the discovery of the corrupted city left them speechless. On a rock, "Lyavmol", the name of the city, was engraved. It was the silent testimony of what it had been. Now, there was only an eerie silence.

It was similar to Jordavmol, with its rock houses. The only thing missing was life. Now, in the city, there was only death and corruption.

Along the way, they had killed fifty of the city's former inhabitants. Now, before them, there were thousands.

Some were at home, as they had been when the corruption overtook them. Others in the streets, where they had been walking or chatting with their acquaintances. Some in stores, at meetings, taking care of their children.

It could be seen what they had been doing before they lost everything, before the corruption took their lives and imprisoned their souls. It was a dantesque spectacle, from which it was difficult to remain indifferent.

"Kan Golge, if you're responsible for this, I'll make you pay," Gjaki threatened, clenching her fists.

"How can someone do something like that?" Goldmi wondered.

"This... How can it be..." Eldi was left without words to describe what there was before him.

Although, without a doubt, those who were most affected were the mole-beings. This was a city similar to their home. Its inhabitants were similar to their family, their friends, their neighbors, to themselves. More than one shuddered at the possibility that it had happened to them, to their loved ones.

It had affected them to encounter the corrupted-moles, but it wasn't comparable to what they had before them. The magnitude of what was in front of them was overwhelming. Their legs were shaking, and some even had to sit down, as they couldn't stand anymore.

There was deep sadness in their hearts, frustration and rage. Although they also knew what they had to do.

"Help us give them peace," Fita asked.

Bats had low vitality, so it was difficult to attract the attention of the corrupted beings with them unless they got very close. Therefore, the goshawk and the lynx took care of it.

First, the albino bird made a quick pass, which attracted the attention of those on the streets, and a few of those inside. They rose from their slumber and chased after her.

There were more than a hundred, in which the presence of corrupted babies was especially chilling. Seeing them crawl towards them, their souls trembled once again. Such evil was unimaginable.

For the goshawk, although terrible, it wasn't that overwhelming. After all, she was a bird, and these were humanoid beings she didn't know. Therefore, she decided to kill the ones that were most difficult for her sister. The Wind Blades destroyed those who should have had the opportunity to become adults. They should have been able to explore the range of possibilities opened to them, but the corruption had taken that future away from them.

"Thank you, sister," the elf was grateful, with tears falling down her cheeks.

The rest of the corrupted beings ended up reaching them, more or less fast. They advanced without hesitation through the Light Walls. There, they were trapped by the adamantine threads that were just behind. It was the most efficient means they had though of purifying them, of freeing their bodies and souls.

When they finished, the goshawk Grew to carry the lynx on her, to the farthest buildings. There, the feline walked through the streets, approached the houses, and headed back towards the place where she had come from.

Her strong presence attracted the attention of those inside, who came out as fast as they could to get her. Some of them even cast earth spells on her.

The feline remained on guard. She was running, or jumping if necessary, to stay out of range or dodge. As she passed, more and more joined her pursuers, until creating a small mole tide. Above her, her winged sister watched, attentive, in case her help was needed.

It should be said that she could have allowed herself to relax a little. The level difference was so high that any attack could hardly do anything to her. Also, as a last resort, there was Always With You to return to her elf sister.

The tide of thousands of corrupted mole-beings worried Fita and her fellows, in addition to depressing them. Apart from being frightening, it was completely devastating.

The three companions, for their part, had already experienced something similar in the Valley of the Dead, even of greater magnitude. Therefore, it was easier for them to maintain their composure, while trying to forget for the moment that those losts had long ago been a mole-city full of vitality.

This time, Goldmi placed ten Light Walls, one after another. They had chosen a relatively narrow place to receive them. It had been conditioned with the earth power of her mole-companions, and Eldi's Rock Walls. The corrupted-moles entered through an artificial funnel towards the accumulation of Light Walls.

In addition, there was also Consecrated Ground before arriving, and some Light Traps that the archer was shooting. It may not be easy to recover her mana, but her allies provided what she needed. Her purifying power was the most suitable there, both for effectiveness and for not being bloody.

Her sisters gave hers with Mana Link, and Eldi with Mana Loan. Gjaki had discovered that she could also transfer it with Yum, Mana, apart from absorbing it. However, Goldmi preferred not to be bitten if possible.

When they finally finished off the bulk of the corrupted, Goldmi with her arrows and the goshawk with her Blades had already taken care of those in the back.

All that remained was to go house to house, to free those who might remain. Fita and her people volunteered for it. Rather, they demanded that responsibility, while wielding weapons with Purifying Touch.

Always escorted by the three companions, they made sure to free all the inhabitants. After finishing, they burst into tears. It had been very hard for them, but they had still kept going until the end. After that, the mole-beings had broken down, overwhelmed by their feelings, by what they had witnessed, by the city now empty and silent.

Goldmi wanted to take them to her tent-castle to rest, but they refused. There was still one more thing to do.

A few minutes passed before they could compose themselves enough to officiate the farewell ritual.

Gjaki, Eldi, and Goldmi watched in respectful silence. They were wondering how many more of those tragedies the corruption had caused. They had heard chilling stories about it, but it was the first time they had witnessed it.

Facing corrupted beings was already terrifying. Witnessing the corruption of a city was an experience they would likely never forget.