Return to Jorgaldur Volume V: Reunion (2)

What's the plan?

The road that lead to the forgotten city with which they had traded in the past was completely blocked. Tons of rock were accumulated there, although unfortunately, it wasn't airtight. The miasma was seeping between the rocks.

"It wasn't an accident, they closed it," Fita assured.

No one doubted her. If the mole-woman said it, it was because she knew it. It didn't matter if the three companions couldn't notice it for themselves. The subtle signs that she could easily understand were invisible to the surface beings.

Therefore, they were guided through vertical passages that the mole-beings found easily. Those passages communicated with higher tunnels, which were always more dangerous due to the greater presence of animals capable of digging.

They crossed one after another, while annihilating some corrupted beings along the way, until they reached a series of three hatches. Each one should lead to a tunnel, but instead, each one only led to a small containment room. They didn't usually dig tunnels this close to the surface, so they had been extremely cautious, thus creating three containment barriers.

Finally, they reached the last one, and the mole-beings let Eldi unlock the hatch, not wanting to get close. The corruption was bad enough without having to deal with the surface as well.

They had taught him how to do it, step by step, as it was better that he knew how to open and close them. After finishing unlocking it, he moved away to make way for her friend.

Gjaki barely opened it to leave a gap through which her Bats could pass. Best of all, her virtual map cleared the area, which allowed them to locate the place on a real map. Although it was an isolated area, the distance and position were exact.

The fairy also approached, to make sure that there were no generals nearby. She gradually increased her power, and at the same time her presence. Her range was greater than her enemies, so she could discover them without being detected. She had learned to control her power that way over the years with Goldmi, and had practiced it when they had gone to the Lost Forest. She could even approach them without being detected, until the last moment.

"It's a cave, quite convenient. Let's see... Yes, it's empty, it's not deep. Outside, there're corrupted trees. Hmm. There're some birds in the sky. We'll have to be careful, so they don't discover us. It's pretty deep into the Lost Forest. I think it'll be a good place to start. I don't see any other beasts nearby," the vampiress explained.

Although, either way, they would have to decide the plan on a good map. For now, she unsummoned the scouts, and closed the hatch, which the mole-beings secured.

The group walked through the upper tunnel, while clearing it of corrupted beings. They moved forward until they found a place where the density of the miasma was low enough to allow them to travel again with the Gates. For some reason, it interfered with them.

The three placed their Exit Gates separately, which were camouflaged and protected by subtle rock constructions. After that, they returned to the Great Brotherhood. More than one even had their eyes moist for having left that hell behind.

They were welcomed with hugs, happy to see them again. In particular, the mole-beings had been worried about their friends and family.

Although the smiles disappeared from their faces as the story of the trip progressed. Told by their own kind, Lyavmol's corruption didn't leave any of the mole-beings indifferent.

Until then, the corruption had been a distant tale told by the visitors. It was a terrible event in the surface, which luckily hadn't affected them. It wasn't like that anymore.

"The exit is this way," Gjaki pointed out on the map that was spread out on the table.

"Are you sure? Well, I guess so. One of those strange gifts that you visitors have. You know, sometimes I envy you," the leprechaun sighed.

"It leaves us much closer. It is at least two-fifths of the way," Menxolor assessed, under the watchful eye of his daughter.

"How're the preparations going?" Eldi asked.

"Forces are arriving from all corners of Jorgaldur. We have also detected movements of the corrupted beings. Everything indicates that they'll be waiting for us several kilometers inside," a harpy explained. She was the commander in chief of the scout corps.

"You'd have to leave as soon as the operation begins. It's not worth waiting any longer, their troops will already be mobilized. Are you all sure? It's going to be very dangerous," the leprechaun warned one last time.

It certainly was, but so were the consequences if they failed. Menxilya had foretold that there wasn't much time left before the barriers protecting her home would fall. If it happened, its petrified inhabitants would be at the mercy of their enemies.

That would also mean that there would no longer be a place to return the Eternal Flame. After that, corruption could only be fought inch by inch for centuries, with the high cost that this would entail. There was even a danger that it would be reinforced if whoever was behind it accessed the powers hidden there. It could also happen that the powerful Guardians of the North were corrupted and joined their army.

"Yes, we've already decided. We're not going to back down," Goldmi was the first to speak.

The truth is that she was afraid. She feared leaving her daughters orphaned. There was the fear of facing the corruption and whoever was behind it, the fear of failing, of dying. Nonetheless, what she feared the most was not doing it, not clearing the path for her girls' future. If they didn't, there could be a counterattack of the corruption, that could reach her village and destroy everything she loved.

She wasn't the only one who was afraid. Eldi and Gjaki also were. The survivors of the Guardians were afraid too, especially of failing. It was the last chance to get their home back. At least, they still had a last chance. Others hadn't been that lucky.

Elendnas was also afraid, more for his wife than for himself. He wouldn't take so high risk. Melia, who was observing from a distance, was afraid too. Eldi's twin children feared for their father, despite they would be fighting in the front themselves. Even the woman who opened the door had some fear. However, like the others, she was determined.

"Maldoa!" Goldmi stood up to hug her. She had missed her a lot. "What're you doing here?"

"You didn't think you were going to go without me, did you?" the drelf joked.

The elf looked at her, as concerned for her friend as she was grateful. Even the thought of trying to dissuade her momentarily crossed her mind.

"Do you know how dangerous it will be?" she asked.

"Yeah. And I also know that you're going to need me," Maldoa assured.

"Welcome. I see that you've been successful," the leprechaun evaluated her.

"Yes, boss. Be careful, or I'll take your job," she mocked.

"I'd like to see you filling out all those reports. If you want it, it's yours," he challenged her.

"Ah... Well... Anyway, what's the plan?" the drelf decided to change the subject.