The Sins of the God King

Chapter 23: Lyferia

In the depths of Lyferia's conscious mind, her senses were attuned to the extraordinary events transpiring during her earth dive. Encased in a shimmering fluid barrier, it was as if she was cocooned in a life-giving embrace, providing her with the essential oxygen to endure this ethereal journey. With her limbs rendered immobile, she hurtled through the soil with astonishing speed, the sensation akin to flying through the earth itself. Time seemed to lose its grasp as more than ten minutes passed in this ambiguous odyssey until, in a surreal burst of energy, she erupted from the ground's confinements, breaking free into a vast expanse of undulating grassland.

However, the transition was not without consequences; the sudden emergence left Lyferia coughing and disoriented, her senses assaulted by the alien environment. Slight nausea threatened to overtake her, but she fought to regain her composure, knowing that every moment counted. As she attempted to rise, a symphony of noise enveloped her senses, drawing her attention to the source.

Peering through the tall grass that swayed gently in the breeze, she beheld an awe-inspiring sight - a massive army, had encamped itself before her. The sight of their regimented formations and gleaming armor sent a shiver down her spine, and she felt her heart sink within her chest. The Iron Hold loomed in the distance, a foreboding fortress that stood between her and her people's salvation.

Infiltrating the hold with this formidable army of therians standing as an insurmountable obstacle seemed like an impossible task, and for a fleeting moment, she regretted not having visualized the insides of Iron Hold rather than the outsides for the earth dive. But there was no time for regret now. Lyferia knew she had to find a way, discover a weakness in their defenses, and exploit it with all her cunning and determination. The fate of Xeldorian children, and her entire community depended on her success.

Lyferia's mind raced as she sought any possible option to breach Iron Hold's defenses, but she was at a loss. With caution, she moved closer, navigating within the confines of the tall grass.

A hand grabbed her arm, and she instinctively reached for her wisk, but upon recognizing the face of her assailant, she halted.

"What are you doing here, Tarik?" she whispered. Tarik released her arm and replied, "I'm trying to find and save my brother. I saw him being taken by therians." He then inquired, "And you? Why you here?"

Lyferia met his gaze and answered, "Our children and elders are being held hostage by the Queen. I need to find a way inside Iron Hold." Tarik's face showed a hint of amusement as he remarked,

"Good luck with that. The Wildaron soldiers are on high alert, guarding all corners of the wall. But that's not your biggest problem. How do you plan to cross the horde of Navo'ri men?"

"For a man called Tarik the silent, you surely talk a lot," Lyferia teased, glancing at Tarik as they stealthily approached the imposing army. In response, Tarik replied with a hint of pride, "I am called Tarik the silent because enemies never hear me coming before I strike them down."

Lyferia paid no mind to Tarik's remark, her focus fixed on the task ahead. "We must take out a couple of them and don their armors. Ensure we rub their skin on us so we carry their scent. "she strategized. 

Tarik questioned, "What do you mean 'we'?" 

But before he could protest further, Lyferia grabbed him by his coat, drawing him closer. "Listen, I'll help you find your brother and free him. In return, you and your brother will assist me in infiltrating Iron Hold. Deal?" she asserted firmly. Tarik, sensing the urgency and the potential benefits, reluctantly nodded in agreement.

Together, they continued to move cautiously, edging closer to the army camp. Lyferia tore a small cloth from her coat and dipped it into her color ink, creating a distinct scent that Therians could recognize. Then, with her wisk in hand, she paints a small burrowing mole, then with the last stroke, she conjures the creature. Then she tied the inked cloth around its neck. Without hesitation, the mole dug into the soil, leading the way.