The Sins of the God King

Chapter 29: Elly

The earth under they traveled through was filled with boulders and rock obstacles, but Elly hadn't noticed any of it. Ever since leaving the craglin village, she hadn't opened her eyes. It was a disorienting journey, as her companion warrior had warned.

Eventually, she emerged from the ground, landing on her feet with surprising grace.

A surge of nausea overcame her, and she couldn't help but empty her stomach onto the soft grass beneath her. After wiping her mouth, she took in her surroundings. Before her stood a towering structure, as colossal as a mountain, fortified with sturdy pillars connected by crackling energy chains. Highmoon had been reached.

Every few moments, craglins would pop out from the ground around her. As soon as all craglin are present, they all walk towards the tower. The enormous iron gates, adorned with intricate metalwork of figures that resembles fire, began to creak open slowly. It wasn't fully open yet, but a portly man with chestnut hair and a short beard came rushing toward Elly. It was her father, Remo.

He reached her, grabbing both her shoulders before enveloping her in a tight embrace. "What in the world are you doing here? I've been worried sick. I'm so glad you're safe," Remo exclaimed with excitement. His gaze swept over all the craglins gathered on the steps of Highmoon. "But where's Lest?" he asked anxiously.

Elly's voice trembled as she replied, "He's with the grand craglin, Wolder. They're planning to set a trap for the approaching warlocks."

"Let's make our way inside," Remo suggested to Elly. As they approached the imposing gates, a woman of old years and with long silver hair stood waiting for them. She was none other than the Grand faith, Sora. When Remo, Elly, and the rest of the craglin warriors reached the gates, Sora addressed them.

"I received your earlier message. The faiths of Highmoon will forever be in your debt," Sora acknowledged with gratitude. Her gaze then shifted to the assembled craglins. "But where is your Grand Craglin, Wolder?"

Elly hesitated, sensing that the craglins around her were reluctant to respond too. However, Sora's presence seemed to demand an answer. In the end, it was Remo who spoke up. "Wolder is on the Shattered Mountain with Lyferia's son and other craglin warriors. They're planning to set a trap for the approaching warlocks."

"I see," Sora replied, her expression changing subtly. She then turned her attention to all the craglins and made a request. "Please, all of you may enter. We will discuss this matter inside."

Elly entered the tower, climbing its stone steps. As she ascended, the Xeldorians, who had gathered around her, immediately closed in, Even the new Conjurers, who had spent the Rugartha day with her and Lest.They looked different now, bearing expressions of despair.

Elly counted the new conjurers and noticed they were short by number. She understood the reason but didn't want to dredge up the horrors they had endured.

A boy around her age, his long chestnut hair braided back with a string, approached her. It was Wren. "I heard you escaped with Lest and a Wildaron General?" he inquired.

Elly nodded, her expression somber. "Yes, but we were followed and attacked by two Ughren warriors," she recounted. "I got hit and lost consciousness. The next thing I knew; I was in a craglin village."

Her father overheard and his anger flared. "What?! What's that general and Lest doing?" he snapped.

Elly met her father's gaze and tried to reassure him. "Father, calm down. Lest managed to defeat the two warriors."

Another girl chimed in with a question. It was Syl, her face dotted with freckles, and her curly red hair framed her face. "Lest? Your friend who couldn't conjure?"