Age of Unalloyed Gold - A Tale of Fire and Decay

Chapter 03 - Mountain Sound | Yellow

"Should River wait here?"

Malenia asked as she unmounted near the Hidden Path to the Haligtree Site of Grace. Sadly, Torrent was not allowed in such places, returning to the spirit world as soon as Baron crossed the threshold.

"Just for now. We shouldn't put her in unnecessary danger."

The demigod nodded, allowing Baron to proceed ahead of her. Halfway down the steps, the knight halted, preparing himself to strike a surprise attack. Holding his sword with only one hand, he used the other to grab the Giant's Seal, enhancing the power of Giant's Flame incantations.

"Flame, grant me strength," he prayed. In response, a red flame emanated from the seal, which he brought close to his chest. A similar crimson aura covered him, indicating that his physical and fire-affinity attack power had been increased. A corner of his mouth went up in a malicious smile. "Giant's Flame Take Thee."

He raised his left arm as a massive ball of fire formed in his hand, throwing it ahead without hesitation. That one poor vulgar militiaman and two small land octopuses died without even knowing what hit them. Down a few more steps, the knight smashed the short man in front of him with a critical attack, not skipping a beat to throw another Giant's Flame at the creature who fell from the ceiling. The giant Land octopus shrieked with the intense heat while another two of those tiny, brutal men tried their chance with heavy bestial incantations. Baron dealt with them both, replenishing his health and mana before taking down the enormous foe.

The space they had was not suitable for fighting in a team, which was why Malenia only watched him from a distance. To take down their next challengers, the knight made good use of his pyromancies and brutal strength, pleasing her. She appreciated how dependable he was and was proud of him, regardless of their many jokes.

"That's all of them for now. I will get River."

"Well done, my love. Thank you." She praised him with a delighted smile, one he was utterly incapable of not reciprocating.

Baron returned to the entrance, remembering how challenging it had been the first time he had stepped on those grounds. The vulgar militia is the undecorated stewards of rancid, scorched battlefields and forbidden domains better forgotten by the rest of the world. Despite their small stature - something that was scorned in the Lands Between - their ruthless nature would bring them together, showing whoever dared to approach just how merciless they could be.

But now, considering how strong the knight was, that encounter with the protectors of the path to Haligtree had not even been a contest; it had been a massacre despite the militia's fierceness. It was a great evolution in comparison to his first expedition to that place.

He then guided the beautiful horse to a place suitable for mounting, put his sword away, and rode calmly to where Malenia waited for them. He did not bother to dismount since Torrent would be unavailable again as soon as they arrived at the Capital's premises. The demigod climbed up right behind him, enlacing his waist with her arm and holding her prosthetic arm and blade high up her shoulder. Baron took control of the reins and proceeded to the Elevator of Holds.

When they were safely up the platform, he raised the Haligtree Secret Medallion until a green gem glowed brightly between the two halves. A similar gem in the helm of the four Erdtree Sentinels glowed in the same emerald color, awakening the old contraption. The statues that initially faced their pairs shifted outward, indicating that the gigantic lift would soon move as the magic medallion had commanded them.

"Now that I'm thinking about it... How did Finlay bring you back to the Haligtree when none of you had the halves of this medallion?"

"I have no idea."