Return to Jorgaldur Volume V: Reunion (2)

In search of the Source

By the time they surfaced, the goshawk had already dealt with her pursuers. They had needed to enlarge the hole and remove some debris. Meanwhile, she watched from the sky, and give them information about the numerous losts hibernating among the ruins.

They decided to start eliminating corrupted beings little by little, since it was necessary to clean up the place to continue with their plans. They didn't want to draw attention too soon. The group would only do so if they got what they had come to look for, since that way they could throw off their enemies. In any case, it was possible that their enemies were already alerted, as a shadow had died.

The most serious problem was the more than two dozen losts between level 91 and 94. They had been the personal guard of the missing shadow, and were together in a closed area. Two corrupted centaurs led them, and they had a certain level of intelligence. In addition, the group didn't know if there were more than the goshawk could see from the sky.

Though corruption had damaged their minds, the centaurs were far above other corrupted beings. They could even give them orders, though they had to be very close to them.

Maldoa was the key to their mission. In the city, there had been a Source, which could be defined as a weak version of an Origin. Its influence is thinner, and the dimension it occupies much smaller. Despite this, this one in particular had a very important peculiarity that was vital to their mission.

It is true that there were serious doubts about its viability, but a certain apprentice prophetess had shown a deep interest when it had been mentioned. That she had done so by speaking in dreams didn't diminish its importance, quite the opposite.

They had to check if it was operational, or if it was possible to restore it in case it wasn't. Anyway, the most important problem was finding it.

Before leaving, the dryads had reported its existence and location. In fact, they had spoken of more than one, but this was the closest. The biggest problem was that they only knew that it was within the walls of the ancient city. They had no idea exactly where.

Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't have been a problem. The Source would have been connected to other Sources and Origins, as well as being easily perceptible from quite a distance.

However, the conditions weren't normal, as the corruption had changed everything. The connections had been broken, and the miasma interfered with the Source's aura. The drelf needed to be very close to sense it.

Therefore, Goldmi, the lynx, the kraken and Menxilya followed the drelf to protect her as she traveled through the ancient city. Maldoa's entire concentration was on finding the trail of the Source, so she couldn't pay much attention to possible dangers.

They followed the path opened by Eldi and Gjaki, with the help of the archer from a distance, and the albino bird from the sky.

The feline was alert, especially to the ground. Some losts were buried, and were slow to appear on the surface, so they could be left behind by the vanguard. She took care of them before they disturbed the drelf.

They had searched almost all the ruins of the city, including the outer perimeter, but had found nothing. Except for some losts, of course, which had been duly eliminated. By luring them in little by little, without a general, and with a significant difference in level, the danger to the living had been rather low. Not to mention that many times the corrupted beings didn't even have the opportunity to try to attack.

There was only one area in the center left to check. Among those ruins, one could guess it had been some kind of fortified palace.

Part of its walls were still standing, so its occupants hadn't discovered what was happening outside. The invaders had made sure to block their sight whenever they passed by any crack.

That had been the place chosen by the missing shadow. It had claimed its throne in the highest tower that was still standing, or at least part of it was. Therefore, its personal guard was in that location.

"If it still exists, it has to be inside," Maldoa assured.

"That's a coincidence," Eldi sighed.

"Not that much. If their aura isn't controlled, the Sources interact with the vegetation, and made it more lush. It's not unusual for palaces to be built where they're if they have the opportunity. They take advantage of their aura for their gardens," the drelf explained.

"Well, it's the usual to leave the best for last," the vampiress smiled with some excitement. She seemed eager to start a battle.

"She's incorrigible," Goldmi sighed, as if she really felt helpless.

"We've known for a long time that she's hopeless," the half-dryad supported her.

Gjaki looked at them, while pretending to be offended, and then at Eldi, surprised. It was strange that he hadn't also taken advantage of the opportunity to mess with her. She found that he was studying the ruins carefully.

"If I'm incorrigible, what's he?" she accused him.

"Ha, ha. He's on another level. It's not worth qualifying him," the elf laughed.

"You really weren't exaggerating," Maldoa seemed surprised.

"I can hear you, you know?" he complained.

"""Ha, ha, ha!""" they all laughed, including the girl. She didn't know what it was about, but she joined the fun.

"What's so special about it?" the archer asked a few moments later.

"It looks like Filjobnar," the high human explained.

"Oh... Well... Now that you mention it..." the vampiress nodded.

"Are you implying that...?" Goldmi left the sentence unfinished.

"Exactly. Plan D could work if we make use of Maldoa," he confirmed.

"That's perfect! I've always wanted to do it in person," Gjaki was delighted.

"I'm in!" Goldmi exclaimed.

"Me too!" Menxilya imitated her, even though once again she didn't know what it was about. Well, supposedly. It's hard to say what an apprentice prophetess knows or intuits.

"I know you're doing it on purpose. Explain to me once and for all what you're up to," the drelf demanded. She had known two of them for a long time.

Her friends took advantage of the situation to mock and laugh some more. Finally, they decided to satisfy Maldoa's curiosity. After all, the half-elf had a very important role in the plan.

"It's like that..." Goldmi began to explain.