Return to Jorgaldur Volume V: Reunion (2)

Operation Fuss (I)

The best news was that Tulipna had found a Source with similar characteristics. Although they didn't have a direct connection, with the help of the dryads, they could work as if it were.

"Come, we're leaving," the drelf called to her companions.

"Was there really an intact connection?" Eldi was surprised.

"No, but we've created a path," Maldoa explained.

Both Eldi and Goldmi looked at her strangely. Menxilya was too busy contemplating the plants, while Gjaki had enough if it worked. Goldmi's sisters stayed behind. Although the Gates didn't work, her skill did. It was better that they stayed for now, so that not so much mana was required.

Once they arrived among the plants, the drelf manifested her mana and aura. However, she soon realized that the improvised connection required a greater amount, for which there was only one solution.

"Goldmi, I need your help with this," she asked.

"Of course," the elf extended her hand.

One of her friend's roots reached her open hand, and grabbed it firmly. Through the connection, Goldmi allowed her mana to flow as her friend required. It was something they had already tried in the past, although it was the first time it was really needed.

That type of union was normally limited to dryads, or half dryads, even quarter dryads. The elf was none of those, but her aura was extremely close, as she was a favorite daughter of nature.

"Hi, Goldmi!" she could hear almost in a whisper up to three voices greeting her effusively.

She was unable to answer them, but she could half feel them through the drelf. It was a strange feeling to be connected to them, although not at all unpleasant, even warm. In any case, the connection was extremely weak.

"I wish I could talk to them," she lamented.

Even so, she could feel how the auras of the dryads also arrived and helped. How the surrounding plants moved slowly, swaying, even those that weren't part of the structure. How a strange sensation enveloped her, and somehow everything changed.

"It's like a Gate, but through a cable," she heard Eldi speaking. He was undoubtedly surprised.

The elf looked around. They were in a Source, surrounded by vegetation, but it was clearly different one. There was even a small pond. They had arrived, although she didn't know where.

The three visitors checked their virtual maps almost at the same time. The dimension of the Source seemed to be in the same place as the entrance to it, and it was marked on the map. That way, they could locate their position.

Although everything around them was cloudy on their virtual maps, that information was enough. They could see the distance between their current position and other uncovered areas, like the previous Source. They had traveled hundreds of kilometers, but they were very far from their destination.

In fact, although their position was now closer, they hadn't done so in a straight line. They had deviated to the east, despite which the result had been somewhat satisfactory. However, it wasn't enough. There was still the problem of how to get to their destination.

"Now what?" Gjaki asked.

"It would be best to wait. They've located another Origin that seems intact. They're getting closer. Also, there're more that they have to investigate. Probably, they'll find more dryads and more Sources. When they do, we can get closer," Maldoa proposed.

Her voice was conveying joy. The possibility that there could be more dryads alive excited her.

"I think it's fine to wait and see what happens," Eldi agreed.

In fact, he seemed more interested in inspecting the Source, in discovering if he could obtain ingredients for the recipes. Even better, unknown ingredients. Eldi was thinking of a few possible variations.

"Can we check the other side? It would be nice to take a look," the elf asked.

"Now that I'm inside, I have control, so I can open and close a passage without problems," the drelf assured.

"Oh... Then... Why don't we cause some trouble?" Gjaki smiled.

Her two companions looked at her. They knew that smile, and none of them didn't even have arguments to contradict her. If they could draw the attention of their enemies and then disappear, it would disconcert them. Hopefully, it would cause them to divide their forces.

"At least wait for my sisters to arrive," the elf resigned.

"I'll be looking around for a while," the high human also capitulated.

"Heh, heh. Operation Fuss is underway!" the vampiress exclaimed.

In the game, those kinds of missions were her favorites. Not to mention that, during the Blood War, she had done similar things often, although without her companions. She had missed them a lot.

"It sounds fun," the drelf joined in.

""Don't encourage her!"" Goldmi and Eldi scolded her.

Everyone started laughing, while certain dryads asked curiously through their connection.

"What's an Operation Fuss?" Tulipna asked.

"Causing problems to confuse the enemies," Maldoa supposed. She was also not entirely clear about it.

"It sounds fun. It's a pity we can't play too," Moslina lamented.

There was sadness in that statement. Although that sadness was more due to the cause of not being able to participate than to the fact itself. There were no longer any living plants in the corrupted area, and that saddened them deeply. Everything was lonelier, more silent.

The lynx, the goshawk and the kraken arrived a while later. The latter was delighted, and soon was diving into the pond. It wasn't big enough for her to take her original form, nor was it salty, but at least it was a place to swim in.

They waited for them to recover the spent mana, as well as Goldmi's and Maldoa's. The transport had required a high consumption.

Of course, Eldi took the opportunity to collect some ingredients, and the fairy was wandering around the place happily.

When they were finally ready, the drelf opened a slight crack in the space. Since she now had complete control over the Source, she could do it with ease.

The gloomy sight of the corruption greeted them, thus reminding them of the harsh reality of their situation. The Source was just a small oasis in an immense desert.

"No bad guys nearby," the fairy assured.

After those words, the crack was enlarged enough for them to get out, and was closed behind them. Maldoa would retain control of the Source for at least ten days, before the aura she had left inside vanished completely.

They crossed the rift, and encountered the unpleasant corruption, especially unpleasant for the fairy and the drelf. The goshawk took flight, and Pikshbxgra expanded her aura. They didn't expect to find any shadow nearby, but it was better to be safe.

"A bad guy," she pointed in a certain direction.

Gjaki smiled. It was better if they had a target. She summoned some Bats, while the albino bird flew in that direction.