Erumon led the others through Erebos forest at breakneck speed, their shadows flickering amongst those of the leaves far above them in the afternoon sun.
While they didn't have much difficulty keeping up with him, it was evident to everyone that he was holding back quite a bit. Even so, they followed him through the dense, titanic trees as best they could.
"We're nearing the source. I suggest you all prepare yourselves, but we must maintain whatever element of surprise we can," Erumon said over his shoulder, getting silent nods of confirmation from the others.
We're nearing the communion chamber Siraye made use of to speak with Thoma. Do you think the Guardians are in danger? Ren sent Thorn with a concerned look. We'd better hope not. I don't want to fight them if I don't have to, he replied, exhaling strongly through his nostrils.
Within half an hour, they reached the chamber and hid behind multiple trees, spreading out in an arc that allowed them to see as much of the surrounding area as possible. Even at that distance, the palpable aura of Leech and Tyrant mana could be felt weighing down on them.
Erumon signaled for the others to move in slowly and quietly with a single hand gesture, and the others followed his command to better see through the trees.
What they found was a large, ravenous orb of mana seemingly drawing the life out of the surrounding area. One of the chamber guardians moved toward it, its upper body lurching toward it like an unstoppable force was sucking it in.
What is it doing? Ren wondered, but before he could even get an answer, Erumon stepped in and cast a barrier of pure, white mana around the orb, halting the Dericoed in its tracks and stopping the orb from drawing more of the surrounding mana to it.
The tall, tree-like creature quickly turned to the barrier's owner with a rageful screech. Erumon signaled for the others not to attack the creature and took a few steps toward it, spreading his muscular arms widely.
"Be at peace, old friend," he said in a voice much louder than he had ever used within the confines of Myrdin's limits. "We would not bring harm to an honored guardian of the realm," he continued, causing the Dericoed to flinch and twitch like it had just been struck by surprising news.
"There are descendants among you. How can I be sure you do not aim to bring me harm?" the creature asked, its deep, crackling voice resonating through the ground beneath the others' feet. "Nexis Pelantyr is no more. He has been defeated by one of his descendants, and will never be able to harm you again," Erumon replied, lowering his arms and prompting the guardian to regard him curiously.
"How do you know this?" the creature asked, glancing around for any other potential intruders momentarily. "I was there to see his end," Erumon responded, producing the black pearl from the bracelet on his wrist and holding it out for the creature to see clearly.
It took a halting step backward, almost as if it were reeling in disgust. "That… cannot be," it said after a few heartbeats, shaking its head in confusion. "But it is, old friend. What reason would I have to lie to you?" the warden asked, returning the pearl to his bracelet. "You would not be the first to lead us astray, but why do you call me an old friend? Have we met before?" the creature asked with a snarl.
"You don't remember me or my kind? That's a shame. It must have been difficult, living all these long years without knowing who brought you here in the first place. I'm sorry," Erumon said gravely, though the others who'd come with him to stare at him in utter shock and confusion.
"The other said something similar, and we believed his words wholeheartedly, but he led one of our own to wander the wilds without conscious purpose," it said, prompting Erumon to become surprised this time as it pointed to the still-growing Dericoed embedded in the chamber's outer wall.
"The Other? What other?" he asked urgently. "The Scourge of the Twilight Sea, he called himself. We did not know or understand his purpose here, but we've since sworn a vow to Siraye Fayren to guard this place with our lives as payment for saving our fallen brother," it said, putting a hand across its chest and performing an elven sign of respect.
If it remembers its oath, then it must remember us, right? Ren sent Thorn with raised eyebrows. It might, but I don't know if we should interfere, here, Thorn cautioned, but Ren shook his head. It might be a way to make him warm up to us and get us the answers we need, Ren replied with a shrug, causing Thorn to sigh. If you say so, I'll let Erumon know you're coming, he said, his eyes glowing immediately to form a link to the Warden.
Erumon looked back at them with visible surprise, giving them a curt nod of understanding and motioning for them to step forward. "What are you doing?" Ardrin hissed, but Ren held up a hand to keep him from asking more questions.
The creature spotted the two who were there that day, with Nenvalur close behind them. He'd hardly said a word the entire time, but Thorn had signaled for him to approach as well.
"Guardian, it's been some time, hasn't it?" Ren asked, also spreading his arms widely, prompting the Dericoed to raise what would be its eyebrows in genuine surprise. "Little Rennyr, I hadn't sensed you were here. How and why did you hide your presence from me?" the creature said in a more light-hearted tone than he'd used with Erumon.
"My apologies, Guardian. Old habits," Ren shrugged. "I see the one we left in your care is doing well," he continued, gesturing to the half-grown creature. "It was thanks to you and the others that he returned home. Lord Warden, I apologize for my attitude toward you. I didn't realize you were with them," the Dericoed said, gesturing to the others.
If a creature such as this could be flustered, it likely would have been.
"All is forgiven, Guardian. But tell me, what do you know of this orb?" Erumon asked, nodding his head in its direction. "It only recently appeared here. It was small, at first, but it began to grow at an alarming rate just before you arrived. I moved toward it because it called to me, almost as if I had no control over myself," the Dericoed replied with a slight hint of confusion in its tone.
"It called to you? Do you recognize the mana still permeating the air?" Erumon asked, but the creature shook its head. "I have only ever felt it once before, but that was when the world was still cracked and splintered," it said, gazing back at the sealed orb.
The Great Partition, Taegin sent Ardrin, who nodded in agreement alongside Anwill from behind their massive tree.
"When I realized that no drake would come to our aid, I understood that the mana wanted me to sacrifice myself to absorb it, leaving me with no control over my will. I am… indebted to you, Warden, just as I am to the little one and Siraye Fayren," it gave another elven bow.
Erumon paused, placing a finger to his chin pensively, crossing his other arm, and tucking it into the crook of his elbow. "This is ill news indeed. Perhaps this orb and so-called Scourge wanted to draw him out," he began, almost speaking to himself. "You three, come out here. There is something we must discuss," he called out over his shoulder, prompting Taegin, Ardrin, and Anwill to step forward.