"W-What do you mean there's a way around it?" she asked with widened eyes. "The Council of Dukes, known throughout Polarion as The Eyes of the Twilight Sea, though better known as Realmwalkers here in Kavrass, has the ability to determine whether a threat to a realm can be managed by our forces without destroying the native population of a realm," Syldir began, prompting everyone to listen intently.
"However, since Kavrass has already suffered great losses, they're not likely to send anyone above the rank of a Warden to assist. Erumon's interference in the last battle was only allowed because Karthus challenged the other Dukes, though I don't suspect they would let it slide a second time," she continued, leaning forward and resting her elbows on the table.
"That said, if I could convince them to send a few guards to put up wards that would protect the city, much like the ones we have in Polarion, then it shouldn't be a problem," Syldir said, noticing everyone's expression shift from dour to hopeful as she finished her sentence.
"Thank you, Syldir," Aurae said, breathing a sigh of relief. Syldir returned what I thought was a pained smile and nodded accordingly. "Of course, Aurae," she said, dipping her head a little.
You saw that, too? Ysevel asked me, but I could only give her a subtle nod, as Syldir began to speak again.
"Nevertheless, there is one final thing I'd like to present to you all today, though I feel Kalia might feel the most strongly against what I'm about to say," she began, reaching down to the box on her lap and placing it on the table for all to see.
With a wave of her hand, the thin sheen of mana that protected it dissipated, allowing her to undo the small latch that held it shut. She gave me a look almost as if to ask if she was allowed to show them the contents, and with a slow nod from me, she did just that. The box, now fully opened, was spun around to show the others what was inside.
"By the Graces…" Leona put a hand to her mouth in shock, while Taegin, Ren, and Ardrin already seemed to know exactly what they were looking at. "This is Edryd's core that Thoma managed to save from Mideia's clutches," she said, gesturing to the small orb still encased in scarlet mana.
At the mention of his name, Meliss seemingly stirred and began to groan uncomfortably, prompting the rest of us to immediately turn our attention to her. Taegin quickly rose from his seat and kneeled before her, putting his hands on her shoulders.
"Meliss, are you alright?" he asked, observing her curiously. Syldir, however, moved to Meliss's side in less time than it took me to blink and swiftly removed the equipment from around her chest.
"This will do her no good now. Move," she said urgently, nearly causing Taegin to flinch. Mana circulated throughout the room, and I could feel almost every particle in the air bending to her will.
"Stay with me, this is going to hurt," she said calmly as she stared into Meliss's blank eyes. The cracks in her skin from when Mideia had possessed her body that hadn't fully healed began to glow with pure white mana.
Meliss sucked in a harsh breath through her gritted teeth at first, then released a gut-wrenching cry of agony as the mana flowed through her body, sealing the remaining cracks in her skin. The entire room was bathed in bright, white light, forcing everyone to shield their eyes for a few tense moments.
When the glow died down, it was evident that something had changed about her, but she slumped into Syldir's arms weakly, burying her head in the dragon's shoulders. The silent questions we all held were itching to escape our mouths, but at a gesture from Syldir for us not to speak, we each did our best to make sure we didn't interrupt.
Suddenly, there was an almost inaudible sob coming from the two of them. Meliss's shoulders began to tremble, her arm weakly grabbing at Syldir's robes as her weeping intensified. On the one hand, a wave of relief washed over the others, as expressed in their hopeful stares.
However, while I was only partly relieved, the same feelings of guilt began to sink in my stomach like a boulder dropped into a murky lake of uncertainty.
Take a deep breath, my love. You did what you had to do, and I'm sure she'll come to realize that as we all have, Ysevel sent me with a worried look as she gripped my hand tightly.
I had no words to offer her, I could only nod as my ears became increasingly flooded by the sound of Meliss's crying.
Leona moved to her side and began to cautiously replace Syldir, who looked upon Meliss with sorrowful eyes. Her gaze eventually shifted over to me, one filled with understanding and regret that didn't belong to her. She knew exactly what those of us who knew Ed were going through all too well.
"Shhh, there, there, Meliss. I'm right here. We all are," Leona said in an almost motherly tone as she stroked the back of her head. Slowly but surely, she helped her to sit upright and put her hand on her shoulders to stabilize her.
"You're alright, Meliss. I promise. It's alright, now. He has no hold over you any longer," Leona continued, moving a hand to the side of Meliss's face to wipe away a waterfall of tears.
Syldir, watching the entire exchange with a pained look, turned to face the others once more. "I know Edryd's situation might seem hopeless right now, but Thoma's quick thinking has given us another chance, one whose only proof of concept is sitting right there," she said, pointing to Athar.
Kalia flinched and gave me a look of genuine concern, but with a quick pulse of my memories to her, she calmed back down. How the fuck are we supposed to replicate something that took Nexis centuries to figure out? Kalia asked, giving me a concerned look, then shook her head.
No, it's too risky, especially if his core still has some of Mideia's influence held inside it, she said with a dense amount of caution I couldn't ignore.
"I know your concerns and believe me, I wouldn't have come here myself if I didn't think it was possible, but it seems an old ally of ours has resurfaced, and I'm confident we can get it done with his help," Syldir said, raising a hand to quell the pending questions from the others while she gave Kalia a nod of understanding.
"Egeshe krag!" Kalia muttered astonishedly, subconsciously sending what I could only describe as anxiety-ridden hope to those of us who had a connection to her. "Just what kind of ally is this of yours?" Kalia asked with no small amount of worry creeping into her tone. "One known to this realm as The Mouth," Syldir said, causing Leona, Neko, Marte, and Thorsen's eyes to widen in pure, undeniable shock.
"Whaaaaaaat?" they all said in unison, Leona's decorum escaping her grasp for a moment before she regained her composure. "You're saying he's an ally? H-How is this even possible?" she stammered, but Syldir raised a hand.
"I'll explain when we arrive in Escea tomorrow. For now, I just wanted to let you know that anyone who wishes to come along is welcome to do so, but be warned: this will not be an easy journey," she said, gazing at the others who all shared looks of mutual concern.
I'd bet they're thinking that if a dragon says it won't be easy, then they're more likely to die than complete it, I sent Mom and Ysevel, who nodded in agreement. She's right. Dealing with someone who doesn't want to be found out might prove far more challenging than they're prepared to handle, Mom sent back with a sigh.
Suddenly, and surprising the rest of us, Thorn rose quickly and raised his hand to speak. "I-I'd like to accompany you all on this mission. I can already tell you'll have more than enough Wraithborn with you, but I think perhaps I might be able to help," he said with an uncharacteristic nervousness, prompting Syldir to smile at him.
"We'll take care of things in the North. Trina, Wien, you're coming with us," Taegin said, gesturing to Ardrin, who was anything but pleased to be roped into another journey to Hjalfar. "Haaa, two more weeks on horseback?" I heard the one called Wien mutter under his breath. "Do not worry, little human; I'll spare your family jewels the pain, as you called them," Syldir said with a grin, having read his thoughts.
When I say that I've seen people's faces turn a bright red, I have to give him first place for the most tomato-like I've ever seen. His eyes rolled into the back of his head, and there were a few tendrils of what I thought was steam rising from his head. His mouth widened and trembled, and his hands began to shake as Trina burst into an uncontrollable fit of laughter.
"Jaevla helvete, Wien. Hvorfor er du en saa aerlig drittsekk?" Trina asked between belly laughs, though what it meant, I couldn't understand. I assumed, given the nature of her laughter and the look of shame on Wien's face, that it couldn't have been anything good.
I found out from Thorsen later that it roughly translates to: Fucking hell, why are you such an honest dipshit?
It still makes me laugh to this day.