There was a pervasive quiet in the woods, broken only by the percussive crunch of snow beneath their boots. Felix and Vess walked, not speaking, between frost-coated ridges and winding, old-growth trees wide as houses. The nervousness he felt had vanished, dwindled beneath the thick silence and replaced by a familiar wonder.
Songbirds chirruped in the branches above, hopping about in tiny flurries of brown and off-white. A long tailed cat skulked between trunks, claws muffled by heavy fur as it stalked a trio of long-tailed rodents. Even the river had its say, hidden now by a tall hill, yet still a soft, sibilant murmur that underlied the greater silence. Felix let himself sink into the orchestra of strange noise, unlike the Grand Harmony or chaotic Dissonance, and yet composed of both. The Green Wilds, he supposed. A tapestry of a thousanda milliondifferent things, all combined. Interconnected chaos.
It is beautiful here.
The sound of Vess voice jarred him from his reverie, but Felix only smiled. It is.
I forget, sotis, that this is the sa fog-drenched wilderness we struggled through last year. I think it even slls better than before.
Doesnt surprise . Atar has been looking into the original illusion array the Geist made, and it was powerful. It affected all the senses, even the Harmonic ones. Felix sniffed, taking in the empty cold scent of winter, the sharp spice of nearby trees, and the furtive musk of so passing beast. I cant imagine how hard it was to move through all that.
Mm, Vess glanced at him. Harn and Magda were of great help, but I rember so much fear in those days.
About the sa for . No illusion for , but that didnt make this place any less terrifying. Felix laughed. I can barely believe I made it through, back then.
Snatched from your ho, sent into a deadly environnt filled with monstersit is a wonder you remained sane, let alone rose to the challenge. You are a remarkable man, Felix.
I try. He regretted the words as soon as he said themhad that been too cocky? He certainly didnt think of himself as remarkable. Being Unbound has a great deal to do with it, I think.
She nudged him with her elbow. You give yourself too little credit. Always have. Beef arrived the sa ti as you did, faced terrible challenges, and he lags several Tiers behind you even now.
Beef is a kid
Thirteen years is five years older than I was when my combat training began.
Hewha? Really? Felix frowned. You were training to fight at eight years old?
Officially. The Dragoons take those as young as four to begin their instruction. My father did not wish that for , not so early, as I had the myriad lessons of statecraft to learn. Vess stepped carefully around a protruding root, as graceful as a dancer. But I snuck out into the training yards every night, from the mont I was strong enough to hold a practice spear.
Felix whistled. Damn. Thats intense. And it kinda proves my point: on Earth, we dont fight. Not like that, anyway. Most people dont know how to throw a punch, let alone a spear. Beef didnt, and neither did I. Flashes of mory rose up in him, of his early days in the Foglands and nurous failures at fighting. He shoved them away. Both of us just got lucky, and part of that is in being Unbound.
It is a boon, I cannot argue against thatbut you, Felix, are kind and compassionate. She flung her arms outward, as if to encompass the forest and beyond. None of this would have happened if you did not care enough to stand up. You established a kingdom, Felix. You cleansed a curse on an entire Race, faced down ancient terrors, Grandmasters, Primordials, and the gods themselves. Her hands dropped, clanking as they slapped against her armored hips. Perhaps so of that was due to luck, and perhaps soone else, in your sa position, could have accomplished the sa. But would they have chosen to do so, Felix? I have t too many warriors so impressed by the swing of their own blades, that they never question what lies before themnor what cos after. Perhaps, Felix Nevarre, your strength lies in being you.
Felix hadnt a clue what to say to that. Fighting monsters and gods was one thing, but taking a complint? His brain stalled out, and could only manage two words. Thank you.
Vess tucked locks of her hair behind her ear once again. It had fallen out while she had spoken, and her cheeks flushed. You are very welco.
The deep lowing of so creature shook the evening air with a raspy, basso gasp. Ahead of them, the path wound around a hill to reveal the river once againand a huge moose the size of an extra jumbo elephant. Moss covered its back, brown and faded with the season, with thin tendrils stretched between a set of crystalline antlers bigger than the fish Yintarion was eating.
Moss-Back Stag, Felix whispered. The creature was a couple hundred yards out into the water, but its ears twitched toward Felix despite his volu. It lowed again.
Beautiful, Vess murmured. Reminds of when we first saw them.
Right before we fought the Archon, yeah. Felix grinned at the mory. Havent seen them much since.
Ive read they are pack creatures, but this one seems to be alone. She clucked her tongue. It has been attacked.
Once Vess pointed it out, Felix could easily spot half-healed wounds on the giant mooses back and legs. What hed taken as cloudiness on its antlers was likely blood, dried and caked onto the tines. The creatures were peaceful, if territorial, and they had a lot of Health for their level, not to ntion excessive Strength. This particular specin was a Tier III beast, but those categories werent always as strict as folks liked to pretend. He had no doubt that a Journeyman Tier who decided to fight a Moss-Back Stag would find themselves overwheld in short order.
Could be a hunter overestimated their abilities, or underestimated the Stags, Vess said.
Or theres a strong predator in the area. Ill tell the Dawnguard about it either way. Felix added it to his growing list. Its isolated here. Lets leave it be.
They kept going, following the thin ga trail through the forest. When theyd gained an appreciable distance from the creature, and the quiet started to stretch too long, a voice chirped up in his head. This is boring.
I thought you were tired?
I can be both. Oh! Ask about Yins evolution. I wanna know.
Felix suppressed a groan, but had to admit his own curiosity. Vess, how is your bond with Yintarion?
He ntioned his first evolution. Is that happening soon? Pits first evolution had taken months to occur, but Felix was aware every monster was different. Copse Grubs, for instance, would evolve into Emberflies only after eating the tree they were born inside. The Moss-Back Stag was once smaller before it evolved into its gargantuan size, requiring a ton of food and so sort of mineral they got from the mountains. When Vess shook her head, that only made him more curious. What does he need?
Apart from sufficiently powerful prey, he needs them to reside within the four elental Mana types. Creatures of earth, air, fire, and water. Light is also important, though finding creatures that are imbued with it is a tough task. According to Yin, that fish only reached the bare minimum of his requirents, and only for water. She pulled a scroll from a tube at her waist and unrolled it. This is what he needs apart from the food. He suggested that much of it was available here, in the Foglands.
Felix took the scroll and gave it a quick scan. Hm. The Tier III ore is easily obtained now that we control that tal-attuned Domain near the Teeth, and Tier IV wood and stone are stocked up in the Storage Facility. He needs to eat all of that?
Apparently. The interplay of the elents is very important to the process, according to Yin. The five Mana types are to be layered together in so fashion unique to Dragons, and that, she said, pointing at the list. Will allow him to leave behind his Wyrmling form. Vess gave a helpless shrug. He is eager to return to his forr might.
I would be too, Felix said, looking at where she pointed. He knew the Wyrmling didnt have much in the way of Health, Stamina, or Mana. A single, half-hearted strike from Felix could break him, and even Pit outmatched their ancient ally. Oh. The heart of a Greater Elental. I, uh, I assu that ans its core?
Yes, but willingly given. I am unsure how that is done, but Yin seems less worried about that part than finding one in the first place. I have heard of Elentals, the Inferior and Lesser kind are rare but found around the Continent. A Greater Elental, however, is not sothing I have encountered in life or books.
Felix scratched his chin. I have, butwell, its complicated. I dont think we can get his core without starting a whole war with the Frost Giants.
Vess blinked at him. His?
The Frostfather, god of the Risi, is a Greater Elental. Just found that out today, Felix said. And he surrendered to , so going back and killing him now seemsyeah, Im not doing it. I wont say no to having a Dragon in our back pocket, but not like that.
Like I said, Felix. Vess bead at him, and that dimple ca back. Honor and compassion.
Ahem, he cleared his throat, partially to distract from the flush he felt on his cheeks. Even uh, even if we had a core, I assu hes not jumping straight from Wyrmling to Dusk Dragon, right?
Vess laughed. He wishes, but no. The path is a winding one, and Yin is eager to forge a solid foundation before evolving.
Makes sense. Just like us. Hows the training been? Have things started to make more sense with your Dragoonness?
Yes and no. Yin has devoted much of his ti to teaching the ways of my new Skills, and my proficiency with them has increased by leaps and bounds. He suggests thods that my trainers never had, techniques that I struggle with but I am beginning to see their value. It isrewarding.
Felix watched Vess speak, saw the glint in her eyes and the hundred watt smile that she couldnt suppress. You look happy.
She laughed. I am. We have survived a great deal, and I am moving toward my destiny. How could I not find joy in that?
So the plan is to hunt for what Yintarion needs?
In a sense. IIll be needing to return to PaxVrell.
Felix stopped walking. What? Why? Now?
Vess smile dimd. Not right this minute. When the thaw cos, Ill begin the journey back. I need to speak to my fatherand the Dragoons. They have knowledge there, archives that might docunt what really happened all those centuries ago when the Dragoons betrayed the Dusk Dragons. Knowledge that could save the eggs.
The eggs that you cant save. Just like Pit. Felix shoved away the thought, but it lood close, as it had for months. If the Dragoons betrayed the Dusk Dragons, wouldnt they have destroyed the evidence? he asked.
That islikely. But I must know. If they can be saved, if the ancient history of my order can be salvaged, then we can beco stronger than ever before. Not just and Yintarion, but all of the Dragoons. Strong enough to shatter the shackles the Hierophant has placed on my ho for centuries. Vess snatched her spear from the air, brandishing it as if she wanted to start right at that mont. It would an an ally for you, an entire Territory, free.
Well, I cant argue against that, he said.
Argue against it! Pit urged.
I can co with you, Felix suggested. Back you up.
That is sweet of you, but I must stand before the Dragoons alone.
Youll have Yintarion with you. Whats one or two more?
Or an army? Pit added.
HeWell, I suppose you are right. She released her spear, letting it float on her Skills near-invisible cushions of air. And I suppose I am poor at asking for help. The last ti I did so, I followed Islas advice and nearly restructured my core space. I was emotional then, afraid of stepping off the Path that has been prepared for . Yet if I had continued, I would not have bonded with Yin, nor discovered the truth.
Felix stopped her and put a hand over hers. Her skin was hotter than he expected, and soft. Theres nothing wrong with being scared. Im scared all the ti. Vess face was a lot closer than he expected too, and her eyes were very dark, save for that ring of gold that glittered in the last of the evening light.
And now? she asked. Her fingers laced with his. Are you scared now?
Felix swallowed. Absolutely.
You
A sword the size of a door slamd into the earth re feet from them, followed by the exceedingly fast descent of its large wielder. Lady Dayne! I need you to disc He finished standing up and looked at Felix in surprise. Autarch. I was not told of your return.
Hi Darius. I uh, just got back.
Darius looked at him, at Vess, and at where their hands were clasped. They both let go; Felix to grip his dagger and Vess to fiddle with her hair. The boulder of a man didnt even blink, but his face settled into sothing very explicitly impassive. I am glad to see you here. We have training to catch up on. Are you free tomorrow at dawn?
Erm. I am. Sure. Felix bobbed his head and drumd his fingers on the hilts of his weapons. Sounds good to . Sword training is always good.
Youre saying good too much! Pit sent.
Excellent. The large warrior turned to Vess and bowed at the waist. Lady Dayne, Im in need of your ear, if youve the ti.
IOf course, Darius, she said. To his surprise, she took up Felixs hand again. Thank you for the walkand the conversation, Felix.
Yeah, totally.
Sothing soft and sad flitted across the womans gaze, sothing Felix felt the bare edges of despite the way he stifled his Affinity around her. Disappointnt? Or was it sothing worse?
Say sothing.
She stepped away, but Felix held onto her hand. Gently.
Felix?
I uh, owe you dinner. How about I make that up to you? Tomorrow?
The words ca out in a rush, but he barely stumbled over them. They hung between them, almost physical for how heavy they felt. Felix t her gaze, and in that mont, he was certain he had t gods less intimidating.
She smiled, and the last crimson bits of sunset filtered down through snow-laden boughs.
Absolutely.
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