As the group continued their journey, they were faced with the need for faster transportation. With Atlas' current state and knowing that Master Borin wasn't a Magus, Emery took out his special Nature Staff and cast [Summon Nature Familiar].
From the depths of the dark, cold rock beneath their feet, an unsettling tremor began. Cracks appeared, spiraling and expanding like spider webs, releasing a chorus of earthen groans. Slowly, chunks of rocks began shifting and rising, melding together. Soon, a colossal rock Lizard stood before them, its rough, stone-like scales glistening in the dim light.
It was a summon that mirrored the transport Emery had once ridden in Vanyar planet, except the material composition came following the planet he was casting the spell at.
As they mounted the rock lizard, its massive legs propelling them forward at a surprising speed, Master Borin, curiously probed about Emery's storage ring. Unable to reveal about Khaos gate, he briefly explains that he could only access the ring just now without giving any reason. However, with the blacksmith master basically depending on Emery's prowess, he was smart enough not to ask further on the matter.
Emery then took out the small device gifted by Jinkan to show the inventor. He detailed the escape plan associated with a ship and emphasized the necessity of a person's presence for its success, Master Borin squinted, inspecting the detail of the ship's technology,
The master inventor's thoughts seemed distant before he finally remarked, "You know, tampering tech like this could be more trouble than it's worth… No, no it will be simpler to just construct another ship from scratch."
Emery contemplated Borin's words, but before he could respond, an orange and yellow hue began painting the horizon. As they neared, the source became chillingly clear: the once mighty citadel was now ablaze. Towering walls that had withstood countless assaults now crumbled, and the inferno's heat was so intense that even the rocks seemed to weep molten tears.
Master Borin's face contorted in horror and disbelief. Pointing at the heart of the citadel, where the highest concentration of smoke billowed, he cried out, "No!! My workshop!"
The scorched earth bore testament to the brutal confrontation that had occurred just hours prior. Oddly, given the size of the battle that had raged, there were strikingly few orcs present in the vicinity.
Thinking quickly and prioritizing safety, Emery disbanded the rock Lizard, its form crumbling back into the earth from whence it came.
With Atlas on his back, Emery grabbed Master Borin's and began to stealthily maneuver through the landscape, reaching the lava river. He summoned vine-like bridges, their roots deep and secure, creating a path over the fiery river.
Emery focused his senses, searching for any residual presence of elves. Sensing none, he entered the burning fortress.
The sheer scale of the devastation became more evident. Smokes and embers danced in the air, and the heat radiating from the flames made the air thick and oppressive. Emery closed his eyes briefly, channeling the vast reservoir of his magical prowess. A gentle mist, summoned from deep within the earth, its droplets sizzling upon contact with the flames. The water spell began to quench the fire's fury, turning roaring flames into subdued embers.
As the smoke cleared, the aftermath was a chilling tableau of devastation and loss. Charred remains of orcs, humans, and elves littered the grounds, painting a somber portrait of the price of war.
Emery's chest tightened as his eyes locked onto a particularly heartbreaking sight – two human bodies, seemingly frozen in their final moments, locked in an embrace at the entrance of the citadel. Recognition dawned, and sorrow laced his voice, "Senior Blane, Senior Cas... may you rest in peace."
As Master Borin's eyes darted around, anxiety evident in every movement, he rushed towards the remains of his workshop.
Meanwhile, Emery, consumed by the gravity of the moment, summoned the power of his Nature Staff once more. The ground trembled gently in response, and the earth itself seemed to stretch forth, gently cradling and pulling the fallen warriors into its embrace, offering them a final resting place.
Yet, just as the last of the bodies was being interred, a disturbance caught Emery's attention. From the eastern gate, a solitary figure was approaching. The silhouette was familiar, one that was believed to be lost.
"Commander Sheperd! you're alive!"
However, as he observe closer, the vibrant, confident leader that Emery remembered was replaced by a hollowed-out version, with eyes that bore the weight of countless heartaches. His gaze, distant and haunted, darted around, trying to take in the devastating scene.
"Are you alright commander? Are you hurt?"
Shepherd's eyes finally focused on Emery, a dazed expression etched across his face. His voice came out in a cracked whisper, "Emery… the ship… all failed, wasnt it… everyone.. they all died?"
Emery nodded, a heavy sorrow weighing down his words, "Only Atlas, Master Borin, and I survive."
A sad smile tugged at the corners of Shepherd's lips, "I see… it's still good you survive" He looked toward the grave once again and said "In the end, we always lose"
Lost in his own torrent of thoughts, Sheperd's voice became softer, as if he were talking to himself, reliving past tragedies. From a distance, the clatter of tools echoed out, and Master Borin emerged from his workshop, his face ashen. "It's all gone. The tools, the parts… We can't build another ship with the remains."
Shepherd let out a bitter chuckle upon hearing Borin, "Building again? "Don't bother… it's a loss cause"
Master Borin was annoyed as he said "You can sulk if you want, I am going to build another ship and get out of this hell hole!"
The two began to argue, and Emery attempted to soothe the rising tension until the commander voiced out an outburst "Do you think this was our first attempt?! Five ships!! We've built and lost five ships in the eight years I've been trapped here. Not a single one made it past the planet's barriers."
Master Borin's face was drained of color. He himself has only been trapped on the planet for a little over a year. The realization that he had been kept in the dark about previous failures was a hard pill to swallow.
His voice, usually composed, quivered with anger and disbelief. "What are you saying, Shepherd!! Why did you never tell me about this!!?" Master Borin shouted forcing an explanation. The silence that followed was thick with tension, awaiting an explanation, a justification for the lies and lost hopes.
Commander Sheperd's gaze was distant, memories of past failures and heartaches painted vividly across his features. "Eight years," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "Eight years trapped in this infernal place, and this citadel is the third to fall under my watch."
He paused, inhaling deeply, as if to muster the strength to continue. "We have dealt with gravitation problems for the ship before, unfortunately, they were shot down by elven ships right after they leave orbit. it's impossible! there is no escape from this prison"
Master Borin was angered once again demanding why he never told this matter and let him work hard on building the ship if he knows it was all pointless.
Sheperd's eyes held a weariness that belied his years, yet he remained silent. Emery however understood "Hope… he just letting people not lose hope"
Their somber reflection was abruptly shattered by the ominous rumbling overhead. Eyes turned skyward, and the sight of a descending ship heading toward the elven citadel on the other side.
"Elvish reinforcements!" Master Borin cried in panic.
Emery himself was shocked, however for a different reason, just a second ago, Chututlu the Khaos guardian voice echoed in his mind.
<Be warned I can sense a Khaos champion in that ship>
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