Within the darkness of the mage guild’s newest meeting place stood 7 mages. 6 of them were dressed in their usual identity blocking cloaks but one was left with his face fully exposed. A single weather mage stood in the middle of the circle only ever so slightly scared for his life. He’d been personally sent a scroll of teleportation by the guild master summoning him to this meeting. But never did he expect a request like this.

Hovering slightly in the air in front of him the voice of the guild master asked again “So can it be done?”

Swallowing nervously the spy answered “W-well... possibly? If I could get him alone that would be one thing but with all those monsters around him? Not to mention the royal knights and other attendees and their retainers.”

Clasping her hands together she clarified with an audible smile “There will be at least one time when his guards will be relatively far away. I guarantee that. As for your escape some us here will be in attendance and can assist you. Unless you have another suggestion? You are the expert after all.”

Taking the time to carefully choose his words he asked “Ma’am if you don’t mind disclosing your great plan to me I would like to know the true aim of this operation. I doubt either of us are expecting him to truly die like a normal man.”

With a light chuckle from everyone in the room she answered “Of course we don’t. At best we expect him to simply reappear within the dungeon. Our true aim is to learn more about his constitution. We never expected him to have a physical form and as a result we must change up our plans. If he himself is immortal as I fear we must find another way to threaten him into submission. This could also be a good chance to sour his relationship with Illia. If they get too friendly with each other things could get messy when we take it over.”

Off to the weather mage’s left the voice of a boy in puberty said “Well I propose we threaten his creatures. They might not die either but from that speech alone we know he cares about them. A few of us should be able to capture one of if we group up despite their strength. We’d need some form of special cage to sustain their form but I’m sure we can figure something out given enough time.”

The voice of an elderly woman responded “That’s not the worst idea. From what we observed during the war taking either the bird or the eel would be easiest. Jurys out on the scaled ones but keeping either the size changing slime or shapeshifting shadow would be troublesome. I’ll have some of my scholars look into possible capture methods. If that’s all right with you guild master?”

She gave a curt nod of approval then turned back to the weather mage. Feeling the pressure of all their eyes on him the spy nervously ruffled his hair. It was just then that his arm grazed the necklace he’d had dangling around his neck for months now.

An idea quickly forming in his mind the spy spoke “I think I understand ma’am. Although if you’ll allow me one question, does it matter to you who does the job?”

“Not particularly. Although I hope you aren’t about to reject the mission.”

Nodding he continued “Not at all! In fact I’m sure I can accomplish both objectives without issue. All I’ll need is a handful of combat mages under my direct command and a few weapons capable of harming magical entities. We wouldn’t want to find out mid mission physical objects can’t touch him.”

Clapping her hands together the guild master said “Consider it done. I’ll speak with you privately to sort out the details shortly. We have a few more matters to discuss amongst ourselves first.”

Nodding the weather mage took a step back allowing himself to be teleported away. The whole time twirling the fanged necklace between his fingers.

---

Slamming a blue skinned fist down on their frozen table Polor yelled “Father you can’t be serious! Agreeing to attend that demeaning conference is already bad enough but allying with that freak of nature?!”

Tushar kept his composure and replied flatly “I will only be proposing the idea to him. Sad as I am to admit we don’t have much to offer other than our prisoners and acquired knowledge. The odds of this Mr. Sol agreeing are next to none.”

Gesturing wildly with both arms Polor retorted “I just don’t understand why we need to deal with any of them in the first place! Why can’t we just-!”

Cutting the enraged young fool he called a son off Tushar rationalized “Live in isolation? How has that panned out for us the last 3,000 years? Our population is dwindling, our technology centuries behind, our homelands ransacked in countless wars, and we’re still living in fear underground. As chief it falls on my shoulders to face reality and do what’s best for us all. If that means looking past ancient grudges or meeting with powers not understood I shall do so without hesitation!”

Polor could do little more than grimace and turn away at his father’s words. Of course he knew their people’s plight! He’d been there during the wars, seen countless stillbirths, watched the world leave them behind as it changed throughout the ages! But still... throwing away the pride of the Glacisk... is that worth it? What would his fallen brothers or sisters in arms say to see him now? Considering for even a moment the option of forgiveness? No. They would not hesitate.

Grinding his teeth Polor asked over his shoulder “Answer me this. What would you have them do for us? The humans won’t allow us our independence no matter the newest kings philosophy. How many times has a ruler with a “new outlook” betrayed our trust? And this “living core”? He’s already working with them, learning their ways. Even assuming him to be the lesser of two evils, his very existence is a crime against nature. Need I remind you of our sacred duties?”

With a heavy sigh revealing the years hidden behind his ageless appearance Tushar explained “While I understand your apprehension please remember the new humans of today have not wronged us. If anything King Rylen has been a godsend in reclaiming our territories from the Blight. His motives may not be entirely pure but even so an official alliance would serve to deter anyone else seeking our lands. As for the dungeon need I truly explain? The resources he could provide are quite literally endless, his subject’s strength in battle proven. While he is indeed not meant to exist we could use him to bring back that which should.”

Eyes narrowing Polor almost whispered “You couldn’t possibly be suggesting we give him the seeds?”

Meeting his son’s gaze Tushar didn’t waver for even a moment “I am.”

The room underneath the ice fell silent as the weight of Tushar’s intent spread across the table. To give up the last remaining seeds of countless species made extinct from lost eras would spit in the face of everything the Glacisk had ever fought for. If the dungeon core simply took the seeds and ran even the entire tribe’s execution couldn’t make up for their betrayal of the sacred pact.

“Please understand I don’t plan to include them in our initial offer. Even if he does accept my proposal if I deem him untrustworthy he shall never even learn of that which we possess. I’m merely presenting the possibility.”

Scoffing Polor raised his chin “You do realize we would be destroying countless specimens so we could have someone else create mere copies of mana? Waiting for future cultivation methods is a much safer option in the long term. Hell he could turn them against us!”

Raising his own chin in response Tushar said “Do you realize that this dungeon has created creatures capable of complex thought despite being mana constructs? Think for a moment longer and you’ll realize he also has an as yet unknown method to help dungeon monsters persist outside the dungeon. How else would he participate at the Iliad in person? Besides, what could we do if either of them turned on us? Son... we are weak. Never forget that.”

Tightening his fists Polor winced “I know that... better than most I’d wager. But monsters? Would you really have us stoop so low as to ally with them?”

“I would. Monsters they may be but their strength is undeniable. In mere months they have already emerged victorious against human forces. Already that’s more than we have ever accomplished. Imagine what they’ll be capable of in just a few years. The time to get in their good graces is now son.”

At that exact moment the sound of crashing footsteps from the ice above echoed down into the room. Both of the elves knew they were safe so far underground but still glanced fearfully upwards. The Blight was on the move again.

Putting a hand on the carved out doorway Polor turned back to his father as he left “For all our sakes I hope you’re a good judge of character.”

Clasping his blue hands on the table in front of him Tushar murmured “I won’t be made a fool of man again. On my pride as a Glacisk I swear it.”