Chapter 41 - Seedbed of Terror

What Armin saw in Ethena left him speechless.

Under no circumstances would he ever favor one race over another, but he couldn't detach himself from the battered refugees of humans fleeing in fear of their lives while mourning the deaths of their loved ones. Every single village he'd come across was completely abandoned. The only ones left were the dead that unveiled a small glimpse of the tragedy that the humans were suffering.

Most of the corpses he'd found died through brutal, external injuries. There was nothing left that directly connected the current incidents to the epidemic that had occurred over a month ago. Only by asking the few survivors he'd met on the way did Armin slowly get a coherent picture of the chaos that threatened to overwhelm Ethena.

Naturally, he wouldn't leave these informants alone to fend for themselves. Every person he'd come across, Armin would leave with them a blessing in the form of a small light that entered their bodies. With its support, the recipients wouldn't need to worry about their health for some time. Unless they met another tragic incident, they'd be able to find refuge in Levestein or the capital, one of the few remaining places left untouched by this bloodshed.

The epidemic had sown more than its own seeds of death as it had also planted the seeds of doubt and distrust into its survivors. When the people had witnessed the terrifying demise of their neighbors, friends, and family, they became suspicious and wary of anything around them. Mindless fear had taken roots in their minds as no one knew the cause of this fast-spreading illness. Some clues had indicated their water source was the origin of their suffering. Yet, they'd also found trouble with their previous harvest, and it didn't stop there. The news was spreading, first from neighboring villages, then from across the entire country and beyond, where every clue indicated something entirely different again. As a result, proper interactions or communications between different parts of the country became very difficult. Each village or city was trying to guard themselves against an invisible threat, that could have existed anywhere, whether it was inside or outside their home.

During this unrest from which no one had yet to recover from, someone had appeared to take advantage of it. Calling themselves the 'Forgotten Children,' a cult of fanatics Armin had initially assumed, suddenly appeared anywhere within the human territory. The numbers of each group of assailants rivaled some smaller villages as they ravaged across the country, showing no mercy in their utterly meaningless slaughter.

There was no reason behind it. As far as the horrified survivors would dare to recount the events, they couldn't understand any of it. In their fearful minds, they had been mere animals to be slaughtered, subject to the incomprehensible whims of these attackers. No amount of money, tributes, or begging was enough to make them stop. All of their pleadings fell on deaf ears as the Forgotten Children redefined the meaning of cruelness. Their lunatic acts had branded the mind of their surviving victims for the rest of their lives. They'd never forget the apostles of death that had brought with them misery and suffering to every place they crossed through.

This became yet another problem weighing heavily on Armin's shoulders.

He quietly muttered something to himself as he stood in front of a red circle that was drawn beneath the bloody carnage in a village. As he focused his vision on the circle, a faint glimmer covered his eyes, and a short while after, he closed them with a heavy sigh when his suspicions were confirmed.

"Why now? Are they trying to take advantage of the demon? Or are they working together with him? They shouldn't be... But no single devil could cause all of this, much less a dead one..."

Armin couldn't come to any conceivable conclusions. But there was one silver lining if nothing else. As much as he hated to think about matters in such a manner, he was at least sincerely glad to have found this summoning circle with evidence of its specific usage. After all, if other races were responsible for this mess, things could have turned south very quickly. He was about to set off and further explore his surroundings to make sense of this, when he heard a familiar voice call out to him, much to his surprise.

"Armin! So you are here after all?"

"Dyren! I'm surprised to see you doing well! I see that Raven and Julien are still putting up with you."

Armin turned around to watch a group of four coming closer. At the front was a young man who was closely followed by a much older man and woman. The youth called Dyren wore a suit of heavy armor that rattled with its unmistaken sound with each hurried step he took. Nothing was left of the shining silver of his armor as it was almost entirely stained in several layers of dried blood. So was the young man's face who was missing his helmet, revealing his disheveled short, brown hair that was likewise drenched in the blood of enemies.

Despite his appearance of a triumphed and ferocious warrior, the beaming smile on his face betrayed this image as he dropped the sword and shield from his hands to hurry towards Armin. Behind him, his companions smiled faintly and simply nodded in greeting, which Armin reciprocated in kind. While Julien's armor was similarily stained with blood, their female companion was reasonably tidy. Her loose brown trousers and blouse were drenched in her own sweat, but it appeared nothing like her savage companions. Even so, her face revealed her exhaustion with its pale color. Realizing they'd finally gotten a break, she fell to the ground in relief. Julien caught the staff she'd used as support for her body before sitting down himself. His own spear lay ontop his lap as the two watched Dyren reunite with Armin from a distance.

"... after I heard the news, we rushed here to help out. That was half a month ago." Dyren told Armin about his past weeks with such eagerness that the latter could barely get a word in. However, Armin certainly didn't mind getting new information and let him ramble on.

"We've been fighting those lunatics ever since. I'd assumed it was just a few groups of men that turned mad because of the spreading plague... Well, as you've seen for yourself, I was wrong. Painfully so. We also found more than just a few summoning circles. Each in a different village, I should add. The larger ones even have multiple of them."

Dyren didn't seem to mind that Armin was barely humming in response and continued to talk about the state Ethena was in. Most of it wasn't news to Armin. Eventually, Armin decided it was enough and interrupted him since Dyren seemed to have forgotten something.

"By the way, Dyren, who is that over there?"

Armin nodded towards the last remaining person from the small group who stood at the side by himself. He appeared very distraught, constantly fiddling with his fingers while mumbling about something Armin couldn't bother to catch from this distance. The presumably young man covered himself in a brown, worn-out coat that was hiding most of his appearance with a hood draped over his head. When Dyren called out to have him introduce himself, the man simply ignored him.

" 'Sigh...' He's been like this ever since we found him on the wayside. Unlike most people fleeing towards Hayden, he was actually running the opposite way. Back then, he was more lucid. But as time went on, he became more... nervous and jittery, to the point of driving me crazy. He calls himself Zoris."

Dyren paused for a moment to allow Armin to judge the man for himself. It was as he'd said, and Armin could only find confusion and fear in the short exchange of gazes they had before Zoris turned away from him.

"You won't believe what he said to me when we first met him, Armin..."

He paused again, but this time to prepare himself. He wasn't sure whether he should believe anything this wreck of a man, whose sanity only lost out to the rampaging lunatics, said. Yet, it wasn't something he could just dismiss either.

"He said... The entire nobility of Ethena was massacred. No one survived. Apparently they all disappeared, not leaving a single corpse or stain behind, yet he is certain they are dead."

"What!?"

"I can't believe it either, but..." Dyren hesitated. Zoris' claim was far too outrageous - baseless without a single piece of evidence to back it up. Furthermore, the background of this young man was unknown, and no one could vouch for him either.

"It would explain this mess." Armin finished, shaking his head helplessly.

"While the citizens out here are being slaughtered, there isn't a single reaction from either Levestein or Hayden. No organized groups of magi, or just regular soldiers. Most of the refugees have to camp outside either city's wall as their gates remained closed from overpopulation and remaining fear of the plague. This can't last much longer... And you know, what else? Ethena's emperor is missing."

"Kaemir Lorak is missing? Did he die?"

"No one knows."

"Then what about-"

"Zeristin is missing too..." Dyren said wearily. The longer the conversation between them went on, the more Dyren actually realized in what a mess this country was. Additionally, he became once again aware of his own helplessness that had especially plagued him over the recent weeks. All of his excitement of meeting Armin was already gone, leaving behind that familiar void of nothingness. While this entire catastrophe was happening, there was nothing he could do. He couldn't prevent it from happening, and he knew he wouldn't be the one to solve it either.

Of course, he wouldn't. He'd always known that. After all, he wasn't a hero.

Dyren quickly shook himself out of the negativity in his thoughts, telling himself it wasn't true. Even if he couldn't stop the source of what was happening, tragically there were more than enough people in need of help. Help the busy Armin couldn't provide, and only people like him could.

Meanwhile, Armin also fell in a worsened mood. Far more than he'd expected was unfolding without him having any leads.

"Ashos and Ryst are faring off much better." Dyren continued. "But their respective leaders also seem to be missing or at least aren't responding to any messages from the Order. Regardless, they still have an intact chain of command, allowing them to deal with this mess a lot better than Ethena. Furthermore, it seems that those cultists are mostly centered in Ethena for some reason... Especially those that are on par with higher ranked magi can only be found in Ethena as far as I'm aware of."

"Anything else?"

"That's it." Dyren shrugged his shoulders. "Our doomsayer over here doesn't know anything else either."

"Would have made things easy for once..." Armin muttered drily. "Dyren, the three of you have done enough already. Take your mute friend along and head back to Rydenna. I'm heading towards the meeting soon, and I'm really interested in what they are doing while all of this is happening. Anyways, I'll see to it that they clean up this mess, even if I have to force them to do so. You don't have to worry anymore."

"Usually I'd be begging you to take me along, but..." Dyren turned around to take a look at his companions. Although Julien put up a tougher front, he knew they required decent rest.

"I'll leave it to you then."

"Hm. Good." Armin nodded, satisfied. "It seems you have grown up a little since the last time we met. Anyways, do look forward to returning home. There is a surprise waiting for you."

Dyren was already on his way to tell his companions about their next destination when he suddenly stopped his steps. Slowly turning around, he found Armin mischievously grinning at him, causing a familiar wave of shivers down his spine.

"Armin... I don't like it when you smile like that... or keep secrets from me. Care to explain what you mean?"

Dyren gulped down the lump of dread in his throat, feeling that unique cold sweat sticking to his back. It was enough to make him question whether he should return home at all.

"And I don't like it when you call me that," Armin responded, the grin still covering his entire face. "No need to worry, boy. It's just Aiyla. She has a child now, I'm sure you'll grow fond of him very quickly."

"I see..." At first, a wave of relief washed over Dyren before he even began to register Armin's words within his mind. A fraction of a second later, his expression was replaced by ridiculous disbelief, and with quivering eyes, he turned once more towards Armin flabbergasted.

"W-wait, w-what did you s-say!? A-a-a child!? Who? Whose!?"

"You'll figure it out when you arrive. See you later!"

With those last words, Armin departed and disappeared within the sky, leaving behind a disgruntled Dyren who was mumbling to himself in a state of shock - a very similar state he'd continuously ridiculed Zoris' of.

"Are you joking, Armin!? You must be... I mean, what do you mean a child!? It's only been three months since I last saw her, how-, when-, with who could she have a child now? Armin-... and he's gone."

Followed by Esten and Lynnden, Tristan walked out of the city into the sea of tents that surrounded Levestein as far as the eye could see. Those that could move scurried around, either trying to take care of the injured or arguing with the guards that prevented them entry. However, they weren't entirely left to fend for themselves as the City of Magecraft provided them with the bare essentials for their survival. Yet, signs of the growing unrest were already on the horizon, and it would only be a matter of time until the dissatisfaction boiled over.

Tristan and his group made their way through the people without any intention of quelling the unease. With only one destination in mind, they headed west until they reached the border of the nearby forest, while the group of dwarves followed after them out of their vision. The moment they stepped into the boundary of the forest, the group felt a flood of unfamiliarity wash over them. They realized that they'd been cut off from their previous surroundings and that this wasn't the same forest they were used to passing through. Even the sounds of nature had disappeared without a trace as they traversed further into its depths.

Eventually, they caught a glimpse of a green light flickering in the distance, beckoning them to come closer. As they closed in on it, they noticed the trees thinning out until they arrived at a spacious glade. The closer the got, the green light was diminishing, and in its place, a flood of unceasing sunlight was filling their vision.

"Well, I'll be damned. To what do we deserve this honor of you gracing us with your appearance, o'mighty eledyn?"

Tristan was the first to speak up, not in the least withholding the tone of mockery in his voice. Nonetheless, he was sincerely surprised by the dazzling eledyn awaiting them. No longer did they appear as a featureless shadow, hidden within its created darkness, but as a figure of light that became a small sun within this forest.

The female eledyn's long, ashen-white hair fluttered behind her as she turned towards Tristan and his group. Her pale skin color that could almost be mistaken for the dead shone in a brilliant luster that illuminated her surroundings. A band wrapped itself around her head, in which an emerald jewel was embedded into its center. Resembling a tiara that would only be fit to be worn by the noblest princesses' of the world, it stuck firmly to her forehead as if the two had been fused into one entity.

Along her slender body, she wore a sleeveless dress that radiated with the elegant fabric of light it appeared to be made of. In a mixture of golden-white, it didn't lose out to the rest of her radiance that would follow her into the darkest parts of the world.

She turned to meet Tristan's curious gaze with a beaming intensity that rose forth from behind her silvery pupils. As she did so, she was utterly oblivious to Esten's and Lynnden's presence, who remained enchanted by witnessing the appearance of an eledyn first-hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you again, your Majesty."

Her gentle voice resounded within the woods like a serene melody that would enrich its surroundings. But instead of being fascinated by its calm and peaceful nature, Tristan was at a loss of words for completely different reasons.

"It's you... Lea."

The shock within Tristan's voice startled Esten and Lynnden out of their own trance. Confused, yet with a tint of curiosity, they turned towards Tristan. For the short time they'd come to know him, it was a rare event to see him at a loss. It was only in moments like these, where they could take a glimpse past the playful facade Tristan was fond of putting up.

"That used to be my name," Lea showed no particular reaction towards Tristan's recognition. "If Your Majesty wishes to address me as such, I won't mind it. Nevertheless, I believe it would be appropriate to properly introduce myself. I'm the new ambassador of the eledyn, Lya Alyu. Consider my appearance a show of respect towards Your Majesty who strives to unify humanity and the minor races."

Tristan had a few things on his mind he wanted to speak out about, but he refrained from doing so. After a short while, he regained his bearings and turned towards the giant creature that was much less patient in waiting for their arrival.

"A bold statement, little fledgling."

Within the minds of anyone present, the Divine Language ringed inside their heads. Its usual gentle nature was replaced by a thundering oppression that was especially difficult for Esten and Lynnden to endure. They crumbled beneath the booming shouts that drowned out their own thoughts. But before they fell to the ground, Tristan released a sigh of disappointment as he supported the two with a hand on each shoulder. By infusing them with his own mana he allowed them to weather the onslaught in their minds.

"I'd say that is anything but showing respect, young eledyn." The giant bellowed without paying attention to the discomfort it caused to the comparably tiny humans around it. "Sending such a youngling to this important meeting... I wonder what your elders are thinking? Then again, what can I say? I'm just an old, frail fossil with one foot inside my grave."

Having said that, the giant took one enormous step forward to take a closer look at Tristan. Its slit-like pupils bore down on him like a hunter that was seizing up its prey. It raised one of its claws in his direction but stopped this motion abruptly when Tristan returned its gaze with a confident calmness.

Thrice the size of Tristan and with azure scales covering most of its body, the rykul released a faint sound of surprise before retrieving its hand. The menace in its eyes disappeared before it was replaced by a burst of laughter that resounded throughout the forest. The gusts of wind clashed against the waving sea of trees that could do nothing else but surrender to its might. While Esten and Lynnden were forced to hide behind Tristan's back, their dwarven companions were likewise forced to come out of their hiding place and seek refuge behind Tristan.

As Esten witnessed the rykul's simple display of intimidation, aside from his embarrassment, he couldn't help but feel reverence towards it. It made him recall what it meant to be a part of the higher races, as well as the origin of this half-humanoid figure.

In front of him was a real rykul - The race that was blessed by Ilyaesta. Acting behind the back of The Benevolent, she blessed them with intelligence that rivaled any other race. They were descendants of the extinct dragons, whose physical might alone were once a significant part of an almost forgotten world. Now, witnessing its might first-hand, Esten realized that in front of this half-dragon, almost half-human, he could only cower beneath it, and leave his own fate up to its whims.

"That-"

"That is enough."

Before Lea could step in to mediate and calm down the rykul, a distant voice interrupted her. To everyone's surprise, the last arrivals, that made up the rest of the participants, arrived in a rather amusing fashion.

At the front was Armin, who was dragging two massive bodies to his side. Grabbing one by their massive fangs and the other at their slick arm, he effortlessly, and without any mercy, towed them through the mud.

"I found those two bickering outside, so I helped them find the way."

He flung the two groggy creatures to complete their gathering in a circle. Neither of the two had yet to come to their senses until Guardian Phi took a closer look at them. With a single touch of her tiny hand that was hidden beneath the green light, she helped the two slowly regain consciousness. Yet, as soon as they came to, the first thing they did was glare at each other. Esten and Lynnden took this moment to take a closer look at two races, as this was the first time they could do so in a peaceful arrangement.

The foren was a grey ball of wobbly mass, likely devoid of any bone structure. The only similarity between them and humans was the number of limbs. At the top of its head, a large sapphire crystal covered it like a roof that was embedded into where its skull would be. Like glassy covers, those spheres could be found all over its body, appearing at spots where it would replace human joints. Around its arm and legs, the orbs would fully envelop the limbs, appearing as full spheres.

When Esten saw it raising itself up, he was taken aback as he witnessed its slow motions. Each limb between one sphere and the other appeared as if they were moving entirely separate from another, creating a set of movements that would be impossible with any form of bones. Its face appeared to the two of them to be completely featureless, except for a few opening which they couldn't discern for what they were used for. Despite all of their differences, it appeared that its clothing was likely made by human hands or in a similar fashion.

The jin, on the other hand, was far more natural for them to tolerate and make sense of their anatomy. It was a familiar humanoid shape, almost as if a human was crossed with a wild cat. It walked on its hind legs while their forelegs appeared to be very similar to hands. Instead of huge paws, it had skinny fingers that allowed for nimble movement and possibly the use of utensils in case there was something their saber-teeth couldn't tear apart. The only thing confusing them was that they couldn't tell apart whether the fur covering its body was its own, or made from a different, maybe similar, animal.

"I'm Armin."

Armin briefly introduced himself as he glared at the two creatures that were ready to pounce on each other again. Instead of continuing their aggressions, the two noticed the impatience in his voice, and immediately became more docile.

"I was sent by the Order to supervise this meeting with Guardian Phi. However, before we start, I'd like to address a different matter first."

His words were concise and gradually became colder as he focused his attention on one particular person in this gathering. With an imposing manner and an ice-cold gaze that demanded unquestioning cooperation and obedience, he closed in on Tristan before coming to a stop directly in front of him.

"I assume you must be Tristan Stelfort. What a coincidence, I see Esten and Lynnden are here as well. Are Zeristin and Kaemir also hiding somewhere around here?"

In the threat of Armin's commanding demeanor, Tristan remained calm as he seized up his counterpart. The two looked at each other, one with curiosity and the other with impatience that was dreading to run out at any moment. At first, Armin could see the unusual interest on Tristan's face, but it quickly turned into a frown. Eventually, it became a frown of disgust as far as Armin could tell, making it more difficult to restrain himself.

"You... You are Armin?"

"What of it?"

The disgust eventually turned into disappointment before it was released in a heavy sigh. As if Tristan had lost all interest, he turned away from Armin.

"You are not worthy of this name."

Tristan stated matter of factly. The simple directness of his unexpected statement caught Armin slightly off guard for a moment, leaving him perplexed as to how to respond. But it was quickly replaced by the restrained anger inside him that was further fanned by his words.

"As much as I'd like to agree," Armin hissed out. "That is not something for you to decide, human. Now answer me this, and you better be careful about your next choice of words. What have the three of you been doing while your fellow humans are out there, struggling for their lives!? Especially, you who dares call himself the Emperor of his people!"