"What a view." Salty wind lashed against Anton's face, ruffling his clothes and cloak. Though the cold was distant and dim, his sense of smell had not diminished.

From his vantage point of the former Dwarven outpost he could see the entirety of Dragon Tooth Bay; the ruins of the Seocurian Refugee city of Jaka, meandering specks of Goblins in the light snow, the solitary pathway through the sharp mountains swarming with Rock Rats, and the most distinctive feature of the bay, the Crystal Chasm nestled in the north. It had not appeared to have grown, not the crystals nor the seeping miasma. Unfortunately, it had not changed and still needed to be dealt with.

“The right height for Dwarves.” Anton placed a hand on the stone ledge, that would have been quite high for a Dwarf. “Truly not built for anyone else.”

A creak behind him reminded him of the work underway. The Dwarves were quite hesitant to work in the place given the state of the Dwarven skeletons inside; bound in some kind of depraved sacrifice and left for potentially centuries to the elements. Though the skeletons had been removed and given to the Dwarves to give what sort of burial they could, originally a stone cairn but now properly removed to their Hold, they were still hesitant to enter.

Haven’t met a ghost yet. But who’s to say…

“This place is perfect!” A loud voice proudly announced, a slight crackle underpinning every letter. “The perfect location for a laboratory and research facility. Not to mention a secret final fallback position should something befall Atros.”

"We could barely fit fifty people for more than a single season." Cetina replied. Both were out of sight, so Anton began to walk back to the entrance. "Hardly all of Atros, even at the beginning. Or so I'm told."

Anton passed a group of Dwarves in one the Ballistae rooms, watching the cold roiling water beyond through the open windows of a much more reasonable height. He knew The Dwarven Isles were surrounded by water and Atros was far from the salty spray of the sea. It was likely the closest they would ever get to their old home. Not that they seemed particularly eager to return.

“True.” Longinious replied. “But only the core people of Atros could be moved here while we worked out a new plan.”

“And I presume that would include Anton and those close to him?" Though Anton couldn't see Cetina he knew had already folded her arms and placed a foot forward, her taut muscles on the verge of uncontrollable tapping. “True?”

“Of course. Though it is cruel to say it is the best outcome. Of a terrible situation. For the survival of the city and the idea of something greater than mere subsistence hard choices must be made.”

“I’d rather not have to worry about fleeing the city.” Anton said as he reached the entrance. Cetina and Longinious stood to the side of the stone door, Calo and Sheso rested against the wall, while a few Dwarves mulled about. “But contingency plans are necessary to make.”

Cetina, who was standing in the pose Anton suspected, began to swing her arms back and forth. “Do you think that anyone else will allow you to do what you’re doing in Atros? Beyond just having Beast-kin.”

“Perhaps… Perhaps the south east of Graterious?” Anton stroked his beard. “Seemed like they had a pretty poor hold at best. Those Ancient Listeners were able to thrive there with seemingly no oversight. Do you think we have time to do a quick fly-by? See if there’s anything left of Soulthor.”

“Only if you wish to risk our only two adult Chiroks.”

Longinious gestured outside, where the two large beasts were being tended to by their riders. Anton was slightly jealous, it had only been a few flights and yet he found he missed it. Perhaps it was the knowledge that he couldn’t anymore that was rather annoying.

“No. But I won’t be able to ride a horse again. One of the Sivu’s, perhaps. A carriage? At the very least we could make ourselves look far more professional. It would also invite more potential banditary. But that’s another story.”

“This place,” Longinious began. “Is perfect for my laboratory. Secretive and far away from prying eyes. It was only discovered thanks to an ancient Dwarven map, which i doubt any Graterian or Seocurian will just happen to have on them. Absolutely perfect."

She motioned to the small alcoves that formerly housed the Ballistae.

"Each room is perfect, perfect for running multiple experiments in parallel. I will prepare a list of equipment and tools that I will require. But I can assure you that I’ll discover new applications for Ancient Magic and Essence.” She placed her upper hands on the medallion resting on her chest armor. “As well as improving myself and my combat abilities.”

“Long way back to Atros.” Cetina raised a brow. “And there’s no way to reach Jaka from here.”

“Or a place to get water.” Calo tapped her gloved hand against the stone. “Or relieve yourself. I don’t feel like climbing sharp rocks just to get impaled through my butt.”

“That’s an awful thought you’ve put in my head.” Sheso jabbed her sister.

"That would also make this place a fantastic prison." Calo leant forward to look down the corridor. "Just, if something has gone really bad in Atros I don't want to be spending it here next to people so nasty they couldn't just be sent next to work in a Quarry."

"Over the edge?" Sheso shrugged. "It's a lot quicker and nicer than starving to death. Or dying of thirst."

“That is an issue.” Anton watched the Chirok riders mount the beasts and take flight. After a few beats of the wings and small plumes of snow thrown into the air they were gone. “Not the toilet thing. Though I suppose it is. But just getting here is the most important one, let alone carrying enough supplies. Thoughts?”

“Unless you can fly like those Chiroks, I think you’re going to have to crawl your way up here.” Calo smiled as she ran a hand through her wavy hair. “Can you just fly up here? That would make things a lot easier.”

“No… This is as high as I can float. Perhaps I could scale the cliffs?” Longinious shrugged nonchalantly. “Too difficult. But the easiest way would be to allow me to continue using Tethra’s portals. As detestable as I find them… They are exceptionally useful.”

I think that’s the best reaction we’re going to get from her on that subject.

"And having the Dwarves build a flight of stairs will take too much time and simply alert anyone to the presence of this place. Speaking of Dwarves…"

Longinious produced a piece of paper from a small satchel resting at the base of her back. Cetina leant closer and gave Anton a look, it was clearly taken from somewhere in Atros and not from her.

“I’ve spent a few moments talking with the Dwarves. This is a list of things I will require.” She passed the extensive list to Anton. “Nothing too serious, but many will be expensive. Not that it’ll be an issue for us. I’m sure that Zuhura will have something to say about it, but we can just rob a Slaver and everything will be good again."

Anton perrused the list. Some of the items made sense, glassware and chemicals, but some were of devices he had no understanding of. Given they were Dwarven they'd be powered by the clusters of energy cubes. Perhaps Longinious had determined a way to make rudimentary electronics? Atros’s only real strength would be its technological edge and they had to maintain it by whatever means necessary.

“Just like the time I bought a whole bunch of stuff for Jonathan. I’ll have to trust that you’ll need these.” Anton passed the paper back. “Not an issue at all. But you’re sure this will help?”

“Absolutely. I have some ideas on mixing Essence into metal, but I cannot test such a thing in Atros. Far too risky. Not to mention weapons and even the possibility of more intrusive experiments. I’ll only risk myself in any of these. Besides, I’m fairly resistant to damage, as you are all well aware.”

Never thought I’d see the inside of someone’s skull on my second day of knowing them, that’s for sure.

“Onto Jaka then?” Cetina nodded towards the ruins of the small fishing village. “It’ll take some time for the Dwarves to bring everything here anyway.”

“There is one other thing I’d like to do first.” Anton pointed at the Twins. “You two need to be looked at.”

“Right." Calo smiled nervously, her sister too. "We did say that."

Anton motioned for them to move towards the closest alcove, already stripped clean and away from the Dwarven thoroughfare.

“So… Let’s talk this through, from the beginning.”

The Twins shared a worried glance, neither spoke. Anton sat on the raised stone platform that had housed the ballista and waved them closer.

“Neither of you are in trouble. At all. So please tell me what’s happening. In your own words.” He nodded to Cetina and Longinious, waiting near the stone entrance. “And don’t worry about Cetina or Longinious tatling. They know how to keep a secret.”

“That she can.” Sheso managed a smirk. “Cetina. When we were getting our butt’s beaten by her.”

Cetina shrugged. “They’re doing much better. Probably be able to beat you now, before I started training you, of course.”

Longinious smiled and gave a curt nod. The Twins shared a glance, simultaneously sighed and sat either side of Anton.

“When we try and remove these clothes…” Calo clicked her tongue. “It just feels like we’d rather rip out our tongues. Or… Well, anything but.”

Anton frowned. “That is quite disturbing. If I’d known that I’d never have asked you to expose yourself like this. I suppose I could heal you both? See how that makes you feel.”

Neither objected so Anton quickly chanted a prayer. Both looked unchanged when it was finished.

“So can you remove it now?” Cetina’s eyebrow twitched. “Not everything, I’m not Verona. But just a glove?”

Calo removed the normal glove. It was very strange to see the interior of her normal sleeve through the faint shimmer. Calo put her thumb underneath the Shadow Hunter cloth and pulled up. There was a moment of hesitation before she ripped the glove off. Calo let out a loud breath in triumph as the Shadow Hunter glove lost its invisibility and landed on the stone floor with a gentle, almost anticlimactic thud.

“See? Wasn’t that hard.” Her words didn’t hide the tiny tremor running through her fingers. Sheso looked relieved it wasn’t her.

"I'd hate to see what you think is difficult." Anton picked up the glove. It was made from a very fine weave, otherwise unremarkable. Anton removed his own glove and tried it on without damaging it. Nothing happened, nor was there any hint of something changing. "But it's clear that it's not you two."

"Well, that's a relief."

"Wording the prayer more precisely will definitely help. But I’m still curious as to why it’s doing it.”

Anton motioned for Calo to give him her hand. “Probably some sort of magic embedded in the weave. Well, it has to be. Otherwise it just wouldn’t work. Mezot doesn’t know much about how these magical devices are created. Not her area of study when she was still in Graterious. Apparently the devices from Frindal are still giving her a real head-ache. But this…”

Anton touched the cloth onto Calo’s hand. She frowned as a part began to turn invisible. Anton pulled it away but there was the slightest resistance, like incredibly weak velcro. He tried it a few more times until he was convinced it wasn’t his imagination.

“I don’t have anything sticky on my hand.” Calo said. “Is there?”

“Nothing like honey. But there is something.”

Cetina and Longinious moved closer, Longinious lowering her body while Cetina squatted. She tilted her head so the eyepatch was focused. Anton removed the glove again. “I saw your skin just move.” Cetina said. “Like it was stuck.”

Anton passed the glove to Cetina while he touched Calo’s hand with his clawed fingers. It was difficult to not push too hard or cut but he didn’t feel anything, nor any sign of anything.

Like all the Dark Elves she has beautiful skin. Especially for someone who fights.

Sheso held his shoulder and pulled herself up. “You’re going to have a lot of problems with that now. A bit too hard and you’ll be hurting Verona and Kal. Especially if you’re getting a little frisky.”

“My greatest concern,” Anton replied. Calo remained impassive as he continued to prod her hand. “Nothing. I don’t see anything.”

“No need to be so sad about it.” Calo teased. “At least she’s letting you touch her. Better than getting your crotch kicked in, right?”

Anton raised a brow as Sheso chuckled.

Well, they’re quite a bit older than me and related to someone very important. Who knows what weird shit they’ve had thrown at them for marriage. Just remembering that slobbering Graterian ‘Prince’ staring at Verona makes me ill. What would have happened-

“I see it.” Longinious announced. “Cetina is correct.”

Cetina gave the glove to Longinious who took Calo’s hand. With both sets she held her hand vertical and slapped the glove against it. To Anton’s surprise it didn’t fall away. Longinious had to almost turn her hand until it was horizontal before it fell off.

“The fabric itself changes upon contact with a Dark Elf’s skin.” Longinious said as she placed the glove against her hand again, without it sliding off. “I presume that neither of you are wearing much underneath them right now?”

“No…” Sheso scratched her head. “But it's not like there's bits of it still visible. As soon as we're wearing it, it's completely invisible.”

“I do not understand the mechanisms.” Longinious passed the glove to Anton. “Likely wearing it fulfills a condition that we as a sentient being would readily accept. In this case what wearing means. Fascinating, but not particularly useful in removing it. Perhaps it would be best to use Tethra’s abilities to remove any mental effects of the clothing. Perhaps…” Longinious stopped herself, her hands relaxing to gently closed fists. “Perhaps there are records in The Shadow Isles. How they created such a thing, and why they made it behave this way. No insignias to determine it’s origin…”

Anton enhanced his vision and tested again. Just as Longinious said the cloth shifted upon contact to form a rough surface, the tiny fibers twisted into prickles to gently press itself against their skin. Once removed the fibers returned to normal.

“That’s a little disturbing.” Anton tried to pick one free but it was impossible. Upon contact with him it returned to normal. “And frustrating. But even if I could use a Prayer specific enough to stop this, whatever this actually is, I don’t like what it’s doing. Definitely not good.”

Anton clapped his hands and stood up. “So we’re going to have to remove whatever is making them change, on every piece of cloth, while hopefully leaving the invisibility behind.”

“Right now?” Calo jumped up onto the stone plinth. “With all this cold and wind? Not much privacy with all them walking past.”

She looked out the window, overlooking the roiling sea of the bay. “I suppose it’s not so bad up here. No one from down there would be able to see us, nor anything we said-”

Anton lightly slapped the back of her head, and Sheso’s.

“What did I do?” Sheso asked, dramatically rubbing her head.

“You’re both the same. Minds stuck in the proverbial gutter. Like you’ve been corrupted by someone. Not to mention there’s still those things that you bought before finding the Fire Elves.”

“So… '' Calo slapped her thighs as she stood up. “So do you want us to do this now or when we’re done in Jaka?”

Anton saw the Chirok’s fly past the window towards Jaka. Their black wings were stretched out as they glided down, barely buffeted by the winds.

“Honestly? Right now. I’d prefer you two not to be corrupted by,” Anton held up the glove. “Whatever this is. We can head back to Atros if you want. Somewhere warmer.”

“It’ll be fine here.” Calo said. She and her sister moved to the corner of the room, where the passing Dwarves wouldn’t see. “Just don’t look, okay?”

“You going to be able to actually take those clothes off?” Cetina folded her arms. A wry smile crossed her lips. “Or are you going to freak out like you did with the glove?”

“We’ll be fine.” Sheso removed her normal hood. “I… Um.”

Cetina sighed. “I’ll help. Anton? Could you please make sure no Dwarves come in to help? Not that I’m worried about them, but I know that these two can squeal when they’re stressed.”

“Squeal?” Sheso scoffed. “That’s a bit of an exaggeration. Why aren’t you saying anything, Calo?”

“You honestly think it’ll be me that does that?”

Cetina clapped her hands together loudly. “Enough of that you two. Both of you need to get rid of those clothes before I rip them off both of you. Longinious? Can you please wait in the entrance? I don’t want either of them to run past.”

“You’re making a really odd face.” Calo teased.

“Come on.” Sheso sighed. “Let’s get this over with.”

Despite her words it quickly became apparent that Cetina was needed. Each whimpered in turn as Cetina had to forcibly remove the clothes.

“Definitely need to get rid of them.” Anton said.

Longinious spread out her body to block the entrance. The Dwarves had begun to unload a few items already, much to her delight. Only a few looked over but knew the noises weren’t a serious issue.

“Anton.” Longinious cleared her throat, a deliberate action as she did not need to breathe. “Though I have many of your memories, I do not have a complete understanding of your thought process at all times. Some decisions appear to not be entirely optimal for expanding your military and economic situation.”

“Right…”

“I was wondering why, during your forays into Qaiviel, during the…” Longinious rolled her hand. “Incident with King Harold and likely interference of Nithroel, why you didn’t use your magic to take over parts of Qaiviel. Or at the very least install leaders more friendly to you than King Leo, like you had at Hardheim.”

“To be fair, during the Civil War there was only myself and Cetina.” Anton folded his arms. Cetina was still wrestling with the Twins behind Longinious, Anton saw some clothes fly across the room. “And interfering would only stir up trouble. Leo, after winning their quick civil war with the vast majority of his forces intact, wouldn’t allow it. And trying to maintain such a network secretly and successfully is beyond my skill and needs. I don’t see much of a point in doing it.”

“I see… And what of Duchess Belinda?” Longinious blinked. “She benefited greatly from the civil war. And, most importantly, kept you in the dark regarding Leo’s little tantrum towards his sister.”

Anton did not immediately respond. The red headed Duchess hadn’t crossed his mind of late. Perhaps he was pushing away the immediate thought of, not exactly betrayal but being a pawn in their game. Anton had been incredibly eager to leave before the blood had even cooled. Duchess Belinda had tried to explain but he wasn’t interested, though he remained as courteous and polite as the situation allowed.

“There is the small matter of Verona, Kal and Cetina potentially being hurt in that scuffle.” Anton coughed, four deep coughs to clear his lungs. “I’m not sure what to do when they ask for help next. I’ll have to keep good relations, at least until the Centaurs return to the wall-”

“Stop fighting me!” Cetina yelled.

“I don’t need you to remove my fucking pants!” Calo angrily replied. “You’re not my mother!”

“No, take your time.” Sheso laughed. “This is great fun to watch.”

Anton sighed. “-At least until the Centaurs return and we see if they’re going to be compatible with Atros. Anyway, are you suggesting I try and take revenge?”

“Not at all.” Longinious barely moved. “But, if I may be so bold to suggest something, perhaps it would be best to demonstrate that we, and by extension, you, are not to be messed with next time. The Lamia pair will arrive at their destination in the next few days and given their situation it is likely they or their clan at large may very well try and use us, rather than work together. Initial impressions of friendliness may be a deception to lure us in.”

“I hardly plan to hurt or kill everyone I meet just because I don’t immediately get them to agree with me. There wouldn’t be many people left. Not to mention I feel uneasy trying to dominate another party who’s putting the welfare of their own people first.” Anton scratched his temple. “I don’t want to feel like a jerk.”

“Of course. But letting them use you cannot be tolerated." Longinious curled her free fist. "It may be prudent to formulate a more permanent solution to our alliances.”

"By your tone you mean more than giving them gold and jewels."

“I’m suggesting a complete upheaval of their political structure, one more compatible with ours, as part of any alliance, will make it easier to control in the long term. And make it easier to integrate and support our own systems."

Anton folded his arms. "People that will be loyal to Atros and myself. That's kind of what we're already doing. Right? What even are we at the moment? We're shifting to a controlled democracy, at least a representative one."

“We haven’t seen the whole world but clearly we’re the only country on this continent utilizing that style of governance. No nobility or even a merchant class like Bebbezzar or Seocuria.” Longinious’s eyebrow twitched. “Regardless of that, we need leaders that value our alliance far more than the independence of their own country. Collaborators.”

This is taking a rather unusual turn.

"Take Qaiviel for example. If King Leo was to be assassinated-"

Not an unlikely outcome if people discover the truth.

"-Someone else will simply slot into his place. One from the Feudal Monarchist system of Qaiviel."

"Right…"

"And getting them to work with us to the same degree that King Leo will might be a serious challenge. And with each death and replacement it will become harder and harder to justify our alliance and demands. Breaking away may very well create a war."

"Surely it's no different than elected officials? Men and women in suits and ties would be nearly identical to a King. They too would forget we helped them over the years. Maybe even sooner since they won’t have such a focus on tradition and dynasties. A few bribes here and there, reminding them that they’re only in charge because we helped their predecessor. Things should just work out, right? Maybe after a few decades or centuries they’ll drift apart but that’s an issue for later."

Longinious moved forward again, her large fish tail was the only thing left in the stone doorway. "Consider the Frindal Lamia Tribes then. Constant warfare across a gigantic landscape with an underclass of Feral Beast-kin slaves. For how long would such a place be stable without our involvement? By their own admission their wars are cyclical: one tribe rises to prominence only but be targeted by the rest to repeat itself over and over. An unstable ally is not worth the effort. Their tribal and clan based structure will need to be removed and a more formal system implemented for stability. One not built upon the idiotic totem of strength and domination as virtues, but of intelligence and reasoning. Those will become structures of routine and order, which will be sorely needed. Our militaries would be much more closely aligned and even our governance. Integration would not be an issue, and would already have been completed in all but name. It may even be easier to disregard the Lamia's entirely and focus on the Feral Beast-kin slaves. Their loyalty and gratitude during the initial stages will be needed, loyalty that cannot be bought in gold or gifts of warm flesh, for the transformation. You've personally seen how effective bringing them into an essentially alien and foreign system can be. They can accept it because it doesn’t clash with what they already know. Sure they have familial ties, good ones to have, but no real structures beyond that they’d want to keep. And those they might have are quickly disregarded in favor of our own. I think one of the few worth keeping are the Drakelings as keepers of knowledge and their maintaining an ember of resistance. The Lamia's could be slowly reintroduced seeing just how effective the non-tribal systems are…"

Longinious prepared to continue speaking but hesitated. She had spoken quite a bit without letting Anton talk.

“I certainly don’t have an issue with teaching our potential allies, tribal or otherwise, so they can be better and work together. Not a problem. But… What you’re suggesting is something more. Potentially completely transforming an entire civilisation or an even race into something we want. Destroying their entire culture… Something like that is beyond us both materially and ethically. Not to mention during the restructuring they wouldn’t be of much use and a drain on our attention and resources. ”

“But-”

Anton raised his hand. “I will think more on what you’ve said. Though not exactly pleasant, you've raised some good points. Who’s to say loose alliances would help us in our time of need? ANd not demand the same when they’re in trouble. Better to bite the bullet. But we will discuss them at a later date. Right now we need to focus on reclaiming Jaka.”

“Of course, Anton.” Longinious returned to the stone doorway. “I merely wished to express my concern and offer potential solutions before issues arise.”

But is the first answer to eliminate all opposition and destroy everything that makes them unique? With everything terrible that’s happened on Earth, and what the most powerful and successful Empires did, well, maybe it’s not such a farfetched conclusion. I don’t want my children to be spending their lives worrying about far flung allies deserting us.

Cetina cleared her throat and broke through Anton’s thoughts, pushing past Longinious with a large bundle of clothes under her arm. “Took me long enough with those two, but they’re finally stripped.”

"Please don't say it like that." Calo groaned. "It makes you sound worse than Verona when she's acting out."

Sheso peered her head around the stone. One arm covered her chest as she reached across for her shirt. As expected she was lithe but quite well built, certainly in far better shape than when they first met.

"'Cold?" Sheso asked playfully.

"No more than you are." Calo sighed. “And piss off.”

Immediately the Twins began to bicker amongst themselves. Anton took a Shadow Hunter glove and tried his best to word a prayer to remove the negative effects, such as they were. With his magic gone Anton beckoned one forward. Calo came forward, her clothes loose and looking rather casual. Upon wearing the glove it turned invisible, Calo smiled as she held it up.

“I don’t feel anything.” Calo flexed her hand. “I suppose that’s a good thing. So that was surprisingly easy, wasn’t it?”

“Getting those clothes off of you two definitely wasn’t.” Cetina folded her arms and leant against the stone doorway.

Calo and Sheso stuck out their tongues. Cetina clearly made a mental note to remember that later.

“So we’re back to being invisible.” Sheso stepped forward. She was more disheveled than her sister, exposing a considerable amount of her taut stomach. “That’s good. But couldn’t you just do that with Tethra’s Prayer from the beginning? So we didn’t have to wear strange mind controlling clothes?”

“Thank the Old Gods that we’re not running to whoever controlled the Shadow Hunters.” Calo smiled. “Probably the Wind Walkers. No thanks.”

Anton sighed. “I probably could. But we didn’t have a need. Again, when we get back to Atros proper.”

“Why not now?” Cetina asked.

Anton took the glove from Calo. She sighed when her hand turned visible. “I might need some mana for this next part. Those Chiroks are about to land, so you can get a port for your Clan’s ships.”

“They’re going to be so excited.” Sheso rested against the low stone window, swaying her rear back and forth. “Are we going to be moved here? Since it’s our Clan’s ships that we’ll be dealing with.”

“If that’s what you want then I don’t see a problem. But the both of you smelling like the sea all the time is going to be an issue for me.”

Calo chuckled and punched Anton’s arm, how hard she intended he could not say. “You can’t but just help our Clan.” She chuckled, swaying back and forth. “So, what’s the plan to retake our new dock? Something flashy or something deceptively simple? I’m sure Leran will be happy either way.”

---[]---

“I’m sorry,” Anton whispered. “But I can’t ride you anymore. I’m just too heavy.”

The Chirok gently shook its head, throwing away the accumulated snowflakes. Its partner gave Anton a nudge and a wet lick on his face. Anton gave her a scratch on her nose before receiving a hot wet breath as the Chirok lightly panted.

“They’re very intelligent.” A Human, wearing thick clothes designed to fight off the chill of the wind. “Far more intelligent than any horse or Ix I’ve ever seen.”

Each of the Chiroks had a pair of riders, dressed identically as he was, with one being a Beast-kin. They groomed, for lack of a better word, the pair as they waited for further instructions.

“That they are.” Anton gave another scratch. He had to give the other one when it looked slightly jealous. “Very smart. After we’re done here I want you to return to Atros. It’s starting to get late, and I don’t want you flying at night.”

He nodded towards the south of Dragon Tooth bay. “I’ve seen Dragons to the south. Far to the south, but who knows how far they roam at night to hunt and feed.”

“Actual Dragons?” Another Chriok rider approached. Anton could almost see sparkles in his eyes. “What were they like? Were they as big as the stories say they are?”

A bright flash of the nearby portal caught his eye. Another large group of armed Dark Elves emerged. These weren’t just from the Green Moon, but also from the Dusk Reavers, Wind Walkers and even the two new Clans established on the devastated smaller islands of the Dark Elven homeland. Though they were the smallest number they appeared highly motivated. Motivated to prove themselves, as they were likely outcasts of the other Clans.

Once free from the portal they formed loose groups, focused towards the ruins of Jaka and the mulling Goblins. The Goblins were slow and lethargic, befitting their cold state, and had yet to spot the Dark Elves. Instead of investigating the source of noise they fought amongst themselves to get space around the sporadic weak fires.

“Suffice to say that I’ve got no desire to wrestle one.” Anton smiled, even if the others were a little forced. “We’ll see them soon enough. So be ready to go at a moment's notice.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Anton didn’t have the strength or desire to correct them. Sometimes it felt like he was trying to stop the wind.

“I doubt it will ever change.” A crackling voice said.

Longinious emerged from behind the Chiroks and floated towards him. The large beasts were slightly bemused by her presence but were far more interested in receiving treats from their Riders.

“Perhaps it would be best to simply accept it? It would make dealing with the other autocracies of this world much easier.” Longinious folded her lower set of arms. “Since they’ll judge you for being a commoner. Not that it’s unique to these times. Replace status with raw wealth.”

“No. But I still don’t like it.”

“Anton!”

Leran called out, waving a heavily gloved hand. The former pirate and current leader of the Green Moon Clan strode through the crushed snow. Despite his advanced age he looked remarkably well, though he was considerably larger than any other Dark Elf to stave off the cold. His granddaughters, Calo and Sheso, walked either side while his son, Cagec, walked just behind. The two men’s faces were weathered from the seas but even so it was far softer than the equivalent for a Human.

“I’ve never felt so alive!” Leran cheered. The Goblins in Jaka had yet to react. “The smell of salt and spray! Oh, it's so intoxicating. To be back at the place of my birth. The time of my youth. Oh, the number of spritely young women that I chased through the surface and squall. What fun it was.”

The Twins looked repulsed by the thought and mental imagery.

“How long has it been since our Clan fought a real battle?” Leran dismissively waved his hand. “Doesn’t matter. But we can take care of these wretched Goblins easily enough.”

“Now, that is.” Cagec softly added. “We aren’t facing thousands at once. I know our Warriors are truly eager to pay them back, and will show no mercy.”

They certainly don’t deserve it, even if they are just a defense mechanism of this world. And they’ll be another source of Essence. So it’s not all a waste.

“But the question is that big bloody thing.” Leran pointed to the Crystal Chasm, leaking both a sickly purple mist and Goblins in equal measure. “You have any thoughts about that?”

“Grandfather.” Sheso groaned, throwing Leran a derisive glance. “There’s no need to talk to them like that.”

Leran merely raised a brow before directing his attention at Anton. The portal flashed once again, Rasha and Mezot stepped through. Rasha perked up upon seeing him, so too did Mezot but in her own way. Rasha walked first, using her bulk to clear a path for Mezot.

“My plan,” Anton held Mezot by the shoulders the moment she was in reach. She looked at him blankly as she held the staff on her Charm tight. “Is to have Mezot use her skill and knowledge of magic to find a solution.”

“That isn’t what you said.” Mezot flatly replied. She did not seem that annoyed. “You said you needed my magic…”

“But you are the strongest mage in Atros.” Cetina folded her arms. “That’s not up for debate, not after you threw that massive ice shard at that Lumber Yard.”

“Do you want me to do that again?” Mezot frowned as she looked at the Crystal Chasm. “Kal’s mentioned this place, I’m sure of it.”

“She has. So, do you think you can destroy it? At the very least block it up so no more can come through?”

Mezot held out her hand and caught a falling snowflake. “I believe I can do something… Can someone please return to Atros and gather every mana potion we have? Oh, and the few Karak fruit we have left. I will need them.”

A soldier saluted and ran towards the portal.

“I have made a few advances with the Karak Fruit.” Mezot tapped her staff. “Perhaps a distillation in the future. But that’s all. Now… It doesn’t appear safe to walk towards it.”

“Not yet.” Leran said. “But if I give my men the order they’ll have it cleaned out in a matter of moments.”

Anton held Mezot’s shoulder. “That purple mist is quite dangerous. And I have no idea what it’ll do to Principle Magic, or to Dark Elves for that matter. There are things that even Tethra’s magic cannot fix.”

Mezot glanced at Cetina, but said nothing.

“So-”

“Longinious cannot fly.” Mezot said matter of factly.

“No.” Anton smiled. “But the Chiroks can. We’ll have you ride on their back, fire off every bit of magic that you can and then come back here.”

Mezot’s grip on her staff tightened.

“I would come with you, I’d do it myself if I had the right magic, but I’m just too heavy for them. I’d hurt them trying to take off, and I don’t think I’d be a good swimmer.” Anton could see that Mezot was still understandably hesitant. “There will be two people with you. You’ve seen the harnesses so you won’t fall. All you need to do is focus on using your magic, they’ll take care of everything else.”

“Okay.” Mezot took a deep breath. “I’ll do it.”

“Thanks. I’ll pay you back however you want.”

“I would like some more clothes.” Mezot held up her arm. The sleeve was a little worn. “Something nice.”

“You’ve got it.”

“Wonderful.” Leran clapped his hands together. “While you get yourselves sorted we’ll do our part. And you’re going to keep to our agreement?”

“The dock of Jaka is yours to use. As are the ships. But if we need the dock or a ship, then we get priority.”

Leran flashed a smile. “That’s fine by me. Um, Cagec? Would you do the honors?”

Cagec produced a small bone whistle and let out a few sharp whistles. Without a word the Dark Elves, even those of other Clans, dispersed into small groups and advanced, prowling through the snow with their weapons already drawn. Each moved independently of one another yet kept one another in sight and in mind. It was what Anton hoped Atros's soldiers could work so effectively.

Effectively and not shoot each other. Let's see if they haven’t turned rusty since leaving The Shadow Isles.

They had not. The Goblins never stood a chance. Between their own ignorance, arrogance perhaps, and the silence of the Dark Elves they were cut down before they could utter more than a single shriek. It became apparent that it was a deliberate choice as the Goblins emerged to investigate, saving the Dark Elves having to enter and search each of the scrap buildings, a dangerous task especially against such a small and devious little enemy.

Cetina and Rasha helped Mezot mount the Chirok, who regarded her with indifference.

"Make sure you use the Communication Ring if you get into trouble." Anton held her leg when she didn't respond. "Alright?"

Mezot nodded, holding a hand to her chest.

"I understand." Her words echoed in his head.

"You'll be back soon enough." Anton gave her leg a gentle squeeze. His attention turned to the rider. "Make sure she gets back safely, and listen to what she has to say."

He received a nod and the Chiroks took flight. They banked away from Jaka and traveled over the sea before quickly gaining height.

“She’ll be fine.” Leran patted Anton on the back. “Pretty decent harnesses those Dwarves made for them. Now, while they do their thing, why don't you watch us at work?"

The Dark Elves continued to clear out the Goblins with expected efficiency. With only a few shouts they had completely removed every single one of the wretched little creatures within Jaka. Leran looked very proud of their work.

“Oh, we’re going to rebuild the buildings in Jaka.” Leran said as torches were thrown at the dilapidated buildings and slowly began to burst into flame. “Those Seocurian… Refugees, I believe you called them? Anyway, I don’t think they’d want to live in anything defiled by those little creatures.”

“Would you return to your Island given a chance?” Anton asked. Leran merely blinked, his hand hovered over Anton’s shoulder before slowly returning to his side. “I’m sure that the other Clans could be convinced to vacate at least part of the island. I know someone pretty high up.”

I wonder if they suspect the Mist Walker Elders are no longer alive, let alone in charge. Nothing more than a name and a signature.

“I… I wouldn’t mind, I suppose.” Leran sighed as the flames began to lick at the roof of the tallest building, reflecting against the small obelisk at the center of the city. “But I know for a fact that I’d be jumping at every shadow. Every rustling leaf and snapped branches. Just being away from the mist and fog is a good thing for me. For us. Just a few days ago I got very nervous by it covering the city."

He lent closer. "But don't tell any of my men that. They'll think I'm too old."

Leran spoke loud enough for everyone to hear, so Anton simply smiled.

"Anton." Mezot's normally calm voice sounded a little off. "It's quite windy up here. My hair is blowing into my face… And is very distracting."

"I bet it is. I thought with your hair back it wouldn't be a problem. We'll get you a proper get-up if we’re going to do this more. So how are you going?”

“We’re circling over the Chasm. It’s quite large from up here. There are massive crystals growing out of the Chasm. There is no snow on them… I don’t believe I have the strength to completely destroy this. I don’t know what’s causing it…”

“We’re just trying to close the entrance. Try and collapse the crystals if you can. Oh, go crazy with what you can do.”

“Okay.”

Cetina nudged Anton’s arm. “Do you think she can actually close that whole thing? I don’t think even your magic, even that new stuff, could do it.”

“It only needs to block if for a couple of weeks, while we get permanent things in place.” Anton folded his arms. “But I have faith that she’ll pull something incredible off.”

The Chirok’s circled twice more over the entrance to the Crystal Chasm. They moved further away and one began to hover. A tiny light erupted from one, where Mezot presumably was, and blinked out. Both quickly began to peel away as a truly massive white magical circle emerged in the air. Streams of snowflakes flowed out, followed by a massive shard of solid ice. Large enough to nearly completely fill the entrance. Unlike her Icicle Shards she had used previously this gigantic slab of ice fell under its own weight. Ice crumbled and shattered as it struck the crystal and stone edges but the sheer mass and weight continued to pull it down until it filled a significant portion of the gap. Mezot's Charn glowed bright once again, sending another three giant ice shards into the gap. These were smaller and two rolled deeper into the Chasm but the work was done. The Chasm was closed.

I hope she stays upright. Using that much magic, and using all those potions would make me throw up to start with. At least she's over the sea.

Anton could only see the stupefaction on the few Goblins still wandering outside, all watching in silence as their way back was sealed. A wondrous feeling, one shared by everyone alongside him.

The newly cracked edge caught the light in strange and beautiful ways. Rocks and shards of the crystals tumbled away but the giant slab of ice remained. Perfectly stationary, a lighthouse amongst the gray.

"Like a giant sapphire." Rasha murmured.

"I could get you some if you wanted." Anton idly replied. “Wouldn’t exactly be beyond my abilities.”

“I… I think we have more important things to worry about.” Rasha’s words did not match her actions, longingly playing with one of her long ears.

Definitely need to get some lovely presents for everyone.

“That was incredible Mezot. How are you going?”

“I… I feel a little dizzy using so much magic.” Mezot’s mental voice made a strange noise. “I believe if I take anymore Mana potions I will vomit.”

“Definitely don’t do that. But come back as soon as you can. You’ve done a great job today.”

Mezot did not respond but the two Chirok specks began to turn towards them.

Leran kicked at the wet snow. “How long do you think those bits of ice are going to last?”

“They’re massive.” Cetina said. “Not stone, but a few days at least. Right?” More than enough for your Clan to get better defenses. Or for us to work something more permanent out.”

Longinious nodded. “Given the cold, the free resting snow even next to water, and the sheer size it should last the entire winter. Perhaps the melting ice will flood the Goblins? That would be the best outcome.”

She smiled as she pointed at the Chiroks. “At the very least Mezot will have recovered her mana. I… What are they doing?”

Anton’s attention was firmly placed on Mezot, still making her approach, as Cetina grabbed his arm and pointed towards the nearest Beast-kin soldiers. Several, those with fur, were acting very strange, their heads searching wildly about while they sniffed at the air. Some even clawing at their noses with thick snow spattered gloves. For a terrifying moment Anton recalled Fort Acidava, Kal terrified and clawing at her furred limbs while the hidden Beast-kin were inconsolable with terror, but it was not. None had sputtered and barred their teeth in disgust. Yet.

“What is that stench?” Anton heard one say. “By all the Old Gods that is foul.”

Anton took a deep sniff but smelt nothing but the sea. Rasha shrugged, Longinious looked towards the bay entrance in silence.

“Explain what is happening.” Anton said to the nearest affected soldier. Rasha, nudged one with the butt of her halberd. The Beast-kin soldier was equally divided between the smell and responding. “I can’t smell anything.”

“Sorry,” The Beast-kin ran a hand forcefully over his face to calm himself. It only partially worked. “I worked at the docks, and it smells like a whole ship full of rotting eels.”

“Seals, more like.” Another Beast-kin soldier said. He coughed, running his tongue against his teeth. “Definitely a seal. Big fat blubbery things.”

Anton looked to the bay. Other than the roiling waves, throwing up wet snowy froth, there was nothing. Anton waved towards Mezot on the back of the flying Chirok.

“Mezot? Are you still able to fly a bit more? We’ve got a little problem down here.”

“Of course.” Mezot’s voice was as calm and direct as ever.

“There’s a strange smell washing over the bay. Could you please have a look. Not too far, definitely not out of sight of the entrance.”

Mezot did not reply but the Chirok made a sharp turn, its partner quickly followed.

“Did you tell her not to drop a massive piece of ice onto whatever’s causing them to go crazy?” Cetina raised a brow. “I have the feeling that she just might. Just to impress you.”

Rasha raised her armored hand to her helmet and looked towards the giant shard of ice plugging the Crystal Chasm. “If she can do that I wonder why she had such a hard time in Graterious.”

Anton shared a glance with Cetina, unsure if Rasha was being facetious or not.

The pair of Chiroks passed through the gap and veered straight up. They furiously beat their wings to giant altitude and began to return.

“Anton. The Chiroks don’t want to get any closer to the carcass.”

“Carcass? Of what?”

“Something very large. I… Hang on. It appears to be sliding off the rocks and entering the bay.” Anton heard a suppressed retching through the communication ring. “We’re returning now. The Chrioks are having a hard time flying with this smell.”

“Just how bad is it?” Anton mused aloud.

The Chiroks landed amongst the soldiers and the regrouping Dark Elves extremely harshly. Both barely noticed or cared how close they were to people, snorting and pawing at their noses. Their sneezing would have been adorable if they weren’t so distressed.

“Easy there.” A Rider quickly dismounted and began to stroke its neck, pushing beneath its dark aqua feathers. “It wasn’t that bad, right?”

The Chriok snorted and shook its head. Mezot almost missed the offered hand and jumped onto the snow.

“What’s wrong with the beasts?” Leran coughed once. “Never seen them like this before.”

“Not even when they’re sick.” Cagec quietly added.

Mezot hurriedly walked towards Anton, her staff and Charm trailing behind her, tapped his chest and pointed towards the bay.

“Shit.” Rasha clicked her tongue. “I think I can see it now.”

A gray mass moved through the flotsam. Anton held Cetina for stability as he enchanted his vision. The object was covered in a rough hide with small thin spines evenly spread along its surface. A limp fin ran along the length, buffeted back and forth by the waves as it was slowly dragged into the bay by the waves. Its coiled body reminded him briefly of Longinious when she appeared, but it was bent in strange and unnatural ways, threatening to roll over itself and bending at such angles that it simply couldn't be alive.

"Looks like some sort of gigantic eel." Anton mused. He blinked and the enchantment was gone. "A bloody big one. So, what's the plan?"

"I thought that was what you did." Mezot spoke flatly, still pressing a hand to his chest. “You’ve always managed to come up with a plan, even when everything’s gone wrong for me.”

"Send some of those Lightning Crows of yours out first." Cetina pointed towards the sea. “Those and the Nautilus will act as a distraction and buy us time. Everyone else should retreat towards the mountains. We’ll slip through the portal and back to Atros if it’s bad, the Chiroks can take to the skies…What?” Cetina folded her arms. “I can have good ideas too, you know?”

Anton quickly kissed Cetina and summoned the creatures. Leran used a whistle, a few short bursts and the Dark Elves quickly and silently retreated towards the mountains, the others slowly followed. Anton’s summoned creatures meandered at the ocean’s edge, the Nautilus obeyed perfectly but they appeared to have more free will than the Lightning Crows, which was still a surprising amount for a creature of magic.

With everyone in place, Mezot by his side with a firm grasp of her Charm, they watched the creature draw closer and closer. As it finally neared the shoreline, breaking through the waves, Anton realized just how big it was. Far larger than the Dark Elf ships, certainly larger than The Snow Berry or any Dwarven vessel.

“It’s a Leviathan.” Anton whispered aloud.

They’d only witnessed the creature once, he and Cetina, attacking a pirate ship off the coast of Graterious. Their vessel was a reasonable size and yet the giant sea creature had effortlessly crushed it for the tasty human morsels within. And this one was certainly no smaller.

The beast's gigantic head slowly pushed its way up against the sand. Upon digging in, the rest of its long body twisted and continued to wash up along the beach towards Jaka. Anton was surprised to see the Leviathan had fins, though he guessed it was just a gigantic eel. The tears along its body was a surprise.

"Well," Rasha held her nose tight. "I can smell it now."

As the waves continued to push the Leviathan up onto the beach its guts spilled out, intestines coiling out and bloated organs. Anton's summoned creatures advanced but nothing moved out of the Leviathan’s corpse. The Nautilus poked the body and pulled at the fins near its head, still nothing. Some Lightning Crows flew over but reported nothing. They landed on its hide and began to peck at the large scales that covered its body.

"No reaction. Let's have a look." Anton waved them forward. "Not much to be done if it's dead. We’ll just let nature take its course."

"I wonder if this is what Sedna was so worried about." Cetina murmured.

Her words rattled around his head as they drew closer, the stench of rot grew larger. Leran ordered the Dark Elven Warriors to spread out and watch for any Goblin stragglers.

“Do you think we can use this for anything?” Calo asked, pointing at the Leviathan’s terrifyingly large teeth. “I’m sure the Seocurian’s would buy it’s skull.”

“Definitely the Frindal’s would!” Cagec chuckled. “They love these giant creatures.”

Anton’s attention was drawn to the gigantic eye of the Leviathan, glazed and staring blankly into the sky. Another wave rolled the head back and something glinted inside of it. A sliver of metal was embedded deep into its eye, thin but unmistakably metal. Anton ordered a Lightning Crow to land on its eye and tried to rip it out. The creature struggled and required more of its companions to pry it free, rupturing the eye and sending the more sensitive Beast-kin into dry wretches. Anton took the piece from the Lightning Crow, which demanded a gentle scratch, and was immediately crowded by everyone.

The shard of metal wasn’t as thin as he first thought, rather it was vaguely triangular in shape and twisted with many sharp splinters jutting out. None of which could not have been formed by the Lightning Crows ripping it free. The ends of the splinters were blackened by heat and disintegrated under his touch.

“Any thoughts?” Anton asked.

Longinious took a brief look before floating away, ignoring a soldier telling her to keep her distance, and disappearing around the Levathain’s head.

“Nothing in the sea like that.” Cetina said. “But it could have injured itself while hunting? Hit an outcropping on the seafloor and lost its sight. Ripped its guts open? Must be pretty dark out there, and down there.”

Rasha pointed at the Leviathan’s small fin that was likely once its arms. “Doesn’t exactly have hands to pull it free. Do you think Longinious is related?”

“Certainly not!” Longinious shouted from behind the Leviathan. “I am far more elegant than this monstrous beast. Though I will not… Hmm…”

“Everything alright?” Anton shouted over the waves.

“Give me a minute…”

“I’m sure she’s fine.” Anton gave a dismissive wave before turning to Mezot. “Nothing magical?”

“Nothing. Not a thing. The giant eel is perfectly normal.”

“Nothing normal about this bloody giant thing.” Cagec, some paces away, pointed at the Leviathan’s teeth. The dull yellow teeth, covered in barnacles and rotting abscesses, were larger than Rasha. “I can only thank Stratos that we never ran into one of these things.”

Maybe Sedna, since these are supposedly ‘his’.

“Apart from the novelty there must be something useful. Maybe something akin to the Dragon Crystals in the Leviathan’s skull?”

“Perhaps. But burning the flesh will release terrible smoke. Not to mention we could damage anything useful.”

Longinious returned with a strange piece of metal in her hands, both her fish tail and white armor stained with salty spray. The metal required both sets of arms for her to carry, not just from weight but size.

“And…” Mezot tilted her head. “What is that?”

“I’m not sure.” Longinious said. She held it on her arms outstretched. “Well, I can make a few deductions, of course…”

Longinious held a warped and twisted piece of sheet metal, similarly charred like the sliver from the eye, but a piece in her hand was quite interesting.

“Is that a propeller?” Anton tried to spin the piece of metal shaped slightly like a blade. It actually moved back and forth on what was left of a shaft, only slightly as it had been terribly damaged but it did move. "So, who made this?”

“The hidden side of the Leviathan has five more of these.” Longinious passed the metal to Rasha. “Lots of holes in its side, the flesh charred and wrecked. Ripped open to spill its guts into the sea. And when it began to wash up here we just couldn't see it. Nothing natural about it.”

“Dwarves?” Sheso suggested. "Looks like something they would make. They love metal contraptions, surely it wouldn't be too hard to make… Whatever the hell this is."

"I'm not even sure what it is still." Anton said. Longinious darted away behind the Leviathan’s head. “Perhaps some sort of explosive? But we’ve barely only made a little ourselves. And the Dragon Guard Dwarves work nearly everything in their Isles, so surely they would know. And they would have said something.”

“They were rather surprised by what you asked them to make.” Cetina frowned at Rasha, who had taken several paces to the side. “They… You see something?”

“There’s something on its head.” Rasha quickly strode through the rough stony beach as Longinious returned with more pieces of metal debris. “Something looks different. Can’t you see it?”

You’re nearly four meters tall…

Rasha motioned to lift Anton, her arms dropped when she remembered how heavy he was. Anton looked down and saw that his boots had sunk quite a distance into the rough sand.

“Take us.” Calo trotted to Rasha. “We’re light enough.”

Rasha picked her up and threw her onto the Leviathan’s head. Calo landed with usual Dark Elven grace, her sister quickly followed her. The twins looked at one another and gave a curt nod.

“There’s something carved into its head.” Sheso shouted down. “Like a big bloody tattoo. Mezot? Any chance of giving us some paper? We’ll draw it for you.”

The Twins finished their drawing just as Longinious brought the last metal piece. It was considerably more intact than the others, this with an actual propeller and some sort of small engine complete with a few broken Dwarven Energy Cubes. They were remarkably similar to those from the old Dwarven hold below Atros, perhaps an even older design, but he was sure they still would function just fine. Cetina and Longinious riffled through the fragments to try and rebuild one as best they could.

Calo and Sheso clambered down the Leviathan’s head, into Rasha’s arm to avoid the surface. Once the paper was passed to Anton he was simply confused. He had seen the marking before, in the ruins of the Desert Elf civilization in Frindal; a jagged vertical sword lay on top of a simple circular shield, with four flaming wings radiating out of the blade.

“Again?” Anton said aloud. “The same thing that we found in Frindal?”

Cetina stopped rummaging and looked at the drawing. Her face twisted in annoyance.

“Don’t really like thinking too much about what we found there. Mezot? Did you figure out what it was that we found on the side of the Desert Elve’s Mesa? Big chunk of obsidian with green lines running through it.”

“No.” Mezot did not look up. “It is only a small component, and without the rest it is useless. Do you think this is related?”

“Not entirely.”

Longinious held up a curved fragment, particularly charred and warped. She brushed away the wet soot to reveal a stamped string of numbers. That in itself was interesting, proving that someone created this, the same marking as had been etched into the Leviathan’s head.

“Okay…” Anton clicked his tongue. “Okay. So, they’re clearly related. But why? And why did the people that made this attack…. What I presume was their pet?”

“A test,” Leran suggested. The elderly Dark Elf had been content to listen and watch so far. He pointed to the amalgamation, which was beginning to look like a long cylinder. “Whatever that is, they need to see how it does against a target. A living target. And this thing looks like the perfect test.”

“But to kill something so big?” Rasha asked. “How old is it to grow so big?”

Leran stepped back, craning his neck up to look at Rasha. “Exactly. We don’t know how old this beast is, sorry, wrong word. But it could be on its deathbed already.” He pointed to the head. “Those teeth don’t look good to me.”

“True.”

“And surely you’ve tested weapons on live creatures before? No different to that.”

“Anton did order a Goblin strung out to see how long it takes to die of thirst.” Cetina said dryly.

“He did what?” Sheso asked incredulously.

“Killing this must have been what set Sedna off.” Anton folded the drawing and passed it to Mezot. “A death cry, a scream that traveled through the sea which scared the other Leviathans. So much so a God took interest.”

“And told you.” Rasha added.

“I think this is it.” Longinious announced. She righted herself and planted her hands on her hip. “And I don’t like seeing a torpedo.”

Anton clicked his tongue. It did look like a torpedo, slightly shorter than Rasha in length.

“Still doesn’t explain who made this.” Cetina said. “Other than it being related to the United Empire. Which is long gone.”

Leran smiled. “And for that we couldn’t be happier.”

Anton sighed as he looked at the dead Leviathan. If their thoughts were true, that it was an elderly Leviathan used as a live test, he couldn’t help but feel sorry for the beast. But there was nothing they could do for it.

“Leran? Your men can keep an eye out for anything suspicious. And make sure that they report any further developments.”

“Sure.” Leran pointed to the Leviathan's corpse. “Any chance of getting rid of that? It’ll be a terrible stink until it’s been feasted over. Not to mention the animals will be an absolute nightmare to deal with.”

Anton picked up a large stone and used Tethra’s Prayer in the same manner as he had to deal with King Harold. He tossed it onto the body and it immediately began to smolder with a thick smoke.

“If only we had the Sivu’s. I’ll ask Verona if she can push the remains in like she did for King Harold.” Cetina shook her head at his mention. “What a mess that was. And this."

He motioned to the metal fragments. “See what Umikgruid and his friends have to make of this.”

“At least you can tell Sedna why his Leviathan’s were freaking out.” Calo said happily.

“If only we knew why they did it.”

No one had any idea, not the crashing waves, the whistling wind or the scavenging birds already descending upon a winter feast.