Page 97 of Feral Gods
"Semantics," he dismisses with a negligent wave. "Property remains property regardless of its self-perception. Though I admit, you've exceeded expectations in manifesting your heritage." His gaze shifts to the Codex in her arms. "And in acquiring artifacts beyond your comprehension."
Before any of us can respond, a shimmer of silver light announces another arrival—Morwen materializing beside Kres in a display of magical transportation that bypassesconventional space. Unlike our previous encounters, she appears physically present rather than projected, her ageless beauty hardened by determination and what might be genuine concern.
"The Codex must be secured immediately," she announces without preamble, violet eyes fixed on the ancient text in Kaia's arms. "The girl has activated sequences beyond her control."
"My priority remains the girl herself," Kres counters smoothly. "The artifact is your concern."
"Fool," Morwen hisses, silver hair swirling with magical energy that reflects her agitation. "You still fail to grasp the magnitude of what transpires. She carries the means to unravel the very foundations upon which your power rests."
Their discord provides crucial information. They expect us to attempt escape rather than advance. Their forces positioned accordingly—blocking retreat paths while leaving the way to the Confluence Point relatively unguarded.
I catch Thane's eye, a subtle nod communicating volumes between warriors who've fought countless battles together. He understands immediately, shifting his weight in preparation for what must come next.
"Now," I command, voice pitched for my companions alone.
What follows unfolds with the choreographed precision of a battle plan long rehearsed, though conceived mere moments ago. Zephyr casts a blinding light spell directly at our adversaries, momentarily disorienting them. Thane charges forward, not to engage but to create chaos in their formations. I seize Kaia, wings unfurling to shield her from magical counterattacks as we break through the momentary gap in their defensive line.
Not retreating—advancing. Directly toward the Confluence Point. Toward the one place they least expect us to go.
Shouts of confusion echo behind us as we sprint down the corridor leading deeper into palace territory. Magical discharges splash against my wings, painfully hot but not penetrating the protective barrier Zephyr hastily erected before our charge. Thane follows, covering our retreat with controlled destruction—collapsing support columns to slow pursuit rather than engaging in direct combat against overwhelming numbers.
"This way," Kaia directs, the Codex guiding her unerringly through the labyrinthine passages beneath the palace. "The entrance is concealed behind ceremonial stonework."
We round a corner into a grand chamber clearly designed for arcane rituals—dark elf in styling but with undertones of much older traditions visible in the floor patterns and wall carvings. At its center stands an elaborate altar carved from midnight-blue stone veined with silver.
"There," Kaia points to an unremarkable section of wall behind the altar. "The concealed entrance."
Zephyr moves immediately to the indicated spot, hands already glowing with magical energy as he works to reveal what generations of dark elf mages have hidden. Thane takes position at the chamber entrance, weapons ready as the sounds of pursuit grow louder.
"Hurry," he urges, crimson eyes narrowed with tactical assessment. "Two minutes at most before they reorganize and overwhelm our position."
Kaia joins Zephyr at the wall, the Codex opening to reveal activation sequences for the hidden doorway. Their magics intertwine—his disciplined blue-white energy and her intuitive magenta power creating harmonies that resonate with the ancient stone.
The wall shimmers, then melts away like mist before sunlight, revealing a spiraling staircase descending into pulsing blue radiance.
"The Primary Confluence," Zephyr breathes, scholarly awe momentarily overriding tactical concerns. "The original wildspont nexus."
"Admire it after we've secured the position," I remind him, already guiding Kaia toward the opening. "Thane?—"
"I know my role," he interrupts, a grim smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Delay pursuit, create maximum chaos, join you below when possible." His copper-hued skin gleams in the chamber's mage-light, transformed features set in determined lines. "Go. I'll hold them as long as necessary."
Something in his tone—a finality, a resignation—triggers warning signals in my tactical mind. Before I can question him, however, the chamber doors burst inward, admitting the first wave of elite guards.
"GO!" Thane roars, launching himself into their formation with devastating effect. His transformed body—neither fully dark elf nor gargoyle but something combining the strengths of both—moves with lethal precision among our enemies. Each strike finds vulnerable points in elaborate armor, each wing-sweep disrupts coordinated attacks.
I hesitate only a heartbeat before recognizing the necessity of our separation. With a curt nod to my brother-in-arms, I guide Kaia and Zephyr through the revealed entrance and down the spiraling staircase.
The passage seals behind us with a sound like sighing stone, muffling but not completely silencing the battle raging above. My every instinct screams to return, to fight alongside Thane against our ancient enemies, but duty demands I continue downward—protecting Kaia and the ritual that represents our only hope for lasting change.
The staircase descends in tight spirals, each step illuminated by the increasingly intense blue light emanating from below. Theair grows thick with magical potential, pressing against skin and lungs like high-altitude atmosphere.
"Wildspont energy in its purest form," Zephyr explains, his scholarly nature irrepressible despite our dire circumstances. "We approach the intersection point between magical potential and physical reality."
The staircase ends abruptly, opening onto a perfectly circular chamber whose boundaries seem to shift between solid architecture and pure energy. At its center floats a sphere of brilliant blue light approximately three feet in diameter, suspended above a pedestal carved with symbols more ancient than any written language I recognize.
"The Primary Confluence," Kaia whispers, the Codex in her arms pulsing in sympathetic rhythm with the floating sphere. "The first and most powerful wildspont nexus on Protheka."
Zephyr moves toward the pedestal, examining the inscriptions with scholarly precision despite the urgency of our situation. "These predate dark elf civilization entirely. Perhaps even purna settlement. They appear to be?—"
