Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 357: A Haunting Tune ()

A low, haunting tune echoed across the Fodder Grooves, overwhelming the sounds of night life.

It was a strange tune, one with no words, only a sonorous harmony that seemed to echo from the very earth itself, weaving into the strands of space.

It began as a low, barely audible and easily dismissed tune but it slowly became more audible as the time passed.

This very sound pierced through the haze of unconsciousness, unsettling Neveah’s subconscious and Neveah awakened feeling greatly uneasy.

Neveah was certain it had not even been an hour since she drifted off to sleep in Menarx’s arms, but she was equally certain that by all rights, it should already have been the crack of dawn.

There was a party set to leave for the citadel at dawn, Neveah had heard from Dante but Neveah was pretty certain the dragons did not sing themselves goodbye.

Neveah passed a glance over to Menarx who was already awake and alert, his arms were still wrapped securely around Neveah but Neveah could tell his attention had been drawn to that sound.

It had begun so suddenly, out of the blue, it surely was not something that could be overlooked as ordinary.

If Neveah had learnt anything, nothing in the Asvarian stronghold was ordinary.

"What could it be?" Neveah asked sleepily,

Menarx hands rubbed a soothing circle on Neveah’s lower back to reassure her, though he did not respond immediately.

Menarx’s brows were furrowed as he listened quietly, a dark look in his eyes.

"These are the Fae songs of enchantment but these notes...they are spun with dark magic." Menarx murmured.

The dragon lords had walked the stronghold for centuries, there were hardly any occurrences they would have no knowledge of.

"Dark fairies then?" Neveah asked in a quiet whisper.

"Stay in here, do not come out." Menarx said in a serious tone as he got up to his feet and grabbed his discarded shirt.

"Oh no, we are not playing that game." Neveah refused immediately, also rising to her feet and pulling on her boots.

Menarx was about to protest but a glare from Neveah silenced any words he may have had to say.

"Stay with me." Menarx adjusted, Neveah nodded in agreement.

Menarx lead the way out of the tent into the clearing in the middle of the camp.

Most of the dragon lords within the camp had already emerged from their tents.

The second squadron was a lethal fighting force, thirty elite dragons strong.

Of these dragons, Rauron and Mauldray, the chief trackers had led four dragons each,

One team in pursuit of the troll golem and the other team closely tracking down the jump portal and the sorcerer behind it.

The patrol of the human settlement was handled by five dragon lords and ten dragon lords formed the perimeter and general patrol,

Barricading the forest from the town and circling the outskirts of the Fodder grooves.

With twenty five dragon lords already assigned, there were but five left within the camp.

Excluding the upper echelon like Cassian, Menarx, Kaideon, Everon and Rodvan who were in command of the entire mission.

The second squadron was an entirely efficient fighting force and they were already completely assigned for full execution of their duties.

The dragons within the camp at this time were more than enough to protect the base, there was truly no cause for concern even though an attack on the camp had not been expected.

Neveah spared a glance up to the sky,

The night patrol were already in flight, watchful eyes scanning the perimeter as they circled the camp from high above.

But what left Neveah in shock was surely not the dragons circling the camp, it was something else entirely.

As Neveah had guessed, it was already the break of dawn and the first streaks of daylight had begun lighting up the sky.

However this natural phenomenon was being hindered by something, a thick cloud of darkness and shadows moved across the sky,

Slowly covering the silhouette of the sun that was yet to even show it’s face and swallowing up the first light.

"These snivelling bastards." Menarx cursed in annoyance as the first light was slowly but steadily banished.

"Narx." Cassian called from where he stood with Everon and Kaideon.

Menarx walked over to them.

"They are weaving a song of the storm, whatever their intent is, they do not dare attack directly." Cassian relayed to Menarx.

"Coordinates?" Menarx asked.

"Eidon is on it. The song reverberates from all around, it is not easily singled out and the dark magic intercepts every trail."

"There should be about eight of them singing the storm, he will get to them... the trouble lies in whatever is not singing." Cassian replied, glancing up to the rapidly growing darkness.

"Dark fairies know better than to attack dragons head on, their songs may conform natural forces but they have no effect on us."

"To reveal themselves to us in this manner is seeking death, what do you think this is about?" Everon asked in bafflement.

"This seems more like a distraction to me... where is Dante and Estelle?" Neveah spoke her thoughts out loud.

"Decaron already took flight, he can hold his own against dark fairies... If they are after him, he will protect what is left in his care at any cost." Cassian said.

"Would dark fairies come out here without a method to gain the upper hand?" Neveah asked blankly.

Cassian exchanged a look with Menarx and before they could say anything else, a gasp escaped Neveah as a sharp pain shot up her right hand.

"Veah, are you okay?" Menarx asked in concern, his eyes scanning Neveah quickly till it settled on her hand which was tightly clenched.

Menarx grabbed Neveah’s right hand and lifted it to his view.

Neveah also glanced down at her palm, her brows furrowing as she realized that dark coloration around the cut had grown even darker.

Neveah’s instincts were quick to identify what was happening... this effect of dark magic left behind on her wound was reacting to a like presence.

And Neveah knew it surely was not the dark fairies.

"The troll golem... it’s out there..." Neveah hissed out as the pain pulsing through her hand grew even more severe.

"But how can you tell?" Cassian asked in alarm.

"I think ...it left a mark on me, I can sense it..." Neveah revealed in horror.