Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 603: An Request From Scabbard ()

Neveah sat at her table in her father’s study, staring ahead at nothing in particular. There were heaps of files on her table that she was yet to attend to, but Neveah just stared ahead blankly.

The tasks that required her attention were unending, each day presented a new trouble... Neveah was not certain for how long she could keep this up.

She remained in that position for a short time before the door to the study came open and Garron strode in.

"Veah." Garron greeted, walking over to Neveah.

"How is it?" Neveah asked without even glancing over.

"There are no notable changes, except for a few dozens more added to the number. They have practically set camp out in the open and refuse to disperse, requesting your presence." Garron reported.

"Has no one told them I have nothing to do with this silly conviction of theirs?" Neveah asked, her voice tight and stiff.

Neveah’s eyes went closed, Demevirld was far more active in her mind than he had any rights to be, probably extremely delighted with the situation and all the prospects it offered him.

"There is no talking them out of it. If we intend to disperse them, we will have to resort to other means... otherwise, they will not move an inch. They are convinced they can only be safe from the swiftly spreading contagion here." Garron replied objectively.

"Granted, Estelle’s note tells there have been a death. Perhaps there has been more since her last note..." Neveah trailed off.

The words were bitter on her tongue, precisely because she had hoped it never got to this and she was still completely at a loss on how to be of help to Fort Scabbard, save for constantly sending over resources.

’If Jian was here...or Xenon, even my father... they would know what to do. I have no business leading a Fort, everything keeps going wrong with me here...’ Neveah could not prevent the thought from slipping into her mind.

Neveah shook her head slightly, firmly shutting it down. It was hard to tell if that thought had been from Demevirld or even her own mind was slowly caving in.

Neveah had only realized Estelle had sent a note three days earlier, it had gotten mixed up with Everon’s own letters for whatever reason and all Estelle had wanted Neveah to know three days ago, Neveah was just finding out now.

As such, it was only now Neveah had become aware that the contagion had claimed a life and with it, the panic across Scabbard and its environs escalated beyond repair.

"Estelle’s note assured me that the contagion is still contained and has not escaped the walls of Scabbard yet. But that has already been a few days ago, if the contagion does spread, a few thousands of these believers would be the least of our concerns." Neveah said in a low, thoughtful tone.

"What do you intend to do?" Garron asked Neveah.

’What do I intend to do?’ Neveah wondered to herself.

Even those who were far more familiar with the ways of the stronghold looked to Neveah for answers now, answers Neveah was not certain she could provide.

"The most pressing situation is to ensure the safety of all those people. We cannot let them into the city gates, but put together a special patrol...keep an eye out all night, do not let anyone be harmed."

"Have Tara and Isalder arrange for food and warm coats for the people, the weather is freezing here in Dune City...they should have known better." Neveah murmured.

Getting up to her feet, Neveah grabbed a pill bottle and downed a few pills from the stash Everon had sent over.

Suppressing Demevirld with medications was not the best idea, but there was not much of a choice at this point, Neveah needed a clear head.

"Send out one of our own to Scabbard, he will have to go via portal. I want a direct report before the..." Neveah trailed off when she sensed a foreign magical energy.

Neveah glanced over at Garron and they both walked over to the balcony. Neveah peered down and she was not surprised to find a portal open up and a familiar face stepped out.

"Dante..." Neveah murmured.

Neveah leaped over the balcony, landing on her feet down below, right before Dante who still grunted in displeasure.

"Veah." Dante greeted, lowering his head to a bow.

Neveah nodded in response, glancing around Dante for a moment.

"Elle could not accompany me this time. Scabbard is..." Dante trailed off.

"It is the same here. You should come see for yourself." Neveah said in agreement.

Dante winced visibly but nodded, following after Neveah.

In the dark of the evening, they made their way to the City wall and upon arrival, Neveah took Dante to the top of the wall from where he could look down on the thousands gathered outside.

Everon and Coran were already there and a few other Dune enforcers, along with the commander of the City Guard.

Neveah knew Garron had sent the word out through their mind link.

"This is already worse than my father imagined." Dante said with a shake of his head.

"Tell me Dante, why do all these people share the common belief that I can cure the contagion? You must know why." Neveah asked.

Dante was quiet for a moment before he breathed a sigh.

"That is because you have... Neveah...or Demevirld has." Dante revealed in a grim tone.

Neveah frowned slightly in confusion, but in that moment, her mind drew her back to a worrying event from a few days back.

"The couple at the gate!" Coran exclaimed, having figured it out also.

"Neveah, they were amongst those infected by the contagion and they escaped Scabbard...we have them in custody now, but... the contagion is completely gone."

"The belief that you are the Radiant One becomes more solid by the hour, and that is because there is living proof... that you cured the contagion. The situation in Scabbard...we will have to use forceful measures..." Dante revealed grimly.

"For what purpose do you tell this to Neveah? You know Demevirld is an impossible venture!" Everon hissed.

Dante lowered his head and a tense silence fell over the city wall.

Neveah walked over to the edge of the city wall, peering down at the crowd of people below.

They were clearly tired and cold, still yet, they did not budge. Some were sitting, huddled to keep warm.

’Fear...they are terrified. And fear is the worst disease... the contagion is yet to hit them, but they are no better of...’ Neveah thought to herself.

"What happens now? What would Lord Mycroft have me do?" Neveah asked Dante.

"My father... requests your presence in Fort Scabbard." Dante revealed.

Neveah breathed a quiet sigh, running a hand through her hair.

"Five days... I cannot leave Dune City unattended for longer than that." Neveah made clear.

"Everon and Tara will go with me. Coran and Garron, you two must remain in Dune City..." Neveah decided.