Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 732: Better Than Theory ()

~The Realm of Forlorn Beasts

The sounds of the beginnings of a storm drew Jian out of his meditation, alerting him to the impending attack. The door to his study came open and Jian’s brows furrowed slightly at the interruption.

"My Liege, the Black Sea stirs again." Cassian reported as he strode into the room, accompanied by Lords Kaideon and Starron.

"I hear it." Jian murmured, passing a look to the doors leading out to the balcony. The doors were opened and revealed a clear view of the dark clouds that swallowed up the skies, spreading from the city gates and rapidly headed their way. "We predicted the next attack would come within the hour."

His expression was as calm as always but there was a chilling aura surrounding him, the only indication of his displeasure or rage at the situation.

"I am fully healed, Cassian took on the last one and so I will go this time." Kaideon volunteered, he also glanced over at the sky through the balcony doors and a deadly glint flashed across his eyes

"We do not yet know what we will face this time." Lord Starron interjected. "It might not be a good idea to send Lord Kaideon out with only two days of recovery. I observed Cassian’s battle with the Great orc closely and I have been spared from the battles long enough, I will take this one." Lord Starron assured, his tone was heavy with determination.

"Not you, Starron. You know Fort Blazed best and are more useful to Our Liege here. Kaideon or myself will be the more suitable option." Cassian decided with a shake of his head.

"Motran is keeping watch. He will send word soon on the type of beast we’re dealing with and then we will decide who amongst us will go." Kaideon agreed.

"Leave this to Orin. There are more urgent matters to attend to and I require the three of you to get it done swiftly." Jian interrupted. He pulled a parchment from the side to the center of the desk.

"Veah tells me this is called an anchoring rune." Jian began. "Together with a corresponding spell, Fort Blazed was anchored to this realm."

He was still dazed from his meditation, but Neveah’s urgent report and timely findings needed to be put before the relevant lords.

"If we know how it happened, this means we can undo it right?" Lord Starron asked eagerly.

"Up until a few hours ago, all we had was that theory. But Veah has provided us with something better than a theory." Jian said meaningfully. "This anchoring rune had to have been placed in Fort Blazed before the spell was cast. It could have been placed in parts, at different locations or it could have been placed together, in one carefully hidden spot."

"We cannot say for certain, and the only way to tell is to find the central piece of the rune. I have been told this piece must absolutely be put on a living rune carrier... right here, within Fort Blazed." Jian revealed, his tone conveyed his distaste at the reality of the spell of dark magic and what it required.

"If we find the rune carrier, he can lead us to the other parts of the rune!" Cassian exclaimed. "But if we find all pieces of the anchoring rune... then what?"

Jian’s brows furrowed slightly, unpleasant memories flooded his mind and he gritted his teeth, banishing them from his thoughts.

"Asrig..." Jian began, but then he trailed off.

"Without sufficient magical ability, our only chance would be to transfer the anchoring rune to... someone who would carry the full rune and be anchored to this realm forever." Jian revealed.

"A sacrifice..." Kaideon muttered in a tone of displeasure.

"However, with sufficient magical ability, we could possibly have one other solution...destroy the rune." Jian said, his gaze fixed on the drawing of the rune.

"This dimension lacks natural magic and weakens all magic...the mages have anxiously searched for magical leylines to acquire a suitable enough magic source to cast a portal. Without it, they have no source to draw magic from... would they have enough to destroy a rune?" Cassian asked worriedly.

Jian gritted his teeth, the very reason they were in a bleak situation was because the mages could not draw even a quarter of their magic in this dimension, making their abilities limited. Without knowing this, Jian had brought them believing they could undo whatever had happened to Fort Blazed.

It was hateful to Jian, when things did not go as he planned. "The mages rely on natural magic...but Demevirld does not. Even in this dimension, it had its full magic ability."

"Are you saying you want my daughter sharing magic with you?! The magic it takes to destroy a rune will be too tasking on her!" Kaideon hissed.

"I fear...we have already done more tasking things, together..." Jian revealed, wincing visibly as Kaideon’s eyes blazed with fury.

"Veah... I have tried to reason with her, but she refuses to take a step back. With you here and I also, she will never back down." Jian continued. "I also do not wish for Veah to wield Demevirld for another minute, but I know her well enough to know I cannot prevent her from what she is set on..."

"Lord Kaideon, hundreds of lives depend on this. If only just this once, I believe you should take a step back." Cassian reasoned.

Kaideon growled lowly, but he said nothing more. Settling to fix a hateful glare on Jian.

"For a spell of this magnitude, the rune carrier had to be aware and even willing. This means we have a traitor and they would do anything to remain hidden. How do we identify the rune carrier? That is the first step, is it not?" Lord Starron asked.

"For this, we already have an answer. Veah made flight for Fort Scabbard to consult with Lady Starron." Jian began. "It seems your daughter has a suspect in mind already...a human stable boy, she said. I have a description." Jian revealed.

"There is no need..." Lord Starron said in a dark tone. "I already know who it is." His eyes were furious as he turned and stormed out.