Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 793: Aloria ()

Aloria loomed ahead in all its haunting beauty. Silent and unassuming, save for the whispers of the night.

Even from the skies, there was just one word to describe the Fae Royal Forest.

Enchanting...

It would have been a sight to behold, had it not been for the fiery devastation looming on its horizon.

The night was blanketed with darkness when they finally arrived. Jian circled once before he landed at the outskirts of the forest where a few dragon lords already were. The fallen leaves crunched underneath Neveah’s boots as she dismounted, her eyes scanning their surroundings.

The three squadrons had arrived before them and Lord Egwain had also arrived at Aloria sometime ago. From what she had gathered, the vast expanse that was Aloria, was surrounded on all sides. On this side of the forest was the second squadron.

The first and third squadrons led by Xenon and Decaron had taken up positions at different locations, all on the other side of the forest.

The fourth squadron had been reassigned and left out of this...for obvious reason.

Aloria was perfectly still, even now. If Neveah didn’t know better, she would have assumed the Fae was unaware of what was coming. They had sent no battalions to greet the dragons.

But the Fae were no fools. It didn’t matter how many battalions they had, their population would not save Aloria. They had something else that could...

The Arcane. But Neveah wasn’t too worried about it. Even that would be right out the window the moment Keila was taken care of.

The commander on site was Lord Mellindor, a honored dragon lord on the second squadron and his rider, Lord June. They strode over to greet Neveah and Jian.

"My Liege. Your Grace." Lords Mellindor and June greeted, bowing low.

"At ease." Neveah permitted and Jian hummed in acknowledgement.

"All squadrons have taken up position. We formed a solid perimeter, Aloria is boxed in. Nothing goes in or gets out." Lord Mellindor reported.

"All units are on standby, awaiting your orders. The only unit on active duty through the perimeter is led by Lord Egwain of the Academy of magic and his mages." Lord June carried on. "We received your order to assign them a place at the Frontline."

Lord Egwain sighted them and jogged over. "Your Graces." He greeted, and Jian interrupted him before he could kneel.

"Spare the formalities, Egwain." He said. "Your unit is active. I need a report."

"As ordered, we interfered with as many portal gateways as we could." Lord Egwain reported.

"How many?" Jian asked.

"A few hundred." Egwain reported. "It is Aloria after all. Portal gateways are as many as the streets in the citadel."

Jian nodded in understanding. "How long will it take to ensure Aloria is completely locked down?"

Egwain gave it a moment of thought. "We’ll do our best. But the Fae are birthed of magic. Unless magic can be temporarily shut off in this terrain, it is hard to say they won’t be able to erect a gateway or two, despite our efforts."

"Due to that, we’ve set up an interference seal at the Frontline. If a new gateway opens up, we will be the first to know before anything comes through it." Lord Egwain asserted.

"Then we will count on you." Jian said, nodding in understanding.

"The academy of magic is eternally grateful for this honor, Your Grace." Lord Egwain expressed profusely.

"It is not." Jian replied simply. "The elite team you assembled to escort me proved indispensable. And my beloved tells me you did the same here. Asvar thanks you." He placed a hand on Lord Egwain’s shoulder.

"A moment, beloved." Jian said to Neveah, With that, he moved on with Lords Mellindor and June in tow.

Neveah’s gaze trailed him, a ghost of a smile on her lips. She passed a look to Lord Egwain who still seemed mystified by the exchange.

"Your Grace..." He began to say but Neveah interrupted him.

"You heard it. It’s not an honor... it’s your place. Now, you should get back there and hold that place." She reminded.

"At once." Lord Egwain hurried away, all smiles for someone playing a part in laying siege to a race.

Neveah wondered if he realized the mages receiving recognition meant their easy days in the academy were over. They were after all not literal gods of warfare like dragons, neither did they possess impenetrable armored scales. From battles to bloodshed, hunts to dark magic and dimensions,

The reality of fire and blood and the weight of that responsibility...The place by the side of the dragon lords would demand much of them.

Yet the cost didn’t seem to matter all that much to them.

’Isn’t it the same for you?’ Demevirld’s voice rumbled in Neveah’s mind, chipping in at the most unexpected moment, as always.

’You be quiet!’ Neveah’s wolf shut him up before Neveah could do it herself.

Neveah’s lips twitched in amusement, despite the unlikely situation. Feeling a tug in her consciousness, Neveah sought out Jian’s position and just as she thought, his gaze sought hers out too and when their eyes met, he inclined his head slightly, beckoning her over.

In just a day, their bond was making a rapid comeback. As though eager to make up for the lost time. She could sense it in the little things, like how she was able to tell whenever he searched for her.

Neveah walked over, taking his extended hand when she reached his side. He was surrounded by three other dragon lords of the second squadron aside from Lords Mellindor and June.

The dragon lords acknowledged Neveah with a low bow and Neveah flashed a small smile before following Jian who pulled her to the side.

"Beloved. My dragons are not used to serving alongside..."

"Spell flingers?" Neveah asked knowingly,

Jian raised a brow. "I was going to say Mages. I don’t use colorful language." He reminded, his tone genuinely taken aback.

"I know, I know. The Infernal dragons rubbed off on me." Neveah murmured, shaking her head slightly.

He smirked slightly. "Well, the squadrons are elites, they work in perfect tandem. Incorporating a new unit might be difficult, but they are not opposed to it. They believe in what you believe in."

"As do I, but I might not always prioritize being inclusive with the mages. Will you cover for me?"

Neveah tilted her head to the side. "I’m here, aren’t I? Leave the mages to me."