The Storm King

Chapter 1026: Growth of the Pride

Thats quite the story, the Grave Warden stated as Leon finished filling him in on all the delightful and light-hearted adventures hed had on Arkhnavi. I apologize again for all that you had to go through. I shouldve given you contingencies for if my method of escape failed you. Apologies. Apologies.

No need for that, Leon said with a dismissive wave of his hand. I get it. After seeing all this I get it. That Primal Devil should never have managed to escape. I couldnt stop it.

That is no fault of yours, Leon, Ambrose consoled. I threw you into a situation that was way over your head. Not to knock your skills, of course, but I shouldve done more. I shouldve done more.

As I recall, you indicated to me that youd already done all you could. Thats why you sent me.

I couldve ignored the rules my friends and I have set and come here personally. Given the severity of the situation as it stands now, they would have forgiven me.

Hindsights perfect, isnt it? How about we focus on what we do now instead of what we couldve done better? Reflections rarely bad, but theres a Primal Devil on the loose and a missing Universe Fragment thats probably in its possession. Shouldnt that be more of a priority?

Indeed, indeed. Ambrose sighed and closed his eyes for a long moment. When he opened them, Leon could see more determination there than had been there a moment ago. That Primal Devil was one of the worst who couldve escaped. Qo Weylekh hid his heart deep within his moon, but that clearly didnt stop him from retrieving it and reforming around it. If we dont find him before hes recovered completely, then there wont be much anyone will be able to do to stop him.

Who was he, for you to be so afraid of him?

Only one step removed from the Primal Devils King. His power was nearly unmatched throughout the universe, though the Great Lord Khosrow got the better of him during the Great War. This Devil was known as Planerend. When populations of humans grew too strong or numerous, he would come and destroy the planes they lived upon, in the vain hope that none would rise from human ranks that could challenge the hegemony of the Primal beings.

That seems to have worked out quite well for him, Leon said with a wry smile.

Ambrose, however, stared Leon in the eye and remained completely stone-faced. Im in no mood for jokes right now, Leon. No mood for jokes. I dont know how were going to stuff Planerend back into his prison, or if thats even possible. I dont know where he is or what he may want to do. I only know that hes out there, he was at least injured and weak from his imprisonment and our attempts to stop him from fleeing, and that hell inflict great suffering upon the universe should he not be stopped. We must stop him. We must stop him.

How are you going to do that?

Well think of something. Well think of something. We have time to plan. For now, Leon, Id rather ask you something

Hit me.

Id rather not; you might not survive. You were a bit light on the details, but how much do you remember of Planerends final action against you? Right before you lost consciousness?

Leon froze in his seat as he thought back to that moment. He remembered the Primal Devil turning its gaze upon him, filling his perception, causing him to see nothing but the creatures eyeor heart, or whatever the hells that red orb was. He then felt heat and strange power coming to him in his desperation, and then the color red-orange.

He had some suspicions about what happened, but he wasnt going to share them with Ambrose. Hed save those for the Thunderbird and Xaphan.

I dont remember much, Leon stated. It looked at me, and I well, nothing much after that. I thought I wasnt going to wake up.

Ambrose stared at him for a long moment, and Leon carefully schooled his expression to keep his thoughts hidden. He squirmed a bit since Ambroses aura was overwhelming, but other than that, he didnt think he gave anything away.

Then theres no problem, Ambrose eventually said, his voice quiet and subdued, as if he were speaking only to himself. Theres no problem.

His reaction, however, told Leon that there was a problem, and it probably meant his suspicion was correct. His mouth remained shut, however.

Now, Ambrose continued, Please turn over Iluvas body to me; I will ensure it returns home.

Leon complied, grateful that Ambrose was going to take responsibility for his repatriation.

Lets speak later, Ambrose said as he took possession of Iluvas body. For now, I must speak with my fellows. Ambrose rose from his seat, and Leon hurriedly followed suit, concern flashing across his face.

What about me? Leon asked. Where are we and when will I be able to return home?

Were still around Arkhnavi, Ambrose explained. This place was built to be a temporary gathering place while we stabilize the situation around Arkhnavi and ensure that Qo Weylekhs charges remain where they are. As for when youll be returned One day? One day.

Leon sighed, having hoped that he wouldnt have to wait that long. However, he supposed one day wasnt that bad. It would give him plenty of time to rest, at least, and to wrap up his business with the team hed built on Arkhnavi.

In that case, he said, Ill go and find some of the others. Good luck with your business.

We will speak again soon, Leon Raime. We will speak again soon.

With that, Ambrose smiled, bowed, and vanished in a flash of blue-tinged darkness.

Great, Leon sarcastically bemoaned. A day. Fuck. All right. He sighed again and cast his gaze about the sparsely furnished dining hall. He appreciated the minimalist dcor, but he had more furnishings in his portable villa, and there was one piece of furniture in particular that he wanted to use: a mirror.

So, he pulled one out of his portable villa and held it up with his magic, relishing the fact that he could do that at all without the Primal Devils power interfering.

Holding up the mirror, Leon peered at his reflection, noting that he looked remarkably pale. Nothing else stuck out to him, though. He paid more attention to his eyes than anything else, but they were the exact same shade of gold as theyd been before the confrontation with the Primal Devil. There wasnt a hint of red or orange in them, giving him some amount of relief. He didnt consider himself a particularly vain person, but he really liked his eye color and his own power tainting that would not be appreciated.

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As it was, though, he was fine, apparently completely restored. He pulled the mirror back into his portable villa in his soul realm and exited the dining hall through the door that Tir and Mari had used a few minutes prior.

The door opened out into a large oval atrium. The ceiling was open to the sky, putting the night sky on full display. Three other doors led to other wings of this gathering place, but Leon ignored them in favor of walking over to Mari, whod been sitting on a stone bench with her eyes trained on the sky. She sprang to her feet as soon as she noticed him, however.

Lele! Everything all right?

Everythings just fine, Leon said with a jovial smile. Well, thats not true; everythings still pretty fucked, but its no longer our job to fix it, so Id say that makes everything just fine.

Mari chuckled despite everything. Thats somethin to be grateful for, isnt it? Let some other fuckers take care of all the shit, right?

Leon nodded, and they shared a laugh. When they went quiet again, Leon asked, Howve you been doing? Lots have happened over the past few months

Maris expression immediately fell. Thats I dont know, Lele. I kinda dont

Leon softly laid his hand on her shoulder and pulled her into a loose hug. She buried her face in his shoulder for a long moment, and he pretended not to feel her shaking or to hear her sobs. He also pretended not to notice the wet marks on his shoulder when she pulled away, nor her bloodshot eyes.

She laughed in embarrassment and said, He Hey, Lele, youre actually kinda nice, ya know?

Hey, you keep that to yourself! Leon said with mock anger. Kings arent nice! If this gets out, I might be humiliated!

Mari softly punched him in the shoulder. Sure, sure. To answer your question I cant. I mean I cant. I dont know how Im doin, and I dont know what Im gonna do now. My fathers gone. Most of my friends were conscripted into ArdKhuns army, and theyre gone, too. I dont really have anywhere to go, ya know?

I know, Leon replied. I spent the first sixteen years of my life in a place that I can no longer return to. I mean, I can go back there, but without the people who used to live there with me, itll never be the same. That loss itll never fully heal, but it gets easier to handle with time.

That doesnt help much, Lele.

Leon shrugged. Then let me try something I hope will be a little more helpful: why dont you come back to Aeterna with me? You know that we have machines like arks and golems, and wed love for you to share your knowledge with us. Ill ensure youre well compensated, too.

Mari hardly gave the matter any thought before a smile broke out across her features. Id love to, Lele.

Leon grinned. Not even going to haggle a good price? Im eager to get some of the Ulta suit magic engineering added to my peoples canon of knowledge, and Id pay quite well for that

Ya tryin to scam me, Lele? Mari asked.

No, Leon answered with a hint of confusion.

I trust ya. I dont think youre goin to fuck me over with compensation, so why waste the time with hagglin?

I know some people whod be mortified that you didnt at least try it, Leon said. And not even because theyre greedy; theyd just think that youre hurting your own position by not trying to get a better deal.

Fuck em, Mari replied with a shrug. They dont like it, they can eat my ass.

Leon snickered in response. Then, something occurred to him. Youre going to have to learn the local language! Fortunately, I have just the solution for that! He pulled the Rumble Stone out of his soul realm and allowed Mari to use it.

Ah! Fuck! Shit! she cursed as she held her head. Thats unpleasant

A small price to pay for something so useful, though

If ya say so Fuck, guess Id better get practicin, huh?

Mari nodded, but before she could truly start, Leon asked, Ill come and get you when its time to leave, but its going to be at least a day before that happens, to make any preparations you need before then. Do you know where the others are? Id like to check in on the other three

Mari pointed to one of the doors on the longer side of the atriums oval. Leon thanked her and entered the door, finding himself in another hall that appeared to be set up as some kind of hospital. Why he hadnt been recovering here he wasnt sure, but he suppose he appreciated the solitude.

That solitude was evidently denied Serena and ArdNara, for both were lying insensate on little more than cots. Tir stood vigil above Nara and acknowledged Leons entrance with a shallow bow.

TirAnu! Leon exclaimed as he walked on over. I have half a mind to call you Tiraeses just for old times sake.

Id hardly classify a few weeks ago as old times, Tir replied as he put on a gentle smile.

Well, we just faced down a Primal Devil and survived; weve experienced more in these past couple of months than most do in their entire lifetime.

Tir conceded the point with a quick nod of his head.

So, Leon continued, whatre your plans for the future?

Tir took a long moment to think before answering, his eyes lingering on Leon before shifting to Nara. I have spent most of the past day praying to the gods for insight into that very decision, Leon. Wise Farangeun has yet to bestow upon me any insights into the future.

Leon quietly nodded before slowly, hesitantly, asking, You know you can come with me back to Aeterna? I would give you a place in my Kingdom, should you want one.

Tir smiled and chuckled self-deprecatingly. He didnt immediately answer, so Leon gave him some time to think.

By Mulitan, Lord of Memory, I once said to you, Leon Raime, that only the virtuous can be trusted to wield their powers responsibly.

And you followed that up by stating that no man is virtuous.

I would like to revise that statement. Tir fixed Leon in a serious stare. You have proven yourself virtuous, Leon. Hardly perfectonly the gods shall ever be sobut you have virtue in abundance. Humility, honesty, and integrity. There are few that I would trust with power, but you are one of them.

I appreciate the words, TirAnu, but to be honest, I can be pretty damn arrogant if the situation calls for it, I can lie if need be, and well, I try to have integrity, but Im not the best judge of that so Ill say no more.

From what Ive seen over the past couple months, Leon you would be a King that I would gladly follow. I would sleep well knowing that I serve a worthy King.

Leon almost smiled, but he could hear the sadness in Tirs voice, and he could almost physically feel the but coming.

But, Tir continued, I cannot follow you back to Aeterna. Arkhnavi is my home. I will live and die upon it, and now that the devilish power is being banished by the Grave Wardens, my people will need my help to rebuild. I will never be free of my past, of all the blood I spilled, but that doesnt mean I cant try and make the world a bit brighter before the Red-Eyed One finally comes for me. Atonement will never be achieved, not in the truest sense, but perhaps Just Helior will smile upon me when Im brought before him if I give all the time I have left to my people.

Leon smiled bitterly and said, I wont hide my disappointment, but I understand. Thank you for aiding me as long as you did, my friend, and I hope you find the peace you seek.

May the gods aid you in your future endeavors, Leon Raime, Tir responded.

Leon reached out and clasped the other mans arm, and then they parted. He took a moment to inspect the other two, noting that the cots they laid in were heavily enchanted and were doing an admirable job expunging their bodies of darkness magic. He figured he couldve added some of the Thunderbirds lightning to the mix, but he decided not to for fear of disrupting what already seemed to be working. He supposed hed just have to hope that Nara would wake up before he left if he wanted to share some last words with the Prince.

Leon then left the hall and returned to the room hed awoken in. It was a comfortable enough place, and he had a lot of business to attend to.

First and foremost, he checked all of his gear. So much exposure to the Primal Devils power couldnt be good for his sword and armor, even if they were powerful pseudo and real Adamant.

However, when he made his quick check, he found that little was wrong, save for a powerful need to clean his armor at some point in the near future. Hed enchanted it to be self-cleaning, but it was a small enchantment, and spending two to three months traversing a desolate darkness-soaked plane was a bit too much for it to handle.

Iron Pride was in even better shape, the Adamant and Iron Needle within ensuring that even the power of a Primal Devil couldnt so much as tarnish the blade.

Once that was done, Leon got comfortable in the bed and cast himself into his soul realm.

It was time to have a chat with the Thunderbird about just what in the hells happened between him and Planerend that left him without his eyesand, he suspected, may have aided the Grave Wardens in injuring the Primal Devil to the point of driving him off.