Chapter 480: Battle Of The Manor (Part 7)
Vivi had basically pounded all of the ancient runes into Laz’s brain, something that even he had to admit was quite the accomplishment. After all, Laz didn’t really understand it back then and even now, he hadn’t done much with them. While runes were helpful, they also weren’t something that could be used in a close combat situation. When one was fighting, their opponent wouldn’t just allow them the time to draw something.
But right now, his knowledge of runes was proving to be very helpful in observing the array in front of him. The only problem was Laz didn’t understand these runes. Now he knew from his studying with Vivi that there were more than one type of rune within his world. But despite that, she insisted that he study this runes in particular although he never knew the reason why.
Looking at the spot on the ground in front of him, Laz felt like he was a little dizzy. Taking a deep breath and using Heaven’s Gaze allowed him to overcome the feeling. As for why he was feeling that way, Laz thought that it had something to do with the array itself. It didn’t want to let people in so the best way to prevent that was to stop outsiders from observing the runes that made it work. As such, the runes seemed to move around on their own, causing anyone observing them to fight something that was akin to motion sickness just to try to focus.
Luckily for Laz, that wasn’t a problem he couldn’t contend with.
As Laz focused more and more, he started noticing patterns within the mix of runes. Some would repeat, some would overlap and other’s still seemed to stand alone, like a pillar that either wouldn’t move or couldn’t move. Laz focused more on those since they seemed to hold an important place withing the formation.
Bit by bit, Laz could understand what was happening and what effect each rune had, ever if he didn’t know what the rune actually was. It was like learning a foreign language after already knowing the root language. And as for what the runes that didn’t move meant, they were an anchor or a base and everything else was designed off of those bases.
With this in mind, Laz thought that maybe getting through this barrier wouldn’t be too hard.
As Laz stood up, Jill moved back a step to give him some room. Stretching, he saw that the fog was still there, but something about it was different. When he first walk into it, it felt isolating, like it was blocking you off from everything around you. But now it seemed like the fog was warming up a little, as though it was more comforting.
Laz didn’t know what it meant, but decided it could only be a good thing.
"Well. It’s probably not the best idea to just break this array without any plan in place, so I should probably find who is in charge. The last time we attacked this place, we got our asses kicked. I’m not even sure what the end result is suppose to be? Arrest everyone? Kill everyone? Besides attacking, there really wasn’t a plan in place before. So what is it we should actually do?" Laz pondered out loud. Jill heard him, but knew he wasn’t asking for her opinion. Still though, she wanted to be helpful.
"Maybe we should go speak to the queen and find out what they want?" Jill suggested.
Laz thought about it a minute and figured it was better than doing nothing.
Just as Laz was about to turn around and leave, he noticed several shadows approaching him, followed by dozens more.
Just as Laz was going to return to Sylvia, she had now shown up in front of him. But not just her, Ivana, Genevieve and the members of the council were there as well.
And walking a step in front of even Sylvia and Ivana was Maia herself, her previously playful dress no where in sight. Instead, she was dressed in the same kind of war garments that the attendants wore, except hers were much more detailed and impressive looking. While top and bottom of the armor was still there, instead of just looking like a two piece bathing suit, it was instead encrusted with gems and decorated with white gold. The almost see through mesh was a dark green color, making it seem as though her skin was green and around her waist was a skirt made of wicked looking blade like plates of metal. Her hair was done up as well, coming to rest above her head with a rainbow colored crown of twisted vines almost resembling interlocking snakes. In her hand was a large wooden staff with a head sized ruby at the top, making her look like some sort of mage from the books Laz read when he was younger.
The most noticeable change was her demeanor and even her height. Unlike her short stature before, she was now just half a head shorter than Laz and the look on her face was murderous. While her skin was still a flawless white, there were streaks of red down her both her cheeks, reminding Laz of ancient war paint from the olden days.
When she finally stopped her march, she was standing before Laz, looking him straight in the eyes without blinking. Even now, her nature seemed much more fiery and aggressive. It was nothing like the carefree girl he had met before.
They took in each other as minute after minute passed. It was only after Maia’s gaze turned to the manor, still hidden by the fog that Laz finally took a deep breath to calm his nerves. It was only at that moment right there that Laz understood just how powerful Maia actually was. He didn’t back down from the pressure, but it took all of his willpower not to.
"Can you get us inside?" Maia asked, her gaze still fierce, but it was hidden behind a calm and composed mask.
"I can."
"Then why haven’t you broken it yet?" Maia asked, her attention snapping back to Laz.
"I didn’t know what exactly was the goal?" Laz responded honestly.
Maia took a moment to think before speaking.
"The old goal was to get some answers and hopefully take enough of them captive that they would wake up and forget this stupid plot they are hatching. Yet because of that, many of my children died. Not only that, but the six councilors who went in never came back out. Between them, they represent the strongest members of our race. It they are still alive, we need to save them. If they aren’t... well... we can morn them later..." Maia said, her face still frozen even though her words were a bit shocking.
"You didn’t answer my question," Laz said back, stopping Maia from whatever thought or blame she was going to be giving out, possibly even to herself.
"From now on, we kill. Every last one of them. Even though they were once my children, they are that no longer. It’s time to purge the bad seeds," Maia said, her voice becoming louder as she spoke, drawing in the crowds.
While everyone gathering didn’t recognize Maia, they did recognize Sylvia and took their cues from her.
"They have polluted their blood and sided with the enemy. Not only that, but they had killed others, sacrificing them in their mad attempts to gain power. They are no longer of our people or our race. Once this barrier goes down, we shall storm in and kill every last one of those traitors, using their blood to cleanse their sins from our history. My human friend here shall once again bring their gate crashing down signaling the moment we strike. And worry not, my children that this time is going to go like the last time. For this time, they had invoked my anger. And I shall reap their souls in payment."
After the words left her mouth, Laz felt something creeping around in the mist. Looking up and focusing his eyes, he notice the moment look like giant, snake like creatures crawling towards them. For a moment, Laz was convinced that what he was seeing was the great demons the crazy old man had spoken of. It wasn’t until they stopped moving that Laz noticed just what they were.
’Massive tree roots and vines, all pointed this way as though they were spears waiting to strike. Damn, she’s serious. And this fog.. she must have caused it when she awoke,’ Laz thought before returning his attention back to the gathering troops and priestesses who were finally making their way over.
Laz noticed something and turned quickly to see Ivana whisper something to Sylvia before she started frowning.
Maia paid them no mind as she continued talking, reassuring the people that all was well.
When she was finally done, she turned to Laz and with her back facing the crowd, she whispered. "I’m going to make you pay for that," Maia said, her face still frozen in that indifferent mask.
"Well then," Laz said, not intentionally trying to make things worse, but failing at it.
He could only sigh deeply and work on the first fixed spot within the array,
