The Elemental Forest is to the west of the current location of Aves and the direction where the Dark World Transcendents are currently standing is right in that direction.
Of course, I still doubted whether Rael was just lying and if he already betrayed us. However, upon seeing him showing up from the south wherein he detoured towards it to avoid the mass of Noxians and Dark World denizens blocking the west path, all bruised and battered despite continuously casting a Minor Healing Spell, I became more convinced about the faith of the Luxians towards the Great Protector.
Sofiel totally indoctrinated them to become absolutely loyal to their church. Those 30 years weren't spent for nothing.
And since he's not lying, Fleur was really currently surrounded. And it's probably a thought-out plan due to them blocking the way blatantly to come to her rescue.
"Darling, will you be able to reach it?"
"I have the Orbs with me, don't worry. Just the Concealment alone will allow me to bypass most of their blockade and it's not the only Orb I can use."
There's also the Ailment which I haven't used much due to its restriction.
It couldn't be pre-charged, unlike Concealment and Enhancement. I needed to channel the energy to it. The longer and higher the Energy I used, the higher the debuff the target will receive. With the max of 50% reduced stats for them. There's also the side effects which Jayna often used for pranks.
It's not that effective in a one-on-one battle wherein their focus will be solely on me. It's much better to use the Halo Skill enhanced by Ailment during that which was shown through my previous battles. The added debuff by being hit with the Energy Explosion Projectiles was enough to bridge the gap or widen if it's me who came up stronger. However, if it's to a bunch of Mortal Ranks then it will be like what happened to the two Dark Elves whom I first tested it back then. They'll be disabled almost instantly.
Probably seeing the seriousness on my face, Sofiel nodded and reassured me.
"Alright. Take care, darling. I'll hold the fort while you take Fleur home."
As much as how important Fleur is to me, Sofiel is the same. If she's in the same situation, I will also run to her rescue. My only gripe right now is that I can't do that with my other Companions that are not in this world. Hopefully, we can close the Portals soon.
In any case, I doubt Rael's the real target of their ambush. It was Fleur all along. Someone who has a grudge against her hatched this plan.
If I think about who will most likely have a grudge against her, it's that Noxian couple, right? Well, they're the only ones we considered enemies before, and that Marina recognized her when we stole the Artifact and killed their Elites at their very own capital.
Maybe someone's their relative? That's not important anymore.
Well then, maybe it's time to cut off the weeds from this world's backyard. They didn't know that she's now stronger than she was before. Just the breakthrough on her Transcendent Pathway was enough to offset the previous matching strength between them. Fleur didn't cross staves with that Marina during our heist, so she's still unaware that she conjured two more ice-like Strings.
By how hard it was for the others to achieve a breakthrough, at most with the help of Dark Energy, they probably broke through once.
But if I factor in the Support Bonus which Fleur received from my System, that might amount to another breakthrough.
"Un. I'll be back with her."
I took out the Orb of Ailment and Concealment. The Willful Sword and the Totem were also ready to be taken out anytime.
They set up a blockade, eh? Then it will be their misfortune to block my way.
After going over my plan of action with Sofiel one last time, I kissed her before setting out to the place where Rael was ambushed.
As I edged to the border of the barrier of this Floating Island, I etched the three Transcendents' faces in my mind. Their turn will come later.
The Elemental Cannons were still shooting at the scattered Noxians who didn't have any choice but to continue throwing their boulders. That's their fate now, to become cannon fodder for the Dark World.
I just wonder what happened to that Tyre Family? Did they cowered from and folded their rebellious attempt or are they waiting for our signal?
We left them a message back then and if they believed in it, they will be biding their time as well as try to gather more same-minded Noxians from the Central Area.
The risk for them is too high. However, their decision will be their own choice.
Among the Noxians here, no one was probably from the Central Area, they're all their normal citizens.
Well, soon enough, they will use up these cannon fodders and start eating away at the core of their race.
"Alright. Destination: West."
I pulled the Compressed Sphere of White Knight and threw it in front of me.
Just like the first time, the pure white Powergen made from regenium covered my whole body.
As soon as it finished, my Energy Control went up a bit.
Next, the Orb of Concealment was activated and it instantly covered my Powergen-armored body with its purple aura.
Once it's done, I flew out of the floating island and went past the three sneering Transcendents. They're standing there unaware that someone who could threaten their life has already passed by overhead. However, they're unlike that previous Dark Elf Transcendent, the three had their guard up that if I sneaked attacked one of them, the other two would react instantly.
Well, they can be dealt with later, Fleur's safety first.
I have 10 minutes of Concealment and after that will be me pushing through a sea of enemies who will try to hinder me. Taking a detour will take too long so going straight to it is more ideal.
Besides, according to Rael, two hours already passed since he left that area. There's a chance that Fleur could run out of Elemental Energy.
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Plains, rivers, hills, and small forests.
During the 8 minutes of flying while in Concealment, I passed through different expanses and each one was filled with either Noxians or Dark World denizens.
A lot of them were on the lookout in every possible direction, waiting for someone to pass by.
Too bad, my Concealment is still undetectable unless it's someone overtly stronger than me with a huge gap.
Upon closer look, what was laid out was not really a blockade per se but a number of scouts spread out in different encampments. These encampments were placed on every choke point where they could easily defend, creating a man-made border line.
I looked down and saw a small hill where an encampment was placed. There were several high-ranking figures on it but at most, they're Rank 5 Mortals who're probably a member of an Aristocratic Family or a branch of one.
They're not just blocking my way to Fleur, but this was most possibly their preparation to take down the Elemental's Forest.
This series of encampments was probably trying to encircle the whole Elemental's Forest.
The ambush on Fleur is just one part of their plan. They were just trying to deal with the strongest Elemental first. It's not even a day but it seems that they already cooked a detailed plan which would take down the remaining territories one by one.
Did some excellent strategist descend from the Dark World?
Or is this a pre-made plan that was supposed to be enacted once the Descent of the Dark World Transcendents arrives?
Either way, seeing this and being aware of it is a plus.
This could also make another interpretation of why those three were not attacking by themselves and just trying to intimidate us at Aves.
Well then, let's take down one of these encampments first.
I landed in the middle of the encampment where a huge tent reminiscent of Raiden's Great Hall was erected.
On its roof, an emblem of one of the five Aristocratic Families was printed, and running around me were Noxians and Dark World Mortals alike.
They're all around Rank 3 to 4 Mortals with a few whose strength reached Rank 5 Mortal all gathered in that huge tent.
There is still more than a minute before the Concealment wears off, this is a good chance to use this Orb of Ailment.
I nonchalantly entered the tent and a round table welcomed me with eight Rank 5 Mortals having their sweet discussion about the upcoming operation.
Ignoring all of them, I climbed on top of it and sat in the middle.
"What's the report? Are we still not going to move?"
A Noxian with a bear-like stature tapped the table and looked around his peers.
"No movement from Aves and Serenia. The Luxian Transcendent who ran away is still nowhere to be found. Calm down will you? Your two Unparalleled and one of our Transcendents were already taking down the sole Elemental Supreme of the Elementals. It's just a matter of time before we receive the order to move."
A red-haired woman that was clearly a Dark World denizen answered.
The other six also tried to chime in their discussion and every topic revolved around the same thing, 'when will they start their assault on the Elemental's Forest?'.
Hearing the contents of it, my guess was once again proven in this way.
In any case, these eight will not live to see through it.
As soon as the Concealment wore off, echoes of exclamation rang out as all of them were startled that someone covered in a pure white metallic suit suddenly appeared on top of the round table.
"Surprised?"
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