Rahz turned to look at the Elf delegation that had been quietly looking at the situation and was taken aback by the familiar face.
"Benefactor?"
The Illusionist of the elf delegation had a great smile on his face looking at the progress of his Great Grandson. Rahz still didn't know it since he had yet to visit the Elf city, but after their previous encounter against the Sister of the Moon, the elder had gone back to Elphenheim and met with Etta who told him about everything that had happened.
The Elder cancel his spell so that the rest could see his face and Riddick and Jazz lit up with happiness at the sight of the person who saved their lives.
Gasp!!
The Elder gasp for air after the leader of the Elves hit him in the stomach for neglecting to introduce her to a person that could exchange blows with Pendragon.
"Cough… This is our fearsome and beautiful leader … cough...Lady Aramis"
Lady Aramis stood up and went to observe Rahz very closely while extending her hand gently for a loose handshake. Rahz just stare back as the face of his mother overlap with the lady in front of him but there were some minor differences in the face. The interactions between the two made the people in the room surprise but a pinch to the ribs by Elune took him out of his daze.
"It is nice to meet the Pillar of Valor that I heard so much about"
Rahz furrowed his eyebrows as it was the first time somebody call him that but he quickly recovered and introduced everyone including his daughter that was now standing beside him.
"What a beautiful little girl, please wear this is a present from the home of your ancestors" Lady Aramis took her Laurel crown and placed it on Eleana's which instantly radiated a soothing light that allow her to think a lot more clearly than before.
Eleana held one fist into the other in a martial salud and said, "Many thanks aunty"
HA HA HA
The whole room laughed clearing the heavy atmosphere that the fighting with Silverwing City brought.
"It is settled then, the Chosen and other avatars wielders will gather at the front of the abyss ready to teleport to the land of the Dragonkin while everyone else is to gather their forces for the War"
"I will take Rahz to Elphenheim while Rahzen will take the Val'gun to the Abyss" said Lady Aramis
"Good!"
The next morning the whole team was ready to depart and this included Bato that use every trick in the book to not stay behind in the land of prudes while they got ready for the war. He knew that Jazz always had a nice stash of booze and Jazz always shared.
The only one that was sad was Riddick since he had to be separated from everyone but Giant Blade decided to accompany him to visit mount doom to confirm the state of affairs there. There were a lot of rumors that Riddick's uncle, Lord Annihilus had been poison and them gravely wounded.
Wooosh….
Rahz crossed the portal and saw a giant tree standing in the middle of a dome like energy barrier that radiated the purest form of natural energy.
"This barrier is very powerful and will reject anybody that has a wicked heart so please try to go through slowly".
The team stepped in starting with the celestial beast that were absorbed into the barrier like an amoeba swallowing some prey followed by Jazz.
Elune tried to follow after the others but the moment she extended her hand, the barrier solidified like concrete and prevented her from trespassing into the city. Rahz was not surprised that the barrier rejected Elune since she was a follower of Louxx and even if she wasn't a deranged person set on killing other people, she was wearing pieces with the divinity of a very evil god.
"What now?" said Elune.
"Why don't you lend your crown to your mommy Eleana, that should help" said Aramis
"Really"
"Yes!!"
The Crown of Laurel was no ordinary item, it had been made with leaves that came from the ancient tree. The city, barrier and crown emerged from the same place and provided the wearer special privileges, one of those being making the wearer a friend of the high elves.
The air inside the barrier was extremely refreshing, everytime it went inside their lungs it created a cool sensation that remind them that they were close to nature. This was especially true for the celestial beast that travel back in memory lane to the time in their caves where they were closer to nature.
The city was a collection of hanging bridges made out of wood and giant trees with platforms build on them were the elves chatted with their friends before going to work. The soldiers responsible for the security of the city were few in number but they were all of the third tier and very agile. They were smaller than Rahz but had the same streamline body and this made Rahz lips move up into a giant smile, he was now the tallest elf in the village.
"Let me take you to Etta's place, I am pretty sure you are dying to see her"
The team followed Aramis while she instructed her assistants about the plan discussed by the leaders of the alliance at the meeting in the Temple so that they could start gathering the warriors that needed to join the war effort.
Etta's home was really close to the Tree of Creation and this was a sign of nobility in the city of Elphenheim. Rahz's mother was a cleric and her job was to heal the warriors that got injured outside the barrier whenever something happened and to conduct ceremonies to the Goddess of Elves, Xeralis the Goddess of Nature.
The team made their way to her home under the inquisitive gazes of the other residents that couldn't help but gossip about the aura around Elune that made their hairs stand up.
Etta was deep in prayer in order to increase her levels much like she always was during her time in Helgahvall. The moment the group got closer to the home, her concentration was disrupted and she could feel the powerful auras coming close. Lady Aramis didn't even bother to knock and just went in before hearing Etta's voice, "Great Great Grandmother".
The group immediately turn to look to Rahz who furrowed his brows and didn't say anything before continuing to walk inside the building where the golden hair of his mother was in full display.
"Mother!!"
Outside mount Doom, the demons were in full alert. Killing intent radiated from each and everyone of them and there were many cleaning the debris of a brutal battle.
Riddick and Rahzen and Giant Blade appeared from a portal outside the barrier and were immediately detained by sharp tips of many weapons.
"State your purpose"
"I am here to see my uncle, I am Riddick... see" Riddick took his bracelet off and he started to transform to a height of 100 ft in height while his Level 50 Val'gun bloodline hit the guards like a semi making them cough blood.
"P...Ple..Please spare us"
It wasn't Riddick's intention to hurt the guard but he didn't think that his bloodline would have such an effect on their race and he had never had the need to rein it in before since it only affected demons like the one in front.
"Where is my Uncle" Said Riddick placing his bracelet back on his wrist.
The Elder is in his Sanctum but he is badly hurt, I am afraid that it will take years for him to recuperate.
"Who did this?"
"It was a Coup' D'etat caused by Elder Barash. He incited 4 of the other elders promising them power once they overturned Lord Annihilus but they underestimated his power and now all but Barash are resting in his belly".
Annihilus was resting in the cave at the bottom of mount doom but it was clear by the color of his skin that he had been poisoned. Half of Annihilus skin was a black color that was trying to encroach on the rest of the healthy skin while the dark green Chaos Fire was trying to destroy it.
"Uncle!! Can you hear me?"
Annihilus slowly opened his eyes to look at the source of the voice but it was hazy, all he could see was a giant purple blur. All the other elders were in their seats around the sanctum looking at the imposing Riddick and decided to be as quiet as a mouse in order to not bring attention to themselves.
" It is me Riddick, I am back"
"Riddick?"