Finally, the High Priest has achieved his aim, as most of the elites who were about to speak about retrieving the elixir seemed to have remained silent. After hearing that even guardians would struggle to reach the Lost Temples, they decided to swallow their words. Their lives are still precious to them.
"So, which people can comprise the team? Do you have anyone in mind, or should we choose the Templar warriors and knights for this mission?" This time, it was Oscar who spoke for the first time since the meeting started. Being the Supreme Commander of the Ethelorian Templar Force, he knows better than this kind of perilous mission should be handled by trained squads.
"I have already thought it over, and I know the people we are going to select. For this mission, we need a team of seven people. But we will only need two individuals from the Templar Force: a knight and a warrior," said the High Priest. "And I already have a great knight here. He helped a lot during the villagers' evacuation to the basement." The High Priest was looking at Kael when he said the last part.
Since none of the other echelons were objecting, even Oscar, the High Priest continued, "So, Kael, tell me. Are you willing to embark on this quest?"
Kael knelt instantly before them all with a bowed head before he responded, "Yes, High Priest. I pledge to do whatever I can to ensure the safe return of the Elixir of Immortality."
"Oscar, you should help us select one of the best warriors that you think is capable of joining our team," he paused as he scanned the other four warriors standing with an emotionless, stoic countenance behind them. "Make sure he is someone who will be willing to work collaboratively with whoever the team members would be."
"Drake will join the team," announced Oscar. Just as he said this, a man of average build, clad in silver armor, stepped out and bowed to the others. This man has short, jet-black hair and a scar on his left cheek. But unlike the other members of the Templar Force, he did not have a weapon on him.
"It's an honor to be selected to partake in this quest." That was all he said before standing up straight.
"Now, for the remaining five, I need someone to summon Kamuth's daughter and the guy who is with her. They both possess the selflessness qualities that are necessary for individuals who are meant to be on this team."
Kamuth rolled his eyes at the High Priest, but he remained calm. Kael went to fetch both Lyra and Thorne, who had been chosen by the High Priest.
"Why would you choose Lyra? You know very well that she isn't good at controlling her ethereal energy," Kamuth decided to ask, as he seemed unable to understand why his daughter was selected.
"The answer is very obvious, isn't it? Your daughter is like me, an enchantress. Don't you think they need to have a sorcerer on the team? And as for her struggle with controlling her ethereal energy, leave it to me." After the High Priest had said this, Kamuth didn't utter another word.
The High Priest continued, "Two more people I will be selecting for this quest are Alvan and Emelda. However, in Alvan's case, he has the right to refute. After all, his parents died because of the shadow plague." Just as the High Priest finished speaking. All the echelons on this platform turned their heads towards Alvan, anticipating his response to whether he would accept or reject it.
Each of them knew about the tale of his father and even the current story of his mother's death. She had created a barrier with her core and heart's blood to keep off the shadow minions and the main plague of darkness that was slowly creeping its way to Etheloria.
Alvan once again remembered his mother's dying wish, the orb projection of the past and the essence of immortality still budding within him, waiting to be fully realized. He knew he was going for the quest, but at this pivotal moment, when all eyes were staring at him. He felt a little bit nervous before he spoke.
"As long as it is to eliminate the shadow plague and grant our people the freedom they once had. Who am I to refute?" The others sighed with a sense of relief.
"And I will go as well since he is going," Emelda also said, stepping out with Alvan.
"I will complete the team!" The others heard a female voice say, and when they looked in the direction of the voice, they saw a particular guardian with light blue hair and a captivating silver dress. Emelda's expression turned sour instantly, but she tried so hard to conceal it.
"Apphira, it seems like you didn't hear what I said earlier very well. We cannot allow guardians on this quest. One reason is the Divine Vial of the elixir, and secondly, we still have the responsibility of maintaining the Dome Array. Without an immortal present during the activation process, we must continuously provide it with sufficient cosmic energy," explained the High Priest.
"I still insist on going. Since Elara's son is going on the quest, then I will be going. I made a promise to her, and I will fulfill it this time around. Have you not thought about their survival rate? If I go with them, not only will they have a guardian among them, but also a healer. I think five of you will be enough to sustain the Dome Array." Apphira, not waiting for anyone's approval, stepped out towards the three already there.
After much contemplation, the High Priest realized that having her on the team would not be bad at all, "Okay then. That means our team is finally complete," he said. And that was when Kael, Thorne, and Lyra arrived on the platform.
After explaining things to them, Thorne and Lyra also agreed to join the quest. Thorne agreed instantly, but Lyra had to exchange glances with her father before she finally agreed, since he wasn't saying anything.
So, the quest team meant to embark on a mission to retrieve the Elixir of Immortality, which is the key to restoring Etheloria to its former glory, is made up of seven members. A cosmic healer, an aetherian enchantress, three aetherian elemental mages, and two templar force militants. Apphira, Lyra, Alvan, Emelda, Thorne, Drake, and Kael, respectively.
You might be wondering what is different between Templar Forces and Aetherian/Cosmic Mages. It is quite simple: Aetherians or Guardians can harness ethereal or cosmic energy to perform healing, enchantment, or manipulation of the elements. While the Templar Forces are mostly composed of non-aetherians who harness the power of "Aura" to temper their bodies and train with weapons and armor. The Supreme Commander of the Templar Forces, however, is an elemental cosmic mage. He holds the position of the head, but he also practices elemental magic and aura tempering.
The quest team has already been selected, but there are still some things the High Priest needs to discuss with the others.
"The quest team will embark on a journey to the Lost Temples tomorrow. But before they leave, there are some things we need to get ready for them.
"Many of them. First, we sent the other three Templar warriors to gather raw materials from the mountain ranges. In Magma Mountain, the Infernal Crystals formed there would be useful. Not just for its known and usual uses, this time we will use it to construct a Telescope Mask that can prevent one from being infested outside the basement. Even if their eyes meet with those shadow minions, nothing will happen.
"Second, we will hold a sermon in the chamber for the quest team. They need to be briefed on what they are likely to encounter in the quest and inform them more about retrieving the elixir from its Divine Vial. And finally, we will provide them with training and equip them with whatever resources are available, so that they can protect themselves. Note: Everything should be completed today so that they can retrieve the Elixir of Immortality as soon as possible before the shroud of darkness arrives."
Just as he finished speaking, everyone in the basement felt a slight tremor, and the guardians also sensed a wave of cosmic energy radiating in all directions. The tremor and energy wave all happened in an instant.
"See, what I was just saying. It's the fort of darkness. It collided with the barrier, sending off tremors and waves of cosmic energy. And trust me, it has to be very powerful to dissipate an energy wave that reached this basement from the distant sea." The High Priest lifted his staff and started rotating it as if drawing a continuous circle in the air. "Come and see!"
Lo and behold! A circular holographic display of the island, where Elara had created the barrier, appears before them. The shroud of darkness seemed even darker and thicker now. But they could all see the struggle for supremacy that was taking place between it and the barrier. The question on everyone's mind now was, 'Will the barrier hold out much longer until the Elixir of Immortality has been retrieved?'