Outside the Valley of Sirens
"Oh Zakia knowing you, I'm sure you are up to something I will linger here for a bit and see what you are cooking up." Azizi thought internally.
"Lord Azizi, if I may ask?" Saka inquired, a sense of unease settling over him. Despite the distance yet to be covered before reaching the Valley of Sirens, Saka couldn't shake off the feeling that their journey might have been in vain. He observed Lord Azizi's swift actions upon discovering Zakia's absence, a revelation that left Saka both perplexed and apprehensive.
"I know what you want to say. You're curious about how I covered that distance so quickly, entered the Valley, and confirmed Zakia's absence, isn't that it?" Azizi remarked, his gaze fixed ahead as they navigated through the swamp, showing no inclination to engage with Saka.
"I wouldn't dare," Saka replied hesitantly. "Nevertheless, if you permit me to ask, how did you achieve such speed and directly enter the Valley without obstruction?"
Azizi, maintaining his stride through the challenging terrain, finally glanced at Saka. "Allow me to enlighten you. A few years ago, during a prior visit to this place, I strategically left one of my dolls here. This foresight served a purpose with my newfound abilities, I can traverse great distances swiftly since I've broken through, enabling me to reach any location housing one of my dolls within a defined range. Barriers pose no hindrance unless they surpass my current rank. Do you comprehend, Saka?"
Saka, overwhelmed by the revelation, found himself sweating profusely. The magnitude of Azizi's ability left him in awe, contemplating the depth of power that had evolved within his young lord.
"I... I had no idea such power existed," Saka stammered, his mind grappling with the implications of Azizi's extraordinary abilities. "But why keep this hidden until now, my lord?"
Zane with Ja IL over his shoulder unscrewed a bottle and downed it, it seemed to be a vial to mitigate the after effects of transforming into a beast, he was also listening intently as he was also wondering how the young lord was able to confirm Zakia's absence that quickly.
Azizi's expression remained inscrutable as he continued through the swamp, the squelching of mud beneath their feet accompanying the weight of the revelation. "Power, Saka, is a delicate thing. Revealing all too soon invites challenges and unforeseen consequences. Besides, the Valley of Sirens is a place entrenched in mysteries, and not all knowledge is meant to be shared."
As they progressed, the air thickened with an otherworldly aura, hinting at the ancient magic that permeated the Valley of Sirens. Saka couldn't shake the feeling that their quest had only just begun, unveiling layers of complexity he hadn't fathomed.
" We will move away from your battlefield and camp elsewhere, Raziya will come looking for us soon, I will conceal us for a few days and wait for Ja IL to heal he may be a hindrance if we are caught in a fight, after all the outside world is perilous, who knows what might happen. "Azizi stated with a certain person in mind.
" Your foresight is unmatched, lord we will follow your instructions. "Saka and Zane replied in unison.
Giant Whale Inn
"Patron, I hope our accommodation was up to your standards, and we did not disappoint," the red-scaled man said, his approach deliberate as he addressed Oliphant.
"All was good, but I know you did not come here just to say that. Just state your true purpose," Oliphant replied, his keen eyes fixed on the messenger.
"A straight shooter, I see. Well, I'm here about the meeting two days from now. The prince said it would be worth your while to attend," the man stated directly, his tone carrying a sense of urgency.
Oliphant leaned back in his chair, studying the messenger. "Let's have a seat and talk more about this. It seems the prince sent you to convince me, which makes me even more unwilling to go. Oh, I also didn't catch your name there," Oliphant added as he gestured for the man to join him at the table.
The red-scaled messenger took a seat, his gaze unwavering. "You can call me Kael. The prince believes your presence at the meeting is crucial for our cause. He has valuable information to share, and your insights would be invaluable."
Oliphant, though skeptical, listened intently, weighing the words carefully. The air in the inn seemed charged with an unspoken tension as the fate of the impending meeting hung in the balance.
What insights? I'm just a rank one Invoker; what can I provide to your young lord?" Oliphant questioned, a note of self-doubt in his tone.
"Well, there is a certain air about you that those who are weak cannot detect, but such details failed to elude the prince. Even I felt it. You are hiding your true strength, which means you came here with a purpose. A man of your caliber cannot enter the Valley without stating their purpose to the general, that's all," Kael stated with a certainty that caught Oliphant off guard.
Oliphant's eyes narrowed as he considered Kael's words. The revelation of his concealed strength,which probably meant Zakia within him was normally imperceptible to those of lower ranks, and it may also hint at a deeper understanding within the prince's camp. A subtle tension lingered in the air as Oliphant contemplated the implications of his unspoken purpose.
"As you said, how do I know you are really here on the instructions of the prince and not of the general in charge, since..." Oliphant trailed off, giving Kael a scrutinizing look that conveyed his unspoken concern. The unsaid words lingered in the air, echoing the skepticism born from the awareness that Kael, with his siren nature, could hold allegiances beyond what met the eye.
Kael met Oliphant's gaze with an unwavering intensity, understanding the unspoken doubt. "Your skepticism is not misplaced, I may be of siren descent, but my allegiance lies solely with Prince Mokuti I assure you, I am here as his emissary, carrying his words and intentions."
"You're perceptive, Kael. I'll entertain the prince's invitation, but be clear—I seek answers as much as he does," Oliphant asserted, his gaze unwavering. "Now, tell me more about this meeting and what the prince hopes to achieve. Details may determine my willingness to fully cooperate."
Kael did not beat around the bush and stated the prince's motive directly. "The prince is here on a mission to steal one of the precious treasures in the Valley of Sirens." Oliphant had an unsettling feeling after he heard that, but he swiftly calmed down and asked, "What treasure is that?"
"The sealed heart of the rank four witch, dubbed the Heart of Sin," Kael revealed. Oliphant couldn't calm down after hearing that and blurted out, "What..!"
Internally, he spoke to himself, "Zakia, what is the meaning of this?!"
The gravity of the situation hung in the air, the revelation of such a perilous mission stirring a storm of conflicting emotions within Oliphant. The Valley of Sirens, already a place of mystery and danger, now harbored the intent to unearth a power that had long been sealed away. The unfolding events hinted at a deeper connection, and Oliphant couldn't shake the sense that his journey held more profound implications than he had initially perceived.