(Chapter 68 Warden-Class)
Tempest stood at the edge of a cliff, his gaze sweeping over the preparations below as his knights organized into four distinct groups. Falric was assigned to accompany Hatsume to Khaj-Nisut, tasked with keeping a close watch on the Eremites, mercenaries Tempest had hired, to ensure they didn't do anything stupid. Alongside them, Hatsume would be bringing all available Mekas, as well as the Siege Engines, with their mission focused on gathering as many cores from standard Primal Constructs as possible.
Meanwhile, the other three groups, each consisting of twenty-five knights mounted on horseback, were preparing to scout the three marked pyramids. Each would head to a different location in search of the elusive Warden-Class Primal Construct, ready to fire a signal flare once its position was discovered.
Perched on Tempest's shoulder was a messenger hawk, its eyes scanning the horizon. Tempest raised his arm, and the hawk obediently hopped onto his forearm. Using his free hand, Tempest carefully took out a rolled-up piece of paper and inserted it into the scroll bag strapped to the bird's back. The letter contained his orders, an instruction for the rest of his troops stationed along the coast to regroup at Port Ormos.
The hawk let out a soft caw, understanding its task. Tempest gave a slight nod, watching as the bird spread its wings and took flight, disappearing into the vast desert sky.
"It should take a couple of days for them to reach Port Ormos."
Tempest muttered under his breath, his eyes following the hawk as it disappeared into the horizon.
'Tempest, you seem incredibly exhausted. You're pushing yourself too hard.'
Nahida observes Tempest with concern, noticing the fatigue etched on his face. Her voice is gentle, filled with concern.
'Physically, I could run a marathon without breaking a sweat, but mentally… I am exhausted, Young Pasha.'
Tempest replied, his tone heavy with weariness.
'The desert is taking its toll on me. The endless sand, the constant tension... I'm starting to feel homesick. I miss the cool air of Fontaine and the sound of the sea. It's as if the weight of this place is pressing down on me more each day.'
Tempest sighed, glancing out at the vast, unforgiving desert that stretched before him.
"I miss seeing her..."
Tempest muttered softly, his gaze lowering to the sand beneath his feet.
Nahida understood all too well who Tempest was referring to, though she had never dared to probe deeper. He had made it clear, crystal clear, that those memories were off-limits, sacred even. Tempest had once given her a stern warning after she inadvertently glimpsed those memories, drawing a firm line that should never be crossed. These memories were deeply personal, so private that not even the God of Wisdom herself was permitted to delve into them. They belonged solely to him, cherished and untouchable, a part of his him he kept close and guarded. Despite her vast wisdom and understanding, Nahida fully respected his wishes, recognizing that some things are meant to remain in the heart, undisturbed.
'I'm always here if you need me, Tempest.'
Nahida said her tone reassuring and comforting.
'Thanks, Mom.'
Tempest replied with a touch of sarcasm, and he could hear faint giggles echoing in his mind.
"Let's get this over with..."
'Tempest, once more, I will be your sixth sense. I will keep watch over your surroundings, and provide you with valuable insights and warnings. You can trust that I will be your eyes and ears when you need them most.'
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Tempest's group of knights finally arrived at one of the three pyramids, known as the Dune of Elusion. After an hour and a half of relentless trotting across the desert on horseback, they reached their destination. This pyramid was one of the potential sites that could house a Warden-Class Primal Construct, and Tempest's team was ready to begin their search.
"Penance snapped out of it."
Tempest said to his sister, who was riding with him on the back of his horse. Her gaze was fixed on the immense cyclone swirling above the mausoleum of King Deshret, clearly mesmerized by its otherworldly appearance.
"This desert just never runs out of surprises. First, we ventured into a colossal robot and nearly got buried beneath the sands, and now this..."
Penance remarked, her voice tinged with awe as she snapped a picture of the mausoleum of King Deshret with her kamera.
"Tell me about it..."
Tempest said with a weary sigh as he dismounted his horse, his gaze lingering on the majestic and mysterious mausoleum in the distance.
"Let's move out."
Tempest commanded with a firm tone, his voice cutting through the desert air. His knights nodded in response, their expressions resolute as they prepared to advance.
As they approached the entrance of the Dune of Elusion, they encountered a formidable sight: multiple Primal Constructs stood sentinel, their imposing forms guarding the entrance with unwavering vigilance.
"Let me borrow that."
Tempest said, turning to one of his knights who was carrying one of Hatsume's inventions. This particular device, designed to counter the normal Primal Constructs with impressive efficacy, had been specifically crafted by Hatsume for this very purpose. Tempest reached out, his expression intent as he took the device from the knight.
Tempest aimed the weapon at a lone Primal Construct, his focus unwavering. With a decisive pull of the trigger, he released a net infused with Electro. The net arced through the air and enveloped the Primal Construct. It thrashed and struggled momentarily, its mechanical movements growing increasingly erratic. Within moments, the Electro-infused net successfully paralyzed the construct, rendering it immobile.
"Tacky, but effective."
Tempest muttered as he handed the device back to the knight. His gaze remained focused on the now-paralyzed Primal Construct, acknowledging the utility of Hatsume's invention despite its clunky appearance.
'Three steps backward, Tempest.'
Nahida said calmly through Tempest's mind.
"Step back."
Tempest instructed his knight, who promptly took three steps away from the spot. Tempest followed suit, moving back with precision. Moments later, a bolt fell from the sky, striking the ground where Tempest had just been standing. In the distance, three more Primal Constructs, their mechanical forms agitated at the sight of their comrade being ensnared.
"Let's make this quick."
Tempest muttered, activating his Pyro Delusion. His right hand was enveloped in a blazing Pyro gauntlet, its heat radiating fiercely. With a determined look, he surged forward, charging at the enraged Primal Constructs.
'Jump.'
Nahida instructed calmly. Tempest immediately complied, propelling himself into the air just as a forcefield erupted from the Primal Construct, hurtling towards him. His nimble maneuver allowed him to narrowly escape the brunt of the attack, landing deftly on the other side, ready to continue his assault.
'Duck, not the animal."
Nahida clarified, her voice steady in Tempest's mind. Tempest promptly bent low, just as a searing beam of energy shot through the air where his head had been moments before. Thanks to Nahida's precise guidance, he narrowly avoided the attack, maintaining his focus on the Primal Constructs ahead.
"Rah!"
Tempest roared as he lunged at one of the Primal Constructs. With a powerful thrust, his gauntlet grasped the core of the Construct, wrenching it free with a guttural grunt. He hurled the core aside, and as it rolled to the sand, the other two Primal Constructs turned invisible, their forms vanishing from sight.
Tempest narrowed his eyes and kept his senses vigilant.
'Behind you.'
Nahida's voice echoed calmly in Tempest's mind. Tempest quickly conjured a fireball at his gauntlet and fired it behind him. The blazing projectile struck the Primal Construct, briefly illuminating its silhouette. As the Construct was momentarily revealed, one of Tempest's knights swiftly deployed an Electro-infused net, ensnaring the machine and paralyzing it with a crackling jolt.
"One more, Young Pasha?"
empest muttered to himself, as he surveyed the area with a keen eye, scanning for any remaining threats.
Tempest shifted his gaze momentarily, and suddenly, two rapid blades were hurled directly at him. One narrowly missed his head, while the other struck his gauntlet.
"Mmpf!"
Tempest grunted as he extended both his arms, unleashing a searing fissure of Pyro. He quickly spotted the last Primal Construct and was about to leap toward it when Penance's Hydro golem arrived first. With a powerful smash, the golem shattered the Primal Construct into pieces.
"Don't touch my brother!"
Penance shouted.
"Penance, calm down. We still need its core."
Tempest said calmly as he deactivated his Delusion. Penance, her expression softening, turned to him with a guilty look.
"Oh, uh, sorry..."
Penance replied, her Hydro golem dissipating. The remains of the Primal Construct lay in fragments, its core now among the debris.
Tempest sighed as he looked at the sight.
"Destroy the remaining Primal Constructs, but make sure to leave the cores intact."
Tempest instructed his knights. They nodded in understanding and promptly set to work, efficiently dismantling the constructs while carefully preserving the valuable cores.
'Tempest, I apologize for not reacting sooner. That attack was almost fatal, and I feel terrible for not interfering earlier. I should have been more vigilant and reacted faster. Please forgive me for letting that happen.'
Nahida seems genuinely remorseful as she speaks, her voice filled with regret.
'I'm still breathing, Young Pasha. Thank you for being my sixth sense. We make quite the team, you and I.'
Tempest replied with a smile.
'Hehe, you are most welcome, Tempest. I too feel the same, I must say, out of all the people I've observed, yours has been the most intriguing and eventful. There is never a dull moment in your life, I daresay. It's both exhilarating and educational to witness your adventure and experiences.'
Nahida chuckles softly, her voice tinged with amusement.
"Your Grace, everything is secured. We're ready to enter the pyramid whenever you are."
A knight reported, his tone steady and professional.
"Good, let's move out, be vigilant."
Tempest instructed his knights. They nodded in acknowledgment and proceeded toward the entrance of the Dune of Elusion.
"It's just an empty space, Your Grace."
A knight said as they entered the Dune of Elusion. Indeed, the interior was a vast, open expanse, but there was an unsettling feeling in the air as if something was amiss.
Suddenly, the entrance of the Dune of Elusion was sealed shut with a resounding clang. Several knights, including Tempest's sister, were left outside. Of the original twenty-five knights, only fourteen had made it inside before the entrance closed, leaving the rest stranded outside.
"Brother?! Brother!"
Penance shouted desperately, pounding both her fists against the now-sealed entrance. Her voice echoed through the large open space, tinged with worry and frustration as she struggled to find a way back in.
"We're fine, Penance. Listen carefully."
Tempest called out, his voice calm but commanding.
Fire the orange signal flare to alert the others. Then, tell the knights to use whatever tools we have at our disposal and try to open this door. Don't panic."
His tone carried reassurance, though his eyes remained focused on the sealed entrance, fully aware of the urgency.
"Got it!"
Penance shouted.
"Uh, Your Grace..."
A knight stammered, his voice tinged with worry, catching Tempest's attention. Tempest turned sharply, his gaze locking onto the knight, who hesitated before pointing toward the far end of the middle of the chamber.
A massive Primal Construct materialized before them, its form gradually revealing itself as it deactivated its invisibility. The sound of ancient gears and mechanisms echoed through the chamber as the towering machine emerged from the shadows. ts core pulsed with an ominous glow, and the air grew tense as the knights instinctively tightened their grips on their weapons. Tempest's eyes narrowed, recognizing the formidable foe before them. This was no ordinary Primal Construct, it was a Warden-Class, the one they were looking for.
"Seven hells... Here we go again, at least I'm not getting stuck here for a century..."