Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 904: Safest Place ()

Estelle and Dante exchanged a look. Estelle took a seat across from Neveah whilst Dante leaned against the wall a short distance away.

Everon still brewed his tonic, but Neveah knew his attention was on whatever she was about to say.

"I heard about the unified council." She started, meeting Everon’s subtle gaze pointedly. "And yes, I know you’ve probably all been told to keep it from me till he breaks the news to me himself, but I am already aware."

Everon sighed. "Veah, the situation is...not good."

She nodded slowly. She’d thought as much. Dissolving a supreme rule of so many centuries wasn’t something that would go by smoothly, not when it had happened so abruptly.

But if Jian had done it, it was because he’d had just cause to. The tributary races had been a thorn in his side for centuries already, and the battle at Aloria must have made it clear to him that enforcing submission will only stir rebellious thoughts.

Centuries of that had reaped no benefit. These monarchs and representatives were haugty, disloyal and always at each other’s throats. It hadn’t been easy to keep the peace this long.

"I want to know the current state of the stronghold. Without leaving anything out." She stated clearly, "I intend to share Our Liege’s burden, regardless of if he likes it or not."

Dante nodded grimly. "So far, there’s been over a hundred identified dimension cracks across the stronghold, though less than a dozen in Dragon territory itself."

Estelle sighed, "The tributary..." She trailed off, "The other races, are taking the greater hit. The cracks tear open incessantly and they can barely keep up with the onslaught of the Forlorn."

"They would have to learn to stand on their own for the most part. But in such times as this..." Neveah murmured, "I will speak to him about providing aid within reasonable boundaries."

Dante nodded. "All dragon forces in tributary territories have been withdrawn."

"The sentiment of our kin is neither here nor there. This is a path we’ve walked since the stronghold was established. It’s difficult to adjust otherwise, yet we all see the necessity for it."

"If all the races cannot truly unite against the foes the stronghold face, then having their backs will be detrimental to us in the long run."

Dante’s assessment was spot on. Jian’s decision may have been abrupt, but it wasn’t a selfish one. The cracks in this strenuous unification had been showing for decades, it was long coming.

Even so, and Neveah didn’t even believe the thought was coming from her, but sometimes, the best resolution was simply extending a hand of grace. Undeserving as it may be.

"The Sea Kingdom recently took a harsh hit." Everon chipped in, walking over to sit on the other side of her bed. "A Hydra. The casualties...are astronomical."

She winced visibly. The mers were not exactly perfect allies, but they had not been as blatantly defiant as the Fae and the elves.

"Verothrax was dispatched to lead a team to quell the situation and confront the beast." Everon continued, "It was a narrow victory, even on his part."

"The ongoing rider council is to deliberate on that, as well as..." Everon trailed off, exchanging a look with Dante.

Neveah glanced between them both. "Well? What else?"

Estelle shook her head, "It’s a really weird thing."

"What is?" Neveah pressed,

"Recently, the Forlorn beasts seem to be traveling similar routes, amassing in great numbers in certain areas." Dante relayed instead,

"The discovery alarmed the scouts. Thankfully we arrived just in time as they returned with the report." Everon added.

"It’s unusual behaviour. My father told me these beasts are territorial. They do not mingle or form packs outside their own kind." Estelle explains further, "Unless..."

"Unless they’re gathering." Neveah completed, "And waiting for something. Or someone."

"Beoruh, perhaps?" Estelle glanced at each of them, "That would mean they have the witch control rune now. And thus, everything they need to command the steadily growing army of forlorn beasts."

Neveah recalled something then. It sent her sitting up suddenly, startling Estelle.

Her memories had been slowly streaming in, but she couldn’t believe this in particular was only now coming to her.

"No." She muttered, scrambling up to her feet. "No, they don’t. Let’s go."

All three of her company looked baffled as she grabbed Everon’s outer coat, throwing it over her shoulders and making for the door.

Estelle and Dante swiftly followed.

"Go where?" Everon exclaimed, hurrying to catch up with them. "I’m centuries old, you guys. What’s with the running?"

Menarx and Kirgan turned the corner just then. Neveah nearly stumbled over her own feet as she crashed right into them.

"Scales! Are the Forlorn here already?" Kirgan asks in bafflement.

Menarx held her steady, an arm around her waist. His tone was deeply concerned, "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

Neveah was relieved to see him in a better state than the last few times. But there was no time for pleasantries. She nodded quickly, "I’m well. Let’s continue this in a little while."

And she was off again before Menarx could respond.

The ascending room couldn’t go fast enough, especially with Everon glaring at her, probably contemplating just how many tonics he would have to brew to recover the strength she was carelessly expending.

Finally, they arrived at the audience hall.

"We were headed here anyways." Kirgan and Menarx appeared from the stairwell just as they did. "Now, what exactly is going on?"

Neveah threw the doors open, and dozens of eyes turned to her. Only then did she realise she wasn’t properly dressed for court...or running around the Keep.

Of all the eyes, Jian and Xenon’s were the most baffled.

"Veah!" Xenon exclaimed, crossing the hall in just a few strides, "Love, where’s the danger? Give me a name."

Neveah shook her head slowly, "No danger."

She cleared her throat as she stepped fully into the midst of the rider council.

They bowed in almost perfect tandem. Their familiar faces and rather than outrage, the amusement in their eyes warmed her heart in ways she hadn’t anticipated.

It didn’t feel like an intrusion like back in the Eclipse court.

No. This was home.

"Forgive my..." She trailed off, waving awkwardly, "Unceremonious arrival."

Straightening, she strode down the hall, with all the elegance a male outer robe twice her size, and a messy hair could afford.

Jian’s eyes trailed her, his brows furrowed in confusion. "Did you already miss me that much?"

Chuckles spread through the council at that. Neveah scoffed, stopping at the foot of the dragon throne.

"If you don’t mind moving over, My Lord." She said,

Jian blinked in astonishment but got up to his feet and stepped away from the throne.

Neveah crouched down, much to the confusion of the watching eyes and dug around the crevice of the intricately carved throne.

It was the only place that had come to mind in those final moments.

The moment her hand came in contact with the familiar cold material she’d tugged off Misha’s neck, she exhaled a slow breath.

Pulling it out, she got up to her feet and turned to Jian, holding it up for him to see.

"I didn’t jump into a Canyon for nothing. Here’s your witch rune, portaled right to the safest place I could think of... before I kind of died."