WE HAVE FINALLY DEFEATED THE ETERNAL ELEMENTALS.

I breathe a sigh in relief as the prison catches the abomination of a creature and slams shut. It is trapped in a vacuum sealed cage. There is no way for matter or any other particles to enter or exit it. It is a true imprisonment, and I can sense the Eternal Elemental struggling within to break free.

It cannot. Not against this material. I have forged it as a true copy of the prison cells these slaves were kept in before they crashed into Utana. And it does its job.

Furthermore, they are weakened, having been greatly reduced in size before I locked them up. There is nothing they can do to escape. They cannot regenerate or grow larger due to the vacuum. Even the Elocunive acknowledges this.

For defeating the Eternal Elementals, you are awarded a level in your Class!

- Soulborne Level 7 advances to Soulborne Level 8

Tian

Race: Ren

Class: Soulborne Level 8

Feats:

- Void Walk

- Ray of Esh

- Dual Core

- The Guardian’s Blessing

- Soul Cycle

- Lifeblood’s Call

- Aura Pull

- Imprisonment

I smile as I look down at the blue screen. My victory has earned me another Feat. Its name itself is quite interesting— straight to the point. I can tell what it will essentially do, but I do not know in what way it achieves this. But I shall test it later.

I descend as wings gently flap behind me, and I land next to Nindran. The azure-haired woman leaps up into my arms and exclaims.

“You did it, Tian!”

“Indeed,” I say with a smile. I hug her back and shake my head. “However, this would not have been possible without your help.”

Beihal clears his throat. “We were here too, you know?”

Nelrel rolls her eyes and elbows him. “You know what she meant.”

I look at them as Nindran pulls back with a chuckle. She grins and Beihal, still clinging onto my left arm. “Are you jealous or something?” she asks.

“Of course not,” Beihal scoffs. “That’s a ridiculous notion.”

“Come now, let us return back to Thornthistle first,” I say, starting past them. “I am certain Kalmat will be happy to hear his city will not have to be destroyed.”

Nindran nods in agreement. “Yeah, I was honestly worried about that too. But by the Grovetender, we really got away by the skin of our teeth.”

“I suggest we save our celebration for later,” Nelrel pipes up as she strolls forward. She stops between us and points to the sky. “After all, we still have that to deal with.”

I look towards the sky and blink. I scratch the back of my head. “Right.”

A dark shadow is cast over the area as the prison hovers there. I exhale, straining a bit, still expending Qi to hold it up. Nindran scratches the back of her head.

“So… do we just leave that there?”

***

We decide to leave the prison there for now. I fly back with Nindran, Nelrel, and Beihal. We return to a hero’s welcome, greeted by cheers as the people of Thornthistle realize they do not have to evacuate.

Most of them are already out in the streets with whatever belongings they can scrounge up. Quite a few of them are in the middle of leaving the city’s gates. But the moment they catch sight of us, they throw their hands in the air and cheer.

I find Kalmat heading this evacuation. He stands on the walls of Thornthistle, looking up at me nervously. I land next to him and lower my friends gently to the ground. Nindran wipes at her forehead.

“You really gotta slow down when you’re flying, Tian.” She groans and leans against the battlements. “Ugh, I need a drink. I’m so tired.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s from all the fighting we did.” Beihal collapse to the floor in a puddle of sweat. He is still exhausted from the battle with the Eternal Elementals.

Nelrel shakes her head. “I can brew you a drink that will restore your energy, Beihal. But I do not recommend taking it when not in the midst of battle. The best remedy is to rest it away.”

“Thanks, I’ll get right on that.” He peels himself off theground.

Meanwhile, Kalmat watches us. He stares at us with a smile on his face. “So i take it the Eternal Elementals have been contained, and we won’t have to sacrifice Thornthistle?”

I pause for a moment. For some reason, I feel nostalgic. A sense of accomplishment. One from long, long ago. Succeeding where I failed when I was still a child being mentored. I meet Kalmat’s gaze and nod.

“They have,” I say.

He closes his eyes and sighs in relief. “I’m glad it’s over.”

I am too. But a terrible cackle erupts from behind him before I can voice my agreement. Galgom, the tyrant who tried to conquer Utana, waits in the shadows. He steps forward, still bound as Kalmat turns to face him.

“What are you laughing for?” the leader of the Keeepers of the Grove asks.

I narrow my eyes and take a defensive stance. Is he going to attack us?

But he does not. Instead, the former tyrant just throws his head back. He laughs and laughs and laughs as Beihal gets up in a panic.

“What is Galgom doing here?” Beihal asks.

Nindran joins Beihals side as she takes on a combat stance. Nelrel is calmer than the two, but she eyes Galgom warily.

“I was watching over him since Nelrel went with you,” Kalmat replies, grabbing for his sword. The Bladewielder is more on guard than me. I simply step forward.

“Galgom, answer the question,” I demand.

“Oh, you think it’s over.” Galgom shakes his head. “I find that so hilarious.”

My brows snap together. I can already tell where he is going with this. Then I hear a crackle as the tyrant continues.

“Please,” Galgom says as he looks towards the sky.

The heavens shift. The sky changes color rapidly— from purple, to blue, to green, to red. Then it somehow becomes black for a moment as a bright light flashes. Another tear in space. The sky dims as a rift opens up. And Galgom finishes.

“It has only just begun.”