So I get up and walk behind Alger, then I place my hand on his shoulder and scan him. Not only does he have a beast core but it is at max level and ready to evolve. However, there is a block that is preventing him from evolving, probably put there by the elves.

After all, it makes sense for the elves to have put in some safety measures. They had no way of knowing how their creations would feel about them. The fact that they are still loyal to the elves after all this time is simply amazing.

Once the others see that there are no side effects they also agree to being scanned. I find that they are all in the exact same situation as Alger, but the block is fairly weak. It makes sense since it has been several generations since it was created.

So I return to my chair and explain to them what evolving to a sacred creature means. The fact that they will lose their mana and have to learn how to use a new power is what takes the most explaining. After all, I am just providing an option, not trying to force them into anything.

Alger says "So as a sacred beast I would still be able to learn earth magic?"

"It wouldn't be the same magic you are used to, but yes you could still learn earth abilities."

Vyken says "How hard is it to perform this evolution?"

"Not hard at all. Why?"

Vyken says "Because we are not the only ones who are at the barrier."

"Oh, how many are there?"

Alger says "Around a hundred or so."

"Wow, that's a lot more than I was expecting!"

Vyken says "Can you do it?"

"Yes, but it will take a day or so."

Trynt says "We would appreciate it if you have the time. From what you have told us they would be of great help in fighting the spiders."

"Yeah, I can help you, but I should check in with my people first. Otherwise they will go nuts worrying about me."

Alger says "That's no problem. I can take you and open the path right now."

"Alright, let's go!"

Alger smiles as he gets up and then he leads me out of the building then the city. He takes me to a large tunnel entrance not too far from the city, a few hundred feet at most. If the spiders somehow found their way into the tunnel they could attack the city with almost no warning.

That is probably why the beasts sealed up the tunnel after the elven city fell. Alger leads the way up the tunnel, stopping to remove each wall, of which there are twelve. The walls are stone, which Alger somehow makes sink into the floor of the tunnel.

"Your spells are impressive, it is as if the wall was never there!"

Alger says "I am simply reversing the spells used originally to create the walls."

"Your spells can easily manipulate the earth? How would they work for closing small tunnels?"

Alger says "If the tunnel is less than twenty feet I can close it for around a hundred feet. If it is over twenty feet then I can only close it for thirty feet or so. Why?"

"There are a number of small tunnels in the elven city that the spiders use. I was hoping you might be able to close them."

Alger says "Absolutely! Anything that harms the spiders is my pleasure!"

"Oh, I will be introducing you to an elf. You should probably prepare yourself."

Alger says "One of the creators yet lives?!?"

As we walk I explain to him Core's situation as the living heart of the barrier. Despite that she is still an elf, if one with a unique situation, and Alger sees her as a god. He quickly becomes very nervous, the thought of meeting her is both exciting and terrifying to him.

Luckily, we still have a long walk ahead of us, giving him plenty of time to calm down. Eventually the tunnel ends and we find ourselves coming out of the massive cave north of the city. To save time I manage to convince Alger to let me fly with him to the central pillar.

Core says "Ash! You are finally back!"

"What went wrong?"

Core says "A few hours after you left the spiders appeared and attacked. The groups fought their way through and managed to return without casualties. But after that Myria disappeared and I haven't seen her since."

"That crazy woman! Alright, I will go look for her. Where are the guards?"

Core says "Well, they succeeded in getting all the materials, now they are just out spider hunting."

"Alright. By the way, this is Alger. Alger, this is Core. You two have a lot to talk about."

As Alger nervously bows to Core I walk out of the room and throw myself into the sky. Spreading my wings I start flying in a spiral with the pillar as the starting point. I drop down low enough to see into some of the buildings, scanning for movement.

As I search, I can't help but worry, Myria is crazy enough to have gone down a spider hole looking for me. If so the odds of me finding her are very small, she will have to find her own way back. As I am flying around I keep seeing groups of spiders, some dead, some not.

For the ones that aren't dead, I stop just long enough to correct their status before moving on. If I had more time I would destroy the corpses, but finding Myria comes first. After a while I come across some fresh corpses that all died from knife wounds.

Seeing that I fly up above the buildings and yell Myria's name then look around. After a minute or two I see her head pop up and look around atop another building. I swoop down and snatch her into the air, ignoring her scream of surprise.

She goes quiet after a single scream and just dangles from my arms as I fly back to the pillar. It makes landing fairly awkward and in the end I have to drop her onto the platform before I can land. She lands on her feet but still turns and glares at me as if I threw her on purpose.

Myria says "Why did you interrupt my training?"

"Because you ran off on your own and didn't keep in touch with Core."

Myria says "The exact kind of thing you do all the time?!"

"There is a big difference!"

Myria says "Oh? What's the difference?"

"Well, for one thing, I can fly! For another, I didn't recently go through a series of experimental procedures!"

Myria says "Wait, were you worried about me?"

"Yeah, I was worried you would be stupid enough to go down a spider hole."

Myria says "You mean just like you did!?"

"Again, I have wings!"

Myria says "So give me wings then!"

I ignore Myria and walk into Core's room where she is sitting and chatting with Alger. As soon as I enter Alger gets up and bows to me, which catches me by surprise. As he bows I can see that Core is trying really hard not to laugh.

Alger says "Welcome back, Your Majesty!"

"Stand up, why are you bowing to me?"

Alger says "Core is the last of our creators, and she is loyal to you. Therefore, the clans will be loyal to you." Of course, I need to speak with the other elders first, but I am fairly sure they will agree to make you our king!"