Chapter Forty-Nine

Elysia’s hand twitched to eat the pill but upon finding her sister also resisting the temptation while scanning the Changed with suspicion in her eyes, she crushed the impulse.

Like her sister, she scrutinized the Changed. Almost everyone within view held something they didn’t have before. Most of the rewards were weapons as far as she could tell, but one outlier presented itself. She narrowed her eyes at Alex, who was empty-handed but had a satisfied smile.

There was no way he didn’t get anything. She didn’t think it was a consumable like them since he felt the same. Well, not quite. His essence felt a step purer, but she doubted such a minor difference was his reward.

She put her suspicions out of her mind when she sensed Ione returning. Satisfaction radiated through their bond as she trotted toward them, looking several centimeters taller and longer though it was hard to tell.

The lightning sparking off her fur on the other hand had an obvious difference to it, though it was hard to tell exactly what happened. It was much more energetic and brighter, with a tinge of green flashing through the violet strands of lightning.

When she focused deeper, she sensed a slight sense of calmness radiating off her bond, all too similar to the elemental, all but confirming what she did.

Hopefully Ione could tone down the lightning works. While she didn’t care that her bond ate the elemental, she didn’t want to advertise the fact either. Though it was pretty obvious one of them killed him, considering what he could do to the Changed.

All the more reason to make themselves scarce. Their tactics might switch from capture to kill on sight, not that it mattered. She’d rather die than let them capture her or her family.

Elysia glanced toward the cave leading to the water.

A sudden earth shattering roar shattered her thoughts. She spun lightning, ready to lash out, only to freeze in confusion staring at the towering form of a Tyrannosaurus rex. However, its appearance wasn’t what sparked her confusion.

The massive creature looked almost submissive as it bowed its head to Ione, who stood at her tallest ears and tail raised looking as regal as she could.

As it should be, inferior creatures should always pay respects to their superiors. Though he wasn’t a slouch on the scale of tastiness. Definitely not a snack, but a meal. Not on par with the green lightning meal, but close.

At least she thought the meal was male, not like it mattered in the end as they tasted the same. Did it come to present itself for consumption? No, something of his tier wouldn’t just surrender to her. It would rather go down with a fight, as it should be. All the tastiest of meals should fight to the very end. Of course, that didn’t change the outcome.

Contrary to her expectations, the tasty meal turned away from her, causing her fur to ruffle at the slight. Following his gaze, she tilted her head, confused.

Why would the tasty meal pay his respects to the slightly less disgusting fake elemental guy? Sure, he was the leader of the disgusting fake elementals, but shouldn’t the tasty meal pay respects to her mother and aunt first? They were superior in all ways to the disgusting fake elementals, after all.

The army of Changed tensed, many of which raised their newly acquired weapons ready to fight despite their exhaustion. Before they could attack, Alex raised his hand, causing them all to freeze, though not by compulsion like elemental. Instead, it appeared to be an order they all followed unanimously.

The Tyrannosaurus rex bowed deeply to Alex, intelligence obvious within its too small eyes.

Alex raised his right hand, causing a beam of light to shoot from it and enter the Tyrannosaurus’s head. An instant later blue lightning sparked off its tough hide as its formally brown eyes turned electric blue.

The massive creature again bowed its head before turning to leave. As it rumbled away, crushing the still dry and cracked ground, one of its eyes landed on Ione. He nodded his head respectfully once more to the feline, though something in his eyes appeared more defiant than before.

Temptation sparked within Ione to give chase, but some instinct held her back. Not fear, but respect. Even she knew when to respect one’s territory. Like her, he now had something to protect. He wasn’t some random meal anymore. Besides, she couldn’t be too greedy. She was still digesting the green lightning meal.

Elysia directed a suspicious glare at Alex, joined by Sereia demanding an explanation.

Instead of answering, Alex simply smiled and waved in the cave's direction as if dismissing them.

A growl rumbled in Ione’s throat at the slight. How dare he disrespect her mother like that but unlike her, Elysia simply smiled and stood her ground, understanding something she didn’t.

Instead of focusing on Alex, Elysia scanned the Changed, finding many of them staring at Alex with devotion as if he was king, though at least a quarter of the army appeared much less devoted. He was probably trying to keep up appearances. She doubted they were well-liked among the Changed, even if they saved them. Still, she needed some explanation. Though based on his lack of physical reward and his position in their hierarchy, she had a pretty good guess what his reward was.

She locked eyes with Alex, smile still present, appearing in no hurry to leave. Like her, Sereia seemed to have come to the same conclusion as her sister as she stood next to her, almost mirroring her twin’s demeanor.

Their silent standoff lasted only a minute before Alex’s façade cracked. He released a sigh and strode toward the cavern, prompting Elysia and her family to follow.

His team moved to follow as well, only to stop when Alex shook his head.

They stopped just before the drop off into the dark depths. Now out of sight from the Changed, Alex gave the trio an apologetic smile. “Sorry about that. Appearances must be kept.”

With her hands on her hips, Sereia scanned the man unimpressed. “Let me guess, you received some leadership position as your reward?”

Alex flinched. “Yeah, the system gave me a choice between some purification pill or taking ownership of Mezo. Basically, personal power or helping my people. Since I doubt we could return to human civilization, at least the nearby settlements, we needed somewhere to live.”

The twins gave him a look as if he was dumb with Elysia speaking this time. “Did you forget about the army surrounding the island? Why would you take control when they could storm your shores at any moment?”

Alex returned their look with one of his own, wondering how they didn’t see the obvious reason. “Urus really didn’t tell you much about how dungeon islands work, did she? They can’t enter because the period of entering passed for this cycle. Once a dungeon island activates, it continues to cycle until someone claims ownership. So if I didn’t claim ownership this cycle, in a few days the dungeon would open again, leaving us wide open. This way, I effectively made the island worthless while creating a home for my people.”

Both sisters opened their mouths, curiosity running in the family, but Sereia beat her older sister. “How do you know so much about dungeon islands?”

Alex gave them a saddened smile as his eyes turned far away, staring off the edge into the dark below. “Despite its drawbacks, staying near the president’s son allowed me to hear some interesting information. Though I wasn’t privy to the atrocities they had planned.”

Refusing to let up Elysia continued their barrage, “Why did the elemental send the Changed on a suicidal march at us?”

An exasperated sigh escaped him. “Like I said, I didn’t know they would throw away our lives like that. I can only speculate, but I think it was always a part of the plan to cull our people. President Burns and his son always treated us like we were nuisances they barely tolerated. If we didn’t die here, they probably would’ve found another opportunity to throw our lives away. Fortunately, that’s no longer a problem for us.”

Elysia paused in thought as Sereia stared down at the dark waters half tempted to jump in for a swim despite knowing it would be a bad idea. “What’s stopping them from storming the island, anyway? Once the word gets out that an elemental died, they will probably want to investigate.”

A smugly satisfied smile bloomed as Alex made eye contact with each of the trio. “Let them try. As you will soon find out, it won’t be so easy to capture my island. Ownership gives certain benefits. Did you really think some system rewards would be enough to force an alliance to surround the island?”

Alex paused for dramatic effects, but the twins just stared at him, annoyed at the theatrics, while Ione monitored the tunnel leading outside just in case the Changed decided to endanger her family. “No, the real reward is the island itself. At least the ownership of it. I’m sure there were several deals made for ownership of this island, but all of that doesn’t matter anymore. In fact, the original plan was for Donaron Burns to claim ownership and backstab the alliance outside. They probably assumed he wouldn’t dare snatch an island from the Elemental Council, but they were wrong.”

With her experience playing way too many games a shiver ran through Sereia as she asked the obvious question. “So if they can’t attack, why do we need to escape? There are plenty of dungeons to fight to pass the time until they give up and leave.”

“Dungeons my people will need to strengthen themselves so no there aren’t plenty of dungeons. Besides, I made an alliance with a faction of the surviving inhabitants of the island, further limiting the huntable monsters in favor of extra insurance.”

The twins glanced at one another, coming to the same conclusion, but before they could voice it, Alex gave them a thankful smile as a force pushed them toward the ledge. “Thank you for ensuring my people’s survival, but I must insist you leave.”

Ione lowered herself and sprang forward, but as if the very air turned into molasses her forward momentum stalled within a second. Still, that second allowed her to reach Alex. Lightning sparked off her claws as they reached forward, scoring a slash on his chest before she flew backward. She tried to correct herself midair but the force was too strong causing her to slam into Elysia and Sereia, sending them all over the edge.

Despite her forced expulsion, Ione radiated satisfaction as she watched Alex collapse to the cave floor spasming despite being a lightning Changed himself. Unfortunately, even before they dropped toward the water, losing sight of Alex, he expelled the lightning and stumbled back to his feet. Though the bleeding gash and worry in his eyes bolstered her.

Before they reached the water, Sereia’s legs fused together in a beautiful bluish green fishtail as Elysia reached towards Ione. Just as they plunged into the dark depths, Elysia perched herself atop Ione knowing she couldn’t out swim the creatures lurking below. Despite their sudden rejection the pill remained clutched in her right hand afraid of losing contact with it despite it being safer in her backpack still somehow strapped to her back.

Because of their close proximity their bonds remained active allowing them to flash images amongst each other, most of which involved punishing a certain Lightning Changed. Even the budding bond between Sereia and Ione remained intact, though they seemed to prefer sending their messages to Elysia instead, sparking a headache as her mind struggled to keep up with two separate signals flooding her with images.

Suddenly Ione stiffened and scanned their surroundings before sending several images detailing hundreds of creatures moving to surround them in all directions but one.

Elysia frowned as she relayed Ione’s findings to her sister, who responded with confusion as she knew the creatures avoided her.

She sent a pulse through the water confirming a growing number of creatures moving in, most of which from behind them, blocking any chance of returning to the surface.

Alex must be trying to force them to leave. That propulsion probably only worked within a short range. He could have at least let them hide in the water until the surrounding ships left. She doubted any of his beloved Changed had a chance down here, anyway. Even if they did, how would they breathe? Unlike them, the Changed still needed air to breathe.

The water grew violent as several massive creatures neared. Even Elysia, who was practically blind, spotted them. Any further thoughts of trying to stay vanished, knowing they had no chance against such creatures.

With Sereia leading the way, they swam downward toward the tunnel leading out. They received no resistance on their voyage. In fact, the water felt thinner along the way as if the very water itself wanted them to leave as fast as possible.

Still, once they entered the tunnel they slowed down. They needed a plan to escape. Based on the images Sereia sent them and Elysia’s scouting from the tree when they first discovered the barricade they knew they would pop out just below the water elemental fleet.

Despite Sereia’s assurances they could outswim the water elementals, Elysia wasn’t so sure.

Unfortunately before they could form any concrete plans a jet of water hit them from behind. Within moments they found themselves in the ocean beyond the island. Visible above them was the hulls of hundreds of ships.

In a panic they tried to reenter the tunnel only to find a rock wall where the tunnel used to be.

Left with no choice Elysia clamped around Ione and ordered Ione and her sister to swim as fast as possible in the direction of Umbra.

She really hoped they would make it before the fleet noticed them.

Explosions rocked the ships above as they shot through the water, too focused on swimming as fast as they could to look up.