Fire Elemental - Tentative Image by Quellion from Santharia.com
Robert, Carolyn, Ney’varíth and Chiel are
the first ones coming out from the ice labyrinth. With torn clothes and wounds
all over their bodies, one can say that they’re among the lucky ones who can
escape the deceitful and deadly illusions – what
lies behind lies – that lured them into fighting with each other, and
triumphed against the Ice Elemental Generator.
So far their venture has caused many casualties,
and halved the number of people in Robert’s, Kyflynn’s, Hernan’s, Adler’s and
Paliades’ contingents. But the mission also produced some heroes as well.
Genilda helped the hunters with the accurate route through the wind tunnels. Akh’mal
the minotaur shaman also contributed lots of support. Kyflynn has defeated the
giant wind elemental. With Hernan’s coordination, the hunters deactivated the
gigantic rock golem. Then Chiel and Robert freed the hunters from the Strife Charm, Ney’varíth showed the way
out from the ice chambers, and Carolyn delivered the finishing blow to the ice
elemental generator. So, Rob, Carol, Ney and Chiel have the honor of being the
first ones to enter into safety in this rune room.
This time the room is surrounded with
unpainted anti-rust iron walls, just like in a modern factory.
‘Paliades is right! This structure so
advanced is definitely Parthenians’ work. The elves only believe in natural and
supernatural things, not technology,’ says Carolyn.
‘Indeed, you’re right, miss. Now I hope
you’re convinced that my directions are as accurate as they are reliable.’ The
voice comes from Paliades, who comes from behind Carolyn at the doorway,
followed by the others.
‘Quite so indeed,’ Adler comments with a
sinister tone. ‘But I didn’t see you did much action back there to save the
day, did I? Maybe it’s better if…’
‘And you didn’t do much either! You place
yourself too high, my friend,’ Paliades retorts with irritation. ‘I DO have the
clues, I DO have the solutions, but I can’t do it alone, although I made a few
hits too. It was so happened that this pinkhead girl was in the right place,
right timing, and has the right means to overcome ice. If you can’t learn to
set aside for a greater cause since we fought each other in there, you’re free
to go first! And go without us!’
Adler falls silent. It seems his plan to
discredit Paliades as the leader has failed once again. Then he decides to walk
away, finds himself a nice corner to sit, away from others. Then, as usual,
Iris, Orlevant, Ney’varìth and other elves gather in front of the epitaph and
read the runes.
Of all Sun Mother has
done,
This deed saved the day
For the sake of love
alone,
She gave all away.
‘I
think this means that the one’s sacrifice will be required to pass this area.
But when? Where?’ says Orlevant.
‘I’ll tell you when we get there.
Sacrifice, eh? It’s an interesting solution,’ says Paliades, coolly. ‘But I
need to confirm something first, during our venture in the chambers of iron and
fire.’
Iris comments, ‘Is it just my feeling or
it’s getting very hot in here?’
‘Oh, of course it’s very hot,’ Paliades
answers. ‘That’s because this is the engine room that supplies energy towards
the other chambers. To regenerate the monsters within and operate the
mechanical-magical devices, such as the giant fans, wind elementals,
boulder-recharging switch, giant rock golem, golemium power-core eyes, mirrors
of illusion, and so on.’
Iris
nods. ‘Oh, I see. It’s a synergy between magic and science. So nicely made, I’d
say.’
‘But be careful. Although it’s not a fiery
inferno or a lava pit like you expected, this area is not less hazardous and
obviously trickier. The engines take in fire energy from the lava pit in an
active volcano nearby and process it into kinetic energy. As the flow of fire
itself cannot be controlled, some exhaust valves are also incorporated there
for several purposes: to dump excess combustion fire and poisonous residual
gases, function as trap walls, and generate Fire Elementals. These functions
altogether form a defense system that no being can possibly get through.’
‘Not unless he’s quick enough, strong
enough, or clever enough,’ says Alexis coolly. These words may be interpreted
as an insult to Paliades, but Alexis buries that thought straightaway by
saying, ‘And I trust Lord Paliades possesses those three traits abundantly.
Please, guide us through, Lord.’
Paliades doesn’t react to yet another
butt-licking smart-talk and shouts, ‘Now let’s cut to the chase. Ready or not,
here we go!’
The hunters get ready and get up at once.
Although they are not recovered from their fatigue and injuries, but they all
risked their lives for this ‘divine mission’ so far, and there’s no turning
back now.
A dwarf hunter tries to rally himself and
his comrades. He lifts his war hammer and shouts, ‘Get going or die trying!’
Almost all hunters including Robert’s party, Kyflynn and Desmond follow suit.
‘Get going or die trying!’
And then all hunters follow Paliades in an
orderly manner to the next room.
The engine room is a vast area with
multi-storied iron platforms on a stone floor. Giant steam engines stand in
uneven rows, and a series of pipes and valves supplies both fire and water and
processes them into steam in the tanks near the engines. And there are also
exhaust valves that let out waste, hot steam, excess fire and water from the
system or distribute them to other engines and chambers.
A vast water reservoir is located not far
from the engines, with large valves sucking and transferring water to and from
the reservoir with the help from the water pump. The water is supplied from the
waterfall at the sanctum entrance.
Suddenly, a flying object flies over
Carolyn’s head, giving her a start. ‘Awk! What the hell is that?’ she asks.
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