Chapter 592: King's Permission
Their impression of the throne room was grand. Shafts of soft, golden light filtered through crystalline windows, casting an ethereal glow upon King Gulben as he sat upon his throne, radiating quiet strength.
The king looked much healthier now, his once-faded color replaced by a vibrant flush after his recovery from absorbing Chaotic Magic. His steady gaze rested upon Elena, Darek, and Tovan, the three strangers from another world.
Though unintentional, his powerful aura pressed down on them, a reminder of his formidable presence.
As the three stood before the king, they couldn't help but feel the weight of his attention. Around them, Elven advisors watched with expressions ranging from curiosity to skepticism.
Their guarded stances hinting at their doubts about helping foreign strangers. However, their opinions were muted by the presence of Saeldir, the respected Elf Archmage, and Eccar, the Dragonborn hero whose have saved their world.
Beside the king stood Aerchon with gaze unwavering as he studied the strangers. Aerchon's sharp eyes flitted between Saeldir and the three visitors, his face unreadable, though Elena could detect a hint of mistrust beneath his cold gaze.
Without hesitation, Saeldir stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, these three have come from a distant world that has been ravaged by invaders. I concur that their land was once like us, filled with beauty, peace and Magic, but now has been reduced to little more than ruin. They come seeking aid because their situation is desperate and, as impossible as it may sound, their kind stands on the brink of destruction."
A murmur rippled through the advisors, but they were quickly silenced by the king's raised hand. King Gulben's penetrating gaze settled on each of the three in turn, his brows knit in contemplation. Despite his composed expressio his keen interest was apparent.
Elena summoned her courage and spoke up, her voice steady despite the pressure in the room.
"Your Majesty," she began, inclining her head respectfully, "our world has known nothing but destruction for as long as we can remember. Our people live in constant fear, hiding from the relentless alien invaders who now rule our lands with violent. We were forced to use the last of our resources just to find someone, anyone, who might help us."
Darek took a step forward and then speaking with raw with emotion. "We don't know what else to do, Your Majesty. We only have stories passed down by our grandparents. Stories of worlds that filled with peace but its no more."
The king listened intently, nodding slowly as he absorbed their words.
Tovan then found himself compelled to add, "We would never have come here unless there was no other choice. We are ready to fight for our home… we only ask for the strength to do so."
King Gulben leaned back, his gaze shifting to Saeldir and Eccar who stood beside the three with silent support.
"Saeldir, Eccar," he said. "You have heard their plea, as I have. You know our resources are not limitless, and yet…" He paused, considering the decision. "It seems this situation is intertwined with our own, and I can sense the sincerity in their voices."
"Father, I recognize their desperation but our people are only just recovering from our own battles. Their situation is grim, but do we have to stretch ourselves again?" Aerchon's voice broke in, thoughtful but firm.
King Gulben considered his son's words before turning back to the three.
"We will extend our aid," he decided, his voice carrying an air of finality. "We will provide some knowledge, equipment, and Magic that might help turn the tide in your world. However," he added, leaning forward, "we cannot guarantee unending resources."
Elena, Darek, and Tovan exchanged glances, gratitude and hope clear in their expressions. "Thank you, Your Majesty," Elena said, her voice wavering with relief. "We will not waste this gift!"
Eccar stepped forward. "Your Majesty, I volunteer to go first and assist their world directly," he said. "Saeldir can maintain communication from here, which means we won't have to drain Elven resources unnecessarily."
King Gulben studied Eccar, his eyes lingering thoughtfully. He knew Eccar well. He had become their a trusted ally, proven in the battle againts the Great Calamity before and had fought for his own people. But he was curious.
"Why are you so eager to take on this mission?" king Gulben asked.
Eccar shrugged, a hint of a smile touching his face. "It's what we do," he replied simply. "Protecting those who can't fight for themselves, facing the darkness on behalf of those who live in the light. That's our job."
Eccar remember his conversation with Sahura. About how the power tend to corrupt. If he used it to protect, there is no way it will corrupt him, right?
The king caught the subtle meaning in Eccar's words, realizing that he spoke not only for himself but for Erend as well. If Erend had agreed to this mission it spoke to their shared commitment to guarding worlds, regardless of the cost or distance.
With a knowing nod, King Gulben made his decision.
"Very well. You will go, and Saeldir will provide the necessary support from here. May this be the beginning of renewed hope in that broken land."
The Elven advisors exchanged glances but raised no objections, and even Aerchon remained silent, his expression softened with respect. They all knew Eccar's capabilities and if he wanted to do it they can't do anything to object his decision.
Eccar inclined his head respectfully, feeling the weight of the mission settle in his chest. Elena, Darek, and Tovan looked at him with newfound appreciation, hope filling their faces.
They departed the throne room then walked back through the halls toward Saeldir's chamber. When they entered, the room was filled with the steady sound of Magic work as Saeldir's three apprentices worked meticulously to duplicate the black molten armor. The apprentices looked up briefly, nodding in respect before returning to their task, their hands steady and precise as they forged the pieces.
They gathered again around a large table covered in maps, enchanted scrolls, and an assortment of tools, Eccar watched Elena, Darek, and Tovan as they shared more about their world. There was a somber tone in Elena's voice as she described it.
"Our world is different now just like we explained before. The skies are often thick with dark clouds and there's a heaviness in the air like a constant weight pressing down on you when you go to outside world," she said quietly. "Magic has become almost nonexistent outside of fortified areas or deep underground."
Darek nodded, his face etched with a mixture of sadness and frustration.
"The Magic we once had in abundance is nearly gone. Above ground, we're almost powerless. Only with the help of special artifacts can we use Magic outside and even then it's limited. We've taken to hiding in underground networks where we can sustain the little Magic we have left."
Tovan added, his tone grim, "And even those areas aren't safe for long. The invaders somehow always able to know about them and raid us frequently. We're always one step ahead, always hiding, always waiting for the next attack. That's why we can still survive."
Eccar listened intently, a flicker of understanding crossing his eyes. He couldn't imagine a world where Magic was so scarce and where survival depended on constant concealment.
"So you're saying that open use of Magic is almost impossible?" he asked, his voice thoughtful.
"Yes," Elena replied. "We have to be careful, or they'll sense it. We use relics and runes — anything that can mask our Magic when we venture above ground. But even then, we're at risk."
Saeldir looked down at the armor, realizing the importance of crafting it with precise enchantments that would shield Eccar and any of them from detection.
"I'll imbue the armor with concealment Magic and add more protection. It should allow you to move undetected for longer," he said. "And with a bit of luck, you won't have to rely on heavy Magic usage in open air."
Eccar nodded. "That sounds exactly like what we need."
The apprentices continued to work, the armor glowing faintly as layers of Magic-infused material were forged and shaped.
A few hourse later, the apprentices revealing the completed black molten armor. Saeldir stepped forward, hands raised as he carefully chanted over the armor.
Threads of his own Magic wove into the armor, reinforcing it with powerful concealment spells and enhancing its resilience.
Eccar approached the set, eyeing it with a mixture of respect and caution. He touch the armor, will himself to wear it then the armor slithered over his shoulders, chest, and limbs. As he adjusted the last plate, he gave a quiet grunt.
Elena offered an apologetic smile after sensing his discomfort. "Sorry, it's the best we could manage with limited resources and time."
Eccar waved a hand dismissively. "No need to worry about it. It's uncomfortabl but I've felt worse things on my body. Trust me, this is nothing."
Elena, Darek, and Tovan exchanged glances, curious but unwilling to press him for details.
With everything finally in place, Saeldir moved to a large, intricate rune circle drawn on the floor. He reached out, then they pulsed to life with the residual energy from Elena, Darek, and Tovan's world .
The runes shimmered and a portal began to open, revealing a misty, shifting view of the foreign realm beyond.
Eccar sighed. "I'm ready."
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