Eryssa was gently caressing a few butterflies flowing in the area around the flower plants. The surroundings were still the same, with flower fields stretching around them and mist lingering in the distance. There were traces of ancient architectures here and there which made it seem like a realm separate from reality.
Eleana had a thoughtful look as she said, "Well they should have come back by now ." She seemed to sense a deep gaze from Veer as she asked," what are you thinking about?"
Veer was thinking about their journey from the camp to here . He did not give give it much thought then but now after some careful consideration he seemed to come up with some preliminary conclusions. Starting from how John seemed to act a little out of place to Caria being insensitive to surroundings and even he himself seemed to have to think that there would be no danger in this place. His face gradually became grave and said, "I think we might have been influenced somehow, not sure though how ?"
Eleana raised her eyebrows as she looked around seemingly trying to sense something, " Something really feels out of the place. Also it seemed we discovered the elixir rather quickly. Months ago when I came here on a mission , I am not sure but the surroundings were a bit different." Then she suddenly sensed something and looked there.
She said gravely looking to the direction where they came from, "I can sense Caria and John coming but their presence seems a bit disoriented or rather unfamiliar. Be careful." As she said this, she moved near Eryssa and took out her sword and scanned the surroundings carefully.
Veer moved ahead a bit as he said, "Protect Eryssa." Caria and John came over walking unsteadily as she laughed," Haha, Veer you should have been there , this idiot has no sense of direction." She was laughing while John followed her unsteadily. When she came very close to Veer , suddenly there was a silvery white flash as a knife slashed horizontally at Veer's chest. Veer jumped back to avoid that but just at that moment John disappeared and moved out of Veer's shadow as he conjured a shadow sword and plunged it into Veer's back. Veer felt that just in time to bring forth his sheath to block that as he rolled a few meters away.
He did not even have time to pull out the sword. He looked ahead to see Caria's eyes shone as a golden spiked crown appeared on her head and she unleashed a golden sword from her sheath. She walked gently as she said, "You know Veer, I hate you. You couldn't protect Eryssa when she needed and caused her to be in so much distress over the past few days. I am tired of your pretentiousness. You seem to care about everyone but you are just a selfish guy."
Each word seemed to struck Veer with effect no less than of a sword as Eryssa started crying in the back. Veer understood that that something was playing mind games or rather with their emotions. But none seem to effect Eleana. Even he was feeling very hopeless in this situation. Veer took a deep breath and unsheathed his sword as he faced Caria who leaped into the air.
Veer parried each attack coming from Caria who seemed to have become a golden knight. She was rapidly following up with her attacks and it seemed she was actually almost comparable to Eleana. Meanwhile, Veer just defended. He knew John somehow had gained somehow gained a new power or more likely controlled by an entity far more powerful than them. Even though the situation was dire, Veer did not let his emotions falter.
He kept his eyes on John who was seemingly just nodded looking at Veer which was very odd. Eleana's face was very grave as she tightly held her sword and seemingly chanting something. Veer focused on Caria who had no intention of stopping and he just jumped and parried the attacks Caria launched. She mostly was attacking with basic skills but imbued with heavy power and speed making each attacks very powerful. Veer continued to maintained gaps as he defended her fiercely.
Caria suddenly raised her golden sword and there seemed to be shimmering runes that were coming alive. Then she started her attacks again. Each attack would also launch a golden sword projectile that would attack Veer from a random direction after circling over. In just a nick of time, Veer was out of his breath.
He looked over at the corner of his eye to see Eleana conjured a moon and that was protecting Eryssa . Eleana seemed to come over to him . Just then, John who was still nodding over like a fool disappeared and emerged from Eleana's shadow but before he could strike her, Eleana's sword pierced him and a shadow was thrown back from his body. Caria just the stopped her motion as she also fell unconscious just like John who despite being attacked with a sword did not have any injuries and just fell unconscious.
The shadow said in an inhuman voice, looking over to Eleana, " So it was all your plan using power of the one, the spirits obey."
Veer was dumbfounded and then confused as he shifted his eyes from the shadow to Eleana to Eryssa. Eryssa had a apologetic face. So these girls actually planned to take out the shadow using Eryssa's spirit magic. It was actually amazing. So, Eryssa's power was a natural counter to the shadow being. But why was he struggling so intensely. He felt like a fool after finding out the fact that Eleana did not reveal the plan to him. Maybe there is some other reason for that . He wondered.
The shadow looked gave a deep look at Veer as though it wanted to say something but then just vanished. Veer wanted to talk to Eleana about specifics as Eleana suddenly shouted," Come out now. You all. I think you have tested us enough."
Veer was utterly confused and wary as he sensed numerous presences across the mist and surroundings. Then a lot of figures appeared . Everyone seemed to have very fair skin and very thin frame. The ladies were outright stunning. They had pointy ears and it seemed they were an enlarged version of the spirits Eryssa seemingly summons.
All of them had weapons in their hands mostly enchanted bows and spears. The was a loud landing near Eryssa as a figure appeared from somewhere. She had long blond hair,mature figure and a crown of flowers and wore a long dress. Her eyes were a bit blue. She had a very deep pressure that seem to surpass Eleana .
She did not give any importance to him or Eleana but just looked carefully at Eryssa. She said in a respectful melody as she bowed , " O commander of spirits, I Sylwen, guardian of the shrouded kingdom, Mythria, welcome you to our kingdom".