Affinity: Chaos

Chapter 2189: Archon Region II

It took Grey longer than usual to finish the teleportation array inside the Molten Crest Faction. Because he would be moving an army of several hundred people, the formation had to be both large enough and stable enough to carry that many lives without risk. He worked with careful precision, adjusting every line and node until he was satisfied.

The arraymasters of the Molten Crest Faction gathered at a respectful distance and watched the entire process. No matter how intently they studied the patterns Grey laid down, they could not grasp the underlying method. That did not stop them from observing with complete attention. Opportunities to witness the creation of a true teleportation array were rare, and none of them intended to miss it.

Four hours later the work was complete.

Grey left the formation site and returned to the residence where Reynolds and Conor were waiting. Heidens was already there.

"Are you certain it is better if you go alone?" Heidens asked. His voice carried genuine concern. Sneaking into a city fully controlled by Gnomes was no simple task. Even knowing Grey’s space element and other abilities, the older man remained uneasy.

"I have Void and the bunny leader with me," Grey answered calmly. "If anything goes wrong, escaping will not be difficult."

Heidens considered the reply for a moment, then shook his head. "Even so, I will escort you close to the city and remain within range. If you need help, you only have to signal me."

Grey felt a quiet flicker of appreciation. Despite his reassurances, Heidens still refused to let him go completely alone. He scratched his cheek, a little awkward under the older man’s steady gaze.

"You really do not have to come. I work better on my own in these situations. I do not have to worry about anyone else’s safety that way."

Conor spoke up from the side. "Grey, just let Uncle Heidens follow you part of the way. There might be something there you cannot handle alone."

"Yes," Heidens added. "What if you run into something beyond your current strength?"

Reynolds sat nearby, quietly drinking the wine that had been provided. He did not join the discussion. When he heard Conor’s comment about Grey facing something he could not handle, he almost internally snickered.

’Anything Grey cannot handle would probably kill the rest of us just as easily.’

He kept the thought to himself. Heidens was a Peak Sovereign who had lived for centuries, and there was no need to undercut the man’s concern out loud.

Grey saw that further argument would only waste time, so he finally agreed to let Heidens accompany him to a certain distance from the city. It would change little in the end, and he had no intention of calling for help.

Before they left, Grey informed the Faction Leader that he would activate the second array and bring the main force across once everything was ready inside the target city. The Faction Leader expressed his appreciation for Grey’s willingness to take the risk and wished them success as the two men rose into the sky.

Reynolds and Conor remained behind at the residence. The Faction Leader and his Elders stood at the edge of the grounds, watching until Grey and Heidens disappeared into the distance.

One of the Elders, a man in a black robe edged with gold embroidery, spoke quietly. "Do you believe he will succeed?"

The Faction Leader was silent for a time before answering. "I cannot say with certainty. I only hope he can create the same kind of result he has produced in other regions."

Even he, a Peak Sovereign, would not lightly attempt to infiltrate a city so thoroughly sealed by the Gnomes. Placing that task on a Ninth-stage Sovereign naturally left room for doubt.

Another Elder voiced a more practical worry. "If he dies there, the Dawson Family and other forces may place the blame on us."

The black-robed Elder gave a faint, unreadable smile. "The suggestion came from the young man himself. Heidens, the Dawson Family youth, and his companion witnessed it. That alone is enough to keep the responsibility from falling on us."

His tone remained neutral, yet a quieter calculation sat beneath the words. The Dawson Family already possessed Lucas Dawson, a figure difficult enough to deal with. Another expert of similar potential rising beside him would shift the balance of power even further. Some outcomes, while regrettable on the surface, would not be entirely unwelcome to certain parties.

The Faction Leader did not pursue the thread. "The boy has survived this long. With his space element, even if he is discovered he should still be able to withdraw. We will wait for his signal."

He turned and walked back into the Faction grounds. The Elders followed. A trusted subordinate was assigned to watch the newly completed array so that any activation could be reported at once.

....

High above the Archon Region, Grey and Heidens flew at full speed toward the sealed city. According to the information they had been given, the city sat on a broad mountaintop, a position that gave its defenders a wide view of the surrounding approaches. Cities built on peaks were not unheard of, yet they remained uncommon.

They flew for several hours. As the distance closed, the presence of Gnomes grew steadily denser. Occasional auras of Necromancers mixed among them. The air itself seemed heavier, carrying the faint metallic scent of blood and the dry heat of the region.

When they reached a stretch of forested slopes still outside the tightest ring of patrols, Grey slowed and pointed toward a narrow, well-hidden cave half-concealed by hanging vines and broken rock.

"Uncle Heidens, this is far enough."

Even from their current position the distant voices of Gnomes and the occasional bark of orders drifted up through the trees.

Heidens’s eyes flashed with reluctance, but he nodded and descended toward the cave. Before Grey could leave, the older man pressed a small orb into his hand.

"This holds my strongest attack. If you find yourself in danger, use it without hesitation."

Grey accepted the orb and briefly examined the energy sealed inside. The power of a Peak Sovereign’s full-strength strike was unmistakable. He gave a short nod of thanks, stored the orb safely, and slipped into the dense trees without another word.

Within moments his figure vanished from sight, the space element carrying him quietly deeper into the forested slopes.

Heidens stood at the mouth of the cave for a long time after Grey disappeared. The wind moved through the branches above him, and the distant sounds of the Gnome encampment continued without change. A heavy frustration settled in his chest. No matter how capable the young man had proven himself to be, leaving a task this dangerous to someone of the next generation still sat poorly with him.