Leveling up the World

Chapter 493: Firelight

Chapter 493: Firelight

Think you can manage a few dozen more line attacks? Ariel asked.

It was obvious that he wasnt serious, even if at the present moment there was little else that could deal with the newly emerging swarms of creatures. Unlike before, the bladeroaches hadnt charged forward, but were gathering above the archways, filling the sky like black clouds.

Dallion could tell there was a strategy behind all their actions. The first wave had rushed with the aim of overwhelming all defenses. They had a secondary objective, however: to exhaust all combat capable echoes within the realm.

Big sis can cut them up! Lux chirped. Lets get big sis!

Normally, Dallion would agree. However, the way the clouds of roaches were positioned made that difficult. The shardflys domain was a vast bridge that connected the edge of the cove to the isle serpent. A thick layer of invaders blocked the path there, making it impossible to reach.

In order to reach her, we need to fight our way through, Dallion muttered. And if we can do that he looked at the three remaining echoes. How are you, guys?

Ive enough for one last line attack, one of the Dallions replied. After that Im done.

I might manage two, the other one said. No guarantees, though.

All looked at Ariel.

Im only able to play music, he said at last. Not for long, though. In fifteen minutes, Ill be done.

Fifteen minutes is a long time, Dallion said. If the swarm charged, he doubted that the skill pillars would last even three.

Closing his eyes, Dallion concentrated. There had to be a way to salvage this. If there wasnt, the voice wouldnt have bothered giving him advice in the first place. Its silence now, though, suggested that even it had reached its usefulness quota.

The key had to lie in his familiars. Lux had proved more than useful in stopping the first wave. Gleam could well protect the Dallions skills during the second. Thinking about it, that was a strategic mistake on Dallions part. The optimal solution would have been for him to re-establish as many links as possible after freeing Lux. Whatever was controlling the roaches wasnt focused on the familiars, so there couldnt have been a better time. Sadly, that moment was gone.

Lux, how fast can you get to the start of the bridge? Dallion asked.

Very fast! The firebird replied. With you, not so fast, but still fast.

Five seconds?

Yep! I can burst and burn a hole through them.

The firebirds high-pitched voice only made the eagerness with which he explained how hed scorch hundreds of insects all the more frightening. He was on the right track, though.

Lux. Dallion chose his thoughts carefully. How long do you need to recover after a flame burst?

Not long!

A very big flame burst?

There was a moments hesitation.

If I use all my flame A bit longer.

Five seconds? Dallion asked.

The flight was slower than Dallion was used to. Normally, hed be there in five seconds, if not less. This time, it took him almost a third of a minute to reach the entrance spot to the shardflys domain. Meanwhile, roaches had started to emerge from the archways. They were a lot more cautious now, exiting one by one and gathering in small groups.

Wheres the door? Wheres the door? Dallion looked along the bridges surface. It was rather a connection of rooms suspended in the air and connected to one another through a pathway of sky silver slabs. The entrances to all the rooms had vanished. Somewhere, though, there was one entrance that Dallion could open by invading the realm. Ten seconds later, he found it.

There! he pointed. Take me there.

Lux obeyed, making Dallions body swoop down to the precise spot he had asked for. An outline emerged, made visible through Dallions use of music skills. A moment later he placed his hand on it again and thought of invading. This time, the process took a bit more effort. For a moment, Dallion felt invisible barriers forming in his mind in an attempt to stop him. Concentrating a bit more, they disappeared, allowing the entrance to be formed.

Before Dallion could say anything, Gleam emerged in her shardfly appearance. That took Dallion a bit back. He was so used to seeing her as a whip blade in the real world that he had started to think of the familiar as one.

How bad is it? Gleam immediately asked.

Roaches, Dallion replied. I need you to protect my skills while I try to get the others. He paused for a moment. Do I need to wake Vermillion?

Dont! Guardians dont handle invasions well. Just get Nox.

That wasnt what Dallion was hoping to hear. Given that Gleam used to be a guardian before she became his familiar, Dallion had to agree. That severely limited his options.

Without another word, the shardfly flew off. Dallion stayed behind.

Feeling any better, Lux? Dallion asked.

A bit, the firebird replied with a yawn. I still feel tired, but I think I can get you to big bro. I just need a little more rest.

We dont have much time, Lux.

The bladeroaches had already started their next attack. Unwilling to risk another deadly flash, they were banding in small groups before setting off directly at the realms awakening spot.

Youre low on critters, arent you? Dallion thought. If the mind behind the invaders was confident of its numbers, there would be no hesitation in letting large swarms pour into Dallions realm. Unfortunately, even such small groups were more than a challenge. If Dallion hadnt been here, his realm would long have fallen, and Dallion himself likely reduced to a single digit awakened.

Ill do my best, but youve become so heavy. Lux lifted Dallion up into the sky again.

Thats the burden of success, Lux, Dallion said in an attempt to change the mood. Just think how proud Nox will be when he learns you were the one who

Yeah, yeah, Noxs voice echoed in Dallions mind. A moment later, he emerged on Dallions shoulder.

Nox? How did you get out?

I cut through the entrance. How else?

But the dagger is indestructible. Youre not supposed to be able to do that.

Give me some credit. Im not a kitten anymore. I saw the part that was added and broke through that.

There was a lot that Dallion didnt know about realm invasion, but that sounded wrong. By every logic, Nox wasnt supposed to be able to do that. That left the possibility that the creature sitting on Dallions shoulder was an imposter. However, there didnt seem to be any deceit or hatred emanating from him. As much as Dallions instinct told him to be cautious of Nox, every skill in his possession insisted that was the cubling from the realm of the well, just grown up.

Are we going to claw some roaches or what? Nox wagged his tail slowly. Dallion could feel him itching for a fight.

No. Were going through the archways to the source of it all.