Chương 345: Epilogue 19. Shadow's wake

One last little mass of wriggling tentacles looking like some kind of aberrant starfish tried slithering away into the darkest recesses of the dark tunnels, probably to hide in one of the many bubble-like cavities that dotted the walls and ceiling. It didn't succeed, instead bursting into crackling, freezing dust when a spear tipped with blue crystal covered in a golden sheen impaled it before it had the time to give off more than the briefest of shrieks.

Triumph of Indomitable Will still remained alert however, slowly turning the spear in his hands in every direction while he strained his aura senses.

"My Lord, I believe that to be the last one. At least on this side of the shroud," Laevyeth's voice murmured, Will nodding in agreement.

"Then our spirits tell the same tale, my Lady. Come. Let us inspect that foul barrier more closely. Whatever those invaders have brought forth here, it's… Wrong."

"And such wrongness is our task to scatter, my Lord. You fought well."" We fought well, my Lady," Will corrected, coming to a stop before the shroud in question.

"And yet I fear that we will have to fight even harder, because whatever this haze is, it is no mere smoke. Perhaps the source of how the tunnels here are able to twist in all these impossible directions. By the gods, if I have to make another five left turns in a row in short order, it will be your glorious form leading the way from here on. The walls would be less an impediment than this trickery."

"Indeed, my Lord. This is a place most foul, dimensionally corrupted. Space is not what it should be, and especially not beyond this haze," Laeyveth agreed.

"A good thing that you have read up on such matters, my Lady," Will nodded.

"I can sense nothing behind this haze though, which might be a boon but more likely much the opposite. We need to be well rested if we are to pass through. Our friends and our kingdom are counting on us."

"My Lord, Kite did tell us to retreat if it grows too dangerous or uncertain."

"Kite is a kind soul, yet he does not walk the path of the Saint of Spears. If we did not at least plunge into this dimensional abyss and glean part of its nature, how could I ever return with my head held high?" Will could feel that Laevyeth was about to answer, yet it was a completely different voice who broke the silence.

"If this humble traveler might provide his advice, I suggest that you heed the words of this friend of yours," said a male voice. It was smooth, deep and composed, yet it bore no malice. Even so, Will still held his spear at the ready when he turned towards its source and found a human man in pristine white robes seated against the walls.

The robes weren't like those of Hua-Xi though, the cut and design clearly different, and the pure white color stood out in stark contrast to the corrupted tunnels around them on the spiritual plane as well as the physical. As for the man himself, his face was angular and his dark hair kept in a simple and unpretentious topknot.

Yet given the perfection of his looks, the way he sat against the wall and the almost overwhelming presence of the sheathed, curved sword leaning over one shoulder, Will instantly knew that this was something so much more than some random wanderer. He couldn't even feel the man's aura, which probably meant one thing.

"This warrior acknowledges his honored senior," Will said, Laevyeth feeling her companion's intent through his aura and shifting to her humanoid form as she bowed next to him.

"Komontora to you as well," the man replied, whatever translation magic was at work not entirely able to completely convey the first word in anything else than its original form. Will still got a distinct feeling from the syllables though; respect from one warrior to another with a shared purpose. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"I was surprised to find that the way to the heart of this Yrrlig'theath's domain had been cleared," the stranger continued.

"However, you should go no further. Beyond here lies the aberration itself, summoned from beyond this world by arrogant fools uncaring of what darkness they bring into the dimensions of others."

"Yrrlig'theath? Is that what it is called?" Will asked, brows furrowing.

"It was indeed summoned here by the invaders. Do you mean to fight it, Honored Senior?"

"I do. It is why I have come to this universe, this world, after all."

"Then you must let us assist you! Darkness is best conquered at the side of others–" Will was interrupted as the stranger's still sheathed blade was suddenly coming towards him. It moved with an impossible slowness that nonetheless seemed completely unstoppable. Indomitable. Unshiftable. It was an absolute thing, and Will almost felt himself paralyzed by the sheer and absolute intent behind the swing. Almost. Laevyeth's aura crashed into his, their auras almost merging for a moment so close was their proximity.

She was in his hands a moment later, her glorious spear form managing to interpose itself and block the odd strike. Even so, the pulse that shot through Will's body threatened to crumple his spirit like a discarded piece of paper, only the union with his Lady and his pure resolve able to let him withstand the strike with a modicum of dignity.

"Hmm.." the man hummed in clear approval as the sword was suddenly held at this side a moment later.

"Yes. You are a most unique little pair, aren't you? Willing to brave this haze too."

"So will you allow us to fight by your side?" Will asked, feeling that they had passed some kind of trial of which he had not been neither aware nor prepared.

"Oh, not at all. The Yrrlig'theath is a diamond ranked entity. You would have no chance," the man replied somberly.

"But you… The two of you have potential. Tell me your names, if you would?"

"I am called Triumph of Indomitable Will, the one who will next claim the title of the Saint of Spears!"

"And I am called Laevyeth, the Spear who Pierces Iniquity. My Lord and I are companions, our paths united, as are our fates. Hopefully, one day even our souls." The man looked at both man and talking spear for a while longer, before nodding to himself.

"Lofty ambitions, but that spark… Yes. Let me introduce myself. I am called Yakoub, often dubbed the Shadow's Wake. No matter which world or universe I go to, it is to destroy the seeds of the dark ones gathering before they can once more collect enough power and reconstitute the Dread that must not be further named. You too, wish to fight and vanquish the darkness, that much is clear. Leave this place, live and grow stronger. Seize your ambitions and reach diamond rank. I shall return in…

Let's say a hundred and twenty years from now to find you. If you still wish it, and if the flames of your conviction still burns strong, then I shall offer the two of you to join me as my disciples. What do you say to that?"

"Of course!" Both Will and Laevyeth's voices replied in perfect unison, neither missing a beat. So intertwined was their intent, after all, and they had known the heart of the other before this great warrior even had the chance to finish his sentence.

"Good. Then we shall meet again," Yakoub, called the Shadow's Wake said before fastening his sheathed blade at his side and heading for the dimensional haze at the end of the tunnel where they had found one another.

"May darkness quake before your charge." Then he entered, but not before leaving a flash of mana behind him to seal the tunnel with a shimmering barrier, ending any thoughts of glorious intervention despite the man's wishes. That didn't matter though, as the fire of purpose trembled in both the auras of the would-be Saint of Spears and his Lady.

"Well, my Lord," Laevyeth spoke eventually.

"It seems that we'd best head back. Kite and the others will surely appreciate both our aid and the news of a threat that shall soon be dealt with."

"Indeed, my Lady," Will agreed, a smile widening on his lips as he turned and started heading out of the warped and infuriating complex of tunnels.

"It seems that the cosmos is calling us. We'd better prove ourselves worthy.