Chapter 126: Back Together
In the dimly lit chamber, Ty stood motionless, his Green flamed eye sockets fixed intently on the Crystal resting before him. The dim glow of the Crystal illuminated his skeletal form, casting eerie shadows across the stone walls. A flicker of uncertainty passed through his mind, a haunting echo of a memory: 'Do I even know how to use it?'
His bony fingers hovered hesitantly over the Crystal, as if afraid to disturb its slumbering power. 'How did I use it the first time?' he wondered silently.
The memory was vague, clouded - something about the Demon King, a gesture, a moment of activation that slipped like sand through his fingers.
His thoughts were abruptly shattered by a resounding knock at the door. The sound echoed ominously through the chamber.
Lady Amaris entered, her presence immediately transforming the room's ambiance. She moved with an effortless grace, her pristine blue and grey dress flowing around her like water. The dress was adorned with intricate patterns that mimicked the fluidity of water and light.
"What's taking you so long?" she inquired, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and impatience.
"Woah, you really got dressed quickly. What's the deal with the get-up... respectfully, of course, Lady Amaris," Ty remarked, a note of respect in his voice.
"Oh, I have a council meeting to attend. It's pretty standard, but with everything that's been going on, things have been more hectic," Lady Amaris replied, her voice carrying the weight of her responsibilities.
"I see. I apologize for the extra burden you have to deal with," Ty said, his tone sympathetic. He placed the Crystal back into his bag and showed her two dice. "I got what I needed."
Lady Amaris eyed the dice curiously. "How does that work? They're just dice."
"Well, I haven't used them in combat before, but I assume I just activate them, and they will work. No need to worry about it; I will figure it out once I'm out in the open," Ty explained, his confidence masking his uncertainty.
He then inquired, "Will Lady Nanako be accompanying us to the Southern side of the kingdom's gate or bridge?"
"No, she will be staying back to recover," she informed him.
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps. The doorframe groaned slightly as a large figure ducked to enter. It was Todd, his presence unmistakable. His skin was a deep, earthy green, stretched over a robust, muscular frame. His ears, sharp and pointed, twitched slightly as he moved.
Ty couldn't help but notice the change in Todd's attire. It was unusually formal compared to his typical garb, tailored to fit his large frame. The fabric was of high quality, and the design seemed more refined, with intricate patterns that Ty couldn't quite place but which lent an air of importance to Todd's appearance.
"Skeleton buddy, you finally woke up? Nice of you to join us," Todd's voice boomed, a deep and resonant rumble that filled the room with a familiar warmth.
Ty, unfazed by Todd's impressive size or his new, fancier outfit, greeted him with the ease that came from their longstanding friendship. "Green guy," he called him, using the affectionate nickname that had become their norm.
Lady Amaris, standing between Ty and Todd, projected a sense of calm authority, her voice cutting through the light-hearted banter. "Both of you, calm down. I'm already running a bit late," she said, her tone firm yet composed. "Please hand me the device that General Mattison gave you."
Ty, sensing the urgency in her voice, quickly complied.
His movements were measured as he retrieved the device, a small, intricate piece of technology that General Mattison had entrusted to him.
He watched intently as Lady Amaris pulled out a sheet of paper from her own belongings, her fingers deftly punching in a network of numbers into the device.
"You have two hours to show up, given the distance," she informed him, her eyes briefly meeting his. "But I imagine you can make it there faster with your unique ability to travel. Still, don't be late; they need all the help they can get."
As Lady Amaris turned to leave, a question lingered in Ty's mind, compelling him to raise his skeletal hand in a gesture for pause. "What's the cause of these monsters appearing so much anyway?" he asked, his voice tinged with genuine curiosity. "I remember talking with some soldiers who said it was a rare event."
Lady Amaris stopped in her tracks, turning back to face Ty. Her expression was serious, reflecting the gravity of the situation. "Yes, it usually is rare, but some years defy the norm," she began, her voice steady. "Apostles of the sealed creature begin leaking into the world.
The higher-ups believe it's an attempt to break into the kingdom to get the 'thing' they need to lift the seal on any of the three monsters."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Ty processed this information, the pieces of the puzzle slowly fitting together in his mind. The increasing monster appearances weren't just random; they were part of a larger, more sinister plan.
"General Mattison's trusted guard, who he stationed on his last post, will be heading to the southern area as well, and you will report to him," Lady Amaris continued, her tone now laced with a sense of urgency. "He has been restationed to the southern border for assistance."
Lady Amaris issued a final, stern reminder before departing. "That's enough, though. Don't be late, either of you, or you'll have to speak to the justice handler," she warned, her tone firm and authoritative. Then, with a surprising burst of speed that still managed to carry an air of elegance, she exited the room, leaving Ty and Todd alone.
Todd watched her leave, a hint of amusement in his voice as he remarked, "She could have done the same to mine."
Ty, momentarily distracted by Lady Amaris's swift departure, turned his attention back to Todd. "We have a lot to discuss on the way there," he said, his mind already shifting gears to focus on the journey and the tasks ahead.
Todd, however, seemed to have noticed something amiss. He squinted at Ty's hand and asked, "What happened to one of your fingers?"