~ Slane Theocracy ~
Surshana had his hands full with the administration of the nation he and his friends had built, being the lone survivor caused some obvious issues for him. Though, he couldn't feel the pain from losing them. Aside from one of them… And to watch him, was one of the few people in his country that could more than tolerate his appearance.
"Undine, why did you have to leave this world too? We may have been separated by a great distance, but we were still friends, right?"
The man off to the side noticed his lord experiencing a heartache, but one he couldn't freely express. It must be really hard on him. To lose his last remaining friend so shortly after the God of Wind… It's been so many years since that day he was given the news, I can't imagine what it's like to be all torn up inside and yet, have no way to properly express those feelings. Does it magnify the suffering? Does it feel like something slipping away out of your grasp? Or is it something else?
Surshana let out a sigh, turning to his aid. "I'm afraid I can't quite put it into words. But if you must have some idea about it, try a combination of the former two choices." He explained, with a slight angle to his body. This was his way to ensure he came across with a smile. "I completely understand why Night Silver killed the others. But I wish Undine had used some kind of soul possessing skill to continue her life. She will be sorely missed-" He stopped suddenly and raised a hand to his head.
"Hello, Silver, it's been a little while since last we spoke. How is everything, are you well my friend?"
"Surshana, begin preparing whatever you can muster for defenses. There's a new group of players in this world with us now. They are a bunch of wannabe child killers, daring to raise a hand to my babies… Achem, sorry about that-"
"No, no, it's fine. I'd imagine that I too would be furious if something like that happened to me."
"Even so, you didn't deserve that. I know you're still broken up about Undine. And before you ask, I know you are because I still am, and I have the ability to properly mourn her."
"I do envy you for that." He chuckled a little before returning to normal. "So, how many of them are there?"
"As far as I know there are at least 7 of them. Though, it could be more than that. If you ever find yourself fighting them, call me, I can kill them. You just need to hold out long enough for me to arri-"
"No, there's no need for that. I need not be protected. If they kill me, then let me remain that way. My friends are waiting for me after all…"
There was silence in the call. No words need be said, they both knew exactly what was going on. On Night Silver's side, she had tears run the course of her cheeks, a child crawled into her lap and then nestled into her with a smile, as if everything would be alright.
"If that is truly what you wish, my friend… I'll promise to respect your wish, just promise me something…"
"What might that be?"
"Don't you dare go down without a fight. Fight like you mean it… Don't just give up."
There was another silence on the call. A lull, where Surshana felt for the first time. He seemed to have a breath of lasting emotion. She's right, I may be dead, and not at the same time. But I'd have to think about what Undine would say if I just gave up…
"I promise, I won't just let them kill me. They'll have to work for it."
The call ended, Surshana stood up and eyed his young companion. "We must begin preparing for strife. This will be a turbulent age for sure. So I'm going to train you up as much as possible before it's too late."
"Special training from my lord! I wouldn't miss it for the world!"
With a warning sent to the leaders of the Theocracy, they began preparations in the event issues began stacking up. A stock of excess food was quickly gathered. Even if the ingredients were moments away from spoiling, it was possible to save them using the limited magical items that Surshana granted them. Though, the true source of these items was quite obviously from Night Silver, it was just far more convenient for everyone if the people thought it was a gift bestowed upon them by their gods.
Even though they were clearly behind Tus Nadair in terms of well, everything, they did have a strong faith in their gods. This allowed them to make preparations even if it meant enduring a little hardship here and there.
Surshana, for the first time in decades, made an appearance to the people. It was here that he began personally guiding their training. This reminds me of our times together in the guild when we were just starting out. He reminisced as he watched the people grow into their own. But he also noted the obvious limits that people had. It seems like lest they share lineage that leads them back to one of the gods, they max out somewhere around level 20-40.
The preparations were clearly working. But they were a little too late. As there now a pair of eyes looking in on them from afar. Surshana was the only one who managed to pick up on the feeling.
"So then, it's time for those guys to appear. No wonder they seemed brazen enough to attack dragons willy nilly like that. They have world level items." He murmured, opting to prepare defenses in case he was attacked. Hopefully they don't attack. But even if I have to fight them, I won't be holding anything back. Should I dismiss all those under lvl 60? That would leave me with just a handful of people with a mild amount of equipment…