Affinity: Chaos

Chapter 2196: Departing The Archon Region

The group returned to the Molten Crest Faction by late evening that same day.

Word of the double victory had already spread through the grounds before they even landed. Two strategic cities were taken back in a single day, ten Peak Sovereign enemies killed in total, and the long-sealed mountain city freed after more than a week of isolation. When Grey, Heidens, Reynolds, Conor and the others touched down, many disciples and Elders came out to look. The atmosphere inside the Faction felt noticeably lighter than the heavy tension that had greeted them when they first arrived. The words of victory were more than enough to greatly boost the confidence of everyone present.

The Faction Leader’s injured arm was taken for immediate treatment. Grey’s shoulder wound turned out deeper than it first looked. The healers cleaned it thoroughly, applied high-grade tonish, and told him plainly that he would need several days of proper rest before the injury fully stabilized. Grey did not argue. He had forced the wound through two consecutive battles; continuing to push it would only create problems later. Other than that, he had absolute confidence in his healing abilities. Even without the healing tonics, he would still heal up pretty quickly.

That same night the Faction Leader called a short meeting in the main hall.

”The Dawson Family’s side of the agreement is complete,” he said. ”Both cities are secured. Ten Peak Sovereigns of the enemy side are dead, something none of us had imagined. The training ground will be transferred as promised once the formal documents are prepared. You have done more than what was required.”

Grey only gave a small nod. He had never cared much about the political weight of the deal, if not for his grandfather’s request, he would’ve never come here. Heidens answered on behalf of the Dawson Family with a short, formal acknowledgment.

Outside the meeting hall, reports continued to arrive without pause. The Molten Crest Faction had no intention of stopping at the two cities. With the main Gnome strongholds broken, they were already sending out additional forces to clear the remaining camps and raiding groups across the Archon Region. The pressure that had choked the region for months was finally beginning to ease, but the work was far from finished. Skirmishes still flared in several directions every day, and the Faction’s experts remained busy hunting down scattered enemy groups.

Grey spent the next five days recovering.

He stayed mostly in the quiet residence provided for them, circulating his light elemental essence to speed up the healing of his shoulder. By the third day he could move the arm without any sharp pain. By the fifth day the injury had stabilized enough that it would not hinder fighting.

Reynolds and Conor remained with him throughout. Reynolds spent part of the time sparring lightly with some of the local experts to keep his edge sharp. Conor handled the occasional messages that arrived from the Dawson Family and passed on only what was necessary. Heidens checked on Grey once each day but never pressed him nor stayed longer than needed.

During those five days the Molten Crest Faction continued its operations at full pace. Every morning and evening new reports came in of smaller Gnome groups being wiped out or driven back. The two liberated cities began reopening limited trade routes under heavy guard. Refugees who had been trapped or displaced started returning in small numbers. The region was still heavily scarred, yet it was no longer standing on the edge of collapse.

On the evening of the fifth day, Grey sat in the courtyard of their residence with Reynolds. The dry heat from the nearby volcano still hung in the air, though it felt less oppressive than when they first arrived.

”Shoulder’s fine now,” Grey said. ”We leave tomorrow.”

Reynolds leaned against the stone railing. ”Back to the original plan?”

”Yes. We’ve already spent more time here than I wanted. The main work is done, there’s no point staying longer.”

Conor joined them a short while later. ”Grandfather sent another message. He’s satisfied with the result. Heidens will return to Thalor City once the formal transfer of the training ground is finished. He asked if you needed anything else from the family side.”

Grey shook his head. ”Nothing. Tell him the matter is settled. After this we’re continuing on our own route.”

”Where to next?” Conor asked.

”I have a friend, Kyle,” Grey answered simply. ”It’s been a while. I want to see how he’s doing.”

Conor nodded. He did not try to convince Grey to return with them to the Dawson Family. He had already seen enough on this trip to know Grey preferred to keep moving according to his own plans. Besides, there was nothing to do in the Upoya Region.

The next morning came quickly and the trio prepared to leave. Heidens and the Faction Leader came to see them off at the edge of the Faction grounds.

”Thank you for helping us solve our Gnomes problem, the Archon Region will stabilize faster because of what you did here,” the Faction Leader said. ”Ten Peak Sovereigns removed in one day is not something this region will forget. Once this war is over, please do well to visit, the Molten Crest Faction will receive you warmly.”

Grey gave a short nod. ”Good luck with the rest of the cleanup.”

Heidens looked at Grey’s shoulder one last time. ”Five days is not long for that kind of wound. Don’t push it too hard on the road. Also remember what I told you, it’ll be best if you remind your father of what I told you.”

”I know,” Grey replied.

Grey exchanged a few final words with Heidends. Then the three young men rose into the air. They did not turn back toward the Upoya Region or Thalor City. Instead they set their course toward the direction that would eventually lead them to Kyle.

Behind them the Molten Crest Faction continued its work without pause. Teams of experts still flew out toward the remaining Gnome positions across the Archon Region. The two strategic cities remained under heavy guard while repairs and limited trade resumed. The region had been pulled back from the brink, but the fighting was not yet over for the people who lived there.

Grey, Reynolds, and Conor flew on without looking back. The dry air of the volcano gradually faded behind them. Ahead lay the continuation of the path they had been following before the Dawson Family’s request pulled them into the Archon Region. The five days of rest had been enough. The shoulder would hold, and the next stretch of the journey waited.

The Archon Region grew smaller in the distance as they picked up speed, leaving the newly stabilizing territory and the still-busy Molten Crest forces behind. Their next destination was clear. It was time to visit an old friend.

Several days after leaving the Archon Region, the dry volcanic air had completely faded behind them. The land below had turned into rolling hills and scattered forests, the sky clearer and quieter than anything they had seen in weeks.

Grey, Reynolds, and Conor flew at a steady pace, not pushing themselves. The urgency of the previous battles was gone, replaced by the calm rhythm of ordinary travel.

Reynolds glanced over at Grey. ”How much farther until we reach Kyle?”

”A few more days,” Grey answered. ”He’s still in the same region as before, from what I last heard.”

Conor flew a little closer. ”I’ll be splitting off soon. My part in the Archon matter is finished, and Grandfather will want a full report in person.”

Grey nodded. ”Alright. Thanks for coming along.”

”It was worth it,” Conor said. He looked between the two of them and added with a small smile, ”Try not to blow up another mountain before you get there.”

Reynolds snorted. ”No promises if he starts experimenting again.”

Grey ignored the comment. His shoulder had recovered well enough during the five days of rest, though a faint stiffness still lingered when he moved it too quickly. He tested the range of motion once while they flew, then let it drop.

A short time later Conor slowed and turned to face them fully. ”This is where I leave you. Safe travels.”

”Same to you,” Reynolds replied.

Conor gave them both a final nod, then changed direction and flew back the way they had come, heading toward the Upoya Region and Thalor City. Within moments his figure shrank into the distance and disappeared.

Grey and Reynolds continued on alone. The sky felt a little emptier without the third presence, but neither of them commented on it. They flew in comfortable silence for a long stretch, the wind steady against them.

Grey’s thoughts drifted briefly to Kyle. It had been some time since they last met. He wondered how much his friend had changed, and whether the war had reached him as heavily as it had reached the rest of them.