Affinity: Chaos

Chapter 2200: Lapis City

The Solmara Region remained relatively quiet compared to the war-torn areas they had left behind. With no urgent battles demanding their attention, Grey and Reynolds stayed only a few days before continuing south. They traveled by a mixture of flight and the teleportation arrays Grey had built years earlier, crossing long stretches of land in steady stages.

Lapis City came into view late one afternoon. It was a small settlement of only a few thousand people, built near the edge of the Magical Beasts’ Forest. Most travelers heading into the forest or returning from it stopped here to rest, resupply, or exchange information. From a distance the city looked ordinary, but the moment Grey and Reynolds approached the gates they noticed the difference.

The security was tighter than usual. Extra guards stood along the walls, and those at the gate questioned every entrant with more care than before. After a few short inquiries they learned the reason. Lapis City had suffered several Gnome attacks in recent months, and there had even been an incident where Necromancers slipped inside. Given the city’s location, it was not surprising. The Magical Beasts’ Forest had always drawn dangerous attention, and Grey already knew from previous visits that Gnome activity existed in the area.

As they walked through the gates, Reynolds finally asked the question he had been holding back.

”So we’re going into the Magical Beasts’ Forest?”

Grey nodded. ”I want to meet the Dragons again. My Teacher mentioned taking Eisendrache for training. Since I originally found him in this forest, and I still have a connection with the Dragons in the Inner City, I want to see if it’s possible to send him here once things settle.”

Reynolds looked ahead. Even from the city, several kilometers away, the forest dominated the horizon. Towering trees rose in an unbroken sea of green, so vast and dense that the canopy looked like a second skyline. The sight was impressive enough that he stared for a moment without speaking.

Void and the bunny leader emerged from Grey’s spatial storage as soon as they entered the city. Both had rested for most of the journey, but the proximity of the forest pulled them out. Void’s ears twitched with interest, while the bunny leader’s nose lifted as he sampled the air.

The group moved through the busy streets and stopped at a few inns, hoping to gather recent news about the forest. The results were disappointing. Most travelers only shared old rumors or vague warnings. Nothing concrete emerged about current conditions deeper inside.

They did not stay the night. As darkness settled over Lapis City, Grey and Reynolds left through the far gate and flew the remaining distance to the forest’s edge.

Standing before the first line of massive trees, Grey paused. The trunks were so wide that several people holding hands could not wrap around them. Moss hung in long strands from the lower branches, and the air that drifted out of the forest carried the thick scent of damp earth, leaves, and distant beast auras. He remembered his first visit here years ago, when everything had felt far more overwhelming.

He turned to the bunny leader. ”Send scouts out. Three-kilometer perimeter. I don’t want anything surprising us.”

The bunny leader gave a short confirmation and vanished into the undergrowth. Moments later, faint presence signals spread outward as the scouts took position.

Grey and Reynolds entered the forest without further delay, moving quickly toward the Inner Circle. The canopy closed overhead, blocking most of the remaining light. They darted between the trunks in silence, keeping their auras restrained.

An hour later, while they were still weaving through the denser sections, the bunny leader reappeared on Grey’s shoulder.

”Someone is following us,” he reported quietly. ”They entered the forest after we did.”

Grey’s expression cooled. ”They’ve been after us since we left the Pyre Region. Looks like they finally decided to act.”

Reynolds turned sharply. ”People have been following us since the Pyre Region?”

”Yes. I noticed them while we were at my grandfather’s place.”

Reynolds stared at him. ”And you didn’t think to tell your grandfather so he could deal with them?”

Grey answered offhandedly, ”It’s something we can handle. No need to involve them.”

”You...” Reynolds looked like he wanted to argue further, then forced out a breath. ”Fine. But if they’re too strong, I’m not fighting.”

”How can you say that?” Grey asked, sounding faintly betrayed.

”Let me think,” Reynolds replied flatly. ”Maybe because I’m not a psychopath like you.”

”We’re in this together.”

”You and who?”

”Us.”

”Get the fuck away from me.”

”Rey, come on. Didn’t you say you could beat...”

”Fuck you. I can’t beat anyone. Stay away from me.”

Despite the sharp words, Reynolds did not actually pull away. The two of them continued deeper into the forest, still bickering under their breath as the trees began to thin.

Before long they reached a wide clearing where the trunks stood farther apart and the ground was relatively open. Reynolds slowed and glanced around.

”Is this good enough?”

Grey surveyed the space and nodded. ”It should be. Less collateral damage here.”

”Alright.” Reynolds held out a hand. ”Hand it over.”

Grey hesitated for a second, then reluctantly tossed him a small orb. It was the same one Heidens had given him back in the Archon Region, the one containing a Peak Sovereign’s strongest attack. Reynolds examined it briefly before storing it away.

The two of them descended to the ground and sat cross-legged at the center of the clearing, eyes closed, auras calm. The forest around them remained quiet, though both knew the silence would not last.

Several minutes passed.

Then Grey’s voice cut through the stillness, steady and cold.

”Since you’re already here, why not show yourself?”

No one appeared even after Grey’s words. Reynolds and Grey remained sitting, not showing any signs of panic as they patiently waited.

An irritating chuckle came from the void.

”Grey Dawson, it would seem you’ll really be worth my time.”