"My Lord. We came here as fast as we could when we had the feeling that you might be in danger".
ραпdα---nᴏνa| сom Theron said, rushing himself over to Orun, to check his condition and display his excessive loyalty.
Orun wanted to ask what they felt, but then he remembered that when the gate was open, the ominous energy wave that rushed out of it must have been what alerted their attention.
"Queen Dilya!".
The Alluin elder (Fire elder) moved closer to Dilya, calling out to her as a way to ask for her health.
"I failed. I let down my ancestors, Alluin".
Orun could have sworn about him mistaking Dilya as the crybaby kind of woman from the way she just spoke.
He found his thoughts to be very absurd and untrue. She is a woman who has so far shown only her strong side, coming out as the kind of queen who does not remorse, nor lament.
Why would such a strong feminist subdue herself to a level where tears will flow down her cheeks?
"It is not your fault my queen".
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtRofir elder (Water elder) made her way to Dilya, to draw her out of any attempt to wallow herself in self-pity.
"You did the best you could".
Kyfir elder (Wind elder) also joined in to console Dilya.
"It is our turn to do the best that we can".
Torsys elder (Earth elder) stood at the front, facing the entrance to the cave with his fist bumped together.
"I should warn you both. What we are dealing with here is a demon lord. I have no idea how strong he is, and what your chances of survival are". Orun said.
"If you want, you can both go back to the desert and see to it that your tribe is safe from harm. I won't judge you all if that is your decision". He added.
He gave Theron and Monryck a choice because they had one. What he signed them up for is the creation of a habitat where monster kind can live in peace.
It was never included in their agreement that they would be sticking their necks out for a race that is not of the monster kind.
"My lord, why would you even propose such an idea? We are your loyal servants ready to answer to your will at any moment. If you ask us to go, we go. All that is needed is for you to give us the command". Theron said.
Orun already expected Theron to say something like that. His pledged loyalty towards Orun has been demonstrated on multiple occasions.
The case however cannot be said for Monryck. He is a subordinate that is with Orun because he fears him, not out of loyalty or gratification.
In a position where Orun is faced with Mammon, anything can happen, even leading to a situation where Orun will end up defenseless.
He cannot say that when that moment comes, he is hundred percent definite about leaving his back to Monryck.
His actions are unpredictable, and that is not the kind Orun would like to have by his side in a dire situation.
Orun raised his head, and turn his gaze to stare at Monryck.
"What about you, what will you do".
He hoped that Monryck would make his decision based on what he wanted to do, instead of the fear he had toward Orun, or because he has to keep up his appearance.
"I will stay and fight. If I end up going back alone, the lady would kill me, physically and mentally".
Monryck body shivered at the thought of what Wildria would do to him if he ends up going home alone.
Bearing news that he ran away from a fight, and left behind Orun and Theron to handle it alone.
"Thank you. Both of you".
Orun was grateful for the fact that Monryck did not make attempts to lie to him. He said it based on how he felt, and Orun can testify to that from the result gotten when he read the flow of his heartbeat.
Just year's ago, he was alone in a cave where he is forced to fight for his survival.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBut now? Now he has those he can call allies. Even if Monryck does not fully trust him, Orun feels safer knowing that he isn't going to abandon him amid battle.
"Okay. We do this together".
Orun turned to Dilya and the four elven elders.
"Brief warning. Our opponent has telekinesis ability, as well as the ability to clone itself into an indefinite number that we have yet to get a grasp on".
Orun continued his detailed explanation of the ability that is in Mammon's control.
While he explained to them, Theron, Monryck, and the four elven elders paid close ears to everything he said.
"The troublesome ability that you all have to be wary of the most, is his ability to turn into smoke. He can blend in with the air present in the atmosphere, and use it to come at you from any angle".
Orun's explanation was cut short due to the rumbling sound that was coming from inside the cave.
They all assumed it was Mammon making his way toward them. In response, they prepared themselves by focusing their attention on the entrance, intending to give Mammon the biggest surprise he had ever seen.
Orun signaled the plan to them by making use of body gestures. It was simple, they were to attack Mammon on sight with everything they have, no holding back.
"I see some rats have decided to join in on the fun? A good thing I called in servants of my own. To even the odds, or in this case, overwhelmingly stack it against you".
The voice came from the entrance that was covered by darkness, thus blending Mammon's presence with it.
The voice had stopped moving. The rumbling sound, however, did not. If anything, it only got louder, more aggressive, and closer to them.
"Let the fun begin!!". Mammon declared, releasing his usual sinister laugh.