6.64 - Dungeon Attack
The bells rang out in Broken Tusk, a song Theo thought he might not ever hear again. Compared to the last time the town was under attack, things were more organized this time around. While he wasn’t aware of it before, the alchemist observed Aarok’s commanders directing people through the town. People flooded from the eastern gates and the train, pouring from Qavell, Rivers, and Gronro. They must have trained for this, as the organization was too great for any other possibility.
Summoning his tactical map, Theo watched as the forces moved into position. He made his way through town, feeling Tresk and Alex flying overhead somewhere. Her job was to provide information to the assembled defenders, doing fly-overs. It was clear the monsters were coming from the Swamp Dungeon, but Xol’sa had that problem sorted. The alchemist arrived at the command tent not long after, seeking answers. Aarok, Luras, and Xol’sa were assembled. The space elf looked tired, taking shallow breaths as he sputtered.
“I should have seen it coming.” Xol’sa turned, giving Theo a worried look. “We should’ve seen it, Theo!”
Biting the inside of his cheek, Theo approached the table. Xol’sa was talking about the godly energy fading from the world. Of course it would interact with the dungeons, how couldn’t it? They were tied directly to the heavens, often siphoning energy from the realms. Even some of Tero’gal’s energy still penetrated the veil, adding some power to the world’s dungeons.
“As though we’re unprepared,” Luras said, smirking at the group. “The walls would hold without defenders. We’ll be fine.”
“Maybe.” Aarok rubbed the stubble on his chin, shaking his head at the map. “Something feels off.”
“Because something is off.” Xol’sa thrust his hand into the air, generating a complex array that hovered over the table. He poked at things that Theo could barely recognize, let alone understand. “This mistake is my fault. The godly energies aren’t even half the problem. What we’re dealing with is the void energy leaking through the realm of my people. Bringing one of them here was like punching a hole in a barrel. We just tapped into the pure void.”
Theo clicked his tongue. “That’s not possible. I control the void.”
“You travel through the void, you don’t control it,” Xol’sa corrected. “That’s like saying you can swim, therefore you’re the master of the ocean.”