Chapter 375: Figuring Things Out
Diana blinked in confusion as she stared at Quill across the ink lake in the Ashfallen Sect's library. Just a second ago, she had witnessed the Silverspire Third Elder explode. Before she'd even had a moment to process the man's spontaneous death, she had felt an immense tug on her soul and ended up back here on Red Vine Peak. Glancing around, Diana noted that there was nobody else here. She was the only one that had returned.
"Ashlock?" Diana asked the ceiling. When she received no response, she cupped her hands and infused her voice with Qi. "Ashlock!!!" The ceiling shook slightly, and Quill's leaves rustled, yet she still received no response from the spirit tree that lorded over the peak.
Ashlock not responding when he's focusing somewhere else is normal, but why am I back here? Something triggered my void shield and activated my Spatial Anchor, yet Ashlock isn't checking on me to ask what happened. That means he's either busy dealing with whatever broke my shield, or he doesn't even know... which is a far worse-case scenario.
Diana began to get worried.
She thought back to Demetrios Skyrend, who Morrigan adamantly declared should be dead. His questions had seemed a little oddly phrased, and how he spoke to the Third Elder before he exploded was too convenient. If Vincent has some way to bring dead people back to life, who is to say he can't do the same for me? I've got to get Ashlock's attention somehow and let him know I'm safely back here. I could try to wake Larry, but I'm unsure if even he can get Ashlock's attention if he's focused elsewhere. Diana bit her lip as she desperately surveyed the room—her eyes landed on Quill. That's it! The ink tree is the head of Red Vine Peak's defenses when Ashlock isn't around, and I bet Ashlock won't ignore one of his favorite offspring.
Kaida was naturally aroused from his slumber by her shouting and presence. His annoyed expression faded once he looked at her and gave a happy hiss.
"Sorry, now's not the time for cuddles," Diana gently pushed the Lindwyrm's head away. "I need Quill to get Ashlock's attention—quickly. It's urgent. I need him to know I'm fine and here on Red Vine Peak."
Kaida bowed his head in understanding and poked Quill with his tail. The Lindwyrm and tree seemed to communicate silently with one another, and a second later, the ink tree radiated presence like a beacon. The ink lake rippled out in waves like a calling signal, and a moment later, Diana felt a familiar voice echo through her mind.
"Diana? What the hell are you doing back here? This doesn't make any sense..."