Chapter 258: Winds of Change
Before long, Coop was being baked by the toasty wind skills of a level 97 Hellsinger. The heat was nothing compared to the Avatar of Huracan’s onslaught in the Central American heat, but combined with the warmth of the midday sun, it was enough to feel like a giant blow drier was being used to dry him off.
A small group from the Forager’s Guild had joined together to attack the mud monster with their spells before heading to their assignment on the boardwalk. Their eventual victory over the surprise raid boss had been hard fought, but Coop was the primary beneficiary. Unfortunately, there was no loot for them, just an appreciative Revenant.
The locals that helped Coop freshen up were among those that hadn’t been assigned to Empress City’s original event army, despite volunteering. They had been slightly disappointed by being passed over, but instead of being disheartened, they were focused on holding down for Empress City while the rest were gone. They would be spending a full five days moving away from the settlement as they traveled from checkpoint to checkpoint on the boardwalk, rotating between guard houses until they reached the Placid Lake Outpost. Once they reached the end, they would take a rotation at the furthest point during the most difficult time while the event was ongoing.
The news that Coop had provided a new mission to sweep the rest of South Florida hadn’t reached them yet, but they were already itching to make their contributions obvious, so that they wouldn’t be passed over the next time there was a volunteer possibility. They only paused briefly at Coop’s request before setting off to meet the new alligator allies in the region. The fact that the extension of the boardwalk would be continuing had barely reached the city.
However, they had an abundance of questions about the Swamp Lord’s minions. The rumors of the intelligent reptiles had spread like wildfire. Coop did his best to share some wisdom on how he treated animals now that the system had provided the skills that would uplift them, but it was one of those things that required a touch of familiarity.
Unlike Ghost Reef, Empress City’s high level animal residents were concealed, avoiding the bustling city center in favor of their own hideaways. Therefore, the human residents lacked the experience of seeing animals as equal partners in the assimilation, but based on their conversation, Coop was confident that Empress City’s population would get there. They already had several examples of powerful Chosen animals that they both feared and respected, and Coop thought it was only a matter of recognizing that potential in all animals that would be key in viewing them appropriately. He even considered letting them borrow Jett so that she could whip them into shape, but he doubted he’d ever get her to even temporarily leave her lighthouse.
Coop would have spoken with the group until it was time for them both to go, except that he had an unusual visitor who subtly demanded his attention after hunting him down herself. The Empress City residents were quick to avoid her presence, recognizing the jailor as someone to avoid messing with. She had taken a relatively prominent role in Empress City, but mostly as a disciplinarian. They took the first opportunity to excuse themselves once she started lingering around their conversation.
The residents courteously bowed out and left him alone in the center of the former drop-off area of the airport, in front of the centrally located guild headquarters, to deal with the guest on his own. Coop shook his head as he watched them go at a slightly faster pace than necessary. So much for being Ghost Reef’s backup, he thought, chuckling as they went. They retreated at the first sign of a challenge. He turned to the patiently waiting contracted alien resident with an amused smile on his face.
“God-Champion.” Eleza, the last remnant of the Endless Empire and the warden of the local dungeon-like prison, politely greeted Coop once he was alone.
Eleza took the posture of a peasant seeking an audience with royalty. She lowered her head so that she was staring at her own feet, much to Coop’s dismay. The effect of the upright bow wasn’t that drastic, considering she was seven feet tall, but her intent was obvious enough, and it made him uncomfortable. Coop could still see most of her face as he looked up at her, but he understood that she was being exceptionally respectful.
“I’m no God.” Coop tried correcting the pastel purple alien with his smile growing a bit awkward instead of amused.
“If you insist.” Eleza agreed obediently, though she didn’t raise her head, keeping her eyes hidden behind her short and frosty lavender hair. “I would humbly ask for an update on the cursed ones, but I am not worthy of an answer.”