Broken stones flew.
The possessed golems are unilaterally overwhelmed by the two Spears.
Almost all members are combatants, except for Odette and Balalaika.
Both adopted a defensive positions with Eth’Yaira and Loreden’Ya, erecting four square barriers that looked like a box around Mirä; Who used her staff to deliver Shö’Thöm strikes with pinpoint accuracy.
{They lack the uniform to be the crew of an ancient battle tank}
Vurckair snorted, barely paying attention when his golden claws teared apart the golem’s possessed torso.
The ghost inside came out, and shrieked in agony as it was dissipated into nothingness.
Loreden’Ya was dismayed. "How can your claws of Irlw’Thek Gold hurt, much less destroy an Etheric Entity if you didn’t channel Flow Magic?!."
{Must be related to the Novastanio coating the edge}
"It’s a secret." Vurckair ogled Loreden’Ya’s sculptural silhouette. "We can negotiate if you want the answer."
Throlf tilted his mushroom head, stopping a golem’s punch with a pentagonal barrier used as a helmet. "Lust clouds the path to a clear mind."
Vurckair sniffed. "Big words for someone who has not experienced, nor given, authentic bliss."
The Fungoid resolve momentarily waned, the barrier flickered, pushing him back.
Mädriänä stepped forward, her longsword cleanly cleaved the golem’s head.
"Don’t argue, Throlf. The Vecturion House is full of arrogant, selfish hedonists who drown themselves in a neverending excess of unbridled debauchery."
Vurckair got serious, electricity coated him to speed up his short sprint, and clawed paws striked nine golems in his wake.
"And yet: «We are the most powerful Family in all of Ell’Thane». Perhaps others should learn from us, instead of being uptight, stuck-up, whining Virniyas."
"The Rwöllmör are more powerful." Cedric growled confidently; Which could had weighted, if he weren’t struggling behind a cracking barrier.
Naylyn laughed, and fired a single Node that pierced the last three golems, destroying the Ghosts. "«Money’s Might» has defined limits."
"Indeed, Nalune. «Raw Savagery, Insidious Stubbornness, Absolute Stupidity, Cold Logic». There are plenty of examples in which Economic Prowess is meaningless..."
Low rumble of rubble, attracted their attention. The golem’s shattered bodies were slowly restored.
Most of them sank into the floor and walls, but a few remained behind.
A sapphire emerged from one golem’s neck, shining in a familiar way.
{It’s the communication spell the Hobgoblin Wizard used}
"We knew our call had been heard. Thank you for coming to save us."
Closing his eyelids, Throlf answered. "It was self-defense."
The golem was visbly startled, its robust, stone frame shaking. "Did the Hobgoblins not send you?."
"No." Stated Vurckair. "But we met them; And like you, they are in debt ."
The creature relaxed its posture. "How can we repay you?."
"Simple. You taught the Hobgoblins how to dig silently. Do the same, and help us settle here. The spell you are using to talk could come in handy. Share it too."
"It will be done..." Agreed the golem, but its uneasiness was evident.
{They have no faces, but their body language is very expressive}
"Don’t hesitate. Tell us what’s happening?."
"Can we remain here with you?. When searching materials for our friends, we encounter a place full of living bones. They weren’t a problem... Now the depths are plagued with ghosts."
"Living bones?." Cedric was preoccupied, he saw what a «Bonekrouth» can do.
Mädriänä responded with a tone filled with dismissive nostalgia. "Probably Skeletons."
"Auntie Mädnä." Called Mirä. "Even if we allow them to stay; Once we are gone, the situation will repeat itself."
Standing up, Barrick rised his voice. "It won’t happen if we eliminate the threat."
"As if you could pull that off." Mocked Cedric with a lingering fear. But for once, Barrick retorted back. "I can fight them, not only hide behind a barrier."
Mädriänä shaked her head.
Mirä wanted to participate in the Quartzal, and she, as a good caring Aunt, formed a Spear that seemed decent and well-rounded.
Now she understands that individual personalities are a factor to consider.
A problem she never encountered when she was a Radiant Paladin; But now she it’s just a Fallen one.
"I understand, Mädriänä..." Vallad’Yanna is aware of how Paladins always purged evil spirits and undead with ease.
A task that was once too simple for her Half-sister; But now is much more complicated and time-consuming, despite her being arguably more powerful than before.
Vallad’Yanna state resolutely. "After we recover our strength. We’ll form a strike force and take care of the ghosts."
The golems were relieved with the news, getting to work while the group resumed with their meals.
{Wow!. The Hobgoblins dig fast. But Golems are real experts}
The uneven surface on the cave walls are no longer made of raw rock; If not a smooth light-brown stone, embedded with yellow gems that glow softly, providing a well distributed and uniform illumination.
{They made rooms for us}
"They are impressive builders." Throlf said in awe.
Barrick commented. "I thought your people preferred to live in the natural, unchanged wilderness of the world."
"Most Fungoids do. That doesn’t mean i’m unable to appreciate the work of others, especially when it’s so exceptional."
Not far away, Mirä, Viennetta, Balalaika, and Naylyn were learning how to cast the Golem’s spells using Flow Magic and Nodes.
Meanwhile, Mädriänä taught Odette, Miellessa, Loreden’Ya, and Eth’Yaira how to create safeguards, wards and Shö’Thöm to use it against Etheric Entities.
Several golems listened attentively, like Vurckair, who immediately tried mixing his knowledge with the Variant’s and Mädriänä’s teachings.
What resulted in the creation of a Shö’Thöm with a different method, employing a total of Nine Nodes instead of Eight.
{I can’t believe it, that bastard Variant of mine was right!. I kind of suspected it, but seeing and doing it myself, feels amazing!}
Vurckair deviated his sight, Vallad’Yanna was staring at him.
{She saw me}
The Instructor didn’t say anything, but showed her disposition to talk privately.
Vallad’Yanna met Vurckair in a secluded alcove.
She looked nervous, but mustered her courage.
"Vu-Vurckair. You said that if i behaved, you would teach me. I know my Half-sister hasn’t been very kind to you. And that it’s unlikely to save my family from the consequences of the bet i authorized between you, Miss Gydllurn, and Miss Cyannûss..."
{Is she giving up?}
"When you lose... No. If you lose; Would you take me with you to bear my sins?."
"Okay. I’ll accept, Instructor Mäwller. But. I want your full cooperation until we exit the Quartzal. And your complete devotion once i win."
Vallad’Yanna blinked at the young man’s sheer confidence, not reacting when he pulled her into his embrace, trapping the Instructor’s plump, dark maroon lips in a passionate, oppressive kiss...