Chapter 782: Chapter 782: Io

Ilea stepped back when the dagger was in, the metal of the pyramid hardly providing any resistance to the blade. There was no fancy magical pulse or anything lighting up in turn. Did anything happen? she sent to Kyrian. She didnt know how much time had passed in the corridor but the marks were still around. Distorted but somewhat near. At least the others were still in Iz. No response came from the man after a few seconds had passed. Ilea wasnt sure the message had even gotten out, the fabric itself distorted by the heat. She crouched near the dagger and watched as the thing was slowly absorbed by the enchanted pyramid. The surface was smooth a moment later. She waited another few seconds, thinking if she should leave and check outside. Ilea didnt want to consider the possibility of Aki being gone. I could still get him out. She crossed her arms in front of her when a message reached her mind. Niivalyr took a step back, reinforcing the main barrier in front of him. Several of the Hunters were hurt, Neiphato healing them as well as he could. Fire still raged in the streets, mountains of dented and destroyed Taleen machines littering the surroundings. They had been separated on their retreat, the eight of them finding an old smithy with reinforcement and defensive enchantments still in place. They just had to be charged up, one in their group a somewhat experienced enchanter. The streets were quiet for the first time in over an hour, their own breathing and hisses audible to Niivalyr. Did it end? one of the Hunters asked in a whisper, a gray haired elf wielding fire magic. He used the wall to support himself, one arm raised towards the partially broken entrance. The machines hadnt stopped coming previously, Guardians and Centurions mostly but there were stronger ones around too. Roaming every street of Iz. Niivalyr had seen most of them following the higher leveled Hunters that had gone towards the center of the large city. Plenty had come for them however, though luckily not too many higher level ones. He tensed up when a silver form moved past the entrance, the lithe being stepping over the dented shrapnel littering the street, not even touching the ground. It stopped moving right as it had passed, Niivalyr reinforcing the barrier as he took in a deep breath. Executioner, he motioned to the others. They had to work together if they planned to live through this one. Maybe she was right, he thought, a grin coming to his lips. Not without a fight. The machine slowly stepped through the shrapnel, metal creaking under its weight. It crouched down near the entrance and looked into the building with its glowing green eyes. Its shield flared up for a moment when a blast of fire spread over its defenses. The Executioner didnt react, instead looking around the room. Three of them hissed as everyone prepared their spells. The Executioners eyes glowed before a voice resounded from its form. Cerithil Hunters. I am not your enemy. The battle, is over. What do you mean? Who are you? Niivalyr asked with a hiss, his shield shimmering with bright magic. Your confusion is understandable, Hunter. I am the Guardian of the machine spoke and paused, looking up in a thoughtful manner. It refocused on them. I am the Guardian of Iz. Protector of the Accords, and Sentinel of Akelion. What did she do? Niivalyr asked himself as he kept the barrier up, more hissing resounding behind him.