"I'm so miserable." Darkus muttered in a low voice when he left. He didn't know when Liv was born, nor did he know Liv's birthday, but he knew when Liv died. Yes, and he also knows how to die.
When Archaon occupied Middenheim and excavated the ancient holy artifact that could destroy the world, Liv looked at it through dreams. She did not touch the ancient holy artifact. She could feel it, even if It was in the dream that touching the creation of the Old Ones would destroy oneself.
Going around the sphere, Liv saw Archaon surrounded by a group of wizards. Because it was too far away, she couldn't hear what Archaon was saying to the wizards, so...she decided to get closer. Suddenly, Archaon, who was still talking one second, turned to look at her the next second, staring at her dream incarnation with empty eyes.
Archaon can see Liv!
Liv backed away in horror, desperately trying to escape. But it was too late. The Eye of Sheerron on Archaon's helmet emitted a scorching white light, and she screamed in agony. She is one of the most powerful spellcasters in Athel Loren, there is absolutely no doubt about that, but it all depends on the comparison, her spark is dwarfed by the God of Chaos. The scream did not last long as her fragile soul was instantly melted and the fragments were devoured by Slaanesh.
In the absence of a maelstrom, the Chaos Evil God unleashed fury far beyond what was needed to destroy a mortal. This terrifying power broke through the boundaries between Isil and the mortal world. The wild energy directly tore apart the palace where Liv's body was, leaving a large crater and a crack. Soon the demons followed the crack and entered the mortal world. The Battle of Athel Loren at the End of Time It started...
However, normally Archaon would not be able to see Liv's dream incarnation, but Be'lakor, who could not resist the attack on Athel Loren, took part in the attack. Be'lak sneaked into Liv's dream, allowing Ai So Loren Seen with Charn's third eye, the Eye of Sherron.
The road that Darkus walked towards Liv was extraordinarily long, long enough for both parties to think. When he thought about Liv's tragic death, Liv also watched his thoughts surge.
Although Liv is a powerful spellcaster, she is claustrophobic, and returning her soul to her body after traveling through the roots of the world is always the most difficult part. After traversing the secret path that connects the realm beyond the senses to the beating heart of the forest, the reunion of body and spirit becomes more difficult and dangerous for her each time. Her soul struggled against the constraints of her body, longing to soar in the magical realm of Athel Loren.
Liv chanted the names of the elven gods, forcing her soul to settle down. As time goes by, every time she travels through the roots of the world, she will become very weak. She will always lie there motionless, with her eyes open, making sure that her soul has indeed returned to her body, and then nearby A cry that would make her smile.
"I know, Otto, that I am too old to walk the hidden passages of the forest," Liv said to a gray-feathered owl perched on a low branch next to her.
Whenever Liv's soul returns to her body, she will say this when she hears the cry. The owl who also hears her words will hoot again, then roll her eyes and turn her head away.
"It's easy for you to say it, but I have to see, I have to be sure," Liv moaned softly, sitting up straight.
The afternoon sun cast dappled light on the branches of Athel Loren, and Liv enjoyed the sense of peace, but whenever she thought about her situation, the smile faded from her face, despite her divination skills. Able to pierce the veil of time, she is not popular in Athel Loren.
Liv had seen too much blood in her long life, and every time she looked at her slender, tired hands, she knew that she was responsible for most of the blood. She has always guided Aslay down the right path, but it hasn't been easy. While traveling in the spiritual realm is incredibly liberating, returning to the physical body becomes increasingly difficult. Whenever she could move, she would drink fresh liquid, which felt like the strength returned to her body and her limbs had a reassuring solidity.
"I know I look tired, and I feel tired too. You don't need to remind me!"
Otto the owl jumped down from his perch and flew to a higher branch in the tree.
Liv closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm herself down, her rant made Otto angry, but Otto was right, she did look tired.
After a while, the owl Otto hooted again. Liv raised her head and saw Otto's beak swinging towards the direction of the hall. She heard soft footsteps approaching. She closed her eyes and took another deep breath, opening herself up to the Aslay who came to her.
The Aslay who came was proud and noble, with a will like an oak tree. When Liv recognized the Aslay as Indra, the lord of Cavalok Wood, she smiled. She could feel that Indra was suspicious of her. Red ripples in the magical air of Athel Loren. Just like a week ago, when she came to Cavalok and asked for entry, Lord Indra offered her warm hospitality, but she saw the wary look in Indra's eyes as he did so.
It was clear that Indra didn't want Liv in her territory, but she knew better than to offend a powerful spellcaster by refusing.
All Asrai knew that Athel Loren's spellcasters would not go anywhere without reason. Even if these spellcasters were their dependents, they were still wary of the spellcasters. Although all asrai call Athel Loren home, contact between them is rare, and any dealings between them are fraught with suspicion.
Liv turned around and raised her arm, nodding in apology to Otto as he dropped it to her wrist. Osu also nodded in response to her, and the matter was over.
When Indra came in, Liv bowed, and upon seeing her courtesy, Indra responded with the supple grace of a warrior. The woodland lord of Cavalok wears a long cloak made of restless leaves and feathers, glowing wood spirits rippling across the fabric. She could feel the air becoming thicker, and when she realized that Indra had somehow convinced a cluster of wood spirits to gather around her, she ignored Indra's wariness and smiled.
Indra amazed the Asrais with her tall and elegant figure. Her slender figure showed an innate aristocratic aura, and her gait was light and confident. Those eyes like bright stars are deep and dazzling, and the long silver-white hair hangs down like a waterfall, exuding a brilliant luster, and looks like a gorgeous picture when it floats. Her delicate and beautiful face is sculpted to perfection, and her mannerisms reveal her confidence and elegance. Two thin-bladed daggers were crossed across her leather chest, and her hand held the glowing green hilt of her sword. Obviously, she wasn't going to risk Liv trying to confuse her mind with a spell.
"Something happened." Yin Zhuo spoke directly without any politeness.
"Yes." Liv nodded in agreement.
"Did you see it?" Indra asked with a frown.
"Yes, I saw it," Liv said calmly.
"You are so awesome! But he is not welcome here!" Indra said sternly. Seeing that Liv didn't respond, she took a step towards Liv.
This step had a strong sense of oppression, forcing Liv to retreat. The light on Indra's cloak gave her goosebumps, and she felt that her connection with 3 disappeared as Indra approached.
"Your territory will be safe. He is not here because of your territory."
"Then what is he doing here?" Indra breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed her shoulders. Then she straightened her chest and squinted her eyes. asked.
"Soon, a great being will visit this forest, and his arrival is just a prelude."
"He is not welcome here!" Indra roared, and when Liv didn't respond, she continued to ask, "Is he Who?"
"I don't know either."
"How could you not know?"
"If I had known, I wouldn't have come here."
"Is Berg-Schon in danger?" Indra asked the question she was concerned about.
"You know very well that Berg-Schon is just your partner, she has her own will." Liv shrugged and said, Otto flapped his wings and flew on Indra's shoulder.
"He likes you, and he did this as a sign of kindness," Liv said with a smile.
"Prophet, I don't like this! First you asked Berg-Shun to leave here, and then you brought back a red dragon, and then there was some great being. Let me tell you, I don't like it! I don't like it! Ai Solorun belongs to us Asrai! As Asrai, you must remember this!" Indra frowned at the change of topic at first, and then spoke again.
"You shouldn't be troubled by this."
"I don't have the luxury of emotion, Prophet! We live within reach of countless enemies, humans, greenskins, and beastmen who are doing their best to destroy what I hold dear and swore to Everything to protect," Indra cursed, her non-hilt hand reaching out and pointing west, dispelling several clashing rays of light that had gathered in the folds of her cloak.
"I know, Lord Indra, and..."
"I'm not sure that's what you think, Prophet!" Indra interrupted Liv.
"There are many threats that have always existed. I have seen it, and I have also seen an era that transcends this era." "
So what does this have to do with now?"
"In this era of blood and war, we need !" Liv said after hesitating.
"Human? Human life is short and cruel, Prophet. He must have been dead for a long time by then, right? Has Aslay reached the point where he needs human help?" Indra moved away from Liv, and she wandered around the room. As she spoke, she looked at the braided branches and continued, "How is it possible? I always find it strange that you are always talking about things that are far away from us, but you can't see what will happen in a few days. How is it possible?"
As Indra spoke, Otto fluttered his wings and flew out of the room. When Otto disappeared from her sight, she turned her gaze to Liv.
"The future is not a straight road, Indra. It is like a chaotic mischief, full of weaving and misdirection, twisting and teasing with half-truths and shadows. No one can see with certainty where the future will go. Lilith can't, and neither can Morayig! I can't even do that."
"So, the red dragon came to my territory? Are you sure that red dragon won't do anything to my territory or Berg-Shun? What?"
"Yes, I will. In all the futures, I saw that this red dragon would not cause harm to us. I even saw the red dragon standing on our side, guarding Iso Loren. Trust me, Indra." Liv nodded in agreement. When Otto returned to the room, she raised her wrist and let Otto fall on her arm again.
"Then tell me!" Indra begged.
"Sorry, I can't. Talking about the future is changing the future. Time is running out. I have to leave here. Thank you for your hospitality. Don't worry, Berg-Schon will not have any problems you are worried about." Liv said helplessly He shook his head and said.
"Isa, I hope so, be careful, Seer! I don't think I will be grateful anymore." Indra said sharply, and then turned and walked out of the room where Liv was.
"What about your owl? Did it fly too high and the wind blew it back to Athel Loren?" Darkus asked with interest.
"No, he doesn't want to stay with the dragon. He won't come here until later." Liv, whose thoughts were interrupted, said with a smile. She bit his word very hard, reminding Dark Us. "Him? Well, yes. I can imagine him flying here at night. Welcome to come." Darkus tasted Liv's words, then nodded and said with a smile, and then gave Li Fu Not a hug.
Liv's body suddenly stiffened. She hadn't been hugged for a long time, so long that the memory of the last time was blurred in her mind. After reacting, she stretched out her slender and tired hands and hugged Darkus's back. She felt something in Darkus that she didn't have in Athel Loren, and she couldn't experience it. He clearly sensed Dax's heartfelt joy and friendliness, instead of Athel Loren's usual wariness and unwelcome attitude.
"What wind blew you from Athel Loren to Lauren Loren?" Darkus's hug was just out of courtesy. He was not an old gangster. After hugging him, they separated. Looking at Liv's face, Liv's slender chin, melancholy mouth and sad eyes made him feel heartbroken. At this moment, he could think of what Liv looked like when he held the bowl and watched the water droplets ripple in the bowl, reflecting the reflection. Liv would not stare at her swaying reflection, unwilling to meet her own eyes.
"Because of you!" Liv said with a smile still hanging on her haggard face, but the smile at this moment became extraordinarily real, not the polite and perfunctory one in Athel Loren.
After hearing Liv's words, Darkus laughed loudly, double standard? It's a double standard. He admits that he has a double standard. He hates Morathi, he hates Malus's mother, he hates Lilith, he hates these godly nagging prophets who always make some crap, but the strange thing is that he doesn't hate it. Liv. He didn't think he was affected by Liv's magic. After all, Drusala, Colonia, Asanok and Kaia standing behind him were not for nothing.
"Since it's because of me, just wait a moment." Darkus said after laughing, and then pointed at the staring red dragon not far away.
Just as Darkus was communicating with Liv, Drusala came over. She looked warily at Liv, who had arrived with the dragon and was hugged by her lover. Seeing Liv's friendly attitude toward her, After smiling, she responded politely, and then she was about to hand the cylinder to Darkus.
"That's not what I saw." Darkus did not take the cylinder. He got stuck in a blind spot of the red dragon's field of vision and frowned at Drusala.
Darkus's expression flashed away. After seeing Drusala understood, he returned to his previous appearance. He took a step and glanced at Bajir. He knew that the arrival of the red dragon was probably caused by Bajir. Good thing.
"He is my... friend?" Bajir, who was already lying on the ground, pointed at Splinterwen and said.
Splinterwen is far less terrifying than the Malok that Darkus saw before, but this huge figure is also a powerful deterrent, no worse than the twisted dragon he slaughtered in Isil.
While Darkus was observing Splinterwen, Splinterwein was also observing Darkus.
Splinterwen can clearly feel the mark on Darkus, which is the mark of the same kind being killed, the mark of the same kind that is imprinted on the soul of the other person before death. This feeling made him a little scared, because he could feel that the same kind that Darkus killed was no worse than him in strength. Having also been enslaved by elves, he felt how extraordinary Darkus was. Darkus was far stronger than the bug on his back at that time, even stronger than the bug on Maloch's back.
"Do you have anything to request?" Darkus said, covering his nose. He knew it was impolite to do so, but the smell of sulfur from the red dragon was so strong that it hit his nose and even As it penetrated into his soul, he could clearly feel that the red dragon in front of him was no worse than Shalashi, who he had exiled here before.
"I am troubled by a dream, which is why I came here." Splinterwin said, looking down at Darkus under him.
Darkus stretched out his open left hand and raised it, signaling the red dragon to speak.
"You can call me Splinterwin..." Splinterwin began to speak bluntly.
"Splintwen? Isn't this Boglis?" Darkus had never heard of the name Splintwen, but the dream described by Splintwen matched his memory. He couldn't He didn't know how the bad guy in front of him knew him, but he was sure that this was Boglis, the two-headed dragon of chaos in the future.
"I can help you... once!" Darkus said this, but he didn't understand. As he got to know the world better, prophecies and foreshadowings became full of weirdness and magic in his heart. Although he thinks he can break his destiny,... the future is not fixed and can be broken. However, some things are not either. Just like a pinball game, every time the marbles bounce, there will be a different path. , but in the end it will still fall with a high probability, which means that the end point is determined.
What Darkus can do is to use superb means to control the marbles and prevent them from reaching the predetermined end point, but this is not absolute. And when he couldn't control the marbles, he couldn't recite the curse. He could only stare at it. To put it bluntly, breaking fate was to connect with him and connect their fates.
Just like the three Takaia brothers and sisters who were supposed to die in the Kingdom of Charis, Darkus was not originally going to go, but because he went, he killed the three brothers and sisters from the group of white lions, breaking the three The fate of the brothers and sisters, his connection with the fate of the three brothers and sisters, has allowed the three brothers and sisters to continue until now.
Just like Malus who was supposed to be the Night Warden of Hagrid Graves, Malus might have ended up being the Night Warden of Hagrid Graves in his absence, but he got involved and broke the Following Malus's mother's prophecy, Malus died inexplicably in Golond.
The fate of Darkus was connected with the fate of the lizards and elves. The lizardmen who were supposed to have been squatting in Horotor appeared in other temple cities. Asul, who should have been working as a farmer, died in a battle because he became a conscript.
Belloda, who was supposed to be staying well in the Twilight Fortress, appeared in Ersin Alvin inexplicably, and experienced a magical journey with Darkus. If he had not disturbed Belloda's fate, Belloda at this moment would Roda should also be riding a giant eagle to disperse the storm, instead of recovering from his injuries in the golden pond.
Kaia, Asanok, Lindyalok, etc., who were supposed to die in Isil, finally survived because of the appearance of Darkus.
Just like... there are too many examples to mention, so I won't mention them at all... However, all these examples are based on Darkus's interference. If he did not interfere, the fate of each other would be different. There would be no connection, especially this kind of red dragon that he couldn't get along with, unless...
"This?" Splinterwin hesitated, his pupils narrowed, and asked Darkus.
"Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Darkus Hellscourge, the conqueror of fate who can cut off fate! But you have to know that some things are not absolute. For example? You are in the lair. Sleeping, suddenly one day the arrival of human adventurers broke your slumber, and you were fatally injured in the battle." As Darkus spoke, he picked up the branches scattered on the ground and started drawing on the ground.
"Maybe you should change your place? But even so, there will still be other human adventurers breaking into your territory, and you will still suffer fatal injuries in the battle. This is a given. Even if you get the information, take the first step The way to attack, however, there is a high probability that you will suffer fatal injuries." After Darkus finished speaking, he raised his head and glanced at Splinterwin.
"In other words, your injury is an inducement, and this inducement will lead to the next step." Seeing that Splinterwin understood, Darkus continued to draw.
However, what Darkus is talking about now is completely nonsense. Maybe the right way to break Splinterwen's fate is to find the place where the Tzeentch demon is entrenched and banish the demon?
"We can start to imagine that after being injured, you will fly into the sky and then land in an unknown place, where you will somehow become the existence you saw in the dream. Or, after you are injured, Did you do something, such as praying or asking for help? Then a certain existence responded to you, and you agreed to survive, and eventually you became the existence you saw in your dream.
" Not only did Keus' words confuse Splinter, but the two forest dragons and elves present were also confused by him, while Liv, who was standing behind him and had extensive research on omens, closed his eyes. I closed my eyes and realized his nonsense words.
"Then you said that once? Yes?"
"Yes, change the place..." Darkus dropped the branch, stood up, spread his hands and shrugged.
Splinterwen felt that he was being played. He was about to be angry but suddenly calmed down. He felt that what Darkus said seemed to make sense? This seems to be a paradox, a false proposition, unless he finds a place like Blood Island, a place where he will not be injured, but as more and more humans appear, he will eventually go to Darkwu The destiny that Si talked about.
"Is there any other way?" After a long time, Splinterwin begged, still unable to find any other way.
"There is another way, but... I don't think you will choose this method." Darkus suddenly felt that there was something interesting. He seemed to be able to operate it?
"I can cut off my destiny! But this comes at a price. Soon I will leave this land and return to the New World. When I am in the New World, I cannot interfere with you who are far away in Ersin Alvin. If you want to change your destiny, can you All you have to do is to get in touch with me and come with me... to return to the New World!" Under Splinterwen's pleading eyes, Darkus continued, and at the end of the sentence, he directly wanted to meet him.
"This... after I go to the New World, I won't be hurt?" Splinterwen asked.
"Yes, after all, this is completely different from the suggestion I gave you just now. There is a price for our destiny to be connected to each other. I will provide you with a nest to live in, pave your nest with treasures, and provide you with food.
But! This There is a price for everything. After all, I can't do this for no reason. I won't enslave you. We adopt a cooperative approach. You have to help me fight when necessary!
However... doing this may still make you Suffering harm? Maybe you will still follow the path predicted by your dream? After all, whether dragons, elves, human dwarves or other creatures, they will eventually wither." Darkus said at the end, he became a little bit At a loss, he felt that he had been entangled, but he still had to say this. After all, the red dragon was a creature with intelligence. If he was entangled now, he would understand in the future, and it would be worse if he didn't do it.
Splinterwen listened to Darkus' proposal with some confusion, and he was keenly aware of the complexity. The nests, treasures and food provided by Darkus seem generous, but as Darkus said, they come at a price and are not for nothing. The most important thing is that this does not solve the fundamental problem.
"Imagine you're standing in the middle of a river and you know the water is flowing through you. Your only reference point is where you stand on the river bed. Everything else is in motion and changing before your eyes. This is The way most living things sense the passage of time.
Stepping out of a river and standing on its bank your anchor point has changed. You can look back at the river and see its course in both directions. If you want, you can glimpse a piece of floating of wood and trace its course along a flowing stream. You can see where the wood came from and where it is going because you can see its entire process. This is how a prophet perceives the future, by changing his perspective and Accept the totality of existence.
If a being leaves the realm of the material world, he can see the river of life and see its direction. It's possible to see visions, even the future, and you just can! So you see what happens to you in the future. "Darkus, who had regained some sense, told the elves and dragons present what Lilith had said to him.
After hearing this, Splinterwen had more doubts in his heart. and struggle. Although he can understand the metaphor of water and the concept of changing perspective, he is troubled by the thought of predicting the future and stepping outside the physical world. This passage seems to reveal a door to an unknown place, but what is behind the door The scene is still vague and mysterious.
Can you really see into the future like a prophet? Can you step out of the shackles of reality and see the flow of the river of life? This concept is too detached for a red dragon, and Spring Twin felt deeply uneasy. At the same time, he realized that he might need to pay a price, and this price might put him in deeper trouble. His heart was full of mixed emotions, he was curious and afraid, and he realized He is eager to break through the deep mysteries of time and existence.
"The future can be changed. "Liv, who had been silent but listened to Darkus's words, suddenly said. There was a mysterious meaning in her voice. After a moment, she continued, "Dreams and omens are not destined. In the river of dreams, existence With the possibility of turning, the end point of the river is not a straight line, but has many tributaries. By changing the existing path and finding a path to the unknown, you can change the direction of the future!
In the future, you may be changed by Darkus, and you may go to a new continent, where you may fight, or even die, and may become what you see in the omen, but these results are random and not predetermined. "
Listen to Liv's words... Although you may not be familiar with her, she is a very famous prophet!" She has been helping Athel Loren survive and resolve Athel Loren's crisis through divination and omens. "After Liv finished speaking, Darkus nodded in agreement, and then stretched out his hand to introduce solemnly to the elves standing there.
"Splintwen, you are mistaken! Berg-Schon, who was standing behind, came over and said. Seeing that Splinterwin was attracted to her, she continued, "You are not afraid of fighting, and you are not afraid of death!" But the fear of being enslaved, the fear of being swallowed by darkness! "
Splintwin's pupils narrowed, and Berg-Schon's words touched a sensitive point deep in his heart. In a moment of silence, his thoughts were looking back at the past years, returning to those things that caused him pain. moment. Berg-Schon's words outlined the humiliation and suffering he had experienced, as if he felt the pain at that time again.
Splinterwen was once enslaved and swallowed by darkness. These experiences left countless bodies and The spiritual pain has long been engraved in the depths of his soul. As Berg-Schon said, he is not afraid of fighting and death, but is afraid of the humiliation and loss of being unable to freely control his own destiny. He lost the pride of the red dragon.
"You are right, I am afraid of being enslaved and swallowed by darkness. But I also have my own pride! Now, maybe it’s time to face these fears, face the unknown fate, and look for possibilities to change the future! "After a long time, Splinterwin said slowly, with a hint of heaviness in his words. He lowered his head, with a firm light shining in his pupils. He was determined to get rid of the terrible shackles and face the future. challenge.
"I agree to your conditions, but you must also agree to me! If one day I still turn into what was predicted, you will kill me no matter what! No matter where I am, you have to find me! Just like you did before, you want my soul to rest in peace, you have to promise me! Promise me! "
What is this? " Why is this a turning point? What about ideological struggle? Is this the icing on the cake? Am I so awesome? Do I also have the spirit of a bastard? Where's the promised Halo of Harmony? "Darkus became a little confused when he heard Splinterwen's words, but he still nodded solemnly and agreed to Splinterwen. It
was a bit confusing, so he went around. He will be on the road tomorrow. If he is really on the road, go Altdorf! I promise!