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Chapter 290: 290
Ikenga waved his hand dismissively, indicating he didn’t mind, while his attention was focused on the skeletal structure built by his sister. Ikenga recognized that the bones came from the dead ogres, but the way they were put together was oddly amazing.
She had somehow transformed the two-legged hulking creatures into a four-legged beast. "You’ve made a mount," Ikenga said, a hint of surprise in his voice. He looked closer at the way the bones were intricately woven together, forming a creature both sturdy and agile. The skeletal frame resembled a great beast, its limbs designed for swift movement across the rugged terrain of the new world.
Keles nodded, a playful tone in her voice. "We needed something to traverse this land quickly. There’s so much to see, so much to do. I thought it would be more efficient—and more fun—if we had a means to cover great distances together."
Ikenga’s eyes flickered with admiration as he took in the creature’s form. The bones of the ogres had been repurposed into a mount that was both functional and elegant, a testament to Keles’ resourcefulness. The creature was large enough to carry them both, its spine reinforced to withstand long journeys. Its skull was shaped into a streamlined head, with empty eye sockets that gave it a haunting yet regal appearance.
"And you thought of this while I was busy with the eye," Ikenga said, shaking his head in amusement. "Always one step ahead."
Keles shrugged, chuckling slightly. "We can’t always rely on our powers to move from place to place in this new world. Sometimes, it’s good to have a more grounded way to explore."
Ikenga nodded and asked, "It is lacking in souls. The demons have made lunch of it. How do you control it?"
Keles placed her hand on the creature and said, "It only takes a small amount to manually control it."
Ikenga shook his head. "Once we move beyond the eroded land, you will need all the power you can muster to bear the pressure until we find our own way to ignore the suppression."
Keles frowned and asked, "What do we do about that?"
Ikenga smiled as he turned to Keles. "That’s the easy part, sister. You’ve already done the hard part."
Ikenga connected with the new nature of this eroded land. From the feet of the skeletal monster, flesh-like plants surged from the ground, climbing along the bones of the mount with purpose and speed. As they wove themselves around the creature’s frame, the bare bones were soon covered in a dense, sinewy layer of muscle-like tissue, giving the mount a more lifelike appearance.
The transformation didn’t stop there. The plant-based muscles began to harden, their surfaces growing tougher and more resilient. Soon, they morphed into a form of armor, their texture shifting from organic material to something resembling wooden scales. These scales overlapped like those of a reptile, providing the creature with both protection and flexibility.
Ikenga wasn’t finished. This eroded land, despite its current state, was still part of the new world. By channeling the life force of this land into the creature, a small will was born within it. No matter how the creature came to be, it was now a life born from the land of this world, and this newfound will would hopefully help it withstand the pressure beyond the eroded land.
Keles’ eyes widened in surprise. Though it was faint, she felt a flicker of a soul within the creature. If given a few more years and a fateful encounter, the creature might be able to form a complete soul of its own.
Ikenga wasn’t done, and Keles, knowing him well, understood what he had in mind, so she lent her assistance. The energy from the land coalesced, taking shape behind the mount.
The bones of fallen creatures rose from the ground, twisting and merging to form the frame of a carriage. It was a marvel of both practicality and elegance, with smooth lines and reinforced joints. The same plant-like muscles that had armored the mount now spread over the carriage, creating cushioned seats and protective barriers. The wooden scales extended over the top, forming a sturdy roof to shield them from the elements.
When the carriage was complete, it was more than just a vehicle; it was an extension of the mount itself, connected through living tendrils that pulsed with the same energy as the creature. The carriage would move seamlessly with the mount, sharing its will and strength, becoming an integral part of their journey.
Ikenga turned to Keles, extending his hand with a warm, inviting smile. "Come, sister," he said, his voice filled with quiet pride. "Our journey is just beginning."
Keles took his hand, and with a gentle pull, Ikenga helped her into the carriage. As she settled into the seat, she could feel the pulse of life beneath her—the connection between the mount, the carriage, and the land itself. It was as if they were all part of a greater whole, each element supporting and sustaining the others.
As Ikenga and Keles settled into the carriage, preparing to embark on their journey, the atmosphere inside was calm, filled with quiet anticipation. However, that calm was soon interrupted by a presence outside the carriage. Both Ikenga and Keles instinctively looked through the window, their expressions turning serious.
Standing before them was a fifth-stage Imp demon, a creature of significant power, with its head bowed respectfully.
"I go by the name Vaegur," the imp demon said in a gravelly voice, keeping its gaze lowered. "My lord has sent me to accompany you on your journey."
Ikenga studied Vaegur for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Your appearance," Ikenga began, his tone measured, "will make it difficult for us to navigate this new world. Its people already know the visage of their enemies, and you would only draw unwanted attention."
Vaegur seemed to have anticipated this concern. With a snap of its fingers, the imp’s form began to shift and blur, shrinking in size as its demonic features softened. Within moments, the creature had transformed into a goblin, though not just any goblin. This one was clad in an expensive, finely tailored suit, looking every bit the part of a dignified butler.
"What do you think of this, your grace?" Vaegur asked, his voice now smoother, almost refined, as he adjusted his suit with a flourish.
Ikenga’s eyes narrowed as he examined the transformation, then he nodded approvingly. "Perfect," he said, his voice carrying a tone of finality. "Take on your new station, then."
With that, Ikenga closed the window of the carriage, the matter seemingly settled. Outside, Vaegur—the newly disguised imp—turned his attention to the mount, which was clearly unsettled by his presence. The creature, still newly imbued with life and will, instinctively recoiled from the demon’s energy, its movements jittery and uncertain.
Sensing the creature’s fear, Vaegur approached it with surprising gentleness. He placed a hand on the creature’s side, murmuring something inaudible. Almost instantly, the creature began to calm, its previously tense muscles relaxing under the imp’s touch. Vaegur’s mastery over his own aura allowed him to suppress the more unsettling aspects of his presence, bringing the creature to a state of ease.
With the creature now steady, a new seat formed beneath Vaegur, crafted seamlessly by the carriage’s living tendrils. A thread of connection extended from the carriage to the mount, which Vaegur took in hand. The thread pulsed slightly with a faint glow, a sign of the connection between the imp and the creature.
Vaegur gave the thread a gentle tug, testing the connection. The mount responded immediately, moving forward with a smooth, controlled gait. Satisfied, Vaegur shook the thread slightly, and the creature picked up speed, carrying the carriage with it across the landscape.
In the distance, the demons could be seen further eroding the land before them. Ikenga had a watchful look on his face, waiting to see if his theory would be proven right.
The carriage soon crossed the boundary of the eroded land. Vaegur, driving the mount, expected a massive pressure, but to his surprise, it didn’t happen.
Vaegur glanced at the creature he was driving and then looked back at the carriage before shaking his head. Ikenga had a bright smile on his face, feeling no pressure. The creature was doing well in shielding them.
Looking at his sister, Ikenga suggested, "Try putting your hand out of the window." Keles looked at him before doing as he said, only to frown when she noticed the sudden change in the weight of her hand.
"Our little creation is doing a job well done," Ikenga said with a smile.
Keles placed her hand on the carriage wall as she felt the life force flowing through the carriage and the ground it moved upon. "It indeed is," she replied.
Looking at Ikenga, she asked, "Do you have any idea where we should go from here?"
Ikenga had a thoughtful expression as he responded, "I was hoping that when we agreed to help Zarvok, we would at least land in a primitive world. It would make it much easier for them to welcome us as divine beings."
