"Now, however, the Yggdrasill knows you've become a hybrid, that you are part of the Organization, and the outcome of your last sparring with Grandma. I know because the Chroniclers used a spell capable of preventing even a dimensional mage from following them.
"After the Chroniclers ambushed us in the Garden, they altered the space to keep the Warp Steps they used to escape from being opened again."
"I can vouch for that." Friya said. "I tried everything I could on the site where Lith was ambushed but to no avail. The dimensional space surrounding the Warp Gate had been collapsed first and then relaxed, deleting every trace of the original dimensional coordinates."
"Who's talking?" Tezka asked.
"Friya Ernas, sir." She cleared her throat. "The woman who reached enlightenment by watching your fight with Overlord Salaark."
"Dammit, kid. It's nice hearing from you but I would have liked better news. Are you certain the Chroniclers have found a way to hamper dimensional tracking?" The Suneater said.
"Yes, sir." Friya nodded. "I know my mastery over dimensional magic is a small thing compared to yours but I've done everything I could think of and I didn't get so much as a glimpse of the Chroniclers' destination."
"Don't underestimate yourself, kid." Tezka scratched the fur under his chin. "Sure, experience and spells can make a difference but your talent is the real deal. If you had found the traces of the residual gate and failed to re-open it, I would have succeeded.
"Yet if there was no residual gate there's nothing I can do. I can study the Chroniclers' new technique for a counter, but it would take time and practice we don't have. We must think of another way. And stop calling me sir. Anything but doggie will do." freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
"Who would ever dare-"
"Aran, Leria, and any kid I've met along the way." Tezka sighed, cutting her short.
"On top of that, back then there was nothing at stake." Lith continued. "You could afford to wait for as long as it took whereas I'm on a clock. What if the World Tree doesn't recall the members of the strike team until the Yggdrasill is done with Solus to keep them from being followed?
"I see your point." Tezka nodded. "Do you want me to bring the package or not, Lith?"
"Bring it to the Blood Desert, please. The coordinates for the Heavenly Plume Tribe are-"
"No need for that, kid. I know where it is. What I need is the young sparrow's clearance to come. If I hurt one Phoenix on my way there, I offend them all. I don't think a bloodbath of your potential allies would do you any good." Tezka cut Lith short.
"Grandma?" Lith turned toward the Overlord.
"Clearance granted, old fox. But only if you come straight here, deliver the package, and stay here. The moment you leave my palace you also leave the Desert. If you take a stroll or a few souvenirs, I'm coming after you." Salaark replied.
"Damn, you leave me no space for loopholes." The Suneater had a good laugh, not even trying to hide his ill intentions. "Fine, I'll be there in a while but to what end? Have you become a better dimensional mage than Friya, Lith?"
"Not a chance." Lith shook his head. "I just have a contingency plan that requires a Chronicler and plenty of help. I'll explain everything to you once you arrive."
"Now would be a good time to start, then." The curtain of the War Room slid open and Tezka walked between the two Phoenixes standing guard, leaving them flabbergasted.
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