“Yeah, Winter’s research pointed to his plan to send Ruxnoth into the Valley using necromantic power, but with that warping ability, it risks the integrity of the Valley itself if he’s sent there before we can figure out a way to nullify it,” Sylas said.
A chorus of agreements rang out from us all. Reluctant agreement, because that madman needed to be decimated. Yet not doing so safely would come at too high a price.
“We also can’t move without two vital pieces of intel—the size of Sanctus, and the precise nature of how it is being powered—beyond just us knowing that Ruxnoth is drawing on his lifeforce. How? Is there a conduit in place that disseminates that so-called life to his construct? Are there layers to it?” Remnant continued. “Knowing of an entry point into Sanctus is not enough. Neither is your vibrational resonance, Vaxan. And Ambrose, even flooding it with your black magic—”
“I’m aware, we need to confer with Winter. I won’t risk striking him in the process.”
“There may even be a specific target,” Ketheron suggested. “One site inside his construct to flood, so you don’t have to overtax yourself.”
“There could very well be, treasure.”
Sylas levitated Winter’s amber gemstone over to us.
I reached out and took it in hand.
He told us, “As soon as Win contacts you, let us know.”
“Will do,” Evira assured him.
“In the meantime,” he said, looking between Evira and Zayn, “Velra will work with the two of you on a way to use your Ecliptic Convergence to undermine Ruxnoth’s warped soldier creations, should he unleash them when we launch our assault. A way that won’t expend too much power and will impact their ability to withstand‘natural magic’attacks and brute force. Once undermined, The Shadowed will put them down.”
“Awesome,” Zayn breathed, eyeing Evira excitedly. Of course.
She reached over me and ruffled his hair. “Love you and your ways.”
“Love you, too.”
I chuckled and hugged them both to me.
“After what Kai reported, you can’t be physically present. No Celestial magic for that fool to siphon,” Remnant told Cassius, before looking at me. “If you will, he can form a temporary link to you, so you can channel him should you find yourself needing a boost.”
Cassius added, “You certainly are now equipped to decimate a vast area, but sustaining that could still prove taxing. You are one being pulling on the vibrational resonance of thousands.”
“An inspired fail-safe, thank you.”
He smiled. “Of course. Ruxnoth can’t siphon Ketheron due to his Polygenus makeup, but Ketheron is best suited due to his bond with Ambrose to fuelhimshould he require it when he floods Sanctus.”
“Understood.”
Sylas told Lazriel, “You’ll be taking point with The Shadowed. And the shifters that your mom is going to deploy alongside them from Vyrn Hollow Shifter Habitat.”
“Right up my alley.”
“All right,” Sylas said. “I need to fill Ry in on all of this. Even in the draft stage before we obtain the missing intel from Winter, with how taxed the Guardian Movement is, Ry needs notice.”
“Reach out to Kai as well,” Remnant told him.
“Already got it on my list—we’ll have him use a variation of his Sunveil spell to temporarily imbue your vampire members in case all this goes down during the daytime. You won’t have to tax your magic-wielders, then.”
“Very good.”
Everyone started to get up to leave to see to their respective tasks.
However, we were all pulled up short as the amber gemstone started to pulse.
“It’s happening!” Zayn cried, drawing closer to it held on my palm.
Evira reached out just shy of touching it, her eyes lighting up. “I can feel him.”
