"We can't, if we don't secure the forest then they will have a foothold far too close to the city.

" Pelaros countered, knowing that they would not be able to ensure a secure line if they needed to give the entire forest.

At worst they should form a line between Kyno Northeast Fort and Overlook. This should still be possible, but this line would need to be against the corrupted line. Meaning it would be under constant threat, not to mention that the corruption may still grow.

"Even if we set up a defensive line as such, how are we going to defend it? We don't have the manpower for such a long stretch of land. We normally leave forests and fight in fields.

" Farest countered, the news absolutely some of the worst they could have gotten.

"We need to act soon, this camp will do as our base of operations,

" Farest said, looking at the map and trying to figure out what their plan of action can be. He had not expected that upon his arrival he would suddenly need to command a war. His first at that.

His father was here too however, he had not taken over and was giving Farest the chance to prove himself. A weight heavy on Farest as he knew what was at stake.

Adding onto this, they did not have much time, while Itireae had found the undead near their city, they would make it to Kynigo in just a few days. Likely not even half a week.

"The thunder legion will station in Kynigo Fort to react should they be needed. I already called upon them, they should make it just before the undead arrive.

"

"Currently part of the division from Phallos is in both Kynigo Fort and Kyno Northeast, correct?

"

"Yes, Old Sword is the commander at Northeast and the others were those left behind since a fort can only have so many,

" Pelaros answered, trying to find the best solution to their plight.

Kynigo was stationed in a defensible location, the Ganalin Dwarves to the west and a massive lake to the East. The only way in was from the South or around these locations. A round trip adding days on traveling time. That was why the forts were focused in the South, with none to the North.

Through past attacks they had lost their furthest forts, Kyno Southeast and Kyno Southwest. Making it far easier for an army to march into the region of Kynigo. They had given up on defending them due to difficulty in securing food transport. Often having been harassed by the enemies who did not need to travel far to reach behind the forts.

Giving Pyknos was certainly not an option like before. It would mean having the city be the only defense. Giving up on all the villages South and surrounding Kynigo.

"Katania,

" Pelaros shouted out as he realized this fact,

"Find Evale and Evules, tell them to go evacuate all the villages near Ganalin. We need to reduce casualties as much as possible.

"

Nodding Katania did just that, Farest taking it up from here again,

"We know the Vampire Lord Idras is likely leading the march. Which means we can expect more reinforcements. We should also keep an eye on the Encrouncing, should the demons and undead from that region follow suit.

"

"I suggest we call upon the division from Phallos to defend the forts and a few key areas. We need to make a string of temporary forts like this one. Pelaros, how many crystals do you have left?

"

"We still have most of them, we only used two Mov Crystals and 10 mana crystals. But...

"

"But what?

"

"They are currently held by Haru, the elf over here.

" Pelaros pointed to Eldrian who was still unconscious, putting all focus on him.

"Why is he unconscious?

" Talastos asked, unable to accept why there even was someone other than centaurs in the tent at the moment.

"And what in Asteria's name is that in his hands?

"

"That is a revenant heart, he is attempting to...

" Pelaros paused as he failed in finding the words.

"He is what?

"

"He is trying to find the secrets it might hold.

"

Hearing this none of the new people present could keep their curiosity at bay. They all used Observer and the results confused them even more. Itireae most of all.

'He found a way?' She mumbled, shocked to see he had to reach Tier 3 already. Far faster than she had back when she was still new to magic a few hundred years ago. Not to mention that her mentor was a literal legend.

"You have to be joking... How can someone only at Tier 3 attempt something not even the best mages have succeeded in?

"

"Let's leave that for later. We need to first secure our defense.

"

"How? He has the crystals? Is it in the ring?

" Farest asked disappointed when Pelaros shook his head.

"The special inventory the Chosen have?

" He asked and got a nod, causing him to wish to curse to high heaven. Instead, he calmed down and thought about what they could do.

"Let's start with construction and clearing the trees between our makeshift forts. The arrays were only going to be for supporting us in any case. Using them offensively would be beyond dumb.

"

...

'This is really hard... Really really hard...' Eldrian mumbled mentally as he kept trying his best to keep control of his anger. Not to keep it from flooding out, but to keep it from dying out.

He had no idea how much time had passed but, he felt tired to the bone. He did not feel like he could give anything more. Yet he had too or he was certain to not make it through.

Luckily, a flame of hope had arrived. The black mass was no longer all-encompassing. Eldrian could start to see an end to it, yet this hope was smothered by his fatigue.

'Come on, just a bit more...' Eldrian did his best, sending the flames around again. The darkness had long since started adapting to his strategy. It moved back as he commanded the flames, causing very few of them to be burned and the ice surrounding his heart to take a massive hit. Causing Eldrian to nearly lose control.

"Eldrian!

" A female voice shouted with just a hint of anger and sadness.

"How dare you! Get out of here!

"

The voice caused the darkness to shudder, suddenly faltering in dodging Eldrian's flames which quickly incinerated the last bits. The flames and ice retracting as soon as Eldrian confirmed that the danger was away.

If he had a body he would fall to the ground, alas he was just a thought. His auras however showed how tired he was. They retracted into the heart, only releasing enough light to show a silhouette of the heart in the abyss.

"Why did you do this?

" The system asked with concern and worry, Eldrian just barely managing to register the words but unable to respond.

It took everything he had to not fall unconscious. He wanted to exit his soul before he did so, afraid that something might happen if he does not.

"Eldrian!

" The female voice echoed in worry, Eldrian doing his best to form the words.

"I need... To... Grow...

" He only barely managed to form the words, taking a great deal of his strength.

"Eldrian...

" The system had no words, she paused and tried to share some energy with Eldrian. Something that was strictly against the rules, something that was against her programming.

Even just attempting it caused her massive pain as her code fought her. She stopped when she realized she could not do what she wanted. A shock unlike any other to her.

"Eldrian, you need to leave and log out right now. Your soul is extremely tired and the only way I can help it recover is if you are not here.

"

"W-wh-why?

"

"Because you are overriding my control, and I am not allowed to directly influence an avatar. Especially not while their player, when you, are inside of it. The damage it might cause you is far too worrying.

"

Eldrian nodded, or he thought he did. His mind no longer even capable of realizing that he had no body. Turning away from the heart he tried to recall how to leave.

As he did the system said one last thing. Eldrian smiling mildly as he woke in his body and immediately logged off. The tiredness following him to reality. Eldrian did not even bother to move, falling asleep on the chair. Not even realizing that he had a bunch of tubes going into him again.

...

"What? He's gone!

" A nurse shouted, Eldrian having been moved to the medical bay in preparation for the battles. The undead had entered the region of Kynigo and the centaurs had been harassing them out in the field during their travels.

They could not go all out as that would lead to the vampire lord taking action. Tastolas was not comfortable facing someone at his strength but with an eternal body. One who could heal from blood, while he would just become all the more tired throughout the fight.

...

"He's awake?

" Constantine jumped up upon hearing the news, regretting how he had tried to force Eldrian to accept their view instead of trying to accept his. Or at the very least find some middle ground.

He felt certain it was why Eldrian had done something so reckless that the system had not broken its coding just once, but twice.

"Yes, but he fell unconscious as soon as he exited the game. At least he managed to do that this time. I am confident he should be fine once his mind managed to recover.

" Gengxin placed his hand over Constantin's shoulder to stop him from rushing off.

"Do you think it can?

"

"I have no idea...

"