Draven sat by the campfire as Genesis Codex hovered beside him, green-gold light intensifying. Adhivar's presence manifested more substantially as the Worldroot Dragon's consciousness activated the communication network.
"Establishing connection. Malvorn, Frostina, Naelvorn, Raziel—preparing transmission."
The bond network opened as consciousness linked across continental distances. Draven felt the familiar presence of four Ancient Overlords manifesting in shared awareness.
Malvorn's earth-deep voice resonated first. "Western territories investigation complete. Twelve stable zones explored. Every guardian corrupted. Crystal golems attacking despite peaceful approach—pattern identical to Southern Wilds reports."
Frostina's composed ice-cold consciousness followed. "Northern Ice Field confirms same phenomenon. Eight zones visited. Ice-adapted golems demonstrating hostility. Historical records show centuries of peaceful coexistence—now shattered. Samples collected from all eight locations."
Naelvorn's boisterous oceanic energy came through. "Sunken Archives underwater zones investigated! Six constructs examined—ALL hostile! Retrieval difficult in deep ocean but samples secured! Water-element golems mad like surface variants!"
Raziel's efficient fire-aligned presence reported briefly. "Volcanic regions—four accessible zones. Extreme heat complicated investigation. Fire golems insane. Samples gathered despite conditions."
Draven added his findings. "Southern Wilds—seventeen zones explored over recent months. Initial visits showed some stability. Recent investigations post-Gate opening reveal accelerating corruption. Four zones explored since Gate encounter—all completely corrupted. Archives destroyed, guardians hostile universally."
Silence followed as the pattern became undeniable.
Adhivar's analytical voice filled the network. "Comprehensive survey complete. Forty-seven stable zones total across Theia. All participants reporting corruption. Pattern absolute—no exceptions found. Dimensional breach destabilizing protective magic universally. Ancient merger-era safeguards inverting. Crystal dragon guardians transformed from protectors to threats."
Malvorn's consciousness carried weight. "Four hundred years observing these zones. Guardians always peaceful when approached correctly. This corruption recent—months, not years. Gate opening correlation evident."
"Timeline matches dimensional breach acceleration," Draven confirmed. "Stable zones failing as wrongness spreads from Gate epicenter. Southern Wilds closest to breach—most affected. But corruption reaching all territories now."
Frostina's measured response came. "Samples collected represent comprehensive data. Draven's pack gathered from seventeen Southern zones. Malvorn secured twelve Western fragments. My forces collected eight Northern samples. Naelvorn retrieved six underwater specimens. Raziel obtained four volcanic fragments. Total coverage—forty-seven zones, all stable zone locations surveyed."
"Every sample showing identical draconic essence," Adhivar noted. "Crystal Dragon's body distributed universally across Theia. Single Epic-tier being sacrificed, fragmented, scattered to create guardians for all stable zones. Merger architects' desperation evident—using dragon corpse as protective infrastructure."
Naelvorn's energy surged excitedly. "So EVERY golem across Theia—same dragon? One being becomes thousands of guardians? Epic-tier sacrifice?"
"Confirmed," Adhivar responded. "Crystalline structure allows fragmentation while maintaining essence coherence. Each golem contains piece of original consciousness—corrupted now, but originally unified purpose. Protecting knowledge, guarding archives, maintaining stable zones against dimensional instability."
Raziel's brief acknowledgment came. "Samples secured. Analysis requires pooling. Network communication insufficient for detailed examination."
Frostina offered solution. "Northern Ice Field provides secure meeting location. My territory. Neutral ground. Sufficient space for alliance gathering. Physical convergence necessary—samples require direct examination, collective analysis."
Malvorn agreed immediately. "Physical meeting essential. Virtual communication adequate for reports but inadequate for research coordination. Northern Ice Field acceptable."
Naelvorn's enthusiasm showed. "Ocean territories complex for land-dwellers! Northern convergence better! I'll travel from Sunken Archives—three days journey surfacing periodically!"
Raziel confirmed curtly. "Volcanic regions isolated. Northern Ice Field reachable. Three days travel time."
Draven nodded though none could see physically. "Pack ready. Southern samples secured and organized. We'll head North immediately. Genesis Codex portable—bringing full collection."
"Malvorn, you're rejoining Draven's pack?" Frostina asked.
The earth Overlord's presence warmed noticeably. "Separated temporarily for investigation efficiency. Bond remains strong despite distance. Will reunite at Northern Ice Field. Traveling Western route—arriving simultaneously with Draven from South."
Adhivar's voice carried purpose. "Collective analysis essential. Epic-tier dragon mystery requires combined expertise. Alliance strength lies in unified knowledge. Forty-seven samples representing complete survey—unprecedented research opportunity."
"Meeting objectives," Frostina stated clearly. "Pool all collected samples. Analyze comprehensively using Genesis Codex capabilities and Overlord knowledge combined. Determine Crystal Dragon's original purpose. Understand corruption mechanism. Plan response to stable zone failures. Discuss merger implications and dimensional breach threat."
Agreement resonated through the network from all participants.
"Three days," Draven confirmed. "Alliance converges North. Samples pooled. Understanding—imminent."
The network connection maintained as final coordination occurred.
Malvorn's consciousness touched Draven's directly, bond carrying warmth. "Separated weeks for efficiency. Looking forward to reunion. Bond distance tolerable but reunion preferable."
Draven smiled slightly. "Agreed. Pack incomplete without you. See you in three days."
"Northern Ice Field," Frostina concluded. "Three days hence. All Overlords attending. Bearer present. Genesis Codex analyzing. Alliance unified against corruption, against failing safeguards, against unknown threat."
The network dissolved as individual consciousnesses returned to their physical locations.
***
Draven stood as dawn broke over the riverside ruins. His pack gathered quickly as Sylvara manifested fresh vine pouches for the organized crystal fragments while Feyra's Blessing of Dawn energized everyone for travel.
"North," Draven announced. "Three days journey. Northern Ice Field convergence. All Overlords meeting physically. Samples pooled for comprehensive analysis."
Zor's Storm Crown brightened with anticipation. "Alliance unified. Research coordinated. Answers approaching."
Velnar's massive form shifted toward the northern horizon. "Frostina's territory. Ice domain. Cold but secure. Appropriate meeting ground."
Sylvara secured the sample pouches carefully. "Seventeen Southern zones represented. Combined with Overlord collections—forty-seven total. Complete survey. Unprecedented data."
Feyra nuzzled Draven's hand. "Malvorn rejoining. Pack complete again. Alliance gathering. Hope present despite corruption."
Genesis Codex pulsed beside Draven as Adhivar's presence manifested briefly. "Epic-tier dragon mystery requires unified analysis. Northern convergence essential. Collective wisdom exceeds individual knowledge."
Draven checked his supplies methodically—crystal samples secured, smartphone charged via Genesis Codex, Warden's Mantle enchantments active, Stormfang ready at his hip. The pack stood prepared, Lord-tier beasts coordinated and determined.
"Forty-seven stable zones corrupted. Forty-seven sample collections complete. Alliance converging. Understanding approaching."
He looked North as ice-covered mountains became visible on distant horizon, days of travel ahead but purpose clear.
Zor launched skyward as ten-meter wingspan caught morning wind, Thunder Raven soaring ahead to scout the route. Velnar began the ground journey with massive scorpion form perfectly suited for long-distance travel. Sylvara and Feyra moved alongside Draven as the pack coordinated naturally.
Three days to Northern Ice Field.
Three days to alliance gathering.
Three days to answers.
The pack moved as one, heading North toward convergence, toward collective analysis, toward truth about the Crystal Dragon and the corruption consuming Theia's ancient safeguards.
Alliance unified.
Samples secured.
Understanding imminent.
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