The atmosphere shifted as soon as they entered Aethelheim's secondary gate. The quiet resonating calm of the high-level forest replaced the noise of the city.
Before the trip Ethan took a moment to secure his paycheck. He had bought his parents a cozy home paid off the overwhelming real-world debt and put large sums of money into long-term investments. The burden of paying back the debt is gone and its been a massive relief to him.
The mission has been accomplished. This trip is now for another purpose.
After accounting for the dividends his current account balance was over $3.3 million which completely freed him up to consider the chances and risks that lay ahead.
Standing a little distance away Vulcan examined the seals on his portable furnace. The little shifting movement under Ethan's jacket piqued Vulcan's interest.
Vulcan said "We must establish the parameters of our defense" and turned to Ethan. "I can defend myself but I must know the full extent of my partner's capabilities."
Ethan was aware that secrets were no longer necessary at least not in terms of their immediate survival. He carefully took Anchor out of his jacket after opening it. At first the slime was little and exuded a soft warmth.
"This is Anchor here. He is my partner and my guardian"
"A powerful focus of material essence" Vulcan noticed something and his analytical eyes fixed on the slime. "But small. Excellent for hiding but not for battle."
Ethan gave a small smile. "Anchor."
Anchor grew in a surge of viscous uncontrolled energy as the slime pulsed. His core pulsed with a terrible mixture of his own natural uncontrolled energy and the leftover Ember Dragon fire as he grew quickly to the size of its enormous size. He was surrounded by an aura of suppressed strength.
Vulcan retreated his hand naturally reaching for his hammer's handle.
"This sheer density". "Yes, I felt the Ember Dragon's residue. However, there is another signature—a raw, formless energy that defies this world's magic and physics. It is pure chaos".
"Anchor is at Level 50, the Chaos Core Guardian is his class" Ethan clarified. "He understands the raw magic of the monsters we defeat. He is not just a tamable beast anchor is good primary combat and material processing".
Vulcan nodded carefully as his analytical mind considered the partnership's actual significance. "I understand. We are seriously upsetting the enchanted ecology not just hunting animals. Defense and purification of the resulting chaos is my clear job".
Ethan's twenty-four hours of preparation had not been in vain. He investigated localized magical abnormalities in the Aethelheim archives as he awaited the reward. He was able to decipher the information utilizing his Class status and understanding of realm lore.
"During my preparation I focused my research on the anomaly reports near the Aethereal Crags" Ethan explained. "The area is marked by localized Anti-Magic signatures areas where magical flow is reversed. Legends describe a creature that protects the elemental balance, but because of its chaotic elemental output the creature is constantly mistaken for a monster"
"A guardian entity" Vulcan thought. "The strong material signature would make sense. It is not a target but rather a source".
"That's right. The material will come from a shedding a consequence of preserving its elemental magic rather than a straightforward monster body. As a result the entity is fragile and the entire region is extremely volatile".
"We travel under the assumption that the entity is in danger" Ethan concluded.
They headed out into the wilderness. Ethan used his Shadow-Weave Mantle sparingly scouting ahead with brief bursts of Sneak and Shadow Blink while continuously keeping in touch with the Vulcan over the integrated gear communicator. Vulcan trailed behind his movements slow but persistent as he relied on his massive defense and the pounding of his Artificer's Resonance Compass.
They climbed gradually into the extremely unstable Aethereal Crags for four hours.
Vulcan suddenly shouted "Stop" breaking the silence. "There is a strong vibration coming from the compass. The material signature is extremely unstable, delicate and near. It resembles the essence of crystallized anti-magic".
Ethan moved quietly to the top of a ridge. He looked down at a narrow canyon floor that was covered in a deep strange coating of frost that resembled diamonds and glistened with rainbow shades an indication of severe magical compression.
A battle raged in the middle of the canyon. A formation of enormous lava-crusted Earth Elementals were attacking a single dazzling creature a Stag made completely of crystalline ice.
Ethan used his new Forgemaster's Grasp ability and Logic Bubble right away.
Analysis: ARCTIC STAG OF DISSOLUTION. A Sovereign NPC Guardian and not a monster. Because the nearby Earth Elementals are upsetting the local elemental balance, its crystalline shell a flawless structure of pure Anti-Magic essence sheds surplus energy. The essence is of legendary quality and is very helpful in bringing chaotic materials under control.
The Stag was attempting to flee and calm the area rather than engage in combat but there were too many Elementals.
Ethan said over the communicator "It is not a monster" his voice firm with excitement. "The NPC is a Sovereign. a protective force. The Earth Elementals are producing elemental disruption which is why it is losing the Legendary Anti-Magic substance. We keep the Stag alive. We rescue it".
"Rescuing a Mythic-level entity from a coordinated assault?" With the excitement of a great challenge in his voice, Vulcan was ready to get into the battlefield right away. "The Level of the Elementals is 70+. They will withstand your speed since their hides are made of solidified lava"
"But they are slow" Ethan replied concentrating on his strategic perspective. "They are vulnerable to focused elemental damage which is Anchor's area of expertise. Instead of destroying them we must drive them away or kill the earth elementals".
"This is the plan. We make use of our joint roles," Ethan continued. "Anchor defense and distraction are your responsibilities Vulcan. Using the Chronic Shield you will attract the attention of the biggest elementals and repel their initial lava attacks".
"Accepted" Vulcan confirmed. "My defense is now absolute for brief periods."
"I'll be the Main attacker together with Anchor. Anchor will use concentrated chaos magic a brief shock to target the Elementals' cores. Before the Stag uses up all of its essence I will utilize Shadow Blink to secure it and remove it from the canyon's unstable center. Wr must rescue as soon as possible before its too late".
Ethan looked down at the violent battle below. This was the real beginning.