The early excitement of the rescue vanished to be replaced by the task's of safely escorting the Sovereign Stag to the Frozen Citadel of Prime Elementals. They had a huge intelligent mythological creature that needed to be transported across an unexplored continent and given urgent specialized medical care.
With its crystalline structure emitting an immediate cold that was quickly covering the surrounding granite the Arctic Stag of Dissolution lay weak but stable. The dazzling Anti-Magic shards the legendary essence it had shed were volatile and would rapidly break and dissolve if they came into contact with ordinary biological material. The eerie quiet of reversed magical flow penetrated the air along the edge of the canyon.
Vulcan observed "Its core structure is intact thanks to Anchor's intervention," as he leaned over the Stag his gauntlet hand just barely touching its crystalline hide. "However its interior temperature is quite low. It needs constant steady cold. The trip back to Aethelheim would be fatal therefore we can't take the chance. Its essence will be shattered by the extreme temperature change".
Ethan reminded him "The goal is the Frozen Citadel of the Prime Elementals," as he glanced at the far-off unrecorded locations on his map. That implies that it lives in extremely frigid temperatures. "We must find a means to keep it at room temperature and transport it over this harsh terrain without breaking its skin."
Sensing the Stag's desire Anchor naturally became larger once more. He created a big confined dome of chilly air surrounding the Stag by using his massive controlled mass. A portable cooling and preservation type of environment was created from the Chaos slime. A silent testament to the peculiar nature of their relationship the size of the massive slime serving as a guardian was visually striking and Anchor lives upto his name of being a Guardian slime.
Vulcan was shocked "Anchor provides the perfect thermal shield" with a keen analytical focus. "To achieve flawless consistent cold a feat that would need a dedicated Legendary-tier facility he is managing the chaotic power. However, the landscape is difficult. We can't just drag it."
Ethan said "We will not drag it" noticing Anchor's easy command of the elemental environment. "It will be carried by Anchor. He can move across the Crags without disturbing the Stag's shell since he has the mass, stability and shock-absorbing ability. It's the only way to guarantee absorbing the damage and temperature stability".
With his analytical mind already calculating the enormous energy demands on the slime Vulcan nodded slowly. "A sensible approach but the Guardian will have to put in a lot of physical and magical effort. Our defensive perimeter is significantly diminished and Anchor will be threatened."
The material they had collected faced the most immediate danger before its been used. The swirling instability of the Legendary Anti-Magic Essence was threatening to reverse the magical flow in their own armor as it lay in a crystalline pile. The atmosphere surrounding the fragments seemed hostile to life itself.
Vulcan declared "The Anti-Magic essence must be purified immediately," as he opened his storage bag. "These fragments will trigger a devastating chain reaction a small magical explosion when they come into contact with the remaining heat of your Aegis or my core armor. We must be very careful around and its been stored in my storage bag".
Ethan swiftly set up his camera knowing that this dangerous high-value Escorting mission would result in an SSS-Rank cinematic ootage. He focused the lens just on Vulcan's hands and the hot furnace.
Vulcan arranged his specialized quenching liquids and portable furnace with great care. He didn't use fire. Rather he depended on negative magical charge and pure regulated pressure that were extracted straight from the Crags' unstable environment. He put the volatile crystals in the furnace and started using precise rhythmic anti-thermal force pulses. Ethan thought no wonder Vulcan was real life scientist and physician.
It was a struggle of wills against chaotic nature and the process was extremely slow. Every beat carried a risk. The entire pile would explode in an unexpected magical reversal that might seriously harm the Stag and endanger their position with just one mistake a tiny miscalculation in pressure. Vulcan was completely focused, the only sound he made was his breathing. He was taming pure untamed magic with the essence of his mythic craft.
Ethan remained fascinated as he watched. He could sense the structural chaos of the crystals the chaotic instability being firmly but softly pushed into a stable crystalline structure because his Forgemaster's Grasp tingled continuously. He observed the subtle changes in Vulcan's hold and the precise timing of the pressure application a Masterwork forging lesson far beyond any manual he had ever come across.
The skilled blacksmith put in more than an hour of effort. His brow was beaded with sweat which instantly froze into small crystals that dropped off his helmet. The turbulent glow finally faded. Once dangerous and unstable the Anti-Magic Essence was now a pile of clear thick absolutely inactive precious stones.
Vulcan sighed heavily "Completed" and his fatigue was evident even through his armor. "The substance is stable. It is currently prepared for regulated integration into upcoming Masterwork projects and its value is still legendary. Witness we have the trophies of rescuing the stag from the elementals"
Now that the material was in place and the Stag was stable, all attention turned to the journey. The locations went far into the unexplored Aethereal Crags an area characterized by continuous unstable elemental fluctuations and great height. It would take very long journey to complete requiring complete coordination and a significant change in the goals they had.
Vulcan said "The rules of our cooperation have changed entirely" as he evaluated the intimidating mountain range in front of him. "We are now protectors rather than hunters. Remaining hidden is more important to our survival than quick confrontation".
"Our roles are set when this mission started" ."The Portable Slime will be the Anchor,moving slowly over the landscape with the Stag which is inside Anchor. His attacking potential has been reduced as a result but the Stag's survival is essential."
"And I will be the Frontal Defense" Vulcan added. "I'll take twenty steps ahead of Anchor. My role is to provide an immovable barricade long enough for you to respond by absorbing the initial damage from any frontal threat that cannot be evaded".
"And I will be the Scout" Ethan concluded. "I'll be working undercover all the while utilizing Shadow Blink to find my way. Half of my time will be spent forward spotting traps and ambushes, and the other half will be spent attacking from behind dealing with any quick attackers that get past your frontal defense. Perfect movement and stealth are essential to our survival. No needless deaths. We save Anchor's mana and energy".
The fresh solid Anti-Magic jewels were sealed in a different pouch by Vulcan. He could feel the weight of the Aethereal Vow Quest and the new duty that came with it. The lengthy dangerous escort job was worth far more than any single SSS-Rank payday even if they had traded the quick-payout life of an assassin for it.
"The path is set" Ethan said making sure his camera was fully charged and examining the seals on his Aegis. He turned to face Anchor who was waiting calmly with the Stag wrapped in its cold embrace.
"Master Artisan the Frozen Citadel is waiting for you and me. And the world is going to get really fascinating."
With his heavy hammer and a small storage bag in hand, the Grand Artisen gave one nod. His armor clanked softly as he moved into the rugged terrain the sound of a thier step and their gear entirely dedicated to this mission. They had started their adventure.