While the storms raged on overhead, many of the gifted rose to defend Thaelen, his research and most importantly Aubadrine itself.
It wasn't long that the gifted had to prepare as soon several Anchors accompanied by Phantom Mages assaulted the shoreline of the island, attempting to create steady portals to overrun Aubadrine with Aegis forces.
The gifted quickly rushed to the first target, the air filled with the sound of dragon wings beating and bipeds marching forward, a greater Anchor looming dangerously close to the entrance inland, it proved very little resistance to the combined might of the living races and was downed quickly.
An Aegis regiment rushed inland as their entrance closed behind them. they managed to approach the small river before blade, flame and arrow descended upon them.
with the large threat gone the gifted once more resumed to finding the portals and bringing them down.
the next anchor, a lesser one, was found high on the mountain, no doubt the Aegis thinking the elevated position would give them an edge in the battle. This was proven incorrect by the gifted as the dragons swiftly ascended the mountainside, the bipedal races in tow.
As they shut down the second portal, a strange object was found amongst the remains, this artifact was taken for examination once things would have cooled down.
With two down, there were two more to go, a third one was found by the beach not far from the first one. Another greater one, this one assisted by far more Phantom Mages than the one before it. While the gifted struggled against the mages for a while it did not take long for them to gain a foothold in the battle, and shortly thereafter the Anchor fell.
With another one of the portals closed the Aegis launched another desperate raid towards the center of the island. To keep things under control the gifted split up, one party taking care of the invaders inland, while another focused on the Anchor.
It wasn't long before the assault ended as the last of the Anchors fell and the gifted plucked whatever forces were left from the lands. With the attack ended there was finally time to examine the Artifact that was found on the remains of one of the anchors.
Some had suspicions on what it might be and what it functioned for, but none could be all too sure about it, as it was though, Thaelen was already researching the blight, perhaps this artifact could help him? And so it was decided that the artifact be given to him.
However, due to frequent use of certain reagents, he just happened to be short a few materials, and asked the gifted to gather that which he was short. It wasn't much, a few travertine bricks and some Radiant Orbs.
It was quickly decided that two dragons, as they had the easiest way of reaching the island, would collect the materials. Aftrr a short break, that most gifted relished in, the dragons returned.
But they seemingly not only brought just the materials. as Thaelen started his research once more, the Bridge of Hues seemingly started to pale, losing it's vibrancy, and shortly thereafter Bond Keepers and their adepts flooded the Island.
Fearing the worst the gifted geared up once more and protected Thaelen fiercely. Once they had taken down most of the forces their fears were made a reality, as Falgut the Slaver made his way across the Bridge of Hues, every step seemingly darkening the already pale array of colours.
As the abomination stepped onto the land the gifted gave it their all to try and stop it, yet it seemed none of their weapons could harm him, any wounds quickly healed and closing in seconds.
Laughing loudly Falgut made his way further down towards the entrance inland, but finally, upon reaching the shoreline, the regenerative spell upon him disappeared, With an deep grunt he instead focused his attention on that which only seemed like gnats before, now struck hard blows upon him.
The battle was fierce, but soon the gifted had succeeded in bringing him down, his heavy body hitting the ground with a loud thud.
Many rejoiced, and it wasn't long before Thaelen appeared out of his still invisible house, waving a scroll in one hand, frantically trying to get the attention of the gifted with the other.
"Hail gifted!!" Wings fluttering he hurried himself over to the largest gathering. "I've got it! the answer to that artifact you've found!" as he talked the dryad rapidly unfurled the scroll he had clutched in his hand.
Several heads peered over him, trying to make sense of the scribbles and scratches all over the parchment. "now, this artifact is exactly as some had feared, a vital instrument in supporting the blight portals for the Aegis. They use these to stabilize the energies that are required for portal travel, and-". Seeing many puzzled looks Thaelen instead rolled the scroll back up and hands it over to a nearby dragon.
"Never mind that, I wouldn't be able to explain it to some of you even if I tried. No, bring the scroll and keystone to one of the gnomes, I've been gone from the mainland so long I wouldn't know who is the most well learned in portal technology, but I'm sure you can figure it out." And with that he fluttered back to his home, disappearing as he entered.
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