Evolution: A Warlock’s Rise To Power

The players from the Windy Willow gaming organization moved forward on their mounts after a brief rest. They spent most of the day traveling. That night, far in the distance, they were able to see a fortress, resting a top a large hill. Behind the fortress was a stretch of dark forest that expanded to the horizon.

As they set up camp for the night, Frantic Willow, one of Lucan's direct warlocks and a fellow formation enthusiast, started to chant while casting a spell. A few moments later, a shadow tunnel appeared.

This was not for them to flee through, but the city that would soon be built was going to be in this area. It was Lucan who asked him to cast the shadow tunnel spell when they arrived.

The warlock had already arranged it so the other end was in Shadowsweep. Frantic let Lucan know that the other gate had been placed. Now Lucan would have several of his acolytes run back and forth while enhancing the tunnel. Making it both wider and shorter. This would make it several times easier to deliver supplies and the necessary building materials to the city that would be built in the future. The people of Baramore could make use of this passage until the teleportation device was built.

The Windy Willow people gathered around Sturdy as he began to inform them of the threats in the fortress. Humanoid elemental creatures currently controlled their target. They were monsters that were shaped like people but made entirely from the elements. This included people made of fire, stone, water, etc.

This was the only information available to them. Once they got a bit closer they would set up a base camp and send a team ahead to scout out the situation.

***

Things in Baramore were very chaotic, that included the moderate city that had once been a small village, now known as Cloud Saint City. This was where Heaven's Kiss's guild headquarters was located. When the news that the drow were approaching spread, the first thing Cloud Saint guild did was prepare for a fight.

It wasn't until they realized, how many drow were coming that they changed their minds. Beside they may be able to fight, hold off the drow and survive, but the whole country was fleeing. Even if they won, their would be nothing left near them. Whispers had already spread through Baramore, everyone knew that they could find safety by heading to the shadow realm.

Heaven's Kiss pulled up her interface and called her sister, Silent Night.

"Silent, what the heck? Why didn't you tell me that the drow were coming earlier?"

"I only just found out about it too, things are crazy busy over here."

"Is it true that Lucan is offering help?"

"We talked it over, and he is going to let anyone from Baramore, who wants to enter the shadow realm, come over. It will be hectic for a while, but I think it should be manageable. There are plans to build two new cities. Hopefully things will work out. Are you going to come to the shadow realm, or is your guild moving elsewhere?"

"Lucan isn't going to kick up a fuss if we come to the shadow realm? Because we have talked it over, and there is a good amount of guildmates who think moving to the shadow realm is the right decision."

"What about you? Do you think it is a good idea to move here?"

"I wouldn't mind being closer to you, but the thought of sending taxes to that stupid face irks me."

"He, he, he, there are ways to get out of taxes. Lucan actually asked me to pass along an offer for you."

"Oh yeah, what does he want?"

"He said that if you want to move to Destol he will not interfere."

"Doesn't sound like a great deal to me."

"Hold on, let me finish. He is willing to pay for the cost of your new guild headquarters if you set up in Shadowsweep. And if you set up your new headquarters in the city near the dark territory, that is to be built for the people of Baramore, he will not only pay for your facilities but wave all taxes for five years."

"Wow, aren't you in Destol? Is he trying to keep us apart?"

"It is not like that." Silent explained. "There is way too many people coming from Baramore. His own local population will be the minority in the future. The terms are good for Shadowsweep and the new city he is developing because it would be a bonus if you guys were their to keep an eye on things."

"Ohhh, I get it."

"I can't keep talking for long. Like I said, things are hectic here, I have to run. But don't think that you have to take Lucan up on his offer. I would love it if you came to Destol. Starlight entertainment has already settled in and Destol is slowly transforming into an entertainment city. Think about it and let me know. I have to run."

Silent disconnected the call and Heaven's Kiss went to report the situation to her guildmates. She decided that they would make the decision together.

***

Lucan entered the shadow tunnel that was made for him. He quickly ran through, eager to take a look at what was on the other side. When he stepped out into the dark environment, Oar was the first to notice him.

"Boss, you are here, great." He said, running over to Lucan's side.

The warlock scanned the area briefly. There were four dwarves sitting around a small campfire along with a human mage. When they heard Oar's remark, they quickly turned to see who just arrive.

When Edgit Hammerstone saw Lucan he jumped to his feet and went over to greet him. "Lord Quilldrake, I think you will like what we found."

"The are is impressive." Lucan noted as he looked around.

With the eye of Mentas, it was easy for him ot see through the darkness and inspect his surroundings. He was amazed by the appealingly endless sea that they had found underground.

"We have started to work on our plans to build a grand citadel." He said while leading Lucan over to the solid rock wall that stretch for over three miles. "It may take us a bit longer than I originally reported, but that was because we were planning on building an ordinary city underground. But the location we have found has brought us a great opportunity."

"I understand." Lucan said. "Make a worthy citadel."

"We will do just that Lord Quilldrake. It will be the sturdiest and most beautiful citadel you will have ever seen. Even if the surface world is drowned in fire, you can come here and safely rest."

"Good, good." Lucan was thrilled with what he saw. He had no doubt that Ed would be able to turn this place into a well fortified citadel. He couldn't wait to see the end result.

Edgit pulled the pickaxe from his back and offered it to Lucan. "Lord Quilldrake, would you like to do the honors? the first strike in the what will be our new home is usually offered to the leader. Come give it a good whack."

Lucan didn't turn him down. He took the pickaxe into his hand and used his newest phantom spell to create a second hand. He tightly gripped the pickaxe and took aim at the point the dwarf told him to focus on. After reeling back the pickaxe was sworn against the wall.

*Clunk*

A fist size piece of stone fractured off and was pulled loose while the few people present cheered. everyone looked forward to seeing what this place would be like in the future.

After Lucan made the first strike, the doors eagerly started making plans for the citadel. Oar to Lucan's side.

His boss was standing at the edge of the water staring into the darkness.

"Adrestia, go." He said.

The miniature shadow drake took flight and left his shoulder. She flew out over the dark water. Her wings flapped as she ventured higher. After a while she was able to see the ceiling, it was hard to gauge the exact distance but Lucan was sure the ceiling was at least a mile above the sea.

Adrestia swoop back down and follow the water outwards, looking for anything. After flying at her full speed for half an hour she finally saw something in the distance. A Rock island protruded from the water. It wasn't very large, maybe half a mile across.

The drake scanned the island but didn't see any signs of intelligent life. She kept flying past but the water seemed to stretch out endlessly. after not finding any signs of civilization or groups of monsters, Lucan summoned her back.

He wasn't sure what was out there, but he knew the chances of the sea being empty were slimmed and none. They would most likely face dangers from this front.