Jonan was dumbfounded and furious at the abomination's insidious nature, He also understood that it was performing such rituals to purify its bloodline and progress faster in getting stronger. That means they don't have much time.
They all fell silent. The implications were dire.
"Abominations that have spirit birthed with them are the most suitable and in perfect tune with them, they don't have any bottlenecks," Edric said with a growl. "They can grow unimpeded."
"And they can easily fight above their realm," Marla added. "A newborn could match a grade three beast."
"Or a Battle Artisan Realm being," Elias said. "We're not equipped to deal with that."
Elias looked around at them, his voice steady. "Which is why we're pulling back. We return back to our base. This mission has exceeded our....."
Before he can continue speaking further Elias suddenly stopped, his face turning grim, "Give me a second, I have been called, we will continue after I return."
Then Elias slowly stood up and disappeared behind the tree.
The glade remained silent after Elias excused himself. The others watched him disappear behind the towering moss-covered trees, each lost in their own growing unease.
Jonan stared at the spot where Elias vanished, his thoughts heavy. He felt unease at the interruption of Elias's orders, he felt uneasy but could only wait for Elias to come back, and he knew that no one, other than their leader would be around them so mysteriously.
Marla broke the silence in irritation. "You think he was contacted by someone?"
"Of course, who else but our leader," Edric muttered in grim tone.
Hearing about their leader, Marla couldn't say a word, she went mute instantly with a bit of panic on her face.
Jonan didn't reply, but his gut twisted. Deep down, he had a feeling they weren't going to like what Elias would have to say when he returns.
A few hundred paces away
Elias moved quickly through the dense brush, following a faint trail only he seemed able to sense. He passed through a narrow crack between two boulders and emerged into a secluded clearing, the air here dense with energy. Hidden under the arching roots of a dead titanwood tree was a man, tall, broad-shouldered, his face hidden behind a white pearl mask.
Rhydian.
The leader of their cohort. A man both feared and respected and someone who rarely revealed himself unless it was of critical importance.
"You called?" Elias asked, stepping forward.
Rhydian looked up, his cold gray eyes locking onto Elias's. "Report."
Elias hesitated only briefly. "It's worse than we thought, although Young master Jonan performed extremely well, he discovered the abomination's trail, and he also found the ritual site belonging to it, unfortunately, it's a very rare kind, with its own sprit birthed beside it, we will not be able to handle such a being, and from how the Young Master has explained, it also wants us to attack it, so that it can turn us into it's sacrifices."
Rhydian didn't blink. "I understand, You will continue with the mission."
Elias stared at him. "What?"
"I said, continue. The abomination must be observed further. You are not to retreat."
"You're joking." Elias's voice dropped, anger barely contained. "We don't have the capabilities to face something like that. Even a single mistake—"
"You are war criminals who were turned slaves by us, do not forget your place mongrel. You do not dictate the shape of your orders," Rhydian said flatly.
Elias took a step forward, his face unpleasant, but he had to admit, he couldn't say anything else, or something worse will be waiting for him, that's the kind of family the great Starfall family is. "I know that you understand what we're up against? That thing could destroy us all. It is performing a ritual with a spirit born alongside it. It's not just strong, it's also evolving faster than as we speak, and with us in it's mouth it will be way stronger and tougher to deal with."
Rhydian didn't flinch, and said with a deadpan expression through the mask. "And that is exactly why you must continue."
"Why?" Elias asked through clenched teeth. "What's the point of feeding us to the lion's mouth?"
Rhydian's lips curled into something too cruel to be called a smile. "Because we need Young Master Jonan to grow fast, conflict tempers resolve, fear reveals potential. We need him honed and stronger than anyone."
Elias's face went pale. "So we're bait."
"Yes, You are tools," Rhydian corrected. "He is heir to a legacy that matters more than your lives. If this encounter is what drives him to take the next step in his cultivation, and be stronger than anyone else, then it is worth it."
Elias was speechless for a moment. Then rage surged in his chest.
"You bastard—"
"Control yourself," Rhydian said coldly. "I didn't summon you here for sentiment. Deliver the order. Do not tell him I was here. That is a direct command."
Elias's fists clenched tightly at his sides. "And if I refuse?"
"You won't," Rhydian said. "Because 'HE' is also observing everything here, I am sure you wouldn't want to disappoint him."
Elias stood there for a long moment, staring at the man, stunned too speechless to speak, "I thought he was like others being supported by either the noble families or someone else in the Starfall Family, but is His Highness the one personally investing such attention to the Young Master, when he hasn't even bothered to look at other sons of his."
The air tensed, "Be mindful of what you can and cannot speak mongrel."
Finally, Elias turned without another word and disappeared back into the forest.
Back at the Glade
The others had grown restless by the time Elias returned. Jonan immediately stepped forward.
"Well?"
Elias didn't meet their eyes at first. He walked back into the circle, silent, face drawn tight. Then he exhaled and looked up.
"It's an order from above," he said quietly. "We continue with the mission."
A heavy silence fell over them all.
"What?" Marla blinked. "You're serious?"
"They want us to proceed," Elias repeated. "We're to observe and track the abomination. Engage only if we're certain of success."
"They want us to observe it?" Marla said incredulously. "That thing is performing it's ritual of bloodline purification with a spirit partner, It could destroy us before we blink."
Edric narrowed his eyes. "Did they say why?"
Elias hesitated.
Jonan stepped forward, his voice calm but cold. "Sir Elias, is it because of me."
Elias was stunned, how could the young master deduce this.
There was a long pause before Elias spoke again.
"It's... about you," he said finally, quietly. "They think this mission will help push you forward. Pressure, risk, danger—it'll accelerate your growth. That's what they want."
Jonan stood frozen. His mind reeled, the words hitting him like a blade.
"So they're using us as kindling," Marla said, her voice low and sharp. "To light this brat's fire."
Edric gave a grim chuckle. "Guess we know how expendable we are."
"I didn't agree to this," Jonan said, his voice tight. "None of you did."
"We don't have a choice," Elias said. "Rhyd— They made it clear. If we retreat, it'll be considered dereliction. That'll be worse than death, trust me."
"And if we stay, it may end our lives," Marla snapped.
"You know kid, something worse could happen to you, and you know that Starfall family is completely capable of this," retorted Elias.
"Then what do we do?" Edric asked, his usual quiet tone laced with bitter humor. "Fight the abomination?"
Jonan looked down at his hands, he felt disgusted by the orders of his family, he just couldn't understand, why his stepmother Aurelia wanted him to die so badly.
He cannot have his answers here, only when he returns back to his home, will he ask for the reason behind her intentions.
"We cannot directly start observing the abomination, it is too smart for that, we can only spy on other tribes, which are living nearby, they must be involved with it somehow, and we can start from there," said Elias in an even tone.
Jonan raised an eyebrow. "So what's the plan?"
"We start with the surrounding tribes," Elias said. "We've already confirmed their presence—two, maybe three clans in the vicinity. At least one is likely cooperating with the abomination for sacrifices or protection. If we monitor them carefully, track their movements, we can learn more without ever getting near the abomination itself."
"Use the pawns to find the king," Edric muttered. "Smart."
Marla nodded irritated. "Do we know which tribes are closest?"
Elias pulled out a rough map, sketched hastily during his earlier scouting. He pointed to a crescent-shaped valley to the east, where Jonan was.
"The Nightfur tribe is here. They're known to be aggressive but organized. If the abomination's using anyone for ritual resources, it's likely them, they're the easiest to manipulate."
Jonan remembered seeing them, it looks like they got their first target.