Corrupt Creations

"That is enough." The Elf Queen said after hearing everything he spoke. She started to think about everything, and a brief moment of silence happened. 

Seth activated his Soul Sense to check what was happening inside the outer layer territory, while she was trying to think about their next step. He got amazed after noticing that there wasn't a single beast alive anymore. Arwen Evergreen Essence thoroughly cleaned the entire place, and she was able to accomplish that with just a single destructive wave. 

'There is such a big difference in power from a Mana Control middle-stage cultivator like me to a Mana Sovereign like her...' 

Suddenly, he picked up something different with his Soul Sense. 

"Arwen, bring us some four thousand meters towards that direction. Quickly..." 

The Elf Queen felt through his voice that there was something different and used her powers to go to the place he said. In a matter of seconds, they were already there. 

Seth and Arwen stopped in midair, looking towards the ground, where a young male elf was wandering in a strange-like pattern. 

Seth dropped on the ground right before him and felt the signature of the corrupted energy coming from his body. 

The elf raised his head and looked towards Seth. His eyes were already completely red and his reason seemed to be on the verge of collapse. 

"Grrr!" The male elf made a strange noise and suddenly attacked Seth. 

Seth just used his aura to suppress him, making his body stop. He was just a Qi transformation initial-stage cultivator and couldn't go against Seth. 

After some seconds, some red lines started to appear on the surface of his skin, opening ghastly wounds, from where red crystal shards started to form. His body was quickly taken over by those crystals, transforming in a red crystalline statue, shattering some seconds later. 

Seth and the Elf Queen observed everything that just happened and both of them felt the corrupted energy that was released in the air after his death. It tried to search for another host and infect him. 

Seth was the person that was closest to it, so it was only natural that the energy would be attracted towards him. He felt that energy entering his body through his energy veins and get rapidly sucked towards the Seed of Tyranny, being swallowed completely. 

Seth clenched his fists while feeling powerless before what just happened. 

The Elf Queen descended, stopping beside him and asking: "What just happened?" 

"I don't know... That energy so easily infected and killed that elf, but it is not able to do anything with me, however, I don't feel happy about it at all. All I feel is this strange powerlessness that makes me dread everything related to this power." 

"It is common for us to fear the unknown and even more common for that fear to swallow us whole. That's why you must not dread it, instead, you must confront it, lest you want to end just like me..." Arwen said some words from the bottom of her heart. 

Seth turned his head and stared at her green eyes. He could see the sadness contained on them. 

"Do not let this control you. You must be the one to control your own destiny. I was naïve when I was younger and left my destiny on the hands of my "god", but the power I received, brought me a painful life that wasn't worth it. That is why you should be the one in control." 

Her words entered Seth's ears and he made sure to record them in his mind. He was able to feel the feelings behind them and the bitter life she had because of that. 

"I'll certainly value your words." 

"Good... If I didn't have Rina with me, I don't even know if I would be able to handle such a bitter destiny. She is the bright sun of my dark days." 

"She is indeed someone special. You should let her see the world outside when all of this is over." 

"Hm? Hah! People like you are one of the reasons that I forbade her from leaving the castle. She would not be able to deny or block your advances if you wanted to. Losing her innocence would be the least of her problems by then." 

"What?! Do I look so much like a dangerous person?" 

"Hah! Even though the main reason for me to accept your advances that day was related to your abilities, I would never do it if it wasn't for you being dangerous. Your charms are not so easily countered." 

"Really?!" Seth looked at her flabbergasted. He knew that he was handsome, but it never crossed his mind that he had such a strong charm. 

"Alright, let's leave this discussion for later. Right now, we have to think of a way of leaving the dungeon and discover the real purpose of Elyon and Allannia." The Elf Queen said while looking towards the ceiling. If she wanted, she could destroy the entire formation and leave through the ceiling, but the consequences would be dire. The Entire Ereinrith city would probably crumble down because of that. 

"Allannia? Hm... I imagined she would have something to do with this situation." Seth put a hand under his chin while analyzing what she had said. 

"Oh? What made you think so?" 

"Well... First of all, Elyon wouldn't be able to bribe so many members of the Secret Security Unit and make them join their side. Secondly, she denied an investigation that I and Elyra were doing on him. Finally, you are here, and that's enough to proof, since only a person at her position, would be able to lure you here." Seth told Arwen about his observations. 

"That's why we should find a way to leave this place and find them outside." Arwen was getting worried of what might be happening inside the city right now. 

"How are you going to find them? They could pretty much be anywhere." 

"That is indeed possible, but it isn't probable. Allannia and Elyon wouldn't risk doing such an operation just to leave empty handed. There is only a single thing I can think, that they must be doing..." 

"What is it?" 

"They are trying to reach the core of our race. The World Tree Replica. However, it is easier said than done. Even though it is not easy, we must hurry and stop them." 

What Arwen didn't know, was that Allannia had a way to bypass the barrier and had already made her first move. 

"What if... What if I say that I have a way to leave this place?" Seth chose to expose the blue talismans. He took them out and showed them to the Elf Queen. 

She grabbed them and said: "These are the blue talismans connected to the formation. Where did you find them?" 

"One is from a member of the Secret Security Unity that tried to harm Rina and the other is from Elydir Luberus, Elyon's son." 

When Arwen heard the first part of his phrase, a faint killing intent started to be released in her aura. She would never forgive Allannia and Elyon now that she knew they tried to harm her daughter. 

"Thank you..." Arwen thanked Seth for saving her daughter. 

"Hm? Come on, she is my friend and I wouldn't let anyone hurt her." 

The Elf Queen felt his sincerity and nodded. She engraved this action of his in the depths of her heart. 

Seth looked at her and said: "You and Elyra should go and resolve this entire situation, since you are the strongest." 

"No... You are going to come with me. I'll let Elyra here to take care of everyone, while you will follow me towards the castle." 

"Why did you choose to bring me?" 

"Because you are able to withstand my Evergreen Essence. I feel that something big might happen and Elyra wouldn't be able to properly fight near my aura." 

"I see..." 

"Alright, let's head back. I will inform Elyra of our plans and give her some other instructions." 

Seth nodded and the Elf Queen quickly supported them back to where everyone was, making that heavy pressure descend on them once again. She planned to stay for a few minutes only, not making her aura hurt anyone severely. 

Elyra approached her and was about to kneel down, but Arwen signaled her to stop. 

"As I have already said to you, the entrance formation was destroyed. However, I have two blue talismans with me right now, that are able to bring two people to the outside world. I will leave everything here on your hands, while I and Seth will deal with things that are happening on the Ereinrith city." 

Elyra nodded and accepted her decision. She didn't even complain about it, since she knew the Elf Queen would do the right judgement. 

"You can leave everything here to me." 

"Good." 

After that, Arwen went towards her daughter, that was happily conversing with Caizhi and the girls from the Glazed Lake. While approaching, she heard that the topic of their conversation, was actually Seth. 

"Whaaa?! You have really done that with him?!" Jiayi seemed excited from hearing Caizhi's words. 

Rina's cheeks got red from embarrassment, but she seemed rather interested in that topic. 

The Elf Queen saw how her daughter was acting and decided to not bother them. Arwen felt a bit happy that she was able to form some new friends, it's just that the topic of their conversation seemed to be a bit improper. If she saw how her daughter eyes sparkled when they were talking about Seth, she would certainly jump in and stop whatever they were talking about.. But unfortunately for her, it was already late.