Chapter 4579: Carried to the Top (Part 1)

"Damn right you are." The Mother grunted. "I’m sorry, child, but I played no role in my race’s fall aside from going this close to being its victim. The trolls may be different people and have nothing to do with the Odi Empire, but I owe them nothing.

"I want you to understand I don’t resent or blame the people of Zelex for the crimes of their ancestors. Yet if after I help you the trolls and Traughen turn out to be no better than their progenitors, I’d be responsible for every crime they commit.

"There are few things I can’t stomach, but the risk of resurrecting the Odi Empire is among them."

Quylla opened her mouth to answer, but no sound came out.

’I don’t agree with Baba Yaga. I can’t deny the trolls were born out of the Odi’s insane experiments, but those still alive to this day inherited nothing of the Odi’s twisted morals and their ambition to conquer and enslave the other races.

’Yet dismissing Yaga’s trauma would be insensitive and hypocritical. I’ve endured the cruelty of the remnants of the Odi species only for a few days, yet I still have nightmares about the events of Kulah.

’Baba Yaga spent her youth under the Odi’s yoke, and there’s no telling what kinds of horrors she witnessed and experienced first-hand. She can’t move past that painful part of her past that no more than I can just pretend I didn’t kill Yurial while under the effects of Nalear’s slave ring.’

"I understand your concerns, Lady Yaga." Quylla said after a while, giving the Mother a bow. "I won’t ask for your help again, but please, listen to my plea.

"The trolls and Traughen born in Zelex are innocent, while the trolls scattered across Mogar are miserable, mindless beings cursed to live only for a fraction of their original lifespan while tormented by an endless hunger.

"They have no idea of what made them that way and no memory of the Odi Empire. They only know that pain defines their existence and that no matter what they do or where they go, the hunger follows them like their shadow.

"Ignoring the current trolls won’t solve their problem or remove the threat they pose to all living beings. You’ve dedicated your entire life to giving the most unfortunate and helpless a second chance, so please, consider meeting the people of Zelex.

"I’m not asking you to do anything for them, just to get to know them. They are the only trolls currently capable of reason, and have built a society that lasts to this day.

"Please, check with your own eyes if Zelex’s trolls act and talk like the Odi you knew. If the enemy you fear is truly still alive or just an echo of the past."

Quylla made no mention of the trolls’ and Traughen’s many noble sacrifices to reclaim Jiera, or the shortened lifespan they suffered even while living above a mana geyser.

’Appealing to her feelings would only stir her trauma. I can only hope that her nature prevails over her grudge and that, by witnessing the condition of the people of Zelex and their children, Baba Yaga will decide they also deserve a second chance.’ She thought.

"As for you, Lady Silverwing-"

"Please, if we’re going to work together, drop the honorifics." The First Magus cut her short. "It will save us a lot of time and awkwardness."

"As you wish, Silverwing." Quylla nodded. "As I was saying, I’d be glad to have you among my patients and assistants, but that’s not something I can decide alone. Most of the data I collected comes from Lith, the tower, Ryla, and Garrik.

"Before giving you my answer, I need to ask their permission."

"It’s fine by us." Lith said, and Solus nodded.

"Then give me a second. I’ll ask Ryla and be right back." Quylla Warped away.

"What does Solus have to do with this?" Silverwing raised an eyebrow. "Is it because the tower belongs to her?"

"No, the tower belongs to us." Solus replied. "I’m included in this conversation because I’m an Indech too."

She shapeshifted into her evolved human form, making Silverwing gasp in surprise.

"This is amazing, Epphy! I’m so happy for you. How did it happen?" She asked while studying the tattoo-like silver and gold veins decorating Solus’ arms, shoulders, and face.

"The tower isn’t the only thing that changed since the last time we met, Aunt Loka, remember? The Indech life force is just a facet of who I am." Solus shapeshifted into her Vritra, Talos, and Divine Beast forms.

"Good gods!" Silverwing stepped back in shock. "The alterations that Verhen brought to your life force are much deeper than I expected, but he can’t be the reason you have crystals for eyes and feathers."

"That’s my doing." Menadion replied. "I think my version of Yaga’s Horseman technology ended up resembling the original much more than I intended. It might have even surpassed it."

"Only time will tell." Solus shrugged. "We can continue this later when I give you a tour of the tower, Aunt Loka. Quylla is about to return."

She had yet to finish talking when Quylla walked through a dimensional door conjured by the Warp Mirror.

"Ryla and Garrik agreed. Welcome aboard, Silverwing." Quylla and the First Magus shook hands. "May I know what you aim to achieve through this collaboration? You’re already a rank 4 human and a white core at that.

"You have all the time you need to discover your abilities and learn how to use them. What do you need my help for?"

"It’s easier if I show you." A mind link showed Quylla the events in the Mindscape and Silverwing’s conversation with Mogar. "As you can see, my current appearance is very different from my mirror reflection’s.

"It means that I’ve just taken the first step of a journey I don’t know how long it will last or where it will bring me. I already wasted almost a thousand years going blind, and I achieved my current form only thanks to Verhen and Ajatar showing me the way.

"I can’t afford to waste Mogar knows how many more millennia to understand and master my apex form just because I’m too prideful to ask for help. Mogar was very clear. While I rested on my laurels, the rest of the world moved on. It’s her way to warn me I’m not ready for what is about to come."

"I see." Quylla swallowed hard, wondering what something capable of threatening a white core’s existence might do to a mere human like her and all those she loved. "Let’s bring you up to speed, then."

A second mind link shared the details of Quylla’s research with Silverwing.

"I can’t help you with infusing your body with Spirit Magic yet. Lith doesn’t know how to do that either, so I have no data or working theory on that particular ability. Your wings, however, are a different story. You just need to train them."

"I noticed that Lith, Tista, and Solus have my same problem, yet it doesn’t make sense." Silverwing paced the room. "It’s no surprise my mana organs are atrophied after not being used for a thousand years, but then why don’t the rest of my forms share this problem?"