2.17 - Kongeegon

Anneleigh once again entered deeper into the keep.  Niall Adnar and Emilyn Summers were not familiar with the spirit guide’s alter within the Keep; they left it to her to find and communicate with the guild.

Anneleigh searched the small alcoves and hidden caves of the Keep.  She was certain the Aelfwar would not have permitted the shrine to stand if they knew of its existence.  Logic followed that if she was sent to find it, it must be someplace hidden.

The sunlight began to fade during her third pass through; she became aware of a glowing light, illuminating a large square on the highest level.   Its dim light glowed more brightly in the twilight and had previously been obscured by a large amount of First Order Aelfwar.

She approached the shrine at the edge of the wide open square and began to pray.  The spirit guide appeared at once.

“Prince Hylas will unleash the wilderness to destroy civilization.  Yet, the way of the forest is harmony – life and death in balance.  Hylas will bring only death.  The Vigil’s strength is yours, Anneleigh.  As you strike, they will strike tenfold.  Awaken Kongeegon with the power of the Vigil, slay him, and seize the Seed of Destruction that grants him life.”

Anneleigh’s eyes flew open wide in terror.  “You wish me to kill Kongeegon?”

The spirit guide nodded its head.  “Tavril weeps for her children.  Her sacred forest is being torn apart by unnatural flames and corrupt hearts.  You do not go alone, Anneleigh.  Tavril goes with you.  The Vigil goes with you.”

Anneleigh took a deep steadying breath and nodded.  Without another word she left the square.  A short walk to the east stood the heart of the keep.   Within its center lay a small seed pod surrounded by vegetation and life.  It seemed to grow out of the stones of the keep.

She approached the seed pod and it began to quiver and glow.  Without further warning the largest treant she had ever seen came into being.  It was thick as an old oak, covered with jagged bark, and taller than the ramparts that surrounded the square, ten times at least as tall as she.

“I will strangle you in the vines of Greenscale!” It said, in a voice so deep those in the distance may confuse it with thunder.  Though he spoke, he remained still.

She stood and watched for a moment, puzzled, before movement to her left caught her attention.  Prince Hylas entered the courtyard through a door and stood on a high balcony, overlooking the scene.

“What is this?  You think you can simply invoke the Vigil’s name and halt my dominion of this forest?”  He shouted down at her.  She stood her ground, eyes fixed on him in defiance. 

“Yes.  Tavril and the Vigil will not let this forest be overrun.  We have asked you peaceful to end your plots in our forest.  You have ignored us and belittled our attempts.  We now stand ready to end your reign here.  No matter the cost!”

She realized she must sound braver than she felt.   Her outer shell stood tall, but inside her heart pounded what felt like over a million times a second.

Prince Hylas smiled at her. “You will not defeat Kongeegon that easily.  Taste the power of Greenscale!”

Behind her, Kongeegon had come to life at last and was making slow strides towards her.  His feet large enough to step on her like an insect, his hands and arms powerful enough to knock her unconscious with a careless wave.

Anneleigh ran circles around the square, waiting for more instructions or tools; an enchanted dagger or blessed hammer, any object to assist her.  She quickly recalled she had never fought a plane-touched being without the guidance of the vigil. 

As she circled the square she heard the spirit guide’s voice call, “Quickly now.  Destroy Kongeegon while I distract Hylas!”

Anneleigh nodded and struck at the giant with her daggers.  She could only hope even large plane-touched trees can be cut down to stumps.   The moment she struck him he began to splinter.  The smaller splinters fell to the ground and lay defeated, but the large grew into smaller beings of their own, splitting her attention between them.  This continued for a few minutes.  Once or twice Anneleigh chanced a glance to Prince Hylas.  She found he was watching, but immobilized with the magic of the spirit guide.

Gradually Kongeegon began to stiffen and freeze.  Above her she could hear Prince Hylas speaking.  “You are stronger than I thought.  Priests, replenish Kongeegon’s life at any cost.”

Anneleigh almost laughed at his use of her phrase, but the humor caught in her throat when she turned to see the priestess’.  She moved as quickly as she could through the brambles and struck a dagger into the heart of each of the Aelfwar.   Although she had ended their chanting before they had time to heal him fully, their actions were enough to bring him back to fighting strength.

Anneleigh took up her daggers against the weakened treent once again.  This time, he weakened more quickly and seemed to lack the energy to spawn the saplings to defend him.  Anneleigh dodged his large feet and hands, but was able to quickly defeat him.

“No!  This cannot be!  Twyl promised that Kongeegon could never be stopped, but here he lies, dead at my feet.  You may have foiled my plans for Silverwood, but when Greenscale is awakened all of Telara will be entangled in House Aelfwar’s fae-touched tendrils.  Until we meet again, Guardian.”

With that, he turned and re-entered the Keep the way he had come.

The dawn light seemed to illuminate the square in a matter of moments.  With the conflict at hand, Anneleigh had been oblivious to the time she spent in the Keep.  Though it felt like mere moments, she now realized she fought through the night.  The spirit guide came to her at the center of the courtyard.  “It seems the Vigil chose wisely.  This journey is over, but a new one begins, farewell.”  It disappeared before Anneleigh could answer. 

Anneleigh returned to the body of Kongeegon and retrieved the seed of destruction.  She made her way quickly to Niall Adnar and presented the seed to him.

“By slaying Kongeegon, Anneleigh, you have saved the forest and its people, but above all, you have restored balance.  I can feel the forest creatures emerging from their dens and the people talking in the bright, cleansing light.  With Kongeegon and Hylas defeated, the forest is free.  Thanks to you, Prince Hylas can no longer hurt us. “

He peered at the seed in his hands.  “Now, this seed, this gift of Twyl’s, must be cleansed and guarded to prevent others from abusing its powers. “ He placed it into a cauldron to his left. “This is the holy water of the springs at Three Springs in Moonshade Highlands.  It will neutralize the seed.”  He removed the seed and handed it back to her.  “Brougan Grote will know what needs to be done.

Anneleigh made the walk back to Argent Glade in record time.  The woods seemed peaceful around her.  The fire rifts and goblins were gone, and the Aelfwar seemed to be retreating as well.

“Ah, Anneleigh, I trust you bring good news. “ He made a motion to bring attention to the woods. “No one who lives hear can understand what happened, and I am hesitant to tell them until I know myself.”

Anneleigh recounted her story and handed him the seed.  He smiled, accepted the seed and placed it into a small cage behind him.

“Now that you’ve defeated Hylas, there’s no telling what he will do.  Though we’ve prevented him from unleashing Greenscale’s magic, Hylas has tasted its power and will not give up easily.  We will see Hylas again, mark my words.  Guardians must remain vigilant for his return.  However, the Aelfwar threat here in Silverwood is contained. “His smile faded.

“The goblins are another matter.  Their defeat in Silverwood will stoke the aggression of the horde in Gloamwood.  They may even attempt to waken their dragon patron, Maelforge.  The people there will need your help.”

“Can I sleep first?”  Anneleigh said behind a yawn.  With the immediate pressure released, she realized she had slept very little since she returned to Telara.   "I also want to visit Sanctum before I travel further west.  I have been here for over a week and not seen it for myself."

"I think you've earned that." Brougan said with a smile.