Fate of Mirithia [LitRPG, Isekai]

Meera put an arm over Lainor's shoulder to sell the fact that she was indeed injured. They were walking to a particular section of the runic wall. There was no one in sight, but she was sure there were eyes on them. Her belief was proved true when they left the sanctuary of the trees and got within twenty yards of the wall.

"Halt!" Echoed someone from behind the wall. The sound echoed throughout the clearing.

She was walking into a pit of vipers, but she had no other option. She steeled her nerves and let fate play out. After all, she wasn't supposed to die yet. She figured that she hadn't accomplished everything that was set out in the prophecy that the queen had given her.

"Remember, Lainor, not a word out of line, or you will die," she whispered.

Lainor huffed and waved to the wall. "It's Lainor. I found another survivor from the battle."

There was a long pause before a slit opened in the wall, light shining from behind it. Then the door opened and a gruff-looking Cultist stepped out.

"Bring her here." He motioned to Lainor.

They walked slowly, with Meera putting most of her weight on Lainor. It didn't take them long to get the cultist. The first thing that Meera did was to use Identify.

[Frostweaver – Level 534]

Meera was almost surprised at the man's strength. He was one of the stronger Cultists she had seen. He eyed her up and down. On the outside, she looked battered as all hell. Her clothes were drenched with blood, or so they appeared. Her face was plastered with so much makeup that even Meera didn't recognize herself in the mirror. She had also changed her Tag to Frostweaver and made her level in the mid-400s. So, if, after all this, it didn't work out, then this mission was done for.

"What's your name, girl?" He asked.

"Cauneth," Meera replied. It was the name of one of the Cultists that Lainor had seen die and concealed her body for just this purpose.

"Which division are you from?"

Meera flinched. "From Azeria. I was positioned in the city of Nelees as a missionary."

He squinted, and for a moment, Meera was sure that he had seen through her disguise.

"Elder Dolthon, please, she needs immediate help or she won't be long of this world," Lainor cut in.

He huffed. "Fine. Take her to the infirmary."

"Thank you." Meera bowed her head. "Aetheron will prevail."

He didn't return the greeting and just waved her off. He gave another look into the darkness as if expecting another attack from the sorceress. Finally, he turned and stalked back in, shutting the door behind him, sealing Meera in.

The enemy compound wasn't much different than what she had seen, aside from all the cultists. They were everywhere. They might have killed the bulk of the forces sent after them, but it didn't appear to have made any difference to their numbers. Duinith was right. The cult had recalled all its forces. She didn't have time to count, but there must've been over a thousand cultists, if not more.

With these insurmountable walls and these numbers, they could hold off any force indefinitely. The only thing Meera could think of was starving them out, but to do that, they needed a proper army, not the three dozen sorceresses they had left.

"Now, you know why we need to kill the Heirarch," Lainor whispered.

He was right. Besides assassinating Elrasil, she couldn't see any other way to deal with them.

"And what if they don't give up after we take out your dear leader?" Meera asked.

"They won't," he conceded. "But without proper leadership, they will be bloodthirsty and will come out for blood, and you can pick them off easily."

"And what about you?" Meera asked.

"I will sit back and assume leadership of the Cult, of course."

"Do you even believe in Aetheron anymore?"

He looked away. "Let's get to the Spire, we can't be standing around doing nothing."

He walked towards the tower that stood towards the glacier wall. It was quite tall up close, and besides, it wasn't the first time she had seen it. It must've been five or six stories high, and the outside was made of ice with many intricate designs and runic letters, similar to the ones on the wall.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Of course, there are runes on the Spire as well.

The top floor had a massive open area that overlooked this side of the compound. If Elrasil hadn't created the ice dome that blocked out the sky, she would've flown to that window and cut out his throat and then been out of here in two minutes.

"This way." Lainor moved to the right, where a whole bunch of tents were set up, and men and women moved in and out.

It was most probably where the cultists slept. They didn't pay them the least bit of attention as they moved towards the tent. Lainor talked with many and nodded to others as they walked. No one stopped to question who this battered girl was. Some had their meals, others nursed their wounds, while others polished their weapons, and there were even some who practiced their skills. But a majority of them were sleeping or preparing to sleep.

Meera kept her head down and did her best to blend in while also maintaining the façade of being injured. It was going good until a spindly man bumped into her.

"Hey, watch it!" Then his eyes widened when he saw her condition. "Oh, sorry, sister. What are you doing here? You should be in the infirmary."

Lainor was beside her in a heartbeat. "The infirmary is full."

"No, it isn't. I just took one of my mates there," he replied. "Maybe it was full an hour ago, but it's good now, and she needs to be looked at immediately."

Lainor glanced at Meera, and they needed to give this man an excuse fast. The longer she lingered in this place, the higher the risk of being caught.

"That is great news, brother," Lainor said. "We will head there immediately. Come, sister."

He moved in the opposite direction, but Meera didn't want to waste any time going back and then turning around. Then an idea popped into her head, and she decided to act on it without thinking about it too much, and talk herself out of it.

"Stop Lainor…" Never in a million years would she call him brother. "You know our task is of the utmost importance. We cannot delay."

He frowned slightly, not understanding.

"You know why we're here," Meera said, in a hushed tone. "Why we're going straight to the Spire?"

"What are you doing?" Lainor asked, alarmed, selling the exact look that Meera wanted to get out of him.

"What's going on here?" asked the cultist.

Meera looked around. "Brother, can you keep a secret?"

He nodded, leaning in. "Of course."

"The reason we're heading to the Spire is because I've recently learned something of grave importance that cannot wait till the morning, because by then it'll be too late."

He frowned. "What have you learned?"

Lainor was equally confused, but their eyes crossed, and understanding passed over, and he nodded slightly.

"I'm sorry, brother, but that is only for Elder Raevan and His Eminence's ears."

"You cannot tell me anything?" The cultist tried once more.

Meera sighed. "Fine. All I'll say is that I heard the princess is going to be getting some help from her father after all."

"No… That's not true."

"That is all I'll say; whether you believe me is up to you. But please not a word of this to anyone."

He nodded. "Of course, sister. Not until the Elders announce it to everyone, not a word will fall from my lips."

Meera smiled. "Thank you. Let's go, Lainor."

Lainor nodded to the man and moved on, with Meera following close behind. Once they were far enough away from the cultist's tent, Lainor fell in step with her.

"Nicely done. That rumor should spread like wildfire among the troops."

"Will he actually do it, though, or keep his mouth shut?" Meera asked.

"I don't know the man, but there is no way that he will be able to stomach that juicy gossip. Not to mention, this is one of the biggest fears gripping everyone. That the God King will send a force of sizeable size to finish us off."

"Well, then, let's hope this rumor spreads like wildfire."

They beelined straight for the Spire, and this time, they didn't have any other interruptions. Meera started hobbling again once she got close to the Spire. Three brutish cultists were standing at the door. All three looked like they had been in battles all their life. Two bore scars on their faces and neck, while the third had a whole mesh of scars on his arms.

[Frostweaver – Level 569]

[Frostweaver – Level 572]

[Frostweaver – Level 585]

Meera was impressed with their levels. They could be trouble if they decided to accompany them inside. Besides, as per Lainor, there wasn't supposed to be anyone here. She almost spoke to him about the danger, but he sped up his pace, and Meera couldn't walk any faster, or she would raise suspicion.

They saw them coming and immediately straightened.

"Brothers," Lainor greeted them with concern. "I must see Elder Raevan urgently. Sister Cauneth brings urgent news that must be relayed to the Elders and His Eminence."

"What news?" Barked the one with the scared arms.

Lainor looked side to side and then spoke in a hushed tone. "The God King is sending reinforcements to the princess."

"Bullshit!"

"No, he speaks the truth," Meera cut in. "I heard it myself."

He looked her up and down, taking in her battered form. "Where did you hear it from?"

"I was in the battle for the village. The others thought I was dead, as did the sorceresses. They tossed me into a pit behind the village, but I could still hear them. They were rejoicing that soldiers were coming. That the God King had finally relented and agreed to send more men. By morning, we won't be facing a handful of sorceresses but an entire battalion of well-trained and well-armed soldiers."

"You just dreamt that up in your delirium as you lay at death's doorstep," barked the cultist to his left.

"You think I would come to the Spire in this condition, refusing medical aid because I was delirious," Meera replied, not keeping the vitriol from her voice.

The guard looked like he wanted to backhand her for talking to him like that.

Lainor held up his hands. "Fine. If you think she is lying, then you explain to His Eminence why he wasn't informed of this news when the soldiers are knocking on our doors."

Lainor helped Meera turn from the guards, and they had just taken a few steps when the cultists finally gave in.

"Fine," the first one said. "You can go in."

He opened the door, and Lainor thanked them profusely, and then the one with the scarred arms came with them.

"Come, Elder Raevan's room is—"

"I know the Elder's quarters," Lainor interrupted him. "I've been here enough times."

"You might've, but I need to ensure that this news reaches the Elder's ears at once."

Meera gritted her teeth. This man was either trying to curry favor with the Elder or was suspicious of them, in which case, they would have to silence him.

"But—"

"No buts, we're going? Or is this new development actually her delirium?"

Lainor sighed in defeat. "Lead the way. I'm sure we shouldn't delay. Elder Raevan must be informed at once."

"What should I be informed about?" Spoke an icy voice, and immediately Lainor stiffened.

For in front of them was no doubt Elder Raevan.