"I've asked Fifi to return and update everyone on the situation. She'll bring Seraphina to verify the stones' authenticity," Orion informed Seth, then turned to Leif, Seig, and the rest.

They all nodded, realizing Seraphina needed to confirm the stones' authenticity so they could swiftly secure and begin harvesting from the Vylkr alloy mine.

At that moment, Azarok began to stir awake gradually. He was about to speak before immediately noticing Orion and Seth's unknown figures and bizarre masks as they held the Vylkr alloy.

"Hey, that's not yours! We uncovered this mine first. It belongs to the Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise Runaway City!" Azarok shouted, his eyes fixed on the mysterious individuals wearing masks, one bluish and the other fiery red, adorned with strange patterns of one, two, and three Vylkr vines.

Despite being unaware of their identity, Azarok felt compelled to speak up, realizing how challenging it would be if news of the Vylkr alloy mine spread and fell into the hands of more powerful Runaway Cities.

"Foolish," Evadne muttered under her breath, shaking her head with a sigh upon hearing Azarok's words.

"So, you're truly from the Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise Runaway City?" Orion responded.

"Yes, I am. And I don't know how all of you are walking together or what is happening. However, the Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise Runaway City and the Sleeping Fox Runaway City are not far from here and are all here for the same thing. So, you must think twice before making sudden decisions," Azarok responded gruffly.

He kept a close eye on Seig and Evadne, scrutinizing them, already suspecting they had defected from the Sleeping Fox Runaway City. This wasn't surprising given what they had put his unit through; if it were authentic, they would have reasons to switch sides.

As for the Four-eared Elves gods' chosens, Azarok had already deduced that Patriarch Rylan had allied with another Grade One Runaway City and surrendered the divine artefact to them in exchange for protection, which might explain the sudden appearance of these two strange individuals.

Despite being unsure whether they were related to the emergence of the Vylkr Veil Phenomenon or the chilling occurrences within it, Azarok knew that what he needed to do now was ensure the safety of his unit until his Captain returned with reinforcements.

Hearing his words, Stronghold Leader Seth immediately became irritated. He vanished from his position, appearing before Azarok in the blink of an eye.

Azarok was instantly dumbfounded, unable to keep up with the speed that the mysterious man had used to approach him.

"This Vylkr alloy mine was found in our territory and created by our god. So, if you want to live for a second longer, I suggest you watch your words and tone," Stronghold Leader Seth spoke, his voice sounding menacingly through his mask.

"Now, I'll ask you one simple question: Are Patriarch Rylan and the divine artefact, alongside the Vylkr alloy mine, the only reasons you are here?" he added.

Their territory!

A god created this immense hole!

Azarok couldn't even imagine where Patriarch Rylan might have sought protection.

Despite feeling the overwhelming pressure from the unknown man, Azarok swiftly regained his composure and nodded. "Yes," he replied. He noticed that several of his unit members were also slowly stirring awake while some remained in their positions to assess the situation appropriately.

"Tell us everything you know about the Wanderlust Traveling Tortoise Runaway City. And don't you dare lie to me, or else I promise you, you'll regret it," Orion demanded, his gaze solemn as he observed the ogre before him.

He stretched out his hand and summoned a bluish ball of streaking lightning, causing Azarok to gulp inwardly as he felt the fierce intensity of the lightning from his position.

Stronghold Leader Seth stepped aside to guard the Vylkr alloy mine, his gaze sharp as he kept watch in the distance. Meanwhile, his ears were keenly attuned as Azarok began to respond, "Of course, I'll tell you everything you need to know" He delved into the authorities that controlled the Wanderlust Traveling Tortoise Runaway City, detailing the number of teams they possessed and their numbers while concealing the existence of the City's special teams.

Azarok then explained the layout of the Wanderlust Traveling Tortoise Runaway City and divulged several false crucial pieces of information that Orion required. He calculated how much he could disclose before his Captain's arrival.

....

One hour later

After Azarok had finished explaining, Orion and Stronghold Leader Zogar stepped aside to digest the new information and plan their next steps. Meanwhile, Seig spoke with Azarok, "I didn't expect the Journeying Jaguar Runaway City to also send the Wanderlust Traveling Tortoise Runaway City after Patriarch Rylan, pitting two Runaway Cities against each other. It seems they are ensuring they get their hands on the divine artefact without going through the effort themselves," he snickered.

Azarok was about to retort when he suddenly noticed something in the distance that made him halt his words.

Two colossal beasts emerged from the clouds and descended before them. One was a massive, four-legged being with a powerful, muscular body covered in a thick mane. Its wings, spanning over 55 meters (180 feet), were grand and feathered, resembling those of a mighty bird of prey.

The tail was long and segmented, ending in a curved, venomous stinger. Its fur and feathers displayed a striking combination of crimson and grey hues. Additionally, wisps of purple flame adorned its body, emanating at various intervals and adding an almost ethereal aura.

The other beast was equally colossal, with four longer legs and wings, but had a more compact abdomen, a longer neck, and two long horns on its head that stretched outwards like tree branches. Its wingspan exceeded 50 meters (164 feet). Its scales possessed a dark, iridescent black that shimmered with deep blue and violet hues in the light.

It had razor-sharp talons, and a long, serpentine tail tipped with a venomous stinger, glowing with a menacing crimson light. Its mouth bristled with rows of jagged, obsidian-like teeth.

Even the other awakened gods' chosen beside Azarok couldn't help but stare in fright, their bodies shivering as the beasts steadily descended beside them.