Evolution: A Warlock's Rise To Power

Chapter 26: Eldritch Battleground

[A coven has been created.]

[Your coven has 2 members.]

Lisel joined automatically when she seconded the request. Lucan sent an invitation to Hellfire.

[Your coven has 3 members.]

"This coven can contain 13 warlocks and countless followers." Lucan began to explain. "The 13 will gain access to a private chat channel in the interface only available to the coven. All warlocks and followers will gain access to a private page on the 'Evolution' forums where we can post information. This will become more important when things become heated. Try to only invite followers to the coven whom you completely trust. We will each invite 3 warlocks to the coven over time. Their will be one place left for who ever needs it. While we are at it, I will open the general forum for everyone who gets power from Raze. It has the potential to provide us with a wealth of information."

"Good. I like these ideas." Hellfire said before sighing. "I am starting to think the Duke of Flames tricked me into challenging him. With his personality he would hate having to do stuff like this."

"He, he, he." Raze chuckled. "The Duke of Flames would be much happier as a direct warlock, but his pride will never let him go easy on an opponent. You better give it everything you have when you face him." Raze said to Hellfire.

"Win or lose, the Duke is like a brother to me, but I will show him what I am capable of."

"Good, good. I look forward to it."

"I have never met the Duke of Flames, but I still hope you win." Lucan said to Hellfire. "Regardless of the outcome I am jealous that you are going to gain so many followers after you demonstrate your prowess."

"What do you mean? Everyone watching is already under Raze."

"What, you didn't call a reporter?" Lucan asked. "You always look so relaxed in your interviews I didn't think you disliked the media?"

Hellfire blushed. "I don't dislike the media. I just feel awkward promoting myself. It's why I don't have many acolytes even though I have so many followers."

"I know what you mean." Lisel said. "I rarely make pacts. I usually just associate with other warlocks who are shadow elves."

"I am sorry, but that has to change." Lucan said. "Hellfire, I will bring a reporter. He will do an exclusive and set up a pay site to watch the fight. If you are up for an interview tomorrow and after the challenge the following day you can easily make enough in real life to get you a new car or a small house. What do you think?"

"I, uhh" Hellfire looked to Raze who only shrugged. "I will do it." He said excitedly.

"Great, I will introduce you tomorrow. Lisel, you should start trying to collect the shadow elf NPCs who aren't already under your Queen. NPCs buy less over time, but they care more for their lives than Travelers. They will make big purchases and drop levels in order to avoid death. We don't only sell power; we sell the ability to survive. Lately I have become popular with the NPCs of the Assassin's Guild and have gained 2,000 followers in a few weeks. I am sure someone like you will have great success. Gaining strength now is more important than ever."

"I understand." Lisel said.

"Good, I look forward to future cooperation."

"Since you all have created a coven, I can now grant you access to the Eldritch Battlegrounds. A place where warlock covens fight over the best resources spread out over a large map. Dungeons and Instances designed to be trials are scattered throughout the battlegrounds and can give rewards to those who can claim them. Ancient eldritch power lurks in the Eldritch Battle ground, if successfully harnessed, it can give you great strength. In my youth, I was part of a coven and managed to explore a small amount of the battleground and reaped many rewards."

[You have acquired 'Incomplete map of Eldritch Battlegrounds'.]

"The rewards are great but the penalty for death is doubled for Travelers outside of the dungeons and Instances. Only members of a coven and their followers can access the battleground. For access, you only need to notify me, and I will create a portal for you." Lucan, Hellfire and Lisel were all happy. It was dangerous but a great opportunity. "You can continue to talk but I am needed elsewhere." Raze said while rising from his seat after finishing his meal.

The others got up as well. "I have things to do. I will see you tomorrow night." Lucan said, walking out behind Raze.

He caught up to the old man who was walking away. "Is Silent risking danger if we move forward with creating the shadow mana core."

"Hard to say, but I doubt it. She seems to be taking great pleasure from the creation process."

"Mmm, okay."

"It was good to see you again. You never disappoint." Raze said as he and Lucan turned opposite directions at the intersection in the palace hallway.

Lucan walked back to his house trying to think of a way to break the news to Silent Night. No matter what, she wasn't going to be happy, he decided to just get it over with an tell her instead of trying to ease into. That way she could abandon the attempt and move on with the shadow elves.

He walked into the house to see her making bandages in the living room. The moment Lucan saw her he lost his drive. "Hey, have you seen Super? I need to talk to him. Do you think he would want to become my direct warlock?"

"He still hasn't come back yet. Ash said his men are checking in regularly."

"Oh okay." Lucan walked out back and sat on the patio. Silent followed him and sat with him.

"Do you really want to promote someone you met today?" She asked.

"He spends a lot and has his own connections. If we can get on the same page, it will benefit both of us. He brings a lot to the table."

"Oh." Silent said while finishing her bandage.

Lucan pulled out a book about formations and started to read. He was having a hard time concentrating and re-read the same passage 4 times before realizing it. Lucan closed his book and set it on the table.

"Lucan?" Silent asked.

"Yeah." He said, not looking at her.

"Can I become one of your warlocks?" She asked.

"Umm I don't think that would be a good idea right now."

"I wasn't being serious; I was just wondering what it took. It was just a joke." She said while getting up from her chair and picking up her supplies to go back inside.

"Hold on."

"No, it's fine."

"Just hold on." He said reaching out for the panicking Silent Night who was trying to grab her things as fast as possible.

"No, don't worry about."

"I fucked up your shadow elf quest!" Lucan yelled at her, getting Silent to stop in her tracks. "I found out tonight that the only way to become a shadow elf is to build up your affinity with them and the king will then give you the core. I'm sorry, I can introduce you to the Queen of Shadows tomorrow and you can go back with them to become an elf. I didn't mean to waste your time." Lucan said dejectedly.

Silent turned around.

"You idiot!" Silent yelled.

'Here it comes.' Lucan thought.

Silent sat back down next to Lucan. "I also found out about the mana core today. But who would want a mass-produced core compared to a unique core created just for me by our own hands? I don't care if it doesn't make me a shadow elf."

"You aren't mad?" Lucan asked. "It may not change your race, or it could explode inside of you."

"I am excited, I have an opportunity no other players have a chance at. My quest completion percent is rising, I have faith my race will change, and I can't wait to see what happens." She said excitedly.

Lucan felt giddy from the feeling of relief that washed over him. 'This is great, she is interested in more than just becoming an elf, she is willing to use me for unique power. She could have good potential as a direct warlock, and if the class change exceeds expectations, she may be able to offer something unique to her followers.'

"With this cleared up I think you would make a great warlock." Lucan said.

Silent's eyes brightened. "Really?"

"Yes, if you swear to not move against me in the future."

Silent radiated a heavenly beauty when she smiled. "I can agree to that, except if you piss me off, I will beat you up, but I will make sure it doesn't affect your schemes or plots." She said with a giggle that reminded Lucan of the Idol who captured millions of hearts, Heaven's Kiss.

"Fair enough." Lucan said sticking out his hand.

[You now have 1 of 5 direct warlocks.]

Silent shook his hand.

"You now have a 10% discount. You will receive 10% of the experience spent by any acolyte you sign up. You also have full access to what Raze has for sale. Do not attempt to read all the options. I spent a week doing that when I started, and I still have no idea if I even reached halfway to the end."

Silent nodded while inspecting the benefits of her new class. The most noticeable change was she now had a mana bar.

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