Ashton drank a Large Mana Potion as he created a formation that sealed the pocket dimension.
His attainments with Inscriptions are high, unfortunately, it isn't high enough to completely seal a pocket dimension. He's nowhere near strong enough to make something like that, nor did he have any materials to create a formation like that.
But, if it's just temporarily blocking outside influence, he could do it. And that's what he's doing right now.
"...it'll take...at least half an hour, for me to absorb this thing." He muttered while looking at the Dragon Vein. "This formation must last for that long or else this will become a huge problem."
Try as he might, he wouldn't be able to prevent the fluctuations from escaping and alerting the enemies above. Since the Dragon Vein was the real reason why they were here in the first place, it'd only make sense for them to have something that can monitor its activities.
Ashton did some investigations in the past, and while invaders did have a way to monitor the state of the Dragon Vein, they actually couldn't come down here themselves to see it personally.
The pocket dimension wouldn't simply let them in. It'd take them a good amount of effort if they want to barge in and most of them don't think that it's worth it. They have no use for the Dragon Vein anyway since it's not for them.
But if something were to happen to the Dragon Vein, i.e. it suddenly disappeared, they would instantly be alerted.
Ashton tried to sabotage the tools they have but it was no use. He couldn't do it. To even touch the apparatus, he needs his blood to be scanned, a fresh one at that. If he were to test his blood, he'd alert everyone about his presence and that'd spell disaster for him. That is why he's unable to do anything about it.
It's fine though...he's geared for a direct clash anyway. So what if they were alerted?
"...it's already a miracle that they still weren't alerted by the sudden revival of the Dragon Vein." He mused to himself, "Can't ask for more I guess."
And after a couple of minutes, Ashton was done laying down the formation. Colors flashed within the pocket dimension before disappearing. Ashton could now sense the invisible presence of the protective formation thanks to his connection with it.
With this ready, it is time for the next step.
'My mana's full again.' He muttered inwardly, 'I don't need a warm-up. After all, I just channeled two High-Order Spells for an entire hour. The formation's ready to block those who'd try to barge in here.'
'Okay, let's begin...'
Ashton stood up and walked towards the Dragon Vein. Clasping his hand and focusing his intent, his archaic voice sounded from within the pocket dimension.
"O, ye pulse of the mighty earth, blessed by the heavens. Ye who are blessed by the Great Spirit of this World and the Keeper of Destiny."
"I beseech thee, find solace within my body, so that I might ferry thee to the land where the lost children of fate can commune to thee and have them answer to their destiny."
Ashton then knelt on one knee.
Silence pervaded the space. Not even the sounds of cricket can be heard. Such silence was deafening but Ashton didn't feel worried nor he was in hurry.
He continued to kneel, his mind was free from distractions and his heart was laid bare. Nothing to keep, nothing to hide.
And such sincerity moved the Heavens and the Earth...
The Dragon Vein answered the call. The archaic aura exploded and the lands of the pocket dimension suddenly quaked, its aftermaths could even be felt above.
The thick network of roots covered with a violet golden brilliance moved. They are like an entire population of Dragons rising from their slumber to amaze the world with their power.
Ashton's figure looked like an ant in front of the Dragon Vein. But that didn't cause any ripples in his heart at all. He remained in position, silently waiting. Feeling neither excited nor impatient.
At this point, the movement underground can no longer be concealed. It caused such a large disturbance and it was immediately perceived by the invaders who are, at this current moment, patrolling the Chaotic Warzone.
A commotion rose amongst their ranks but none of this was any of Ashton's concern at this current moment.
The Dragon Vein hovered in front of the kneeling Ashton, eyeing him like some sort of a snake, deliberating whether to bite him or not. A moment later, the Dragon Vein lurched and took the plunge on Ashton's chest.
Ashton felt as if he got hit by a cannonball. A stuffy cough was ripped out of him but he immediately suppressed it. He forced himself to maintain his position despite the pain he was feeling.
The process of him absorbing the Dragon Vein into his body already started. Once it started, there was no way to stop it. Ashton couldn't be disturbed now since this process is delicate. One wrong move and he's risking not only his life but also the Dragon Vein — and in extension, Hilda's life as well.
The absorption was painful of course. Ashton could confidently say that he has never been in such pain before.
The initial impact was one thing but what followed after that? It was plain torture...
It felt like his flesh was being carved out piece by piece while he was conscious. His nerves felt like they were doused in flames in one second and frozen to an absolute degree during the next.
His head felt as if it was being hammered again and again and he was starting to wonder if his skull was that tough. His joints were creaking like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
And to top this all off, his mana was being consumed at an alarming pace. The process isn't even halfway there but 50% of his mana was already spent just to support the absorption of this thing.
What made things difficult for him is that Ashton can't move. Not even just to take a mana potion out of his inventory. He had to stay in this position and concentrate on this ritual while bearing the weight being passed down to him.
Thankfully though, he was prepared for this...it's a time like this when his over-preparation shines.
"Here you go, Babe. Hang in there."
Aria's silhouette emerged from out of nowhere, holding a Large Mana Potion and assisting Ashton to drink it. Once she was done, she smiled despite her worried expression and returned to the Grand Library.
Due to her being the Artifact Spirit of the Grand Library, the time and distance she has away from it were extremely limited, especially in this place seeped in corruption which is extremely harmful to her. But if it's only for a few seconds though, there's no problem.
It's these few seconds, caused by Ashton's slight paranoia, that saved him from even more pain.
With his mana being replenished as the absorption went on, the process continued without a hitch.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Through his connection with the formation, he sensed the commotion outside. The invaders were trying to barge in as expected. They're trying to destroy the formation he built but it's proving to be a challenge for them.
The process continued and it felt like a lifetime to Ashton. With every single second seemingly stretching for an eternity due to how much pain it caused him, Ashton's will was being tested.
Still, he persisted. He remained in his position like an immovable statue. His concentration never faltered despite the torturous pain being inflicted on him.
The efforts of the invaders to barge in were escalating. Ashton guessed that they were probably using some artifacts now to deal with the formation. He could feel some cracks in it but he wasn't worried cause...
With the tail end of Dragon Vein disappearing into his chest, the process of absorbing the Dragon Vein was completed.
In his sea of consciousness, sheltered within his Mage Crest, was a large Wood Dragon who's coiled in itself, appearing to be slumbering. On its head, a figure could be seen, looking around as if she were in a daze.
"...you did it." Hilda's awed voice sounded in his mind.
"I made a promise didn't I?" He replied.
Looking at Hilda's silhouette that's still naked and her body is filled with large gaping holes from the stakes, Ashton said:
"Rest and recuperate for now. You've suffered enough. Let me handle the rest for a bit."
Hilda had a complicated look in her eyes before eventually conceding to him. She nodded and closed her eyes, laying down on top of the Wood Dragon's head.
It's unknown how much time she'd spend slumbering to completely recover from her injuries but at least here, she's safe.
With his promise being settled, Ashton's consciousness returned to the present and he opened his eyes.
He stood up and looked at the crumbling pocket dimension around him. Since the Dragon Vein is gone, the pocket dimension lost its purpose, therefore there's no reason behind its existence anymore.
And while the formation he created is still under siege by the invaders trying to barge in, Ashton's eyes narrowed dangerously as he silently drew the scythe on his back, muttering...
"Alright, you freaks. No more hiding this time. Since you want death, then I'll give you death."
