ã€ŠValley of Titans&#x27; Talesã€‹


 Prologue: Final Approach

    Volumen I Scions of Destiny -Prologue: Final Approach

    The High Elves¡¯ great capital, Allemantheiaan ¡®oasis¡¯ surrounded by a vast desert which once was a lush, pure forest.

    It was known as the city of splendor: a bright desert jewel fashioned with and largely self-sustained by magic ¡®created¡¯ by its core.

    Its high wide roads were built over the roads on the grounds as highways with metal rails for safety, and the buildings were made like skyscrapers made with care.

    These were built with polished white stone and the buildings gilded with golden tints serving as tertiary patterns to further add impact to the architecture.

    Thus, instilling any new visitors with awe at first sight.

    All the bright, pure gainsboro spire-like buildings and wide roads reflected the superiority and perfection of the magic within the city.

    The roofs of each skyscraper-like buildings vary, from spired roofs, inverted V roofs, rhombic roofs, and more, except there were none possess flat roofs.

    However, they all share a soft green color despite such diversity.

    There are also pentagonal oblique pillars along the roads, gives a peaceful and smooth relaxing ambiance within the city.

    Along the architecture, there were large bright light-blue, magic pillars along the wide roads embracing the city with an intense magic flow from its core.

    During its golden age, these wide roads lodged the best Arcane training centers, renowned Arcane¡¯s symposiums, and Magic research centers.

    All existing ¡®high¡¯ races within the realm traveled to Allemantheia to further their training as magicians.

    Thus, crowding its wide diverse network of roads day and night in search of new horizons and opportunities.

    But now¡­

    ¡­Its wide roads were crowded by a large flow of war supplies as a group of soldiers ran through these wide roads in multiple and different directions.

    Allementheia¡¯s sturdy walls were being heavily besieged by thousands, or maybe more black-blue malformed humanoid abominations.

    Currently, thousands of members belonging to several different races were relentlessly trying to fend off these fierce creatures from the walls, with nails and teeth.

    None was going to give up, but either their enemies were going to.

    Hundreds of war cries, thousands of sword clashes alongside countless ear-shattering shrieks reverberated throughout all Allemantheia as this huge conflict took place.

    Thousands of soldier were outside Allemantheia¡¯s gates, forging an implacable defense killing every creature which jumped onto them.

    But no matter how many they killed¡­the enemies¡¯ numbers didn''t seem to decrease, as the defenders slowly falling prey to exhaustion and fatigue.

    Moreover¡­

    A good amount of these creatures were climbing the walls from the outside, clawing their way up the walls, but they were mostly bombarded by countless light blue, magic arrows.

    While others, managed to climb up and penetrate the tenacious defenses, jumped on the brave defenders mercilessness.

    The creatures ravaged their flesh, tearing them apart with their long, sharp claws, devouring them alive.

    ¡°AHHHHHHHHHH! AHHHH~!!¡± They loudly cried in pain¡­

    ¡°AHHH! Kill¡­me¡­p-please!¡± While some defenders begged with difficulty to be killed by their companions while being eaten alive.

    On the other part, some groups of skilled magicians often struck Allemantheia¡¯s outskirts with strident magic spells of different types.

    Explosive projectiles, firebombs or rain of rocks, to say some.

    Thus, briefly stopping the enemy¡¯s advance, also causing a short ¡®earthquake¡¯ which traveled throughout all of Allemantheia.

    Yet, the enemy kept advancing while fear circled every Resistance¡¯s soldier like a vulture, ready prey on their sanity in the slightest opportunity¡­

    ¡­if they did not die by the enemy¡¯s hands first.

    <hr>

    Within a huge room of high-class architectural white walls, several pillars were holding light-blue magic candles, also between the pillars, on the walls, a few transparent windows softly lit the room.

    Outside the windows of the room, several soldiers can be seen running towards different locations as fast as they could, as medic were shouting around, looking for more supplies.

    The magic candles blinked briefly alongside the floor shook momentarily in brief intervals from shockwaves of a major battle.

    Six Generals, each of different races, were seated around a large circular white table, each and every of them sat on a high chair.

    Each General was of each ¡®race¡¯: Human, Castanic, Representative of Pora Elinu Nation (Elin and Poporis¡¯ General), Baraka and High Elves.

    All of them wore similar high-class heavy armors with several distinctive ornaments, displaying their rank and experience.

    Behind, next to the female High Elves¡¯ General, at her right side, was an Elin standing firmly, known as the Resistance¡¯s best strategist.

    She wore a black heavy plate armor; her left shoulder pad is shaped in a panther¡¯s head while the right one is normal.

    Her rerebrace, gauntlets, gaiters, and boots had the same black color, while her black helmet had a yellow star on its top.

    Her helmet covered an ample part of her head, revealing only her pale face wearing a serious gaze from her ¡®deep¡¯ green eyes.

    Further, her short dark blue fringe can be seen spilling from her helmet¡¯s front, and her long dark blue hair streaming down till her neck.

    On the other part, the table on its center, had a light blue magic circle casting a hologram as every general looked at the hologram with a gaunt gaze.

    The hologram portrayed their forces in a simple manner, with an outlined Allemantheia map; with blue dots representing their forces, and red as the enemies.

    Their forces were barely holding against an unknown amount of enemies, as everyone within the room was attentively watching it.

    As shown via hologram, the north, south, east and west gate of Allemantheia were being heavily sieged.

    While the Resistance¡¯s defensive lines were slowly retreating, unable to hold back the overwhelming enemy forces.

    ¡°Tyat, inform us.¡± The High Elves¡¯ General, Derene; broke the silence within the room.

    She was a pale female High Elf wearing a heavy armor with a symbol of a green line in the middle of two white lines.

    Her voice was mature, yet soft with a pinch of tiredness.

    Her long blonde streamed down till her armor shoulders pads, as her light blue eyes were fixed forward to the emptiness.

    While Tyat, the Resistance¡¯s strategist followed Derene¡¯s order.

    ¡°Generals.¡± The Resistance¡¯s strategist gave a step forward, while her green eyes were still fixed on the hologram.

    Her voice was smooth, yet severe without a hint of hesitation.

    Every General fixed their gazes on her with a gaunt expression on their faces, they knew what she was going to say.

    It was crystal clear after they lost Tralion village and Tria village, the most important strategic points in the Sharan continent.

    But¡­their minds completely omitted this thought, without wanting to face the defeat¡­to face the annihilation.

    However¡­

    ¡°There is nothing else to do. Our forces will not hold for much longer¡­in any moment the gates defenses will give in. All we can do is fight till our last breath.¡± Tyat announced coldly.

    Yet, she said the truth. There was no worth in lying to them.

    The Generals stayed silent for long seconds, as they looked down or either looked the others Generals, seeing the reflexes of their own despair on the others.

    ¡°Executor Derene, did the project work?¡± Tyat turned upon she asked, fixing her emotionless gaze on the High Elves¡¯ General.

    ¡°We have lost contact with the 9th laboratory. It¡¯s no longer a viable option.¡± Derene replied without fixing her gaze at Tyat as she nodded.

    The strategist knew that gaze, it meant that Derene once again lost someone she really appreciated, as the only relative involved in that laboratory was¡­Derene¡¯s daughter.

    Tyat reluctantly sighed, and then spoke again.

    ¡°Then¡­we-¡±

    But¡­she was abruptly interrupted.

    *BANG!*

    The young Human''s General robustly punched the table with his right hand while he stood up and loudly shouted.

    His gauntlet clanged upon impact, slightly fracturing the table from the force.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°What are you saying?!¡± The Humans¡¯ General shouted vociferously pointing at Tyat, in evident irritation. He couldn''t tolerate Tyat¡¯s personality.

    ¡°You are not helping strategist! You come here and speak all emotionless, careless of our actual situation telling us what to do! Do you know how many civilians have we lost?! Seems like you haven¡¯t even lived half what I have lived!¡± He added briefly later.

    The Human¡¯s General lost his composure due his irritation, stress and anxiety by the situation they all were in,

    The others Generals lifted up their heads, looking at both of them as Tyat stood composed.

    ¡°A Human speaking me of age¡­*Sigh*¡­¡± Tyat said silently, empathizing with all his complex feelings, as well as everyone in the room was experiencing them.

    Even Tyat wasn''t an exception to those feelings, though she didn''t reveal them visibly.

    ¡°We should stop listening to this ¡®little girl¡¯ and-¡± The Human¡¯s General kept shouting nervously, trying to persuade the others Generals, but he was abruptly interrupted by Derene.

    ¡°General Jorian. She¡¯s older than any of us here. Please, stop embarrassing yourself in front of the others. It¡¯s not the time to argue with each other, but to face and resolve our dilemma.¡±

    Derene spoke serenely, as the General Jorian sat reluctantly, clutched his fists and then silently grumbled.

    ¡°Keep going, Tyat,¡± Derene added upon Jorian sat.

    ¡°We should mobilize the rest of our fleet and provide as much support we can to the gates, while the Special Task Forces reinforce the gates as fast as they can,¡±Tyat advised.

    ¡°I see,¡± Derene exclaimed as she approached the table and infused it with a little of magic, as a keyboard lit up on the table.

    She slowly tipped as the hologram distorted and then a small emerald, rock formed.

    ¡°Admiral Caelius, mobilize the remaining fleet to Allemantheia,¡± Derene ordered.

    ¡°Yes, Executor Derene.¡± A clear male voice came back as the small emerald rock flickered, it was Admiral Caelius¡¯s voice.

    Then, Derene stood up vividly.

    ¡°It¡¯s time to fight, Generals. Gather up as many remaining soldiers you all can, and have them defend your assigned gates shown appointed.¡± Derene ordered.

    Then, Derene tapped the table, turning off the communication device and turned to the exit, slowly walking out of the room.

    Swords clashes and shrieks echoed from afar upon the room¡¯s gates opening.

    Derene stopped under the door frame for a second upon hearing this, and gazed up at the blood red sky and briefly sighed.

    Then she resumed her leave.

    The others Generals followed her soon after and closed the gates, leaving Tyat alone in the room.

    She slowly approached the table and infused it again with magic, and tapped on the hologrammatic keyboard.

    The same map was shown again, as the red dots were slowly infiltrating their defensive line at the North Gate, while the light-blue magic candles slowly flickered out.

    Tyat stood still, looking at the hologrammatic map with her usual emotionlessness till the light-blue, magic candles completely snuffed out.

    Forthwith, Tyat tapped on the keyboard, and the hologram disappeared, leaving the room almost completely dark, leaving the windows as the only weak source of light left.

    ¡°May Elinu be with us, sisters,¡± Tyat whispered to herself before turning and walking towards the exit.

    *** *** *** ***

    As Tyat foresaw¡­

    The defenders of Allemantheia¡¯s north gate fell one by one, either devoured alive or torn apart limb to limb by the wild creatures, till the north gate¡¯s defenders were eradicated.

    ¡°Incoming!!¡± The soldiers behind the gate in a simple linear formation shouted, as the north iron gate soon collapsed.

    *CRACK*CREEeeeeeeaaaaaakkkkk*BOOM!*

    *Whriiiiiiiii!*

    Upon the gate impacting the ground, the creatures wildly rushed in, despite it not being even a second after the gates fell¡­

    Their own former comrades converted into those abominations, now rushing towards them filled with an overwhelming murdering intent.

    ¡°Chaaargeee!¡± An officer shouted valiantly, lifting his sword forward, pointing at the rampaging horde.

    *RAHHH!

    The valiant defenders also rushed against the monsters, in hopes of victory, in hopes of ideal survival.

    On the other part¡­

    *TUK-TUK-TUK-WSHHMP*

    Three gargantuan airships, similar to a galleon appeared in a strident and fading echo, heavily distorting the space upon warp jumping here in Allemantheia.

    The airships slowly materialized, emerging from huge white arcane circles floating within the crimson red sky.

    After completely materialized, these slowly flew over Allemantheia, positioning themselves in shooting positions, aiming at the gates¡¯ outskirts.

    *ZUDON-ZUDON-ZUDON*

    The flying ships fired their heavy cannons, decimating hundreds of abominations, powerless to completely stop their advance.

    Still, no matter how hard they resist, their fates were sealed, as the cards of destiny were already played on their side long ago.

    *** *** *** ***

    Tyat and seven other Elins, wearing almost identical armors rushed towards the north gate to reinforce its defensive lines within the city.

    They were running in a long and width hall, used to be the main street for magician schools, with gainsboro ceramics and detailed walls of the same color.

    War cries, sword clashes, and shrieks easily reached their keen animal ears, alerting them that the enemy was already within the city.

    Suddenly, Tyat stopped abruptly, as her covered panther ears detected a really familiar presence the other Elins cannot perceive.

    ¡°Commander! We must move!¡± One of her soldiers shouted upon seeing her perusing the Arcane Symposium¡¯s surroundings.

    ¡°Go on ahead, I will catch up briefly!¡± Tyat shouted as the Elin nodded and continued her way towards the north gate.

    Tyat knew this feeling perfectly, as she ¡®sensed¡¯ two familiar presences somewhere near her position.

    ¡°I know you two are here,¡± Tyat said calmly, as her voice echoed through the wide roads for a second.

    The hall was completely deserted with many war supplies left behind, due to all the soldiers were used to form a defensive perimeter within the city.

    Immediately then, two hooded, masked individuals jumped down from the top of the adjacent buildings.

    One landed in front of Tyat as the other landed behind her, both a few meters away of Tyat.

    These individuals wore large brown tunic covered their bodies, although they had similar heights in comparison withTyat.

    Both had a diagonal red line over their white mask and nothing else.

    Upon seeing this, Tyat unsheathed her dual swords from her hip, upon feeling their hostility worn like a cloak.

    *SHIIN!*

    Both individuals followed her soon after, also unsheathing their swords.

    Tyat gave a light step to the right, positioning herself laterally, able to see both of her enemies¡¯ movements.

    ¡°Long time we last saw each other¡­¡± Tyat said calmly, wary and watchful of her enemies.

    But there was no response back as the two abruptly charged at Tyat in high-speeds.

    *** *** *** ***

    A strident sound reverberated throughout all of Allemantheia as a flying ship was struck down by a 4-meters-long armored black dragon, with the silhouette of a rider on its back.

    The imposing dragon¡¯s rider was wearing a daunting large black and terrifying armor, with a demonic visage.

    The rider was a Goddess whose name was only known by the very few.

    The flying ship crashed into a main core energy pillar, creating a huge explosion sending large waves of debris flying to all sides.

    This sudden tragedy caused a huge commotion within the city, but the defenders didn¡¯t even stop for a second, as each side continued fighting for supremacy.

    The rider and her dragon were about to destroy another flying ship but halted upon seeing a purple arcane circle a few meters away from them.

    The arcane circle was softly floating in the crimson blood sky¡­

    And then, a ¡®little girl¡¯ wearing a black astral dress with white lines, emerged from the magic circle.

    And then these two beings chatted for awhile, although both donned a threatening aura while doing so.

    After a few minutes, the Goddess drew her sword and pointed the little girl without hesitation.

    In response, the little girl summoned a detailed purple long sword on her right hand and then swiftly with her left hand fired a purple spell at the Goddess.

    The Goddess effortlessly slashed the spell into two, demonstrating her prowess; while the halved fragments caused a great explosion behind her.

    Ensuing their brief display of might, both began a fight to the death with their blades.

    The fight was so hasty, that the few who gazed up the sky, managed to just see two lines traces, one black, and one purple.

    These lines waved through the crimson blood sky and entwined around themselves, flying and bursting over Allemantheia.

    Often, when both lines briefly clashed, these created generated a loud, reverberating shock wave rippling throughout the space in the sky.

    *** *** *** ***

    Crimson blood spilled from numerous sword wounds all over Tyat''s body.

    Her two assailants darted forward from both Tyat¡¯s flanks, dealing her blows after blows, in perfect harmony.

    Tyat barely managed to block and dodge the flurry of blows, each attack pushing her back further and further, unable to counterattack even once.

    "Grr, she¡¯s tough." One of the assailants mumbled under her heavy panting.

    Both assailants, masked and hooded, were in the same positions when they arrived, one a few meters in front of her, and the other a few meters behind her.

    They stood looking at Tyat for a few seconds, preparing their final blow.

    On Tyat¡¯s end, she can barely stand on her feet, feeling all of her intensely aching wounds.

    ¡°If I¡­didn¡¯t lose my Reaper¡¯s essence¡­¡± Tyat mumbled to herself as her legs slightly trembled.

    Soon afterward, her assailants rushed at Tyat with their swords lifted laterally, aiming to cut Tyat from both sides at the same time.

    Hereupon,Tyat slowly closed her eyes, accepting her looming fate in the form of two blades inching closer and closer.

    She didn¡¯t attempt to even protect herself, instead, she firmly raised both of her swords slightly up to her chest, reverse gripping her right sword.

    Meanwhile, her enemies swiftly approached, one from her front and one from behind.

    Then¡­

    *Whoosh!* *Whoosh!*

    The two assailants dashed passed her with their swords¡­

    Upon contact, their swords cleaved through her heavy armor and flesh apace with a damp metallic sound when they pulled out their blades, as they kept running.

    A second later, Tyat¡¯s armor clanged upon falling on the wide ceramic road, alongside a viscose sound of her fallen corpse.

    On the other part, the assailants now were a few meters away from Tyat¡¯s corpse, after passing through Tyat with their blades.

    But¡­not even one looked back as they were stiff and slightly trembling¡­blood dripping on the ceramics, staining the gainsboro floor under their feet.

    ¡°Im¡­possible¡­¡± One of them mumbled as in their chest, they each had one of Tyat¡¯s sword impaled as they hardly brought their shaky hands to it before collapsing on the floor.

    *** *** *** ***

    Everything was reaching its end.

    The abominations were breaking through the shattered defensive lines within the city and¡­

    The Goddess impaled the little girl right through the middle of her chest.

    Yet, despite the sword completely pierced through her chest, to where it''s tip can be seen from the little girl¡¯s back, the little girl still had a perverse smile on her face.

    Thin streams of blood leaked out from her mouth while the Goddess looked at her gracefully, yet smugly.

    But, suddenly the little girl moved her mouth and lips, whispering something to the Goddess.

    Forthwith she felt strong magical activity and fixed her gaze on Allemantheia¡¯s tallest skyscraper.

    On the top of it, The Goddess was able to see¡­

    A hooded human female, as her black hair streamed down till her chest, adorned in a royal purple armored tunic, and thigh, high leather black stockings, and low heeled boots.

    This magician was holding a long and cylindric slate-gray high staff. There are two azure unpolished gems on each end of the staff, the tip covering one gem in an arc.

    At this moment, the magician weaved a strong, complex spell and then it abruptly disappeared after a few minutes as the space around her heavily distorted succinctly.

    The Goddess was furious at the revelation, however, she groaned after noticing something awry with her body.

    She tried to move but failed. Promptly realizing that the little girl, despite still stabbed by the Goddess¡¯ sword, somehow paralyzed her without her noticing.

    The little girl shouted loudly, her sharp voice resounded across the crimson red sky with a purple glow was radiating from her eyes.

    ¡°This will end once and for all, Aiakia!¡±

    ¡­

    Simultaneously, Aiakia¡¯s eyes widened abruptly upon feeling all the magic concentrating on the little girl.

    Aiakia tried to stop her, but her movements were still sealed, being left as a powerless spectator to the girl¡¯s scheme.

    Because of this, The Goddess Aiakia felt fear within her heart for the first time in her immortal life.

    *** *** *** ***

    Everyone was still in combat, desperately trying to prevent the abominations from destroying their last drop of hope.

    However¡­

    Both sides abruptly halted their war, when they felt a strong magic force woven into existence along with a loud and deafening explosion.

    The abominations and defenders turned their eyes to the source of the thundering and deafening noise and saw¡­

    *TIIISHWNNN!*

    A large purple blast approaching them in astonishing speed; the energy wave was so opaque and condensed, that was impossible to see through the dense blinding light.

    Seeing it, the first thought that came to them without delay was to flee¡­

    ¡­But it was clear to them, no matter how much they try and think, it was impossible to escape.

    Many soldiers were completely engulfed, unknowingly vaporized instantaneously upon contact with the huge purple wave.

    Seeing this, many soldiers dropped their weapons and fell to their knees, kneeling helplessly on the ceramic floor as they wait for their inevitable demise.

    ¡­

    A few seconds later, all the realm was consumed by destruction born from the unknown unstoppable force.

    This unknown phenomenon erased the world.

    Credits to I4MD347H for editing!

 Volume I Chapter 1 Part I: The Begining

    Volume I Scions of Destiny - Chapter 1 Part I: The Beginning

    Castanica.

    A city shaped from the strong desire for freedom; built through the efforts of its people and protected with blood. This is where many great magic engineers, fierce warriors, and skillful magicians were born and raised, as its people were known as Castanics, of the Master Clan Castanic.

    The vast majorities were friendly, possessing a strong sense of brotherhood among them. But when dealing with other races, they always kept alert, with suspicion; but that was only until individually, one by one, they slowly began to trust each other and learn from other races, but always with a caution in their true nature almost instinctively.

    Castanica.

    A city was built in a valley surrounded by large mountains providing natural cover and protection, but as if they were not enough, the city had fortified walls built all around it to further safeguard the city from foreign dangers around five meters height.

    Most of the buildings had a Gothic look, usually of a black tone, almost as coal; from their windows and roofs glowed dim lights of varying shades of red, painting an interesting environment to the city.

    Precisely at this time, hostile creatures were recently repelled from Castanica, while the valiant defenders were beginning to regroup, but instead others stopped to look at their fallen comrades on the ground and then they kept walking, others crouched and took the hands of the injured agonizing on the floor and tried to live their last moments with them.

    Other more courageous, or perhaps more raw, seeing that their comrades were suffering and agonizing in a slow painful death; helped them to sit down and then these with their own shaky hands having little to no strength, with difficulty took their weapons and positioned themselves the tip of their blade to their stomachs.

    Then with the help of their comrades they extinguished their last painful breath swiftly with their swords, the same blades used to extinguish the life of their enemies was now used to end their own lives, in an act of compassion of their surviving comrades.

    None could see their comrades¡¯ eyes while they regrouped, looking down, and feeling for some reason, shame and repugnance of their deeds.

    <hr>

    The General Scatter was sitting on the highest rung of the nearby staircase.

    He had a burly body under his armor, his skin was reddish pink like almost every other Castanic; he had light gray hair, almost white, penetrating hazel eyes on his serious expression demonstrating his vast experience almost by itself.

    Right now he was wearing a metallic bluish gray armor with two medium-sized pads with a horn protruding from each of them, the armor had many fine details in the part of the chest, making the shape of a cross, while some parts had little blue rocks glistening.

    His gauntlets were large and imposing making his hands seem larger than normal, plating his hands in armor even up to his fingers; his armor had several scratches on his chest and boots as if something would have tried to attack him with its own nails or claws.

    On the other hand, his weapon was a great sword almost completely red, which was quite intimidating as the red color sometimes camouflages the blood staining the blade.

    Anyone who fixed their eyes on him would compare him to a walking battleship with an overwhelming sense of superiority.

    In front of him, was the numerous makeshift response battalion members regrouping and sitting on the road as they waited for Scatter¡¯s command.

    Most of the soldiers comprising this battalion were Castanics, alongside others races like Humans, Poporis, and Amans, determined to defend the city and repelled the creatures.

    All of them were at Castanica when those creatures assaulted the city, they took their weapons and then quickly tried to regroup as they killed several creatures in retaliation, as General Scatter skillfully lead them to a short victory, which gave them time to breathe for now.

    Scatter was assigned to Castanica after he was unexpectedly promoted from Sergeant to General a few months ago before all began.

    In that very moment he hesitated distrustfully but then he accepted it; even so, there was still something inside him that made him distrust Alliance¡¯s high-command.

    Scatter¡¯s experience was indisputable, as a veteran of the War of the 10 Shrouded Rose, as the ex-leader of the main Clan, the Val Uskhal¡¯s Clan; controllers of the whole Master Clan Castanic, and as a veteran of the Argon War. However, that promotion was still quite undeserved for someone like him, but for some reason within him, he accepted it without question.

    He feels somewhere within him that there is something off with this sudden promotion, but he couldn''t think of anything that can support his omen and there is no time for him to contemplate this further.

    From the mid height where he was, the General Scatter could clearly see the soldiers that survived the first assault, many of their faces gaunt due to many of them being rookies who had never seen death and such violent creatures before their eyes.

    The outcome would have been way different if the finest soldiers of the ten Clans, universally known as Master Clan Castanic, were sent; known as the ¡®Shrouded Rose Sentinels¡¯, but the majority left to Velika a few months ago with the actual Clan leader, as his own private bodyguards.

    Men and women who were a part of the makeshift response battalion gathered at the intersection of 3 roads of the city.

    They were all expecting the words of their leader, the General Scatter; but he was just looking at them, inspecting them, one by one, with a cold, penetrating scrutiny and a serious face.

    He knew that many of them would not survive in the following enemy waves, it wasn''t his fault, he knew it well, but: How could these creatures know once as Argons managed to come back? How no one noticed them before? There were many coincidences, too many for his liking.

    Their enemies would soon come from all directions, and the worst is that they have no means of communications because the device designed for long-range communication was damaged during the battle and now no longer served.

    Abandoned was the best word to describe their situation, everybody knew it within their minds, but nobody had the courage or desire to say it out their mouths as they would rather die with their honor in belief of defending their critical postthan to have the thought that they were discarded even passed in their minds.

    ¡°Leaving the city is not an option; because it means that the enemy would consume everything in their path and reach Velika in a few days to slaughter our people, who many today had fallen trying to defend them¡­¡± The General Scatter murmured to himself as he got up and everyone looked at him.

    ¡°Well¡­it is already decided!¡± Scatter moved his shoulders.

    ¡°We will stay here and defend this position no matter the cost¡­we cannot fall back now¡­but first of all¡­I will tell you all this! I will not force you all to stay and defend this post against your will, so if you wish to leave, do so now as you will no longer have another chance from this point on!¡± The General Scatter strongly declared.

    All looked at each other, but nobody moved. They already made their choice at the very moment they fought back the assault on Castanica.

    The General Scatter looked at them with pride and shock and then exclaimed his response seeing their choice.

    ¡°Ehhh¡­ha-ha! Good s***¡­then stand here and relax when you still can while I tell you a little story¡­¡± Everyone kept looking at him with a confused face as he started with an introduction.

    ¡°It all began on a hot and humid day, a day in which we all remember, a day refreshed with a breeze of freedom after long wars...¡±

    A calm, soft and unfamiliar female voice echoed in his mind for a few seconds while he was riding his armored warhorse heading to Fort Tulufan.

    "No matter what happens, always follow the light in your heart ... never change ..." He felt a slight headache for a second.

    ¡°You¡­w¡­ ¡­one¡­¡±¡ª¡°¡­ never give up¡­¡±

    ¡®Uh¡­ what the¡­?¡¯ Bready asked himself in his mind. ¡¯Must be just my imagination¡­¡¯

    He quickly convinced himself and then turned his head forward to the task at hand.

    The heat was scorching, but to Bready, even the weakest breeze was enough to make the harsh typical desert climate a little more bearable despite his light silver armor stifling him.

    There was not even a single form of vegetation several kilometers around leaving only a barren sandy wasteland, very different from his beloved city Popolion, or Pora Elinu¡¯s sacred environment.

    The only things around him were the yellowish sand and large rocks of a dark brown color, stacked in large clusters as far as his eyes can see.

    He was about to reach the only natural entrance known as ¡®The Gates of Hell¡¯, which led to the fort.

    Suddenly, his gaze was diverted instinctively toward the top of the cluster of rocks, and saw for a few seconds a humanoid silhouette with female features of a ghostly light blue, but before he could lock his gaze on the figure, it disappeared.

    ¡°Uh?... I think it¡¯s true that the heat makes you see illusions... I better hurry¡± Bready said aloud like he was speaking to his horse.

    Bready was a renowned soldier in the Free Traders ranks; but he never got promoted, even after demonstrating his archery skills to be better than average, and better than some high-rank officers.

    However, as a normal Popori, his body was pudgy like many others of his entire race; his body was humanoid mixed with panda fur. He shared the height of an average human of ten years old, which was even shorter than an Elin which their average height is 4¡¯92¡¯¡¯.

    Even so, he had more skills and strength than many others with way better natural advantages, but his superior officers never could accept it as it would have been similar to slapping an insult to their own faces. As an additional data, Bready height was 4¡¯27¡¯¡¯, which means that was a way less the half of an average Aman¡¯s, and also his eyes were of a deep black color.

    ***  ***  ***  ***Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    Memories of hard fought battles played within the corners of his mind while Bready breathed a sigh of relief upon reaching his destination.

    All those hard fought days during the ¡®Alliance Conflict¡¯ were successful and worth the cost after one year when finally the Alliance Conflict came to an intermission after his alliance and the Enlighten Union joined forces and weakened the expansionist Iron Order, forcing them to fall back to their lands.

    Yet, the diplomatic environments were tense and unknown by many. Those many could see and feel an ideal freedom within their grasp, but the truth was that the delicate situation was hanging by a thread.

    However, the populace were so blinded by their hopes of peace, that it didn¡¯t allow them to detect the fragility of such peace, as it slowly breaks apart more and more, as time passes; but none could see the truth of their current situation, not even the high commands of the several factions could, much less Bready.

    For Bready, it was sufficient to know that the combined efforts of him and his comrades gave birth to a greater alliance, the Free Traders Collective.

    He was surrounded by warriors of great honor and strength on all sides, cunning magicians with abundant elemental power, and a whole host of new recruits ready to defend their executor to their last breath.

    When he arrived at the Fort Tulufan, the main settlement of the Free Traders Collective, he saw a few idle recruits at the Fortress¡¯ main gate, and quickly sent them with a small order; Bready ordered a few basilisks¡¯ membranes for the new recruits and they swiftly marched away after his orders.

    Then, Bready lost his gaze in the beautiful blue sky above after dismounting and tying his horse onto a nearby barn, recalling the great comrades lost in battle during the retreat of the ¡®Gates of the Hell¡¯, as they covered Bready so he could get out safely, while they were executed in cold blood by a soldier of the overwhelming Iron Order.

    Bready also reminded another scene on his mind, when many died honorably while defending their allies¡¯ retreat, but then when their time to retreat came, they had no strength to run and they could only look backward as the enemies behind overtook them and then heavily executed them.

    In moments like these, he remembered when everyone was running, retreating while he stopped for a moment and realized that none of those saved by his great comrades looked back, and neither did he.

    Not even one person even looked back, perhaps by guilt or shame. Even so, that was the only thing he regretted, not had looked back.

    Bready didn''t have any hard feeling against any of his soldier companions nor did he blame them; his mind was unable to allow such thoughts in his mind as his soul was born from pure light and optimism, but that day he promised himself, to never let anyone behind again.

    Bready continued reminiscing his past until he heard a hard, serious, deep and quite clear voice.

    ¡°Bready, the Executor is looking for you.¡± A soldier said while he was moving some boxes at his side, stacking them near the barn.

    ¡°Huh...? Oh, I see, got it.¡± Bready was a little caught off guard when the soldier spoke; he awkwardly responded and walked away.

    He went through several various peripheral buildings and camps inside the busy Fortress, with a lot of traffic of supplies shipped in as many recruits walked about. It was so crowded and bustling, that even merchants were permitted to set up their stalls with weapons and food.

    Bready just looked at his surroundings while he walked on the sand, as he felt that everything was going from good to better.

    Every building was made of yellowish like sand concrete with the FTC flag and symbol above their main doors, while the recruits around the fortress adorned in Alliance¡¯s armors performing their duties.

    After a few minutes, he reached the main building in the center of Fort Tulufan and entered through a pair of huge metal doors semi-opened, the building which Bready entered was the Free Traders Collective¡¯s war room.

    ¡°My Executor, Adiar.¡± Bready slightly bowed as he exclaimed to the Executor sat at the end of the room on a high-detailed blackish throne behind a large dark brown table.

    The Executor Adiar was the Leader of the Free Traders Collective and he managed internal affairs within the alliance.

    He was a human of about 6¡¯03¡¯¡¯ height, brown eyes, and black short hair, always donned in heavy armor with an Alliance¡¯s symbol engraved on its chest; at his back he always had a blue cloak.

    ...The Humans, they were the last race created on the realm centuries ago, making the younger race between the others, but this never stopped them from demonstrating their worth as they quickly learned every culture they could from the other races and then forged their own as they built up Velika with the help of the other races, the actual Capital city of the Free Traders Collective Alliance.

    And in a blink of an eye, the Humans became the most populated race on the realm; many of them were great leaders and warriors, always looking at every situation with optimism, bringing hope when it was needed.

    But their golden age gloomed when their own leaders couldn''t live up to their goals, leading them to fight among themselves and then destroyed their own unity as a race, thus the humans left and spread throughout all the realm, shattering their own future as a species and joined others.

    Although Velika is still in the Humans¡¯ territory, it did not become as great as they dreamed...

    Adiar¡¯s personality was friendly; he always wore a serious expression on his face as his watchful gaze was always inspecting everything. He looked at Bready for a few seconds, who was walking and positioned himself at one side of the table, and then he spoke.

    ¡°How¡¯s the report on our territory, something important I must know?¡± The Executor said while shrugging his left shoulder and then rested his hands on the table lacing his fingers.

    ¡°Yes my lord¡­something very important, five IO¡¯s soldiers are in our territory, just at the entrance of the Hazard Zone. I do not think they have more than that there, but...¡± Bready informed as he put some of his opinions on the report as he suddenly saw something which stopped his own words on the second floor of the room.

    The room was huge with two corridors at the sides in a second floor. Although the whole room had a wooden floor, it was made carefully and in detail as it was varnished. The room had enough light coming from the numerous windows, allowing Bready to see anything without losing a detail.

    His words were cut when the Princess Cauterize appeared before Bready''s view as she calmly walked along the left corridor of the second floor as her amber wolf ears startled upon hearing their conversation.

    While at her back, her amber wolf tail wagged once, but Bready didn''t manage to notice her...invasiveness.

    Since Bready was astonished by Princess Caut¡¯s beauty which came from her pampered youth bestowed by her creator.

    Her perfect pink pale skin which seemed like porcelain, her precious long orange hair, those lovely blue eyes and her simple but elegant white riddling light armor matched every detail of her beauty and fit perfectly to her angelical and apparently fragile body as she walked.

    ...The Elins, the third creation which came to this world but remained hidden till their own Creator and Goddess, Elinu, entered in her deathlike eternal sleep.

    The Goddess Elinu created them giving tiny pieces of her own eternal soul and from them formed their physical bodies resembling her desires, eternal beautiful youth with some animalistic traits and peace, although the last of the three was impossible to achieve.

    Their child-like appearances were Elinu¡¯s mere concept of ideal beauty, which caused all the others races to underestimate them upon first sight, but they ended up noticing that they weren''t just jolly faces with childlike measures.

    And despite their childlike appearances, the Elins ended up being more mature than most of the other races in terms of wisdom and diplomatic prowess.

    Elinu created them with one sole task: to protect the Nature of the realm, be it a forest or a dessert, every natural environment was the same in their eyes and they defend it till their last breath, although their lifespan is around 800 years, their spirit is eternal.

    But their Divine Task many times led them to many problems, even on their first day when their Goddess Elinu entered her eternal sleep and revealed them to the rest of the world...

    ¡°And?¡± Adiar asked as Bready¡¯s words suddenly stopped.

    ¡°Oh...oh...sorry. As I was saying...there is a group of five IO¡¯s soldiers at the Hazard Zone, and I think that we should send our Elite Forces, to eliminate the threat now before it''s too late and they kill some of our recruits.¡±

    Bready finished his report while the Princess Caut¡¯s figure disappeared behind some yellowish walls after the corridor ended, but she didn''t keep walking, instead she leaned her back on the wall as she completely extended her wolf ears to listen.

    The Princess was intently hearing Adiar and Bready¡¯s words, each and every single one of it, thanks to her superior senses from her animalistic traits.

    ¡°I see¡­¡± Adiar said while staring at Bready. ¡°...but that is a little impossible right now. The Elite forces are deployed to other territories accomplishing their duties. So I can''t send them to eliminate that threat. We must handle it by ourselves for now¡± Adiar explained with a serious expression.

    ¡°But...my Executor¡­¡± Bready tried to insist but Adiar interrupted him.

    ¡°Look, we can treat this like real combat training, and you said that they are just five, they aren''t a big deal then. Take five of our best recruits and defeat the enemy, it cannot be that that hard.¡± Adiar said with a hint of carelessness.

    Bready hesitated, but then it disappeared when he heard Adiar¡¯s severe voice. ¡°It is an order, soldier!¡±

    ¡°Yes, my Executor!¡± Bready quickly answered, turned and then left the FTC¡¯s war room.

    On the other part, the Princess Caut who was hearing the conversation also left the room, as she slightly doubted Adiar¡¯s words deep inside her. ¡®Why he is so slovenly?¡¯ She thought for a second as she left the room.

    Upon leaving, Bready then stood there and pondered outside as all the movement of outside yet didn''t end, wondering how he would carry out Adiar¡¯s order as he also remembered Princess Caut¡¯s figure and countenance as he thought.

    ¡®I am sure she is the one who brought me to this world, I am sure of it, I still remember her face...the very first face I saw... when I was awakened.¡¯ Bready thought for himself for a few seconds and then carried out Adiar¡¯s order.

    After 2 hours, Bready gathered what he deemed to be the FTC¡¯s five most promising recruits for the sole purpose of eliminating what was known as ¡®The Hazard Zone Threat¡¯ from rumors spread by recruits.

    All of the 5 recruits were confident, with every one of them claiming that they were ready for battle, but in reality, this was their first taste of the long alliance conflict.

    Bready was reluctant to go, but it was a direct order of the Executor. It was a good time to engage in combat, due to the IO soldiers being unaccustomed to the harsh climate here.

    The sun shone above, as the 6 man team rode towards the enemy with Bready¡¯s warhorse on the lead.

    Upon arrival nearby the Hazard zone, Bready ordered everyone to dismount and travel on foot, which annoyed the new recruits.

    Bready knew that patience and strategy were important so he tried to create a plan before arriving at the target location since that was what experience taught him. However, the recruits didn''t like that either and walked towards the target.

    He couldn''t stop them, better said, he didn''t even try it. Bready just followed them as his skills as a leader were not that great at all, as he prefers to follow orders, but he knew that this was wrong as it did not improve his situation at all.

    Bready noticed the enemy, all of them Humans wearing the Iron Order symbol on their armors, resting by a campfire; but before he could even start to formulate a plan or tactic, the recruits hastily charged in without even thinking.

    Their sudden action left Bready no choice, he forgot about forming a sound plan beforehand and run in after them in desperation as he knew that if he didn''t help, they wouldn''t stand a chance at all.

    However, it was to no avail, as one by one, the recruits fell easily into enemy hands. Bready felt heavy-hearted: this feeling reminiscent of when he saw his honorable comrades¡¯ death in front of his eyes.

    And before he could notice, he was trapped; surrounded and cornered by the Iron Order soldiers.

    He tried to rush to the only available escape route and fired several arrows aiming for the enemies to cover his retreat but his efforts were futile.

    One of the IO¡¯s soldier immobilized Bready with magic and forced him down on the ground.

    Meanwhile, another IO¡¯s soldier, from afar fired a restraining arrow from her bow right at his right foot, immobilizing him completely.

    While Bready was on the floor, the IO¡¯s soldiers stood near him and laughed condescendingly.

    ¡°What happened? You look helpless!¡± His enemies laughed together. ¡°Hahahahaha... So, this is the so-called ¡®Hero of FTC¡¯ that everyone talks about?¡±

    Bready doesn¡¯t answer while he tried to stand the pain of the arrow pierced on his foot.

    ¡°Answer him, you rookie! You thought that you were a Hero coming in here and rushing like an enraged Mugato? Hah!¡± His enemies laughed together again. ¡°¡­but look at you now¡­You are nothing more than a hunk of trash.¡±

    Bready remained in silent, while he watched them.

    ¡°Answer! You sh***y Popori!¡± One of the soldiers started stomping Bready¡¯s stomach. Still, he said nothing, they just only could hear Bready¡¯s random weak moans of pain.

    ¡°Answer!¡± One of them repeated, instead of an answer, Bready spat on the infiltrator¡¯s boot.

    ¡°How foolish! You will pay for that!¡± The soldier angrily roared as he looked at his boot.

    Bready for a moment he thought, about escaping, but then realized he couldn¡¯t escape from here even if he tried. Knowing this, he set his wandering gaze into in the infinite blue sky, waiting for his end.

    But suddenly he heard an unfamiliar female voice in his mind once again.

    ¡°¡­Never give up¡­¡±

    At that moment, Bready somehow realized that it wasn¡¯t his time yet, and his mind started to think of all his possibilities.

    ¡®What I can do? What? Something¡­ Please! Someone help me! WHAT CAN I DO?!!!¡¯ He said in his mind in despair while the same soldier kept stomping him angrily.

    ¡°Help!¡± Bready shouted with what little strength he had left.

    Credits to I4MD34TH for editing!

 Volume I Chapter 1 Part II: Blurry Fate

    Volumen IScions of Destiny- Chapter 1Part II: Blurry Fate

    General Scatter paused for a moment, carefully inspecting his soldiers from afar.

    The makeshift battalion was either interested or bored, with half the soldiers who were listening intently to Scatter realized that he did a pause, while others didn''t even notice as they were busy sharpening their weapons silently ignoring every single word.

    Scatter was narrating the story just to kill some time, as soon as the second wave enemy would strike the city defenses.

    Everyone looked anxious, the General included; but to keep his soldiers¡¯ image of him, he stayed calm, although that¡¯s just a well-made facade.

    After a short sigh, the General Scatter resumed his narrating.

    ¡°Bready quickly succumbed to his looming death and he abandoned his futile thoughts of escape¡­"

    Bready gazed up into the sky only to be blinded by the sun, feeling his slow impending doom.

    While in his mind, the voice kept talking.

    ¡°Don¡¯t give up¡­do not¡­¡± But this slowly trailed off.

    The same soldier with a serious expression on his scarred face kept trampling Bready¡¯s stomach for a while. Suddenly, he stopped and sinisterly giggled as he unsheathed a normal medieval-like sword from his hip and inspected its blade sliding his fingers on it as his comrades looked at him smiling as they knew what he was going to do.

    Then, the soldier slowly stabbed the tip of his sword through Bready left thigh till it was totally pierced as Bready¡¯s face twisted in and screamed pain.

    *Ahhhhhhhhh!*

    But the soldier didn''t stop there; he slowly spun his sword till he heard Bready¡¯s bones cracking alongside Bready¡¯s painful screams.

    ¡°Hahahaha...look his face, totally pale...poor shameless Popori. Hahaha!¡± One of the soldiers said in the middle of his laugh.

    Bready was breathing heavily, due the severe wound as he tried to compress his wound with his hands but he was immediately stopped since another soldier directly kicked his head, leaving him semi-conscious and dazed.

    He just could feel how his warm blood leaving his body as the blade was still stuck in his thigh.

    The others soldiers were also Humans, all wearing light armors with three colorful stripes, two blue and one yellow in the middle them, alongside Iron Order¡¯s symbol on the center of their light breastplate.

    It wasn¡¯t uncommon to see humans mixed within the three alliances since they usually fought amongst themselves without clear goals as other races.

    Although inside the other races, there were also a few who left their own people, who were quite less in comparison to the more numerous scattered Human population.

    In the past, the other races saw in them great leaderships and great ambitions with noble goals, but suddenly they darkened their own goals when they succumbed to their own newfound envy leading to fight among themselves.

    The older races couldn''t notice this situation in time, as they were also involved in interracial conflicts against their will, leading the whole realm to a long bloody war, where all the races revealed their own dark sides as they fought.

    This war lasted almost four years, leaving grim scars on the whole realm and on every race as well...

    <hr>

    Meanwhile, Princess Cauterize was trying to hide as she saw everything from the early start, but the fear and hesitation prevented her to act earlier.

    She followed Bready from afar upon he left the Fort and when she saw that they just jumped on the enemy she was also going to join the battle, but then she quickly noticed that almost every soldier was defeated, so she decided to hide.

    She was lying on a brown rock near of a huge natural pile of rocks. The rock on where she was lying was about 10 meters in height from where Bready and the Iron Order soldiers were, allowing her to look the every detail of the situation.

    The Princess tried to remain calm as much as she could, but thinking back about her actions, that she just hid and avoided a fight instead acting like a Pora Elinu¡¯s Princess would, was gnawing her consciousness.

    Mixed also with the sense of duty and obligation to leave none behind anymore as her Nation once did, she was unable to stand by idly and watch and decided to act.

    The Princess had beautiful long light orange hair and blue eyes, like pearls; she also wore a white light riddling hauberk which fit her body perfectly.

    The hauberk had a small metallic pad on her both sides, a brown strap across her chest and a belt around her waist. She also wore black light gauntlets and white boots, both to ensure great comfort in any of the situations.

    On the other hand, she carried in her back a modest but reliable bow; it was light enough and also her favorite.

    ¡®What can I do...¡¯ The Princess thought as she watched the Human twisting his sword in Bready¡¯s thigh forcing her to look away from the painful scene as her amber wolf ears startled upon hearing his continuous painful screams.

    Suddenly her eyes widened more than usual as she crawled backwards a little and then sat on the rock.

    ¡°That is!!!! ¡­ I hope this works and they see it in time¡­¡± The Princess Caut said as she begins to slowly wave her hands around, creating a sphere, and slowly a little spark ignited between her hands.

    She tried to focus as she murmured. ¡°Come on¡­Come on¡­¡±

    The little spark became a small sphere, then begun to form in her hands and then it solidified; it was a metallic silver sphere of ten centimeters in diameter with a small yellow button in the middle.

    ¡°Yes!¡± She exclaimed nervously. ¡°I really hope that they see it in time¡­¡± The Princess said worried but once again she heard another wild painful scream.

    Princess Caut quickly installed the emergency beacon on the rock and pressed the button, activating it, this released a small magical cloud that quickly vanished and then a wide phosphorescent green beam of light was shot into the sky creating a green magical pillar.

    She knew that the enemies would notice it soon and kill Bready, and there wasn''t too much time. Caut quickly stood up and stepped back for a few meters.

    ¡°Should I?¡± The Princess hesitated but then she shook her head and cleared her mind. She then ran to the front with all her forces.

    At the middle of her sprint, took her bow with her right hand and summoned a white arrow on her left hand and when her ground was about to run out, stopped and crouched as she strained all her muscles in her legs and jumped forward.

    She was prepared and cleared her hesitation in her mind since she was already decided. She wouldn¡¯t meet the same mistakes that her people did once.

    <hr>

    Bready¡¯s face kept twisting in pain as he painfully cried while his body started to feel weak and heavy, probably from the great loss of blood from his wounds in the legs.

    Between whiles, the soldier removed his bloody sword from Bready¡¯s thigh as he screamed.

    ¡°You seem really...bleak Popori. Haha!¡± The Iron Order soldier shouted as he lifted his sword preparing to end Bready¡¯s life as he closed his eyes waiting for his death.

    Suddenly, Bready felt almost imperceptibly a humanoid silhouette blocking the luminous sun for a second as he heard a whistle.

    ¡°Captain!¡± The other soldiers shouted in surprise upon seeing their Captain¡¯s neck totally pierced by an arrow and then Princess Caut landed on one knee and both hands on the floor with her bow in between, around seventeen meters back the other soldiers around Bready.

    He opened his heavy eyelids and turned his head to the left and saw the Iron Order¡¯s soldier dropping his sword and then brought both hands on his bloodstained neck trying to remove the arrow desperately as he tried to open his mouth asking for help.

    Instead of words, just blood spurted out and after a second he succumbed to the fatal wound and fell backwards.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    The other Humans soldier stood surprised for a few seconds, trying to understand what just had happened and then they turned upon feeling Caut¡¯s presence and three of them immediately unsheathed their swords, while the other stretched the string of his bow aiming at Caut.

    Quickly the Princess rolled forward avoiding the arrow and quickly took aim by stretching her bow string and then fired her arrow to the Human, but she missed his head by a centimeter.

    ¡°This is bad,¡± The Princess thought for herself as she back stepped trying to gain more distance, but the other Humans were quickly approaching.

    ¡°You¡¯ll pay for that!¡± One of the Humans shouted as he ran towards her.

    ¡°You cannot escape!¡± The Human with the bow shouted as he kept shooting his arrows without any luck, missing the shot barely with each and every arrow.

    One arrow pierced the floor near her feet while the others simply brushed against her scratching some minor injuries at her arms, but were enough to break her balance and she fell to the sand.

    They were getting close, too close for her liking.

    ¡°What¡¯s that¡­?¡± One of the soldiers persecuting her said as he saw a huge winging shadow quickly loomed over them, while the others retreated upon seeing this.

    When he noticed it, it was too late. The last thing he saw, was a huge mouth with sharp fangs before blacking out while the other three remaining soldiers threw themselves to the ground evading the dragon, or better said, dracoloth.

    The dracoloth landed right on top of one of the soldiers, its claw piercing flesh.The soldier underfoot screamed, and died. Another soldier threw a low-level magic spell at the monster, but the dracoloth¡¯s red scales deflected it with ease before the monster lunged forward and chomped down on its new victim.

    The soldier underfoot screamed, and died. Another soldier threw a low-level magic spell at the monster, but the dracoloth¡¯s red scales deflected it with ease before the monster lunged forward and chomped down on its new victim.

    Its sharp fangs tore the whole upper torso of the Iron Order¡¯s soldier in just a brief blink of an eye while the bottom part of his body fell on the sand, staining the nearby sand crimson.

    Then the dracoloth flew to a rock pile, flew around it, and then circled back flying over the three remaining IO¡¯s soldiers, but this time, the dracoloth did not attack.

    Instead, two riders jumped off the dracoloth, landing in front of the Princess Caut as her eyes shone with excitement upon recognizing one of them.

    ¡°Mechy!¡± the Princess shouted in relief while lying down on the sand.

    One of the riders quickly approached Caut.

    Mech¡¯s blonde hair was always waving behind her. The Princess noticed the new loose sleeve siena detailed gown cascading around her petite figure till her hips ending in a billowing mini-skirt, but Caut could also see her black short knickerbockers as small silver shoulder pads rested on her shoulders, and a belt fastened around her waist.

    Her ocher wolf ears twitched in annoyance, but her ocher tail displayed her excitement to see the Princess while her anil eyes twinkled, which matched perfectly with her pale skin tone.

    Also, she was holding a wooden staff in her left hand, with engraved glowing aquamarine runes over it.

    Mech extended her free hand as Caut took it, feeling her slightly rough black sleeve covering Mech¡¯s hands and stood up.

    ¡°Feels like old times already.¡± Mech spoke softly and vividly.

    ¡°Hahaha...yeah¡­¡± Princess Caut said standing beside her; she was a bit taller than Mech.

    Suddenly Caut heard a whistle, recognizing it immediately and looked forward, seeing a quick spinning arrow coming directly to her head. She quickly raised her arms as she closed her eyes trying to defend herself but it was no avail, that wouldn''t stop the arrow.

    Yet, the arrow never even touched her ,as it was floating in front of her slowly spinning, better said, imbedded in a magic shield around her, made of slightly transparent light-blue hexagons.

    Slowly, Caut opened her eyes and lowered her arms as she looked at Mech, who was smiling.

    ¡°Hehe...they will need more than that!¡± Mech exclaimed and then asked. ¡°How are you? Time I haven''t seen you after the Argon War.¡±

    ¡®It is not time for that!¡¯ The Princess Caut thought for herself.

    ¡°You guys didn''t come alone, right?¡± Caut asked trying to ignore Mech¡¯s word.

    ¡°Of course, we didn¡¯t. Korah!¡± Mech shouted aloud the other rider¡¯s name while the arrow limply fell to the sand.

    ¡°Alright! I will defend the Princess from those arrows...but those over there seem really nervous.¡± A High Elf arrogantly proclaimed as his large grape plated shield echoed by the sound of arrows impacting his shield as he blocked them.

    The Princess Caut could see a blonde short-haired High Elf of about 6¡¯23¡¯¡¯ height positioning in front of both, Caut and Mech, covering both of the ranged attacks.

    Korah was completely armored from feet to neck, two heavy shoulders pads rested over his shoulders, a grape shining plated breastplate covered his torso, his hands covered by heavy gauntlets while his feet by imposing greaves and boots.

    On his right hand, he held a shield while on his hip there was a black large metallic sheath of about 80 centimeters sheathing a sword of emerald hilt.

    ¡°I recommend that we should act soon! Those guys aren''t going to stay there for long.¡± Korah said calmly as he moving side to side blocking arrows swiftly while his heavy armor clanked.

    ¡°We must save that Popori! He¡¯s badly injured!¡± The Princess tried to explain as she fixed her gaze behind, the soldiers already charging at them.

    ¡°Korah, can you handle those two? We will move to rescue that Popori!¡± Mech said decidedly as she turned.

    ¡°Alright!¡± Korah said as he rushed towards the two IO¡¯s soldier and intercepted them while Mech and Caut ran towards where Bready was lying, slowly and painfully bleeding to death.

    Both moved quickly towards Bready while Mech shielded every arrow that was going directly to them while Caut aimed her arrow calmly as she ran.

    Caut stretched her bow string at maximum capacity as her arrow shone upon releasing it, accompanied with a heavy whistle. The soldier didn¡¯t even have time to react as Caut¡¯s arrow totally pierced his heart and then got stuck in the sand.

    The soldier took a few seconds to fell death on the sand, with a painful surprise face decorating his face as he collapsed.

    ¡°You haven''t lost your touch!¡± Mech shouted praising her as she rushed towards Bready.

    ¡°You have not changed either!¡± Caut shouted back.

    Meanwhile, Korah was just blocking and evading both swords swings coming from the IO¡¯s soldiers at his both sides. The soldiers¡¯ attacks were slow and lacking teamwork, as well as possessing poor swordsmanship technique.

    Yet they kept trying to attack Korah with their all, overconfident of their skills, but they were heavily exhausted after a few minutes of battle which was evident from their ragged breathing.

    On the other part, Korah wasn''t tired, not even the slightest, despite the scorching sun and the continuous attacks on him, which then stopped for a few seconds.

    ¡°Uhm? I think it is my time for show my technique then.¡± Korah murmured upon noticing the brief pause, as he fixed his emerald eyes on his enemies with a serious face, while took the hilt of his sword with his free hand.

    Quickly, Korah unsheathed his sword, showing its shiny platinum blade with etched glowing emerald runes on the flat side, and rushed towards the enemy in front of him, performing a swift vertical swing, but the soldier blocked it in time and repelled Korah¡¯s blade backwards.

    Then this quickly balanced his sword forward trying to pierce Korah¡¯s chest but Korah blocked it and slightly twisted his enemy¡¯s attack trajectory to his right with his grape plated shield and then quickly sidestepped to his left positioning himself at his enemy¡¯s back.

    There was no hesitation. Korah pierced his enemy¡¯s back as Mech and Caut could hear a short but loud cry of pain; then Korah pushed his corpse with her right foot as he removed his sword with a bloody damp metallic sound.

    Meanwhile at his back, another enemy had both of his hands lifted holding a sword, trying to give a powerful vertical swung but Korah noticed it and turned as he also swung his sword, but horizontally.

    Korah felt how his blade cut flesh and bones all along in that cut as also a little of blood spotted on his breastplate.

    ¡°AHHH!¡± The enemy screamed painfully as his hands limbed down, dropping his sword to the sand.

    Korah stood unfazed as the enemy fell on his knees screaming in pain, the battle was already decided, Korah just needed to finish the job.

    Korah lifted his sword¡­

    On the other hand, Mech and Caut were kneeling on the sand, around the still semi-conscious Bready, but his sight was too blurred to see something, so he just could hear all that just happened.

    ¡°Cautie, apply pressure on the wound!¡± Bready heard a female clear voice as a Human¡¯s painful scream gradually faded through the air.

    ¡°Eh? But¡­¡± The voice of the Princess hesitated.

    ¡°Just do it! He will be fine, don''t worry!¡± The female voice responded sincerely, trying to calm her down. ¡°I just need a little of time to cast my healing spell.¡± She added.

    ¡°A-alright.¡± The Princess said still hesitating as suddenly Bready felt a sharp pain around his tight wound.

    ¡°AHHH!¡± He shouted in pain, as his senses recovered briefly. And saw Caut¡¯s lovely blue eyes as under him there was a glowing white arcane circle, with numerous runes on its structure. It was being casted by an Elin Priestess which he didn''t know.

    ¡°You will be fine! Hang on, ok?!¡± The Princess shouted to Bready nervously as her hands were bloodstained pressuring his painful wound, but he couldn''t answer.

    ¡°Hey! Hey! Are you alright?!¡± Bready heard the Princess¡¯s desperate voice as his consciousness faded away with his wound.

    ¡°Mech! Mech! He! No¡­¡± The Princess shouted as the shiny white arcane circle faded away while Mech spoke.

    ¡°Calm down Cautie, he just fainted from overexertion; his wounds are completely healed already.¡± Mech explained trying to calm her down as she smiled.

    ¡°Oh...I see¡­¡± Princess Caut said sighing in relief as she looked at Bready resting unconscious on the sand under the scorching sun.

    A metallic clunk is heard as Korah approached to them with his sword already sheathed.

    ¡°So who is the lucky one resting here?¡± Korah asked friendly as he stopped at Mech¡¯s right side.

    ¡°Uhm hum! I don''t know...but Cautie seemed really worried about him...huhuhu...ohh¡­¡± Mech fixed her suspicious gaze on Princess Caut with a smile.

    ¡°I see¡­¡± Korah immediately replied understanding what Mech implied while the Princess slightly blushed upon noticing what Mech meant.

    ¡°I don''t even know him!¡± The Princess shouted back trying to defend herself of Mech¡¯s words.

    The General Scatter¡¯s narration was about to come to an end.

    ¡°¡­Then, the IO¡¯s threat was finally eliminated, in this way, the fate of the realm was slowly being written by all of them, a fate which is still blurred and unknown¡­¡±

    But suddenly he was interrupted by a Castanic officer which arrived running at his side, agitated.

    ¡°General! The...the enemy¡¯s approaching!¡± The Officer shouted aloud as shrieks and heavy steps can be heard echoing throughout all Castanica which agitated everyone listening.

    The General rose up slowly as everyone else did and he shouted.

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come! Everyone knows what to do! All of us will regroup here after we repel their attack, NOW MOVE!¡±

    The General had lied to himself, no; he had lied to everyone present, including himself, since many might not survive this wave. But ... what could he do more than to moralize his troops?

    All the soldiers alongside General Scatter ran to their defense positions and awaited the imminent enemy assault.

    Credits to I4MD34TH and Chiisutofupuru.

 Volume I Chapter 2 Part I: Inflection Point

    Volume I Scions of Destiny - Chapter 2 Part I: Inflection Point

    Quickly and stealthily, while everyone was focused on combat, the night arrived and painted the skies black for a few hours.

    Due to little to no lights lit on the streets, the night sky over Castanica was a uniform black with millions of stars and a white glowing moon vivid to the naked eye.

    The battle was long and exhausting, but Castanica¡¯s defenders finally won and earned time to rest for a few more hours, or maybe a day.

    However...the ground beyond the walls after the successive clashes were stained with...

    ...blood and a black viscous substance, as far as their eyes could see.

    The only reward what General Scatter obtained in return after the long defense of Castanica, nothing more than the blood of countless fallen creatures¡­

    Although their numbers greatly surpassed their own, he and the makeshift response battalion under him successfully repelled the second enemy wave assaulting Castanica, but at a great cost, as their numbers were reduced to the half.

    ¡®...What kind of victory is this?...we managed to repel them but...¡¯ General scatter thought to himself as he looked at his soldiers...no. Survivors.

    ¡®Can we really defeat the enemy?¡¯ Almost all the remaining soldiers had that question within their minds as despair slowly clawed their souls.

    All of his soldiers once again were sitting in the same place where they were before, waiting for their General to resume narrating his story.

    This somehow managed to reduce their anxiety and shield their mind from the despair circling around their minds like vultures, ready to torn apart their minds.

    Their hope was destroyed. No...their hope was torn away by their enemies¡¯ claws like the skin of their comrades were ripped away from their dying bodies...

    ...Their hope was severed by their enemies¡¯ ferocity like their companions¡¯ limbs...and also their hope was devoured alive by creatures like their companions¡¯ flesh.

    But General Scatter¡¯s story gave them a little of...

    ...Hope and composure, enough to keep their minds sane and focused, after all, the living nightmares which they have fought and seen before their eyes would make anyone insane.

    It gave them hope no matter how infinitesimal, giving them another focus to turn away from the reality for a few minutes.

    <hr>

    The General Scatter was still seated in silence, on top of the same ceramic stairs he was before.

    He was watching all of them intently from above, being able to see their gaunt expression on their faces despite the victory...

    ¡®I¡¯ve no information on what¡¯s going on, but if Castanica¡¯s being besieged, then it¡¯s a full enemy invasion¡­¡¯ General Scatter clenched his jaw silently.

    ¡®...Probably Lumbertown is already taken¡­ What does assure us is that if we get out of this alive, will Velika be alright?¡¯ Scatter shook his head to disperse the thought.

    ¡®That useless ¡®comm device¡¯ is broken, but Headquarters knows we¡¯re here, so¡­ assuming that Velika¡¯s still standing, we should get an evacuation, right?...¡¯ Scatter thought to himself.

    Meanwhile, the scent of death lingers within everyone¡¯s noses, as no one is without bearing stains of blood, even the corpses of their fallen foes and their surrounding are drenched in crimson death.

    ¡®...More importantly...why is our enemy sending waves?...they probably just want to stop us in this position...for the third assault¡­-¡¯ Scatter stopped his own thoughts and suddenly shouted surprising his soldiers.

    ¡°Well!...Let¡¯s keep going then!¡± General Scatter shouted aloud and everyone lifted their heads and focused their eyes on him.

    ¡°Six months later, the power of the Iron Order alliance had diminished¡­¡±

    The balance of power between the alliances was finally restored.

    The Enlighten Union, the sister alliance of the Free Traders Collective, lent their assistance in some of the hardest battles against the Iron Order extremists, forcing them to finally retreat back of the Arun continent once and for all.

    Both sister Alliances were now growing, promising a better world for future citizens living in their territories as the alliances conflicts and clashes came to an ¡®end¡¯ after two years of war.

    The expansionist Iron Order had not yet been defeated, but rather, controlled.

    Peace was still within their reach, as they need just a little push. But the oppressive hunger for power is always stronger and tenacious¡­

    <hr>

    Velika, the capital city of the Free Traders Collective, finally achieved peace and quiet.

    Velika also achieved prosperity due to the recent discovery of a new mineral; the Noctenium, thanks to it, Velika was growing by leaps and bounds.

    This mineral quickly revitalized the markets and stabilized the economy of FTC alliance¡¯s territories; while Velika was slowly becoming an economic powerhouse with its active trade and exportations.

    On the other part, our heroes could finally have a well-earned break given directly by Adiar, as the Iron Order¡¯s forces completely retreated and there was not even a single one of their soldiers in their continent.

    Meanwhile at the FTC¡¯s hall outskirts, drifted a warm autumn breeze through short ferns and the green grass on the hills and the plains around the FTC¡¯s hall.

    The grass was flooded with tree leaves all along as the winter was going to arrive soon, at this date the Elins in their native city preparing the Winter Festival, celebrating its arrival¡­

    ...But Mech couldn''t go due to her responsibilities within the alliance, as she was one of the only two Elins within the FTC¡¯s ranks; instead, she was leaning her back on a sepia frustum near the northeast FTC¡¯s hall gate.

    She was wearing her usual loose sleeve siena detailed gown alongside her billowing mini-skirt and her black short knickerbockers under it.

    Mech placed her tail over her legs and calmly and blandly brushed it with her owns fingers, as her gaze looked to the horizon and emptiness.

    She was unable to notice the leaves of the tree at her back, as they slowly glided down as the breeze sometimes drove them away gently.

    Next to her, there was Korah still wearing his grape-colored heavy plated armor also leaning his back on the frustum calmly sleeping.

    Korah was a blonde-haired High Elf, his body possessed normal male features but these were mostly of the time covered by his imposing heavy armor.

    Even so, taking a closer look, the scars on his pale face slowly revealed by themselves.

    Showing that already, despite his young age of 27, Korah had already participated in several wars and already seen death and its brutal nature hundreds of times.

    ...The High Elves...formerly known as Elves long ago, the most advanced race in terms of magic sequences and their knowledge could defy the ancient race, the Barakas.

    The Elves were known by every race by their advanced technology and techniques. They were smart and hardworking.

    But all their strengths were eclipsed by their own greed and arrogance.

    Slowly, their ego was nurtured and the Elves started to look at every other race with a disparaging gaze, especially towards the Humans, an inferior race to their eyes.

    The Humans were quickly growing in leaps and bounds due to Elves¡¯ technology and giving a better usage than the Elves.

    The Elves unable to stand this fact, closed their frontiers and trades even after a mild portion of their people was against this, but these measurements didn''t stop the humans¡¯ growth at all.

    Upon noticing this, the Elves then started a project to create the Core inside their main city, Allemantheia, which would serve as an almost unlimited magic core power source.

    With it, the Elves would be able to accelerate their magic sequences and processes as well as being an independent magic source inside their own city.

    Thus they would ¡®defeat¡¯ the Humans¡¯ preponderant economic power one once for all.

    ...But at what cost?

    After the Core was finished, it slowly absorbed all the Nature of the city and outskirts; eradicating it, as at the same time a civil war exploded within the city.

    The Elves as a race divided into two factions, the High Elves who defended the Core; and the Wind Elves, who wanted to shut down the Core before the Elins would arrive, as it would probably end in a war.

    The Wind Elves were trying to defend their own people, as they knew that the Elins, a powerful race in almost all means, would sooner or later come to their lands and fix their mistake, peacefully...or forcefully.

    However, the Elves¡¯ civil war just lasted five months.

    Although the Wind Elves had a ¡®secret¡¯ support from the Poporis independently helping them in the civil war, it was not enough for them to hold back the High Elves faction.

    Both, Poporis and Wind Elves, were crushed and brutally executed by the High Elves; and so the Wind Elves faction was eradicated.

    Every sympathizer and partisan of the Wind Elves faction was persecuted and then executed till the High Elves faction absolutely wiped out even the slightest thought of rebellion of their own people.

    ...Even though many of the High Elves knew they were making a mistake in killing their own people for power, it was already done: There was no step back for them anymore.

    After the civil war ended, the Elves rose up as a new ¡®race¡¯, officially calling themselves as High Elves, as their ego and arrogance was completely blinding them, and pointed everyone as enemies, blaming others for their weaknesses and mistakes made.

    Quickly, they regrouped their armies and crossed the ocean, aiming to defeat the Humans with their own hands in one strike and then destroy the Pora Elinu Nation, who was also a potential threat.

    Thus, the War of the Races begun...

    <hr>

    Meanwhile, within the FTC¡¯s hall, many soldiers carrying supply crates from side to side inside the hall, to then be delivered to Velika, as the FTC¡¯s hall was just at one hour or so away of Velika.

    The officers were walking around delivering reports or giving out orders to the soldiers, guiding them to where each box should be.

    Although the Iron Order¡¯s forces weren''t on their territories anymore, there was still much to do and every allied location was still heavily guarded and patrolled inside the Hall, as it was the main diplomatic base of the Free Traders Collective.

    ***  ***  ***  ***

    At the second floor of the Free Traders Hall, Bready was resting his forearms on the railing of a terrace, which was looking directly at the end of the hall.

    Bready got up there after hack around the Hall for an hour, bored of his free day off; but all this then went away when he managed to spot Princess Caut from afar at the end of the hall working with an unbreakable will.

    He stood attentively looking at the Princess Caut¡¯s beauty while she worked for a good time, with unbreakable patience.

    On the other part, Caut was sitting in her high white chair, similar to a throne, reading reports a few officers delivered to her early in the morning.

    She read the reports with a serious expression on her face, but thanks to her sharp animalistic senses she could feel a peculiar gaze from afar fixing on her.

    The Princess fixed her soft blue eyes on Bready just for a second but then refocused back on her work, but it was enough for Bready to experiment a warm feeling all over his heart while he sighed.

    ¡®Ahh...I wonder what she thinks of me...¡¯ Bready thought to himself while in his mind reminiscing that soft, sweet gaze of those blue eyes when he was awakened into the world.

    There was no doubt in his mind, the Princess Caut was the one he saw years ago, but he has never been able to confirm it or actually get the chance to speak with her closely.

    ***  ***  ***  ***

    Chatter filled the Free Traders Collective¡¯s hall as it was packed, although, at the end of the bottom of the hall; next to the Princess, there was the Executor Adiar alongside Nethaniel, the commander of the Free Trader Collective¡¯s elite forces.

    Nethaniel was a short-length white-haired Castanic warrior of 24 years old, and the leader possessing the highest authority of the main Clan of the Master Clan Castanic, the Val Uskhal¡¯s Clan.

    As usual, Nethaniel wore his white-silver heavy plate armor that protected every centimeter of his well-trained body, with two large shoulder pads resting on his shoulders.

    His hands and feet were covered by heavy gauntlets and greaves respectively which were adjusted almost perfectly for his body.

    Nethaniel¡¯s hazel eyes were always stern and unfriendly, watchful of his surroundings

    While his imposing dual sheathed swords, each one rested on the opposite side of his waist, gave Nethaniel a martial and colossal appearance to whoever looked at him, with a long yellow ribbon entwined in the swords¡¯ handles, giving them a flamboyant and ostentatious detail at Nethaniel¡¯s hip.

    Both Adiar and Nethaniel were standing next to each other side by side, watching over the crowded and noisy FTC¡¯s hall in a professional conversation.

    ¡°My Sentinels are patrolling Velika day and night while everything gets back to normal.¡±

    Nethaniel informed with a serious voice looking at Adiar while from his left pocket he retrieved a small but refined metallic-black square lighter.

    ¡°I am glad you can help us, Nethaniel. I really appreciate it.¡± Adiar said thankfully, although with a serious tone while Nethaniel put a cigarette in his mouth.

    ¡°Is the least I can do for you guys,¡± Nethaniel said with a friendly tone while igniting his cigarette and inhaled the lit cigar briefly.

    ¡°Haha...if you say it,¡± Adiar replied shortly as he knew a great part of the story behind those words.

    Nethaniel released a puff of cigarette smoke in response and then he laughed silently as Adiar just looked at him a little puzzled.

    Suddenly Nethaniel stopped laughing abruptly as his sharp senses felt something out of place coming towards them.

    Dropping his cigarette, Nethaniel fixed his gaze towards the main entrance, down the hall alert of any danger approaching.

    The Executor Adiar also fixed his gaze down the hall just as Nethaniel and both saw a pale soldier wearing the usual FTC¡¯s uniform armor rushing towards him, which Adiar quickly recognized.

    ...but for some reason, Adiar remained in silence.

    The pale soldier kept making his way towards Adiar while their companions just looked at them puzzled by his behavior.

    Nethaniel by his part took two steps forward and stood there calmly.

    ¡°Stay your ground, soldier!¡± Nethaniel shouted threateningly as his voice echoed through the hall, drawing the attention of the majority within.

    Everyone felt a chill going through their spine, instilling profound fear upon hearing Nethaniel¡¯s martial voice.

    But to everyone¡¯s surprise, the pale soldier kept rushing towards them.

    Nethaniel placed his right hand on the left sword handle ready to draw upon the slightest show of hostility while he took a calm breath.

    Even after seeing this, the soldier kept running towards him as Nethaniel slowly took out surefire of his sword and tensed the muscles of his right arm preparing a deadly blow aiming for the pale soldier¡¯s center torso.

    *Tap*

    ¡°Wait.¡± Nethaniel heard Adiar¡¯s voice behind him as he felt Adiar¡¯s hand on his right shoulder pad.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening Adiar?¡± Nethaniel asked back, relaxing his body and releasing his left sword¡¯s grip.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but he is my private messenger,¡± Adiar explained as the soldier reached both of them, heavily breathing of a pale-purple complexion as both could see now.

    ¡°Explain yourself, soldier,¡± Nethaniel spoke severely to the pale soldier before him while he was inspecting it from feet to head.

    The soldier was so out of breath and sweating, that when he opened his mouth to speak, not even a single word came out except for a slightly pained cry as he fell on his knees, holding his neck to dull the pain.

    Nethaniel just looked the soldier kneeling on the floor impassively while turned his head to Adiar calmly.

    ¡°Adiar?¡±

    ¡°You.¡± Adiar pointed an officer before him. ¡°Find and bring Mech here, immediately!¡± Adiar ordered with a serious voice.

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± The officer answered in a firm position, then turned and went running outside looking for Mech.

    ***  ***  ***  ***

    It was nearly noon, a perfect time for a nap; even so, Mech and Korah could not sleep completely, due part of their minds was always aware of their surroundings, a sequel after the long battles against the Iron Order.

    Still, Korah was able to fall asleep, while Mech couldn¡¯t.

    Unable to sleep, Mech slowly opened her soft purple eyes, and see how a small yellowish leaf slowly descending before her within hand¡¯s reach.

    ¡®Autumn is coming¡­¡¯ Mech thought to herself as she tenderly caught the leaf with her hand before it fell to the ground while her gaze wandered into space and her eyes devoid of luster.

    After she caught the leaf, she lifted her hand and stretched it forward slightly, levitating the leaf on her palm while on the leaf multiple white-eclipsed runes appeared on it.

    In her view, several red colored words enclosed in a rectangle of circular points appeared before her, which occasionally flickered altogether.

    None other than her was able to see these words, as these came from within her mind alongside a robotic-female voice echoing in her head.

    [SYSTEM] Connecting to the internal magic bodies¡¯ network¡­

    ¡­

    [Connected as: BP

    ...checking status: ACTIVE]

    [Sensors: Online¡­

    Magic: Online¡­

    Weapons: Online...

    ...ALL SYSTEMS NOMINAL]

    Mech¡¯s gaze was still looking to the void while the leaf kept floating in the palm of her hand.

    [Scanning properties¡­

    Nothing found¡­

    Strengthening magic link with nature¡­]

    Suddenly, the little leaf stem slightly began to shine a light green color, and its various small runes shone white while her vision became gradually blurred till she was unable to see.

    From afar, she started to hear...various indistinct sounds unable to comprehend what they were saying or exclaiming.

    Gradually, these sounds could be heard more clearly.

    Cries of pain, horror shouts, bawls...then suddenly...

    ¡°Mom¡­who is she?!¡± Mech heard a child¡¯s frightened voice in the darkness.

    There was no answer as Mech¡¯s vision got completely clear again...

    In front of her, there was a large mirror hung on a wooden wall, allowing Mech to see herself via reflection.

    She was wearing a dark-blue witch hat hiding her ocher fox ears, alongside a gray mask with a sadistic smile and joyful eyes on it, covering her real face.

    Mech was also wearing a yellow outfit with black sleeves and gloves.

    After a few seconds of looking her reflection at the mirror, Mech saw two other humanoid figures in the mirror.

    After recognizing the two¡¯s identities...slowly her body turned completely by itself...and the scenery warped into a familiar location, a memory Mech fears.

    They were in an old farmhouse living room, where there were long bloodstains around and a spooky silence through the fantasmal-like village.

    Mech could not control her own body, as of now she was but a mere spectator.

    Before her, there was an adult woman hugging her crying child.

    ¡°What do you want?¡± The woman asked trying to hide her fear looking to the wooden floor, but there was no avail.

    Mech could smell their fear in the air, albeit she trying to hid it alongside her tremors.

    There was no answer, even when Mech tried with all her power to break free, to break the chains forcing her to see this madness in her mind.

    ¡°We are just farmers! Please! Forgive us, we¡¯ve done no wrong! We¡¯re not soldiers!¡± The woman cried in despair as her child cried loudly.

    There was no response as Mech just coldly looked through her mask while the woman kept crying, shaking in fear while hugging her child defending her.

    ¡®Don¡¯t do it¡­¡¯ Mech said silently and helpless within her mind as she knew the incoming future for those humans in front of her.

    Suddenly she could see a few words flickering on her view.

    [SYSTEM: Threat: 0%]

    ¡°These targets have 0% of threat towards the Alliance of Nature. Asking re-evaluation of the mission.¡± Mech could hear her own voice. Though it was emotionless, cold, almost unknown even to herself.

    ¡®You have your orders, Archangel 879. Carry. Them. Out.¡¯ Within Mech¡¯s mind, a somewhat familiar male voice echoed, yet Mech could never recognize it.

    ¡®DON¡¯T DO IT!¡¯ Mech cried within her mind, fighting and struggling within herself trying to regain the control of her own body back.

    But all her attempts were completely futile.

    ¡°Understood.¡± Mech¡¯s cold voice could be heard again, suddenly...

    *Raaah!*

    A human, or rather, a teenager, who was hiding in a small basement under the wooden floor, jumped out of hiding to Mech with a sword in hand.

    He tried to cut Mech vertically but¡­

    She just gave a step to her right avoiding the swing and then quickly roundhouse kicked his chest, her soles of her low-heels pressed deep into his flesh as his ribs shattered and splintered bones pierced his lungs from the center via point of impact, knocking him back painfully.

    ¡°*Cough* You...monster¡­¡± The teenager said while coughing blood, yet he kept himself on his feet.

    Then Mech lifted her right hand and then¡­

    *Splat*

    ¡°NOOO!¡± The woman cried louder as a little blood spattered on her face just as Mech¡¯s mask was spattered with blood as well.

    There was nothing but a pool of blood left where the teenager was standing.

    ¡®...¡¯ Mech ceased her internal mental struggles, shocked of the brutality as she couldn''t endure the scene, despite seeing it multiple times before.

    *Tap tap*

    Mech¡¯s low-heels shoes echoed through the farmhouse as she turned again, looking at the woman begging for mercy.

    ¡°Please...don¡¯t do this¡­¡± The woman begged in tears, trying to defend her children.

    ¡®No...no...please¡­¡¯ Mech said within her mind helplessly while her body lifted her right hand forward by its own.

    ¡°Please...don¡¯t do-¡±

    In just a second, the woman and child¡¯s bodies deformed as their bones cracked loudly and then¡­

    *Splat*

    The blood stained the floor, the roof, and the furniture around as Mech could just cry at the horrid bloody sight of her past deeds.

    She was alone and helpless; feeling a heavy and painful headache, trapped in her own mind without any control, tortured by its actions, forced to see this brutality.

    Slowly her vision darkened gradually till she just could see clearly red words flickering altogether.

    [SYSTEM] Disconnecting from the internal magic bodies¡¯ network to avoid internal system damage¡­

    All of a sudden, her vision came back together, with her eyes regaining their luster.

    Mech still had the leaf floating over her palm and while observing the leaf, she sensed someone coming to her thanks to her sharp senses and her highly sensitive fox ears.

    Slowly, the runes on the leaf vanished and then it stopped floating over her palm and then she awaited for whoever was coming.

    After a few seconds, a young 6¡¯ tall human officer wearing the FTC¡¯s uniform was standing before her with a serious atmosphere to deliver her a report of utmost urgency.

    ¡°Priestess Mech!¡± The agitated officer spoke loudly waking up Korah while Mech by her part, just stood up calmly and then shook her tail vivaciously while softly cleaning the dirty of her skirt with her hands.

    ¡°Hoh? I permit you to speak daring Human, kukuku.¡± Mech said with a slightly mocking voice.

    ¡°E-Eh, the Executor has asked for your presence inside the hall, immediately!¡±

    ¡°Uh? Understood. Korah, get up ¡± Mech spoke calmly without turning.

    ¡°I know I know...¡± Korah said a little upset from his pleasant nap interrupted.

    ¡°We finally have something to do today!¡± Mech said vigorously while stretching her arms meanwhile her tail kept wagging behind her and then she put both of her hands at her back.

    Korah just sighed overwhelmed by the energy of his partner.

    ¡°I am going ahead!¡± Mech shouted as she ran fast towards the FTC¡¯s hall...leaving the poor officer behind her as he tried to catch up.

    ***  ***  ***  ***

    ¡°Hang on soldier! Help is coming!¡± Adiar said while he approached his private messenger and held his body.

    Meanwhile, the officers and other soldiers around looked at the ongoing scene worried.

    ¡°Neth, what¡¯s happening?¡± The Princess Caut asked from behind, slowly walking till positioning at Nethaniel¡¯s right side.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but I have a bad feeling about this...¡± Nethaniel said silently, but it was enough for the Princess to hear.

    ¡°That skin color...it can¡¯t be¡­¡± The Princess said surprised with a serious expression decorating her face upon looking at the private messenger¡¯s condition.

    ¡°What is it?¡± Nethaniel asked fixing his gaze on the private messenger, but still wary of his surroundings.

    ¡°Only a few known magicians are able to cast the spell...the plague of exhaustion.¡±

    The Princess Caut explained silently to Nethaniel while Caut¡¯s cougar ears twitched, trying to hear Adiar¡¯s conversation.

    Nethaniel¡¯s wary eyes noticed this slight detail but just stood in silence.

    Meanwhile, Adiar was trying to hear what his private messenger was trying to say.

    ¡°Misty...she...traitor...Velika...Velika is under¡­atta--¡± The messenger tried to explain with difficulty but his voice faded away, unable to breathe.

    ¡°Mech?! Where is Mech?!¡± Adiar shouted loudly as Mech came running between the crowd of onlookers and stopped right away upon seeing the private messenger¡¯s condition.

    ¡°Do something!¡± Adiar ordered with a severe voice as his soldier¡¯s life was slowly fading away.

    Mech just looked at Adiar and then the messenger with a sad smile.

    ¡°I will do my best.¡± She replied as she slowly approached, crouched at his side and placed her right hand on the messenger¡¯s chest while everyone just looked at the scene.

    While on Mech¡¯s right hand, a narrow ¡®bracelet¡¯ formed around her wrist with thousands of little runes of a white light bluish-shining color rolling apace; although just a few were able to perceive it.

    Princess Caut¡¯s cougar ears twitched again, being able to feel the soft magic flow concentrating around Mech, as her runic magic sequence kept going around her wrist.

    ¡°Mangyaring, diyosa ng buhay at likas na katangian¡­¡± (Please, goddess of the life and nature¡­)

    Upon Mech silently uttered these words, one and a half meter diameter white-shining circle slowly formed on the floor, enclosing the messenger¡¯s body while some runes of a forgotten language formed on its perimeter.

    ¡°Tulungan ang matapang na kawal, at bigyan ito ng isang tahimik at mapayapang kamatayan!¡± (Help this brave soldier, and give him a placid and peaceful death¡­)

    Mech kept uttering some other words in an unknown language for many of the presents, excepting the Princess.

    Upon saying the last word, the runes around the circle shone intensely and then they dispersed alongside the circle accompanied by a sharp sound echoing throughout the whole hall.

    Messenger¡¯s skin color went back to a healthier color but he wasn''t breathing anymore.

    ¡°I am sorry, Adiar. I just made his passing painless, it was all that I could do.¡± Mech explained looking to the floor, invaded by an underserved guilt.

    ¡°...¡± Adiar just looked at her trying to hide his anger as he stood up.

    On the other side¡­

    ¡°Though Mech was going to save him,¡± Nethaniel spoke silently to Princess Caut after contemplating Mech¡¯s complex magic, although his eyes were unable to see most of it as almost everyone else.

    ¡°There are a few magics that even Mech cannot dispel,¡± Caut said with a serious voice, looking at Mech, knowing her feelings well.

    ¡°Uh uh? What is happening?¡± Bready asked upon he got there near Nethaniel, a little confused by the scene while Korah also arrived carelessly.

    ¡°Hahaha...you are a little late, Bready,¡± Nethaniel spoke calmly.

    Suddenly, Adiar shouted loudly.

    ¡°Everyone have one minute to get ready! Velika is probably under siege and enemies should be coming this way soon!¡±

    Upon his last word, the FTC¡¯s hall¡¯s atmosphere became even more agitated, as the officers were also running around, gathering their platoons and weapons, getting ready to fight.

    ¡°What? But the Iron Order is not in the FTC¡¯s territories anymore!¡± The Princess said surprised.

    ¡°Group up!¡± Nethaniel shouted once as the FTC¡¯s elite forces grouped up swiftly.

    Mech, Caut, Bready, Korah and two others came closer to each other.

    ¡°Orders, commander.¡± The Princess Caut said calmly as a soldier brought up her bow and then left.

    ¡°You listened in didn¡¯t you, Caut?¡± Nethaniel asked as Caut looked at him with a smile.

    ¡°You never discard any detail, uh? Well, as I heard, Misty had betrayed us and she must besieging Velika¡­¡± The princess Caut calmly explained as everyone heard attentively.

    Excepting Mech, who had her ocher fox ears down, as once again she couldn''t save someone.

    ¡°You can¡¯t save everyone Mech, you did fine.¡± A deep male voice spoke from her right side.

    This voice came out from a male Aman, Panchuk. His height was around 7¡¯4¡±, and featured a very strong and tough physique.

    His body had scaly brown skin and well-built muscles through all his body.

    Panchuk¡¯s face was somewhat draconic with 2 pointy horns, stern goldenrod eyes, and a really menacing expression on his face, but deep down he was very friendly and loyal soldier, with a huge sense of honor and respect towards Nethaniel.

    ¡°But¡­¡± Mech was going to speak, but Panchuk interrupted her.

    ¡°No ¡®buts¡¯! I know you for three years now! I know what you are thinking, but you are wrong. You did great.¡± Panchuk cheered her up.

    ¡°Hahahaha...thanks Pancho.¡± Mech said with a smile as she regained her esteem and then both kept hearing the instructions.

    ¡°If Adiar¡¯s messenger is correct, we¡¯ll be fighting a double frontline battle soon, one at Velika and one at the Free Traders¡¯ Hall,¡± Nethaniel explained.

    ¡°I see...then what¡¯s the plan?¡± Korah asked as he was readjusting his armor correctly.

    ¡°We will split up. Part of my royal guard, the Shrouded Rose Sentinels are in Velika, so they must have already engaged with the enemy at least once, and knowing them well, they must be holding them back for now and establishing a commanding post to regroup everyone to form a defensive front line in some choke point around Velika.¡± Nethaniel explained further.

    ¡°Sounds logical; I will stay here with Panchuk and Adiar then, defending this position.¡± The Princess said following Nethaniel¡¯s plan.

    ¡°Good. I will take the rest of the group then and reinforce Velika.¡± Nethaniel agreed as everyone was already ready...while the FTC¡¯s officers and recruits were still running around and forming their defensive lines in the hall.

    ¡°Hahahahahaha¡­¡± Nethaniel laughed silently.

    ¡°Nethaniel? What¡¯s the funny part?¡± The Princess asked puzzled.

    ¡°Those lucky bastards...They must be having fun already with the enemy! Hahahahahaha¡­¡± Nethaniel said recklessly.

    ¡°Ahh...Why did I even ask¡­¡± Caut said regretting her question.

    ¡°Give them hell from my part, Panchuk! All units, move out!¡± Nethaniel ordered as Korah, Mech, Bready and Sinac followed him out of the FTC¡¯s hall, towards the barn, where their horses resides.

    ¡°In your name, commander! Hehehehehe¡­¡± Panchuk said while readjusting his heavy gauntlets as he kept sheathed his great sword at his back.

    ¡°You both really have some serious issues.¡± Princess Caut said carelessly as she was inspecting her own bow.

    ¡°Hahahahahaha¡­¡± Panchuk just laughed.

    ***   ***  ***  ***

    Twenty minutes or so after Nethaniel and his comrades left to reinforce Velika¡¯s defenses.

    Orders from Adiar and Princess Caut echoed clearly through the Free Traders¡¯ hall while the soldiers and officers were setting the respective defensive lines to fend off the imminent enemy attack.

    Suddenly when the defensive lines were still forming at the northern, east and west hall entrances ¡­

    ¡°INCOMING!!¡± A FTC¡¯s soldier shouted, as enemies wearing a white lined green uniform burst forth charging through the entrances and rushed towards the defensive lines at the entrances.

    ¡°Enlighten Union? Why are our allies are attacking us?¡± The FTC¡¯s soldiers mumbled between themselves, confused by this sudden betrayal; hitting their morale heavily.

    ¡°Be ready!¡± The Princess Caut shouted as she pulled her bow string as much as she could while she aimed her arrow and then fired it.

    The arrow directly hit an enemy soldier in the heart, taking his life in a mere second.

    The enemy forces were formed by various races like Amans and a few Castanics mercenaries but mainly composed of Humans and Elves.

    It was just matter of seconds, till the EU soldiers clashed with the Free Traders¡¯ defensive lines.

    ¡°Hold the line! Don¡¯t let them get through!¡± Adiar commanded his forces tenaciously; meanwhile, Princess Caut kept firing her arrows as fast as she could.

    The FTC¡¯s hall was wrapped in conflict, as swords clashed and war cries echoed through the hall.

    The Enlighten Union¡¯s forces were simultaneously attacking all entrances at once, pressing the defensive line overwhelmingly, which was barely holding back the enemy.

    ¡°Keep going!¡± The Princess shouted, trying to raise the morale of the troops.

    But Adiar knew that his forces weren''t going to hold for much more time.

    ¡°Everyone! Fall back and form a turtle formation!¡± Adiar shouted as the Princess Caut kept firing her arrows.

    ¡°What?! We cannot fall back now!¡± The Princess protested as the soldiers retreated, although not all managed to do it.

    The 2000ish troops of the Free Traders were reduced to just 1100ish troops in just the first enemy wave.

    Panchuk was also fighting fiercely on his side, and upon hearing the retreat order, he growled as hearing the order alone is enough for him to know how bad the situation is; And he then cut an enemy soldier in half with his two-meter greatsword length and then retreated as fast as he could.

    For some reason, the enemy soldiers didn''t chase them, instead, they started to form up while the turtle formation was about to be finished.

    ¡°Princess Caut, you must leave now and request reinforcements or support from your mother. The Free Traders Collective will then sort out the rest if we get out of this one.¡± Adiar ordered as there wasn''t another way out in his mind.

    ¡°But¡­¡± The Princess hesitated, she didn''t want to leave them, and she wasn''t going to leave anyone behind again.

    ¡°Hehehehehe...we will be fine,¡± Panchuk said calmly as he moved his shoulders. ¡°You should go, I will take care these rookies for you, lady Caut.¡± Panchuk laughed silently and then went to the frontal line of the formation.

    ¡°*Sigh* Alright. I promise that I will be back soon!¡± The Princess Caut said, although she was still worried, she still had a chance to save lives.

    Then, the Princess ran took off her pocket a little blue stone and filled it with a little of magic.

    ¡°Hang on! I will bring help.¡± The Princess said while a dark blue circle of about 40 centimeters of diameter appeared under her feet and then it started to raise up, ¡®swallowing¡¯ the Princess, till she disappeared with the dark blue circle.

    Meanwhile, the FTC¡¯s forces completely surrounded by the EU¡¯s soldiers on all side, hopelessly outnumbered by the enemy.

    ¡°Get ready!¡± Adiar shouted as every soldier readied their weapons against the oppressive numbers.

    Suddenly, from the middle of the Enlighten Union soldiers, a short brown hooded humanoid, wearing a brown tunic, emerged from the crowd to present herself.

    Then, she lifted her arms and removed the hood slowly, revealing the owner¡¯s face to be Misty.

    Misty was an Elin, of red eyes, purple curly hair with a pair of rabbit ears and a small cottontail.

    ¡°Hihihihihihihi¡­¡± Misty just laughed as Adiar stood his ground, looking at her with eyes of rage.

    ¡°What have you done, Misty?!¡± Panchuk shouted angrily.

    ¡°I opened my eyes, my dear friend. The Free Traders are soft-hearted fools and will never be able to achieve true victory. Hihihihihihi...come on Panchuk, join me! And we will win everything what we ever wanted!¡±

    Misty shouted as the enemy soldiers were looking at her, as she was technically their commander...former commander as of now.

    ¡°I will not accept this madness, Misty! Cease your aggressions! Don¡¯t make me hurt you!¡± Panchuk tried to talk her back into sanity.

    ¡°Hihihihihihihihihi!¡± Misty laughed sharply.

    ¡°You and what army? Hihihihihi...Ralu and Aurora have already taken Velika by now!¡± Misty shouted. ¡°Just abandon your pointless resistance. This will end today.¡± Misty added and then lifted her left arm forward.

    ¡°CHARGE!¡± Misty ordered with a crisp shout. Upon her command, her soldiers shouted in response.

    ***RAHHHHHHH***

    All the EU¡¯s soldiers charged towards the FTC¡¯s turtle formation pointing their weapons forward, while the FTC¡¯s soldier braced themselves for the incoming clash.

    Once again, the world was at war.

    Credits to I4MD34TH for editing!

 Volume I Chapter 2 Part II: Past and Beyond

    Volume I Scions of Destiny - Chapter 2 Part II: Past and Beyond

    Nethaniel, Bready, Mech, Korah, Lyns, and Sinac rode on warhorses known as Fortuna warhorses, one of the fastest breeds in the realm.

    The horses were equipped with a platinum shaffron, covering their whole head while leaving orifices for their eyes and ears.

    The Fortunas were adorned with a platinum scaly crinet and crupper, covering the horse''s neck and rearrespectively while the crupper displayed the FTC¡¯s banner on both sides.

    Nethaniel and co rode with maximum haste spurring their horses to full speed.

    The horseshoes rhythmically clanked in sync upon contact with the dirt road as they swiftly advanced towards Velika¡¯s north gate.

    From afar, they spotted several streaming clouds of gray smoke rising from Velika and heard some minor explosions.

    Upon hearing this, Nethaniel and co already elucidated part of the situation transpiring within the city from their past experiences and well-honed instincts.

    ¡°We must hurry! Haa!¡± Nethaniel shouted as he jolted his horse bridles, pushing his horse to the limit.

    Forthwith, everyone followed Nethaniel¡¯s action, jolting their horses¡¯ bridles to the limits.

    Regardless, Mech was barely paying attention to the big picture going on in front of her eyes, as a good part of her focus was on what happened to her two months ago.

    Since then, many inexplicable visions tormented her mind in her sleep; immersing her in slight fatigue and concern.

    After the apparition of that unknown magician, Mech was unable to see the world the same as before.

    On the other part, Nethaniel and co were still far from Velika, though sounds of swords clashing dimly in the distance reached their ears.

    Thus, making them eager to arrive as soon as possible and help their allies and people¡­

    ¡­ Before it was too late.

    <hr>

    Two months ago.

    The provinces of Arcadia, Velika, and Val Aureum under the FTC were finally free of the long-lived Iron Order¡¯ invasion on the Arun continent after years of protracted clashes.

    However, the Free Traders weren¡¯t alone, as the Pora Elinu Nation from the Poporia province and the Castanic Clan from the Ostgarath province came to their aid and support upon the news reaching their lands.

    Not only that, but they even received support from the other continent, Sharan; as the Enlighten Union deployed its troops to Arun and supported the campaign to expel the expansionist Iron Order out of Arun.

    Thus, ¡®peace¡¯ slowly settled in the Arun continent and for its inhabitants after the Iron Order¡¯s forces defeat and expulsion off the mainland.

    Upon this, the Enlighten Union¡¯s forces also retreated off Arun, returning to Sharan as the Iron Order also did.

    Yet, unnoticed by the majority, the dark hands of oppression were stealthily constricting everyone¡¯s hopes¡­

    Slowly palpating their wishes and expectations in their hearts, stroking them before wildly ravaging them, and then tear them ruthlessly apart.

    *** *** *** ***

    Velika, Northgate district.

    Mech alongside the Princess Caut, Korah, and Lyns were sent to Velika to deliver some secret blueprints regarding classified Noctenium applications by direct orders under Adiar.

    These blueprints were under the codename of ¡®Steady Starfall¡¯, developed by Mech and Lyns and the recipient was the Pora Elinu Nation¡¯s Queen.

    Mech and co knew that their mission was simple and concrete, safeguard the blueprints till they deliver them.

    With this thought in their minds, they entered Velika without any problem, despite the strict guard on the Northgate implanted by the Shrouded Rose Sentinels.

    On the other part...

    Since the arrival of the Master Clan Castanic¡¯s elite sentinels and the decree of the martial-law within Velika by Adiar, the security within the city and its streets highly increased.

    The Shrouded Rose Sentinels (Elite sentinels) were deployed by Nethaniel¡¯s instruction to help on Velika¡¯s stabilization and allow a smooth progress while the whole situation was regularized.

    The sentinels instilled fear to the delinquents and the mobsters within Velika, as the sentinels were fierce, cold and willing to kill without a pinch of hesitation.

    Day and night, the Castanics elite sentinels composed by men and women, patrolled Velika¡¯s street in small but numerous patrols, spread through all the city.

    All of them were wearing similar a black cape, ebony heavy plated armors or either its light variant; while a horned, slightly skull-shaped black helmet covered their heads.

    Their weapons varied from long swords, short swords, and dual swords; all of them properly sheathed and hanging from their armor belt, held from its scabbard locket.

    Their armors often clanked while they calmly walked through the streets, while their stern gazes watched every detail around them, wary of anything abnormal.

    Thereby, they quickly nurtured their reputation throughout the lands, earning themselves the name of ¡®skull patrols¡¯ by their enemies and citizens, referencing their skull-shaped helmets.

    Meanwhile, after Mech and co climbed the wide concrete stairs upon entering Velika through its north gate.

    They reached the Velika Northgate district¡¯s business center, as there was a crowd of people walking around, seeing different stalls of many varieties.

    Each of the stalls was selling their own unique wares, ranging from medical supplies, clothes, food, armors to exotics alchemy potions with a questionable origin.

    All of these wares were being displayed on large wooden tables, as their own peddlers and merchants shouted promoting their products.

    Others haggled their products with their clients, fiercely trying to convince them to purchase their merchandise.

    The ambiance in those streets was rowdy and suffocating, while the buildings surrounding the wide streets also had their own business, as several placards were hanging on their doors, advertising their stores.

    Often, a patrol of three to four Castanic sentinels walked through the streets, imposing a broad sense security to all the citizens as these avoided the patrol as much as they could.

    Not considering this fact, Mech and co walked warily, yet oblivious to sentinels¡¯ activities or presence through the crowds heading towards their meeting point, which was at the ¡®Plaza of the Huntress¡¯, on the other extreme of the city.

    The Plaza of the Huntress was a spacious place, displaying its elaborated decoration on its surroundings; it had several important adjoined buildings, as the Pora Elinu Nation¡¯s embassy was there.

    A few meters in front of the embassy, there was a high, light-gray marble statue on a detailed, of four meters width and two meters high concrete slab.

    This statue displayed a long-haired humanish female, wearing a light huntress armor and armed with a longbow in her hands.

    Thereby, representing the ¡®Goddess of the Hunt¡¯, Velik; the guardian of the human race and their city, Velika.

    Also, this slab exhibited thousands of silver plaques adhered to its lateral surfaces, each one with a name, a date of birth and date of death inscribed on them.

    These plaques paid homage and obeisance to the thousands if not millions of deaths of soldiers and civilians alike during the five years which the ¡®Argon War¡¯ lasted.

    But way before Mech and co could reach here, they halted their advance as a patrol of Castanic sentinels stopped them when they were about to leave the Northgate district and enter to the Velika¡¯s central area.

    Forthwith, the patrol leader spoke with a female, stern voice, which Mech and co managed to hear clearly despite the rowdy Northgate district¡¯s streets.

    ¡°I am Lieutenant Zekka. I haven¡¯t seen your faces around here, may I know what such jolly faces, an arrogant long-ears, and a rocky one do around here?¡±

    Zekka spoke while slowly and threateningly placed both of her hands over her dual swords¡¯ hilts, with each of her blades sheathed in identical metallic black scabbards.

    Her swords handles were completely black, entwined in aplait yellow rough fabric and ending in a single tassel.

    Unlike the majority of Castanic sentinels; Zekka wore no headgear, revealing her smooth pale-red skin along her short white hair and sterling gray eyes.

    Her ebony light armor covered her body¡¯s vital points while highlighting her attractive build and small chest while revealing her upper thighs and portions of her stomach.

    Thus, exposing her skin and seductive figure to any prying public eyes, although none dared to look at her more than for a few seconds fearing the worst.

    Zekka¡¯s cursory gaze analyzed every detail of them in a second, as she waited for their response.

    Both male Castanics behind Zekka were actively surveying their surroundings with a serious expression, as the people walking on the street avoided to pass too near them.

    At the same time, Korah and Lyns remained calm despite Zekka¡¯s actions, while Mech and Caut just looked up to her unfazed, as the female Castanic was twice her height.

    ¡°Greetings Lieutenant, we¡¯re here for an appointed meeting on the Huntress Plaza,¡± Lyns spoke after half a minute, shortly explaining with his deep, calm and slow voice.

    His rocky, rough gray skin was barely visible from his long brown robes as his clothes almost entirely covered his corpulent body, excluding his face.

    Moreover, Mech, Caut, and Korah were wearing their usual armor, although all of them were disarm.

    ¡°With whom?¡± Zekka asked soon after Lyns finished his words.

    ¡°Hey! Just let us pass, we are not enemies you kno-!¡± Mech eagerly blurted before Lyns could even answer back to Zekka.

    ¡°Mech¡­¡± Lyns turned and chastised Mech, quietly intervening before she worsens the situation.

    He tried to convey Mech, that it was better to stay in silence in these situations, as both knew that most of the Castanics were well-known for their volatile temper.

    ¡°Hm? What did you say?¡± Zekka said slightly upset, as her unfriendly gaze lowered to Mech, while Mech¡¯s wolf ears quivered fleetingly, detecting a slight hostility in her voice.

    Even so, Mech still retorted back in her usual tone with courage, as she was upset like Zekka from this situation.

    ¡°We were just heading where Lyns said. *Sigh* These Castanics, always suspicious of even the tiniest things! *Sigh* They should put a little of that energy on Nature¡­¡±

    Zekka clutched her swords¡¯ hilts, trying not to let the anger control her actions.

    ¡°You¡­men, take them so we can have a pleasant talk later,¡± Zekka ordered her men behind her, as these unsheathed their swords loudly from their scabbards hanging from their waists.

    *SHIIIN!*

    And then proceed to follow Zekka¡¯s order; moments later, the rowdy streets suddenly became silent upon noticing this situation.

    Meanwhile¡­

    The civilian bystanders crowding the streets fled the streets, while the merchants quickly closed their stalls and hid into their stores.

    In a minute, everyone either left the area or fled far enough to safely spectate the sentinels¡¯ detention or hid within their respective houses or stores, closing their doors and windows.

    The Shrouded Rose Sentinels had their reputation, as they were problematic whenever it concerns a detention, and due to this, it was better to not be near them when it happened.

    ¡°Eh?...Eh?¡± Mech turned her head left and then right, quickly noticing that there were just...them and the Castanics left alone in the street.

    On the other part, Caut, Lyns, and Korah just sighed in defeat from the problematic situation they were now involved.

    *Tap-Tap-Tap-Tap Tap-Tap*

    From afar, some low heel shoes clacked on the cobbles, as two Elins were unhurriedly drawing near them, but none noticed this, as Mech and co were looking at each other, wondering what they should do to get out of their current situation.

    While they looked at each other, the Castanic sentinels approached to them, ready to take them in custody.

    But before the Castanic sentinels could put a finger on Mech and co, everyone heard a bright feminine, soothing voice coming from a few meters behind Zekka.

    ¡°Lieutenant Zekka! Stop, right now!¡± The feminine shout echoed through the street, as Zekka¡¯s shoulders slightly cringed upon hearing the nagging voice.

    ¡°Nnnn...¡± Zekka shrank her shoulders shortly, clenching her fists in the process and then added.

    ¡°*Sigh* Let them go, guys¡­¡± Zekka said silently, controlling her temper.

    Forthwith, her men abruptly stopped, proceeding to give a step back from Mech and her party, sheathing their weapons back immediately.

    ¡°Representative Feremi...what¡¯s the matter?¡± Zekka asked after turning around to see a short white-haired Elin of around 4¡¯53¡¯¡¯ in height standing a few meters in front of her.

    Feremi¡¯s ivory white cat ears almost camouflaged perfectly within her short white hair, as they didn''t even twitch once despite Zekka¡¯s unfriendly tone and the tense ambient atmosphere.

    Thus, displaying her solid mentality and personality, worthy of a top-class senator and representative of the Pora Elinu Nation.

    Feremi, standing in a tranquil posture, stared at Zekka serenely as she kept both of her hands resting over her cardinal red full skirt a few centimeters down her waist.

    Her high-class Victorian dress covered almost all her body, excepting her neck, part of her shoulders, chest¡­

    ¡­and a hole enough to let her white tail move freely outside the elegant Victorian dress.

    The dress had black hemlines in every edge, and a black choker around Feremi¡¯s neck, matching perfectly with her harmonious brilliant turquoise eyes.

    But¡­

    ¡°The Q-Queen?!¡± Zekka exclaimed and then slightly bowed, downing her head in respect to the Elin next to Feremi for a second.

    The Elin next to Feremi was Queen Valentina, donning a friendly smile on her young and joyful face like every Elin, while her unseen black cougar tail wagged energetically behind her.

    Her long black hair with a side ponytail hairstyle waved delicately along its platinum, lightly netted tiara decoration while her black cougar ears scantily moved.

    On the other part¡­

    Valentina¡¯s dress was lighter and simpler than Feremi¡¯s dress; it was a white spring countryside high-class dress, with a full gathered skirt with some blue lines and other details on it.

    She also wore white low-heel shoes; although she wore a less elegant dress, all her presence irradiated a royalty and delicate appearance.

    Her beige skin was soft and carefully cared, as her blue eyes looked around the place, seeing her daughter, Caut and her Priestess, Mech.

    Valentina¡¯s attire remarked her whole figure and bolstered her beauty, making her look bright, pure and clean while radiating a noble aura despite her simple outfit.

    Yet, she stood in silence for the moment, observing the situation carefully as Feremi exclaimed.

    ¡°We¡¯ve spoken about this already, Sergeant Zekka. We highly appreciate your dedication, but this is crossing the line.¡± Feremi exclaimed keeping her voice calm and then added.

    ¡°Also, if you haven''t noticed yet...you have detained our Princess and our Priestess, so...having that in mind, would you let them go?¡±

    While Feremi spoke, she sharply looked at Zekka, without flinching even a second, keeping her elegance and calmness.

    Meanwhile, on Zekka¡¯s side, her eyes widened in surprise, quickly turning her head back to see Mech¡¯s group for a second.

    ¡°W-what?¡± Zekka then turned back to Feremi and the Queen.

    ¡°*Sigh* You are just causing so many troubles lately. I should report this back to Adiar and advise him to-¡± Feremi was suddenly interrupted in the middle of her words.

    ¡°I think in a different manner.¡± The Queen interrupted with serenity while giving a few step ahead as her white low-heel shoes dimly echoed through the street and her dress weakly fluttered.

    Upon Valentina¡¯s interruption, Feremi bowed respectfully towards Valentina, keeping her words and opinions for herself while giving a step back regardfully.

    Many citizens were observing from their safe spots how the scene progressed, while Valentina and her sharp cougar¡¯s senses could hear their expectant hearts beats when she walked upon Zekka.

    Upon getting near of Zekka, about two steps of distance between both, their heights¡¯ differences got even more remarkable, as Zekka was around 40 centimeters taller than Valentina.

    ¡°Zekka¡¯s work has been exceptional, although she often ends in problematic situations, it just means that Velika is progressing adequately.¡± The Queen said with a soft smile, slightly looking upwards.

    Zekka by her side looked at Valentina with respect and then lowered her gaze to the floor, as she and her Nation was the sole real ally of her race, the Castanics.

    ¡°This was just a slight misunderstanding, right Sergeant Zekka?¡± The Queen exclaimed, still wearing her soft smile and graceful presence and attitude.

    Zekka quickly gazed to the front and stood firm, as her armor clanked once by her energetic movements, and then replied.

    ¡°Indeed, Queen Valentina. Sentinels!¡±

    After hearing Zekka¡¯s words, her men quickly ran and stood firmly by her side, their eyes turned stern with a grave expression on their faces, thus displaying a solid discipline and training.

    Zekka and her two other Sentinels then gave a short martial greeting to Valentina, as their heavy armor clanked altogether.

    ¡°Hahahaha...it wasn''t necessary at all. Keep up your good work, Sergeant Zekka.¡± Valentina said in sotto voce, giving a slight bow to the Castanic Sentinels.

    ¡°It is an honor, Queen Valentina. We will be going now then.¡± Zekka replied respectfully to her bow.

    ¡°I wish you the best of luck.¡± Valentina expressed elegantly, as her brilliant turquoise eyes then fixed on Mech behind Zekka and her men.

    ¡°Thank you, Queen Valentina.¡± Zekka declared vigorously.

    ¡°Men, follow me!¡± Zekka ordered and promptly left the area with her men as their clunking boots echoed through the streets, while the citizens spectated their slow departure.

    At the same time, the merchants quickly established their stalls back up, thus filling the streets with bustling life once again, as the people started to crowd the street again.

    ¡°My Queen.¡± Mech and Caut exclaimed in unison obsequiously while bowing with etiquette, placing their right knee and hand on the floor while bending their heads respectfully.

    Meanwhile, Korah and Lyns slightly bowed to Valentina, without showing any big surprise to Mech and Caut¡¯s actions, as it was normal within the Elin¡¯s Nation.

    ¡°Completely unnecessary, girls. You both know that I don¡¯t like such formalities that much; I am just an ordinary Elin like any of you.¡± Queen Valentina said and then silently giggled.

    *Tap-tap*

    ¡°Majesty, I advise searching a suitable place for us to chat. The matter to discuss is essential to our Nation and the alliance with the Free Traders.¡± Feremi recommended.

    Queen Valentina and Feremi were their mission contacts, which surprised Korah and Caut for a second, but they disguised their surprise almost perfectly.

    On the other part, thereafter Feremi¡¯s recommendation, Valentina asked Mech and co, while Caut and Mech stood up from their loyal bow.

    ¡°I see, are you alright with it? I know a good quiet place nearby. I will invite you all, of course.¡±

    ¡°I agree with the Miss Feremi; we will follow your lead, Queen Valentina,¡± Lyns replied casually with his usual deep voice representing the group in his decision.

    *** *** *** ***

    After a few minutes, Mech and co were led by Valentina and Feremi to the Pora Elinu Nation¡¯s embassy which was adjacent to the Huntress Plaza.

    The embassy, as Korah and Lyns could quickly notice, wasn¡¯t well-guarded despite being a valuable place, as there were just two Elin royal guards at the embassy entrance.

    Both were wearing a gray heavy plate armor, with a sword sheathed hanging from their waist.

    These guards gave a short martial-greeting to the Queen, and then the whole group entered the embassy.

    Upon entering, all of them walked down through a large hall.

    The hall had a clean high-ceiling architecture, with simple white marble walls alongside black-white polished stone floor distributed as chess, giving a stillness environment.

    Also, every now and then, elegant windows dimly lit the embassy¡¯s interior, while the walls were decorated by variants of the Pora Elinu Nation¡¯s flag draping from them.

    Caut and Mech followed the Queen and Feremi without saying a word while Korah and Lyns were astonished by the Elins¡¯ high-quality architecture.

    ¡°This is indeed wonderful,¡± Lyns exclaimed while he walked.

    ¡°Haha¡­ this embassy was designed by mostly Poporis and Castanics architects since our style is a little more...simpler.¡± Valentina spoke a little of the building history while she kept walking.

    ¡°I see...but I thought Elins dislike killing the nature, for make this building¡­*whistle*,¡± Korah said carelessly, although every Elin animal ear within the embassy¡¯s hall perked up upset.

    ¡°*Cough-cough*¡± Valentina coughed to keep her composure while Feremi gave a short sigh.

    ¡°Watch your words Korah¡­¡± The Princess Caut said slightly upset while Lyns laughed silently from Korah¡¯s imprudence.

    ¡°We protect it! But we also need nature sometimes, but it is a big difference between what we do and what High Elves did.¡± Mech said coldly towards Korah, as he rubbed his back neck nervously.

    ¡°I am sorry, I am sorry¡­¡± Korah said silently when the group suddenly stopped.

    At their right side, there was a large brown doubled oak door, custodied by two Elins maids, both wearing a typical black maid uniform with black and white frills.

    ¡°¡°My Queen, it¡¯s an honor to see you.¡±¡± Both Elins spoke in unison while pushing the oak door open.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Valentina replied back with a smile and entered the room as the other followed her up.

    After opening the door, the maids quickly ran to serve tea and cookies at the round table while Valentina and the others waited for a minute.

    ¡°My Queen, the table is ready. Do you need us for anything else?¡± One of the maids asked while the other stood next to her.

    ¡°Not for now, thank you. You two may wait outside, if we need something, we will call you.¡± Valentina said serenely.

    ¡°¡°Understood, my Queen.¡±¡± Both maids replied back and went to the door with quick steps and slowly closed the oak doors from outside.

    ¡­

    Valentina, Feremi, Mech, Caut, Korah and Lyns then seated themselves in high-class oak chairs, around a round walnut carved table, as before them, there were classy porcelain teacups served.

    ¡°*Sip*¡± Valentina slowly sipped her tea in intervals with well-trained etiquette and manners, while observing Mech and Lyns seated before her in the round table.

    Feremi was at Valentina¡¯s left side, while Korah was at Lyns¡¯ right side along with Caut, drinking tea, and grabbing some cookies served on a plate at the center of the table.

    Suddenly, Queen Valentina spoke after placing her teacup back on a flower adorned porcelain saucer.

    ¡°Our people within the 9th laboratory already started to work on the blueprints you sent two weeks ago Lyns. I must say that they were quite shocked by the complexity of the idea.¡±

    ¡°Yet, the Pora Elinu Nation have given the order to build a prototype along the other blueprints you sent a while ago.¡± The Queen informed.

    ¡°But¡­there are a few problems that our scientists and engineers encountered in the latest prototype,¡± Valentina added.

    Then, she took her teacup again and brought it near her lips, sipping a little of the sweet light magenta tea again.

    This tea was common within the aristocracy and officer ranks of the Pora Elinu Nation and almost every other country, a delicious and sweet herbal tea highly favored by those with refined taste.

    It was directly taken from exotics plants just found within Poporia, making it an exclusive product only for Elins and Poporis.

    While Valentina took a sip, she briefly gestured with her free hand and gave the word to Feremi.

    ¡°Exactly. There are parts within the blueprints that seem to have no current or significant functionality or importance, which just add more complexity to the project.¡±

    Feremi added casually upon noticing Valentina¡¯s gesture, moderately relaxing her etiquette while helping the Queen explain the current situation with the ¡®Steady Starfall¡¯ project.

    ¡°What do you mean exactly?¡± Lyns asked confused about their words, as he still left his tea untouched, while Korah and Caut were eating some chocolate cookies.

    ¡°Are they fillers?¡± Feremi asked back, making her point more evident.

    ¡°Our people define them as ¡®fillers¡¯, without any usage or function within the prototype model. Saying that, what are they exactly?¡± Feremi added and then took a sip of her tea.

    Lyns stood in silence unable to answer her question, as he stealthily glanced at Mech for a second.

    For Lyns, it was a tough question. In reality, he never made any of those ¡®fillers¡¯ in the blueprints or either discovered the Noctenium; yet, the credit was given to him.

    Lyns was smart and energetic when was about researching, but many of his ¡®achievements¡¯ weren¡¯t completely of his own efforts as everyone thought it was, he was always aided in his research.

    Helped by Mech, or how he called her, his Master.

    She was the one who actively helped him work through his ideas and research, giving him useful guidance, although Mech took no credit for it.

    Onto the last of Lyns¡¯ project, she was the one who placed these ¡®fillers¡¯ within Lyns¡¯ blueprints, yet her idea wasn¡¯t completed yet at that time.

    Even so, Lyns allowed her to do it for some reason and delivered the designs anyways,leading him to the current situation.

    ¡°Uh? Do you not know your own blueprints?¡± Feremi questioned Lyns¡¯ wisdom and expertise.

    ¡°Eh¡­it is not that,¡± Lyns replied back with his usual deep tone, yet Feremi could detect nervousness from his voice, as she was used to sensing hidden emotions alongside Valentina from their diplomatic experience.

    ¡°Then what is it?¡± Feremi inquired a second later, slightly distrustful of Lyns as she fixed all her senses and also her gaze onto Lyns; leaving no room for excuses.

    ¡°I¡­¡± Lyns looked at Feremi and then the Queen, now helpless like a vulnerable lamb before a wolf.

    ¡°Those ¡®fillers¡¯ as my Queen and Feremi have referred, are not fillers. They are cutting-edge alloy-magic technology under development by Lyns.¡± Mech exclaimed.

    Hearing this, Queen Valentina and Feremi looked at Lyns and Mech impressed, as it was a whole brand new concept for them and probably everyone uninvolved in the research.

    But behind Valentina¡¯s impressed expression, her brilliant turquoise eyes were unnoticedly fixed on Mech, seeing how Mech was holding her left hand with her other hand.

    Mech¡¯s hand was shaking for some reason, although she quickly controlled this before others could notice her anxiety.

    ¡°Alloy what?¡± Caut asked baffled from Mech¡¯s words as Korah just looked at Mech interested in the new concept Mech just said.

    Then, Mech shared a fairly brief information about Lyns¡¯ project alongside taking out four blueprints off her dress and put them on the round table.

    ¡°Allow-magic technology. We are using noctenium alloys which are extremely reactive and compatible with magic. Thus, developing a viable magic network for our prototype.¡± Mech explained.

    These blueprints on the table displayed every section of the ¡®Steady Starfall¡¯ project with exhaustive details to build it, under the name of ¡®Timberwolf¡¯.

    ¡°As my mast-*cough* Mech says, this network will give the prototype better control and enhance its systems along with other exciting features.¡± Lyns complemented further Mech¡¯s explanation.

    ¡°Wow¡­¡± Caut exclaimed with a smile, proud of Lyns and Mech while Korah smiled at Mech.

    ¡°I see, that sounds interesting saying the least,¡± Feremi exclaimed, her face was then decorated by a soft smile, displaying her renewed trust towards Lyns.

    *Clap*

    ¡°Now that this issue was fixed, your mission have ended¡­I thank both, Lyns and Mech. I am happy to have such talented individuals within our Nation.¡± Valentina praised.

    Thereupon, she stretched her hand and took the blueprints, delivering them to Feremi and then added with her usual calm tone.

    ¡°I also thank you, my daughter. And of course Korah too. Thank both for guarding such an important mission.¡± Valentina added as Caut smiled and Korah limited himself to nod.

    Then, Valentina ordered.

    ¡°Feremi, take these blueprints back to the laboratory so they can start working on the details that Mech, and Lyns have just given us to finish the prototype.¡±

    ¡°It will be done, my Majesty.¡± Feremi took the blueprints and slowly stood up.

    ¡°I am leaving then. The laboratory needs these blueprints as soon as possible¡­farewell everyone.¡±

    After saying this, Feremi bowed shortly and tidied her full red skirt once before she opened the door and encountered the same two Elin maids from before.

    Both were a few step before the door, patiently waiting for any request their Queen or guests would have.

    Upon seeing Feremi coming out the Queen¡¯s private meeting hall, both maids bowed comely.

    ¡°¡°Miss Feremi.¡±¡± Both maids said in trained unison.

    ¡°Keep up the good work girls.¡± Feremi praised as she took her leave through a large hall.

    Her heels clacked softly on the polished stone floors, strolling gracefully under the sunlight glistening through the windows, towards the exit down the corridor leading to the Huntress Plaza.

    On the other part¡­If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ¡°I think we solved and accomplished everything for today, good job everyone. You now have the day free.¡± Valentina said with a soft, happy smile.

    ¡°Really?! Thank you, Val!¡± Mech exclaimed happily disregarding any formalities while standing up from her chair, as her ocher wolf tail wagged happily.

    ¡°Good,¡± Korah said silently as this would mean more time with Mech as Lyns nodded, agreeing with Valentina¡¯s words.

    ¡°Thank you, mother,¡± Caut exclaimed shortly; although all could feel some tension between her and Valentina, none mentioned anything at all.

    Valentina smiled to them as she stood up from her chair and slightly inclined herself, bowing towards Mech¡¯s group gratefully.

    ¡°I am thankful,¡± Valentina exclaimed as she then straightened and added.

    ¡°Now you are dismissed, may Elinu be with you all.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Val! What should I go to see first?¡± Mech exclaimed, thinking aloud as she and her group left after giving a short, polite bow.

    ¡®What are you plotting Mech?¡¯ Valentina asked to herself after everyone left, as she could notice Mech¡¯s anxiety.

    Then, she took her seat again thoughtfully.

    *Tap-tap*

    ¡°My Queen, do you need anything?¡± A maid asked politely.

    ¡°I just need a few minutes alone¡­¡± Valentina said silently and thoughtfully.

    ¡°Understood.¡± The maid replied as she left and closed the doors, leaving Valentina alone within the meeting room.

    ¡®What are you hiding?¡¯ Valentina thought in her mind, curious about Mech¡¯s earlier abnormal behavior.

    *** *** *** ***

    A few minutes later, the Queen Valentina closed her eyes to rest a moment, trying to calm her mind and body¡­

    But whenever she does it¡­the same nightmare bounce into her mind¡­forcing her to reopen her eyes.

    After that happened, Valentina just sighed helplessly and kept thinking on Mech¡¯s abnormal behavior, trying to evade the guilt feeling flooding her mind¡­

    Suddenly¡­

    *Poof*

    A stealthy eminence purple puff arose before Valentina, more precisely next to the bottom wall of the meeting room.

    Upon this, Valentina fixed her gaze on the cloud of smoke, frowning upon feeling a familiar presence behind the smoke, then...this smoke faded away seeing...

    An Elin leaning her back against the wall, with her arms crossed and her left foot over the marble wall.

    Her long dark purple horsetail style hair remarked her light peach skin tone along with her keen dark orange eyes.

    ¡°Lhya,¡± Valentina murmured as her sensitive eyes could see dark purple-blue undulating strings stealthily placed all around Lhya¡¯s body, conjointly spreading around the room.

    Valentina¡¯s wolf ears were unable to hear its magic frequency¡­or even Lhya¡¯s heartbeat at all, neither her regular human ears could at all.

    ¡®Dark mana?¡¯ Valentina thought for herself upon recognizing the dark mana around Lhya and the room, hiding her shock from Lhya¡¯s skills.

    Valentina didn¡¯t know what skill Lhya was using concretely, yet she knew that it was an isolating ability to prevent any sound from going out of the room, a low-level stealth measure.

    It was enough to not alert the maids and guards at all, although her maids and guards were already used to leave Valentina alone for hours.

    Then she relaxed her sensitive eyes to not overload her own senses and heard a female voice.

    ¡°Valentina,¡± Lhya spoke with a serious tone as she fixed her threatening gaze over Valentina

    Lhya was wearing a white sleeveless blouse with bare shoulders tied up at her neck, which gave her a graceful yet simple looking.

    Also, she had a dark brown iron armlet on her right arm besides her dark brown iron bracers around her wrists.

    On the other side, her blouse had a red flower ribbon tied onto her blouse around her chest, while a brown asymmetrical skirt covered her tights.

    Finally, wrapped around her left arm, she had a refined white sewed tape displaying a black lotus.

    Both stared at each other for a few seconds as Lhya by her side showed a more rebellious presence, antagonizing Valentina¡¯s serene presence.

    These two Elins¡¯ gazes reflected their extensive experiences and suffering which forged both opposite personalities besides a pinch of resentment on Lhya¡¯s presence.

    ¡°You look so serene and well-hearted even after you are in front of an abyss, about to throw all your people on it, just by your desires.¡± Lhya broke the silence, throwing spiky words.

    ¡°You have no voice to say that, you are not one of us anymore since you decided to abandon us. I didn''t force you to leave.¡± Valentina replied back as both were immersed in a tense atmosphere.

    ¡°Tsk...really?! Haha...that¡¯s why we left, all of you are so blinded by the light, that¡¯s why my people embraced the darkness. We had embraced balance before it was too late, even so, that meant¡­¡± Lhya retorted.

    After saying that, Lhya sighed while lifting her right hand to her chest and clenched it with impotence, yet she kept her serious gaze, still looking at Valentina.

    Lhya was still silently hesitating of the motive she was doing this; after all, she just came to spoke with her mother because a strange Eidolon told her to¡­but to speak about what?

    The Eidolon didn¡¯t specify anything before it disappeared.

    ¡®Is this worth it?¡¯ Lhya asked herself in her mind and then heard¡­

    ¡°Balance? There is no such balance, and you know it more than any of us.¡± Valentina exclaimed as she had both of her hands clenched guiltily over her white gathered skirt lap.

    ¡°Think what you want but¡­you know that those ¡®Free Traders¡¯...no¡­those humans are just using you, Valentina¡­¡± Lhya warned from her own point of view.

    ¡°It¡¯s none of your business, Lhya.¡± Queen Valentina answered coldly, looking away.

    ¡°Also, the Free Traders are fighting for peace and nature, so we have missions in common, both sides win. They do deserve a chance.¡± Valentina spoke as she closed her eyes for a few seconds as if she was trying to convince herself more than convince Lhya.

    ¡°What? Hear yourself, Valentina! That¡¯s what we thought last time: that they were our allies! And look what happened! Don¡¯t you remember?¡± Lhya exclaimed upset, almost yelling at Valentina.

    ¡°Enough!¡± Valentina yelled and then sighed to calm herself down, and returned to her usual serene voice, although still slightly cold.

    ¡°I am your Mother still; I am not going to accept your disrespect,¡± Valentina added.

    ¡°Kh¡­¡± Lhya gritted her teeth angrily.

    ¡°Then I should hold that your decision killed thousands of ¡®Reapers¡¯? Of our-...my people?! Those humans don¡¯t deserve a chance!¡± Lhya yelled helplessly.

    Meanwhile, Valentina kept looking away, unable to look Lhya directly in her eyes.

    ¡°Many of you became monsters; and you can not say that didn¡¯t happen...they were afraid, we were afraid¡­¡± Valentina murmured, as every time she spoke about this, she felt immensely guilty; although Lhya heard her anyways.

    Right away, Lhya spoke with a softer, yet upset voice while closing her eyes, reminiscing the betrayal.

    ¡°Yet we helped them, we made them be what they are now, but that¡¯s how they paid us! None gave us a chance¡­even you¡­you and your-¡­our own people gave us the back¡­calling us monsters...calling us Reapers despite we are Elins just like any of you!¡±

    ¡°I MADE A MISTAKE!¡± Valentina yelled loudly, as a tear slid down her cheek as Lhya now looked at her in silence, unable to come up with something to say.

    ¡°Mother¡­¡± Lhya murmured as she gave a step forward, as her eyes softened upon calling Valentina her mother¡­

    It had been years after the incident; and since then, Lhya never called her mother again¡­until now.

    After a second, Valentina exclaimed roughly.

    ¡°Enough! You made your choice; I made mine. That¡¯s all Lhya, end of the discussion.¡± Valentina exclaimed as she dried her tear off her cheek, trying to regain her composure.

    Lhya just clenched both her fists again¡­unable to comprehend Valentina¡¯s stubbornness.

    ¡°Fine. Do what you want then, but you know you are wrong¡­¡± Lhya replied coldly and distant and turned away.

    ¡°You cannot say that I didn''t try it¡­¡± Lhya murmured as she then disappeared in a puff of eminence purple smoke which quickly vanished away too, leaving no trace of her presence.

    *** *** *** ***

    After the blueprints had been successfully delivered to Valentina, Mech and her party were given the day free¡­

    Mech¡¯s group was now at the Freedom Plaza, although they¡¯re divided looking for their own objects of interests, as they decided to separate for a few hours before go back to the FTC¡¯s hall.

    Bready, Korah and Sinac went to a known nearby tavern at Velika¡¯s Northwest district known as ¡®Desire¡¯; while Mech and Caut toured the numerous and diverse stores and stalls within Velika¡¯s commercial center: the Freedom Plaza and its surroundings.

    Caut was checking on every stall and shop with a happy smile as Mech followed her with a soft smile.

    They saw from clothes to weapons, vegetables, perfumes, potions and even rare alchemy materials¡­

    ¡°Look, Mech! Those leather gloves are fantastic!¡± Caut pointed to the stall before her, more precisely to a pair of pink gloves.

    ¡°Hahaha¡­They wouldn''t really match with your armor, ya¡¯ know?¡± Mech gave her opinion giggling of Caut¡¯s preferences.

    ¡°I will buy them anyways! Uh¡­where is the seller?¡± Caut asked Mech.

    ¡°Haha. I don¡¯t know¡­we should go and check the other stalls. I... I-I want to buy some earrings¡­¡± Mech shyly said as Caut looked at her surprised, as her amber wolf ears perked up.

    ¡°Really? Hehehe...who is the lucky one?¡± Caut said with suspicion, narrowing her gaze on Mech; while Caut¡¯s amber wolf tail wagged with curiosity.

    ¡°Eh? Eh? None¡­¡± Mech replied silently, looking away as her cheeks slightly blushed.

    ¡°Ohh. I see I see¡­hehe¡­no problems then! I will help you to choose the best earrings in Velika, give me one minute to find this sneaky trader¡­he is probably near here¡­¡± Caut exclaimed as Mech¡¯s eyes shone for a second.

    ¡°Really? Thank you, Cautie!¡± Mech exclaimed happily smiling as Caut smiled back and then went to find the trader, as he wasn''t in his stall.

    Suddenly, after a few seconds; while Mech was waiting for Caut to be back¡­her wolf ears managed to pick up someone weeping without end, showing no signs of stopping¡­

    Mech, without thinking it twice, left to investigate the source of the cries, as she walked through a crowd of people, following the weeping sound till a corner of the plaza.

    Upon reaching there, Mech found a little human girl of brown hair and pigtails and a pale skin tone.

    She wore a one-piece red dress and was crouching in the corner, covering her head with her hands¡­as if afraid that someone will hurt her¡­

    Yet, none of the crowd even bothered to look at or help her at all, leaving Mech as the only one who approached to her.

    ¡°Hey¡­hey, are you alright?¡± Mech asked softly, slowly approaching to her, trying to show not even the slightest hostility, yet the girl kept sobbing.

    Mech smiled upon seeing this, as she reminded her of herself years ago, back in the days in Pora Elinu.

    ¡®She is probably lost and afraid of everyone¡­¡¯ Mech thought to herself as she was one step away from the little girl.

    Then, she slowly stretched her hand and softly caressed her brown hair, trying to calm her down.

    ¡°Hey hey, I will help you out, what about I help you to find your mama?¡± Mech offered with a friendly voice tone.

    Suddenly, the little girl stands up and hugs Mech, although she kept sobbing¡­

    ¡°Haha...everything is going to be alright; tell me, what happened?¡± Mech asked softly as she gave back the hug.

    Suddenly¡­

    ¡°Hihi¡­¡± Mech heard the little girl giggling awkwardly and then jumped away, standing a few meters in front Mech¡­

    ¡®Impossible!¡¯ Mech quickly thought to herself as the magic presence of the girl abruptly increased, as the surroundings started to banish away quickly...

    ¡°What?!¡± Mech said aloud, but it was already too late.

    ¡°Crap...What did you do?¡± Mech asked aloud to the little girl, knowing that she was trapped within an isolation skill.

    More precisely, both were standing over a huge light blue arcane circle within what it seemed...a white chamber.

    It was impossible to Mech to know if she was floating or not within this chamber, either if it had an end or not.

    ¡°Mhmhihihihi...nothing nothing, all I can say that my job is already done here, bye bye Bloody Priestess.¡± The little girl said with an innocent voice before suddenly disappeared, swallowed by an arcane black circle.

    ¡°What?! Who are you?! Explain yoursel-¡± Mech exclaimed, demanding for answers but it was to no avail.

    Mech now activated all her senses, wary of her surroundings but there wasn''t much she could do...without her staff, many of her magics would take too much time to activate.

    ¡°Tsk¡­I must get out of here.¡± Mech said aloud since most high-level isolation skills always ended up killing whoever was within it when it expires.

    Or at least, that was one of this spell¡¯s usages she knew.

    Without any delay, Mech started to conjure a spell to break free, as the mana began to arise through her body, instead externally like everyone¡­

    At the same time, various convoluted runes and numbers appeared in a flash around Mech¡¯s right wrist like a narrow bracelet, executing a magic sequence.

    Forthwith, it promptly spun around her wrist, initiating Mech¡¯s dispel magic.

    Mech could sense the smooth but brisk mana flow going through her body, as her spell was soon prepared.

    ¡®It may not be strong...but just enough to work.¡¯ Mech said to herself when her spell was ready, while she raised her hand in the air and then slapped the ground with her right hand, trying to dispel the spell sequence.

    However...

    *CRASH*

    Mech''s magic sequence shattered followed by a sharp bursting sound, overwhelming her wolf and human-like ears.

    ¡°Ahhh!¡± Mech cried aloud, involuntarily crouching and covering her wolf and human ears as much as she could and closing her eyes while feeling her right hand trembling in pain.

    ¡®Condensed interference?!¡¯ Mech barely processed what just happened while the reverberating sound slowly died out.

    Suddenly...

    ¡°Hehehehehe...I''m sorry I''m sorry. I must admit that this arcane pattern is indeed at a God-level, thank you, Efra.¡± Mech heard a male, mocking voice before her.

    Upon hearing this, Mech lifted her head and saw none.

    Baffled, she stood up confused about all this sudden turn of events; and for worse, there was not even a single sign of a magic presence or either any mana trace.

    ¡°Efra? Who is she? What¡¯s happening?¡± Mech mumbled to herself, standing up wary of her surroundings.

    ¡°Khaa!¡± Mech yelled in pain upon feeling a sharp pain on her back, throwing her a few meters forward, forcing Mech off balance and drop on the arcane circle which was the new ¡®ground¡¯ within this ¡®room¡¯.

    ¡°Tch¡­¡± Mech tried to stand back up, but her condition was already weakened, her arms were trembling, rendering Mech unable to stand up.

    Mech slowly turned and fixed her gaze over her previous position seeing¡­

    A man of around 6¡¯29¡¯¡¯ of height, emanating a mysterious unruly aura...yet familiar for Mech by some reason and other two individuals behind him.

    He wore a black top hat over his head, covering part of his groomed blonde short hair.

    On the other part, his face covered by a white mask with a sinister smile and joyful eyes holes on it, and through the eye holes his evil light-blue eyes could be seen.

    The man also wore a black frac suit with a white shirt underneath along a black bow tie around his neck, as well as white gloves and black trousers and black loafers.

    His smell was¡­similar to a human¡¯s, yet his aura was beyond what Mech have ever seen¡­

    On the other hand, these two subjects behind the mysterious man were wearing long brown tunics, and white masks with a diagonal red line on it weren¡¯t an exception either.

    Mech could say that their heights were similar to hers, but she couldn''t say anything else about them, as their presences were being heavily interfered by magic, preventing Mech¡¯s senses from detecting anything more than what she was able to see.

    ¡°Hehehe...you seem nervous of our magic auras, don¡¯t you?¡± The mysterious man said with a mocking tone and then laughed shortly while placing both of his hands behind his back.

    Mech just kept looking at him with an unfriendly gaze as she gathered her strength and slowly stood up.

    ¡°Hehe...sorry. I just find it funny. Your aura is by no means different than ours; you are just holding back¡­hehe¡­am I wrong, my dear Bloody Priestess?¡± The mysterious man spoke with a serious tone, remarking his final words intentionally.

    Upon hearing this words, Mech¡¯s expression suddenly filled with fear, giving a few steps back while her hands started to shake.

    *Flash*

    The image of several severely mutilated bodies, irregularly sliced as if they exploded from the inside out, feeling her body completely soaked in warm crimson blood.

    *Flash*

    ¡°Ahh...Who are you? How do you know that?! What do you want from me?!¡± Mech shouted several questions in despair as a cold sweat slid down her cheek ¡­and then she desperately...

    -[BURST-FIRE ENGAGED]-

    Mech saw those flickering red warning within her sight along the system robotic-female voice echoing in her head, as she swiftly prepared two magic sequences in each hand in parallel, making a total of four magic sequences activating all at once, something impossible for a normal being.

    Four small and unnoticed particles near the mysterious man were targeted by Mech¡¯s magic, abruptly increasing its temperature.

    ¡°Uhm?¡± The mysterious man vocalized, looking at his right despite already noticing her intentions and then¡­

    *BOOM-BOOM*

    Two explosions occurred, clouding a few meters with gray and dense smoke as Mech kept looking at the same place, as she was unable to feel their presences anymore.

    ¡°I think I did it-¡± Mech mumbled as suddenly the dense gray smoke was blown away and upon seeing the results, her eyes widened; impossible to process what she was seeing.

    There they were, the mysterious man and the other two individuals were standing still, completely unharmed and unfazed; then one of them blew away the dense smoke, fluttering their robes from the air stream.

    ¡°Impossible!¡± Mech exclaimed baffled of the unexpected result.

    ¡°Hehehehe¡­that was unexpected. You keep holding back, such a shame...hehe hehe¡­¡± The mysterious man exclaimed carelessly.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± Mech demanded, unable to process the situation, as the reason of her ¡®abduction¡¯ was left unexplained.

    ¡°A monster, created to kill with absolute obedience, hehe. Does that sound familiar?¡± The mysterious man exclaimed with his usual mocking tone as Mech clenched her fists.

    And then Mech replied back with a weak voice.

    ¡°You are lying.¡±

    ¡°I see I see¡­¡± The mysterious man said calmly as two light-blue arcane decagons with a start inscribed within them materialized together floating between him and Mech.

    The decagons were barely separated horizontally; and immediately after their materialization, these pulled themselves apart creating a short flash from where a hooded human female emerged with a magic aura similar to the mysterious man regarding power but...

    Yet...she was somewhat similar to Mech in her magic presence...

    ¡°It is enough, Quote. You have perturbed her too much already.¡± The human exclaimed with a mature, yet soft female voice.

    She held a long and cylindric slate-gray high staff on her right hand; there were two azure unpolished gems on each end of the staff while the tip was covering one gem in an arc.

    On the other part, Mech looked at her, seeing her black hair streamed down till her chest, adorned in a royal purple armored tunic as her thighs, along with high leather black stockings.

    Mech can clearly hear her black low heeled boots clacking the ground as the human approached her slowly, fixing her emerald green eyes on Mech.

    ¡°Hello, Mech¡­¡± The human exclaimed calmly as she stopped a meter before Mech.

    ¡°...¡± Mech stood in silence, wary of everyone around her, unable to calm herself down from the bizarre situation.

    ¡°I know you have a lot of questions¡­but before you ask any¡­you must hear me.¡± The human exclaimed

    ¡°Why do you know my name?¡± Mech asked despite hearing the female human¡¯s words.

    ¡°Call me Sayune¡­but explaining everything would take too long¡­¡± Sayune said as she stretched her right hand forward.

    Mech on her side, just looked at her, suspicious of Sayune¡¯s words.

    ¡°You already know the consequences if you do it, Sayune,¡± Quote warned, standing his ground.

    ¡°Trust me, believe...my daughter...¡± Sayune exclaimed to Mech, ignoring Quote¡¯s words.

    It¡¯s not that it was impossible for a Human or any other race to give birth to an Elin...but it certainly was uncommon since Elins are true spirits given flesh; the Elins used to choose their mate by their maturity and stable magic temper¡­

    Not only that, despite the Elins¡¯ childlike appearances, their personalities were remarkedly more ''mature'' than the other races and stable with their own powers and senses.

    Thus, most of the Elins ended up mating with another Elin after seeing that the others races were unable to achieve their standards.

    On the other part, for giving ¡®birth¡¯ to an Elin, a piece of an Elin¡¯s fragment of life and another Elin as a ¡®catalyst¡¯ was needed.

    Knowing this, Mech still could not accept this fact so easily as her mind was focused only on hundred of unanswered questions swimming in her head.

    Thus, within her fragment of life and mind, Mech closed her eyes, trusting Sayune¡¯s words despite her suspicions, and allowed Sayune to place her right-hand palm over her forehead.

    *Gasp*

    Upon Sayune¡¯s touch, Mech felt a short, acute headache, as thousands of uncontrollable images appeared through her mind, seeing them pass one after another endlessly.

    ¡®Goddammit Ryiah, don¡¯t do this!¡¯

    ¡®Please, Mech. Don¡¯t leave me¡­¡¯

    ¡®Help m-Agghh...my arm!¡¯

    ¡®This is way over your head, Valentina.¡¯

    ¡®Monster! You¡­all of you!¡¯

    ¡®You killed her! Why you saved me and not her?!¡¯

    Mech heard different voices within her head as the images continued flashing and flashing as a tear slid down her cheek involuntarily¡­

    ¡°Everyone¡­no¡­¡± Mech mumbled, shocked of what she was witnessing within her mind, overwhelmed by the amount of information she was receiving.

    Yet, Mech embraced herself and kept looking at these¡­¡®visions¡¯, at this ¡®gift¡¯ that her mother has just granted her as Mech heard Sayune¡¯s voice close to her human-like ear.

    ¡°You must believe¡­the answers you seek are within you, my daughter¡­¡± Sayune cooed as she delicately caressed Mech¡¯s cheek with her hand, as her face was decorated by a slight proud smile.

    ¡°Your choice has been made, Sayune! Hehehehe! Wonderful! Tremendous! I look forward to seeing this!¡± Quote vociferated with a remarkable excitement and then added calmly.

    ¡°Well well, I must get going then¡­let¡¯s go, Iri. Qoo.¡±

    ¡°¡°Yes, master.¡±¡± Both replied in unison; although their mask muffled most of the sound, even so, their soft females voice were heard anyways.

    Then, he snapped his fingers, as he and the other two individuals disappeared leaving no trace of their mere existence.

    But Mech couldn''t see anything, as she was still seeing all those images flashing in her mind.

    ¡°Mech¡­¡±

    Suddenly she heard a voice from afar¡­

    ¡°Mech...Mech!¡± The familiar voice kept echoing in her head, every time louder and louder.

    ¡°Mech! It¡¯s not the time for daydreaming!¡± Mech heard Korah¡¯s voice next to her left, as well as the horseshoes rhythmically clinking in sync.

    ¡°Mech! Are you alright?!¡± She heard again, and turned her head to the left, seeing Korah with a worried expression on his face while riding his horse.

    Upon noticing herself daydreaming, Mech shook her head a little confused, although not really surprised that she left herself get carried away easily within her mind; it was something common for her lately.

    ¡®Uh? Focus Mech¡­focus.¡¯ Mech scolded herself mentally and then replied.

    ¡°I am all good, no worries, sorry!¡±

    ¡°Alright! We are about to reach Velika¡¯s Northgate, be wary of your surroundings! We will be going into Velika by feet, be ready!¡± Korah shouted back to Mech and then looked to the front.

    ¡°Understood!¡± Mech shouted back, turning her head to the front seeing Velika¡¯s fortified walls as her other companions riding their horses.

    Meanwhile, her ocher wolf ears were able to perceive some swords clashes though in reduced numbers, defying her expectations.

    *** *** *** ***

    A few minutes later, Nethaniel, Bready, Mech, Korah, Lyns, and Sinac were on their foot, walking through a street within the Northgate''s district.

    ¡°What happened here¡­¡± Bready mumbled to himself as there were numerous corpses of citizens, FTC soldiers, and Shrouded Rose Sentinels, all with wounds in their chest, stomach, back and head¡­

    Upon seeing this, Nethaniel and co scattered, forming a small perimeter to do a quick investigation without saying a word.

    The current scene and atmosphere suggested to any magic sensitive being that the magic flow along with the situation was in complete chaos, as the magic flow was still trembling which only meant one thing: death.

    The blood dyed the gray cobbles of the road crimson red, as there was aftermath wherever they could see, making evident a battle within the streets, as mostly all of the stalls were destroyed and their merchandise spread around.

    ¡°Nethaniel!¡± Korah shouted as Nethaniel approached him quickly.

    ¡°Look¡­¡± Korah pointed down to the floor, indicating a corpse behind a wrecked stall.

    It was a soldier, wearing the Enlighten Union¡¯s uniform exposing a large wound on his left torso, most probably done by a sword.

    Nethaniel crouched next to the corpse unfazed by the reek and examined it silently, touching his wound, which was still slightly warm and checking the uniform pockets, finding nothing of importance

    ¡°Nethaniel, this is the Enlighten Union, right? Why are they attacking us? We are supposed to be allies!¡± Korah exclaimed, unable to comprehend what was happening.

    ¡°Calm down, kid. We must investigate this deeply. Otherwise, we will make this war bloodier than what already is.¡± Nethaniel replied back while he kept thinking about what was happening behind all this.

    ¡°But-¡± Korah exclaimed.

    ¡°No buts, we must calm down, we are about to finish this war, we must be more cautious than ever.¡± Nethaniel abruptly interrupted Korah¡¯s words, and then he just stood in silence, understanding Nethaniel¡¯s message.

    Nethaniel knew well that this information was capable of starting a whole new war if handled incorrectly, bringing panic and fear to the people.

    Meanwhile...Mech was approaching to every corpse she found and crouched next to it, giving a short prayer to their souls; thus the Elins believed that the mana flow would reassure back faster.

    The bouquet of stenches was almost unbearable for Mech and her sensitive nose, as the stench of death stalked her nose constantly, yet she kept going on her task as Pora Elinu¡¯s Priestess.

    ¡°Som til Gudinnen Pandora...¡± Mech mumbled trying to appease the turbulent magic flow within Velika and its surroundings while Bready looked at her curious of her ritual.

    He was unable to understand Mech¡¯s words at all due he never wanted to learn magic or either Elins original and ancient language as it was too complicated for him.

    ¡®Pandora...is not she...¡¯ Bready was thinking about the only word he comprehended while walked forward scouting the surroundings with his bow ready just in case, walking towards a street cross when suddenly...

    *SHIIN*

    ¡°Hey you, furball!¡± A female Castanic exclaimed threateningly with both of her swords in her hands.

    She was wearing a black light plated armor which covered her most important vital points, giving the Castanic excellent flexibility.

    *Clank-Clank*

    ¡°Stand your ground, Sergeant Zekka.¡± Bready heard Nethaniel''s voice behind him as the sergeant nimbly sheathed her swords back to their respective scabbards while the others also arrived.

    ¡°Master clan leader Nethaniel, you came as I expected,¡± Zekka exclaimed showing nor the slightest surprise in her voice, more likely, she spoke with her usual sensual tone.

    ¡°It is my duty to be here along with my comrades. Anyways, what¡¯s the situation?¡± Nethaniel asked, directly to the matter at hand.

    ¡°We have been attacked by the Enlighten Union, or that we think. After their first attack, we managed to fend them off for a few minutes,¡± Zekka explained while inspecting Nethaniel¡¯s group.

    ¡°So, next we swiftly establish chokepoints in the middle of the city with our people and the scattered FTC¡¯s forces,¡± Zekka added, informing the current Velika¡¯s situation while resting her hands over her swords¡¯ pommels and then added.

    ¡°And during the numerous but short fights through our chokepoints, we captured an enemy soldier so we may have more information about all this mess. That¡¯s all that I know.¡± Zekka concluded her report,

    ¡°So that¡¯s the situation. Where is our command post settled?¡± Nethaniel asked upon hearing Zekka¡¯s report.

    ¡°I was heading there, follow me,¡± Zekka immediately replied while turning, leading them to the makeshift command post.

    <hr>

    Meanwhile within the Free Traders Hall, around one hour had passed since the Princess Caut was sent to go for reinforcements.

    *SHIN-CLASH*

    The whole hall was engulfed in chaotic metallics clanks provoked by numerous sword collisions and warcries.

    The FTC¡¯s forces were combating against the Enlightened Union¡¯s soldiers, every single individual fought with all their forces, trying to achieve victory for their band.

    *SHIN-CLASH!*

    Adiar was in the middle of the now chaotic Free Traders Hall; its cornsilk, octagonal marble slabs were splattered with the enemy and allied¡¯s blood, along with numerous corpses lying on the floor.

    On the other part, some moribund soldiers were crawling over the floor with severe wounds, trying to find any help before their last drop of life ran out.

    *SHIN-CLASH!*

    ¡°Aghh¡­¡± Adiar successfully blocked a High Elf swordsman¡¯s downward slash, quickly pushing the elf back with his sword and then Adiar quickly sidestepped to his right moving behind his enemy.

    Without thinking it twice, Adiar impaled the High Elf¡¯s back with his sword, and then he pushed back the lifeless body with his left feet and released his sword in a bloody, metallic sound.

    ¡°Fight together! Alone we gain hope, but together we will gain victory!¡± Adiar shouted upon his execution to his people, trying to raise the morale of his men and women, as these shouted back vigorously.

    Yet...their numbers were being slowly reduced by the numerous enemy...as they were now not more than 500.

    Adiar knew that it was nearly impossible to win this battle without reinforcements, but these haven¡¯t arrived yet.

    ¡°Keep holding! Agh!¡± Adiar shouted to his men when suddenly an arrow impaled his left shoulder.

    ¡°Executor! Protect the Executor!¡± A soldier shouted upon noticing that their leader was damaged, as numerous soldier surrounded Adiar, protecting him.

    ¡°We must hold! Don¡¯t worry about me!¡± Adiar shouted, pulling the arrow out of his shoulders with his right hand.

    Meanwhile, deeper in the hall, which was now a real battlefield.

    ¡®I cannot retreat after this much...I must finish my commitment! After all...¡¯ Misty thought to herself as she looked at Panchuk with a serious expression, both separated by only a few meters.

    ¡®...none will believe me.¡¯ Misty added.

    ¡°This doesn''t need to be like this, Misty! You¡¯re not like this!¡± Panchuk shouted to Misty with an angry expression on his face.

    At their surroundings, the chaotic battle was still going on, but none dared to intercede in their ¡®duel¡¯.

    ¡°Hahahahihihi¡­the Free Traders are lying to us Panchuk, open your eyes!¡± Misty shouted back slightly annoyed.

    ¡°But killing your friends is not the way to do it!¡± Panchuk shouted back also annoyed.

    ¡°Not my problem, all of them are as corrupt as Adiar! That doesn''t exempt you, Panchuk.¡± Misty said carelessly, indifferent of the deaths happening.

    ¡°Ahh! Enough!¡± Panchuk yelled as he unsheathed his platinum greatsword and rushed towards Misty.

    Yet, Misty didn¡¯t move and waited until the last second to sidestep to her right and avoid Panchuk¡¯s vertical swung attack, ending up with his greatsword stuck on the floor by the excessive force he used.

    ¡°So brute¡­¡± Misty said silently as underneath her brown tunic she took a reddish dagger with a trailing point and stabbed it on Panchuk¡¯s collarbone, easily penetrating Panchuk¡¯s light armor.

    ¡°Checkmate, my friend,¡± Misty said silently as it was a deadly blow...or that she thought.

    Yet¡­

    ¡°Hehehe¡­¡± Panchuk laughed as his eyes shone with an overwhelming murdering intent, as he took Misty¡¯s hand before she could remove her dagger.

    ¡°What?!¡± Misty exclaimed baffled before receiving several direct punches on her face, knocking her down on the floor.

    Then, he removed the reddish dagger out of his collarbone and pierced it on Misty¡¯s chest, right on her fragment of life.

    ¡°*Gasp*...¡± Panchuk woke up of his sudden battle trance, as he noticed he was holding a dagger in his right hand, and he was on Misty.

    ¡°Panchuk¡­¡± Misty said weakly, as a few tears slid down through her face.

    ¡°No no no...my friend¡­¡± Panchuk said silently as his battle trance took over his mind again, just like a few years ago, when he was young and incredulous.

    ¡°*Cough*...*Cough*...promise me that...you...will gain control over it¡­¡± Misty spoke with difficulty, as she was breathing with evident difficulty while coughing blood out her mouth.

    *Boom-boom-boom*

    ¡°I will...I will¡­¡± Panchuk repeated, as his expression softened by the guilt, as he didn''t notice the floor suddenly shaking along some distant explosions.

    ¡°Please¡­end my suffering,¡± Misty said silently, asking him to end her pain.

    ¡°Ahhhh!¡± Panchuk yelled as he slightly rotated the dagger.

    *Crack*

    Misty¡¯s fragment of life broke from the torque while the light in her eyes faded away along with her life and soul.

    ¡°Return to the main line! Our front line was decimated!¡± An enemy officer shouted as the Enlightened Union¡¯s soldiers started to retreat out the hall, but then¡­

    *Ahhhhh!*

    The FTC¡¯s soldiers shouted upon seeing their enemies¡¯ retreat, their hard earned victory; lifting their fists and weapons in celebration.

    ¡°Our ally is here! Pursue the enemy!¡± Adiar shouted as everyone followed his orders and ran behind the enemies in retreat, as their morale was at their highest.

    <hr>

    Ten minutes earlier.

    The Timberwolf¡­the most revolutionary creation between engineers and magicians was exhibited for the first time, flying over the nearest skies of Velika¡­coming for Velika¡¯s liberation.

    Meanwhile, the Pora Elinu Nation¡¯s forces arrived, marching down the hills next to the Free Traders Hall; starting to form up and then stood their ground, awaiting their next orders.

    The Elins¡¯ nation was capable of mobilizing this enormous quantity of troops thanks to the Queen¡¯s smooth coordination and a new massive teletransportation method introduced alongside the Timberwolf construction.

    On the other part...

    The Timberwolf was a galleon-shaped aerial ship; it had 42 meters long, 31 meters high and 10 meters wide; with an arched main mast and white long veils placed on the prow and an array of nine 239mm noctenium cannons on both sidewards.

    On its main mast, the Pora Elinu Nation¡¯s flag was being proudly displayed while softly levitating above the Elins¡¯ forces; while the ship, laterally positioned, aimed its cannons forward at Enlightened Union¡¯s forces.

    In addition, the Timberwolf¡¯s sturdy design was made of brown iron and wood to add flexibility to the ship¡¯s structure.

    All of which was evidently powered by a noticeable large noctenium steam engine at the stern, linked with a jade green, rune-patterned network inscribed within visible wide noctenium wires spread within the whole structure.

    Thereby, the fluid and pioneer design of the flying ship and its engine embodied the first hybrid engine between magic and steam, allowing the magic to flow through it.

    Thus, its extraordinary engine reinforced via a new magic sequence enfolding the ship¡¯s framework, allowing the Timberwolf to fly without flaws.

    In brief, the Timberwolf was able to ¡®sail¡¯ throughout the skies at medium speed, armed with 239mm noctenium cannons whose firepower was theoretically stronger than any other known weapon.

    On the other side, the Enlightened Union¡¯s soldiers looked up to the sky while grouped in single-block formation, baffled of what their eyes were seeing.

    Such technological monstrosity defied their common perspective of magic and technology as the ¡®flying magic¡¯ was deemed impossible by generations, only possible by the gods.

    But there the Timberwolf was, imposingly flying while aiming its 239mm cannons at them.

    On its deck, many Castanics and Humans running around, preparing themselves for receiving their Queen¡¯s next instructions while its engine dimly echoed through the outskirts of the hall.

    Not only that, under the Timberwolf; there were now three blocks, each block containing 6000 troops composed of mainly Elins and Poporis and some Humans and Castanics between the ranks.

    All the Pora Elinu Nation¡¯s forces were formed up in the east of the FTC¡¯s hall, on the plains right after the end of the hills near of the hall¡¯s outskirts, around two hundred meters away from the Enlightened Union¡¯s enemy line.

    The three blocks were arranged in an arrowhead formation before their enemies, ready to charge against the Enlightened Union¡¯s single block formation.

    Each and every soldier in both sides stood in silence, awaiting their next orders from each of their respective commanders and officers as they gazed at their enemies carefully.

    The silence was deafening, so much that even the fluttering of their respective flags being proudly displayed representing their factions can be heard.

    The tension and anxiety on the battlefield were clearly palpable within the lines, while the cold autumn-winter breeze gently brushed the green grass of the plains, waiting to be stained with blood.

    Behind the blocks, the Queen Valentina along her generals were seeing their forces, the battlefield, and their enemies from high ground, planning their next strategy.

    Also, behind her there were three royal Elin sentries aside the generals, actively guarding Valentina.

    Simultaneously, an Elin Officer of sky-blue short hair and eyes along white bunny ears and tail was approaching her, and when arrived, she stood at her side and then exclaimed sternly.

    ¡°My Queen, your forces are ready,¡± Ryiah informed although Valentina remained in silence, thoughtfully while standing her ground along with her generals, looking forward towards the plains.

    Ryiah wore a heavy plated platinum armor, armed with an axe of about 1.8 meters on her back.

    At that time, Ryiah range was Colonel, leader of the Valentina¡¯s Royal guard and also her right hand, as she was the one who communicated most of Valentina¡¯s orders.

    Standing by Ryiah¡¯s side, Valentina was now wearing an elegant lunar-blue chest plate while short-sized shoulder pads rested on her shoulders along with a medium-length pleated white armored skirt with several lunar-blue liner plates.

    Furthermore, she wore long lunar-blue greaves along her boots and large close-fitting gauntlets of the same color.

    Also, her long black hair was still decorated by the same platinum-netted tiara and retained the same hairstyle, although Valentina now wore a lunar-blue circlet with a waxing crescent moon symbol on its center.

    And complementing her attire, hanged a black scabbard from her waist belt, holding a cerulean hilted sword.

    After a few seconds more, Valentina broke the silence and then ordered with her serene, yet commanding voice.

    ¡°Excellent work, Ryiah. Inform the Princess she can give the signal to the Admiral Elion; then she can advance with her chivalry.¡±

    Upon hearing next Valentina¡¯s orders, Ryiah bowed and immediately ran towards to the front line commanded by the Princess Caut to pass the message.

    <hr>

    Meanwhile at the same time, on the rocky top of a mountain there were two Elins standing still, or better said, Reapers; witnessing the impending clash between the Elins and the Enlightened Union¡¯s forces while undetected by all.

    Both were around the same height, slightly higher than the average of 4¡¯4¡¯¡¯.

    Their presence was being heavily interfered via magic spell, making even the most sensitive Elins unable to perceive their presences.

    One of the Reapers was Lhya, wearing her shoulder-bare white sleeveless blouse tied up to her neck besides the sewed white tape, exposing a black lotus, around her arm; and a brown asymmetrical skirt around her waist.

    Next to Lhya¡¯s left, stood another Reaper, Tyat; wearing a black samurai-style breastplate coupled with a medium-length armored knife-pleated skirt of the same color.

    In addition, completely covering both her arms were rerebraces and imposing black gauntlets, both of the same black color and style.

    Moreover, her left heavy shoulder pad was shaped in a panther-head with yellow eyes while her right one had yellow tassels hanging from it.

    Not only that, she had two sheathed swords on each side of her waist, hanging from a black belt around her waist, with each sword¡¯s black hilt wrapped in a rough yellow braid.

    And on her upper half, a black samurai helmet with a yellow waxing crescent moon symbol on its top rested on her head.

    Tyat¡­she was known as the finest strategist among her people, since during her 279 years, she has never lost a battle nor retreated; described as a natural leader, yet heartless towards everyone.

    She was observing the scene with her usual emotionless deep green eyes, while her dark blue hair streamed down till her neck, remarked by her white skin.

    Unlike Tyat, Lhya was observing the scene with a stern gaze, evidently upset.

    ¡°Lhya, what are we supposed to do here?¡± Tyat asked almost without tone, turning her head to the right.

    ¡°Just observing,¡± Lhya answered shortly without turning her head.

    ¡°Want me to help them?¡± Tyat asked back without much interest, fixing her gaze back onto the scene, although now up in the sky, inspecting the flying ship.

    ¡°No, you did enough saving that Castanic already,¡± Lhya answered back immediately.

    ¡°I apologize for that¡­but are you sure?¡± Tyat replied uninterested.

    ¡°Yes. This conflict¡¯s not of our concern.¡± Lhya replied back coldly, although Tyat could see how Lhya clenched her fists by some reason.

    ¡®Dammit¡­¡¯ Lhya said to herself in her head, softly clenching her jaw.

    ¡°I see¡­¡± Tyat mumbled and kept witnessing the scene.

    ¡°I wonder what does that thing do.¡± She added right after, with unshown curiousness.

    Then, from afar, the Princess Caut who was leading the Elins¡¯ nation frontline, took her bow from her back while she was sat on her horse mount.

    Forthwith, she swiftly set up a magic sequence and then conjured a magical arrow between her fingers, then stretched her bow string along the arrow and shot it into the sky.

    Suddenly, they saw a blue flaring arrow rising in the sky, shining brightly during its remarked elliptical trajectory.

    Lhya knew well who shot that flare arrow.

    ¡®Caut...I hope you can help our mother.¡¯ Lhya said to herself.

    ¡°We will soon discover what it does,¡± Lhya replied back to Tyat as then both stood in silence, expectant of what would come soon.

    <hr>

    ¡°The order has been given! All men and women to your battle positions! Prepare all the cannons to fire at my mark! ¡± The Admiral Elion, a male Castanic of around 5¡¯87¡¯¡¯ height, ordered with a loud and robust voice to all from the deck bridge.

    Immediately after his words, the officers on deck started to instruct their fellows as everyone got ready.

    Elion was wearing a white admiral uniform which matched with his reddish skin, his short gray hair and blue eyes.

    On the other part, his facial expression was stern and harsh; after a few seconds later, he took out a small pocket watch out of his inner left pocket of his suit.

    The small pocket watch seconds-hand was about to mark the 2 p.m and when it did.

    ¡°Mark!¡± Elion shouted again with his firm loud voice while keeping the pocket watch back in its pocket and then placed his hands on his back.

    ¡°Fire!¡± The Officers shouted upon hearing his order and then...

    *BOOOOOM*

    The simultaneous explosions of nine cannon fires echoed through the whole battlefield.

    At the same time, the Timberwolf shook by the discharge, yet Elion didn¡¯t even flinch while almost everyone else on the ship needed to hold something to not be knocked down.

    *KABOOM-KABOOM*

    A thundering sound was achieved heard by everyone, along with flashy explosions before them.

    The Enlightened Union¡¯s forced were hit accurately by the cannon discharge made by the Timberwolf, decimating their forces and breaking up their formation.

    Without no delay, the Princess Caut shouted loudly.

    ¡°First Battalion of chivalry! Follow me! Charge!!¡±

    Straightaway, Caut jolted her reins, hastening her horse as it started to quickly gallop towards the enemy; while its horseshoes clanking rhythmically with each galloping on the ground.

    Moreover, while the Princess rode her horse skillfully, she was already aiming her arrows and firing them at the enemies recovering from the shock, leaving them no time to breathe.

    Meanwhile, the Enlightened Union¡¯s forces were trying to desperately recover their formation while their Officer shouted orders in the middle of chaos and cries of agony.

    But it was no avail, as the Princess and the first battalion were already on track, ready to kill off any resistance left.

    And not just that, as the second and third battalion, were on the move, right behind the first battalion.

    Yet, the scattered enemy barely formed up and tried to oppose resistance to the Princess Caut advances, but she ignored them and went through their wide open lines without much difficulty.

    Conversely, the first battalion right behind her kept following her up, but this killed and stomped them with their horses to whoever stood in their way,

    ¡°Ahhh!¡±

    ¡°Aghh!¡±

    The enemies helplessly cried in pain after being cut by swords or pierced by spears of the Pora Elinu Nation¡¯s forces, as these cries of pain mixed up with the cries of agony of the moribund left by the cannon discharge.

    <hr>

    ¡°Impressive,¡± Lhya exclaimed upon seeing the results of the bloody and uneven battle.

    ¡°This is something not seen every day. It seems like your mother got an interesting toy for her Nation, Lhya.¡± Tyat exclaimed emotionlessly, softly putting her hands over the small yellow pommels of her swords hilts.

    ¡°Ha, she doesn¡¯t know what she is doing, she keeps helping those humans,¡± Lhya exclaimed back still slightly upset while crossing her arms.

    ¡°The cards are already played, Valentina,¡± Lhya added as she was no longer able to change Valentina¡¯s mind.

    ¡°It is a shame,¡± Tyat said uninterested.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, we have nothing else to do here,¡± Lhya said coldly as then she disappeared in an eminence purple puff which quickly dispersed, leaving no trace of her presence.

    ¡°Understood,¡± Tyat said silently, following her up, leaving exactly as Lhya did; thus, both left not even a single trace of their presence.

    Credits to I4MD347H for editing. Thanks a lot!

 Volume I Chapter 2 Part III: A Twist of Fate

    Volume I: Scions of Destiny-Chapter 2Part III: A Twist of Fate

    The makeshift response battalion was still sitting on the streets of Castanica as they heard the story of the General Scatter, who just paused for a few minutes. His story managed to bring the attention of nearly everyone, making them forget for barely few minutes or maybe hours that they were in a war. The enemy was attacking in successive waves, but for some reason now stopped, giving them enough time to rest, but no one could sleep at all; every time they closed their eyes, the fresh memories of their friends falling to the ground pierced by black-metallic quills, crushed or even being burnt to death harassed their minds, preventing them to sleep, forcing them to stay vigil waiting for the enemy.

    The uncertainty was steeped in their faces involuntarily; they were living a nightmare and for further worse, the supplies were quickly running out and in three more days they wouldn¡¯t have anything to eat.

    It had already been three days since all started, the starry sky slowly began to disappear, and the weak beams of light began to peek over the horizon, reaching the multiform variety of stones that created a natural hideout; within this, was Castanica. A few minutes after dawn, the light finally peeked above the black stones, reaching everyone''s faces, giving them the warmth of a new day, meaning they had survived another day. Scatter closed his eyes for a few seconds and received the new day with a kind of ironic gratitude.

    ¡ª¡°If the enemy has so many troops to send wave attacks, why not finish us off with a massive attack? Wait¡­what if they can¡¯t? We have been waiting for almost all the night for their attack but nothing happened¡­oh no¡­¡±¡ª The General Scatter thought in his mind and then suddenly re-opened his eyes. ¡ª¡°¡­They are regrouping their forces so then they can give the final blow¡­¡±¡ª He didn¡¯t notice it but, everyone was watching his complicated expression on his face, since he noticed something even more important¡­their days or maybe just a few hours were already numbered.

    There was nothing else more than just wait; he personally was ready to die years ago, during the war of the ¡°Ten Shrouded Roses¡±, the unique thing left in his deep inside, was an instinctive shred of hope, waiting a twist of fate¡­a word known as ¡°Miracle¡± for faithful, but they lost all that as Castanics, that day when they killed a god with their intelligence and audacity, hundreds of years ago¡­noticing that ¡°those¡± gods were the same insignificances as themselves, mortals; which when they are injured, they bleed and suffer. This fed their ego, ending up blinding them for years, making them fall in a civil war known as the ¡°War of the 10 Shrouded Roses¡±, where after months of war and genocide; they noticed a slightly part of their mistake.

    Scatter after the end of the civil war, he was named as the Master Clan Leader; but he was still blinded by his own youth and dreams, unable to see the big picture in front of him as everyone else. A few years later, he led his Clans to another war, this time against the Humans, an inferior and ¡°young¡± race who were trying to obstruct everything with their ¡°Federation¡±.

    Velika, the capital of the Federation; a city built by efforts and hands of Humans, Elins, Poporis, Barakas and Amans, forming a support alliance between them, where they were also invited.

    The General Scatter adamantly refused to join shouting to the messenger that was a step backwards towards the improvement. Quickly his troops marched in direction to Velika alongside the help of the High Elves from the other continent.

    The Humans were crushed every time their forces fought, but when they were about to win, the other races stood at their sides, pushing back his forces and for worse, in the middle of the war, thousands of unknown creatures started to attack his territories, forcing him to retreat and defend his people, but the new enemy was far too strong for fight them alone.

    Seeing the suffering on the faces of his soldiers and people, swallowed his ego and asked a truce to the ¡°Federation¡±; for his surprise, the humans alongside the other races which conformed the Federation not just accepted, they also offered their help to fight the unknown thread which they were also fiercely fighting. This opened his eyes, after seeing how in particular, the humans after all, rushed towards alongside his troops and fought the unknown enemy shoulder to shoulder, after known as ¡°Argons¡±.

    But even after all he felt an instinctive mistrust.

    And now, these humans were apparently letting them abandoned as mere meat shields, all these thoughts were flowing on Scatter¡¯s mind, but after few seconds he shook his head and refocused on his story as everyone was watching him attentively. A few could notice what Scatter thought, their lives were approaching to an end, these looked down with a sad smile on their faces and then looked again at their General with their eyes slightly shining, it was their hope on him, that they were there doing the correct thing and not just being used.

    The General Scatter felt a great weight on his shoulders coming from the trust of his soldiers, but showed no weakness and started to speak again.

    All cards were already on the table, now they just had to wait the results.

    ¡°Alright!¡±¡ª The General Scatter cleared his throat. ¡ª¡°Let¡¯s continue¡­¡±

    ¡°Everything has a shadow, no matter how much light there is¡­¡±

    None can eradicate it, no matter how much anyone tries it.

    The own Goddess Elinu proved it when she created the Elins, reflecting her youth, her desire for beauty and peace; by forming physical bodies around a tiny fragment of herself long ago when humans weren¡¯t yet created; they were created in order to protect the land and nature from harm. These Elins then used part of their divine fragments to awaken furry beasts known as Poporis, despite their very different animal traits and forms, the spirits were alike at heart: full of life, curiosity, and tenacity.

    Both formed a nation called ¡°Pora Elinu Kingdom¡± governed by an Elin Queen, and together held their sacred duty to protect nature; they task themselves with preserving the natural world, whether that is forest, desert or sea.

    The Elin are a race of all female beings but unable to reproduce biologically in a natural way but they have an almost immortal life. Elins have two pairs of ears: one animal and one human. The Elins can hear both human voices and the voice of nature. Their human ears are used for the former, the animal ears for the latter, also their animal traits are an indicator of skills and physical abilities which can be in different degrees; level of hearing, perception, vision or even some are able to perceive the vibrations of the flow of the surrounding magic, these would be examples of skills that some of them possess.

    After the Goddess Elinu created the Elins, she sensed darkness in the world, afraid of that; she hid her creations of the rest of the world with a gigantic magic barrier, trying to keep the darkness away from her fragments of life which the Goddess herself gave to every Elin.

    But it was no avail; after the Goddess Elinu entered in an eternal sleep by an unknown reason, the gigantic barrier held by Elinu disappeared and they were discovered by the rest of the races; the Elins and Poporis¡¯ Queen, Rida; proved their wisdom and diplomatic prowess with the creation of an alliance with the Humans for defend the Sacred Nature, but their colossal duty led them to many clashes and wars against the others races and finally, what the Goddess Elinu feared and tried to prevent, happened.

    The darkness finally reached her creations when the Argons almost destroyed the Elins¡¯ homeland, Pora Elinu; in despair, the Elins embraced the darkness and awakened as Reapers, managing to save their home with a great cost and turned the ties of the war to their favor, but now, those Reapers where just a legend in everyone¡¯s mind. What happened to them was buried in an enigmatic situation which just a few knew.

    <hr>

    ¡°This is our commander post, it is not much but we at least have one haha¡±¡ª Zekka said with an energetic proud voice.

    It wasn¡¯t a great thing; it was a huge but simple cream-colored tent with a long wooden table without chairs around it. The commander post was at the northwest part of Velika, next to a Basic Magic training academy in a corner. Many inexperienced soldiers, volunteer and even students of the different schools were dispersed through in the half of the controlled Velika, while one containment line was maintained by the Shrouded Sentinels.

    At the entrance of the tent there were two guards who belonged to the Shrouded Sentinels, who stood to attention when they saw Nethaniel and then gave a martial salute.

    ¡°Bring me the report of the main line, now!¡±¡ª Nethaniel said while he was entering to the tent alongside Zekka, Korah, Bready, Lyns, Sinac and Mech.

    ¡°Yes sir!¡± ¡ª Both guards said as they went away running.

    After entering, they saw a large map of Velika over the table with many markers, crosses and lines.

    ¡°Lieutenant Zekka, give me a report of the situation.¡±¡ª Nethaniel said with a serious expression on her face.

    ¡°The enemy attack took us by surprise so we needed to retreat and regroup as fast as we could while we evacuated a portion of the citizens¡­but many also couldn¡¯t escape in time, after we regrouped, and thanks of the help of the guards of Velika, volunteers and even academy students, we could gave a quick counter attack with our special forces, but we haven¡¯t been able to push forward the half of the city, I lost fifty of my men trying to pass the plaza and even more inexperienced soldier died, around two hundred, we need reinforcements or something, or this is over.¡± ¡ª The lieutenant Zekka spoke without a slight hesitation while she was in a firm position in front of the table as she moved her arms through the map; she was a real professional soldier.

    ¡°Reinforcement aren¡¯t an option, I don¡¯t even know the situation on the Free Traders Hall so¡­¡±

    All stood in silence for a few seconds when suddenly Bready spoke.

    ¡°I-I trust on Adiar! I know he will send reinforcements, we just must hold the line till they come¡­it is the best option; we cannot let all these deaths in vain! I refuse to retreat¡­¡±

    ¡°Eh¡­I like how this furball speaks, you know¡­¡±¡ª Zekka spoke with her typical sexy voice as she looked to Bready.

    ¡°I support my friend¡±¡ª Sinac said with his Russian accent as he touched Bready¡¯s right shoulder.

    ¡°Sounds good, right Mech?¡± ¡ª Korah exclaimed.

    ¡°Well...we don¡¯t have other choice haha¡±

    ¡°Ok¡­then is decided! We will stay here and defend the city till the reinforcements arrive, if they ever do haha! Well, we will go to the main line near the freedom plaza; you all have five minutes to get ready! Now go!¡±

    ¡°Yes, commander!¡± ¡ª Everyone shouted excepting Zekka.

    ¡°Neth, can we talk?¡±¡ª The lieutenant asked as everyone else was leaving the tent.

    ¡°What happens?¡± ¡ªNethaniel said as he was looking the map on the table.

    ¡°Do you remember that girl who called me Master?¡±¡ª Zekka asked with a worried tone in her voice.

    ¡°Yeah, why?¡±¡ªNethaniel answered quickly as he looked at Zekka with a sharp gaze.

    ¡°Did you see her around before you found me?¡±

    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t¡­why do you ask?¡±

    ¡°Ah¡­ nothing¡­I will go get ready, I must go and help my guys at the main line too, tell me when your guys are ready so we go there together.¡±¡ª Zekka said while she left with an odd aura around her as she was thinking in something else more important than the actual situation she had in front of her.

    ¡°Alright, Zekka¡± ¡ª Nethaniel stood watching at her¡ª¡°I hope she is alright¡­¡±

    <hr>

    Eight months ago, Velika Northern District residencies.

    All the information that she gathered with her own hands led her there, the last crime organization had its base at one of the northern residencies, with this, the mission which her Master Clan leader entrusted to her would be done and Velika would be a better place for all its citizens, giving them new opportunities and hope for a better life.

    The Shrouded Rose Sentinels marched altogether; all of them were wearing their black heavy armors with long black capes coming from its back, black helmets with two horns in front of it, which covered all their head with the exception of their faces. The Lieutenant Zekka was at the head of the formation, leading the last attack. She was wearing a black light armor which covered her vital spots of her body, leaving part of her back totally naked, but this gave her more flexibility on her movements, also had two sheaths with purple handgrip swords hanging from her waist belt; distinctively she wasn¡¯t using a helmet, her short hair was white and had two pointy horns at her head.

    Slowly they were every time more close to the base as the sound of their boots firmly stepping on the floor along with the clanking of their armor moving echoed down the street, like the symphony of the death.

    Once they reached a wide street with a dead end, they saw their enemy. Those were thieves, bandits, mercenaries and even war veterans, wearing and carrying different types of armors and weapons.

    The street was enclosed by high residential buildings, which had an abandoned look with dirty windows and some black rats eating garbage. Clearly as they could see, the only ones living here where them, the criminals, or that they believed until they saw that the apparently leader of all the gang of criminals, which appeared between the middle of his people with a little human boy who wore dirty rags, the leader who was a tall but fat human wearing a heavy red armor, had a knife on the neck of the boy and shouted with a hoarse voice, while the boy was crying.

    Zekka could feel the fear of the man from his eyes but they kept walking in formation.

    ¡°One more step! And this little one will see the end of his life, right now!¡±¡ª None of the Sentinels moved and the gang of criminals laughed silently.

    All the sentinels stopped with Zekka. She and her people weren¡¯t hesitating; they just saw their enemy tactic as an act of despair; they were inspecting the enemy attentively before attacking, the sentinels were just fifty while criminals were more than one hundred and it was really probably that a good bunch of them were hid in some of the surrounding buildings, for an ambush.

    Also they were just doing a respect silence before their next movement, since their thinking was as cold as ice. One dead boy meant nothing to stop them, Zekka without hesitation in her movements alongside a serious expression on her face, unsheathed her sword, followed by her men.

    ¡°Tsk¡­DON¡¯T YOU HEAR? FOOLS¡­THIS BOY IS GOING TO DIE!¡±¡ª The man''s hands were shivering like a cornered prey. ¡ª¡°Idiots! BRING THE OTHERS TOO!¡± ¡ª The man ordered with an agitated voice as he dripped sweat from his forehead; then a few men went inside a house behind them; and a few seconds later, more little boys and girls wearing dirty rags, appeared and as the first one, someone from behind, put a knife on their neck, threatening their lives.

    Zekka¡¯s honor said her to stop and preserve the life of those children, but her experience said another. Many of the children were crying but also had moribund expressions, meaning that they would die soon anyways if they were let here in the conditions they were living.

    ¡ª¡°There is no other option¡± ¡ª Zekka thought while she glared with her gaze the dishonorable man in front of her, with a serious expression on her face. All her men somehow felt the decision which Zekka made and prepared themselves; many of them already fought together with her before, they knew her from close and they knew that their Lieutenant was doing all this for a greater good; it was a cold decision, sooner or later; someone had to make a decision. Good or bad.

    A minuscule weak and almost without voice part of Zekka, deep inside her, shouted in despair wanting to save those kids no matter how; this minuscule part of her was waiting for a sudden twist of fate for those kids.

    But¡­it never happened¡­because the fate was already written by her decisions.

    Zekka lifted her left arm alongside her sword as she could hear ¡ª ¡°Why?¡± ¡ª From some of the crying children, but she didn¡¯t hesitate nor the slightest second as she gave the order.

    ¡°CHARGE!¡±¡ª Her men rushed in silence alongside Zekka towards the criminals as the children got their throats cut and their corpses fell to the ground with a damp sound. All the Sentinels had a serious expression on their faces as they fought, these criminals were no worthy opponents, one by one they fell as their blood soaked the Sentinels¡¯ the blades of their weapons; they were the artists of death.

    Her heart throbbed restlessly, but there wasn¡¯t any other option more than fight, Zekka knew that¡­ but deep inside her, she felt compunction.

    The leader of the criminals, seeing that their people were getting massacred by the Shrouded Sentinels, the Castanic Clan¡¯s special forces, tried to escape but he was trapped in his own ¡°base¡± on a dead end street, the only way out was through his people which were being massacred.

    Quickly, Zekka seeing this rushed forward him and with all the speed, lifted her right foot back and then gave a powerful kick. Hitting him directly at his stomach feeling like a few of his ribs broke by the impetuous impact, totally ignoring his upper armor, which also broke in pieces after the impact, throwing him against a wall behind him and then fell to the dirty floor.

    ¡°Hahaha¡­Hahaha¡­¡±¡ª the criminal leader laughed as he coughed blood and then sat with difficulty on the floor leaning on the wall.

    Zekka gave a few steps forward, walking to where the fat man was, with both of her swords in her hands, while these were dripping blood.

    The Man lifted his gaze and saw Zekka approaching with a wrapping shadowy aura around her.

    ¡°You¡­are a M-M-monster!¡± ¡ª As he tried to move his body, but it didn¡¯t respond, paralyzed by the tenebrous Zekka¡¯s aura.

    Zekka kept walking until she was in front of him, while the fat man had a puddle beneath him of his own liquids by the overwhelming fear of death which was literally in front of him. Zekka gave him the last look with a bit of revulsion and then raised her hand alongside her sword and then pierced it on the chest of the criminal leader, giving end to his life in just a few seconds.

    ¡ª¡°What more dishonorable way to kill someone¡± ¡ª Zekka thought in a sad mood as she waved her swords to clean the blood on them and then sheathed them. The dirty floor was now splattered with blood everywhere due the fierce battle which also had ended. Their mission finally came to an end.

    The Lieutenant Zekka gave a deep sigh for free her body and mind of tension as she turned around to where her men were and then lifted her left fist.

    ¡°AAH!!!!!!!!!¡±¡ª Zekka shouted lively while she was lifting her fist, announcing the defeat of the enemy and the final victory, immediately after, her man as she did, also lifted their fists and shouted lively with happy expression on their faces, their mission finally ended.

    But Zekka didn¡¯t feel happy at all for some reason; she felt an odd emptiness instead. Her eyes were glowing and then she started to cry involuntarily, noticing it, she quickly turned around.

    ¡°What? Why?...¡±¡ª She muttered to herself as her men continued celebrating. A heavy feeling flooded her heart, forcing her to approach a hand on her chest. ¡ª¡°What is happening to me?¡±¡ª Zasked to herself in her mind while she started to walk unnoticed by her men towards a house in front of her and then she entered without many problems, the door was so old that there was no need to force the door. After entering, she slowly closed the door while this creaked.

    It was everything dark, but for some reason she felt better, she wanted to be alone with herself for a few minutes, while a few shadows moved unnoticed.

    ¡ª¡°What is this feeling?¡±¡ªZekka though as she looked her hands at the darkness, she couldn¡¯t see anything more than feel like her own hands were shaking. ¡ª¡°Why I do feel like this?¡±¡ª

    ¡°Help!¡±¡ª Suddenly Zekka felt a muffled and weak cry from somewhere inside the house.

    Her hearth throbbed restlessly for some reason. Immediately after this, with her left hand she created a simple light magic and started to move to where the cry came from; Zekka was just at the entrance hall which was full of cobwebs and dust everywhere, reaching the living room, she managed to see a trail of blood on the dirty floor and ahead of it, there was a human girl of brown long hair and wearing some dirty rags lying on the floor.

    Zekka approached to her running and then crouched next to her, and saw her dirty rags with a serious amount of blood on her back. Suddenly, the little girl woke up and moved her head with extreme difficult as she trembled.

    ¡°Wa-atch Ou¡­¡±¡ª But the little girl couldn¡¯t even said the complete message before fainting.

    ¡°Eh?¡± ¡ª Zekka thought for a few seconds when suddenly remembered. ¡ª¡°Fuck! I should have known that few of them would be hiding inside the houses!¡± ¡ª Zekka thought while she was quickly standing up and at the same time unsheathing one of her swords. But her iado wasn¡¯t as fast as Nethaniel¡¯s iado. Her unsheathing was halfway when she felt a stab behind her right shoulder. The pain was almost unbearable but she managed to keep the balance positioning one foot a bit further on but it was no avail. She felt her whole body more weak than normal while she could hear the steps on the creaking floor of her enemy.

    ¡°Hehehehe¡­You must be surprised, don¡¯t you?¡±¡ªA mocking voice and some conceited spoke to her from her back.

    ¡°Bastard¡­¡±¡ª Zekka said with difficulty, while she was trying to stay up on her feet as her legs and body trembled.

    ¡°Hihihihahahahaha! It was so delicious to see you coming to save this trash, haihihhihi!¡±¡ª The voice kept mocking of her at her back. Suddenly she couldn¡¯t stay up on her feet anymore and fell next to the little girl.

    ¡°What can I do? What can I do?! Mhmmm¡­¡±¡ªThe voice spoke again as the steps came closer to Zekka.

    She kept trying to move, proving her tenacity. But all what she accomplished, was just to tense her muscles for a second, then moved her arms trying to stand up but it was no avail, her body felt like a big rock.

    ¡°Hahaihihihi¡­It is useless¡­Hihi¡­You are totally paralyzed right now¡­mhmmm¡­¡±¡ªSuddenly Zekka felt a cold feeling a little more below her back; it was a hand that was being displaced over her body with malice.

    ¡°Tsk¡­¡±¡ª Zekka clenched her jaw with resignation as her vision began to blur. ¡ª¡°You are a m¡­¡±¡ª Zekka stopped her own words while her heart sank in guilt. ¡ª¡°How can I call him a Monster? When I myself killed innocents with my actions¡­ I¡­ deserve this¡­¡±¡ª Zekka thought as she gave up and closed her eyes accepting her guilty.

    ¡°Hahahahihihih lets play with your body before I kill you¡­ hahahahihihhi¡± ¡ª His hand was every time more down her back, touching inadequate parts. Meanwhile the shadows moved unnoticed by both.

    Suddenly, Zekka heard a damp sound of a blade being removed from a body as she felt a warm liquid on her back and then a dead corpse was thrown next to her; Zekka opened her eyes with difficulty and could hardly see how the chest of a thin man wearing a blue light armor next to her left was totally pierced.

    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!

    ¡°Lailyn! ¡­our mission was strictly of observation!¡±¡ª A female cold voice was heard by Zekka, alongside its footstep on the creaky wood floor.

    ¡°This warrior¡¯s death would have been a waste¡±¡ª Zekka heard another female soft voice, but this one was had no feelings on its tone.

    A few footsteps got close to Zekka but she was still unable to move at all or even spoke now, also she was unable to see the appearances of both voices still.

    ¡°Even if you say it like that¡­it is wrong, you know Lhya is going to be upset by this¡­I don¡¯t want to have problems with her, Lailyn!¡±

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t need to know¡­now¡­¡±

    ¡°Ahhhh?! What?¡± ¡ª The cold voice got slightly irritated.¡ª¡°No! No! I won¡¯t heal her, I wo¡­¡±

    ¡°Dekarin¡­please¡­¡±

    ¡°Ahhhhh! Okay okay!¡± ¡ªThe same voice sighed reluctantly and again, Zekka heard more footsteps coming closer to her. ¡ª¡°Eh?¡±

    ¡°You see, even when she got stabbed with a poisoned dagger, she is still conscious somehow¡­that proves my point.¡±¡ªthe non-feeling voice spoke again.

    ¡°Ha¡­all of them are so stubborn even when they are dying¡­if only all of you could put some of that energy on the nature¡­¡±¡ª Zekka felt a little of weight on her back as she heard the voice closer. ¡ª¡°¡­Then maybe¡­all would have been different¡­¡±

    Suddenly two feet wearing black low heels alongside its legs wearing black stockings appeared in front of Zekka¡¯ sight and heard the voice with no feelings tone from above in front of her.¡ª¡°You owe us one; to the Black Lotus Order, warrior¡­ Do not waste it¡±

    Then the dagger stabbed on her back was removed without delicacy, causing a sharp pain which made Zekka lost her conscience.

    *** *** ***

    ¡ª¡°Eh? Where I Am?¡± ¡ª Zekka thought to herself as her mind suddenly woke up and felt herself in an unknown place.

    Zekka was wrapped in something soft and silky. Slowly she was feeling all her body as she moved it freely and then opened her eyes.

    She was in a spacious white room, lying down on a light blue bed and next to it there was a commode with a vase with a black lotus on it. All this was surrounded by a green canvas curtain. Quickly she tried to stand up but immediately felt a sharp pain in her back near her shoulder, shuddering by the pain which forced her to lie back again. With her own hands, she touched her chest, noticing she had long bandages around her chest and right shoulder.

    ¡°Ah¡­what happened to me?¡±¡ªZekka let out a whimper as she closed her eyes and all the images came to her mind, remembering everything.

    Suddenly, the curtain was hurriedly moved and millions of light beams attacked the face of Zekka¡­alongside a shout.

    ¡°Master!¡±¡ª Zekka heard a childish female voice.

    Zekka opened her eyes with difficulty by the sunlight as a little girl was looking at her with shiny eyes.

    ¡°Master!¡± ¡ªSomeone shouted again.

    ¡ª¡°Who is this noisy brat?¡±¡ª Zekka thought as her eyes were getting suit to the light. After a few seconds, again Zekka tried to sit on the bed, this time slower. Even so, she made a hard expression on her face, trying to not show pain. After she was sat on the bed, she kept ignoring the little human girl at her side of a beautiful brown long hair.

    Zekka looked at her surroundings, noticing the Lotus flower on a commode.

    ¡°You owe us one; to the Black Lotus Order, warrior¡­Do not waste it.¡±¡ª Zekka remembered the voice on her mind upon seeing the flower.

    ¡°Notice me, Master!¡± ¡ª The little girl shouted for who knows how many times again.

    ¡°Hohohoho¡­look who has a fan! Even wounded you are full of attention, haha¡±¡ª A serious voice was heard behind the little girl.

    Zekka looked at the voice and exclaimed. ¡ª¡°Neth! I mean¡­ Master Clan¡­¡±

    ¡°Haha don¡¯t worry¡­why do you ignore this little one?¡± ¡ªNethaniel asked as he looked at Zekka with a smile, he was wearing his usual armor as always.

    Zekka slightly blushed as she looked down to her clothes, they weren¡¯t good at all. She was just wearing a white shirt.

    ¡°Hahaha! This is unique, the toughest soldier blu¡­ ahhhg!¡±¡ª Nethaniel cried in false pain as the little girl hit him.

    ¡°Don¡¯t laugh of my Master!¡±¡ª The little girl shouted as she bulked her cheeks. This human girl had about just twelve years old and she was wearing a one piece white dress, but under it, she had many bandages surrounding her body.

    ¡°Hahahahaha¡­¡±¡ª Zekka laughed.

    ¡°I think both of you are alright and with a lot of energy haha¡±¡ª Nethaniel said with a smile.

    ¡°Do you know what is it the Black Lotus Order?¡±¡ªZekka asked straight with a serious tone as the smile on Nethaniel¡¯s face disappeared and the little girl looked at both confused. Nethaniel looked directly into the eyes of Zekka with a serious expression on his face, as if the explanation was complicated. There was a tense moment of silence while the little girl moved her head side to side, looking at Nethaniel and Zekka who were looking at each other with hard expressions on their faces.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know much Zekka, and it¡¯s better to leave it how it is¡±

    ¡°Why? They sav¡­¡±¡ª Zekka was going to complain but Nethaniel interrupted her with an enigmatic tone.

    ¡°Never forget, they''re spirits made flesh and they know and see things what they shouldn¡¯t, it is better to not be in their way; the last time when he did stand on their way, we hardly got out of it¡±¡ª Nethaniel said as he closed his eyes for a few seconds.

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand, why did they save me then?¡­¡±¡ª The Lieutenant Zekka said as she also closed her eyes and clenched her fists alongside the white bed sheets.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to¡­ and in what concerns me, you accomplished your mission and saved thousands of people plus a good fan of yours as I see haha¡­your soldiers are waiting for you; get well soon, Lieutenant Zekka¡±¡ª Nethaniel said with a proud voice as he looked at Zekka with a smile again, Zekka didn¡¯t answer and just smiled back.

    ¡°Ehh?? Oh¡­ I get it now! You both are a couple! I see I see!¡± ¡ª The little human girl said excitedly doing a single clap.

    Zekka¡¯s eyes widened abruptly as she looked at the little girl, Nethaniel noticing it, he left without saying anything with a smile on his face.

    ¡°Hey, noisy little one, what¡¯s your name?¡± ¡ªShe said with a sinister smile.

    ¡°Master! Master noticed me!¡±¡ª The little girl smiled happily as her greyish eyes shone and then added¡ª¡°My name is Luna! Ehmmm¡­ Ehmm¡­ I am not good with swords but¡­I am willing to learn!¡±¡ª She spoke with energy in a childish tone.

    ¡°I see¡­Luna¡­well... the best sword master had just left¡­¡±

    ¡°EH? Nononono¡­ I want to learn from you!¡± ¡ª Luna said with both hands on her chest.

    ¡°What makes you think that I will?¡±¡ª Zekka asked with a serious expression on her face, looking at Luna with an unfriendly face.

    ¡°Eh¡­Eh¡­¡±¡ª Luna hesitated as she felt an odd pressure on all her body, and then her body started to shake, but even so she answered evidencing her strong will. ¡ª ¡°Because¡­I want to save people like you!¡±

    Again, like that time when Zekka heard the cry for help, her heart started to throb restlessly.

    Luna¡¯s eyes were shining, about to cry when Zekka answered after a shortsigh.

    ¡°Well, you proved your worth after resisting my mean look for a few seconds¡­but only until I leave Velika, which can be¡­in any moment, who knows¡­Neth is so¡­¡±¡ª But her explanation was interrupted by Luna who stopped listening after ¡°proved your worth¡±.

    ¡°Ehhhh! Yeeeey! Really?! Okay! I will do my best Master, I will never fail you, I promise it!¡±¡ª Luna was shouting in happiness as she was interrupted by Zekka. ¡ª¡°Yeey Yeey Yeey¡±¡ª Luna kept celebrating, as she jumped on Zekka and hugged her.

    ¡°THEN YOUR FIRST LESSON IS, DON¡¯T INTERRUMPT ME!¡± ¡ª Zekka shouted to Luna with a serious face, but Luna just laughed.

    ¡ª¡°This is going to be a really hard and long way¡­¡±¡ª Zekka said in her mind as she gave up and also started to laugh.

    <hr>

    At the same time while the Pora Elinu forces were fighting the Enlighten Union forces, the Princess Caut and the cavalry were making their way towards the Free Traders Hall and the Nethaniel¡¯s group alongside Zekka were going to reinforce the main containment line; there was other situation happening at the same time, intertwining between them and establishing an unknown future for them, forging lives at the same times other extinguished.

    In the other side of Arborea, the Nightmare Realm, where the darkness and demons reigned; there was a weak particle which differed and excelled in the dark, often confused with a light but it wasn¡¯t; it was just an attenuated darkness of a crimson color.

    Inside a huge city surrounded by high and long black walls, all its buildings had gothic designs with crimson colored windows. All these were also surrounded by an apparently infinite desert of black sand which was crossed by a lake of turquoise crystalline water. This lake was near the gothic city and was known as ¡°Lake of Tears¡±, or also known as the ¡°Sacred Lake¡± where the Goddess Elinu cried when she saw the darkness of the world and then hid her creations.

    In the city, in an open place surrounded by dark buildings of a gothic architecture, there was two Elins fiercely fighting under the crimson sky and the light of the static moon of a brilliant light blue, while at their surroundings there were dozens of corpses lying on the floor of rough black tiles; who apparently fell fighting one of that two Elin.

    One of the Elin had long red hair, purple eyes and was wearing a long brown tunic covering all her body and simple purple shoes, with to red magic blades coming out of her writs, and the other Elin of pale skin tone was wearing a fully dark-black sanguine dress with two small black wings, alongside armored black gauntlets with pointy fingers, black stockings and black low heels. She wasn¡¯t carrying any weapon; she was just evading every attack of the red haired Elin with a perfect timing, as if she could read the movements of her enemy long before this would make them.

    ¡°You have got faster, Sayune¡± ¡ª The Elin spoke without a shred of fatigue with a non-feeling tone on her voice, alike her light blue eyes while she was evading. On the other hand, she had a black short hair with two black cougar ears, and on her left arm she had a black band wrapping her arm which had white letters on the surface: ¡°Black Lotus Order¡±.

    ¡°I have been training, Lailyn!¡±¡ª Sayune spoke while she was breathing a little agitated as she moved her arms quickly towards Lailyn. Both were expelling strong power auras around them as they fought in an incredible dynamic fight. Lailyn used her own palms several times to divert Sayune¡¯s blade attacks.

    Suddenly, the aura of Sayune disappeared entirely while they were fighting, and a few seconds after that, Sayune managed to land a kick on the stomach of Lailyn. She upon receiving the hit leaped backwards swiftly to deaden the hit.

    Sayune slightly smiled after winning a little time to breathe and recompose herself; both were separated by a few meters, facing each other. The shoulders of Sayune moved up and down in short but quick intervals, showing her weariness while a drop of sweat slid down her forehead.

    Meanwhile Lailyn showed not the slightest sign of exhaustion.

    Lailyn was staring at her as she stood with both of her stubs marginally touching making a 45 degree angle with her feet, with the right arm folded and the left arm slightly lifted as her left fist next to her face, was semi-clenched while she had the two first fingers of her left hand lifted, almost touching her pale red lips. It was a typical position of her Order, the Black Lotus, which was composed by stealthy assassins or more known as Ninjas among them. Her expression on her face or her voice tone never changed, ever; even after all her comrades¡¯ fell she stood calmly and fought Sayune almost perfectly, with refined movements.

    ¡°Interesting ability, Sayune¡±¡ª Lailyn said without any emotion.

    ¡°Seems like I found your weakness¡±

    There was no response back more than silence. After a few seconds, from a brief dark purple-black smoke between the two lifted fingers of her left hand, Lailyn summoned a small shuriken and closed her eyes.

    ¡°You are already dead; you just don¡¯t know it yet¡±¡ª Lailyn said as she opened her eyes, broke her pose and threw three shurikens aiming for Sayune¡¯s chest.

    Sayune, who was still trying to recover as much as she could, leaped backwards evading narrowly avoiding the shurikens, which got struck on the black tiles, and then suddenly saw how Lailyn in front of disappeared and when Sayune just landed of her leap, she heard the soft whisper of Lailyn at her back while near her neck she had the blade of a scythe almost cutting her throat.

    ¡°Check mate, Timeless Wizard¡±

    ¡°I suppose that I lost¡±¡ª Sayune said as she un-summoned her magic blades.

    The decision was about to be made by her scythe when suddenly Lailyn heard a mandatory voice ahead of her.

    ¡°It¡¯s enough Lailyn¡±

    ¡°Yes, my lady Lhya¡±¡ª Lailyn answered immediately as her scythe near Sayune¡¯s neck faded away in black-purple smoke alongside her; and then she appeared behind, next to Lhya with her ninja pose with her eyes closed. Suddenly, all the Elin corpses with different injuries started to blaze with a dark-purple color fire from their wounds and then stood up as nothing happened.

    ¡°Sorry, my Princess, we failed in our try to stop the Timeless Wizard¡±¡ª one of them said with a soft severe voice.

    ¡°It is all good, it was a good training¡±

    ¡°We are moving out to our respective positions then, the natives are a little nervous by the presence of the Timeless Wizard, I will report back when we have the situation under control¡±¡ª After saying this, this Elin alongside the others faded away in black-purple smoke leaving no trace of their presence. The static moon kept shining as the ambient became tenser.

    ¡°What do you want? Timeless Wizard; you are not more than a headache here, you know what do you provoke when you come¡±¡ª Lhya spoke testily.

    ¡°I need you to help your Mother, Lhya; something bigger than you and me is coming soon, and if we¡­¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care about your mad prophecies, Sayune¡±

    ¡°But¡­I have li¡­seen it! You must belie¡­¡±¡ªSayune was curtly interrupted by Lhya

    ¡°Let me tell you something, even if they are all true, I won¡¯t help, the outer world just saw us as monsters even after all what we did for them in the Argon War, saving thousands and then those gave us the back, pointing us as monsters. If the world is going to burn, then so be it; I will find my own way to save my people¡±¡ª Lhya spoke sternly as she stared angrily at Sayune.

    ¡°It is something bigger than you and me. Lhya! Please¡­¡±¡ª Sayune kept insisting as she gave a step forward, immediately Lailyn opened her eyes, ready to attack; but Lhya made a slight gesture with her hand and she closed her eyes again.

    ¡°You are in the wrong place if you want help, now forgive me, there are more important matters going on now, good bye¡±¡ª Lhya lifted her hand and murmured something.

    Under Sayune, a red arcane pentagon appeared and started to fade her away slowly. Sayune didn¡¯t say anything, as she looked at Lhya, with hope that she would understand before it was too late.

    <hr>

    Velika, Freedom Plaza.

    It was an open rectangular place surrounded by economic buildings, such as banks and several trading posts, used to be crowed of people, but now there were just two armies standing at each extreme of the plaza, while between them there was nothing else more broken crates, dead civilians corpses and other signs of destruction over the white-cream floor.

    Zekka was kneeling on the floor, as she had a corpse pierced by a half of a spear on her arms with her eyes abruptly opened, sobbing as she fiercely bellowed. The twists of fate are never what we expect, ever.

    Five minutes earlier.

    The Shrouded Sentinels were watching as the Enlighten Union forces were bringing captured civilians, then they knelt down on the floor and then severely executed. One by one, the civilians were being killed, trying to provoke the Castanic soldiers, but these didn¡¯t even flinch, since the atrocities which mostly of them saw in the Argon War, were far worse than this, but the inexperienced ones, like the volunteers of the academies, which were mostly students, were puking, others fainting and even some others tried to rush towards the enemy, but they were quickly stopped by the veterans Sentinels.

    Nethaniel¡¯s group alongside Zekka were already there, when the executions started to happen; Nethaniel and Zekka just stood watching with serious expression on their faces while they were leading the formations of just two thousands men army, but Bready, Mech, Sinac and Lyns were clenching their fists as they saw every execution without being able to do something. The atmosphere was far more than just tension, but they also knew that they wouldn¡¯t stand a chance if they try to fight the Enlighten Union, which were around six thousands.

    It was as if the Enlighten Union soldiers were laughing of them, laughing of their inability to do anything. Bready, Lyns, Mech and Sinac felt like if the life were slapping them on their faces telling them: ¡°You cannot save everyone¡±.

    It was hard to understand, and even harder to bear for them.

    ¡ª¡°Why we would prepare us so much? If when the time comes, we can never save what we want¡± ¡ªBready thought in his mind.

    ¡ª¡°What do I achieve knowing so much? If I don¡¯t know what to do now¡± ¡ª Lyns thought in his mind as he saw another civilian getting executed.

    Those were a few thoughts which were going on the minds of our heroes, seeing themselves unable to do anything, when they suddenly heard a childish voice.

    ¡°Let me go!¡±¡ª A little human girl of brown hair shouted without fear as she struggled with a EU soldier. ¡ª¡°My master is going to save and kick the asses of all of you!¡± ¡ª Again, she shouted, followed by laughs.

    The soldier kept struggling with her, until he succeeded in subduing making the little girl knelt down on the floor.

    ¡°Luna!¡±¡ª Zekka shouted and quickly, the little girl turned around, her clothes were all dirty and she had some bruises on her face, showing that she hadn¡¯t been captured easily.

    ¡°Master!¡±¡ªLuna cried as she stood up and at the same time hit the soldiers on his crotch, and then started running towards Zekka with her eyes crying, since she couldn¡¯t hold any longer.

    The little girl kept running towards Zekka, everyone was watching with eyes filled of hope, but then all this changed to surprise and then anger, even the most veterans clenched their jaws.

    From behind, an enemy soldier took a spear and then threw it with all his forces. The spear traveled doing a semi-circle trajectory and pierced the back and then the chest of Luna.

    ¡°Ahhhhhhhh!¡±¡ª Luna cried in pain as came out a mouthful of blood from her mouth, all her body started to fell, but was stopped by the spear. Luna kept trying to move, as she broke part of the spear, and then kept walking moribund.

    ¡°Master¡­ I have¡­failed you¡­¡±¡ª Luna said as her voice echoed through the plaza. The eyes of Zekka were involuntarily crying as her heart flooded by a sharp pain.

    ¡°Luna! Noooo!¡±¡ª Zekka cried as she ran towards Luna and took her body and then knelt down. All the Sentinels, the Nethaniel¡¯s group and volunteers were watching the emotional scene with a lump in the throat.

    ¡°Luna Luna Luna Luna¡±¡ª Zekka repeated the name of her student many more times as she had her body in her arms. Her hands were quickly soaked with blood while Luna¡¯s eyes were shining, filled with tears.

    ¡°M-Master¡­don¡¯t be so noisy¡­¡±¡ª Luna smiled as she lifted one of her hands with difficulty and then touched the hands of Zekka.

    ¡°Do¡­do not talk Luna, everything is going to be alright ok¡­you are going to¡­to get out of this¡­ok?¡±¡ª Zekka spoke with a tearful voice as her tears fell on the body of Luna.

    ¡°Haha¡­¡±¡ª Luna had a trickle of blood streaming down her cheek as the blood on her chest kept going out.¡ª¡°Master¡­thanks you¡­¡±

    ¡°Shh¡­Don¡¯t¡­¡±¡ª Zekka couldn¡¯t finish her words as she was interrupted by Luna, who had a strong will even when she...

    ¡°¡­for¡­saving me¡­¡±¡ª Luna smiled for the last time and then Luna¡¯s hand fell to the floor lifeless as the gleam in her eyes vanished.

    ¡°No nononononono no NOOO!¡±¡ªThe crying Zekka became louder as all her army looked down in silence, clenching their jaws and fists. ¡ª¡°Don¡¯t leave don¡¯t leave me, PLEASE DON¡¯T¡±¡ª Zekka sobbed as she hugged the dead body of Luna as she rocked.¡ª¡°Ahhhhhh! Ahhhh! LUNAAA!¡± ¡ª Zekka shouted heartbreakingly.

    Nethaniel was looking at Zekka with a sad expression on his face ¡ª¡°The most difficult part of being a Master is when you must let go your student, you will understand when you have one by yourself¡±¡ª Nethaniel remembered the words of his father and somehow understood the pain of Zekka and then looked forward and shouted.

    ¡°Get ready!¡±¡ª Immediately after Nethaniel¡¯s order, the perfect unison sound of swords and other types of weapons unsheathing, echoed through the plaza. While Zekka let the corpse of Luna on the floor with delicacy, got up and then she was enwrapped by a massive and slightly visible red aura around her, while around her left eye, appeared a tattoo; which was gleaming of a red color. She moved her right arm backwards for a second, making the aura also surround her soldiers which also near their eyes, appeared the same tattoo gleaming, and then she unsheathed both of her swords, walking threateningly towards the Enlighten Union forces.

    Meanwhile, Nethaniel shouted his next order.

    ¡°Chargeeee!¡±¡ª Then the Shrouded Sentinels alongside Nethaniel¡¯s group and the volunteers, rushed towards the enemy shouting for all the emotions that had held until then. Everyone knew that it was a mistake to rush the enemy forces in such disadvantage, but none cared, it was a bigger mistake stand idly doing nothing.

    Author''s Notes:Hello everyone! I am really excited by alot of things! Well, first, a really mega giga ultra big thanks you to all of you! Since we reached 100 views!! I know it is not much but it means alot for me so I tryed to do the best in this chapter , I put alot of emotion on this chapter, also I am excited because this chapter is totally "new" for me, but I feel really good about it and I enjoyed alot writting it!

    On the other part, about the time which a new chapter is going to be released. Well, thigns are getting really long in terms of writting as you can compare with hte firsts chapters, also add to that, the heavy revieweing which I try to do before uploading, even after all that heavy typo/grammar/and more reviewing, I still miss some stuff, but thats part of the game right? haha. So I will be uploading every 2 weeks a new chapter, while I keep heavily revieweing the older chapters and fix anything that it must be fixed and also writte the new chapter. But dont worry! I can handle it, np <3

 Volume I Chapter 3 Part I: Rupture (I)

    Volume I Scions of Destiny-Chapter 3 Part I: Rupture (I)

    Everything was happening at a frightening speed, moving and evolving in leaps and bounds.

    The Castanics Task Forces known as ¡°Shrouded Rose Sentinels¡± were rushing towards the Enlighten Union forces wrapped in a strange and almost invisible reddish aura in Velika as they were shouting and lifting their different weapons unsheathed pointing to their enemies, while the Pora Elinu forces were slowly defeating the enemies around of the Free Traders Hall as the Princess Caut alongside her loyal cavalry was managing to break through the enemy lines to reach to the hall.

    Meanwhile without the notion of the simple minds of everyone, the forces of destiny converged as two gasses of differents color, that when hitting each color mixed and fought against each other in order to overcome between themselves.

    <hr>

    ¡°C-C-charge¡­¡±¡ª one of the Enlighten Union officers tried to order while down his body went through a slight chill which made his voice hesitate involuntarily but then quickly recomposed after hearing the war cry of the enemies in front of him. ¡ª¡°Charge!¡± ¡ª The Officer shouted once again this time with all his force, but his soldiers were slowly stepping back as they were looking with frightened look the strange somber reddish aura in front of them coming from a female Castanic, which was just walking towards them slowly with both swords unsheathed, every step she took the pressure increased even further.

    All the EU soldiers felt her hateful glare penetrating their bodies making them sweat cold every time they saw her directly to the eyes.

    The Officer looked at his troops with nervousness but before he could shout once again the order, a male mandatory voice came from behind. This man had a greyish white hair and blue eyes; he was wearing heavy plate armor with two small pauldrons over his shoulders, the breastplate of his armor was really detailed and had the EU insignia near the position of his heart, his gauntlets were of a dark silver color as all his armor, his gauntlets also had little spikes as his imposing greaves.

    ¡°First Battalion, Charge! Or will kill you all by myself!¡±¡ªThe man had a serious and crude look; the soldiers hesitated for a few seconds but then charged when the Sentinels alongside the Nethaniel¡¯s group and the volunteers were around 10 meters away and Zekka just 4 meters away.

    The bloodbath started just around 30 seconds after the crude man forced to the EU soldier to charge against the enemy, many died at the starting noisy clash of arms, many were pierced by the sharp weaponry of their respective enemies without mercy. A strange bloodlust was felt from every soldier of the FTC, all of them were being surrounded by that unfamiliar aura; every thought of fear or hesitation were being turned into decision and strength to fight through the aura which was being given directly from Zekka.

    ¡°Doombringer¡­¡±¡ª Nethaniel murmured to himself with concern in the middle of the chaos of the battle as he cut in two an enemy without a great effort.

    ¡°Ahhh!¡±¡ª The enemy could just cry in pain as Nethaniel felt the warm blood splattering and slithering on his face, but he didn¡¯t even flinch and continued fighting against numerous enemies; his swords had a long yellow ribbon entwined surrounding the handles, while the blades of the swords of black metallic color were blood-soaked by the by continuous cuts and reversals on his opponents.

    Nethaniel inhaled and then he swung his swords, immediately after a cry of pain could be heard, then he exhaled deeply. But his mind wasn¡¯t just focused on the battle, he was also thinking about Zekka as he kept fighting.

    ¡ª¡°This ability¡­I hope she remembers that Doombringer drains all her strength quickly¡­fuck¡­we must end this fast or¡­¡±¡ª Nethaniel¡¯s thoughts were interrupted by an attack from his back, but this wasn¡¯t fast enough. Quickly stepping to his right, Nethaniel was able to avoid the attack and in an impressive display of speed and balance, managed to get behind his attacker.

    The back of his enemy was completely uncovered. Nethaniel without losing the chance pierced the back of his enemy without mercy. This cried in pain, and then Nethaniel pushed the corpse with his foot and released his sword with a damp bloody metallic sound.

    The Doombringer, it was the special ability of the 5th Clan, the Sapkhal¡¯s Clan of the Great Master Clan Castanic; all of them were acknowledged by their drastic ideology of using a direct intervention to their bodies with pure magic in order to increase their physical powers and magic abilities.

    This excessive ideology became even more preponderant between the members of the Clan during the long and bloody Castanic civil war where the entire Master Clan Castanic, composed of 10 Clans, went through it; leading them to kill around the 90% of their own Clan Members in brutal experiments in search of a crushing and overwhelming power, strong enough to win an higher supremacy between the other Clans that their mad Clan Leader wanted.

    Just two biologically compatible Castanics survived out of that 90%, both had great powers given by a pure demonic magic connection; one of them was Zekka, she belatedly noticed the great mistake and its vicious ideology behind all those experiments and made a revolt with help of the Val Uskhal¡¯s Clan, ending up with just the 3% of her Clan, the civil war was still going so she, as the new Clan Leader of the 5th Clan established a diplomatic deal with the Val Uskhals'' Clan and avoided the extinction of her blood line, adhering her low but veteran loyal forces to Nethaniel.

    Now, she was unleashing all of her power which haven¡¯t been unleashed since the Castanic civil war ended, Nethaniel knew that Zekka just had one thing on her mind as she kept advancing: Revenge. He knew that was impossible to stop her right now, but he also knew that she needed to stop, or¡­

    The image of Luna being pierced by a spear continuously repeated within her mind, causing the aura to pulse even stronger as she killed an enemy by thrusting both of her swords on his chest and then removed both of them horizontally in opposite directions scrunching her face with anger, the warm blood splattered on her face as the markedly dismembered corpse fell and she pushed it out of her way and kept walking as many allied soldiers passed running next to her shouting.

    Seeing this, Zekka also started to run and rushed towards the enemy front line swiftly and upon reaching it, she didn¡¯t stop; instead she plunged both of her swords into the shoulders of an enemy in front of her then lightly released the handgrip of her swords without losing contact with them and jumped forward as she turned and grabbed the handgrips of her swords and used all her brute force of her body in her arms, lifting the corpse of the pierced enemy and then threw it on other enemies, knocking down several of them.

    She stood watching her enemies for a few seconds as she noticed her heavy breathing and a massive headache.

    ¡°Ahh¡­¡±¡ª Zekka whined silently as she fell on her knees feeling lightheaded leaving her swords at her sides without unhand them, but once again the same image as before appeared on her mind.

    ¡°Tsk-¡°¡ª Zekka clenched the handles of her swords lying on the floor as she stood up with an intense murderous intent. ¡ª ¡°Ahhhhhh! You all will pay for what you have done!¡±¡ª Zekka shouted in the middle of the chaos, as she rushed again onto her enemies.

    At the right side of the battlefield, Nethaniel was leading the advance of his troops; the casualties were mostly of the volunteers and thanks to the Doombringer aura of Zekka, the battle was being slowly won by the FTC forces but Nethaniel knew that the aura wouldn¡¯t last too long.

    From behind, the enemy General shouted as he was watching the development of the fight.

    ¡°Archers! Get ready!¡±¡ª Immediately after, the sound of many basic invocation magic were slightly perceived by Nethaniel and a few other veterans on the battlefront.

    ¡°Fire!¡±¡ªThe same voice gave the final order and then numerous white summoned arrows filled the sky as they started to fell.

    ¡°ARROWS! Mech!¡±¡ª Nethaniel shouted as he took a dead corpse from the floor and took refuge behind it like a meat shield. He wasn¡¯t the unique doing the same thing, most of the Shrouded Sentinels did it too as fast as they could since just a few of them had a shield, they knew right from the cruel experiences of past wars.

    Meanwhile, a few others were protected by an almost invisible magic sphere composed of thousands of little light blue hexagons around them. Those magic spheres were done by Mech who was lifting her left hand forward with her eyes closed, focusing on saving as much as she could but even so, she couldn¡¯t; many allies as enemies were pierced without mercy by numerous arrows through their bodies, killing them almost immediately.

    Arrows kept falling ceaselessly as the sound of arrows embedding on the ceramic floor was heard by all, alongside with these; a few cries of agony were heard from many allied and enemy soldiers.

    ¡°Tsk...Dammit¡­¡±¡ªNethaniel murmured as he looked to his left side and saw a few of his men dying whileZekka kept fighting as she noticed a shield around her as Mech still had her eyes closed, wrinkling her eyebrows while her left hand trembled slightly as a drop of sweat was sliding down her forehead.

    At the other side of the battlefield, the General of the Enlighten Union forces had his arms crossed with a serious expression on his face looking forward, where the battle was happening.

    ¡°Why so serious, Aurora? Those last arrows roundalready assured your win¡±¡ª a soft and cute cheerful voice spoke at his back.

    ¡°Our reinforcements should have been here already.¡±¡ª Aurora answered with a severe voice as he looked at the little Elin at his back. She was around the half of the height of Aurora, she had teal eyes, black short hair, and a pale skin color; she also was wearing a black short dress and long black stockings with red lines. On her face, she had a little heart on her right cheek alongside with a pure smile expression.

    She was sitting on a wide concrete railing about one meter high, as she waved her feet like a little girl.

    ¡°Ooh mmm¡­¡±¡ªThe Elin said childlike as she lifted both of her hands and touched her head trying to think. ¡ª¡°Well well¡­we will be alright if we follow the plans of my master, that¡¯s for sure!¡±

    Aurora looked back to the battlefield with a complicated expression on his face¡ª¡°I am starting to doubt about this ¡°Master¡±¡­¡±

    ¡°No no¡­Don¡¯t doubt! You already won this battle! The plans of my master are perfect, just look at them; they are not more than ground meat right now¡­is just matter of time! You need a little of my lovely belief to my Master, ya know¡±¡ª The Elin said as she moved her black cat tail side to side.

    ¡°We will see Ralu, but don¡¯t look down on them too much¡±¡ª Aurora said as he kept watching the battle as he remembered the old battles that he fought alongside the Castanics during the Argon war.

    Ralu put both hands on her tummy and slightly leaned back¡ª ¡°Hahahehehahahaha!¡±¡ª Then looking at Aurora with a slightly sinister smile decorating her face, jumped off the railing and walked till she was at Aurora¡¯s right side.

    Aurora could hear the gentle pattering of Ralu¡¯s black low heels on the floor at his side and just looked Ralu without turning his head while at the distance, both could hear the war cries and the continuous clash of swords of the resumed battle ahead them.

    ¡°What do you have in mind?¡±¡ª Aurora looked back to the battlefield once again.

    ¡°Hmmm, good question¡­¡±¡ª Ralu still had her sinister smile decorating her face.¡ª¡°¡­I am just going to have a little of fun, make sure to send the second battalion if things get out of control, ok?¡±

    Then once again Aurora could hear the gentle pattering and saw Ralu calmly walking into the battlefield with her left hand wide open near to her hip with many fire cords slightly twining around her hand besides a small fire sphere over her palm. ¡ª¡°Ashes, ashes¡­they will all fall down!¡± ¡ª Ralu murmured as her evil gaze fixed on the battlefield.

    <hr>

    Many different people were meeting around a black table in an apparently infinite white room; there was a man with a white mask with joy eyes and a sinister smile upon his mask, he was wearing a black frac and a black top hat, behind him there were two totally hooded with long brown tunics also wearing white masks.

    In front of them, there was someone wearing a light blue aristocratic dress of one piece, her blond hair was tied into a light brown hat with a blue ribbon and she had the same white mask as the Mysterious Man.

    Both were watching each other intently without saying a word, creating a tense ambient when suddenly at the end of the table a little girl appeared out of an arcane circle of a purple color.

    She was wearing a black astral dress with white lines in the outlines and long black stockings; this ¡°little girl¡± had white long hair, dark purple eyes and two short red horns coming out of her forehead.

    ¡°What does this all mean?¡±¡ª The little girl looked to both sides once with a serious gaze.

    ¡°Hehehehe¡­means fun Pandora¡­¡±¡ª The Mysterious Man said mocking.

    ¡°Quote, do you know the seriousness of the acts of Sayune?¡±¡ª Pandora replied jaded.

    ¡°What did exactly happen?¡±¡ª The woman wearing a blue dress asked with a soft voice.

    ¡°He sent an order to kill the Timeless Wizard, Beatrice.¡±¡ª Pandora said with a straight face.

    For a few seconds none said anything, but then an evil laugh with pleasure was heard from the Mysterious Man and then he said. ¡ª¡°Hehehe¡­that old man finally noticed it even after millions of years¡­hehehe! Well¡­I will end this then, excuse me, ladies¡±

    ¡°What do you mean, Quote?¡± ¡ªPandora asked as she looked the man wearing the black frac.

    The Mysterious Man ignored the words of Pandora and ordered ¡ª¡°Qoo¡­Iri¡­let¡¯s go¡­¡±¡ª But before Quote went away Pandora said with a severe voice. ¡ª¡°The time changes everything Quote¡­¡±

    ¡°Hehehehehehe interesting... You have such an interesting mind, my dear useless Goddess of the Void¡­but Sayune has done the same thing over and over, equal to do nothing and do nothing leaves everything exactly as it was as you have noticed; now if you excuse me ladies¡­¡±¡ªimmediately after, the Mysterious Man snapped his fingers and disappeared followed by Iri and Qoo while Pandora sighed and looked at Beatrice.

    ¡°Shit¡±¡ª Pandora exclaimed as she was unable to stop Quote and then she sat on the floor, while her astral dress covered her legs completely as the black table disappeared. Beatrice beheld Pandora for a while with her penetrating dark purple eyes through the holes of her mask.

    ¡°We knew this would happen anytime Pandora, we have given enough tries to Sayune to change everything, sadly, her time ran out. That being said, I will go back to my mission Pandora, excuse me.¡± ¡ªAfter saying this, as Quote also did, she snapped her fingers and disappeared.

    Pandora was left alone as she kept sitting on the floor while her gaze was lost in the infinite background of her room with a complicated expression on her face. ¡ª¡°Sayune¡­what do you think you can do?¡±¡ª Pandora though to herself clenching one fist over her legs trying to understand everything.

    <hr>

    2 hours before the battle of Velika, the war outside and inside of the Hall were still going. The ground shook intermittently as a loud cannon shot sound echoed around.

    ¡°Keep advancing!¡± ¡ªA fiercely female voice was heard in the battlefield as a few arrows completely pierced five enemy soldiers who were trying to stop the advance of the Pora Elinu forces.

    ¡°My Lady! We cannot keep advancing on our horses!¡±¡ª One of the Princess¡¯ Officers shouted as she was fighting with a sword and a shield trying to cover the back of the Princess Caut as the whole unit slowly advanced on their horses, every time slower by the active pressure of the enemy forces.

    ¡°Alright! We are going to go in on our feet! Follow me!¡± ¡ªThe Princess Caut shouted her order aloud as she jumped off her horse and landed a kick on the face of an enemy in front on her and when she got back her balance after laying a hand on the floor, she started to run towards the main entrance of the FTC hall.

    Immediately after that, just a few were able to follow up the Princess, since the others were stopped by the yet not defeated numerous enemies.

    The Princess kept running as she shot some arrows to open her way in the Hall, suddenly when she was going through an open place after passing through the entrance, she saw many enemy soldiers blocking the way ahead of her, forcing her to stop and watch as a drop of sweat ran her forehead. In that moment, she could notice her heavy breathing and that she was completely alone.

    ¡ª¡°Crap! How many are they?¡±¡ª She thought to herself when suddenly the soldiers in front of her charged against her. Quickly, the Princess Caut summoned an arrow on her left hand and shot it, piercing the chest of an enemy without hesitate,throwing him backward but this wasn¡¯t enough to stop around twentyish soldiers.

    ¡°Get her alive! So we can use her to stop the Pora Elinu¡¯s forces!¡±¡ª A male Aman with a deep voice shouted in the midst of the incoming rush.

    ¡°Tsk¡­¡±¡ª The Princess did a complicated expression on her face, but even so she didn¡¯t give up and summoned a few more arrows on her left hand, killing a bunch of other soldiers but yet it wasn¡¯t enough to stop so many, and then they were so close that arrows weren¡¯t effective anymore forcing her to use her bare hands to fight.

    ¡°Catch her!¡± ¡ª Once again the same male voice was heard. The Princess resisted trying to fight back, but quickly the numerous enemies caught her and left her completely immobilized.

    ¡°Cowards!¡±¡ª She said as she struggled in vain trying to free herself from the multiple enemies. In response she received a heavy blow on her face from the Aman in front of her, making her nose bleed. The Princess Caut didn¡¯t complain while she stopped her struggle and then spat blood on the floor.

    ¡°Princess!¡± ¡ª A severe female voice shouted in a tone of anger mixed with concern, the Princess fixed her gaze quickly to the voice, they were her loyal soldiers running towards her with their weapons unsheathed but their advance was stopped abruptly.

    ¡°Stop or your Princess is going to lose her head!¡±¡ªThe Aman said as he turned to the incoming Pora Elinu forces and then put a knife on the neck of the Princess.

    ¡°Tsk¡­¡±¡ª The Princess mumbled while she felt the sharp blade of the knife on her neck.

    ¡°You!... ¡°¡ª One of the Elin soldiers lifted her sword and pointed her blade to the Aman ¡ª¡±¡­Let our Princess free and we will have mercy!¡±¡ª The Elin shouted as she fixed her penetrating gaze as the other soldiers held their positions, ready to rush towards the enemy at any moment.

    ¡°Hahaha! Do you think that you are in a position to ask something?!¡± ¡ª The Aman shouted back slightly moving the knife when suddenly, from the back of the Princess is heard a scream of pain.

    ¡°Princess!¡±¡ª The Princess Caut was just able to hearthe voice, but it was enough to recognize the speaker, it was the Executor Adiar; the great leader of the Free Traders Collective Alliance who was still alive fighting against the enemy.

    ¡°Stop you too! Or I will kill this stupid Princess!¡± ¡ª The Aman shouted with nervousness as he moved away the knife near her neck for a second. ¡ª¡°It¡¯s now or never!¡±¡ª The Princess thought as she used this tiny chance to free from the short captivity.

    The Aman wasn¡¯t the only one who met a mistake that same second, the soldiers who were immobilizing the Princess also eased their grip leaving able the Princess to jump backwards getting free of their enemies, but the Aman wasn¡¯t that easy to evade, and he jumped on the Princess piercing the knife on the left shoulder of the Princess.

    Both sides seeing those actions shouted as they rushed towards the enemies to the rescue of the Princess. ¡ª¡°Princess Cauterize! CHARGE! SAVE HER AT ANY COST!¡±

    Everything was so fast that even the Princess couldn¡¯t understand everything that just happened, but one thing was clear for her in that very moment; in her 23 years she was never really hurt in battle making it her first time, all her senses abruptly sharpened as she felt like all her body fought for surviving, in a brief blink of an eye while both were falling to the ground she took the knife pierced on her shoulder which was still held by the Aman alongside a cry of pain from her, took it away from him, but it didn¡¯t just finish there.

    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    Her whole body felt lighter with strange warmth inside her chest, while all around her was moving slowly.

    After a few seconds which for Caut felt minutes, her surroundings were invaded by her allies¡¯ forces killing the soldiers around her in a short battle evidencing the superiority of the Pora Elinu¡¯s forces in terms of skills, but she didn¡¯t even notice it. Now with the knife on her hands, she kicked the Aman with all her forces pushing him backward and kept him knocked down.

    The Aman felt a huge fear crossing his spine as he saw the Princess Caut jumping on him holding the knife with both hands as her demonic gaze fixed on him. It was so fast that the Aman couldn¡¯t even cross his arms in order to try to resist the attack. The Princess lifted both hands alongside the knife and pierced it in the chest of the Aman; right on his heart getting her hands immediately bloodstained but she didn¡¯t stop; she kept removing and then piercing the knife once again on the chest of the already dead Aman as her eyes lost focus and a slightly sinister smile decorated her face for a few seconds.

    ¡°Ah! ¨C Ah!¡±¡ªShe repeated this several times as she involuntarily shouted every time she lifted the knife and then pierced again till she felt the warm blood of the Aman trickling down her face and a good part of her armor was spattered with blood.

    The Princess Cauterize looked to her hands holding the knife giving long heavy breaths and then she looked her surroundings still with her demonic gaze alongside the sinister smile immersed in a murderous intentions aura. The Elins soldiers looked at her with worried faces while the non-Elins slowly stepped back with a strange fear coursing through their bodies after Caut fixed her gaze on them.

    It was normal to have feared since she didn¡¯t defeat the Aman, rather she massacred him.

    In that moment, the Princess Caut felt a strong twinge in her chest which made her return to her senses as everything completely stopped when suddenly the Princess Caut felt a cold hand on her right shoulder alongside an oddly known soft female voice in her mind.

    ¡ª¡°It is not your time yet Angel of Darkness, ease your mind and soul¡­¡±¡ª The Princess Caut looked over her shoulder and saw a completely white phantasmal hand over her shoulder which abruptly disappeared at the time she turned trying to identify the ¡°ghost¡±, being unable to recognize from whom was that hand.

    Immediately after that, once again she felt a strong twinge in her chest along with some mild nausea which prevented her to getting up. There were no more enemies; it was just she and her allies. Her hands were shaking due the great effort, making her drop the knife as her sinister smile was replaced with a scared expression doubting about herself.

    ¡°My Princess!¡±¡ª One of her soldiers approached to her and tried to help her making the Princess Caut remember her actual situation.

    ¡°Go away! Tskk¡­¡±¡ªThe Princess Caut shouted in fear mixed with pain making her also remember the recent wound she had as she felt her own warm blood slowly leaving her body.

    The Princess Caut was scared that she would lose the control once again.

    ¡°But my Princess, don¡¯t be so hardheaded, you are injured! Bring a medic!¡±¡ª The same Elin shouted and approached to her without hesitate or any hint of fear in her actions. But none else more than that soldier moved excepting the Elin soldiers¡ª¡°What are you all waiting for?! Move! There is a still a battle to win!¡±

    The soldiers nodded their heads and went away meanwhile Adiar alongside Panchuk slowly approached to the Princess.

    ¡°Sigh¡­you should be less reckless my Princess, thanks to the Goddess that our Queen wasn¡¯t here, all of us would have been yelled by our incompetence of being unable to follow your step¡­¡±¡ª The Elin said with a concerned tone as she took a bandage and began to wrap it around the wounded shoulder of the Princess trying to aid her while the medic was coming.

    ¡°Haha¡­I am sorry though¡­what is your name?¡±¡ª The Princess gave a sad smile, with a strange feeling invading her heart.

    ¡°Ehm?...my name is Zalyn¡±¡ª She said without any honorific as she kept wrapping the bandage, noticing late her disrespect. ¡ª¡°Oh! I am sorry my Princess I forgot the¡­¡±

    ¡°Hahahahaha no worries no worries, I am bored of honorifics anyways, just make sure of call me Caut in the future¡± ¡ª The Princess Caut purely smiled as she forgot what happened for a few seconds.

    ¡°Eh? Impossible¡­the wound¡­¡±¡ª Zalyn tried to hide her surprise but the odd black-purplish fire on the wound coming out of the wound of the Princess made her remember the old times.

    ¡ª¡°Our Queen? A Reaper? It was supposed that they are¡­¡±¡ª

    ¡°What is happening? Are you using a healing magic?¡±¡ª Caut asked confused while in front of her, there were Panchuk and Adiar also watching with surprise the event which was happening.

    ¡ª¡°I thought that we¡­¡±¡ª Panchuk looked at the Princess Caut with a hard expression on his face as he thought ¡ª¡°¡­a reaper¡­impossible¡­¡±¡ª. Meanwhile, Adiar just had a serious expression on his face without saying anything.

    ¡ª¡°Reapers¡­this is going to be problematic¡­¡±¡ª Adiar thought for himself with a straight face as Zalyn tried to calm down the Princess but she was more altered than Caut.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry Zalyn, your healing magic is awesome! Are you a student of Mech?¡± ¡ª The Princess asked as she freely moved both shoulders without any hint of pain after the purple-black fire disappeared from her wound.

    ¡°Eh?! I think you are a¡­but it is impossible¡­they were eradicated¡­how?¡±¡ª Zalyn thought aloud without realizing it.

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand¡­what do you mean?¡±¡ª The Princess asked engulfed in confusion meanwhile both, Panchuk and Adiar, had complicated expression on their faces as they kept watching what just happened.

    <hr>

    ¡°Ahh!¡±¡ª Quote did a cry of pain losing his rigid posture with one hand over his mask.

    ¡°Ma-Master¡­¡±¡ª Iri said with a soft worried voice as she approached Quote.

    ¡°That was a really powerful distortion magic mixed with interference magic¡­Sayune?¡±¡ª Qoo said as she was taking her head with one hand, as she also experienced a short sharp pain.

    ¡°There are just a few who can do that¡­but I cannot recognize anything of the spell sequence¡­¡±

    ¡°Hehehe¡­¡±¡ª Quote laughed aloud briefly and through the holes of his mask both, Iri and Qoo, could see his light blue eyes wide open in an odd excitement. ¡ª¡°Hahahahahaha! AWESOME! THIS IS JUST WONDERFUL!¡±¡ª Quote extended both arms and looked up to the sky as he shouted and then retake his usual thoughtful stance with both hands at his back.

    ¡°What are your orders, Master?¡±¡ª Iri said with a soft voice as she slowly walked, positioning near Qoo.

    ¡°Sigh¡­Sayune is going to be very problematic. Master, why we just don¡¯t get rid of her?¡±

    ¡°Uhmm¡­that¡¯s agood idea Qoo, but this is not Sayune¡¯s magic sequence¡­hahaha¡­it is just splendid¡­¡±¡ª Quote kept speaking with his usual slightly mocking tone.

    ¡°Master?¡±¡ª Qoo asked confused as she looked at Iri who gave a step forward.

    ¡°It cannot be¡­is this what I think it is?¡±¡ª Iri said surprised.

    ¡°Hehe¡­interesting right? We were able to see a rupture, and how it was¡­I doubt that this one was the first one¡­¡±¡ª Qoo looked at Quote surprised and then spoke quickly.

    ¡°Then Sayune is right? What are we going to do?¡±

    ¡°Patient Qoo¡­try to learn more from you the patient of your sister. We are going to wait a little more and see where this leads us.¡±

    ¡°Understood!¡± ¡ª Iri and Qoo said in unison with serious voices.

    The Queen Valentina watched carefully from the hill with a straight expression on her face the smoky battlefield which her troops (Composed of different races) had already conquered. She was watching from the hill altogether her officers and her numerous royal guards. Her troops were waving the Pora Elinu Nation flag as they advanced towards the FTC hall while the enemy forces retreated in despair seeing their comrades being surpassed by a superior force.

    Over her, on the bluish sky there was the imposing but noisy ship Timberwolf, which was slightly similar to a galleon, was floating demonstrating the superiority in all means, in skills and technology of the Pora Elinu Nation.

    Although the straight face that she had on her face, the feelings inside her resembled a knot but she couldn¡¯t show any signs of weakness, less at this time when all her people were fighting for a good cause, or so her people thought they were doing; but in the mind of the Queen Valentina everything had strayed from what she expected when years ago she sacrificed a good part of her race for a ¡°greater good¡±.

    ¡ª¡°This¡­this is not what I wanted¡­¡±¡ª Valentina said to herself while she clenched the reins of the warhorse that she was riding but none noticed it since her expression had neither the slightest change.

    ¡ª¡°So many of my people died and their existences were almost completely forgotten, all this in pursuit of a greater good¡­for a better tomorrow¡­for the future of everyone¡­but in return we received the same, we ended up in the same situations¡­my goddess Elinu, what I must do? Is Lhya correct? I cannot continue with this...I have too much weight on me, so many deaths on me¡­so much blood on my hands¡­every day is so painful ¡­I feel so dirty¡­I¡­still remember everything¡­¡±¡ª

    Many years ago, during the middle of the Argon War, the hope of winning the war started to vanish in the air, and when none expected it, the capital of the Elin Nation who at that time weren¡¯t taking part of the warwas attacked by surprise.

    The Queen of that time, Rida, was killed in action during the vain tries of defense and the capital taken away by the Argons forces, giving a giant punch to the allies forces which were already enough demoralized by the unstoppable advance of the Argon Forces.

    But once again for the surprise of all, two days later it was retaken without any casualties by the Elins who already had chosen a new ¡°young¡± Queen, Valentina. They were able to retake their Capital thanks to their new and unknown awakened power which was sealed in them, although not all Elins could use it, but a good part of their population could.

    Thanks to this recently awakened power of the Elins, the war took a positive course towards the allies (Alliance between all the main races on the Real of Arborea: Amans, Barakas, Castanics, High Elves and Poporis and then the Elins joined)

    The hopes of the other races were reinforced while as their morale rose when finally the Elins recognized the Argon forces as a threat to Nature and officially joined the conflict. One week after such great news, large quantities of supplies arrived in different foreign battlefields on both continents alongside large numerous of veteran Elin forces and the reapers. All these made a huge difference in the war and nine months later the war ended, or at least that everyone thought for a moment.

    They were wrong.

    Two weeks after the end of the Argon War, the Amans, Humans and High Elves looked with fear all this new power of the Elins which unbalanced the military power between the races in addition to others matters, leading them to take a unanimous decision within the high commands: Betrayal the Pora Elinu Nation and eradicate the Reapers treat.

    The Castanics had an excellent relationship with the Elins due both led the front line against the Argons mostly of the times, although the Elins always discussed with them about the little importance that they had about Nature.

    ¡°Castanics care too much about themselves and too little about what matters, nature."¡ª The Elins always said that while they were discussing, even so, the differences in their thinking never stopped them when one of them needed the other.

    The Castanic people knowing about this betrayaltried to help the Elins but they were stopped by direct orders of Nethaniel which was a massive regroup call at Castanica. Every Castanic soldier deployed went back to Castanica.

    Nethaniel was once again preparing for war and his people supported his decision, since they felt a deep respect to the Elins, not just because their skills, it was also because many of them saved their lives with their own, which the others races never did or even thought it.

    It was their honor at stake, although the Castanics as arace were known as untrusted, reckless and disloyal towards others, but there were two things they followed as race, after you won the trust and respect of a Castanic, it was unbreakable.

    The Elins won both of these during they fought alongside them in the Argon front.

    Emergency reports from all her Generals on the foreign battlefields came to her about this betrayal, but Valentina was also afraid of this new and unknown power, and after long discussions the Queen and others thirteen high-rank Officers of a total of 27 (There were 49 high-rank Officers, but 22 were already killed in hands of the Amans, Human and High Elves forces) decided to not take action due they recognized the reaper power as an indirect threat to the nature. The Pora Elinu Nation was split in two or worse and the Queen itself asked to the Poporis (Who also formed the Pora Elinu Nation) to not take part of this and also to not take any action if something in the future happened.

    The Reapers dissociated from their native Nation the day after the discussion and when everyone thought that there would be a civil war, the Reapers led by Lhya, the oldest daughter of Valentina, the next heiress, a well-known warrior and commander of a veteran reaper battalion, left Pora Elinu alongside all her people without saying a word and their traces disappeared almost completely.

    Two weeks later, Valira entered to her room and brought news about her oldest daughter which came from Popolion.

    ¡°The Humans alongside the Amans and the High Elves forces had cornered Lhya¡¯s army at the southern of the continent but Lhya and the others rebels are still resisting¡­so they asked to Popolion for reinforcements and supplies¡­but the Popolion commander is loyal to our Queen, so he sent an emissary to ask your resolution, my Queen Valentina.¡±¡ª Valentina still could remember the words of Kyloe.

    But Valentina was too afraid of the unknown power of the reapers and its consequences, so she finally gave completely the back to the reapers and her own daughter. The Popolion commander was ordered to not help Lhya forces even after he sent other three emissaries saying that it was the very daughter of the Queen asking for help and that she shouldn¡¯t give the back to her own blood and race, still Valentina didn¡¯t change her mind.

    Meanwhile, the Castanic forces which were marching to the Pora Elinu Nation territories were stopped multiple times by the High Elves forces. They weren¡¯t too numerous to represent a treat for Nethaniel and his forces, but they were enough to stop their advance and delay their arrival, it was a coward strategy.

    Seeing their slow advance, Nethaniel sent the sister of Zekka, Kyloe alongside a few others to reach Pora Elinu forces and notify about the early arrival of Castanic reinforcements as Nethaniel hurried his people to fulfill this promise.

    On the other part, when the third emissary came back to the Popolion commander he said:

    ¡°The Queen said that Lhya is no longer her daughter¡±. The Popolion commander sadly gave up and followed the order reluctantly, knowing the great mistake which was doing Valentina, as a Queen and as a mother.

    One week later, more news came from a Popori emissary who informed about the completely eradication of Lhya''s forces, the death of the Princess Lhya and also a letter from the Human, Aman and High Elves High Commands who apologized with the Pora Elinu Nation for the brief occupation of part of her territory.

    After numerous short skirmishes with the objective of delaying them, the Nethaniel''s forces could finally arrive to the Pora Elinu territories but it was too late.

    Upon their arrival, they were notified by the Popolion Commander that the Reapers forces were already wiped out alongside the people he sent as also he explained the whole situation which happened.

    Nethaniel and his people were deeply shocked by this news but they just limited to themselves to go back to Castanica with their honor damaged, being unable to do anything.

    When the Queen read the letter, Valentina felt like the others races were mocking of her as she also felt disgusted with herself, she knew that she did a tremendous mistake, but it was already done and her Nation needed her more than most, there wasn¡¯t time for her, it was time to act. She left all her feelings apart, making her expression serene and peaceful but it was only a facade to hide her shattered consciousness.

    Nethaniel somehow understood the hard position were the Queen Valentina was, even so, he still had many questions to do, which still remain unanswered. The Castanics still deeply respect the Elins, but they don¡¯t understand them at all.

    "The Elins are nature given flesh. They are lively and impatient in the short term, but thinking centuries into the future. Easy to underestimate and hard to understand, but they know more at birth than most of us learn in a lifetime."¡ª This was what Nethaniel said when he alongside all his troops arrived back to Castanica, although he learned these words them from an old Baraka friend of him.

    Nethaniel tried to say that there was a reason behind all this that none could understand for now. Nethaniel trusted in that and still does.

    Meanwhile thanks to her diplomacy skills and the active support of her people even after all they went through, the Pora Elinu Nation became an economic powerhouse and accepted other races to join as citizens of her Nation without any major problem, making the Pora Elinu Nation even bigger and diverse than before. Her people loved her and the Elins who still remembered the harsh moments never said a word about it and just kept going ahead as her Queen.

    But of course, all this had a gigantic weight on Valentina¡¯s conscience which she has been hardly managing all these years, but nothing lasts forever.

    Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted by a high-rank officer which approached slowly riding her horse.

    This officer was the right hand of the Queen Valentina and was also her personal royal guard; her hair was of a cyan color and her eyes were of vermilion color, her skin was slightly pale enough for emphasize her beauty eyes and short hair. She was wearing a dark-bluish light armor.

    ¡°My Queen, our reconnaissance platoon sighted an Enlighten Union battalion a few kilometers away from the Velika¡¯s west gate, they aren¡¯t moving still but they are reinforcements, there is no doubt about that. If we don¡¯t act now, they will aid the Velika invasion in anytime.¡±¡ªThe Officer said with a clear voice full of respect towards the Queen.

    The Queen took a few seconds to answer, as she kept looking to the already won battle¡ª¡°I see¡­but this war doesn¡¯t involve us directly¡­what do you think about that, Valira?¡±

    Her loyal right hand was surprised for a few seconds as the others Officers and royal guards did too, after hearing the strange answer of the Queen.

    ¡°I think that this war involves us directly my Queen, not just because they tried to attack our allies or put in danger our heiress, the Princess, and future Queen Cauterize, also because is our divine duty to defend the nature till our spirits are exhausted, that¡¯s my point of view, my Queen¡±¡ª Valira said with conviction as she fixed her gaze on the back of the Queen who was still looking the battlefield with an empty gaze.

    The gaze of the Queen recovered its focus, smiled sadly and then said:

    ¡°What you would recommend me as my next move then? Sorry for everything¡­I just had a little doubt inside me, my real apologizes to everyone¡±¡ª The Queen Valentina said as she recovered her straight but alsoserene expression on her face.

    Valentina just kept going with her facade thinking on her Nation and her people as she has been doing it all the time.

    Valira smiled with respect as she answered slightly noticing part of that facade¡ª¡°It is normal my Queen, don¡¯t worry about it. And now about the EU battalion, I think we should regroup our troops and intercept the reinforcements!¡±

    ¡°I think the same. Alright! Let¡¯s do that then, move!¡±

    ¡°Yes, my highness!¡± ¡ª Everyone answered in unison and started the preparations.

    <hr>

    ¡°My highness Lhya, the south gate of our citadel is under siege by the third Demon Lord and numerous wild demons¡±¡ª Lailyn informed with her typical non-feelings voice alongside her typical straight face.

    Lhya sighed by the bothersome situation which made Sayune with her apparition in the Nightmare realm.

    ¡°I better hurry Kyloe, our people is not going to hold too much time against a Demon Lord besieging one of our gatesLailyn, go and help Monkeyi with the defense of the south gate¡± ¡ª Lhya kept her serene expression as she disappeared in black-purple smoke.

    Lailyn stood for a few seconds in her ninja pose with her eyes closed and then also disappeared in black-purplish smoke.

    The Steel Citadel, this is how is called the refuge which the Reapers built after being hunted by the others races in their native realm, although for many of them it is still a mystery how they got in there.

    This city was their new homeland for the Reapers; it was built with their own blood and efforts due the constant attacks of the demons on them, but none of those attacks could go beyond the tremendous Reapers¡¯ willpower. It took 3 years for the reapers to completely build their city completely.

    This city was engulfed in an aura of an impenetrable fortress, with two lanes of huge and long black walls surrounding the city with a gothic look as its buildings inside alongside an active surveillance on the external walls; nothing entered or went out without being noticed.

    The city was quickly known as the ¡°Steel Citadel¡± by everyone due the skillful Reapers alongside their fortified city could withstand everything, even a synchronized attack of five Demon Lords and their armies; these Demon Lords were personally executed by Lhya during the ¡°100 Days Siege¡±, who was known as the Crimson Princess by their people and enemies.

    In the center square of the city, there was a huge dark-green generator of around 20 meters long which seemed turned off, near of it; there was a Castanic woman of a pale reddish skin tone monitoring a bluish hologram screen coming out from a control device of the generator.

    The Castanic was wearing a one-piece armor with numerous little yellowish hexagons which covered all her body; her armor was very close to her body, which allowed her great freedom of movement. Her gauntlets were black as her large boots and were made of the same hexagons.

    She had a white short hair and her horns were quite showy due in its structure, more precisely in the middle, it had a bright bluish as the hologram screen in front her surrounded by a black metal frame meanwhile a few meters behind appeared an Elin from a dark-purplish smoke.

    ¡°Hohoho¡­yo yo! Lhya, what does bring you here?¡±¡ª A slightly deep female uninterested voice came out from the Castanic woman who was still monitoring the hologram screen in front of her which didn¡¯t even turn to speak.

    ¡°When is it going to be ready?¡±¡ª Lhya asked folding her arms keeping her gaze and voice serene as always.

    ¡°Well well, being honest I don¡¯t have the minor idea about it¡­with Dekarin helping, it would be way faster, that is the only thing I can affirm in this moment¡­but she left saying an odd thing that she felt a strange aura apparition and other mysterious thingies that I don¡¯t understand¡­¡±¡ª The Castanic women with a body surrounding the perfect measures spoke uninterested when suddenly she began typing instantly after another hologram screen of a red color appeared in front of her.

    ¡°Kyloe, I am really grateful for bringing us here years ago but¡­I cannot give you all the time of the world, my people is fighting outside there¡­we need that shield, now.¡±¡ª Lhya exclaimed with a slightly treating tone.

    ¡°Come on! Come on!¡±¡ª Kyloe shouted to the screen in front of her¡ª¡°Haha! No more problems, so this loop should leave everything automatic when it¡­¡±

    ¡°Are you even hearing me, Kyloe?¡±

    ¡°Oh Lhya! Yeah yeah¡­this preciousness should be ready soon, don¡¯t worry Lhya!¡±¡ª Kyloe said as she patted a few times the metallic structure of the generator.

    ¡°Define soon¡±¡ª Lhya said as she kept looking intently to Kyloe

    The Castanic in front of Lhya turned around, her face was soft and her eyes were of a bright light blue color, which didn¡¯t look naturally at all, even so, these somehow fitted almost perfectly with her face. ¡ª¡°Gimme a break Lhya, I¡­¡±

    The words of Kyloe were interrupted by an intense but short earthquake. Lhya immediately turned towards the south gate of the citadel and she could see a large dust cloud as Kyloe did too. She didn¡¯t say anything for a few seconds.

    ¡°Lhya, is not thetime for getting surprised, move!¡±¡ª Immediately after Kyloe words, Lhya disappeared in black-purplish smoke.

    ¡°This girl never changes¡­haha...¡±¡ª Kyloe said with a mothering tone with a smile on her face as she put her right hand on her hip and with the other hand took a cigarette from her pocket of her heavy battle suit and then ignited it

    ¡°Well well¡­I better get ready to fight¡­¡±¡ª Kyloe said with a confident and calm voice as she bounced a puff of cigarette smoke.

    Author''s Notes: Hello everyone! It has been a really long time since the last time I posted a new part of my Novel (I want to immediately let clear that I will not drop it) Well, said that. I...dont know what to say...this chapter took way more than the usual since I have been gathering more and more info, new ideas and trying to get better with my grammar and typos (I hope I did haha), also this is a "completely new" chapter and the incomingones too, since in the original Novel this part didn''t last this long or some parts didn''t even exist. I cannot promise a new chapter within this two incoming weeks, but I am going to make an effort and try to be faster, I hope you liked it!! (I must add that I am loving the way that my own Novel is going).

    In other matters, I have been actively trying to find an artist to make a few draws for me, but no luck at all, but don''t worry! I will keep going with my search of art hehe.

    Oh! Also mega-ultra-big thanks to all my dear friends who has supported my Novel all these months! Special thanks to Lailyn and Iri! And also special thanks to the awesome TERA community, they have supported my little Novel for 2 years! (Nearly 3 years!) so yeah, and finally an not less important, a really big thanks to all my readers! I hope to see you all soon in a new chapter!

 Volume I Chapter 3 Part II: Rupture (II)

    Volume I Scions of Destiny -Chapter 3 Part II: Rupture (II)

    As Monkeyi stood up, she heard coughs and whimpers of pain clearly near the dust cloud raised by the enemy¡¯s last attack against the main south gate. The Demon Lord truly surprised everyone with the unexpected force he had and his numerous army of wild demons.

    The Demon Lord truly surprised everyone with the unexpected force he had and his numerous army of wild demons.

    Her partial black samurai armor was dusty and her face was decorated in minor scratches caused by shards of rock flying from a random explosion. Even so, her face didn¡¯t flinch for even a second, as she tried to think about a new strategy before the time was up for the whole Citadel.

    ¡°Regroup to the south gate! We must not let them breach the Citadel!¡± Monkeyi shouted the only order that first came to her mind as there was no time to waste.

    Every still-conscious Elin Reaper stood up as fast as they could and carried out Monkeyi¡¯s order, forming a defensive line in front of the fairly destroyed gate while the dense cloud of dust slowly dispersed in their sight.

    Suddenly without warning, the floor quaked as a powerful heavy step echoed throughout the battlefield, till everyone could see a towering shadow a few meters away in the dust.

    ¡°Get ready!¡± Monkeyi shouted unfazed by the quake as all the Reapers fixed their eyes on the unknown figure in sight.

    Some moved their necks as others took a slow deep breath, getting ready to rush towards their enemies upon command, but it never came, instead the great shadow halted its advance and when none expected it, from the dense sight-hindering cloud of dust, a large and massive flame flew towards them.

    It was so fast that they could only lift their arms by reflex in hopes of defending themselves from the oppressive flames, but it was to no avail.

    The only one who held her feet was Monkeyi, watching with her straight and unyielding gaze fixed on the flames flying directly at them.

    But the flames never reached them. Instead, the flames impacted a large crescent transparent magic dome comprised of countless small bluish-twinkling hexagons, protecting them as the entire flame covered the dome before dying out after a few seconds.

    No one could know the caster¡¯s identity but there was no time to dwell on it since they could hear the next wave of enemies coming in front of them.

    Then, two Elins, Lailyn and another Elin, fell in front of the defensive line that is under Monkeyi¡¯s command. This last one, was shorter in height compared to Lailyn¡¯s by a few centimeters, had daffodil colored hair, cerulean eyes and innocent lips slightly darker than her pale skin tone.

    She wore a one-piece white dress with a dark-red canvas surrounding her hip, long black stockings covering half her thighs as well as low blackish heels. Besides she was wearing two long black gloves but she has no weapons on her at all.

    This Elin stood out among the others present, along with a black eye-patch covering her left eye, she had no visible animal traits like the other Elins.

    Both were glaring at the great shadow in front of them unflinching, as well as carrying a serene but pressuring aura around them.

    Meanwhile, the defensive line was recently blessed with the opportunity of rest for a while.

    ¡°Lailyn, we arrived just in time apparently. Kukuku¡­¡±

    The short Elin spoke with a confident smile while the other reapers saved by that mysterious barrier were surprised by their commanding officer¡¯s shocking levels of confidence in front of a Demon Lord on the battlefield.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be so arrogant, Dekarin. Make yourself useful and remove this dust blocking our view.¡± Lailyn said with her usual unfazed voice tone and expression.

    ¡°Eh?! I did save them all, right?! That¡¯s already worthy enough!¡± She protested.

    ¡°Dekarin¡­¡±

    ¡°Alright, Alright!¡± Dekarin lifted her right hand forward and swiftly murmured a few words in a forgotten dialect, conjuring a strong wind around them and removed the thick cloud of dust.

    ¡°Done,¡± Dekarin said upset.

    In that moment, everyone could see the Demon Lord¡¯s visage a few meters away, standing still. The Demon Lord had a draconic image, two big armored feet supporting his large armored arms and torso, and a height around 7 meters.

    His whole muscular body was made of what seemed like brown rock, his black head had two reddish horns and from his back are two black bone wings covered in fire. Also, the Demon Lord was armed with black-reddish dual blades.

    He held a bold smile, confident that victory was already earned, thinking that the Reapers died from his flames, but then his expectations were betrayed when he saw that none were even charred from his deadly flames.

    On the other part, Lailyn and Dekarin ignored him and fixed their gazes on the army behind him.

    ¡°That¡¯s going to be troublesome; those are a lot of wild demons charging at us, Lailyn.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve handled worse, Dekarin.¡±

    ¡°I know I know, I just hope this time the fun last a little longer.¡±

    ¡°You never change, do you?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s my best skill kukukuku...¡±

    Both chattered in the middle of the battlefield while there were thousands of hostile wild demons charging at them in front of them.

    ¡°Everyone!...Get ready!¡± Monkeyi shouted as her soldiers sharpened their focus on the incoming battle.

    ¡°Commander, there¡¯s too many of them! We should fall back and¡­¡±

    ¡°No, we will stand and fight!¡± Monkeyi interrupted her subordinate without hesitation while she fixed her gaze on the enemy without moving a muscle while Lailyn and Dekarin, were at the middle of the battlefield leisurely chatting.

    Meanwhile, the Demon forces kept advancing at full speed as Monkeyi struggled in forming a strategy to defeat the overwhelming odds against her.

    Suddenly, when the wild demons were about to reach Lailyn¡¯s and Dekarin¡¯s position, Lailyn lifted her hand at the height of her shoulder, signaling her comrades to advance.

    ¡°Charge!¡± Monkeyi and her soldiers could hear a clear and vivacious shout coming from behind the Steel Citadel¡¯s huge black walls, while in front of her many Reapers were jumping off the top of the walls and rushing towards the wild demons upon landing.

    All of them were wearing different Ninja armors, but all of them wore a common black band with red lines at its contours around their arms, which Monkeyi recognized immediately. The symbol on their bands was a purplish lotus flower, representing these Elins as part of the Black Lotus Order.

    *Ahhh!*

    The Elins¡¯ battle cries flooded the battlefield as they continued to appear, numbering in hundreds or perhaps thousands.

    ¡°We will aid our people! Charge!¡± Monkeyi shouted with all her lungs as she unsheathed her black swords and then rushed forward alongside their fellow Elin Reapers.

    Each of the wild demons possessed a different aspect. Some were humanoids, draconics, wolves, among other aspects. But they were all no stronger than an average human, with some exceptions.

    Even so, their large numbers and the excessive reproductive capacities alongside their high-tier illusion magic made the wild demons formidable and dangerous if underestimated.

    The Demon Lords in the very beginning were also wild demons, but their intellectual capacities and their advanced reasoning could be compared with a High Elf, as proof that they were more evolved and distinguishable than the others.

    These Demon Lords self-proclaimed themselves as the rulers of the Nightmare Realm and it remained so over thousands of years, till the Reapers arrived.

    When the Reapers arrived the Realm after escaping from the hunt of the Amans, High Elves, and Human forces, there were nine Demon Lords, each ruling a part of the Nightmare Realm.

    Upon arrival in the Nightmare Realm, the Reapers quickly settled down and started constructing their new homeland near the Lake of Tears in the middle of a black sand desert, with the help of a few Castanics that also arrived with them.

    The ninth Demon Lord was the first to notice this foreign invasion and quickly mobilized his troops against the Reapers; the Demon Lord was confident of his victory though he underestimated his enemy, ending up dead in the hands of Lhya in the first attack he once led.

    Lhya and her people showed no signs of giving up, as they kept going forward even after their own people turned their backs and pointed them as monsters as their former allies.

    Lhya and her people''s¡¯ will was unbreakable.

    A year later after the Reapers entered the realm, Lhya was known as the Crimson Princess after she killed six of the Demon Lords with her own hands while her Citadel, known also as Steel Citadel by her enemies and people, remained almost intact from the consecutive wars against the Demon Lords.

    After these wars, the remaining Demon Lords ceased their attacks and left Lhya and her people in peace, but something inside Lhya warned her that they were preparing for their last attempt on defeating her and her people.

    Lhya knew that her people would fight alongside her, but there was too much blood spilled already and as a Leader, it was her duty to defend and lead her people to a better tomorrow, for that she needed to find a new way to defend her Citadel without an army, to provide her people a true peace for the first time in years.

    Lhya wanted a peace which would let her people forge the future once took away from them by their own people and allies.

    Despite being outnumbered, each of the Black Lotus Order members was formidably fighting the oppressing herd of wild demons, no matter how many times the Elins were badly wounded, be it their arms, legs or torsos, or knocked down.

    As after a few seconds from their wounds came out a purplish-black fire which regenerated their wounds. then they could get up again as if they would be coming back from the death, summon their weapons and then kept fighting the enemy fiercely.

    Their tenacious will was unexplainable.

    They were literally unkillable unless their fragment of life in their chests were directly removed or damaged to a certain extent.

    Their enemies knew that, but it was hard to do. Even so, every time in a while during the length of the battle an Elin fell to the ground dead with a wound on their chest directly impacting her fragment of life.

    Every Elin Reaper was fighting wild demons but none attempted to fight the Demon Lord, as he stood confident, waiting for an opponent who would dare challenge him. Meanwhile, the defensive line was slowly retreating as they couldn''t hold the line against the sheer overwhelming numbers.

    Suddenly, the front line filled with thousands of wild demons were engulfed in flames casted by Dekarin in the rearguard as her eyes glow along with having a sinister smile.

    ¡°Kukukukuku...time to have some fun!¡± Dekarin shouted as she mildly lifted her right hand forward with her palm extended, while on it floated a black mysterious book. Meanwhile, the Elins members of the Black Lotus Order shouted a stronger battle cry conveying their unbreakable will.

    ¡°Impossible!¡± The Demon Lord shouted as he saw his army decimated although not defeated.

    ¡°I would worry more about myself if I were you¡­¡± A firm, emotionless voice came to his ears up close, as an Elin was calmly standing on his left shoulder without him even noticing. It was Lailyn.

    ¡°Eh?!¡± The Demon Lord looked surprised to his left shoulder and briefly froze in shock.

    Meanwhile, in the front lines, a black-purple haired Elin with wolf ears adorned in black-reddish light plate armor was cutting her path through wild demons with incredible speed using two black scythes of orange blades, as she moved towards the Demon Lord.

    ¡°The Princess Lhya is here! Keep pushing forward!¡± The officers shouted as the pressure was lowered thanks to the Dekarin¡¯s advanced magic spells, allowing the defensive line to advance.

    Explosions mainly from Dekarin¡¯s spells, battle cries, sword clashes, screams of pain and more drowned the battlefield as the Princess Lhya kept swiftly killing any wild demon in her path towards the Demon Lord.

    Suddenly, the Demon Lord felt a huge murderous aura targeting him.

    Quickly, the Demon Lord moved his shoulders forcing Lailyn to jump off him and evade several swings from his dual blades.

    Lailyn dodged every swing as if she could see through his movements with side steps and leapt back, she had many chances to attack him, but she never did, as she was intentionally mocking him while doing time.

    ¡°You little whore!¡± The Demon Lord shouted as Lailyn as her panther ears flinched upon hearing his words and then started to wag her fox tail left and right.

    ¡°You can¡¯t even touch me¡­¡± Lailyn said as she fixed her emerald eyes at the Demon Lord with her usual apathetic expression but condescending gaze.

    ¡°You¡­¡± The Demon Lord exclaimed in anger as he swung his sword backward and then with all his strength, he pounced his sword towards Lailyn, but his attack never finished.

    The black desert sand under the Demon Lord¡¯s feet was stained with blood as a cry of pain echoed throughout the battlefield meanwhile behind him; his whole right arm fell to the ground alongside his sword.

    ¡°Agggghhhhh!¡± The Demon Lord kept crying as he dropped the other sword to clutch his new bloody right stump of a shoulder and fell to his knees.

    ¡°Lady Lhya, it is an honor having you on the battlefield,¡± Lailyn exclaimed emotionlessly as she slightly bowed.

    ¡°So, this is the so-called, third Demon Lord...what was his name? Oh right...Valmorgur, you are weaker than your brother, you know?¡± Lhya said as she appeared in front of him without any weapon as she had a straight expression on her face while she inspected him closely.

    "You...you are a monster...Crimson Princess...she will defeat you...I am sure of it¡­¡± The third Demon Lord, Valmorgur said with a weak voice as Lhya settled her clawed black gauntlets.

    ¡°It is enough; I will end your poor life.¡± Lhya said ignoring his words as she summoned with a purple-black smoke one of her scythes and positioned behind him and put the edge of her scythe close to his neck.

    ¡°I will avenge all those who have fallen today with your blood!¡± Lhya said with a voice not only serious but also filled with her feelings, and when she was about to move with all her strengths the scythe backwards and cut Valmorgur¡¯s neck, she detected an odd voice as well as a massive powerful aura near her, interrupting her killing blow.

    ¡°Fufufufufu...so this is the Crimson Princess...¡± A suggestive but threatening female voice was heard by everyone near Valmorgur.

    Meanwhile, the Reapers were victorious on the battlefield as the wild demons were almost eradicated from the battlefield despite their overwhelming numbers, due Dekarin and her high-level Explosion Magic which shred apart the enemy forces quickly.

    The ones that survived were in disarray and on the retreat as the Reapers raised their hands and/or weapons in hand and cheered to celebrate their victory.

    The voice came from a woman of about 5¡¯91¡¯¡¯ of height, which was wearing a completely white one-piece bustier dress covering part of her shoulders with a medium skirt with thin translucent lacings around the skirt edges. She also wore black gloves covering half her forearms as well as long black stockings wearing no shoes.

    Her hair was black as well as her wide overshadowing wings, but her most unique traits were her pink-violet eyes and small stubby horns protruding out of her head. Her skin was pale white almost like snow, and her features are like a doll given flesh and life as she looks like an adorable young girl but her voice and manners were quite odd.

    At the moment after she spoke, she had one of her hands vicegrip her head and the other on her lips as she looked at Lhya with a beautiful but eerie smile.

    Lailyn and Lhya felt right away that this woman¡¯s aura was quite different than the Demon Lord¡¯s present with them, both could feel her huge magical aura around her like a cloak. Immediately Lailyn stepped into her way ready to fight, guarding Lhya.

    ¡°Uh? Fufufufu No no no...Don¡¯t be mistaken¡­I am only here to talk with you, my dear Princess...fufufufufu¡­¡± She said while keeping her eerie smile.

    Lailyn kept watching intently every minuscule part of her body ready to react at even the slightest twitch.

    ¡°Hahahahaha...she¡¯s here¡­ the first Demon Lord...Zelel¡­hehe...¡± Valmorgur murmured morbidly.

    ¡°Shut up¡­¡± Lhya said as she was going to cut Valmorgur¡¯s neck, but suddenly her weapon vanished without her permission as she felt a huge impact on her chest, knocking her back a few meters while a shining white arcane circle swiftly formed under Lailyn and immobilized her completely.

    "Fufufufu...I am sorry, but I can¡¯t let you do that my dear¡­¡± Zelel added with a suggestive voice speaking her ¡®concern¡¯ while she walked to Lailyn and delicately placed her finger under her chin.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    Lailyn had a complicated expression on her face as she struggled to escape the immobilization upon feeling Zelel¡¯s hand.

    ¡°You are all so interesting...ahh¡­¡± Zelel said with an odd suggestive tone as she lightly licked her own lips.

    Suddenly, with incredible speed and technique Lhya appeared from purple-black smoke above Zelel with both of her scythes aiming for her shoulders, but Zelel gently back stepped and avoided her deadly scythes, but it allowed Lailyn to break free from the immobilization spell and swiftly threw a few shurikens at Zelel.

    The shurikens targeted Zelel¡¯s head, left torso, neck and chest. However, with incredible speed and reflexes, Zelel effortlessly caught every shuriken thrown at her in between her fingers and then inspected them.

    ¡°Interesting toys...oh?¡± And after a second, the caught shurikens exploded in a purplish-black color, but Lailyn and Lhya knew well that all it won¡¯t be enough to defeat her, as they can tell that this Demon Lord was extremely dangerous compared to the ones they¡¯ve killed in the past.

    After the explosion dissipated, Zelel was unharmed standing on her two feet unmoved with her eerie smile. Lhya and Lailyn stood unfazed at the expected outcome for a few seconds before they both simultaneously attacked with flawless synchrony.

    Lailyn aimed for Zelel¡¯s feet while Lhya once again tried to attack from above, both summoned their black scythes with yellow blades in the middle of their performed synchronised attack, both of them were going to hit Zelel simultaneously as she still didn''t move even a millimeter, but both attacks were stopped and repelled at the same time by a magic shield instantly formed around Zelel.

    As the attacks hit the shield, yellowish sparks flew as the shield reflected the force of their attacks knocking back both, Lailyn and Lhya.

    ¡°I suppose that it¡¯s my turn then¡­¡± Zelel added as she disappeared from sight in black smoke in front Lhya and Lailyn.

    Suddenly, Lhya felt a strong kick from her back knocking her to the sand as she spun from the force as Lailyn noticed this, quickly approached and tried to cut Zelel with her scythes, but she just avoided her severals attacks, went through Lailyn¡¯s defenses and nimbly positioned herself between Lailyn¡¯s arms and then Zelel put both of her palms on Lailyn¡¯s stomach.

    ¡°No hard feelings my dear¡­¡± Zelel murmured to Lailyn and then she felt a huge shock on her stomach knocking her back and then she fell to the ground unable to stand, recoiling from the immense pain all over her body.

    ¡°Uhm¡­¡± Zelel cocked her head to her side. ¡°I think it is too late to say it but...I just came here to talk with you, my dear¡­¡± Zelel exclaimed with an out of place worried voice.

    Lhya stood up with many scratches decorating her face but they were short lived as the purplish fire cleansed every minor injury, healing them. Her face was serious and looked at Zelel with caution.

    ¡°What do you want then?¡± Lhya exclaimed as she tried to keep herself serene as she intently watched Zelel.

    ¡°Oh...uhmm¡­ I was just defending my species¡­ wouldn''t you do the same with yours?¡± Zelel said as she smiled oddly happily with both of her hands at her back.

    ¡°Speak then,¡± Lhya exclaimed cold and sharp. Meanwhile at her side appeared Lailyn in purplish-black smoke since she was already recovered from her injuries.

    ¡°I¡¯m here to offer you what you¡¯ve always wanted¡­¡± Zelel said mysteriously as Lhya listened intently as Zelel turned around and looked at the Steel Citadel with both of her hands at her back.

    ¡°...A definitive peace for you and your people¡­¡± Zelel added in a serious voice for the first time as she kept staring the Steel Citadel.

    <hr>

    Fire,

    Incineration.

    The soldiers were literally being incinerated by a sorceress wearing a black dress with a short skirt of the same color, her long black stockings had red horizontal lines. Her eyes were of a bright teal and her skin like beige porcelain. Her hair was black and short reaching above her neck and she had a little heart mark on her right cheek.

    While this happened, some cannon shots could be barely heard through Velika as the floor slightly trembled, but none noticed it due to their attention absolutely focused in the battle in front of them.

    Although the front line before her intervention was being pushed by the Shrouded Rose Sentinels, now this line was slowly retreating even after the hard attempts of every soldier still wearing red aura around them as well as the strange tattoo around their left eyes.

    But Ralu¡¯s flames and explosions were tearing apart their efforts.

    ¡°Sinac!¡± Nethaniel shouted hoping he could maybe stop the sorceress calmly walking through the middle of the battlefield incinerating any enemy in her sight causing explosive havoc on her enemy¡¯s back lines.

    ¡°Hop. Skip. Jump.¡± Ralu said casually as she advanced, suddenly she back-stepped and dodged a horizontal sword slash. It was a soldier of the Shrouded Rose Sentinels which tried to cut her in two with his sword. She gazed at the soldier, seeing fear in his eyes as his attack left him completely defenseless.

    Ralu quickly approached in front of the soldier, raising her hand after wrapping it in fire and then cleaved him in two; despite his heavy armour and helmet, she cut him in half from his head like butter with a sinister smile.

    Suddenly, she felt a magic spell casted from the front and quickly lifted her hand to cast a magic shield around her and successfully repelled it as the battle around her was still inconclusive.

    Most veterans present knew that this battle didn''t seem good at all, any Officer would have already called for the retreat but this time, Nethaniel alongside his men and women knew that it was a death sentence doing that now, as there was just one way out now: defeat the enemy.

    ¡°This is going to be fun,¡± Ralu said aloud as she fixed her gaze on the Human magician who¡¯s now preparing another spell and started to walk towards him. This human was wearing a red robe and held a magic book in his left hand.

    Sinac was casting a powerful spell but it would take time to complete the cast, but he knew that Ralu was too confident about her skills so he just kept casting it, and when he was about to threw his magic spell, planning to pierce Ralu¡¯s powerful magic shield...

    ...In sudden contradiction of what Sinac planned in mind, Ralu moved out of his sight when a soldier swiftly passed in front of her.

    ¡®Where is she?!¡¯ Sinac thought to himself as he suddenly heard a desperate cry from Mech and Nethaniel.

    ¡°Sinac!¡±

    ¡°Noo!¡±

    After their shouts, Sinac felt something piercing through his chest and his body turning cold as a corpse, which caused him to look down to see a flame-cloaked hand. Sinac was renowned for his mid-level magic skills which were incredible for a normal Human, but compared to Ralu, he was just an amateur with talent.

    ¡°How¡­¡± Sinac mumbled as Ralu pulled her hand out of Sinac¡¯s chest and then he fell to the ground as he felt his legs weak, with his eyes wide opened by the surprise of the attack and the sudden incoming death as the glow of his eyes slowly faded away with his life.

    ¡°Hahahehehehihihi-eh?¡± Ralu was laughing until she was interrupted by a huge pressure condensed projectile shot from an unknown direction, instantly breaking her shield and knocking her back with enough force to crash her body into a wall.

    From the midst of countless soldiers battling for their lives, appeared Mech with her hand lifted straight up as she ran towards Sinac.

    Mech quickly reached to where lied Sinac, knelt down at his side and then shook Sinac¡¯s corpse.

    ¡°Sinac! Sinac!¡± Mech said several times with a tearful voice as she used her wooden staff and casted an arcane healing circle around Sinac¡¯s corpse, but to no avail.

    The only thing she did was heal the huge hole in his chest, but she wasn''t able to bring him back, as he was already dead.

    Mech knew this before she casted the healing circle, but Sinac was her friend for a couple of years when she joined the Elite Team of the Free Traders Collective.

    They were comrades in multiples missions and fought enemies together side by side, so seeing her comrade fall in front of her eyes was a direct, critical hit on her morale, but not just hers, also the morale of all the Team fighting there as well.

    ¡°You cannot die now Sinac! You have a family you promised to defend! You cannot leave them alone!¡± Mech said with a tearful voice as she hit Sinac¡¯s corpse with her clenched hands as the enemies which were approaching to her seeing the opportunity to kill her, were pierced by pinpoint shots killing them instantly as their corpses were knocked back and then fell down.

    These arrows were fired by Bready, the Popori archer, who was covering Mech from several meters back. The space to fire was reduced alongside a long distance, a mistake could have ended in friendly-fire, but his archery skills were almost perfect.

    ¡°Mech! You can¡¯t give up now! We need to keep fighting!¡± Bready shouted seriously as he kept skillfully shooting his arrows covering Mech, but she wasn''t hearing anymore.

    Meanwhile Nethaniel after piercing an enemy¡¯s chest with his dual swords and then pulled them out to let the corpse plop to the ground, he stopped and watched his surroundings and he noticed how the volunteers were already being overwhelmed by the enemy forces, many of them were young people and they were dying.

    His men and women aren''t an exception either, although they were professionals and veterans, he could see their fatigue accumulated in the long battle due to their dull movements. They were reaching their limits as well, resulting in brutal death by impalement from enemy weapons.

    ¡°Shit.¡± Nethaniel murmured as he couldn''t see a way out of all this. ¡°Try to regroup into a defensive formation!¡± Nethaniel shouted aloud as everyone tried to follow his orders in middle of the chaos of the battlefield.

    Slowly, Ralu got up from her crash with the wall meanwhile Mech stood up from the side of Sinac¡¯s corpse and walked towards Ralu.

    ¡°Tsk...so the Bloody Priestess is going to unmask herself, uh?¡± Ralu said as she shook the dust off her clothes as her blackish cat ears subtly startled upon feeling Mech¡¯s penetrating gaze on her.

    She was more than close enough to hit Ralu with one of her magic spells, but Mech didn''t do it since she hesitated upon hearing Ralu¡¯s words.

    Mech¡¯s mind was now flooded with several brutal and bloody images in her head which she did with her own hands years ago. She wasn''t ready to forgive herself yet as Ralu didn''t waste this opportunity.

    ¡°If you are going to hesitate so much, then DIE!¡± Ralu said while casting a deadly elemental firebolt aimed at Mech, but Ralu got interrupted by an uproaring battle cry coming from the other part of the plaza, behind the Enlighten Union forces. It was the Pora Elinu Nation forces.

    Ralu halted her casting as she smiled.

    ¡°Ups¡­ I think it¡¯s time to retreat then, I must continue with the next step of the plan. Our battle must be postponed until then, Bloody Priestess!¡± Then she summoned a reddish arcane circle under her.

    ¡°Bye bye!¡± Ralu vividly said childishly aloud as she was swiftly swallowed by the arcane circle under her while wearing a sinister smile on her face.

    ¡°Mhmm....I hope Aurora is not angry with my Master...but this was the real plan after all hahahahihihi¡­¡± Ralu thoughtfully murmured to herself before the arcane circle completely enveloped her as Mech was still frozen in shock, trapped in her mind.

    So much blood on her hands...so much endless pain that it shattered her soul every time she remembered it... she was immersed in an endless darkness where no light can reach her since her deeds cannot be undone. None would ever share light with her within this darkness.

    Suddenly, without warning, Mech felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned her head to see who is behind her and saw Bready looking at her with worry.

    ¡°Everything will be alright, Mech. Reinforcements from Pora Elinu have already arrived!¡± He said while he pointed ahead as his little fluffy tail waved side to side, trying to cheer her up but she just looked down as she turned to Sinac¡¯s corpse.

    ¡°I have once again failed.¡± Mech murmured to herself.

    None could notice the strings of destiny slowly aligning and every time there was less time to change their actions, as the light slowly fades away, flickering back into the darkness.

    By that time, none had noticed the reddish aura engulfing them as their tattoo around their eyes completely faded away.

    The Enlighten Union forces were in disarray as they were fighting on two fronts. The ties of the battle turned gracefully for the Free Traders and the Shrouded Rose Sentinels as they started to advance despite their fatigue, it was the last brief effort and they would earn the victory, that many gave their lives for.

    A victorious battle cry could be heard echoing throughout the city as they can see their victory before their eyes as they fiercely advanced, taking the lives of their enemies.

    ¡°Keep pushing forward!¡± Nethaniel fiercely shouted as he swung his swords on an enemy chest and then he kept advancing as in the deepest of his mind, something told him that he was forgetting a critical detail, but he couldn''t notice it in time.

    On the other side of the battlefield, there was Queen Valentina alongside the Princess Caut leading the battlefield.

    The Princess fired her arrows swiftly killing numerous enemies as Queen Valentina drew her one-handed sword with delicate but lethal motion as if she was performing a deadly dance with her enemies without allowing a drop of blood to stain her ostentatious light blue armor after each swing.

    Valentina¡¯s sword had a crimson grip while her blade was of a light-blue color.

    Both alongside several royal soldiers kept advancing through the enemy lines, searching for the enemy general.

    As they kept advancing, the enemies became fiercer the more they advance but the Queen kept advancing since from afar noticed a tall white-haired Human male equipped with heavy plate armor behind several of his troops with a serious face.

    It was Aurora, the general of the Enlighten Union forces.

    Aurora was directly staring at Valentina as he has admitted his loss.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been played...but at least I will die with honor in the hands of a formidable enemy, but it is not going to be that easy.¡± Aurora thought out loud as his eyes locked onto Valentina .

    Meanwhile many of his soldiers around him a few meters away were being killed by numerous FTC and Shrouded Rose Sentinels forces as many swords clashes could be still heard.

    The Queen Valentina knew immediately that he was the enemy¡¯s General as she ordered to stop advancing with a gesture and sheathed her sword. Her troops and Caut immediately stopped while Valentina took a step forward, looking into her enemy¡¯s eyes with a straight gaze.

    ¡°For the dream of Nature...¡± She murmured.

    Then she gripped the handle of her sword and stepped one foot forward as she casted a spell on her scabbarded sword engulfing it in a fluorescent blue flame as her eyes glowed in an intense blue, without drawing her sword.

    While her sword was still sheathed, she gathered energy into her sword for a few seconds and then slashed with a quickdraw, firing a bluish narrow waning wave at the enemies in front of her.

    Many of the enemy''s soldiers before her were heavily knocked back crashing into their allies behind them as they fell unconscious while the ones who weren''t hit by Valentina¡¯s wave rushed towards her, but they were quickly intercepted by Pora Elinu¡¯s forces behind her.

    Then Valentina¡¯s eyes returned to their normal state and she quickly rushed towards Aurora.

    ¡°Uhmm...so this is Pora Elinu¡¯s infamous Harbinger of the Moon...let''s test her determination¡­¡± Aurora murmured to himself while his straight face kept unfazed even after the demonstration of Valentina¡¯s prowess as he saw Valentina quickly approaching to him.

    Suddenly, Aurora lifted a female Castanic¡¯s body that lied in front him with his left hand, then he threw it forward. That Castanic was Zekka, and Valentina¡¯s cougar ears were slightly startled from hearing her near silent heart beat.

    Valentina swiftly sprinted as she evaded severals enemies¡¯ swords attacks while Aurora unsheathed his platinum sword from his hip and lifted it in front of Zekka.

    ¡°My Queen!¡± Her soldiers shouted trying to keep up her step, but she was already several meters away from them as they were intercepted by enemies.

    ¡°Cover her!¡± The Princess Caut shouted as she fired an arrow and killed an enemy charging at her.

    The Aurora¡¯s sword was swung down while having a complicated expression on his face but then he smiled.

    Nethaniel was still fighting alongside all his people when suddenly in his mind appeared a frightening scene which paralyzed his advance as his soldiers around of him kept advancing.

    In front of him, Zekka and the Queen Valentina were dead by several swords cuts on their bodies while he heard a familiar voice...as well as seeing a phantasmal white female silhouette from afar.

    ¡°The time...is running out¡­¡±

    The images in front of him felt so real that it was...as if he experienced them before.

    He was frozen for a few seconds but then he was quickly interrupted by one of his warriors.

    ¡°Master Clan Leader! The Elins have stopped! We must defend them, they are...I don''t know what is happening!¡± The sentinel explained in despair as the front lead by the Pora Elinu forces almost completely stopped...as if they¡¯re suffering from intense pain.

    Every Elin were on their knees with both of their hands gripping their chests as if they were burning with the intensity of a thousand suns.

    The enemies, which were already decimated but not yet defeated didn''t waste this opportunity and tried to heavily execute every Elin in sight as the Pora Elinu Nation forces which were not Elins tried to defend them as much as they could, but to no avail, they couldn''t save everyone.

    ¡°A FEW SPLIT OF THE MAIN GROUP AND INTERCEPT THEIR FORCES!¡± Nethaniel shouted his orders and losing no time, he tried to find the Queen Valentina, as he saw around every Elin was kneeled touching their chest with a gaunt expression on their faces.

    His mind knew very well what happened, but he didn''t want to admit it.

    Nethaniel ran as he killed a few enemies which got in his way till he saw Valentina before him.

    Aurora¡¯s sword brutally bore through Valentina¡¯s vertebrae diagonally till almost her center torso.

    Valentina was hugging Zekka¡¯s body trying to defend her while Zekka was trying to stop Aurora¡¯s sword with her bare hands, which were getting heavily cut by the blade, even so Zekka didn''t give up, even after her torso was partially cut by Aurora¡¯s sword.

    The blood trickled down Badka¡¯s hand and body, as her face twisted in pain but even so, she still held onto Aurora¡¯s sword.

    Upon seeing this, Nethaniel quickly approached Aurora from the front and strongly kicked his body knocking him back forcing him to drop his sword.

    ¡°Badka. Treat Valentina well.¡± Nethaniel said fiercely as his darkened gaze fixed onto Aurora.

    Zekka looked Nethaniel¡¯s back with a gaunt expression alongside a sad smile, since the body she was holding wasn''t alive anymore while Aurora took a sword on the ground and then stabbed it to the floor, waiting for Nethaniel to challenge him.

    At the same this happened, the Princess Caut was also kneeling on the floor as she thought aloud in despair.

    ¡°Impossible!...my mother...she...died...nonono¡­ahh!¡± Caut tried to negate the reality, but she couldn''t.

    Suddenly, once again she heard that strange female voice inside her mind.

    ¡®I can give you the power needed to avenge your Queen, your Mother, your people¡­¡¯ Caut heard the malicious voice as she felt an unceasing warm, painful stitch within her chest.

    ¡°No¡­¡± Caut attempted to refuse, but her will was weakening every time the voice whispered in her mind.

    ¡®You just need...to embrace...the Darkness!¡¯

    ¡°Ahhh!¡± The Princess Caut yelled in pain and then whispered. ¡°I...embrace...the darkness¡±

    After her words, a blackish-purple aura engulfed her whole body.

    Her light armor completely changed to a black heavy armor with medium sized shoulder pads resting on her shoulders, her hands were enwrapped by black demon-clawed gauntlets and her boots were lengthened till her knees .

    Her eyes¡¯ color faded away before turning into a crimson red as an aura of the same color came out from her left eye.

    Also her brown wolf ears and tail became black as night while her long orange hair shortened to a length of 2 inches leaving her short hair.

    The Princess Caut stood up, no longer feeling the pain within her chest, as her people were still kneeled on the floor.

    She accepted the darkness inside her, to avenge her mother¡¯s death.

    Her wolf ears startled as she could barely feel her mother¡¯s presence and swiftly moved towards her with a dense murderous aura around her while the soldiers which saw her they felt a slight chill through their bodies.

    When Nethaniel was about to rush against Aurora a creature got in his way, or more precisely, an Elin. At the very beginning he was confused but then he remembered.

    ¡°A...reaper¡­¡± Nethaniel mumbled as the Elin half turned and Nethaniel could see her piercing gaze and then heard her severe cold voice.

    ¡°I will make him pay!¡± And then she glared at Aurora with her crimson eyes emitting a dense crimson aura, as if she¡¯s wordlessly telling him she was going to give him a thousand deaths.

    Immediately Aurora felt a massive chill through all his body as he stepped back involuntarily as if he would have seen the Death made flesh in front of him.

    The second after, Caut was already before him as she summoned light-bluish arrows on her hands and pierced them on his feet plating him on the floor as Aurora cried in pain.

    Then she summoned two more arrows and pierced them through Aurora¡¯s eyes with incredible speed and accuracy which forced his whole body to the ground, breaking his feets.

    ¡°Ahhhh!¡± Aurora gave a desperate cry of pain.

    Many would have said that the fight was already over, but the Princess didn''t stop. With her wolf ears she could still hear Aurora¡¯s pulse, so she jumped on him and summoned one more arrow, piercing it again and again, multiple times on Aurora¡¯s chest.

    ¡°Help¡­¡± He whelped with a strangled cry, but Caut continued his punishment.

    She yelled every time she stabbed him repeatedly with the same arrow. ¡°Agh! Agh!¡±

    The blood started to splash on her face, but she didn''t care.

    ¡°Agh! Agh!¡± She kept piercing the sharp arrow on the corpse as the battle in the plaza had already finished and every soldier was watching the brutal duel, many couldn''t even keep watching as they lowered their gazes while others looked at it with a gaunt expression on their faces.

    But the sadness in her heart did not vanish as swift as Aurora¡¯s final breath. It was still there and it will not fade within her heart, as the others Elins slowly stood back up, with their eyes filled with tears.

    ¡°Agh! Aagh! Aaagh!¡± She kept stabbing Aurora¡¯s corpse with the same arrow as her tears started to trickle, however at the same time, Nethaniel slowly approached her.

    The first time he saw her, he didn''t recognize her but then he noticed it, just by her unique orange hair.

    Suddenly, the Princess Caut felt a hand on her shoulder.

    ¡°It is enough!...Princess Caut...he is already dead!¡± Nethaniel said with a severe voice.

    ¡°Ahhh!¡± The Princess turned screaming as she would have tried to make him scram while hitting Nethaniel¡¯s foot with her bloody fist.

    But Nethaniel didn''t budge an inch.

    The Princess kept hitting him with harmless force as she cried. ¡°Ahh! Ahhh! Why?!!¡±

    Nethaniel just stood clenching his fists as the Princess then laid her head on Nethaniel¡¯s feet and kept crying streams of tears.

    Meanwhile, Zekka knew that was her fault since the Queen Valentina saved her with at a great cost.

    If she just didn¡¯t use ¡®Doombringer¡¯...everything could have been different. Zekka just looked down upon she heard Caut¡¯s cry.

    ¡°Why?!!¡± The Princess Caut shouted as she kept crying. The Princess Caut couldn''t understand why her mother died by the hands of a human, fighting for reasons not worth the lives lost.

    But the destiny already made its move, the only thing everyone could do, was to accept it and move on.

    Edited byI4MD347H

 Volume I Chapter 3 Part III: Reapers Elegy

    Volume I Scions of Destiny -Chapter 3 Part III:Reaper''s Elegy

    Darkness¡­

    ...Nothing but darkness.

    That was all that Caut felt from her fragment of life in her chest, as she leaned her forehead on Nethaniel¡¯s thigh crying without end.

    On his part, Nethaniel could just clench his fists and teeth as he embraced his bitter. failure once again.

    While the others Elins were finally standing up after the pain in their chests slowly faded awayand started to regroup; although most of them could just look down melancholically.

    Once again, like during the ¡®Argon War¡¯, the Pora Elinu Nation was critically struck in one of their most sensitive points: their Queen.

    This is how the world was, it was a mean, nasty world of violence and pain. That if there is even the slightest opportunity, it would force everyone on their knees; reminding every single soul on its surface, that their lives meant nothing.

    But many wanted to change this absolute truth, many wanted to see a better tomorrow and change the world they live in.

    ...But at what price? What will they sacrifice to achieve it?

    The Elins made such a sacrifice once, sacrificing their own light within their fragment of lives; but the world around them wasn''t ready for their sacrifice yet, neither did all their people.

    Thus, resulting in the Reapers¡¯ persecution and leaving a painful and deep scar in the world¡¯s history.

    <hr>

    At Velika, almost all the invaders had perished, leaving behind no more threats for now towards the brave Velika¡¯s defenders.

    The very few enemies who survived surrendered and were captured by the Shrouded Rose Sentinels.

    Thanks to the great joint efforts of the allied forces, composed of Free Traders¡¯ soldiers, Pora Elinu Nation¡¯s army, the Shrouded Rose Sentinels and the volunteers; the allied forces managed to fend off the ¡®invaders¡¯.

    But...

    Many soldiers were looking at the Princess, shocked by her brutal murder of the enemy¡¯s General, Aurora.

    ¡°That is...a-...a r--re-...¡±

    ¡°A r-reaper? How?!...¡±

    ¡°They were eradicated...they all¡­¡±

    ¡°Impossible¡­they are not supposed to...¡±

    A few soldiers mumbled between themselves in bewilderment, unable to take in the scene in front of them, shocked by ¡®its¡¯ brutality and ¡®unknown¡¯ power.

    Meanwhile, the veterans soldiers, mostly comprised of the Shrouded Rose Sentinels, didn¡¯t even flinch by this gruesome scene and just started to look for any survivors among the numerous corpses strewn across the surroundings.

    Although they were also alarmed in their minds by this sudden ¡®re-apparition¡¯ of a supposed-to-be extinct Reaper ¡®race¡¯.

    However, fret in these moments wasn''t an option at all for them.

    The fragile freedom that once everyone felt within their grasp, was now broken into millions of tiny fragments...

    ...And the alliance conflict resumed once more, reaping thousands of lives in the process.

    <hr>

    Meanwhile, in the Nightmare Realm...

    The Reapers successfully repelled the wild demons and demons forces; thus, the Steel Citadel upheld its ¡®legendary¡¯ title of being an impenetrable fortress.

    Regardless, deep inside the battlefield, Lhya was speaking with the 1st Demon Lord, known as Zelel.

    Lhya stood a few meters behind Zelel, looking at her with a stern gaze; while Zelel by her part kept beholding the huge Reaper¡¯s Citadel gothic architecture.

    ¡°What do you mean, demon?¡± Lhya asked, unable to understand the reasons behind Zelel¡¯s words.

    ¡®Why would this demon want peace with us?¡¯ Lhya wondered in her mind, suspecting these words.

    ¡°Fufufufu¡­my words were clear enough, little one,¡± Zelel replied calmly while turning, to face Lhya.

    On the other part, Lailyn was between Lhya and Zelel, protecting her while looking at Zelel carefully, wary of any subtle hostility; ready attack again.

    ¡°Fufufufufu...seems like you''re nervous,¡± Zelel commented with an eerie smile decorating her face, although her eyes were cold and emotionless as ice.

    Suddenly¡­

    ¡°Tskk¡­¡± Lhya and Lailyn brought their hands to their chest, feeling an abrupt and concentrated sharp pain on their chest.

    Forcing both of them to kneel on the ground as Zelel just watched them intrigued.

    ¡°Fufufufu¡­¡± Zelel just giggled at the sight of their pain, but not just theirs, all the Reapers were in the same situation right in that moment.

    ¡°Hehehehehe...I will make this bitch pay for what she did to me...¡± Valmorgur mumbled to himself, harshly standing up as his right arm was recently severed by Lhya.

    Valmorgur reached his black-reddish sword lying on the sand with his left hand and lifted it and then turned to where Lhya was.

    ¡°Tskk¡­¡± Lhya and Lailyn were gritting their teeth.

    ¡°Tskk¡­¡± Lhya and Lailyn were gritting their teeth. knelt on the sand with their hands clutching their chests, as the sharp pain was still burning in their chests; rendering them unable to dodge any attack.

    Lhya tried to endure the pain as much as she could, sweating by her efforts.

    She looked at Valmorgur¡¯s movements upon her raisin black wolf ears twitched, upon hearing his mumbling.

    ¡®Crap...imp-...impossible...how... how did Valentina...?!¡¯ Lhya thought quickly in her mind as she could feel Valmorgur¡¯s gaze on her, struggling to break through the pain and move.

    *Tack*

    ¡®Dammit! Come on! Move!¡¯ Lhya thought in despair as she was still unable to move.

    Valmorgur just managed to give a single step towards Lhya; when he suddenly was intervened by multiple dark violet ¡®hands¡¯.

    These dark violet ¡®hands¡¯ appeared from various black floating arcane circles around Valmorgur; wrapping his limbs and neck tightly, immobilizing him.

    ¡°Fufufufufu¡­¡± Zelel just giggled as she kept her hands at her back.

    ¡°Z-Zelel¡­¡± Valmorgur mumbled while Zelel was staring at him with her usual emotionless, yet penetrating gaze.

    Zelel lightly licked her lips and briefly giggled, as Valmorgur eyes widened, feeling Zelel¡¯s aura abruptly growing stronger.

    ¡°You...you...you bluffed us! You used my people to march against the Reapers! Witch! You never wanted to defeat them!¡± Valmorgur shouted in rage upon realizing Zelel¡¯s plans.

    Then...the magic ¡®hands¡¯ wrapped around his limbs, and began to pull to opposite sides.

    His breaking bones could be clearly heard with snappings of his muscles and tendons by the sensitives Lhya and Lailyn¡¯s animal ears, as Valmorgur shouted in pain.

    ¡°Ahhh! You...You! Bitch! Arghh!¡± Valmorgur shouted as Zelel smiled mischievously and excitedly as Valmorgur¡¯s bones kept cracking, slowly yielding.

    ¡°Aghh! Ahhhh!¡± And after a few seconds, his limbs gave into the torment and broke off the Demon Lord¡¯s body.

    *SPLAT*

    Blood splattered on the black sand as bloody severed limbs and a torso also fell on it; while Zelel just stood there, unfazed by what she did without moving a single finger.

    Or better said, enjoying what she did.

    Lhya¡¯s eyes slightly widened upon witness Zelel¡¯s prowess and cold brutality on Valmorgur.

    In that moment, Lailyn was finally able to stand up despite the pain and quickly approached Lhya.

    ¡°Lady Lhya...are you alright?¡± Lailyn exclaimed with her emotionless voice, barely standing on her feet next to her while the pain on their chests was slowly fading away.

    Lhya looked at Lailyn, as she gave her hand to help Lhya to stand up.

    Lhya promptly took her hand as their armors clanked in the process, and then slowly stood up.

    ¡°I am fine,¡± Lhya replied while standing up, fixing her gaze on Zelel.

    ¡°Uhmm...fufufufu...I regret to have resorted to such violence. My apologies.¡± Zelel said calmly as she slightly bowed.

    Although Zelel was still wearing her eerie smile on her face.

    ¡°Why did you save us?¡± Lhya asked with a serious voice while Lailyn stood next to her, wary of Zelel.

    Their pain was no longer a problem; although it was still there, slowly fading away.

    ¡°Fufufu...take it like a proof of my word,¡± Zelel said suggestively.

    ¡°Lady Lhya, we should return to the Citadel,¡± Lailyn advised.

    ¡°We can¡¯t Lailyn...Why won¡¯t you kill us yet, demon?¡± Lhya pointed out as she has been feeling a strange kind of an ethereal, magic ¡®membranous fabric¡¯ enfolding her body.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    ¡°Impossible.¡± Lailyn mumbled emotionlessly as she tried to summon her scythes, but she couldn¡¯t.

    Then, Lailyn tried to vanish leaving behind the usual dark purple smoke, and ¡®dive¡¯ into the shadows and travel through them¡­

    But her body just heavily distorted for a second, before returning to normal, confirming that she was unable to dive into the shadows as well.

    ¡°Lady Lhya, we-¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll be fine. If this demon wished to kill us, we would be dead already.¡± Lhya replied coldly as Lailyn stood firm in silence in her usual ninja pose, displaying respect and discipline.

    ¡°Fufufufufu...quite perceptive, Crimson Princess. Although I would prefer you to use my name.¡± Zelel replied suggestively keeping her hands at her back, slightly fluttering her black wings.

    ¡°Then, what do you want from us, ¡®Zelel¡¯?¡± Lhya asked with a serious expression on her face.

    ¡°Ahh...fufufufu...I only desire for peace between our races, little one. We are quite similar in that regard, little Reaper.¡± Zelel replied calmly.

    ¡°How can we trust your word? But more importantly, can you even assure us, that your people will not even try to kill and eat us of their own accord?¡±

    Lhya asked skeptically and intrigued by her words.

    ¡°Fufufufu...I can offer you a blood pact. Oh, and...don¡¯t you want to know what you really are? What it means to become a Reaper?¡± Zelel replied suggestively as usual.

    Lhya just looked at her with a serious gaze for a few seconds, as Zelel¡¯s words were becoming more and more enigmatic.

    Suddenly, next to Zelel; from magenta smoke appeared a human-like demoness.

    This demoness compared with Zelel, had no horns. That was the first detail which Lhya and Lailyn could notice; besides her long pale-azure mist hair and serene plum-violet eyes.

    She was clad in a revealing carbon black steel plate armor, which rattled the moment she completely bowed, with one knee on the sand.

    ¡°My Highness.¡± The woman exclaimed respectfully.

    Her light armor had a thorny, ¡®sleek-ebony¡¯ armor like shape; with pulsating blood crimson ¡®veins¡¯ streaking along her rerebrace, down to her bracers.

    Lhya and Lailyn could see on her fringe, a little black carbon circlet in ¡®v¡¯ form.

    They also saw around her neck a carbon black, star-like choker before she lowered her head and closed her eyes during the bow.

    In addition, she had two carbon black, small ¡®wing-like¡¯ shoulder pads resting on her shoulders.

    ¡°Surya. What happened?¡± Zelel asked calmly; while Lhya and Lailyn were wary of this other demoness, due her ominous aura emanating from her presence.

    Surya¡¯s chest, shoulder, and upper thighs showed her soft smooth alabaster skin, revealing her feminine allure without revealing too much of her small breasts.

    Her stomach was covered in carbon black plates, her arms wearing black ominous claw-like gauntlets and lastly, her legs were covered in menacing thigh high plate armored greaves and boots accentuating her legs.

    Surya rose up slowly as her ostentatious armor clanked, and her gaze fixed on Lhya and Lailyn.

    Surya was about 5¡¯98¡¯¡¯ of height, slightly taller than Zelel.

    ¡°I think that¡­¡± Surya¡¯s plum-violet eyes fixed on Lhya and Lailyn, slightly condescending on them.

    ¡°...Those impures are unworthy of hearing my report, my Highness.¡± Surya spoke with a unique serene face, contradicting her ominous demonic presence.

    ¡°Fufufu...don¡¯t be like that, Surya. They will be our allies from now on. Right?¡± Zelel replied calmly as Surya stared at Zelel, with hardly noticeable surprise.

    Simultaneously, Lhya stood in silence a few seconds, trying to take the correct choice.

    ¡®I can¡¯t keep sacrificing my people in this war...we came here for peace...my Goddess Elinu...may my decision be true.¡¯ Lhya thought to herself as she thought about the future of her people.

    Continuing this almost endlessly war was just going to tear them more apart.

    ¡®I must ensure my people¡¯s future. That¡¯s my duty as their leader.¡¯ Lhya thought to herself with determination.

    Then she thought about Zelel¡¯s other offer¡­on what the Reapers are...a mystery to Lhya and her people ever since they obtained their powers.

    ¡®Also...what are we...what are we exactly? Does Zelel really know¡­?¡¯ Lhya kept rethinking her options before her and then made her choice.

    ¡°My Highness, do you really trust in that eidolon?¡± Surya asked as Zelel ignored her words and calmly spoke to Lhya, with her usual suggestive voice.

    ¡°I sympathize and share your vision. We need a future, we both do. Which is why I want to forge it together side by side. Is that not what you want, Crimson Princess, Lhya?¡±

    Thereupon Zelel¡¯s stretched her hand forward as Lhya looked at it with slight hesitation, and then looked at Lailyn.

    ¡°Whatever your choice may be, I¡¯ll support you regardless, my Lady,¡± Lailyn said without hesitation.

    Then Lhya moved two steps forward closer to Zelel.

    And stretched her right hand, as Zelel stretched hers; grabbing hers, and then both shook their hands.

    Forthwith they shook their hands, Zelel mumbled as Lhya¡¯s raisin black wolf ears twitched upon hearing a strange language.

    ¡°Pakta Darah¡± Then; Lhya and Zelel felt a sharp pain through their hands.

    Not only that, in that precise moment, the magic ¡®membrane¡¯ around Lhya and Lailyn dissipated, allowing them to travel through shadows once again.

    ¡°Agh!¡­¡± Lhya slightly repined, releasing Zelel¡¯s hand and stumbled a few steps back, looking at the state of her right hand.

    Lhya¡¯s right hand was bleeding, and looking at Zelel¡¯s hand she sees it¡¯s bleeding as well.

    ¡°My Highness!¡± Surya exclaimed as she stepped closer to Zelel.

    ¡°My Lady!¡± Lailyn exclaimed too, approaching Lhya with emotionless worry.

    ¡°What did you do?¡± Lhya asked as she briefly looked at her right palm.

    From the small wound on her right palm, emanated tyrian purple flames, and the wound then quickly regenerated, repairing her hand to normal.

    Lhya opened and closed her fist twice and then looked at Zelel.

    ¡°Fufufufufu...I commenced our pact. The blood pact will assure our peace, little one.¡± Zelel explained vaguely as her hand wound also regenerated completely.

    ¡°I will trust you, Zelel,¡± Lhya replied, even though a part of her still didn''t trust at all on Zelel.

    Zelel giggled shortly aware of Lhya¡¯s slight distrust and then exclaimed.

    ¡°Fufufufu...I appreciate it, little one¡­now then Surya, tell us.¡± Zelel spoke calmly, yet mandatory.

    ¡°Yes, my Highness.¡± Surya slightly bowed as her armor clanked lightly and then spoke.

    ¡°Leliel has made her move. She entered the Daydream realm, my Highness.¡± Surya replied with a voice fulfilled with respect.

    ¡°Ohh¡­interesting, interesting. Fufufufufu...¡± Zelel replied suggestively, still wearing her eerie smile.

    ¡°Leliel?¡± Lhya asked puzzled of what was happening on the other side, and does not know the name.

    ¡°Fufu...you will find out soon enough,¡± Zelel replied ambiguously.

    <hr>

    Velika¡¯s state was far from ruinous; yet there was wreckage all around, as corpses of both soldier and civilians were scattered all around, their blood staining the city¡¯s floor.

    Velika citizens were heavily struck by an unforeseen invasion due to the negligence of the high-command, ending in thousands of casualties.

    The cruel, heartless war and death were still circling around every life like vultures, ready to consume their corpses once they fall prey to its talons.

    *** *** *** ***

    Meanwhile¡­

    While Caut was suffering a heavy headache, an unknown female voice whispered dark words in her head.

    ¡®They are all guilty. They¡¯re all responsible for your mother¡¯s death!¡¯ The voice echoed in Caut¡¯s head while she was still leaning her forehead on Nethaniel¡¯s thigh crying.

    ¡®Kill them...kill them all.¡¯ The dark female voice incited her, as Caut felt a heavier headache as her aura darkened.

    ¡®Kill them?¡¯ Caut thought to herself, speaking to the dark voice.

    ¡®Yes, make them pay for your mother¡¯s death!¡¯ The dark female voice kept inciting, as Caut¡¯s current psychological state was fragile due to the recent tragedy.

    ¡°Kill them...I should kill them all.¡± Princess Caut mumbled as Nethaniel lowered his gaze and looked at Caut, noticing something amiss in her.

    He could feel... Caut¡¯s aura and presence, being slowly imbued in an ominous darkness.

    ¡®I can give you all the power you need to ease your pain and kill, Cauterize.¡¯ Again, the dark female voice kept inciting her.

    ¡®Kill them...make them feel your suffering, your pain.¡¯ The voice added.

    ¡°I...I will make them pay¡­¡± Caut murmured as her sobbing stopped abruptly.

    Everyone who was still looking at her, was able to feel Caut¡¯s aura growing precipitously, altogether with her ominous presence.

    ¡®Kill them. Kill them. Kill them!¡¯ The dark female voice kept inciting Caut, making her feel another heavy headache.

    ¡°Princess Caut?¡± Nethaniel asked with a serious voice, as his instinct warned him, foreboding danger.

    No response.

    ¡®KILL THEM! KILL THEM!¡¯ Caut kept hearing the same malevolent voice rapidly echoing in her mind, as the headache grew heavier and heavier.

    ¡®KILL THEM! MAKE THEM FEEL YOUR PAIN! KILL THEM ALL!¡¯ The dark female voice repeated more and more frequent, with greater tone and volume each time it spoke.

    ¡°What''s happening?¡± A few soldiers asked among themselves upon feeling Caut¡¯s aura, although not everyone was that sensitive enough to feel the looming dread from Caut.

    *** *** *** ***

    While almost everyone present was focused on Caut¡­

    ...Queen Valentina¡¯s corpse emitted a small tyrian purple flame emanating from her severe wounds on her torso and chest, wounds that did not reach her fragment of life luckily.

    These unnoticed flames were slowly cleansing Valentina of her wounds, repairing them.

    The only one who noticed this...was Lieutenant Zekka; who was still holding her body, feeling guilty of her reckless actions being responsible for her death.

    And upon noticing this, Zekka mumbled in surprise.

    ¡°Impossible...she...she is a Reaper too!¡±

    Zekka eyes shone with hope as she could feel Valentina¡¯s breathing again while her wounds continued regenerating.

    Zekka lightly smiled while her chest tightened from joy, as she could finally see a little light through all this battle, a light of hope for herself and many others.

    But she was quickly interrupted by a fierce shout coming from a few meters ahead of her, as she lifted her gaze to see what was happening.

    It came from the Princess Caut, and then she saw Nethaniel being pushed a few meters away by Caut herself.

    ¡®What the¡­?¡¯ Zekka thought puzzled by the sudden turn of events, as she was unaware of Valentina being already conscious and completely healed, looking at the scene as well.

    Suddenly, the Princess Caut summoned her scythes and rushed towards Nethaniel.

    Zekka reacted just in time to warn Nethaniel, while Queen Valentina quickly took her sword and stood up.

    *ZUN! ZUN!*

    Valentina swiftly dashed twice through the shadows, and in a blink of an eye, Valentina was in front of Nethaniel.

    *SHIIIN!*

    *** *** *** ***

    *RAHHHHHHHH!*

    The Princess Caut swiftly stood up screaming, shocking the soldiers around as they took a few steps back involuntarily.

    ¡®CRAP!¡¯ Nethaniel managed to barely get ready and endure the impact, as the Princess side kicked his torso, knocking him back a few meters.

    Nethaniel looked at the soldiers behind him and then ordered with a severe voice after having successfully endured the heavy kick on his torso.

    ¡°Everyone, fall back!¡±

    The soldiers quickly pulled back following Nethaniel¡¯s orders, as many of them felt an instinctive fear from the Reapers.

    Suddenly, Nethaniel heard Zekka¡¯s voice and a mix of other noises. ¡°Nethaniel! Watch out!¡±

    *ZUN! ZUN!*

    *SHIIIN!*

    Nethaniel turned his head to the front upon hearing loud clanging metallic sounds.

    He saw a vermillion blade of a black scythe stopped a few centimeters away from his neck as it struck a cerulean sword placed between it and Nethaniel¡¯s neck.

    Nethaniel eyes widened upon seeing his savior. It was the Queen Valentina...although she seemed different.

    Valentina seemed...more dark, similar to Caut¡¯s presence.

    ¡°Valentina?!¡± Nethaniel exclaimed surprised as he saw her dyingjust a few moments ago.

    ¡®Don¡¯t tell me that she also is¡­¡¯ Nethaniel thought briefly.

    On the other part, Caut and Valentina were still heavily tussling with their weapons as their blades screeched upon contact, creating burning sparks from the friction of their blades.

    Without wasting even a second, he immediately lowered his arms to his dual blades, removing the insurance skillfully, and then took the hilts.

    But when he was about to draw his swords and help Valentina¡­

    ¡°Don¡¯t do it Nethaniel! I will be fine!¡± Valentina shouted as she managed to push back Caut skillfully.

    ¡°I will make her come back to her senses... If I fail, kill her, Nethaniel.¡± Valentina shouted sternly as she rushed to clash with Caut.

    *SHIN! SHIN! SHIN!*

    Valentina and Caut¡¯s weapons swiftly clashed multiple times.

    The Princess Caut was no longer in her senses, as she was now evidently under a foreign influence fueled by a dark murderous intent.

    ¡°I shall spread...the seeds of misfortune!¡± Caut shouted to Valentina while both were skillfully fighting.

    Valentina by her part, didn''t say a single word, only focusing all her strength in her fight; as her mind focused on just one thing: save her daughter.

    ¡®I must save Caut...before it is too late!¡¯ Valentina kept thinking to herself to help focus on the battle, as she kept nimbly and skillfully parrying and fending off Caut¡¯s attacks with her sword while maintaining her ground.

    And while the intense battle between mother and daughter rages on, Nethaniel and Zekka attentively observed the fight, although only Nethaniel was ready to intervene if necessary, with his hands on his dual swords hilts.

    Credits to I4MD34TH for editing!

 Volume I Chapter 3 Part IV: Darkness Interlude

    Volume I Scions of Destiny - Chapter 3 Part IV: Darkness Interlude

    The almost winter sun was still shining faintly, through the cloudy sky above the horizon. As its weak rays were still illuminating Velika¡¯s streets.

    Most of Velika¡¯s streets were littered with wreckage and a few corpses of civilians lying around, evidently killed from putting up resistance against the invaders judging by their wounds.

    Also, other surviving civilians and Allied Forces¡¯ soldiers bustled through the streets as most of the invaders were already wiped out.

    Some citizens were cleaning up the aftermath, moving chunks of rocks that used to be part of a building and more, while others were crying in front of the corpses of their loved ones.

    On the other part, the Allied Forces¡¯ soldiers were patrolling the perimeter within the streets, in precaution of any enemy soldier hiding around, while occasionally helping some civilians.

    Meanwhile on the ¡®Freedom Plaza¡¯, corpses of both warring factions lied on the floor, some pierced by light blue lucent magic arrows as they slowly faded away.

    Others were pierced by swords or evidencing deep, perturbing wounds as their blood spilled on Velika¡¯s cobbles; thus, highlighting the war¡¯s cruelty.

    *** *** *** ***

    Practically all the FTC¡¯s soldiers and Shrouded Rose Sentinels had already retreated off Velika¡¯s ¡®Freedom Plaza¡¯ after Nethaniel¡¯s direct order.

    The only ones remaining there were the Elin¡¯s forces, while a few of them stood up abruptly in shock upon seeing their Queen alive.

    All of them attentively watched their Queen and Princess fighting each other for reasons unknown to them.

    Though, their faces wrinkled occasionally from the blood-scented miasma lurking through Velika, impregnating their keen noses.

    The Elins in those moments were puzzled as they watched from afar.

    Their diverse and various animals ears lightly twitched intermittently, being able to feel the darkness emanating from Caut¡¯s aura.

    <hr>

    The clashes of sword and scythes echoed through the plaza, while uncertainty grew in the hearts of Pora Elinu¡¯s forces.

    *SHIN!-SHIN!-SHIN!-SHIN!*

    Up, right, down, left.

    Queen Valentina nimbly and skillfully handled her cerulean sword and moved her torso, arms, wrists, hands and occasionally her legs in order to parry Caut¡¯s razor sharp scythes.

    While both kept fighting fervently; Nethaniel¡¯s hands are still on his swords hilts, ready to draw his swords at the very moment Valentina loses.

    He could see how Valentina held her ground firmly like a stake, parrying and fending off every Caut¡¯s fierce scythes attacks.

    ¡°I trust you, Valentina,¡± Nethaniel mumbled to himself, although he knew that she would be able to hear him.

    Valentina¡¯s cougar ears twitched once, showing that his words reached her ears.

    In those moments, Valentina wore a serious expression on her face, knowing that she wasn''t fighting her daughter anymore.

    Valentina couldn''t say what she was exactly fighting, but she knew for sure that it wasn''t Caut at all.

    Caut¡¯s movements were wild and animalistic, without any minimum hint of refined technique nor skill in her scythes swings.

    Suddenly, Caut crouched and then jumped with all her strength, and tried to attack with both scythes from above.

    But Valentina managed to cleanly block both scythes lifting her sword as their blades loudly thrummed upon collision, vibrating the air from the colliding impact.

    Although her sword arm ached from the backlashing strain.

    Caut kept pressuring down, trying to breach Valentina¡¯s defense as burning sparks flew from the friction of their clashing blades.

    *RAAHH!*

    Caut brawled.

    ¡°Kill¡­Kill¡­I will kill you!¡± Caut gnarled briefly as they both kept tussling their blades.

    ¡°You still have so much to learn!¡± Valentina acclaimed sternly; as her soft, dark blue eyes shone and briefly emanated a visible blue aura, along with her sword.

    Then Valentina slid her foot behind Caut¡¯s, knocking her off balance, and then...

    ¡°Ahhh!¡± Valentina shouted as she rapidly rotated in a reverse backlash, her sword striking Caut¡¯s armed hands, thus disarming Caut of her scythes from her hands and then quickly kicked her stomach, knocking her back.

    Caut¡¯s scythes fell, clanged upon contact with the cobbles and then Valentina quickly kicked Caut¡¯s weapons away from her as the scythes slide across the cobble pavement.

    ¡°Grrr¡­¡± Caut growled showing no signs of relent and then prowled on the floor.

    Upon noticing this, Valentina swiftly raised her cerulean sword up to her chest and briefly murmured as her eyes radiated a visible blue aura

    ¡°Sjel Rensing!¡±

    And then, she slid her fingers down the flat blade of her sword from the hilt to the tip, as carved runes formed on the blade¡¯s surface, blinking in white.

    ¡®If this doesn''t work¡­then I...¡¯ Valentina briefly thought in her mind, but she was interrupted by Caut¡¯s sudden wild attack, though it had too many openings.

    ¡°Not good enough!¡± Valentina chastised loudly while her eyes still radiated, as the others Elins were still observing the fight.

    ¡°Rense!¡± She shouted as her sword became ¡®spiritual¡¯, made of pure energy in the moment she swung it horizontally forward while Caut charged at her like a starving cougar.

    Her attack will neither kill Caut nor cut her, but it will ¡®shock¡¯ her soul, enough to free her from whatever was controlling the Princess Caut.

    But in the very moment, that Valentina¡¯s sword was about to reach Caut¡¯s torso...

    *ZUN-ZUN!*

    Caut dashed forward through the shadows, leaving a brief shadowy trail of eminence purple as she passed through Valentina.

    ¡°*Gasp*¡± Valentina could just felt how her breath ceased for a short time, as her body felt strangely weakened, confused about what just happened.

    On the other part, Caut was now behind Valentina, picking up her vermillion scythes.

    ¡°Hmm... you are quite good, Harbinger of the Moon. Better than the rumors say...¡± Caut spoke carelessly, with a dark tone.

    Valentina slowly turned, unable to reply; sweating and heavily breathing, yet still firmly standing on her feet.

    ¡°Who is she? That¡¯s not Caut speaking¡­¡± Valentina mumbled.

    Caut giggled shortly upon hearing her mumbled words and then spoke carelessly.

    ¡°Shame. I must be done with this.¡±

    *ZUN-ZUN!*

    Princess Caut dashed through the shadows again leaving a brief shadowy ¡®stream¡¯ of eminence purple.

    Her speed this time was unnaturally faster than before, so fast that Valentina¡¯s eyes could not track her movements.

    Then¡­in Valentina¡¯s eyes, she only saw Caut jumping in front of her as if she was teleporting with both of her scythes lifted, aiming at her.

    Upon this, the Queen could hear a commotion echoing through the plaza, but she wasn''t able to hear in detail due to her current situation.

    ¡®Is this¡­my time?¡¯ Valentina thought to herself, as she was unable to react that swiftly.

    Valentina being a veteran fighter, knew immediately that it was going to be her end, as she could smell¡­

    ¡­Death, Valentina could smell her death for the first time...

    ¡­Or perhaps it was just the byproduct of her own fear.

    *** *** *** ***

    Within the Elins and Poporis watching the scene, Mech was there along with them.

    Mech was still slightly affected by Sinac¡¯s death, although through the wars she participated, she already witnessed death thousands of times.

    Yet, no matter how many times she witnessed them, she cannot adapt to the morbid feelings.

    She always wanted to save those in need, this thought rooted in her mind in the very moment of her ¡®birth¡¯ and sole duty as Pora Elinu¡¯s Priestess.

    But Mech knew well that there wasn''t time for herself now...

    At this moment, the Queen and the Princess were tussling with their blades in close combat, as burning orange sparks fly out the colliding blades with each clash.

    All this time, from the very beginning, Mech had been hesitating on what to do, unable to take any form of action and intervene.

    ¡®The answers you seek lies within you now¡­my daughter.¡¯ Mech remembered Sayune¡¯s words as she kept observing.

    ¡®I must do something. I am Elinu¡¯s Priestess! But...What should I-¡¯

    But suddenly her thoughts were abruptly interrupted upon feeling ¡®something¡¯ touching her back.

    Upon ¡®its¡¯ touch, an overwhelming bleak and ¡®ice cold¡¯ feeling engulfed her body as her breathing and heart stopped.

    Yet...Mech felt no pain or despair for some reason and slowly turned to notice that all movements her surroundings came to a sudden haltas if frozen in time.

    No...Mech could say that time wasn''t stopped, instead...it was slowed down hundreds or even thousands of times, but she is not sure if it is the worldor her own perception of time that slowed.

    Suddenly, her ocher wolf ears perked up alongside her human ones.

    Several familiar, but incomprehensible, fast-speaking female whispers echoed around her.

    Although there were many voices, Mech¡¯s sharp senses could determine that all originated from the same voice.

    ¡°A-...Ctc hroe-...d-...al be...¡±

    ¡°E-...ietent-...dot-...u-...mke hr-¡±

    ¡°What is happening?¡± Mech mumbled as a white, ethereal figure formed in front of her into a humanoid shape as if ¡®it¡¯ was waiting for her to speak.

    This ¡®figure¡¯ looked familiar, too familiar, yet she does not recall any memories of her.

    ¡®It¡¯ was wearing a simple dress which went along her ghostly appearance detailing her feminine traits.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Although her head was heavily distorted preventing any facial recognition, rendering Mech unable to see anything more than her ethereal body.

    ¡°Priestess.¡± The ghostly figure spoke softly.

    ¡°You...what are you exactly? Are you...like Sayune?¡± Mech asked puzzled of this sudden bizarre encounter.

    ¡°My name is Sayha 9. Our creator called us: ¡®soul fragments¡¯, but we are mostly known as Eidolons.¡± ¡®It¡¯ explained shortly with a soft voice.

    ¡°Who¡¯s your creator?¡± Mech asked straightly as everything after Sayune¡¯s apparition had gotten more mysterious.

    ¡°...¡± Sayha didn''t answer, as she stood in silence for a few seconds.

    ¡°That is not my mission. Priestess.¡± Sayha broke her silence.

    ¡°Mission? I¡­I don''t understand this at all! I don''t understand why all of this is happening to me! I want answers!¡± Mech exclaimed frantically.

    ¡°You have the power to save many lives, Priestess. My purpose for being here is to give you a little push a-¡±

    *STAB*

    Suddenly, Sayha was unexpectedly interrupted by a magic ethereal blade piercing her chest, killing her instantly as her body faded away briefly.

    ¡°NO!¡± Mech shouted upon seeing the murderer, revealing to be another ¡®Sayha¡¯ killed Sayha 9.

    ¡°What you have done?!¡± Mech shouted as the other Sayha spoke softly as if nothing would have happened.

    ¡°Her mission was obsolete and would change nothing,¡± Sayha exclaimed calmly as she walked towards Mech, as she was shocked from seeing an apparition killed by another.

    Mech gave a few steps back with distrust and anxiety, unable to comprehend the sudden chain of events.

    ¡°Get away from me! You¡­!¡± Mech screamed but Sayha interrupted her. Exclaiming softly, lifting her hand forward Mech¡¯s shoulders.

    ¡°I know you are frightened from my¡­recent extremity. But please listen to my words¡­in contrast to what my other self said, all you need to save the lives of others, Priestess¡­is faith in yourself and those you trust.¡±

    ¡°Stay away!¡± Mech repeated again in despair as she swung her hands at the apparition, but it was to no avail.

    Mech¡¯s hands couldn''t even touch her, as they can only phase through Sayha¡¯s ethereal body with every swing while Sahya¡¯s hand drew closer and closer until it touched her shoulder.

    The ¡®ice cold¡¯ feeling disappeared abruptly as the world resumed all movements.

    ¡°*Gasp* *Cough-Cough-Cough*¡± Mech suddenly ¡®woke up¡¯, seeing that she was in a kind of deep lucid ¡®dream¡¯.

    She was still with many of her Elins ¡®sisters¡¯ and Poporis, including Bready, around; all of them were watching the Queen¡¯s fight.

    Mech watched at them closely, and she could see on her pairs, on her sisters¡­

    ...Nervousness, hesitation, impatience¡­

    Yet, none of them took action.

    It was a tough decision, as their Queen and Princess dueled in high-level combat.

    Choosing one Elin over the other was practically impossible for the Elins.

    Often, the Pora Elinu Nation was praised for its unity and bonds among the citizens. It was its greatest strength, but it also was its greater weakness.

    ¡°We should do som-¡± Mech tried to speak to her peers but her words were interrupted.

    ¡°My Queen!¡±

    ¡°My Queen, watch out!¡±

    Some Elins shouted in commotion upon seeing her Queen weakened by Caut¡¯s shadow dashes, as then Caut now behind Valentina, was picking up her scythes.

    Even so, none of the Elins took any action.

    Caut then turned her focus back to Valentina, and moved in using two more shadow dashes and then jumped with both of her scythes raised, to heavily strike down Valentina.

    ¡°Nooo! Everyone get ready and defend the Queen! We must stop this right now!¡± Another Elin, with the air of an high-ranking officer, from the appearance of the highly-adorned heavy platinum armor, finally shouted while drawing her blade.

    Upon seeing this, the others Elins immediately drew their weapons in response to her actions, as Nethaniel was about to stop the Elins from becoming casualties.

    He trusted Valentina¡¯s abilities; he was sure that she wouldn''t die that easily.

    A second after, he heard Mech shouting out.

    ¡°Kaia¡¯s skjold!¡±

    Mech was raising her right hand palm stretched open, channeling the mana within and around her.

    The most magic-sensitive Elins could hear and see how numerous mana streams flowed to Mech, directly connecting with her, which was uncommon between the magicians.

    Caut¡¯s vermillion scythes heavily struck a translucent blue dome, comprised of narrow but durable hexagons, all made from condensed-magic.

    The dome¡¯s lattice was similar to a honeycomb, as it guarded Valentina against Caut¡¯s sharp scythes.

    *WHOOM*

    A loud reverberation echoed throughout the plaza after Caut¡¯s scythes struck the ¡®magic shield¡¯, blasting Caut back from the rebound of her own attack.

    Caut¡¯s arms turned stiff hanging in the air, numbed and strained, trembling from the vibrations of her scythes.

    On the other part, Valentina blue eyes, slightly widened upon seeing this sudden magic dome shielding her, while she was still in the process of recovering herself.

    ¡°Graahh!¡± Caut roared upon this, and then quickly dashed towards her attacking again, trying to tear apart the shield after shaking the shocking strain out of her arms.

    *SHIN! SHIN! SHIN!*

    Burning sparks flew simultaneously from the continuous and tenacious clashes on the magic dome.

    Yet, Mech¡¯s magic dome continued withstanding Caut¡¯s attacks effortlessly no matter how hard nor how many times Caut struck the magic dome with her scythes.

    And then, several white arcane circles swiftly flew up, floating behind Valentina.

    They were rapidly rotating on their own axis, and before Caut could react....

    *Fwoom-Fwoom-Fwoom*

    Several strident pressure projectiles were fired aiming at Princess Caut, landing directly on her as she was unable to avoid them, unexpecting more outside help from Valentina¡¯s allies.

    The pressure projectiles knocked her back, forcing her off balance and then knocked her down tumbling a few times across the ground with Caut¡¯s armor heavily clanging with each roll.

    After this, Mech swiftly ran to her Queen, without unsummoning her magic shield.

    Then, when Mech stood close to Valentina; she casted a quick emergency healing spell on Valentina, as Valentina repaid her efforts with a proud, thankful smile.

    Valentina was engulfed in a light-green aura, briefly swirling around her, regenerating her energies and damage and then faded away.

    ¡°My Queen, you should feel better now! I am sorry for not helping you earlier!¡± Mech exclaimed her apologies, slightly bowing.

    Then Mech stretched her right hand to help Valentina on her two feet.

    Her hand phased through the magic dome harmlessly while it kept pulsating a midst every annex of every hexagon.

    Thus, showing the ¡®magic¡¯ to every naked eye, magic sensitive or not.

    ¡°You did well Mech. As always, your magic is a lifesaver.¡± Valentina softly praised Mech as she smiled.

    Though both of their animal ears perked up, hearing something scuttling, and then immediately turned their heads to where Caut was lying.

    *** *** *** ***

    Meanwhile...

    ¡°Princess! Princess!¡± Bready exclaimed while approached to Caut and then knelt next to her.

    ¡°Are you alright?! What is happening to you?!¡± Bready exclaimed, as his magic sensitivity was near to zero, unable to feel the dark ominous ¡®magic¡¯ emanating from Caut.

    ¡°Grr¡­¡± Caut¡¯s eyes slowly opened, as her arms trembled with rage when she tried to lift her torso and then stood up.

    ¡°You! Get away from her!¡±

    ¡°Bready, don''t go near her!¡±

    Bready heard Valentina¡¯s and Mech¡¯s voices, yet he ignored them.

    ¡°Caut?! Stay seated! Y-You...you¡¯re bleeding!¡± Bready exclaimed worriedly upon seeing Caut¡¯s head bleeding profusely, while he stretched his hands to Caut.

    But...his hands failed to reach her.

    Caut spun once, and swung her leg into Bready¡¯s upper torso with a reverse tornado kick before he can react.

    *WHAM*

    Bready could only feel heavy heel digging deep into his upper torso loudly cracking through his light armor; throwing him away till his back banged into a concrete wall at Caut¡¯s right side.

    ¡°Agghh!¡± Bready cried in pain while he painfully slid down the wall, with almost all his strength knocked out of him and his vision blurred from the shock.

    *Tap-Tap*

    When his body finished sliding to the floor¡­

    ...Bready could see two black low heels shoes a few meters away from him, but one of the two was dripping blood down from its heel.

    Forthwith, he then realized a warm viscous liquid streaming down his torso, as he weakly clutched his aching upper torso with his trembling left hand, where he was hit.

    Although his vision was growing blurrier, he could see the crimson color of what felt like liquid staining his left hand¡­realizing it was his own blood¡­in great amounts.

    Then, Bready tried to look up...but he no longer had the strength to even lift his head.

    ¡°Caut......wh...w-hat are you...?¡± Bready mumbled before his consciousness faded to black.

    *** *** *** ***

    ¡®KILL THEM...KILL THEM ALL! KILL KILL KILL KILL!¡¯ Caut mind was completely controlled, as the same dark female voice kept echoing in her head, along with a heavy headache.

    Caut, in these moments, was a mere spectator of her own actions, struggling for control while the voice kept whispering.

    ¡®You¡¯re the only one worthy of my powers, Angel of the Eventide.¡¯

    ¡®Who are you?! Why are you doing this?!¡¯ Caut yelled to the voice in despair, as she could see how her body just heavily kicked Bready on his torso.

    ¡®I need to see what you are capable of...hihihihihi¡­¡¯ The voice answered.

    ¡®You¡¯re crazy! This is a madness! I-¡¯ Caut kept yelling, but she was interrupted by a heavy headache as the dark female voice resumed.

    ¡®KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL!¡¯

    ¡®No...Stop¡­¡¯ Caut mumbled weakly in her mind, as she saw herself approaching Bready, clutching her scythes¡¯ handles prepared to kill.

    ¡®KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL!¡¯ The voice kept repeating without end.

    ¡®Stop...stop¡­¡¯ Caut kept begging to no avail, while tears slowly sprouted from her beautiful blue eyes.

    Her body lifted her left hand along with her scythe as from afar she could hear a familiar voice, Mech.

    ¡°Cautie! Don¡¯t do it! You are better than this!¡± Mech shouted loudly as Caut could hear her steps coming closer.

    ¡®KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL!¡¯

    The voice kept echoing in her head as her scythe was going down, aiming for Bready¡¯s head.

    ¡®Stop...stop...STOP!¡¯ Caut yelled in despair, as she focused all her concentration on her body, managing to stop her scythe just in time, struggling for control.

    But then she was overwhelmed by the dark female¡¯s mind-numbing voice, quickly repeating the same words, struggling with Caut in a mind game.

    ¡®KILLKILLKILLLKILLLKILLKILLKILL¡¯

    ¡®Shut up! Shut up! Ahhh!¡¯ Caut yelled.

    *** *** *** ***

    Mech ran towards Caut, seeing Caut¡¯s movements stopped abruptly, just in time before her scythe reached Bready¡¯s head.

    ¡°Cautie!¡± Mech shouted while Caut¡¯s body was slightly trembling, also noticing her silently crying.

    After a few seconds; Mech was near Caut, observing her closely but when she was about to help her, Valentina intervened.

    ¡°Mech, help out that Popori, he doesn''t look too well.¡± Valentina pointed out, as she was walking towards Caut, a few steps behind Mech.

    Mech nodded and approached to Bready while the other Elins still spectated the scene unable to comprehend the situation they were in.

    Nethaniel also just spectated, still wary of any unexpected dangers. Yet, he was really puzzled by the chaotic sequence of events.

    On the other part, Mech knelt next to Bready, closed her eyes and then...

    ¡°Lyse av livet.¡±

    Mech mumbled, starting to cast a heal on Bready, trying to stop the bleeding.

    Upon her incantation, little white-ethereal wings formed on her back alongside a white circle around Bready, besides white-bright runes.

    These elements swiftly faded away a second later, as the bleeding from Bready¡¯s severe wound stopped, yet Bready consciousness did not come back.

    Mech opened her eyes slowly and smiled slightly, as she felt Bready¡¯s life pulsating through the magic flow.

    His life was no longer in danger anymore.

    Then she turned to see Valentina slowly approaching to Caut, with her right hand gripping the hilt of her cerulean sword.

    Caut was still trembling, evidencing her inner struggle. Although Valentina, Mech and the others were unaware of this.

    Valentina slowly drew her sword, raising her cerulean sword up to her chest and then...

    ¡°Sjel Rensing!¡± Valentina exclaimed while sliding her fingers down the flat blade of her sword from the hilt to the tip.

    And once again, carved runes formed on the blade¡¯s surface, blinking in white.

    While at the same time Valentina¡¯s eyes radiated a visible blue aura.

    It was Mech¡¯s first time seeing the ¡®Harbinger of the Moon¡¯ in action this close, as her keen eyes and wolf ears could see, hear, feel and even smell every detail of Valentina¡¯s magic.

    It was literally a delight for Mech¡¯s tongue, as she can lightly taste the elegance and grace of Valentina¡¯s magic.

    But it wasn''t just for her, as the others Elins also were amused by this, even after have seen it before multiple times.

    Nethaniel just looked at Valentina, with a slight smile as he freed his sword hilt...

    Valentina¡¯s magic flow was without flaw...so intense and with a peerless style, that Mech cannot help but be filled with awe.

    ¡°Ohhh!¡± Mech exclaimed as her anil eyes gleamed seeing Valentina a few steps behind Caut.

    Meanwhile, Valentina gave two steps forward and exclaimed briefly.

    ¡°Rense!¡± And with both hands holding the sword, she swung it down diagonally at Caut as it became ethereal blue.

    *FUUM!*

    The sword never harmed Caut, as the ethereal sword phased through Caut¡¯s body.

    Immediately, the ominous dark aura vanished within Caut, purged from her soul, as she collapsed on her knees and then on the floor, fainted.

    Valentina inhaled deeply while her sword reverted to its normal state and then she exhaled, fluidly sheathing her sword back into its sheath at her hip.

    After a few seconds, Mech stood up and walked to Caut, knelt next to her and placed Caut¡¯s head gently on her lap.

    Valentina just looked at them, as she sighed in relief that the nightmare ended, although she knew that there were more difficulties to come.

    But that would be for later, as she just smiled and lifted her fist in sign of victory and joy.

    The Elins looked to the Queen and then themselves, confused at the very beginning, but then they also lifted their arms and cried out in thundering cheer.

    *EHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!*

    <hr>

    The Pora Elinu Nation celebrated the end of their nightmare.

    Up the top of Velika¡¯s tallest building, on a flat white roof.

    There were three persons standing there, ever since Valentina¡¯s ¡®death¡¯, unnoticed by everyone as they were concealing their presences flawlessly.

    Two of them were behind a man wearing a black top hat, a white mask with joyful eyes and a sinister smile, black frac suit, white gloves and black shoes.

    ¡°Master, despite the successive ¡®ruptures¡¯...it is just like variant 286. The Angel of the Eventide had awakened and that Popori survived as foreseen. Nothing had changed.¡± Iri, a complete hooded and covered by a brown tunic, spoke softly.

    Her face was covered by a white mask with no more than a red diagonal line streaked across its surface.

    ¡°We should just get rid of Sayune already.¡± Qoo, wearing the same clothes and mask as Iri, spoke coldly, yet softly.

    ¡°Hehehehe...patience Qoo. We will kill her soon, I just love to see how all of these insignificant lives try so hard to survive when their future is so bleak. Hehehe¡­¡± Quote, the man of the black frac suit, exclaimed mockingly with both of his hands at his back.

    ¡°Master, we should take our leave. Our presence is needed in the other realm.¡± Iri informed softly as always.

    ¡°Hehehehe, alright then. See you later, useless Eventide.¡± Quote bid farewell mockingly and then snapped his fingers.

    Immediately after, all three vanished without leaving a single trace behind, as if they were never there in the first place.

    Credits to I4MD34TH

 Volume I Chapter 4 Part I: Seeds of Disgrace (I)

    Volume I Scions of Destiny - Chapter 4 Part I:Seeds of Disgrace (I)

    Velika, one day after the Allied Forces repelled the enemy invasion.

    The first wintry winds cooled the Arun continent¡¯s lands, announcing winter''s arrival.

    Along the cold winds, the gray clouds covered the skies over Velika, blanketing the air with gloom, as if the world felt and shared the citizens¡¯ pain and sorrow¡­

    Upon the conflict¡¯s conclusion which left behind thousands of casualties from both warring ¡®Factions¡¯, the Allied Forces¡¯ strategic command immediately ordered its troops to patrol Velika¡¯s streets day and night.

    Thus, numerous Allied Forces¡¯ patrols were deployed, mostly composed of the Shrouded Rose Sentinels and Pora Elinu¡¯s forces, watching the battered streets under their cursory eyes.

    While the citizens along with the help of Pora Elinu¡¯s people, slowly started to clean and repair the aftermaths left behind in their city.

    Gradually, everyone started to process that the peace they felt within their grasp was but a delusional lie.

    The war, the death, and desolation were out there, soundlessly laughing at their incredulity.

    <hr>

    It was about to be midday when¡­

    On the ¡®Freedom Plaza¡¯, a large crowd gathered on the bottom left side of it, most of them were humans, but there also were Amanis, Castanics, High Elves and Barakas.

    The blood-stanched miasma was still lurking around everyone¡¯s noses as the dried blood stains were still visible on the plaza¡¯s cobbles, although the corpses were already removed.

    In addition, the cold winter breeze traveled through every Velika¡¯s corner, forcing many to shelter inside their warm houses and buildings.

    Despite this, a crowd gathered around a refined wooden plateau, with two Free Traders Collective¡¯s banners at its sides.

    On the other part, a few robust Free Traders¡¯ soldiers surrounded the area under the plateau as personal bodyguards, while Adiar was standing on it.

    Adiar looked at his people for a few seconds before starting his speech; many of the citizens were wearing emaciated faces shaken by the horrors of war and the sorrow it brought.

    While others shouted at him with visible unhindered rage, focusing the blame on him out of convenience for their misfortunes.

    ¡°You just care about yourself!¡±

    ¡°Bastard! You promised us protection and now look at you¡¯ve wrought!¡±

    Adiar held his gaze and expression unfazed from the insults as if he cares not for their troubles and words, and then started his speech a moment later.

    ¡°My fellow citizens, I know I had failed to all of you¡­but we all must recognize that we were incredulous to the painful truth in our idle peace!¡± Adiar exclaimed firmly.

    ¡°I know that many of you are angry, for many reasons¡­ But venting your rage to your valiant defenders is not the correct path!¡± Adiar added, raising his volume.

    ¡°Your anger is but misdirected to those closest to you, when it should be focused on those who attacked you!¡±

    After this words, the crowd was moved slightly by his words as their anger simmered from his logic as they kept looking at him.

    ¡°We¡¯ve suffered under the crushing darkness of oppression for too long! At last, we must stand; stand together stronger than before! We will not run and hide in our homes and walls anymore! We will fight! We will prepare for war!¡±

    After Adiar finished his powerful speech, raising his right fist as his eyes gleamed with determination.

    Adiar¡¯s words enlivened the citizens¡¯ morale as they also raised their fists, crying out from the very depths of their souls, determined to take revenge for their loved ones.

    ***RAHHHH~!***

    Forthwith, it began to rain softly but mostly none could notice it now, as they were still shouting with vigor and their morale at its zenith.

    Adiar on his part, looked up to the sky, as drops of rain trickled down his face, heavy black armor cuirass and gauntlets of the same color; then he smiled slightly in satisfaction.

    His smile contained a small shade of corruption, but none could notice the sign.

    The events occurred just as he foresaw, turning to his favor.

    The Velika¡¯s citizens and people all over the Free Traders'' territories were going to stand, fueled by vengeance and rage, now prey to their own impulses and instincts¡­

    <hr>

    At the same time, within the Free Traders''s hall...

    This hall</a>was an enormous ¡®palace¡¯, nearly resembling a castle.

    In the palace¡¯s center lied a large domed roof surrounded by four adjoined spires, and on the external walls lied cylindrical towers.

    Its sturdy, gray stone brick walls safeguarded the refined internal architecture, which was the main stronghold of the Free Traders Collective members and allies.

    On these walls, there hanged various banners, displaying their symbolic flags on each side of the main gate and Hall¡¯s entrance.

    Inside, its walls were of refined cream marble and housed rectangular marble pillars supporting the balconies of the second-floor hallway.

    Besides on the ceiling, there were many banners lined up on each opposite wall, streaming down aligned in rows until the main pillars of the Hall.

    Also, Hall¡¯s floor was comprised of cornsilk, octagonal tessellated marble slabs, with white square embedded in each and every octagonal center.

    Thus, molding a mosaic floor style; blandly stamping peace and unity within the Hall.

    For lighting, long and high-class chandeliers adjusted to the ceilings, lighting up during the night.

    And during the day, the large fenestra windows distributed in the Hall, on the upper section of the walls, allowed the dim winter light in.

    In this way, giving a safety ambient within the inner hall.

    On the other part¡­

    Within the Free Traders Collective¡¯ hall, on the second floor, housing a few dozens of rooms were given away by Adiar himself as rehab rooms for the Allied Forces¡¯ wounded soldiers.

    Although these rooms weren¡¯t enough to host all the injured soldiers left behind due to the conflict.

    But at least these rooms helped to attend the patients that the hospitals could not house due to their limited rooms and a large influx of injured soldiers and civilians.

    These small rooms could house just one wounded soldier per room, with enough supplies and care to provide adequate treatment, while the Pora Elinu Nation provided personal support.

    Their marble walls had a slate-gray color, and at the top center of the room, there was a single bed with a commode and a simple white chair at its right.

    The floor was of a white color, and the room was lit by a unique window which overlooked the meadow of Velika¡¯s outskirts alongside a blue crystalline river.

    In one of those rooms, Caut lied sweating on the bed with the slim dark blue sheets sheltering her body up to her neck.

    Next to the bed, there was a royal Elin maid wearing a traditional black-white maid uniform taking care of her.

    This maid was patiently and devotedly wiping off the sweat over Caut¡¯s forehead with a damp cloth.

    *** *** *** ***

    Caut was standing in the middle of a pitch-black void in her ¡®dream¡¯, still hearing the dark female voice, only this time without enduring a massive headache in the process.

    ¡®You are powerful beyond what you imagine, Angel of the Eventide.¡¯ The dark female voice echoed in her mind, although her threatening tone wasn''t there anymore.

    ¡®Who are you?! Why you keep calling me like that!¡¯ Yet, Caut was still struggling in her mind against this unknown dark female voice, wary of her intentions.

    ¡®Calm down, little one... I am Leliel.¡¯ The voice leisurely identified herself.

    ¡®What are you?¡¯ Caut quickly asked back, demanding Leliel¡¯s true identity.

    ¡®Hahaha¡­you will find out soon, little one.¡¯ Leliel replied ambiguously.

    ¡®¡­I am¡­a reaper, right?¡¯ Caut muttered, aware of what she was from the very beginning her ¡®transformation¡¯ occurred.

    The Princess was trying to process all what had been happening, unable to connect her thoughts properly, confused on how she should react and move on.

    ¡®Indeed, and you have my powers little one. You and I are now one.¡¯ Leliel replied calmly after a few seconds, letting Caut think about herself.

    ¡®You can trust my powers as long you can trust yourself.¡¯ Leliel added.

    ¡®Powers?¡¯ Caut asked puzzled.

    ¡®You will know soon once you call me upon voluntarily¡­hahaha¡­daydream dweller¡­¡¯

    The Princess stood in silence a few seconds, as her mind was overrun by too many questions on so many things she¡¯s still unaware of in this world, despite her knowledge.

    *** *** *** ***

    Suddenly¡­

    Caut woke up heavily breathing, alarming the maid of her sudden awakening.

    ¡°Princess!¡± The maid exclaimed as she stopped Caut from rising up, laying her head back down on the white pillow.

    ¡°¡­Where¡­where am I?¡± Caut asked, slowly calming down her breathing.

    ¡°You are in the Free Traders Collective¡¯s hall, on the second floor¡¯s recovering section.¡± The maid explained in detail while she kept cleaning Caut¡¯s forehead.

    ¡°¡­¡± Caut stood in silence, gazing at the room ceiling for a few moments, feeling¡­different.

    ¡°Can you¡­bring me a mirror?¡± Caut requested eager to see her face for some reason.

    The maid quickly opened a commode¡¯s drawer and took out a hand mirror and handled it to Caut.

    Caut received the hand mirror and slowly approached it to her face and saw for a second¡­

    Her usual amber wolf ears were now as black as night just as now her short black hair, while her blue eyes now were of a crimson red color.

    After seeing this, she closed her eyes for a while unable to take in what her eyes saw for a brief second and then reopened them.

    Now, Caut saw that her hair was still short, of about 2 inches, but this time of its usual orange color, her eyes were blue as always and her wolf ears of its usual soft amber color.

    The Princess Caut closed and opened her eyes repeatedly to see if this happened again¡­but it was just her mind which played her once, and then gave back the hand mirror to the maid.

    Forthwith, she deeply sighed in relief¡­

    ¡°Well...I look good with short hair...although I don''t know how it actually got like this.¡± Caut said calmly, slightly carelessly as there was nothing she could do any more about it.

    ¡°You look really well, my Princess!¡± The maid said energetically, trying to cheer her up.

    The moment Caut heard her voice, she noticed that the maid¡¯s voice was really familiar and cocked her head to the right in confusion, trying to connect her voice in her memories.

    ¡°...¡± Caut looked at the maid as she just bowed politely with both of her hands over own lap.

    ¡°...Wait¡­Zalyn?¡± Caut exclaimed upon recognizing her brown hair, her friendly face, and brown eyes immediately.

    She was the one who tried to wrap the bandage around her wounded shoulder before it regenerated.

    ¡°Hahahaha¡­yes, I am, Princess Caut¡­I mean¡­Caut.¡± Zalyn greeted with a warm smile as she left the damp cloth in a metallic pot with cold water resting on the commode.

    The Elin maids used to receive extreme military training, as they often acted like royal bodyguards or even soldiers when their Queens or Princesses entered the battlefield.

    Thereby, Caut managed to know Zalyn during the fight over the Free Traders Collective¡¯s hall.

    ¡°Haha¡­would you¡­ tell me what happened in Velika?¡± Caut requested softly as Zalyn looked at her with surprise and hesitation.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    ¡°You¡­do not remember?¡± Zalyn asked concerned, seating on the chair allowing Caut to raise her torso and sat on the bed.

    ¡°I do¡­but they are vague¡­¡± Caut said as her memories weren''t clear enough within her mind, preventing a lucid image of yesterday¡¯s events.

    Yet Caut felt that she was in Velika...but at the moment of trying to remember, everything blurred.

    ¡°I wasn''t there personally. I stayed in the Free Traders¡¯ hall after you left, tending the wounded soldiers¡­but I will do my best!¡± Zalyn replied energetically,

    After a few minutes, Zalyn explained everything that she knew that happened within Velika, while Caut just looked at her focusing on every word in her story.

    Suddenly, Caut¡¯s eyes widened while in her mind, her memories started to emerge.

    Thus, the Princess remembered the unfortunate course of events while she was unsound of mind as she kept hearing Zalyn¡¯s words till these precipitously stopped.

    ¡°My Princess! Do you feel alright?!¡± Zalyn stood up abruptly.

    ¡°My Goddess¡­¡± Caut brought her hands to her mouth unable to believe of her misdeeds the day before.

    ¡°You need to rest, my Princess.¡± Zalyn said softly yet worriedly, seeing Caut¡¯s gaunt expression on her face.

    Caut remained silent and unmoving for a second.

    ¡°Where¡­where¡¯s that Popori? Bready?¡± Caut asked out of nowhere, as she still can remember his name, due she saved him a few months ago.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, my Princess. But you-hey!¡± Zalyn grabbed Caut¡¯s right arm upon seeing her jumping out of the bed barefoot, with nothing but a simple white dress.

    Caut¡¯s simple white dress revealed her shoulders, arms, and half of her thighs displaying her soft porcelain skin, matching perfectly with her orange hair and beautiful blue eyes.

    ¡°You cannot go out! The Queen explicitly ordered that you cannot leave from here till you are healthy!¡± Zalyn added quickly trying to make Caut understand her actual situation.

    ¡°I must know if he is alright¡­I¡­must make sure I did not kill him!¡± Caut exclaimed in despair.

    Caut in those moments felt like a puppet, pulled by invisible strings, and she has no way to ensure that it wouldn¡¯t repeat again.

    She thought that she killed an ally due to her weak mind, vulnerable to Leliel¡¯s influence.

    The Princess felt guilt, shame and a heavy unsteadiness in her heart, as her words trembled when she spoke upon remembering all that she did.

    Caut glared at Zalyn for a second as Zalyn could notice Caut¡¯s uncertainty and despair in her eyes.

    Thus, Zalyn slowly released her soon after and then exclaimed with a soft smile.

    ¡°Well, the sentries won¡¯t let you go out alone!¡± Zalyn said relenting to her needs.

    ¡°Thank you, Zalyn¡­¡± Caut said grateful of Zalyn¡¯s cheerful personality and profound loyalty, although her gaunt expression remained unchanged.

    ¡°It is an honor. Well now¡­you may need some shoes and a coat worthy of a Pora Elinu Nation¡¯s Princess!!¡± Zalyn said vividly as she looked for them.

    While Caut just sat back on the bed, looking at her bright personality, making her slightly smile.

    After a minute, Zalyn took a pair of simple white shoes and a light, loose short blue coat out from the commode.

    ¡°Here you are¡­¡± Zalyn then turned to Caut and delivered the coat, and then she crouched down, to gently help Caut put her shoes on.

    Zalyn was surprised of Caut¡¯s soft skin and pure body, absolutely worthy of a Princess after feeling it firsthand.

    Immediately after finishing helping Princess Caut to clothe, Zalyn raised up and headed to the door.

    While the tapping of her refined black low-heel shoes silently echoed through the room, Caut jumped down the bed gently, and walked towards the door of the room, to exit.

    Then, Zalyn opened the room¡¯s door as the two Elin sentries outside the room fixed their gaze on her.

    ¡°The Princess will go out for a walk, under my supervision,¡± Zalyn informed softly taking the responsibility, with a friendly expression decorating her everlasting youth.

    The Elin sentries overheard their conversation inside the room thanks to their ¡®natural¡¯ animal ears and the keen senses granted to them by Elinu.

    Their ingrained respect towards the authority, sincere loyalty, and empathy of their young Princess, didn''t let them stop Caut, despite the Queen¡¯s direct and explicit orders.

    After a second, the Elin sentries just nodded once in acknowledgment, even though they knew they were defying the Queen¡¯s orders.

    Thereupon, Zalyn exited the room with Princess Caut following behind.

    ¡°My Princess.¡± The Elin sentries exclaimed in unison, both wearing heavy plate armor and wielding halberds bowed upon seeing her, greeting her with a slight martial bow.

    Caut limited her response with just a slight and hurried formal bow and then she kept walking.

    Thus, the Princess walked eagerly along Zalyn through the second floor¡¯s open hallway, with a few balconies which overlooked the first floor.

    There were a few people walking on the second floor¡¯s open hallway, and these were mostly nurses, medics, and a few FTC¡¯s guards.

    Also a few minor-injured soldiers of different races, despite being at near full recovery still wore bandages on various parts of their bodies.

    The recovering soldiers were often slowly walking along the second floor¡¯s open hallway, or leaning their elbows over the railings of the balconies that overlooked the busy Hall¡¯s first floor.

    Yet...Caut didn''t even pay attention to any of these details, as her mind was completely focused on searching Bready while Zalyn followed the pace.

    ¡°Where is he¡­Where is he¡­¡± Caut mumbled to herself nervously, while walking along the open hallway, opening every room¡¯s door searching for Bready.

    ¡®You are too young Caut...you are not ready yet for the cruel world outside of Pora Elinu...¡¯

    While the Princess was looking for Bready, she remembered the words from her mother, Valentina.

    Caut received those words fifteen years ago. When she decided to leave Pora Elinu posterior her mother and many of her people and friends turned their back to their own people¡­

    Those who saved many lives...were then abandoned by their allies as well as their people.

    And since then, they were labeled as Reapers as if they were a different race, despite being Elins essentially.

    ¡®Mother¡­you were right¡­I am not ready for this¡­¡¯ Caut thought to herself as Zalyn tried to keep up the pace behind her, feeling Caut¡¯s inner sorrow.

    Yet, Zalyn knew that she was unable to help her more than providing emotional support every time the possibility showed up¡­

    As Caut opened the door, she quickly peered in, searching for Bready and upon not finding him, she went to the next room leaving the door open.

    Thus, she kept going, opening door by door looking for him as her nervousness grew higher and higher upon each mistake as her chest tightened, softly drowning her.

    On the other part, Zalyn could only bow apologizing with a slight smile for the Princess¡¯ intrusion to every room that Caut barged in and then close the door and catch up Caut.

    After almost an hour of an extensive and intensive searching, Caut finally found Bready¡¯s room.

    In the instant she entered the room, she got to see Bready lying on a single-person bed still unconscious, sheltered by its slim dark blue sheets.

    Caut sighed deeply in relief upon seeing Bready alive and safe, but she was caught off guard hearing another Elin¡¯s voice beside her.

    ¡°Uhuhuhuhu¡­look who¡¯s here.¡± Caut heard a familiar soft voice at her right side¡­turning her head; she saw Mech leaning her back on the wall, next to the door.

    Mech was wearing her usual loose sleeve, siena gown cascading around her figure till her hips, ending in a billowing mini-skirt while wearing small silver shoulders pads.

    Then around her lower torso, she wore black short knickerbockers and a belt fastened around her waist, although Mech carried no weapon this time.

    ¡°Mech!¡± Caut exclaimed upon noticing her, as she did not sense her upon entering.

    Zalyn entered a few seconds later, as she respectfully bowed upon seeing Mech.

    ¡°Priestess,¡± Zalyn exclaimed softly.

    ¡°Nononono¡­no bowing¡­please.¡± Mech said awkwardly while shaking both of her hands.

    Then, Zalyn approached to Bready and took care of him, while Mech and Caut briefly chatted.

    ¡°How¡­how is he?¡± Caut asked silently as Mech wolf ears perked up interested in her question, as her ocher wolf tail wagged side to side, happily.

    ¡°Hoho¡­¡± Mech looked at Caut with teasing suspicion.

    ¡°Mechy! This is serious!¡± Caut exclaimed, demanding for an answer as her amber wolf tail was quiet and her wolf ears drooped.

    ¡°Haha¡­alright alright! I healed his most critical wound already¡­he should be waking up at any moment.¡± Mech informed shortly to Caut with a calm smile.

    Upon hearing this, Caut felt how the pressure on her chest and the weight on her shoulders lightened, as she walked to the chair next to the bed and sat.

    ¡°What¡­what have I done¡­¡± Caut mumbled to herself as she placed her fist over her legs and clenched them impotently, looking to the floor.

    Zalyn and Mech just looked at Caut, as her expression became even gaunter as traumatic images of her heavily wounding Bready repeated and repeated within her mind.

    ¡®If Mech wasn¡¯t there¡­he¡­he would have¡­¡¯ Caut thought to herself; her mind severely unstable.

    Although the Princess was calm due Bready¡¯s safety, and not in danger anymore, but it wasn''t enough to forgive herself so easily, as she almost killed an innocent ally.

    Suddenly, Caut felt a hand on her right shoulder.

    ¡°It wasn''t you, Cautie. We all understand it, you don''t need to be so harsh on yourself.¡± Mech said as Caut turned and saw Mech¡¯s slight smile.

    Mech tried her best to cheer her up, yet her own words made her feel like a hypocrite for a second.

    ¡°Aaghh¡­¡± Bready mumbled in his sleep, as he felt a sharp pain on his upper torso.

    Immediately after this, Caut raised up from the white chair and laid her hands on the soft sheets, while looking at Bready from above.

    ¡°Mech! He is sweating!¡± Caut shouted worriedly as her eyes gleamed.

    ¡°Let me help, Princess,¡± Zalyn said, while swiftly took out a cloth from her pocket and cooled it with a short and simple magic sequence and then placed it over Bready¡¯s forehead.

    ¡°Calm down, Cautie. He is alright, it is just his body¡¯s still unaccustomed to my healing magic. It¡¯s a normal occurrence¡­¡± Mech tried to explain.

    But the Princess did not pay attention to even a single word.

    ¡°H-He¡¯s waking up!¡± Caut exclaimed in happiness upon seeing Bready opening his black eyes.

    *** *** *** ***

    Bready was in a deep slumber, although he heard some indistinct, yet familiar voices from afar¡­

    ¡®Nnnnn¡­¡¯ Bready stirred in his dreams as the voices gradually grew louder, clearer¡­and more distinguishable while slowly opening his eyes¡­

    For a second, in Bready¡¯s view two scenes mixed, as he saw himself in a vivid and colorful forest and a face over him, close face to face with a youth female, as she stared at him.

    Bready recognized her blue eyes immediately, the ones he saw in his most precious day of his life, the awakening.

    ¡°H-He¡¯s waking up!¡± Bready heard her voice¡­

    ¡°P-Princess?¡± Bready mumbled.

    ¡°Haha...I will let you guys so you can speak, Adiar and our Queen will have a meeting soon on how we should handle all this situation.¡± Mech informed calmly as she was going to leave.

    Yet Caut again did not register Mech¡¯s words even the slightest focusing only on Bready.

    ¡°You¡¯re in a safe place, Bready! Don''t try to get up!¡± Caut exclaimed.

    Bready stared at her, still confused while slowly his view was clarifying.

    Mech on the other side smiled joyfully upon seeing that Caut¡¯s mood drastically changed for better, and gave a few slow tiptoes back without turning, stealthily leaving the room.

    Consequently, Zalyn upon noticing it bowed respectfully and gratefully to Mech.

    Mech just nodded once, understanding that Zalyn was thanking for Caut; then turned and left the room silently, stealthily closing the door.

    <hr>

    At the same time in another place¡­

    Within Velika, at the northwest district, generally known as the slum district.

    This district was the least affected during the invasion, yet its streets and buildings were in poor condition due to the lack of maintenance.

    If one walked down its streets, one would see a tavern on a dead end road located at the most northwest corner of Velika.

    Its entrance was moldy, with a nameplate hanging up the door frame with rusty words displayed the tavern¡¯s name: ¡®Desire¡¯

    The wooden door was battered and partially mossy at its frame,

    On the other side, the tavern¡¯s indoors displayed a poor upkeep as there were many cobwebs on the ceilings corner of the spruce wood structure.

    Its radial impact-cracked windows lit the indoors dimly, lighting up the dark brown wooden tavern; thus complementing its gloomy atmosphere

    The tavern¡¯s furniture was the exception, contradicting the bad aspects.

    There was a bar area with a wide bar counter of dark brown wood with several rows of wide dark brown wooden shelves behind it, displaying a various assortment of liqueurs.

    The bar had five black-wood stools beside it, as a few of them were occupied by rough looking regular customers wearing different clothes, although all of them in a poor condition.

    They were drinking glasses of cheap beer in their hands while the bartender wearing a dull black-white uniform diligently serving his customer¡¯s orders.

    On the other part, there were several round wooden tables spread around the tavern with a few wooden chair around.

    As waitress and waiter wearing the same dull uniform walked around ,walking briskly around the tavern serving drinks.

    Many of the tables were completely occupied by five or four battered customers, drinking some strange-coloured liquids while in conversation amongst themselves.

    All except for one table, as only one black-haired human male was alone on one table, his face adorned with a stern gaze.

    On the table, he had a glass of brown cherry alcohol alongside a bottle containing a variant of whiskey.

    He was wearing a gray plate armor with a blue-red symbol ripped up off his hauberk, as his gaze emanated a profound rancor and sorrow, although this latter could be clearly seen.

    This man often took the glass and drank it completely without flinching once, and then placed back the glass on the table, and then took the bottle on the table and refilled the empty glass.

    Suddenly, the tavern¡¯s wooden door is slowly open as just a few looked without much curiosity to whoever was entering the tavern.

    But when after looking at that short person for a second, the first spectators whispered to their companions as after a few seconds, everyone was looking at the newcomer.

    A few whistled in surprise as their eyes were glued on the short female¡¯s petite thighs covered by black with horizontal and parallel red lines stockings held by black garters.

    Her short charcoal hair and triangular cat ears matched perfectly with her black buttoned up corset on her long sleeved blouse of the same color, although her chest was small.

    Besides, around her waist fastened a brown belt with a small pocket.

    Meanwhile, her innocent murderer teal eyes traveled around all the tavern, registering everyone in her line of sight.

    Also, she had a long black cat tail coming out down her black frilly skirt, which ended at the half of her tights.

    Despite the stares, she continued walking through the tavern calmly as the men slowly turned their heads following her slightly gawking.

    After a while, she arrived at the loner and stood beside the man still drinking the variant of whiskey.

    ¡°Greetings, Finley.¡± The female greeted as she took a wooden chair and sat, crossing her legs as on her left hand, she was stealthy initiating a magic sequence.

    Compared with everyone else in the tavern, she was a high-class lady in their eyes, as her classy creamy skin and refined female figure were attracting every eye in the tavern.

    ¡°Who are you? How do you know my name?¡± Finley said clearly and severely, even after all the alcohol he had drank, the drunkenness had not set in.

    ¡°Hehehehaha¡­someone who can help you to avenge your dear wife and daughter.¡± The female said with a smile, shifting both of her hands over her lap.

    ¡°Wha-...How did you¡­?!¡± Finley raised his voice in surprise and anger.

    ¡°Hehehe¡­that¡¯s not important. I would like you to¡­end Adiar and his allies¡¯ lives.¡± The female spoke calmly and carelessly, revealing her intentions directly without any detour.

    And then she opened the pocket of her belt and took out a white bag and place it on the wooden table, as a metallic clanging sound echoed on the tavern.

    Upon she released it, the bag opened itself as golden coins slid over the table.

    Both could hear an ¡®Ohhhh!¡¯ from all the spectators.

    Finley stood gazing directly at the short female¡¯s teal eyes trying to decipher her intentions but he completely failed, as the rage in his heart was fueled by sorrow and rancor.

    ¡°It is quite strange to see an Elin asking that¡­hiring some random mercenary to kill their allies,¡± Finley said confused about the Elin¡¯s train of thought.

    ¡°Hahaha. They aren¡¯t my allies, none of them are. They and my master have...different mindsets. Then, do you accept my offer?¡± The female asked without any rush.

    ¡°Who is your master?¡± Finley asked, requesting more details,

    ¡°Hahaha. Sadly, I cannot say anything about my master, but my name is Ralu,nice to meet you.¡± Ralu extended her hand like a refined lady.

    But Findley just looked at her hand without moving at all, not interested in her at all.

    ¡°Hmm¡­so strict!¡± Ralu retracted her hand slightly pouting at his ¡®rejection¡¯.

    ¡°Answer my questions. How will I kill them?¡± Finley demanded.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that, I will grant your opportunities. Your first target will be one of Adiar¡¯s close allies¡­but I cannot give you more details in here.¡± Ralu said calmly.

    Finley looked at Ralu, and then at the gold coins lying on the table¡­Finley reminisced his life, as he struggles to reach a concluding choice.

    After staring at the gold coins for a few seconds, Finley then reached a resolution.

    ¡°...I accept, but I have enough with just killing Adiar, that will be my payment.¡± Finley said as he moved away the gold coins with his right arm, choosing to avenge his wife and daughter.

    ¡°Ohh¡­hahaha¡­I like it, I like it!¡± Ralu exclaimed vividly as she picked up the golden coins, tossed them into the bag and then kept the bag in her pocket on the belt.

    Then, Ralu clapped once and stood up with a smile.

    ¡°Yaay! Good good! My master will be pleased.¡± She exclaimed vividly.

    ¡°Let¡¯s get moving!¡± Ralu added, stretching her right hand again, and this time she gave him a wink.

    Finley noticing her implicit sign and suddenly noticed a magic sequence on her left hand.

    Upon seeing this, he took Ralu¡¯s hand immediately.

    ¡°Ild uvaer.¡± Ralu murmured as both were briefly shrouded in light blue gas and then vanished into thin air¡­

    However¡­

    The moment after they vanished, the tavern exploded in a blizzard of fire, destroying the tavern and burning everyone inside.

    Leaving only ashes and charred corpses of the people inside¡­

    The seeds of disgrace were slowly being sown by the hands of darkness, longing to spread destruction throughout the realm.

    Credits to I4MD347H for editing. Thanks a lot!

 Volume I Chapter 4 Part II: Seeds of Disgrace (II)

    Volume I Chapter 4 Part II: Seeds of Disgrace (II)

    Velika, Northwest District.

    Like every other winter, clouds obscured the skies over Velika, weakly raining while a cold breeze prowled every corner of the land, including the most recondite corners of the city...

    It was past midday when a loud, violent explosion erupted within Velika, alarming several patrol units within Velika nearby the source.

    Multiple Castanic and Elin units mobilized promptly towards the origin of the explosion the second after it happened, and when they arrived¡­

    There was a whole ten-meter building set on fire, as the firsts units coming could hear the screams of agony of the people trapped inside being consumed by the wild flames.

    ¡°Ahhhh!¡±

    *SCRASH*

    The building¡¯s windows exploded due to the high temperatures as the flames continued spreading within the building.

    To the place arrived around 13 Elins and 17 Castanics, aside from the many citizens spectating the sudden inexplicable flames from afar while others were trying to douse the flames.

    All of them were away from the flames at a safe distance, as suddenly¡­

    ¡°All of you, retreat!¡± Wearing her usual light ebony armor, Zekka, a female Castanic, shouted loudly to a few civilians which approached to the building, trying to combat the fire.

    Turning their heads to the voice, the remaining civilians see a red-skinned Castanic wearing a revealing black armor highlighting her slim, attractive build while revealing and accentuating her small chest beside exposing her upper thighs and portions of her stomach.

    Even so, the civilians did not heed her words and continued their efforts to douse the violent flames.

    Upon seeing the civilians ignore her words¡­

    ¡°Get them out of there.¡± Zekka turned her head back and ordered to the four Castanics sentinels behind her; they nodded and then immediately ran the to escort the civilians out the crime scene, while Zekka watched the Elin units preparing their magic sequences.

    The Elins surrounded the burning building a few meters away, preparing their anti-fire spells to contain the flames before it spreads to the nearby buildings.

    After a minute, while Zekka observed the Elin magicians surrounding the building containing the chaos, an Elin approached her, while her heavy armor clanked with each swift steps.

    ¡°You are Sergeant Zekka, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Zekka heard the Elin¡¯s firm, feminine, yet serious voice.

    ¡°That¡¯s me. Can I help you?¡± Zekka replied back, turning to see a short black-haired Elin wearing a white-black hauberk, black gauntlets, and boots next to her, as the Elin fixed her teal eyes on Zekka.

    ¡°My name is Captain Emilia. Your men informed me that you are their commander. Did you witness what caused the explosion?¡± Emilia introduced herself along with an inquiry; while fixing her gaze back to the building.

    Zekka felt Emilia¡¯s stern words. Despite the jolly nature the Elins always displayed, they were courageous allies and fierce warriors in the battlefield.

    As an old Amani friend once said to Zekka: ''These are people you want at your back, not facing you on the field of battle.''

    ¡®Just like old times, huh?¡¯ Zekka thought to herself while slightly smiling, remembering her younger days fighting with the Elins side by side during the Argon War.

    ¡°I did not, but I can say that this was no accident. No mere accident can cause this much damage this fast. I would like to take a closer look when the flames die out.¡± Zekka then replied thoughtfully.

    ¡°Indeed, I can perceive ¡®spent¡¯ mana traces within the building, but to cause this mess¡­it was definitely a spell from a well-trained magician. Although¡­*sniff*sniff*¡­should you be up with your¡­injuries?¡± Emilia exclaimed as her sensitive eyes could see faint blue ¡®figments¡¯ floating within the fire while her nose sniffed¡­dried blood and bandages under Zekka¡¯s armor.

    ¡°...Hahaha, you Elins and your sharp noses¡­How can I sit by worrying my men will screw up without me.¡± Zekka replied as Emilia looked at her upon hearing her careless response over herself.

    ¡°Hahaha¡­also, I cannot be resting on a bed with all this going on, you know? ¡± Zekka added with a defeated chuckle.

    ¡°You Castanics¡­haven''t changed at all,¡± Emilia murmured, as she knows the Castanics since the Argon War, where she participated as a low-range officer.

    ¡°Eh? Well, that¡¯s how we are.¡± Zekka replied casually.

    ¡°I know, I am just curious where all that natural recklessness comes from. Haha.¡± Emilia exclaimed and then focused back to the flames, slowly inspecting her surroundings.

    Not every Elin possessed sensitive eyes or any improved sense, yet all of them had a smell sense over the average in comparison with the other races; besides some had one or two unique gifts, most of the time deduced from their visible animalistic traits.

    Even so, all the Elins were pure spirits given flesh, and all of them could see, feel, or sense certain things the other races cannot.

    In this case, Emilia had above-average sensitive eyes among her peers, which allowed her to see traces of magic left behind when used to cast spells or other mana related skills.

    ¡®This magic signature¡­I¡¯m sure that I¡¯ve seen it before¡­but when? Where?¡¯ Emilia thought to herself and then she shouted.

    ¡°Extinguish the flames!¡± Emilia ordered her subordinates after inspecting the building magic traces carefully from afar with her sensitive teal eyes; while her subordinates had t already had the fire controlled

    Hearing Emilia¡¯s orders, the Elins switched from fire-control to fire-combat magic spells, as many yellow arcane triangles, designed to extinguish flames by recreating limited amounts of water, appeared around the building and doused the wild flames with ease.

    After their sequences switch was done, the Elins slowly pushed the yellow arcane triangles towards the flames¡­

    Upon the contact between the anti-fire magic and the fire, an extensive humid-wet steam erupted around the street as after a few minutes the fire nearly died out within the building.

    ¡°Haha, awesome,¡± Zekka exclaimed as the Elins¡¯ prowess kept surprising her.

    ¡°You can now go in, sergeant; I¡¯ll accompany you,¡± Emilia exclaimed as Zekka nodded, although Emilia already seemed slightly overwhelmed by the congregated stench from the charred bodies within the building.

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Zekka asked, taking in consideration that detail.

    ¡°Yes, don¡¯t worry about me,¡± Emilia replied back,

    Meanwhile, the building¡¯s front was charred carbon black, as its interior was carbonized, exposing debris scattered all around the seared floor.

    Seeing the structure was still stable due to its sturdy pillars, Zekka entered the building¡¯s doorless open entrance without thinking twice. Then¡­

    *Clank!*

    Zekka stumbled on something metallic, although it wasn''t enough to knock her off balance.

    Looking down, she sees a soot-covered metallic board under her left boot.

    ¡°Uhm?¡±

    Curious of the object, Zekka then brushed the soot off its surface her boot, revealing the word ¡®Desire¡¯ and then a few meters ahead¡­a clean and untouched white circle.

    ¡°Do you see that?¡± Zekka pointed slowly ahead of her, to not open her still-healing wounds.

    ¡°Yes, what¡¯s wrong with that?¡± Emilia asked unable to understand Zekka and the importance of that clean circle in the middle of the carbonized aftermath.

    ¡°Only A class magicians can do that, and there is not many of them,¡± Zekka replied without hesitation, as Emilia looked at her with a serious gaze.

    ¡®It cannot be¡­¡¯ Emilia thought for herself.

    ¡°I must report this immediately,¡± Emilia exclaimed without hesitation.

    <hr>

    Somewhere within northern side of the Oblivion Woods, Arcadia province.

    Blackness¡­pure blackness.

    That was the only thing that Findley can see after Ralu teleported him out of ¡®Desire¡¯; while feeling a cold metallic feeling around his hauberk and back, as well around his wrists and ankle.Stolen novel; please report.

    Oblivious of his current condition and the immobilization spells entrapping him, rendering him unable to hear and see anything.

    ¡°Uh? What the¡­¡± Findley uttered, noticing his imprisonment, shackled to what seemed a metallic operating table from his wrists and ankles.

    ¡°Aggh¡­ahh!¡± Findley pulled his arms and legs up to free himself, but it was to no avail, as the metal shackles effortlessly held him in place.

    ¡°Ahhh! Ralu, what does this mean?! Show yourself!¡± Findley shouted with fury.

    *TUM-TUM*

    ¡°Agh!¡± Findley closed his eyes as these were suddenly overwhelmed by the room¡¯s light sources, blinding his eyes for a few seconds.

    Although what actually happened, is that Ralu canceled her magic sequence upon hearing Findley¡¯s request.

    After a few seconds, his eyes got used to the room¡¯s artificial illumination; but he was unable to recognize his surroundings¡­as he seemed to be within a laboratory, surrounded by clean white walls, unable to tell if the installation was underground or not.

    Additionally, Findley noticed at his right a metallic gray crash cart with several modern surgical instruments; various types of syringes along other tools and a bottle containing black, viscous liquid.

    On the other hand, there were large lab tables all around the room, with test tubes filled with the same unknown black liquid within them, flasks, pipettes and others material around, although he saw no other scientific or medics around more than Ralu.

    She was before him; albeit most of Ralu¡¯s face was completely covered with a black breathing mask with two bright-blue lens visor.

    ¡°Hehehe¡­hai hai!¡± Ralu greeted with her usual cheerful personality and tone, though her voice was slightly muffled by the mask this time.

    ¡°Ugh! What does this mean?!¡± Findley shouted, demanding answers to his predicament.

    ¡°Aynn¡­hahaha¡­well, I said I was going to give you an opportunity to kill Adiar, right? Well, that¡¯s what I am going to do.¡± Ralu explained vaguely while Findley can dimly hear her breathing through her mask with each word.

    ¡°Eh? What are you talking about?! Release me, Ralu!¡± Findley shouted back upon hearing her ambiguous response.

    ¡°Ralu, end with this already, I must leave soon.¡± Findley heard another muffled female, yet unknown voice behind him. But Findley was unable to see the other female, as he cannot turn his head to see the other person due to his entrapment.

    ¡°Roger that, Master!¡± Ralu said energetically and walked towards the crash cart next to the operation table where Findley was lying on.

    ¡°Goddammit, Ralu!¡± Findley yelled, seeing how upon being near the cart, took a syringe and the bottle, slowly drawing the viscous black liquid into the syringe.

    ¡°What are you going to do?¡± Findley asked as despair slowly bloomed in his heart.

    ¡°Hehehe¡­I am going to give you the strength to kill Adiar; I think¡­you are my first test subject with¡­uhmm¡­ ¡®my¡¯ virus¡­hahaha.¡± Ralu exclaimed as she turned, holding the syringe upwards in her right hand.

    Then, she approached to Findley¡­as his panicking eyes could just helplessly watch as she stabbed the syringe into his right shoulder, and injected the dubious liquid into him.

    Then¡­Findley''s unbearable suffering had begun.

    ¡°Aghh¡­ahhh¡­ahhhhh!¡± Findley yelled loudly while his face twisted in pain, feeling a foreign substance violently forcing itself throughout every fiber of his being through his veins.

    Moments later; Findley, now crying in agonizing pain, started to convulse violently atop the operating table as the shackles clanked and rattled yet still holding him, while Ralu kept looking at his torment unfazed.

    ¡°Hraaaooooggghhh!¡± Findley¡¯s suddenly roared spitting a black liquid mixed with blood forward, as his eyes were slowly turned completely black, leaving blue iris and blue ¡®veins¡¯ spreading nearby his eyes.

    Furthermore, Findley¡¯s body abruptly deformed while his body was gradually turning black, starting from his chest to the rest of his body.

    ¡°Hehehehe¡­incredible¡­wonderful!¡± Ralu exclaimed excited of her virus'' results, spreading a concealed warped smile under her mask.

    *Squelch*Crack*

    Suddenly, blood splattered on her breathing mask along hearing his flesh contort and his bones cracking as Findley kept crying in pain.

    ¡°Hehehehe¡­it is all a success, master!¡± Ralu exclaimed happily, witnessing the results of her virus right in front of her.

    ¡°Good, make sure to deploy him at the preassigned destination.¡± The muffled female voice ordered as then her soft footsteps echoed within the lab, gradually fading away till Ralu¡¯s master left.

    ¡°Yes, master!¡± Ralu answered back devotedly with a warped determination and then waved her hands to her master.

    Then, Ralu turned towards the cart and took another syringe.

    ¡°Ayyy¡­I can¡¯t wait! But first, I must acquire more samples!¡± Ralu exclaimed her thoughts aloud while preparing a new empty syringe in her right hand.

    <hr>

    Unknown location.

    *Zum-Zum-Zum*

    *Criiiih!*

    Multiple archers were stationed atop a hill between green-leafed trees; one after another shooting arrows downward, thus covering the front line down at the foothills.

    ¡°Keep firing!¡± A brown human archer wearing a light platinum armor shouted to hiscomrades while he kept summoning magic arrows in his left hand, swiftly pulled his bowstring and aimed, and fired his bow with precision.

    With a slight delay, the arrow rapidly soared through the air and pierced through one of the advancing humanoid monsters¡¯ skull, knocking it back as it collapsed dead on the floor.

    ¡°Fall back; we''ve been cut off!¡± One of his High Elf comrades next to his left exclaimed upon seeing their frontline being swarmed by the black-bluish monsters, starting to fall back from fear.

    Immediately, the human turned his head to his comrades, outstretching his hand forward as he shouted back at in response.

    ¡°Belay that order, keep firing!¡±

    *Fon-Fon-Fon*

    Numerous of the archers within the backline, including the High Elf, were impaled by short black spikes, killing them instantly as the spikes took root within their victims.

    ¡°Crap!¡± The human cursed upon noticing the same spikes fired at him, forcefully throwing himself to the floor and avoided the projectiles.

    At the same time, the creatures broke through the vanguard, ravaging everything they see spreading a festival of gore and disease; engulfing the battlefield in desperate cries of pain and bloodshed as the monsters feast on their victims, turning them into one of them adding their numbers in the process.

    *Ahh-ahhhhhh!*

    ¡°Agh¡­¡± The human archer turned on the floor, and when he was about to push himself up¡­

    *Krihhh!*

    One of the monsters jumped on him, as it prowled onto the hill undetected by the soldiers long ago.

    The human saw its bright blue vein eyes as it leapt, its claws aiming for his chest.

    *Rahhh!*

    -!-

    ¡°Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!¡± A female shouted while she was lying on the bed.

    ¡°Mech?! Mech?! Are you alright?!¡± Korah exclaimed as he barged into the room towards Mech, while Mech sprang up frantically, still covered with a simple but warm, white sheet.

    Korah was within Mech¡¯s room, it had plenty of space for one person, even more for an Elin; despite Mech¡¯s slumber, the window curtain was left open, allowing the past midday sunlight to illuminate the room.

    The concrete walls were light green while a white synthetic carpet layered over the entire floor; on the other hand, only a bed, a large dresser, a mirror next to it and a wooden chair at the left side of her bed decorated the room.

    *Gasp-Gasp-Gasp-Gasp*

    Mech¡¯s eyes were completely widened and breathing irregularly; her eyes opaque and shaking, looking down at her hands as cold sweat trickled down her forehead

    ¡°Mech? What happened? Is everything alright?! Tell me what happened?!¡± Korah exclaimed worriedly, lowering his gaze to notice Mech squeezing the white sheet while her hands were lightly trembling.

    ¡°A-Argons? How¡­? I-It is impossible¡­¡± Mech spoke with a trembling voice, unable to take in her uncontrollable visions.

    These were the visions, or better said, nightmares which Sayune, Mech¡¯s mother, passed on to her months ago; tormenting her mind every time she closed her eyes and drifted into her slumber.

    ¡®Argons? And what¡¯s that odd magic frequency?¡¯ Korah thought for a second, confused about the actual Mech¡¯s sight and situation.

    ¡°Mech? What are you talking about?¡± Korah murmured, concerned of Mech¡¯s actual mental condition while he softly placed his warm hand over Mech¡¯s left hand.

    Upon doing that, Korah felt Mech¡¯s hands¡­determining them as cold as ice.

    ¡°Eh?¡± Mech shook her head once, dropped the sheets, and backed her hands to her chest, pushing away Korah¡¯s hand.

    Korah by his side, limited himself to look only at her eyes seeing them filled with an inexplicable fear, was concerned about her difficult condition.

    Then, to help calm herself down, Mech slapped her cheeks once with both her hands, as the light of her eyes returned.

    ¡°Haha¡­I am sorry you saw that¡­I still have some nightmares from the Argon War back in the days¡­haha¡­¡± Mech said with a forced carelessness and soft smile.

    ¡®I have never been able to understand her to be honest¡­but that¡¯s what I like about her¡­¡¯ Korah thought in his head while looking at Mech, baffled by her sudden change.

    ¡°Uhm?¡± Mech turned her head, gazing at Korah and then cocked her head to the right.

    ¡°¡­¡± Mech then looked down, noticing her simple one-piece dress pajama; and then quickly blushed, making her face look similar to an apple.

    ¡°Hahahaha¡­*Puff* ¡­¡± Korah laughed calmly, but then a soft, pleasant scented pillow landed on his face.

    ¡°Why did you enter my room without knocking?!¡± Mech demanded answer while completely covering herself with her bedsheets.

    ¡°Haha¡­I just came here to remind you about the Allied Forces¡¯ scheduled meeting. You always forget about your appointments, you forgetful midget.¡± Korah replied back mockingly.

    ¡°What?! It is not my fault for being a midget! Elins can¡¯t grow more than a meter and a half!¡± Mech retorted while she threw another pillow at Korah.

    ¡°You should be worrying more about the meeting; it will start in 30 minutes more¡­¡± Korah said giggling, as Mech¡¯s personality was funny and soothing for him. Talking with her helps him forget all the atrocities he did and saw during the several wars he had been.

    Despite Korah being a High Elf, Mech was ironically his unique oasis of freedom, where he can be his friendly self, displaying his wounded soul by the war.

    ¡°30 minutes?! I am late already! Why didn''t you say that first?!¡± Mech exclaimed loudly as she jumped off the bed in a second without the slightest shame and rushed towards the bathroom to prepare herself for the meeting with the Allied Forces¡¯ leaders.

    ¡°Hahaha...I am sorry! I tried to say it but-¡­¡± Korah shouted back, slowly seating himself on the bed and relaxed, as Mech¡¯s soft and sweet smell emanating from her bed.

    ¡°And don''t even think about laying on my bed! Sit somewhere else!¡± Mech interrupted, shouting from the bathroom.

    ¡°Hah? That¡¯s cheating¡­Okay okay¡­¡± Korah murmured, as Mech probably used her sharp Elin senses to ¡®spot¡¯ him right away.

    After that, Korah slowly stood up off Mech¡¯s bed and walked towards the wooden chair at its left.

    ¡°Uh?¡± Korah vocalized surprised upon seeing a yellow outfit with a gray mask over the costume; the mask had sorrowful eyes and a cheery smile.

    Upon seeing this, Korah¡¯s curiosity overwhelmed him, and without thinking it twice, he took the mask and tried to fit it on his face, noticing it was too small for him.

    ¡°Uhmm¡­¡± Korah noticed some words inside the mask and inspected it carefully¡­

    ¡®Archangel¡­Archangel Project?¡¯ Korah read some words inscribed on the inner mask surface.

    ¡®What is that?¡¯ Korah asked himself, puzzled of the words he just read.

    ¡°Drop it, right now.¡± Suddenly, Korah heard Mech¡¯s serious tone behind him, as she probably noticed his intrusion from the bathroom.

    ¡°Uh¡­uh, sorry¡­¡± Korah left the mask right where he found it after hearing Mech¡¯s voice.

    ¡°Leave my room. Now.¡± Mech added, and right after Korah turned and looked at her, seeing a white cloth towel wrapped around her body, revealing only her soft, bare shoulders while the rest were covered by the white cloth.

    ¡°But¡­Mech-¡± Korah tried to explain himself, but¡­

    ¡°Leave,¡± Mech repeated in abrupt interruption, as she wore a severe expression on her face and then turned around and walked towards the bathroom to finish her shower.

    On the other hand, Korah walked towards the room door unable to understand the course of events, and then left Mech¡¯s room in silence, confused by Mech¡¯s sudden change of mood.

    ¡°If you would know what I did and what I am¡­¡± Mech murmured, leaning her back on the bathroom door after hearing Korah leaving.

    Credits to I4MD347H for editing. Thanks a lot!

 Volume I Chapter 4 Part III: Seeds of Disgrace (III)

    Volume I Chapter 4 Part III: Seeds of Disgrace (III)

    Mech¡¯s body was covered with the white synthetic towel while she was still leaning back on the bathroom door, as in front of her there was tub ready for a warm bath.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t need to be so harsh with him¡­but¡­¡± Mech murmured, as once again the images of her bloody sins toured her head, making her clench her fists with impotence.

    ¡°What I am supposed to do¡­¡± Mech spoke to herself, slowly sliding down the door till she hit the floor and then hugged her knees, completely overburdened by her past.

    Mech¡¯s sight darkened, as a tear fell on the white ceramic floor followed by more impotence tears¡­

    Everyday Mech could feel the weight of those taken lives over her shoulders, bearing the burden of her sins day and night, tormenting her mind every single second.

    Even so, something inside her kept pushing Mech forward, to keep living on even if that meant to suffer in silence every day; she kept going forward, as her fragment of life felt that her mission in this world wasn''t yet finished.

    But what was that mission? What kept her motivated to live on?

    Not even Mech knew it, despite she now had Sayune¡¯s visions, she could still not decipher what her real purpose was.

    What Mech didn¡¯t know, is that she was already fulfilling that purpose, she was just unaware of it.

    <hr>

    (Courtesy of TERA fan-kit artwork)

    Somewhere in Celestial Hills, Arcadia province.

    The Celestial Hills was a deep desert located between Velika and Lumbertown, more precisely at the north of Velika and the South of Lumbertown.

    The orange-yellow desert sand bathed in the glowing sun, and despite it being winter in Arun, the temperatures were comfortable enough during the day, but the nights were deathly cold.

    There were numerous rocky structures everywhere within the desert, forming natural rock towers and arches along sand mountains, making the landscape a very irregular plain.

    At the east of the wilderness, in the distance, it could be witnessed vast green mountains and grassy plains, which slowly disappeared as they approached the desert.

    This desert was the main economic and civil route for the Free Traders and Velika with Lumbertown and Crescentia, the primary producers of raw materials for the continent.

    Even so, the main large FTC¡¯s convoys passed through biweekly, transporting goods from Lumbertown to Velika or vice versa; meaning that the rest of the time, this route was nearly unused and barren.

    During this period; Quote, the mysterious man wearing a formal frac suit and a sinister white mask, soared through the air with mighty leaps, from one rocky arch to another, with every pulsing leap reverberating sharp echoes throughout the desert.

    *Pshh!*

    The sharp echoes originated from crimson arcane hexagons conjured under the sole of his shoes, significantly boosting his leg strength and accelerated his leaps.

    Whenever he was about to land, he decelerated himself by passing through many crimson arcane triangles he conjured while in midair, and then jumped again after landing, repeating his actions.

    Thus, Quote managed to travel extended distances in just a few minutes.

    Meanwhile, his two other companions followed his pace a few meters behind him, using the same technique without any other difference than the speed of their respective magic sequences and the efficiency of these.

    Their brown tunics fluttered vividly while they traveled in high speeds towards the northern part of the continent.

    Suddenly, while Quote was on the air in the middle of his leap, he felt a strong magic presence behind him and turned his head back to the source¡­only to see a giant red laser in his direction at incredible speeds.

    ¡°Kh¡­¡± Quote vocalized as then the giant red laser was about to hit him.

    <hr>

    (Courtesy of TERA fan-kit artwork)

    One day ago.

    Somewhere near Pora Elinu.

    Sayune, also known as the Timeless Wizard, was on the lake shores, calmly witnessing the incredible and astonishing nature surrounding the city of Pora Elinu.

    This town was settled down within the trunk of a huge tree, known as the Tree of Life among the Elins; yet for the surprise and the amazement of everyone, the Elins architecture was completely fluid with nature surrounding the tree and the tree itself.

    The Elins had such an incredible connection with the nature that this itself accepted them as one of theirs, and Pora Elinu was the living proof of that asseveration.

    All the nature within the Pora Elinu¡¯s territory was incredible alive despite being in winter, displaying vivid colors, colorful flowers and leafy trees with thick trunks and large roots.

    The weak winter sunlight reflected on the calm and transparent waters of the lake around Pora Elinu known as Lake of Tears.

    After a few minutes, Sayune decided to sit on a big, mossy brown root behind her and relax for a couple of minutes.

    She wore her usual royal purple, hooded armored tunic, and thigh high leather black stockings along with her low heeled boots.

    After sitting on the root, Sayune gave a long sigh and took out her hood and shook her head to accommodate her long black hair.

    Her emerald green eyes were still fixed on Pora Elinu¡¯s magnificent scenery while giving long deep breaths.

    ¡®This place is so relaxing¡­¡¯ Sayune thought for herself, as this placed always gave her peacefulness in her mind and soul and not just that, as the surroundings of Pora Elinu were engulfed by a strong but serene magic flow.

    Every Elin was able to feel this due to their innate affinity with the nature; while on the other hand, just a few of the other races were capable of feeling the purity of the mana flow within these lands.

    ¡°Eh? Long time I did not see you, Timeless Wizard.¡± Sayune heard a firm female voice next to her, yet Sayune did not startle upon the sudden apparition of¡­

    A ghost, or better said, a spirit of an Elin was sitting next to Sayune; she had short hair and an average height of an Elin, wearing a calm and friendly face.

    She was wearing a simple dress, resembling something similar to a pajama.

    ¡°Haha¡­hello Nornil,¡± Sayune murmured as her eyes were still fixed on the scenery, contemplating the beauty of Pora Elinu landscape.

    Nornil was a known magician and teacher within Pora Elinu, who taught Mech during her early age within the Eldritch Academy in basic magic training and also participated in the Argon War.

    But after during the Reaper¡¯s persecution, she was executed by the patrols of Humans, Amans and High Elves known as ¡®Death¡¯s Fist¡¯, when she covered the retreat of a few Reapers.

    Even so, for her luck, her fragment of life wasn¡¯t damaged, but instead creating a new mortal body, she became one with the nature.

    Although Nornil was now an ¡®immortal¡¯ being as long as the nature persist and also had more power than before; this was just possible due the nature itself accepted her, as many others Elins tried it before and ended up dying.

    If in any given time, the nature feels Nornil like a threat, she will die in just a second, that¡¯s why she must preserve what she is: pure, composed and vivid.

    On the other hand, Nornil¡¯s body was entirely made of little particles, each of them particles was done by compacted mana of a pale light blue color.

    ¡°You know what is hard of knowing someone like you, a Time Warden?¡± Nornil spoke carelessly, looking at Sayune.

    There wasn¡¯t any response from Sayune as she kept staring forward as a quiet, cold wind gust went through them.

    ¡°I cannot say if this is the second time we meet. Is this the second time we meet?¡± Nornil asked puzzled, as she knew a little about Sayune¡¯s powers.

    ¡°Yes, it is,¡± Sayune replied shortly without hesitation, but Nornil by her side, somehow felt the emptiness of those words.

    Upon hearing Sayune¡¯s answer, Nornil stood in silence for a few seconds, staring at Sayune¡¯s expression noticing something on her face, body and presence changed, and then she smiled.

    ¡°What have you seen, Sayune?¡± Nornil asked as she felt a firm resolution within Sayune, as if she would have made a huge decision.

    After hearing Nornil¡¯s question, Sayune smiled softly and lifted her right hand forward, feeling the soft air stream.

    ¡°It is time for a change, Nornil,¡± Sayune exclaimed ambiguously, turning her head to her left, where Nornil was.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    Nornil¡¯s eyes slightly widened upon hearing those words, as she finally managed to know what changed within Sayune...her magic aura significantly decreased.

    ¡°Sayune...your magic...what¡¯s happening?¡± Nornil asked, as her voice tone demanded an answer.

    ¡°Everything will be fine, our child...Mech has my gift now. I trust her; I trust she will be able to accomplish what I couldn¡¯t.¡± Sayune cooed, with complete calmness.

    ¡°What?! No...Sayune. You have made her suffer too much already! It is not fair for her, why didn¡¯t you say me this before? She is not ready yet...more important! You just sentenced your own-¡± Nornil exclaimed worried, standing up from the root she was seated on.

    ¡°Mech is going to be alright. And don¡¯t worry about me, I will be alright too.¡± Sayune interrupted Nornil keeping her words calm; while Nornil looked at Sayune, unable to comprehend her decision.

    Nornil kept staring at Sayune¡¯s emerald green eyes, knowing right away that Sayune was going to do something that would put in danger her life.

    But what was so important to do it? Sayune never acted like this before, Nornil knew this well.

    ¡°I am doing this to defend Mech and you. If I hide, he will come after both of you.¡± Sayune explained to Nornil as she stood up from the root.

    Sayune knew that if Quote doesn¡¯t find her, he will start hunting down every single being that has had contact with her.

    Due to this situation, Sayune knew she was between the sword and the wall, forced to fight against Quote before it was too late.

    ¡°Sayune¡­¡± Nornil cooed, being able to feel something else behind Sayune¡¯s words, she wasn''t to fight...

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to...Don¡¯t do this Sayune.¡± Nornil exclaimed, looking at Sayune directly to her eyes.

    Sayune couldn¡¯t reply back to those words, even after the thousands of years she lived, she never learned to say goodbye.

    ¡°I must go,¡± Sayune exclaimed, as Nornil saw a flash on Sayune¡¯s left wrist for a second, and then took a closer look, seeing several runes and numbers creating a ring-shaped sequence around Sayune¡¯s wrist.

    Suddenly, the magic flow around Sayune increased although not as much as Nornil remembered, and then two light-blue arcane decagons with a star inscribed within them materialized together floating, one over Sayune¡¯s head and another one under her shoes.

    ¡°Why?! This is not what you promised me years ago!¡± Nornil shouted as the decagons started to close vertically, swallowing Sayune.

    ¡°I am sorry,¡± Sayune murmured before vanishing, leaving Nornil alone near the Lake of Tears.

    Nornil stood there a few seconds, sitting back on the root and looked down at the lake with sadness on her face, and then her spiritual body vanished like dust scattered to the wind.

    *** *** *** ***

    Now, Sayune was in the middle of a desert known as Celestial Hills, reminiscing her last time with Nornil after she shot a high-level spell to Quote while he was in midair.

    ¡®I will do my best, Nornil.¡¯ Sayune spoke to herself, without the slightest hint of hesitation in her mind.

    *BOOM*

    A second after, Sayune heard a loud explosion produced by her high-level spell as a big black smoke cloud rose up on the air from the blast.

    Right after, she could see how Quote fell and crashed into a large, rocky structure, creating a clangorous collision and a large smoke cloud rose from his landing point around 300 meters away in front of her, regarding her actual position.

    ¡°Now I must take care of those other two.¡± Sayune murmured to herself after feeling Quote¡¯s magic aura fading away, and then tried to track down the magic presences of Qoo and Iri, but she was unable to detect them anywhere near her.

    ¡®I felt them before; they must be somewhere near here.¡¯ Sayune thought for herself, preparing herself to search for the other two.

    Suddenly, while she was sweeping the area looking for Iri and Qoo, she felt an abrupt magic power spike from Quote¡¯s landing point.

    ¡°Kh!¡± Sayune vocalized upon seeing a similar spell of hers coming towards her in high-speeds, leaving Sayune only a couple of seconds to react.

    ¡°Eko jegeo!¡± Sayune loudly exclaimed while placing both of her hands forward, one over the other.

    A second after, the giant red laser collided with her hands.

    *PSSSSSSSSSSSS-BOOM!*

    Sayune managed to stop the giant laser with her palms, decreasing its power significantly using a spell to coat her hands and body in a mana barrier but it wasn''t enough to completely negate the offensive power.

    ¡°Aghh!¡± Sayune cried in pain, enduring the spell as much as she could.

    Then, Sayune was in the middle of a dense dust cloud, heavily coughing as her whole body ached with bearable pain while her armor displayed signs of burns here and there.

    ¡®Impossible¡­how?! The only one capable of that is Quote himself!¡¯ Sayune though in her mind, as she was completely sure she killed Quote with her first attack.

    Suddenly, the dense dust cloud surrounding Sayune was dispersed in a single, abrupt and unusual air stream; while her armored tunic terminations fluttered as it happened.

    Due to the strong air flow, Sayune was forced to cover her eyes with one of her arms; yet, right that moment Sayune could perceive Quote¡¯s aura as clear as water.

    And after the air stream concluded, Sayune exclaimed puzzled.

    ¡°Impossible!¡± Sayune shouted, upon seeing Quote standing completely unscathed around three hundreds of meters ahead of her.

    Not even his clothes displayed any minor scratch; while Sayune looked at him, Quote had both of his hands on his back, in his usual calm pose.

    ¡°Hehehehe¡­¡± Quote laughed despite being in such hostile situation against Sayune

    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± Sayune shouted, baffled from Quote¡¯s strange personality.

    ¡°Ha...ha...hehehehehehehehehe! I was tricked! It is just amazing!¡± Quote exclaimed, loudly laughing.

    As Sayune was able to see and from her experience with him, he had apparently found out something worth of his interesting, which was something entirely uncommon.

    ¡°It is just awesome! WONDERFUL! Hehehehe¡­¡± Quote kept laughing, placing his left hand over his mask.

    ¡°I was tricked by her Eidolons. They were trying to save you...hahahaha...hehehehe!¡± Quote added, slowly calming himself down.

    ¡°What? What do you mean?¡± Sayune asked confused, without letting her guard down, as she knew that Qoo and Iri were somewhere near

    Sayune was completely oblivious to the existence of those enigmatic Eidolons, which were created by Mech as it seemed, but even Mech wasn''t sure of that fact.

    ¡°It is not relevant for someone who is going to die,¡± Quote spoke with an earnest voice, leaving his usual mocking tone and then Sayune could see several flashes in his wrists.

    They were many magic sequences activating one after another, as Quote was going to fight with her at his maximum.

    ¡°Then so be it!¡± Sayune exclaimed, as she also started to cast numerous magic sequences and then rushed forward against Quote.

    Both had cast mana blades coming from the back of their hands, Sayune¡¯s blades were crimson red, and Quote¡¯s were black.

    *TIWIN!*

    Colliding plasma echoed throughout the desert, as Sayune and Quote were close to each other, both struggling with pure mana blades.

    ¡°Heheheh...what happens Sayune? I feel you weak.¡± Quote mocked.

    Sayune did not reply; instead, she pushed Quote¡¯s mana blades back, over forcing both of their sequences, ending breaking into pieces Sayune and Quote¡¯s mana blades.

    *CRASH!*

    Without wasting a second, Sayune took advantage of this and tried to sidekick Quote with her right leg, boosting her strength with several magic sequences properly done.

    Yet, Quote stopped her attack with his left arm, without even using a single magic sequence, just his raw might alone and pushed Sayune away.

    Upon seeing her sidekick blocked, she then quickly regained her balance and swiftly swung her left leg aiming for Quote¡¯s neck, yet Quote once again stopped it easily with his right arm, seeing through her movements with destreza.

    Quote then grabbed her left shin, and pulled Sayune towards him.

    ¡°You¡¯re no match for me Sayune. You gave a significant part of your power to Mech, making yourself harmless to Beatrice or me with your current power.¡± Quote exclaimed as he instantly raised his right leg, kicking Sayune¡¯s jaw with his heel and knocked her to the floor.

    *WAPA*

    ¡°Agh!¡± Sayune cried in pain, as she rolled on the sand a few times.

    ¡°You are now indisposed as a Time Warden,¡± Quote said seriously again; his wicked light-blue eyes fixed on her.

    Slowly standing up, Sayune gritted her teeth refusing her defeat.

    ¡°You¡­you are destroying our future¡­¡± Sayune said with difficulty, trying to stand up while her legs quivered and her head disoriented.

    ¡°If that is our eternal fate, then so be it Sayune. This world will never change, if you keep going with this, you will just find a wall of pain.¡± Quote replied back with dark and ominous words.

    ¡°The time¡­has come then.¡± Sayune said with unbreakable resolution, rematerialized crimson mana blades from her hands¡¯ posterior.

    ¡°No one can break the divine chains of the Destiny, Sayune. Not even you.¡± Quote replied to her words, as he then also materialized two black mana blades from his hands¡¯ dorsal once again.

    Sayune had never accepted that Destiny cannot change, as she vowed to prove that even Destiny is not absolute, even if she has to fail a hundred times more.

    ¡®If I fall, I will get up. I will not fail¡­I must not let Destiny have its way.¡¯ Sayune thought for herself; she was sure that the world cannot have such an ominous Destiny.

    After their words, both looked at each other for a few seconds in silence, generating a tense environment between, hearing only the warm streaming air.

    Sayune and Quote were ready to fight at any moment, their spirit fueled by their ideals.

    Meanwhile, Sayune and Quote were unable to perceive numerous shadows were moving through the desert as if something or someone was watching them from afar¡­

    ¡°Gasog beoseuteu!¡± Sayune exclaimed as several magic sequences showed up one after the another around her wrists, as purple arcane decagons appeared under her soles as she dashed towards Quote.

    Seeing Sayune''s dash coming towards him along with her fandango purple trail behind her¡­

    ¡°You cannot defeat me.¡± Quote murmured to himself by some reason, as if he could not understand Sayune¡¯s motivation in fighting a losing battle.

    ¡°RAHHHHHH!¡± Sayune shouted, pointing her mana blades to Quote¡¯s chest.

    But without moving a centimeter, Quote moved his arms along his mana blades and deflected Sayune¡¯s attack to his left and then unsummoned his mana blades.

    Then, without the slightest delay reacted with a lunging knee and kicked Sayune¡¯s stomach, knocking her back a few meters.

    ¡°Khh!¡± Sayune cried in pain, feeling a few of her ribs broken as she kneeled on the sand with her left knee.

    Right after, Sayune could hear a few words from Quote.

    ¡°Mabeob chimmug.¡±

    Sayune knew very well his words meant ¡®Magic Silence¡¯. A high-class spell specialized in denying the target on further use of magic in a certain fixed duration.

    *Gasp*

    She could feel how her mana flow was almost entirely negated, as her mana blades broke in pieces once again, but this time she was unable to summon them back.

    Even so, Sayune wasn¡¯t one to give up so fast.

    ¡°Khh¡­¡± Sayune face twitched in pain while blood trickled from her mouth, but despite this fact, she stood up and¡­

    Quote was no longer in front of her.

    ¡°Hello.¡± Sayune heard his voice behind her, right behind her.

    Out of desperation, Sayune quickly turned around to punch Quote¡¯s face

    ¡°Hehehehe¡­do you really want to do this?¡± Quote laughed, casually catching her fist in his right hand.

    Then, Quote throw her hand away while lunging his left fist into her stomach.

    ¡°Agh-!¡± Sayune screamed, but then Quote lifted his right leg and struck her face with his knee, knocking her down painfully.

    ¡°Hehehe...You are too weak Sayune.¡± Quote exclaimed, mocking Sayune¡¯s current state and then stomped her stomach once, pressing his right foot deep into her belly.

    ¡°Aghh!¡± Sayune cried in pain, forcefully coughing out a mouthful of blood.

    ¡°I w-will never¡­surrender¡­¡± Sayune said with difficulty, as she placed her hands around Quote¡¯s right foot.

    ¡°Hehehehe¡­¡± Quote laughed from Sayune¡¯s meaningless words and then added.

    ¡°¡­Send my greetings to the Nether Goddess.¡± Quote exclaimed as he materialized a black mana blade on his left hand¡¯s dorsal and pointed it at Sayune¡¯s neck.

    Sayune looked at Quote, seeing his wicked light-blue eyes affixed on her with arrogance and contempt, and then watched him lifting pull his left arm back few centimeters.

    ¡°You have failed,¡± Quote said with a stern voice and then thrusted down his blade¡­

    Sayune by her side, looked at Quote helplessly, as she was unable to change her fate this time.

    She was able to see the mana blade coming down towards her, and upon seeing that, Sayune just closed her eyes and accepted her ineludible fate as a tear slid down from her cheek.

    She failed to meet the expectations of Isren and defend this world from its Destiny while a new seed started to root the Annihilation.

    Credits to I4MD347H for editing!

 Volume I Chapter 5 Part I: Friendly Enemies

    Volume I Chapter 5 Part I: Friendly Enemies

    Suddenly¡­

    ¡°Grahhh!¡±

    From the shadows lurking a few meters away from Quote, a wolf of around 1,5 meters of height charged at Quote, aiming its snout armed with sharp white fangs at him.

    This enigmatic wolf had a strange, flaming, black pelage and fierce, dark, orange eyes and strong paws displaying dangerous large claws, ready to tear apart any flesh they manage to touch.

    Yet¡­

    Quote did not even flinch for a second, and finished off Sayune, cutting her neck as blood splashed on his mask and then it slid down.

    Right after, Sayune¡¯s hands holding Quote¡¯s left foot dropped down to the yellowish sand lifelessly.

    Meanwhile...

    *BA!*

    In the middle of the wolf attack, it was stopped by ¡®something¡¯ between Quote and the wolf that kicked it away, knocking back the wolf painfully and cracking several of its bones.

    *Ihhh*

    The wolf cried in pain for a second and then kept its distance, looking at Quote as he removed his black mana blade from Sayune¡¯s corpse.

    Right after the wolf was pushed away several meters, a hooded creature wearing a long brown tunic faded in from an optic and magic camouflage.

    It was Qoo, and right behind him was also Iri.

    ¡°Hehehehehe¡­¡± Quote laughed, as the mana blade on his wrist dorsal retracted.

    ¡°Hehehehe...this is just so wonderful. I never expected you to be here this early,¡± Quote added, exclaiming with excitement, as he apparently knew who was this wolf was.

    The wolf by its side looked at the Sayune''s corpse and howled for a few seconds.

    *** *** *** ***

    *Gasp* *Gasp* *Gasp*

    Sayune stood up from the sand, heavily breathing as she was feeling a severe headache.

    ¡°Khh¡­¡± Sayune closed her eyes, placing both of her hands on her head, trying to endure the severe pain.

    But suddenly she heard a familiar voice whispering intimately, right behind her.

    ¡°Embrace the oblivion.¡±

    ¡®This is¡­-¡¯

    But a second after hearing those words, a dark purple arcane circle of around 9 meters in diameter appeared under Sayune, interrupting her thoughts.

    And then several purple mana chains caught her limbs and started to draw her into the circle.

    ¡°?! No!...-agh!¡± Sayune shouted as she was being swallowed by a strange magic sequence and runes she has never seen before in her whole life.

    But no matter how much Sayune struggled, she was unable to break free.

    And then, in that precise moment, she turned her head to the right and noticed an important detail.

    Sayune managed to see herself lying on the sand, as Quote removed his black mana blade out from her neck while a wolf tried to jump on Quote.

    ¡­

    ¡°Impossible¡­¡± Sayune mumbled and then looked down to her hands realizing she was now in her ¡®spiritual¡¯ form. She was nothing more than a soul.

    ¡°Then this means...Pandora!¡± Sayune shouted and turned her head and looked forward.

    There Pandora was, wearing her usual black astral dress with white outlines and long black stockings.

    Pandora fixed her dark yellow orange-ish eyes with large, narrow, black pupils on Sayune, like threatening dragon eyes while her long, white, and silky hair gently fell down to the middle of her back.

    Besides that, her whole image was heavily impacted by two black-carmine red, scaly horns coming out from her forehead backwards.

    ¡°Pandora! Do something, you cannot let him bury this...our chance!¡± Sayune shouted, asking for a second chance from Pandora, while the chains kept pulling her in, about to swallow her completely.

    There was no response.

    Pandoralimited herself to turn around, giving the back to Sayune.

    ¡°Your shining dreams of future are just an illusion¡­¡± Pandora murmuredwhile walking away as she was fading out in little grains of sand.

    ¡°Our time is running out Pandora! Don¡¯t let them bury our chance, PAND-!¡±

    Then¡­

    Sayune¡¯s soul was completely swallowed by the hands of the Nether Goddess, and Pandora dissapeared.

    <hr>

    Nightmare Realm, Steel Citadel.

    The Steel Citadel, this was the legendary town of the exiled Elins known as Reapers, which had withstood several Demon Lords attacks and defeated them.

    Two black, large, high, and gothic style towers were able to be seen from afar. This was the palace built by the Reapers and Castanics as their headquarters.

    These towers were surrounded by numerous houses and other buildings also with a gothic style. All this along the large and sturdy black walls composed the Steel Citadel, a massive fortified city.

    Due to these characteristics, this citadel was almost like a safe heaven for the Reapers and Castanics within the hostile lands they were submerged in.

    However, something had changed since the last attack of the third Demon Lord Valmorgur towards the citadel and Valmorgur¡¯s dead at the hands of Zelel.

    The whole situation was confusing for the Reapers. Why did Zelel kill Valmorgur in the first place and then offer an alliance to the Reapers?

    It was a tricky situation. Even so, Lhya took that fact as proof that Zelel was looking forward a change, for a better tomorrow of her people. Going from enemies to allies in a single day wasn''t a great idea for the Reapers at all.

    The atmosphere within the citadel had been tense and heavy ever since the demons were allowed to enter the citadel, as they were now walking within the vast citadel of the Reapers.

    Both the Demons and the Reapers, looked between themselves every now and then wary of each other¡¯s movements as both sides seemed uncomfortable due to the actual situation.

    The Demons have been the Reapers¡¯ natural enemies, and vice versa, ever since the Reapers entered the Nightmare realm forcefully. This explained the complex atmosphere plunging the citadel.

    Even so, the Reapers just looked at the Demons, giving threatening looks to them while the Demons did the same thing to the Reapers.

    Although just the Reapers had their hands near their weapons in case the Demons tried to suddenly jump on them while the Demons just remained in silence as they carefully advanced, wary of every Reaper around them.

    Meanwhile, a few Reapers spoke among themselves when they saw numerous Demons walking down the main street connecting the North Gate to the Palace.

    ¡°What is the Crimson Princess thinking?¡±

    ¡°No one has heard a single thing other than the direct order given by our Princess to let the Demons enter the citadel...what is happening?¡±

    ¡°The commanders Lailyn, Tyat, and Dekarin seem to agree with this too¡­¡±

    ¡°It is the first direct order that our Princess have given to us since we entered this realm, she must have a good reason. Now... keep an eye on those lizardmen over there.¡±

    The different Demons by their side: lizardmen, werewolves, vampires, etc, just stood in silence, walking towards the palace without any weapons on them, although even without a weapon they were still a huge threat towards the citadel.

    *** *** *** ***

    Reapers¡¯ Palace headquarters meeting room.

    The room was large and lit by light-blue magical flames hanging from the main pillars of the building.

    All of the ceramics and cement had a gray color, giving a sober atmosphere to the room.

    Meanwhile, in the center of the room, there was a long brown table with black, high-class chairs next to it.

    The room could easily host around 100 people, although now there were just around 50 people within it.

    On the north extreme of the table, Lhya was sitting on her modest throne, with two royal guards behind her, and Lailyn, Dekarin, and Tyat sat on the sides of the table next to Lhya.

    They were wearing their usual armors, as this meeting wasn''t friendly at all and both sides knew this fact.

    In addition, more Reapers were guarding the entrance and others were dispersed within the room, actively guarding the Demons who, at just four, were outnumbered.

    Most of them were Officers of the Reapers¡¯ army ranks.

    On the other extreme, there was Zelel, the first Demon Lord along with her two Demon royal guards behind her and Surya sitting next to her Highness, at the right side of the large table.

    Zelel was seating over a black demonic chair that she had summoned, with one of her legs over the other looking at the scene with an eerie smile.

    Lhya was looking straight forward, carefully inspecting Zelel¡¯s attitude, trying to decipher the reasons behind the words that Zelel told her a day ago.

    ¡®What are we?¡¯ Lhya thought to herself, as this question had been in her mind ever since she and many others became Reapers.

    ¡°Before we start our meeting and discuss this Bloodpact we made, would you and your people present yourselves to my Officers?¡± Lhya inquired, breaking the tense silence within the room.

    Zelel by her side, stood up and introduced herself with her usual suggestive voice alongside a short yet elegant bow.

    ¡°I am Zelel, the First Demon Lord, also known as the Time-Blade. Nice to meet you all, I hope this alliance brings new horizons for both of us.¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    While Zelel introduced herself, the Reapers looked at her with their natural curiosity, as they managed to perceive that Zelel was way stronger than any other Demon they had seen before.

    Then, she sat back again on her chair looking at Lhya with her emotionless gaze and made a single and short sign with her hand.

    After this, Surya stood up and introduced herself.

    ¡°I am Surya, the second commander of Zelel forces. I am happy to meet so many impures at the same time.¡± Surya said condescendingly, fixing her plum-violet eyes on Lhya.

    She was clad in a revealing carbon black steel plate armor, which rattled as she bowed upon introducing herself and then sat back onto her seat.

    The Reapers looked at each other puzzled upon hearing the word ¡®impures¡¯ and then from behind Zelel, one of her royal guards stepped forward.

    As the Reapers saw, it was a female demon with a fragile build, similar to Zelel and Surya although she had no horns and had a height of around 5¡¯90¡¯¡¯.

    She had short white hair, and her eyes were covered by a black blindfold, but despite this fact, her movements were incredibly precise without a single hint of hesitation.

    She was wearing a black, full dress with a black choker around her neck and a short skirt and bloated shoulders, the dress also covered her arms to her wrists with frilly sleeves. Besides this, her dress had an outline of white roses on the bottom part of the skirt.

    Her dress also had a slightly low cut, and her hands were covered by tight, black, leather gloves.

    On the other side, her chest and female figure were slightly exhibited by her tight dress.

    She also wore long black boots and black transparent high-knee socks. Since her skirt was short and had lateral cuts to improve her mobility, her bright beige skin from her tights could be seen.

    ¡°I am Nova, Assassin specialist of my Highness.¡± She introduced herself with a stern expression along with a bow while holding the black, white braided hilt of her long katana, which was sheathed in a black scabbard.

    Her katana was hanging from a tight, black belt on her waist. It was around 1,5 meters long, and she also had a sheathed broadsword on her back.

    Upon seeing this slight hostility from Nova, the Officers within the room got nervous and some of them summoned their weapons, but Lhya raised her hand signaling for them to stop.

    ¡°But Princess-¡­¡± One Officer protested.

    ¡°Lower your weapons, that is an order,¡± Lhya spoke without hesitation, with a firm and severe voice.

    ¡°Tsk¡­¡± The Officer gritted her teeth and unsummoned her weapon reluctantly.

    ¡°These impures are getting restless my Highness,¡± Nova pointed out.

    ¡°Fufufufufu...¡± Zelel giggled at the short scene and then exclaimed.

    ¡°Regan, you must introduce yourselves too.¡±

    ¡°Eh? Yes, my Highness..¡± The male royal guard behind Zelel stepped forward.

    This man had short white hair and light green eyes and was wearing a black, tight, assassin suit.

    Unlike his counterpart, he wasn''t wearing any gloves or a blindfold or even wearing any weapon on him, but his body build was corpulent and slightly muscular.

    However, on his wrists, he had two black, iron bracelets which were camouflaged with his attire. Each of the bracelets had a sharp and deadly blade within them.

    ¡°I am Regan, and along with my sister, Nova, we are the Assassin specialists of our Highness,¡± Regan introduced himself, giving a short bow towards Lhya and the others.

    In addition, Regan and Nova were Nephilim twins, and since their childhood, they had stood out because of their abilities, which had called the attention of Zelel since the very beginning.

    Thus, they ended up being within the elite of the elite within Zelel¡¯s ranks, known as the best assassins within the Nightmare Realm with a number of 71 successful missions out of 71.

    ¡°Fufufufufu...good. You now know my people that I brought with me. May we start the meeting now?¡± Zelel asked calmly.

    ¡°I am surprised that you bring your own ¡®Assassins¡¯ to an alliance meeting. It is almost like insulting my trust.¡± Lhya replied back, as she was used to a different kind of diplomacy, back in the Daydream realm.

    ¡°Fufufufu...the only difference between mine and yours, is that mine accept the fact that they are assassins instead calling themselves ¡®soldiers.'' Both are the same thing in the end, don¡¯t you think?¡± Zelel replied back giggling.

    ¡°Ha. That¡¯s an interesting point of view. I will keep it in mind.¡± Lhya replied back, a little caught off guard by Zelel¡¯s answer, though she did not show any visible sign of it.

    ¡°Back to the main point of this meeting, we as Reapers already gave you all that you demanded, it is your turn now, Zelel,¡± Lhya replied back, fixing her dark orange eyes on Zelel.

    ¡°Fufufufufu...I am grateful that your kind did, we will for sure try to accomplish your demands too.¡± Zelel replied nodding her head once.

    ¡°Just remember our pact, we want a definitive peace for our people and look forward to the very best for our people,¡± Zelel added.

    Lhya stood in silence a few seconds, as she knew that the Demons by themselves are tricky, more so the ones with such power as Zelel, Lhya needed to think carefully about her next step.

    ¡°I want you to reside in my palace alongside your people if you want too. I also want a few answers too. That would be all for now.¡± Lhya explained her demands.

    The Officers at her sides murmured between themselves, with a clear opposition to their Princess¡¯ strange and sudden decision.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°We should be fighting them! Not allying with them!¡±

    ¡°This is stupid¡­¡±

    ¡°Oh? May I know the reason?¡± Zelel asked, surprised by Lhya¡¯s first demand. Even Surya widened her eyes upon hearing Lhya¡¯s demand.

    ¡°You must have your friends close, and your enemies closer,¡± Tyat exclaimed with her arms crossed, and then fell into her usual silence, looking at Zelel.

    ¡°Ha?! You filthy impure crap, do not insult my Highness if you want to keep your head!¡± Surya exclaimed, upset. She slapped the table and stood up at the same time upon hearing Tyat¡¯s words.

    The Reapers, seeing this sudden reaction and driven by their nervousness, summoned their weapons once again.

    But Lhya, Tyat, Lailyn, and Dekarin remained calm.

    Simultaneously, Nova by her side took the hilt of her katana and pulled out a tenth of the blade, ready to draw it and defend her Highness.

    ¡°Ha, Surya always making a scene,¡± Regan exclaimed ironically, as he tensed his muscles, ready to stop any attack from the Reapers.

    ¡°Fufufufu¡­Surya.¡± Zelel just giggled while lifting her hand, signaling to do nothing Nova sheathed her blade, and Regan relaxed.

    ¡°I am sorry, my Highness.¡± Surya bowed politely and sat back.

    After that, the Reapers unsummoned their weapons again.

    ¡°As you can see, we still look at you as enemies, and the only way to change that, is for us to have all of you closer and to get used to your presence. If we want this alliance to work, we must work as one.¡± Lhya replied back, explaining the reasons of her demand.

    Zelel stood in silence for a few seconds and then replied.

    ¡°It will be interesting. I accept your demand; we will settle down here among your people.¡± Zelel accepted without thinking about it twice.

    In comparison with Lhya, Zelel¡¯s word was absolute, and if her people were against it, she would kill any opposition.

    Since the very beginning, Zelel had been a merciless and bloody ruler. Even so, she somehow won the respect, loyalty, and love of her people, as, unlike the other Demon Lords, she had always fought for the unification of the Nightmare Realm, although in her own way.

    ¡°Good, I hope the best for both of us. Now, regarding my questions, you said that you would explain what we really are, and who Leliel is, didn¡¯t you?¡± Lhya spoke her next and last demand.

    ¡°Leliel is my sister and the second Demon Lord; we are both Liliths. She was sealed a decade ago by an unknown source.¡± Zelel lied, yet it was impossible to Lhya to determine this fact.

    ¡°I see, but I remember Commander Surya said that ¡®Leliel made her move.''¡± Lhya pointed out.

    ¡°Fufufufu...indeed, but we haven¡¯t had any kind of communication with her, Surya is an expert at tracking dark mana and/or mana signatures, that¡¯s how we managed to know that she moved,¡± Zelel explained.

    ¡°And respecting what you really are, you ¡®Reapers¡¯ are a mix between dark mana and mana, a mix of both worlds. Your species is the key for us to step into the other world and vice versa.¡± Zelel added, but this explanation just plagued Lhya¡¯s head with more questions.

    But before Lhya could form her next question, the doors of the meeting room were abruptly opened by a Reaper, interrupting the meeting.

    ¡°My Princess! The Timeless Wizard is in trouble!¡± The Reaper said flustered upon entering the room.

    ¡°She is fighting with the Sinister Wizard! We don¡¯t know why but...she is way weaker than the last time we saw her.¡± The Reaper added in a hurry while trying to recover her breath.

    ¡°What?¡± Lhya exclaimed in surprise as she stood up from her seat.

    She was unable to understand the feeling within her fragment of life, but deep inside her, Lhya knew that Sayune warned about something like this.

    ¡°We must mobilize and bring her here before it is too late. Now!¡± Lhya exclaimed as the Reaper nodded and then Lhya looked at Zelel.

    ¡°This is your time to prove yourself to be a worthy ally and help us to save a friend of ours,¡± Lhya exclaimed, as Zelel was able to taste her despair.

    ¡°Fufufufufu...as you wish,¡± Zelel replied shortly, with an eerie smile on her face.

    ¡®Sayune, what are you doing?¡¯ Lhya thought to herself, as she still remembers that she refused to help Sayune back then, when she warned that something like this would happen.

    ¡°I will give a little push to all of you so that you can connect with your deepest demons within you,¡± Zelel exclaimed, as she stood up off her throne.

    ¡°I warn that it can be dangerous if you cannot control the demons within all of you,¡± Zelel added.

    ¡°My Highness, will you infuse them with dark mana? That can be troublesome; they are impures, they barely control the amount they have now...It is a bad idea¡± Surya opposed.

    ¡°That¡¯s not our problem,¡± Zelel replied back giggling and then snapped her fingers.

    A second after, Lhya and every other Reaper within the room felt a sharp headache as numerous voices whispered within their heads.

    ¡°Aghh¡­¡± Lhya cried in pain while gritting her teeth while others fell on their knees, trying to endure the sudden and painful infusion of dark mana to their mana bodies.

    ¡®Finally...I have been waiting for you...to awaken your true form.¡¯ Lhya heard a female voice in her head...it was Surya¡¯s voice.

    ¡®What does this mean?! Are you trying to control me?!¡¯ Lhya shouted back to Surya¡¯s voice in her head, while the headache started to fade away.

    ¡®Hmmm...only if you are weak will I consume you, but you have passed my first test for now... You have surprised me, crappy impure.¡¯ Surya replied back.

    Meanwhile, Zelel was looking at the Reapers with an eerie smile, enjoying the painful scene while calmly sitting back on her throne. She looked to Surya.

    ¡°Seems like you found out your Iblis, Surya...fufufufufu¡­¡± Zelel exclaimed, carefully looking at the scene.

    ¡°Ha. I will consume her at the first chance she gives me.¡± Surya replied carelessly to Zelel.

    ¡°Fufufufufu...we will see. I was unable to find my Iblis once again, such a shame.¡± Zelel replied with a fake sad tone.

    ¡°These midgets are unworthy of such a worthy Demoness like my Highness,¡± Nova replied with a stern voice.

    ¡°Haha! Says the one who partnered with a midget too.¡± Regan exclaimed ironically, looking at Nova.

    ¡°Well, that Reaper... Lailyn, has more in common with me than what I thought, it will be fun to be her Iblis.¡± Nova replied to her brother with a stern yet female voice.

    ¡°Regan, maybe if our Highness brings here a goblin you will be able to get a worthy Iblis as well,¡± Nova added.

    ¡°Hahahahahahaha¡­¡± Regan laughed loudly.

    ¡°...wait, you said goblin? Well, bring one here then. We will frolic through the black sands of our realm, and devour the weaker demons merrily as the odd duo we are. Whatever you say, my little sister." Regan replied back to Nova, challenging her words with a mocking tone.

    ¡°By the way¡­Define ''fun'', sister.¡± Regan asked back to Nova, while Zelel kept staring at the Reapers taking their heads in their hands, trying to endure the pain.

    Nova remained silent, as she knew very well the ironic personality of her brother.

    ¡°You and that...midget *cough* ¡®little girl¡¯¡­wait, don''t tell me you plan to cross the line between two ladies?" Regan accused while stepping back, shocked at the world his sister is heading in.

    ¡°*Sigh*¡± Nova only sighed, due to despite the years that had passed since their childhood, Regan hadn¡¯t changed at all his personality.

    Zelel, for her part, was completely focused on the scene before her eyes ignoring Regan and Nova¡¯s chatter.

    She lightly licked her lips while fluttering her wide, black wings as hearing their screams and seeing their faces twisting in pain was a delightful scene for her eyes.

    <hr>

    A few minutes before Sayune¡¯s death.

    Arun continent, Velika province.

    Velika, Free Traders Collective Hall, main meeting room.

    The Queen of Pora Elinu, Valentina, along with the Princess Caut, the representative Feremi, Nethaniel, the Master Clan Leader of the Castanic Clan, and lastly Mech, the Pora Elinu¡¯s priestess, were sitting around a long marble table next to Valentina.

    Valentina was in the top right corner sitting on a black marble high-class chair, being the supreme authority of the Pora Elinu Nation, while on the top left corner was Adiar, sitting on a black marble throne.

    Each leader had the people they were most confident in sitting next to them, discussing their next step in the impending war.

    At this moment, Valentina was speaking about her Nation investments.

    She was wearing her primaveral, white, countryside, high-class, silk dress, while her hands were covered by fine silk gloves.

    ¡°The joint work between the Castanic Clan and the Pora Elinu Nation has manufactured the Timberwolf. And not only that, we are currently manufacturing six more ships: one battleship with the codename of Direwolf, and five other ships for transportation means, to support our troops and economy...¡±

    Valentina spoke calmly and clearly, while articulating with her hands along her speech, her blue eyes fixed on Adiar.

    ¡°...Also, Nethaniel¡¯s people along with Lyns have been able to create a new long-distance communication device applying Noctenium technology, which will be delivered to all our allies to keep a fluid communication, since that is primordial in our current situation.¡±

    Valentina kept explaining her Nation¡¯s advances along the Castanic Clan while Adiar and his generals just looked at her, with a stern gaze.

    ¡°Lastly, the Pora Elinu Nation will be donating numerous supplies that should be arriving during the next week, to help Velika¡¯s citizens.¡± Valentina finalized her speech and looked at Caut.

    ¡°We will also interrogate the only prisoner that our soldiers managed to arrest during all this mess,¡± The Princess Caut added after her mother¡¯s speech ended.

    Caut was wearing a simple white dress with light-blue floral ornaments here and there, emphasizing her short orange hair and blue eyes.

    However, Caut¡¯s eyes and focus weren''t at the meeting. Instead, they were on Mech, since she had been strangely uneasy and tense.

    Caut was able to say that Mech hadn¡¯t heard even a single thing about the meeting, Mech¡¯s ocher wolf ears were completely tensed up.

    ¡°My Sentinels will keep patrolling Velika and its outskirts, we must be wary of any other attack, this situation cannot repeat itself,¡± Nethaniel exclaimed with a stern voice.

    ¡°Indeed, in the name of the Free Traders Collective, we are really grateful for all your help, this alliance will certainly bring a shiny future for all of us,¡± Adiar replied back, giving a short bow from his seat.

    ¡°We have been trying to stabilize and foment the markets again. About the prisoner, he has informed us that they were formerly soldiers from the Enlighten Union, but they deserted and joined the Iron Order, he did not say anything else.¡± Adiar informed.

    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear, we can still trust in the Enlighten Union then,¡± Nethaniel exclaimed, yet he had his doubts about Adiar¡¯s words, something in Adiar never fit him well for Nethaniel.

    Nethaniel looked at Adiar and then at Valentina.

    ¡®I wonder what this girl thinks about him.¡¯ Nethaniel thought to himself.

    ¡°Good, then I will send a messenger of mine directly to Derene in the name of my Queen, that we will be sharing all our technologies with her,¡± Feremi informed him.

    She was wearing her cardinal red victorian dress, and while she spoke, she was preparing some papers on the table.

    ¡°What?!¡± A Human General shouted in surprise demanding an answer of Valentina, while the others Generals of Adiar also looked at her surprised.

    ¡°It¡¯s correct. I will do that.¡± Valentina backed up Feremi¡¯s words.

    Adiar was also surprised and annoyed by Valentina¡¯s sudden unilateral decision, but he did not show the slightest sign of it and kept his neutral gaze on Valentina.

    ¡°Hahahahaha...so common of you.¡± Nethaniel laughed, used to Valentina¡¯s personality.

    Ever since he met Valentina, she has made this kind of unilateral decisions.

    However, most of all her decisions had been accurate and well thought out, or at least that Nethaniel thought about Valentina¡¯s decisions.

    Meanwhile¡­

    Mech was still uneasy and tense, as her sharp senses felt an abrupt disruption within the mana fluctuations.

    ¡®Mother...what are you doing?¡¯ Mech thought to herself, as the power given by Sayune did not just give her visions, they also somehow linked Mech and Sayune.

    Caut was carefully looking at Mech from the other side of the table, while Valentina was also aware of Mech¡¯s current situation, but she needed to focus on the ongoing meeting.

    ¡®What¡¯s going on...her fluctuations are-¡¯ Mech was focusing her whole attention when suddenly¡­

    Sayune¡¯s mana fluctuations were abruptly cut off.

    Mech immediately brought up her hands to her mouth as a tear slid down her cheek, and Caut widened her eyes upon seeing this.

    Mech knew from experience, when someone¡¯s mana fluctuations suddenly disappear from the global mana fluctuations, it just meant one thing: death.

    ¡°Himph¡­¡± Mech whimpered shortly, trying to hide her suffering and tears.

    ¡°Uh?¡± Nethaniel looked at Mech upon hearing her short whimper.

    ¡°Mech? What is happening?¡± Caut spoke, interrupting the meeting while Valentina was trying to explain her reasons of why sharing her technology with the Enlighten Union would be a good idea.

    ¡°Mother¡­¡± Mech cooed, as the only person who fulfilled part of her solitude was now gone.

    The only one who could have the answers of what she is, her purpose and why those Eidolons suddenly appeared when she was in Velika was now...dead.

    She was once again abandoned to her own luck, just like before.

    ¡®I...I¡­¡¯ Mech kept crying, unable to understand why all this is happening to her...it was so unfair.

    ¡®I...I will find the answer...I must trust in myself.¡¯ Mech thought to herself and then abruptly stood up from her seat.

    ¡°Mech?¡± Valentina asked surprised while Caut just looked at her.

    ¡°M-my apologies to everyone, I must attend to something of great importance.¡± Mech bowed quickly and then left the room as fast as she could.

    Valentina, Caut, and Nethaniel were able to see her tears still, unable to understand what just happened.

    ¡°My apologies.¡± Valentina bowed respectfully towards Adiar and his generals and then looked at Caut.

    ¡°Caut you can go with her. Nethaniel and I will keep going with this meeting.¡± Valentina exclaimed softly, as Caut nodded.

    Then, Caut stood up off her seat, gave a polite bow to Adiar and his Generals and left the room.

    ¡°*Ahem* Let¡¯s continue then¡­¡± Nethaniel resumed, as he began to give the report of supplies, active soldiers, and necessary equipment¡­

    Credits to LechnerPR for editing!

 Volume I Chapter 5 Part II Birth of a Wish (I)

    Volume I Chapter 5 Part II Birth of a Wish (I)

    Velika, Free Traders Collective¡¯s hall.

    Mech¡¯s low heeled black shoes tapped the white ceramic floor as she walked towards her room.

    *Tap-Tap-Tap-Tap*

    Her eyes were red and irritated by the tears, as she continued wiping her tears with her wrists periodically.

    ¡®I must find answers¡­I cannot wait any longer¡­¡¯ Mech thought, convincing herself that there was only one way out from all this.

    ¡®If I want to understand what is happening¡­I must¡­¡¯ She kept thinking for herself, yet hesitation still clouded her mind.

    To truly understand the present and adequately predict the future, she must first accept her past, even if that means further torment and suffering, but her sins weren''t that simple for her to accept.

    After a few minutes, she was outside Mech¡¯s door and when she was about to open it¡­

    ¡°Mech!¡± She heard Caut¡¯s agitated voice behind her, probably since Caut was running as fast as she could behind her.

    ¡°Mech¡­*Breath* Mech¡­ what is happening?¡± Caut ran till she was behind Mech.

    However, Mech ignored Caut and took the silver door knob and rotated it, opening her room¡¯s door.

    ¡°Mech! If you don¡¯t explain it to me, I cannot help you¡­we¡¯ve been friends for 11 years, so I know when you are troubled! Please! I just want to help you.¡± Caut exclaimed, worried about Mech.

    ¡®I must trust in my friends...and I believe she will forgive me.¡¯ Mech said to herself.

    ¡°I am sorry Caut, I cannot say anything. I hope you can understand my reasons, but it is a path only I can take. Please, do not interfere.¡± Mech spoke coldly and pushed the door open.

    ¡°Uh?¡± Caut vocalized in surprise, unable to come up with an answer for a few seconds.

    ¡°What do you mean, Mech?¡± Caut asked, hesitating as her worries for Mech intensified.

    ¡°Leave me alone, Caut. I want some time for myself.¡± Mech demanded coldly and entered her room and closed the door as a tear trickled down her cheek.

    ¡°Mech? I don¡¯t understand¡­but you cannot ask me to do that¡­I¡¯m your friend, and I know you well. I know you are suffering behind that door, crying right now alone¡­¡± Caut spoke from the other side where Mech could hear her muffled voice.

    ¡°If that¡¯s what you want, I will leave, but you must know that I will be here for you when you decide to open yourself to me,¡± Caut added, and then Mech heard her steps moving away.

    ¡°Thanks, Cautie¡­I will explain it properly after all this end¡­I promise,¡± Mech mumbled, giving a soft, sad smile.

    Then, she looked at the chair next to her bed, her eyes focused on the yellowish outfit and a gray mask on it.

    ¡®The answers you seek, lies within you now, my daughter¡­¡¯ Mech remembered her mother¡¯s word when they first met.

    ¡°It is time to accept what I am if I should find the answers I seek.¡± Mech mumbled to herself, clenching her fists, trying to gather as much courage as she could for the next step.

    She did not know if it will work or not, but it was her last chance to find the light in her darkest times¡­

    ¡­To understand her enigmatic and uncertain purpose in this realm.

    While Mech was thinking on that, she walked towards the chair next to her bed and stood still for a few seconds, and then stretched both hands out and picked up the white mask on top of the yellowish outfit which was over the chair.

    Mech inspected the mask while swiping her hands over it, cleaning the dust from it. The mask had cheerful eyes holes and a sinister smile, and after a long breath, Mech turned it around.

    ¡®Archangel Project, M.O.W¡¯

    After reading this, Mech¡¯s hands trembled while she held the mask in her hands, as the dark memories lurking in the deepest corners of her mind came to light...

    <hr>

    Meanwhile¡­

    Celestial Hills, Arcadia province.

    *Grrrr*

    A large, menacing wolf, with black flaming pelage, growled at Quote and his two followers.

    ¡°The dog is restless, Master,¡± Qoo spoke without much interest.

    Quote, Qoo and Iri were still in the middle of the desert known as Celestial Hills, as they had just killed Sayune.

    ¡°Orders, Master?¡± Iri cooed, without turning to Quote behind them, near Sayune¡¯s corpse.

    ¡°Get rid of our friend,¡± Quote said mockingly, placing his hands on his back.

    ¡°¡°Understood.¡±¡± Qoo and Iri answered in unison, and a second later, Qoo unsheathed two swords hanging from her waist and rushed towards the wolf, ready to end its life.

    *SHIIIN*

    The wolf remained undaunted, as its dark orange eyes on the silver blades and then on Qoo without the slightest hint of fear.

    Qoo spread her arms wide swords in hand and ran as fast as she could, closing around 20 meters in just a second.

    *TTTTTTTT-SHIN!*

    However, a magic dome shield suddenly appeared around the wolf, deflecting Qoo¡¯s attack and knocked her back.

    ¡°That was unexpected,¡± Qoo mumbled with irritation, while Iri ran and stood behind Qoo, with her brown staff in her hands.

    After Qoo¡¯s attack, two black circles appeared behind the wolf, as more wolves emerged from the dark circles along with some humanoids, entering the realm¡­

    ¡°Fufufufu¡­*Long breath* Ahh¡­finally¡­Arborea¡­such a beautiful realm¡­¡± Zelel revealed upon breathing Arborea¡¯s warm and soothing air, looking at her surroundings with amusement while Regan and Nova stood behind her.

    ¡°Zelel¡­¡± Quote called upon seeing her, fixing his light-blue eyes on her.

    His gaze was no longer condescending. Instead, his eyes became as sharp as a blade. Quote saw Zelel not only as a worthy foe but also a dangerous enemy that can defeat him if given a chance.

    Quote knew that fact very well as he stared at Zelel, there was no margin for error.

    ¡°Hello, my dear human. I hope you¡¯re enjoying my eyes¡­Sadly, it seems we are on opposing sides this time.¡± Zelel spoke emotionlessly, glancing at Sayune¡¯s corpse for a second.

    ¡°Hehehehehehe! Do not forget Zelel, we have a blood pact. Thus, not even you can interfere with my business no matter-¡±

    ¡°Our pact just said that I needed to give you my eyes, anything else you think is your delusion,¡± Zelel replied back to Quote¡¯s words.

    ¡°So tricky, as is every Demon! Hehehehe¡­¡± Quote laughed.

    Meanwhile, dense smoke encircled the wolves, engulfing them for a brief second before dispersing, revealing three new forms.

    It was Lhya, Lailyn, and Tyat with their respective armors.

    They seemed healthy and composed, as they managed to endure the massive headache during the dark mana infusion back there in the Nightmare realm.

    The three were looking at Quote with sharp eyes, ready to counter attack if Quote or his followers made any movement.

    ¡°Hehehehe...seems like they¡¯ve already been infused with more dark mana. Interesting, interesting...may I know why such a respectable force gathered here?¡± Quote asked with sarcasm.

    ¡°I¡¯ve my own reasons, Quote. But they have theirs as well¡­and I am pleased to help fulfill theirs.¡± Zelel said suggestively, fluttering her black wings.

    Everyone could feel the tension in the air, leaving only a brief silence from both sides.

    ¡°Then so be it,¡± Quote replied with a dark, serious tone, as he raised his right arm and snapped his fingers.

    *Snap*

    ¡°Qoo, Iri, you can kill them all. I will handle Zelel.¡± Quote ordered, drawing his hand across his throat.

    ¡°¡°Understood, master.¡±¡± Both answered in unison and then drew out their respective weapons.

    On the other side¡­

    ¡°Let us handle this. Go recover your friend¡¯s corpse.¡± Zelel calmly consoled Lhya while she fluttered her wide black wings, her crimson red eyes fixing on Quote with a cold gaze.

    ¡°We can handle them too, let us help-¡± Lhya opposed, but Nova rebutted.

    ¡°You are now a hindrance driven by your senseless hunger for revenge. Our Highness gave you her advice, so if you die by your imprudence, then what?¡± Nova asked Lhya with a firm tone.

    After Nova had spoken her mind, she and Regan stepped forward, looking at Qoo and Iri, insinuating they will be their opponents.

    ¡°As always, Iri,¡± Qoo murmured stepping forward accepting the challenge, as her voice was muffled by the mask.

    ¡°As always, Qoo,¡± Iri replied confidently stepping forward right after Qoo. Both seemed like an experienced battle couple.

    On the other side...

    Lhya remained still, looking at Nova for a second, clenching her fists but then ate her pride, turned her head and fixed her eyes behind on Tyat and Lailyn.

    ¡°Tch...we will try to recover Sayune¡¯s body, so then we can bury her properly like the friend she was for us. After all, she and the Castanics saved us from our extinction.¡± Lhya ordered to Tyat and Lailyn.

    Then, Lhya looked back to Sayune¡¯s corpse still clenching her fists.

    ¡®I failed once again...it always end like this.¡¯ Lhya thought to herself giving the last look over Sayune¡¯s corpse. Then disappeared in a puff of purple-black smoke and sand.

    ¡°Got it,¡± Lailyn replied shortly.

    ¡°Yes, Princess,¡± Tyat answered.

    Then, Tyat and Lailyn disappeared in the same way as Lhya¡¯s, waiting for their chance within the shadows.

    Meanwhile¡­

    ¡°Haha¡­do not mess this up, sister,¡± Regan exclaimed mockingly as Nova silently unsheathed her black bladed katana with her left hand.

    And then with her free hand, she drew the heavy broadsword hilt from her back and tossed it to Regan carelessly as it spun in the air.

    *Fum-Fum-Tac*

    Regan caught the sword by the hilt with no problem and swung it once, testing the sword and becoming familiarized it with just one swing alone.

    ¡°The same for you, brother,¡± Nova exclaimed back.

    Meanwhile¡­

    ¡°Cover me,¡± Qoo said shortly while taking the yellow braided hilts of her dual swords and then unsheathing them.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    *Shin-Shin*

    ¡°Count with that~¡± Iri replied back, holding her simple brown staff in her right hand.

    Simultaneously, Qoo summoned two arcane triangles under her metallic boots and dashed forward with profound speed, spreading her arms back, blades in hands.

    Her feet silently strode across the sand and with her swords raised overhead, Qoo leapt high in the air towards Nova and then swung down her swords on her head upon landing.

    *SHEEEEN*

    In a split-second Nova raised her sword horizontally, holding its long hilt with two hands, and elegantly parried Qoo¡¯s deadly blades as the blades burned orange sparks and sung in vibrations.

    *CLASH*

    ¡°What?!¡± Qoo mumbled, shocked by Nova¡¯s perfect parry, and at that moment, she sensed Nova unleashing her aura fluctuating with her blade, coating her blade in an almost transparent dark mana membrane, shaded in dark blue and purple colors.

    Noticing this while still in midair from her attack and their swords still locked with each other, Qoo heard Nova¡¯s voice.

    ¡°That¡¯s not enough,¡± Nova exclaimed unfazed.

    Despite the fact that Qoo poured considerable effort, Qoo did not only expend all her strength from this exchange, but also used her own weight to increase her force yet she did not get the expected result.

    ¡°Prepare to become cutlets!¡± Regan shouted as he was swiping his silver bladed broadsword vertically at Qoo, aiming for Qoo¡¯s head.

    But before Regan could get within range¡­

    *Pow*

    Regan¡¯s blade was struck by a simple air bolt from his right, altering his weapon¡¯s trajectory enough to throw Regan off balance as he landed back on the yellow sand.

    *Bwoon!*

    ¡®That stupid rat!¡¯ Regan cursed in his mind upon being interrupted by the spell, turning his head to the source, seeing it was Iri who interfered.

    ¡®I will have your head for that!¡¯ Regan thought furiously as he glared daggers into Iri, and then horizontally swung his blade at Qoo still in midair.

    But the moment he swung his blade, Qoo used her own attack¡¯s rebound with Nova to push herself away from Nova¡¯s sword and avoid Regan¡¯s next attack by leaping high into the air towards Iri.

    ¡°I hate fighting midgets¡­hahaha¡­¡± Regan exclaimed ironically while placing his broadsword over his left shoulder.

    On the other side, Qoo landed near Iri while she started activating multiple chained, magic sequences and then shook her left hand at Regan while her staff¡¯s runes shone.

    ¡°Tredobbelt erkefiende!¡± Iri exclaimed as she shot a yellowish projectile from her left hand, leaving behind a yellowish ethereal trail in its path.

    *Zzzzim!*

    ¡°Is that all?!¡± Regan deflected the projectile with one swing of his broadsword while running towards Iri with building ire.

    The deflected projectile soon after being deflected, exploded behind Regan.

    ¡®This is bad, one of those and it is over.¡¯ Regan thought in his mind, as he kept running towards Iri.

    ¡°To!¡± Iri accelerated her sequence upon seeing Regan closing in on them meanwhile Nova disappeared from their field of view.

    Iri pointed her staff straight forward, holding it with her right hand, and fired another powerful projectile, once again leaving a yellowish ethereal trail in its path.

    *ZZIIIM!* *Boom*

    This time, Regan avoided it with a small leap and then kept running towards Iri upon landing, while Qoo prepared herself to intercept Regan.

    ¡°Tre!¡± Iri shot the last projectile of her complex magic spell with both hands, but Regan became intangible, now one with the shadows as her spell passed through him harmlessly and exploded a few meters behind him.

    Iri stood there for a second, analyzing Regan¡¯s high-level display of skills while Qoo positioned herself in front of her, ready to fight.

    ¡°Nova is behind us,¡± Qoo informed while looking at Regan.

    ¡°I already know,¡± Iri replied shortly and turned around.

    Regan then approached and lifted his broadsword with both hands and swung his blade vertically aiming for Qoo.

    But this time, Qoo diverted Regan¡¯s broadsword to her left with both of her swords and side-kicked Regan¡¯s right and then moved behind him swiftly preparing her swords to stab Regan¡¯s back.

    However, Regan turned around in a blink of an eye and kicked Qoo¡¯s hands, knocking her swords away to the sand behind her.

    ¡°Too naive, midget!¡± Regan channeled strength into his arms and then gave a fast vertical swing, trying to cut Qoo in half.

    But to Regan¡¯s surprise¡­

    Qoo used her own arms to divert his broadsword to a side and then without delay, stomp kicked his chest, pushing Regan back while using him to propel herself towards her swords behind her.

    ¡®What.¡­Where¡¯s the blood? I can¡¯t smell it! And her body... it felt as if I clashed with an iron shield¡­¡¯ Regan thought in his mind, as the only thing he cut was part of Qoo¡¯s tunic.

    He was an expert assassin long used to tearing flesh and bone with his weapons...but this time¡­Regan felt like he struck metal wall upon hitting her arms.

    ¡°Hm? A mana shield?¡± Regan muttered as it was the only answer to his question he can think of, but he was unable to see any magic trace or either the slightest mana signature around Qoo¡¯s arms.

    Qoo by her side gave no response and picked up her swords, ready to keep fighting.

    Meanwhile¡­

    Nova was locked in combat with Iri, swiftly dashing from side to side trying to reach Iri with her swords, but her blades were only met small concentrate mana shields, blocking each attack with calculated precision.

    Suddenly, Iri used her mana shield to divert Nova¡¯s next attack and knocked off her balance.

    ¡°Kh¡­¡± Caught off guard, Nova was harmlessly knocked down on the floor, but it gave enough time for Iri¡¯s next move.

    ¡°Endelig¡­¡±

    In response, her staff vibrated emitting loud crackling noise, and then Iri spun once and twirled her staff in her hands generating momentum to create extra energy for her spell, and then she bent down and swung her staff down aiming for Nova¡¯s center torso.

    Within her swing, her staff vibrated while emitting a high pitched crackling sound, similar to the sound of electricity.

    *TRIIC TRIIC TRIIC*

    ¡°...represalier!...Ahhh!¡± Iri exclaimed upon her spell¡¯s completion.

    When her staff hit the sand, a visible repulsor field exploded from her staff, which would react against any other mana sources within a two-meter radius, severely damaging any living being holding different magic frequencies than Iri¡¯s.

    *Paff-bwweeen!*

    But before her staff landed, Nova got on her feet and jumped backward, moving out of the field¡¯s range, as the repulsor field briefly scattered electric sparks and grains of sand before dissipating shortly after.

    ¡°Impressive, I have never seen such a formidable flash spell-caster after my Highness.¡± Nova praised after retreating to a safe distance.

    After Nova¡¯s words, Qoo landed near Iri breathing slightly heavily from her energetic fight with Regan while Iri stood back on her feet.

    Nova calmly sheathed her katana and disappeared in a puff of magenta, sandy smoke, reappearing next to Regan, who was 25 meters behind Qoo and Iri.

    ¡°Haha! That midget is fun as a workout.¡± Regan exclaimed as he touched the small cut on his right cheek.

    Nova remained silent as always for a few seconds, observing her enemies carefully while placing her right hand over her sheathed katana hilt.

    ¡°Pay attention to the one behind her. She is a support mage, it will be annoying if we let them act freely together.¡± Nova advised Regan.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah, she¡¯s a pain. Which one do you want to take on? Midget one, or midget two?¡± Reagan asked, gesturing to Qoo as ¡®one, and Iri as ¡®two.''

    ¡°I will go for ¡®one¡¯ as your brute force is better for ¡®two.'' Let me gather more information about our enemies. Stay here.¡± Nova replied, used to Regan¡¯s sarcastic speech.

    ¡°You just want to hog all the fun¡­¡± Regan exclaimed with a false complaint, but as always Nova ignored his words.

    ¡°Rasshu dampact.¡± Nova murmured ignoring her brother as she overcharged her muscles with her spell and then dashed forward with astonishing speed while leaving a white and granular trace behind her.

    In a blink of an eye, she then appeared next to Qoo with her blade ready and swung her sword horizontally at Qoo¡¯s chest, but Qoo blocked Nova¡¯s attack with a mana shield.

    *SHEN! CLASH!*

    Without a second of delay, Qoo started her counter attack, giving numerous blows to Nova with her swords, while Iri was preparing her next spell, as the twins could feel her mana flowing.

    Up, right, left, down, up, up.

    Nova evaded some swings and parried a few others, trying to open Qoo¡¯s defense.

    ¡°You are fast, little one,¡± Nova mumbled as she parried and diverted Qoo¡¯s dual swords to her left with her katana, opening Qoo¡¯s left side.

    Without delay, Nova spun, and side kicked at Qoo¡¯s left torso with all her might, knocking Qoo to his right as Nova looked at him with her leg still raised from her kick.

    ¡°Khh!¡± Qoo groaned by the pain.

    Even so, with flawless sync and timing, Qoo¡¯s absorbed half the damage due to Iri¡¯s defensive magic and helped Qoo to regain her balance.

    ¡®There is no doubt, she is a tactical mage.¡¯ Nova thought to herself, as she knew her attack should have broken a few ribs of her opponent but it didn¡¯t. The activating rate of Iri¡¯s sequences were nearly perfect.

    After that, Qoo back-stepped and positioned herself before Iri, retaking their formation, once again in defensive stance with her blades.

    ¡°We must separate them, or we will never win,¡± Nova exclaimed after studying her enemies, looking at her brother.

    "I know. They work so annoyingly well together." Regan exclaimed while he approached Nova and then stood next to her.

    Nova sighed in response to her brother''s lax personality, he was unable to take the situation seriously despite his opponents'' skills.

    Qoo and Iri were a few meters ahead of them, the four were able to hear the numerous explosions and mana fluctuations of Zelel and Quote fighting in the distance.

    *BOOM-TWON! BOOM!*

    *BAAM!*

    A dust cloud was slowly taking place on the battlefield, but this wasn''t a problem at all for any of the contenders.

    Along that, the hoods of their long brown tunics were taken off by the explosive wave, revealing the short black hair of Qoo and the long, dark pink hair of Iri.

    Their animals traits were also revealed, as Qoo had black, long close-set bunny ears and Iri by her side had back, long, deer ears

    ¡°Good job Iri, keep it up.¡± Qoo praised Iri, and she just nodded in response. Then the runes etched in her simple brown staff shone, preparing a new spell.

    ¡±Will you praise me too?¡± Regan asked Nova with a smile as she sighed in defeat.

    ¡°Focus. Follow the plan.¡± Nova scolded Regan shortly.

    ¡°Rasshu dampak.¡± Nova murmured again while striding forward quickly and powerfully, leaving a white sandy silhouette behind.

    Suddenly, Nova appeared before Qoo in a split second, but this time Iri was ready, and with no delay, she expanded the mana shield around Qoo shield him from Nova.

    ¡°Tsk!¡± Nova¡¯s sword then collided with the expanded, robust mana shield, knocking her back painfully from the shock.

    Seeing this chance, Qoo decided to charge at Nova and finish her off before she can react, but her senses told her otherwise a second later.

    Qoo detected Regan sneaking towards them from behind using his advanced, shadow ward and the dust cloud to hide, trying to take out Iri.

    ¡°Crap! Iri!¡± Qoo shouted, as he immediately changed direction and dashed towards Iri at high-speeds as her metallic armor under the brown tunic clanked in synch with her movements.

    Iri by her side turned around and immediately surrounded herself with a transparent-blue, kinetic mana dome from her palms, intercepting Regan¡¯s blade with fierce resistance, but a second later it shattered from the overwhelming force of Regan¡¯s strike.

    *PHRIIIIIISH*

    This damaged Iri¡¯s internal magic flow severely along knocking her down by the pressure of Regan¡¯s powerful attack and bouncing once on the ground, leaving Iri face up on the ground.

    ¡°Aagh!¡± Iri cried in pain as blood involuntarily spilled from her mouth, although Regan was just able to see a thread of blood dripping from Iri¡¯s neck.

    On Regan¡¯s side.

    His broadsword wasn¡¯t stopped by the weak Iri¡¯s mana shield, as his downward swing was still going down and was about to reach and cut Iri, killing her in a single blow.

    ¡°I got you!¡± Regan exclaimed in berserk.

    But before Regan¡¯s broadsword was able to touch Iri.

    She lifted her bottom torso along her legs and feet, blocking Regan¡¯s broadsword for a half of a second, more than enough to divert it to her right as Regan¡¯s broadsword landed dangerously near her right torso and lodged in the sand.

    *CLASH!* - *TUFF*

    ¡°You too, midget?! No matter! I won¡¯t miss next time!¡± Regan shouted slightly annoyed already by the fact that two of his death-blows were fended off by their...unusually dense limbs.

    Immediately after, Regan tried to stomp Iri with his left feet at the same time as he took out his sword from the sand.

    On the other hand, Iri rolled to her left and then swiftly tried to stand up, but still dangerously near Regan, who won¡¯t let her flee so easily.

    ¡°No running!¡± After shouting his displeasure, Regan then spun and reverse slashed Iri while she is still on the sand, hoping to cleave her in two from her torso.

    Meanwhile, with swift wits, Iri instantly raised her lower body while Regan¡¯s sword cleaved the sand missing her by a small margin as Iri rolled back to her own feet and immediately casted another spell.

    ¡°Eksplosjonbolge!¡± Iri exclaimed while she swung her hand diagonally at Regan, throwing a light-blue mana blast.

    *PAFF*

    ¡°Agh!¡± Regan groaned although he managed to deny a slight part of the spell by blocking it with his broadsword.

    ¡°Kkh!¡± Regan groaned again as Iri kept throwing mana blasts, one after another, slowly pushing back Regan more and more, as his feet slid across the sand from the impacting force.

    ¡°I am done!¡± Regan shouted as he retreated a few feet; thus he got out of the range of Iri¡¯s spell, and then he exclaimed.

    ¡°Menggagahi!¡± Regan exclaimed annoyed, as Iri felt a sudden spike in his mana flow and aura, and began casting a defensive spell.

    At that moment, in less than a second, Regan took his broadsword hilt, crouched to concentrate all his energy and then jumped towards Iri in an incredible high-speed along his broadsword.

    ¡°Tsk!¡± Iri lifted both of her hands forward, shielding herself in a conjured magic dome once again, despite knowing it won¡¯t last against Regan''s broadsword.

    ¡°You¡¯re running out of tricks, useless midget!!¡± Regan exclaimed as the broadsword cleaved through her dome like butter, and was about to cleave her in two as well.

    *SHIN-CLASH!*

    Qoo arrived however, crossing her mana-reinforced blades with Regan¡¯s broadsword with their blades violently grinding orange sparks upon collision.

    ¡°Atghh¡­¡± Qoo groaned, holding her swords tightly with her arms already trembling from the heavy force, as Regan kept pushing downwards to break Qoo¡¯s defense.

    *Schliiik-Schliiik*

    ¡°Ho? Surprising for a midget! Where¡¯d you learn to build that tiny body of yours?¡± Regan asked mockingly upon seeing Qoo¡¯s arms and legs trembling from her excessive effort.

    Qoo, however, gave no response, only concentrating all her focus and strength trying to fend off Regan.

    Meanwhile, Iri swiftly turned around on the ground and stood up while simultaneously preparing a defensive spell sequence knowing that Nova near them.

    Iri knew that her opponents were experienced assassins from their initial bout; thus, she knew that Nova was somewhere near trying to flank them.

    But her long, back deer ears were unable to hear any sound or feel the slightest abnormal mana fluctuations around her, leaving Iri confused as her eyes can¡¯t see Nova as well.

    ¡°What?!¡± Iri shouted upon realizing Nova just a meter away from her, as Nova slipped past her senses by hiding her being within the shadows.

    Nova and Regan were the first foes that can bypass their highly honed senses, giving the two the first difficult battle for years.

    ¡®I won¡¯t make it!¡¯ Iri thought in despair as her magic sequence was still half-completed.

    She saw how Nova held her black katana¡¯s hilt with both hands, about to sever her chest.

    Qoo by her side, right at that moment, felt her partner¡¯s intense ¡®fear¡¯ for her life.

    ¡°Tsk¡­SISTER!¡± Qoo yelled with concern, and seeing no other way, she decided to take dangerous risks to save her sister.

    ¡°Livsfarlig satse!¡± Qoo shouted with anger, as blue light sparkled from her wrists and then raw mana engulfed every part of her body. Immediately after that, Qoo quickly pushed back up Regan¡¯s broadsword with ease, catching Regan off guard as he left a fatal opening around his torso.

    Qoo¡¯s strength multiplied several times, easily surpassing Regan¡¯s raw might by driving her physical and magic body beyond her limits, but not without a price, as she suffered severe damage in return from her spell¡¯s backlash.

    Immediately upon, Regan was able to see a reddish glint from Qoo¡¯s eyes, a flash of murderous intent; and without wasting time, Qoo lunged her dual blades towards Regan¡¯s stomach.

    Credits to I4MD347H and LechnerPR for editing!

 Volume I Chapter 5 Part III Birth of a Wish (II)

    Volume I Chapter 5 Part III Birth of a Wish (II)

    Suddenly, when Nova and Qoo¡¯s blades were about to pierce their foes, an unusual and abrupt light-blue mana sphere materialized between Qoo and Regan, and Nova and Iri.

    Yet, all four were unable to detect the sudden attack, as the mana spheres imploded a millisecond before violently exploding, throwing all four in opposite directions, knocking them off their balance and making them roll over the sand.

    *TWEN-POW-PAAAAAAF!*

    ¡°Kh¡­¡± Nova rolled on the sand without dropping her katana while Regan stood back on his feet immediately after, slightly confused about what had just happened.

    ¡°Agh. First time seeing a sequence like-¡± Regan stopped as he saw a white phantasmal female silhouette resembling an Elin a few meters away from him.

    Qoo and Iri by their side were also looking at this while standing up and regrouping at a side, while Nova and Regan did the same.

    ¡°What the hell?¡± Regan exclaimed, baffled at what he was seeing before him. He¡¯d seen mana bodies before in the Nightmare Realm¡­but never this powerful. This Eidolon seemed like the source of the mana blast.

    The explosion, fortunately, did not critically damage the four, or better said, the mana blast left them untouched; they were oblivious that they were protected by a magic shield the moment they noticed the mana blast, which absorbed the entire force and then vanished away as quickly as it was casted on them.

    After a few seconds, the Eidolon just vanished in the air before either of the parties were able to react.

    ¡°This is too annoying!¡± Regan ranted, losing his patience.

    ¡°There is no time for that. Our orders were clear, brother.¡± Nova reminded firmly while cleaning the sand off her dress.

    But suddenly, a powerful beam headed towards Nova and Regan from above and before either of them could react¡­

    *BOOOM*

    Nova and Regan just managed to lift their arms up to their head by pure reflex, and then noticed that Zelel was right in front of them, as she conjured a dark mana dome around them, protecting them from the deadly laser.

    Zelel had a few cuts over her beige skin, but they soon regenerated at a very fast pace, repairing the damage, quickly displaying her untouched.

    After defending Nova and Regan from the laser, she dispersed the dome and looked forward while the dust cloud scattered.

    ¡°Hehehehehehe, it was a wonderful dance, Zelel. But it is time to go. I cannot keep wasting my time with your useless existences.¡± Zelel and the others were able to hear Quote¡¯s mocking voice.

    Nova and Regan by their side were wary of their surroundings for any surprise attack, ready to defend themselves at any time. But Zelel just turned around and fluttered her wings.

    ¡°They are gone,¡± Zelel said calmly, with cold emotionless eyes while the dust cloud behind her dispersed, revealing that Quote, Qoo and Iri were no longer there.

    ¡°¡°Our apologies, Our Highness. We¡¯ve failed as your blades.¡±¡± Nova and Regan exclaimed with respect in practiced unison while bowing with a knee over the sand.

    ¡°You are free to take our lives as punishment for our incompetence,¡± Nova added straight away while unhooking her katana scabbard and then lifting it towards Zelel horizontally.

    ¡°Fufufufufufufu...we accomplished our mission, the Reapers were able to retrieve their friend¡¯s corpse after all, we can persecute Quote later.¡± Zelel pointed out calmly, as Sayune¡¯s corpse was no longer in the desert as the Reapers retrieved it during the battles while Nova kept handing her katana to Zelel.

    ¡°There is no need, Nova. But make sure to not fail me again, both you and your brother.¡± Zelel exclaimed emotionlessly to Nova.

    Instantly after, Nova hooked her scabbard to her belt around her hilt and asked, awaiting her next orders along her brother, who had remained in silence all this time.

    ¡°What we must do now, My Highness?¡± Nova awaited their next orders, while still bowing.

    ¡°We will return to our Realm for now and prepare our next step. Fufufufufu...if what that Eidolon said is true, then we must continue our plan.¡± Zelel exclaimed, her gaze affixed to the blue sky with her hands behind her back.

    It was so different to their usual landscape, so rich and beautiful¡­and so many new opportunities for her people.

    ¡°Fufufufu. I cannot wait to see what this realm can offer¡­¡± Zelel murmured to herself, as she took a long deep breath.

    ¡°¡°It will be done, my Highness.¡±¡± Nova and Regan replied to Zelel as she witnessed the landscape, while they awaited their Highness¡¯ signal to return to the Nightmare Realm.

    <hr>

    Past, unknown location.

    ¡°Release me! Where am I?!¡± Mech cried upon awakening, while a High Elf and a Human wearing surgical attire dragged her by her arms down a large, white hallway which every now and then had a large, black ¡®07¡¯ written on the walls.

    The last thing Mech could remember was that she was in the nearest forest of Pora Elinu, known as ¡®Blessed Woods¡¯, collecting some Vitalia Flowers to process the flower essence into a minor healing unguent to help aid wounded soldiers arriving from the battlefront during the War of the Races.

    But while she was in her daily routine, she felt something strike her head, rendering her unconscious.

    That¡¯s all that she could remember till now.

    No matter how much Mech yelled and cried, the High Elf and Human remained unfazed, as their cold hands kept dragging her by her arms till they arrived at a room and placed her on a surgical bed as they tied her arms and legs with metallic chains and left without uttering a single word.

    ¡°What¡¯s this? What is happening?¡± Mech murmured to herself on the verge of tears, struggling to break free from the chains only to realize there is no escape.

    She never knew that what was going to happen, was going to tear apart the feeble world she had always lived in.

    She was chained to a cold bed within a surprisingly sanitized windowless white room.

    Mech¡¯s breathing was agitated and all her senses focused at their peak, but even her sharp senses could not sense anything, besides hearing her own breath and pounding heart.

    ¡°RELEASE ME! I DON¡¯T KNOW WHO YOU ARE, BUT RELEASE ME! Please...¡± Mech begged for mercy, but she received no response at all.

    ¡°PLEASE! PLEASE I BEG YOU!¡±

    Suddenly, a human wearing surgical clothes entered the room with a syringe in hand, containing a transparent liquid.

    ¡°All will be well as long you cooperate with us.¡± The man stated, and he injected the liquid into Mech¡¯s left arm without resistance and then left the room.

    However, Mech kept shouting in despair, she could feel the ominous danger she was in from the human¡¯s cold and empty words. Mech kept shouting and struggling to free herself till a heavy drowsiness flooded her mind, forcing her into a deep slumber.

    ¡­

    ¡­

    ¡°The test subject 879 has awoken.¡±

    Mech heard a cold, distorted voice. Yet she found it difficult to even open her eyes, as her eyelids felt heavy, similar to the feeling after a long nap.

    ¡®It is cold...wait...my clothes?¡¯ Mech asked to herself, as she was unable to feel her clothes on her which meant she was naked on the bed, feeling the cold metallic shackles on her naked wrists and legs, immobilized by the chains.

    ¡®How long have I slept?¡¯ Mech thought while slowly opening her eyes, and when she managed to open them she saw...numerous surgical carts, numerous wooden boxes.

    Then she lifted her gaze and saw several Humans and High Elves around her wearing surgical suits and surgical masks. She also saw numerous unknown surgical tools next to her bed.

    Immediately, her breathing grew agitated from fear boiling within her Fragment of Life as her instinct felt the danger.

    ¡°Release me, please! What do you want to do with me?! Please!¡± Mech begged for answers as she leaked tears again.

    ¡°Command, the effect of the somniferous drug was not enough to start the intervention.¡± A human besides Mech spoke while placing a hand on his right ear.

    Then she heard a muffled voice coming somewhere next to her, more precisely, from the Human right ear, he had a small black-green dispositive at it.

    -¡°There is no time to induce her sleep again, proceed as planned.¡±-

    ¡°Understood. The tests on the subject 879 point that she have no mana fluctuations, but after further investigation, we have discovered that these are just blocked by biological problems.¡± The human exclaimed as he turned around and looked at Mech.

    ¡°That being said, we think that the subject 879 is viable for the Archangel Project: M.O.W program.¡± The Human kept speaking aloud as if he was recording his own voice somehow.

    The Human eyes inspected Mech¡¯s naked body coldly, as if she was a frog about to be dissected, lying on a cold, metallic table.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    ¡°Archangel Project? What¡¯s that?! Just let me go! Please! Anyone! Please! Help me!¡± Mech yelled, as she slightly lifted her head and looked at the other Humans and High Elves within the room, but none even flinched for a second.

    ¡°The tests on the subject 879 seems optimal and ready for the intervention. We are going to apply the Stormcrow model: STRC-9B.¡± The Human exclaimed ignoring Mech, as the people within the room, upon hearing his words started to move around and make preparations.

    ¡°Be ready to connect the systems as soon as possible.¡± The Human ordered and then took a step toward Mech.

    ¡°Preparing bioreactors and artificial systems. STRC-9B systems will be ready in 5 minutes.¡± A High Elf replied back upon hearing the Human¡¯s order, as the people inside the room started to move around, preparing every detail.

    ¡°Good. Prepare the instruments.¡± The Human said after turning his head back, ordering to some nurses behind him to get ready.

    "I will proceed to start the surgical intervention now. Scalpel.¡± The same human added as the Human woman behind him handed the scalpel.

    ¡°Starting intervention.¡± The human exclaimed coldly as Mech watched the scalpel looming before her eyes.

    ¡°What, what are you doing?!¡± Mech cried in tears, but she wasn''t even able to move a little, since the chains had tightened even more than before, nearly trapping her completely.

    ¡°We will start cutting the flesh.¡± The Human spoke coldly, as the others just looked at Mech and then the Human placed the scalpel between the clavicle and humerus.

    ¡°No...no don¡¯t do it! Please! I beg you...I haven¡¯t done anything to any of you...I was just looking for medicinal flowers to help my people!¡± Mech exclaimed frightened while crying.

    The Human hesitated for a second upon looking at Mech¡¯s indigo eyes trembling in despair fixing on the silver scalpel he had on his hand.

    -¡°Proceed with the intervention, it is an order.¡±- Mech heard a male voice from the communication device again thanks to her sensitive fox ears.

    The human turned around and placed his hand over his left ear and then spoke through the communication device while Mech kept silently crying.

    ¡°Sir, you said that we had retrieved this subject as a traitor, what she says-¡± But while the Human spoke, he was interrupted.

    -¡±What she says has no value now, follow your orders, soldier.¡±-

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± The Human replied and turned around again with the scalpel in his hand.

    ¡°Please!¡± Mech yelled in despair upon seeing the scalpel near her skin once again...the human took a long, deep breath and then exclaimed, ignoring Mech¡¯s yells.

    ¡°Starting.¡± The human pressed the scalpel down without hesitation, cutting Mech¡¯s flesh like butter.

    ¡°AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!¡± Mech cried in pain as tears came out of her eyes involuntarily at the same time she was able to feel her warm blood going out of her body.

    The latex gloves of the human were stained with blood immediately while the scalpel cut the skin, muscle, and tendons in just one swipe.

    ¡°AHHHHHHH!¡± Mech kept crying loudly, as the pain was so intense that she was unable to fall unconscious, while the Human kept cutting her flesh and at the same time the blood soaked the slim white sheets of the bed.

    ¡°Aghh...aghh...ahh¡­¡± Mech trembled, as her voice was slowly fading away, losing vitality after every long cry of pain while her vision blurred.

    ¡°The subject is unstable, inject adrenaline to keep her alive for five more minutes. We must do this quickly.¡± The Human ordered, as a male Amani approached and injected her with adrenaline.

    Mech¡¯s vision got back to normal instantly after, but the pain was still there, but she just could give some drowned cries of pains, as her voice was aphonic after her long cries of pain.

    ¡°I¡¯ve reached the bone. Hand me the bone saw.¡± The Human ordered coldly and the nurse handed him the bone saw from behind.

    Mech by her side, just yelled in mute cries of pain, opening her mouth and trembling while her bone was cut by the saw as her vision started to blur again.

    ¡°I will start the optics.¡± A High Elf exclaimed at Mech¡¯s head was taken by two cold hands from behind as her wide open eyes saw the sharp edge of a silver scalpel.

    ¡°Agh.....please¡­s-stop...¡± Mech spoke weakly with the remaining strength she had left.

    ¡°Optics starting.¡± The High Elf exclaimed. Then Mech saw the blade of a scalpel near her left eye and then it stabbed her eye as Mech felt an indescribable, sharp pain

    The blood lightly splattered the surgical suits of the Human and High Elf near Mech, as her eye was cut and painfully removed piece by piece.

    Mech was just able to move her fingers and toes and clench her fists trying to endure the pain while giving deaf yells, as her voice ran out.

    ¡°¡­¡± Mech had her mouth trying to cry in pain but nothing came out.

    ¡°Her vitals are low!¡± Someone informed from behind.

    ¡°Inject more adrenaline!¡± The Human ordered.

    But Mech¡¯s body gave out as the ¡®surgeons¡¯ kept modifying her body while her mind and conscience faded away.

    *** *** *** ***

    Mech opened her indigo eyes; in contrast, her indigo eyes had lost their usual brightness of the past, and despite retaining their vividness, their vivid coruscant from her younger years, it was long ago gone since those tormentous days.

    She always remembers those days when she closes her eyes to sleep or rest, experiencing nightmares that none should ever endure as they crawled within her mind every single day of her existence like vultures hovering over a dying prey.

    From the window at the right side of the bed, the dim light of dawn seeped through the clean clear glass, gradually illuminating up Mech¡¯s room.

    Mech¡¯s long, blonde hair was sprawled on the white pillow under her head as she lifted her left hand.

    Suddenly...Mech heard a voice within her room, as in an instant her room was impregnated in mana membrane.

    Instantly after, red flickering words appeared on Mech¡¯s vision alerting her of intruders.

    [ / / S Y S T E M : W A R N I N G / / ]

    [Multiple Magic Signatures Detected...]

    [...Non-Systematic Magic Signature Detected]

    [Proposal. Activate AMS and SCM Systems]

    ¡®An anti-vectorial mana sequence? This non-systematic sequence¡­impossible, this is only possible with a MoW unit-!¡¯ Mech quickly thought, but she was soon interrupted by a familiar voice.

    ¡°You know what you must do, Mech.¡±

    ¡°All of us know what you just must do.¡±

    ¡°Shut up, Sayha 2.¡±

    ¡°Eh? So mean! I wanted to speak too!¡±

    Without wasting a second, Mech lifted her torso along starting several magic sequences ready to attack the intruders; but she canceled her spells, upon seeing several Eidolons walking closer to her bed without any hostility.

    [Cancelling Complex Integrated Systematic Sequences¡­]

    ¡°You¡­you are the ones I saw in Velika!¡± Mech exclaimed as the white sheets slid down off her body, revealing her light pink dress-like pajama.

    There were several Eidolons, each of their bodies were made of white particles, forming an Elin body with a simple, dress-like pajama.

    ¡°Correct.¡± One of the Eidolons said as a few sat on Mech¡¯s bed, while others stood next to the bed.

    ¡°Who are you exactly? How are you capable of using non-systematic magic?¡± Mech asked right away almost without thinking.

    ¡°¡°We are unable to respond to your question.¡±¡± All the Eidolons replied in unison as Mech looked at them, left and right, confused.

    ¡®What¡¯s wrong with them?¡¯ Mech thought upon hearing a robotic-like answer.

    ¡°Why are all of you here then? Can¡¯t you answer that?¡± Mech changed her question, while she gave a deep breath, calming down her mind and body as the sudden apparition of the Eidolons took her in surprise.

    ¡°Affirmative. We are here to help you to take a decision. We know that in this very moment, you feel alone and abandoned.¡± The Eidolon in front of her bed spoke as the others remained in silence, looking at Mech as she clenched her fists along the sheets and then looked down.

    Her ocher wolf ears twitched upon hearing the Eidolon¡¯s words, they were correct. Despite trying to hide those feelings deep inside her fragment of life, she was unable to remain calm after hearing them saying it so easily.

    ¡°Who are you to say that?! I don¡¯t know any of you to say me something like that! You don¡¯t know how I feel! How lonely I feel!¡± Mech shouted as she closed her eyes, feeling a warm sensation on her fragment of life.

    ¡°Correction. You know us better than what you believe.¡± An Eidolon exclaimed as Mech looked at it baffled.

    ¡°We know your suffering and loneliness. That¡¯s why we are here.¡± Another added as Mech gritted her teeth, for her these words were nothing more than that. Words. Empty words.

    ¡°You all know nothing about me! What do you want of me?! I don¡¯t want to suffer anymore...I just want to...I want to¡­¡± Mech shouted as tears started to slid down her cheeks.

    ¡°You must accept what you are and move on.¡± The same Eidolon in front of her bed exclaimed, interrupting Mech words.

    Mech kept herself in silence for a few seconds, clenching her sheets even tighter¡­

    ¡°I CANNOT ACCEPT HOW MANY PEOPLE I KILLED, YOU DON¡¯T KNOW HOW PAINFUL IS EVERYDAY TO LIVE WITH THIS WEIGHT OVER MY SHOULDERS!¡± Mech shouted losing her composure.

    ¡°I CANNOT MOVE ON, I CAN¡¯T! EVERY TIME I TRY, THEIR BLOODY FACES APPEAR IN FRONT OF ME!! I CAN¡¯T!¡± Mech kept shouting as the Eidolons just looked at her in silence with a cold expression on their faces.

    ¡°I CAN¡¯T I CAN¡¯T I CAN¡¯T! I JUST WANT TO-¡±

    ¡°What are you going to accomplish with that? The option you are choosing right now is common of a coward and you know it very well, Mech.¡± The Eidolon in front of her, known as Sayha 1 spoke calmly.

    ¡°The only way to reach peace in our fragment of life is to accept what you are and bring a better future for everyone. You must accept yourself and move on. The visions which Sayune gave you have a great importance for you and everyone.¡± Sayha 1 kept speaking as Mech looked at her while she was still crying.

    Mech in that moment was completely touched by Sayha 1¡¯s words, despite the fact that they were nearly cold, somehow her words managed to reach Mech¡¯s fragment of life.

    ¡°Remember, you never going to be alone. If you ever feel alone again, we will be here again.¡± Sayha 1 said softly while looking at Mech, while the other Eidolons nodded.

    ¡°We trust in you, everyone trusts that you will choose correctly. I know you will.¡± Sayha 1 exclaimed before she and the other Eidolons along the magic membrane disappeared in half a second, leaving Mech alone once again.

    ¡­

    ¡­

    Mech eyes were gazing at the emptiness while in her head Sayha 1¡¯s words echoed repeatedly.

    ¡°I must...carry on...because... I am not alone¡± Mech muttered a few words thoughtfully, remembering Caut...Valentina...Korah...Nethaniel...Lyns...and now the Eidolons.

    All of them had been supporting her during all this time in their own and particular ways. She was certainly not alone at all, she was just covering her own eyes because of her suffering, letting her suffering control her mind and blind her.

    ¡°If everyone trusts in me, is because I can do it...and I want to accomplish their expectations...I wish to accomplish them!¡± Mech exclaimed as the mana fluctuations around her started to focus on her.

    ¡°I must find the answers of all this, and then help everyone. I know there must be a reason that my mother gave me this gift before she died...there must be a reason.¡± Mech spoke to herself without hesitation, with a renewed determination.

    As Mech spoke alone in the room, the mana fluctuations started to focus on her gradually, connecting with her magic body.

    ¡°I will find the answers to all this. I promise it to myself and to all who entrusted me.¡± Mech exclaimed placing her hands on her chest and then clutched them.

    Then her eyes became gradually yellow, completely of a brilliant yellow. She finally accepted Sayune¡¯s gift, the visions of the future.

    Mech will soon understand the secrets behind her very own existence and the world she is living in¡­

    All the possible futures started to show up before her eyes¡­

    Simultaneously with the visions, Mech gave a small smile as tears filled her eyes and then these slid down her cheeks. Sayune¡¯s gift wasn¡¯t what she expected.

    <hr>

    Kaiator outskirts.

    From the heights of a snowy mountain, Quote, Qoo and Iri were looking from afar at Kaiator, which was a huge, metallic fortress city where there were the best blacksmiths of the whole realm while a harsh snowy blizzard was taking place.

    A brilliant orange color was able to be seen from afar of the large forges surrounding the fortified city. Kaiator was not a simple fortified city, it was one of the greatest resistances back in the Argon War and the place where the Argons did their first violent contact with the dwellers of this realm.

    During the Argon War, Kaiator never yielded no matter how many Argons tried to destroy it, where the fierce Amanis were the main defenders almost during the whole war. During this war, Kaiator quickly earned the title of ¡®Hope forgers¡¯, as every city of the provinces near Kaiator attack by the numerous Argons, crumbled down in just hours.

    ¡°Uhm?¡± Quote muttered as he turned his head back after feeling a short but powerful mana fluctuation and then returned her head to the front.

    ¡°Hehehehe¡­¡± Quote laughed silently for himself placing his hand on the back like a gentleman.

    ¡°Nothing has changed after all, Master. We did it exactly as planned.¡± Qoo exclaimed as their brown, long tunics fluttered by the snowy blizzard. Qoo and Iri also were able to feel that mana fluctuation coming from Mech, but forsome reason remained in silence.

    The three were unfazed by the freezing cold of the blizzard while standing on the cold snow of a rocky mountain.

    ¡°Indeed, both of you did it perfectly. Congratulations.¡± Quote said with his usual mocking tone.

    ¡°Then, this means that the ruptures are meaningless?¡± Iri asked in that regard.

    ¡°Hehe¡­extinction is absolute, Iri. This world is destined to perish no matter how hard these useless puppets resist.¡± Quote lectured in his usual mocking tone without a hint of hesitation.

    ¡°I see. Then Sayune¡¯s theory was wrong.¡± Iri replied shortly as Qoo just gave a step closer to Iri, gently placing herself shoulder with shoulder with Iri, as if consoling her.

    ¡°What¡¯s our next step then, Master?¡± Qoo asked respectfully as Iri remained in silence.

    ¡°We will wait, and observe from afar how this world brings its own destruction,¡± Quote said calmly, fixing his gaze at Kaiator.

    ¡°¡°Understood, Master.¡±¡± Qoo and Iri replied in unison.

    The blizzard then grew stronger and denser as the three kept staring at Kaiator in silence, unfazed by the harsh weather.

    Credits to I4MD347H and LechnerPR for editing!

 Volume I Chapter 6 Part I Those Without Fear (I)

    Volume I Scions of Destiny - Chapter 6 Part I Those Without Fear (I)

    Arun continent, Velika.

    A clear, black sky rested over the entire continent, Velika included. The night was wintry and quiescent. There was nearly none in Velika¡¯s streets more than some patrols walking around Velika ensuring civilians¡¯ safety within the city.

    From the vast black sky over Velika shone numerous stars, each dimly lighting the darkness looming every corner of the continent.

    Meanwhile, at the Velika¡¯s west gate, Princess Caut stood as a scheduled guard despite the negativity of her officers¡¯ aura, since a member of the royalty standing guard during the night was almost inadmissible for them since the responsibility was for those of lower ranks.

    Yet, Princess Caut was there standing guard along her people just like any other Elin. She never wanted to be different despite her royal heritage, she wanted to be with her people.

    Beside Caut, Zalyn, a guard (and also a maid), gently spoke with respect and concern for Caut¡¯s condition.

    ¡°Caut, it is already too late. I can shoulder your shift, so please rest my Princess.¡± Zalyn said as her squirrel ears perked up cheerfully and her squirrel tail moved back and forward once.

    ¡°Zalyn, you know that I enjoy activities like this. I won¡¯t leave no matter what you say.¡± Caut replied back to Zalyn, making Zalyn sigh in defeat.

    Both were wearing light, black and tight, complete armor, covering from the neck to the feet with light plated scale armor minus the most of the joints to protect them from the harsh cold winter winds.

    The black armor had red lines around the breastplate and shoulder pads, along the Pora Elinu Nation badge on the right rerebrace, which was the symbol of every Royal Guard of the Pora Elinu Nation,

    The wintry cold made itself evident through the visible breath of every FTC soldier, Pora Elinu Nation¡¯s soldiers and Shrouded Rose Sentinels guarding the gate attentively, and also while Caut and Zalyn spoke.

    ¡°I will be here with you then. It''s the least I can do as your most loyal follower¡­¡± Zalyn said with commitment.

    ¡°Hahaha. Thank you, Zalyn. The cold night is much better with you at my side.¡± Caut replied back with a smile, with her tail wagging side to side.

    ¡°I know right? This night is indeed colder than any other this year. Speaking of cold¡­I really miss the winter festival.¡± Zalyn said softly, remembering the Winter Festival from last year.

    ¡°Aight. Though I don¡¯t miss that festival since in every festival I have to stay in a room in tight stressful clothes for hours¡­not of my liking. At all.¡± Caut exclaimed while her amber wolf ears drooped, remembering the awful days which happened annually.

    *Fuuu*

    Caut gently blew her hands while rubbing them together to keep them warm, as this was the coldest winter after decades and not even her extra clothing under her armor could keep her body warm.

    ¡°Hahahaha. That¡¯s right. I still remember your face those days. Hahahahaha¡­¡± Zalyn laughed upon remembering Caut¡¯s face during the last Winter Festival in Pora Elinu.

    ¡°*Fuuu* What¡¯s so funn-?¡±

    Suddenly, Caut¡¯s amber wolf ears along Zalyn¡¯s brown, angular canine ears perked up simultaneously, feeling a brief swift spike in the magic flow before dissipating shortly after.

    ¡®Mech¡­¡¯ Caut turned her head towards the Free Trader''s Hall, with her eyes filled with concern but she was unable to help in any way.

    ¡°Those flow spikes have been occurring since this evening¡­What it could be?¡± Zalyn said thoughtfully, as her magic affinity wasn''t high enough to distinguish the patterns.

    ¡°Caut? Do you know who is doing it?¡± Zalyn added after seeing Caut¡¯s reaction.

    ¡°Eh? No no no. I don¡¯t know, but we should not worry about it at all, my mother is already handling the situation.¡± Caut replied with a soft smile, concealing her concern behind it.

    ¡°Humm...if you say so...by the way-¡± Zalyn suddenly turned around upon feeling some soft, friendly footsteps behind her.

    Even though it was midnight and there were only a few dim yellowish lights from magic-made torches illuminating the surroundings within Velika and its respective entrances, Zalyn was able to clearly see a small Popori with soft panda fur, black eyes and his leather cuirass covering his whole body almost entirely.

    ¡°Who is it? We are in curfew ordered by our very Queen Valentina of Pora Elinu Nation, identify yourself immediately.¡± Zalyn exclaimed right away with a serious, clear voice while on her left wrist a light-blue flash sparkled, preparing an unknown spell on stand-by, ready to use it upon the slightest sign of hostility.

    Although Elins are not known to be unfriendly or hostile, they take direct orders of their Queen seriously, which somehow controls their behavior indirectly and also adding the precarious situations that have been happening, everyone was nervous and the Elins were not an exception.

    ¡°Err...excuse me¡­ I am Bready, ¡± Bready said hesitating, with a weak yet funny voice while slightly lifting his hands up, trying to convey intentions of peace.

    ¡°Ohhh... you are the Popori who- akkk!¡± Zalyn was exclaiming with enthusiasm along with a sudden change of mood, but while she was at it, Caut struck her ribs hard enough to cease her words.

    ¡°*Cough* Hello Bready, I thought you would be in your bed still, even if you got healed by Mech, the ghost wound syndrome can appear if you over effort your body too much like you are doing,¡± Caut spoke a second after striking Zalyn¡¯s ribs, keeping her tone straight although slightly quick due she was nervous, showing a different care for Bready in middle of the uncomfortable scene for her.

    Upon noticing her own words, her cheeks softly blushed, but thanks to the dark night, that detail went by unnoticed by Bready.

    ¡°Uhhh...haha...I am fine Princess, that silly syndrome won''t affect me, I am not doing any big effort.¡± Bready said confidently, while patting his own chest, trying to display his actual good health.

    The Phantom Pain syndrome was a typical sickness during the long war periods that took place in Arborea with the first ones from the War of the Races, where the Elins upon seeing the heavily wounded Human soldiers, dispatched their best healers to aid their battered allies alongside a large garrison of troops.

    After they were healed, the Elins instructed for a few days of rest, but the war demanded immediate actions, mobilizing the recently healed soldiers to the frontlines right away and forced them to fight despite their condition.

    However, since the body was still completely unaware of the healing, the Human Soldiers along Amani and Barakas fell down to the floor unconscious or other started to yell loudly from ghost pain, thus, the races understood the importance of recuperation after being healed from a deadly wound.

    ¡°If you say so, but please keep an eye on yourself.¡± The Princess said sternly, trying to conceal her feelings, with great success.

    ¡°Understood my Princess.¡± Bready replied right away in a firm position, slightly tensed by the cold words of his ¡®love¡¯.

    ¡®Yes¡­¡¯ Caut thought to herself seeing her facade a success, though she felt slightly guilty leaving Bready in the dark.

    ¡°So then, why you came here?¡± Caut asked, trying to calm down her mind changing the subject.

    ¡°Your mother ordered you to interrogate a captured enemy Officer in one hour, and I was assigned as your bodyguard alongside Zalyn.¡± Bready explained as clear as he could while trying to hide the happiness behind such incredible opportunity to expend time with the one he deeply admires and love.

    ¡°*Pfff*¡± Zalyn held her laughter, shifting Caut¡¯s attention to her with a brief face of hostility for half a second.

    ¡°Ha? I guess it is a priority if she wants it right now.¡± Caut said slightly annoyed while her tail wagging her tail stopped abruptly.

    ¡°I am sorry, Princess. I will do my best.¡± Bready exclaimed vigorously, trying to gain Caut¡¯s respect but failed abruptly.

    Caut just turned around and walked into the city.

    ¡°Zalyn, with me,¡± Caut commanded sternly. Zalyn¡¯s face switched from passive to serious and immediately followed her in silence, leaving Bready behind. He then quickly reacted and followed after her, confused about her sudden change of mood.

    ¡®Why should we interrogate an enemy? We should be preparing for war, not making silly interrogations.¡¯ Caut thought for herself. The enemy almost killed her mother, there was no absolution more than death.

    ¡°My Princess, you must remain calm.¡± Zalyn softly advised.

    ¡°Silence. It is an order.¡± Caut stated with a clear and stern tone, as she was evidently upset.

    ¡°Yes, My Princess.¡± Zalyn replied right away. Her eyes dropped to the floor saddened by her Princess¡¯s emotional outburst.

    ¡®She still has so much to learn, yet¡­¡¯ Zalyn said to herself while following Caut with Bready in silence.

    *** *** *** ***

    ¡°Hahahahehehehe!¡± Ralu laughed softly, looking from a building roof afar how Caut, Zalyn and Bready were walking towards prisoner¡¯s location. Behind her, there was a hooded individual similar in height.

    ¡°Kill them all. If she is indeed the Angel of the Eventide, then she must die for our plans¡¯ ensured success.¡± The mysterious individual ordered with a soft female voice.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t believe a ghost¡¯s words, Master,¡± Ralu whined, pouting at her master.

    ¡°It matters not. My word is law. You may use our friend, and ¡®have fun¡¯ if you wish.¡± The mysterious individual exclaimed before turned around and left, disappearing into the shadows.

    ¡°Yaaay! Sure! It will be done, master!¡± Ralu exclaimed happily as she then fixed her gaze back onto Caut, as her teal eyes filled radiating madness.

    ¡°They are gonna die! They are gonna die!¡± Ralu ¡®sung¡¯ happily while doing stretching exercises on the roof of the building, getting ready for the confrontation.

    <hr>

    Kaiator,

    A city named in honor to Goddess of the War, Kaia, who aided the Amanis during the Argon War, but after she saw Amanis¡¯ cruel treachery, betraying their very own allies and dishonoring the warrior path during the Reaper persecution, she left the realm in self-exile, never seen again from that point on.

    Kaiator,

    A city forged in the frozen plains of the Northern of Sharan, where the extreme cold could either desquamate one in seconds or freeze one in a minute for the unprepared. The city was forged by the very effort of the liberated Amanis centuries ago with the aid of the Castanics, their city surrounded by walls comprised of various strong metallic alloys capable of withstanding the relentless Argon Invasion numerous times. Thus, the city was the very banner of hope and tenacity during the long years of war against the Argon threat.

    The city warmed itself via huge forges around the city, each one distributing heat by transported molten metals through multiple pipes across the city, concurrently supplying the city¡¯s strong metallurgical industry. The industry was also where the best blacksmiths pour their sweat and blood to forge myriads of high quality elements, until the Iron Order took the control of the city.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    After that the Iron Order¡¯s coup, Kaitor was under the iron fist of Frateko¡¯s martial law, submerging it in a dark dictatorship that stagnated Kaiator¡¯s economy, although the populace were still strong and well-trained as every Amani and soldier under their training.

    *** *** *** ***

    Kaiator¡¯s inner districts share many similarities with the outer districts, the difference there being a civilization within the fortress city.

    A warm inexhaustible fire brightened the streets. The cobbles comprising of a brown metallic alloy to better conduct the heat through the city.

    On the other side, a human woman wandered throughout the city¡¯s deep suburbs, wrapping a certain object with her arms while the streets were nearly vacant. The reason for the lack of presence was due to the curfew in effect by the Iron Order, a law the woman was left unaware.

    Ifrit was her name, her eyes closed during her stroll down the road. Her ears however, found something else during her stroll, eavesdropping sounds no average individual can hear. Said sounds being soft screams and echoes of beaten flesh.

    With every step down her path, the morbid sounds escalated along the way. Despite taking in the dreadful noise, her mind wanders her memories, specifically the words of a certain Eidolon that appeared a few years ago repeating again and again in a loop.

    Approaching a wall, her back rested on the flat dark-brown metal to better focus her mind. The morbid screams behind the said wall continues to test her patience, her sense of duty and justice, as what lie within said walls was a torture chamber, filled with victims currently suffering from inhuman abuse by unknown assailants.

    ¡®No¡­Why? The Eidolon¡¯s words were true? How could such a disaster take place...why?¡¯ The memory continuously muddled her thoughts, her troubles growing unhindered by the outside world. However, not without the company in her arms.

    *Meow*

    The cat shifting in her arms, it cuddled affectionately into her chest, fond of its holder for sheltering it from the freezing winter air. It still purrs with innocence, oblivious of its holder¡¯s inner world.

    *Thud!* *Thud!*

    The depravity reached Ifrit¡¯s ears without fail, to the smallest detail, from how the cold wooden bar repeatedly slapping flesh again and again to the screams growing fainter and fainter til only deathly silence remained.

    And as if to taint her ears further, the torment resumed wi the h sound of blood splattering the walls and floor and dripped from its owner¡¯s wounds, painting the cobbles crimson, followed by bones cracking from each and every fierce blow¡­and then cruel echoing laughs from the tormentors. Revealing them to be the city¡¯s duty-sworn protectors.

    Ifrit can hear the wet sounds of tears trickling from the victim, the disgusting laughter of the tormentors, and even their mouth crooking into a vulgar smile emanating nothing but arrogance.

    ¡°Why are you doing this?! We haven¡¯t done anything wrong!¡± A woman cried aloud.

    ¡°He? Shut up! Or you¡¯ll die screaming like the others.¡± The Amani exclaimed.

    The more she listens on, more her spite against the city¡¯s military grew, increasing her awareness and disgust of thedeep rooted corruption within Kaiator, along with her views of the world.

    Although unaware how this torture came to be, she can feel the dark injustice and malversation behind the sentence. No, everyone in their right mind knew it was wrong, but none would lift a finger against it.

    There was nothing more dangerous than someone to show their supremacy, no matter the cost of it.

    *Meow* *Prrr*

    The black kitten folded in Ifrit arms purred softly while poking its head on the light, carbon black armor protecting her belly and body after hearing Ifrit¡¯s pulse, fueled by courage and desire for change.

    The kitten¡¯s abysmal black eyes gazed upon its holder¡¯s dark cerulean eyes still lost in the void, her arms folding it tightened lightly. Unaware, what the kitten felt was a sign of its holder¡¯s internal struggle.

    ¡®Do never abandon your own self, Ifrit. You are special amongst the Demons. Your unique difference is why I accepted you under my wing.¡¯ Ifrit remembered the stern words of her friend and mentor, Yamato.

    *Meow* *Prrr*

    The kitten kept mewling and nuzzling against Ifrit¡¯s belly softly with tender affection, slightly moving its paw on her belly, while hearing her rhythmic like one after another like a warm lullaby.

    ¡°Is this a curse? Death around me like a plague, no matter where I am¡­I refuse to partake that abjured cycle again.¡± Ifrit murmured to herself while looking down to the kitten as her long vermillion hair dropped down, though hair only tempted the kitten¡¯s playful nature. It lifted its two small paws in its holy quest to play with its holder¡¯s hair.

    *Prrrr*

    ¡®In our world, there are two choices: eat or be eaten. Thus, Zelel and Leliel wishes to remold it for our future. A future not for us however, but for the next generation after us. We¡¯re already stained following this path, and you know that as much as we do. So in conclusion, we must be that spark of revolution, but sadly, even the largest desert started as a grain of sand. We must start somewhere small, as harsh as it may be, even if it means spilling oceans of blood.¡¯

    Yamato¡¯s stern words repeated within her mind. Although she can sense his regret and some sadness behind the sternness, Yamato kept moving forward pointing for a better future.

    A future not for him, but for others that no one will know and probably will never know him either.

    Now, conflicting ideals clashed within her mind. Her vow to kill never again after the bloody sin filled incident, Death Ballade, conflicts with the constant truth that death is needed for order, to defend against the evils in this world and make a change. To not kill is to reject death, and to reject death is to reject one¡¯s own life as well.

    That¡¯s how in the Nightmare Realm was and the Daydream Realm wasn''t different at all for Ifrit¡¯s mind.

    From the cruel, cold experience of her long and challenging life, she learned that life will not wait for her choice, forcing her to clench her fists mildly to not frighten the kitten. The time was running out.

    There was no more time to avoid her destined path. It was time to make a choice.

    Her internal struggle took only three seconds while all those nightmares were taking place, as she then took a step forward and gently lowered the kitten to the cold floor, though not before stealthly tearing off a piece of her crimson red cloak used to conceal her wings and gently placed it on the kitten to shelter it from the freezing winter.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back. If what happens later is too much, you can run away, alright?¡± Ifrit softly consoled as the kitten was seated on the cold gray, battered cobbles, while the piece of cloak, controlled by Ifrit, slowly wrapped around the kitten harmlessly, wearing around the kitten like a calm crimson flame.

    At that moment, she remembered the last words before his mentor unexpectedly disappeared by unknown reasons the next day, leaving her training in hold.

    ¡®You always have that light. Do not waste it, Ifrit.¡¯

    With those words in her mind, her gaze slightly shifted, now sharper and colder.

    *Meow?*

    The kitten cocked his head to the left, unable to understand her words while slowly wagging its tail. It watched Ifrit taking her cloak with her left hand and then she pulled it and threw it to the air, watching it then vanish after a puff of magenta sand smoke.

    Ifrit then expanded her now revealed pair of long black-white Nephilim wings, overshadowing the dim lights of the dead end street within Kaiator.

    At the height of her left rerebrace, Ifrit displayed a black rose insignia, as her wings quickly attracted a few of the military¡¯s attention.

    "Uh? An Angel?¡± One of the soldiers exclaimed confused of what his eyes were seeing, staring at the Ifrit¡¯s gray eyes which were looking at the void for a few seconds before locking on her preys.

    ¡°Atone your sins with blood.¡± Ifrit exclaimed sternly and with a deep determination, she had taken a choice.

    *Shin-shin*

    The kitten by his side suddenly spotted a couple of silver sparks for a second before losing track of its holder, thus the kitten lifted his left paw and licked it softly.

    *Ahhhhhhhhhh!*

    *Thud* - *Thud* - *Thud*

    Two seconds later, damp crimson squelches echoed one after another in the dead end street, as Ifrit¡¯s nose smell the fresh blood viscously streaming from the stained rocky cobbles.

    The kitten ears perked up right after hearing the screams and paused its licking right away, frightened of the event before it, but then the kitten relaxed upon seeing Ifrit once again, fixing its deep black eyes on her.

    The flow of life was so smooth and peaceful around Ifrit, allowing the kitten to softly approach Ifrit without fear.

    *Meow*

    Ifrit turned around towards the sound, noticing the small bundle of cuteness while a drop of blood slid down her cheek.

    ¡°It has been months since I have not eaten¡­¡± Ifrit eyed the corpses, their bloody odor appealing to her appetite.

    She contemplated whether or not to sate her hunger for a moment, but then chose to leave her food be, as cannibalism or consumption of raw, unprocessed flesh was common in the Nightmare Realm but in the Daydream Realm, it means the sign of demons lurking in the area.

    Right after, she just responded with a short happy smile to the kitten and picked it up again although her gaze was lost and unfocused.

    Then she calmly left the area with the kitten in her arms. She snapped her fingers before a crimson cloak formed over her back, concealing her large wings through illusion magic.

    *BWOOM!*

    However, without warning, Ifrit felt the world around her came to a sudden halt.

    Now on guard, she examined her unmoving surroundings with her sensitive ears, detecting myriads of runes correlating with Time Magic, yet she cannot determine the origins of these runes and unfamiliar magic sequences. A voice resounded close behind her within the silence.

    ¡°Hehehehehehe...interesting. You have a good eye, Ifrit. Hehehehehe you got it?¡±

    ¡®Kh!¡¯ Ifrit vocalized, as she felt a presence as imposing as Zelel¡¯s and turned around with her hands already on the handles of her weapons. The kitten by its side jumped down and went to hide.

    No. The owner of the presence allowed itself to be detected.

    ¡°Who are you? Why do you know my name?¡± Ifrit asked ready to strike a white masked man with a black top-hat over his head, wearing a black frac suit with two hooded individuals behind him, whom were also wearing white masks.

    ¡°How wouldn¡¯t I know the most famous Black Rose Order Commander who deserted the naive illusion of peace? Anyways, interesting mechanical armor you have there. Who made it? It has something really familiar to me.¡± Quote asked, completely ignoring her question.

    Ifrit by her side stood in silence, as his question was too direct and concrete.

    ¡°Hehehehe¡­¡± Quote laughed as Ifrit continued staring at Quote with intense eyes, unable to understand his senseless chatter.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± Ifrit repeated with more intensity. Every of her senses were focused on the three individuals before her, ready to counter attack upon even the slightest sense of hostility.

    ¡°No need to be so hostile. We¡¯re not here to kill you¡­For now. Hehehehe¡­we are here to inquire where and when you encountered that stupid Eidolon.¡± Quote asked condescendingly as Ifrit tensed all her muscles upon feeling a dangerous glint within the man¡¯s presence.

    She wasn¡¯t wrong at all, as Quote¡¯s light blue eyes glittered behind his strange white mask with a wicked hostility. Her mind raced with questions on how the man before her knew about her encounter, and contemplated her choices to react on the matter.

    ¡°A few years ago.¡± Ifrit answered, although she was confused by the whole situation.

    ¡°Hehehehe...I see¡­I see! This is wonderful! Hehehehe!¡± Quote turned around while he shouted in excitement along Iri and Qoo and walked towards a wall, but stopped upon hearing Ifrit¡¯s voice laced with caution.

    ¡°Why do you know I spoke with an Eidolon?¡± Ifrit demanded, somewhat dumbfounded by Quote¡¯s wicked personality.

    ¡°Ohohoho, you don¡¯t need to know¡­¡±

    ¡°I sincerely disagree.¡± She pulled out her blades, pointing one at Quote with hostility.

    ¡°Ohohoho, touchy aren¡¯t we?¡± Quote commented without a hint of tension in him. Ifrit tightened her grip on her weapons as she emanates hostility towards the man, but upon seeing the man slowly lifting his right arm towards her, she flinched as her instincts warned her to flee and leaped back a few feet maintaining distance from the dangerous man.

    ¡°Ohhh, not bad. The stories don¡¯t lie, indeed.¡± Quote chuckled as he let his arm drop to his side.

    ¡°But let me warn you¡­don¡¯t even try to point your weapons at me, or next time, you will see...how scary I can be hehehehehe¡­¡± Quote exclaimed while he just turned his head slightly back, as Ifrit was able to feel his sharp and mischievous intentions on her, filled with hostility.

    ¡°You will see how wrong you are if I do,¡± Ifrit answered back without any fear nor hesitation.

    ¡°Hehehehe...I like it I like it!¡± Quote exclaimed in excitement, entertained by her fearlessness.

    ¡°Then I bid you adieu! May we ¡®meet¡¯ again, blind demon!¡± Quote shouted as he along Iri and Qoo disappeared, leaving no trace of their presence. After their disappearance, the world around Ifrit slowly returned to normal, motion slowly being restored to its natural state.

    Ifrit¡¯s blank eyes left affixed at the wall, confused about the bizarre encounter and her ¡®visitors¡¯.

    But there was no worth trying to explain understand it with her limited knowledge. However, the Eidolon promised her answers if she starts training the ¡®Angel of the Eventide¡¯, a legend as far she knew..

    Ifrit then turned around and resumed her wandering throughout Kaitor, searching for any relevant clues as much as possible.

    ¡°I don''t believe in luck,¡± Ifrit exclaimed before proceeding towards a new direction, thinking on her new route since as far she knew, the Eidolon she met held no lies in her.

    Then that also meant that she was fleeing in fear from her greatest sin, the day she stained her hand with innocent blood all due to a premature impulsive whim of peace, with no promised reward in the end but blood on her hands...the Death Ballade.

    Her mind then flooded with those scenes, which even after years, they still haunted her mind as clear as day.

    Credits to I4MD347H for editing. Thanks a lot!

 Volume I Chapter 6 Part II Those Without Fear (II)

    Volume I Chapter 6 Part II Those Without Fear (II)

    Darkness,

    Pure black darkness, that was what Bready was able to see and feel, since he couldn¡¯t know much what was happening to him, he never felt like this before, so cold, frigid. That was what Bready felt, completely unaware of his real condition.

    ¡°Come back to me!¡± Bready heard from afar, as his conscience was fading away without knowing what just happened to him¡­

    ¡°Ahhhhh! Don¡¯t leave me¡­ please! Don¡¯t! Ahhh...¡± He heard again a familiar voice weeping every time more distant, while he felt himself in the void, deprived of movement or thought.

    ¡®Caut!¡¯ Bready suddenly recognized the voice as he tried to move in the void but to no avail.

    ¡®I¡­ can¡¯t¡­ give up¡­ she needs¡­ me¡­¡¯ Bready mentally repeated to himself, as his process of thinking was becoming harder and harder, while his conscience slowly scattered in its fading to darkness.

    ¡°Please!!!!¡± Bready kept hearing Caut yelling, her gradually fading voice broken and full of grief.

    And after three seconds, Bready was now lost and helpless in the void, unable to see, hear or sense anything.

    *GASP*

    From nowhere, Bready appeared in a white, infinite room without any door or window, his senses and consciousness were back on track.

    He barely could stand on his feet, feeling dizzy, heavy breathing and sweating cold and soon fell on his knee, touching his chest with one hand as his heart was quickly beating.

    ¡°What¡¯s ha-happening¡­?¡± Bready mumbled as he looked at the floor, seeing his sweat drops instead going down, they were going frontwards.

    Upon seeing this, his eyes abruptly opened and with his only hand available pushed himself back, feeling a strange and impulsive dread to the unknown, while his heavy breathing and heart rate slowly stabilized back to normal.

    He was now sitting on the floor within a room of infinite white, completely alone and confused.

    ¡°Agh¡­¡± Bready brought both of his hands at his head when he tried to remember how he came to here.

    ¡°Is this a kind of magic or-¡± Bready kept mumbling to himself, but this time while doing so, he looked up to the roof of the room and noticed that there was no roof, instead there were multiple and beautiful constellations, stars, nebulosus and other countless wonders of the midnight sky above.

    ¡°Where the heck am I?¡± Bready exclaimed, as his eyes were still stuck to the beautiful constellations that he has never seen before, not even...not even¡­

    He couldn¡¯t remember where he saw beautiful stars before but he was sure he saw stars somewhere before, it was a beautiful place with colorful vegetation and near a lake during the night.

    ¡°Bready!¡± Suddenly, a female voice echoed in his head again as his heart started to beat harder for a few seconds.

    But he was now unable to recognize the voice echoing in his head and every time he tried to remember, he felt a mind-shattering headache forcing him to abandon the mere idea of a further attempt.

    *TRP-TRP*

    ¡°Uh?!¡± Bready stood up right away upon seeing two individuals appearing in front of him from black-purple distortions, whose immediately fixed their gazes on him.

    One of them was a white-haired woman of short height, around 5¡¯45¡¯¡¯, gazing at him with a straight face. He didn¡¯t knew any of both individuals before him although judging from their expression, they did know who Bready was.

    Looking back at the woman, he witnessed several wounds on her face along the clothes scrapes were slowly regenerating altogether.

    ¡°W-what¡­?¡± Bready mumbled quietly as her large, narrow, black pupils were fixated on him with severity and became even narrower, out of apparent disgust. Her eyes were indeed unique as they had dark orangish eyes with yellowish pints all over, highlighted by a thick, black line on the upper eyelid meanwhile her long, silky hair gently rested over her shoulders and back with a red double ruffle bow ribbon tied at the end.

    ¡°She even has horns¡­ what are you?¡± Bready asked astonished as his eyes were still at her, fixing his attention on her figure, as the thick, pointy horns were dark reddish-brown and pointing forward emerging from the lateral parts of Pandora¡¯s head.

    ¡°*Sigh* So much effort for this ¡®great¡¯ and ¡®important¡¯ being, Kelsaik?¡± Pandora exclaimed ironically as she quickly turned towards the other individual next to her left while her black shoes with short, kitten heels tapped on the room of the floor, surprisingly echoing while her vestment softly waged along her move, lifting a soft, warm and taunting aroma towards Bready¡¯s nose.

    Her one-piece astral dress had a carbon black color fastening on her petite, tight chest with flounce sleeves and a half, diagonal A-line, handkerchief skirt which on every ending had white frills just as her thigh-high black socks with a white twisted boutique bow ribbon on its top end.

    ¡°He is the one, believe me, it is just matter of time for¡­¡± The other individual, Kelsaik, replied back with a clear and serious voice. To Bready¡¯s eyes, he wasn¡¯t more than a normal human, with brown eyes and black, short hair with an average height for one of his race.

    Kelsaik was clad in a majestic, heavy and white plate armor with some runes inscribed on the breastplate; his gauntlets, gaiters, and boots had thin yellowish lines edging his armor as every a few seconds, the runes on his breastplate dimly shone, as if the armor itself had a connection with the mana network somehow.

    ¡°Matter of time? You kidding me, right?¡± Pandora exclaimed with noticeable irritation upon hearing at Kelsaik¡¯s words as Bready just stood looking at both, being a mere spectator but when Kelsaik was going to answer Pandora¡¯s words, she spoke again with a serious, cold voice.

    ¡°The only matter of time here is that you are going to be hunted down by the madman of Quote anytime if you do this and I won¡¯t help you again.¡± While saying these words, Bready was able to see for just a second Pandora¡¯s eye softening, with hesitation and anguish although her body kept the very same coldness and unaltered expression as her wounds and clothes were already fully regenerated.

    ¡°I understand my situation, but it is my duty to end this or die trying it, otherwise my very own existence is meaningless, Pandora.¡± Kelsaik replied back without any hesitation, with a clear and serious voice.

    ¡°Without your true form you are not capable of doing much Kelsaik, but if you have such a strong death wish, then so be it, I am going to be happy to have at the gates of the oblivion.¡± Pandora replied as she turned around and fixed her gaze at Bready, making him feel a chill on his back since her ¡®draconic¡¯ eyes weren''t too friendly at all for him.

    On the other part, Kelsaik closed his eyes and exclaimed with determination.

    ¡°I shall embrace my fate.¡± Then, he re-opened his eyes and looked at Pandora¡¯s back with soft eyes for a second to then regain his composure.

    ¡°You are embracing your fate believing to an eidolon, a spell, a mirage created by someone else¡¯s delight. You are being played Kelsaik, open your eyes already.¡± Pandora replied back to hearing Kelsaik determination. It could not fit in her head how, how mortals were so naive, so easily controlled by meaningless emotions.

    ¡°She is the Sayune¡¯s successor, she is going change our future Pandora, her plan is the only one that still holds peace,¡± Kelsaik explained.

    ¡°Sayune is dead, and her daughter will share the same fate as her mother¡¯s. This, I guarantee you. Soon enough.¡± Pandora replied, like a judge sentencing a death penalty.

    ¡°I disagree. I always thought that you wanted to help the world from perishing, but now I soon realized you became like Velik, Kaia, and all others. You¡¯ve abandoned us long ago. Why?¡± Kelsaik asked with a serious voice, slightly confused of Pandora¡¯s stubbornness.

    ¡°A few years before, you aided Sayune¡¯s quest to save us from our fate but now¡­ I can¡¯t even recognize you.¡± Kelsaik added.

    ¡°Sayune provided nothing but false hope. Like you, I believed in her and all of your ¡®persecutions of hope¡¯, only to discover them being nothing more than falsehoods, spouted by a delusional idealist.¡± Pandora replied back coldly, without looking at Kelsaik.

    ¡°Ha. I believe otherwise. Alongside Sayune¡¯s daughter, we will prove that hope still exists, and can be realized starting with her plan. If you haven¡¯t noticed, the Seven Signs are already converging and Noryhil along Isren have spoken me about the ruptures that Wonder is actively generating. There is doubt that the time is coming, so I must do so too just as Misfortune, Wonder, Annihilation-¡± Kelsaik was speaking but he was precipitously interrupted by Pandora.

    ¡°The Seven Signs is nothing more than a mere legend, Kelsaik. A tale to cultivate seeds of life in the most barren wasteland.¡± Pandora replied with a soft voice, as if trying to convince herself more than Kelsaik behind her.

    ¡°Even if that¡¯s true, you cannot make blind eyes towards the ruptures Pandora, it is the most solid proof that something is happening, something that even the Gods like you cannot control, you must hear me Pandora¡­¡± Kelsaik exclaimed with hope and determination, as he gave a step forwards towards Pandora.

    ¡°I have heard enough from Sayune already. Her words are biased and meaningless, I am not going to help such a lost cause. Sayune never had anything to prove her right and she is dead, there is nothing else to do, Kelsaik. Let the supreme cycle do its job.¡± Pandora exclaimed.

    ¡°There is no cycle, it is an annihilation Pandora, and you are not going to be an exception.¡±

    ¡°I already played my cards.¡± Pandora replied without any hint of hesitation or will to help any further.

    ¡°*Sigh* I have no more time to waste with someone who had already abandoned us.¡± Kelsaik replied coldly.

    ¡°Kelsaik, you are entitled to your own thoughts¡­ but accuse me of abandonment again, I will make your passing legendary.¡± Pandora replied shortly, while she squinted her eyes with irritation and pain as her heart was quickly and silently beating in her chest.

    ¡°You have deeply disappointed me, Pandora. You have no honor after all.¡± Kelsaik exclaimed with severity.

    ¡°It is enough! You don¡¯t know how painful is all this for me too but I have no choice, I am the Goddess of the Void after all, the successor of Vanitas. I must uphold my duties like it or not, so don¡¯t treat my job as a privilege free of consequence. I cannot just interfere with the material world like you. Doing this is already too dangerous for all of us.¡± Pandora exclaimed with a sore tone.

    ¡°You are just wasting time, Pandora. Time that is running short.¡± Kelsaik said in a warning tone as if something bigger than him or Pandora was coming.

    Upon hearing those words, Pandora slightly turned her head back to Kelsaik and squinted her eyes at him with askance.

    ¡°You speak of choice, yet you fail to empathize another¡¯s plight. You call me selfish, Kelsaik, yet you are the one who fails to respect my own problems.¡± Pandora shot back.

    ¡°I don''t have to respect someone who forsook her honor and left behind her own humanity,¡± Kelsaik replied back without holding anything back.

    ¡°Tch¡­ I see, leaving my position is not easy as there is no successor to take my place. And without a Void Goddess, the energy of the souls would destroy the material realms at the end, making all this purposeless.¡± Pandora replied back, with an upset expression on her face.

    ¡°You are just making up excuses for yourself, Pandora. No matter how I see it, you are traitor for us-¡±

    ¡°Enough! Don¡¯t forget who you are talking to, Kelsaik. I will start the spell, and after it is done, I will wait to harvest your soul personally.¡± Pandora exclaimed coldly, interrupting the conversation as she had her fists strongly gripped.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°I am ready,¡± Kelsaik exclaimed ignoring Pandora¡¯s ultimatum as then, Bready, who have been a spectator to all this chatter between these two individuals that seemed to know each other well, felt a huge pressure all around his body, as he started to sweat and breath hardly while hearing a high pitch beep on his head.

    *Heartbeat-heartbeat-heartbeat*

    ¡°Aghh¡­¡± Bready fell to the floor drowning with the hands on his throat and looked at his surroundings, as Kelsaik was suffering the same fate as him while Pandora was closing to him as her heels echoed lengthy within the infinite white room.

    ¡®This pressure¡­ where is it coming from?!¡¯ Bready thought for himself quickly while seeing Pandora turning around and walking towards Kelsaik, unable to find a source, as if the room itself suddenly changed of properties, taking away the air and exerting a crushing pressure on them.

    *Taap-taap-taap*

    ¡°Ggg¡­¡± Although Bready¡¯s hearing was limited, somehow he kept hearing Pandora¡¯s heels hitting the floor echoed in his head. ¡®This is bad!¡¯ He shouted in his mind by instinct.

    His eyes darted everywhere trying to find a shining light out of his predicament, something that would help him, just to see that Kelsaik was on the floor, drowning and Pandora slowly approaching to him, moving her lips but Bready was unable to hear a word.

    ¡°Ozaygan Duosi¡­¡± Pandora exclaimed with a reverberating voice upon she was in front of Kelsaik, while he started to move with difficulty against the pressure that was being exerted by Pandora¡¯s power, trembling on each of his moves, slowly lifting his torso, standing on his knees while he was looking at her without a hint of fear on his eyes.

    In response, she lifted her wide-open hand up to the height of her chest and Bready saw several silver-golden spears that appeared out of nowhere, right behind Kelsaik¡¯s back.

    ¡°Ghh¡­ Pan-dora¡­ you¡­ t-¡±

    ¡°O''t... Olish!¡± Pandora sentenced and closed her hand with determination, and immediately after the spears flew down, running through Kelsaik¡¯s back until the tips protruded out from his chest. After ending his life, the spears kept his corpse lifted it from the floor while Kelsaik¡¯s blood trickled down by the spears from the shaft to the tip, forming a pool of blood under him.

    She remained a few seconds looking at Kelsaik¡¯s corpse, with tearful eyes and giving long, deep breaths as she then lowered her hand and the spears disappeared, allowing Kelsaik¡¯s corpse to hit the ground, with a wet, bloody sound along with a tinkle of his armor.

    ¡°Ah...¡± Pandora cried silently as her legs trembled a little.

    ¡°No matter what I do, killing never ends Kelsaik...but deep inside myself, I still believe in you, don¡¯t waste this opportunity...¡± Pandora said slowly while sobbing, as she spoke to a dead corpse.

    ¡°This¡­ all of this¡­ is your fault Sayune¡­¡± Pandora murmured.

    ¡°Aghhh¡­¡± Bready uttered as he was still drowning, as his vision was blurring by the lack of air.

    Upon hearing him, Pandora wiped off her tears and turned around and walked towards Bready.

    ¡°Apologies for my poor manners, animal. Welcome to my borderland, the line of life and death.¡± Pandora manifested with an eerie, cold calmness and then lifted Bready from his neck with her right hand.

    ¡°Kelsaik gave his own future to preserve yours¡­¡± Pandora exclaimed, with angry watery eyes looking Bready, who was unable to hear a word.

    ¡°I can¡¯t understand why he did this at all. He saw worth in you, yet I can¡¯t see anything of that in you, useless furball!¡± She shouted with irritation and confusion.

    ¡°But I gave my word to him¡­ as I gave my heart to him too. And I am going to accomplish it, so make yourself useful or I will personally take your soul and torture you for an eternity. I, the successor of Vanitas, the Goddess of the Void, Pandora van¡¯ Vanitas, will seal a soul pact with you, Bready.¡±

    Under Pandora¡¯s feet, a shiny white star appeared gleaming as a strong airstream surrounded her due the intense energy being channeled by Pandora.

    ¡°Qutilish...ulug''vor fidoyilik!¡±

    Thereupon Pandora words, a bright, shiny white light appeared forming a star and then it was absorbed by Pandora.

    ¡°Now you live¡­¡± Pandora kept speaking as Bready felt a crushing force around his neck while his black eyes fixed on Pandora¡¯s tearful but raging face.

    ¡°Akkk-S-sto-ag¡­¡± Bready vocalized in dismay as he frantically flailed his arms and legs trying to break free, hitting Pandora¡¯s arms and stomach without any success.

    ¡°Sto-¡±

    *CRACK*

    ¡°...And now you die.¡± Pandora sentenced as Bready¡¯s body turned into a corpse.

    <hr>

    Velika

    A few hours before¡­

    It was still several hours past midnight, when Caut and Bready were walking through Velika¡¯s street which were being heavily patrolled by Elins and Castanic, towards the Officer¡¯s Headquarters of the Free Traders Collective at the Strategic Command square, to investigate and interrogate an enemy high-officer captured during the chaotic battle of Velika.

    The several Elins patrols that they encountered, stopped their march when they saw her and stood firm, firmly greeting placing their right fist on their chest and then awaited the Princess to pass by to continue their march, although Caut did not even greet back once.

    ¡°Uh¡­ uh¡­¡± Bready followed her rhythm, as Caut was quickly walking towards her destination with resolution, and apparent determination.

    ¡®Ahh! Why? Why? Zalyn and her mouth¡­ this is so embarrassing!¡¯ Caut thought for herself as she kept walking straightforward her destination while Bready couldn''t understand her behavior at all.

    ¡°Princess¡­ Princess¡­¡± Bready kept exclaiming every now and then to try to stop her movement and understand the situation they were in since Caut did not even stop to make any quick plan for the interrogation or gave any further instruction, as she was submerged in her inner thoughts.

    ¡®If I don¡¯t stop her, I am never going to know if she was the one who performed the awakening on me!¡¯ Bready thought quickly in his mind to gain determination and then pushed himself towards, stretching his hand onwards Caut.

    ¡°!¡± Caut stopped suddenly upon feeling a warm and furry feeling at her hand, interrupting her messy chain of inner thoughts while her black wolf ears perked up in full attention.

    ¡°Finally¡­*phew*¡± Bready exclaimed a little overwhelmed as he kept holding her hand.

    ¡°W-What happens?¡± Caut asked trying to be tough, yet she was unable to hide the blush on her cheeks and her black wolf tail slowly wagging side to side behind her

    ¡°Uh¡­ sorry, Princess¡­ I just had a few questions to ask along the way. There is no need to rush there... I think.¡± Bready replied as calm as he could.

    ¡°Please, just call me Caut. And we can for sure talk but first¡­¡± Caut affixed her crimson red eyes on her hand, seeing Bready¡¯s hand over hers.

    ¡°Oh. Oh. Oh! Sorry! It¡¯s just that you were so focused on going to our destination that I needed to stop you so you could relax a little from all this mess¡­ I guess it must stressfully exhausting.¡± Bready replied a little nervous, trying to explain his actions accurately as he let go Caut¡¯s hand.

    ¡°Hahaha¡­ sorry about that, and you are right, I am a little stressed lately with all this mess happening.¡± She answered hiding some part of the truth. ¡°Hmm¡­ so what did you want to ask me though?¡± Caut added as she fixed her eyes at the sky for a second and then back at Bready.

    ¡°*Sigh* It is good that you can relax once in a while¡­ is it true that you have performed Awakening?¡± Bready asked right away what he had in mind. The Awakening Ceremony performed by the Elins, meant that they catalyzed their energy from their fragment of life to bring an animal to complete sentience through a long and complex magical ritual that can only be performed by any Elins, thus, each spell meant that a new Popori was ¡®born¡¯, cutting down the lifespan of the caster as aftereffect.

    ¡°Oh¡­ that. Yes, as Princess I must do at least one awakenment to be able to perform my duty as ¡®Princess¡¯ in the Nature¡¯s council. Although I have heard that Mech has performed way more than me, as I have just done one to be honest.¡± Caut exclaimed with a honest smile.

    ¡®Why is he asking me about it?¡¯ Caut thought in her mind, slightly disconcerted by Bready¡¯s question, it wasn''t too common that a Popori asks how they are ¡®born¡¯ or anything related to that.

    The truth was that their lifespan was too short to care about banal things such like the depths of an Awakening or who did awaken them, compared to an Elin, that can live up to a thousand of years and reborn if their fragment of life is intact. Thereby, the Elins got to know as ¡®Timeless allies of Nature¡¯ and the Popori fell upon that category too, since they serve the Pora Elinu Nation and the Queen by their allies and enemies.

    The Princess pondered for a few seconds the strange question coming from Bready, he stood in silence, unable to articulate an answer, even when in his mind it was crystal clear, he fell in love with his ¡®awakener¡¯.

    He was unable to explain to himself why, but those brilliant blue eyes, the rhythm of her voice, her mana flow, her personality, everything of her attracted him, pushing his heart and soul to be near the Princess, with steadfast desire to protect her and help her out of anything that he could do.

    ¡°Why do you ask?¡± Caut ended up verbalizing her inner thoughts, as the question for herself was enough surprising, more when coming from a Popori itself. She knew that Poporis as a race themselves were¡­ extravagant, and from her own experience, they are too curious for their own good, leading them to unusual problems with other races.

    ¡°Errr¡­it is¡­a little difficult to explain¡­¡± Bready scratched his head while his heart pounds accelerated from his hiding nervousness.

    ¡®Just say it!¡¯ Bready yelled in his mind.

    ¡°Uh¡­ uhh¡­ it is because I think¡­ that you were¡­ err¡­ the one who awakened me¡­ and I am highly grateful for what you did to me that day¡­¡± Bready explained with difficulty, although he was just saying the point of the iceberg of his inner thoughts.

    ¡°Let¡¯s keep walking, we have to arrive soon.¡± Caut resumed her walk towards the building where the prisoner of war was waiting for their interrogation, under the surveillance of FTC¡¯s officers.

    ¡®She just ignored me!¡¯ Bready shouted in his mind, staying his ground dumbfounded by Caut¡¯s reaction for a few seconds before starting to walk behind her just as the beginning.

    ¡°Princess¡­¡± Bready vocalized while he kept following her.

    ¡°I thought it was something more important, I don¡¯t even remember who I did awake.¡± The Princess replied honestly, although her heart was beating with clearexpectation by some reason, which she was unable to understand at all.

    ¡°I know it was you! Your blue eyes! They are unique! I am sure that it was you!¡± Bready exclaimed with pure enthusiasm and certainty.

    ¡°You are putting too much energy on that, you know?¡± Caut said with a short giggle, as her tail waged once while she placed her hand over the golden blue hilt of her rapier, sheathed in a black scabbard with a white version of the Elin¡¯s royal seal.

    ¡°It is important for me! You are the one who gifted me all this!¡± Bready exclaimed as Caut was able to feel with her sensitive black wolf ears how Bready¡¯s voice reverberated through the streets of Velika during the night.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be so loud, all the Elins are hearing you¡­¡± Caut exclaimed calmly as she smiled to herself, while Bready was still behind. They were about to enter the building, as a hundred of meters before them there was a building 3 floors built with orange-red clay bricks and several large windows around.

    ¡°Uh-uh...sorry.¡± Bready apologized shortly, embarrassed.

    ¡°No worries no worries...hahaha¡­ let¡¯s get going, we can keep speaking after doing this short task given by the Queen.¡± Caut spoke calmly, focusing on her job.

    ¡®Such professionalism¡­she keeps calling her mother as a ¡®Queen¡¯.¡¯ Bready thought for himself while nodding to Caut, admiring how she separated the things in her mind.

    Although it seemed like a normal building, it was a military building camouflaged with the antiqued and poorly maintained civil infrastructures, where prisoners were held for long interrogations. However, this building was almost without use since the armistice with the Enlighten Union was sign and the Iron Order repelled from the continent.

    But now, with a clear violation of the armistice, the building became fully active once again for train the explosive ingoing of recruits responding the recent call of arms made by Adiar, training them with long vigil hours and guard war prisoners.

    ¡°Princess!¡± Two guards at each side of the metallic silver door exclaimed in unison and stood firm gazing to the night sky upon seeing the Princess standing a few meters before them.

    ¡°Rest. In which floor is the prisoner?¡± Caut asked right away.

    ¡°The Prisioner 378 is being held in the basement.¡± One guard replied back, wearing a red, cerulean blue and white uniform and holding a long halberd.

    ¡°Understood, lead me there,¡± Caut replied back sternly.

    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am!¡± Both exclaimed as they opened the door with slightly difficulty, as it was a iron door.

    Then, one guard led Caut and Bready inside the building, which had light brown wooden floor and a width hall with concrete walls, illuminated by magic green lights. At the end of the hall, they turned to the right and went downstairs and the guard knocked at another iron door.

    ¡°Hm?¡± Caut squinted her eyes as her acute black wolf ears felt something behind the door.

    None opened the door.

    ¡°That¡¯s strange, I can swear that Mike and Tom had their turn today in this room.¡± The guard exclaimed and pushed the door.

    ¡°Oh¡­ it opened.¡± The guard exclaimed with a slightly happiness.

    ¡°I am sorry my Princess, they might have fallen asleep¡­ the prisoner is in the cell in front of us as you can see, I am going to look for Mike and Tom, they might be somewhere around here.¡± The guard added while pointing forward.

    ¡°Alright¡­ just be careful¡­ I feel something strange in here.¡± Caut advised although she was unable to explain what it was¡­ as this new ¡®feeling¡¯ was completely unknown to her.

    ¡°Hahahaha¡­ this building is quite creepy for your information, I know what you feel¡­ hahaha.¡± The guard exclaimed calmly while Caut walked around the cell which had a chair in the middle with someone sat on it.

    ¡°*sniff*¡±

    ¡®What¡¯s that smell¡­¡¯ Caut thought for herself while Bready was also smelling something...dense and somehow known...

    ¡°!¡± Caut stopped her walk right away upon seeing the worst nightmare she could ever be seen.

    The prisoner had his eyes with several blue/dark-blue roots around with its iris black and the pupil of a brilliant blue, as well as part of his neck and skin, with a dense, black liquid coming out from his lacrimals, nose and mouth.

    ¡°What the hell?¡± Bready exclaimed stupefied, unable to understand what just happened to the prisoner.

    ¡°This is¡­ impossible¡­ they were eradicated years ago¡­¡± Caut mumbled to herself.

    ¡°Hahaeheheaheahaehaea!¡±

    Suddenly, both heard a loud laugh from behind while the room brightened behind Caut and Bready.

    ¡°My dear Princess¡­ it all an honor to meet you here¡­¡± Caut heard a soft female voice from behind...

    Credits to I4MD34TH for editing this chapter!