Chapter 9 - Despair Strike

Zubair looks at Skin, Skin with his determined eyes stares Zubair back, and Zubair finally gives in.

"Sigh... Fine... I'll believe you guys... But what do you need from me?"

They all look at each other with a determined look, Skin once again taking charge.

"For now we have to gather a coalition of strong and formidable individuals in preparation for an impending battle against a colossal army of monsters"

Zubair in confusion says, "Monsters? What monsters? There are no monsters in Zibar..."

Skin as well as everyone there, looked at Zubair with confusion, even his wives, were making a rather annoyed face, "What?? Why are you all looking at me like that??"

Skin shouts, "What the hell do you mean?? Where were you yesterday?? When the entire town was stormed by monsters??"

Zubair in embarrassment, jumped back and tried to defend himself, "Ahh... Well... How do I put it... Ahh... I was... With that old man... No! No! I was sleeping..."

"What?? Sleeping?? Were you in a freaking coma??" Shouted Ava, Zubair tries to hide behind his wives, "Come on now... I was sleeping... Darlings... You trust me right???"

To which Freya smacked Zubair's head, while the others beat him up, Freya then comments.

"This worthless bastard was probably with that old sloth again... Both of them were probably drunk in some alley..."

All of them wondering about, who that old man was, but that didn't seem quite important at the moment.

Skin murmured, "Well... He seems quite useless... Forget it we don't need you!"

Ava and Mia agreed and were about to leave when Zubair jumped in the air,

"Hey!! Don't you dare underestimate the Great Zubair Dy Doran... I am one of the 10 Guardians, the strongest in the entire realm of Zibar!!"

This interaction drew a look of curiosity, and a smile from Zubair, who seemed intrigued and finally understood the gravity of the situation and the task that lay ahead.

Amidst the ensuing conversation, an unexpected arrival diverted their attention. Magnus descended from the sky, clutching Agha and the infant.

His expression was a mixture of concern and weariness. "Get The Medic Right Now!!!"

The group's anxiety gave way to relief as they realized the identity of the newcomer.

"Magnus, what happened? What's wrong with Agha, and who is this baby?" Skin inquired urgently, concern etched across his face.

Magnus, fatigued but resolute, recognized the urgency of the situation and began to explain the dire need for Agha's medical attention.

"He got into trouble... I'll explain later! Hurry up get someone!"

Responding swiftly, Ava, possessing adept medical knowledge, assumed control of the situation, "I am quite adept in Madical Arts, using my Divine Exploitation!"

"Divine Exploitation uses the energy of nature, to perform miracles!"

Tending to Agha's injuries with a focus and determination that was nothing short of impressive.

The fate of their injured comrade hung in the balance, and their collective efforts would prove essential in saving Agha's life.

With the immediate crisis addressed, Magnus entrusted the infant to Mia's capable care, "Mia, don't let anything happen to him..."

Recognizing the need to replenish his strength. He settled down, fatigue evident in his posture, as Zubair arranged for food and water to help revive his spirits.

"Get your sorry asses up and bring some food in an instant!!!"

As Magnus partook of the nourishment, a flicker of vitality returned to him, though the weariness of the day still clung to him.

In the hushed aftermath of their earlier trials, Magnus sighed and remarked, "Hellish day."

His exhaustion lent a unique quality to his smile, a blend of weariness and unyielding determination.

Gathering the group's attention, he issued a grave proclamation, speaking with a sense of urgency,

"Huff... Ava, Skin, Mia, we are in deep trouble. The army ya witnessed is no mere illusion, and we will most likely lose right now... Huff..."

He continues, "Huff... The situation is further complicated by the army's hierarchical structure", he drew his breath, "Weew...."

"While the foot soldiers can be managed, their numbers are staggering."

Looking at Agha he continued, "Commanders, only Grand Magicians or Aura Knights may be the only ones that can take them down, the one Agha fought was probably the same."

With a look of worry, he continues, "And finally, the Supreme Commander, whose aura is reminiscent of death itself, enough to even send shivers down my spine"

The gravity of the impending battle weighed heavily on their shoulders, and the challenges they faced had only grown more daunting.

"I hate it but... We have to assemble an army of ours as well... I don't want to but I got no other choice... I have to survive..."

Magnus recognized that he couldn't face the forthcoming challenges alone.

He notices Zubair, standing next to him, and realizes Zubair's strength, along with his wives.

With a commanding tone, he called upon Zubair and his entourage, stating, "Ya there, ya appear to be quite strong. Ya are recruited, along with ya five companions."

Zubair, taken aback by the sudden turn of events, stammered in response, "What? Who are you? What's going on? Recruit? I refuse! Nobody orders me around."

His resistance was clear, and he was not one to be easily commanded.

However, the charismatic performance artist's defiance didn't faze Magnus.

With an unyielding resolve, Magnus fixed Zubair with a piercing glare that emanated an intense aura of killer intent, a gaze that spoke of danger and authority.

"Don't make me repeat myself....."

Even the confident Zubair couldn't help but shiver in the face of this terrifying display.

He realized that resistance might not be an option in the presence of someone with such determination, if they fought he wouldn't come out unscathed.

"In a really bad mood right now," Magnus spoke calmly but with an undertone of menace, "so ya better do as told" His words were measured.

But the air was heavy with a palpable tension that made Zubair, for the first time in a long while, find himself at a loss for words.

Reluctantly, raising his hands, he acquiesced, "Fine... Whatever you say, stranger, I'll hear the details later..."

With his newly recruited forces under his command, Magnus laid out his plans.

"We need to establish a camp near the outskirts of Balkias. There, we'll formulate a strategy to prepare for the impending battle. I need information on all the gates, and cities"

Magnus remembering, says, "Oh Also get me a list of the so-called 10 guardians, I heard a kid talking about them, we'll need them"

Magnus's leadership was resolute and unyielding, and his allies knew that they had to follow his lead to face the challenges that lay ahead.

Abacus, the ever-resourceful one, chimed in with valuable information. "It may not look like it but we already have, one here" staring at Zubair.

"What you little shit? You want to say something huh? Say it to my face!!" Shouted Zubair in anger, to which Abacus just rolled his eyes and continued.

Nobody gave any reaction to Zubair's name, it was as if he was worthless, Zubair was completely pissed off, grinding his teeth in anger and embarrassment.

Abacus continued, "Other top fighters can be found in the three kingdoms of Zibar"

Magnus became intrigued, "In the kingdom of Barbras, you'll find three madmen. The Kingdom of Marmaros boasts two living legends, and in the Kingdom of Askalis, you'll also find two absolute monsters."

As for the remaining two, the two renowned figures in their world, Abacus continued.

"The strongest Supreme Mage and Supreme knight, to ever walk on this soil, Borag and Asteria, they've completely vanished. No one knows where they are"

Magnus nodded, acknowledging the information.

"Very well. It's settled then. We must act swiftly. I'll lay out the tactics for you, and each of us will head to a different kingdom"

He drew a breath of exhaustion continuing, "I'll inform you of the details tomorrow. For now, you can take some time to rest and prepare."

The group had their mission, and with a sense of purpose, they would disperse to gather allies and information in preparation for the impending battle against the colossal demon army.

With that, Magnus vanished from the scene as abruptly as he had appeared, leaving those around him stunned and bewildered by the rapid turn of events.

Some were still struggling to grasp the reality of Magnus's presence and the abrupt change in their circumstances.

Agha, now in capable hands, received the care he so desperately needed from Ava, who tended to his injuries with skill and diligence.

Mia playing with the baby, and Skin, on the other hand, was lost in contemplation, no doubt pondering the challenges that lay ahead and their newly acquired allies.

Meanwhile, Zubair returned to the comforting embrace of his wives, seemingly embracing the idea of embarking on a new, unexpected adventure.

"My lovely princesses! This is going to be fun right!! For now, let,', let's go home and have some fun~" to which all of his wives blushed.

The stage was set for a journey filled with peril and uncertainty, as this unlikely group of allies prepared to face the colossal demon army and confront the dark forces threatening their world.