Chapter 37 - One Who Stands Above All (Part 2)

---Mael POV, Before 5am---

"Adventurer, please fall back!!", one of the guards shouted.

"There is no need for that, focus on protecting the citizens.", I assured him.

"We can't abandon our post!", he refuted.

"Your duty is to the people of Orario, not the Gate.", I chuckled, "I commend you for your bravery in the face of danger, but your services aren't needed here."

Seeing several Monster Tamers riding on horseback at the head of the horde, I gave them a smile. Spotting me on the wall, the tamers ordered their monsters to charge the Eastern Gate and kill everyone on the other side of the gate.

"YOU. SHALL NOT. PASS!!.", I shouted as the brilliant light of my Greatest Sun tore the veil of darkness from the night.

Launching it straight at the approaching horde, the monsters and horses were the first to realize they were going to die. Violently trying to break rank, the tamers tried to keep their creatures under control but it was no use. Breaking off from the group, the monsters tried to flee from the area as fast as they could. Even the horse bucked their riders off and ran back towards Orario trying to outrun their impending death.

"What the hell was that all about!?", one of the tamers spat.

"...it's getting bigger!!", a colleague shouted seeing what started out as a speck turn into a mammoth sized, raging fireball, "RUN!!!"

Suddenly the fireball erupted into a brilliant flash that enveloped everything in a inferno that none could withstand. The explosion obliterate the earth and scorched the Orario's walls. Witnessing the sea of fire crash against the eastern walls of the city, the guards stood there dumbfounded.

"Don't stand there!! Keep moving!! The people of Orario need your aid!!", I shouted at them.

Vanishing from their sight, the guards didn't know what to think. The fire continued crashing the wall as they heard the screams of the monsters being incinerated on the other side of the wall. Looking at each other, the guards found it hard to believe that someone could wield such power without the slightest sign of exhaustion.

"What...who was that...", a civilian asked seeing the same display.

"I don't know...he must be a powerful Adventurer from a strong Familia!", the Commander said, "You heard him men, get the people to safety!!"

"Sir!", the men shouted in response.

---3rd Person POV, Current Time---

"Keep moving!!", the guards shouted out, "Get to the Safe Zone!!"

Running for their lives, the civilian populace headed for the closet beam of light. Holding the monsters at bay, the guards were doing everything could to stop them but there was simply too many monsters. Their defensive lines were collapse all over the city as people ran for their lives.

"Come on men!! Hold the line!!", the Captain of the Guard shouted before glancing at the civilians, "Keep moving, all of you!!"

Pulling his mother and sister along, a familiar young boy told them to keep moving. Having been awakened from his sleep by the voice that saved his mother, the boy knew they'd be safe if they only made it to the light. Seeing the zone only a few dozen yards away, he told them to keep running and that they were almost there.

"INCOMING!!", one of the guards shouted as a Minotaur came barreling through one of the nearby home and straight through their defensive line.

Unable to stop the attack, the guards were sent flying and crashed into buildings all along the road. Stopping dead in their tracks, the family as well as those behind them panicked. Smelling the fear on them, the Minotaur turned to look at them with it's bloodshot eyes. Realizing they had no where to hide, the mother grabbed her daughter and the boy. Letting out a roar of anger as it started to rush them, she gripped them tightly and prepared to die holding them.

"Cruel Sun!", a voice shouted as a bright light flew over their heads.

Hearing the Minotaur scream out in pain, the people looked up and saw a massive fireball engulfing the monster. In moments it vanished from sight, consumed by the flames

"Keep moving!! I will protect you!!", a man in golden armor told them, "Get to safety!! Don't look back, keep moving forward!!"

Watching the man in Golden Armor cut through the monsters leaving a trail of golden fire in his wake, the boy felt he had seen this sight before. It had been over four years since that day, but it remained burned into his mind. Seeing the monsters burn away before they could touch him...he immediately knew who he was.

"Momma!! It's him!! That's the man that saved me!!", he shouted out, "He's the one that saved you!!"

It took a moment, but his mother realized what he was saying. She honestly thought a deity saved her and her son, but lied about it to avoid punishment. The mother didn't think the man bathed in flames was real, but she couldn't argue with what she was seeing. Pushed forward by the stragglers, the family of three made it into the Safe Zone and continued to watch the man fight alone.

"Back up the Adventurer!!", the Captain of the Guard shouted.

"No!! Go reinforce your comrades, you will only get in my way!!", the man refuted blowing dozens of monsters with a single swing of his right arm, "The monsters in this area will be gone in a few minutes, the other areas need reinforcements!"

"Are you sure?", the Captain inquired.

"Yes.", the man laughed, "I am sure you are all worried about your families too. Go on, and help where you are needed."

Seeing thousands of small fireballs filling the sky overhead, the man raised his right index finger into the sky.

"Crazy Prominence!", he shouted.

Watching fire rain down from the sky, they watched the monsters in the area get blown apart or incinerated. After a few minutes, the area became quite as the sounds of monsters dissipated. Looking around the area for them, no one could see anymore of them. Walking towards the group, the man in Golden Armor stopped in front of the boy with a smile.

"You are the man that saved me and my Momma!!", he stated with a beaming smile, "You came to save us!!"

"Dear...you said the man was engulfed by blue flames though...", the mother said, "This man isn't-"

Before she could finish her sentence, the world stopped leaving only the boy and man aware of what was happening. Looking around at everyone who was stopped around him, the boy realized what he was the only one aware of what was happening.

"I am glad you have stayed out of the Dungeon since we last met.", the man chuckled changing into the same appearance the boy remembered.

"I promised I wouldn't go back till I was older, remember?", the boy stated with a smile, "Thank you so much for saving my Momma!!"

"It's not a problem Charlie, I am glad you kept your promise to me.", the man praised him.

"You know my name!?", Charlie gasped, "I didn't tell you that though!"

"I know a lot more than you realize.", he stated, "You stay here till the light fades, and peace is restored."

Standing up the man crossed his hands, and closed his eyes.

"By my Grace you are healed.", he said.

Watching the people around him start to glow, he watched their injuries vanish. As for people with pre-existing injuries, he watched them disappear like they had never been there. Seeing one of the old men that lived by him regrow a leg, Charlie was in utter disbelief.

"How powerful are you!?", Charlie asked with sparkling eyes, "Are you a God!?"

"I am the One Who Stands Above All.", he replied with a soft smile, "None on this world can stand before me. Now then, I have to be going again. The city needs me to help save lives."

Promising to see Charlie and his family again in the future, the man vanished as the world began to move once again.

---Babel, Several Hours Later---

Having been locked in battle since 5am, many Adventurers were on their last leg. Between Erebus' creations and the monsters assailing them, the Adventurers Defensive line was on the brink of collapse. Getting into the fight as well, several deities had picked up arms and fought to the best of their ability refusing to let their children die alone.

"Bella, you need to stay back with us!", Alice shouted reaching out for her.

"I...I can...keep going...", a winded and heavily injured Bella panted.

Pulling her junior back, Alice and Ryuu killed the monster that almost took her head off.

"Damn it...", Finn said beheading several monsters, "Zald, we can't hold out much longer!!"

"...I...I am barely hanging on...", Zald wheezed coughing up a mouth full of blood, "Alfia is...she is about to die...Ottar...he is barely standing."

"If you just give up, I can make sure your death's are quick.", Erebus heckled them from afar, "No one is coming to save-"

Before he could finish, the distant sounds of horns broke through the sound of the monsters. Looking around the area, the Evilus Deities saw thousands of guards come rushing towards Babel. Confused by this, Thanatos looked towards Valletta who was organizing their forces.

"Where are they coming from!? They should be busy with the Stampede or dead!", he said.

"I...I don't know!!", she panicked, "Our people should be out there as well..."

"Hmm...the Familias responsible for the attacks outside the city are likely the ones responsible.", Erebus stated, "If the City Guards are here...that means they aren't far behind. We have to end this now before they get here. Nightmare, finish this now!!"

Following its orders, Nightmare increased the power of its attacks causing the frontlines to buckle. Running forward, Zeus pulled his sword out and stood beside Zald and Alfia.

"Get back you old man!!", Zald spat, "You are too weak!"

"No!! If my Familia is going to die, I am going to go with you!! I refuse to let our Familia die as I watch helplessly again!!", Zeus shouted, "I refuse to be a coward again!!"

"The sentiment is shared by me!!", Hera added standing next to Alfia, "We won't watch our children die alone again!!"

Cracking a smile Alfia and Zald told them they were idiots, but thanked them for their words. Watching the last of the shield bearers fall, the five fighters tried to block Nightmare's blow but were sent sliding backwards. Having his sword knocked out of his hand, Zeus was left wide open for the next blow.

"NO!!", Bella shouted running forward, "I won't let you hurt him!!"

"Bella, you can't fight that thing!!!", Astraea yelled.

Pulling the dagger out that Mael gave her, Bella ran forward and leapt at the monster. Going to flick her away, Bella managed to dodge it and stab it in the eye.

"I won't let you take away my grandpa!!", Bella cried.

Howling out in pain, Nightmare smack Bella off like she was a mosquito. Flying into Zeus, she coughed up a mouth full of blood as she felt her broken ribs pierce her lungs. Fighting through the pain she tried to get back up, but the pain was too intense. Pulling her crossbow out, Lily aimed for Nightmare's face and blasted it with an Ice Bolt. Momentarily blinded, Nightmare started thrashing around wildly.

"Bella!!", Zeus cried, "You have to stay with me!! Healer, we need a Healer!!"

"They are exhausted!!", Loki shouted giving the archers arrows, "I am sorry Zeus!"

"Damn it, Bella you can't die on me!!!", Zeus spat in anger as he held his granddaughter.

"Use this!", Alice yelled tossing him a High Potion.

As Zeus forced it down her throat, the ice blinding Nightmare dissipated. Now that it could see again, it immediately homed in on Zeus and Bella. Getting in it's way Zald prepared to lay it all down on the line.

---Mael POV---

Hearing that she was injured, I told the guards to get back. Doing as I said they immediately backed away.

"Final Prominence!", I shouted unleashing a torrent of fire that engulfed the portion of the monsters on the west side of the open area.

Vanishing from my current spot, I appeared between the Adventurers and Nightmare. Standing a full foot taller than the monster, it took a few steps back as if it sensed I was a genuine threat.

"Nightmare, kill him!", Erebus ordered, "Don't just stand there!!"

Unlike all the previous orders, Nightmare didn't respond to him this time. Repeating the order again, Nightmare didn't move a muscle.

"What's wrong? You were pretty lively just a moment ago when you hit my sister!", I pressed it as I took a step forward.

Every step I took forward, Nightmare took one back. The creature was intelligent enough to understand it wasn't my opponent by any measure. This continued till it backed into a nearby building, and couldn't move back further. Getting right in it's face, Nightmare started panic as the clock struck noon.