2 Aftermath
Balmon watched the scene of the magus dying while sneering inwardly, 'Another monster slain, so much for so called Immortal Warriors.' A jolt of pain goes through his broken arm causing him to clench his teeth as he moves his gaze towards the only woman among them. "How long are you going to wait before you heal my arm, Eleanor?" Balmon growls out at the woman.
Eleanor turns her head looking at him with her face reverting back to her usual expressionless face. She raises her hand gathering divine power then casts a heal towards Balmon's arm. At a pace that can be seen with naked eye his arm quickly reconstructs back to a pristine condition. While Balmon starts testing his arm Eleanor opens her mouth to him, "It is shocking how someone, who never joined the fight the entire time against the Lord Magistrate, is still able to injure himself. Yet, can get confidant and haughty soon as the man responsible is on his death bed. General have you no shame? I can faintly remember the image of someone ridding like their life depended on it. When the Lord Magistrate focused his bombardment in their direction. One last thing that you should keep in mind General, that you shall address me as High Elder Eleanor. You would do well to remember that. Since it's not difficult to find someone who would be willing to take your place as mere General."
Face flushing a darker red then red scaled skin can Balmon clenches his fists out of rage, but then calms just as fast. Recalling those hate filled eyes that focused in his direction during the battle terrified him. Shuddering as he recalled the amount of destruction Max caused before he even got to this continent.
Immortal Warriors, ten individuals created by the gods to fight the god's creator. When the warriors die they will be reborn. Without the gods meddling they will start from a baby and awaken to their previous life's memories coming back to them slowly. Once the initial awakens hits, they cease to grow or age. Only being able to die through regular means.
While being able to defeat and seal the creator. Freeing the gods from his reign, the warriors were cursed by the creator without having knowledge of it. The gods gave the warriors a realm to do whatever they desired with as a reward.
Balmon snorted inwardly, 'Yet, the warriors never knew that the red dragonkin's god noticed they were cursed to slowly go mad but, opted to not inform them. Rather our god chose to inform us believers, so we can plot to overthrow and restrain them from ascending. Even giving us a way to track them when they are reborn. Just so we can kill them the day they awaken still weak from sorting memories.'
'The immortals were more dangerous under the curse than anyone expected. Either sacrifice half the military with wave tactics to bring one down. Or, request the immortals to clean up their mess. After all, it takes a monster to kill a monster.' Looking over at Andrew, 'They didn't kill each other as we hoped but, a weak monster is much easier to kill. Councilman Jorman will be pleased to know we can move to the next phase. Then I will become the people's hero in place of the immortals. The Great Hero General Balmon's triumphant return does sound quite nice. Now to get rid of the last warrior together with that bitch of an elder when my troops arrive.' Chuckling to himself, Balmon indulges on his on fantasy for when he returns to the capital. A cold voice interrupts his thoughts.
"Balmon, mind telling me what is so funny that you would laugh at the death of one of my closest friends?"
Balmon stiffens from the killing intent that seemed to overwhelm him when he spoke. Quickly thinking he responds, "I-I was only thinking of how we can now start rebuilding without having to worry about another of you Immortals going mad. Especially when the Magistrate was able to remove your curse when you went mad. We should be happy that through the noble sacrifice of three other Immortals were we able to stop the Magistrate from destroying what he helped build."
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The entire reason the destruction was this bad was because no one was able to keep up with Max. Having the ability to lay waste to a city with spells then simply teleport to another location made it next to impossible to respond to him. There are six continents that are each surrounded by water with one in the center and the other five surrounding it. Being able to lay waste to five kingdoms one per continent, including all major forts and capital cities, was terrifying enough. Their only saving grace was that, thanks to the other continents laid to waste, the Immortals were able to concentrate their defense on the main continent. Though it slowed him down in having to expend more magic to take a fort, the Askan Empire had to give up the forts on the outer continent to concentrate the defense on the inner forts closer to the capital. While semi effective focusing on the defense of the inner forts. It didn't prevent Max from destroying the forts. Forts fell until the only remaining one was the Capital itself. Rallying 130,000 troops that were left the Empire moved the troops outside the capital. The Capital of Askan Empire was only city that had magic array strong enough to keep Max from teleporting within city walls. Each Immortal would go mad at different times that ranged from one year or twenty years. Without having ability to predict the curse, the kingdoms could only rebuild what was destroyed.
Balmon was made leader of the army to co-operate with the Immortals to kill the Magistrate. Despite having become a general through unscrupulous means, he was only general that was still alive. Racist, narrow-minded, and arrogant was how you would describe Balmon. With all of the kingdom's strongest general's dead, the council had little choice in sending the only general left to stop Max. With four Immortals combined with 130,000 troops in conjunction with the sea elf's sending several elder mages lead by a high elder this fight should have been simple.
How wrong we were…
Having been camping near the road for a few days waiting for the monster to show up. Always making sure to have minimum amount of people on watch but, insuring the troops don't fatigue from mental stress of being on alert. On the eighth day, right when the sun was at its highest point. In the clear sky, a man appears abruptly in the middle of the road with no one sensing him teleporting in. Blonde hair that went halfway to his shoulders lightly swaying in the wind seemed to amplify the man's beauty. Bright piercing blue eyes full of cold dark hatred which seemed to be ready to set the world on fire. Enchanted black battle mage robes that devoured the light surrounding cascaded upon him. Holding his spell book in his left hand that pulsated as if alive with countless runes moving back and forth seeming unending. His right hand tightly holding a metal reinforced enchanted quarterstaff that's specialized for close quarters when he wasn't with his wife. Though, no one found out what happened for his wife to disappear. Her disappearing was a blessing for not having to deal with two equally powerful individuals when Max fell to the curse. Having perfect coordination of closer quarters combat illusionist with long range bombardment mage was a nightmare.
The alarm was raised couple seconds after Max appeared but, was too late to stop the first spell from going off. While soldiers scrambled to get into position while grabbing their weapons. Max raised the hand with his spell book laid flat in his palm. The book opened on its own flipping pages to the spell Max was casting, reinforcing his spell with the help from the book. Then, above the spell book, the air and space seem to distort before a green orb almost two feet in diameter came into existent. Max shot the spell to the encampment three hundred feet away. In the blink of an eye, the orb traveled the entire distance then landed amongst a concentrated group of soldiers getting into formation.
A bright green flash of light goes off in a hundred feet diameter from the landing sight. Blinding everyone from staring at the location. Few seconds later, the light flashes, disappearing entirely and in its place, there is nothing. What was once full of people and life is no devoid of all. Leaving barren ground and dust with no indication of even existing from the beginning. Everyone freezes at seeing the sight of the so-called chaos spell that they were warned about. Having now being able to witness its might, everyone's heart fills itself with feeling of dread and terror. Everyone shudders at the sight of another green orb appearing above Max's book, this time there is two instead of just one. Before he shoots them to the camp a voice breaks the silence, "Spread out and charge him. He doesn't have the ability to send endless amounts of chaos spells." The commanding voice is traced back to Andrew as he charges from the center tent with three other immortals right behind him ready for battle. Max smiles in response, "Oh, Andrew, you dare collude with the kingdoms to get rid of my wife. This world shall pay with blood for killing Mara! The whole world wanted to kill her then I shall BECOME THE ENEMY OF THE WORLD FOR MARA!"
From there everything descended into chaos as spells of all kinds were thrown at Max with troops charging him endlessly. He would teleport a couple hundred feet in one direction, throw three or four spells then teleport once more before he gets swarmed. Soldiers died in the thousands from fire storms, ice breaths, calling lightning from the sky, turning the ground into quicksand, acid rain, and summoning elementals to assist him. The soldiers would get lucky sometimes and catch him with stray weapons while firing randomly at times. After more than a third of the army killed the battle still wasn't slowing down. The soldiers could only grit their teeth and keep pushing forth knowing if they fail. All is lost. Andrew would give commands to try and help pin down Max. When the army was down to only a third left, some of the soldiers started escaping. Noticing them escaping Andrew bellowed out, "If you run everyone will die! This world will burn! Your friends, families, and your loved ones will all die if you turn your back now! Do you want to run for the sake of saving your own life and watch as he kills everything you love? He is exhausting himself, so he will make a mistake soon! Push forward soldiers! Either he dies or we all die!" The soldiers stop running before turning back around with a look of accepting death that awaits them. Andrew casts a spell to speak to Eleanor covertly, "Please tell me you and the elders have something to turn this around? He is running out of magic but, I fear we will all be dead before it becomes relevant." A sweet voice that is laced with fatigue responds to him, "We are working on combining our spells to hold him in place but, you MUST act then for it will not last long. Not as long as he holds that book. Whatever that book is, it's supplying him with magic. Separate him from the book when we stop him, or we will all perish. You will know when to act." Andrew relays the message to the other immortals to be ready to strike.
When there were no longer any soldiers left on the battlefield Max finally made a mistake. Max was caught by the moon elf elders combining their magic to distort space preventing him from teleporting away. Allowing the Immortals to catch up and engage him in close combat. The Immortals pushed to end this quickly as possible with this chance given to them. Trying to defend against four immortals who excel in close combat was not something Max could do. While being able to avoid fatal blows with occasional counter. He was not able to avoid all blows as the minor cuts started to stack up making him sluggish. Not being able to figure out a way of getting out of the encirclement pushed Max into a corner. The immortals pushed harder for an opportunity to appear that would let them finish this but, they forgot to consider Max's ability to gamble with his life. Max, as a person who recently figured out how to enchant his robes with chaos resistance. Decided to gamble on whether he could survive his own chaos spell on an untested enchantment. Not wanting to use full power chaos spell and not being able to use his spell book with both hands using his quarterstaff defensively. A hastily formed green orb appeared in front of him and was cast straight at his own feet exploding in a flash of green light. With a smile on his face and eyes bloodshot with madness, Max watched as they tried to escape, knowing just how futile their efforts were.
Sensing the danger, Andrew was quick enough to use a lifesaving item that was linked to his lover to teleport himself to her side. The other three however, were not able to get out in time. Disappearing in a flash of green light. Andrew appeared next to Eleanor with his face darkened while looking at the light, "Let's hope they made it out, but, if not, be ready to strike soon as the light dissipates as he will be hurt taking his own spell like that."
Eleanor nods then readies her spell.
When the light dissipates, all that is standing there is Max, leaning on his staff breathing heavily with a healing potion falling on the ground emptied. Max looked up, only to see a giant blade of water rapidly filling his vision as it sliced its way to him. With no time to construct a spell properly, he grabs his spell book while hastily forming a shield. Desperately trying to block the blade with his spell while maneuvering his staff to strike the spell down. The water blade instantly cleaves through the shield and collides with the staff where a bright flash of magical energy erupts. The sound of wood breaking followed by a spray of blood flies through the air along with a left arm clutching a book. Max brings his now broken hand to his separated arm and cries out in agonizing pain. Looking for where the spell came from, he locates Eleanor and Andrew. Gritting his teeth, he glares in both of their direction. Struggling to gather his magic through the pain, he casts an explosion spell centered on Eleanor and Andrew.
Eleanor meets Max's hate filled eyes while catching glimpse of an individual running away on a horse before focusing back on Max. Sensing the magic gathering below them, her eyes widen as she grabs Andrew then teleports them away. Just as a massive explosion goes off where they were standing claiming the life of the other elders. Then they both watch as Max collapses where he stands after the explosion.
Balmon gallops away on his horse from where he was located at the back of the army with pale face. When he noticed Max still standing after the chaos spell he decided to run. As an agonizing voice sounds out. Balmon looks over his shoulder while galloping away to see Max missing an arm while glaring at the elders. 'He should bleed out soon enough. I just need to live till then.' An explosion goes off behind him as he turns back startling his horse. He is thrown from his horse where he hits the ground and a loud crack sounds out followed by a wail of pain.
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Being reminded of when he himself was lost to the madness and slaughtered several towns. Only to be finally saved by his best friend, quickly extinguished the rage Andrew felt. His shoulders slumped down just thinking about it. "We have lost three Immortals to the madness before we were able to realize the threat and start developing a cure. Yet, for the man who created a cure to lose himself to it before he could even administer the last cure on himself, is tragic. Two others were killed in the subjugation of the three immortals who went mad together. Now we lose three cured immortals to subjugating the Magistrate." Andrew sighs sadly, "I'm the last Immortal and shall keep the world at peace until my brothers and sisters awaken to join me once more."
Walking up to Andrew while placing her hand on his arm, Eleanor's eyes soften, "You must remain strong and can only do your best for what is to come. There are many dangers and only you are left to hold them at bay while we rebuild before your brethren awaken. Many enemies will use the time we are rebuilding to bolster up their forces. So, we must prepare for when they invade this realm. We need a leader, Andrew. We need you."
Andrew smiles bitterly at Eleanor then pats her hand, "We'll rest when we are dead, I suppose." Taking a deep breath while closing his eyes, Andrew solidifies his resolution for what is to come. While gazing at Eleanor, out of the corner of his eye, he notices a dirt cloud coming down the road towards them. "Come, looks like the kingdom has sent the royal guard to find out the conclusion of this battle. Though a quicker response then I expected nonetheless, it's good to finally reach the aftermath of this tragedy." Dragging his exhausted body, he moves to go in the direction of the incoming troops while still holding Eleanor's hand on his.
Balmon snickers inwardly, 'That's only what you think foolish little Andrew. Right on time. My troops showed up as planned. Now we need only tie of up loose hands and then we get to celebrate my triumphant return.' Watching as Andrew and Eleanor walk in the direction the cavalry is coming from. Balmon puts on a smug smile then looks down casting one last look at the Magistrate's body, 'The time of Immortals is no more. This is the time for the Red dragonkin to rise. Taking our rightful place as the dominant race. Rather than each race treated equal. The strong shall rule and the weak, shall obey.' Turning back to follow the couple heading towards the cavalry.
When the cavalry gets closer, Balmon can recognize the flag as the troops he planted in each fort.
Andrew turns his face towards Balmon, "General, were you aware of any troops suppose to reinforce us? Judging by the look and sound, they number three thousand troops while not big. It still raises questions on why they are just now showing up."
Balmon puts on an equally surprised and confused expression, "I was not made aware of any troops that were supposed to reinforce us. Every troop was accounted for as far as my knowledge goes. We can only wait till they arrive to find out why they were late to the fight that decided our kingdom's fate. Don't worry, Andrew. I will get to the bottom of this."
A gleam flashes through Andrew's eyes as he hears Balmon's response before he turns back facing the soldiers with his hands tightening on his halberd and Eleanor's hand.
When the troops get close, they slow down coming to a stop with none of them dismounting. Balmon looks over at Andrew to only see a solemn expression on both him and his wife's face. Putting on a smug face, Balmon confidently strides over to the soldiers saying, "About time you guys showed up. Would hate if you guys took so long to where Eleanor was able to regain some of her mana by time you arrived." Turning around to face the couple he loudly declares, "As you have guessed, Andrew, all of these soldiers are mine. I have planted them in different forts for. Just to go missing and meet up nearby to await my signal. Soon as that abomination of a mage showed up, I sent them the signal to head this way. I will admit it was a bit of gamble of whether they would make it in time after the battle was over but." looking over at Eleanor, "the elders made sure of the fight ending quickly enough, you have my thanks."
Andrew's face darkens while Eleanor's contorts with rage. "So, what now, Balmon? You kill us off and become a bullshit hero you have always wanted to be?" Eleanor spats out with barely controlled rage.
Balmon takes on a haughty and prideful appearance, "Of course! This world needs a hero, but that doesn't mean it has to be an Immortal. How long have I had to suffer the humiliation of being called a cower by the other generals? How long must I bow before an immortal simply because, they are stronger than me. How long will I be forced to follow you immortals' rules? Every general is now dead and soon every immortal will be dead as well. All because of the coward you claimed me to be. How does it feel to know the one everyone mocked behind his back is now the hero of the world? This world doesn't need monsters in charge of it anymore. You have already set up the magic defense system for most of the enemies we need to watch out for, so we no longer need you. You immortals are now expendable." Laughing he looks at Andrew, "The Great King Andrew, have you ever thought about why no other Immortal has awakened even though it has been almost thirty years since the first one was killed? HAHAHAHA we have already been given a gift from the gods to predict when you will awaken. All we must do is kill you repeatedly when you awaken now. Whether in some accident or murder. Then BAM no more immortals. A new era has begun, one that doesn't include you immortals in it. So, feel happy that your efforts were all in paving the way for the rest of us."
Eleanor hollers out in rage, "You really think everything will go the way you want there is a reason the Immortals were sent down here. To be so moronic that you think you can control everything just like the immortals. That no one will know what you did this day is simply idiotic if you think everyone is dumb as you."
Balmon's face flushes with rage, "Shut your mouth, you bitch! You moon elves have suffered the least by having your city underwater. Your race will be the first to be isolated by the empire. Who will know what happened when all the survivors are either dead or are my loyal soldiers? The people fear and hate the Immortals. The immortals have laid waste to five continents. This is perfect moment to have a new power move in since everyone fears you going mad. Besides, even if some people can guess what will happen, no one can say anything since you two will be dead anyways!" Breathing heavy as he glares at Eleanor, "Kill them both! Eleanor has already used last of her magic to heal me, so she is vulnerable! Kill Andrew first and do what you want with Eleanor. This will probably be first time any of you idiots slept with a moon elf elder before."
Eleanor turns to Andrew with a resolute expression, "Together my love?" Andrew smiles lightly then wraps his arm around her, "Together." Eleanor starts expending her life to gather mana for a spell centralized right at her feet. "Goodbye, my love. Hopefully, you can find me again when you awaken once more."
"I'll never stop looking. So just wait for me, Eleanor." Andrew shifts his gaze to the charging soldiers and Balmon, "Balmon, you are gravely mistaken if you think the one who told you how to predict how we awaken is a god. Be careful of using power you don't understand, or it just might come back to haunt you."
Balmon sensing the magic power gathering at the couple's feet. Falls backwards in horror and scrambles on all fours before getting to his feet running for his life yelling, "Stop! Run, you fools! Run!"
*BOOM*
An explosion goes off where Andrew and Eleanor were standing killing everyone within range. The force blowing Balmon away landing on his face. Lucky enough to be shielded by his troops that were within and outside the blast range. Only having to suffer being knocked unceremoniously on his face. Hearing cries of pain and sobbing of those who survived the blast. Balmon slowly drags himself to his feet. Thinking of how close death was to claiming him once again made his face pale. Quickly recomposing himself he starts yelling out orders. "Gather the wounded, this will make our story more believable with wounded liked this. After we gather the wounded, make way back to the capital. Soon as we make it back to the capital it'll be the time we have our triumphant return over the monster!"
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After Balmon and the soldiers leave. An individual appears next to Max's body. Wearing a dark robe to cover their appearance, the figure squats down over Max's body then a soft sigh is heard. A slim and elegant hand reveals itself from the robes caressing Max's face with a gentle voice being barely audible, "I will wait as long as it takes for you to summon me once again, my love. No matter how many years it takes. Until that time, I shall slaughter the heavens for abandoning you."
With those words the individual retracts their hand standing back up. Turning around, only revealing bright clear purple eyes before disappearing.
