[ Chapter 26 ] - Caravan Attacked! [ 1/2 ] / Shroud of Darkness ( Edited!!! )

AN : READ!! It's now edited :)

- - -

- Vector, Khione, Showdo -

( Archeron Kingdom , FlameDen City , South Entrance / Exit Gate )

The trio having finished eating already, thanked the bartender, and decided to finally head out. As they needed to get ready for their upcoming travels, which would consist of a few weeks times. The trio then went to the marketplace to buy rations, some extra clothes, and some some other miscellaneous supplies. Such as a compass, a few torches, ropes, etc.

Vector having finished payed for the supplies, was now completely out of coin, but luckily Showdo was very well off, and so the Trio took off, with little worries.

Vector knew he could possibly put them inside his Spacial world, or even possibly teleport with them, with physical contact. However, he decided to travel the normal way. As he didn't know when he would have the chance too leisurely enjoy a trip again.

His upcoming months, would be far too restless, risky, and chaotic. He had plans on plans, but the first step of his long listed plan, was to take back his territory. To do so, he needed more power, support, and men.

What he needed was an established force, one solely loyal to him. However, that would have to wait for now, he had a trip to enjoy first …

- - -

As the Trio started walking out of the gate, they were quickly met by a fellow merchant traveling along the same path, as they asked for directions. He offered to let them ride with him, in his unused carriages, along as they help out.

Meaning they'll be meat shields in case of bandits, as well as helping with the various chores. Little did he know, he housed a Royal Prince, and a renowned Assasin…

The Trio of course accepted. Khione most excited of all, as she constantly ran around, seeing various sights along the way. From picking various flowers, to seeing wild beasts, to eventually even communicating with other children among the trip. Who were also traveling with the caravan group. Which quickly become her friends.

- - -

So, time quickly passed like this, with no real incidents or worries. However, the trio spending constant time together, slowly grew closer, with each passing day. Showdo quickly adapted into his role of being a "Honor-Guard", instead of an assassin, while also being an "Uncle" of sorts to Khione.

However, Khione and Vector grew most of all, as they continued to bond, in a fatherly daughter way. Vector at first tried to remain closed off, but Khione slowly chipped his walls down. Resulting in him, laughing and playing with the little girl.

Which Vector thoroughly enjoyed, even seeing the little girl as his now, but he was still undecided of what to do. He knew it would be difficult giving her up, or rather relocating her, but to have such a weakness with his plans, would be detrimental… possibly.

He wasn't powerful enough to fully protect her, and everyone else he had too, while also succeeding in his ambition. Yet, when these type of thoughts came through this head, they would instantly wiped away by her innocent smile, and curious eyes. And so, Vector only had one though throughout the trip,

'Fuck, what do I do?'

- - -

After another 3 days or so of traveling in peace, the group started to finally cross the border of the Acheron Kingdom, into a mid section of borderlines. Known as midpoints, where it was met by the Zenith Kingdom, which was their destination. Alongside the neighboring Kingdom of Zora to their right, and of course the Acheron Kingdom behind them.

The Zora Kingdom was a land filled with only jungles and forrest's, with tree's even higher than skyscrapers on Earth. The Zora Kingdom, was home to many FAE, but was primarily Druid-FAE hybrids, Earth-FAE, and Nature spirits.

The Zora Kingdom was nearly impenetrable due to the adaptation of the lands around them, and the control over nature the Royal Lineage had. However, all in all, they were a peaceful Kingdom. Yet, like anything in the world, balance had to be ensured in nature, and so, another group resides in the Zora Kingdom as well.

A group that thrives on not working with nature, but stealing its life force, killing it, utilizing it as a tool. A means to an end. And unfortunately for the FAE caravan passing through, a group of these FAE, were stationed ready, as bandits to steal any and all goods for their own Leader….

Death Nature-FAE, or as they are referred too, Corrupted Earth-FAE.

- - -

( Borderlines of Zenith, Zora, & Acheron Kingdom, Caravan Camp, Guard Patrols )

"You see anything Beskal?" asked Tok, a hired mercenary on guard for the caravan.

"Nah I haven't even seen a single movement among the woods. it's been awfully quiet these past few days of travel. I got a bad feeling though, nothing ever comes down to luck, not here on this continent at least" replied another fellow guard, Gikpon.

"True, I feel that, Gik, they payed real well too. We gotta see it through, and collect our other half, haha. Ima go see Veronica again, she had the biggest ass you could ever seen, I'm telling you all, the things she could do with her tong-"

* SPLAT *

* THUD *

"UGHHHHH, F#ckkk…" whispered the guard in pain, as he bled out on the floor. Holding his wounds, as the life slipped out of him. The other guards seeing this scene happen in mere seconds couldn't react fast enough, and as a result…

* SPLAT *

"NOOOOO!"

* SPLAT *

"Sound the Alarm!!!" Tok managed to scream, warning the other guards, before taking his last breath, coughing up even more blood than his fellow comrades, resulting in him choking to death, by his own blood.

"uhhhgurugllglgleleuggh"

- - -

As the Death Nature FAE attacked the caravan, they did so from all sides, and so the alarm barely did anything, even if it did give warning to the others.

However, at the back of the caravan camp, was where a certain Trio was located … and so, as you can imagine the reverse happened of what occurred on the other sides.

It was a massacre…

For the other party.

- - -

Vector having woken up due to his Spacial Aura having felt multiple individuals, who have off a feeling a dangerous aura, while it vomited to spread. Quickly got up, and found Showdo already up and alert. They quickly woke Khione, who woke up with wide eyes, at the commencing screams of help, and the sounds of fighting.

The frightened little girl had seen her fair share of death, fighting, and murder. Especially as she grew up in the streets. However, from the past few days of pure bliss to now, it effected her, as it would any kid. So, She cried, and screamed, asking Vector and Showdo to save the friends she made along the way here.

Vector and Showdo already wanting to leave the caravan with Khione in hand, could only groan, looking at the face of the little girl, who was sobbing and yelling at them both. Which in turn made them both proceed to help the caravan.

Telling Khione to hide in this room, while they handled it, she reluctantly agreed. Stepping outside, Vector froze the whole room shut, surrounding it by ice. Sealing it form the outside, which would notify him about my minuscule movement.

Vector turned to Shwodo, who nodded, as they both split off, leaving in an instant from the spot they both stood at last ..

* BLINK *

* SWOOSH *

Vector having blinked to the middle of the caravan, to find Khione's friends, who only amounted to three to four kids, from his recollection. Was met with a scene that shocked even him.

Most of the FAE were already dead. All of them brutally ripped apart, while black vines grew out their body, as the land underneath the caravan now looked corrupted. The grass turning completely black, almost as if it was swallowed by a permeating darkness.

As Vector walked across the Caravan's middle part of the camp, he saw scenes that would mess with any, as little FAE kids were currently hanging from vines, staring down… lifeless.

Their eyes were bulged, while blood dropped down from their mouths, their little bodies were infested with thorns, vines, and various rocks jutting out. It truly was a gruesome scene, however, before Vector could analyze it even more, a scream came from behind.

A voice that was familiar.

"HELLPPP!!"

* BLINK *

Vector blinking in the nick of time, saw 3 FAE kids, who were indeed, Khione's newly made friends, alongside their families, surrounded by 5 FAE, who had the traits of Earth / Nature FAE, but their skin was filled with blackish spots.

That's when Vector put two and two together. Vines, rocks, … Earth. However, they were dark, the opposite of most users. And so, Vector took no time going to work.

* BLINK *

"Hey there. You corrupted nature bastards, want a challenge?" asked Vector, who was now in front of the frightened group of family's, staring at the enemies head on. Shocking both parties, at his sudden appearance. Which was was most unexpected, as well as the speed at which he did so, as they couldn't track his movements.

The 5 FAE bandits, looking at Vector, inspected that his overall level was below each one of them, and so, why would they care? If all of them could attack at once, he was still it at a lower level… or so they thought. As they proceeded to face something face even more dangerous than their mere corrupted element of nature.

Nothing can be devoured, in the face of space, as space itself, is an infinite void. One, Vector has minor control over …

* BLINK *

"Ice-Sovereign" said Vector, as each FAE present heard these strange words, before realizing … why he did it.

* BOOM *

A raging storm of ice, started to form out of Vector. Somehow completely missing the families in the process, only shielding around them, barracking them in an ice dome. Vector when facing Showdo in the past, never fully released the damper of power he could emit on this spell, as he did so now.

The result was much more drastic than the past. Vector hasn't been just been f#cking around, and having fun. While people were sleeping, eating, or he had free time, he's been training every single second.

As a result?

|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|

[ Name : Vector Invidia Zenith ]

[ Race : Royal-Fae , Spacial High-Spirit ]

[ Titles: Child of Space , Transmigrated, Royal Fae, Breaker of Chains ]

[ Natural Affinities : Spacial (100%) , Void Ice (100%) , Earth (24%) ]

[ Bloodline Abilities : Reality Warping Eyes (56%) , ]

[ Class : Scholar ]

[ Sub Class : Corrupted Frigid Spacial Wizard ]

|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|

LVL : [ 57 ] , EXP : [ 14,772 / 57,000 ]

[ HP: 594 / 594 ][ MP: 1,755 / 2,100 ][ stat points : 5 ]

< vitality : 198 >

< strength : 68 >

< dexterity : 78 >

< intelligence : 139 >

<mana : 700 >

< charisma : 80 >

|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|

- - -

'Let me add the 5 points to strength' thought Vector who then raised his strength attribute.

< strength : 68 > -> ( + 5 ) < strength : 73 >

|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|

LVL : [ 57 ] , EXP : [ 14,772 / 57,000 ]

[ HP: 594 / 594 ][ MP: 1,755 / 2,100 ][ stat points : 0 ]

< vitality : 198 >

< strength : 73 >

< dexterity : 78 >

< intelligence : 139 >

<mana : 700 >

< charisma : 80 >

|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|

'Better, now let's dance' thought Vector, before he proceed to take a step forward ever so slowly, testing his newly found ice radius. And with each step, his ice radius started move with him, making the 5 FAE take a step back, but it was already too late.

* BLINK *

Vector blinking right next to them, expanded his radius, in order to cover all 5, which he then command his ice, to do what it does best. Devour. And so, devour it did… as the ice froze each FAE, slowly seeping into their skin, compacting and flattening, until nothing was left …

The Families behind him, seeing the young man, they thought to be someone normal, realized otherwise. So they, started stepped back in fear, as Vector looked towards them. Until, Vector addressed them.

"Please huddle together, I'll be sealing you off once again, in an extra shielded ice dome, which will be safe for you all, also, Khione says hi, she's the one who sent me, little ones" said Vector, who smiled at them, before blinking away.

* BLINK *

Leaving the Families shocked by the turn of events, while the kids who were still traumatized and shocked, found couldn't help but smile in pain at the thought of their new friend helping them out.

- - -

Meanwhile, Showdo who went to explore the other parts of the caravan camp, slowly discovered very few survivors remained, and so as he fought off various foes along the way. He started to track down the remaining survivors, where they were having a last stand against the Death Nature FAE bandits.

Which was located on the left side of the caravan camp.

Showdo, having seen where the location was at, slipped inside of a shadow, and re-appeared out of the shadow, near the battle which consisted of a mixed collection of 12 FAE Caravan warriors, with 20 FAE families behind them, as they faced 37 FAE bandits or so…

'Not good, he needs to get here' thought Showdo, as he jumped into the middle of the battle, already having activated his shadow blades, sending out slashes against the bandits. Which in turn, startled both sides, but motivated the remaining survivors seeing another ally, even if they didn't recognize the man now.

The bandits seeing this figure suddenly appear, started to communicate with each other to focus on him, as after he was eliminated, it would then be easy pickings. As a result, 10 bandits rushed him, all ranging from level 50 to 70, which is lower than Showdo. But this isn't a game, multiple opponents, working together can cause some damage.

Showdo however, was given the name "Reaper" for a reason.. and he would show them now!

Showdo seeing the FAE coming from each side, in a half circle - type of arc, slowly closing in on him, started analyzed their formation. After finding an opening, hen then started to shadow-port directly behind a FAE on the far left.

* SWOOSH *

* SPLATT *

* THUD *

Showdo having dropped one body, moved to another, on the far right now, which resulted in another a kill. That startled the FAE group again, as he disappeared from their eyes once more, only to appear in the middle of the formation, to strike again.

* SPLATTTT *

"Tchhh, that should've been a kill" muttered Showdo, cursing the man's obviously high ranking armor, before he shadow-ported back to his original position.

Now Facing the split off bandit group that consisted of 8, including 1 heavily injured FAE. Showdo felt in control, but he always felt rushed, as over 20 other bandits were pressing against the other survivors, as fighting, and screams ensured….

'UGH FINE, time to be serious' thought Showdo, before activating his Shadow control, one which he hasn't used against Vector, one he hadn't used in a long … long time.

"Shadow Control. Complete Shroud of Darkness" yelled Showdo on the top of his lungs, which in turn, made every FAE briefly pause and look over.

Each and every FAE present on the current battlefield, turned to watch as the man in black's figure, start to completely distort in blackish film, as a raging shadow came seeping from underneath. Almost as it came out of the depths of the world itself, as it flowed upward in an unnatural manner, rather than appearing as a shadow, it appeared as a blank space.

A blank sheet of pure darkness. Not a shadow, no something much more …

It seemed to devour all light present, while establishing a dominance that couldn't, no, rather, that it didn't want…to be taken back to the depths of the world. And so, it slowly started to spread across the entire battlefield in a radius, much larger than Vector's.

Each inch of the once chaotic battlefield, was now still and silent. As no one but Showdo could move freely in this Mana Zone, and so the people had no choice but to stumble along, trying to move away, scared of the opposition, as they couldn't see.

All was shrouded in darkness. Appearing on the outside as a fog of sorts, covering the entire battlefield, with no sounds, or movement seen inside or out.

- - -

Time and location worked in a different way in this Shroud of Darkness. You see, just like Vector could, Showdo could control every inch of this shroud, and so he did. By slowly warping the shroud in a fixed box, he started to divide the people accordingly, as all the opposition went to one side, and all the survivors of the caravan went to the other. Which was behind him.

When everything was complete, he let the shroud go back to its original state, one where it moved with freedom, assisting the user, but where it was unpredictable, which worked well usually. Especially in Showdo's case, as he was very unpredictable himself…

'Time to have some fun, hehe' thought Showdo, as he rushed towards the opposition, who were currently scrambling about, flinging spells to try and break the Mana Zone.

Alas, no effort was made, and so, it was time for death….

- - -

AN : Another Chapter dropping after my classes are done, as I'm currently about head into one, lol. This is semi-edited, as labeled in the title. It will be fully edited in a hour or so as well. <3 y'all.

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SpacialDevil