Lift-off

His voice somewhat sounded reassuring, but with his ability, I figured we might be able to do something against that God-like being.

If he wanted to kill me, he'd done so already. I should focus on the situation at hand.

"Mind explaining to me who you are?!"

"No time! I'll explain on the way, That thing is still wreaking havoc!"

He pointed towards Knoxx.

"How are we going to close that gap? He's at least fifty meters high!" I asked.

"From the looks of it, we could use the scaffolding on the crystal to reach its height."

I took a look at the Large crystal protruding in the middle of the city, the rest of it had been covered by the rocky ceiling above. Only Gaia knows how big that thing is. The western area was surrounded with scaffolding, It's used for construction but I could tell that they're probably fixing something.

"I don't know why but it's attracted to the Jewel of the City for some reason."

He stood silent, wearing a face that contemplated what I theorized.

"In the meantime, We need to get through that stronghold first!"

His overwhelming aura was still filling in the air, it was hard to get ahold of this feeling, like under the weight of a thousand mountains. It was hard to move near him.

We found ourselves under the cover of the barrier and the city walls.

"We can force ourselves in." He said.

"No, in a few moments that barrier will break and we'll use that as cover to get inside."

"Good thinking..."

"You're part of the liberators right?" He added.

How did he know of the Liberators?

"Y-yes." I hesitated.

"No need to be so stiff, I know the Liberators from way back."

I was still wary of him.

*SMASH!*

The Barrier broke down into tiny pieces, the particles slowly drifted away in the air like pollen on the first week of spring.

"There goes our cue..."

As I wove my hand to prepare a spell, he destroyed the stone-bricked wall with a single thrust of his fist.

"Let's go."

Momentarily I was utterly speechless of his strength--I think he could match that purple monster in terms of raw physical power, maybe even overpower him; is he even human...

Inside were tons of city soldiers from the Everglow, currently panicking. All of them ran the place, like scurrying rats of a common household.

"They don't have a Commanding officer?" I questioned.

"From the looks of it, I think there is none."

Were the authorities that lenient into handling the lower levels of Everglow? or they just didn't give a damn?

"HALT! STATE YOUR BUSINESS!"

A soldier stared at us with accusing eyes as he saw the busted wall, it didn't take a long time for him to realize. As I prepared myself into dispatching the person, this large man was already ahead of me. He closed the gap of ten meters within a few seconds, despite his large size, he moved swiftly. Once again I'm dumbfounded against his overwhelming physical prowess.

I wonder... How would he fare against Sir Bardel? a scenario that fascinatingly played in my head.

"Let's get going! before any of them notice."

"R-Right..."

I heard the enraged voices of men rambled about.

"WE CAN'T STOP THAT THING!"

"SOMEONE CONTACT THE BAILIFF!"

"ONLY SHE CAN STOP THIS!"

A Bailiff here? this would cause more trouble than I anticipated.

"We need to move, fast!" I warned.

I followed him as we ran through the courtyard of the stronghold, we stopped midway as we met the lift crowded with soldiers. We sneaked behind some idle supply crates under many wooden beams that supported the construction. The lift was made attached to the large crystal in the middle of the stronghold, the rest of the wooden beams were connected to it, it seems like they were in the process of building something.

"Hey! did you even hear what I said?!"

"Shhh!"

He pointed at the many soldiers that scurried along a make-shift bridge past the wooden beams above us.

"Too many..." He whispered.

"Yeah."

"That must be the Bailiff over there," I added.

He nodded in agreement.

I pointed amongst the crowd. Behind the number of soldiers came out a voluptuous, dark-haired female figure. She seemed to be in a horrid mood.

"Madame Bailiff what should we do?"

"Most of the main perimeter walls had been demolished!"

"A-and that thing! it keeps trudging through, not only that! it's raining destructive magic!"

"The Tier 5 barrier didn't stand a chance!"

The concerned voices of her men resounded with panic.

"DO I LOOK LIKE I CARE?" She shouted.

"Evacuate or something, I don't give a sh*t. Now stop bothering me..."

She wearily made her way onto the platform as it took her away to the top with great speed.

"Scum..." I whispered.

Even to their own people, all of them have no morals and a sense of value. The lives under them are merely pests except for their own use.

"They've left..." I said.

"So where are we headed?" I continued.

"Up."

He pointed upwards.

"Can I ask something?"

"What is it?"

"Why are you helping?"

He pondered for a moment.

"That thing up there is my son..."

"As hard that may seem to believe but it's true." He followed.

"Why did he turn into that? and who are you anyway? how come you know about the liberators?"

"Whoa, there fella, easy with the questions. Let's start with my name first."

"My name is Hector Abbot, call me Hector, and he turned like that because of me..."

I could sense a slight emotional feeling on that last part. So this was that recruit's father.

"You can ask Cordelia or Rhysel about the rest, they'll fill you in." he continued.

He talked with confidentiality, concise and straight forward manner. I wouldn't doubt that he worked as an informant or a former member of The liberators, probably higher ranking than I am.

His skills already made sure of that.

"Harrison Trawly, Squadron captain and Right-hand man of Sir Bardel. Call me Hackmann."

I saluted with respect.

"So that Bardel finally has an underling?"

He was lost in thought as in reminiscing a wondrous past.

"Y-yes, sir!" I answered awkwardly.

Again, he talked as if they had some sort of history together, I wonder what kind of person was he. How come he knew so many members of the Liberators.

"Let's move."

"Shouldn't we head for the bridge above? then climb our way upwards?"

"No, it's gonna take a lot of time. So let's use the lift... I don't want to find out what happens once Knoxx reaches the Jewel of the City."

It had been a long time since I've heard of that. "Jewel of the Capital City", the Renowned Capital City of Carlisle or Everglow was famous for it's largest Viscorr in the world hence being called the Jewel.

But most importantly was the fact, that it was the centralized supplier of Corr for neighboring countries. Underneath that Monolithic Viscorr was a natural preserve for collecting Viscorr. Under the control of The Cyneweard Empire.

I observed the lift, roughly at fifty meters along the way, was the scaffolding built beside it. Jumping was the only way to reach it.

"Y-you don't mean?" I anxiously answered.

"Yes, I'll jump."

"You don't have to go with me, I know what to do against him." He added.

"Then I'll stay down below making sure people don't disturb you."

"It's a plan then."

"But we're gonna have to deal with a lot of trouble once we get there."

"I know."

"Wait just a sec, Do you know how to operate that thing?" I questioned.

"It shouldn't be too hard."

"I don't see a lever or a pulley system anywhere."

"Well, there's only one way to find out."

He observed the passing men above us.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting ourselves a noisy rat." He sarcastically said.

He latched himself hanging underneath the bridge and waited for prey, while I scouted the nearby areas for an incoming enemy. Soon he grabbed a lone person from his ankles and dragged him down.

"W-Wha? Who are you, people?!"

"Better leave the questioning to us."

He fell facing the dusty ground, to prevent him from identifying us. Hector had locked both of his arms behind him.

"How do you operate the lift?"

"HELP! HELP! INTRUDERS!"

"Can you do me a favor and cover his mouth?"

I did willingly so.

*Sigh*

"I didn't want to do this... Hold his mouth, tight." He ordered.

His easy-going demeanor had left, it was replaced with a blank and stern expression--completely different from the norm that he usually worn.

"Last chance mate, tell me how?"

I pulled my saliva-ridden hand from his mouth.

"No! Let me go! argh! HEL--"

I sealed his mouth again.

With his arm pulled back and a clenched fist, I asked him.

"What are you doing?!"

"Making him talk."

*Pop*

The man that lay with arms locked behind him started squirming with pain, as Hector drove his fully erected thumb deep into the side of his trunk.

"Mmmm! Mmmm!"

We pinned him down as his muffled moans and pained struggling made it hard to watch him.

"Just stop struggling..." I said with pity.

"You ready to talk?" He asked him.

He shook his head in disagreement.

"Fine..."

Hector drilled his thumb deeper into the cavity, as the man rolled his eyes out of shock and pain. This time his tenacious struggling had changed into an unrelenting spasmodic shaking.

As his body couldn't take any more of the unimaginable displeasure.

Soon he let out a trembling nod. I took my hand in reply.

*Pant* *Pant*

"The o-operator... find him. Viscorr, shaped, key."

He fell unconscious. Good thing he had already served his purpose.

"Well, where do we look for that? Any ideas?"

"Too much time, I'll lure all of them," Hector said.

"You'll WHAT?!"

*Shake* *Tremble*

We took a look at the brightened sky, The entity had reached its final destination. The ground shook strong, firing of the authorities against it could be seen from afar. Again, it was pulsating in unison with the Jewel of the City.

"It'll be fast! back me up as best as you can! We don't have much time."

"I don't want to find out what happens next..." He whispered.

"I'll search the enemies from behind the scenes, we'll be much faster that way. I'll cover you."

This man was utterly insane, but we're pressed for time.

"Wait! before you go!"

"What is it?"

"Think of it as protective measures."

With a wave of my hand, I placed a rebound trap spell. But it got dispelled as soon as it finished.

"What?!"

"Ha! I knew it wouldn't work. I'll tell you, any type of magic doesn't work on me."

He left those words as he bolted towards the open field. I took to the shadows, he screamed at the top of his lungs. Soon a swarm of soldiers surrounded him, outnumbered one to a hundred.

It didn't seem to bother him, there wasn't a hint of weakness in this man; nor fear. He smiled at the face of danger, the army that surrounded him slowly collapsed, their numbers fell to half within those few moments.

The strong but fluid movements were erratic, an unknown fighting technique unfolded right before my eyes. I observed him carefully, trying to analyze his movements, clearly, he knew where the enemies would attack; anticipating their every move.

Like a force of nature, every hit was destructive that knocked out men. The heavily armored ones had their protective gear dented and dismantled, lighter worn soldiers were easily disposed of.

Attacks that rained upon him by that new-fangled weaponry rendered useless against him, it disappeared immediately into thin air as soon it closed his vicinity.

I shook my head in amazement, this was Knoxx's father? the one that needed saving? I think it's the other way around.

There wasn't any time for me to bask in awe so I moved away, looking for possible candidates that held the key.

"There!"

There was one Empirian soldier aiming from afar, he wore the glowing key around his neck. It dangled loosely from his neck, it's sheen attracted my attention. He stood in front of another gate, a few paces apart from my position.

I rushed towards him occasionally disposing of obstacles that blocked my path. Finally, he took notice of my presence as he started shooting towards me.

"Sh*t."

Each projectile left a dent on the shield before ricocheting away.

"Those things hit hard." I sneered.

Since those bolts that went straight towards me were magical in form, I knew my ability would work. The rebounded bullets proved useless against me.

Within moments, we were locked in hand-to-hand combat. The man proved to be quite the brawler, although it seemed that Empirian soldiers lacked magical knowledge as he didn't use any spells during our fight.

It caused his downfall as he fell sprawling to the floor, leaving me the victor of our fight.

The key in hand, I went towards Hector. The unbelievable scene was astounding, alone victor atop piles of defeated foes. A few Empirian soldiers were left standing against him.

"I GOT IT!" I shouted at him.

He flipped a thumb up to confirm our agreement.

"RUN AWAY!"

"SPARE US PLEASE!"

"IT'S THE TITAN! THE TITAN!"

The leftover enemies ran in fear. They uttered 'Titan' and somehow that title lingered in my mind, I know I've heard of that name before; seems familiar.

"Tsk, cowards," I said.

Although I don't blame them, there had been a hundred of them and they had been reduced to no better than rubble. He stood proud and tall staring at the floating entity on the sky.

"I got the key."

I threw it towards him.

"Thank you."

"Guess I'll be heading towards Bardel and the others."

I've made them wait too long, I'm sure most of the citizens in the city had already left.

"Wait!" He shouted.

"What's wrong?"

"Can you do me a favor?"

After a few moments we headed towards the lift, this man was undeniably crazy, his plan was dangerous and irresponsible. As he turned the key, the lift hoisted both of us with great speed.

"Are you sure about this?" I anxiously questioned him.

"No point in turning back now."

The lift was closing in the last level of the scaffolding.

"We jump at three."

I nodded.

At the count of three, we jumped towards the platform on top of the scaffolding. The distance was at least five feet apart, right when we landed the platform collapsed beneath me. I held out my hands in desperation as he caught me mid-air.

"T-thank you."

He pulled me upwards then we proceeded towards the end of the wooden platform.

"Do it."

He said as we made our stop at the end.

"Are you sure?"

He stared at me with a serious demeanor that exuded his urgency about the idea he discussed.

*Sigh*

I turned my back against the shining light that gleamed ever so brightly above us. Crouching at the end while I held my shield slightly slanted towards his direction.

"Ready?"

As I saw him already running at full speed towards me, forcing me to chant the spell immediately. He jumped against my shield as I activated it that forced him flying towards the entity.