Flee or die !

- Very well Alpheus. I'm willing to cooperate to get out of here, but don't be a burden.

- Don't worry about that Atlas, I'm sure you'll be amazed when you see me fight. He replied, standing up with a smile, showing his eagerness for what lies ahead.

After getting up, Atlas tore a piece of his cape to bandage his left arm, which was torn. Alpheus, on the other hand, had used the sleeve of his shirt to do the same for his right arm. They could have used healing magic to heal their wounds, but neither of them mastered it. So, they had to make do with what they had on hand.

...

Leaving the room where the relic was located and then the treasure room, Atlas did not fail to fill his pockets with a few coins.

After coming out, they found themselves back in the corridors of the top floor under the building. Since a good amount of time had passed since Alpheus' break-in and Atlas's fight, there were hardly any guards left in this area. This allowed the two allies to ascend the building's stairs without much trouble; they didn't even have to use their magic to deal with the few guards in their way. However, after leaving the basement and being about to exit the building completely, they heard a very unsettling noise. Very loud and numerous footsteps approaching their position.

- I have a very bad feeling about this, Alpheus.

- You're not alone.

They passed through the last door separating them from the outside to see what was happening. But what they saw left them astonished:

They were to the east of the city of Solis, in front of the headquarters of the grand council. And a large army coming from the north of the city and composed mostly of royal guards and a few council guards was approaching them quickly. But that wasn't the problem. An army coming from the south, as large as the one in the north, was also approaching.

Each of the two armies was led by a Captain of the royal army, directly under the authority of the sovereign of Valley, King Cirion. The three current members of the Grand Council of mages were the ones who had requested the help of this large army to stop, according to them, two potentially dangerous men.

Although King Cirion found it a bit excessive to send a quarter of his forces to capture two unknown individuals, he believed it was much wiser to overestimate an unknown enemy than to underestimate them.

Anyway, he had no choice. Although he ruled a powerful kingdom of Aspell, he had a duty to obey every order of the grand council, the supreme authority of this world, after the deities.

Atlas and Alpheus, seeing the excessive number of soldiers advancing towards them, couldn't help but express their astonishment and fear:

- Wait, what does this mean? They are completely overdoing it! Alpheus exclaimed, swallowing hard.

- This time we're really screwed. If we don't do anything, I doubt they'll just imprison us.

- But if we manage to escape, we will probably be considered outlaws. Alpheus added, taking a step back.

- Don't step back, Alpheus. There's no way back. Those behind us are far more dangerous than what you can see in front. Atlas suddenly said to his ally, stopping him from continuing his action.

Then he turned his head towards the council building and said aloud, surprisingly with a smile:

"So this is how you want to do it? You're too important to show yourselves and face me? Ahaha! Try not to regret this choice."

The old man who was seated in the middle during his trial was watching from a window high up in the building.

'Is he that unaware? We would easily overcome him.' He thought, with both arms behind his back.

- Don't worry about his fate, Elder. He's currently just a potential threat, given that he was trained by a master who doesn't hesitate to oppose us, but that's all. The soldiers of Solis will quickly... take care of him. The other old council member, Edwin, standing behind beside Berta, replied.

- I hope so! Elder responded, turning to leave the room.

...

During this time, Atlas and Alpheus were preparing in one way or another to face this army.

- We're going to force a passage, it's the only solution. Atlas calmly proposed.

- Forcing a passage!? But how?

- The enemy is attacking us from the south and the north. But fortunately for us, one of the city gates is to the west. So, before they get too close and block the opening to the west of the city, we'll run and eliminate the few guards who will have time to block the road.

- Very well. It's a good plan to get out of the city, but what next? They'll still be on our tail, what are we going to do?

- We'll try to lose them outside the city. We have no other choice. Replied Atlas, furrowing his brows and getting into position to sprint.

- Yeah! In that case, let's go. Let's not waste any more time. Said Alpheus, also preparing to sprint.

Their race to the west gate of the city went almost smoothly. They passed through the middle of the two troops, easily eliminating the weak soldiers in their path, since they were not many. But that was before the captains intervened.

The captain of the northern troop as well as that of the southern troop dismounted from their horses and prepared to join the place where the fights were taking place. The one to the south suddenly turned into a beam of light before taking flight. It sliced through the sky at an extraordinary speed, almost imperceptible even to seasoned soldiers, before landing in front of Atlas, who would apparently be her opponent. The one from the north, on the other hand, had opened his arms looking towards the sky. After these two actions, he began to levitate towards Alpheus before also landing in front of his opponent.

"Let's not linger here, fugitive," said the captain facing Alpheus.

In an instant, he was already in front of him, suddenly grabbing him by the neck and flying out of the city of Solis. The landing was brutal, as he didn't hesitate for a second to violently throw Alpheus.

- *cough* You know, my goal was to get out of the city. And you just helped me do that. Said Alpheus.

- Don't misunderstand. Fighting in the city would have been too cumbersome because of the houses and civilians. But I, Clifford, captain of the royal army and master of gravity, swear to reduce you to nothingness with the force of my power.

- You've self-proclaimed yourself a master of magic!? You have no regard for anything it seems. Alpheus said casually.

- I see ignorance in your expression. I lament the misfortune that is about to befall you.

- Apparently you're also a fortune teller, in addition to being a master of gravity. Alpheus retorted to mock his opponent.

- Tsss... perhaps! Clifford said, charging at his enemy.

He began the duel by sending a simple punch to Alpheus's face. The latter had no trouble dodging, simply stepping back, then responding with an uppercut directly under Clifford's chin, sending him flying.

"Not bad, but... not enough!" Clifford said, confident.

{GRAVITATIONAL FORCE: 50 G}

Alpheus didn't even have time to understand what was happening as he saw his surroundings elevate. But in fact, no, it was his body sinking into the ground. And before he could notice anything, he was face down, writhing in agony under the effect of this extraordinary power that should have instantly pulverized his body.

Blood began to flow everywhere, and as he saw the gates of death open before him, his memories came rushing back to him.

ALPHEUS' POV:

Damn, this guy is really powerful. Are all the captains of the royal army this strong? Do I even stand a chance against him? Tss... it annoys me, he reminds me of my older brother. That bastard Daryan, I'll never forget what he did to me that day:

As nobles from the city of Wan, we were invited to a party organized by other nobles. But as the party was in full swing, these nobles felt it lacked pleasures and entertainment.

- Why not a fight, between brothers would be best. Suggested one of the portly nobles.

- Yes, I like the idea. A friendly little fight between brothers. Added another noble.

- What do you say, Lakeman brothers?

- Ahah... come entertain us.

My parents looked happy, they knew my older brother and I would provide quite the spectacle. And I was happy too, because I loved and admired my older brother. But at that moment, I had no idea how one-sided those feelings were.

After finishing preparing the arena, a tall, muscular man stepped forward and said:

- Alpheus and Daryan Lakeman, please join me in the arena. This is just a friendly fight, so it would be preferable not to go all out. But still, make sure to entertain us. Is that clear?

- Very clear. We both replied, getting into fighting positions.

- I wish you a good fight, Daryan. I said enthusiastically.

- Hmm...

My brother barely said anything, he remained indifferent and seemed bored. Yet I could see in his eyes that he wanted this fight.

When the fight finally began, I wanted to start slowly. So I contented myself with attacking him with simple water balls. But before they could even reach him, they had already evaporated due to the intense heat emanating from his body. As he advanced, each step he took made the atmosphere hotter, and I couldn't execute any of my water techniques. Despite the situation, I remained happy and admiring towards my idol. But all that joy would change in an instant.

Magic of fire: {HELLFLAME}

He was still advancing when he uttered those words that will forever be etched in my mind. A gigantic pillar of flame began to rise from the ground where I stood.

At that moment, I understood two things: firstly, I would inevitably die if I didn't put all my strength into defending myself. And secondly, my brother had no intention of playing around with me, let alone entertaining the crowd.

As the pillar of fire rose over my entire body and my water shield expanded to fend off the attack, I had time to glance towards the audience. Absolutely everyone seemed to be having a blast. The nobles were extremely joyful and satisfied. Yet the situation was already very serious. Only my mother seemed worried. She was berating my father with all her might, probably wanting him to end the fight. But my father pushed her away, seeming to enjoy himself as well. That's when I realized that only my mother had always truly worried about my fate. My father, like the nobles, only saw my talent, and when it was overwhelmed by my brother's strength, I no longer existed in his eyes.

My brother's flames had already demolished me when they finally extinguished. But he lifted his right foot and stomped on my face. With a disdainful look, he said:

"Look at yourself, pathetic little brother. What's wrong? Use your talent to turn the situation around. ... Ohhh! Don't tell me it's useless to you. Are you worthless?"

He didn't hesitate for a second to humiliate me in the worst possible way in front of everyone.

I didn't understand the reason for his actions, I who held him in great admiration.

I still remember today the contempt in his eyes as I writhed on the ground.

It was only a few hours after these events that I understood some things in this family.

I was considered the little genius of my generation, my family and many others only had eyes for me. They didn't look at my older brother, and I was the source of his shame. He deeply hated me, and trained relentlessly every day so that his strength would surpass my talent. I admired him for that, but his hatred blinded him and he didn't care about the admiration I had for him. That's what he publicly demonstrated on the day we fought.

Today, I wonder why he had to hate me. I never asked for admiration, nor did I ask to have a lot of talent with elemental magic. Besides, I'm just a human with many flaws and who sometimes lets fear take over. So why did he have to hate me? He even managed to master the inferno flames, known to be particularly powerful. So why?

I will avenge myself on him, for all he has made me suffer. I will make him see reason. I will also not hesitate to take revenge on those hypocritical nobles.

That's why I had to leave home, in search of power.

END OF ALPHEUS' POV...

...

'Ah… my mother must surely be worrying about me, poor thing. I can't afford to succumb now,' thought Alpheus as he tried to get up with his only functional hand, while his blood was spraying everywhere and the gravity which was already intensely oppressive was becoming even more so.

- Don't dream, weakling. It's already abnormal that you survived such gravity, so don't hope to get up.

- Argh… it's you… wh… who's talking… about ab… normality. No man… should have such… such power. He replied, suffering more and more.

- Indeed! So submit.

- Sorry… but… the project… doesn't interest… me at all. I have… things… to accomplish.

- Uuhhh! General Clifford was slightly astonished as he looked at Alpheus.

He was surprisingly starting to slowly rise with his trembling arm under pressure. A liquid aura surrounded his muscles, giving him enough strength to stand. Clifford was amazed and exclaimed:

- HOW!!! How is this possible?

- I… I already told you. I can't die now. Alpheus replied, wiping the blood flowing from his mouth.

"Now it's my turn, Captain Clifford, to demonstrate my strength."

****