The Wall
|Gary|
"Thus, all forces are converging upon that location?" I inquired, rubbing my temples as I examined the intricate details marked on the map before me.
"Yes, Commander Gary," responded Elder Virion with a solemn nod. "We have received reliable intelligence that the entirety of the Alacaryan forces is launching an assault on the Kingdom of Sapin, with their primary target being the Wall."
"And the Asuras? Have they ceased all communication with us?" I sought confirmation once more, observing the expressions of the council members shifting into somberness.
"Indeed," Virion confirmed, his voice tinged with disappointment. "The Asuras have inexplicably gone silent."
I silently mulled over the situation, considering the possible ramifications of the Asuras' absence. "It is highly probable that the Asuras committed some ill-advised action, leading to Agrona coercing them into adhering to the treaty. Thus, they have withdrawn their support."
A wave of unease swept through the council chamber as the gravity of the situation settled upon us all.
"Without the Asuras, can we expect to achieve victory?" Blaine's voice quivered, his concern mirroring the apprehension etched on the faces of his fellow council members.
As I surveyed the map depicting the distribution of forces, a sense of urgency weighed heavily upon me. If the reports from our scouts were accurate, our only chance of survival lay in mustering all available Lances, Paladins, and numerous divisions to defend against the impending onslaught.
"What if this is merely a diversionary tactic?" Merial suggested, her brow furrowed with worry. "Could they be intending to strike at another vulnerable point?"
However, I shook my head in response, my gaze fixed firmly on the map.
"It matters not," I asserted resolutely. "The scale of their amassed forces is far too substantial for us to disregard or underestimate. We must prepare to confront this threat head-on."
|Arthur|
The atmosphere in the meeting room grew heavy as we gathered, each member of the council taking their seat with a sense of urgency etched upon their faces.
Gary stood before us, exuding an air of authority that commanded our attention. His voice cut through the tension, breaking the silence with his decisive words.
"All Paladins and Lances will be deployed to the Wall," Gary declared. The room erupted into a frenzy of voices, objections, and concerns, with everyone eager to express their thoughts on his decision.
Gary's steady exhale silenced the chaos, his calming presence reigning in the discord. As the room fell into a hushed anticipation, he continued to address us.
"The Alacaryan forces are amassing at the Wall, both through their fleet and teleportation gates," Gary explained, his voice resonating with purpose. "This is not a mere ruse. The sheer scale of their numbers indicates that the Vritras are leveraging their advantage to overwhelm us. Our mission is clear: we cannot save the Wall. Instead, we must focus on eliminating the three Legacies, as well as any Scythes, Retainers, or Wraiths present."
|Jezebeth|
"What a delightful privilege to receive an audience with the illustrious Lord himself," I remarked with a touch of sarcasm, my gaze fixed upon the resplendent figure of galaxy-eyed Indrath before me. His narrowed eyes betrayed a sense of acknowledgment, yet he refrained from offering any retort.
As the envoy of the Indraths to Dicathen, he exuded a formidable presence that befitted his esteemed position. His strength was undeniable, reaching the initial stage of the Duke rank.
"Jezebeth Vritra," the Indrath spoke in a deep, commanding voice, "Your request to meet Lord Indrath has been granted."
"Very well, let us expedite our proceedings," I replied, eager to proceed without delay. "Open the portal."
Acknowledging my presence with a mere glance, he continued, "As a Vritra, entering Epheotus not as a captive but as an honored guest, I shall teleport us directly to the chambers of the Lord."
With a graceful wave of his hand, an amethyst portal materialised before us, beckoning me to step forward and venture into a realm unknown—a world where I would encounter the Lord of the Indraths.
|Kevin|
"Where has Jezebeth vanished off to?" Cecilia inquired, her voice laced with curiosity, as she plucked a grape from my hand and devoured it eagerly.
"To somewhere quite extraordinary," I replied, a taunting smirk adorning my face, relishing in her longing for answers. Her pouty expression only fueled my amusement. Yet, in an instant, her radiant golden eyes dulled, and she lowered her head.
"Hey, Kevin," her voice trembled, and I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the vulnerability in her tone. "Is this nothing more than a fleeting affair between us?"
A smile tugged at the corners of my lips, realizing the depths to which Cecilia had descended. Feebly, she clutched her right shoulder with her left hand, a gesture betraying her fear of hearing my response.
How drastically she had changed from the formidable woman who shielded Nico from both Jezebeth and myself. It was only natural, I suppose.
Cecilia, in her previous existence, had been a Legacy. To endure being weaponized by the government and maintain her autonomy, she had to possess great strength. Nico, despite his best efforts, proved too feeble to be the pillar of support she required.
Grey, on the other hand, carried his own burdens, rendering him incapable of being her reliable anchor.
Beneath her facade of strength, Cecilia was ultimately a fragile and tragic soul burdened with unwanted powers from birth.
I gently brushed back her silky onyx locks, my touch sending a shiver down her spine, the heat rising to her flushed cheeks.
"Don't fret, Cecilia," I cooed, spinning a web of deceit, "You hold a special place in my heart."
Care for Cecilia? A laughable notion.
She was nothing more than a pawn in my game, a means to satisfy my insatiable desires. The only woman who truly mattered to me, besides my mother, was Emma—whose resurrection hinged upon fulfilling my end of the bargain by eliminating Ren Dover, or as he goes by now, Gary Whiteborn.
Cecilia held no true significance to me.
"Truly?" she inquired, her countenance illuminating with an innocent delight, akin to a child reveling in unbridled joy.
"Of course," I replied, mustering a semblance of sincerity while internally stifling my amusement, my hand gently caressing her head.
There was no benefit in shattering Cecilia's fragile heart at this moment. Though she paled in comparison to Jezebeth, lacking the same caliber of power, she possessed a formidable strength of her own.
If she were to break through to the integration stage, she would swiftly surpass even Agrona and Lord Indrath, ascending to the pinnacle of the <SS+> rank.
My gaze momentarily dipped below her eyes, lured by the enticing sight of her heaving bosom subtly revealed by her clinging dress.
And, of course, she proved to be the perfect conquest within the confines of the bedroom.
|Arthur|
"Such an excessive number of beasts," Rachel exclaimed, her voice laced with astonishment, as our eyes beheld the unending sea of savage creatures unleashed upon the Wall.
Without uttering a word, I leaped into the midst of the horde, my trusty teal blade gripped tightly in my hand, accompanied by Sylvie, my loyal companion.
The winds coalesced around me, spiraling and condensing as I plunged into the heart of the beastly army.
A tempest of air erupted from the layers of wind enveloping me, unleashing a fierce explosion that tore through the ranks of the countless creatures caught within its violent currents.
Standing tall within the resulting crater, I was met with the searing gazes of thousands of monstrous eyes peering down from above.
A brief moment of silence hung in the air as I poised myself, Dawn's Ballad held firmly in my grasp, while mana surged and crackled around me, eager to be unleashed.
It was then that the first battle cry echoed forth, emanating from a towering bipedal canine, its claws and fangs ominously aglow.
The howl unleashed by the canine spurred its surrounding brethren into action, as if rousing them from a stupor. The corrupted mana beasts, akin to mindless zombies under the influence of their drug-like mana, surged forth in a cacophony of cries, roars, and grating screeches.
Yet, amidst the clamor of the corrupted beasts, the thunderous roar of my bonded companion resonated, reverberating through the battlefield. With deadly precision, she swiftly claimed the life of the bipedal canine, tearing out its throat with her fangs and dispatching four additional mana beasts with a powerful swipe of her tail.
For a time, I relied on my honed battle instincts, acquired through the culmination of two lifetimes, and the unwavering prowess of Dawn's Ballad to carve my way through the ceaseless onslaught of adversaries. With each beast I felled, two or three more emerged to take its place, yet we had prepared for this very scenario.
Restraining my mana consumption, I focused primarily on bolstering my physical prowess and enhancing my weapon, Dawn's Ballad, which traced elegant arcs of teal through the debris-laden terrain.
In a daring feat, I leaped into the heart of the maelstrom, surrounded by dozens of S and SS-class beasts. With unwavering determination, I activated my force-type mana, unleashing a crimson surge that erupted from within me, effortlessly rending the creatures asunder.
From a solitary point, an isolated goosebump materialized along the expanse of my spine, its presence gradually expanding to encompass the entirety of my being. Waves of shivers coursed relentlessly through my body, leaving me trembling in their wake. The mysterious arrival of four figures descending to the ground behind me only intensified my bewilderment.
Questions swirled within the recesses of my mind, struggling to comprehend the unexpected presence of these individuals. Their unanticipated appearance sent ripples of perplexity throughout my consciousness, leaving me grappling for understanding.
|Gary|
"Step aside, Cecilia," the male Legacy commanded, his outstretched hand serving as a barrier between her and me. Cecilia, a defeated figure from the battle of Etistin, stood under his protection.
"Are you suggesting that you both will confront me as a united force?" I inquired, tilting my head in curiosity.
"Do you truly believe yourself worthy of such a challenge?" the male Legacy chuckled, his amusement evident.
My narrowed gaze locked onto him, and with a subtle movement of my finger, radiant blades materialized, filling the cavern with their luminous presence.
Yet, to my astonishment, the male Legacy's smile remained unyielding as he conjured his own ethereal swords, a somber darkness resonating from their form.
A tremor coursed through my eyes, startled by his adeptness in manipulating vivum, the essence of life itself.
"Did you assume you held the monopoly on exceptional abilities?" he taunted, a taunting glint in his eyes, as we both aimed our fingers towards each other.
"Perish."
|Richard Whiteborn|
Leading my team of mages through the labyrinthine tunnels, painstakingly crafted by the skilled hands of dwarves beneath the imposing Wall, I bore the responsibility of safeguarding this hidden sanctuary from any potential invaders. Although it seemed inconsequential, considering the raging battles transpiring on the surface, Gary, the ever vigilant commander, was determined to shield me from harm's reach.
My mind meandered, drifting towards him as we traversed the deserted passages.
Gary Whiteborn.
The embodiment of perfection, the son anyone would fervently yearn for. Endowed with unparalleled attributes that transcended mere mortals.
Intellect.
Aesthetic allure.
Mastery of the sword.
Astute stratagem.
Unrivaled magical prowess.
Innate leadership.
He stood unassailable atop the pinnacle, assuming the mantle of Commander of Dicathen at a tender age of sixteen.
And yet, in his brilliance, he unwittingly illuminated the stark contrast of my own limitations. As a Duke of Sapin, a swordsman of the esteemed high silver stage, renowned as one of Dicathen's most formidable mages, I acknowledged my insignificance in Gary's powerful presence. His dominion expanded beyond the borders of Sapin and Elenoir, his mastery of magic far surpassing my own.
In this light, my role as a father to him seemed perpetually elusive, a phantom task forever beyond my grasp. It felt as though I had failed to fulfill the essence of paternal guidance, to nurture him as a true father should.
A sudden halt seized my footsteps, my lungs releasing an involuntary breath as my gaze fixated upon the approaching figure. A striking resemblance to Gary adorned his countenance, with the same cascading waves of gray-silver hair and piercing amethyst eyes. Yet, atop his head, imposing black antlers emerged, a stark testament to his lineage as a Vritra.
"Well, well, well," the Vritra sneered, his presence enough to render my men motionless, frozen in place.
Helpless.
Before us stood a being transcending even the might of the Lances.
He vanished from sight, only to reappear mere inches away from me. His penetrating gaze scrutinized my being, sending a shiver down my spine amidst the suffocating aura of impending doom.
"Ah, so you are Gary's father," he mused, a twisted smile curling his lips. "How delightful. I wonder what expression he will wear upon your demise."
Anguish and frustration converged within me, clenching my teeth with an unyielding resolve. In the end, I had become naught but a burden to my own son.
"Prove yourself," he demanded, a beckoning gesture granting me the agency to move. "Let me witness the extent of your prowess."