A War Between Kingdoms (Part 3)

The Remaining Magus flinched, their bodies trembling at Xavier's words—this was no ordinary human; Xavier was a monster. He tightened his grip on the sword, feeling the cool metal bite into his palm. His bored gaze pierced deep into their souls, and he found them wanting.

"Is this all that Biola has to offer?" he asked, his voice dripping with disdain. He advanced, his movements enhanced by Soul energy, transforming him into a blur. With a swift motion, he sheathed his blade, dismissing the Magus with a contemptuous flick of his wrist. "How… weak."

Moments later, blood erupted into the air as the Magus collapsed onto their knees, their eyes devoid of life. A small magic circle flickered to life by his ear, and he grimaced—it was a magic communication circle, one of the most basic spells for establishing a connection. Voices could only be transmitted through such basic magic.

"Xavier, are you okay?" a girlish voice crackled from the other side. It belonged to one of his teammates assigned to protect the town. "We saw explosions just now!"

Xavier sighed, exasperation washing over him. The transmission had come far too late or maybe he just finished them off too early; he had already dealt with the Magus. "I'm fine. Just some Magus from Biola. But they've been dealt with. What about you and the others? Did you find the herb patch?"

He had allowed his team to leave their posts as defenders of the town because of its strategic advantage—a small forest nearby hid a herb patch where several potent herbs grew wild. The other Magus had gone to retrieve them, herbs that could amplify magical energy, something that would benefit him as well.

#####

The Imperial City was no longer the bustling heart it once was; it resembled a ghost town, silent and shrouded in darkness. Black clouds filled the sky, obscuring any hint of blue, each rumble of thunder echoing a god's wrath.

Kai floated above the battlefield, clutching his cloak as the winds howled around him. Cold air whipped against his face, yet he remained unfazed, his eyes crackling with sparks of lightning. With a wave of his hand, he summoned bolts from the sky, each striking down upon Biola's soldiers, leaving destruction in their wake.

This was war, and Kai understood its grim reality. He had read about wars—World War I, World War II—historical calamities that had shaped humanity. Though he hadn't lived during such devastation, he knew the cost: women and children were often the first victims. From above, he could see the horrors unfolding below—the warriors capturing women, stripping them of their dignity, intending to enslave them. Yet he remained resolute; he wanted Biola to lose.

In the novel he had read, Biola sent over a thousand troops via sea to seize the Imperial City. Their sheer numbers had overwhelmed defenses, but Kai had already dismantled their fleets, systematically dismantling their advance. With each enemy ship he destroyed, the threat diminished, and he felt the weight of victory in the air.

But just as he relished his success, a chilling cold swept through the battlefield. Ice began to spread beneath the feet of the warriors, transforming the port into a treacherous frozen expanse. Kai's heart sank. He recognized the surge of power—this was more than just a simple frost; it was a formidable domain.

"Fuck, he's here," Kai cursed under his breath. There was a reason Biola had held onto the Imperial City for so long—it was due to the Grand Magus, Lincoln.

Magus possessed different ranks, their strength determined by the magnitude of their Endowment. Kai, who wielded lightning with the ferocity of a storm, understood his limitations against a Grand Mage. Their mastery over magic was unparalleled, and their knowledge was extensive. A Grand Mage on the battlefield spelled disaster.

To make matters worse, Lincoln was aware of Kai's presence. The Grand Mage stood atop a pillar of ice, his hair a striking blue, flowing wildly in the frigid winds. Their eyes locked, and Lincoln cleared his throat, as if preparing to deliver some grand proclamation.

"I'm honestly surprised," he said, his voice echoing through the air. "It seems Asura has the backing of a fellow Grand Mage such as myself!"

Kai's eyes widened at that revelation. An embarrassed smile crept onto his lips as nervous laughter escaped him. He floated down, aligning himself with Lincoln on equal ground.

"Erm… I think you're mistaken," Kai replied, attempting to sound more confident than he felt. "I'm not at the level of a Grand Mage."

He projected his voice, ensuring it wouldn't betray his true identity. The surprise in Lincoln's eyes was palpable, revealing a flicker of intrigue.

"Not a Grand Mage?" Lincoln mused, tilting his head. "Your power is remarkable for someone of your rank. Tell me, what is your goal here? Are you truly allied with Asura?"