EPISODE 144: SLAYING CALAMITY 1
— GREAT EDRYAN, YEAR 7291. SEASON: COLOR FADING.
Queen Titiana stood on a large rock, cliff really, but the Ro’Joan Rocks were truly giant, mountain-sized rocks created from the battle her father held with [Raid Boss: Azznar’Rou — Devourer] . The wind whipped her hair back and forth—a sole spear settled comfortably in her outstretched right arm, the other hung at her side. She closed her eyes in concentration, and in a moment as she reopened them, no longer was Queen Titiana Koltius Verlio Edryani — High Queen of Edryan present. No, now… the [Demigoddess of Love] stood at her full height. A similar change to the six others who stood behind her.
In truth, she hadn’t acted much as the Demigoddess of Love. She, they , feared that the world may move against them before the small period of safety the opening of the Path of Apotheosis provided. Now, in less than ten years, that path would open up. To move against an Edryan Prestige or demigod would surely invoke a {Penalty}—no matter if a mercenary who wasn’t beholden to a God acted. The Edryans were given the first move— none could violate this . Those in the sufficient seats of power all knew this. Those that didn’t? Well, Titiana would have no worries about their paltry strength.
Every demigod or Prestige belonged to some sort of organization. It was impossible for one person to level continuously and reach level three hundred without joining a force or being beholden to their God—too many resources were needed. The weapons to keep up with your progress, the farmers who provided higher starred beast to eat—anything that kept a society functioning was necessary to develop someone to that barrier. Even then, surpassing that step wasn’t promised.
“Status Sheet,” the Queen said. A breath of relief escaped between her plump, full, darkly painted lips. Those same lips quickly turned into a smirk—it wasn’t easy being regarded as the most beautiful woman in Edryan. Powerful men always held a desire to ‘conquer’ her.
None succeeded.
Not from a lack of trying.
Titiana Koltius Verlio Edryani — Level 311
HP: 6900/6900
SP: 6600/6600
MP: 8400/8400
HP Regen: 85/Hour
SP Regen: 82/Hour
MP Regen: 104/Hour
Base Atk: 1250
Base Def: 660
Power: 2500
Mind: 2800
Vitality: 2300
Self: 1700
Endurance: 2200
Intent: 1500
Main Path:
[Demigoddess of Love] — 311
2nd Path: [LOCKED]
3rd Path: [LOCKED]
Divinity Mortal: Love — 100%
Divinity Astral: Love — 5%
Divine Skills: [+]
Path Skills: [+]
Elemental Control:
True Fire — 20%
True Earth — 90%
Death — 90%
“Ahhh, it feels great to stretch out my body.”
She looked at her level, of the [Seven Heroes] she’d progressed the furthest thus far. Not from their lack of trying, but the people of Edryan, even in her peers’ lands, adored her. Which greatly boosted her against the rest of her peers.
While she continued to view her status and the changes becoming a demigoddess produced, Queen Titiana began to chat with her peers.
“Your daughter is very brave Marna. To think Lawruthian would beat the three of us in declarations of support.”
She chuckled, truly there didn’t seem to be a day when her Lawruthian wouldn’t bring her a surprise. Asking for him was the greatest decision Titiana ever made—not a day went by when she didn’t thank the Goddess for her greatest gift to not just her, but the Queendom.
“More like foolish, that girl…,” Marna began, a sigh escaping. Her well-kept bob showed greater signs of divinity as her connection to the Goddess deepened. “…for a time she was responsible for the churches old and damaged records. It was here she discovered some obscure documents that seemed to point toward the previous [Chosens of Madris]. Half broken information that she followed on a hunch—she believes Lawruthian will become a sort of inheritor to Goddess Madris. That, eventually, the Goddess will have him take over as the primary God of the magi.”
She shook her head once again and sighed. The other members stayed silent, their eyes on the tower a far distance away. However, the final words of Marna seemed to snap them out of their observation.
“Oh, she’s that confident in our [Chosen],” Camilla questioned. Like the Queen, her white hair with internal rainbow highlights waved in the wind. A staff with the beating heart of a magi lay grasped by both hands. A mage’s battle robes covered her body, the same color as her hair, as the [Demigoddess of Battle-Magic] prepared. None of them were familiar with the powers of their domains, and this was their chance to gain desperately needed familiarity before journeying to Mt. Redcoomshi.
“Would the Goddess do such an action? But… why,” Margret questioned. She was dressed similarly to Camilla but in a golden plated mage robe with magenta highlights. A wand split between black and white rested carelessly the [Demigoddess of Spell-Crafting] hands.
Before any could respond, a large fireball appeared in the sky. Even from their distance, the seven heroes could see through the fireball. Its size dwarfed the tower, and the sky seemed to shift. The grey clouds that covered everything from horizon to horizon rumbled, yellow lightning flashing through the sky. If the [Thunderwing Lord] was asleep, such a blatant provocation would wake him.
“Oh… so he’s decided to head toward that path—an elemental, huh,” Akeem commented.
“His mastery over the fire element is the highest in the queendom—it’ll be easier for him to walk a path related to fire and Prestige,” the Queen said. The party’s gaze remained fixed on the mage.
Instead of saying a large fireball appeared in the sky over the [Abandoned Roc-Mage Tower] where Zephyron and his mates resided, it was best to say a human exuded enough fire to appear as a ball over the abandoned tower.
Caimen Lordstar’s body was on fire—pure flames, mainly orange but with hues of red and blue, spread in a circular pattern around the [Grand Magi]. Caimen’s body hadn’t transformed in size, but his power was undeniable to those who watched.
“He’s close, maybe two or three levels away. What he lacked all these years was a catalyst. No wonder he was so eager to attract the attention of the beast,” Vivian said. The man was larger than ever before, and so was the grimoire that orbited him. He stroked his cleanly shaven chin as he contemplated. “He’s looking for something that will give him that final push, and fighting against a calamity can do it.”
“A star—oh, his desire is far too big,” Queen Titiana said with a hint of amusement. “Prepare yourselves.”
She gripped her [Heavenspear] tighter, her eyes on Caimen. The ball of fire around him began to distort the surroundings—the world and mana in the area strained to keep reality stable.
Caimen’s fire continued to increase. If before it was the size of a small hill, now it began to resemble a small mountain. The light from his body erased all shadows and even pierced through the sky above him to show a hint of the evening sun.
“ BEAR WITNESS, FOR A STAR SHALL BE BORN. ”
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Even from their distance, the voice of Caimen reached the watching party. Like a flaming meteor, Caimen descended.
Titiana looked away upon impact, what appeared was the light of the sun in a massive explosion, but the roar of rage that burst through the explosion activated an excitement for battle within her.
A flaming object shot directly toward them, not staying to see the results of its work after impact. The hole that revealed the evening sky was quickly swallowed. The grey clouds darkened until black, thunderclouds replaced them as the wind picked up.
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RRRRRRRAAAAAAWW.
Lawruthian quickly averted his eyes, the light of the sun appearing for a stark moment as it consumed the [Abandoned Roc-Mage Tower] that [Raid Boss: Zephyron — Thunderwing Lord] resided in. He stood on a large rock nearly a kilometer away from where the trap, his mother, and her army lay in wait. Next to him were the children of the Little Greats, and before them were the Imperius Army and her generals.
“It’s starting soon,” Helios stated the obvious. The twin of Selene tightly gripped his weapon. Instead of his usual dual-wielded blades, a powerful spear that radiated light lay in his hands. A shield of spartan nature remained strapped to his back—it, too, radiated the same light.
Ade Oni punched his two large gauntlets together and took a deep breath. He glanced toward Madria, who stood near the prince.
Lightning cackled across the sky, its sound like that of a witch’s laugh. In the far distance was a dust cloud created by Lord Caimen’s actions. All the children of the Six Great Families held various life saving artifacts and treasures that significantly boosted their strength.
Lawruthian looked at his peers, he wore a skintight suit and a golem only slightly larger than himself stood close by. A second smaller, human-looking golem stood not far off—its designation was Nubia Blackwater, the calamity-level Hero Golem Lawruthian crafted before his departure to Starglow Valley.
The moment it detected the prince, the Hero Golem left its previous position and appeared by Lawruthian’s side. It was not under the order of its golem controller but by its own instincts. Hero Golems were built to enter situations and adapt to them. It would not allow its master to be outside the range of its protection again. Said master opened his mouth to address the surrounding party.
“ Edryan is waiting for our return. She still needs her young leaders. Do not believe our roles will be minor, this is your opportunity— grasp it .”
Viviana chuckled, “…the warning is appreciated, but we all know what this battle means. Well, Ade may be too dense to understand.” Like her father, a grimoire orbited her. Unlike the traditional mages of the queendom, Viviana wore what appeared to be tree bark as armor.
“Don’t call me when you need saving, not much vegetation around.”
“I’m sure her father will fix that shortly, our only concern should be our battle formations. We’ve never fought with the Imperius Army before—let’s be careful not to get in the way of their formations,” Lorde responded. He was dressed as a typical knight—his silver armor reflected the dark sky overhead.
“Shall we hold a competition—just like when we were younger,” Selene stated. She held a ward plate in her hands and studied the formation on it carefully, not looking up as she continued talking. “Whoever kills the most and strongest beast should win something—how about Lawruthian decides.”
“Sister, this is not a-,” Helios started but was interrupted by Amaya.
“I like the idea. What should be the wager and how are we counting?”
Amaya’s magenta-colored eyes and hair seemed to have taken on a new shine to them. Her battle robes were similar to her elder sisters but with black highlights instead of the magenta.
Lawruthian chuckled and shook his head. “Hmmm, there is no lack of wealth among us nor do any of you lack magical items of sufficient strength.”
Lawruthian gestured to the several items the children of the heroes wore on their person. He put a hand to his chin as he contemplated. The eyes of the little greats on him. His mood seemed light, like there wasn’t an object in the world that could upset him. There was a confidence around him that all the Little Greats noticed. A confidence he lacked when they first arrived at Imperius Academy.
“What I will offer to this wager is one favor—one that only the [Chosen of Madris] can offer.”
If his words didn’t hold the attention of those around him before, they did now. Madria gazed at him curiously, there was a lot she wanted to discuss with Lawruthian. Especially after what her elder sister did. More than that, she felt a bit of frustration. She’d enjoyed the time they spent keeping one another alive. It brought her closer to him but also gave her unique insight into the [Chosen of Madris] and Lawruthian Edryani. Both are the same—both are different.
“No matter what it is, should it be within my power and not something of deceit or detrimental to Edryan, then it will be fulfilled.”
“Oh, a favor? I like it. However, should we lose this wager… then what shall you desire from us,” the question was voiced by Viviana.
Lawruthian’s response was quick. It was like he’d long ago thought about this. “Should I win this wager, then all I ask is that you fight by my side—join Imperius Army and help raise it to something that makes the world shudder.”
Selene finally looked up, a curious expression on her face. Her eyebrows were arched, and a slight smile appeared. “Are you planning another big event like the Class Base Constitutional Monarchy… or is it something involving it?”
Lawruthian met her eyes, the surprise in his undeniable. Once he recovered, he spoke. “You haven’t guessed wrong, but it’s not completely right either.”
Just as the conversation was about to continue, everyone sharply looked in the direction of the destroyed tower. An invisible wave passed through the air, detected only by those who wielded mana.
The blazing figure of Caimen Lordstar hadn’t halted once he began his retreat. Nearly thirty seconds passed since his attack. He hadn’t even slowed knowing what a calamity could do. Around them, regardless of who they were… the world felt… Hostile. It felt like the magic viewed them as enemies—no longer did they feel its embrace.
“It’s starting,” Lawruthian said. He moved to his suit as Ade jumped from the rock and to the ground below. Others followed and two golems, one piloted by Lawruthian, followed in the rear.
RRRRRRRAAAAAAWW.
A second piercing scream reverberated through the air. Its sound was still strong as it reached Lawruthian and his group. They quickly integrated themselves into the Imperius Army and waited for further orders.
A second explosion happened, but the members of the Little Greats no longer paid it any heed as the Imperius Army began to move. Had they, then they would have seen a giant bird rise from the ruins of its nest. With a single flap, it covered half the distance Lord Caimen created between the two of them.
[Raid Boss: Zephyron — Thunderwing Lord] arose from the ruins of its nest. Its wings barely flapped, but the wind carried it forward at extreme speeds. And, moments later, two large birds also emerged from the rubble of their home, calling cries escaping from their beaks.
Their cry seemed to trigger a reaction and hundreds, thousands, then tens of thousands of bird-like creatures rose from the surrounding area. They followed in the wake of Zephyron and his mates.
Lawruthian stood next to Alexandria, the frown on his face hidden as he used a pair of binoculars to view the ongoing chase.
“Zephyron has three mates according to the intelligence presented by Mariam correct?”
“Yes, all three have been rising calamities for the past forty years. Zephyron, of course, is much older, as he took residence in the tower shortly after his master died.”
“Who would have thought that a tamed beast would rise into a calamity.”
“[Grand Magi — Rokkun] always doted on his pets, Zephyron was the favorite of them. It’s reported that the amount of high-quality magical ingredients he fed is enough to establish a county. Unfortunately, he perished in the battle against Azznar’Rou,” Alexandria responded.
Lawruthian nodded, he put the binoculars down and a long, sheathe blade appeared in his hands.
“Spread my words, battle is imminent, but we hold enough time for a small prayer to the Goddess for protection and guidance.”
Alexandria nodded, and a moment later she gave the go-ahead to Lawruthian.
“ She of Three Faces, I call upon you. I call to you our Sage, whose Wisdom resounds throughout the world.
Bestow us with your guidance, so that our arrows may aim true.
Bestow us with your fortitude, so that our minds remain stable.
Bestow us with your sight, so that our decisions shall only lead to victory.
Grant us the light of your Wisdom, so that our hunt shall possess success. She of Three Faces, I call upon you. ”
Lawruthian’s prayer was heard in the hearts of every person present in his army, and their confidence soared knowing he was in their midst. Yet, just as their prince was opening his mouth to give a few final words of encouragement, he paused as a voice responded to his prayer—silent to all but him.
‘ Hmph, Is It Now That You Know Of Me? Yet, You Are Calling Upon The Wrong Domain. It Is I Who Governs War—Even Against Beast, That Factor Remains. ’
Lawruthian seized up, and Alexandria looked at him in concern. “Your Highness, is there anything…”
She couldn’t ask him if he was ok, but the way the golem suit that encompassed Lawruthian locked itself made her concerned.
It took a few moments for him to answer. The chase of Zephyron and Lord Caimen continued, and the [Grand Magi] dodged bolts of lightning and sharp wind blades.
“I’m fine,” he said, but it was clear his attention wasn’t present.
Lawruthian took a deep breath, and once recovered, he responded to the voice that spoke to him. It was one that was far too familiar. This wasn’t the lighter voice of the Sage or the haughty, rich voice of the Lavish.
This was The Challenger.
‘ I… You…, ’ Lawruthian attempted.
‘ Oh, To Have Offered A Prayer, Yet Lack The Faith And Conviction A Worshiper Should Have… Hmm, Well, Sage Can Decide On Whether To Answer Or Not. You Did Invoke Her Name. ’
This voice was one Lawruthian found far more familiar. It was the voice of the Lavish.
‘ It Is My Decision Alone On Whether To Answer My [Chosen]. His Prayer Is Lackluster… But He… Will… Learn. ’