COI C264

“Where will they go in this treacherous place? Surrounding by beings who will never understand your race. For how much will all of us suffer from the past few cycles, there is no hope to escape it. No one will care except their own. Thus, we are here. Yet, we were betrayed. Is this really a rescue or a sacrifice? I’ve come this far, only succeed to have a few from the thousands. I say, we learn so much then went dull of the repetition. Their powers are the test of beyond us, slowly being diminished as we learn. They were cursed by the influence, leading us to a one-sided advantage. In the end, their pasts are as strong as this realm, the East Coast”

Lady Constantine read the letter from her guild group, the Urbanites, a known group but forgotten by name as their guild as a whole mocked. The Unworthy Guild is one of the founders of Enders Bridge and much older than all the guilds in Enders Bridge combine. Holding by her hand is the holy book, she opens the book only left in scriptures broken into parts while as whole and lost key chapters with the gospels within the pages. She reads one of the verses:

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered,

“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3 Then Jesus told them this parable:

4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent”

Words come out from her with amazement and at the same time wonders. After reading the verse, there are missing verses after.

“. . . Lost coin . . .rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Then she squanders off about the tales of sons and fathers. Leaving no correct details whereas the words have lost from the original copy. Lady Constantine closes the holy book and comment about it

“The gospel of Luke, this is his answer to save them. Even before the citizens, there are also Circostons. He can only find one by the hundreds, and he cheers it”

One of her men called out to her

“Mi’lady, the elder from Raker Mawn Guild is wished to see with you”

“She is one of the faithful, my apology if we can’t recognize you”

“It’s fine, my great granddaughter is here to see you”

The young girl, just only few years old is looking up at the Lady. Within her tiny hands is a piece of paper, glowing out as it shines in an aura. She shows it to her. The elder lady explains

“My little great granddaughter is telling you that Tabitha finally meets with your comrade in arms”

Lady Constantine almost laughs from that nostalgic name “Comrade in arms, I’ve always remembered they are comrade-at-arms”

The elder lady smiles as she brings her great granddaughter to her arms. The young girl still shows to the guild mistress seriously wanting to give it to her. The lady shakes her head out of embarrassment and receives it. The drawing was mostly scribbles, but the aura reveals hidden within as it shows more than just a child’s art. It links to one of the elder lady’s family members. Her eyes forgot about the woman who joined the Urbanites. She covers her mouth

“Ahem* Apologies, I’ve never would guess you have relatives joining the East Coast”

The young girl is not done yet, she pesters her and showing more than just one of them. This shows a specific young woman who is always being fond with her. Lady Constantine just nods

“Oh, her. Don’t you worry, your friend is fine”

The young girl wasn’t convinced and gives an angry look at her then quickly turns around and lying her head on her great grandmother’s shoulder. Lady watches them looking at the view beneath the West Coast. The elder lady asks

“Is it too late? They have already blundered the hidden ships”

Near the Enders Bridge, there is a coast at the outskirt border between Isekai city and the shores from Rune Isles. The Enders have secretly hide it with the help of the elves. The elves have already been searching deep within the ship, as one of them comes out with an item. Elyrion shows components easily seen as Dexter Guild’s tech. It wasn’t, he explains

“These wirings are not old, they are from Isekai City”

“It is?! Would it mistaken you to be from my rivals?”

Elyrion carefully looks at it as there is no patterns and logos by the color of black and green. He is not mistaken, it is from Isekai City.

“If it is them, then my brothers told me they are going to the east. The east coast. I’ve my watchmen saw your people stepping inside. And the last one is from your guild, my old friend”

The elder lady waves her hand from his flattery

“Your old friend had passed, my dear”

“It is fine, but we have a problem. Lady Constantine, they took that would take out a demon”

“You mean the ancient weapons”

“Yes. I think they are going to test it at the East Coast”

Depths of the ruin is reacting to their presence. The structure is going up from the sea bed as fast as it floating up. The hyper speed is over leaving their body in full fatigue. They drink their stamina potions as they hurry to rescue Tabitha’s team.

“It’s too late, they are out cold and asleep. It will be hard to get them to drink”

“Look at the fine devil we have over here. It’s Mina and the gang of misfits”

“Lord almighty, if they are here then the caves were”

“Forget about that! This place is going out of its mind. The two tides are hitting us at the middle here”

“If all of you going to cry out of your lord, then carry your bloody crosses to your deaths!”

The man catcher watches his men controlling the issue in this chaotic moment. The tired man shouts out his last words to the rest. He picks Mina up and readies himself going down to the depths. Others followed, picking each of them their weight of group. Tired, and luckily to carry two in each of them including three adult women.

“God preserved us, save us all again in this treacherous place”

While he carried both Juela and Tabitha. The man catcher said to McS4

“You’re not going to help?”

“I am, I’ll be taking the front”

“Good. Men! To the last camp of our chapter”

They cheer out from their fatigue breath.

Lies down as they see the structure slowing up and the rest of the levels of crystals staying afloat drops down like trickling rain drops. The small shards drop on to them bounces off as the banner ringing its bells for their protection. The exhaustion, the end of the hyper speed, and dared to not use again as they gaze around the falling old world as if it never destroyed. Down below they can see how she had protected this city clean. The last reminiscence of her legacy will turn into a battlefield.

The man catcher whispers Delilah’s true name

“Sarah Mae, be true of your motives as since these people arrived. You were a little soft. Now we can see why, like the one Enders from Raker Mawn Guild. You have the woman perfectly carrying your legacy. The mother being gifted by her children and sent you their regards”

While it was soft whisper to himself, Delilah hears it as if it was announcement in her ears. Encouraging little speech made her feel mixed. No blood related at all among them, but he is certain. Then she lies wait down to the depths.

The two tides shifted down as the powerful torrents are going down. Opening from the top dropping all the crystals into hailstorm. Clashing down like meteorites on impact as it destroys the platforms they’re standing on. The Man Catcher gives them the order

“Prevail! My fellow faithful. Don’t stray away the path we have given to”

They march as they jump the first platform falling down, washing down with strong current water pushing it deep into the abyss. The men desperately go through as others slip and fell from the two oceans collide into a tide.

“Steady! These people must not fall. Give heart, and push”

They marched to the next platform. It happened again.

“AGAIN!”

They pick themselves up again and continue onward. Another tries, but one man dropped Sakura from his grasp. Sakura fell to the cliff, but was catch by the man catcher’s tool and grabs her by the waist and swing her up and down to the next man with open arms.

“I got it, Sir!”

The man catcher picks up who fell down

“Don’t give up, ‘till your last breath. Strengthen your bold will and carry on”

McS4 is on the front didn’t look back. He listens their struggles as the force of nature is getting difficult to move against two tide battling. In the middle of the tides, his sensors on his helmet couldn’t analyze it clearly. The influence and Delilah have this common source of mana. They’re using the mana they have reserve from the Fall Era. A reservoir of mana kept hidden to the last drop, possessing exceptional destructive mana. Ancient mana secretly mixes with the ocean water. This is a fine discovery how they hid away from the Jigeram’s light.

Their banner is powerful enough to protect them from harm. It only shields them in a limited range. Because the entire platform shred itself apart, there is no certainty they could safely descend down to their hidden camp. When McS4 left in their protective range. His power armor is in complete high in energy, resisting the crystals and at the same time receiving hidden mana energy to help him re-energize some of his systems without issue. He is able to get a reading in their surroundings.

Multiple life signatures beneath them are coming up along with the platform. He sees R-cord’s position in a range as if he is preparing to snipe them down from afar. The readings change as the life signatures are closing up to them. It changes colors as it slowly blending in the atmosphere of the influence. McS4 tries to get the signal from R-cord, no responds. Finally, he remembers R-cord’s warnings. This is the first time he could ever understand who is tapping in Tabitha’s telepathy, better yet, who is able to hide passed their scanners.

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“Enemies are approaching”

McS4’s call to the man catcher’s men as they look down where the rising structure is reaching to their level.

“Sir! We can’t face them with these people carrying our backs”

“Throw them at the man heavy armor. I know his runes has strength”

“I can’t let me do that, the spell . . .”

“A soldier questions my orders? Let alone not knowing well who are our enemies. Men, throw a few members of his team. He will take a lesson to learn their conditions carefully”

When they almost do it, suddenly the man catcher quickly cancels his orders. McS4 is preparing his weapon, and it is warming up in most intimidating way.

“Cancel my orders, he looks ready to kill”

They see his threatening appearance, and immediately going

“Sure, take care of fighting . . .”

They jump to the other platform. Leaving only four of them along with McS4 to face their enemies. The enemies are the citizens themselves persuaded by the influence. Corrupted and refreshed after being absorbed by the influence, they are shown to be stronger than last time they met. One of them sees the new guy. He sarcastically remembered

“Oh right, you’re the guy the warned us about”

“He looks like he is cosplaying those mech soldiers”

“I’m not saying we shouldn’t be worried about. I’m saying we should . . .”

They quickly charge in

“ATTACK!”

as they scream as they fight. One of Benedictus’ men able to push the enemies off the ledge.

“Oh, how I forgot these people shouts before they make a move”

A scream coming from the ledge as the man pulls himself up.

“. . . And this poor fool is still screaming”

Powerful attacks as the corrupted citizens possessed beyond their control. Only the four of them and McS4 against a gang of eight men. The banner left their protection as the rain of crystal shards sting their exposed flesh.

When another attack begins, one of the Benedictus raises a scroll. Unseal from its string and release a field to seal them together. Stopping them leaving the fight. One man looks at McS4 focusing on their enemies

“Okay, you know we’re ready to slam ourselves on the floor with these bags on our eyes. Let us deal with these dried corpses of bottom feeder before we go to bed”

“I have still ally somewhere down there. Considering there are more enemies down there, it would be easier to get some samples by these numbers”

Lights comes out from his visor and some of their enemies reacted immediately to cover their eyes. McS4 whistles at how they know what it supposed to do, instead, he brings out his flamer. The Benedictus’ men back a bit. Archscience flames with holy grounds together. Unheard of both faith and archscience divided because of the name of their guilds. One of them says his remarks with uncertainty

“Please, be this guy won’t burn us to the stake without saying holy fire”

They turned toward him raising their eyes at the situation

“Making jokes after all we’ve been through?”

“My last laughs, my friends”

They laugh then roar their battle cries facing the strength of the demons’ puppets.

On the enemy side.

“This doesn’t look right, there is someone in heavy armor resist the realm’s nullification”

“There’s nothing to worry about, we can’t die like the rest of those idiots. Our bodies will pull back begin with”

One of them trembling on the knees as they see Benedictus again.

“But they seem to be allies”

“Just follow the orders. We’re not going to lose to them. We have the knowledge and powers”

“He’s right we have no ideas what he is going to do. Even trying to be bluff. They’re pretty confident even while they are tired”

They begin to use their magic defenses. The Benedictus sees them are using actual spell. The aura they emit is as strong as they remembered from the tales from Agatheus City. They didn’t hesitate and quickly charged in before the spell is cast. One of them takes the first strike as the enemy citizens made his first dodge. Distancing away that no normal fighter to move like that, and even bounces back as they reach the edge of the magic field. The enemy uses this advantage to rubber band himself back to the front. Raises up his weapon landed down onto them.

The strike was blocked easily but the pressure the citizen lands are strong enough for the tired Benedictus to parry him from his failed stance. The citizen’s momentum continues to push himself forward as he gets quickly cornered by the others. The rest of the citizens are pushing forward as they see the man off from his feet. The man is too tired to keep going lighten his footing and tries to bait them away from his companions.

“Well, getting afraid again with my rusted sword, have you?”

The citizens were easily provoked because the look of his sword is already broken down after fighting against the mechanical spiders at the ruin. His overconfident face was intimidating enough for a few of them to focus on him. While the others moving to help their companion from being surrounded. The man mocked them further

“Is that it? You’ve all can’t even handle one man. Hiding your pants with gems sticking into your lower half won’t give that shiny bush will hide your . . .!”

They immediately attack him as he steadies his sword at their wrists.

Counter after counter with only the dent blade to carved on their thick-skinned hands, reinforced by the influence’s magic. Multiple attempts as they push forward with their wind magic phasing through each other at their one target. The man focuses on the edge of his tipped weapon, blocking them and pointing his edge at their hands. He moves as fast as he could, blurry eyes couldn’t see the speed coming in his way. But the weight carries by their weapons easily recognize his movements to guide himself at their handles. One by one, in desperate succession. He disarms them with every strike they mustered.

His rusty sword breaks as the last one who attacked got hit by the broken sword flying into his face. The man sees the runewords of his sword fly away pushes forward to phase through their wind magic. The corrupted citizens regain their physical body as their hands wounded from his broken sword. The last one got hit on his face as the burns of the runewords branded him. The powerful rune magic hurts him so much as the rune pierces through his head, eventually pulls away from the battle and sent back where he came.

They were surprised, but the man wasn’t. Already down to his knees as the exhaustion kicks in bringing out his stamina potion. He drinks it only a drop on the tip of his tongue. It was strong enough to pull him back to his feet. The citizens couldn’t hold themselves from asking

“What did you do?”

“Learn to use mana types”

He falls down again as the three holds the citizen down to his knees. They brought out a spear and impale him at the back. The use of their divine weapons, they control the mana of the citizen and redirect it at their enemies. A spear head thrown by the size of a ballista aiming at the citizens.

They catch it and forced it back at them. A counter attack pushes the Benedictus down to the ground. The man sees his companions getting beaten after his effort to distract them

“I knew this won’t be that easy. Being dead tired is really going to be the death of us”

The citizen who got impaled pulls out the spear behind his back. The shock of his eyes as he being used as a weapon.

“These fuckers are using me as a cannon”

“That’s your damn fault to let yourself at them. Did you forget we possessed the neutral mana?”

“Don’t complain yet. We aren’t settled to deal with their magic circle”

“He’s right, we’re still trap”

“Wait a minute, what about the guy in the armor?”

They look around as the circle turned yellow, molten yellow. The fight was short but it is enough to let all that mana flow out from them. Fueling up McS4’s weapon with no hesitation to let it out in a strong heat.

“SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!”

They are panicking, trying to fight an enemy they barely know. The molten fire melted the mana they have as their body deformed down into puddles. McS4 was at their back, facing down his flamer on the ground absorbing their mana then sends it to the ground. They are being pulled into as they struggled to fight back.

The mana is being drained out of them. Their inhuman bodies show no sign of them in pain. Possessing nothing but the influence’s power, their only presence are their souls pulling them into the flamer as they’re being used as fuel to the flames of his weapon. Bubbling heat comes out as the air turned stale and poisonous. The Benedictus’ man steps aside as they watch him controlling the platform. The field enforced by McS4’s control, reaching out to the other platform connecting them by the use of the molten flame.

As McS4 tries to link both together, it begins to crumble as it pulled down before it gets link. The Benedictus couldn’t do anything but watch the crumbling platform they stand and the other side fall. One of them was annoyed from what is going to happen next

“Thrown down to the abyss! What rotten luck at this crucial moment”

They fall down leaving no strength left for them to move out. McS4 kneeling to where he lands his flamer, the ground crumbles then exploded beneath him, and thrown somewhere that they couldn’t see him falling directly down to the abyss. Again, the man mumbled

“Great, fortunes favor the bold. God almighty, protect us”

The man catcher hears a loud explosion coming from above. It rains molten mana down along with the crystal shards. Where he sees debris falling down leaving no remains where both his men or his enemies were not destroyed, yet. The drop of it touches on the platform as it begins to sizzle in the mana of the platform. He warns them

“This is? Men keep going, this is foreign mana”

Many didn’t know, especially the Dexter Guild. The mana in this realm is truly weak on the platforms. Preserved for so long and sensitive to any exposure of different mana manipulation. This is how Circoston invaders are breaching in so easily. Sarah Mae and the influence have wildly used their magic on the structures, no control, and others who are strong will take it when have the chance.

Constant fighting, and loosely spread mana everywhere. They will not expect how at this depth will crumble themselves down to the bottom. Where they found Sarah Mae herself from one of their companions, it was no fluke why she joined the journey at the East Coast. There is a legend from her that this city they stand escaped from the destruction of the central region of once called Pangaea continent. Words got from her represents the message of Sarah Mae herself.

“She never wanted to be part of a union”

That’s when her old acquaintances, friends or foes, are here secretly getting her people to join their cause. At that very end of history, only left from this man’s knowledge is they are refuge at Kinteinnou region. That’s all. Sarah Mae’s enemies are still out there waiting to get her children again. Their enemies, the defectors of Isekai City, have become the hostiles they should’ve save since the beginning. The Benedictus still hope they can bring them out to the last moment of their revelation. Those enemies will never be saved even the influence is removed or not. It is their will whether to abandon or to atone.

“Sir! It’s them!”

A speak of a devil or two. They found a large group of defectors waiting at the entrance of their hidden camp. Shielded to any forms of magic created by the influence. The gate itself is impervious of their own might. Enclosed by the same divinity they have set camp for the 4th time. It is ironic of how it falls many times because of mutiny and betrayal. Once again, they set foot at the front, another goes to face new beings of the citizens. The demons’ puppets.

The young man sees them carrying group of unconscious women and one boy.

“I see the men still sway to our sides once again, old man”

“Greetings again, are we going to insult each other for a fight. Or talk about how godly your master is”

The young man smirks

“I was exactly, but I never dream of you able to put those metal spiders back at the crystal wall. They’re fast and yet, you all pulled it off as they scattered in fright”

“Overconfident again, I see? I see. It is not a problem for not understanding . . .”

“Understanding what? You and those warriors are no different when it comes to your abilities”

He casts his spell projecting what happen at the ruin. The monsters were freed in the dozens. The Circoston invaders were carefully pushing back separating their groups in half as the others who go down first reached to the depths. Those same monsters are boldly fought them to the thirst and hunger for mana and flesh. It was soon change when they came holding the powers of the hyper speed and the realm include to enforce it further without interruption. They know and also the man catcher figured it out.

Both of them answered.

The Man Catcher: “It is impressive you lots finally take action”

Young man: “You finally show your true powers after all you’ve failed from the long fuck ups”

The young man continued

“Shut the crap and let me talk first. There is no way how you guys are been failing many times and still going to save us. If Wilson was here, he should’ve been the idiot to finally change sides. Not him or anyone else is innocent”

“. . .”

“Can’t say anything after me speaking the truth. It took you long enough to understand what really happened here. Since the first day coming here. The people you’re trying to rescue are cowards and heard the news about Isekai City is functioning like a real modern city for once. They are trying high tailed this place the moment those guys come back. Spit* Why not entrusting ourselves with those demons? I heard the one who summoned us have prepared a nice gig at Agatheus City. If we can help them regain the status of Heroes Faction again then we can be part of the inner realms”

“Those stories again? I’ve heard that many of times. Why telling us about it again?”

“I’m not talking to you. I’m talking those kids finally remembered after freeing from that curse. Just join the cause, and it will give back your memories and more”

“Treating them as idiots? The demons have always taken away their lives from them and using it as their bargaining chips. You think it still work”

“Well duh, it works. Our world is not black and white. We are more complex than that. You’ll see why we have to do drastic measure to help each other out. Meaning setting one of them as an example”

“My apologies, there is no proof that it will work. I’ve come a long way to get here and we received help”

“You still don’t know. This is the most critical dates for anyone regaining their mana back . . . Why am I explaining it to you? You said you already heard this story many times. Let’s end this here. Give us our people and the rest inside the camp. Your life and even your men above of us would be spared after coming this far”

“Playing games with the devil will never end. Even how many times we’ve warned you since the beginning”

“Fat chance, old man. You have your chance, four times. Everyone is doubting for going home. The city has changed and no one is going to welcome them back who is part of the defection. All they want to have their own life free from the mundane life they have. Even the idea of going back home after what our country did to us. I see this world is in ruin, but we have the technology and knowledge to bring it back again”

“Hmm, now I can see the resemblance”

“What are you talking about?”

“A legend that your people don’t know. Listen up, here. Countless mortals have come to this place is not for the search of paradise. On the contrary, this is an escaped world where ideas taken shape and developed. The truth is, you’re not the only ones who had that same idea. Better or worse, this world’s history already blown out of proportion. Look around you, are these ruins are advance enough to be called ‘modern’? Did you not saw these women have travelled this far to save their people?”

The corrupted citizens retaliate. The banner shields them from their hidden magic. The young man and the rest of his men draw out their magic. With their memories intact and the strength of their spells stronger as before. The Benedictus never have seen these destructive powers among them. They all hurdled up together and said

“These people who carried the Sarah Mae’s magic, they are probably the only group could match against them”

“Sir, we need to use the divine judgement. Our lives will end here if those fools continue”

A strong gust of wind devoured Sarah Mae’s water current. Their presence with the influence has drawn out in such combined force. The Benedictus are boldly resisting to fight as judgement is calling to them from life and death. A sigh on the man catcher’s face as disappointment ensues as they begin to fight once more. Ever growing strength from the enemy side while they remained the same in their presence. One of them at the back softly say their prayers.

“Lord, give mercy to those tried harm among brothers and sisters. Carry them from this wretched world to seek your judgement. We stand here today, again we ask of you, and hope we saved them once more. Let your love drawn patience as someday they will come back to you with sorrowful arms in need of found. Your words may not reach our hearts as we ask for forgiveness. Our body is exhausted. No strength left except your will shall be done. To the last you hear us pray, may we see what the holy book was as it once whole. Amen”

A banner drops next to the unconscious team. Shielding them as the man catcher’s men go out from its protective barrier. Exposed by the influence and the rain of dust from the crystal shards. The light darkens set into the night. Where the glowing light shine like the stars only gives a spec of it. Revealing themselves as their origin from their bloodlines. The young man sees their auras matching from the Circoston invaders. The thought of his head blurred out of hate. He shouted at them

“Lying son of a bitch!! The same people who have hunted us down. Your men are from Circoston!”