COI C255

The caves are collapsing, many passages fell to the cliffs as more keep falling. The edge of the cliffs finally gives in and tore a huge chunk of it.

“Scatter! you beetle headed naves”

“Let it come, collect these worthless stones and build it right back up. We are nearly there”

A banner throws to the top, the sounds of bells carry with it. The rains of seawater hear its soft bells then ripples itself off from its slimy fumes. Cleansing as it drops to the ground flowing like any water. Waterfalls begin to appear above their heads whereas the voices shout out to their men

“Send this water down, and use it to make a barrier with their ice magic”

The first man comes out on top, carrying a really old man catcher tool. Well-armored in leather and some protection looted were most of his wear and tear clothing already give in during the months for being here. He grabs the banner and rings the small bells.

“Rally! The purge must settle into those abominations”

One by one, only a handful worth climb up with their light equipment on. Carrying with their deadly weapons bold to wield its blunt force, carved in runewords. The heavy iron they carry, they begin their search.

It was not long as they destroy the entities by the sound of the young girl. They marched where they can only find the last base close to the center of their old altar. It is sealed in iron as it always been. One of them touches the door and sees the vision that watches over who use this place. The vision appears a projection before them. A call of a symbol of black and green emblem before them. The man with the man catcher never thought that they finally come here at the most critical time.

They open the door as they feel the chains not made by the citizens. Its familiar spell shows significant care not ruining the door. The man didn’t push any further after seeing its careful defense. A small gap, easy for him to see. There he sees through many of them are in a deep sleep. One of few were able to wake up. They notice a man who are peeking through.

“The man catcher! Have you found out who brought the monsters here?”

“Indeed, they already gone this way. Your people are still under our care”

“Oh, thank you, but there is some Enders come here. They have brought news about the two people who teleported that day. They are alive!”

The men heard it again. They remained themselves silent as the man catcher answers the people inside.

“What great news. Please take care inside we still busy clearing this place”

“Yeah, thanks again”

The door shuts as one of his men told him “For how long will they keep repeating the same line? This is no regret that forced them back to the beginning”

“By the words of god, man catcher. The others are down to the depths. We almost found the demon who brought them here. This is the only way to free them”

“We already done that. Since their first victory, miracles done its work and never happened again after that. The demon returned with every chance it gets”

“But now, you all already see they are neutral. It is a great time with little will they have. To personally leaves this place with every scar they carried here”

The man catcher responds in cold tone. He walks pass his men and said one more time

“We got betrayed, used, and until now ignored as those people who are seeking our help. Lady Constantine should clearly learn how to pass on law and order to these refuges, but they are lost lambs to the wrong shepherd. Those scars are them who made it. We heal our scars and move on. Their hopes to escape have broaden to this very cycle”

“You heard the news, Man catcher”

“News, probably it won’t reach here clearly because of that emblem we previously saw, right men”

They look at each other then nods

“The tracks are still fresh. We will meet with them today. After coming here from the large deep trench. I’d say, we might go to the ruins of Del’Montra Esteval”

“The tide city”

“Its extinction still holds under the rubbles. There will be the only place it won’t submerged like here”

They begin marching. When they made it to the old altar, they found a hole freshly dug. The banner able to remove the seawater diluting what left of this place. They check on it as they found wound marks.

“Man catcher, our rival had touched the altar with their artificial flesh”

“Dare they did. It is pointless to say to be insulted they visited here. They must have taken the descendants’ cloth of Sarah Mae”

Falling debris fell on top of them. The altar unleashes protection on them as it clashes down to the ground. Its powers persist only to shelter who knows its power before it is in ruins. The altar shares its last strength then finally sinks down as the hole formed. They move aside knowing its going to sink into the abyss.

One of his men prays for this farewell

“Mercy to the fallen, as you will find them as they ask for forgiveness when they returned, O Lord”

They slowly moved on as they look at the hole where the altar falls. Many silently say their prayers as their next voyage go deep into the lost tide city of Del’Montra Esteval.

Mina and her friends are lost deep thoughts to see the valley of this cavern. The cave they go through was supposed to be heading north west where the goblin outposts were. Because how they sank into the shore then to the sea. It is hard to believe that they are actually here looking as if they are in a different world where the sky turned beneath the salty water, and below is where the air is the lower layer of the atmosphere. It was hard to tell from this strange environment. They turned around and sees the slime and horrid air leaks out from the cave. They won’t be coming back without proper protection.

R-cord and McS4 have scouted ahead. Many life signatures all over the cavern, carrying the images of Circoston origins. This place is too dangerous. They still able to find refuge. The sun grazes at the lone tower. Not man made, but tall hill with no signs of life. They go there with caution. To the very peak to the top, there they can see a banner resembles of the Dexter Guild’s rival. A portrait banner shows a large frame of their Guild Mistress. Tabitha tilted to see the sight of her. She softly points it out

“That banner looks like Lady Constantine”

Silfa asks “You know her?”

“Barely”

Juela explains “It is more like she took interest of her when they first met. You should know better, Tabitha. The base also has her banner too”

“But it is just a normal banner”

“It is the banner of the Unworthy Guild”

Tabitha tries to remember the banners in comparison. The first one is fully ragged with dirt almost covers the outlines of its symbol. This one appears clean after they arrived and witness its change. The presence it provided into the shallowness where they are not welcomed. This is the same effects around them. Silfa feels the banner a little too close as she reminded someone who uses this kind of spell.

“Is it me, or do I have a feeling I recognize this spell”

McS4 asks “Like who exactly? This banner releases the emptiness of their resolves. Their doubts and broken morale collected here”

Mina asks “What did he say exactly, Aoi?”

“I think he meant absorbing bad energy. But it seems gives off one instead of gather it”

R-cord takes a closer look at the banner. At the front is just banner with a portrait, but when he turns it around. He finds the materials made out of. It has tailoring made from Circoston.

“I should’ve guessed it. This is a conversion ring”

This shocks Juela as she remembers “The same ones when Archivist’s parents defected to Enders Bridge”

Tabitha goes silent to hear her said defected. Archivist told her he was from Circoston. But mentioning his parents defected is new to her.

Tabitha’s team was forced to stop continuing exploring this cavern valley. As their plans are always letting McS4 and R-cord to survey the area first. Because of how wide this is, it is very dangerous for them to be travel around where enemies might spot them. Where they are at the top, they hope no one will find them here. Kenta watches them jumps off and lands the ground with their power armor. McS4 and R-cord splits up and quickly disappears into the thick slime on the unknown seawater.

“Wow, we didn’t even see it. That freaky water really stinks when you breathe it”

“We don’t even know how it works here, Kenta. You know why no one will ever go here because of the strange environment”

Toba sits down as everyone sees Juela is making breakfast. The look of their eyes where foods are prepared looks delicious. Mina receives a bowl from Juela.

“Let’s eat first. I know you people didn’t have decent meals in such a long time”

They sit down and see a real tasty meat. Tenderly soft as it was marinated to prevent it to spoil.

A pot is placed without any need of fire to warm it up. The spice holds the heat and only add water to wash out the over marinating meat. Its thick marinate is too much and can be use again thanks to its high preservation ingredients. Through water, its fatty finally free from the solvent texture between them. She pours it to Mina’s bowl then the rest of her friends. Silfa and Tabitha bring their own bowl and added rice, vegetables, and some glass of juice. They give the extra side dishes to them.

The preparation is finished leaving them to feel like they are in a picnic. Mina takes the first taste of rice and some meaty stew after. The mix of familiar and new taste drove her to eat more than she had given to her grumbling stomach. Others follow as they finally feast that they never have taste in such a long time. Aoi was teary to taste normal food for once. The food they have eaten where mostly found inside the roots. The rest are the food supplies from the Benedictus with only bread and dried meals. Their stale taste finally finds fresh and sweet.

Juela finishes her meal while the others continue feasting. It is very painful to watch them suffer and eat what they have forage here. Through R-cord’s monocle, it is more given how much weight is to see inside their body. The nutrition factor inside in each every one of them are filling the needs with the use of mana. Excess mana usage with rot into the core if they can no longer use their magic. The monocle gives more than she had expected. Tabitha calls out to her as Silfa points out where she found.

“Juela, bring R-cord’s monocle here. He messaged me to look over there”

To the northwest, from where they supposed to go there if they didn’t notice about this. Using their own abilities, they zoom into what they saw. A group of people, both humans and goblins. This combination warned them about this kind of group. None of them wearing any armor, what they carry are long robes and loose clothing. They are definitely nomadic, and the weapons and equipment they brought are bunch of trinkets carrying along as ornaments to their weapons. Juela says to them

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Those aren’t the people we must not face against. They are well equipped just as us”

Silfa sees the monocle has tools to help them identify them.

“Then why not use the remaining energy of the monocle to see what they got”

“You’re right, Silfa. Juela, we can recharge it since we’re not going anywhere”

The monocle rays down to the group of men and goblins. When it is about to reach them, one of them bends the light and reflected away. Under a short notice, a lot of them react and trace the light it leads to, upward. Limitless steps through the valley, they spread and form formations creating flanks, fronts and back rear assaults under few people each. When they clash to the bottom where Tabitha’s team at the top. The wind blows on them then quietly turns back, as they feel the emptiness of this place.

Tabitha, Juela, and Silfa almost panic from their reaction. R-cord’s monocle displays a message before them.

“Exposed by the use of my monocle. Be careful to use it. Circoston invaders are different in their warfare. They have instinct to know who are watching them. Did your partner never mention about their tricks, Tabitha?”

Both Juela and SIlfa looks at her if she really knows it. Tabitha honestly tells them

“I have, but not having a group like that. Wow, they just stop there when they about to climb up”

“I’m for not having to fight them” Silfa raises her hand at her own accord.

“Hey, if you’d like to see where they go. You can use this” Mina surprises them and gives them her magic item. Small beads, none of them know what it is use for. The beads channel itself and turn into a dark gem. The clear center points a strong vision in perfect view. They are able to see them removing all the auras and mana surroundings.

Silfa asks “Where did you get these?”

“The hunter gives it to me. He said he’ll be back, and me and my friends have to carry his stuff when he is gone”

“Where is he now?”

“He’ll just find us eventually”

“Uh, huh”

Silfa turns to Juela “Did Voldemyr has these kinds of beads”

“Absolutely not, he has good eyes and senses. This hunter they mention really mixes up with him”

The beads had provided more than just see them at close. Its sharpness, contrast, and its details made it easily to see how they move. Sadly, they can only focus in their naked eyes. The Circoston invaders have extraordinary interaction on this valley made it far more efficient than them. 4 men and 12 goblins from Circoston origins, these invaders have a goal to reconquer Kinteinnou region. They have controlled the north coast to its entirety down to the east coast. Circoston region lacks dwarves and elves, both lacking the use of runes and elven magic. Yet, they are able to held firm with their past weaponry to compensate their lack of strong alternative magic.

Their weapons are called as divine. Magic items exceeding in Kinteinnou region. These weapons are the balance of all mana types. It may alter like archscience tech, but it didn’t have all of the mana type formed into one. Archivist is the example wielding two divine items. The coin and the sash. Lore driven to its purpose and only that without exceeding was it made to do. They are just one tool meant to one thing to another. The coin holds the spells and mana flow as solid environments, very dangerous and very useful to one who knows to go through as obstacles. The sash is only a third extension of the arm. Flexible and no limits of dexterity because of its cloth. Its weakness only affects the user as his third arm and not to as a weapon, unless it wields a weapon on its own.

To be able to witness them carrying an entire suit of it, from belts to accessories, and all come together to harmonize in one set. To give such an opportunity to watch them travel through the valley with their own eyes in a safe distance. They will finally learn how did Circoston’s invaders were able to take over the coasts. The men bend their environment through their gloves and shoes, manipulating into their control. The goblins blend into their bending as they camouflage themselves, the moment they go in. Through thickness of the watery fume slime, they moved faster. The way they move forward as if they are chasing something.

Faces covered in mask, protected from the toxicity of the vapors and fumes. They sink their heads to blend even further as mounds of water creating torrent as they reach to the uneven ground. Splashes all around as if water flows through like river. The land flooded by their abilities and their divine equipment. They quickly unleash large splashes going vertically upward. The water creates a hole showing the ruins buried on the sands. Holes after holes, the water clears off to see what hides beneath. They are fast, multiple tries as it is faster than the last. One of the men uses his divine item to capture an object in mid-air.

They found it. They are definitely eyeing it. The goblin grabs it and takes a look. Compressed voodoo doll at his hand, casts it down to the object. The aura it releases turned smoke. It drops to the ground molded into the slime. Tabitha and her friends thought they failed to track what it is. But after a closer look, they reacted really well and go straight in their search. The four of the men gathered themselves close in a small tight formation, synchronizing their moves to inflict down to the ground then pulls out in a large chunk of the dirt.

The dirt wall rises up. The dirt crumbles and reveal what’s inside. As it is revealed, the object explodes. The explosion was caught in mid-air with their divine item. Timely done as the goblins continue to push on their search. More traps revealed after the other, the closer they have set their foot on the stronger the traps are. The goblins are getting hasty and boldened from the dangers the traps have brought them. To the point as one of them nearly fall to the ground. The other goblins managed to save him and watches the ground continue to fall.

They walk back and see the ruins beneath. The cavern continues to sink whereas the ruins continue to rise up. The goblins giving gestures to everyone and they daringly dive down. Into the darkness, the emptiness of the abyss shows no light directly. The strange phenomenon mixed to the seawater and the falling fumes within. Only a slight arising ruins give clear view. This is the same foggy water that blocks their view. But thanks to the monocle, they can see through it by their heat signatures. Then they saw what they never expected.

The ruins erupt to the surface, then suddenly transform into a massive magic ring. The monocle describes a warning message

“Battlefield is open. Requires a powerful negating spell or any destructive magic to counteract this sealed dome”

The women are dead straight look at it as it portrays the idea if they fight them. Juela asks Tabitha

“Why didn’t they use it on us before going to the east coast?”

“Maybe they have different levels of their powers”

Silfa feels so familiar about that magic. This feeling of trauma trying to tell her she must fight forcefully. This drags her mind to the point she forgets unwillingly.

The young preteens have finished their meal, and see Mina and the older women watching at the monocle. Out of curiosity, Toba takes a look. The only thing she sees are the whirling seawater. Without the beads to see through clearly, they can only see the foggy water and heat signatures. They turn to look at the far distance. It didn’t give any of them any idea what’s going on. Kenta tries to call out to them. He stares at their eyes focused on it. He feels scared to try to.

The battlefield. Mainly purpose to fight their enemies at close combat. No more use of range and other escape abilities. It possesses powerful property for melees. To those who knows the rule of the battlefield will be under the conditions in fighting. To those who don’t, will be in the mercy to the challengers. These are the forgotten spells, ceremonial or duels, had made effective works to those who use it on people without its knowledge. Tabitha has Archivist. If he’s with her right now. It would be favorable for them to fight in that condition.

The Circoston invaders were able to weed out the people they found. Stragglers as their clothes dirtied by the debris scattered around by their bending. They were washed out from the exposure of the seawater. A handful of them, citizens are pulled out like rats from their holes. Gripped into their hands and magic rotted to the exposure of the seawater. They pulled out easily as their resistances are gone. They caught 14 people in total, including children. Tabitha recognizes one of the children. Flashes back in her head is one of the children who was under the care of her old friend, Magnet.

McS4 hears her telepathy out of her emotion “It’s them, it’s the kids who were displaced. Come on, me. Get a hold of yourself. They are just capturing them. Oh please, let them be alright . . .”

It keeps dragging on to his head as he no longer focusing at the battlefield. He calls out to R-cord

“Leader is out, I repeat, the leader is out”

“S4, S4 stay on the target. Orders will receive soon”

“Leader’s status is in low condition. I can still hear her saying out loud of her mind”

“Focus on the mission”

“Grr* Under her orders. We will not take any independent actions in this situation”

“Confirm”

The monocle starts to operate on its own, changing the view and added audio from their direction into R-cord’s position field of view. He looks at where they camp, the same tower like hill. He is at the north area of the hole as the Circoston invaders are at the south with their captives. Stepping closer to the danger zone, he goes into the hole as they see a glimpse the ruins inside. Barely anything recognizable from what they can see what civilization it was. He is able to climb back up. A goblin is at his direction. The girls froze, but the goblin turns away as he didn’t see him.

At from this distance, they can hear what their conversations.

“Humiskis, giving a chance because they brought wi humiskis with them. They must be sacrificial tools” The goblin points out to the children.

The other goblin smacks him “Aw sog off. They all be dead about last moon cycle. No one survives the dedz”

They observed the captives in each in everyone of them. The marks on their bodies prove something inside of them with influence. Each influence has their own dangers. This doesn’t fool among the men. For them to giving up this fast shows they have no chance to fight.

“It’s been a while to get your kind again here. Where’s your saviors? Did you abandon them like your people did?”

They stood silence and couldn’t answer. The young child boldly calls out to the man

“They didn’t do nothing wrong. Those bullies are the one who mess things up, and sob*”

She starts to cry as she is overwhelmed by her emotions. The woman caresses the child as the other children come and give her the warmth as their teary eyes covered around themselves.

The goblin speaks out to their human group “We mustn’t let them leave. The coward runs around and using these people as their shields. Those traps were not pathetic than the last time”

“Speaking clearly, you gobs. I have, and we all have know about it. These people are influenced. You see how the child acts so brave that no normal children should act that way after what we’ve done”

“Because I said it clearly. This is our chance to get that servant out from the enslaves. Or else what powers return after they sink themselves here”

“Our boyz said is right, we should!!! Lookout!”

They reacted the moment the goblin changes tone. The survivors attacked without warning. The woman who holds the children were thrown into disarray. An array sprung up near them and begin to perish the one who attacks. Both their bodies and souls turned to ash as the soul sinks down to the depths of the unknown. The remaining survivors were suppressed and only the woman who is holding the children are not forced down.

The goblin raises their weapons “You see that! They actually use their most powerful magic against us. Our lives will be endangered without that array”

12 goblins are enticing themselves as the tension grows. The 4 Circoston men see that there is only 6 people left. Three kids and three adults. Because of how they are thrown into their own deaths, the children react to the loses. Their powers are accidentally calls out. The woman holds them to her dear life saying

“Don’t! Please kids, don’t use your powers. AAH!”

The goblin strikes her as the kids tried to shield her.

A terrible magic force pushes the goblin away as the goblins can’t take this chance to attack them. The array is used up and they don’t take their chances. The two remaining adults use their powers to free from their suppression. They failed. The children had gone wild with their powers trying to push them away. It was unbelievably unstable. Where the man uses his divine item again to capture all three in a small sphere. Like the explosion sealed, this one he compresses them as their powers start to hurt themselves.

Holding them still as everyone is down to the pin of their last strength. The Circoston invaders look around to see any problems.

The goblin calls out to them “Take them down, they throw away all their fodders with only these cowards”

“The children . . .”

“Look what you are holding, those kids are releasing these massive powers that will ruin us all if you release them”

A crack opens coming from his divine item. The aura from those three kids is trying to break it through. This is not normal for the divine item to reach its breaking point. The goblin has to react and tries to kill them.

Something crashes down as it nearly hits the goblin. He steps aside as it hits to the ground. The sound of glass breaking and flashes of light with it. The light blinded them as their bodies feel the impulse going through their bodies losing their senses. One of the four men tries to bend it but failed because of its unnatural form of mana.

“It’s archscience!”

Struggling to say it properly, yet everyone knows it. They use their divine item to repel it. It partial stops it to reach their heads but leave them paralyze. After the blinds are gone, they see the remaining survivors disappeared.

Tabitha had made an order to them. McS4 and R-cord are both hiding. Able to bring the survivors out from harms way. R-cord hid within the hole. McS4 creates false trails for them to chase to. Those two will be busy for the diversion of those Circoston Invaders. Because of how ill prepared they are. The price of time for them to return is left to them what to do next. The monocle reverts back to normal and they watch the Circoston invaders take McS4’s bait. They were not easily fooled as they go to where McS4 is heading, west. Away from this cavern back into the caves. While the four men jump down to get R-cord.

It was hard to watch and more likely shock how those 8 people attacked recklessly. They witnessed their eyes glow as it was common from the beginning to have those bright eyes to show off their powers. It was pointless at the start as the Circoston invaders are all prepared. Tabitha and her team wait for the survivors to appear. The delay effects of the gem to teleported here is very crucial at this point. If it wasn’t McS4 creating the diversion, they might track back here, twice.

Mina said to them “I swear, they didn’t suppose to act that way. This happened all over again”

“Is this happened before?”

“Yes, many people were possessed. But never I’ve seen in many people at the same time. It would take some time to get them to give in . . .”

Mina turns to see the magic circle “. . . They might attack us if you bring them here”

Silfa snaps her out “Don’t panic, we will be able to handle them. You see how we manage this rescue”

Mina doubted but have to be believe in them “Alright, thank you”

The magic circle opens in the flash. All of them feel weak but able to move around. The young child looks at their direction. Her tears drop and flowing down her cheeks, continue to drip nonstop.

“Sensei!?”

Confused whether this woman she sees is real or not Tabitha responds

“Welcome back” Proudly crying to see the young girl again.

The child tenderly and stubbornly stood up and runs toward her, she trips herself then get back up out of sheer joy to see someone she knew is here. Another trip by her clumsy and tired step, a doll stops her from falling down then helps her run towards them.

The two finally reunites after the defection from Isekai City. Silfa watches the emotion garnered around to the point of cries heard across the camp. The woman holds the two children as she looks around to the first time as hope rekindles her. They were saved, not from the same people but new people for the first time. The two men sits at the ground never have been more relief they have ever been. One of them looks around at the new people, then looked at Mina’s friends.

It turns dark, Aoi sees the man she had met before. No words coming out as mixed feelings both saving them and fearing someone as he is here. Aoi is at the back, not letting a single one of them to notice her expression. She held her pocket charm for protection as she took a peek at it. The same glows that happened when she first met him. Fear empowers her and only she could do to react to it is to back away. Away from the man and goes to the other side. The man paused his expression almost give away a dangerous look.

Inside his head “So, they didn’t come back. You bitch!”