COI C270
“Since that day, I’ve devoted myself for the best of my experience. I was lucky to have Enders Bridge and its people to shoulder me my challenges. My new friends treated me well as my painful memories become a guide for my success. While my growth tested my abilities with the Dexter Guild. Soon, I lost my dependency on Archivist and yet, I shouldn’t be alone. This very place was the example. East Coast is not what I have imagined. Fighting my way here is difficult and it is tiring in the brink of exhaustion because of the spell I know nothing about. Myrrkei taught me before. He was right. Limited resources, the long journey, and there are times of defeat. I guess, I should be realistic”
“So much power, I am still weak at the end. Even those bastards stealing our people away from Isekai City. They still get their butt kicked. My ass, ugh! It’s been so long did I swear. There is nothing to do now when I have to commit to save them. That day, we thought there is no way we could save them. Somehow, they did. But I shouldn’t be expecting those assholes would let them go. Still, I have agreed what Haw’s former boss told me. The more I know the less I’ll be on my words, but now. Wilson’s note wanted revenge. I should be realistic”
“When Haw allow me to get inside the realm, and I thought he is completely following orders like he was at Dexter Guild. I guess I was wrong. Giggle* It should be fitting if it was Sanquin. Although, Tabitha changed for the better. The dangers of this realm had reached her limits how far with only support cards could muster. Silfa on the other hand follows along for a while now. Both of them are acting like us. Persuaded by sight from the people have become and turned on each other. There’s no difference back then. ‘Monsters’. Inside this dream, this gives us time to think along with the Benedictus. I heard them said being realistic. The real I can understand is. We are in the demon’s realm”
Yui receives a message from Sarah Mae herself. Her worried expression and at the same time being guilty by the presence of the 1st head. The feeling of an angry grandmother who only wants her relatives as visitors lead to non-blood related. Know nothing about manners, respect, nor etiquette. Her actual grandmother is here, smiling at her granddaughter being lectured.
“. . . Such a dangerous place and you didn’t bring what I ask like U’ecin to do”
“But I didn’t know we were related”
“Then take your lessons from Delikor’s family. Your ancestor Ankra is not pleased to have her memoir of her older brother protecting a non-blood relative”
Yui’s grandmother watches her granddaughter acting frighten from all what she listened so far. A smile on her face knew something about her is not genuine. A troublesome girl trying to catch attention from her mother, this behavior is as old as their ancestor Ankra. To be the second to the last child, from all of her jealousy toward her older brothers, only her older sister had developed troublesome nature. All the attention she gets made her feel comforted, in the wrong the way. The flawed personality reached today. Yui gives herself a sense of joy from it after the 1st head left.
“Did I make dearest mother angry?”
That sly attitude of hers grin at her grandmother’s face. The children of Ankra
“If only your mother and grandfather would love to see you grow”
The two lovingly laughter together as their arms wrapped around each other after another playful time with Sarah Mae. Then they quickly turned serious at each other. The grandmother said to Yui
“Let’s hope that friend of yours know what she is doing”
“Tabitha earned her resolve at her home city, became known by the two rivals, Not Worthy and Dexter Guild. She met the Viste Family”
The impression of Yui’s face shows confidence that her friend, Tabitha, have achieved. There are plenty more to say as she devilishly grins at the knowledge. She acts overconfidently at her observation throughout Tabitha’s time as a Raker Mawn guild member. Her grandmother shows the same expression as her granddaughter
“Of course, she is the first who caused the ship to disappear. Losing all the fundamental studies for the guilds about the ship. She didn’t reveal the information on that same ship. If it wasn’t for the card of society from Myrrkei. She is nothing more of a visitor”
Yui gasps and couldn’t say a word about it. Although about the flying ship sunk at Rune Isles, they are given her the permission to let the ship to open its data. While the others are against that. It was planned out from Archivist’s mother. Yui forgot that Tabitha didn’t even open up the data since Tabitha went to hiding. She was only free to go through the conditions by guild master Daygen. Yet Daygen is right, an idle guild member is useless. In the end, it was all thanks to Myrrkei’s idea to have her go out again in the wilderness. The reason for that, it’s because of the East Coast.
The two look at each other showing hostility on their side. Soon, it fades away and the two have bonded together again. Yui said to her grandmother
“Elder Ankr’Cylvia . . .”
“I may be married into the Ankr family, this bond we have is worth the love for any grandmother to her grandchildren”
The grandmother says to her out of their fondness, but this is Ankra bloodline
“Uhm, yeah. So will you forget about the doll . . .”
“Laugh* let’s talk about this after your mother hears about it”
“I’m not that kind of girl who cause trouble to seek attention”
“Oh my, for many years to be part of the family. Playing gullible isn’t suit you, dear”
“Oh grandmother!”
The dream state is over. Earlier than what Mi’lday had used for. The coma is gone and leaving her the fraction of what gained linking with Sarah Mae and the Ankra’s descendants. From Tabitha, Silfa and Juela said on their minds. For it reaches Oue’jhnr Demyr’ankr, the one who aided Tabitha is cleverly blocked all secrets and showing nothing but the bonding together with her grandmother. Elder Ankr’cylvia, a powerful mage with existential craftsmanship. That’s why Mi’lady sensed her presence among the cards, unfinished. For only her to complete it, and it needs a certain threshold of neutral mana, turning support cards into spell cards.
Tabitha said it was made by Yui. Mi’lady thinks so too, from the dress down to her wand. It is the youth of creativity. But when it comes to spell cards, by the hands of her decks. Those are just three different cards ready to fuse together if she knew how to recraft it. This hiding from Tabitha’s back gets on her nerve. And with little time in the dream, she was able to help her to strengthen her deck. Except for one, it is her support cards. Mi’lady did her best to concentrate right in front of her.
Sister of arms had been busy aiding Tabitha’s and Mina’s team to get back on their feet. Recovered and a day earlier, they are going to fulfill Aoi’s quest to collect the notes. Received only the last note, they have to collect it all somewhere. But her herself have figured it out the notes were intended to be from Wilson. As much as Aoi need to clear this favor, sister of arms needs to be sure with Mina’s team
“After regaining your memories, I ask again from the very start. Reconcile what happened back then and move on you believe is real. At the end, it is where your final decision concludes”
Aoi remember the same advice taught by the hunter and the dwarf guy. It’s been so long to hear those same words. U’ecin walks in bringing the spear that Mina used.
“If not, then you’ll be lost the by hundreds of memories in a loop . . .”
“By the look of your eyes, I can see most of you have saved the trouble from being influenced. Let’s . . .”
Voldemyr enters and shows them the scrolls made out of normal office supplies from Isekai City.
They were confused at first, but Silfa recognizes the craftmanship he made. It is not identical like Haw. This looks authentic and it is hard to sense its properties. It may look like a piece of paper. But what Juela did before at the ruin. This will prove useful. Voldemyr gives a sample of the scroll. She felt the paper and the power level it contains familiar degree of simple magic.
Silfa said to him
“Is this a B rank spell?”
“B rank? I’d say this is how much skills to replicate your people’s magic. It will be useful but I don’t think it’s strong enough for you”
The scroll says ‘Absorb’. From the citizens’ perspective, it is a common spell. It was not very popular against citizens. However, it is mostly used during the Alga’s moonlight. It was the very first idea to use it and harnessed its energy on agriculture and other forms of health and medicine. It’s been this long Silfa sees it again in a scroll form no less. Voldemyr sees her wondering eyes as he forgets that the city knew nothing about the risk using this magic on them.
“Your expression seems not know the danger of such magic abilities. Even you Tabitha, is reading among the archives have muddled your experience through curiosity?”
“Voldemyr, I’m sorry but I barely know what uses absorb can do”
Voldemyr hears Tabitha’s genuine answer. Meanwhile Juela has the same curiosity as hers. It is understandable for Juela not know about the advancement of such a basic spell for the citizens. To absorb mana is the obviously a demonic example, hence that it’s a threat to life.
He calmly sighs “Don’t worry about it. Me and U’ecin will be the one is going to use it”
Tabitha guessed “You guys are going to help us?”
“Something like that. U’ecin, you remember what those soldiers said to us before”
“I’ve not, except for one thing”
U’ecin shows Aoi another note. “It seems like Sarah Mae has something she wanted for you to do. If you’d like”
Tabitha blocks Aoi from U’ecin’s view
“I think it’s better we should talk about what you two guys are doing”
“Strange, I thought they will provide you information within the dream”
“They did, but they also said its better to talk to you two in person. As fellow guild members, I want to know how far you are here in the East Coast”
Mina felt a sudden chills on her spine. She suddenly remembered when U’ecin is with them. He notices her and quickly tap on her cheek with a spear. They were surprised
“U’ecin!”
Mina stops her “It’s fine, Tabitha. This is probably one of the ways to test me I actually remembered him”
U’ecin sees Tabitha is losing his interest as he lowers his spear and opens a bulk on its side recreating it into a polearm.
“You can put it that way. Mina, Sakura, and, where is Kenta? You three have witnessed a bit dark from me, when I’m with you while Aoi and Toba are always on the ‘dwarf guy’’s side”
He then turns to Tabitha “We need their help, Tabitha. We really need it”
Voldemyr sees him go, the shake on his head shows U’ecin is only checking on the survivors. Tabitha calls out to him
“Voldemyr, do you think he is going to join us?”
“He will, and you three. The survivors are here. The preparation is ready. At least finished the information you have gathered so far. Even it is just words from the Benedictus, our enemies will not let your people go”
After he said that, Juela wants to ask him
“Better said than done, I hope you provide us the information too”
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
“. . .”
Silence brewing, but confidence persists. Voldemyr turns to look at everyone as they’re thinking something will go wrong. His lips leave slight movements, only pride he wants to say to them.
“May your shitty god be praised”
“Shit!”
Everyone turns to Toba swears. Voldemyr walks away showing respect on the citizens’ religion. Silfa is angrily embarrassed by this ordeal.
“I am glad he saved the adventurers, but why of all phrases he only learned that? That one thing sticks with him”
Toba remembers Voldemyr said that to her in front of the others. It was rude of him, but it is enough to convince herself she remembered. The influence was removed, she is grateful.
The group begins to set a plan. All gathered together. Tabitha, Silfa, Juela, Mina, Toba, Sakura, Aoi, U’ecin and Voldemyr are place themselves in a circle. There are others outside of the circle. As the camp has no space for them to have a quiet conversation. Silfa decides to cast her forcefield to shield them anyone that might eavesdrop them. Only McS4 and R-cord didn’t join as they need to rest and heal. Luckily, Tabitha is using her telepathy to listen what happened outside. This news made her worried when they reach to the surface.
The meeting beings
Tabitha: “We have been inside the dream for days. The Benedictus had provided us important information in their side, Mina’s team, and added from my team”
Silfa: “Us? Oh, you mean R-cord?”
Tabitha: “Yes, he left us through my telepathy. The news about the surface have left me no regrets to leave Haw behind”
Juela: “It’s good that we have teammates preparing backups”
Tabitha: “Thank you, but this is important. Not only I have to heed their advice for the last resort. I received a warning more than I can’t prepare against these obstacles”
Tabitha waves her wand and casts on the floor. An image is form as two sides appeared next to each other. Rat men and Mechanical Spiders. The message written by R-cord saying
“Just what we have feared. The Horde had made it through. The traitors are mining the machines trapped inside the crystal wall. This realm will not last long after one more month. We and the Benedictus were able to stop them from freeing those machines. The holes are impossible to repair. You need to escape as soon as possible or no one left will be inside the realm”
Aoi: “There’s more monsters coming. Are we going to continue gathering those notes like this?”
Sakura: “Yeah, if those zombie head spiders are coming right us at top speed. We can’t be able to escape”
Toba: “What about the notes, Aoi? Maybe there’s something important what the voice said to you”
Aoi: “Not with those monsters around. We can fight. But we don’t have time to escape because of those backstabbers”
Mina: “Oh man, all of you. The one who is going to plan the escape is right in front of you. They have come this way to save us. Well, except for you hunter. Uhm, after beating Aoi’s brother. I’ll bet we survive another one or two”
The girls start arguing. Juela advised Tabitha
“It’s better we should prepare the escape. The notes they are referring to won’t survive in a realm like this. An entity spoken to Aoi about it is probably worth looking, but my guess will be they will just hand it over to us. The note we got tainted with blood. How coincident it is we managed to get it randomly?”
“I guess you’re right. We need to focus our escape first”
Silfa warned them “But we must be careful, the hyper speed spell had given us so much drawbacks”
“Yet, it is better than letting that automaton chased us around with that speed”
Tabitha uses her telepathy to Mi’lady “Ma’am, is there a good chance that today is good enough for everybody to escape”
“Hmm, so this is telepathy. I’d say, Any time but not today. We need to get your two men back. My advice to you is to rally my brothers back here and get them some rest. I sense of their strength used against your treacherous people. We have to go back to one of the old camps that sealed away. Better yet, bring them there. We will teleport them there without problems”
“But you used it to teleport here, and you can’t bring them back where you brought them”
“We are not sure the teleportation is disrupted. The words of rat men are unpredictable when it comes to use counter magic. It would be a lot safer to where you wanted to teleport to without a problem. The risk of an enemy is there without knowing is not worth it”
“I understand, thank you”
Tabitha changes contact to R-cord “Did you hear our conversation?”
“Loud and clear”
“So, are we going to abandon the pavement?”
“This is your last resort, Tabitha. We will find a way to bring you there even it will be destroyed along with you”
“R-cord! That’s a little too much”
“We have taken too many risks, Tabitha. You have already have done yours”
Both Silfa and Juela shake the sense of Tabitha’s distracted face
“Ah what?”
“The meeting is getting out of hand”
Tabitha sees the girls are still arguing while Voldemyr and U’ecin are waiting for her to say anything. U’ecin stands up as the meeting is getting chaotic. He pulls out his spear and uses the edge of the spear head smite on the floor unleashing citizens’ magic out of the blue. Everyone was surprised
“AAH!”
U’ecin: “All of you, you are all close to be free from this place. It is a matter of time we must get through all of this. This is our last chance to escape. Your rescuers are here starting to doubt because of a new threat. Put it up the distrust and the betrayals. All four of you were cursed before. Now you’re free and still scared that your head is either be real or not. Remember this weapon!? You’ve seen that you can’t escape this reality . . .”
He points at his weapon as spec of light shows the souls are trapped there.
Tabitha: “What’s that?”
Juela: “It’s an old weapon. Specializes neutralizing rare attributes. Don’t tell me, U’ecin”
U’ecin: It is used to kill Isekai Citizens, that’s all you needed to know”
Silfa held firm on her grip as her eyes are trying not to glare at him. It is for the best and rightly so as she watches the young girls have already accepting that weapon.
Silfa: “Wait exactly, I saw Mina used it to kill the ghost haunting her. What happened to it?”
Mina: “That’s . . . Take a look at the spear. Hunter, can you show the girl?”
U’ecin shows it to them the young girl sleeping inside the gem on the spear. The spear magically glows as the horrors inside with other souls being used the essence of their magic at full force. Citizen’s magic, erupting dangerously as it surrounds them like fire. Juela wipes it away by her own hand.
Juela: “For you to use the dead as supplements of power, only demons would use it”
U’ecin: “What else? We’re here in the first place being trapped by the influence’s control. Either live or die. Their souls won’t be able escape from this fate”
Tabitha felt scared at the moment. Their life being used as resources. On the materials they have so far, is it made by souls of other people? She shakes her head and remember what U’ecin said first. Only demons would obtain it. Then she remembers the rumors of him killing her people. This distraction made her lost in anxiety. She tries to control herself but left in worries like the time someone saved her back the Mihayara district ruins. Many tensions bring inside of her into the brink of stress.
U’ecin: “Tabitha, you know that I’m the only one here is against of your people’s existence”
Juela: “U’ecin!”
U’ecin: “I’m telling her this because she knows that I’m actuality killing their people. Isn’t it right?”
He points out to Silfa as she answers him back.
Silfa: “It’s because they deserved it. We don’t know back then how to execute them because of their powers”
U’ecin: “And the consequences for this world to know how because how they treated them”
Tabitha: “Then those people you’ve killed in this realm. Do they deserve it?”
U’ecin: “Aren’t they, Mina?”
Mina: “. . .”
Juela: “Mina?”
Mina: “If it wasn’t for the influence, he killed everyone. Mostly bad people and some of them were good”
U’ecin: “You hear that? Voldemyr, but I assumed they were tricked”
Voldemyr: “Sigh* Youngling, there’s no reason to defend him”
All of the girls: “!!?”
Voldemyr: “Allies or enemies, this man is not easily got inside the East Coast. For him to be here and exterminate them might know about this place. While I accidently brought myself here because of the cave sinks into the shore. I came back here by tracking someone coming back . . .”
Tabitha: “That’s enough! I don’t want to hear anything about it. We’re not here to make issues from the past. Those people out there are not my priority. These survivors must escape. We must continue to find a way for them to escape. If Wilson had done to rescue them. I think he wants us to escape no matter what. Even there are people like us entered this realm”
Voldemyr: “It’s because . . . Hmm, I think it’s better not say to you. I doubt you couldn’t decide after I show you”
Juela: “It’s for the best. Our time is limited. We can only save the people are here. With only these four girls here who can remember now and free from the influence. We should ignore the other”
Later that day, everyone sets out. Leaving R-cord, McS4, and Kenta rest at the camp. The sister of arms accompanied them carrying the horn to calls out the people from above. The horn’s sounds blocked by the strange force denying it to reach the Benedictus at the ruin.
“The outside stops my horn. I advised you all to go through that bloody road”
They look at the blood pavement is complete showing the horrendous atmosphere built by the hands of the Dexter Guild.
Sakura spoofs “Are you crazy?! Is this what they are talking about?!”
“Look!”
They turned and saw Fae-chan walking the road creating a sphere around it preventing the horrors going near it. It raises its doll hand and said
“I have returned”
Silfa checks herself and found out she forgot about the doll. She calls it out. The spell to return the doll to her side solidifies near the road. Multiple entities around the road quickly feasting it dripping down blood like ink. The spell broke into a mess quickly faded for them to see the monstrosity of this infrastructure.
The doll walks closely to Silfa and nods at her with great effort to use her magic. It guides them to the road as they quickly huddled close to it, except for Voldemyr and U’ecin. Both of them softly chuckles at the magic users.
They whispered “Well prepared, but too new to experience this”
“Some of them don’t have mana control, U’ecin. Yet, I’m curious why those people came back”
“Those same people helped me get inside”
“I’ll see that when they have your mark”
“I think this is my last entrance. The East Coast will die soon”
No words, leaving a dead expression, continually running beside walking, and all best to use their magic near Fae-chan’s presence. It carried on Silfa’s arms squeezing it from the caution they have to go through the blood pavement. Secured and magic only close to Fae-chan can be casts effectively. They made it at the ruin where the signs carved and a few of the Benedictus are resting on the campfire. The Benedictus wave at them. They watch them run at their camp as their eyes were bleak and horrified.
“Whoa, and the road to hell is used. You people look like you’re in your last breath”
One of the Benedictus chants with a song in a spell and cleansing all of their negative psychological effects.
“Sing*”
They feel smooth from his voice lifting their spirits up.
Toba was grateful
“Thank you. I thought the nightmares won’t stop”
“That nightmare couldn’t touch you. But out there, I think the judgement is almost over”
They open the seal, releasing the noise blocking from the other side. With Fae-chan at the campfire, the massive flow from the blood pavement reaching out at their backs without anyone notice it. The screams of their enemies purged by the judgment. The men said to them
“Your friends left us to clean their mess”
They hear only the sound fire burning wood. It wasn’t the feeling of warmth but the infernal heat in disguised from the normal fire. Mana releases this heat spreading around in ember glow blinding their eyes by the golden light. It was hard to see until the light dims down showing the ashes what left. The crystal wall appeared gazing to the highest. Broken, dripping down the grotesque fluid from the fight before the Dexter Guild falling with the mechanical spider. Unbearable stench reached them, as they were hesitated to move forward.
Juela steps forward “By the gods, I’ve never seen the Not Worthy Guild casts judgement before. Is there anybody left?”
“Nothing to be surprised here. Dead men gone, and the note empowers us . . .”
The men look at the women as they don’t get the hint. One of them just nods
“. . . Really now, being out here and come out from that devilishly road. Is there something you want?”
After explaining it to them
“Good, we have enough strength for your people to go there one more time. But when we teleported them there. No one will be left from the rest of the hidden camps”
They look around and see the fight took place. Close to the crystal wall are the mechanical spiders and other entities trapped inside. The crack from the very top shows how the others escape. They were relief to see they have settled it before they attacked again. They don’t want to handle this situation anymore. The dangers are getting gruesome as time flies. They return to the blood road. As they move passed all the chaos had happened inside the ruin, the sinking cave, and the valley itself. None of the enemies they faced before are here. Only the infestation of rat men scattered around.
The realm is being overwhelmed. It is a matter of time that would destroy itself. They made it to the old camp. The door is still sealed and they opened it without a problem. The banners that surround the center is gone. Proving that there is nothing left of its magic. The Benedictus prepared and set the magic again as the new forge banner becomes the center for all the other banners being made. One by one it places directly where the old banners were. The chant of their songs amused the ears of others.
When it is done, a rift is open. Where the connections of other forgotten camps scattered throughout the underground network. All destroyed or taken by the rat men’s infestation. No one will ever recognize it except the people who were there a long time ago. Voldemyr warned them
“This is it. Your people’s last escape. The Benedictus are going to use up all of their divinity and crushed all the old ruins into the oblivion. The only thing left is the blood pavement created by your team, Tabitha”
Aoi asks “What about the things we should finished first? The notes?”
Home, so close as they have suffered enough that their journey back will be terrifying. Silfa checks her things and found the resources they brought were not even used half of it. Rather, most of them are the weapon supplies needed for the Dexter Guild. She raises question why, but she puts it aside as this is not over yet. No doubt for what the Benedictus see their expression. No doubt, they have to do it. One last chant, and all the hidden bases begin to collapse. Reaching the link and breaking through the disruption. Sister of arms see the spell comes forth then distributed it across the hidden camp.
Finally, they were teleported. A flash of light appears, all touched by it as they disappeared. One after the other. The hidden camp becomes empty. Darkness emerged leaving no sound nor light can sense its presence. Something is blinking. An armored helmet blinking out as someone picks it up. McS4 and R-cord remains and watch the emptiness devoured them like it was some void. Echoes spread by only them breathing. It is finally taken place. The escape has begun.
Tabitha watches everyone gathered together. Confused and scared, the little children who were lost finally meet her. The young kid points out to them as they rush at her. For the first time in her life in this world. The kids she lost because of the incident had returned. The shock in her eyes that these are the same amounts of children who were lost. She heard about others lost their lives even become monsters. But why, why they are all here completely unharmed. She doesn’t care, she approaches them with open arms and reunites.
Reunion packed together as there is one more to go. To the barrier, where Haw is waiting for them. All the equipment they have so far, still enough for another few more weeks. Their confidence grew and their determination gets bolder. One more cheer as the citizens formed their own groups. One for Voldemyr, one for U’ecin, one for the Benedictus. Silfa can’t believe how many times she can see them proactive after for so long. At last, they can finally leave this place.
Meanwhile, Mina’s team is not certain. All the loose ends were not finished. Their memories collected as each one of those survivors should’ve been good fighters and magic users. The reset caused them to be afraid. Only boosted their confidence because of the banner. Mina remembers the people who betrayed them multiple times and when she sees the flames when Benedictus destroyed those survivors. Her tracking ability set in. There are still more of them.
“Let’s be prepared, everyone. I’ll tell them everything”
Her friends agreed “Yeah”