The Chosen had agreed with Otsoko as the leader, Albert was sitting by the bench. Throwing his head back, closing his eyes to enjoy the moment of a break. Stretching his limbs as he awoke from his nap. Looking at the Chosen who stood before him.
"Good. Now that's settled. Where will we go?"
"The Temple of Wind would be first. It is within this continent. It'll be a ten day journey on foot. 5 day on carriage." Thessalia said as she kept her fingers clenched.
"Or we can do this. Fracture." They see a shadow being cast upon the ground, seeing a machine lowering down to them. Fracture knelt before Albert with a metal pod that had seats in hand.
"Hello, Lion. How may I assist you?"
"So the metal pod with the seats? Is that something Pride Rock made?"
"Yes, to aide in rescue operations. Do you wish to board me or do you want to take a seat in the pod?" The pod opened up as Albert took his seat at the back.
"Is this machine... Yours?" Tukkorli asked, stroking his beard to the humanoid marvel that was Fracture.
"Yes, I belong to Albert Sylvanus. The Lord of Thorns, The Avatar of Seasons. Rest assured that our journey to the Temple of Wind will be comfortable." The velvety seats was comfortable as the others got in comfortably as Fracture leaped up into the air, bringing them away to the Temple of Wind. Using the thrusters to provide a smooth flight.
"Take it easy, Fracture. Don't rush it. That aside. Did you get a few upgrades?"
"Yes. The cockpit system has been adjusted, now I can use the same techniques as you. I hope you do not mind my change in my colors." The black highlights with the white base. It was a simple color combination but Albert gave a nod of approval.
Soaring through the skies, where not even the beasts that roam the skies dared to get close. A large thunder hawk charged over, only to see Fracture grab its head with one hand. The visor on Fracture's face glowed red.
"Fracture. Don't kill it. It was defending its territory." Fracture let go as the thunder hawk flew away, the temple was in sight but Fracture stopped.
"There's a barrier, my lion."
"Set us down here. Then." Albert said as Fracture lowered down to the ground, where the pod opened up as the Chosen stepped out of it.
"Activating Optical Camouflage. Using imaging system." Fracture's shoulder ports had sent out drones to scour the area while Fracture's body slowly turned invisible. The Chosen were in awe of what the machine was doing.
"Projecting the area map. Mapping the entirety of the Temple of Wind. Mana signatures detected from within the Temple. Golems detected. Monsters detected. Detected a strong presence." The drones mapped it out for Albert and the other Chosen. Printing maps for them to use.
"We'll stick together. Thessalia ready your bow for any long range. The rest of us are good in close quarters... What about you Avatar?"
"Just call me Albert. I'll work as support." Albert drew out a pair of KSAA-10 pistols, as Otsoko led them to the front of the barrier. Thessalia began chanting words to shut the barrier down. Otsoko then readied his claws as the doors opened. Unleashing a horde of slimes to their path. The slimes formed into a knight of sorts. Armor formed with the salvage pieces that they had in the past.
Thessalia knocked three arrows off her bow, striking the joints but her arrow was absorbed by the hulking creature.
"Damn. Physical attacks won't work! Then how about this. Heed my call the powers of the arcane. Volley upon my enemies!" Spheres of elements formed by Thessalia's side as they volleyed over to the slime knight while the others went ahead with close quarters combat. Vogril and Omael began casting light and dark javelins to their side, intertwining them to intensify both elements. Albert was firing his pistols, trying to break the armor within. Aiming at the gaps between the attacks of Otsoko, Mevyr and Tukkorli
"What are you doing?! Physical attacks don't work!"
"Otsoko, right shoulder! Mevyr left leg, Tukkorli right rib. The cores should be there. Imbue elements in your attacks!" The three of them followed Albert's command, the broken pieces of armor flew out from it. They spot the slime cores and attacked it fiercely. Unrelenting assaults where the slime knight fell as Albert snapped his fingers as a ring of fire began to surround the armor. Melting it as it dried off the slime residue on the bodies of the trio who fought ahead.
"Gesture casting?"Thessalia was the first to notice, trying to wrap her head around Albert's powers.
"Only for certain spells. I need to speak the name of the spell in stronger attacks. Shall we head in?" They headed inside of the temple, feeling a strong wind pushing their steps back. Albert put the pistols away as he drew the weapons he had received from the World Tree. The blades with the brass knuckle grip, the World Tree gave them the name of Nature's Wrath.
An upward swing that cut through the wind, silencing it for a moment.
"It's silenced for a moment but not for long."
"Got a few wyverns and griffins here. Looks like they guard the temple and must think we're trespassers." Otsoko's words help ease the other Chosen as they went deeper through the hallways. The wind would pick up again, for Albert to slice it back down.
"I can't do much fighting since I'll need to keep the wind back. It'll be up to you. Don't use wind magic either. This will backfire against us in here."
"How about I make stone golems?"
"It won't work. The Temple of Wind nullifies wind magic of the intruders." Thessalia said as they found a few elven guards who had been lacerated badly. Bleeding all over, Albert could feel the warmness of their blood from where he stood.
"Thessalia we have to keep moving." Albert said where she glared at him.
"What?! How dare you! Not as if you know anything about loss! You damn human!"
"My family was murdered in front of my eyes. We freeze now and we'll be allowing the person who did this to get away. We find him, then you can riddle them with as much anger as you want." Albert said where Thessalia grit her teeth and followed him from behind. Heading down the lower floors, the wyverns and griffins that had protected the temple were dead. Nothing was alive, the Chosen were uncomfortable at the sight.
"What kind of enemy are we fighting up against here?" Omael asked.
"I don't know angel but this is far too much." Vogril stated as they continued moving down the stairs. Reaching the inner sanctum of the temple, seeing a woman who was trying to harness the Divine Beast of Wind's Crystal and the Summon Spirit of Wind's talisman.
"Hm? Who are you?" The woman turned with a grin to her face as they see two swordsmen stand in front of her.
"Ah the Chosen was it? How adorable. To think you'd come all the way here to die. Now my swordsmen and my chimeras. Why don't you go play?" The two swordsmen charged at the Chosen in full force along with three chimeras.
"Awaken. Garden." Albert said as they see roots appear from behind the Chosen. Pushing the swordsmen and chimeras back.
"Ho? So you think you c-" Albert shoved the blade right into the woman's head, the other blade slashed the legs off. Kicking her down as he pierced her heart.
"How.. How can you hurt me? I was promised to not be hurt by anything.." Croaking voice as Albert cut her body in half, kicking the corpse aside.
"You can't die easily, but I'm going to make it hurt. Chosen, the swordsmen's blades match with the injuries of the ones who were on guard here. I'll deal with her. Don't hesitate to use your magic. My Garden will ensure your magic will work without fail. Don't worry about damage either." Albert said as he chased after the corpse. Trying to regenerate, only for Albert to cut the limbs off. Switching out Nature's Wrath for a mace, he was going to be turning this corpse into a pile of mush.
The Chosen went after the two swordsmen with speed. Otsoko, Omael and Vogril went after one while Tukkorli, Thessalia and Mevyr were handling the other. The Crimson Werewolf, the Demon of Darkness and Dominion unleashed their attacks. Keeping track of each other's movements carefully. Otsoko charging in with his arms crossed. Using his forearm to push the swordsman back into a wall. Omael swinging his longsword. Unleashing a flurry of swings to lacerate the swordsman's ligaments and tendons. Vogril went after it with his demon arm, placing the palm to the chest. Violent darkness clouded the swordsman body, crushing it into a ball. Tearing the armor and blade the swordsman wielded.
Thessalia was knocking arrows that struck the swordsman limbs supplementing it with poison magic to cause paralysis. While Toukkorli swung his axe to hack the arms off while Mevyr used her fists to send the swordsman flying. The other Chosen left the rest to Thessalia who unleashed her wrath over them with her wind magic. It was until she was satisfied, the other Chosen looked at Albert who smashed the woman from earlier and finally set her ablaze.
Patting the blood off his gloves as he walked on over to the Divine Beast Crystal and Summon Spirit Talisman. Touching the two talismans as the Chosen were brought to another realm. All around them were floating stone platforms for them to stand on. Seeing the Divine Beast known as Fejrach, a winged beast with a lion's body but a dragon's head. Then the Summon Spirit, Escola. A winged knight wielding a spear.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"Albert?"
"Get ready for a fight. They're not themselves. We'll need to beat them to submission. I can't help you in this one. You'll have to buy me some time. I need to prepare a special spell to calm them down." Albert said as he stood in front of them.
"Damn, leaving us with all the heavywork!" Thessalia complained but a pat from Mevyr halted her words from going any further.
"Avatar... Can we handle it?"
"The reason why the World Tree needed me here was to ease the rampaging side. It will be time for you to learn to use the weapons entrusted to you by the World Tree. The Chosen's Pact." The weapons float to their owners.
"Try and work with your weapons. If you die, they die too. So it forces you to bond. Trust them and they will trust you." Albert said as he began to prepare the chants while the others faced Fejrach and Escola in a head on fight. Using the platforms while the winged Chosen were flying in the air. Escola charged after the winged Chosen with her spear. Mevyr, Omael and Vogril off their stride.
"Damn! She's fast!"
"She's a Summon Spirit of Wind! We're fighting in her element! Vogril, can you slow her down?" Mevyr asked as Vogril tried to use a spell only for his spell to be cancelled out by a wind blade by Escola.
"No can do! She's moving way too fast!"
Thessalia knocked off the arrows from her bow while Otsoko launched stones imbued with flames to Fejrach. Tukkorli was using the stones to create more pathways for them to use. Fejrach roared at their direction, Tukkorli stomped his foot to the floor, creating a stone wall to stop the wind. It cracked slowly, the mighty wind was able to crumble the wall in a manner of seconds. Otsoko, Tukkorli and Thessalia kept their ground by any means necessary. Thessalia used a blade to keep her ground, shaking and trembling due to the wind.
"Ergh! This wind!"
"Hold on, Thessalia!" Tukkorli formed a few walls over to where Otsoko and Thessalia were.
"Thanks Tukkorli. Thessalia, can you see a weakpoint!?"
"Not anywhere I can see. Fejrach's weakpoint is the eyes. The elven ancestors shot Fejrach's eyes, the injury is there but I don't know if it'll work!"
"That's it! Tukkorli, focus on keeping you and Thessalia from getting into trouble! If Fejrach is blind, I can make an opening!" Otsoko leaped out, where Fejrach responded by unleashing spheres of wind to his direction. Firing them like a gun in quick succession. Otsoko took a few stones from the crumbled wall, throwing them by the nearby pillars. Where Fejrach responded by firing more shots at where the sound originated. Thessalia launched an arrow that pierced one of Fejrach's eyes. Where it roared in anger, breaking through the entire realm.
It even threw the winged ones in a bind. Albert was focusing on the chant. He cannot spend time worrying for them, the chant to arm the spell that was something he knew by heart.
"Winds of change, no matter the time and tide. The wind will continue on its path, no matter the path. The wind will always find its way. The wind to guide the world. To remind the world that no matter the devastation, it can give a sense of longing. For peaceful winds." Albert chanted the spell. He still had more to go as he used his mana to arm it once more. Repeating it another few hundred times. While the others kept on fighting, Otsoko charged directly at the lion, using his flames to act as a shield against the powerful wind.
Mevyr, Omael and Vogril were going after Escola with their weapons. She bested them easily despite the synchronized attacks by the trio. Even attacking at once was not enough. Vogril and Omael combined their elements to strike at Escola in rapid succession, unrelenting strikes. Where Mevyr charged with her shashka sabers to break through Escola's defense. Following it up with Omael and Vogril impaling their swords into Escola's body.
Fejrach had the other eye clawed out by Otsoko's attack, but sent the werewolf flying with its swinging paw. Summon Spirit and Divine Beast of Wind paused, then they turned to Albert.
"What happened?" Escola spoke first, kneeling before Albert.
"The balance of mana has been tampered. It is time for both of you to take your duties once more. The World Tree will require your aid. Fejrach, how is your eye?"
"I'm still a blind beast.. Nothing much can be done about that." The honeyed voice spoke, an unexpected development.
"Barakas." Barakas appeared by Albert's side, healing the two from their wounds. Fejrach's eyes were restored, where it took a moment to look around. Yawning loudly as its tail kept on wagging.
"Thank you, Ancient of Spring."
"Oh, don't worry about little old me. You two have been quite haughty lately. Now now, be good lovely ladies and contract yourself to the one who bears the wind!" Barakas said, floating around Albert. Pinching his cheeks, where Albert did not seem to say anything further.
"That... That's the Ancient of Wind? I heard she was a powerful and strong individual." Thessalia seemed bothered by it, like a fan who found out an embarrassing nature of their idol.
"Thessalia Craralei. Come forth." Barakas said as she walked to the front of Summon Spirit of Wind and Divine Beast of Wind.
"Chosen. By being a descendant of heroes who had calmed me down. I will grant you the pact. A pact that bears the power of Wind. Do you accept?"
"Yes. I Thessalia Craralei of the Beaumont Kingdom accepts!" The two gave a nod as a surge of wind went into Thessalia's palm, she fell on her knees due to the intensity of the power.
"Ah!" Hearing Thessalia's cry of pain had spurred Albert to action.
Albert placed his hand to her shoulders, siphoning the excess elemental mana from shattering her to pieces. Albert felt the damage, his left arm's bones were already breaking. Ribs shattering, his lower legs were giving in. Muscles convulsing violently, bursting at the seams. Albert's face began to bleed. Eyes blanketed by blood, blood running from his nose. Blood filling up his mouth. Ears dripping with blood. Every bone was slowly being pounded by the intensity of the transfer of mana. Fracturing as Albert felt the blows, not saying a word as the other Chosen wanted to help but Albert shook his head.
"If any of you went any closer. You'll die due to your elemental compatibility being in the negative." Barakas teased as she continued watching. Albert's clothes ripped apart, leaving him in his briefs. The veins of his entire body turned black, like his blood was splashing away.
"What's he doing!? Won't he die?" Tukkorli asked.
"It's the only way to make sure the power be vested into Thessalia properly, the excess power will break her mind." Barakas answered as they see the skin of Albert's arms being peeled off.
"It is done." Thessalia turned to see Albert falling on his back, unable to move at all.
"What... What happened to you?" Albert coughed up blood.
"Oh nothing. He had to siphon the excess mana or you'd die." Barakas said as she went hovering to Albert, her heals weren't working on him.
"Give me a cloth." Otsoko pulled out a cloth, putting it in Albert's mouth as Albert bit it. His teeth breaking until he had lost it. Otsoko carried Albert, even lifting Albert up had the blood bursting over.
"Careful!" Omael shouted, trying to use magic to lift Albert up. Only to see Albert's limbs go limp. Still biting the cloth, staring at Omael who was uncomfortable at the sight. Like mannequin with the strings cut, Albert didn't scream but was gumming through the cloth even if it was going to be stained completely red.
"Erm.. Barakas. How can we help him?" Thessalia asked.
"My healing magic cannot work. You'll need to bring him somewhere he can rest. Even I can't help him in this state. His entire mana nodes are broken, his veins have burst. If he wasn't the Avatar of Seasons. He would be turned into dust by now." Barakas's answer had everyone else unnerved.
"He will have to repeat this at all the other temples with similar or worse effects. Be thankful elf. Your life isn't forfeit." Barakas said to Thessalia.
"It is true. If he had let you take on the entirety of our mana. You might have lost your limbs and maybe more." Fejrach said as she turned into a smaller beast, this time as a winged lion cub. Escola landed by Thessalia's side, becoming the size of a fairy.
"Your mana is not as great as the Avatar's. If it was the same level, we'd be able to maintain at least regular size instead of becoming smaller." Escola said as she spun around Thessalia's finger.
"We'll be in your care, Pactmaker." The two responded to Thessalia as they headed back up, where Fracture was seen slashing at a few titan golems of unknown origin with a laser katana. They were moving over to Fracture, attempting to grab it. The laser katana made quick work to burn through the golems as if they were nothing. Left arm reached out for the shotgun at the back. Blasting a golem down.
"Hey stop it! You idiots!" Tukkorli raised his voice to stop the other dwarves from continuing to attack it.
"Tukkorli? We heard that you all went missing! Taken by this... Machine!" Fracture turned to Albert, looking at the situation he was in.
"I apologize, my lion." Fracture knelt.
"Don't apologize, Fracture. The Lord's injuries was to ensure that these people would be safe. Also, Fejrach, Escola. I hope you know that the Avatar's realm will have a need for you in the future." Escola and Fejrach nodded to Barakas's words. Understanding the phrase as they headed back to the World Tree.
"Oh... Avatar. Allow me to heal you." Albert bit the cloth as his body was being fixed. The pain of the reconstruction was far worse than anything else.
"Thanks. That was... Painful. Thanks Chosen." Albert vomitted a lot of blood out his body, all of it was black.
"I've purified your body so you can be a conduit. Your mana should be better now. Sorry but it seems that your mana is bad."
"Well, the original personality of the Avatar of Thorns was not a magician. Mainly brute force. I'm using both. So it's different. At least most of it has been cleared up." Albert said as he wiped his mouth. Then looking at his clothes, where a full black 3 piece suit appeared.
"This'll do for now... Please rest before the next excursion. But what did you learn?"
"Two demi gods.. Both of them bestowed powers to their servants. More of pushovers really. They didn't feel anything that was stronger than them. Your Chosen did well, despite their tiredness." Albert turned to Thessalia who had the Fejrach and Escola by her side.
"World Tree. We apologize for what has transpired."
"No.. It isn't your fault. The demi gods are beyond my powers. Luckily for us. We have the Avatar." Albert scratched his head as he lit a cigarette.
"A lot of things have occurred and it seems a few countries are going through revolutions led by the Bestowed ones. Avatar, it may be necessary for you to prepare for a few wars." World Tree spoke with a somberness in the voice.
"Calm your tits. I can handle it. Myy Familiars and Ancients are more than enough against the Bestowed. They won't die easily but my Familiars and Ancients aren't known for mercy." Albert answered as the World Tree chuckled, Albert left first.
"So what was your opinion on the Avatar?" Alraune asked the Chosen, along with the other leaders who were present.
"Strong. Just how strong is he?" Thessalia said.
"He's an individual that has saved many worlds and his authority as the Avatar of Seasons was bestowed upon him by the Supreme Goddess herself. Saving many worlds and recruiting many individuals to his cause. When worlds are in danger or if an individual's emotions resonate with them. The Avatar will be brought into these worlds. To either save or destroy it. He was here to secure the Summon Spirits and Divine Beasts for his world's war. Where the Summon Spirits and Divine Beast of our realm will head into the Avatar's world to fight by his side but not as his Familiars. Rather his younger sibling. The Lord of Beasts and The Summon Spirit's Companion, very young individuals. Children who will awaken soon as a result of danger. He saved his home world by beating a God to submission but had to sacrifice the original person that inhabited the body. The Albert Sylvanus you all know is strong, but having the Lord of Thorns inhabit him? Has made him a force of nature. Pun intended." World Tree explained, despite the dryness of the pun towards the end.
"But why? He doesn't have an obligation to save us." Thessalia pointed out.
"Because it is his nature. This world's peacefulness and beauty has won his heart. The other worlders who faced him understand the power and fierceness he showed. He does not like anything related to supremacy. Believing in equality regardless of race. The elven practice of having humans as slaves and to kill humans like toys. I am truly surprised that he has not leveled the Beaumont Kingdom already. For if the Avatar of Thorns unleashed his wrath. Not even I can survive." Another shocking revelation that added anxiety to the ones who heard it.
"His choice to aid you is his and his alone. Merciless to his enemies but with the kindness of a saint to those who are his allies. So be sure to take care. Offending him may be your greatest mistake. He's slain dragons like they were nothing. He's fought against demon lords time and time again. He's killed angels and nephilim. He's massacred millions by his powers. Do not try to appease him, be yourselves and learn who you are for when this journey ends. He will be in need of your aide. In the meantime... Otsoko, Omael and Vogril. You will be training with them." World Tree spoke where they see Lugasa, Final Judgement and Kaglar appear before them.
"They will temper you into the best versions of yourselves but be warned. The battle will not be kind. It will be fiercer than anything else." The World Tree clarified.