"Fire impulse!" her voice beckoned to the spirits, allowing her to let loose a flat circular rune with intricate writing and symbols, forming in front of the platoon of soldiers. It pulsates, unleashing a powerful blast that sent a vortex of fire towards them.
"Alright, everyone! Let's take them out!" his voice as their leader further inspired them to move, acting as an entire party than simply individuals with a certain skillset.
Their leader led the charge, taking down the remaining soldiers as they surprised them from a blind spot under the cover of darkness.
"Alright, Andersen, enhance Remuil's armor and bolster his strength. Robin, take out the remaining on the left side, Zafra, please assist her. Cecil, hold back the few forces on the right. We'll focus on the large numbers to make things easier," although Remuil's voice carried a certain distinct tone, one that yould encourage others and inspire them, Claire's voice carried the same, if not more influence behind them, displaying her prowess of assessing, effectively moving even a small number of units.
The rest followed her orders as she remained safe from a distance, laying down supporting fire with her bow, precisely hitting the soldier's not missing that much after having composed herself, both in mind and body.
"Take your hand off her!" Remuil dashed, heroically using the side of his body to slam into the one holding Julia captive, sending him flying and colliding to a wall as Remuil had been enhanced by Andersen's melody, which was currently still being played, creating a harmonious atmosphere as they fought.
"Are you alright, Julia?" Remuil extended her hand towards her after she fell to the ground, dirtying her clothes.
She reluctantly took his hands and commenced dusting herself of, then picking up her weapon, "Thank you, Remuil, if I remember correctly," her now composed demeanor became the light under the night sky as she spoke, bewitching Remuil further.
"Behind you!" she readied her bow immediately, taking an arrow from the quiver at a blinding speed, and releasing it, instantly killing off the enemy as the arrow hits between the eyes, startling Remuil as he thought she would shoot at him.
"Remuil! This is no time to be gawking! Hurry up and help us. We're almost done here!" Claire scolded their captain as he became idle.
Soon, the platoon's numbers dwindled after much resistance, and at the end they surrendered, having been reduced to seven weakened people in quick succession.
"Are these all the survivors?" Claire accounted, looking down on them with a piercing gaze, one that seemed to terrify them the moment she locked her stare with theirs.
"That's all of them. They don't deserve to live though. You saw what the civilians looked like, right? They should get what's coming to them," Zafra intimidatingly feigned striking the survivors, inducing fear in them as they covered their faces, whimpering in fear.
"We'll just end up being like them if we're doing it for a reason like that. Though I understand where you're coming from, Zafra," Claire chided her ally, suppressing her own emotions and feelings.
"What are you all doing here? I thought Laruse had told you to go back somewhere?" Julia questioned the group, simply confused, but rather relieved that they came when she needed someone.
"We couldn't just hope to leave Laruse after that. He may be an exceptional warrior, but there are some things that limits a mortal human. We are here to help fill that gap and aide him," Andersen spoke up, drawing agreements from the party including Cecil.
"Miss Julia, where's Laruse," Cecil asked, concerned as she looked around, unable to find him anywhere.
She then remembered the reason she came running back, slightly panicked as she explained the situation to them.
"An enemy that Laruse can't handle. I don't know what to think of this, but if so, then we need to get there quick if we want to help him!" Remuil almost made a run for it, disregarding the army resting in front of the Keep.
"Wait. Let's use the same strategy that Laruse used to get in," Claire responded, drawing up agreements from everyone as they all began taking the armor of the seven hostages, knocking them unconscious before leaving them somewhere they could see the terror and severity of what they did to the innocents.
They finally went on their way after changing into their disguise.
As they made their way, the battle inside the Keep was truly a spectacle, mostly for Ruslan, who couldn't believe that his enemy was holding out this long, not that he wasn't amused by this.
Laruse breathed hard, having only seconds to breathe in, then another second to breathe out as Ruslan exerted even more pressure, preventing his enemy from backing out of battle, making this a test of endurance and might, which Laruse had little of.
The room lay in ruins. The bed sheets were cut, the curtains were torn to shreds, the wooden floor had cuts deep enough that one could imagine it crumbling, giving way below.
The spectators, namely Marcia and the three female hostages watched in awe as they beheld the sight. Inside their minds, they were cheering for Laruse, who made his bold statement of saving all of Ruslan's victims, known.
Each time that he would almost be cut, they reacted in a way that made it look like they were the ones fighting the battle instead of Laruse.
Julia's proclaimed sister had retreated to the corner of the room, watching as well as the others.
He was on the verge of collapse, having used up too much of his energy to fight back his enemy, but it was not without accumulating scratches and wounds here and there. His hand bled, having been strained too much, resulting in them going numb and painful.
There were also bruises, those of which were received by him when Ruslan thrashed him, fighting unconventionally with his entire body, similar to a wild animal.
"This is just great! This is what I've been waiting for! Hahaha! Come on, squirm, make me feel the thrill and suspense of trying to kill someone!" he lashed out, increasing the ferocity in his eyes and actions, nearly breaking Laruse's defense with his first strike.
(Damn, my sword's going to break even before I land a hit on him. C'mon, Laruse, think. You're better than this!)
He stood back up, continuing to receive Ruslan's attacks as he is backed to a wall.
"How about this then?!" he tried overpowering him with his own strength, pushing his enemy back an inch from his position, then quickly using his body to shift to Ruslan's left side, attempting to cut horizontally across his stomach.
But, before his blade could touch Laruse, Ruslan's idle hand smacked his wrist, preventing his sword arm from moving, let alone attack.
He was now caught with nothing to defend himself with, having an expression that pronounced his peril, that is if does not do anything.
"You're finished, ha ha!" Ruslan raised his sword in the air, ready to send it downwards.
Just before he could do it, a group of people barged through the door, taking the large man's focus away from Laruse for a split second, being all the time that he needed iin order to strike back.
He kicked the back of Ruslan's left knee, forcing him down. He then smashed his forehead into his, forcing Ruslan to let go of Laruse's wrist. Finally, with a sharp exhaling breath, he continued his slash, slitting his throat, "Ha!"
Their eyes met, his enemy carrying a face of shock and disbelief, "You, bastard... You got lucky, ha ha. If I see you in hell, then that's where we'll settle thi-this..." he coughed up blood, preventing him from speaking clearly.
But with a loud thud, his body slammed to the floor, face first, expelling a puddle of blood.
With a deathly and exhausted expression, Laruse's sword fell to the ground with a clanking sound, and almost his body along with it. But, he managed to stand up, barely even managing to walk.
he faced the girls that were cowering in the corner, approaching them slowly.
Once close enough, they backed away slightly, unsure about how they should perceive him.
He knelt with one leg saying, "You're all safe now," smiling afterwards with a faint expression, then falling face first on the floor after most of his strength had left his body.
Unable to evade him, the girl whom Julia said was her sister, caught Laruse with her body, unable to push him away despite her efforts as his body weighed heavily on her.
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"Laruse!" from behind, the group entered the room, securing the people inside, including the dazed Marcia, unable to believe that someone defeated Ruslan in battle, and that now he was finally gone.
Cecil took Laruse's body from the girls, immediately casting her spells on him as she saw the various scratches on his body, proving to be not that fatal, but terrible if left alone.
Julia and Claire then approached the girls, handing them tunics to wear temporarily, comforting and informing them that they were safe for now.
Julia approached the long, blonde girl, embracing her tightly as she assured that she was unharmed.
"Thank goodness you're alright. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to do anything right away. I'm so sorry," she continued on, on the verge of crying.
The girl whispered into her ears with a soft-spoken, gentle voice, "It's alright. I was safe. I'm glad that you went back for me. I knew that you would," her smile was angel-like, a pure undefiled one that seemed to warm the heart of any that saw it.
"We're not out of it yet. We have to get out while we can, and while the army's still asleep," Remuil called their attention, rounding them up as Zafra and Andersen secured the back exit, another way leading out to the opposite outskirts of Civil, near the roads leading to the neighboring city of Sor to the south.
"Remuil's right. We'll have all the time in the world to catch up and talk after we're safe," Claire spoke, assisting one of the girls as their legs were weak.
Before fully leaving, they noticed one other person in the room, namely Marcia, who kept staring at Ruslan's corpse in a long daze.
"Leave her. She's his subordinate," Julia spoke, recognizing her after they appeared earlier.
They left in the middle of the night, escaping without the soldiers knowing of their presence, carrying the remaining innocents with them to safety as their main priority was to get away from the army and the hostility surrounding them. With Laruse's efforts in rescuing Julia's sister, he had accomplished yet another feat, but one that was hard fought and evenly matched.
Meanwhile in Zeal. A few days ago a commotion had begun as rumors started spreading like wildfire, inciting curiosity, terror, and unrest within the hearts and minds of the people residing within the unaffiliated city.
The governor of the city had issued tight security around the perimeter of the town, hiring mercenaries and other guild that are willing to sell off their fighters for the protection of the city against a growing and fearful threat.
Inside the local known guild of Regulus, the guild members that were present in the city, and those that could be contacted, had been called for an important announcement, those of which the guild members took rather seriously, seeing as their guild master seldom, or rarely gave out announcements himself, always having Bernard doing it for him as he stood beside him with a simple smile.
It was early in the morning, and most guild members were tired, almost asleep, rejecting their drowsiness, or in some cases, wide awake.
The guild maids served them meals and beverages that would help them awaken, helping them a great deal.
In Marco's office, Bernard awaited him with his eyes closed, leaning on the office walls, clearly disturbed during a comfortable sleep.
"Marco, why are you calling all the members again? Even the high ranking ones," he yawned after asking, doing his best to stay awake.
"Don't worry about it too much. I'll be announcing it anyway. But, I am disappointed that highest ranked isn't here. What a shame. What could've made this even more easier, is if Laruse was here. I bet he'd be able to handle them easily," Marco replied as he rummaged through his desk and cabinets, trying to find something.
"Well, they are both out on missions. But, how are you awake at this hour? Wait, you stayed up all night didn't you?"
"Aren't you the mind reader. That's not really important. There's a good side to me staying up late... Aha, here it is. Alright, let's go. Better not keep everyone waiting. I'll have to make this brief."
Bernard woke up by reflex, realizing the Marco wasn't there anymore. So he followed him, struggling to keep his eyes open as he navigated the guild floors.
They eventually reached the wide and spacious guild hall, where most of the activities are handled, like the request board, a bar, a lounging area, and the main platform where the announcements are made.
Their eyes all followed Marco as he walked towards the wooden platform in a rather distinguished manner.
Before speaking, he clapped his hands to catch everyone's attention, "May I have everyone's attention? I'll make things quick. The situation is rather grave at the moment. The city's under threat from an army that's currently marching towards here. The governor has employed many fighters to partake in defending the city, including mercenaries and other people from other cities and nations, including Farron."
As they listened to Marco's stern and influential voice, their minds began waking up, fully devoting their attention towards him.
"So, in accordance to this, I've come here to ask and recruit a platoon for the governor, where I will be participating myself, leading the members in the guild. Those of you who join will be paid of course. And another thing is, I'd like for the high ranking members to participate. It's not mandatory, but we'll really need your help if we want to keep this city."
The guild members looked even more interested as Marco announced that he would be participating as well. Bernard found himself surprised by this remark, impressed and rather motivated to join as well.
"Then, I want to ask, who'll join me?" his words echoed through the guild halls as the entire room was silenced.
Murmurs began, then discussions, those of which were in favor of joining Marco, with the only thing restricting them was the fear of dying in battle.
Bernard then approached Marco from the side, asking, "Are you really leading? I thought that you were retired."
"Well, some things happen, so you can't really escape fate. Besides, it was bound to happen sooner or later."
From the side, a confident and cool voice spoke out, "I'm in. Don't disappoint me, guild master," a large man with dark hair wearing a dark knight's armor, wielding a golden sword that's almost as large as him, spoke in a deep, rough voice.
More murmurs began as the man spoke, "Look, Roland of Durrandal's raising his hand!"
"Seriously? You mean Roland, one of the top three in the guild. Mr. number two himself?!" the guild members were enamored when a high ranking and well known member of the guild raised his hand to join Marco.
"Our party and I will be willing to join as well!" a charismatic man with long, gold hair wearing a crusader's armor and a sturdy looking shield spoke up, catching the attention of many as well.
"Now it's Knight Johann, the unbreakable aegis! The leader of the party, Grand Crest?!" the girls and women in the guild all noticed this, eyeing him as they were captivated by his chivalric aura and seductive smile towards the female race.
The men, however, scowled and frowned when they saw the females all look at Johann, all captivated by him, "It's Mr. pretty boy. Always famous with the ladies."
The uproar merely became louder as the figureheads of the guild started raising their hands one by one.
"I will be more than glad to fight alongside you, Guild master!" yet another voice was heard, catching everyone's attention once more, but with a different feeling. She was a purple haired, slender, and well-endowed woman wearing a mage's robe along with the signature hat
"It's the soon to be arch-mage, prodigy, the bewitching sorceress, Rayleigh the iron mage! Rank three in the guild!"
She crossed her arms and puffed her chest upon hearing her name being said with admiration, having no meaning in it from her perspective, "Hmph, what do you mean by, Iron mage?"
After seeing such a spectacle, the other guild members reluctantly raised their hands, seeing as how many strong warrior and fighters joined. Many others were skilled, but did not have enough reputations to be acknowledged by everyone. However, they still joined.
Marco, having seen the quick raising of hands, placed his palm forward, silencing everybody.
"Firstly, I would like to remind you, that I want you to join, not because you have skilled fighters in our group, but because we want to safeguard the city we live in. A place where most of our memories have been built upon and cherished for many more years to come. Join only if you think you have what it takes! Don't depend on others, but instead believe in yourself and what you can do. If not, then do not participate. But become stronger so that if another threat like this comes, you'll be able to raise your hands without hesitation!"
Marco finished his speech, which carried a heavy meaning to it, one that he wanted everyone in the room, high ranked or low ranked, to ingrain into their minds and remember, to keep in mind for as long as possible.
The man named Johann began clapping, smiling at Marco with a pleased expression.
"Indeed, guild master. You have inspired me with your words. It seems that my decision of being a member of this guild was correct," he spoke with a profound inspiration, resulting in his party to clap as well, having been affected by his speech.
Then the mage named Rayleigh clapped as well, "Indeed. Such is the trait of an exceptional guild master. I expected nothing less."
Soon, the other guild members ran his words inside their heads, making them realize their passion, which now burned, to move them and to lead them to the right direction.
The guild was enveloped by a roaring applause.
"Thank you, everyone. This Guild shall live on in you and everyone. But for now. Let us protect it along with the city, shall we?" Marco confidently smiled at his guild members, where some raised theirs, and the others refrained, looking disappointed.
"We shall rally in a few minutes. Please organize yourselves and get what you need. I will be waiting here for you and act as your platoon leader and strategist. Allow me to get ready," Marco left the platform, causing the, now, passionate guild members to form an orderly line, while the others returned home to gather some necessities.
As the recruitment went underway without many problems, the city had mobilized much of its fighters and those that it hired, placing them along a defensive line that was to be the main line of defense as well, seeing as how they were short in people.
In the city square was where the governor and supreme commander of the city based his command center, making him accessible rather than being in a cramped room inside the governor's office.
A few guard captains and mercenary leaders were surrounding him, listening to his commands.
"The Regulus guild will serve as our primary offensive unit. They'll be acting as the flying column in charge of destroying much of the main force without having to take much casualties. They're that skill under his command. After all, he was part of the legendary party of seven that almost reached the demon king. But they're disbanded now. I'm honestly relieved that I know one of them. His name's Marco, the strategist of that party."
"How about the other parts of the city where they could enter?" one of his captains asked.
"That'll be easily handled. I've set up a perimeter that might be able to ensure that only this line will be focused. And if they do go for the other entrances, we'll have Marco split his fighters to cover our blind spots," he pointed to the various points in the map, placing a lantern near it so that they could see what exactly he was pointing to.
"Where is this, Marco, then?"
"He'll be here. I asked him to rally as many as he can from his guard. He's expensive, but at least there'll still be a city after this."
Just then, a man appeared from the streets, running swiftly and out of breath, "Governor! I've got a report for you!"
"Oh, if it isn't Weston. What do you have for me?" asked the governor.
"The revolutionary army from Rade is almost here! We need to form up quickly before they start an attack. Their numbers are about five hundred with another hundred following a few miles back," the man inhaled deeply after speaking without a break.
"Alright. captains and commanders, you know what to do."
He looked at his men, which nodded, ready to be put into action as they ran towards their posts.
The city was silent, and the citizens were woken up to be informed of what will be happening soon, not giving them enough time to prepare and leave for safety, instead staying and praying that they make it through alive.
Slowly, the light at the horizon began rising, signaling that dawn had come.