“ELIUSSS!” Salith howled.
The Rozzalian leapt off the edge of the roof and waved her hammer high in the air.
“Tama, Carmyn’s down!”
“Nya?! O-on it!” The Mixrel quickly pounced towards where she last Carmyn and began digging among the sizzling rubble.
Salith flew into rage after helplessly watching her cousin stabbed and blasted aside. She reeled in anger. Her blood boiled as she was about to throw all her strength into this one swing to cave Elius’ head in.
“Drop everything and lay flat.”
Salith felt as if a poison needle paralyzed her body and fumbled her landing. She powerlessly tumbled and landed face flat on the ground in front of Elius.
It’s proven Elius could control Salith with words. So what was the catalyst that made it possible? The only hint Kihet had was hearing the low note constantly ringing from Salith from the curse that was casted on her.
“Dammit…!”
“Keep your mouth shut too.”
Elius smirked as he stepped on the Rozzalian’s back triumphantly. His expression was disgusting, proudly acting high and mighty by putting another being under his foot. Aside from his appearance, nothing else about him resembled the Elius that Kihet knew.
The ‘Elementals’ Elius called were opposite attributes of what he usually cast. Whereas Kihet saw the past Elius favored compound attribute spells, the Elius now preferred to cast primary attribute magic.
Elius sheathed his blade and wielded it like a staff. “Give up. You cannot defy my commands.” And moved his gaze back on Kihet as if provoking him for a specific look.
And a response he received, but it was beyond what he envisioned.
Upon meeting Kihet’s gaze, the palms of his hand were instantly covered in cold sweat. His body felt like someone had poured ice water on him, an unsettling coldness creeping up his spine.
“That’s a terrifying look you got there, Fake.”
“Do you really want to do this, Elius?”
“We’re enemies and I don’t know you.”
Even if it was amnesia, Elius would surely find him a familiar face. However, he shown no such reaction and most of all, Kihet ran out of patience. Draigh was on the verge of death when Kihet found him and now Carmyn. If Elius wasn’t dealt with now, then more people would only get caught in his malice.
Without Lily to hold him back, Kihet drew his knife with the intention to kill and hurled it without hesitation at Elius’ head that was effortlessly intercepted by an earthen wall.
Then as Elius was about to make a remark of the attack, the wall in front of him crumbled. A hand punched through a hole and was about to snatch his neck.
“Chain Magic! Furl, Ulos, Exlas, Bast!”
A powerful pressure of wind hit the area in front of him with almost no delay. It shattered the stone wall, launching a buckshot of stone fragments with enough power to puncture the face of the buildings in his view.
But he didn’t hear any reaction.
Elius suddenly felt a presence behind, spotted out Kihet using [Crescent Moon Dance], holding the firelance like a bat. Elius bent as far back from the attack that was aimed at his skull, scratching the skin at tip of his nose. He quickly stepped off Salith, dodging swings as he chanted.
The same spell went off. He propelled himself backwards to distance himself and to launch Kihet away.
His sight was filled with burning silver light, flames that negated his magic attack.
“Erk!”
Elius felt a sharp pain digging into his right shoulder. The knife Kihet thrown earlier struck him in his back. He wondered how it came to hit him when he spotted a semi invisible [Chain] tethered to it.
His body suddenly felt light, so light his feet floated off the ground as he was pulled in. He lifted his staff to block a heavy swing and was batter into a building. Its support collapsed, then the ceiling fell.
“Don’t get cocky, damn Enui!” Elius ripped the kukri knife and tossed it behind while crawling out of the pile of debris. “Get him!”
It took a second for Kihet to realize who that command was for. Since Aten was busy keeping Rogus away from his battle, it could only be Salith. Because of the command to mute herself earlier, she couldn’t warn Kihet as she unwillingly slammed her weapon at him with all her might.
Sparks showered. Salith’s morning star was parried by Kihet’s [Full Moon, High Tide]. The air screeched with loud ringing of steel.
Kihet aimed his palm at Salith, using [Quagmire Sphere] to trap the Rozzalian in a slow field. He fished the kukri knife his [Chain] kept its grasp around out of the debris and sprinted at Elius.
“Have some tact. A straightforward attack is too predictable!” Elius drew his rapier and pointed it to the floor. “Gurd, Maks, Ashent, Bast!”
The ground ruptured with spikes that sprouted at the area in front of Elius. He thought as long as his spells weren’t projectiles, Kihet couldn’t possibly block this trap. The Oracle’s flames needed time to spark and chanting a spell would take even longer.
As Elius expected, Kihet’s only course of action was to jump. The Oracle’s seal provided the spirt of strength gathered at his leg and he kicked into the air above the bed of sharp stalagmites.
A fan of throwing knives flew at him, interrupting a spell from being completed. Elius made his floating swords dance, parrying the incoming blades and moved swiftly to counterattack. Under the barrage of his spells, Elius lunged forward unleashing a flurry of stabs with his floating swords following his lead.
Fully cladded with killing intent, Kihet didn’t hesitate to use [Waxing Moon, Sparking Steel].
Kihet drew his sword as he plunged into the flock of floating swords. He unleashed a stream of [Blooming Petals] as he pushed forward deflecting swords soaring at him. Upon landing, he swept at Elius and kicked him back.
“You’re more competent than I thought, but you’re lacking in comparison to the real Oracle!”
Primarily a spellcaster, a fencer second, Elius knew he would be at a disadvantage if he challenged Kihet head on. Only savages and brutes would mindlessly charge their foes.
Elius suddenly came to a realization he was looking down the barrel of the firelance and a burning stick in Kihet’s hand. “Gurd, Ulos, Maks, Ashent, Exlas, Dupil!”
A bed of wide stone pillars sprung out of ground in time before the echo of a cracking shot. A spray of shrapnel chipped edges and punched holes into his defensive wall.
“If I didn’t recognize the similarities of that weapon, my body would’ve been riddled with holes!”
His words only meant they knew of the existence of weapons that relied on fire medicine. Kihet spun to the next barrel and aimed for a second shot as the fierce fighting continued at the next street.
Meanwhile, Rogus dodged and deflected attacks from Aten. Aten had the advantage for being airborne, diving and ducking away from Rogus’ reach. This forced Rogus to weave between buildings to not be attacked from all angles.
“Che. I don’t see how Haku and Lidian find ya terrifying. All you do is hit and run. Fight like a real man!”
Once the Lycanthrope blinked, Aten vanished. His primal instincts predicted the attack from his right and quickly ducked the spear aiming for his shoulder. Rogus swiped his claw, just grazing Aten’s exoskeleton. The power behind the Lycanthrope’s attack demolished the wall of a brick house that was in his way.
While Aten was within his reach, Rogus rushed to kick off a nearby wall to match the Dragonfly’s height before letting his target slip away.
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“Take this! [Rolling Crown]!”
Rogus finally managed to land a solid blow and swatted the Dragonfly down from the air. While falling, the Lycanthrope drew his greatsword and performed a somersault, dragging the weight of his blade.
A geyser of dirt rose up to three meters high where the impact hit. It struck Aten, splitting his body diagonally from shoulder to waist.
Rogus grinned, having to preemptively proclaim his victory unaware of the black miasma spreading from Aten’s body.
“What the?!”
Black tentacles lashed out, attempting to weave a net to capture Rogus but the Lycanthrope retreated to the top of the roof. Just as he was about to dive in with a flurry of swipes, loud screams and horrible screeching filled the skies. Pebbles danced, the nearby fountain rippled and wood from a half torn building creaked.
The Lycanthrope spotted a stampede of monsters headed towards them, bringing a wall of miasma blowing behind. They flooded the alleyways with great numbers.
“Elius, we gotta bounce! The Tower found us!”
Hearing this, Kihet kept the barrel pointed at Elius, ready to ignite the firelance if Elius acted.
“Take your shot, Fake. Know if you do, I’ll throw this body towards the tower. You’ll get nothing out of this for holding me at point.”
“What do you mean?”
Elius spread his arms, daring Kihet to take the shot. “I’m forcing you to make a choice. You aren’t given a lot of time.”
There were more lives at stake here compared to Elius’ side. At the pace the Scalemen scouts retreated, the Tower Monsters would catch up within minutes.
“Dammit.”
A bead of sweat ran down Kihet’s cheek. In the end, he nonverbally agreed to the ceasefire after his split second reminder of his primary objective. Kihet lowered his firelance, helplessly watching Elius and Rogus’ haste retreat, abandoning Salith.
“Wait, Rogus!”
“No hard feelings, Tama. There ain’t no way I’m going back to Douglas and ma.”
“Nyaaa! Dammit! Don’t make this harder than nit nyeeds to! I already risked my life to get here to bring you back! My easy earned Silvers!”
An immortal suddenly landed in front of Tama. Its snake eyes rolled onto the Mixrel then its long neck stretched towards her with its jaws wide apart.
A strong impact slammed its snout into the ground, two spears anchoring it in place. The Dragonfly insectoid drew a spear it gathered from the surroundings in each of his four hands.
“Aten! I thought I was going to die! Thank the creator!”
“Tama, how are the others?” Kihet jogged up to her.
“Most of the Scalemen have left and brought Carmyn with them. I treated everyone to the best Nyie could. Thankfully there nyaren’t casualties, but many of them are crippled.”
[Rozzosea’s Hero?] Aten pointed at the flat fallen Rozzalian. [What do?]
“I’m bringing Salith with us no matter what. She can’t get up because of the order Elius gave her. I’ll cover our rear while you two move her.”
“Sure, I carry this bag like nyothing but it’s enchanted to be light! The Rozzalian is not! It only makes anything I carry in it light!”
As if the two were suddenly struck by an idea, Kihet and Aten exchanged looks knowing they were on the same page. One turned their head to Salith while the other eyed Tama’s bag.
“Tama, open your bag.”
“Nya?!”
“I don’t have time to explain. I’ll hold them off for now but Aten, you know what to do.”
Acknowledging Kihet’s command, Aten dragged Salith by the leg, oblivious to the scowling face she made. He moved Salith next to Tama. Once Kihet found a moment in the interval of warding off enemy waves, they stuffed Salith into the bag.
Salith glared daggers at Kihet knowing how ridiculous she looked. She sat upright with her bottom sitting deep in the magical bag and her legs dangling like there was a hole in her chair.
Kihet simply shrugged thinking how it can’t be helped. It was the most efficient method to transport people at their disposal. “Alright, try now.”
“I’m charging you extra for this! You’re a demon, a slave driver!” Tama protested.
“Go let Lily know we’ll slowly make our way back. Aten, keep an eye for any stragglers that I missed.”
Without another complaint, Tama skittered off with Salith on her back. Although surreal, it was hilarious to witness Salith in this state knowing how karma had boomeranged back to her for the humiliation Kihet received from their duel a decade ago.
He almost cracked a smile.
[Alright?]
“Just saw something I thought I’d never see. Call it Karma, maybe.” Kihet drew his sword. “Let’s make our slow retreat.”
----------------------------------------
They came from all directions, but the Scalemen stood strong.
The Scalemen fought as practiced, incorporating many formations and strategies drilled into their bodies. The row of shield walls kept the enemies at bay while spearmen focused on one target at a time. Archers reduced the droves of enemies and spellcasters provided crowd control to slow down their advance.
“Ainig, big ones incoming! They’re heading towards you!”
From Draigh’s early warning, the Tortoise Folk shifted his tower shield to the front and timed his shield bash to catch the two Shadows rushing him. He was, of course scared. However, thanks to the exposure of these abominations he received during his training, Ainig remained somewhat composed and pushed them back using his weight.
Two spears thrust from each side of his shield and ended the creatures. As long as he had allies to support, the Tortoise was determined to fight.
But how long could he endure before being forced to use the Pale Dragon’s blessing? He was worried if he was able to tame such power that made him go berserk.
“Watch out, Ainig!”
His best friend, Krullu, shouted and snapped Ainig awake from his daydreaming to find a Greater Shadow about to take a swing with its pickaxe.
Ainig tried to reposition his shield, but he fumbled and lifted it in an awkward position. The pick pierced through his shield and hooked it out of his grip before the Greater Shadow drew its sword and lunged at Ainig.
Before the blade stabbed into his shell, the enemy’s weapon suddenly flew away. Its wrist was sliced off by an arrow. Its legs were shot off by projectiles of light then its head exploded within seconds. Tower monsters who followed the Greater Shadow’s lead also succumbed to the same fate as they got plucked one by one by arrows which never missed.
The Scalemen were supported by a sniper occupying the top of a bell tower. Her arrows moved as fast as shooting stars, blinking, reappearing in her enemies back or make impossible sharp turns to snipe those hiding behind cover.
“I’m somewhat scared. Tomoe doesn’t let anything get by under her watch.” Krullu shivered. “Here bud, got you a new shield.”
“Thanks, Krullu.”
“Just remember you almost died. If things get too messy, run.”
“I-I won’t do that. But… I’ll do my best to not die.” Ainig wiped the dust off from his eyes and stood back up, marching towards the front.
“Sheesh. And I thought I was the braver of us cowards.” Krullu mumbled to himself. “Holy Draigh, when can we move my creations?”
“Not anytime soon. We haven’t got a strong footing in this area.” Draigh answered.
He pummeled the monsters standing in his way with his fists, either sending them flying or decimating them. After a satisfying victory, he was challenged by a pack of Immortals.
“Let’s see. Kihet said their weakness is the core in their big eyes.” He licked the corner of his dried mouth and rolled his shoulders. “Hey Ainig, how about you and I tackle this group?”
“M-me?”
“Nothing says a bit of pressure won’t help you grow. C’mon, Ainig! You’re doing great out here and it’s time to kick it up a notch!”
Ainig gulped, but if he didn’t try to learn how to control the Pale Dragon’s blessing he’d waste any potential that was granted to him. With a little nudge from Draigh, he convinced himself to give it a try. With Draigh next to him, Ainig trust he could be stopped if he went berserk.
“I-I’ll try! But I can’t muster it up instantly.”
“I’ll buy you as much time as you need!”
Draigh plucked the pickaxe from the shield and pounced at the group of Immortals. He tossed the pick into the torso of one and dropped kicked a second one. Immortal three was charging up for a poisonous breath when suddenly a powerful impact dug into its side. It felt its innards were being twisted, its bones mixing with its flesh as Draigh’s fist rotated, sinking into its body. Immortal three was launched spinning into a building.
While Immortal one was in the middle of regenerating, Draigh leaped up and delivered a devastating axe kick into its back. Draigh felt its spine cracked and its flesh flattened, but he was disappointed he missed where he thought the core would be. That would incapacitate it for only mere seconds so he grabbed its hind leg and wielded it like a whip, slapping Immortal two with it.
Immortal three took longer time to regenerate than he thought. Draigh strained his ears as he swung Immortal one like a rag doll on Immortal two only to hear flesh being scraped in the background.
“Could it be-, oh no you don’t!” He quickly hurled Immortal one into Immortal three’s location. “I didn’t think it could do that!”
Immortal three leaped out of the debris and pounced at Draigh. In its suit of heavily dense scales after damaging itself, Immortal three mercilessly unleashed a flurry of swipes.
Draigh sidestepped and jumped away to the best of his ability. He wasn’t as nimble or light footed as Kihet and suffered some light scratches here and there. Aside from increased durability Immortal three gained from damaging itself, its claws also hardened as it regrew.
He could also hear Immortal one and two doing the same in the background. If all three became armored, the fight would only be more difficult for him.
Draigh caught a claw and threw the Immortal over his shoulder. He raised the creature into the air and slammed its neck into the ground.
Suddenly he felt a pulse of magical energy behind him.
“Well, I’ll be damned.”
The Tortoise behind him was enveloped in white light. A single sharp horn grew out of Ainig’s head and his shell whitened. His forearm grew clusters of opalescent shards. He dropped on all fours of his crystalized scaly forearms and roared. His cry carried throughout the city.
Ainig rushed the two armored Immortals. Although he was slower and instantly was caught in a pincer attack, the Pale Dragon’s barriers materialized to protect him.
Noticing their damage was lacking, both Immortals flew into the air to create distance. They shortly discovered their backs smacked into a dome of light and landed back on the ground. One decided to charge up for a breath attack while the other moved its cursed eye up its throat, planning to petrify Ainig.
But all they saw was a flash of white light. In the next instance, the Immortal trying to call up its eye received the Pale Dragon’s breath and was annihilated.
Putrid smog exhaled from Immortal one’s sac, but Ainig barreled down at the last Immortal. His massive frame pinned the monster into a wall and relentlessly wailed at it. His weighty arms crushed the durable scales grown throughout its body like a predator who caught its prey and continued to wail at the paste that was once the Immortal.
The instant the enemies left behind their cores, three arrows of light swiftly shattered them.
The question now was if Ainig’s mind was still there.
“Hey, AInig. That you there?”
The Tortoise stopped and went silent. Ainig slowly turned towards Draigh with a glare then his expression returned to his usual meek self when he blinked.
“H-huh? D-did I go out of control?”
Draigh sighed. For a moment he thought he would have to subdue Ainig as Kihet instructed if the Tortoise lost control. Luck or not, he was worried seeing Ainig’s expression looked empty like a mindless husk for a second.
“No. You did good.”
“Phew. I don’t remember much, but I’m glad I didn’t cause trouble for you.”
Just as the Scalemen captured a new area, Draigh suddenly felt a change in temperature. As if answering Ainig’s Pale Dragon’s blessing, a mass of hot air hit them. The Crimson’s Wrath, Alc’Bruk, had definitely noticed Ainig utilizing his new powers and gave a warning.
The side where the Dragonkins were razed. Buildings on the enemy’s end engulfed in flames.
“U-uwah! What was that?” Ainig shrieked.
“Heh. That Dragonborn’s saying he’s waiting for us.” Draigh said, cracking his knuckles.