Chapter 005
Exactly 6 in the afternoon, at dusk. The Sun had already gone and the red sky was immediately covered by the curtain of the night, while at the East, the blood red moon shone brightly. However, the most eeri scene was the sight of the moon bleeding.
The scenery in the horizon caused despair and terror. Many people had already seen such sight before, and when something like this happened, disaster, misfortune and death always followed.
"Oldman! Let's leave the city before the guards closed the gate!" Almano shouted clearly frightened by the sight.
"Merlin was right! This blood moon indicates death this time!"
All of them were scared witless by the sight of the sky as they remembered what Merlin had said. Oldman Omar, Old Caesar and the rest had immediately jumped on their caravans and accelerated the horses. Fortunately, they had escaped before the alarm rang and was already outside a few miles away the city.
Immediately after, the sound of the start of massacre rang, and the soldiers reluctantly did their duty as they about to close the gate connected to the outside world.
However, before the guards had completely closed the gate, many merchants rushed outside with their caravans. A stampede occurred and many people were injured.
Amidst the uproar, the group of Witch Hunters, took lead and urgently make everyone evacuate, but only the Merchants, Traders and other foreigners were the ones who wanted to escape, not the citizens.
The lives of the citizens were tied down on the city itself. Once they stepped outside, they would die as the curse would take effect and killed them. Nevertheless, they knew they would die, it was either painless or agonizing.
A payment for their actions, as they tolerated the action of the City Lord, for using their neighbors as sacrifice.
Then, the silent City Square was disturbed by an explosion that occurred near the City Lord Mansion.
*Boooom!*
The building crumbled and had been demolished. The Inquisitors of Holy Church heard it and saw the smoke as they immediately rushed to the place, while the Bounty Hunters and Witch Hunters remained at the city gate.
At the center of the city, the fountain which stood for many years that it had already eaten by time suddenly changed color. The blue water turned red like blood and overflowed that it stained the road, which slowly draw into a circle with intricacies.
Then, a smog came out which formed into heinous looking ghouls and started killing everyone they saw in frenzy. Cries filled the air and scent of blood permeated as the blood of people spilled on the ground.
"Boss! This witch is out of our league! Let's escape! Our little life is more important than the money we won't be able to enjoy once we're dead!" one of the Bounty Hunters shouted.
"You're right! Everyone retreat! Leave this cursed city!" the leader of the Bounty Hunters said, and the members followed as they rushed through the fleeing crowd.
"Fuck! This isn't a C-Rank Mission! This is a B-Rank!" said one of the Witch Hunters.
"We're already here. Let's kill that Witch instead of capturing her!" said the other.
"Let's join forces with the Inquisitors, the Bounty Hunters had already fled with the merchants! Those bastards are really hateful!" someone said as they saw the group of Bounty Hunters fled with their tails between their legs.
"No. Those fanatics won't join with us, even temporarily. They'll take on that witch on their own. Let's go! We'll watch from the side for now. Our utmost priority is to secure the lives of the citizens! The witch isn't the only adversary here, there are also ghouls that she summoned. We don't have much time! Quickly move!" the leader commanded.
"Yes leader!" they said in unison and moved in two groups composed of three people as they moved in forked direction.
When the Inquisitors of Holy Church arrived at the site, the building that exploded had already became ruins, as well as the building near it, while the buildings from a bit far was caught on fire and was spreading faster like flame eating dried leaves.
"Frederick, Cig, Alphonse! Formation! Don't late the Witch strike us from behind! This witch possessed a Dark Category Magic. Although, we're trained to counter any mind controlling magic, we still must be cautious!" the cloaked Inquisitor with a sword said, while the three nodded.
"Brother, I can't sense the witch anymore! It's like she disappeared!" Frederick stated as his face darkened.
Although, they were all C-Rank and was qualified to be called B-Rank as a group, the Witch that could only hide from the Witch Detector Device were all A-Rank, and it was out of their capabilities to handle.
"The Rank of this Witch has become A-Rank! Call for a reinforcement at the Mountain Glothvan District!" Cig suggested.
"I've already did that, but the Voice Transmission Device isn't working! The Witch Domain is blocking the frequency! Let us retreat temporarily!" Alphonse shouted not caring for the lives that was extinguishing around their surroundings.
They were not even fazed by the building burning within the flames and cries of citizens near as they died, either caught in flames or killed by the heinous ghouls. Clearly, this Inquisitors were trained to be used at such situations and follow their own objectives that they received from the Church.
"We don't have a choice then. Let's die here, but take the witch with us!"
Another after another ghoul was coming out of the smoke at alarming rate, yet the Inquisitors didn't even had a hint of intent to stop it. They killed who ever neared them, be it the cursed citizens or the ghouls.
Their eyes continued to swept the surroundings and find the witch they were looking for. Until a cold shrill laughter rang out. "Hahahaha! No one will ever leave this place! Become an offering and unleashed the hell in this world!"
The voice echoed through the whole city and the Inquisitors nor the Witch Hunters hadn't had any ideas where it even originated.
All citizens that died had their souls devoured by the smoke and turned into a ghoul without any awareness, only instincts to kill.
The inquisitors remained in the City Square and killed many ghouls that pounced at them, hacking and smashing them. While the Witch Hunters had successfully temporarily secured the citizens inside the Theater Hall, which was a thousand meters away from the City Square, guarding the entrance.
The ghouls were not a match for them as they had Magic Artifacts on their hands. However, the ghouls outnumbered them, and it was a factor that could cause the possibility of losing.
"Leader! This doesn't have an end! Hargg! It's like they are only respawning at some place!" someone shouted as he slashed his bastard sword, beheading the ghouls on his side, but it was immediately replaced by the oncoming ghouls.
Although, the ghouls had the strength of 3 person, the Witch Hunters had strength that surpassed them. The only downside was their strength depended mainly on the Mana in their Magic Artifacts. If it run out, they were dead, and so it was only a matter of time before they come to this conclusion.
"Argh!" the leader swung his axe. "Witches weakness is their Witch Hats, just like our Magic Artifacts. However, they can't use it as a catalyst for summoning!" the leader said.
"Leader, I think the Black Witch Mistress was a Dark Category and Summoning Type! If that's the case, she can open a doorway to the underworld!" someone speculated.
"You're right!" the leader shouted as he realized something. "Flint! Plowven with me! Back me up! We'll destroy the thing that summoned this monsters!" he said as he ran ether City Square.
"Alright!" the two replied and loaded their bow and crossbow, as they ran along their leader. "We'll leave the lives of the citizens to you Genere, Jeromy and Findvere!"
"Alright! Be careful! Leave this place on our hands! But please hurry!" the three shouted.
Outside the city, Merchants, Traders and foreigners all camped on the grassy land, several miles away from the Everborne City. The night was still young, yet most of them were drained of energy, but couldn't even find a better position to sleep.
Every time they closed their eyes, the images of horror would appeared in their minds and awakened them, with eyes widely open and hearts beating loudly as though they would had an heart attack. This was indeed a nightmare.
All of it was justifiable. How could they sleep after what they experienced? After their lives were almost taken as a sacrifice. Until now, they could hear the howls of people dying within the walls of the city, even though they were far, it was still loud and horrifying noise.
For all of them whom had escaped with their lives knew, that this would be etched in their minds, wouldn't be forgotten and would be always remember as one of the stories of their lives, as witnesses for the massacre that happened.
While most of them wanted to leave already and travel to another city, all of them could not. It was due to the road they would take. If they returned to the Balvion City, they would passed through the Red Soil Mountain Valley.
Although, the Red Soil Mountain Valley was only small, similar to smallest mountain range with several thousand meters, it had many forked roads and Bands of Bandits waiting for an ambush.
They might also lost their lives. With the purpose to save their lives when they leave the Everborne City, they would not let such thing happened, and so all of them remained within the vast heath and camped outside.
While on the other direction, if they continued to travel to the next city, the Darviory City. They must passed through the Allceniem Marsh, that had many ferocious animals and rare Mana Beast, which was akin to killing themselves.
They didn't had any choice, but to wait for the night to end.
A sigh escaped from their mouths as they looked at the blood moon with grim expression. Only one thing they were aware was that the night would be long...
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
While the city was being turned into a hellish place, the news of it being cursed by the Black Witch Mistress had already spread in the neighboring cities. After all, Voice Transmission Devices was very useful in such situation. Although it was very expensive as its interior components were composed of 5% pure gold and by no means cheap.
Because of it, Voice Transmission Devices could only be found in the hands of rich people, like Merchants with Company, Nobles and Royalties, the makers of the devices were also included.
In a thousand people there were 2 people with Voice Transmission Devices, but it was enough to spread news faster to a far away lands. It was also the reason why the Balvion City and other neighboring cities became aware of the event which was happening in the Everborne City.
All normal people who heard of it were terrified, but not the people with power. At least, it excited them. Something like this had happened rarely, because of the peace that shrouded the continent.
* * * * * *
"Princess, are we going for a look? And in fact, that guy Merlin is also there. Maybe he has come from WHA as you have suspected. But I don't think he's similar from the likes of those people that we knew." Melissa said as she stood on the corner of the office like room, at the Balvion City.
"He might be, but I don't want to be too careless. After all, my identity as a Witch is at stake. You know how the Holy Church hates Witches. I might also endangered my family."
Melissa nodded and signed. "I understand. Do you want me to observe what is happening in the Everborne City? It is part of the kingdom after all." she said.
"No need. There are Inquisitors and WH there. Let them do there job. Don't think of this anymore. You can take your leave." Vivianne waved her hand.
"Understood. I'll go home then." said Melissa as she left.
"Merlin.... What a mysterious fellow. I know we'll meet again." Vivianne mumbled as her gaze fell from afar towards the Everborne City, which was being blocked by the small mountain range.
* * * * * *
Back at the Everborne City, the 600,000+ citizens living was reduced to hundred thousand plus at most, and continue to decrease. A horrifying incident if anyone would say. What's more terrifying was it happened in one night. Those who would survive know how it happened if they could survive, as their nightmare had only started.
In the vast heath with an area of thousands of miles, the city located at the center had an area of 163.44 sq miles. There were thousands of families living within when the curse was first laid upon, only those whom weren't inside the City at that time were the luckiest people which weren't affected by the curse.
By which allowed them to leave the City without being harmed by the curse, and their numbers was only 4.4% of the city's total population, which was around 30,000 citizens or more.
As of now, that 4.4% had already left the city and had been living in another cities since, which means, the people left inside the city were all cursed and they were the ones whom chose not to leave as they couldn't.
Currently, those 70 thousand plus people which were still alive, hoping for the curse to be lifted and believing for a miracle to descend from heaven were all inside the huge and wide Theatre Hall, and the space within had caused a hurdle on how they would cramped themselves inside just to stay alive.
Meanwhile, outside the Theatre Hall, the ghouls that was being summoned from the City Square had increased greatly, and their numbers were around the exact number of people that was killed by the ghouls.
"This has no ending! Arrgh!" shouted Jeromy, guarding the entrance as he slashed, and beheaded a ghoul one after another.
"Don't give up! Wait for Leader! He won't let us down!" Findvere replied.
"For now, focus on killing any ghouls that dare to pass!" Genere from behind said.
At the side of the leader and the other two, after they left the Theatre Hall, they rushed towards the City Square as fast as they could and arrived at the roof of a building, a thousand meters away from the source. There from above the roof, they had a full view of where the ghouls were coming, as well as the street jammed packed of ghouls.
Anger filled their lungs as the leader bellowed, as he saw four people in steel armour disappeared as though they were pursuing someone. "This fanatics are so useless! They don't have any inclination to stop the summoning and only pursue the damn witch!"
"Leader, let's just destroy the fountain!" Flint suggested as he didn't had much time.
"You two destroy the fountain from afar!" the leader said.
"Alright, leave it to us!" Flint said as he attacked with his strongest attack from Fire Category, while Plowven charged his Magic Artifact with Mana and attacked with purifying effect.
Two rays of light with white and fiery red blasted from their bow and crossbow, shooting through the horizon and descending towards their target, surrounded by the sea of howling ghouls.
As they thought that their attack would end the summoning, tens of ghoul intercepted their attack as they took the attack to themselves, protecting the fountain from any harm, at the same time killing the ghouls.
From awhile ago, the fountain wasn't summoning ghouls any longer as though it had reached the maximum amount it could summon, yet when some of the ghouls died from the two deadly rays, the fountain shook and summoned another ghouls, which number was similar to ones that had died.
This sight confirmed one speculation; The ghouls were respawning if they ever died, and also revived the killed citizens, not as humans but ghouls.
As the three saw that their attacks were intercepted, they knew that long range attacks wouldn't not destroy the fountain. They also knew that they needed to be closer to destroy it, but only the thought of rushing in the hordes of ghouls made them tremble from fear.
This caused a dilemma for their current objective. Would they kill their way and destroy the fountain or retreat and abandon the mission for their lives, but doing so would kill the remaining citizens of Everborne City.
If they would do the latter, they would be a laughingstock and might also expelled from being a Witch Hunter, but if they chose the initial option, they might die and become a monstrous creature thirsty for flesh and blood.
Every passing second was important, and they knew it as well. Therefore they must quickly make a choice.
The leader looked at his two teammates which he considered family, while they treat him back likewise. "Guys, we've known each other for 7 years. We're the original members of Wind Ashes and you know that you two are brothers to me. I hope after this, you continue in your lives. This might be our last memories."
He jumped on the next roof and looked at them with resolute and stern expression. "From this moment onwards, you Flint is now appointed as the new leader of the team. But for now you two must do something for me. Cover me up as I destroy the fountain!" he shouted as he jumped down on the empty street, but was immediately surrounded by ghouls.
"Leader!" the two bellowed as they teared.
"Make a way for me! [Steel Armour!]" the leader roared as he used his one and only defensive ability.
Flint and Plowven gripped their Magic Artifact as they roared as well and shoot a barrage of arrows, killing ghouls that were coming, creating a path for their leader.
When the leader reached midway, the two stopped firing arrows as the Mana Reserve of their Magic Artifacts were drained without any drops left.
They switched using normal arrows but it wasn't effective as Mana Arrows, and their leader was in a very difficult situation, as the leader's Mana Reserve was also about to run out. If that happened, he would definitely die.
With a few meters away and few Mana left to use, the leader made a gamble that would cause his life, but guaranteed that would save many.
Being pulled back and blocked by the ghouls made his pace slower. Although, the ghouls were mindless idiots, they were protecting the fountain as though it was the only thing they knew. Clearly, it was the command of the Witch.
He kicked the ghouls that were holding him back and rushed towards the fountain. He almost tripped many times as the ghouls were pulling his feet.
The intensity of his Steel Armour lessened as the ghouls clawed him. Just several hundred strikes and it would fade away, as well as his life, but he would not allow it, not until the fountain wasn't destroyed.
Waving his axe as he ran spent more of his stamina, while the ghouls kept blocking him. As he was about a few meters away, he infused and circulated Mana on his feet from his Magic Artifact and kicked the ground as he lounged in the air towards the fountain.
As he neared from the air, he sent down his axe with all his might as he roared, which was intercepted by a defensive barrier that cracked when it was hit.
"Haargh! [Heavy Strike!]"
The crack crawled around the barrier and shattered into pieces. His axe had by passed the barrier as it resulted in explosion. The old fountain was no more and sharp shards from it flew and killed some ghouls nearby.
As for the leader, he had reached his limit and his Magic Artifact Mana Reserve was drained dry. All he could had done was to wait for his death from the hands of the ghouls.
However, a rescue came as a cold wind breezed through and a voice reverberated. "Nice. Not bad. You look relieved even in this situation. Not that it matters as you have already set this as your end, but fate has another path stored for you, so live on." then, everything turned crystal like in the world of ice.
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See y'all!