Originally uploaded Sep 12, 2023

Varay Pov

Each step the Retainer took sent shiver up my spine. Wisps of a dark shadow loomed over her like a foul stench, growing only powerful as she drew closer. Her presence made the very air sting my skin, being only bearable due to the thick armor of ice I had conjured.

With a swift hand motion I signaled the troops behind me to fall back. There was no use being caught up in a battle between us. They would only act as a distraction for me and die in vain.

From the suffocating aura she emitted there was no doubt she was powerful. I couldn't sense her core stage, but that didn't matter. My core burned like a small sun as I began channeling more mana throughout my body. While I had started out as an augmenter my white core had allowed me to manipulate ambient mana similar to that of a conjurer.

But still swordsmanship was one of the more powerful options within my tool set. I felt a sudden building pressure, my instincts screamed at me to move and I complied. Kicking off the dirt I launched myself off the ground and into the air, the mana aiding me float effortlessly in the sky.

The ground that was once beneath my feet turned black as an army of arms grew out from the ground, clawing at the air searching for me. I placed my arms out as two spears of blue ice grew from the moisture in the air. And with a small shove they launched like arrows at the Retainer.

But my spell never made purchase as they disintegrated from touch her aura. Before I could attack again I felt a sharp pain on my left ankle. Looking down I saw a barbed whip wrapped around it. Its sharp spikes digging in to my skin I could already feel the area around it becoming numb.

With one swift motion a sword appeared in my hand as I struck the whip, only for the blade made of ice to sizzle and dissolve. Before I could deal with it the witch was upon me. Murky hands seemingly made of shadows lunged forward at me.

Hastily creating a barrier of rock hard ice I braced for impact. The hands clawed at my shield, dissolving and scrapping large chunks from them. I readied another spell, sending out a wave of frost. Blasting away the shadow hands and freezing the whip that anchored me solid. And with a hard huge the frozen whip shattered into thousands of pieces like broken glass.

I didn't let my oppoenent catch her breath. Pushing more mana into my sword it grew in size as I made multiple wide sweeps, sending out gales of icy arches her way. Vines sprouted out from the trees and ground, their thick snake-like bodies coated in a slimly liquid that reeked.

As our attacks met they cancelled each other out. The contact of our mana created a hissing sound of poison eating through ice, obscuring the battlefield in a thick mist in the process.

The cloud of mist envloped me, sending needles of pain to my lungs and exposed skin. The very air was toxic, with haste I quickly gained altitude. Trying to free myself from the aftereffects of our clash. I could feel my body numb as my eyelids grew heavy. By the time I cleared the cloud I was high above the treeline, wobbling in the air like a drunkard. I was already sending mana coarsing throughout my body, trying to overcome the effects of the toxins in my system.

The large cloudy mist as dangerous as it was gave me an opportunity. It blinded not only me but also the Retainer's line of sight. She would assume I had succumb to her magic by now. So I had to use to chance. I could still sense her powerful mana signature, and that was all I needed. I readied myself for the perfect moment while my body protested to collapse.

Mana rushed from my core and from the air, coalsecing and condensing into a barrage of arrows made of ice. I just prayed that she wouldn't sense what I was doing. With a last mental push I launched my attack.

Thousands of arrows differing in sizes rushed towards the Retainer, only growing in velocity as gravity pulled them down. At the same time I rushed forward, the wind whipped my hair back. I had a sword drawn, its blade glowing blue from the water mana fused to it.

The force of my strike cleared away the cloud of acid covering the forest. As my arrows planted themselves into the ground with enough force to shake the ground. But I knew my attack hadn't made purchase. I looked down at the sword in my hand, it top half was gone. Only a stump remained where the blade once was.

The entire forest grew silent as the only sound that could be heard were the shattered pieces of her mask tumble onto the grassy ground.

I shifted my glance at my target, only to see her sickly thin and bony hand covering her face. Before I could do anything an ear-piercing scream that shook my insides almost deafened me. All I could do was cover my ears as the Retainer shrieked like a demon.

Tess Pov

We stood, ready with our weapons drawn. We were all alert but in reality being in the backlines we barely saw any real action. Yeah, there were a couple of stragglers that came this way from time to time but the main brunt of the fighting happened in the front.

Many of my fellow soldiers were either growing bored or complacent, believing that they are just having an easy time. But to me it was frustrating to no end. While being active on the field was a good experience for me I still felt so useless.

I had worked my ass off for this opportunity and what did it all amount to? Being the cleanup crew that barely sees any work. While participating in exercises with my squad had improved each of our combat abilities and teamwork we were still missing something.

"Something on your mind Tess?" Caria asked me as she leaned in closer.

With a wave of my hand I gently pushed her away. "It's nothing, just thinking about something." I said with a small laugh.

"Ooo, are you daydreaming about Arthur?" She teased, obviously trying to ease the tension. There wasn't much for us to do but stand guard and ready.

Darvus clicked his tongue as he took practice swings with one of his axes that looked far to heavy to wield so casually.

"Oh boy, their talking about the wonder boy again." He said with annoyance. I had told my squad of my childhood friend, while most of them seemed interested and fascinated by Art Darvus seemed to hold some amount of contempt for him. Perhaps he felt inadequate when he compared himself the Arthur. If so, I did at least share that feeling with him.

Despite having spent most of our younger years together there always was a side of Art that even he seemed to be hiding from everyone. And just the air he gave off was different from every other kid our age. He always carried around an air of undeniable strength and confidence, so much so that even my parents and grandpa treated him closer to an adult than a child my age.

That wasn't even mention the monstrous combat abilities he shows off with a sword. Having trained with sword during my time in the floating castle I had come to realize the skills Arthur demonstrated. How the blade in his hand seemed to be more of an extension of one of his limbs than an actual weapon, how each of his graceful moves flowed effortlessly into each other like some kind of deadly dance.

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The more I thought about him the more I felt my chest tightening. Mixed with multiple feelings. Admiration, pride, shame, inferiority, and something else that I couldn't quiet put my finger on.

I was so deep in thought that I had completely forgotten about my friends, snapping out of my daze I shook my head.

"I'm sure he isn't even that great in person, you're just romanticizing him because you guys were close when you were young." Darvus dismissed as he leaned on his axe.

"Is that jealously I smell? Because from what Tessia says this Arthur seems like quiet the princely figure." Caria wagged her eyebrow at my axe wielding squad mate.

Causing him to huff in disbelief. "Yeah right. I bet he ran off somewhere to hide like a coward. People like him love to puff out their chest but run with their tail between their legs when any real danger shows up."

"No." I blurted out. Why was I defending him? I know he is a good friend of mine but he had disappeared without a trace. He seems to have even abandoned his family to run off somewhere. For all I know he really did go into hiding. But from everything I knew about Arthur I knew he wasn't that kind of person.

He is the last person who would run in fear. Instead I can perfectly imagine him fearlessly charging into danger headfirst if it meant protecting the people he cared about. And in his case I couldn't imagine he losing to anybody lesser than a Lance. During our time at the academy he far surpassed every student and instructor their, even Director Cynthia treated him with respect. I am sure in the time we haven't met he has only grown stronger.

"No, you're wrong." I stated more firmly as I stared at Darvus.

"Oh really? May our princess please educate this simpleton on why you think so?" Darvus joked. I know he is doing this to joke, to make fun of me but for some reason I couldn't let his comment slide.

"From the very moment I met Arthur to the time I spent with him. He is the last person to act like a coward. Ever since we were friends he has always been putting his life in danger, not afraid of his own safety when it meant protecting those he loved." I stated with confidence.

"Then tell me where is he now? If he is as powerful as you say where is he when his continent needs him?" Darvus added as he pointed an accusing finger. Stannard approached Darvus from behind and placed on hand softly on his shoulder.

"Darvus, that is enou-" Darvus slapped his hand away as he approached me.

"Tell me princess. Where is our great hero when their are people dying. Where is he? Why isn't he here at least trying like us?" Before Darvus could confront me Caria stepped in between us.

"Darvus, I understand that you are stressed, we all are. But we should not take it out on each other. Safe it for the Alacryans." She reprimanded Darvus as he turned around with a huff.

Suddenly in the distance I could hear shouts. The soldiers near us seemed as confused as we are as we saw the platoon of troops that were dispatched to the front scramble back into camp.

They must have ran away in a rush, they looked dishevel with a wild look in their eyes. Our squad exchanged glances with each other before we rushed towards them.

Before we could make it to them we heard one of them yell in a desperate tone.

"It's the Retainer!" At the mention of one of Alacryans most powerful soldier the entire camp froze. After the initial push back of the Alacryan forces led by the Retainer in question she hadn't made a large personal appearance on the battlefield.

She would only appear to push back against any force that were strong enough to breakthrough their lines. As if she was guarding the area they occupied. But for her to make herself know and to appear before us was a first occurrence.

"What about Lance Varay?" One of the captains, a large burly man with firey red hair that stabbed the sky asked.

One of the less panicked men took a second to catch his breath before answering. And as he spoke their was fear and uncertainity in his eyes, like he wanted to run far far away.

"She commanded us to retreat and engaged the Retainer by herself."

The captain thought for a moment as he mulled over the soldier's words. While none of here had come face to face with the Retainer the rumors alone were enough to strike fear into our hearts. And seeing how shaken up these soldiers who had spents months in active battle only added to that.

"We still need to aid the general in any way we can!" The captain shouted. The soldiers who fled seemed to shrink at his words. Like a wounded dog that coward before its abuser.

"But sir, we would be walking to our deaths!" One of the frightened soldiers in the back yelled in protest. And the others joined in.

"That is suicide!"

"I never signed up for this!"

"Silence!" A strong female voice echoed through the forest. As Captain Glory stepped forward. Heavy duty armor covered her body, but it didn't hide the narly scar that ran across her face and down her neck. A reminder of the last time she and her platoon came face to face with the Retainer.

"We are soldiers. We are meant to defend our continent. To defend the people who can not fight! Do you think you can all ran away to your families without shame. Do you think you will even be save with your families if you run now?!" Her powerful voice drowned out the rest of the complaints.

"We are the wall that holds our land together. If we fall the people behind us are next. No matter where you run, no matter where you hide if you do not hold your ground we will all eventually fall! So I'd rather fight for my life and this continent's future than run like a coward. I shall face these Alacryans to defend the continent that raised me!" She shouted inspiring words, while it didn't seem to have an effect on everybody it was just enough to shut them up.

And she was right. If we were all to retreat now what would stop the Retainer would overtaking all the way into our cities. By then it would be to late to stop them. If we don't stand our ground we would be signing everyone's death warrant.

As some of the soldiers seemed to sober up from the fear a sudden strong mana signature alarmed all of us. We turned around, facing the opposite direction from where the soldiers had retreated from. Looking out into the misty forest the strong presence only grew in intensity.

People instantly jumped into action, wielding their weapons I could feel their mana flare up as they face the oncoming threat. I brandished my rapier as I felt for the wind and water mana around me. Ready to unleash my beast will if necessary. Expecting some mana beast or a pincer attack from the Alacryans.

Captain Glory rushed forward as she placed herself in the front. Fire visibly manifested around her as he held her large sword with two hands.

"Ready yourselves!" She commanded as the source of the mana signature cleared the treeline.

And the person who emerged from the trees wasn't a mana beast or even an Alacryan. It was a dwarf. Who wore the snow-white military uniform that I knew all too well.

"Lance Olfred?" Glory sounded befuddled as her grip of her weapons loosened at the sight of the Lance.

The dwarven Lance did not acknowledge her question as he continued to marched towards us.

"Have you come the aid of Lance Varay?" One of the other captains asked the Lance. And at his inquiry the Lance did stop for a moment.

"Where is Lance Varay?" He asked the captain before pondering for a moment. If he had come to our aid then having two Lances would definately make dealing with a Retainer a much more palpable task. While I didn't have any doubt of Varay's strength, she was the strongest among the Lances after all, but we still didn't know everything about the Retainers and their full power. There were too many unknowns about them that it was better to be safe.

"She is currently engaged in a battle with the Retainer general." Captain Glory sternly replied as she saluted the Lance.

"Hmm, I see." Olfred said as he placed on of his hands on his chin in a thinking gesture.

"Then is will be easier then expected." He said with a sigh of relief.

"Easier then expected si-" Before the captain could finish her question a tendril made of rock and stone erected out from the ground. Striking captain Glory hard enough in the chest to send her flying backwards.

All of us could do nothing as the limp body as the once academy instructor and now a well respected captain flew over our heads.

"This isn't personal." The dwarven Lance said, drawing our attention back to him. The ground beneath him opened up, like the hungry maw of an animal. As a large cavernous opening was brought to light. I saw them, hundreds of Alacryan soldiers rose up from the ground. As Lance Olfred floated above them, and with a simple gesture of his fingers those Alacryan soldiers were joined by his army made of stone.

Realization kicked in. We were surrounded on both sides. They not only had a Retainer on the field but also one of our own Lances had somehow joined them. Panic grew again as our armies mana signature waned like a dying candle light.

Olfred hung in the air, he seemed more powerful than I had last seen him. He looked down on us like insects. When suddenly an array of frost was launched at him. They didn't land on their target as Olfred blocked the attack with his own mana. Looking back I saw Kathyln, standing strong with her wand pointed at the traitor Lance.

Her face was not the usual icy cold one, rather it displayed that of disgust.

She spoke in her soft voice but it was filled with hatred that I never would have expected from her.

"You don't deserve to be a Lance." She spat with venom.

Olfred only frowned at her comment. And with a sweeping motion of his arm he pointed at us each of his movements commanded power and authority. As he commanded the Alacryans to attack.