Lucas Pov
A small flick of my wrist as my hands came up in an arcane gesture was enough to engulf a horde of mana beasts as they were reduced to burnt ash.
My lungs were filled with the smell of burning flesh and fire as I continued to advance, leaving the soldiers behind to defend the Wall. My entire body became a weapon as I spun around on my heels, my arms and staff was bathed with pale blue fire as I melted through the skin and armor of the beasts as if it was warm butter.
While I was burn a conjurer Grey had turned my entire body into a weapon. Now I was more a perfect blend of conjurer and augmenter. Every now and then I would catch a glimpse of the soldiers with their feeble weapons and spells staring back at me.
Their faces were a mixture of awe and fear, and I couldn't help but relish that feeling. It brought me back to Xyrus academy when I had slaughtered those high and mighty professors. Oh how they fell at my feet like insects. I had felt like a true prodigy, a true genius amongst a bunch of commoners.
And now Grey was true to his promise, he had transformed me into his instrument of battle, his dog of war. While being kept on his leash still didn't sit right with me I stil found enjoyment in all of this carnage.
Being repressed by my father and by extension my whole noble family and being endlessly compared to my brother had made me the hateful individual I was now. But now I was free from them, free from the dregs of society. I was free to train and test my power and prove myself in this war.
My staff shot upwards as it pierced straight through the upper jaw of a serpentine mana beast. The creature's long body thrashed in protest and it bellowed but its death roars were drowned out by the fire that devoured its entire body.
"This is the best you Alacryans can do!" the mana projected my voice across the entire battlefield as I yelled with a wicked smile on my face.
A massive mammalian mana beast screeched to answer me. I stared upwards towards its large bloated body. Whatever it was originally was completely unrecognizable as dark crimson growths jutted outwards in unnatural angles that cracked its skin. A set of large tusks grew outwards and upwards as its face was a mess of snake-like tentacles, each at least four meters in length.
The creature seemed to be fueled by a mixture pain and drug induced rage as it charged forward, uncaring of is fellow beasts in its wake.
Channeling mana into my cloak I jumped into the air and flew clear of its stampede. The mutated creature left a trail of death and blood as it turned way too fast for its size to face me again.
"I'll put you out of your misery." I muttered as my staff lit up like a miniature sun, momentarily blinding the beast. With my other hand I conjured a barrage of blue fireballs and with a flick of my wrist it rained fire as if it was hell.
My spells detonated on impact, taking out many of the surrounding mana beasts as they yelped in pain or jumped in vain to escape death. But the mamonth beast simply endured the attack, its skin on its back caught on fire but the creature still stood. In fact I seemed to have only further angered it.
Its eyes black with rage seemed to send it into a completely frenzy as it began lashing out at everything and anything it could reach. It large tusks soon was dyed red as multiple corpses of mana beasts hung from them.
From the corner of my eyes I could see a battalion of soldiers slowly making their way towards me. While I couldn't help but applaud their bravery I knew some of them were only trying to win over favors from me.
I put out a hand. "Stop, I will deal with this one." I said, my voice heavily altered by my mask. But it was already too late as the beast turned its black eyes to the Dicathen soldiers.
Their was a moment of silence as the creatures eyes laid upon the mortal men. As an animalistic understanding passed between them. They were prey and this creature, as terribly mutated and warped beyond any natural boundaries was their predator.
The creature roared, and the sound shook the ground. Some of the more sensible soldiers with battlefield experience quickly turned to flee, while many more were frozen in place.
Then the creature charged, each of its massive footsteps shook the earth as it made a beeline to the soldiers.
Cursing under my breath I hurled my staff that was charged with massive amounts of electricity directly at the neck of the beast. It struck home, as tendrils of yellow lightning danced across the monster's body. It stalled the creature somewhat but no where enough.
Mana rushed out from my core as I reached out for the abundant fire-type mana that hung in the air. The ground between the charging beast and the soldiers ignited as a massive pillar of fire halted the creature.
Without wasting another second I jumped upon the beast. And the creature instantly recognizing this began to thrash around, uncaring for the damage it was causing to both sides.
"Get away!" I bellowed in command as I tried to steer the creature from the Wall. It was only one mana beast but its sheer size was enough to cause some serious damage if left unchecked.
My fingers enhanced with mana dug deep into the creatures skin, I could feel my nails cracking as it drew blood from both my own fingers and the mana beast's. My other hand was rapped firmly around my staff that was still embedded into the creatures skin.
"Die!" I yelled as I channeled more and more mana into my staff, the shaft began to turn deep red as its temperature rose and soon it burst into flames.
I stabbed downwards with my staff, now with both my hands. Lava crusted rocks shielded my own hands as the increased heat allowed me to plunge my staff deeper and deeper into the creature's thick hide. The beast wailed in pain as it continued its rampage.
I could feel my staff digging deeper and deeper as the smell of burnt flesh assaulted my nostrils.
"God damn it!" I cursed aloud as crackles of yellow lightning dances from my arms to my staff. The creature roared at such high volumes that I feared I would loose my hearing but I didn't let up. Until I could feel the end of my staff hit something softer than the rest.
The mana beast made a final death wail until its knees buckled and it fell to the ground. I just stood atop of the dying creature, both my hands still on my staff as I leaned on it for support.
My breath came in ragged and heavy, I was still unaccustomed to how my body had changed. While in many physical aspects like my mana core I rivaled many of the Dicathen's own Lances, Grey had mention my own soul was very weak due to my use of the enhancing elixir Draneeve had given me.
I still wasn't quiet sure what that really entailed but I suppose I was feeling one of its effects right now. My core still thrummed with mana, my body was aching but it will soon given time. But for some reason I was short on breath and my body felt sapped of energy.
I took a moment to look around at the carnage, bloody corpses of mana beasts and humans alike littered the battlefield, and more beasts were slowly lurking from the shadows of Beast Glades.
With sluggish movements I ripped out my staff from the dead mutated mana beast, the crystal on top was undamaged, just very bloody. A quick pulse of my mana was enough to vaporize the blood away to clean its surface.
The mana beasts drew closer now, clearly even they noticed something was wrong with my body. But still I couldn't show them any sign of weakness. My entire cloak and armor erupted into flames, creating and firey set of armor.
I could see my fire reflected off the glassy eyes of the creatures that took a small step back. Yet they still stalked forward. Their forms were many, most of them appeared to have been regular lower leveled mana beasts that populated the Beast Glades and its dungeons. I would know, I have killed more than my fair share when I was an adventurer. But their forms were twisted, their eyes which once held a certain level of intelligence and animalistic intent was completely glassed over.
As if someone had gone into their brains and rewired them to be nothing more than killing machines. Quite smart and efficient on the Alacryan's part. Why waste precious troops when the land itself provided free troops. Even the soldiers that defended the wall should know, if not now they will eventually. These hordes of beasts were not in an effort to break our defenses.
It was only to slowly mine away at our forces and resources, it was only a matter of time before the true invasion force is here.
"Well, that's probably your plan but we shall see about that." I sneered as I beckoned the mana beasts to come forward. Whatever small amount of intelligence the creatures held now long gone they rose to the challenge.
The first beast was in the form of a large wolf. With many bone-like protrusions sprouting like tree branches from its spine and shoulders.
The creature had jumped high, aiming for my head. In return I ducked low, reinforcing my own fist with mana one direct punch to its lower belly was enough to burst the entire wolf like a balloon.
The rain of blood and internal organs all burned off my armor and cloak as I pointed my staff at the ground. Arcane symbols and spellforms lit up the ground as a golem made of lava and fire tore free from the earth.
My summon bellowed a deep roar, causing fissures within the ground to crack and glow with orange fire. With some of the more clumsy beasts falling into the firey depths as their yelps and screams of pain was all that could be heard.
A sideways glance told me that a legion of Grey's own soldiers in their jet-black armor were marching towards us.
About time they did something, most of them were posted up around the Wall to insure it didn't fall. But the problem was that they hardly every deviated from their given orders, it somethings felt as if they didn't even listen to anything I was saying.
Not to be outdone by some mindless slaves I channeled mana into my cloak again, as the mana gently lifted me up into the air. My summon stayed by my side, like a eager pet ready to strike whenever I gave it the command. The mana beasts now halted in their tracks, I would have liked to have said it was because of me but it was most likely due to the Djinn warriors that were fast approaching.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Still, it did feel good to feel powerful for once. Always comparing myself to Grey and his lackey really seemed to have messed up my own measure of power.
With a snap of my fingers my summon lunged forward, leaving in its wake a trail of burnt grass. Its massive clawed hands sweep low and fast, impaling several mana beasts in its claws that burned white.
From its jaws it spewed bright yellow-orange flames that incinerated any that was unlucky enough to be caught by it.
With a wide stroke of my own staff a hurricane of fire and lightning ripped through the hordes as well as violently ripping out the trees as they burned to ash.
Before I even realized it the Djinn warriors joined me in combat. They didn't speak, but they were in perfect coordination as they marched forward behind my summon and I. Their shields raised high to create an impenetrable wall as they stabbed forward with their spears and swords.
We continued to push forward, as the Wall began to shrink from our sights. Further and further into the Beast Glades we pushed. Leveling trees as we did so, the mana beast now all turned to flee except for a few larger exceptions. But even they didn't pose much of a challenge with me and the Djinn warriors.
There were causalities on our side, but it was merely a handful dug deeper into the Beast Glades. It did make me wonder where the Alacryan stronghold was in this area. They must have some kind of homebase they were using to corrupt these mana beasts.
It was when I was having this thought that a sense of dread of killing intent stung my senses like a wasp. I threw myself back as a massive obsidian spear missed me by a hair's length from my face.
I quickly turned to see a tall dark figure standing amongst the retreating mana beasts. All of which seemed to have regained their sense to fight as they turned to face us.
A dark ominous aura hung around the new figure as it seemed to command the mana beasts to continue their attack.
Leaving the warriors and my summon to deal with the mana beasts I aimed my staff at the figure. Instantly five balls of fire launched towards the thing faster than arrows. But before my spell hit its target the figure vanished as my spell exploded the ground he used to stand on.
The resulting blast threw up dirt and smoke, obscuring most of my vision as I hastily turned my head left and right. The same feeling of dread was upon me again but this time I moved too slowly.
The only reason I was still alive was the automatic defenses of the cloak as several runes inscribed upon it glowed a subtle purple while an obsidian spike was deflected harmlessly off of my cloak.
But before I could see where the attack came from a large hand reached out and grabbed me by the collar. Both my hands went to the hand that own held me by the throat, with my staff tumbling to the ground below.
The being had charcoal grey skin, his hair dark as the abyss with a set of large ram-like horns that sprouted out from the sides of his head and curved downwards, lining his square jaw. He stared back at me with his deep blood-red eyes, his expression was unreadable but the sheer killing intent he emitted was enough to show just how pissed off he was.
Still, in comparison to Grey's it felt quaint. So much so that I couldn't help but chuckled slightly which seemed to confuse and further annoy the demon man.
My entire body ignited into flames as I twisted my body and kicked myself away from the Vritra mutt. But he only appeared before me again, almost teleporting as he did so and grabbed me by the throat his time.
I gasped for air as he slowly began to apply pressure to my neck. My core thrummed with mana as bright blue flames engulfed the both of us. But the Vritra only smirked slightly.
"You are merely a dead man walking. Lucas Wykes." The Vritra said in a tone that only the two of us could hear.
My eyes went wide. How did he know my name? I was still wearing the mask Grey insisted I wear and for all intents and purposes Lucas Wykes was dead to the public. Slain by Grey during the Xyrus incident. Was there a rat within our own ranks?
My thoughts instantly went to Cynthia. She was a Alacryan spy originally, and she would have been publicly executed if it weren't for Grey's interference. I didn't think much about it at first but perhaps...
The Vritra continued to speak in a low tone. "You are still a young child, you know nothing about conducting a war. You are just a stuck up noble brat." He insulted.
Mana empowered the muscles in my arms as I began to punch him squarely in his chest, over and over again. But I may as well have been punching a steel wall. I could feel him slowly closing his grip on my throat as I gagged for air.
When suddenly the Vritra mutt's red eyes quickly darted away from, he released his grip as he dodged something that took on the appearance of a golden streak of light.
My hands went to my neck that was still burning with pain as I followed the golden streak solidify into a halberd made of gold and blackstone. The weapon hung in the air for a moment before it seemed to travel backwards as if time had been rewound and returned to the one who threw it.
A large warrior clad in gold and black stood tall. His halberd was the size of a tall man but he wielded as if it weighed nothing. His face was completely hidden behind his masked helmet but I could feel his gaze on me for a split second as he gave me a small nod.
He gently floated up right beside me as spoke without taking his eyes off of the Vritra who stared back with apprehension.
"You have extended too far from the Wall. Return with these men." His voice boomed in a low baritone, each word rolling with the power and authority of thunder.
"What about that thing?" I said as I pointed a finger at the Vritra. "I am not useless-"
"Did I stutter? Your punishment for over extending and leaving the Wall exposed will come when there is time. Now return to your post." The golden warrior's voice bellowed with a hint of anger. I couldn't help but cower back a bit as his tone changed. He was merely talking but I felt as if I was struck.
Begrudgingly I turned to return to the Wall and I could already see the other Djinn warriors below were slowly retreating, still not breaking their perfect formation as they did so.
'Another one of Grey's lackeys I presume.' I thought in my head as I peered back at the golden warrior who was now face to face with the Vritra mutt. Even the Vritra seemed a bit nervous as they both were sizing each other up.
Just how many cards did Grey have hidden up his sleeve? Were we all just dancing to his tune? No, the more pressing matter was how the Alacryan would know my identity. If there was a spy among us than I will make them wish they were dead.
While I didn't really care if my identity was uncovered I wanted to save that surprise when I met my ass of a father again. I want to see that look of shock and confusion on that old man's face. Before I beat it to a pulp.
Achillian Pov
The Vritra mutt and I stared back at each other for a few moments. I could tell he was trying to figure out what exactly I was, which would be difficult as all of the Custodians didn't emit any kind of mana or aetheric signature. It was a part of our design when we were wrought to combat dragons who were sensitive to both.
There were still many things about our own construction that even the Custodians themselves didn't know. Those were secrets only our Emperor knew and shared with no one else.
Still, being in the material world was a strange feeling. If our calendar was correct then several ten thousand years have already passed since the Great Scouring. The air felt crisper, and more refreshing. The aetheric density was far lower but the mana levels were a lot higher in comparison. I felt free, as if I could go anywhere in this world.
But no, I had a goal here. An order to follow. By the one who the Emperor had given his blessing and authority to. And if the Emperor ordered it the Custodians will follow to the ends of reality.
The Vritra seemed to have done enough thinking, while only a few seconds have passed since I sent the boy along each Custodian was brought to the pinnacle of possible evolution. Every fiber of our being was perfected, our very genetics were rewritten to be the apex of mortals. So much so that even our own minds and brains worked at blazing speeds to take in raw information and process it. A couple seconds to others was several minutes to us.
The Vritra mutt struck first. With a raise of his hand a barrage of blood iron spikes erupted out of the ground below me as they raced towards me. While I had no reasons to block them I deemed it a good opportunity to see how these asuras and their pets have grown since our time.
My halberd spun in my fingers as I deflected the incoming barrage with one hand. The Vritra not giving me a moment to rest was soon upon me. His claws extended from his fingers, each covered in soulfire.
In a single clean motion I unsheathed my short sword at my hip as I parried his attacks. The Vritra continued for a while until he seemed to have released it was pointless. Then he quickly placed some distance between us, but continued to launch volleys of soulfire and blood iron towards me.
While I personally had little experience in fighting against Vritras, and this one was a far cry of any full fledged asura. But I will give him credit, for a non asura he is holding his own. With both my halberd and sword I cut through all of his spells, drawing closer and closer. I made sure to allow some of his spells to find purchase on my armor, as they fizzled away into the ambient mana before it struck me.
Whether these Vritras were just weak as a species or the asuras themselves have grown fat and complacent in their position this servant of the Vritra was quite disappointing to say the least. So much so that my mind began to drift into other topics as we continued to exchange a fury of blows.
During the Great Scouring we had faced off against the forces of the Indrath clan and their allies who could rend space and time apart with a wave of their hands. There was a good reason why some lessers called them gods.
'I have wasted enough time here.' I deemed as I instantly teleported right in front of the Vritra mutant. His red eyes went wide as my large hands grabbed hold of his right arm.
Black flames tried to burn away my own hand as he struggled to break free from my grasp. I released my hold on my halberd as it returned to my dimensional storage. I raised my short sword and pointed it at the Vritra's neck.
The Vritra only smiled back at me, a face of sheer malice and evil. "Well then? Do it." He spat. His own words seemed to be dripping with poison.
I couldn't help but laugh. If I had wanted him dead than all he would have seen was a golden streak across his vision. No, I was merely here to send that boy back and to drive away this abomination of Vritra science.
But before I could get the chance to say it the Vritra creature burst into dark flames. Not his own spell no, the fire itself seemed to eat away at him starting from the insides as his words turned into screams until he was silenced and reduced to nothing but ash blowing away in the wind.
A self-destruct spell of some sort. I couldn't help but be disgusted. At least the asuras we fought all those years ago battled with some dignity and honor. This, this is such a shame. A waste of a life and no way to repay a loyal solider. But it also meant that these Vritra have plenty of these hybrid science experiments to spare, if they are willing to throw away one so easily and casually.
When I first heard about these Basilisks who were cast away from Ephetous I pictured them to be your typical asura. Powerful beings with their heads stuck up their asses. But Lord Grey had assured me to discard such notions.
While they were still prideful sons of bitches these Vritra were highly intelligent. Seeing themselves as more of scientist than fighters or forces of nature. And is one of the reasons why they have interbred with lessers to create an army to fight their wars.
I cleaned off my armors hand against my chestplate. Specks of dust fluttered off in the wind as I turned to fly back to the Wall.
Despite our protest Lord Grey had only brought half of the Custodians back with him. Deeming Demeptah's own legions as a sufficient enough threat to have half of us be his eyes and ears as well as a deterrent.
Two custodians were to be close to our commanding lord at all times while the other three were sent out across Dicathen to bolster its defenses. And while the initial assessment of the Alacryan forces were nothing to write home about I bought we have even faced a bulk of their main forces for now.
Lord Grey had also advised us to keep most of our own capabilities a secret for now unless absolutely necessary. Intending to draw out the curious side of Agrona Vritra to take the bait.
As I began to fly back my mind wondered to the Wykes boy. The mana arts he possessed was impressive for a lesser but he severely lacked any real warfare experience. He blindly charged into battle and kept pushing forward, completely forgetting his main objective to defend the Wall.
It didn't matter if you had the resources or the manpower. If your commanders and leaders were a mess than no battle was truly certain. Nevertheless if properly trained the boy will be a commendable asset for us.
Still it did make me question why our master and creator chose Grey of all people, especially now. What had changed? Grey was a strange anomaly, a being so intertwined with Fate as well as possessing a core of pure aether. But was that enough? There was still discussions among the Custodians as to this change in leadership.
Our loyalty to our Emperor was an essential part of our being. Woven directly into our genome. But does that extend to who our Emperor decrees to take his place, even if he was still alive in some sort of way?
Achillian himself had already voiced his doubts. Saying that the Emperor was using Grey as a means to test our loyalty. And while I wasn't quite sure about that it wasn't just the Custodians who questioned Grey's leadership. But it seems unwise to cast judgement at least for now.
Nothing else mattered than our creator and master's orders. Our entire race would burn in flames if it our Emperor commanded it. Our lives are his to spend, not the Empire's. Yes, for our master, for the Emperor we shall destroy this world and create anew if he wishes. For that is our purpose and the reason for our creation.