* Date: September 28, 1173

* Time: 4:30 PM

* Location: Quake Town

As the sun began to set over the horizon. The guards of Qauke Town watched in vigilance. Knowing that when night falls on them, dangerous creatures of all shapes and sizes would come out and hunt. The wind blew on the wooden walls of the town. On the town gate, two guards stood and observed over the large stretch of land. Well-armored and armed with spears, the two guards stood in silence.

''Did you hear?''

''Hear what?''

''That there's an invader here in our kingdom!''

Exclaimed the guard, gaining the attention of his comrade. News had spread about an invader that had arrived in their kingdom. The Queen stated that the entire military of Elvenia was on high alert and searching for the invader.

''I heard stories, but. I never dreamed it could be true.''

''The invaders had returned to Eldrant once again...''

''...But hey, we defeated them two hundred years ago. We could surely do it again.''

Boasted the former guard. The conflict that united the entire elven race two hundred years ago. A war that consumed the lives of millions and brought entire kingdoms to rubble.

''What do you mean we could do it again? It took the entire world to defeat the invaders back then! And that was only one of their flying fortresses that arrived here...''

''...What if this time? Will be seeing more than just one flying fortress.''

''A good counter-argument you have there.''

The former guard let out a sigh. He knew that his comrade's words stood true. What appeared on the skies of Eldrant two hundred years ago was a ten-kilometer-long class two dreadnaught. It was the premiere vessel of the Imperium and the most powerful warship in the galaxy.

''What do you think the captain would do now?''

''Probably drill us into doing more work to prepare for the invader.''

''Yeah, you're probably right.''

Suddenly, in the distance, they saw a tall figure approaching them, and taking a closer look, the figure appeared to be wielding a glowing sword. And speaking of glowing, whoever this was had lights all over the body.

''Hey, Marcel. Call the captain we a situation in front of us.''

''On it.''

His fellow guard then left and went to inform the captain. Meanwhile, the figure closed the distance between it and the town gate. Then he recognized the figure, floating accessories, glowing lights; it was the invader.

''Wait a minute, that oddly looks like an invader...''

''...Oh no, it's here!''

Quickly running inside the gate, the guard rushed toward the nearby alarm bell and rang it.

''It's here! The invader is here! Close the gates!''

Shouted the guard; meanwhile, his comrades went over the gate and saw the approaching invader. The guards then took action and immediately closed the gate. Archers stood over the wall and pointed their arrows at the invader.

''What is the meaning of this!''

The captain of the town guard demanded. Right beside him was Marcel, who went and searched for the captain. Quickly approaching the captain, the guard kneeled, expressing his sincerity.

''Captain, the invader is here!''

''The invader?''

''Yes, captain, and it's headed toward the entrance!''

Moving past his subordinate, the guard captain ascended over the wall and saw the invader. The captain couldn't believe his eyes; the invader was here. He had heard of the Queen's statement that a live invader, possibly a scout, was present here on Eldrant but hadn't anticipated it would arrive so soon.

'So it begins.'

The captain then looked at his men and raised his arm to signal them to hold fire.

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''Prepare to fire!''

More guards started arriving at the gate as civilians evacuated to their homes. Doors and windows were blocked, and panic set in as elves rushed past each other. Meanwhile, the invader was finally in range of the archers.

''Release arrows!''

Ordered the captain, and the archers let loose their arrows. The projectiles flew toward the invader's location. However, instead of damaging or injuring the invader, a blue shield manifested to block the incoming arrows.

''Magic shield...''

''...Second volley!''

The archer complied and fired once more at the invader. But this time, the invader raised his hand, and suddenly, the arrows halted while in the air. Subsequently, they would turn their arrowheads towards the wall and be sent back.

''Cover!''

Shouted the captain as the arrows returned right back at them. The invader utilized its foreign magic to halt the incoming Arrows and send them back at them. This was no mere invader scout; this was an invader Knight! A shockwave of energy erupts from the invader. Blasting the wooden gates wide open. Elves lay on the ground, unconscious or recovering from the blasts.

''Spear wall!''

The remaining elves that could still stand rushed toward the opened gate. Quickly forming a spear wall, they waited as the invader approached. Archers left the safety of the walls and stood at the sides of the spear wall.

''The gate has been breached! Stand and attend to your duties, guards!''

Joining his subordinates at the gate, the captain brandished his sword and took a stance.

''Hold!''

Raising his arm, he ordered his men to hold their ground. The invader finally entered the gates. Its stature was enormous, standing seven feet tall and wielding its massive blade with one hand.

''Charge!''

The elves charged as the invader continued his march forward. Immediately, the invader swung his blade at the guards. Injuring several of them in return, the guards would spear at the invader, but only for the blue shield to manifest. The invader would hack and slash at the guards, killing each of them. Spears would try and whittle down the invader's shields. Hoping that if they damage it enough, the archers can finish it off. Another elve meets his end as the invader impales his sword through the elve's chest. Parrying and striking at the guards with precision and speed. The defending elves were slowly losing their numbers.

''Guards fall back!''

Ordered the captain, and the remaining guards quickly ran toward the archers. Seeing this, the invader would utilize his foreign magic and levitate the retreating elves, bringing them to him and killing them. Marcel was one of those elves injured by the invader's attacks.

''Release arrows!''

Ordered the captain, and the archers let loose their arrows. Again, the invader's shield blocked the incoming projectiles. Nothing worked against the invader. And all their attempts had been thwarted by its magic and might.

''Second volley!''

The archer complied and fired once more at the invader. Immediately, the invader raised his hand and halted the arrows while in the air. The invader's magic was once again in use. As they turned around, the arrows aimed at the archers were sent back. Almost all of the Arrows hit their targets, and in just one move, the invader reduced the archer's number to only a handful.

'So this is the capability of a single invader. By the Pantheons help us, we're struggling against one invader...'

'...This town wouldn't last, and with the entire guard defeated, everyone in Quake Town would perish!'

Stepping forward, the guard captain pointed his sword at the invader. Brainstorming any idea that would delay the invader rushed into his head. But there was only one that he could think of. A duel. It would buy enough time for his men to assemble themselves. But it would cost the captain's very own life.

''I challenge you to duel!''

The captain shouted, gaining the invader's attention. At first, it was confused, but then it realized his intention. Amused by the guard captain's actions, the invader accepted the challenge. The remaining guards looked in awe as their captain faced the invader alone. Gripping his sword tightly, the captain took a stance. Letting out a mighty battle cry, the guard captain charged the invader. The invader didn't even attempt to move or block his attack. Striking the invader with all his strength, the captain swung his sword. But it would be fruitless as the invader's shield blocked the attack.

'A fools gambit I did, and now I shall pay the price...'

'...This is it for me. Goodbye, everyone.'

The captain thought as the invader sliced him in half. Blood and gore erupted from the body of the dead guard captain. Watching the battle unfold, the guards couldn't believe it.

''That invader killed the- the captain.''

''What should we do?''

''Pantheons save us!''

The surviving guards muttered to themselves as the invader continued toward them. Exhaustion and fear were the only thoughts of the guards. But even when death stared them in the eye, they did not abandon their duty; they just needed a spark of determination.

''If we're all going to die! Then let's die fighting for Quake Town!''

The guard who rang the alarm bell shouted. He was impaled by an arrow on his leg and was limping. Standing tall with his spear, the guard marched forward.

''You're an idiot, Gaston! Don't leave me hanging!''

Marcel responded to his friend and joined him. Several other guards joined in as well. If they were going to die anyway, what's the point? The last thing they can do is slow the invader's advance and provide time.

''Spear wall!''

The remaining elves quickly formed a spear wall. Behind them were the surviving archers pulling their bowstrings one last time. Gritting their teeth, they would spend their last moment on Eldrant.

''Charge!''

* Date: September 28, 1173

* Time: 4:35 PM

* Location: Elvenia Airspace

Flying at an altitude of five thousand feet. The Champion of Elvenia headed toward Quake Town, wanting to catch up to his subordinate. Informed by Celine, Adelard wants to save her and her squad from facing the invader without him.

'Knowing how I struggled to keep myself alive during my confrontation with the invader...'

'...Marie and her entire squad would perish without me!'

Adelard thought, and it was sadly true even though his subordinate was quite a magic user herself, Marie and her squadron would easily be killed by the invader with its iron-barreled sword. Remembering the struggle he had to do to escape the invader.

''I must hurry if I am-''

Cutting him off was the sight of smoke in the distance.

'What the?'

Utilizing enhanced vision magic, Adelard saw the source of the smoke. It was the burned corpse of a wyvern with its rider. He also saw the corpse of three other wyverns with their riders, deceased.

''No! No! No!''

There were four dead wyvern riders in total. Was this what became of Marie's squadron? Adelard wanted to believe that this was some sick joke, but it wasn't

'Please don't be one of them! By the Pantheons! Please don't be one of them!'

Approaching the area, Adelard immediately landed his wyvern and began searching for Marie. The first body he encountered. Had its rider and wyvern decapitated

'Emile!'

Adelard recognized the decapitated rider. Emile was one of the riders under his command. Does this mean that Marie brought her fellow riders under him? Moving past Emile's corpse, Adelard encountered the second.

'Adeline!'

The rider's body was beyond recognition, but Adelard still figured it out because of her brown hair and head bow. Her wyvern had its jaw dislocated from its skull. Moving past Adeline's corpse, Adelard encountered the third corpse.

'Pascal!'

This particular rider had his body in two. His upper and lower half were several feet apart from each other. The rider's wyvern had been decapitated. The Champion's heart was struck with tragedy, but that was not all. Realizing that these riders were under his command could only mean that the burnt corpse belonged to her.

'No, please don't tell me...'

'...Marie?'

Approaching his subordinate's burnt body, Adelard reached out. Her facial features told him of shock and fear, her last moments before her death. Tears started to flow down his cheek as the Champion kneeled in defeat.

''This doesn't make any sense!''

The Champion shouted in frustration. None of this made sense; how could the invader be here when he last encountered it on the outskirts of Quake Town? Were there two invaders present on Eldrant? Was that it?

'How! How did the invader anticipate the arrival of the squadron!'

Then he remembered; the invader he fought used a ranged weapon. The iron-barreled sword destroyed his enchanted armor with ease. Looking at the corpses of the rider, none of them had dents on their armor or holes. Was it possible that the invader he encountered in Quake Town wasn't an invader? But that was a question he couldn't answer without meeting it again.

''I swear on my name that the one that did this to you will pay with their blood!''

Adelard swore, whoever did this invader or not. Will perish by his blade or die trying. Getting up, Adelard went to his wyvern and mounted. Ordering his wyvern to take flight, the Champion continued toward Quake Town. The only thing left in his mind was revenge.

'I will find you, and I will kill you! No matter how many times it would take!'

To Be Continued.