The wind whipped by as Ezekiel and the others flew through the sky. All of them were seated on the back of Wolken’s massive Spirit. Not that they would notice flesh shearing winds, given the zone of dead air that surrounded them.
They had just finished their discussion with the Grand Scholar and Wolken. It had taken some time, as Wolken had wanted to confirm everything that was being said. So, he had questioned Welt and Ezekiel extensively before finally agreeing to do anything.
There had also been a delay due to Wolken wanting to question Fiana and George about their ascension to Tier four without being bonded to any Spirits.
Ezekiel had been shocked to learn that they had volunteered themselves as test subjects. Meaning that they weren’t officially Grans Scholars, which was fair. The hadn’t gotten nearly the number of merits to their name compared to most Grand Scholars. Nor had they undergone the loss of what was essentially a part of their soul.
Thus, the two, along with several others, had been force fed mana crystals of varying types to get them to the peak of Tier three, before they underwent extensive studies pertaining to the nature of their elements. Eventually gaining the necessary level of Understanding needed to progress.
“Brat.” Wolken drew Ezekiel’s attention as they flew forward. “Stop thinking about things that don’t matter right now. We have a war to end. You can worry about those Scholars later. Though, I doubt that you’ll be able to afford to.”
Everyone on the massive, winged snake was silent. They had been told beforehand not to speak unless spoken to. None of them wanted to test a Mythic Hunter’s patience.
“Understood. Hunter Wolken. I shall focus properly.” A bead of sweat ran down Ezekiel’s brow.
“Exalt. Mythic Hunters are called Exalts.”
Ezekiel’s brow rose in confusion. He had been under the impression that the title of Exalt was unique to the Empire. A title of nobility that only Mythics could obtain.
“The Empire is not the only major power in this world. Though it is the one with the most Mythical Hunters for any single faction. But the title of Exalt was not created by the Empire. So, use it properly going forward.” Wolken’s tone left no room for back-talk or questioning. “Get ready, we are here.”
It was mostly clear out, though it was getting closer to sunset. But there was one large cloud that Exalt Wolken stopped above. Mostly hidden from those below, Ezekiel wondered if the cloud was necessary.
Unnoticed to all until now, they had been rising higher and higher, and they were now so far up that Ezekiel couldn’t actually see the battle being waged below. Not without greatly enhancing his vision with his mana.
It looked like the majority of the Hunters and Mages had been whittled down. It had gotten to the point where the battles were secluded to small areas, with mostly Legendaries fighting. Those at the lower Tiers no longer mattered in the long run.
A part of Ezekiel had wondered how they had managed to hold on for so long. As it seemed impossible for so many Mages and Hunters to have fought for so long and not fallen due to a lack of mana.
“It seems like we made good time. The battle hasn’t been lost yet,” Wolken muttered in thought, and Ezekiel could tell from the man’s focus that he was easily able to observe the entire battlefield at once.
Suddenly, a small bright dot flashed for half a second. It caught Ezekiel’s attention and made his blood run cold as a very dull sense of danger passed through him. So brief and so light, he almost thought he had imagined it.
But he knew he couldn’t take any chances.
“There! That flash of light in the large group! It’s one of the bombs!”
Ezekiel hadn’t even finished speaking when he felt the ground drop out from under him. The Spirit he was standing on disappeared, and for half a moment he saw Wolken donned in silver feather serpent motif armor.
The next second, Ezekiel felt somewhat lightheaded as the thin air was difficult to breathe.
“Spirits dammit!” The Legendaries, previously carried by Wolken’s Spirit, began falling, though none of them panicked. It wouldn’t be impossible for them to catch themselves in the air before hitting the ground.
Except for Welt, but one of them could catch the elderly Mage easily enough.
‘You’d think that a man as old and experienced as him would be a bit more polite. Especially since he was going on about rudeness and such earlier,’ Shine muttered, much to Ezekiel’s amusement.
‘It’s fine. Better for him to focus on what’s going on, and work to stop it, than to hold himself back for pointless courtesies.’ Ezekiel tried to find where Exalt Wolken had gone, but realized there was no point. It would be better to work on safely descending.
Donning their own Spirit Armor, Ezekiel, Evelyn, and Riley descended at a decent pace. Ezekiel also moved to catch Welt and was careful not to let him get injured by the change in air pressure.
They hadn’t even gotten a hundred feet before a blinding flash of light filled their vision. Ezekiel nearly dropped Welt in shock but caught his grip and kept a firm hold.
The quartet braced themselves for the oncoming sound and shockwave, knowing they were close enough to be affected, but nothing happened.
Cautiously looking down, Ezekiel saw that the area below them was covered in a massive typhoon. One that was molded into a dome with a bowl on top of it. The remnants of the explosion were rapidly fading away in the deadly winds. Though no one was actually hurt.
“That is enough!” Exalt Wolken’s voice rumbled through the region.
The next moment, they felt like the air stopped moving entirely. The typhoon suddenly disappeared. Followed by a weight pushing down on all of them.
They dropped nearly a thousand feet before managing to catch themselves, and even then, it was a strain for them to stay in the air.
“I take it back. It’d be nice if he could be a bit more polite.” Ezekiel whispered as he released his ‘Nothingness’ to ease up the pressure pushing down on him.
He vaguely felt something similar happening around him with his mother and Riley. Shadows danced in the corner of his vision, and a surprisingly gentle blue flame emanated heat that Ezekiel could feel through his armor.
“Let’s get down there. The sooner we set foot on the ground, the sooner this shit gets wrapped up.” Ezekiel picked up his speed, falling to the ground in a controlled descent.
A couple minutes later, the group had settled down on the ground.
In the distance, Wolken held up a hand, and several struggling cultists and Guild Leaders appeared to be choking.
Rather than make way toward them, Ezekiel and his group headed to the Fjorya’s fortifications.
They didn’t care what happened to the cult and knew that Wolken had no love for them.
It was unlikely that the cultists that remained would last much longer.
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When the group arrived at the makeshift fortifications, Ezekiel realized that everyone had been knocked out. Both the Fjorya forces, and the cultists and Guild members. Leaving them with no one to contact regarding the situation.
Looking around, he also saw that the defenses covering the small structures were also destroyed due to Wolken’s actions.
“Let’s split up. Welt, you go to where the other elders likely are, and let them know what happened on our end.” Ezekiel gestured to the central base on the Fjorya forces’ side of the field. “Riley, mom, are either of you willing to come with me to finish things?”
Ezekiel hadn’t intended it, but his voice turned grim as he addressed his mother and Riley. But, given what he intended on doing, that wasn’t much of a surprise.
He needn’t have worried, however, as it seemed like neither of them were as against his intended actions as he expected. Though they did look tired.
“I’ll go. If there are any troubles on Welt’s end, Missus Luminance would be more effective in keeping him safe.”
Evelyn nodded in agreement, while Welt just looked exasperated at the care that they showed him.
“I’m not an invalid you know.”
The three Hunters ignored Welt’s complaints and broke off. Evelyn and Welt swiftly made their way to the main base, while Riley and Ezekiel headed back into the various battlefields.
Upon reaching their first conflict sight, Ezekiel and Riley unceremoniously stabbed the unconscious Guild members and cultists. Immediately executing their bonded Spirits, a moment later, to ensure that the soul shock didn’t awaken them, and create a fight.
“You don’t have to do this.” Ezekiel didn’t look at Riley as he spoke. Focusing entirely on deadening his emotions for this work.
“Neither do you. It’s not like anyone would fight with a Mythic Hunter in our midst.” Riley pierced another cultist's head with her spear. “But I guess that’s not really a guarantee. Especially since they want you dead more than they want to live at this point.”
Ezekiel sighed but didn’t move to stop. As the pair rapidly moved through the region, it was obvious that there weren’t that many Guild members and cultists left. The vast majority had already died.
“It seems like the Adepts and below didn’t manage to survive.” Ezekiel observed as they came across their seventh battlefield. “The Legendaries must’ve been unable to cover any retreats besides their own.”
“The cult likely used their Adepts as cannon fodder. Though I wouldn’t have expected such a thing from the Guilds.” Riley cut through another Spirit as they moved.
Their efforts were going by faster and faster. No longer did they bother setting down to do the deed. It was easier to just fly at their top speed and swing their weapons.
This continued for nearly half an hour. None of the cultists or Guild members awoke, and their forces were entirely wiped out. Several kilometers of land were covered as Riley and Ezekiel did their work. Ensuring that there were no stragglers that would get away.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Upon returning to the main base for the Fjorya, Ezekiel noticed that Wolken had apparently been speaking with the other elders. His Spirit Armor was gone, while a shrunken winged serpent rested on his shoulder. The cultists he had captured were nowhere to be seen. But the bloody cloth tied to the Mythical Hunter’s belt gave Ezekiel an idea of what had happened.
“It seems like you both finished faster than expected.” Wolken didn’t look up when he addressed them. “Good. We just finished wrapping up our end. The Fjorya’s Hunters will awaken soon. The agreement has been settled, and the finalized area for the Cathedral will be determined soon.”
Ezekiel looked past Wolken at the terrified elders. Each one looked despondent, and it was apparent that not all of them were happy with the situation. But they knew that they weren’t going to get a better deal than this.
Clenching his hands in frustration, Ezekiel found a dark part of himself longing for such power. The power to force others to do as you wished, simply because there was nothing that they could do to oppose you. Nothing that mattered at least.
Such a power would certainly be enough to keep his family and other loved ones safe.
Wouldn’t it?
‘Ezekiel, focus.’ Shine’s hushed whisper cut through his mind and drew his attention back to the real world.
“Now that I have your attention,” Wolken’s voice was dry and bored, “perhaps we can move on to the next important matter I was brought here for. The Pseudo Mythics; they’re doing battle over there, correct?”
Wolken pointed in the direction of where the controlled storm was still brewing. Ezekiel didn’t know why the man had bothered asking but nodded all the same. As did the elders, who seemed to be restraining their joy at the thought of Wolken leaving them alone, even for a few minutes.
Wolken narrowed his eyes as he gazed at the twisting storm clouds that flashed with lightning.
Next to his head, his Spirit hissed in displeasure at whatever it was they were both seeing. But whatever they were saying to each other was obviously private.
After a few minutes of silent conversation, Wolken let out a sigh, before smiling viciously with a grin that stretched from ear to ear.
“It looks like this trip wasn’t the waste of time I feared it would be.” Wolek donned his Spirit Armor. A slight gust of wind ruffled everyone’s clothes. “Void Hunter. Blue Flame Girl. You’re both coming with me.”
Before either one of them could react, Ezekiel and Riley were both picked up by the scruff of their necks and found themselves flying away at Mach speeds. They barely managed to don their Spirit Armor before they were dropped to the ground, directly in front of a lightning bolt that crashed into the stone beneath their feet. Melted slag appeared a moment later.
Staring around themselves in awe, the two didn’t even notice when Wolken put up a barrier of wind that kept most of the lightning from striking them.
The thing they did notice was the silhouette of a six-winged raptor in the distance. Battling it out with a bi-pedal lizard made of golden light, and an eight limbed monkey made of red light and fire.
Invera was covered in massive cuts and burns, though her opponents were just as hurt.
Neither Ezekiel nor Riley could think of anything to help in this situation. They were too weak. Their souls vibrated at the force of the magic being thrown around.
Ezekiel wondered how the three figures could still be fighting, given the hours that it had been since the battle had begun. The cult must’ve improved whatever means they used to create their pseudo-Mythic abominations, because the two he had run into in the past would never have lasted this long without falling apart.
“So... that’s the Feathered Peaks’ guardian. Impressive. I’ve never seen a Wild Mythic Spirit before. Most died during the Age of Despair. Those that survived remain tucked away in their little holes, protecting caches of humans or Spirits, well away from the more civilized portions of the world.”
Wolken looked at the battle taking place with an intense focus as he examined the combatants.
“It looks like she’ll lose, though. The mana of two beings is just too much for her. Thought it is clear that she is the better fighter.”
Stretching his arms above his head, Wolken passed a hand by his waist. Two massive double-bladed daggers appeared in his hands. Summoned from his Void Pouch via his wind magic.
“Let’s give the old bird a hand.”
The next moment, Wolken disappeared from view, and a wall of wind pushed Ezekiel and Riley onto their asses from the force.
One of the figures attacking Invera was sent back, and the tide of battle turned for the last time.
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Invera was having a hard time and had been for the past several hours.
‘How did a simple scouting mission turn into this?’ she thought to herself as she avoided the claws of the spiny lizard monstrosity before her.
Originally, she hadn’t had many difficulties during the current conflict between the Fjorya and the cult. Even with the cult’s Guild allies aiding them. But the sheer breadth of the conflict was too much for her to deal with everything at once.
When she went to one area, the cult attacked a different one. If she made a move toward the cult bases, they sent messages ahead and cleared out.
She couldn’t even just move in and attack the cult in Tarquessa, since that would unite the rest of the human powers against the Fjorya. Giving the cult a legitimate reason for their attack.
‘It’s almost enough for me to regret aiding Ezekiel.’ The memory of his innovations, particularly the Com-Slates that had caused so many issues, passed through Invera’s mind.
A flash of light appeared as an electrical shield sprung up between herself and the monkey like abomination. The earth melted beneath its feet from the heat of its flames.
Two of her wings flashed forward, blasting the monkey with lightning, and forcing it backward. Only for the lizard to lash forward with its tail and create a large gash that ran down her chest. She reared back in pain, attempting to take to the sky, but was forced down when the monkey hammer punched her.
A pulse of lightning was released in all directions, tearing up the ground and sending the monkey and lizard both flying backward. Invera followed up by flapping her wings and sending herself forward to rake her talons down the lizard’s face.
She spun around as the lizard recoiled in pain, ready for the monkey’s follow-up attack.
It had raised its fists high and leapt into the air, ready to bring its fist down on Invera in an instant.
Before she could get a shield up, a silver figure slammed into the side of the abomination while it was still in the air. Red-gold blood spewed into the air as it was thrown sideways, where it landed on top of the lizard.
Floating in the air was a Hunter, with two silver wings and scaled armor. Winged serpent designs were engraved on the armor to depict the Spirit it was made from.
Invera paused, even as the monsters in front of her got back up. She could sense it clearly. This was a being that was stronger than her. A Mythic that was younger than her but had been at Tier five for far longer.
“Greetings, Exalt Invera. I saw you needed assistance. I’m not interrupting, am I?” The Hunter’s tone was almost mocking and was filled with a joyful bloodthirst that made Invera shiver. “My name is Wolken. I am a Mythic Hunter from the other side of the Desolate Lands. One of your tribe’s elders made a deal with the Church of Ten, and I am here to see it fulfilled.”
Having never seen this man before in her life, Invera didn’t immediately believe him. Though, she did not immediately right off his words, as it was obvious, he wasn’t tied to the cult. Else he wouldn’t have attacked their monsters as he had.
Suddenly, Wolken pointed his weapon into the distance. Following the point of the blade, Invera saw Ezekiel and Riley. Both were watching the battle in awe and were holding on as best they could while she and Wolken remained in the epicenter of the storm formed by their Mythic levels of mana.
“Let’s finish this first. Then we’ll talk.” Wolken then disappeared, and another cut appeared on the charging monkey.
A moment passed, and Invera looked like she was about to turn around and get Ezekiel and Riley out of the area. It was obvious to her that they were struggling with the pressure being exuded by the conflict. But the choice was taken from her, and she was forced to throw herself in the way of the lizard.
Only this time it wasn’t aiming for her.
“Anathema!”
The low, grave whisper that escaped the lizard’s mouth was enough for Wolken to turn his attention from where he was cutting up the monkey. But Invera was used to this by now and was able to capture the Radiant beast in her talons.
The monkey took advantage of Wolken’s distracted look, and dove toward the two Legendaries in the distance. It barely made it a kilometer toward them before it’s flames were seemingly doused, and Wolken appeared on its nose.
“You truly are a mindless beast.” A massive dagger slashed across the monkey’s eyes. It howled in rage and pain as it blindly swung at Wolken. Missing completely as the man had taken to the sky. “Your fight is with me! Focus on it!”
Much to Invera’s shock, it seemed like Wolken was upset that his opponent wasn’t taking him seriously. Something that she would’ve appreciated, had she not known that one of her charges was their target.
A roar from the abomination in her claws, alongside a beam of light that splashed against a hastily thrown up shield, made her focus once more.
“Oh, just die already!” Invera verbalized her cry this time around. She was sick and tired of this fight. Knowing that it would’ve ended a while ago, if they hadn’t teamed up against her.
Expending more mana than she would’ve usually used in this situation, lightning flashed and formed into a series of several thousand needle sharp quills. Their points all directed toward the lizard still being pinned down beneath her.
A flap of her wings took her into the air, and the quills that floated into the air struck the lizard, turning it into a massive, scaly, spiked, reverse porcupine. With each and every feather that had pierced it releasing a massive amount of electricity.
Enough to keep the thing from moving, as Invera built up an even larger charge. Its spasming body flapped uselessly on the ground. Invera flew above it, the patterns on her feathers glowed with power. Only to be released in one massive bolt when she opened her beak toward her enemy.
Shrieking in rage and pain, the Radiant abomination couldn’t move out of the way as its flesh was seared, and its bones shattered. It withstood Invera’s attack for five seconds. Long enough to have attacked Invera multiple times had Wolken not been there to distract the other beast.
When the lightning faded away, nothing remained beside a glass covered terrain where the lizard once was.
Looking to the side, Invera let out a sigh as she saw that Wolken hadn’t finished his opponent yet.
She wasn’t worried though, as the monkey was sent flying once more. A gust of wind shaped like a fist broke its nose as it slammed into the ground.
From what she could tell, Wolken was playing with his prey, much like a cat that taught its children how to hunt. The Hunter was so powerful that it was obvious that he outmatched the monstrosity in front of him.
“Oh? You’re already done.” Wolken sent out a blade of wind that cut off one of the monkey’s arms. “Given how new you are to being a Mythic, I honestly thought that it would take you longer. Especially with your defensive Specialization.”
Invera could practically hear the capitalization on that last word. The emphasis that Wolken seemed to subconsciously put on it was somewhat confusing, but she instinctively knew exactly what he was talking about.
Wolken turned back to the bleeding fire monkey, and seven pillars of wind pinned it down. The winds became razor sharp as blood filled the air like a mist as the monkey’s limbs were shredded into a mulch that splattered everywhere.
“I must thank you for tiring these pathetic creatures out. If you hadn’t, I might’ve had to exert some effort in order to make this one suffer.”
Invera could hear the sadistic grin that she just knew was spread across Wolken’s face. Even though the helmet on his armor kept it from being seen.
“However, enough is enough, and I have other things to do.”
The twisters faded away, but there were no longer any limbs for Wolken to pin. Instead, he raised both his daggers above his head.
Bringing them down too fast for even Invera to see, the monkey was suddenly split into four pieces. Cut through the chest where an x-shaped mark also split the land beneath it.
“Now then. Shall we return to your people, or shall we dance for ourselves?”
Invera could hear the taunting and hopeful tone in Wolken’s voice, but Invera knew that she was in no condition to fight. So, she shook her head, and mentally prayed to the Ancients that Wolken wouldn’t attack her.
“A shame. But this does mean that I’ll get to finish my job.”
Wolken’s voice became more subdued and bored as he realized that he wouldn’t get to keep fighting. Instead, he turned toward Ezekiel and Riley once more.
Both Mythics made their way toward the Legendaries waiting for them. One was uninterested in what would happen next, while the other was curious as to what would happen to her people.
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Standing on the rock that Wolken had left them on, Riley and Ezekiel had both been forced to expend a large chunk of their mana to keep themselves safe. Throwing up barriers and doing whatever they needed to in order to stop themselves from flying away.
“Amazing...” Ezekiel couldn’t help but stare in open eyed awe, even though the battle had ended. “So... that is the power needed to stand at the top of the world...”
He had been aware of a Mythic’s might before, obviously. Since, he had sparred with Exalt Harras, after all. But that had been when the Exalt was holding back a massive amount of power. Even the small portions of the fight Invera had a couple months ago paled in comparison to this brawl.
Beside him, Riley appeared much the same. Obviously, she would’ve felt somewhat helpless in the face of such overwhelming might. As well as with the knowledge that it was mostly Ezekiel whose barriers had kept them safe.
Her element just wasn’t focused on such abilities. Though neither was Invera’s, and yet she used shields multiple times during her fights.
‘Perhaps we can get her some more help from Spina and Invera both.’ Ezekiel pondered.
‘But that would mean that she couldn’t fight alongside you anymore. Do you really think she would accept that.?’ Shine’s voice cut through Ezekiel’s plans. He knew that they were right. No time was granted for any debate, however.
The next instant, Wolken and Invera were suddenly in front of them. With the previously massive thunderbird now much smaller. The cuts and burns now seemed less severe on her tiny body.
“Now then. Since this ordeal has been overcome, let’s finish things properly. Shall we?”
No one said anything in reply to Wolken’s words. Instead, the two Legendary Hunters, and one Mythical Spirit, just nodded in agreement.