[Book II Chapter 124] ROSE: An Apocalypse

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The golden orbs scattering above them elicited a sense of dread. Roxanne couldn’t block projectiles coming from every direction, and Rose doubted she could stop one of those golden needles, let alone hundreds. We’re screwed. She braced herself as the orbs exploded…

…but the pain never came. Her mouth dropped as saw thousands of needles immobilized mid-flight. “What in the…” She whispered.

“Everyone run!” Wise shouted. “You too Roxanne.”

“What…?” Her mentor glanced around, bewildered by the bizarre sight overhead. Rose reached out with her telekenesis and pulled on the immortal’s flaming staff to prompt her into action.

“If Wise says run, you run!” She yelled, despite having no idea what was going.

The Laughing Man grimaced, seemingly unwilling to let them flee, yet he didn’t pursue, instead looking up apprehensively. Somewhat relieved, Rose tried seeking an explanation. “What’s going——”

“To the right, now!” Wise ordered.

This time they all complied, and several thin black shockwaves shot by them, erasing everything they touched. Buildings began to collapse as they were cut to pieces. Rose winced at cries of terror and despair emanating from the village.

“We can’t save them.” Wise said miserably. “Simon is fighting the Laughting Man, and he’s not holding back. This place will be utterly annihilated…”

“Roxanne, please create a shield for us.” He directed. The nine orbs from earlier finished their explosion, sending waves of the needles through walls and tree. The village fell completely silent.

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“I will lead us out of here.” Wise spoke softly. “Stay close and move where I move.”

Rose followed her brother’s winding path through a barrage of golden projectiles and black shockwaves. When they paused, she took in the monumental clash raging around them. It was a mad sight.

The Laughing Man had summoned giant whirlwinds of spears, some of which were raging fiercely, while others were frozen in place, serving as a makeshift areal battlefield. Blades and orbs materialized wherever the Laughing man retreated, striking out at the space around with enough power to shake the Twisted Lands. Despite this, a shadow doggedly stalked him, dipping in and out of view. Whenever there were opening in the golden chaos, Simon would appear and release deadly black shockwaves, sometimes attacking from two or three directions at once.

Rose stumbled as the ground buckled beneath her. The tapestry of bedrock they stood upon had been sliced to shreds and was warping ominously from the force of the conflict.

“Oh god, no…” Wise muttered, color draining from his face. “We’re going down, now!”

He plunged into a gap in the earth, forming shadowy wings. Rose conjured fire fairies as they plummeted after him. “Why the panic?” She demanded.

“Simon’s dagger, it’s beginning to affect the gravitational fields.” Wise shouted back. “This entire region is going to collapse.”

Oh… They dropped into a wide dark space, and Rose turned to look up. Large chunks were already falling everywhere, as far as she could see. Between them smaller rocks shot downward, propelled by the violence above.

“Fly in a line directly me.” Wise called out.

The sounds of the impacts quickly became deafening. The new crust was contorting under the assault, vivid red cracks spreading menacingly. Volcanic eruptions exploded, flinging molten projectiles into wailing maelstrom of tumbling earth.

They swooped up and down randomly, untold tons of rock and fire barreling by on all sides, as they charted a route through the apocalypse. Despite her faith in her brother, Rose feared this might be the end. However, two harrowing minutes later, they escaped. After retreating to a safe distance, they paused to witness the destruction.

“What insane power…” Dawn sighed. “We have a long way to go if we want to defeat those two.”

“And Simon Black saved us again.” Rose added bitterly. At the very least, he prevented Roxanne from sacrificing herself, for which I can’t help but be grateful. Her mentor was spectating with them, apparently just as engrossed. So this level of devastation is impressive even to someone who lived through the last dark age…

As they contemplated the chaos, Carol broke in. “I know it’s impressive, but maybe we should get moving?”

“Relax.” Wise replied. “Zentrias is waiting for us back at Messanic. There’s no rush.”