-warbringer-

[https://i.imgur.com/d8Ghikv.png]

A focused beam of concentrated holy magick tore across the night sky and shredded one of the lower being’s poor excuses for fortifications apart.

I peered past the mortal plane to look at the conduit stones these Aestori were using as focusing elements for Feyndirian runes. Though still quite primitive, these weapons showed great promise.

I wonder if my new sword sister would let me take some of their artificers with me to Tartarus to develop new weapons against the Void-addled originators.

As I pondered that thought, my favorite human—a weird thing to have, I’m aware—Tomin called out to me. He and my other two attendants—no, companions, my sister had called them—informed me that we were all set to enter the city and begin removing pests.

Our newest companion, Strea, was still wary of me. That blonde girl blessed by Uncle had filled Strea’s head with all kinds of warnings about my siblings and me.

Most of them were true.

But it was still annoying to have the girl tiptoe around me as if I’d just snap and obliterate her.

It could happen, sure.

The possibility was just real slim.

Well… it was better than fifty-fifty odds at the very least.

The four of us entered the city through the blasted-apart gates, meeting minimal resistance.

Sister Airis’ ᛚᛠᚾᚨᛏ—her vice-commander—Julius, was leading a large force ahead of us. They dispatched the soldiers wearing assortments of blue-colored armor and clothing.

It was a strange, and primitive, way to differentiate between allies and foes but it worked well for mindless slaughter I supposed.

I was given free rein to exterminate any aggressors that wore blue or green clothing.

The only stipulation was that I was asked to confirm they were acting in an aggressive manner before killing them.

Apparently, my sister wanted to capture some of the less aggressive pests to interrogate them.

“Tooooomin! Can I do it yet?” I begged.

I was feeling stuffy keeping my powers contained.

Tomin looked at Julius’ vanguard and I could see him trying to determine if they were far enough away to not be subjected to my aura.

“Yes. We should be clear. Commander Adaemus should continue forward on the main road for a while. Specter-Three reported a camp of Renaultians in a common plaza nearby. You can stretch your wings there if you want.”

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Strea and… Joff? Jolf? Jeff? Geoff? No, it was J-something…

I didn’t really care enough about the third one.

My other companions followed after Tomin and me towards this so-called camp, where we discovered a whole swarm of blue targets ripe for exterminating.

I smiled.

“I’m gonna do it. Don’t puke, Tomin.”

I flooded my mana circuits with magick and began activating one of my two unique Iteria keystone powers, ANNIHILATOR.

The pressure wave from ANNIHILATOR rushed out towards the enemy camp as its passive aura effect activated. The twisted look of horror spread across their faces and some of them tried to run.

But they could never hope to escape from me.

I was an apex creation, the greatest tool ever made to wage war. They couldn’t outrun me and I hadn’t even stretched my wings out yet.

I rolled my shoulders and dispelled the magick that kept my wings and divine aureole hidden beyond the veil.

A radiant light washed over my enemies terrorized faces as I manifested my holy blade, Dyrnwyn, and began to cleave them asunder.

Purple arcs of magick erupted from a large tent at the back of the encampment and I felt the disgusting presence of the Void.

I knew the pests were summoning in void-beasts from somewhere in the city. It was only a matter of time until they managed to sacrifice enough of the foul things to bring a void-reaver over from Tartarus.

My gaze drifted back to my coral-haired companion.

It’s an impossibility, I know that, but I can’t shake this feeling I have every time I look at him.

Perhaps it was just a coincidence. Or, maybe, it could just be explained by Uncle Sagi’s lack of imagination.

Tomin was an elf. A mortal being born on the lower plane. But he looked identical to the only person I ever truly loved.

My sword sister, and mother’s greatest battle-maiden, Gabriel. They even shared the same expressions and little quirks.

Of course, it’s impossible. They can’t be the same person…

I shook these distracting thoughts from my head.

In any case, Tomin wasn’t strong enough to survive a rampaging reaver.

The only option I had was to remove the threat before it developed.

“I’m gonna go clear out a nest of voidlings! I’ll be back in a sec’, stay safe!” I departed cheerfully, kicking myself up into the air in a cloud of dust before my companions could say anything.

As I closed the distance to the void-beasts, I activated my second keystone power, WARBRINGER.

Chaotic energy surged through my body, and I changed—becoming more powerful in every way. Faster, stronger, more precise.

I cut the air with my blade and an arc of magick split the large blue tent open. It slammed into void-beasts and human pests alike, scorching them with divine fire.

A silvery voice slithered up from the depths of my mind. It was a commanding voice. A melodic tone.

My mother’s voice.

The prime directive I had been programmed with.

“Kill. Destroy. Kill! Destroy! Annihilate!”

“Of course I will, mama. It’s what I was made to do.”