CHAPTER 5 - REGRESSION MAGIC
LYSANDER FARADEISS
The title of "Dragon Lords" is bestowed upon individuals who can harness the forbidden magic known as the Vesryn Pulse to its fullest potential. Unlike the Dragon Knights, who possess significantly less power, the Dragon Lords possess immortality; they are impervious to harm and cannot be defeated.
A deafening roar, a monstrous cry that shook the very foundations of the cathedral, emanated from the Nova Dragon. Its thunderous bellow sent shockwaves rippling through our ranks, propelling our soldiers backward. Within the cathedral's hallowed hall, the pews were torn from their moorings and began to careen through the air. A hapless skysoldier was struck by one and reduced to a gruesome puddle of crimson.
In sheer terror, we sought refuge, clinging desperately to the massive stone pillars that lined the church's interior. Some among us scrambled for cover behind distant pews, hoping to escape the devastating impact of the dragon's resounding roar.
"Listen up!" Johnny's voice thundered through the tumultuous air. "Everyone, confront the Nova Dragon head-on!"
"R-Roger!" A chorus of resolute salutes echoed through the room.
The skysoldiers, their Wings of Light ignited, ascended to the cathedral's lofty ceiling. Armed with submachine guns and shotguns, they unleashed a barrage of bullets upon the Nova Dragon. Yet, the dragon's bluish scales remained impervious, as if mocking their efforts. Not a single dent or scratch marred its formidable armor.
A skysoldier, firmly grounded, conjured a series of fiery orbs and unleashed a relentless barrage of flame projectiles directed straight at the Nova Dragon's imposing face. Every fireball struck with pinpoint accuracy, creating a spectacular display of explosive impact. However, when the swirling smoke finally cleared, it revealed the Nova Dragon, unscathed. In a swift and gruesome move, the dragon chomped down on the skysoldier's defenseless body, obliterating them.
A deep sense of frustration welled up inside me as I watched my comrades fall one by one, their sacrifices seemingly in vain against the impervious foe. It left a bitter taste in my mouth. I tightened my grip on my katana, ready to charge into the fray, but a restraining hand clamped down on my wrist.
"No!" Johnny's voice held a note of urgency.
"Fuck!" I exclaimed, venting my anger by striking the nearest pillar. "I can't just stand here!"
"Full-fledged dragons are impervious to both weapons and magic," Johnny explained, his grip unwavering. "Your involvement won't change the outcome for them. We must stay focused on our mission."
The grim reality of the dragon's invulnerability forced me to reconsider my impulsive actions, understanding that our battle plan needed to adapt to these seemingly insurmountable odds.
Johnny's gaze turned intense, and a crimson aura surrounded him. His long scarlet hair seemed to radiate with power, and his arms and legs sprouted red fur, transforming him into a canine-like beast. His head contorted into a more fearsome visage, and a long, fiery tail emerged. Johnny had become the embodiment of the legendary magic coursing through his bloodline, a crimson werewolf.
"Let's go, Lysander! I'll get you to the underground ritual site, even if it means sacrificing everyone's lives... even if I sacrifice my life!!" the crimson werewolf declared with unwavering determination.
Without hesitation, I leaped onto his back, and Johnny, now a powerful crimson werewolf, began to sprint on all fours with incredible speed. As we emerged from our cover, a harrowing sight met my eyes – the lifeless bodies of my fellow skysoldiers littered the battlefield. In less than a minute, our entire squad had been decimated.
The Nova Dragon's attention locked onto us with swift precision, and its piercing eyes fired searing laser beams. Johnny's transformation into a crimson werewolf barely saved us from the first lethal barrage, but a second volley of laser beams found its mark, reducing one of Johnny's hind legs to vaporized ash.
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"Gaaah!" Johnny's anguished cry reverberated through the cathedral as he lost his balance, and we tumbled to the ground. Nevertheless, I acted swiftly, my fingers dancing through a speed-cast spell.
"Smokescreen!"
An inky black cloud enveloped the area where Johnny and I lay, expanding to shroud nearly half of the cathedral in thick darkness. This provided us with a much-needed opportunity to escape, but Johnny's injury was severe, and he could no longer walk.
"Go, Lysander!" Johnny's words fueled my determination, and I clenched my fists, pushing aside any sympathy. This was no time for hesitation. Every human in our operation had made the ultimate sacrifice for my sake, for the chance to reach the ritual site.
"Johnny! I promise, I will save you! I will save everyone!" I declared with unshakable resolve, tears in my eyes, as I sprinted towards the north, where the underground passage awaited, as marked on our map.
Johnny, now reverted to his battered human form, managed a brave smile and a thumbs-up, pointing in my direction. His words echoed in my ears as I ran, determined to change the course of the world's fate.
It took me just ten seconds to reach the underground passage near the altar. But before I could leave, I caught a glimpse of silhouettes – the figures of the oracle and the dragonoid, who had located Johnny and were engaging with him.
"Tell me, what is your purpose in this cathedral?" The blonde elf oracle, Hiraya, inquired with an air of authority. "And where is the human sage? Where is Lysander?"
In response, Johnny, battered and defiant, spat out a sharp retort, "Go to hell, you ignorant elven wretch."
Hiraya's expression turned ice-cold, her patience worn thin. She delivered a fierce kick to Johnny's head in a fit of anger. The sheer force of the elf's blow snapped Johnny's neck, bringing about his untimely demise.
"Shit. Shit. Shit," I muttered to myself, urgency driving me forward as I descended into the underground entrance.
Time was of the essence, and I couldn't be certain if the Dragon Lord had spotted me, which is why I rushed toward the ritual site before I could be apprehended. All the skysoldiers and Erudites were dead, leaving me as the sole survivor. I vowed that humanity's sacrifice would not be in vain.
"Curses upon the dragonoids. Fuck that oracle. To hell with the Dragon Lords. I'll make them all pay when I travel back in time," I mumbled under my breath, anger and determination propelling me forward.
The corridor before me seemed endless, with a faint light beckoning from the tunnel's edge. I reached for my pouch and was relieved to find an intact mana potion. I knew it was my one shot to use a speed spell and reach the ritual site faster.
"Lightspeed Accel!" I chanted, and my boots ignited with bluish-white light. In an instant, I leaped forward at lightspeed, hurtling toward the end of the tunnel where a radiant glow awaited.
Finally, I laid eyes on the ritual site. This underground chamber bore a stark contrast to the cathedral above. Instead of the familiar Cross of Exceria motif, a mural pentagram adorned the walls, with an eye encircled by a cross sigil at its center. It was evident that this ritual site served a deity other than Exceria – an unknown Foreign God.
At the chamber's center, a dusty magical circle, drawn in chalk, lay on the floor. I hurriedly brushed away the accumulated dust and revealed that the magical formula remained intact. "Great," I muttered to myself, a glimmer of hope in my heart.
To activate the Regression Magic, three crucial conditions had to be met: first, a sage who understood the magical formula of the Regression Magic; second, the caster needed to be in good health and possess ample mana; and third, the caster had to offer their life and soul energy within the magical circle. Realizing that I had already expended some of my mana with the speed spell, I reached for my last remaining mana potion and drained it to replenish my energy.
With resolve burning in my heart, I took a step onto the center of the magical circle, which promptly illuminated, confirming the satisfaction of the three activation conditions. This was the moment I had been preparing for – the activation of the Regression Magic.
As the circle responded to my presence, I knew that I had a chance to change the course of history, to prevent the world's destruction and humanity's extinction.
"Set Regression Magic to jump ten years into the past," I whispered, and the magical circle began to come to life. Three concentric rings formed, rotating with my body at the epicenter of a momentous journey back in time.
"Lysander!" A desperate cry rang out, and I turned to see Hiraya, her golden eyes filled with surprise and trembling, almost as if she was on the brink of tears.
I offered a menacing, devilish smile, determined to complete my mission at any cost. From my holster, I drew a pistol and pressed it firmly against my temple.
"Lysander, no! You don't understand what you're doing!" Hiraya's voice quivered with an oddly caring tone, which struck me as peculiar given that she had been responsible for the massacre of my friends.
"Dasvidaniya, bitch," I whispered coldly as I pulled the trigger.
[Regression Magic Activated]