CHAPTER 59 – PURGE OF HUMANITY
LYSANDER FARADEISS
"Maggie… Maggie… I'm so sorry… I'm sorry I couldn't protect you..." Johnny wept, his sorrowful words piercing through the air. His anguish stirred an urge to cry within me, though acknowledging my lack of compassion felt inevitable. After all, the weight of responsibility for Maggie's death rested solely on my shoulders.
Now, all that remains is to put an end to Johnny's suffering. Understanding his pain, having experienced it in a previous timeline when Maggie was lost, Johnny became a mere shell of himself. Bereft of purpose and dreams, he roamed through life, a ghost confined to a physical form, searching for a metaphorical graveyard. The bravado he displayed before was a façade, a product of his detachment from this world.
Echoes of Johnny's words from the past timeline resounded in my mind, a stark contrast to the current reality.
"Good luck, Lysander. I hope you make it to the finish line," Johnny declared with unwavering resolve, a sentiment that now seemed distant and almost ironic.
"I've got your back, and I'll do whatever it takes to ensure you reach the ritual chamber, even if it means sacrificing my own life. After all, we're best friends!" His earlier pledge of loyalty and friendship, once a beacon of hope in dire circumstances, now felt like a haunting reminder of promises unfulfilled.
"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 realization struck me that the ability to turn back time hinged on Johnny's sacrifice. I had vowed to save his life for this reason alone. Without him, humanity would have faced its demise, and the chance to save Hiraya would have slipped away without Johnny's selfless sacrifice.
I released a deep breath, unclenching my fists, and met the gaze of the beautiful elf with golden eyes who had been gripping my wrist. "I will save him," I declared to Hiraya, my determination solidifying. A smile crept across my face.
Hiraya's eyes lit up as she clapped her hands together. "That's good to hear. For now, leave this to me."
With deliberate steps, Hiraya approached Johnny, who had yet to notice her presence. He wiped his tears, taking a final sniff before erupting into a crazed laughter. "Hahaha. Don't delude yourselves into thinking you'll escape unscathed!" He turned toward us, his eyes still wet with tears, yet a malevolent grin painted across his face. His gaze fixed on me, a surge of fury evident in his eyes. With a sudden burst of energy, he lunged forward, his right arm morphing into the fierce claw of a werewolf. "Lysandeeeeeer!"
Hiraya stood as my primary barrier, intercepting Johnny before he could reach me. With a swift, sweeping kick, she destabilized him, swiftly twisting his wrist and pinning him to the ground with an assertive hold.
"Gah!" Johnny exclaimed, a mixture of pain and fury evident in his voice. "You'll pay for this, Lysander! I swear it!"
The intensity of Johnny's gaze weighed heavily on me, bearing the brunt of his hatred, especially after my actions led to Maggie's demise. While I felt the sting of his animosity, I remained steadfast in my conviction.
In truth, I believed Maggie to be a detriment to Johnny's well-being, a presence that would inevitably lead him down a destructive path. Though my actions may have catalyzed his despair, I stood by my decision, believing it necessary for the greater good.
"I share in your sorrow, Lysander does too," Hiraya spoke calmly, her words carrying a sense of understanding amidst the turmoil.
"What do you know, you bitch of an elf? You're just as guilty for Maggie's death! I'll tear your hearts out and display your heads on a pike!" Johnny's voice thundered with rage.
"With your current state, you can't," Hiraya responded calmly. "Listen closely. If you tell me where Gazelle Lockwood is, perhaps we'll consider letting you go."
"I don't know, and I don't give a damn!" Johnny retorted fiercely, spittle flying from his mouth. "I don't need Lockwood to ensure your end! You'll all pay! Mark my words!"
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Given the trauma Johnny had just experienced, witnessing his beloved's violent end, expecting rationality from him seemed futile.
Exhaling deeply, Hiraya swiftly executed a precise karate chop to Johnny's neck, rendering him unconscious. Once she was certain he posed no further immediate threat, she brushed the dust off her skirt and returned to where we stood.
"What's our next move with him?" Kate questioned, her sword resting casually on her shoulder.
"We release him. I've devised a plan," Hiraya replied, a sly grin forming on her lips. "But for now, our focus shifts to ending a war."
Locking eyes with me, Hiraya's intent became clear. I retreated slowly onto the open field, feeling a harmonious rhythm with the golden-haired elf.
"Activating Vesryn Pulse!" Hiraya exclaimed, clutching her chest. In response, I underwent a transformation, reverting to my formidable Trailblazer Dragon form. Without hesitation, Hiraya climbed onto my draconic head. Once she had secured her position, I spread my massive wings and launched into the sky, propelling us forward with purpose.
From our vantage point in the sky, the unfolding chaos was starkly visible. Dragons continued to wreak havoc on the land below, and the imperial aircraft carrier blazed fiercely, signaling the dwindling hope for the human forces.
Hiraya lifted her hand, marked with the emblem of Vesryn, as a deep crimson glow emanated from it. With a commanding voice that resonated across the battlefield, she declared, "By the authority of my Dragon Lord Commandment, I order all dragonoids present to revert to their human forms and surrender!"
A vibrant red pulse radiated outward, acting like a beacon. In response, the dragons caught within its range transformed back into their human selves. As the once-mighty creatures found themselves disoriented and vulnerable, the human army wasted no time. Capitalizing on this newfound advantage, they moved swiftly, apprehending every transformed individual amidst the ruins of the Demonic Cathedral.
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It took an additional half-hour before reinforcements arrived — three airships from the Imperial Army, accompanied by a battalion of tanks and helicopters. Hiraya's strategy revolved around a "donut assault." Our team would infiltrate the heart of enemy territory, while the main forces would encircle and push back the adversaries. Despite the determination of Madam Corasell's troops, breaking through Neo Arcadia's defenses proved challenging due to the Neo Arcadia's steadfast resistance.
After a brief respite, we convened aboard the flagship, S.S. Liberty, for a debriefing with our handler, Madam Corasell, and Empress Serenity Elkyria of Alterra herself. We relayed our accounts of the fierce battle against Neo Arcadia's primary stronghold.
"Congratulations on dismantling Neo Arcadia's central command," Empress Serenity exclaimed, her applause echoing throughout the room. Fellow generals joined in, applauding our achievements and extending their commendations. "With 99% of Neo Arcadia neutralized, the threat posed by these terrorists has been effectively eliminated."
Madam Corasell interjected with a note of concern, "Yet, Gazelle Lockwood remains elusive. His whereabouts are still unknown."
"It matters not. Deprived of his army, Gazelle Lockwood is merely a fugitive," Empress Serenity declared confidently. "He won't elude us for long."
However, a chilling response followed, resonating within our minds.
"You won't have to find me, Empress Serenity... I will find you."
The sudden telepathic intrusion left everyone in the room stunned. Eyes darted around, searching for the source, yet no individual seemed to be initiating the communication. My gaze met Hiraya's and then shifted to Madam Corasell; their expressions mirrored my own bewilderment.
Turning my attention back to Empress Serenity, I noticed a cold sweat forming on her brow, a hint of unease betraying her otherwise composed demeanor.
A sudden tremor rocked the room, its intensity surprising given our airship's supposed dock location near Stonehill City. A radiant glow permeated the windows, compelling us to step out onto the balcony for a clearer view. Instead of the familiar constellation of stars, our eyes met towering pillars of crimson light stretching across the horizon. This spectacle wasn't some natural occurrence or the result of magical incantations—it emanated from the Dragon Lord Commandments, a sensation I recognized all too well.
"Look, there are more to the west!" Gaeun exclaimed, pointing towards the horizon.
We scanned the skies from our vantage point, realizing that these crimson pillars weren't isolated phenomena. They spanned the globe, casting an eerie glow across the world. As another tremor resonated through the air, the ominous telepathic voice penetrated our minds once more, its message impending and unsettling.
"My name is Gazelle Lockwood, the First Dragon Lord. To all of humanity, I have a message for each and every one of you. This planet is on the verge of a rebirth, transforming into an old yet entirely new world. The existence of humanity, in my view, was a mistake. The Empire of Alterra's actions have deviated from the correct path as they killed Goddess Exceria. Therefore, I have made the decision to rebel against humanity. I am poised to employ my Dragon Lord Commandment across the entire globe, unlocking the mystic powers inherent in all dragonoids. I will usher in the restoration of the Age of Dragons. Vesryn has bestowed upon me her mark, granting authorization for the planet's evolution, a salvation against the perceived malevolence of the human empire. My dragons will reshape this world as they see fit, reinstating their supremacy, reminiscent of the age that reigned millennia ago. I hereby declare the Purge of Humanity."