Standing before the titanic gate, Samael cracked his neck as he released a deep breath, his axe, Crimson Raven, resting on his palm.

Things were about to get crazy.

Ajax remained unfazed as multiple dark tendrils creeped up from behind him, standing on standby.

Soon, a deep rumble thundered in the air as the earth began to tremble. Slowly, the large gates began to creak as it made way.

Luminari clenched his jaw as he brandished his spear, imbuing it with light as it blew bright like the sun.

"Leaving without us, boss?" A voice asked, opting for Luminari to shift his gaze back.

Behind him stood the entirety of Servan, warriors with great differences all gathered and ready to fight.

Seeing this, Luminari's eyes widened. "You fools! Do you know what you're doing?!"

"Oh, we're not missing this one out, boss," a soldier said as he stretched his arm.

"There will be no returning from this," Luminari said. "Many of you will die."

Stepping forward, the first warrior to guide Ajax and Samael spoke. "We've already lost many. Let us honour them."

Seeing the flames burning brightly in their pupils, Luminari sighed. "It seems there is no changing your minds."

Shifting his gaze ahead once more, he spoke as he slammed his spear down.

"If you've made up your mind, then we rally!"

As the gates finally opened, a stream of abominations came pouring in like a river.

"FOR SERVAN!" Luminari roared as he pointed his spear forward.

"Heavenly thrust."

Samael's eyes narrowed as a blinding light engulfed the entire gate, devouring everything it touched as it travelled forth like the first rays of the morning sun.

All the light touched evaporated like water before fire, reduced to mere ashes as a large path was cleared.

"Charge!" Luminari roared as he burst forward.

It had begun.

Lowering his stance, Samael grabbed the earth before him as his feet and arms morphed black.

Without warning, his figure blasted forward, smashing the earth behind him as he bulldozed his way.

Luminari, without fear, dove headfirst against the horde of monsters in his path.

"Severing Light."

Throwing two slashes forward, a cross-shaped beam of light travelled forward with great intensity, tearing all it hit with ease.

The abominations were mowed down like grass as their bodies were reduced to ashes, drifting in the wind.

However, the beasts had begun to close in from the sides, making the path narrower every second that passed.

Now it was up to them.

"For servan!" The warriors roared as they marched, their weapons in tow as they crashed against the incoming surge of beasts.

The sound of steel and the scent of iron travelled in the air as the two opposing sides clashed.

The soldiers hacked, slashed, and smashed while the beasts clawed, bit, and gnawed without mercy.

Within seconds, bodies began to pile up as the death toll skyrocketed. Many were beasts, and so were men.

Spells and abilities flew in the air as explosions and earthquakes shook the sanctuary.

It was chaos.

It was war.

Samael gritted his teeth as he pushed forward, not daring to look back at the carnage, for he knew all this sacrifice was for the hope of a better future. It was a burden he cannot fail.

Unfortunately, the soldiers were unable to block everything. Some of the stronger monsters had begun to catch up as they lunged at Samael.

Only to be met with shadows.

"Shadow dance."

Like the wind in the sky, Ajax flowed around the battlefield with grace and destructiveness as he slashed through multiple Abominations.

"Keep going," Ajax said as he stayed behind.

Samael gave a nod as he resumed his push, blasting through monsters as though they were nothing but air.

Luminari remained unstoppable as he blew through the beasts like an unstoppable arrow. The light of his spear illuminated the battlefield, bringing with it death.

However, even he could feel the changes in the prowess of the enemy. Not only that, but the winged bastards have also begun to notice them. It almost seemed as though they knew what they were planning.

"This better be worth it, boy!" Luminari roared as he tore off the head of another creature.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"Dawn breaker!"

Raising his spear high in the sky, a bright beam of light tore through the clouds.

Looking at the approaching beasts, Luminari narrowed his eyes as he slammed down his spear.

Like the scenes from fairytales, a rain of light crashed down the earth, causing mass destruction as holes and craters as big as houses littered the earth, crushing and vaporising dozens of beasts.

Meanwhile, Samuel spoke.

"Void armament."

Raising his axe before him, he chanted.

"Dome Cleave."

Blasting forward, Samael's axe drew one slash, followed by another and another and another until his blade left afterimages.

Before the beasts could even react, their bodies were blown to pieces as dozens of cleaves were sent out, not only cutting them but also tearing the earth, making it hard for them to approach Samael.

As they pushed through the waves of monsters, Samael and Luminari had begun to feel the overwhelming strength they possessed.

Their momentum had significantly weakened, and their speed was slowly decaying over time.

Luminari was taking more and more time to kill the beasts in their way, and so was Samael.

He would kill two just for four more to come and take their place.

"Keep going!" Luminari roared as he dragged back his spear.

"Razor beam!"

Dragging his spear in a circle, a beam of light shot out of it, cutting through hundreds of abominations within seconds.

"Push!" Luminari roared as he dashed forward.

With one forceful stomp, Samael followed closely behind the general as he threw a plethora of skills, decimating the creatures in his path.

But now they had come. Saint-ranked beasts.

Samael's steps were halted as he watched the horizon darken under the sheer number of their army. All and every single one of them is a saint.

"Do not fear!" Luminari roared as he stood beside the young man. "While I enjoyed our time together, this is my stop."

Samael looked at the man, and seeing his resolve, he knew he was on his own. "Thank you for trusting me," Samael said.

A light chuckle escaped Luminari's lips. "Don't break our trust then." Smashing his spear down, he resumed. "Go. I will make my stand here."

Giving the man a nod, Samael sprinted ahead.

Watching Samuel's figure go far in the distance, Luminari smiled. He was reminded of his grandson. He would have been like Samael, bright and full of ambition.

Cracking his shoulder, Luminari spoke. "Time to do my job; come at me."

The approaching beasts snarled as they lunged.

A small smirk formed in Luminari's lips. It has been some time since he had gotten himself in such a situation. Time to prove why he's the general.

"Elemental ember: manifestation of light."

"First dawn."

Samael's eyes shifted back as a blinding light began to rise over the horizon, as though a second sun had begun to rise.

It was warm and comforting, shedding mercy in the presence of death.

Before the eyes of the approaching beasts, Luminari's body began to glow as the light enveloped his body, hugging it and clinging tight.

It almost looked like his aura was light in its purest form, casting shadows and expelling evil.

"Now, come."

The beasts shook their heads as they growled. They circled the general with malice in their pupils... then they pounced.

Like the waves of a dam being opened, they charged in with ferocity, their razor-sharp claws and jagged teeth baring at him.

Yet, before the abomination before them could even react, a spear blasted through him, sending a straight beam of light that evaporated all in its path.

Dragging his spear to the side, the beam of light eviscerated all it touched, cleaving and burning whatever hurdles dare block it.

"This is as far as you shall go," Luminari said.

The beasts roared with rage as they resumed their assault without fear of death.

Slamming his spear down, dozens more spears made of light formed around Luminari, all pointed at the enemy as they shot forward, decimating the entirety of the battlefield.

But the monsters were not done. They kept coming and coming, without stop and without signs of fatigue.

Leaping in the air, Luminari descended with reckoning fury as he smashed his weapon down, sending a wave of light outwards and flattening everything near him.

Those hit with the wave of light were blown away, scorched, and turned to ashes by the sheer force.

Dashing forward, Luminari resumed his slaughter as he bisected multiple creatures at once.

"Spear puncture."

Thrusting a dozen times a second, Luminari blew holes at the enemy before him as he twirled around the battlefield.

But the beasts were unstoppable.

As though adapting to his combat prowess, the beast's had begun to take counter offensive moves as they now fake their attacks, forcing Luminari to make mistakes. These were enough as they swarmed him slowly but surely.

Grabbing one of the creatures behind him, Luminari threw it at an approaching group, the sound of bones cracking and shattering reverberating in the air. But as he did, another beast grabbed tightly to him, restricting his movements.

Slamming the butt of his spear back, the beast was thrown off as Luminari dragged his spear in a circle, cutting its head clean. But the other abominations were quick to react as they all backed away, avoiding the attack.

Seeing his guard open after his attack, they lunged at him, causing him to stumble back as he smashed his fist against one of them.

Releasing a burst of energy, he was able to throw back the enemy for a moment. But this was not enough.

He was now wounded by the unrelenting attacks of the abominations. His armour had severely been damaged; its once shiny surface is now riddled with scratches and dents.

Looking at the next wave of enemies coming his way, Luminari pointed his spear at them.

"Sub zone..."

"Guiding Light."

***

Samael blasted through the enemies as fast as he could. Although Luminari held back the horde from approaching him from behind, the same cannot be said for what's ahead.

These creatures had no end as they poured out the rifts like water.

However, Samael's advance was soon halted as he felt a tremor under his sole. Looking back, he saw a large dome of light and a violent surge of energy.

"Luminari," Samael muttered.

Gritting his teeth, he resumed his march.

The only thing he could do to alleviate the burdens was to get to where he needed to. That's what needs to happen; otherwise, all their hardships are for naught.

But it was never easy. It never did.

A few steps forward, Samael nearly tripped as a large tail gripped his feet from below, forcing him to stop.

But before he could sever it, another abomination, a winged one, dived down, swiftly striking his arm, his weapon thrown away by the force.

Calling for Crimson Raven to return, another creature lunged at Samael as he dropped down, his arms barely able to hold the beast back as it attempted to tear his face off.

Struggling, he roared.

"Void Pulse!"

A shockwave of Void matter blew the beast back, allowing Samael to recover as he kicked the tail off.

Hastily rising to his feet, the winged beast once again dived down as it sent a ball of flame towards Samael.

Seeing this, Samael raised his hand as he cast Void Aegis. But he was unable to handle the force as he was sent crashing down.

Slamming unto the earth, more and more Abominations dragged and clawed at him, leaving deep gashes at his flesh as his Void skin cracked under their power.

Unable to fight back, Samael could only block their attacks. But even he knew it wouldn't be for long.

Unfortunately, they failed to recognise another monster in the field.

"Blood blast."

The beasts were blown to smithereens as a large whip of blood struck them square in the face, sending what remained of them hundreds of meters away.

"Heard you needed to get to the deadzones. What are you waiting for? Let's go," Ishkar said as he raised Samael up. "Can you walk?"

Samael gritted his teeth as he clutched his injuries. "I have to."

"Then hold tight; I'm about to go all out," Ishkar said as he walked towards the approaching beasts. "Run when I distract them. The deadzones are up ahead."

Samael nodded as Ishkar chuckled. He could finally go all out.

"First awakening: soul forge."

"Crimson War monger."