A small smile tugged at the corner of Samael's lips as he speared a glance ahead, far towards the towering silver walls of Erudicio. A sanctuary he hasn't seen in a very long time.
Looking back, the last eight years of his travels had been filled with dangers and fruitful encounters.
He was constantly fighting, but it was also because of that that he managed to get this far.
Samael lightly shook his head. He still remembers how happy he was when he first saw that he had skills. Yet now his arsenal has enough to take down foes he thought he could never defeat, even in his wildest dreams.
Still, it was quite annoying having to bust his ass just to gather enough essence to raise his tier by one. Who knew that the Codex would steadily increase the amount needed, going as far as reaching hundreds of thousands for a single tier?
Nonetheless, he was still thankful to the system for helping him out. Luckily, the amount he needed would reset every mark.
The duo's footsteps left trails of echoes as they slowly approached the gleaming walls of Erudicio, where two individuals adorned in silver armor stood behind the safety of its towers. In their hands are nested bows capable of inflicting severe damage on those foolish enough to trespass their boundaries.
Noticing the two silhouettes in the distance, one of the sentries came forward and roared. "WHO GOES THERE?"
A sigh escaped Samael's lips as he raised his hand above his head. Ajax remained idle as he marched forward unhindered.
Samael couldn't help but shake his head as he replied. "We're not hostiles!"
The two sentry guards exchanged looks as one of them spoke again.
"HOW CAN WE BE SURE YOU'RE NOT ONE OF THOSE DEMONIC ABOMINATIONS?!"
A frown crept its way towards Samael's visage, his eyes slowly darting back and forth.
The once lush green plain surrounding Erudicio has now withered. What was left was the putrid stench of rot and blood staining the earth.
While he has survived all these years, the same does not apply to everyone.
About four years ago, a shift in the behavior of the abominations shook the entirety of Ergo.
There were whispers and rumors spreading about the shadows lurking in their periphery. This was further worsened by the sudden movements of the church.
Nowadays, they're as widespread as the watchers, as they actively participate in monster exterminations, relief goods distribution, and healing.
Some may say this is an act of kindness, but truthfully, Samael does not trust them.
No one expected nor was anybody prepared when the abominations struck the Sanctuaries one by one.
Many villages fell. Entire families, cultures, and hopes are torn to shreds. The sudden wave of these monsters struck like lightning. Fast and unpredictable.
Scared and left with no place to go, those that survived banded together as they flocked the walls of the sanctuaries in hope of solace.
Yet not many made it close to its safe embrace.
As far as Samael was informed, no one really knew who opted for this odd behavior.
Due to this, the watchers have been stretched to their utmost limit. The sanctuary knights themselves were forced to send out their new recruits due to a lack of manpower.
This brings up a question for Samael. Just how many young men and women have lost their lives out there?
He himself had to leave for years due to the constant flow of quests he was given. He even had to depart with Ajax as the saint had more urgent matters the likes of Samael could not partake in.
Samael fixed his gaze forward as he spoke. "My name is Samael, and I'm a watcher! I'm accompanied by another watcher named Ajax!"
Slowly, Samael brought his hand down as he withdrew his watcher pendant. This is an irrefutable piece of evidence, as these necklaces are bound with runes that prevent abominations from stealing and using them.
The two sentry guards fell silent for a brief moment before their murmurs danced in the air.
"Those are indeed watchers pendants," the first sentry said.
"Did he just say Samael and Ajax? As in The Shadow Saint and The Grim Hound...?" The first sentry's companion asked.
The two fell silent, their faces pale, as the man who spoke to Samael muttered.
"Oh god, we just stopped a saint in his tracks."
The second sentry facepalmed as he said. "Not just a saint. These two are practically legends. We're so screwed."
Samael expected this to happen. A resounding sigh escaped his lips as he spoke, luring the attention of the guards.
"Don't worry about us! No one will know of this! Just open the gates!" He said.
The two sentry guards exchanged looks, their backs straightening as they ran off to open the gates.
Metallic clicking sounds reverberated behind the steel gates as they slowly formed a gap for the two to enter.
The two guards apologized for the last time before they vanished from Samael's vision.
Samael took a sharp breath as he wore the hood of his cloak, lest he attract unwanted troubles.
Ever since their battle in Irvel village eight years ago, Samael and Ajax have had stories of their endeavors spread around.
Eventually, many found themselves fascinated by the heroic tale of the Grim Hound and the Shadow Saint.
The craze regarding the two got even worse as they cleared one quest after the other. Earning even more praise and reputation.
At first, Samael was able to ward off the unnecessary attention by hiding his name, but people soon adapted, and just by looking at him, they would know who he was.
However, it does come handy from time to time.
Samael and Ajax wandered about as they made their way towards the guild.
Samael's gaze drifted around the populace, his brows furrowed tight.
Everything's changed, or rather, everything has worsened.
The mask the mundane people wore has long been destroyed. The laughter and bartering have been silenced by the suffocating tension hanging in the air.
The air was stale, and the atmosphere was grim. Poverty was at an all-time low as most of their trade routes were overrun by creatures of unknown horrors.
The once-mighty towers guarding the civilians are now mounted with artillery to ward off flying abominations.
The citizens were walking on thin ice.
They're not safe inside or outside. But do they really have a choice? In this world, the weak are stripped of the privilege to choose how they die.
Samael clenched his jaw as he went forward with steady steps.
He felt pity for them. But pity alone does nothing.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Samael's brows rose to an arch as Ajax halted his steps midway.
A smudge of confusion lingered in his eyes as he asked. "What are you—?"
Samael's eyes widened as he watched the pebbles on the ground rattle along with the faint tremor under his soles.
"This..." Samael jerked his head back towards the gate as he uttered.
"Void Compass."
A faint shift in the air can be felt as a transparent veil of energy gushed out of Samael's vessel, swiftly encompassing his surroundings in its embrace.
[Void Compass]
Allows the host to mend Void matter with his astral pressure, enabling his senses to be further enhanced.
Fortunately, the gate was well within his reach.
Samael shut his eyes off, his senses fixated on the findings of his Void compass.
Samael could feel multiple presences situated within the wall. Although he's unsure, he concluded they were gathering towards the front.
Are those the sentries? He wondered.
Reaching even farther than the wall, Samael could feel a shift in the atmosphere, energy, and air.
Are we under attack? He wondered, his brows furrowed.
As though a sick joke, the loud metallic alarm of the bells reverberated in the air, signaling yet another raid.
The citizens paled as screams wafted in the air. With fear taking root deep in their hearts, chaos was bound to follow.
The mundane folks came to a frenzy as they ran for cover, uncaring for the people they hit or clashed with.
Those who have nowhere to go—kids who were left alone—had no choice but to cry, their begs for help silenced by the grating sounds of the bell.
Samael's hands shook under his grueling grip, his hood trembling as he watched the people give in to despair.
They were supposed to pass by unnoticed...
"Fuck this," Samael scowled.
Ajax tilted his head toward Samael as he spoke. "Samael."
Samael raised his hand as the space in front of him warped, a lone dark handle jutting out as he grasped it tight.
"I know," Samael replied as he withdrew Crimson Raven from the Codex. His hand emanated a soft purple glow as he muttered.
"Void Augmentation."
The soft purple glow grew bright for a moment as it faded into the unknown, revealing Samael's entire forearm and hands stained black as Void matter coated its entirety.
Before, he could only augment himself as dark smoke gushed out of his body. But he's changed. Now, he can solidify Void Matter with little to no effort, not only enhancing himself but his defense as well.
Samael's soles morphed black as his figure zoomed upwards, shattering the ground as he took the invading aerial abominations and the sentries by surprise.
The guards halted their steps as they briefly saw Samael's figure leap upwards, jetting through the wind like an arrow. A single question lingering in their minds.
Just how did he know that there were abominations coming from above?
The creature was a sight to behold; it looked akin to a bat mushed together with an ant.
However, it would take more than this to make Samael flinch.
The abomination recoiled in surprise as it spotted Samael mere meters away from its face.
In a panic, the beast rained down dozens of spikes in the direction of Samael.
A smile crept its way to its hideous face. After all, no human can maneuver midair. However, the creature's smile froze as Samael spoke.
"Flock."
The raven nesting at the butt spike of Crimson Raven glew red as Samael's figure was torn to shreds, only to explode in a flock of dark birds swarming the abomination.
The beast roared as it shot one spike after the other, only to miss each and every bullet.
The ravens closed the distance in a flash as they banded together, taking the shape of Samael as they faded away.
The beast flew back in a panic. However, it was too late.
Crimson Raven flew forward, its sharp edges drilling into the scaly skin of the beast, long, elongated Void tendrils latching onto its handle as Samael muttered.
"Void Latch."
Samael's figure darted forward as he pulled himself like a slingshot, breezing through the wind as he greeted the beast eye-to-eye.
Void matter gushed out of Samael's hands as he muttered. "Get over here!"
"Null thrust."
[Null Thrust]
Concentrates Void matter in a single point to pierce through enemies.
A thunderous bang echoed in the air as Samael's fist tore a hole through the head of the abomination, cleanly penetrating through the other side of its skull.
Flesh, blood, and guts meander down his fist. Some staining his cheek.
Absorbed Void Essence of Tarula Bat [Hatchling II] +290 pts
The mundane folks watched in awe as the ginormous abomination plummeted down the ground in a thunderous explosion, stirring the dust in its wake.
They stared in admiration as Samael's figure took form from the thinning smoke, crimson raven in hand.
Samael cast a sidelong glance as he muttered under his breath. "There's one more?"
He lowered his stance when Ajax's voice reverberated in the air.
"This one's mine."
Samael shifted his gaze back as Ajax leaped upwards, dark, elongated tendrils jutting out of his back.
On cue, another abomination similar to the one Samael slain surged forth, destroying one of the sentry guns as it shot spikes indiscriminately.
Calm as the morning sun, the tendrils protruding out of Ajax's back flew forward, latching onto the beast as they drilled through its skin.
"Shadow parasite," Ajax said.
The abomination released a bloodcurdling screech as its flesh warped in unnatural directions before bursting in a rain of blood.
Its corpse spiraled in the air as it fell with a reckoning boom, shattering the stone road and sending chunks of earth dancing in the air.
The people went idle, their gazes fixated on the abominations corpses lying in the ground.
For a moment, there was nothing but pin-drop silence.
Then came the cheers.
WOOOOOOOOO!!!
The citizens cheered in unison as they swarmed Samael and Ajax in a flash. Flames of admiration burned brightly behind their pupils, along with an emotion most of them have long lost—hope.
"Did you see that? They killed those monsters as though they were lambs in a slaughter!"
"Mom! Look! They're the heroes in the stories, right?"
"It's them! Oh God, it's the real Grim Hound and Shadow Saint!"
Samael slowly backed away, his hands raised forward, as waves of people swarmed them indiscriminately.
However, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Ajax, on the other hand, swiftly grabbed Samael as he delved through the shadows, hastily escaping the flock of citizens blocking their way.
The two reappeared far from the scene, their armor marred crimson as the pungent stench of guts lingered in the air.
"That's one welcoming party," Samael sarcastically exclaimed as he wiped away the stains from his face.
"Let's move," Ajax said as he marched onward.
A resounding sigh escaped Samael's lips as he trailed close, leaving the scene behind.
***
It didn't take long for Samael and Ajax to find themselves in front of the guild. Unfortunately, hiding their identities was nigh impossible considering they're drenched in the blood of their enemies.
Nonetheless, Samael and Ajax wasted no time as they hurriedly barged inside the guild masters office.
While they did come back for more quests, Samael was informed by Ajax himself that Icarius, the guild master, had summoned them.
For what reasons? That remains to be seen.
Ajax, being the man that he is, barged in without even knocking. Samael could only shrug since changing the man was akin to reviving the dead.
Icarius's chuckles bounced off the wooden walls of the room as he beckoned for Samael and Ajax to enter.
"Don't worry about it, boy; I'm already used to it," Icarius assured.
Samael smiled wryly as he sat down across from the guild master.
"The both of you caused quite the ruckus today, huh," Icarius pointed out.
Samael's brow rose. "News spread fast," he replied.
Icarius glanced at the window. "Such ruckus isn't bad every now and then," he muttered under his breath.
Ajax shifted in his seat, his monotone voice reverberating in the room.
"Why did you summon us?" He asked.
Icarius speared a glance towards them. "I have a quest for both of you."
Samael's brows furrowed, a smudge of confusion dancing in his pupils.
Unable to tame his curiosity, he asked. "A quest? What kind?"
For the guild master himself to give the quest personally... Just what type of commission is it?
Icarius snapped his fingers once as a torrent of energy shrouded the room, blocking away any noises they may make.
"As you all know, the war has escalated gravely. The losses we have accumulated far outweigh the victories we have gained. Men, women, and children are dying on a daily basis." Icarius's grip tightened along with the sound of creaking wood.
"Our trade routes are blocked, we are low on food, and our stock might not last much longer," he resumed.
Ajax leaned forward, luring the attention of Icarius.
"Are you tasking us to clear the trade routes?" he asked.
Icarius shook his head.
"That and something more. This quest far surpasses monster hunting," he replied.
"If you two don't know, about a year or two before the escalation of the war, there have been rumors about a prophecy stating, "In the radiant embrace of the benevolent light, they shall find solace in their slumber," he recited.
Icarius tapped his finger on the desk as he resumed. "I want the two of you to go and investigate the trade routes and gather evidence about what caused all this mess."
Samael fixed his gaze on the guild master. "You suspect that the church has something to do with all this?"
Icarius glanced at Samael as he replied.
"At this point, do we really have any choice?"
Samael fell silent. They have no leads whatsoever as to why the abominations are acting this way.
Not many would dare venture out there, even if they're promised their weight in gold.
Samael knows that he and Ajax are the only ones the guild master is willing to assign for this voyage. Not only are the two of them prominent trackers, but they also harbor his solid trust.
Not to mention...
Samael's gaze shifted towards the window, where the once lively streets are now as empty as the ruins buried in time.
Samael never considered himself a savior or a hero. He never really trusted anyone easily in the past eight years he was out in the wild.
But he knows very well the feeling of despair and that unyielding hunger. He knows the sleepless nights they can induce and the searing pain thirst can invoke.
He knows very well the fear of knowing you may perish any second you exist and the frustration because of your inability to change your fate.
However, he has the power now. He has the capability to make a change. Even if it's feeble,
He does not need to be a hero or some sort of savior. But he will do what he does best.
Kill.