Samael and Ajax sat inside a wooden room, accompanied by a simple wooden desk and a lamp.

Ajax placed down a brownish piece of parchment paper; it was a map of Ergo. It bore the usual sanctuaries and the malevolent mountains on the other side of the map, except there were parts encircled, each scattered at random.

"These are the trade routes?" Samael asked, his voice bouncing off the wooden confines of the room.

Ajax gave a stiff nod.

"These are the three primary trade routes leading to Erudicio, which were overrun by abominations a while back," Ajax said.

Samael's brows furrowed as he asked. "Are these really the only spots we need to take care of?"

Ajax's visor perked up. "No, but these are the ones we have to tend to as fast as we can."

His steel gauntlet hovered centimetres above the brownish parchment paper, his voice leaving trails of echoes in the air.

"There are many minor trade routes leading to Erudicio, but those will be taken care of by the other available watchers," Ajax resumed.

"Our first and foremost priority is to secure this route." Ajax's finger hovered near Tera, the city of agriculture.

"This is the route that supplies most of the food to Erudicio. The path lies beyond the Tirnu river," Ajax explained in detail.

"The next route we'll strike is this," Ajax said, pointing to the encircled road near Servan Sanctuary, the city of warriors.

"We'll have to re-establish and fortify our defences, and having been cut off from one of our strongest sanctuary weakened us greatly," Ajax said.

Samael leaned forward as he asked. "If Servan is the city of warriors, why haven't they cleared the routes themselves? Or at least secure the road from Erudicio to Servan."

Ajax fell silent for a moment before replying. "It's not that they won't, but rather they can't. The Servan Sanctuary does in fact hold the most watchers, but due to that, it's also their task to fight in the front lines and act as the first line of defence."

"I see..." Samael muttered.

Ajax tapped his fingers on the table, luring Samael's attention towards the third and final route.

"This is the last route. It leads towards the city hidden in the mountain, the sanctuary of Oros," Ajax said.

"Oros is humanity's final stand in case all else fails. It's a bunker built to protect what remains if all other sanctuaries are overrun. Seeing our situation isn't so dire, we may delay its clearing for a while," Ajax explained.

Samael fell silent for a moment before giving a stiff nod.

"Still, why are we clearing the routes near the other two sanctuaries? Don't they also possess watchers to protect them?" Samael asked. It's not that he didn't want to fight, but rather, it confuses him why the other strongholds chooses not to.

"Indeed, they do possess fighters of great calibre, but it's their circumstances that forbid them from moving," Ajax said.

"Tera is a sanctuary dedicated to producing and delivering necessary goods to neighbouring cities; should it divert its attention, it may lack the manpower to sustain that flow of food and even put the sanctuary in a challenging position, seeing they have only enough warriors to defend their walls," Ajax pointed out.

"Oros, on the other hand, is a city that lies behind the Chitiri Mountains, a terrain not suited for continuous travel. Convoys and armies won't be able to pass by with ease, much less fight abominations when their sole focus should be to strengthen the Gula line. A hidden road only to be used when all is lost," Ajax continued.

Samael's gaze shifted towards Ajax as he asked. "If all the sanctuaries have their own respective jobs, then what does Erudicio, the sanctuary of silver, do?"

Ajax leaned back as he replied.

"Erudicio, the city of silver, is tasked with gathering, utilising, and spreading vital information to win the war. Not only that, but the main headquarters of the Watchers reside here; thus, we're given the task of monster hunting. We ensure that any abomination that gets past Servan is neutralised and to keep the major routes safe," he explained.

"That explains the absurd amount of quests flowing our way," Samael said.

"So what's our plan?" he asked.

Ajax fell silent for a moment, lost deep in his thoughts, before he gave a reply.

"The route near Tera is referred to as the Georgo road. It may take us a month or two if we go by foot and three weeks at best if we go by horses," Ajax stated.

"The plan is simple: we go to Georgo Road, scout the situation, and make preparations for the extermination. The only information we have regarding the situation is that the abominations are highly agile. There's also the presence of an ice wall blocking the path, which caused all the blockage in the first place," Ajax recalled.

"Do we know the exact or estimated number of enemies?" Samael asked.

Ajax shook his head. "No, all we know is they're numerous and move in waves. That entails that these animations are either a pack or a hive. Nonetheless, dealing with both can be annoying."

A resounding sigh escaped Samael's lips. He has spent years outside Erudicio and has fought his fair share of Hive and Pack-type enemies.

Both of which have common similarities and differences.

Packs and hives tend to move by the order of a higher being, a leader, one may say. Due to this, their actions are highly strategic and coordinated, ramping up the difficulty of extermination by a huge margin.

However, the term packs is for abominations who banded together and have a hierarchy in effect. While hives are for abominations of the same kind in which everyone is considered of the same stature except the leader,

He nearly lost an arm fighting a pack once. Even Ajax doesn't like dealing with them, as they prove to be an annoying foe.

"When do we depart?" Samael asked.

"As soon as we can," Ajax replied as he rose from his seat.

"You have a day to prepare, then we go," he resumed. However, he briefly halted his steps in front of the door.

"Also, Icarius told me that he wants to meet you in the back of the guild," he stated before storming off.

***

Samael's footsteps left trails of echo as he made his way towards the empty halls of the guild.

There have been plenty renovations made to the buildings since he was gone. Most of the walls are now reinforced with ura stone, a substance capable of tanking massive hits.

The guild was far larger now compared to when he first came here. Icarius spent quite a fortune seeing how Samael nearly lost his way thrice.

Still, the long halls were as empty as the streets of Erudicio. It gave quite the lonesome atmosphere.

Eventually, Samael found himself in front of an oak door. Behind stood Icarius, bathing under the warm glow of the morning sun, the gentle breeze of the wind wafting through his white, finely combed hair.

"It seems Ajax got my message across," Icarius said.

Samael's brows rose to an arch.

"Why did you call me guild master?" Samael asked.

"Well, it's nothing much," Icarius muttered as he cast a sidelong glance.

"I heard you got stronger in the last eight years of your voyage. So I summoned you to test how far you've really gotten," he said.

Samael's eyes narrowed down.

"Come at me, boy, there are no rules—" Icarius's words were cut short as Samael's figure appeared mere inches from his face.

A thunderous bang whipped in the air, along with a shockwave resonating through the ground.

Samael's eyes widened, his fist locked in place by Icarius's palms, adorned in a silver gauntlet.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

When did he wear a gauntlet? Samael asked himself. He could've sworn Icarius wore nothing but his usual clothes.

A light chuckle escaped Icarius lips as he loosened his grip, allowing Samael to retrieve his fist.

"Well, what did I expect? You're like your mentor. Fast and unpredictable," he said.

"Unfortunately, I know him too well to be taken by surprise," he added.

Icarius's gaze shifted to his palm, its silver surface charred black as the dark matter slowly devoured through the metal.

"Still, you did quite the damage," he pointed out.

Samael whipped his arm back as the space in front of him distorted, giving way for Crimson Raven.

Red miasma gushed out of its buttspike, spreading like a plague.

"Oh, a fear enhancement?" Icarius exclaimed in amusement.

"Still, it won't work so easily," he resumed.

Samael lowered his stance, Crimson Raven's augmented form nesting on his shoulders as his soles morphed black.

Icarius's eyes narrowed as he muttered. "Interesting..."

"Void flow," Samael muttered under his breath.

[Void Flow]

Increases host agility, reaction time, and fluidity of movement by continuously consuming Essence.

Samael felt a wave of power resonate within him; his body felt lighter than ever, as though he could feel every fibre of muscle in his vessel.

His senses sharpened as his Void compass gushed out, shrouding the courtyard within seconds.

He could feel the shift in the air, the scent of metal dancing with the wind, and Icarius's presence a few metres away from him.

Samael's eyes widened, his brows arching upward.

"What the hell?" He muttered, his gaze fixed ahead.

Icarius's presence was submerged in an unbelievable amount of essence; it almost felt suffocating.

Just how strong is he? Samael thought in disbelief.

Usually, the energy shrouding someone else's presence is nothing but a leak. These are residues they cannot contain anymore. And to think Icarius has this much...

Samael shuddered at the thought of the guild master unleashing his full power.

If that's the case, then I can't hold back, can't I? He thought.

Samael raised his hand forward, a single mark nesting in the back of his palm. One that represents his power greatly.

A skull with three eyes.

A slight frown marred Icarius's visage as he laid eyes upon the engraving, an odd sense of dread lightly caressing his heart as it faded into the unknown.

Samael's hand balled to a fist, the mark etched in the back of his palm emanating a soft purple glow as it stemmed out, etching lines on his skin and encasing his entire forearm.

[https://i.ibb.co/cQ2KTQF/male-body-shot-only-lean-body-black-tattoo-markings-on-whole-arm-tattoo-of-skull-with-3-eyes-for-2.png]

The faint glow flickered before fading away, leaving nothing but the black engravings along with the newfound wave of strength resonating within him.

[Void Mark]

A major evolutionary trait. It's the mark bearing the unyielding Insignia of the Void. Upon activation, the mark will enhance the physical capabilities of the user, strengthen his control and the purity of his Void element, and lessen Essence consumption.

Icarius massaged his white beard in curiosity. He has never witnessed such an element before.

"Is it darkness? Or perhaps shadow, similar to Ajax?" He muttered under his breath.

However, it wasn't over yet. If Samael wanted to win, he knew he had to end the fight fast. Thus, he'll use everything, even if it burns through his essence with no remorse.

Samael's eyes jolted open, his pupils swirling akin to a spiral vortex, albeit faintly.

[All seeing eyes]

A major evolutionary trait. Bestowed by the Void itself, it's the eye that encompasses all. The very watchful gaze of the abyss. Allows the host to see what is not usually seen. May inflict status effect [Primal fear].

Samael's vision sharpened greatly; things appeared slower compared to what mundane humans may perceive. Not only that, but Samael could perceive, although barely, the life aura of Icarius.

Samael has no idea what life aura is. However, the system has told him that Life aura is the presence of one's soul and life. A unique signature every being with a soul possesses.

Now, all his preparations are complete.

Samael's figure turned to a blur, his blade humming in the air as it descended with inhuman speed.

Icarius's eyes widened as specks of lightning coursed through his skin, his figure weaving to the side in the blink of an eye.

Samael's jaw dropped after witnessing Icarius's speed as he plummet down the ground. Icarius himself had his mouth agape after realising what he had just done.

"You forced me to use some of my speed...?" he asked in disbelief.

Samael's forehead creased, his thoughts running wild. Some? He wasn't even using all his speed, and I couldn't even follow him!

Samael's ears perked up as a light chuckle lingered in the air, slowly erupting into a frenzy.

"Hahaha! How amusing! Come boy! Let's see what you're made of!" Icarius roared, a wide smile plastered on his face.

Samael's gaze remained fixed for a moment, his lips quivering as they formed a grin.

"Then here I come!" He roared back, his foot thrusting forward, tearing large chunks of earth back as he zoomed ahead.

Icarius opened his arm, welcoming Samael with all his glory.

Samael's eyes narrowed down as he saw a slight disturbance in Icarius's life aura along with the shift of the energy in the wind.

He's using a skill! Samael concluded as he took an abrupt halt. It didn't take long before Icarius's voice echoed in the air.

"Thunder tempo."

Samael recoiled back as waves of lightning lashed forward, akin to a whip crackling in the air, decimating everything in its path.

Samael jerked his arm ahead as he muttered.

"Void Aegis."

A dark, solidified sphere of Void matter burst forward, steadfastly tanking the waves of lightning raining down.

However, Samael's jaw clenched as he felt the prickling sensation on his left shoulder, a warning sent by his Void compass that he could not ignore.

Samael planted his foot back as he tipped his body sideways.

A tendril of lightning breezed mere inches from him as it struck to the ground in a thunderous explosion.

Samael's eyes widened as he dove down, Icarius's leg brushing above him.

Wasting no time, Samael countered.

"Discharge!"

The Void Aegis gleamed purple for a moment as a wave of violent energy surged forth, knocking Icarius a few metres back.

The guild master soared in the air before landing unfazed.

"Good, boy!" He said.

Samael rose to his feet, his hand nesting on his side as he uttered.

"Hover blades."

Pitch black energy surged out of Samael's hand as they solidified, taking the shape of three Void daggers hovering inches from his arm.

[Hover Blades]

Allows the host to conjure up to three Void daggers that he can freely control by will.

Unfazed, Icarius shot forward, leaving trails of lightning in his path.

"Inu."

Samael's Void compass roared in warning as huge amounts of electrical energy flocked together, resembling that of a dog as it charged forward with utter ferocity.

Samael braced himself, startling Icarius as he watched the boy charge head-on, greeting the attack face-to-face.

"What are you—?!" Icarius's words were cut short as an ear-shattering explosion shook the earth along with the blinding ray of light brought by the thunder dog.

A lone bead of sweat meandered down Icarius's forehead as the dust settled, his gaze fixated on the dust cloud left by the clash.

Icarius's eyes widened as he jerked his head back, a black dagger grazing his cheek.

"Mirage," Samael muttered under his breath.

[Mirage]

Allows the host to form a clone similar to the caster. However, this clone cannot inflict harm or be touched.

"You—!" Icarius abruptly halted as another dagger shot forward, aiming to lacerate his throat.

He withdrew his arm forward, forming a makeshift shield, when Samael's voice echoed in the air.

"Void Bind."

Crystallised Void chains latched to Icarius's body, restricting his movements.

The dagger inched closer by the second—Icarius speared a glance ahead and said

"Naga."

Samael flinched as he witnessed Icarius's life aura spike. It didn't take long for his Void Compass to scream one thing.

RUN!

Samael thrust his foot on the ground, his figure dashing back as Icarius glew as though he were a beacon of light, knocking away the chains and dagger holding him in place.

Wild whips of lightning swirled in the air, mending together to form a dragon descending with unfaltering rage.

The whole guild saw the spectacle as the lightning dragon glew bright, casting shadows on its wake.

Samael felt his blood run cold as the beast plummeted down.

However, he smiled as he charged forward, his heart drumming loudly.

Samael threw a slash forward.

"Void Cleave," he roared as a wave of Void matter struck the lightning dragon, tearing it in half.

Unfortunately, it wasn't enough.

The dragon continued its descent, sending harrowing shockwaves throughout the courtyard.

But Samael wasn't finished either.

"Void palm," he said.

A ginormous palm composed of Void matter shot forward, clashing with the lightning dragon in a thunderous explosion.

A resounding groan escaped Samael's lips as he strained to push the Void's palm forward.

"It's over, boy," Icarius said.

Samael's eyes widened as a blinding flash engulfed his entire being. The incandescent glow swept far, luring the attention of citizens and guards alike.

As the dust settled, what was left was Samael's figure down on one knee, his armour torn and shredded along with the cracks marring his body.

Yes, cracks.

Like glass, fragmented pieces fell off of Samael's skin, crumbling to nothing but dust as they faded into the unknown.

Samael released a mouthful of air. If it weren't for his Void skin ability, he would be twice as fucked as he already is.

[Void skin]

A thin layer of solidified Void matter shrouds the entirety of the host, giving boosted defences and corrosion to those inflicting attacks.

What a mess, and he just brought this armour.

"Did you really have to go that far?" Samael asked as he rose to his feet.

"I knew that wouldn't take you down. Besides, I didn't use much Essence on those attacks," Icarius replied with a chuckle.

"Does that answer your questions?" Samael asked.

"Yes, thank you for your cooperation," Icarius answered.

"Still, I can't help but notice how awkward you move—almost as if you're merely copying what others have taught you. If anything, the only thing I saw that really suited you was your stance," Icarius remarked.

My fighting style? Samael asked himself.

"What do you mean?" he asked, a smudge of confusion lingering in his eyes.

Icarius fell silent for a moment before giving a reply.

"I won't tell you what you're lacking, but rather it'll be for you to discover. For now, all you need to know is that everyone fights on their own way," he said as he threw a black card towards Samael.

"For now, I suggest you get yourself a new gear, one that doesn't restrict your movements," he mentioned.

"May your travels be safe," he said before leaving.

Samael could only sigh as he made his way out, a storm of thoughts brewing in his mind.