Samael's travels were nearing their end as he crossed the desolate canyon inch by inch. Each step he took meant he was closer to his true goal.

Samael did not know whether his preparations were enough. He did not know whether he would survive the final clash or how strong his opponent really was. However, Samael knows he won't go down without a fight.

He's reached this far through sheer will to survive. That same will still burns in his heart, fueled by revenge and a promise.

Samael knows that it is now that he must be the strongest.

Sitting down under a shade, Samael meditated. An action he does not often do, especially since he got here.

As for the reason, Samael believed it would be for the best to first heal himself fully. Not only that, but to fill up his essence and even his storage.

This way, he won't have to worry about worsening his condition or even underperforming. He will also have far more flexibility, considering he has a lot of essence to spare.

Samael's meditation took some time as he ensured that every gash and every scratch was treated, making sure that he was at his best. Once he had finished, he swiftly went and absorbed essence with the help of Conduit.

As the morning sun greeted Samael's visage, it marked the start of another day.

As Samael opened his eyes, he stared off into the distance for a few minutes before rising up.

It was time to enter the ancient grounds of Uria.

After proceeding his travel upwards and through the hills, Samael finally saw a change.

There were no more shattered buildings or craters marring the ground. The earth was not uneven, and it was made of a marble-like material.

In the far distance stood multiple pillars, serving as the entrance to the Tower of Leo.

Proceeding forward, Samael went and saw the Tower of Leo in clearer detail. It stood tall, piercing the black, disgruntled clouds, and he could see the shadows swirling in its clouds.

"Winged beast," Samael muttered in a hushed tone.

But, contrary to his expectations, there were no waves upon waves of monsters. There was no sea of abominations or a swarm of flying beasts.

There was only the silence and the occasional streaks of lightning, leaving incandescent gashes in the sky.

As he went even deeper, Samael came across a large staircase leading upwards. So he climbed it.

As he did, he finally saw a glimpse of the world he traversed. Oh, how ruined it was.

There was nothing but despair, death, and monsters roaming it. Samael had hoped that perhaps a trace of civilization would have survived, but no. It was clear that nothing was left.

Focusing his gaze forward, Samael steeled his resolve, gathering his courage for the final battle.

Walking on its marble floor, Samael could feel the immense call for him. It was there, above the tower, waiting.

It was a beautiful humming. Melodic and gentle, it calmed his heart and soul. Yet at the same time, it sounded as though it was longing.

As he reached the end of the stairs, Samael found himself before a wide circular stage, decorated in gold and jewellery.

Samael could feel it. The moment he lays another foot forward, it will all begin.

So he did.

Stepping foot inside the circle, Samael could feel the wind grow violent, whipping his face and sending his hair back.

Shifting his gaze above towards the clouds, Samael saw a great shadow slowly form before descending from the storm.

There it was, a being twice as large as the wolf that nearly ended him. Its black body and scales glew under the streaks of lightning, illuminating Samael's reflection.

The beast had a large maw filled with sharp, jagged teeth, a crimson gaze, and a pair of wings acting as its hands.

Judging by its aura, Samael deduced that its rank was nearing Enlightened. It was three leagues higher than him.

The beast flew in an arc, swinging around the sky as though it were swimming effortlessly.

However, Samael did not mistake its elegance for peace. He could clearly feel its malevolent intentions and its bloodthirst.

"Codex, what is that beast?" Samael asked.

That is a "Wyvern," a winged abomination considered a subclass species of [REDACTED].

Redacted, huh, Samael thought as he brandished Crimson Raven.

So it begins.

***

"Move! Move!" A man roared.

Multiple figures moved in waves as they piled up the lines, taking their positions and posts as they all wore the same armor and insignia.

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Behind them, dozens of men pulled out large Siege machines along with ballistas three times their size.

As Timeus approached the front, he cleared his throat.

"Years ago, monsters swept us by surprise. They came hauling like waves in a stormy sea, devouring anything they lay their hands on," Timeus said.

"The peaceful lives we led, the families we built and the culture we had, gone,"

"They took everything! They left nothing but dust and death. Even when we begged, they did not listen," Timeus said.

"These... things have no conscience. They have no emotions!"

"So now, we bring the fight to them," Timeus said.

"SOLDIERS! TODAY WE. TEST. OUR. STRENGTH!" He roared as he paced around.

"WE WILL ENCOUNTER THE BIGGEST BATTLE YET!"

"THERE WILL BE MANY CASUALTIES... BUT THEIR SACRIFICES WILL NOT BE IN VAIN!"

"TODAY, WE MARCH TOWARDS OUR FREEDOM, FREEING OURSELVES FROM THE FEAR OF THE BEASTS TRYING TO TAKE OUR HOMES!"

"EVERY MAN AND WOMAN WHO BEARS ARM WILL BE CONSIDERED HEROES! WARRIORS FIGHTING FOR WHAT IS RIGHT!"

"WHAT WE DO TODAY WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY. IT WILL SHAPE THE FLOW OF THE WAR AND SHOW THAT HUMANITY HAS YET TO LOSE!"

Striking his chest, Timeus roared with all his might.

"FIGHT! FIGHT FOR YOUR FREEDOM! FIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY! FIGHT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT!"

"FIGHT EVEN IN PAIN! FIGHT EVEN IN INJURY! FIGHT, EVEN IN DEATH!"

"Because in the end, we burn to serve as the people's light,"

"Now, lets make them feel fear," Timeus ended his speech.

A resounding cheer thundered in the air as Timeus left the stage.

"GLORY TO TERA!"

"FOR HUMANITY!"

"KILL! KILL! KILL!"

"KILL! KILL! KILL!"

On his way down, he wore his white helmet as he mounted his horse.

It was time.

Raising his blade, the heavy gates of Stellaris opened, and the warriors flowed out in waves.

They swiftly dispersed in their own directions as per instructions. The siege weapons were heavily guarded as well. Meanwhile, the ones in charge of taking out the rot spheres have already made their move beforehand.

"We are nearing our destination." A voice spoke over a small device.

"Understood, proceed as trained," another spoke.

Multiple black figures swiftly hopped over the branches of the dead trees as they made their way towards the places marked on their maps.

As they did, they gave each other a brief nod before blending with the shadows and encircling the lair.

Without making a noise, one of the assassins dashed forward, slashing one of the wolves guarding the entrance in one breath.

Noticing its comrade fall, one of the wolves opened its maw— a blade pierced its chin, its sharp end protruding on the other side of its face.

Signalling they were clear, one of the assassins pointed inside the entrance of the lair as he slowly approached it, stopping inches before it as the rest did the same.

Giving each other assuring nods, the one nearest to the door clocked it open, slowly pushing it back as they slithered in like snakes.

As they progressed deeper into the lair, the assassins made quick work of the wolves guarding the patrol.

Knowing the intense sense of smell these beasts had, the assassins wasted no time as they rushed towards the centre of the room.

Standing before it, they delicately pushed it aside, revealing an altar with a darkish pulsing sphere in the middle with vein-like roots spreading outwards and enveloping the room.

Witnessing the density of the fog, the assassins took out the remnants they have and strapped it to their faces, allowing them to breathe easier.

Confirming each other's status, the assassins slowly made their way towards the altar, making sure each one was watching the other's back.

Standing before the sphere, the lead assassin took out his dagger as he raised his hand. With one grunt, he swung it down with full force, accompanied by a large swipe.

"It is do—" The assassin halted his words as his eyes widened.

The sphere was undamaged. Not only that, but there was something else, something...

Red.

Looking at his hand, the assassin sweated bullets as he bit his lip.

His hand was gone. Blood was sprouting out of it like a fountain, forming a puddle underneath him.

"What the fu—"

A large shadow plunged out of the dense fog of decay, swiftly biting the assassin's head and dragging him into the darkness.

The other warriors hastily huddled up as they unsheathed their weapons.

"STAND YOUR GROUND!" They roared as their eyes shifted back and forth.

From the dense fog, a creature twice the size of normal imgrave wolves walked out, revealing a set of canine fangs.

However, this one was vastly different. There were black veins pulsing in their skin, and their eyes were all dark. Drool slid down their mouths as though they were rabid dogs stalking their next victim.

Without so much as a roar, the wolf lunged forward. The assassin up front swiftly rolled to the side— another maw came out of the sea of fog and bit him in half, splattering his organs and blood around.

The other assassins eyes widened as multiple other wolves came out, all the same as the rest, their growls emanating in the altar room.

The assassins could only watch as the wolves approached, their black eyes reflecting in their pupils, before the darkness took them.

***

Timeus halted his steps as the Remnant in his pocket vibrated. Taking it out, he saw an incoming transmission from one of the assassins.

"...The spheres are no more," the voice said.

Timeus speared a glance forward as he visibly saw the fog thin down, being swept by the wind and making way for his soldiers.

"Understood, leave that place now and rejoin us," Timeus said before the transmission ended.

"PROCEED! THEY HAVE SUCCEEDED!" He roared.

In the shadows, Ajax's brows furrowed as he heard the transmission. He could faintly sense an odd peculiarity in the voice of the caller.

Something was wrong; that is what his gut was telling him.

However, he cannot just leave his post. But he does not have to.

Summoning Igram, Ajax sent the shadow spawn towards one of the altars, telling it to do so in haste.

As the shadow made its way towards one of the spheres, Ajax saw through its eyes the dead wolves outside.

However, before he could confirm anything, the warriors had already moved in waves as they crossed the forest and into the fields.

Ajax could only tighten his grip as he followed suit.

With Timeus's command, a plethora of spells and arrows rained down from the forest, impaling and destroying every wolf present.

Thundering explosions shook the earth as smoke rose in the air. The howls of the abominations whispered in everyone's ears as their skin burned and their flesh exploded.

After another wave of attacks, Timeus blew a horn.

"CHARGEEE!!!" The warriors roared as they burst out of the tall trees, their shields slamming against the weakened wolves and crushing their skulls against the ground.

The remaining abominations outside ran back inside the fortress, leading the troops to cheer in victory over their first fight.

On the other hand, as Igram dove deeper into the premise, he trailed the corpses and soon found the altar room.

The room was dark and filled with fog, contrary to what the assassins said.

Peering into the shadows, Ajax's eyes widened.

As the cheers raged on, Timeus rode forward and raised his blade, luring everyone's attention.

"FOCUS! THE BATTLE IS YET TO END! IN YOUR POSITIONS!!!" He commanded with great authority.

The soldiers ran to the field, making their way across its vast expanse.

In its midst, Ajax saw this and swiftly dashed forward as he screamed on top of his lungs.

"NO! DON'T GO—"

BOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!!!

Timeus flinched as a warm liquid splattered on his face, flowing down and staining his armour.

Touching it, he saw crimson.

Blood, it was blood.

Multiple explosions reverberated in the air as screams of fear, pain, and agony left trails of echoes.

But this time, it was not their doing.

From the ground, rapid, continuous bombs set off, blowing the warriors close enough and sending their dead corpses billowing.

Some fell wide open, throwing the soldiers in a free fall before their bodies were impaled by poisoned spikes.

Timeus could only stare blankly as he watched a man crawl to him, crying as half his body was blown away, his intestines slithering in the decaying earth.

At that moment, he understood Ajax's worries.

It was a trap.