Chapter Forty Five
Midnight: Part Two
"You really shouldn't-"
Iltar'Elm held up his hand causing Vassaan to shake his head and sigh "I know you want to help."
"So let me, I can't just sit by resting while the rest of you are working and fighting for Ymarkteg…"
Vassaan nodded and turned as Wilt approached "Wilt, I trust you're fine with not going with the Anondye army?"
The great knight nodded "We never know what the enemy has planned; the small brigade here in the Castle is just insurance they don't try anything."
"It's not like there is enough of us to hold off any sizeable threat." At that Wilt nodded "We will not try to win, merely buy time for you the Queen and the other important personnel to run. It's the least I can do after everything that has happened because of Jikahn."
The Senator put a hand on Wilt's shoulder "Just remember, no one wants you to give your life pointlessly no matter what it comes down to."
As the Senator began to leave he came to a stop "That reminds me, has anyone seen Eminse?"
Iltar'Elm and Wilt shook their heads just as Dent entered the room "Did I just hear Eminse's name?"
The Senator nodded "Yes, where is she?"
Dent just smiled "In labor."
Vassaan couldn't help but smile "In these dark times…there is indeed a faint light."
The senator nodded "Let's hope Soren, Mia and their allies succeed and return to us then."
Leena, Mikel and Orgoth's weapons clashed with Norad Jyuugo's blades. The jagged long swords easily tore the weapons out of the Troop member's hands. As they leapt aside to avoid his follow up strike, Soren and Eien's magic exploded against him.
Mia ran past the giant towards the Apothecary but was blocked by Ushnae who used his one arm to stop the blade. Leaping away Mia swung her blade again sending burning purple flames into Ushnae. Tyazaer rode past him; Rhogam leapt off her horse and slammed his axe into where Ushnae was standing. He looked up in time to see Ushnae's leg kick in him the face.
Tyazaer approached the Apothecary who held his hands up causing a sudden quake that threw Tyazaer and her horse away.
Zihark and Orkra moved towards Jyuugo as their allies retrieved their weapons. Orkra and Zihark's blades clashed with Jyuugo's, he laughed "You all impress me…this will be fun though very unfortunate that I must kill you!"
Tyazaer stood again and threw her lance, it seemed to hit a wall in front of the Apothecary, Eien came up to her and fired her powerful magic which tore through the invisible wall. The Apothecary saw it and leapt aside, as he landed Zijo Oit appeared next to him.
"The battle outside has ended…"
"Perfect…all we need is the Orichalcum…"
The Apothecary stood up again as Zijo Oit charged in his place towards Tyazaer who pulled out her blade to clash with his.
Ushnae flew out of the range of Mia and Soren's blades, holding his hand out a blade formed from blue flames. Mia and Soren looked at each other and in response covered their swords in black and purple flames.
Ushnae smirked "Whose burn brighter?"
He shot towards them, swinging his blade twice hitting both Soren and Mia's, the pair turned and shot off flaming shockwaves that burned into the ceiling as Ushnae swerved around avoiding them. He shot back at the pair and crashed into the ground in a brilliant blue flash as they leapt away. The force caught them and carried them several feet away.
As Jyuugo swung his blades, Zihark and Orkra dodged them, in turn Orgoth, Mikel and Leena charged forward with Rhogam close behind.
As Zihark prepared himself the roof above exploded and he was slammed into the ground by Kanahana. "Don't forget me!" The vampire screeched, in response, Orkra sank her axe into his back. The creature leapt away and ripped it out as Zihark stood, pulling her blade out again Orkra joined Zihark and they shot into the air after Kanahana. The vampire used his claws like weapons, blocking attacks or forcing them away from his body.
Outside in the greatly ruined Golsaehr Istequil limped over to Dawson, Krey and Gill, he nodded towards them. The trio had effectively brought all the civilians to safety including the Oshwa sisters.
"What now sir?" Dawson asked.
"The armies are gathering and heading for the Citadel…the Altar has left along with their Mistress…but we won't need them nor do I want them personally."
Gill sighed and looked at the sun coming over the horizon "When will this end?"
Istequil grinned "By night time there will be no more enemies within our borders…"
"Istequil."
The Braver turned to face Wyre "You have your own important matters to attend to…we'll handle the Citadel."
Wyre nodded "Do you know where we should go to find the King and hopefully our allies?"
"I do." The pair turned as Opstun approached followed by Teyron.
"I've lived in Numengate and learned a lot…even what the public is not privy to…I'll lead the way and something tells me we should hurry."
Wyre nodded and Istequil wished them the best as he joined Vargas and Helena who were rallying the forces along with Re'Zin and Eyre the Commander of the Anondye forces.
The Thunder Sage approached the rest of the troop who were gathered around Lyle's body which they loaded onto Fistivus' cart.
Wyre put his arm around Wayu who looked up to him with tears in her eyes.
"Fistivus…Lune…"
The merchants nodded "We know…come back soon…"
Wyre looked at Lyle one last time "Regardless of my thoughts towards you at any point…these last few weeks proved to me that you were a brave and true man…"
The sage shook his head and cursed silently before turning to the rest of the troop. One by one they all nodded and started heading towards the Citadel.
Orgoth looked up and clenched his teeth "Look out!" Jyuugo hit the ground with such force that the land around him burst and threw Orgoth, Mikel, Leena and Rhogam into the air. Leaping up he kicked Mikel hard into the ground as Leena flipped over to avoid his kick and land on her feet. Holding her blade up she felt a powerful impact from Jyuugo's spin kick and skidded across the ground.
Rhogam and Orgoth finally hit the floor; Rhogam got up quickly and began firing off arrows that Jyuugo cut down as they approached. Orgoth fired the end of his lance towards Jyuugo's back. The man tossed one blade forward, Rhogam barely dodged the extremely fast projectile as Jyuugo turned and grabbed the spear head.
Orgoth watched as a book floated from Jyuugo's side and opened up "Thoron!" An electrical charged traveled through the spear, Orgoth released it and backed away as it shot out of the spear's end and struck him.
As Tyazaer and Zijo Oit clashed, Eien covered her with her dark magic, Zijo Oit focused on avoiding strikes from Tyazaer's blade at the cost of black strikes hitting him from the side. Breaking away from Tyazaer he grabbed his tome and turned, shooting a flux ball at Eien to stop her constant interference.
Lifting his blade to stop Tyazaer again he cursed "You're all annoying…if it were up to me I'd be long gone…"
"I can fix that!" Tyazaer called as she broke through his guard and tried to slash him multiple times. The Midnight Trueblade was surprised by her surge forward and moved back; avoiding two strikes but the third got him. As he moved aside a black bolt struck him and threw him away.
Ushnae swung his blade causing waves of brilliant blue flames to burn through the tunnel. Soren was forced to used Arcwind and spin rapidly causing a powerful rotational force to hold off the powerful flames. Mia stood next to him, during the breaks between the Arcwind Rotations; she would mimic Ushnae's attacks causing purple and blue flames to crash and cancel each other out.
"You two work extremely well together…"
Mia smirked "As much as I'd hate to say it, I'm fairly impressed you are this skilled in swordplay with only one arm."
Ushnae stopped his attacks and spun his blade "I had no choice but to adapt or never fight again…"
Ushnae shot forward; slicing through Soren's attacking gales before crashing with Mia's blade.
Kanahana flew off as Zihark swung, the vampire quickly doubled back using himself as a missile, crashing into the Trueblade's chest and sending him into a wall.
Kanahana spun around and landed in front of Orkra as she swung her blade. Holding out his hand he stopped it and she responded by drawing out her side hatchet and taking another swing. He leapt away and released several black beams that exploded around her.
Zihark tore out of the wall and coughed as he tried to catch his breath, Orkra threw her headband off and kept Kanahana in her gaze. He smiled "An all seeing eye…I've been briefed on it…give me a worthwhile fight!"
Kanahana shot forward, Orkra took two steps and slashed at the air, Kanahana was surprised at this sudden movement and avoided most of the strike before shooting at her back. The woman leapt into the air and spun, slashing Kanahana's back horizontally. As he rotated again he landed on his feet facing her and fired more beams of black energy.
Orkra saw these and brought her shield up to stop one but the rest exploded around her and left her open to a tackle from Kanahana that threw her far off.
Zihark took that time to move in and slash Kanahana across the back, as the vampire took a few steps forward he turned, his fully exposed eye zeroing in on Zihark.
The trueblade took a step back "Have I ever mentioned how wrong that is?"
"Ranulf recruited you two?"
Cadeera nodded at Leah "He found us in Pozem…we were visiting some friends and he told us that something terrible was going to happen in Numengate, he left shortly after…I'm not sure where."
Tyse Erent nodded "We got as ready as we could in a short moment's notice and made our way here."
"Your aid was greatly appreciated…and it's great to see you two again." Uhnie smiled and Cadeera returned it.
Tyse Erent looked at Shinon, the marksman sighed "What do you want?"
"I'll ask later…"
Janie smiled at the group "Soren and Mia have some amazingly powerful friends."
Zey'Yu nodded "Yeah…which means we have to fight harder than ever before so we don't fall behind."
Janie grinned "Definitely."
Wyre narrowed his eyes as the troop continued walking along the outside of the Citadel behind Opstun and Teyron searching for a door in the ground that would lead them to the King's escape tunnel.
He thought back to Lyle, the Troop seemed alright on the surface but Wayu was deathly silent and Wyre didn't want to think about what Kay'Shera was feeling, she saw Lyle kill himself.
"We'll get over it…we have to."
Wyre turned to To'Eltz "I know we have to…but…"
The Trickster shook his head "I'm being far too blunt…I apologize.
"No, To'Eltz, you're right…we have to focus, things will only get worse and more people will die if we don't arrive in time to help Soren and Mia."
The troop continued behind the silent Elder Sages as one raised his left hand and pointed at the ground. He turned and nodded to the Troop as Wyre stepped forward to lift the door.
"Begone!" Kanahana screeched as tendrils of black magic crashed into the ground around Orkra and Zihark who leapt aside to avoid them. Kanahana shot down and kicked Orkra aside before turning to keep Zihark at bay with more of his magic. The Trueblade cursed, unable to get closer to Kanahana as long as the magic kept threatening him.
Orkra stood only for Kanahana to shoot towards her and attempt to kick her in the face. Using her axe to protect her, the force from his blow still managed to toss her aside before the vampire shot through the black ashes of his attacks and tackled Zihark.
Scratching the Trueblade across the chest with his claw, Zihark cursed as he slashed towards the vampire again.
"He can fly, he is faster than me and he is tenacious…I honestly have no idea how to end this…"
As Zihark attempted to cut the vampire again, he flew off towards Orkra who raised her shield. The Hero gasped as Kanahana's clawed fingers stuck through her shield. With a massive pull, Kanahana ripped the shield away and threw it across the tunnel before moving towards Orkra. She placed him in the center of her focus and began dodging his attacks while striking with her axe.
The pair avoided each other far too well, only occasionally scratching each other. Zihark saw this and shot forward, joining the fray, Kanahana was now being attacked from both sides, thus forced into a defensive stance.
"You mortals impress me more and more…"
"Can't wait to hear your thoughts on us killing you!" Zihark called out as he slashed towards the vampire again.
Norad Jyuugo swung his blades, the jagged weapons ripped Mikel's axe into pieces. The warrior looked up at Jyuugo "Oh shit…"
The Dread Fighter brought his knee into Mikel's chin, as the warrior's head snapped back Rhogam charged in. While Mikel took several steps back from the blow, Jyuugo spun, using the force of his blades' arcs to deflect Rhogam's attack before stabbing Mikel in the stomach. Lifting his leg, Jyuugo kicked the warrior off his blade before turning and swinging at Rhogam, barely scratching the Reaver as he leapt away, switched weapons and fired several arrows that Jyuugo sliced through.
"What?" Jyuugo stopped moving, turning he saw Leena with her blade buried deep in his side. He smiled and grabbed her by the neck, lifting her in the air before slamming her into the ground.
Orgoth moving in from behind and ran his lance into Jyuugo, the Dread Fighter turned, slamming his arm into Orgoth's face before slashing through the knight with his blade. All the while more arrows from Rhogam were destroyed by Jyuugo's other blade.
Leaping into the air, Jyuugo tore the weapons out of his side and tossed his two blades towards the fallen Leena. Orgoth cursed and rushed over, barely getting her out of the way. He clenched his teeth as one of the jagged blades cut across his back, easily rending the armor and his skin beneath.
Upon landing Jyuugo opened his palm towards Rhogam which caused an explosion of fire below the Reaver. Jyuugo looked at his handiwork, the four who challenged him were on the ground unmoving. With a sigh of relief he turned towards the Midnight Apothecary who nodded slowly and began walking towards Althropos.
As Tyazaer and Zijo Oit's blades continued to collide, Eien made the man's fight harder with her constant spells. Finally pissed off, Zijo leapt away from Tyazaer and thrust his blade towards Eien who held her hand up creating a barrier between them. The force from Zijo's blade doubled back and pushed the Midnight Trueblade away as Tyazaer stabbed him from behind.
Turning he swung as Tyazaer leapt away opening his back to Eien who blasted him with dark magic.
The Elder Maestro noticed the Apothecary and Jyuugo approaching Althropos and cursed "Tyazaer! Can you handle this?"
The paladin engaged Zijo Oit again and nodded "I'm all over it!"
"Don't treat me like I'm nothing!" Zijo called out as he began striking furiously against Tyazaer's blade.
Eien leapt into the air over the Apothecary "Mire!" Green magic appeared around the man and Jyuugo before bursting and leaving behind a green fog.
Jyuugo stumbled back and began coughing as the Apothecary shook it off and continued walking. Jyuugo turned as three black slashes of Verrine cut across him.
Eien landed between the Apothecary and Althropos "Return to the Citadel…I trust our allies have begun taking it back."
Althropos nodded "Are you certain?"
"They're strong…even outnumbered I'm sure our forces will come out on top…"
The Apothecary tilted his cloaked head "I know you…"
As Althropos moved away, Eien kept her eyes on the Apothecary and Jyuugo as he finally stopped coughing and turned towards her.
"Do you?"
The Apothecary nodded before turning towards Soren and Mia who were still fighting Ushnae.
"I've been among those two several times now…and they never noticed…"
Eien shook her head "What are you talking about?"
"The King normally wouldn't be vital to my plans but with the Orichalcum in the state it is, a sacrifice is required. Either way whether you want death or not is up to you…"
Eien smirked "We told you what our answer was already!"
"Unfortunate."
As the Apothecary lifted his arms a huge explosion was heard, the Troop turned towards the direction Althropos left, the King was coming back as a huge Midnight with Asai Versha on its shoulder followed him.
"Sorry I'm late."
The Apothecary stood up straight again "The battle outside ended?"
Versha nodded "Anondye sent in what looked like every able bodied man and woman…our forces were indiscriminatingly routed."
Soren and Mia were temporarily distracted by Versha and Midnight 3's arrival. Ushnae ignored this and charged them again, Soren quickly brought his arms up to cast magic, but Ushnae vanished. The Archsage turned as Mia covered his back, Ein'Tosen and Ushnae's blade collided once again.
"We're not done here."
Soren cursed as he thought to himself "Althropos and Eien are in a bad position…surrounded by this new Apothecary, Jyuugo, Versha and Midnight 3…what can we do?"
As Mia pushed Ushnae away again the Froghul smiled as he spun his blade "The sun has come up…I fear our promise for the new day to bring the new reign will have to be delayed for a while longer…"
"It'll never happen." Soren called as he pulled out another tome.
Mia nodded "We'll never give up…no matter how many of you freaks come out of the woodwork!"
Ushnae spun his blade again "Very well!"
Before he could charge another crash was heard, Soren and Mia turned as a powerful and violent surge of Rexbolt shot past them. Ushnae barely dodged it, but it wasn't aiming for him. The bolt crashed against Midnight 3 and threw the Midnight over along with Versha. The rest of the Troop charged in led by Opstun and an ally of his who was likely the last of the Elder Sages.
Zijo Oit noticed the reinforcements and cursed "I won't die here!" He used his magic to create a black fog and ran away from Tyazaer who whistled. Mounting Alsyia she pursued the Midnight Trueblade and began swinging her sword at him when her mount pulled next to him. The man continued to parry her attacks until Michalis dove in and Kay'Shera's lance impaled Zijo Oit. Coming to a stop the Trueblade pulled the weapon out and gasped as blood poured from the wound.
"This…this is karma…isn't it Tyse?" Tyazaer walked up to him as he fell to his knees. With a quick slash his body fell over and Tyazaer breathed a sigh of relief before turning to see the rest of the Troop engaging Jyuugo and Midnight 3 causing the Apothecary to walk a short distance away from the conflict.
Kanahana finally landed away from Orkra and Zihark, the pair where bloodied but so was the vampire as he breathed heavily. "I despise the two of you…"
To'Eltz ran up to them and began healing Orkra and Zihark, the vampire cursed "Do not interfere!"
Before he could move a white light flashed and another vampire tackled him to the ground. Zihark's eyes widened "Tyse!" he then turned to see the White Valkyrie approaching on her horse with a smiled "Don't forget me white tempest…"
Zihark grinned as Cadeera stopped next to him, Tyse jumped back to Zihark as Kanahana stood. "Zihark…it's been to long…"
Kanahana stood and looked straight at Tyse Erent before laughing "Well, well, well…the deserter…the prodigal son…the one who got away…the, well you get the idea. You've returned…truly if he had a grave Ulyus would be turning over right now."
Tyse Erent smirked "You are still as vile as I remember…when I heard you were burned to death by Soren I was ecstatic…seeing you again however also makes me happy…because now I get to rip the life away from you!"
Screeching Tyse Erent shot at Kanahana, the reformed vampire's wings shot out of his back surprising Zihark as the two crashed into each other.
"I've never seen Tyse like this…"
Cadeera nodded slowly "He's letting it all out; it would be in our best interest to remain a safe distance…he's gotten better at controlling it but something tells me he just wants to rampage right now."
Norad Jyuugo turned to see four new challengers; Shinon drew his bow as Uhnie spun her knives. Kay'Shera remained above as Zey'Yu landed next to Shinon and Uhnie.
"I already took out four of your allies out. Another set of four nothing to me!"
As Jyuugo raged, Midnight 3 swung Helswath towards Wyre and Wayu who avoided the massive attack. Leah shot towards Versha who leapt off Midnight 3 in response and struck Leah from the side with a slash of Verrine. As Leah flipped over and landed, black orbs of Carreau formed around him and shot at Versha.
Deflecting the attacks she landed and saw Janie approaching from behind Leah. "Ah the Elder Mage…I noticed you fighting outside but didn't get a chance to try you out myself…"
Each lifting their arms, countless balls of Flux formed around the pair, Leah took a step back as the two unleashed the magic on each other. The countless Flux spells crashed into the ground, walls, ceilings and into each other causing black explosions. During the assault Leah charged towards Versha who saw him coming and winked. As he skidded to a halt, Midnight 3's fist crashed into him, hurling him across the tunnel as Wyre continued to assault the Midnight with his magic and Wayu leapt towards the fleshy arm wielding Helswath and buried her lance in it. The thunder sage turned to see Soren and Mia still facing Ushnae "Wayu, handle things here for a bit!"
As the Halberd leapt off Midnight 3 with her lance she nodded before diving as the Midnight's fist crashed into the ground.
Soren and Mia stepped away from Ushnae as Opstun and Teyron walked towards them. The older man pointed at the Froghul "Where is Shaelin?"
Ushnae smiled "I'm not sure…"
"What are you talking about?" Mia asked to which Teyron sighed "First…my name is Teyron, as you've surely guessed I am Sarhara's Elder Sage. Shaelin is a traitor…he killed Ilan and gave the Physical Helswath to the Midnight which fused with the Shadow Helswath to create the Perfect Helswath the Midnight over there is wielding.
Soren turned to Mia "I spoke with Opstun about this before I rejoined you, considering everything that was happening, I forgot to mention it."
As Mia closed her eyes and thought about Ilan, Opstun spoke "I'll ask again…where is Night Shade?"
Ushnae continued to grin "As you can see he didn't come to the party so you'll have to deal with-"
"Fenrir!" The two men screamed, holding their hands out, two black pulses flashed around Ushnae "…me…"
Two violent explosions knocked Ushnae off balance and Mia shot forward, thrusting her blade through his body.
Ushnae looked down at the weapon then turned to Eien who saw this and smiled towards her "So much…for years…of undying…"
Mia pulled the blade out and Ushnae stumbled back "…friendship…"
Soren stood watching the body before turning as Wyre came to a stop "Soren, Mia…I know we're in the middle of a massive mess but you need to know…"
Soren and Mia glanced at each other before the tactician spoke "He isn't here…I can see that…"
Wyre nodded slowly "Yes…Lyle's dead."
Mia took a step forward "What?" she seemed to lose her voice as Soren let out a long breath "How?"
Wyre closed his eyes and shook his head "According to Kay'Shera and Zey'Yu who were there…he killed Pesh and then…killed himself. He wanted you two to know…that you were his true friends…"
Soren put an arm around Mia and cursed "No one else is dying today…we'll make sure of it…"
The Apothecary observed the battles and sighed, a black wisp floated next to him "Well? All the elements are here!"
"Yes Einseek…yes they are…"
Lifting one hand, the Apothecary began muttering as magic and steel flashed and clashed all around him.
"All that is stems from black and white…come forth everything…come forth nothing…collide and create…"
A black hole appeared above the Apothecary, Soren noticed and recognized it "No…I can't be!"
"Singularity!"
A black beam shot out of the hole and exploded in midair into countless streams of dark energy. The black magic shot clean through walls and ceilings causing the tunnel to begin collapsing. The bolts then adjusted their trajectory, one shot into each member of the Troop, even the newly recovered ones as they stood up.
"Mia!" Before Soren could move a beam struck him and knocked everything out of him, completely flooring the entire Troop.
The Midnight Apothecary turned to see Jyuugo sigh and sheathe his weapons before walking towards Althropos and grabbing him.
"The war your men died for…meant nothing…we never truly needed Numengate…but the Altar caused our plans to change…"
Althropos swallowed "What do you hope to gain with me?"
Versha walked over to Soren who was struggling to breathe and reached into his cloak, taking the Orichalcum and smiling as she examined it.
She glanced at Soren, reading his eyes "That isn't yours you bitch. Is that what you're saying? Cute."
Standing and turning away she sighed before turning back and kicking the sage in the side before walking towards the Apothecary.
"Here you go…"
The Apothecary nodded and snapped his fingers; Shaelin appeared holding Balmung and Goetia with Gungnir and a bow, most likely Yewfelle, across his back.
Jyuugo smiled "You all learned of the split into a physical and shadow half…here we have the Shadow Balmung, Goetia and Yewfelle along with the physical Gungnir…and the perfect Helswath…all of the Fell Lord's Arms are here…"
Soren struggled to get up but kept cursing, whatever the Midnight was after, they were about to get it.
The Apothecary smiled as the weapons were laid down around him, the last one being Helswath which Midnight 3 placed down at Versha's beckoning.
"You see Althropos…what we are about to do…is bring the dead back to life on a mass scale…"
"You…need…"
The Apothecary turned to Soren "We need either strong memories or bodies in which to summon forth the dead…need I remind you all…the corpses littering this city."
The Troop, if they were able, would've gasped with utter shock and despair. The war was only to supply dead bodies, regardless of which side won the battle itself.
"With the Fell Lord's weapons here…they do not need to be living…with the Orichalcum in hand…I can do whatever I wish. You see…the archer over there…"
The Apothecary gestured towards the fallen Shinon.
"He and his allies battled Einseek…the student of Seino who is in this room with us…with the Orichalcum and these sacrifices I can bring his soul back…but I needed a good body…today is your day…King Althropos."
The King's eyes widened as the Apothecary began muttering a dark incantation in a language much like the one Meloi used to draw a soul into the Orichalcum in Pozem's Catacombs.
"Soren…Mia…all of you…thank you for fighting for my kingdom…but I must apologize for what is to come…truly…"
As Althropos opened his mouth again he felt an intense cold as the Apothecary's spell ripped the life right out of him. His body falling limp, Soren cursed and looked to Eien.
The Elder Maestro was the only one who did not fall to one strike from Singularity, so multiple beams pummeled the woman and she lay as still as the rest of the Troop.
"I can feel my legs again…it's working…"
The voice came from nowhere and yet from everywhere at the same time. Einseek's soul was passing through the Orichalcum and into Althropos body.
"Why Einseek? Surely…he isn't…"
The Apothecary nodded towards Soren "There is more…" Dropping Althropos body, the Fell Lord's Arms began to glow and give off a black aura "With the Orichalcum empty now…I can call on its power combined with the endless might of the arms to bring back…the Fell Lord himself…"
The weapons flashed, five beams shot out from around the Apothecary as he roared to the sky above.
Outside the sky became black as a sixth beam in the center of the other five shot into the air. The remaining forces outside who were securing the city gasped as night fell on the nation once again.
Yi'Pyre, Peltzm'Jakq and Kino turned to see the blackness radiate out from Numengate. Yi'Pyre cursed "They failed…"
Peltzm'Jakq turned quickly and pushed Yi'Pyre aside, drawing his blade to counter Kino's.
"Damn it…after all this time…deep cover for months and I still can't surprise you…"
"What are you doing Kino?"
The swordmaster leapt away from Peltzm'Jakq and Yi'Pyre "I tried, that is all anyone can ask of me. If you must know, I am returning to those I truly serve…the Midnight…"
Yi'Pyre clenched her fists "Traitor."
"I was a spy…ironic considering that is the main role of the Altar. With this I no longer need to feign loyalty towards you…the Midnight will bring the still peace Ymarkteg requires…"
"You won't make it five feet without your head!" Peltzm'Jakq called as he shot towards Kino who leapt into the air surrounded by a black aura that kept him floating.
"I don't have time to deal with you…I was hoping to return and tell them that the mighty Mistress was dead but…oh well…you two will be in the ground soon enough…Peltzm'Jakq, thank you for your teachings but I have grander goals."
With that Kino shot through the sky headed for Numengate.
Black thunder began to shoot down from the heavens, destroying the Citadel and Golsaehr and killing anyone unlucky enough to be hit by the madness above.
Taking shelter with the civilians, Dawson, Krey, Gill, Istequil, Helena, Re'Zin and Eyre cursed as Vargas remained silent, contemplating the fate that awaited them.
The five weapons were now floating around the Midnight Apothecary as his hood fell off; revealing a face that greatly matched someone Soren saw before. Soren glanced to Eien who had one eye opened and was looking at the Apothecary. She displayed neither anger nor shock but extreme sadness as tears formed. Soren closed his eyes "Nias."
With one last crash of thunder and flash of lightning a loud explosion sounded and the Orichalcum shattered.
The Apothecary smiled, the entire Citadel was shredded, a massive hole above the tunnel they were in showed them the morning sky was now blacker than night.
"At last…it is done…"
Jyuugo, Kanahana, Versha, and Midnight 3 gathered around the Apothecary as Althropos stood again only to reveal the King's face was gone, replaced by Einseek.
Shaelin walked over to Ushnae and kicked him, the Froghul stood, Soren heard Mia gasp as Ushnae examined his injury.
"What do we do with them now?" Ushnae asked as the Apothecary turned to face the fallen Soren and Mia.
"Kill them…we have no use for them…"
"Stop!"
The Midnight turned to see a man approaching them, Soren's eyes widened as the man came into view. Dropping a short blood stained knife, his bright green eyes focused on the Apothecary.
"Lyle."
A random soldier of Numengate sighed as he searched for survivors after the lethal thunderstorm. He saw a body on the ground moving and ran towards it. It was a Sarharan soldier with a deep cut in his neck. "What the-"
The Sarharan opened his eyes and stood followed by several more dead bodies all around him. The soldier couldn't scream do to the massive shock, the dead man walked past the soldier as the rest of the dead army approached the remains of the Citadel.
Soren felt something strange, turning he noticed Eien was on her knees but still extremely exhausted. "To arms!"
Soren called as he got up slowly only to fall to one knee as the Apothecary smiled "So…in the end…despite everything. You'll continue to fight…"
At least half the Troop struggled to stand, Orgoth turned to see Lyle "What took you so long?"
Wyre turned towards Lyle "Impossible…we carried your dead body!"
Soren looked at Lyle again and noticed the blood staining his chest around a deep cut. Clearly someone put a blade through his heart, Soren didn't understand why Lyle would kill himself, he didn't want to doubt Wyre's word but the evidence was there.
Lyle pulled out his blade, his eyes still on the Apothecary.
"Lyle!" Mia called out.
He suddenly snapped out of his trance and looked at Mia, mouthing her name before facing the Apothecary again and taking a few steps towards him.
"You were dead! Kay'Shera saw you impale yourself! Lyle! Talk to us!" Wyre called.
Orgoth limped over and put a hand on Lyle's shoulder as the man walked past him "Lyle…is this true?"
Lyle's right eye, which Orgoth could see was fierce, angry and determined as he looked straight at the Apothecary. However when Lyle turned to face the knight, Orgoth noticed that his left eye was sad, a tear ran down the swordmaster's cheek.
"I'm…"
Orgoth shook his head at Lyle "What's wrong?"
"LYLE!" Soren screamed as Mia's hands covered her mouth, the rest of the Troop couldn't believe what they saw.
Orgoth looked down to see that Lyle ran his blade through his chest. Orgoth looked back up at Lyle's eyes, each expressing a different personality.
The knight coughed, blood poured out his mouth onto the floor as Lyle twisted the blade and pulled it out. Orgoth fell to his knees as Lyle walked away. "Eminse…I'm…"
Lyle spoke softly as Orgoth fell dead behind him "…sorry…"
"I'm back…at last…
Lyle sheathed his blade and walked over to the Apothecary who bowed to him "Welcome back…Fell Lord…"
Lyle turned to Soren and Mia "I must thank the two of you for protecting this body…I would not be standing here if it wasn't for you."
Mia was on her knees, tears in her eyes, Soren could not describe what he was feeling as he looked at Lyle, it was the body of the man who fought alongside him for nearly a year now, yet the voice was not his, his mannerisms were not his, everything about him, it was not Lyle standing in front of them, yet it was.
"Unfortunately…your usefulness is at an end…"
Einseek stretched and laughed "This new body…fantastic!"
Lyle pulled his blade out again and stuck it into the ground, closing his eyes he smiled and vanished for what seemed like less than a second. Now he was holding a black chest which Opstun recognized "How did you-"
Shaelin and the Apothecary opened the chest and Lyle took out Balmung. The Shadow Balmung on the floor evaporated and fused with the Balmung in Lyle's hand, repairing the blade and giving it a vile sheen.
"Shall we?" The Apothecary asked as Lyle spun the blade in his hand. "Yes…kill them all…"
Jyuugo and Kanahana approached the exhausted Troop members as Midnight 3 picked up Helswath.
Soren looked all around him and realized for the first and last time in his life "I don't have a plan…" he whispered as Mia stood next to him. She took his hand in hers and nodded to him as she brought Ein'Tosen up in her other hand "Till the end…"
He nodded slowly as tears filled his eyes and took out his Rexcalibur tome as the rest of the Troop struggled to bring their weapons up.
As Soren was about to take a step, a voice rang out.
GREAT!
Soren turned, his eyes widening.
AETHER!
A man tore through the ruined ceiling and crashed in front of Jyuugo and Kanahana, a torrent of flames surrounding him and exploding, throwing the two away as he stood up.
Soren shook his head as Ike turned to him with Ragnell firmly in his grip "I'm sorry I'm late…old friend…"
"Sir." Istequil turned as Dawson approached with a very disheveled soldier.
"What?"
The exhausted man looked at the Braver "The dead…all of them have begun walking…they are heading for the ruins of the Citadel…"
Istequil glanced at Dawson then back at the man "The dead…"
Cursing the Braver rallied the other leaders "We've got to get the people out of the city…it's done."
Eyre sighed "Was this all…for nothing?"
Istequil nodded slowly "As much as I'd hate to admit it…this seems to have been their endgame…have us slaughter each other and no matter who wins the battle the largest army is the dead."
Re'Zin spat as he stood "Where are we going to bring all of these people? The Midnight have control of the capital…or what's left of it…"
At that Eyre stepped forward "We'll help you bring them all to Amaryllis…we have the room for them and we are the largest portion remaining of the army."
Helena smiled towards Eyre "Thank you…what about them?"
The Sentinel pointed to the section of Sarharan soldiers or rather Altar soldiers that survived the battle. With Kino, Peltzm'Jakq and Yi'Pyre gone there was no leadership."
Istequil walked over to the soldiers "We are heading for Amaryllis to seek shelter for the civilians, whatever you all do is up to you, none of us here have power over you."
With no reaction Istequil merely nodded towards them before signaling Dawson, Krey and Gill to prepare the citizens for a mass move across the southern border.
Ike stood across from Jyuugo and Kanahana, the man with a half metal face smiled "Ike…I was wondering if you were going to be here to see the death of your friends…"
The blue haired legend shook his head "We are not dying here though I'm afraid I can't say the same about you."
Jyuugo nodded slowly "Look at them…they can barely stand…I can't lie about this you truly have a magnificent reputation, but even you stand no chance against all of us on your own."
Midnight 3 lifted Helswath high as Ushnae, Shaelin and Versha took a few steps towards Ike.
A loud yell rang out as a green haired Reaver brought his axe into Midnight 3 followed by a blue clad Marshall burying his lance into the Midnight's leg. The giant roared as it tried to kick the Marshall away and grabbed for the Reaver who ripped his axe out and leapt over the monster, landing safely behind it.
"No worries all! Boyd has arrived!"
"Shinon! Just leave this to me!"
The marksman couldn't help but smile "Gatrie…"
Versha turned and fired a black bolt at Boyd, the attack was stopped by a white flash as a woman on horseback came to a stop near the Reaver "Please watch for magic Boyd."
The Reaver sighed "I had such a cool entrance too…but thank you Mist."
She winked at him as countless beams of light shot past her and exploded around Versha causing her to leap away. The woman turned as a mighty horse barreled down on her, a massive axe swung and slashed her slightly as she stumbled out of the way.
The red haired gold knight brought her horse around as a saint came to her side "Rhys."
The man nodded "I'm on it…" Pulling out a staff he held it up to the air, a powerful blue light covered Soren and Mia's Troop. Mikel stood and examined himself, flexing and laughing "I'm all here!"
Leena rolled her eyes "You think! Come on, let's get in there!"
Jyuugo turned as the Troop began rallying themselves around the recovered Soren and Mia.
"This means nothing!" Lifting his blade in the air a swift figure leapt past him, taking his blade with her followed by a black flash taking his other blade.
Jyuugo turned as two people threw his blades away and turned to face him "I've got to say Volke…you are much faster than I thought."
As Heather dusted her hands the assassin glanced at the whisper briefly "Comes with the job."
Jyuugo grabbed his axe and lifted it as a spear struck it, causing it to fall. He turned towards the Troop and spotted Wyre who wore a smile before looking for the pink haired Halberd "Wayu, amazing aim!"
The woman was currently providing support for Tyse who was tackling Kanahana again. "It wasn't me."
Wyre turned again as a light blue haired Sentinel approached with a smile. "Thanks for the aid Nephenee, always the sweetheart!" Heather called as Nephenee blushed "It was nothin."
Jyuugo leapt away as Ushnae approached Ike quickly only for a blue ball to slam into him. Ike grinned "Good timing Ranulf."
As Shaelin fired off his magic, Ranulf nimbly avoided the black bolts as a javelin struck Shaelin in the back. He turned in time to see a man leap off the Pegasus wielding a short sword and covered in a black cloak.
Shaelin leapt aside barely feeling a scratch across one arm, the man stood, adjusting his hat and smiling "Teiaya Ute…at your service."
The Pegasus landed next to Ike, a woman leapt off and gave him a smile, a short distance away Mia gasped "Mertre? You too?"
The new ruler of Benkanan nodded towards her "He called in all of his favors…literally."
The Apothecary watched as the new surge of warriors and the reinvigorated troop of Soren and Mia's began to push back his elite commanders.
He turned to Jyuugo then to Einseek "We've got what we need, while it pains me to leave them alive…we have no reason to continue this fight."
Lyle shook his head "Oh yes we do…the Citadel has been destroyed…the King is dead…this nation is ours…they are invaders and we are keeping it…the wars can't begin if the Lord of this pathetic continent has no nation of his own."
The Apothecary nodded "Very well…they have arrived…shall I?"
Lyle nodded and the Apothecary lifted his arm, with a snap of his fingers, countless dead men dropped in from the massive hole in the tunnel ceiling. The undead warriors surrounded the Troop and the Mercenaries with most of them grouped around Soren, Mia and Ike.
The legend cut through one as it landed "Alright, half of us need to focus on these dead men, put them back in the ground where they belong!" Ike called out, the Mercenaries responded back with a quick yell.
Soren turned to his Troop "You all know what to do! Isolate the commanders; send the best to take them out, the rest of us focus on the revived men!"
Mia lifted Ein'Tosen "Let's go!" The group yelled in response and split up along with Ike's Mercenaries.
Watching this, Einseek smiled though his glee came to a sudden stop as he felt a surge of pain in his stomach. The man fell to one knee trying to catch his breath.
Jyuugo turned to him "What's wrong?"
"I'm…I'm not sure…"
Einseek looked up in time to catch Balmung, the man looked at Lyle who just nodded to him. "Must be the new body, go draw some blood and make yourself feel better."
Einseek grinned and examined Balmung before charging into the fray followed by Jyuugo.
Versha leapt over Helswath as it crashed into the ground forcing Janie, Wyre, Rhogam and Gatrie to dive in various directions. Rhogam trailed the axe as it came out of the ground "I'll hold it up and you all-"
Gatrie passed the Reaver and roared as he brought up his shield, Helswath crashed against it and the Marshall shifted his feet slightly. Rhogam whistled as Gatrie, through clenched teeth called out "Attack!"
Janie and Wyre nodded and turned, shooting black and yellow streams of electricity into Midnight 3 as Rhogam leapt onto Helswath and ran along the Midnight's fleshy arm. The Reaver leapt and stuck his axe into the arm causing Midnight 3 to strike him with its other arm. As Rhogam crashed into the ground Gatrie pushed the axe away and charged forward, running his lance through the Midnight's leg.
Wyre grinned "Time only makes these men and women stronger…"
Janie blinked several times in disbelief "…and I thought Zihark was strong…"
Gatrie turned to her and smiled "That means a lot coming from a woman as beautiful as you."
Janie laughed "Thanks!"
Gatrie grinned before turning; donning his serious face again he ripped the lance out of the Midnight.
"Take this!" Mikel screamed as he buried his axe into a walking dead man. Ripping it out he swung around and beheaded another before turning to one more that was charging him. Before his axe could make contact another struck the fiend in its back.
As it fell the green haired Reaver leapt over and tore the axe out "Boyd here in case you missed my introduction."
Mikel grinned "Soren and Mia have told me a bit about you…"
Boyd thought over whether that was good or bad, shrugging he turned, followed by Mikel. The two stood back to back with their axes at the ready as more dead men charged.
"I've been told you are quite the brute…and not too smart."
Boyd laughed "No offense…you seem to fit that description as well…"
Mikel joined the Reaver in laughing before the pair shot out to strike down a couple more fiends. "How would you know what level of brains I have?"
Boyd ripped his axe out of a foe, turned around and threw the weapon again. Nailing another in the head he faced Mikel "I just know…kindred spirits I suppose."
"Fenrir!" More orbs of black shot from Versha, crashing and exploding around Rhys as he held up his Ward staff, deflecting nearly all of them. As the barrier came down, Leena shot out towards Versha, swinging her blade fiercely the Necromancer caught it with her tome.
Wrestling the sword away she kicked Leena in the chest, the pair landed though Leena no longer held a sword.
"Here!" A horse shot by her, the woman riding it tossed a blade, acting quickly Leena grabbed it and charged Versha as the woman on the horse fired off a bright beam of light.
Versha brought up a black shield that was shattered by the bright magic. As she stumbled, Leena cut across the Necromancer with her new blade. She slid past her and grabbed her first sword that fell to the ground.
"Which one were you…no offense…" Leena stated as she held out her blade.
"Mist, I'm Ike's sister." Mist grabbed Leena's blade and thought how strange it was that she had the woman's blade while she held onto Mist's.
"Now I remember…my name is Leena…and your friend over there in the white robes? Rhys?"
Mist nodded as Versha attempted to attack them only for her black magic to be stopped by Rhys again.
"Wasn't he back in Tellius?"
Mist nodded again "It's a long story…once this is settled…"
An explosion threw Rhys to the ground hard, seeing this Leena and Mist charged in again.
Three dead men stopped walking, blood shot out of their necks and they fell over. Turning a man saw four more suffer the same fate before a black flash passed right by him.
To'Eltz whistled "You are no joke…"
Volke spun his knife which was covered in blood before turning to To'Eltz "I can't afford to be anything less than one hundred percent…"
The Trickster grinned as he pulled out his short sword "I'm pretty good at felling fodder as well."
Seeing where this was going Volke turned to face several more enemies charging them "Then let's see who can kill more…"
Blades clashed, clenching his teeth Teiaya took a few steps back as Ushnae forced his blade down on the man from Zatuo. "You are far too arrogant…taking me on of all people…"
Teiaya grinned "You seemed to be the most fun…and unlike you I don't fight alone!"
A black slash cut across Ushnae's back giving Teiaya a chance to jump away and cast Lune, encasing Ushnae in a black orb before exploding.
As the Froghul walked out of the black smoke, Orkra's axe flew straight for him. Knocking it aside with his blade he turned to the man and woman now standing next to Eien.
"Ushnae…what is all this?"
The Froghul sighed "You all continue to fight us…clearly it would do me no good to explain our purpose…"
The woman turned to the Apothecary and the Fell Lord standing in the back watching the battle.
"Nias…is that Nias!"
Ushnae shrugged "I don't know…is it…"
At that Eien charged forward followed by Teiaya and Orkra.
Riding past the axe wielding maniacs Tyazaer couldn't help but smile. Noticing horseback dead men dropping into the chamber she shot towards them, her lance cutting through their worn armor with little trouble.
However a Great Knight charged and her trusty weapon bounced off his strong armor. The woman turned, switching to her blade and preparing another approach until the golden clad, red haired knight buried her axe into the Great Knight's skull with a mighty force.
As the body fell off the horse, the beast reared up and took off.
Tyazaer sighed "Thank you…Titania, correct?"
The Deputy Commander nodded "No problem at all. Now come, let's go for a ride."
Tyazaer followed the woman, their steeds charging through enemy lines, their weapons growing redder with each fiend they killed.
"Shaelin!" Teyron called, the two Elder Sages slinged spells at each other. The black orbs exploded against one another, each man tried his best to injure the other.
Shaelin laughed as he leapt away from another attack "Is this revenge for Ilan and Freen? You know this will only end with you dead Teyron…"
"Why is that?" The Sarharan Elder Sage called back as a black bomb went off next to him, tossing him to the ground.
"You spent too long locked away in that desert hellhole, you don't have what it takes to fight someone who has embraced true black magic."
At that a black spear cut through Shaelin, the man turned to see Opstun, next to him was Uhnie who fired off several arrows. Shaelin spun, releasing several waves of Verrine that sliced through the projectiles. As he stopped a blue cat was directly in front of him "Shit!"
The Laguz claws cut into him before the cat kicked off his chest tossing him to the ground.
As Shaelin stood he held his hand out to stop a barrage of black from Opstun, once Teyron landed next to his comrade they doubled the force, covering Shaelin in black the man screamed as he hit a wall.
Shaking himself of, he narrowly avoided Uhnie's blade, the woman then leapt over his Verrine strike. Forming Carreau she continued to backflip as the orbs crashed towards her. Ranulf weaved through the magic up to Shaelin again only to hit a black wall that formed in front of the man. "I'll not be bested here!"
"No you don't!" Zey'Yu brought her knife deep into a sniper's throat, ripping it out as he fell dead she looked up to Kay'Shera and gave her a thumbs up as the woman blew her a kiss before shooting off aboard Michalis.
Zey'Yu turned and sunk her knife into the right eye of another man as another knife flew through the air into his left eye. Turning Zey'Yu saw a blue clad whisper walking towards her "I'll take that back if you don't mind."
Zey'Yu tossed her the knife "Heather…"
"Mia told you about me I assume."
"Quite a lot about you…Kay'Shera has actually always wanted to meet you."
Heather tilted her head "Oh? I already have a fan, didn't expect that to be honest."
The women eyed each other before Heather started laughing "I see now!" The pair suddenly turned, their knives sinking into two faces before ripping out. Turning they nodded to each other and shot off into the horde of undead.
"It always comes back to us…"
Kanahana and Tyse floated above the battlefield, their large wings flapping as they waited to move. Kanahana couldn't help but notice Tyse's eyes have become blood red as they are for all vampires thirsting for blood.
"Is this safe? Your pathetic friends-"
"Thanks to those people down there…I no longer have to fear losing control…even if I did…looking at you…I want to crush your skull in my hands so much, frankly, it hurts."
"Don't let me stop you from trying!" Kanahana called before screeching and tackling the reformed vampire. As they wrestled in midair Cadeera turned to see Shinon pulling back on Gore Eye "Shinon! You-"
He looked at her and raised an eyebrow "Please tell me you don't think I'm going to hit Tyse. It's me!"
Cadeera nodded "Sorry, I'm sorry, you're right."
He shook his head "I get it, love, I'm in the same place, don't worry Gore Eye's only got his eye on Kanahana."
Shinon released the string just as Tyse kicked Kanahana in the head, the arrow struck into his lower side. Tyse gave Shinon a quick nod before tackling Kanahana to the ground.
Michalis flipped around as an arrow headed for him, Kay'Shera shot her javelin into the horde below. The weapon tore through the sniper's head and fell him instantly. As she looked up she noticed several dead wyvern riders heading for her. As she took out her lance a woman called out. A Pegasus shot by the wyvern's with a blade flashing. One man fell off his mount as the other mount spun around to avoid the Pegasus return trip.
Michalis turned as the Pegasus fell in line next to him, clearly interested in the beast. "Mertre…you are?"
"Kay'Shera…aren't you-"
"Yes Lord and Mistress of New Benkanan of Zatuo, the largest single, unified portion of Zatuo. I try not to brag."
The woman smiled at Kay'Shera who laughed "Well Lord and Mistress, after you."
Balmung whistled as it cut clean through a random man, Einseek examined the sheen of his blade before turning to Mia. "Don't let me cut you…fair warning…"
Mia had to admit she wasn't too sure about this, she was fast and could avoid many hits but even she didn't have a one hundred percent rate against everyone. This man especially didn't seem like any of the random soldiers or even some of the commanders the Troop has felled.
"I'm with you Mia."
Mia turned to the blue haired woman next to her and smiled "Neph." Countless memories of her dear friend threatened to overwhelm her. With a large calming breath she then turned to her other side to see the pink haired Halberd. "She's the one?"
Mia nodded "Yep, Wayu this is Nephenee, unparalleled in the way of the lance."
"Nice to meet 'cha Wayu."
The two women shook hands as Einseek spun his vile blade Balmung with an even more vile smile "Let's go ladies, I'll show you I know how to entertain women…"
"I'm sure you do." Mia spat before shooting towards him followed by Nephenee and then Wayu who thought to herself "Wow, these two are way fast…has Mia been…no."
Balmung screamed as it cut into the ground, Mia narrowly avoided it and slashed towards Einseek who took the strike in other to strike towards Nephenee who was shocked to see a man take such an injury for a chance to strike another.
Unable to bring her shield up she used her lance, Balmung left quite a cut in it as she skidded past him "You awright Wish?" she whispered to Wishblade, examining the cut before turning to Einseek who slashed towards Wayu. The nimble Sentinel dove aside before Mia kicked the man aside. As he turned and swung at her Nephenee threw Wishblade, it buried itself into his lower leg.
Einseek ripped it out and tossed it aside before slashing at Mia constantly "Yes! That terrible pain is gone! I truly feel alive again!"
Mia nervously looked to Ein'Tosen; the last thing she wanted was Balmung cutting her precious blade in two. In that short moment, Einseek grabbed her by the throat and Wayu's spear cut through his lower stomach. The end of the weapon was visible to Mia but Einseek ignored it "Die!"
Mia opened her mouth and screamed, purple flames erupted and covered Einseek's face. As he stumbled away and tried to put the fire out, Nephenee rolled past him, retrieving Wishblade.
Einseek stood staring at the three women with fierce hatred in his eyes "Die!"
In the middle of the undead horde was a wide circular area that had been cleared by two Trueblades.
Zihark and Leah, familiar with each other's styles were easily dodging each other's attacks meant for large groups of undead. Leah bent back as Zihark's blade flew over him and into the side of an enemy. As Leah sprang back up he flipped over Zihark, the older Trueblade tore his blade out and swung around, his and Leah's blade pierced a general at the same time. The pair kicked him back before moving in and slashed a mighty X against his armor.
"So good to be together in such a situation…"
Zihark nodded to Leah "Let's really let loose!"
Norad Jyuugo stood across from Ike and Soren, he put all his focus on the legend whose large red cape covered his right arm. Ike gripped Ragnell tight in his left hand, Soren noticed this and tried to chalk it up to Ike becoming ambidextrous through some training while he was gone. But as hard as Soren tried he couldn't help but feel that something was wrong.
"Jyuugo…what will you use to fight us?" Ike asked.
The Dread Fighter pulled out his tome, Soren narrowed his eyes "His two blades and axe were taken and destroyed by Ike's group not too long ago so all he has now is magic…or…"
Norad Jyuugo dropped the tome "Come at me!"
With no hesitation Ike shot towards Jyuugo and leapt high into the air before spinning, Ragnell flashing as it headed for Jyuugo.
The large man held his arms out, black flames stretched from one hand to the other and Ragnell crashed against them, a loud clang rung out as the flames cleared, revealing Jyuugo was holding a new blade.
Soren's eyes widened as Ike focused on the blade before him "Alondite."
Jyuugo broke away from Ike, the two stood far from each other as Soren got close "Alondite…so you-"
Jyuugo nodded "After Tyse Erent and Zijo Oit, there was me…Norad Jyuugo, the last man Barbyos hired to spread war to other lands…I found a greater purpose with the Midnight but I have not forgotten my roots."
"Ike…you knew this?" Soren asked.
The legend nodded, Soren noticed Ike clench his teeth and close one eye before speaking "It's a very long story…once we're done here, I'll tell you."
Soren turned to face Jyuugo, taking out a tome "I know, let's do this."
Jyuugo charged, Alondite and Ragnell clashed again. To Soren it seemed that since leaving Altina's hands these weapons were fated to do battle against each other.
Soren fired off constant slicing gales; Jyuugo leapt high into the air only to be followed immediately by Ike, the blades clashed again and Jyuugo smiled. "You are a very strong man…but that was obvious…however, that is not your dominant arm…and you aren't putting all your force into your swings…why is that?"
As Ragnell and Alondite struck each other again and again Soren continued to fire Arcwind at Jyuugo. The man seemed to be impervious to magic and the two legendary weapons continued to drown out all sound with their mighty clashes.
As the two men hit the ground Ike yelled and spun around, a large violent blue wave fired out and caught Jyuugo, carrying him across the clearing and into the remains of a wall.
Soren walked over to Ike "Are you alright?"
Ike turned and laughed "Yeah, he hasn't hit me!"
"Then why…" Soren's eyes moved to Ike's cape that remained over his right arm. Ike noticed where Soren was looking "We can't talk about this here, Soren."
"So there is something…"
Jyuugo tore out of the wall and swung Alondite releasing a bright white wave. Soren shook his head as Ike grabbed him and leapt into the air "That's impossible!"
"My Fell Lord…is everything ready?" The Apothecary asked Lyle who opened his eyes and nodded.
"I must complete the restoration of this body…but first…"
The Apothecary held out a case, upon opening it four bright gems shined. Lyle took the blue one "Orichalcum North." The gem vanished and he proceeded to retrieve the red one "Orichalcum West." After designating the green as Orichalcum South and the faded gray as Orichalcum East he closed his eyes again.
"Now to get these trespassers out of my kingdom…"
Midnight 3 stumbled back as a powerful Rexbolt and Fenrir struck him, Rhogam hurled his axe towards Midnight 3's hand but the beast knocked the weapon aside. As he prepared to lift Helswath again, Gatrie tossed a mighty spear into the back of the beast's hand. Losing his grip, Helswath crashed to the floor "Give it everything you've got!"
Wyre nodded and tossed his tome into the air "Flare!" the book exploded in a bright flash as Wyre yelled, a brighter Rexbolt shot out of the light into Midnight 3's chest.
The beast refused to stumble as the magic tore at his chest plate, Janie closed her eyes "Nether…"
Taking out a tome the Elder Mage opened it, black orbs floated around her as she called out "Balberith!"
A black portal opened behind Midnight 3 and a powerful force began dragging the beast towards it, coupled with Flare Rexbolt's push the beast fell into the gate as it collapsed.
As the smoke cleared it revealed an extremely worn Midnight 3 with a destroyed chest piece. Rhogam walked over to the being and shook his head "It's…breathing?"
The other three ran over, through the hole in the chest plate they could see a man's chest covered in strange metallic bits. It was covered in blood as well, Janie turned to the arm of flesh that was holding Helswath. "Midnights are…human?"
Shaelin stumbled back, clenching his teeth Opstun spat "You were always the one of us who didn't take anything seriously…you thought after killing Ilan you were the best of us."
"I am!" Teyron appeared behind Shaelin "You fool…without the element of surprise in a real fight like a real man…Ilan would've slaughtered you."
Shaelin laughed "I see what your trying to do…it won't work! The Midnight know my potential! That is why I am here! Why I fight on the winning side!"
Ranulf took this time to laugh before shifting into his human form "I can tell that you are lying…the Midnight don't care what you're capable of…you're an Elder Sage, without you they can't open the black chests."
Uhnie nodded with a smile "I don't need Laguz hearing to see through your obvious shell…give up Shaelin, you'll die here otherwise."
Shaelin laughed "I'm one of the second disciples, Drake of Pozem bequeathed to me Goetia, why else-"
"That is something I find strange…" Uhnie stated with a hand on her chin "Gashuuka of Anondye passed Helswath to Murawk of Anondye…Meltraitis of Regalshin passed Gungnir to Gorm of Regalshin…"
Opstun nodded "Seino and Einseek were of Numengate, Jyim'Son and Telray are of Sarhara…so why is it…that Drake of Pozem would give Goetia to Shaelin of Anondye?"
Shaelin took a step back only to remember Teyron was behind him "What of Teyron? He isn't of Sarhara yet we assigned him-"
"Our birthplace does not matter…we self-imposed our positions for Ymarkteg's peace…"
Opstun shook his head "You aren't Night Shade."
Shaelin took out another tome and screamed as black pillars tore out of the ground. Teyron and Ranulf leapt aside while Uhnie grabbed Opstun and took the old man to safety.
Upon turning, Teyron noticed Shaelin taking off black lightning began to form around him. "He's warping!"
Quickly Uhnie pulled out her bow and arrow and shot the man in the back. "Thank you for the lessons Shinon."
Mia continued to avoid Einseek's blade but her movements put her too out of reach of the man making her blows easy to dodge or just out of range. Nephenee and Wayu's constant interference was met with a few cuts into Einseek but he seemed to ignore the damage and constantly swung at the other women, causing them to fall back.
Mia came to a stop and lit her blade, the purple flames licked across the black steel as Einseek swung Balmung "Nothing you do will stop me…I am Seino's student…the level of skill I possess is unmatched!"
"You clearly don't know what I've been through to get here!" Mia called before charging and constantly repeating to herself "Let me be right!"
Sliding under Balmung she struck him the side, her flames eating into his skin. Despite screaming, Einseek swung his blade back anyway and cut across Mia's arms and right below her neck.
Seeing Mia fall and Balmung ready to strike her down, Nephenee moved in quickly and ran Einseek through followed by Wayu, the man looked at the two spear heads sticking out of his body and laughed before bringing Balmung down on Mia "I was wrong!"
"Wait…I don't want this."
"What? Who are you?"
"I'm not sure why…but I don't want this."
"Who are you? Get out of my head!"
"No…this is my head now…fool, be gone!"
"WAIT! NO!"
Everything was silent, Mia slowly opened one eye to see Balmung right in front of her, looking up she saw that Einseek's pupils vanished, leaving void white eyes.
With Nephenee and Wayu's help they got Mia away from Einseek "What is going on?"
Black smoke left Einseek's body, they heard a man screaming as the smoke dissipated and the body fell over.
The Apothecary saw this and shook his head "Impossible…"
At that moment the sword instructor from Anondye landed near Lyle who smiled "Finally, you are here. Now…we end this."
Looking to the fighting in front of him, his eyes turned green "Extinction…"
Green beams tore out of the battlefield; everyone hit by one was floored instantly. As they stood more of the battlefield erupted, Mia leapt away from Einseek's body as more beams littered the area. "We have to get out of this pit!"
Soren turned as Ike skidded next to him "What is…something is below us."
Ike looked down, no beam tore out of the ground but there was a low rumble gradually getting louder.
Ike took off, followed by Soren, the two called their respective groups to fall in.
Lyle began laughing as a huge tower tore out of the earth followed by several more.
"Everyone! We have to get out of here!" Soren called "Regardless of what you're doing!"
As the Troop acknowledged this order and began moving the ground below the entire battlefield exploded and sent everyone, Midnight, Troop, Mercenary and undead in all directions.
The citizens of Golsaehr stood out in the black morning, the ruins of the Citadel collapsed as a new Castle rose from the green lights shooting out of the earth.
Istequil closed his eyes "Now…we've truly lost…"
Following the chaotic explosion beneath the Citadel, Soren sat up quickly and coughed as his blurry vision began to fix itself. Turning he noticed massive remains of the Numengate Citadel all around him and countless more pieces strewn all around. Standing slowly the Archsage noticed someone fallen nearby and limped as quickly as he could towards them until he realized who it was.
"Shaelin."
The traitorous Elder Sage lay on the ground, unmoving with an arrow bolt in his back, judging from the position and how still Shaelin was, Soren determined whoever fired it, pierced Shaelin's spine and paralyzed him. Soren knelt down next to the man "This is it…your last chance at redemption Shaelin, tell me what the Midnight is planning, anything."
One eye opened and turned to Soren, weakly the Elder Sage smiled and muttered "Fuck…you…"
Standing Soren turned and left the dead man to continue searching for the rest of the Troop and Ike's Mercenaries.
Mia woke up but refused to stand, she felt numb still thinking about Lyle. Wyre told them that he was dead and then there he was. She swallowed as she thought about the man who was once a very dear and close friend striking down a stalwart comrade.
"Orgoth. That should not have happened to you."
As Mia continued to recollect her thoughts, she noticed someone approaching and bending down, holding out their hand.
"Neph."
The blue haired Sentinel smiled "Come on, you can't stay down there, we have to move."
Mia grasped her friend's hand and stood, nearly falling over. Nephenee quickly supported her "We need to get you to a healer."
Mia nodded slowly and the pair began moving "Nephenee…"
The Sentinel just smiled as she helped her dear friend along.
Mikel turned over to Leena as Wyre finished healing her, she smiled at him as he examined his arm.
"I don't think I've ever seen anyone capable of healing this quickly."
Rhys turned from Gatrie to Mikel and smiled "Thank you, I've been with the mercenaries through a lot, it was either get stronger and much more skilled in the healing arts or have people die before I could make a difference. It's easy to see which route I chose."
Around them several more members of the Troop and Mercenaries began gathering, Ike himself was a few feet away examining a large hole.
Mertre joined him and noticed the massive armored creature in the ground still gripping Helswath.
"Is it still alive?"
Ike shook his head "I'm not sure…but we all did quite a number on it."
Hearing a whistle, Ike turned to see Nephenee approaching with Mia. "I got it!" Mist called as she rushed over to the pair.
Ike returned to watching the Midnight as Ranulf came to his side "Do you hear that?"
At the legend's silence Ranulf continued "A voice…the Midnight is muttering something…"
Finding a massive shard of the Citadel, Soren stood on it and looked out over to where the Numengate Citadel once stood. A new and much larger castle was in its place with the insignia of the Midnight all over it. He then looked above to the blackened skies and cursed, the conflict was still going and many more people were going to die.
As he turned away from the castle he noticed something and quickly leapt towards it. Upon further examination the Archsage clenched his teeth.
"Orgoth…" Despite his injuries he picked the fallen man up "I'm not leaving you here…never…"
Now healed Mia also approached Midnight 3 "Helmet. The voice is saying, helmet."
Ranulf, Ike and Mertre looked to the Midnight whose armor around the chest was blown apart revealing what looked like a dramatically altered human body.
Ike moved down to the being and used Ragnell to remove the right side of the deeply scarred helmet. Mia instantly recognized the face beneath; she glanced over at Helswath, still held in the fleshy arm's tight grip.
She joined Ike near the fallen Midnight "It all makes sense now. Murawk."
The exposed eye of Midnight 3 focused on Mia as she spoke his name, she remembered that his left eye was taken out during the battle and his right arm was cut off, something she did herself.
"Murawk…" a low guttural voice spoke. The eye slowly closed and the grip loosened before the beats of an inhuman heart came to a stop.
A voice rang out which Soren recognized as that of the Fell Lord "People of Numengate…I am the Fell Lord, I have claimed Numengate as mine…the armies of the dead will swarm this nation and bring you all under my control…you have little time to think of escape but know that you will not be safe…once this nation is mine, my armies will flood the rest of Ymarkteg and return us to the proper age…war…"
Soren shook his head as he came into a clearing "Soren?" The Archsage turned to see Rhogam approaching alongside Boyd.
Without a word the Froghul took Orgoth from Soren allowing the Archsage to stretch himself out "That Fell Lord guy just laid claimed to this entire nation…what are we going to do?" Boyd asked.
"We have to get out of here…regroup, in our condition we won't stand a chance against the Fell Lord and his commanders…this battle will have to end at another time."
Boyd and Rhogam nodded and joined Soren as they neared the Troop and Mercenary camp.
"Look." Hearing Eyre, Re'Zin turned to see another light tower shoot out from the direction of Pozem. The armies were watching as massive towers of light shot out from the surrounding nations high into the sky. At the end of the pillars, massive orbs of light formed and gave off powerful glows.
Re'Zin shook his head "What are those things…"
"Soren…" The Archsage came to a stop in front of Ike and nodded. Looking over the legend's shoulder he saw the rest of the Troop and Mercenaries "Is everyone ready to move…I have a feeling we aren't safe here."
Ike nodded and turned, gathering everyone together as Mia came up to Soren and embraced him.
"So much has happened…even now I…I can't…"
Soren put his arms around her and breathed in her scent "Neither can I…we'll have more time to collect ourselves once we go…"
The two broke apart upon hearing a screech, Tyse Erent landed next to them, ready to fight. The pair turned to see a man standing in the rubble, watching them.
Ike and Wyre joined the three as the man smiled and took a few steps forward "Soren…Mia…"
"Kino."
The swordmaster opened his cloak, showing he had no weapons "In order to save you the trouble…I'll just tell you this. I was implanted into the Altar long ago by the Midnight…I've been at their side hoping when the time came I could kill Peltzm'Jakq and the Mistress. However, even as Peltzm'Jakq's most prized and time honored student, he saw my betrayal coming so they still live."
"It was you." Soren whispered.
Kino nodded "It was me."
"This whole time I doubted Lyle…I believed that the stories we told him was what led to Kanahana's revival and the use of the names Tyse Erent and Zijo Oit among other things but…it was you."
"From the beginning when I was just Mia and Lyle's gracious employer and a dear friend of you all. I learned much that we could use against you, effectively or not I've secured my place as one of the Fell Lord's trusted commanders…I owe much to the both of you."
Soren wanted nothing more than to "Kill him…he's unarmed…"
Ashnard's voice came to him and sounded much louder than usual, despite that Soren ignored it and felt himself beginning to move towards Kino until he realized it wasn't Ashnard's voice. "Kill him…"
Stopping Soren turned away "We don't have time to deal with you Kino…you're our enemy, the next time we face you, we'll finish this."
Kino nodded "I'll let you all know one helpful detail. Four towers have appeared, one in each nation. They are the conduit to the massive shield that is about to form around Numengate and trap everyone inside, they will become the victims of the undead horde. Leave before the force field solidifies or you'll be trapped in here as well."
With that Kino turned and vanished.
"As much as I want to…it's clear we can't finish this now." Soren nodded to Ike who then whistled.
"Everyone! We're leaving, the sooner the better so let's get a move on! Triple time!"
Affirmations rung out all around as the Troop and Mercenaries left the battle worn nation of Numengate.
True to Kino's word, from each of the orbs, a beam shot out across the sky. All four linked up over Numengate and formed a massive transparent ball that began expanding and descending on the Core Nation. It easily passed through all the buildings and the earth until it surrounded the entire nation. Finally the transparent shield became pitch black.
"We are still trying to figure it out."
Eminse nodded at Vassaan's statement. They heard four massive explosions, one was fairly faint and one was much louder than the rest. The entire place was in a frenzy trying to figure out what happened, Eminse sighed wearily as the senator walked over to her and turned to a small bundle nearby.
"How is he?"
Eminse sighed "Not crying…"
Vassaan nodded, the baby was successfully delivered and confirmed as being healthy by the medics. In a time like this where the Anondye army was sent to war and unknown explosions shake all of Ymarkteg the presence of a baby was reassuring and calming for the otherwise frustrated and stressed out Head Senator.
"Have you thought of a name?"
She nodded as the baby stirred "Yes…I just can't wait till Orgoth gets back and sees him…he wanted a son, I wanted a daughter, he was very adamant…after all he's been through I think it's alright this went his way."
Vassaan chuckled "He'll be happy…and we'll all do our best to stop him from going out there again…he has too much to lose."
Eminse sighed "I hope he understands…I know he wants to protect Ymarkteg, me and by extension our child but…"
Vassaan held up a hand "I understand."
Eminse picked up the baby and smiled as she rocked it in her arms "I can't wait for you to meet your father…"