Chapter 16 Escalation
Today the world will change for better or worse, the factions will be dramatically altered in their war. The world will experience the price of involving the Dark Guard as they'll begin their new campaign for a new world order. The question is; who'll benefit and who'll suffer under their stewardship?
On top of the city's walls, the guards do their daily routines but this morning is a little different for the usual morning fog is denser than normal as they can barely see the forest edge. While it's normal to have fog in the mornings, this fog is larger which is sometimes rare but the guards didn't really pay much mind to it. Unknown to them is that Lady Druella is leading her army to the city, concealed among the fog, moving without making a sound as they slowly get closer. While the guards may not see them approaching, the newcomers do and begin preparations.
"Sir, Druella's army is heading towards the city. They are reaching the edge of the forest and the fog seems to be moving with them." An officer reports.
The commander speaks, "I see. Con, turn on the anti-gravity generators and move the ship above the city. Comms, alert the away team that the mamono army is on the move and will reach the city's gate in twenty minutes. They can appraise the situation and make contact with Lady Druella. Any needed support is standing by."
In Michael and Lizzy's room, they receive the message and instructions, they both exhale and Lizzy speaks first, "You ready?"
"Yes, let's find Mary and give her the good news. Her long-awaited battle is soon to start along with our true intentions revealed." Michael leaves the room with Lizzy following close behind. They go down the stair and make their way to the receptionist to return the room key they were given. They leave the inn and go to the tavern where Mary is most likely still there since she hasn't come back yet.
Before they even enter the tavern they easily hear Mary's voice, "Then I bashed her head in like a tomato!" An eruption of laughter follows as they enter and as soon they were in, they see Mary standing on top of a table in the center of the room with a mug in hand and her mace in the other. All eyes are on her as she retells her battle with the Org with vigor while the patrons very much enjoy the tale.
Michael shouts above the laughs and cheers as he tries to get Mary's attention, "CARLA JOHNSON!"
Mary recognizes the voice, turns to see Michael and Lizzy, and cheerfully shouts, "AH my friends have you finally decided to come and join us instead of being some stupid inn statues?" More laughs erupted to much of Michael's disdain as they do need to get ready.
He shouts again over the noise, "ITS TIME!"
Mary stops drinking for a moment then a predatory smile forms on her face and replies, "Understood." Michael and Lizzy leave and Mary puts down the mug as her grin grows bigger to which someone in the crowd asks, "Time for what?"
Mary doesn't bother to look for the person who asked as she simply says for all to hear, "It's time for a massacre, for our prey is coming to us." Almost everyone in the room just went silent as if someone said their mother just died.
"What?" another voice asks.
"A herd of sheep has come to be slaughtered by our hands and it'll be glorious. And you all can watch us annihilate them!" with that Mary bring her mace into the air and the head of the mace ignites into flames as she walks out of the tavern and joins Michael and Lizzy.
The patrons scramble about like headless chickens as they figure out that Carla meant that an army of monsters is coming here. Few of them ran to the nearest barracks to alert the city guards but the majority of them decide to follow the trio. Soon word of an incoming monster attack spread throughout the city like wildfire and a large crowd of adventurers, guards, and mercenaries along with the trio ascend the steps to the top of the wall. Everyone looks out towards the forest, nerves heighten, eyes looking for the faintest silhouette of a monster.
"What the meaning of this!?" a man in decorated armor shouts as he walks hastily towards the trio. "I was told there was a monster attack happening but I don't see anything going on. Explain!"
Michael explains, "We are aware of a monster attack led by Druella herself today." Many people gasp at the thought of Druella being here as her reputation of being merciless and unbeatable bring fear.
Over by the forest edge, Druella and her army creeps out of the forest and take the sights of the city's wall but soon be concerned to see a crowd of people looking in their direction. She quietly asks Scarlet, "Are all our Dark Mages using their concealment spell to the fullest?"
"Y-yes, none of the humans should be able to see us also the fog we've created should be covering our tracks." Scarlet answers but Druella seems unconvinced.
The city Captain Guard angrily says, "I should put you and your friend in the dungeon for spreading this heretically doom saying." A few guards behind them ready their swords but Michael doesn't flinch.
Michael has an idea, "If you don't believe me then I'll show you proof that they are right here."
"Hrmm. Fine but if there is nothing there, I'll see you beheaded as a heretic for this chaos you stirred." The Guard Captain backs up and the nearby guards put their swords away giving the trio space.
Michael turns to Lizzy and says, "On my signal, fire a barrage at their right flank." Lizzy nods. Michael turns to Mary and says, "You're with me."
"Roger." Mary hoists her mace as she and Michael walk to the ledge and jump over.
"What the!?" The captain spites out in disbelief.
Over on Druella's side as she, Scarlet, and many over mamono observe the large crowd until someone suddenly says, "Whoa! Two people just jumped off the wall." Druella and Scarlet watch at the last second and see just before the falling pair hit the ground, they saw black smoke appear below their feet. They land safely on the ground and begin walking towards them. The pair halfway to them causes confusion throughout the army. The entire army watches the pair steadily walk toward them but then the lead figure brings up his arm and points to the right side of the army.
Lizzy sees the hand signal, and begins her attack, the people around quickly moved away from her as dark energy forms into her hand and she thrust her hands into the air. A shadowy cloud appears above the crowd then a metal mouth shaped like a shark pops out of it and opens its mouth. Behind the menacing teeth, an inferno resides then suddenly it rapidly vomits out a barrage of fireballs that all went to the targeted area. The fireballs crash into the mamono ranks and exploded, screams and chaos ensue as the affected mamono run for cover, crying out for help, or die screaming from being burned alive.
The crowd watched in both amazement and horror at the sight of the mamono being devastated by Lizzy's attack. Lizzy continues with her attack but then sees Michael waving his arm signaling her to stop which she does. The floating metal mouth closes ceasing the barrage but doesn't disappear as it simply hovers in place.
Druella and her lieutenants are speechless at the sight of the damage caused by that single action and relates to the pair now three-fourths away from them. No point in hiding as she yells, "Dark Mages forget the concealment spell and go tend to the wounded, NOW!" Even though she said 'now', the Dark Mages hesitantly comply and showing the city the entire mamono army that was going to occupy it. Druella turns her attention to the pair now only a few yards away decides to meet them, "Scarlet, Maya lets go."
The three mamono walks to Michael and Mary, many eyes from both sides watched including Gin who is present and has spotted Carla.
"GGRRRR!" a heavy harsh snarl leaves her lips causing some of her comrades to jump at the sudden aggression.
"Gin, what's wrong?" an Orc asks.
"She's here, the bitch who butchered my pack." Everyone could hear the venom and hatred dripping from her mouth.
"Wait, you mean that/YES CARLA IS RIGHT THERE!" Gin points to the individual behind the lead figure. Many mamono gasps while very few wonder, 'Whose Carla?'
Mary looks at all the different mamono species as they did in return with various expressions until she sees one who looks very familiar. Mary happily thinks to herself, 'My herald is here.' Mary separates from Michael as she now goes to Gin.
Druella sees this curious and with concern to which she whispers to her Dullahan officer, "Maya, watch that one girl who isn't approaching us. Scarlet and I will deal with this one that's still coming to us"
"Yes Ma'am!" the Dullahan complies and walks behind them to go to Mary.
Druella and Scarlet step forward to meet Michael to which they are now standing twelve feet away and Druella speaks first, "Hello there handsome. Have you come to surrender or to beg?"
"Actually, I've come to inform you that won't be taking this city today thus you can either leave or be destroyed," Michael answers in a neutral tone.
Druella and Scarlet laugh at Michael's statement then Scarlet says, "Do you think we are fools that you two and whoever attacked us from those walls can stop us? Sorry cutie but your done here and you'll be thanking us later when we give you our love."
"Sorry, but I'll pass and I think the city will also pass as well. As for being done, you are wrong, for we knew about your attack and your strategy. Finally, if you are fools; yes, but not in this attack but rather the first one." Michael's expression makes it harder for Druella and Scarlet to read him.
"First one?" Scarlet confused at that statement while Druella asks, "Hmnp, I do believe you on knowing about our attack since you and your friends have both approached and attacked our right flank. So, my question is; how did you know about our attack?"
"We've learned about your attack from Lucy and Violet, Druella," Michael says which causes Scarlet to start spewing out questions.
"Lucy and Violet are alive? Did you integrate until they break? I don't believe they've told you freely. Where are you holding them, in the city? Are they-/Enough Scarlet!" Druella puts in an end to Scarlet's rapid-fire inquiries.
Michael begins answering some of Scarlet's questions meanwhile Mary walks about six feet away from Gin and those who are trying to hold her back.
"Ah, if it isn't my favorite herald, I see you have gotten me a whole army to fight with many species I haven't gotten to fight yet." Mary cheerful greets Gin.
"Screw you bitch, I'm going to make you pay for what you have done to my pack!" Gin snarls and itching to fight her.
"Oh, are you still mad about that? If I remember correctly I did spare three cute pups of yours and you." Mary crosses her arms and flashes a smile.
An org steps forward and asks, "Why would you do something this horrible?"
Mary shifts her gaze and in a disapproving tone replies, "Because beacon, your kind has done far worse things than I have and you all did it in the name of love. It isn't love you're doing it for but a disgusting form of domination and control. The lives you've ruined and the path you are driving humans down is extinction so I think it's only right to be cruel to mankind's destroyers."
A Salamander speaks up, "We are saving mankind from themselves, and sometimes we do have to be a little forceful in rescuing them. We are their saviors, not their conquerors and destroyers?"
"And who told you to do this, that you need to specifically babysit humans even the ones who are already living in peace? You should be more mindful of others and respect other people's wishes even if you don't agree with them." Mary speaks in a harsh tone.
A Hellhound taunts, "Oh yeah, and you are going to stop us all Carla?"
Mary's smile returns as she says, "So far it hasn't been very hard, I've killed close to a hundred of you and I haven't been challenged by any of you weaklings! Hopefully, today that one of you can at least entertain me." Many mamono are getting aggravated by Mary's arrogance as she continues, "Hey you stupid Salamander, I heard your kind is better than your inferior Lizardman sisters, or are you weak just like them?" Any Lizardman who heard that took offense to that insulting question as well as the Salamanders who have just ignited their fires.
The Hellhound smugly asks, "Oh you're in for quite a trashing. I wonder if I'll get the chance to have that pleasure?"
Mary returns with her smugness as she asks, "I heard that Hellhounds are a lot tougher than normal werewolves. I wonder if you'll last longer than Hanna, Jana, or whatever that weakling's name was.
"IT'S ANNA!" Gin screams as she breaks free from her comrades' grips and charges at Mary. Mary quickly brings her mace up but is not needed as the Dullahan officer intercepted Gin.
The Dullahan restraints Gin on the ground as she loudly commands, "Calm yourself or I'll knock you unconscious!" Gin just snarls as she looks up and sees Mary smiling down at her.
"THAT'S ENOUGH MARY!" Michael yells out as he, Druella, and Scarlet were interrupted by Gin's screaming and seeing a fight nearly broken out. Mary walks back to Michael but an Orc stops her by asking, "Wait isn't your name Carla Johnson?"
"That's a name I made up so my foes don't know my real name until it's time for the great reveal." Mary resumes her walk back to Michael.
"Your friend there seems to be quite eager in fighting us unlike you...I'm sorry but I believe we didn't introduce ourselves other than you know my name." Druella said.
"My real name is Michael but I have used the name Ricky in the past." He then looks at Scarlet and says, "I know your name is Scarlet so now we finished that part." Mary walks up to Michael's side and she starts eyeing the commanding mamono.
Scarlet asks first, "Are you the one who went with the name Carla Johnson?"
"Yup, that's me." Mary happily replies.
Scarlet loses her calm as she begins to rant, "Do you have any idea what I've had to deal with you and the atrocities you have committed? The lives you've taken and the unspeakable cruelty to those you've left alive. You are truly a monster of those of the previous era of Demon Lords!" Druella places her left hand on Scarlet's shoulder in an attempt to calm her down but what happened next surprises the both of them.
"Hahaha! HAHAHAHA! AH HAHAHA! Oh, you have no idea how right you are, for you see I am a monster, a monster in disguise like you all before me. At least I can admit to what I am along with my actions unlike you all, who are very delusional in your ideals and actions." Mary appears to be crazy and Michael doesn't say or do anything other than staying neutral.
Druella makes a quick comment, "We don't go around killing people, not anymore since mother took the throne."
Mary lets go a small chuckle then says, "Oh really? I heard that Lucy took a guard hostage and threaten to, what was it, oh "Let me go or I'll tear out his throat or something like that." So, have you all really changed?"
Scarlet is shocked to hear that, "You lie, Lucy would never do that or anything like that!"
"It's true, Lucy did that a guard hostage and threaten to kill him if we didn't let her go free. She tried but failed as she was subdued by our security measures and our guard walks free albeit a bit bruised in the face." Michael verifies Mary's statement which leaves Scarlet speechless.
Druella having enough of this as she has a city to take, "Michael and Mary you two surrender yourselves to me immediately! Both of you have committed crimes against the Royal Makai and her citizens. I'll have your answers NOW!"
Mary giggles while Michael says, "I'm sorry but I'm not in charge to make that decision nor can Mary."
Druella annoyed asks, "Is it the one over at the wall who fired at us?"
"No not her either," Michael says.
"Then who or are you just stalling because if so I'll just order my forces to charge the city, while Scarlet and I deal with you two." Druella is agitated while Scarlet and her army ready their weapons.
"So, you really are going to try even though it's under our protection?"
Druella draws out her short sword and says, "Yes."
Mary is now laughing and Michael closes his eyes and then says, "Before we begin, our leader wants to talk to you."
"Wait for your leader to come out of the city so he can talk to me, how about I-/He isn't in the city and you don't have to wait for here he comes," Michael interjects as he and Mary back up giving Druella and Scarlet space. The two mamono look towards the city until someone shouts, "Purple star falling! A purple star is falling!" Druella and Scarlet look up and see this purple star falling towards the spot where Michael and Mary were standing.
Over at the city walls, the crowds chatter at the sight of a falling star as a bad omen but Lizzy says something that causes some confusion to the captain of the guard, "Here comes the Commander!"
"What!? That star is a person?" The purple star hits the ground and a small fume of smoke rises.
Both the mamono and the city folk watched where the star landed with intensity until the smoke disperses revealing a black cloth person standing up.
Druella, Scarlet, and the entire mamono army look at the new arrival in disbelief as he rises with four giant metal claws that are igniting in purple flames. Standing straight up the commander looks directly at Druella while Mary and Michael drop their disguises, showing to be the same as the commander.
"W-what are you?" Druella could hardly speak of the shock of this newcomer.
"I'm the one who'll bring ruin to you and your army today as you have committed transgression against us and we have come to contain you." The commander speaks in a neutral tone but the glare in his eyes shows his anger. "This city and every other Order settlement, town, and city are now under our protection along with any who seeks help because of you."
"I didn't know who or what you are and whatever I did to you but I'm here to spread my mother's love throughout the world," Druella says confidently but on the inside, she is very nervous.
"Then let me show you what you are up against." The commander's eye flashed and seconds later up in the sky, a large shimmering thing caught everyone's attention as they see a floating castle become visible. The ship hovering above the city causes panic below as many people to start running for shelter or looking for their loved ones while the people on the city walls just watch in silence. Next, a shower of purple stars coming out of the ship descends behind Mary and Michael which forms a small line compared to the mamono army. As each one land and the smoke clears revealing a similar cloth person to the next but with very different weaponry and build. Each person was more visibly distinctive than the last until the giant Arnold completely stood out from the rest due to his sheer size. A small thin line formed between Druella and her next conquest for the Royal Makai.
After all the Dark Guard forces were on the ground, the ship launch a barrage of missiles that flew past the mamono army then out of sight which many including Druella wondered where they are going. A few moments later distant explosions could barely be heard, Druella wonder what was over there until she remembered the hidden mamono village and yells, "Tell me you didn't attack that village!?"
The commander simply says, "We did." All the mamono gasp, a hidden village attacked by that floating terror that dominates the skies capable of destroying anything no matter the distance.
"NO!" Gin cries out then runs towards the village, abandoning the mamono army to the newly arrived force.
Lizzy decides to drop her disguise as well, shocking all the people next to her with some of the guards pointing their swords and spears at her.
"Who are you? What are you creature?" the guard captain shouts out.
Lizzy doesn't turn away from the mamono army as she answers the man's question, "My name is Lizzy and I'm with the Dark Guard. We are here not only to protect you but to aid you in your war against the monster forces who seek to claim you all." Many guards were conflicted at Lizzy's words as does this meant they are allies while some are still skeptical about her claim.
"Then prove it!" the captain demands.
"You shall see for yourselves for that mamono army out there will not get the chance to breach your walls," Lizzy reassure them.
Druella and all of the mamono look at the new force in front of them as there seem to be around fifty of them. Druella's confidence is in question as she sees they are laughable outnumbered but that floating castle seems very deadly, she says, "I think you're a little short on people even with your floating castle here, you think you can stop us with what little you have?"
"PHAHAHAHAHA!" Mary laughs which makes Druella raise an eyebrow thinking she wasn't trying to make jokes.
"You may outnumber us but you are severely outmatched. This is your final warning; Surrender or die!" the commander said with authority.
Druella thinks for a moment and finally says, "No."
The commander's eyes lit up then all of the Dark Guard's eyes lit up and he says, "So be it." All the lit-up eyes die down to normal and many Dark Guard troops begin to prepare for battle and some of the mamono did the same.
A moment of silence screamed throughout the land as the two-side stared at each other, one side excited to make their dreams come true while the other is expressionless and quiet.
"CHARGE!" Druella breaks the silence and she and the entire mamono force attack with zeal, the Dark Guard respond with range attacks. Lizzy's orbs rise higher and begin to charge while the metal mouth opens and fires an unrelenting barrage again. Mary charges towards the mamono with craze delight and Michael targets Scarlet as he draws out his great sword and points it at her. Scarlet sees this as an invitation to a duel which she accepts and the two walk away to find a place to begin.
The commander fires four large beams simultaneously from the metal claws at Druella to which she jumps over the beams. The mamono behind her was unfortunately too slow or didn't see the beams coming quickly disintegrated. Druella angered by that, rushes in to neutralize him before anyone else dies. She closes in and the commander summons a wall of spiked chains stopping her then those four metal claws rise above the spikes and fires. Druella dodges and zig zags through the shots as she tries to go around the spike chains to engage him. The commander retracts his metal claws as he has them form into fists and begin close-quarter combat.
Michael and Scarlet locked their swords together as one swing and the other block then returned with their own swing just to be block, raisin, and repeat. Scarlet uses a falchion as she pokes and slashes for an opening but to no avail as Michael doesn't show any reaction only simply retaliating with his strike which Scarlet has trouble withstanding.
She speaks while reposing herself, "Tell me, how did you beat Lucy? She has never been defeated before especially against a male." Michael doesn't reply except with another swipe of his great sword. "I'll make you talk one way or another then you'll return Lucy and Violet to me."
"You'll never see them again," Michael says then unleashes a horizontal slash of energy at her which she jumps over. Michael charges forth and throws a right punch at her while she is in mid-flight, she sees this and blocks. She wasn't expecting such force from the punch as Michael's fist connect to her falchion almost making her lose her grip on her sword and her wrist twist in pain. Her flight plan was alternated by the impact throwing her away from Michael. She lands but still skips from the force and Michael slowly walks to her, ready to strike again but quickly says, "Lucy revealed everything to us including you and your past. A shame that your spirit was murdered but I'll help put you to enteral rest and maybe you'll go in peace."
"What are you talking about?! Murdered!? I've been liberated by Lady Druella from the cruel and tyrannical Order so I wish to liberate everyone the same way." Scarlet shouts and launches a strike against Michael.
"But that 'liberation' cost you something you'll never be able to get back so don't resist me and I'll break you free, quick and painless." Michael blocks and goes on the defensive as Scarlet increases her pace and attacks.
"How about I break you in the right place then you'll see that being a monster isn't all bad but very pleasurable instead." Scarlet grows confident as she makes Michael back up into a defense retreat.
"MORE, GIVE ME MORE, HAHAHAHA!" Mary is having the time of her life as she is in the middle of the mamono army alone. Her fighting style is unpredictable and highly devastating as she uses her fast speed and the hard-hitting force of her mace that launched any unfortunate mamono like a golf ball. She dances across the battlefield like a ballerina as she steps on an Ogre's face to jump into the air and she begins to spin towards the ground. Her mace hits the ground like an artillery shell, blasting anyone near the impact and those who weren't close or thrown away could hear Mary's giggles before she storms out of the bust cloud.
Lizzy is busy preventing the mamono forces from getting close to the city walls as she barrages them from afar and her orbs vaporize any that get too close but she struggles as there are too many of them. The ship above turns and brings its port side cannons to bear on the invaders, reading to unleash death from above. Arnold tries aiding Lizzy as he fires everything he has while also defending himself from a mamono attacker which is proving to be difficult. The other Dark Guards are having trouble either preventing mamono advancement or getting double-teamed by the opposition rendering them stuck.
The attacking force seem to be gaining the upper hand until 'BOOM BOOM BOOM' thundered throughout the area as the ship starts shelling the area where the mamono forces ignoring the Dark Guard line of defense and dodging Lizzy's attacks. Screams are drowned out by the explosions and cannons firing and those currently engaging the defense line stop and watch their friends disappear in the dust. Only a few ran out of the dust in absolute terror and they keep running all the way back into the forest. After a moment of silence as all eyes watch the dust go away and see what has happened to those who were in the shelling area.
Druella's eyes widen as she sees bodies shredded, guts and blood cover around the small craters with so few survivors wounded or cowering in fear. She then looks at the commander and sees he hadn't broken his eye contact with her then he speaks in monotone, "No matter what you do, you can not win against us and everyone you know and love will die."
Druella angered by both the loss of life and now not being able to take the city, she hisses, "You wouldn't be able to hurt anyone if I dominate you." She summons two scimitars then she yells, "Everyone capture these people NOW!" All the duels and personal battles that had stopped have resumed as Druella dashes towards the commander with both swords raised high. One of the chain metal claws tries to counter her but she jumps over it and continues. Another claw swoops in but she dodges and closes the distance. The third claw fires a bolt at her and explodes in front of her resulting a small dust cloud shrouding her fate. The commander looks carefully for any signs of movement until he is suddenly lifted in the air, entangled by blackish tentacles that restrain his movements.
"Gotcha!" Druella is happy that the commander didn't notice her summon spell until it was too late. She watches the commander shifts in discomfort but then she sees purple aroura around his body as he stops struggling.
"HUH!" the commander grunts as all the tentacles vanishes by the purple glow going through them and he lands back on the ground then looks at Druella in annoyance. The fight is back on as all four claws prepare to fire and the commander prepares his own attack as he places both of his hands in front of his chest, making a circle hand pose. In the open space, she sees a dark circle there and it slowly grows bigger and shinier.
Scarlet and Michael's battle is currently at a standstill as they both finally understand each other's combat style and tactic or at least that's one of them thought. Scarlet brings her blade up high for a heavy vertical slash at Michael as he recomposes himself from a missed slash however just starts her swing down, and her swing suddenly stops. She hears chains clinking so she turns her head to where she sees her sword wrapped around by chains that are coming out of the portal behind her. She quickly tries to free her sword but instead wiggles in places so she decides to let go of her sword. She looks back at her opponent and "Gah!" she looks down and sees Michael's great sword had pierce her body all the way through.
"I've used a similar tactic on Lucy in order to defeat her after she thought she won when she threw an aphrodisiac powder bomb at me," Michael says as he retracts the chains around Scarlet's blade, dropping the sword to the ground.
Scarlet drops to her knees and Michael slowly withdraws his blade out of Scarlet's body then Scarlet looks up at Michael and sees the emotionless eyes staring back at her. She then turns to look at Druella and mentally says, 'Forgive me, my mistress, I've failed you.' Her sight starts to darken as she falls to the ground, laying on her side still looking at Druella and at the last second Druella looks back at Scarlet and her face expresses shock and sadness. Finally, darkness takes her as her eyelids close for the last time, and exhales completely.
"NO!" Druella yells in pain, not paying attention to the commander as he fires all charged-up attacks at her. Druella quickly summons a barrier spell around herself then the five beams hit her that causes a massive explosion that sent all the remaining mamono flying in the air while the Dark Guard were ready to brace against it. The explosion shakes the ground, the city, and a few miles around, the people in the city panic at the sight and the mini earthquake. The field is now bare other the Dark Guard still stand as they all look where Druella is and wait for the dust cloud is settle down to reveal her fate.
Once the dust settles shows Druella is still there alive but not unscathed as she is covered in cuts and bleeding as she struggles to stand up. She looks everywhere with her left eye as the right seems to be closed and injured and she sees she is the only mamono still standing among all of her enemies. Druella fully feels fear, for the first time in her entire life thus she panics as she stumbles quick to escape but is forcibly stopped as her right arm is grabbed by one of the commander's metal claws. She follows the chain and sees it came out of a portal behind her and another portal above the commander where the rest of the chain is at. The claw squeezes until, 'CRACK', "ARRRRRGGHHH!" Druella screams in pain as her right arm is now shattered and the remaining mamono still conscious hears her scream. They all look and the sight before them destroyed their resolve and will to fight thus they all start running away, leaving Druella all alone.
The commander releases his grip on her, walks up to her, and says, "Now you see what you are up against."
Druella doesn't look up to him but says, "You may have defeated me even if you decide to kill me but you'll never stop us from achieving my mother's dreams."
"The Dark Guard alone, you are correct but with your help and the others here, we can succeed." The commander brings one of the claws down, Druella cowers in hopelessness but suddenly a pair of Dark Mages appears between Druella and the commander with one creating a barrier that stopped the claw's descent, and the other finishes a spell. Within five seconds, the trio of mamono vanishes leaving the Dark Guard and the near completion of the mamono army lying dead.
Outside of Lescatie
Druella and the Dark Mages reappear on a hilltop that gives a scenic view of the city Lescatie as Druella didn't quite comprehend what just happened.
Beth worrying asks, "Lady Druella are you alright!?"
Druella looks at them both in dumbstruck as words failed to leave her throat but instead she starts crying. Beth and Karen took back by Druella crying and realizing the full extent of injuries she had endured along with her cradling her broken arm.
Karen then speaks, "Didn't worry Lady Druella, we'll help you recoverrrrrrrr….."
Beth and Druella both look at Karen confusedly then looked at what she was looking at and the sight left all three of them in total shock.
Druella quietly says, "No."
Back at the city
The Dark Guard enters the city but many of the people steer clear of them including the guards as they are fearful of them. They all walked to the guild building and the guild master standing outside the entrance calmly watches the commander walks up to him.
The commander extends his hands and says, "Hello." The guild master returns the gesture and shacks the commander's hand.
"Thank you for defending our city and giving that bitch Druella a bloody nose." Arnold then asks, "Who are you and what brings you here."
"I'm the commander of the Dark Guard and what brings us here is" suddenly all of the Dark Guard's eyes lit up then slowly died down and Mary starts laughing.
Arnold confused and slightly spooked slowly asks, "What just happened."
The commander replies in two words, "Lescatie burns."
Whelp, the cat is out of the bag now and soon the whole world will know the Dark Guard and what they can do. How will both the Order and the Mamono as a whole react to these newcomers? What consequences shall bring for all involved? What's next? Wait and find out.
To D.J. Scales: I'm glad that you're super excited in the last chapter but this is only the beginning, not the end. Things are only going to heat up even more after this chapter.
To Wasabi: Indeed.