"So, let's...start again before I get lost" Allric sighed, feeling his shoulders hunch as the more information Evrae gave him...the more crazy this place sounded.
"Which part? about men being considerably weaker and unable to defend themselves and become a mate, to a strong monster girl, or that we thrive off of spirit energy from men and the best way to get it is through sex" the Kojin girl said without a hint of shame.
Yeah...our hero of the shards was already feeling a major headache and it was only mid-morning.
Walking around the next set of trees, the Bronze-haired warrior looked up, watching the trees above them sway in the soft breeze. While this place was insane, it had a nice feeling to the Aether that flowed through the air.
It was not as concentrated as back home, but it was calm. Without the constant primal breaking their way into the mortal realm, the aether was able to keep a more calm presence around the world. It was a truly wonderful thing.
"Let's start with the whole spirit energy, Do monster girls need it to survive?" he asked, glancing back at the Kojin girl as she Turned at him in return, her tail swishing from side to side as a faint blush crossed her cheeks.
"Not Necessarily, but it gives us a major boost in strength, and should it come directly from our husbands" she paused there, eyeing the Freelancer. "It becomes a more potent source of energy to keep us going for far longer" she finished suggestively as Alltic shook his head before continuing down the trail ahead of them.
He wasn't going to get used to how open this woman was any time soon...but she was better company than none at all or that blasted voice. Hearing faint whispers wasn't anything new for the chosen warrior but….why did this one have to keep trying to command him to kill the beast?
He wasn't that easy to make bend and the outside force was nowhere near strong enough to be even noticeable.
"Disregarding that at the moment" Evrae gave a cute pout at his words. "Are all men grown that weak?" he asked, gaining a thoughtful look from the young women.
"It's been happening for some time now with the control of the Chief God waning the ability to empower regular humans has started to fade" she explained, earning a slow nod from Allric. "But since I've set out on my own, I've heard tales of men from one of the order cities being able to hold off some lower monsters until a hero came to save them, but for the most part men are weaker" she finished as she gave the Bronze-haired man a sidelong look.
"Which is why I'm surprised at how you got so strong" she added as the Freelancer smirked back at her.
"I'll tell you about my journey over dinner when we make camp," he said, getting a happy nod from the girl as she practically skipped past him through the trees. "So what of this Durella and her faction?" he asked, his boots crunching on some of the loose branches as the hint of a tree line started to edge closer to them.
"She's the fourth born of queen Lilith the demon lord" Erave replied looking back at the man as she shook her hips to try and get his attention. Only to see the Freelancer was more interested in moving forward and out of the trees than taking her from behind.
Oh, she was going to get him, that was a promise!
"The radical faction is one of the more popular armies for single monster girls, they raid large human cities, taking any man they can as their husbands and corrupting the women to become monster girls and further grow their ranks" the Lizardman continued as Allric raised an eyebrow at her.
"You know a lot about this stuff huh?" he spoke as the girl looked proud of herself.
"Of course, Mother had taught me much of the Outside world before I set out on my journey", she said, smiling proudly. "I was learning as much as I could while I was in the green demon realms and trading some stuff for supplies" she added.
The path ahead was clearing Allric Noticed Something Odd it started with the leaves and trigs but now it was spots on the bark it was eerily familiar and he didn't like it.
"Well this is odd" Erave spoke up, as Allric Gazed at the tree Erave was looking at the Familiar feeling and came to a truth he had seen this before but Because of the Night sky He didn't realize it till now.
"Erave" Allric spoke "Where is the village you mention", Erave looked in confusion
"A mile or two up north why?" Allric ran With all he got Erave Called out but her words fell upon deaf ears as Allric rushed past every tree, Root, and fallen tree the corruption getting worse and worse every second until He reached the clearing.
His heart sank as what he was now bearing witness, Erave had caught up "Please don't run off on your own you could've gotten lost or…" her voice trailed off as her eyes laid on the horrid sight the village was just up ahead but it was in complete ruin pillars of smoke rising up from it.
"This shouldn't be possible" Erave stuttered, "I was here two days ago", Allric did not respond only rushed ahead to the village as they made their way down a tearing canvas sound was heard as he and Erave dodged out of thee easy as something impaled the ground as the dust cleared it was a Forgiven Cowardice, two more descended to the ground.
"What in the Demon Lord's name are these?!" Erave bellowed Allric gave no time to respond as he made the first move and bisected the first Forgiven Cowardice with a dragon kick then moved with a thunder-step and destroyed the second with a six-sided star, the third tried to retreat but was obliterated with an Enlightenment.
"What is going on" Erave Asked, "no time, there are likely more of them further in the village, get ready for a fight, Erave was hesitant at first before steeling herself and drawing out her maul and they headed to the town.
The village lay silent, a haunting tableau of destruction that spoke volumes about the violence it had endured. Charred wooden structures stood like skeletal remains, their blackened timbers reaching toward the ashen sky. Smoke still drifted lazily between the collapsed buildings, carrying the acrid scent of burned memories.
"By the mercy of the twelve," Allric muttered, as they made their way through the fresh ruins, lesser sin-eaters appeared yet they posed no challenge to the two
"Why is this Happening" Allric thought as little mite sin-eaters crawled their way to them but something made Allric sick to his stomach, he could hear their voices, the Voices of children, they cried out for their moms and dads their voices barely left.
"Allric are you alight" Erave called out, he said nothing as the sin-eaters crawled closer, and when they got close enough he unleashed Elixer Burst Inialating the sin-eater children, "Allric" Erave whispered but he just continued.
As they made their way they found a building still standing he said nothing as he and Erave made their way inside "Okay Allric what's going on" Erave demanded, he just looked at her an eyebrow half raised,
"Don't give me that You know what those….Things Now tell me what" Erave was no longer tolerating being pulled around.
Allric could only sigh, "Sin-eaters" Erave could only repeat
"Their monsters without the darkness element in them they are Order absolute",
"Are you telling me these things are some type of angles?"
Allric could only let out a dry chuckle "No these things are far worse they won't stop till all that is becomes like them human monsters all mean nothing to them"
"What do we do then," Erave asked scared and confused,
" I! will eliminate the remaining stragglers and then I got to find out how this happened and put a stop to this"
"Why is it not your duty too" Erave was about to continue before Allric turned and yell with a fury
"It Is My Duty It Always Is And Now Innocent People Are Dead Because I Was Delayed By You!".
"That's no way to talk to a lady young man" an elderly voice called out as both Allric and Erave realized they were not alone, a striking elderly female figure with an otherworldly and gothic appearance. She has pale green hair that falls straight down her back, framed by a black, headdress-like ornament resembling a nun's habit, giving a religious but corrupted vibe. Her ears are elongated and pointed, adding a demonic touch. Her attire is predominantly black, with intricate designs that suggest a blend of clerical and dark elements. The dress is long, flowing, and form-fitting, with a high slit revealing part of her legs. The garment features a cross motif near her chest, but instead of a typical Christian cross, it is stylized with sharp, jagged edges, emphasizing the character's corrupted nature.
"Sister Batya" Erave exclaimed
"You're okay"
"Indeed I am I thought I heard someone come in, but I'm afraid you have returned at a bad time",
"What happened here, sister"
"It happened too fast. It came with no warning. Horrible creatures came from the plains. We tried to hold them back, but they broke through, turning monsters and humans alike into those of the herd."
"And how have they not found you?" Allric asked, Though sister Batya glared at the man she gave him a response
"I placed a protective barrier while I could but few made it to the church many killed or turned",
"How are the state of the other survivors?"
"Alive but they grow restless by the hour and we do not have any supplies", Just then a mighty roar came from outside shacking the building,
"That wasn't good" Erave stammered, another monster approached, a slender, humanoid figure with a bold, predatory stance. She stands on talon-like legs, her body angled slightly to the side, a mess of twisted and missing feathered wings spread behind her, She has short, messy black hair with jagged layers, giving a windswept look as if she's accustomed to high altitudes or strong gusts. A few strands fall over her face, accentuating her sharp, angular features. Dark circles under her eye are evidence of lack of sleep.
"Sister their coming"
"how many?"
"Almost two hundred I couldn't tell"
"Why now of all times"
"What's happening sister," Erave asked
"At my age, I can't keep this barrier up it started to fade at daybreak I've tried to keep it up for as long as I can but now"
Allric then moved to the exit
"What are you doing" the Avean exclaimed
He said nothing as he neared the door
"Allric don't be stupid, as strong as you are theirs too many of them"
"And do you propose I sit back and let everyone die" his tone was monotoned
"N-no but"
"Erave you heard the situation, you'll stay here and prevent any sin-eaters that get past me from getting to the survivors"
"Don't be so reckless boy" Batya said "Erave take your human and flee, all that's left are the old and enfeebled"
"NO!" Allric shouted "Not one more!" he left no room to talk him out as he left closing the door behind him
Allric found himself conflicted. On one hand, he was not equipped to face down this hoard. Already outside, he could see the Sineaters coming from bribery to Cowardice, Cruelty to Jealousy. The sister was not lying; this was beyond his depths. On the other hand, he couldn't run. He can't run again, as pointless as it is. He swore never to run again on that day.
"Eclipse you ready," The voidsent said nothing but through their connection, it was ready for the coming feast
As the hoard drew nearer all he could do his fight as he always has and pray to any god listening to save all those behind him.
"Ma'am we are close to our destination"
"Very well inform me of any updates"
The lesser succubus bowed before returning to her position. We were on our way to get details of abnormal incidents happening in the area when a young Black Harpey child found us. She was a Terror-stricken mess, but when she could finally speak, it led to our sudden change in direction.
The child was beside me as we made our way to her village or if her words hold what's left but I will not speak of such in front of her
"You didn't need to follow us you know," I said
"I know but I want to, I have to find Mom," the girl said.
She says that but the look in her eyes tells me otherwise whatever this girl as we continued in the carriage in silence I could feel the Mana in the air it was all wrong a stillness that was beyond natural.
"MA'AM you got to see this!" one of my underlings shouted.
Leaving the open carriage I flew to the front to my lieutenant "What's the situation?"
"Miss take a look yourself," handing me a spyglass and taking a gander over the hillside I saw what the child described, as hordes of monsters from the old age with a heavenly rework but that was not exactly true i saw angles and what these are nothing like them
"What are those things"
"Whatever they are they must be eliminated prepare the witches for Barbombment"
"Ma'am report" a Dark Valkrie called out descending from the sky
"A Human has been found in the village"
"What!" my lieutenant said
"A human is currently in conflict with the hordes"
"Explain," I asked
"Currently A human is fending off the hoard more over a fading camouflage barrier around a church which is at the human six, It seems the human is trying to defend the building that likely holds survivors"
"How is the human holding"
"Quite well truthfully but if im honest he won't hold out those numbers are just too much"
"What do we do Ma'am," my Lieutenant asked
"If there are survivors then Barbombment is not an option Gather up a squad we'll join up with the human, and hold the line have all mages Begien to strike the back of the hoard we'll have to exterminate these things slowly."
As my soldiers begin to proceed I can't help but wonder what kind of man would fight against the impossible.
Allric plowed through the sin-eaters that kept coming, grabbed the tail of ignorance as Allric swang it, and slammed it into a grudge one after the other he took out one, and two more took its place, he has been holding the line but he's being pushed back, he's losing ground yet he would not wield, he would not lose any more innocents he must win no matter the cost.
Suddenly serval bolts of energy impacted the Hord Allric looked to find a group of monsters coming from the south turning back he beat down the few sineaters as they began pushing back again the monster arrived and began the counter-assault.
Allric was used to fighting in groups weaving away from the mage's spells before rushing back in, Taking advantage of a distracted enemy to deal critical blows leaving them open for fatal blows but still more and more kept coming.
"Lady Shilteno there's too many of them even with support from the main force we'll be overwhelmed," the lieutenant said
"Human are there any survivors here"
"The church has the only survivors left" Allric shouted back before punching a hole through a Grudge
"Leutenite move are force into the church and evacuate to the main force"
"Yes ma'am"
As all but Shilteno fell back the sin eaters began pushing their way forward Shilteno approached Allric who did not flee
"You should fall back as well human"
"Not happening, you can't hold them all back long enough on your own"
"You underestimate a Lilium"
"And you underestimate me"
As Allric said this a glyph appeared at his back as he shouted Enshroud suddenly a black robe appeared with the hood up he raised his hand and darkness coated the hand and then expanded into the form of a scythe when the black mist dissipated it revealed a crystalline scythe as he twirl it and got to his reaper stance
To Allric this was something new usually he would have a scythe on hand but had to consume the sin-eater's aether to gather enough to create a makeshift scythe to make the best use of their enshroud form, to Shilteno this was another anomaly for never befor had a human be soaked in so much monster mana and be untouched though his mana was odd as well as it had a similar if not same feel as the creatures befor them
She decided to put these questions on hold as she prepared her wide-range spells, as the Human dashed forward and started to cleave the abominations in record speed she then launched her frost spells creating large ice crystals and impacting the hoard slowing them down when they began to climb over and go around Allric the cleave through these crystals shattering them at the same time he leaves a Harpe orb in the middle and when they exploded launching the newly fractured crystals into the sin-eaters.
When Shilteno would soon create a lighting storm as lighting hit the ariel abominations any that came close to Allric he would re-direct it and cause the bolt to go through several of the grounded Sineaters
As Shilteno Caused a powerful quake launching the Abominations into the air Allric would move akin to a buzzsaw and move across the Battered field and cunt down any that remained on the ground and those left vulnerable in the air.
This continued for a while until a powerful burst could be heard from the church
"Erave!" Allric shouted, as he tried to dash to the church his Enshroud shaded and Allric tumbled as a Hypocrisy attempted to strike him it was destroyed when a bolt of magic shot through it
"They'll be fine the spell worked we need to go"
Shilteno then grabbed Allric and carried him in a Bridle style and flew away from the hoard as they flew neither said anything
'Eclipse what happened'
'Lbhe obql tnir bhg, Nsgre svtugvat sbe guvegl zvahgrf lbhe obql pbhyqa'g unaqyr gur fgerff, Hardhvcrq nf vg jnf'
'I would have defeated the Hoard'
'Naq lbh jbhyq unir qvrq, naq v'ir or yrsg jvgubhg n nyyl'
'Whatever'
As they flew past the plains a small encampment was in sight as they landed Allric was put down insisting he could walk fine, looking around he found himself in the same encampment he saw the Aviean hugging a much smaller avian very tightly the child crying out
"Allric!" Erave shouted
"Erave how are the others"
"They'll be fine now but what about you you shouldn't have gone by yourself"
"I told you I'd be fine and I am" As he said that his legs gave out as he fell Erave caught him
"Mostly, Mostly fine"
As Erave started to berate Allric for his rash foolishness Shilteno's lieutenant approached her
"Ma'am all survivors are accounted for"
"Good prepare all mages I want those things gone for good"
"And what should we do with the human?"
"Treat his injuries and do not touch him I have some questions"
"Understood" The lieutenant saluted and went to deliver her orders
This human was not normal even now there were so many things about him she needed answers to but for now he could rest, he was willingly risking his life to protect Monsters from those things, but for now he could rest undisturbed he deserved that much.
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