Cicatrix looked at the monster of a man pick up the heavy mace like it was nothing. He stood up just in time for the weapon to collide into Cicatrix, knocking him threw the wall.
Leo attacked the turtle of a man several times, but his mace couldn't scratch the armor without the support of mana. Then something on his armor caught Leo's eye.
"It must be that crystal," Leo told himself. Swinging his mace aimlessly wouldn't help. He focused on the center of the armor. Leo, without the aid of mana, had touched upon the 5th level of understanding laws of metal and earth.
Each swing upon the armor was now different. Every arc was precisely swung and smashed upon the crystal. This technique was what Leo used to mine so efficiently in the pit.
On the 99th strike, an explosion rang out. The mana crystal had finally gave out and shattered. Cicatrix's chest was blown open, and his body thrown over the wall outside of the fort.
Leo just stood there. He realized he had created a new technique. A smile crept onto his face. Cultivation was a path he walked to survive, but now he started to understand it a lifestyle that was with him for the rest of his life. He finally started to have the mindset of those warriors of old.
"I shall name it Ore Tempering."
After snapping out of it, several scavengers had surrounded Leo and pointed their guns at him. Most of them just saw him defeat their boss. Some of the men were shaking their weapons. If that man attacked, most of them would be killed.
"Scavengers put down your weapons unless you want to be slain by that man."
A voice from atop the boss' shack rang out to everyone. They looked over to see Shia standing on the roof, looking at them. She didn't have a collar on anymore, and her hair danced as the wind blew. Proudly standing there, even Leo thought she looked domineering.
"I will repeat it only once more. Put down your weapons, or I will allow him to kill you all," Shia announced.
Before she could finish, several young scavengers threw their weapons down. One of the old veterans didn't like this. "How dare this bitch boss us around? Open fire..." *Gurgle*
Before he could even finish, a rock shard had pierced his neck. Choking, the man fell to the ground and died. The rest of the scavengers in fear dropped their guns in fear.
Leo had stood next to the mana explosion and in its wake, absorbed a bit of mana. This allowed him to shoot a rock shard that embedded itself in the man's neck.
The man with the mace in his hand yelled out, "From this day forward, Shia shall lead the scavengers. Do I have any objections?"
Every man stood still, and not a single person spoke out.
"Good. Now everyone, congratulate your new boss."
"Congrats, Boss Shia!" many of them cheer for her. Almost everyone competed to out due the other. No one wanted to piss off the demon in front of them.
Shia just stared down at Leo. She never wanted to be the boss, but she wouldn't shirk from these responsibilities. Leo then gave her a look. "He is about to leave," She whispered.
Shia then received a mana message. "Shia, thank you for everything, but I must return to my people. Goodbye." A tear rolled down Leo's cheek. He didn't think saying goodbye would make him feel such loss, but if he didn't leave now, he wouldn't be to part with her.
Leo turned and ran. With a mighty leap, he made it over the wall in a single bound. Leo was gone like that.
The scavengers went through a lot of change in the next week. The scavengers had to put collars on, and many were forced to work in the mines. The miners were divided into small groups, and all had their collars removed. Shia kept the name scavengers for their overall name, but they wouldn't do things as they did before.
Leo was long gone from there. He had started to travel back to the City of Ra. He hitched a ride with a few caravans. When a few bandits tried to kill him, Leo insta-killed them with a punch each. Powering up their hovercraft, Leo headed to the City of Ra.
As the sun started to set, a hovercraft arrived at a fallen city. The city wall and all of its buildings were destroyed. Leo didn't know what to say. While he was away, the City of Ra fell.
Leo shuttered when a large amount of mana locked onto him. He couldn't move or break away from it. He then looked up to see a man with wings float down from the sky.
"Here I thought you were some bandits coming to prey upon the City of Ra," laughed Keysol. He walked over and hugged Leo like a long lost brother. "I'm glad you've returned."
"I'm glad you didn't kill me," responded Leo. Without the aid of mana, he was just putty in Keysol's hands.
"I would never," chuckled the winged-human. "Let us head to the chamber. Everyone will be glad to see you."
Keysol lifted Leo, and they flew to the ruined pyramid. Walking threw a ruined passageway, they arrived at the Pharaoh's chamber. Along the way, Keysol told Leo of the events that transpired while they were away. He explained how the army of Seth bombarded the city and how Void Slayer responded in a fury.
When Keysol and Leo entered the chamber, everyone rushed over. Green Tooth was the most relieved. Void Slayer and Dark Razor berated him as a failure for not defending him in the life or death situation.
"Leo, I'm glad you're safe." Geph was the first to say something. His guilt of being saved bothered him day in and day out. Even Sepha was happy to see him.
Papyrus, Djed, and Haj, the one who begged Void Slayer for help, bowed to Leo. Papyrus spoke up first. "High Vizier, as the remaining royal of the City of Ra, we wish to serve you."
Leo almost chuckled. What could these tempering warriors ever do for him?
Papyrus knew that what Leo was thinking and then said, "I know we aren't strong enough yet, but allow us to honor our Pharaoh and serve you." Determination could be seen in their eyes.
Leo looked at Keysol, Geph, and Sepha. They all helpless, just shrugged. "They're no help at all..." Leo mumbled to himself. "Alright, I accept. Just get off the ground already," Leo said to the three of them, motioning them to get up.
"Yes, our Pharaoh," they replied in unison.
The three Sphinx beasts also walked over. "I'm glad you've returned," remarked Void Slayer. Green Tooth and Dark Razor both nodded as well.
Before they could get settled, a large knocking was heard at the door. "Ancient ones, City of Thoth, is being attacked. My Pharaoh has requested Lord Keysol's help." The scientist survived the onslaught from within the spaceship. They had received word from Pharaoh Farshah through their communication device.