Adam let out an exhausted sigh as he hit the bed that night. After numerous tries, he finally had the P.O.S. memorized.
("Finally. Sleep.") [Adam]
As he lay in bed, Krino asked him a simple question.
"...By the way, when are you going to eat those boosters?" [Krino]
Adam had forgotten about the boosters he received before entering this camp.
("I'll eat them later.") [Adam]
"Why don't you eat them now? You were told it doesn't cause pain." [Krino]
Adam did know that, but he was still reluctant to do so. The pain from the booster Roy gave him was not one so easily forgotten.
("...Might as well.") [Adam]
Reaching down under his bunk, Adam rummaged through his belongings until he found the box of boosters.
"Are you going to eat only one? Or are you going to eat all of them?" [Krino]
Adam opened the box just to stare at three pills.
("...I should've asked if taking more than one at once would be bad.") [Adam]
"More is better right?" [Krino]
"I have to agree with that. More is indeed better." [Astos]
Adam grabbed all three pills and threw them into his mouth.
"Did I mention that the increase in strength might send you back into Askyros' memories?" [Krino]
("Time is slowed down anyways. It shouldn't matter even if I did get sent there.") [Adam]
Too tired to even complain, Adam made himself comfortable in bed. The moment he closed his eyes, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
"Months later, our first assignment came. Siege fort Andraxes, and take all that belongs to the Sovereign of Faith." [Askyros]
Adam's hearing was suddenly full of chanting, whereas his vision was full of a great stone wall even considering the distance he was at.
("Where is this?") [Adam]
"Catapults! Fire!" [???]
Adam was back to being unable to move. From thereon, it was Askyros' body.
"Scriptors! Create more boulders!" [???]
Askyros turned left, allowing Adam to witness a battalion of soldiers manning multiple catapults. He saw robed men, creating large boulders to be hoisted using what seemed to be magic.
"Counteroffensive incoming!" [???]
Askyros looked back at the massive wall, watching as blinding balls of fire fell on them.
"Askyros! Watch out!" [???]
A fireball flew directly at Askyros, but a figure stepped forward and slashed it in half.
"Are you alright?" [???]
The soldier turned and took off his helmet, revealing it to be Ryse.
"I could've handled it myself." [Askyros]
"I know. I just need to pull my own weight sometimes." [Ryse]
Placing the helmet back on, Ryse raised his sword.
"Catapults! Fire!" [Ryse]
"Catapults firing!" [???]
The soldiers repeated those words as a whipping sound unleashed. Within seconds, the sky was covered in large rocks hurling themselves at the wall. Three of the boulders were demolished by a projectile from the fort, but it still took hits.
"Fort Andraxes is crumbling! Scriptors! Create more boulders!" [Ryse]
As the robed men summoned more boulders, a bright light shone from the fort's walls.
"...What is that?" [Ryse]
With a resounding whistling sound, one of the catapults was struck down.
"What?!" [Ryse]
The sound echoed a few more times, causing more catapults to fall.
"...They have a competent warrior on their side." [Askyros]
Approaching the debris of a broken catapult, he found an arrow at the center.
"Hm." [Askyros]
"An arrow?" [Ryse]
As Ryse started to piece things together, Askyros reached for Ryse and caught an arrow aimed for his friend.
"Indeed." [Askyros]
Ryse stared at Askyros with a pale look on his face.
"...I almost died." [Ryse]
"Would not be the first." [Askyros]
As they spoke, the rest of their catapults shattered.
"Sir! All catapults are down! How should we proceed?!" [Panicked Soldier]
Ryse glanced around anxiously.
"I… We need to regroup! Send word for additional supplies!" [Ryse]
Askyros raised a hand.
"Ignore that order." [Askyros]
"Askyros?" [Ryse]
"Bring me all of our Scriptors." [Askyros]
"Understood!" [Panicked Soldier]
Heeding the order, all the robed men gathered.
"Create the biggest boulder you all can manage." [Askyros]
"Sir? We don't have any catapults to fire them." [Confused Scriptor]
"Do as he says." [Ryse]
The robed men glanced at each other until they started making a boulder. It was not until it was twice Askyros' height that they stopped.
"Is this enough?" [Confused Scriptor]
"Bigger." [Askyros]
The scriptors looked at Ryse for an answer.
"Do it." [Ryse]
They then made the boulder three times Askyros' size.
"Bigger." [Askyros]
Four times.
"Bigger." [Askyros]
Five times.
"Sir, we are approaching our limit." [Exhausted Scriptor]
"Then this will do." [Askyros]
He wasn't very satisfied, but seven times his size will have to suffice.
"Are any of you capable of enchanting it with defensive magic?" [Askyros]
The scriptors glanced at each other.
"No?" [Askyros]
Ryse stepped in.
"I'll do it. They're probably out of mana." [Ryse]
Placing his hands against the boulder, Ryse mumbled something.
"Letossa tie, viel delain. Shining Defense." [Ryse]
The boulder was suddenly emitting a low glow, and was somewhat warm to the touch.
"What are you going to do with the boulder?" [Ryse]
Askyros said no words. Instead, he just gave Ryse a specific look.
"Oh. You're just gonna do your own thing again." [Ryse]
Askyros nodded as he reached for the boulder. He then sank his fingers deep into it and raised it with one arm.
"Impossible…!" [Exhausted Scriptor]
As Askyros lifted the boulder, he tilted his head as an arrow flew past. It then struck the boulder, which caused it to bounce off due to the enchantment.
"Woah!" Ryse]
Unfazed, Askyros threw the boulder. Many projectiles were fired to stop it, but it was all in vain as it smashed a large hole through the wall.
"An opening!" [Ryse]
Wasting no time, Ryse raised a sword.
"All men! Formation! Today is the day we take back Fort Andraxes!" [Ryse]
With all men cheering, Ryse turned to Askyros.
"You always amaze me without fail." [Ryse]
Askyros smiled slightly.
"It is you who amazes me." [Askyros]