Chapter 17
Arc Angel Zern of Clan Fair Rune Caruth Stares through the platform overlooking the accursed world of Antuar. His long Light brown hair dangled free, falling around his neck down his chest as he bows his head at the dire news. Firming his resolve he stares through the shimmering projection on the wall into the eyes of A bishop.
Bishop Dulan said," I too am saddened at our loss, As you know Having a child is a very time-sensitive procedure. Zern felt his rage bubble through, He snarled," I don't care about that, I mourn for my friend, She is undoubtedly devastated at the loss of her daughter." Arch Angel Zern pushed down his anger, and vow to get the bishop back for this insult on his friend.
Bishop Dulan ordered," Open the Essence projectors to the other Garrisons!" Following the command, Arc Angel Zern channelled his spirit into the three scrolls engraved into the glass. The scrolls shimmered and a beam of essence shot from the scrolls creating three walls of spirit in the air. In each stood a very distinctive figure, each one a warrior and one of their clans strongest holding the title Arch Angel.
Arc Angel Zern nodded his head in respect to each, after decades he knew each well, their expressions ranged from furious to downright hostile. he sighed, turning to the leftmost figure, her fiery temper was legendary reflecting her red hair a distinctive mark of Clan Fair Rune Fury, he grimaced waiting for the tirade of the tall woman. He didn't half to wait long before, the woman glared at Dulan a retort on her lips.
Zern grinned unable to stop himself he said, "Do you have something to say, Alexia?" The woman turned to Dulan and yelled," Light take me, are you a mortal? how could you banish not one but four of our young, don't you realize how rare it is for someone so young to ascend? Dulan's face turned a bright shade of green, he stammered," how! how dare you infer I am a mere mortal."
Zern held in his laughter, really a mortal he thought? Alexia really must be angry to call an esteemed bishop such a slanderous curse. Alexia said," we haven't gained a new warrior in almost a decade, and you just throw her away giving her and her friends to the demons!" The platform fell silent as they all stare at the shifting form of the bishop.
Bishop Dulan said," are you questioning my decision soldier?" Alexia said," I have met mortals with more sense than you!" Zern sighed, how could the bishop be soo high strung, of course, she was questioning his decision. The figure in the middle projection calmly said," Alexia please sit down, no need to waste your words on this politician..." Lithuania Of Clan Fair Rune Parth frowns at the bishop Her short pink hair stood out against her polished steel breastplate.
Bishop Dulan's embarrassment was obvious, Lithuania said," Please overlook Alexia's words, She is flustered as our dear friend Bethanie just lost her only daughter today." Dulan sneered, he said," very well I will overlook it for now, as long as she keeps her mouth shut like a good dog." Alexias' face turned a bright shade of green as she ground her teeth, Zern could tell she was on the edge of snapping.
Zern felt his own anger towards the bishop, the arc angels were far superior in physical strength and spirit but the bishop's higher status made him above them in the ranking. He knew that causing offence to the bishop could cause massive problems for Alexia and her Clan. Zern cleared his throat he said," let us get on with it no need to delay the process."
Zern turns the last Arc angel whose head was bowed, white hair shrouding her head. He asked," have you anything to add Timeril?" The woman's corded muscle flexed as she lifted her head showing stern grey eyes, Timeril shook her head, She said," There is nothing I can say, my clan has spoken, I defer to Bishop Dulan's judgement."
Zern said," very well I will heed your orders." pushing back the pain he reaches down and channelled spirit into the relay scroll sending his words to the soldiers hovering on platforms over Antuar. Zern Order " all troops retreat, return to your garrisons, I repeat all troops return to your garrisons the barrier is activating in five minutes!"
He felt his heart skip a beat, how could he let this happen, he could only wonder what Bethanie would think of him? It was his orders allowing the barrier to come up. He stare at the four beacons on his platform, each beacon was attached to the platforms he had sent out in case they needed to rescue lysaria. All four beacons are shown brightly as they returned to the Garrison landing inside the protection of the barrier.
His hand hover over the activation scroll, Zern look up into each of the eyes of his fellow arc angels, Dulan could see their hesitation, He said," I order you to activate the barrier, we don't have time for your indecision!" Zern whispered," I'm sorry Bethanie" as he slams his hand down channelling spirit activating the barrier.
Each of the others brought their hands down activating their own scrolls releasing the amassed spirit stored by the hovering fortresses. Underneath him, a bright shimmer roll across the sky as a wave of spirit spreads from his fortress to the other three, Each fortress serving as a link to create the massive barrier.
The unrolling barrier did not make a sound, the vast emptiness of space absorbing whatever sound it might have made, He stood there as the planet became tinged in a green hue as though someone covered it in a green lense. Zern knew better, the barrier wouldn't let anyone or thing in or out without taking massive damage, it was the pride of the angels a marvel of the enchanters and the pride Of Zern's own clan.
He felt pride well up in his chest, His clan was responsible for maintaining and creating the ancient barrier, he liked to try and unravel the mystery that held together this masterwork of spirit. Although Zern was an arc Angel he wasn't at the level of skill who created this Barrier, the head of his clan was a legend amongst his clan and considered the most skilled at manipulating the power of the spirit.
Zern focused back on his task, he turns to the bishop, And said," if you will excuse us we must prepare for the rift to open." Zerns coldly stare down the bishop, though the man's higher status made him outrank the Arc angel that didn't mean the weak politician was stronger.
The projection of the bishop disappeared, Alexia Said," I hope he trips and falls when he is walking down the elaborate stairs of the council house." Zern sternly replied," Alexia, do not slander the bishop, you know what kind of things he can do, don't you remember what happened the last time?"
The last time one of them had pissed off a bishop, their supplies of armour elixirs and vessels had started to dry up. The bishops decided where the supplies were delivered and how much to each of the Garrisons, maintaining a strong defence required resources to maintain.
Alexia sighed, She bowed towards the white-haired Timeril and said," Please apologize to the bishop on my behalf, I wouldn't like one of my soldiers to die because of my offensive words." Timeril nodded her head, She said," I will apologize on your behalf, do try not to offend one of our superiors in the future."
Zern smiled, Although Alexia was brash and hot-headed she was also a great general and thought of her soldiers first, even if it meant grovelling to someone she disliked immensely. Zern's thoughts trailed off, A small black dot grew rapidly as it left the ground shot towards the barrier rippling darkness swirling around it.
The impact of the beam of pure dark sent cracks through the barrier, Holding his Breath Zern stares in horror and Fascination at the long thick pillar of darkness as it bombarded the barrier. For some reason 5 cycles ago something changed, whenever the rifts opened now they would shoot these pillars of darkness into the sky. Several more cracks formed, He began to pale as more and more beames of darkness shot from the ground, all of the beams spread from different parts of the three continents.
In all his time watching over the barrier he had never seen it crack like this, dozens of beams shot from the surface sending spider cracks that spanned miles. After an extremely long minute, the beams stopped, cutting off. Zern was unsure what those beams were, but they had only started appearing 5 cycles ago and happened much too often for his own comfort. Sighing with relief he watches the cracks mend as the Spirit stored in the Resivour fixed the cracks.
He watches the other general's expressions as a light flared on his platform, From one of the projections he heard," General one mid-ranking demon spotted." From the middle, he heard," General 3 lesser demons spotted slipping through the cracks." On the right projection, he heard a panicked voice"
General! General! 2 mid-ranking demons they have slipped through the cracks and are charging straight for us."Zern cut off his essence to the projections connecting to the other Generals, He had confidence in their command. He channelled spirit into the command scroll as it flared bright yellow, A firm voice strong and confident said," General we have spotted 3 minor demons and a Mid Ranking demon slipping through the breach in the barrier, they slipped through and are trying to sneak by unnoticed, Zern ordered!" Squad 1 and 2 engage, Squads 3 and 4 remain on the lookout don't let any slip past."
All four of the floating platforms in the courtyard lit up and shot through the fortress's barrier in a flash disappearing into the darkness leaving a rush of air to wash over him. Arc angel Zern was concerned, the demons had never broken through so quickly, the demons were getting bolder each cycle, at this rate, it was only a matter of time before some slipped past to attack the mortal realms.