People hurriedly went around Zero as if he was just another object placed in the middle of the road. He walked up towards one of the bishops that was outside healing wounded patients. It was Bishop Sanya, who was casting a major group healing spell. A greenish-white magic circle appeared underneath the people as a soft luminous glow of magical green light surrounded them.
Zero could feel the effects of the spell. It felt warm. The warmth reached all the way to his core.
"Bishop Sanya!" Zero called out in a hurry. He stopped behind her. Bishop Sanya turned around, completing her spell in the process.
"You are?"
"It's me, Zero."
"Zero? Zero, is that you?" She gawked at his appearance. "I barely recognize you. What happened to you? Did you get cursed into a monster?"
"No. No. I'm not a monster. I'm a halfling," he quickly answered. "There's no time to explain. Bishop, I was wondering if the Legend of the Guardian is true? Are there special beings that come out to protect the people when there is a crisis?"
"What are you talking about? Special beings?"
Zero's heart dropped. "So you don't have anything that can protect us from the oncoming land sharks?"
"Child, there are no special beings. Rest assured, we are the light that protects this world."
"Huh? What are you saying? Is it possible that there is anything you could do to help us? The city is in trouble."
Bishop Sanya nodded, already understanding the predicament that the city was in. "I know, child. I have seen the future of this city; all things do happen for a reason."
"Then will you not do anything to help?"
"Do not be afraid. Have you not learned already what people can do when many become one?"
"Yes, but that is difficult to accomplish. What good would it do at this moment?"
Bishop Sanya gave him a warm smile that put him at ease. He wasn't sure what she was going to do next.
Breathing in softly, she tapped her staff onto the ground. A soft bell tone cut through the noisy church garden. Such a pure sound caught the attention of the surrounding people. They turned their heads to listen.
With each step she took, more and more people stood up to follow behind her. The disciples even began to softly hum to her beat.
The church door opened, and Bishop Etran stepped out. When she passed the front door, Bishop Etran smoothly walked next to her. Following behind him were even more priests and priestesses humming to the beat of the tapping and bell-like sound.
"What are they doing?" Agnis whispered.
"I don't know, but if I'm correct, we'll get to see something cool."
"Like?"
"You'll see."
Zero and Agnis followed behind them. It became a long parade of priests, priestesses, and disciples. Even the wounded soldiers were now fully healed and following after. People in the buildings stepped out, curious at what was going on.
"Are those the disciples of Tyr?" Players curiously peered over.
"Look, it's the Church of Odin. Their head priest just stepped out with groups of the disciples following behind him."
"What's going on? Why are all the different bishops from different gods coming out with their disciples?"
Stream after stream of different religious groups poured forth out of their temples and followed alongside Bishops Etran and Sanya. They were a total of seven that walked side by side, their voices joining perfectly in sync with the humming sound. The melody was composed of different octaves forming a whisper in the wind. Multi-colored clothes that represented different sects could be seen. Their followers trailed behind, wondering what was going to happen next.
They walked together towards the middle of the city where a beautiful castle stood surrounded by a lake. Its crystal clear water sparkled under the morning sun, making it appear orange-red. The large crowd continued on and made their way towards the town square and the large fountain in the middle of it. Their joyful voices became louder and their hums stronger as a soft white light danced around them. It seemed as if the world acknowledged their voices and gave them strength.
The land sharks finally appeared before the city walls. The soldiers and players alike fired volleys of arrows down upon the giant monster and the undead land sharks. The arrows went right through the land sharks as if they were not there. On the other hand the giant monster looked like a porcupine, but all the arrows burst into flames and turned to ashes. Nothing stopped their onslaught, and it became very difficult to hold them back.
The land sharks were all dead skin and bones. Their acrid, decaying smell reached the people's noses, causing nausea. Holding one's breath only made fighting more difficult.
All the representative bishops from different gods stood in a circle around the water fountain. Their voices carried power as their humming intensified. Wind blew around the bishops, carrying their voices across the plains. NPCs and players turned their heads towards the sound. They lowered their weapons, wondering where the hum was coming from.
Two distinct voices, male and female, led the group's singing. Their voices did not waver. Instead their song poured forth from their hearts, ringing with the people. It was something that even Zero could not help but interact with. He hummed with everyone even though he did not know the words.
It was an ancient hymn that resonated with his soul. Here and there he thought he heard words that he even understood. Each phrase shook his soul, bringing out the best of his voice. He was surprised that his voice could make such tones. He didn't expect his Origin form had such vocal capabilities. A flood of messages appeared on his screen.
From the ancient hymns, the dazzle effect has been initiated. All stats will increase by +1 every thirty minutes for duration of four hours.
From the ancient hymns, all traces of fear have been canceled. The people's hearts have been gathered into one.
Soft illuminating light covers each individual, protecting them from the first five attacks.
From singing with all your heart, the curse on your Origin form has decreased for this single instance. You are now able to stay in your Origin form for an extra thirty minutes.
The undead land sharks screamed in agony and halted in their tracks. Each pounded its head into the ground, trying to stop the voices. Confusion was sent forth through the land sharks as they bustled and slammed amongst themselves. To them the voices of the people were like the sound of nails running down a chalk board. Even the giant monster stumbled around, trying to get its bearings.
A soft white transparent light burst forth from each Bishop. They glowed magically, each of their voices bringing in sound magic that expanded around them with each person singing and humming to the tune.
Bright morning sunlight heralded a warm cascading light that brought forth warmth and light magic. Both sound and light worked harmoniously with one another. Each voice brought the circle of sound and light magic together, making it stronger and stronger. The barrier expanded into a large bubble that crept outwards towards the city wall, protecting everyone inside.
The undead land sharks and the giant monster were pushed back into the field. The sound of breaking bones could be heard as they were pushed back. Some head-butted into the barrier and shattered into pieces. Even though they broke apart, a black shadow inhabiting the body moved into the dead manslaughters, fallen players, and NPCs littering the ground. It was a near-endless supply of dead bodies.
A temporary shield has been set around the city of Terra. The shield will remain in effect until the voices of the main seven bishops that are leading the group have been silenced.
How long will their voices be able to hold up? thought Zero. Already his was becoming hoarse and he had to stop. He was not used to humming or singing for long periods of time.
He saw a bright flash, and the Book of Historia appeared before him. A swirl of powerful winds burst forth from the book and went outwards. The powerful blast pushed people back, and even he had to brace himself. The wind exploded outwards towards the monster that was rampaging outside the city walls.
Right after the light appeared, his rare and unused O.M. that Ren had given him activated on its own. The small O.M. shimmered and shined in front of him and faded away. The pages of Historia moved erratically backwards like a rewinding a tape and stopped.
O.M. Rank A Special Ability has been activated. All events since the beginning of the Special Hidden Quest: Alpha have been recorded. The capacity of the recording has been extended to last the duration of the quest. All recordings will be done automatically.
The wind swirled around the giant monster, temporarily caging its movement. The monster struggled and roared, spewing out molten lava onto the ground. It sizzled and hissed as the trees and vegetation caught on fire. A forest fire began, killing all plant life in the vicinity. The roaring flames ravaged and raved, not quelling its fiery flames.
Like falling stars, a white comet of energy hit the giant monster. A burst of blinding light spread forth, blinding every single person in sight.
A single name pierced through Zero's thoughts. Lilith.