"What a set of ambiance. The annoying sound of crickets, the audible flow of water falling from above, and the howling of wolves from afar. This really is the perfect spot to see the mountain going off in a blazing fire."
About five meters away from the falls lies a carriage with a man sitting on his seat, his hat covering his face, and his snore could be faintly heard.
"I have everything ready. The table and our seats, even our ride for our departure are ready."
Invictus' money was close to zero. His pouch was at its limit, but he is sure that Rahel would give him some money when they part ways. He will refuse to take the money she'll gives, but Rahel will definitely insist on
Invictus takes what she will give him. So, he just brushed off the thought of rejecting the money and will give in.
"All we have to do is patiently wait for the rain to come, and the plan shall unfold."
They all sat down, sitting under the faint light coming from the crescent moon shyly hiding behind dark clouds, and breezy air blew past them, leaving a cold feeling behind.
Pop was the sound the bottle of rice wine made when the cork flew all the way to the center of the falls where all the water was strongly falling down. Three wine glasses were filled with liquor, about half full.
"Cheers!"
All three of them chugged down the wine and poured themselves another shot. More thunderous lightning strikes reverberated like someone from the save, behind that sea of dark clouds, were fighting to cause numerous splitting bolts of lightning.
"If we are out here in the plain, won't we be showering in the rain once it started?"
Aeriel and Rahel were worried they would get drenched in the upcoming heavy rain, but Invictus reassured them not to worry.
"That man in the carriage will protect us from the rain. He's somewhat a magician of himself."
Droplets of rain suddenly began to pour, hitting the dry leaves, which notified them that the rainfall was about to begin and the fireworks display was about to commence.
From small fragments of water changed to a relatively good amount of raindrops. And not too long after that, the heavy rain began to splash, accompanied by a slightly strong wind coming from the southeast.
"Heh... So, our wagoner is affiliated with water magic."
As more raindrops hit the liquid barrier the driver made to prevent the three from getting wet, the more it thickens and expands. However, it does not reduce the quality of what they can see outside the barrier. It was clear as a transparent glass to them, but from the outside, it says otherwise.
"Hiring him drained me of my money. Anyway, the fireworks display shall start any second."
Their eyes were fixated on where they were expecting the first explosion to start. All three of them took guesses, predicting it would be from the south, the west, or the east part of the mountain.
A few minutes had passed since the rain began, but nothing has happened so far. It was pouring crazily, so the water should already reach the base of the holes he made.
"Did it fail? It's been six minutes already."
"Lord Invictus..."
Frustration went over his face, thinking that his plan had failed, and they would leave without achieving anything. And the people of Virval Highlands will remain there for how much longer they want.
When silence loomed around them, simultaneous boom sounds occurred all at once everywhere in the forest.
As the water barrier, absorbing the raindrops, grew larger and wider, so were the explosions and fire spread among the trees. There was an
uproar in the town guards rushing inside the mountain with water magic users.
"Quick! Get the injured to safety!"
The guards and those that could help lend their strength. More and more people get caught up in the fire and explosions.
"In the count of three, we carry her."
"1, 2, 3— ahh!"
Another explosion near the injured people caught them up. Once the ground blew up, a wave of quick-spreading flame crawled from the tiny holes Invictus dug.
Being drenched in the rain was not enough to save them from the burning hotness of the blazing fire. Even the heavy rain pouring down on them was unable to extinguish the fire.
"Why are the mages taking long to extinguish the sea of flames?! Our resources are burning to ashes!"
Kids, adults, men and women, everyone in the town was in disarray,
completely trapped in the mountain top while the sea of flames gradually engulfed the whole forest. Their screams, cries for help as hope could not be seen from their perspective, became a haunting terror to those escaping to the bottom of the mountain.
"Why is this happening to us?!" A guard frustratedly cried, down on both his knees while clutching his head.
"We have no time to be moping around in pain! The injured need every help we can give!"
People escaping in carriages were forced to take a path of their own because unfortunately, Invictus planted two on both the roads leading up and the other. He does not intend on letting everyone in the provincial town live.
"The mages are on the job! They are working on extinguishing the fire!"
"Ah, please bear with me, lady!"
First and second-degree burns were the usual injuries of people, who were still alive and managed to escape death. Everyone gathered at the food, on their way to cross the bridge.
"Fuck! The nearest village is 300 meters away from here! How are we supposed to bring every injured person there?!"
"How come there's no single healer here?!"
Everyone was racking their brains, thinking of a solution to save the people dying in their arms.
"I--I saw them in the mountaintop." One survivor butted in, having a hard time. "They were drinking and celebrating. It--It has been half an hour ago when I last... saw them."
Frustration went over their heads, kicking the ground in rage, gritting their pearl white teeth as they watched every age suffer from the horrendous pain caused by the burns all over their bodies.
Dead bodies piled up, and the explosions seemed to be coming to an end, but the efforts of the mages in putting out the fire seems to be futile. Everybody was frustrated and disappointed in themselves because what they were doing was all for naught.
~