It never ceased to amaze me how quickly Leiso could organize her troops.
Currently, the eight of us were aboard one of the experimental airships that the military had been working on.
It was a large craft capable of moving at high speeds. A flying fortress.
It wasn't as large as The Revenant, but it was still a powerful ship.
Currently, we were surrounded by many smaller aircraft and fighter jets.
Leiso also took a sort of...last resort precaution...
She had contact with the military troops in Nexus and they were technically her subordinates.
They gave her the launch and detonation codes for the stored nuclear arms in Nexus. Leiso already had the launch codes for Arcadia.
Even if nuclear arms might not have been the most efficient solution, it would slow them down.
Currently, the forces in Nexus were focusing more on evacuating people and pulling all military personnel out of the area as per Leiso's orders.
The Arcadian forces had already been deployed to push back the monsters from the air and evacuate as many civilians and Nexian troops as possible.
The forces of Arcadia were also forming a defense against any of the enemy forces that might cross the water on top of aiding the Nexian soldiers in both combat and evacuation.
By the way, it should be known that the creatures that broke out of the laboratory beakers in Torantis disappeared shortly after we left. They hadn't been seen since...
The vast majority of Black Ooze activity had been in Nexus with exception to that one event.
At this point, we were entering into enemy-controlled territory.
Although I could see the infected ground and monsters walking below us, I tried not to worry.
We had a plan.
A team of soldiers along with Gavin, Michael, Leiso, and Carlos would pick the flowers in the crater. They would fill their material cases and load them back onto the ship. At the same time, Dante, Jallah, Isabella, and me would protect everyone.
From what I was aware, Carlos had also brought mobile lab equipment to make the elixir in a pinch if needed. We hoped he wouldn't have to.
It was decided that Leiso would focus more on ordering troops and keeping a watch on the area rather than collecting flowers.
Jallah was strong enough to take down the monsters using kinetic energy and I didn't need to explain why Dante would be fighting.
Additionally, Rune was here to help with the loading of cargo...also because she was dead set on helping in any way she could.
Eventually, Leiso walked into the room as we got closer to Central.
Now everyone was here.
"Alright, everyone. We're going deep into enemy territory. Our mission is simple: pick a few flowers and go home. That's it. Just one tiny problem... The area is crawling with those horrors," she said.
"So we kill them all then, right?" Michael said.
"Precisely. Michael, I need you to get serious for this mission. Do you understand, soldier?" Leiso said.
"Yes ma'am. Understood," he said.
"Once we land the ship, everyone needs to get out and get into formation. Gavin, Carlos, and Michael will get to work. The rest of you need to take up a position. Some of our brave men and women have also volunteered to offer suppressing fire from the air and the ground. Additionally, a detachment of Nexian troops is already on their way over. They'll be coming with us when we leave," Leiso explained.
Everyone was silent...but Leiso could tell by the looks on our faces that they understood.
Luckily, it was daytime on this side of the world. So we had a wonderful view of the hordes of monsters down on the ground...
A few of us were already beginning to feel the effects of sleep deprivation and regularly took short naps on the way to Central.
Whenever I slept, I had dreams of the things I saw in Avernia...
At one point, I woke up and chatted with Leiso.
"This stuff...destroyed your world, right?" Leiso said.
"Yeah..." I said.
"I can imagine the terrifying things you saw there now... How did the people react to it?"
"At first, no one knew how to act. No one imagined that it would destroy the world... They just went about their business as usual. But once it came for them, they lost all hope. Leiso, I want you to understand that there's a very real possibility that the shadow dragon could appear again," I said as I looked her in the eyes.
"You mentioned that thing...and the fact that it traumatized you. Although you never explained why."
I sat up straight and looked away as I recalled that horrible day.
"It mimicked the voices of my friends and family. And it kept smiling at me... Mocking me for my weakness. We couldn't put a single scratch on that monster and sometimes we still see it in our dreams."
I looked out the window and saw aerial forces firing at something in the distance.
It seems like we were already being attacked.
"Leiso..." I said.
"Yes...I'll take command," she said.
She stood up and left the room.
Eventually we passed the disturbance and continued deeper into enemy controlled territory.
And then we arrived at Central.
* * *
The airship stayed afloat as it hovered in place above the filled-in crater. Surrounding us, was ruins of Central. It seemed like it had already been attacked...
Several other aircraft were stationed throughout the area as they surveyed the surroundings.
Unfortunately...
On the way in, we saw a large detachment of troops being absolutely overwhelmed by the enemy in the city.
They were supposed to be our backup and we couldn't do anything at all to save them.
Central has already fallen... By the gods...
Once the airship was in place, it let down a cargo elevator and we were deployed.
We got into position and I heard Carlos shout with joy.
"YES! THIS IS IT! THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED!!!"
"THEN HURRY UP AND COLLECT IT SO WE CAN LEAVE!!!" Gavin yelled.
"Fine...everyone get to work. And be careful, they're somewhat delicate," Carlos said.
Everyone got to work picking flowers.
I couldn't deny the hilarity of the situation. The world was ending and here we were going on a field trip to pick flowers...utterly ridiculous...
Eventually...I saw the Ooze seep out of the ground and spread out.
It started forming into monsters... Rows and rows of monsters...
"EVERYONE GET READY FOR A FIGHT!!!" I shouted.
Immediately, all of our troops began firing.
The airship was large enough to transport several attack helicopters as well and they were included in the fire team.
Dante assumed his reaper form and Isabella began firing off blasts of holy magic.
I had fully recovered at this point and started firing a heavy machine gun I'd changed Vengeance into. I also let loose with several barrages of light spells.
When I turned and saw Jallah, I was surprised to find him doing quite well.
Nothing could touch him at all and even a light tap from his hands caused the creatures to violently explode.
This was masterfully mixed in with several barrages of lightning bolts from above and from his own hands.
Eventually, I saw flying variants shoot into the air. They spread their wings and let loose with a hail of spikes.
My eyes widened in horror as I remembered the carnage they caused the dwarves in Gekdekairn.
"NOT THIS TIME!!!" Isabella screamed as she put up a barrier and blocked then all.
When the spikes impacted, several beams of light shot back and destroyed the creatures... They seemed quite weak, actually.
"Good work, Isabella! Keep it up!" I shouted.
I checked on Dante and saw him slicing monsters in half with not only his own weapon, but several floating scythes made of shadows.
At the same time, he was freezing the enemies in place and skewering them with bones and shadow spikes.
The Reaper was a truly destructive Aspect...
Suddenly, the ground began to shake as several large figures began rising from the ground.
"TITAN VARIANTS! WE'LL HANDLE THEM!!!" I shouted. I shifted my aim towards the titans and unleashed a hail of gunfire while Isabella rained down holy light upon them.
"SHATTER!!" Isabella shouted.
Several titan variants exploded as the sound of her voice impacted them.
The voice of the Centurion allowed her to literally command the battlefield. It was a power she rarely used, due to it being highly destructive and hard to aim with allies on the field
"SUNLIGHT BLADE!" She shouted and slashed her sword multiple times.
"FUSILLADE!!! BLAST BARRAGE!!!" I shouted.
I used The Archmage to combine the skills together.
My bullets split in mid air and obliterated the titan variants.
As the chaos continued, more and more horrors appeared from the ground all around us.
Fortunately, they didn't spawn in the crater. Our allies were safe as long as we continued fighting.
"RALLY!!!" Isabella shouted.
I felt a pulse of power from her and felt the urge to attack more ferociously.
I darted into the crowd and changed my machine gun into bladed shotguns. While firing rapidly in every direction, I cast spells to rain death from above.
Then I heard Isabella shout.
"Mizik! Back away from there!"
I did just as she said and she inhaled.
"DISPERSE!!!" She roared.
The particles in the air at the location I had been standing violently exploded and obliterated all of the remaining monsters.
"SHATTER!!!" Isabella roared.
Several of the titan variants exploded at the sound of her voice once again.
At that moment, I could see Dante rise into the air and unleash a hail of icicles from above.
Then he yelled at Carlos.
"CARLOS! THESE THINGS ARE GETTING TOO HARD TO DEAL WITH! HURRY IT UP!!!"
"This is a delicate operation! Besides, I'm also working on the finished product as well! Should only be a few minutes!!!" Carlos said.
This guy is already working on the item we need...?
As the fighting continued on, we were slowly pushed back by the sheer numbers of the monsters. Eventually, we reached the edge of the crater and continued fighting on the hallowed soil.
The horrors stopped as soon as they reached the holy ground and stepped back.
"What...?" Dante said
After they had moved away, they got to their knees.
At least what would be considered knees for some of these abominations...
Moments later, several shadowy eyes appeared close to the ground and three figures stepped out.
I felt the presence of Valtheim, but I didn't see her...
At this point, I began to assume she was somehow capable of transporting people.
Generals Tyras, Axiom, and Kyriel stood there silently and we made sure to gather near them.
As soon as Kyriel saw me, she almost jumped in excitement. She began waving fervently at me.
"Ugh...is that one Kyriel?" Isabella said.
It was hard to tell the males apart, but I believe Tyras was slightly taller than Axiom.
As for Kyriel, she had a very...well endowed feminine figure.
"Yes, this is Kyriel. And it looks like her primary target is here," Tyras said as he turned towards Isabella.
"What...? Primary target!?" Isabella said.
"You might not be aware...but General Kyriel was specifically designed to deal with you, you wretched woman!" Tyras said.
After he spoke, Kyriel slowly stepped towards Isabella with her dagger out and bowed her head apologetically.
"I thought this one was supposed to be friendly..." Jallah said.
"She is by far the most lethal of all of us, actually. In fact, she is technically our superior... Master wanted her to deal with Isabella," Tyras said.
"Yeah...self proclaimed superior..." Axiom said angrily.
Kyriel pointed her dagger at Axiom and he flinched.
"Master lets the strong lead. Kyriel earned the right when she subdued us both at the same time, Axiom. How many times must we discuss it? It was humiliating..."
"Ugh..." Axiom grunted.
"Who are you people? How do you know who I am!?" Isabella said angrily.
"Master took a piece of your soul, didn't he? We know enough... He was at Geldekairn. He saw what you could do and labeled you as a problem," Tyras said.
"Master also wondered if you somehow became an Enforcer as well. Seems he was right," Axiom said.
Kyriel stepped menacingly towards Isabella.
At that moment, I got in front of her.
I'm going to use her feelings to my advantage.
"Hey Kyriel, if you don't hurt Isabella, I'll give you a hug. Sound good?" I said.
She stopped and seemed to be overjoyed at my words.
She reached out to me and sheathed her dagger. Then she spread her arms out. She was shaking with anticipation.
Then Kyriel looked back at Axiom and Tyras.
"GET A DAMN GRIP, KYRIEL! HE'S THE ENEMY!" Axiom said.
"Kyriel, it would be a really big hug. As long as you want. We're friends, right?" I said with a smile.
I'll try to charm her. Maybe that'll work?
She froze in place and looked back at me. Then pointed to herself.
"Yeah. You were so nice to me before. Wanna be friends?" I said.
She nodded fervently.
"You don't want to be my enemy do you? If you attack Isabella, I have no choice but to consider you an enemy."
She shook her head really hard and stepped forward.
"STOP LISTENING TO HIM!!! HE'S USING YOUR FEELINGS TO HIS ADVANTAGE!!!" Axiom screamed.
Kyriel turned and waved her dagger at Axiom.
"Kyriel...if you touch him, the deal Master made with you is off. Do you want that?" Tyras said.
She relaxed her shoulders and seemed to slump. Then turned back to me again.
Kyriel bowed her head at me and pointed her dagger at Isabella.
"No hug for you then...too bad. I guess we can't be friends..." I said.
Kyriel seemed greatly distressed by my words and looked back at the other Generals again.
"REMEMBER YOUR AGREEMENT! FOCUS!!!" Tyras yelled.
Kyriel shook her head and turned towards Isabella. She seemed ready to fight now.
Although...she still seemed to be hesitating.
"Behold General Kyriel, wielder of the reforged dagger of Deception. Formerly Intelligence. Enjoy!" Axiom said.
Deception? What can I expect from this then? Illusions?
[Intelligence is a dagger, but is primarily used to cast magic. I would expect all forms of magic, but illusions are also possible. Even solid clones can be created with it. It's tricky to fight. It's forms are: Intelligence form two: Multiply and Intelligence form three: Magnify. It is a powerful weapon used to control the field of battle...as well as being my personal advisor and assassin. Bravery will, no doubt, struggle with it. On top of this, I sense something sinister from that blade...something specifically designed to destroy Bravery!]
Thank you, Vengeance. I'll keep that in mind.
"Isabella, stay close to me. We can fight Kyriel together."
She nodded and stepped up beside me.
I pointed my shotguns at Kyriel and glared at her.
Kyriel seemed to panic as I prepared to attack and Tyras stepped towards me.
"That is against the rules, boy. Kyriel has been given instructions not to make any contact with you on the field of battle. I will be your opponent!" He said angrily.
"Ha...like hell," I said with a laugh.
Then both Dante and Jallah stepped forward.
"And you think we're here just for decoration? We're Enforcers. Also, this is our world you're standing on! Don't you know we have a policy against otherworlders?" Jallah said.
"I'll have Valtheim devour you whole. All of you damn Enforcers are a nuisance! Your attacks are like the bite of a flea compared to the might of our Master! And even that is a generous comparison..." Tyras said.
Axiom changed his shortsword into a scepter and began channeling his decaying magic.
"Dante, take Axiom down. Jallah, deal with Tyras. We'll handle Kyriel," I said.
They both nodded.
"You will soon know the futility of your worthless tactics," Tyras said.
And with that...it was on.