A few days later, Nexus was under the complete control of the Black Ooze.
Leiso commanded her forces to fight back against anything that tried to pass over the water.
Carlos had finished making the strange liquid for each of us in the meantime.
Dante was a special case because he was a skeleton, but everyone else had to drink it.
Even me and Isabella...
It tasted like salted tea...but we got stronger from it.
It widened the thread that allowed us to pull power from the unknown skill.
And for the other Enforcers, it added a much-needed kick to their powers. Now they could mount a real defense against the Ooze.
We spent the last few days making announcements on the news and Isabella attended several meetings with the country's other leaders.
Since Iris wasn't here, the decisions were ultimately left to Isabella.
The people were to begin retreating into underground bunkers used during the War of Unity if...and when the Ooze made landfall.
There was mass panic beginning to set in, but the police, the military, the country's leaders, and even the Enforcers worked diligently to calm everyone to the best of their ability.
Eventually, the people began to calm down as the full realization hit them.
The military had also enacted martial law. People were instructed to stay home and food was being provided by the soldiers. Essential workers were allowed to go to work, but a curfew remained in effect to ensure everyone's safety during the crisis.
Right now, we were all standing in a cemetery next to an empty casket.
It was a private funeral for Dante.
No cameras were allowed under threat of death, and only a few friends aside from the Enforcers were allowed to attend.
Leiso organized a few soldiers who had worked closely with him in the past and they currently stood at attention.
They all held rifles in their hands.
Leiso stepped up to a podium with a solemn look on her face.
"I will keep this brief and simple... I knew Dante ever since I was a young woman. I fought beside him against Nexian forces long before guns were invented. I looked up to him...I respected him... He even saved my life at one point from an Overlord during a battle before I was turned. I always knew him to be brave and unflinching towards danger. He was a kind man. Like a gentle, yet stern father to all of us..." Leiso said.
Over two hours, the other Enforcers would get up and recount tales of Dante's incredible bravery and heroism on the field of battle. They spoke of his gentle and relaxed nature along with his outstanding leadership skills.
Eventually, the Enforcers stood up in formation with Leiso standing at the back on a pedestal.
Each of the Enforcers approached her one by one and bowed down.
Us included. We had to practice this ceremony a few times before we came here...
"For his honor and courage, as well as his strength..." Leiso began.
"We thank Lady Iris for her generosity," the rest of us said.
"And at his loss...his departure for heaven..."
"We weep bitterly at his demise."
"As Seat 2, Leiso Akali, I hereby lay claim to the leadership role."
"And lead us, you shall. To glory, and protection of our most precious Ignitus."
"Enforcers...follow me into battle. Never lose hope and always keep fighting for the freedom and safety of the Ignitian people."
"With honor and dignity, we follow Leiso Akali as Enforcer seat 1."
"I'll make him proud...I swear it," Leiso said.
She swiftly turned towards the men holding the rifles and we stood up.
Leiso saluted them.
"PRESENT ARMS!" Leiso ordered
Like clockwork, the men and women held their rifles at the ready.
"Ready...aim...FIRE!" Leiso continued.
Each of the twenty-one soldiers fired their weapons into the distant sky...in the direction of Nexus seven times in a row.
The idea was that the bullets might fly off and kill whoever took him away from us. But that seemed unlikely.
After it finished, the Ignitian flag, which had been modified in recent years to reflect the unity between Nexus and Arcadia, was placed onto the empty casket. Finally, it was slowly lowered into the ground.
Right next to the now-vacant position where Jallah's empty grave had been.
On the immaculate marble headstone, was his introduction...as well as something extra.
'Here lies former Seat 1 Enforcer, Dante Cooper. Enforcer Leader. Aspects: E. Ice, U. The Reaper. Designation: The Frost Reaper. May you find rest in the loving embrace of our Lady Iris.'
I had seen a lot of death in my life thus far... Dealt with a lot of family and friends dying on me... So naturally, I thought I would be able to keep it together...
I was wrong.
When I saw the gravestone and read the inscription, I had to cover my eyes because the tears wouldn't stop flowing out...
Dante...yet another person I must avenge... I swear I'll kill the Source... If it's the last thing I do, I'll kill him...
* * *
The next day, we sat in the meeting room in silence.
The Black Ooze had not made any further expansions, but we were worried about when this would finally happen.
Additionally...the reason we were called here today was something very unsettling.
Pictures flashed on screen at the front of the room of what our ships and spy planes had seen in Port Leiso.
As we saw one picture in particular, both Isabella and I cringed in terror.
There sat a gigantic, smiling black dragon...
Why...why are you here!?
"What in the name of the Creator is that thing? Why do its teeth look like that? And why is it...smiling?" Michael said
"Based on the reaction of these two, as well as their description of the experience...this is the supposed 'Shadow Dragon', yes?" Leiso said as she looked at me.
I nodded.
"Yeah. That's her. By far the most terrifying monster I've ever encountered...and the very thing that made us lose all hope to save Avernia..." I said.
"Rest assured, we will fight when it comes. Although, I am dreading it..." Isabella said sadly.
"We'll support you in any way we can, you two. Just hang in there for us, okay?" Jallah said.
Rune was actually attending this meeting too. In light of the current crisis, as well as what happened to Dante, she decided that if we were all going to die, she wanted to die with Jallah.
No one tried to stop her and she was even given one of Carlos' elixirs...
It was more of a formality, than anything else. None of us really expected her to kill any of those monsters.
Just as we were talking, a bright light flashed in the room and Johann stood there alone.
"Johann! Where the hell have you been!?" Leiso said angrily.
"Sorry...there were complications in the divine realm..." He said.
"Complications...? Where is Iris?" Leiso asked.
"The divine council in Excelsis has come to a decision... They have officially declared Ignitus to be a lost world. And Iris has been prohibited from returning. She is currently imprisoned to ensure that she follows this order. She also knows about Dante..." He said.
We all averted our eyes from Johann as he spoke.
"She was able to speak with his soul and she hasn't allowed him to pass on yet... He's still keeping her company for the time being. Iris is also...less than happy about her current situation..." Johann continued.
Honestly, I wasn't even surprised at that place anymore. Hearing that we'd been abandoned did nothing to make me angry or sad at this point.
I was more concerned with Iris.
At the same time, it brought me a small amount peace to know that Dante's soul made it to Iris safely.
I was concerned that the monster, Valtheim, was capable of devouring souls...but it was always possible that she wasn't the one who actually managed to kill him.
Any of the three Generals may still have accomplished it, in all honesty...
"Johann, I have a question," I said.
"What is it?"
"You're a dragon, right?"
"Yes. My kind are a type of dragon capable of maintaining two forms. I prefer my human form because it's convenient...and that my dragon form wouldn't fit inside this building," Johann said.
"Well then, what do you make of this? This thing calls herself the shadow dragon," I said as I pointed at the screen with a picture of my worst trauma on it.
Johann looked at the screen and twisted his face in disgust.
"That thing is not a dragon. Actually, I find it kind of insulting that it would claim such a thing," Johann said.
"She used to be a water dragon of great wisdom and power in Avernia. She willingly allowed herself to be infected in a lust for power," I said.
"She's not very wise if she willingly took that path. She took the easy way out and that makes her a coward," he said angrily.
"Can we count on your support to kill that thing?" I asked.
"You can count on me to at least fight that diseased monster. Although, I came here for another reason as well. Iris wanted me to ensure you had a route of escape from Ignitus if we lose," Johann said.
"We will not abandon Ignitus. Never!" Leiso said defiantly.
"Easy...I don't intend for anyone to abandon Ignitus. Iris would die for this world if given the chance. But she wanted to make sure her precious Enforcers were taken care of. You all mean a lot to her, really."
"He means that we don't have to go down with the ship. I would prefer to live and fight another day if we could someday avenge our world..." Jallah said.
"But where will we go? Excelsis won't take all of us, will it!?" Michael said.
"Iris has a small apartment up there. It would be cramped, but livable," Johann said.
"Not even going to ask...apartments in Excelsis...right..." Michael muttered.
"Mizik, the objective is to kill this Source guy, right? Killing him will disperse the Ooze?" Johann asked.
"I believe so. The problem is that from our current knowledge, he's ridiculously powerful. Likely stronger than most gods. Valtheim is also a problem. Something dangerous like her is likely to be impossible to kill right now."
"She can't be invincible. She has to have some weakness..." Jallah said.
"She pauses in place when absorbing attacks. That might be something," Johann said.
"That might not be very useful. I mean, how many of us like to run around and exercise while eating at the same time?" Michael said.
"Good point. Damn...this is a tough one..." Johann said.
"Does the Oracle know about Valtheim?" I asked.
"We told her, but she said no such being is recorded to exist anywhere. She also mentioned not seeing anything when scrying or looking at the Source and his allies. She got angry at the mere mention of Valtheim's name, actually," Johann said.
"So as far as they know, Valtheim doesn't exist!? By the Creator...what the hell even is that thing!?" Jallah said.
We all sat in silence as we thought about ways to approach this monster...
No one said it but...
If Valtheim was working for the Source...
Did that mean she wasn't as powerful as he was...?
I felt nothing but pure terror as I considered the thought.
"Leiso...do we have a plan of action?" Gavin asked.
"Not currently, no. We're on the defensive, at the moment. We can't enter enemy territory right now because its far too dangerous. Although, if you consider waiting for the Source to show up so that we can assassinate him a plan, then sure."
Just then, a shadowy eye appeared in the room and Valtheim stepped out of it.
Everyone stared in horror as she simply stood by.
"Wh...what...? How the hell!?" Leiso said.
Everyone immediately got up and readied themselves for battle. Johann pulled his segmented staff off of his back and it became a pole again.
"I have...a message..." Valtheim said
"You bitch! Like we want to listen to anything you have to say!!!" Gavin shouted angrily.
"Irrelevant..." Valtheim said.
"What the hell...are you?" Johann said as he slowly backed away.
Valtheim ignored Johann and spoke again.
"Master says...that we attack tomorrow...from Port Leiso... Do your best...he says..." Valtheim said.
"He's...letting us know in advance...?" Leiso said.
"That Source guy sounds like a cocky bastard! He's really underestimating us!!!" Gavin shouted.
"Weak..." Valtheim said.
"THE HELL DID YOU SAY!?" Gavin roared as he stepped towards Valtheim.
"Master says...you are weak... Master wishes...to give you a fighting chance..."
This asshole is insulting us! He sent an unkillable enemy to warn us of his coming assault. All the while knowing that we can't do anything to stop him!
"The Dark Army...approaches... All who stand against...will be consumed..." Valtheim said.
After that, a shadowy eye opened up below her feet and she completely disappeared.
The rest of us were left speechless...
"Dark...Army...? Is that what they call themselves?" Jallah said.
I looked over at Leiso and could see she was shaking with indignant rage.
"Bastard...fine! ALRIGHT THEN! IF YOU'RE JUST GOING TO INSULT ME, THEN IT'S ON!!!" Leiso screamed in rage.
"That's what I'm talking about! Let's make a plan of attack!" Michael said cheerfully.
"Attack? ATTACK!? I'M GOING TO OBLITERATE THEM ALL!!!" Leiso continued.
"Wait...you don't mean..."
"I do, Michael. The last resort. I've already got a plan to hit them with everything we have. He wants a war? I'll give him one. I'll GIVE HIM A NUCLEAR WAR!!!" Leiso screamed.
She angrily stood up and stormed out of the room.
Tomorrow is going to be one hell of a day, it seems...