I was in close proximity to the fight between Linark and Warlord Rex. Warlord Rex's unrelenting assault compelled Linark to assume a defensive posture, rendering him incapable of counterattacking. He would retreat by backpedaling from a fierce downward strike. Despite this, Warlord Rex's quick recovery time was impressive, leaving no room for an immediate comeback. He would reposition his hold and launch an upward attack, inducing Linark to hesitate. Warlord Rex pivoted and executed a rapid kick that the officer was compelled to deflect. He went skidding across the courtyard, sweating buckets.
There was a significant gap in their martial prowess. The difference in their ranks was like a gaping chasm, with Warlord Rex standing on a precipice of skill and experience that Linark had yet to reach. It was akin to pitting a fledgling against a seasoned master, a daunting task that would require more than just raw talent and a fiery heart. Linark was only a First-Rank in the beginner stage, while Warlord Rex was in an entire tier above him.
Linark's primary aim in this confrontation was to buy time. While his chances of overpowering him head-on were slim, his purpose was to create openings, exploit weaknesses, and keep the enemy engaged. Every moment he could delay Warlord Rex's advance was crucial, allowing our forces to regroup, strategize; but more specifically, until I arrived.
"I am here, Linark."
Upon hearing my voice, Linark lifted his head. I dropped from above and landed precisely in between the two fighters. The eyes of Warlord Rex expanded as he regained his posture.
"Warlord Bazark? You're here? How can this be?!"
I ignored the troubled man and faced Linark. "Check on Nastro's battle. If he needs assistance, then do so. When you are finished with Belmo, eliminate the fodder that is opposing our forces. Don't forget about the ritual Xalan had ordered us."
Linark nodded as he sheathed his sword. "Yes! I'll be right on it. I will notify you when the preparations are complete."
Prior to Warlord Rex's protest, Linark had already departed the vicinity, exhibiting remarkable agility by leaping across rooftops and onto the wall, reminiscent of an experienced thief. With no one else present, I turned my attention to Warlord Rex, fixing him with a stern look.
"It was only a matter of time until our meeting, Warlord Rex."
His face turned sour. "Warlord Bazark… Leader of the Liberators, and the boot licker of the deities. You and the other Warlords are a disgrace to demon kind."
"It's regrettable that your cognitive abilities are so limited. Your mind is too fragile to grasp the possibilities that we could garner!"
Warlord Rex let spat out a wad of spit, grimacing. "Your voice has become quite irksome to my ears. Your visit is not to engage in conversation, but to take over my esteemed city. I cannot fault you for such a choice. We demons are warmongers, and value strength above all. For Warlords, we exemplify such a notion. Yet I cannot accept those disgusting deities as beings that stand above us all. You've heard of them destroying civilizations and toying with mortals, correct? Our lives will be ruined if we get too close to such beings. It is a blessing they turn a blind eye to us."
"That only applies to those who anger the gods. You Marauders will follow the same path as the fools before if you continue. I will not allow such a sin to persist. Under my rule, the Demon Continent will usher in a new era. A golden era."
"…Then so be it. The Marauders will fight until our last breath."
All of a sudden, the Qi surrounding his blade ignited, giving the impression that the weapon itself had caught fire. With one swift motion, he unleashed a condensed wave of Qi that came barreling towards me. Through the activation of my own Qi, I was able to retaliate with a blast that mirrored his attack. The clash between the two opposing forces created a spectacular explosion, filling the air with swirling debris and obscuring our vision momentarily. As I gazed through my visor, I energized my eyes with Qi and promptly detected Warlord Rex's indistinct outline darting through the smoke. He catapulted himself forward and lunged his blade at my abdomen. I parried the strike.
"You are only driving us demons to a quick demise, Warlord Bazark."
"Silence, or I will cut that bastard tongue of yours."
Warlord Rex's primal roar caused the air to quiver with intensity. The sound reverberated through the courtyard, dispelling the lingering dust and revealing the full extent of his transformation. The moon's glow caused his armor to gain an opal hue. Embracing his Qi, he shrouded himself in a formidable barrier. It encased him like a suit of armor, pulsating with an otherworldly aura.
Sensing the imminent escalation of the battle, I too tapped into the wellspring of my own Qi. It pumped through my meridians, revitalizing my body and heightening my senses to unparalleled levels. The world around me came alive with newfound clarity, every detail sharpened, every sound amplified. I could perceive the subtlest of movements, hear the faintest whispers, and even catch the scent of distant blooms on the wind. The weight of my armor seemed to diminish, granting me a newfound lightness of movement. However, I remained mindful of the cost. Burning through one's Qi recklessly could leave one vulnerable, drained of vital energy when it was most needed. This situation required the utmost concentration.
Indeed, the battles between Warlords are fierce and consequential, often resulting in the ultimate demise of one of the combatants. The title of Warlord carried great weight and prestige, and defeat in battle was considered a grave dishonor, tantamount to death itself. Even in the rare instance where a Warlord might be spared by their victorious opponent, the defeated Warlord's pride and ego would not allow them to accept such a mercy. In such cases, the defeated Warlord would choose to take their own life, refusing to live as a constant reminder of their failure and humiliation.
In the battle between myself and Warlord Rex, only one of us would emerge victorious. The outcome of this duel would have far-reaching consequences, not only for our personal fates but also for the perception of our strength and dominance among the other Warlords. The victor would undoubtedly spread the news of their triumph, solidifying their reputation and sending a simple message to other Warlords to steer clear if they valued their lives. Even more reason that the Liberators should conquer Arago.
While I was contemplating, Warlord Rex made the first strike. With his speed dramatically increased, he closed the gap in half a second.
"Let's have a change of scenery," Warlord Rex said.
With a forceful upward swing, Warlord Rex unleashed a torrent of Qi that erupted from the ground. The sheer power of it solidified, violently propelling me off my feet. In that exhilarating moment, I became weightless, soaring through the frigid air with the wind roaring in my ears. The surroundings transformed in a blur, as if I were traversing the land on a demonic steed. Moments later, a solid impact struck my back, and I crashed through one wall after another, leaving a trail of dark debris in my wake. Thanks to the protection of my Qi-infused armor, the pain merely registered as a fleeting sensation. Regaining my composure, I swiftly readjusted my stance and drove my sword deep into the unyielding marble, skidding to a halt mere inches from a resplendent crimson throne. Rising to my feet, I took in the new surroundings with a deliberate assessment.
"This is…"
I stood in a scene of utter chaos. The once grand hall was now a wreckage of destruction. A crumbling pillar threatened to collapse upon itself, a casualty of my inadvertent collision. The magnificent mosaic marble floor, a testament to exquisite craftsmanship, bore the marks of my sword's havoc.
I could make out the emblem of the Marauders, which was embedded in the center of the wreckage. The once-gleaming silver chalice lay obscured beneath a heap of rubble, its elegant form barely recognizable. A deep gash marred the vivid red and gold, as if the very essence of life had been spilled.
As I turned around, my gaze fixed upon an imposing throne flanked by two statues, bathed in the glow filtering through a wide glass pane. Just as I prepared to advance further, a piercing chime reverberated from the entrance I had emerged from. Warlord Rex had arrived.
"This will serve as a mighty fine tomb for you," he said, strutting forward. "The tapestries adoring my walls depict the sieges Arago had withstood. After I'm done with you, I will hang another."
I frowned at the man, walking toward him. "How can that be so when there won't be anyone left to do it?"
"What a funny joke."
We both broke out into a sprint as we flung at each other's throats, locking battles on top of the silver chalice. As our clash intensified, the weakened pillar finally succumbed to its wounds, teetering ominously above us. Fortune favored me in that moment as the upper half of the crumbling pillar plummeted with alarming speed, hurtling directly towards Warlord Rex, threatening to crush him beneath its weight.
This could work.
Warlord Rex instinctively prepared to sidestep and evade the destructive path of the impending structure as soon as he caught sight of it. Sensing the opportunity, I intensified my assault, unleashing a flurry of strikes that momentarily disrupted his balance. In a snarl, he adjusted his grip on his sword, holding it with a single hand, while extending his other arm towards the oncoming pillar.
A flow of vibrant red Qi erupted from his outstretched hand, enveloping the structure in a blinding brilliance. The devastating wave of his Qi attack obliterated a significant portion of the pillar, reducing it to ruins. Remarkably, Warlord Rex emerged unscathed from the assault. Seizing this momentary advantage, I capitalized on the situation.
"Dispersal."
A flurry of small, shimmering orbs of Qi emanated from within me, scattering throughout the immediate vicinity. A group of ten surrounded us, their movements graceful and poised, all ready to follow my command. Hovering with a palpable energy, they created an aura of danger that made Warlord Rex retreat, his expression shifting into one of bewilderment and uncertainty.
"W-What?"
Seizing the opportunity before Warlord Rex could fully regain his composure, I commanded the spheres to descend upon him with swift and unrelenting force. Like boulders propelled by a fearsome demogre, they hurtled through the air, aimed directly at the formidable demon. Warlord Rex, sensing the imminent danger, emitted a deep growl of defiance and drove his sword into the ground, bracing himself against the impending assault.
"Protection!"
With a frantic rush, Warlord Rex hastily erected a bubble-shaped shield around himself, but its construction appeared hasty and ill-prepared. Time and concentration were scarce resources, and the shield suffered from its shabby nature. The orbs surrounding him unleashed tiny explosions that caused the shield to flicker ominously upon impact. The sixth orb proved to be a significant blow, causing the shield's stability to waver. By the time the seventh and eighth orbs struck their targets, the shield finally collapsed under the relentless assault.
Driven by desperation, Warlord Rex swiftly rose and skillfully dodged the remaining orbs, conscious of the fact that enduring the attack would significantly impede his mobility. As he successfully dodged the final orb, he spun on his heels, determined to face me once more and resume our confrontation. However, his movements proved too sluggish, leaving him exposed to my next move.
The resounding clash of metal meeting metal pulsated through the once serene throne room, shattering the silence. Following that, a sharp cry of anguish ripped through the air, accompanied by the faint patter of droplets as flesh was penetrated. Warlord Rex's defiant stance faltered as the force of the attack overpowered him, causing him to choke and crumble to his knees. His gaze fixated upon the gleaming silver chalice; his expression unreadable behind his helmet.
"T-This cannot be…"
In silence, I withdrew my sword from his chest. A pain groaned soon followed.
I sheathed my sword as I watched Warlord Rex with pity. "Another Warlord has met his demise, consumed by his ideals. You have chosen the wrong path and have paid dearly for it."
A throaty chuckle erupted from his mouth. "N-No… You have c-chosen wrong. You have been p-played…"
Warlord Rex's breath caught sharply, a last gasp escaping his lips, as he succumbed to the grievous wound inflicted upon his chest. He lay motionless on the cold floor. An unnatural silence enveloped the room, one that caused goosebumps to form all over.
"How odd… I do not hear the screams or shouts of the battle occurring outside. Has the siege finished?"
To acquire answers, I reached into my hip pouch and retrieved a communication device. The object was in a flawless condition, with no apparent cracks on its surface. I activated it promptly.
"Linark, Nastro, are you there? Is the siege over?"
Once I sent the message, I waited for a reply. A minute later, one arrived.
A smile crept on my lips as I spoke. "Good job, men. Our victory is still uncertain. What about the ritual?"
Linark was the first to answer.
"Good. Warlord Rex has met his demise. I will head to the middle of Arago. We have unfinished business to take care of. Continue with the ritual."
Satisfied, I pocketed the communications device. Before leaving, I took one last look at Warlord Rex.
"You were a formidable opponent. For an Expert-Rank in the skilled stage to oppose the gods… You had a death wish, and I merely granted it."
Disregarding the lifeless form of Warlord Rex, I resolutely turned away, ready to depart through the glass pane. However, just as I was taking my initial step, I noticed a small figure seated on the throne. Instantly alert and wary of this unexpected presence, I assumed a defensive stance, my sword raised and my eyes fixed upon the enigmatic newcomer.
"Who are yo-"
As the moonlight's gentle rays illuminated the figure before me, a sharp intake of breath escaped my lips. There, standing with a menacing gaze fixed upon me, was none other than Xalan. Her vanilla hair exuded a lustrous sheen that appeared to merge effortlessly with the beautiful glow, creating a resemblance to the purest of pearls. A pair of bloodstained eyes devoid of any emotion pierced through me, instilling an immediate and overwhelming fear within the depths of my being. In a hasty flurry, I released my grip on my sword, its clatter echoing in the chamber, and dropped to my knees in prostration before the revered and formidable presence.
"I greet you, oh great deity!"
The god waved me off in a bored manner. "Never mind that. I have heard everything and seen everything that transpired in Arago. Warlord Bazark, complete the mission bestowed upon you. A great reward awaits."
A great reward? Yes... It must be 'that'. We demons have finally done it!
"I will be right on it, great deity!"
After bowing deeply, I quickly stood up and shattered the glass without any further delay, mindful of not wasting any more of her time.
****
"…Hmph. What an idiot. He truly is not aware of what the future entails. Well, it does not matter to me. It's about time I finished my goal. Before I leave, there is a slight issue I must address. You, lurking in the shadows. I know you are there. Come out, or else."
Emerging gradually from the shadows behind a pillar near the oak doors, a figure materialized into view. Their flowing black hair cascaded around them, framing a face adorned with teardrop earrings that swung gently with each movement. As my eyes scanned their appearance, a sense of familiarity washed over me, their color scheme of contrasting black and white triggering a recognition deep within my memory. The figure's sly smile tugged at the corners of their lips, eliciting a frown of unease from me. It was a smile that I had encountered all too often, one that held a weight of hidden intentions and concealed agendas.
"I was not expecting to meet you here, Demos."