Yura nodded. "I...see. I will be more careful... For now, we should return and begin our assault."
Yura's face was difficult to read, but she seemed troubled. Her expression constantly shifted between worry and confusion.
Lia left it at that, returning to the group. Swiftly, they began to put away their supplies. They had two small tents, three canteens, and a bag of rations. Lia was not given any blood, and considering the rarity of vampires in the sun, it was likely an oversight.
The supplies themselves were found near the area they were all teleported to. Lia figured it was likely the supplies the academy staff had prepared for the event.
Regardless, Lia decided she would give the staff a good scolding. She could go for days without drinking blood, but other vampires? Not a chance; there would be casualties for even trying.
.....
They silently approached the camp, and Yura pointed out a large clearing up ahead. Her face was impassive. "It's just up ahead. It is relatively fortified."
Lia herself looked out into the small clearing. "Relatively Fortified" was an understatement. The entire camp was walled off. The walls were solid tree trunks sharpened into large points, and were interconnected by some form of rope or binding. There was one exit visible, and four orc guards wearing armor and wielding halberds stood nearby.
Lia cocked an eyebrow at Yura. "Are you sure this is an outpost and not the main camp? This seems...excessive for an outpost."
Yura nodded. "I'm pretty sure, yeah. The leader is an Orc Soldier, not a chieftain."
Lia shrugged as Saro began speaking in her mind. 'I have an idea that may come across as insane."
She looked at everyone, her mouth twisted into a small smirk as Saro explained the beginning of her plan. "Would you like the operation bold, or stealthy?"
Both of the lancers looked at each other and laughed. They answered at the same time. "Bold"
Yura audibly sighed as she drew her daggers. Her three teammates were extremely brazen. Her mind sharpened, as something inside her whispered, aching to be used. She mused. 'The call seems...stronger now. Perhaps knowing has caused it to flare up?' She shook her head. There was no time for explanations.
Lia smiled as she raised her arms. Mana began to twirl around her, entombing her as if it was a cocoon. The magic itself was gray, and everyone around her felt like they were suddenly twenty years older. Without a shadow of a doubt, it was mana of decay.
The cocoon burst, revealing a transformed Lia. The magic clung to her body; it was thick enough to look like a pitch-black set of resplendent armor. She "had" armored shoulder pads, forearm bracers, and shin guards. There was a small set of blackened wing-like objects in her hair. The wings she now permanently had fluttered as she stood up. The clothes-like magic made her look like a battle Valkyrie, ready to bring the wrath of the heavens.
She turned towards the group. "I'm not sure what this will do, but it should be...entertaining. You three should prepare to infiltrate the outpost. I'll leave the timing to you, but I should prove enough of a distraction."
Lione nodded, and Tiial looked curious as he posed the question everyone thought. "What is it you're going to do?"
Lia smirked in response. "I'm going to play god."
Without another word, Lia flew upwards. She remained flying above the orc outpost, looking down at them as they began to scramble around. Her mind cooled suddenly, and Saro's voice emanated throughout the area. She spoke coldly, her voice wasn't emotionless, but it sounded uninterested.
"I see that my teachings have done nothing for the mortals of these realms. Perhaps I should re-teach my lessons. It is only fair, after being discarded. Allow me to bestow my blessing."
Saro was speaking, but Lia was in control of the body's movements and magic. Saro had come up with the plan to play god, and Lia found it amusing. Regardless, Saro narrowed her eyes and began raising her hand upwards. She spoke one chilling word that resonated throughout the area: "Despair".
The orcs below began to rush around, collecting and assembling themselves into ranks of soldiers. They fired arrows and threw spears at Lia, but each one disintegrated before it could even touch her skin.
The ground rumbled, as a thick mist of mana coated the area. Decay-infused magical tentacles began to spout from the ground. They sprouted up all over the camp and sent every orc into a frenzied panic.
The first orc stabbed by a tentacle was hit directly in the shoulder. The pain was immense, and he cried out in agony. It wasn't until moments later that he began to despair.
The flesh around the wound was rapidly decaying. Within mere moments, he had lost his entire arm. When the gray magic reached his head, his eyes glazed over. He began to stumble around, attacking his allies. With each one slain, each one hit, Lia was provided with another soldier.
She remained there, flying above their camp, her face impassive as she gazed down at the fleeing orcs. Slowly, she began to descend into the mist.
.....
Yura, Lione, and Tiial watched on with fascinated horror as they witnessed Lia's carnage. It wasn't long before the gate guards were gone and they were walking through the camp entirely unimpeded.
Around them, they could hear the frenzied cries and shouts of orcs as they combatted the rising enemy army. They weren't undead, but each orc "raised" by Lia had an exalted, wondrous expression.
Within minutes, the group was standing before the outpost leader's hut. The orc leader had yet to reveal themself. Lia landed next to the group, her face entirely impassive as she looked at the hut expectantly.
The large-scale conflict was ongoing, and Lia looked as if she couldn't care less. A small group of orcs exited the hut and stared at Lia.
They all appeared to be women. Most of them were extremely muscular, but they were easily overshadowed by the orc leader. A tall, extremely buff woman with dark black hair pulled into a ponytail. She was almost eight feet tall. She met Lia's gaze, and after a few moments, she spoke. "You are the one who has done this?"
Lia didn't speak at first, only gazing at her with an uncaring attitude. When she finally spoke, her voice was full of venom and annoyance. "It is your fault for ignoring my words of warning. Mortals should follow their God's instructions without pause. Perhaps you should have known better. There will be no warnings from me."
Tentacles from the mist lashed out, attempting to strike the orc leader. She dodged it with minimal effort and Lia feigned annoyance.
The orc leader slapped her hands together as they were covered by a set of large clawed gauntlets. They were a dull gray and seemed cheaply made.
Lia spoke a single word. "Hysteria." There was a small light that emanated from the sword on her hip. On its own, the sword released itself and flew into her hand, stunning everyone.
Lia looked at her party. "I'll remove this one. I leave the rest to you."