Chapter Size: 2195 Words.]
Third Person POV
Abandoned Church, Orario.
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...
"HEY, how long are you guys going to act like this?" Lucius questioned impatiently, looking at the two paralyzed individuals, Bell and Hestia, as they arrived at the abandoned church.
Seeing that both remained silent, Lucius let out an audible sigh, expressing his frustration at the lack of response.
"WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM?!" Lili exclaimed, astonished, observing the disturbing state of Bell and Hestia.
"HEEE?" Riekling couldn't help but express his bewilderment next to Lili.
"They're fine; we just had a bit of stress at the banquet, nothing too unexpected," Lucius replied calmly, as if downplaying the situation.
"HOW CAN THIS BE NOTHING UNEXPECTED? LOOK AT THEIR CONDITION!" Lili was visibly concerned about Bell, grabbing him and shaking him in an attempt to bring him back to his normal state.
Lucius simply turned his back, ignoring both Riekling's suspicious expression and Lili's efforts to revive Bell. His posture indicated that he didn't want to deal with the emotional reactions of that moment and was focused on other thoughts. "Anyway, I'll read my books before sleeping, see you later..." The family mage simply left them in front of the kitchen, while they were still in a state of shock, unable to react, much to the despair of the others.
That night, Lucius dedicated his time to reading, immersed in his books and preparing for the upcoming events. He understood the need to strengthen his power before the imminent war game, which, following the canon, would become the castle game. Satisfied with his studies, he went to sleep peacefully, anticipating what was to come.
The next day, Lucius woke up with Hestia completely out of control, hovering over him. It seemed she had recovered from the previous condition.
"LUCIUS!!! YOU—YOU PUT OUR FAMILY IN A WAR!! AGAINST TWO FAMILIES, ON TOP OF THAT!!" Hestia grabbed the young man's neck angrily and shook him while crying.
"Hm? Good morning, Goddess Hestia..." He murmured sleepily, as if the situation were not an urgent matter.
"Good morning nothing! You put us against two families!" She yelled at him, expressing her outrage at Lucius's recent actions. "Don't worry; we would have had this fight anyway. I just advanced a few things to put on a show at the banquet..." Lucius said, yawning, as if dealing with something routine.
"Look at the rest of our family!" Hestia said, pointing to a depressed Bell, who had already recovered physically but was still trying to deny the reality. Lili was equally in a state of depression, and Riekling maintained a downcast look, aware of the gravity of the situation.
"Hey, let's have breakfast first, then we'll discuss everything we're going to face, how about that?" Lucius suggested, making Hestia loosen her grip, watching him cross his arms.
"I hope you have a solution because I don't see how we're going to fight against those two families. They're levels four and three. How are we going to win?" She expressed her clear dissatisfaction and concern.
Lucius ignored her and headed to the kitchen. He was the only one to boil water with the firebolt and prepare the first meal, as everyone else seemed quite dejected. While eating, he couldn't help but look at the other family members and comment. "How long are you going to stay like this? You need to feed your stomachs because we'll need your strength in the next few minutes." Lucius said calmly, interrupting the melancholy that hung over the table.
"Hm? What do you mean?" Lili asked, confused.
Lucius just looked at her for a brief moment before continuing. "We have a group of adventurers preparing to blow this place up when we leave through that door, so you better get ready..." His statement cast a shadow of shock over them.
"WHAT???" Hestia was the first to react, jumping in alarm.
"THEY'RE GOING TO ATTACK US!?" Bell asked, his face expressing alarm.
"Lili thinks we're screwed..." The pallum murmured, disheartened.
"HEE..."
"And how do you know this?" Hestia couldn't help but look at Lucius, demanding explanations.
"I have a spell that can detect living beings. I can see at least 40 adventurers positioned on the roofs, all facing our direction. The walls don't limit this magic of mine..." Lucius explained, and his revelation left everyone surprised, except Riekling. The small being's gaze already indicated that he might know more than he was letting on.
"WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?" Lili asked, alarmed.
"Let's first secure the most important things underground so they can't be destroyed in the fight; second, let's set up some traps since we'll catch the enemy by surprise." Lucius smiled as he outlined this plan, determined not to let the church be easily destroyed. He was resolved to turn the imminent attack into an opportunity to counterattack.
"QUICKLY!" Hestia was the first to act, followed by Bell and Lili, who hurried to follow Lucius's instructions.
"Don't forget to eat..." Lucius murmured to his frightened family as they ran to the corners of the church.
Lucius finished eating and went to help his family, starting to store their belongings in deeper locations in the church, which would offer better protection against the impending attack.
"It's a shame I don't have any magical trap spells or anything in the stealth category. It would be quite useful in moments like this," Lucius thought while carefully storing his most precious possessions. "What do we do now?" Hestia asked fearfully, once they had stored all valuable belongings.
"We have no choice; we'll face them head-on..." Lucius said calmly, as they didn't have another feasible plan.
"Yes..." Bell commented with determination.
"Hestia and Lili, stay behind and move away when the fight can no longer affect you..." Lucius said, heading towards the church door.
"Ready?" Lucius smiled at Bell.
The young rookie nodded.
"Let's start a show!" Lucius said, making the motion to open the door. As soon as he ran out, the morning sun already illuminated the roofs filled with adventurers. Without wasting time, numerous fireballs materialized around him, each aiming at one of the adventurers nearby.
The first wave of attacks was fast and relentless. The explosions echoed through the area, standing out against the morning light. Their targets were mercilessly hit, caught completely off guard. The stunning effect of these fire explosions gave Lucius the time he needed to advance towards the still disoriented adventurers.
*Boom!*
*Boom!*
*Boom!*
*Boom!*
*Boom!*
*Boom!*
"FIREBOLT!" Bell shouted, adding an extra fireball and hitting someone from the enemy group. As they recovered from the stunned state, the adventurers retaliated by launching their own fire magic, directed straight at the church. Anticipating the imminent danger, Hestia and Lili ran to protect themselves and moved away from the area.
*BOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM!!*
The resulting roar of the explosions did not go unnoticed for those on the street. Chaos ensued, with curious onlookers trying to understand what was happening. The destruction caused by Lucius's first wave not only surprised the attacked adventurers, but the explosion from this attack was heard by at least 20% of the city, drawing the attention of part of the city illuminated by the early morning sun.
Many gazes turned to the distant echo of the explosions. "WHAT?!"
"What is this?"
"An explosion!"
"Monsters?"
"Don't be foolish, it's obvious that families are fighting each other."
"Will there be a war game? It's been months since the last one!" Someone complained, knowing about the unfolding war game announced last night.
"I'm more concerned about the chaos here. They could save this for the war game and not destroy the city!" Another commented.
"Isn't that where Bell lives?" A waitress said, looking towards the commotion.
"Yes, I heard rumors about some problems with Hestia and Apollo. There was a banquet yesterday among the gods. Maybe something happened, meow?" Another waitress spoke beside her.
"Bell..." Syr said with concern.
Meanwhile, in the midst of chaos.
"These damn bastards really destroyed our church!" Lucius growled angrily, observing the aftermath of the chaos he had unleashed. The walls of the old church now displayed large breaches and debris. The roof, once intact, was partially collapsed, and charred debris covered the floor.
"The church collapsed!" Bell exclaimed with concern.
Lucius, aware that the abandoned church was only a temporary meeting point, felt a tightness in his heart witnessing the ruin of the place. This place, however ephemeral in its importance, represented a refuge for the Hestia family, and seeing its structures destroyed stirred a mix of emotions, including anger directed at those responsible for the invasion.
"Enough of this, let's teach them a lesson, Bell!" He said and quickly ran forward. Determined, Lucius advanced towards the 40 adventurers positioned on the rooftops of the houses. His steps were agile and decisive, cutting through the space between them with speed. With a determined look, he raised his hands, and flames began to dance around him, coalescing into numerous fireballs.
The intense glow of the flames reflected in his eyes, which emanated a mix of anger and resolution. Without hesitation, Lucius threw the fireballs towards the buildings, each one targeting one of the adventurers. The sound of impact and the subsequent explosions echoed through the environment, creating chaos of flames and debris.
The adventurers, caught off guard, barely had time to react. Alarm cries filled the air as some tried to dodge, but most were hit by the flames. The scene turned into a chaotic spectacle of fire and smoke, with Lucius leading the attack with unwavering determination.
As the explosions continued, the buildings were consumed by the fire, creating a curtain of flames that illuminated the scene of destruction. Lucius, advancing relentlessly, continued to cast his spells, leaving behind a burning and challenging trail. The message was clear: he would not allow his family to be attacked without a fitting response.
*Boom!*
*Boom!*
*Boom!*
"Damn! We're getting hit here!"
"Let's retreat; we've taught them a lesson!"
"I don't intend to let this slide!" Lucius growled and ran after them when they started trying to escape.
The sound of his footsteps echoed through the structures as he cast fire spells in rapid succession, targeting the adventurers attempting to flee.
The scene unfolded amid cries of alarm and confusion. The adventurers, once confident, were now in full retreat, seeking refuge on the roofs to escape Lucius's wrath. Some turned to retaliate, casting spells back in an attempt to stop their pursuer.
"Damn! Someone make this bastard stop; we're getting hit here!" shouted one of the adventurers, while others retaliated, but they continued trying to shake off their pursuer.
Meanwhile, seeing the abandoned church, Bell decided to stay to see if Hestia and Lili are okay.
"Bell! Are you okay?" Hestia took the initiative to return with Lili and found Bell with no sign of any enemies nearby at the moment.
"I'm fine, but Lucius went after them..."
"What does he intend now?"
"Lili has a bad feeling about this."
During the pursuit, people on the streets looked up, confused and astounded, as fast-moving figures and magical sparks crossed the sky above them. The thunderous sound of spells and explosions echoed through the alleys, creating an atmosphere of chaos and urgency. Some instinctively sought protection, fearing that the magical confrontation would extend to the streets.
Pedestrians hurriedly moved away, trying to find shelter and safety in the face of the unlikely and dangerous spectacle unfolding in the skies. Some murmured among themselves, trying to understand what was happening, while others simply watched, fascinated and apprehensive at the unusual magical clash taking place above their heads.
"Someone inform the guild!"
"Call the Ganesha family!"
*Boom!* *Boom!* Explosions were heard above the houses, with Lucius hitting Apollo's personnel who were retreating.
"Damn, can't anyone stop him?"
"Hm?" Lucius looked to the side and saw something interesting at that moment.
"You like attacking others' homes, don't you? Let's see how you feel about this." Lucius said and began to use the evasion spell to have more speed than these adventurers, changing direction quickly.
"Hm?! He attacked us so far to suddenly run away?" one of the masked men spoke.
"Wait, look at the direction he's going!"
"What, we can't let this happen!"
They were already close to the headquarters but intended to shake off Lucius before returning to the Apollo mansion. The only thing they didn't imagine was that Lucius himself took the initiative and was heading towards their house.
"He's crazy!"
Lucius was already approaching the wall of the place and jumped over, quickly alerting some guards and adventurers in the mansion.
Before anyone could react, Lucius cast spells against the location. Fireballs flew towards the structure without resistance. The walls in the mansion began to explode with his fire attack.
*BOOOOOOOOOMMM!!*
"What's happening here!"
Apollo was frightened by the noise and the mansion shaking like that, while he was in his personal spa wanting to fix his face marked by slaps, he just didn't expect an attack from the same adventurer who did this to him a few hours ago.
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