In the darkness of night, a lonesome figure of a slave in ragged clothes sat on a barrel in the middle of the woods. His distant gaze lingers on the tranquil lake away.
After all is said and done, Zyro left the Mine for good despite Baron's generous offers. If he had stayed, securing a comfortable life would have been easy because his old workplace was much better now under Baron's guidance. The slaves got better rewards for their hard work, including relatively proper clothing and mining tools. Which drained the Mine finances. In exchange though, business is becoming more stable and is continuing to improve. Sooner or later, it would reclaim its former glory. It would have been nice if the Demoness wasn't threatening the Mine.
Of course, he did not do it unprepared. Overusing Dark Burst tore his muscles, if not for Aizra's limit breaker feature, that enables his pain preceptors. Moving would be unbearable for a few days. It took him almost one month to fully heal, which is impossible by human standards. Actually, recovering from such severe mascular injury is impossible for an average human, making him disabled for life unless he undergoes special medical operations. However, Zyro was no longer normal.
It all started with the Blinker soul core which fused into his soul. Giving him the monster gift - Dark Burst and enhanced his body evolution process to a stronger version. Coupled with Scarlet blood flowing in his veins granted him vampiric abilities, which include enhanced regeneration. And most importantly, the ashen orb that came from an exceptionally ancient monstrosity was consumed by him. The process was almost unbearable, but Zyro persisted through and acquired its gifts. Its originator is powerful, so did its Soul Core to the point that the one who consumed its bestowment - Zyro. Had become certain that he surpassed human limitations.
The sickening side effects of the ashen orb had completely subsided. Shroud of Night was fully charged, as well.
He lingered for a while more before finally standing as midnight came. A bit reluctant, for what his about to do would spark chaos that will bring pain and death of many.
It was the deepest part of the night when almost everyone was asleep comfortably in their cozy bed. However, the same won't apply to this place soon.
Zyro rose up from the barrel his sitting on, spare it a grim glace before uncovering a camouflage cover on the bushes. There, four more barrels lay hidden.
Sneaking these containers here was a grueling task. Zyro had to be extra cautious due to the scouting Gricks roaming around. Because of that, transporting and hiding the five barrels took a while. But alas, he delivered the last one. Although, he wasn't sure if this would be enough. Baron had already given all his stocks.
Nevertheless, the plan had to proceed.
With this in mind, Zyro put his suit helmet on. He hesitated for a moment, then ripped his ragged clothes into shreds. Revealing Shroud of Night mechanical aesthetics, its steel plating was like rolling muscles. Some plates are missing and scratched, showing signs of damage especially the right chest part. Still, even in a battered state by many battles, his cyber armor maintained its technological beauty.
He felt pity for his torn clothes. Although, his slave garments aren't fashionable, it was something he made with his own two hands. Sadly, it's bound to be destroyed.
Dismissing unnecessary thoughts, Zyro lifted one barrel and activated the exoskeleton full power, his muscles also tensed up as he prepared to throw. The barrel was filled to the brim, making it really heavy. Yet Zyro manages to raise it without much struggle thanks to the armor augmentation. Coupled with his evolved psychic that was further elevated after consuming the Great Serpent soul core.
Zyro stumped heavily then leaned forward as he made the barrel fly. Soon, it landed on the lakes rocky shore. Being thrown at such height while bearing considerable mass. The barrel broke upon impact, its wooded body shattered. Spreading its black liquid contents on the shore. It splattered around and flowed into the clear water of the lake, painting it black under the pale blue moon's radiance.
With that, the lake's tranquility was disturbed.
As expected, Zyro sensed disruption in the surrounding wilderness.
Slight rustles were heard, as if someone was startled by the sudden display. Needless to say, it's the scouting Gricks sneaking around for clues of the Fallen Knight return to get his drowned vessel.
Their number isn't much though, because the Fallen Knight was not clearly sighted here for almost half a year already. But one scout did blow the horn a few months ago that called an entire fleet to sweep the surrounding wilderness. However, it was a fruitless endeavor and the caller was found dead. Killed by an unknown individual, unclear if it was the Fallen Knight.
Furthermore, why would the Fallen Knight fall in such an obvious trap?
Still, the Gricks were patient enough to put a few scouts despite the odds. Lucky for them, the Fallen indeed returned and the first thing he did was throw barrels to announce his arrival.
The first throw sounded like thunder, breaking the lakes serenity.
When the second barrel emerges from the tree's leafy crowns, propelling at an arc trajectory before meeting the lake's calm water. Producing a tall splash and causing ripples in its wake. Loud howls of horns resounded somewhere in various spots around the lake. All of a sudden, the silent waters were enveloped by howling noises.
Zyro recognized those sounds, of course. Because it almost doomed him once.
It's the Gricks call for reinforcement. A really nasty strategy they employed especially if the Fallen Knight ever returned.
He accidentally triggered it once by attacking one scout of theirs. Back then, Zyro was caught in their trap as the sweeping fleet advanced. He only escaped their scanning thanks to Depter's seal obscuring the cage's existence. However, the ancient sage seal was no more, so did its prisoner.
Zyro only have himself now. Yet he had the audacity to intentionally announce his presence for the Gricks to see.
But that's fine.
A grin twisted in his lips as Zyro sent the rest of the barrels flying. Each splashing on the lake waters before partially floating, creating ripples as it did.
Finally, all five barrels are on the lake.
Zyro stayed still for a bit, hearing the previous tranquility return. By now, the watchman dropped their loud horns because their message was certainly received. His throwing spree was done too under their confused gazes from the shadows. Bringing peace back once more. He would have loved to enjoy this serenity, to lay comfortably on grass in the middle of the woods showered by the pale blue moon soothing radiance through the leafs gaps above and feel the cold wind of night. Zyro was stuck in his warm, yet somehow chilling dark armor and determined to do what needed to be done.
Everything was at peace for a few moments.
However, it didn't last long.
That's when he heard rustling of leaves intensified as the scouts began to move in unison. Subtle flapping of feathers and branches breaking under someone's influence was perceived by him.
Zyro knew his being surrounded, yet remained motionless instead of breaking free from their encirclement.
The Grickish scouts began to assemble in one direction, their attention was focused on the distant dark figure as they moved through the wilderness without putting much effort in concealment for the sake of moving faster. Strangely, their target did not even attempt to escape their trapping. Letting them surrounded him easily. However, they keep their distance and watch the Fallen Knight from the shadows. After all, they are dealing with a notorious criminal the Gricks had awaited so long to encounter. It's only right to be cautious. Furthermore, making sure the target is here when reinforcements arrive is top priority to ensure the capture success.
Feeling watchful eyes attentively observed him afar and weapons pointed at him. Zyro's heart beat faster but he responded with indifference, treating their threat nonexistent as he made his way forward, soon bringing him into the lake shore.
The Gricks had surrounded him in an semicircle position with the lake blocking his front. Running back means facing numerous scouts assaults, and escaping into the waters was no way better due to its electrocuting effects.
He stopped at the shore edge, letting moonlight bath his onyx armor and be seen in full glory by numerous grim watchmen lurking in the shadows behind.
The atmosphere was enveloped by tense silence.
Shortly after, his awaited enemy fleet came coming from Highland. Airships adorned by red sails and wings hovered towards him, looking like a dreadful tide of warmongers from afar.
There, Zyro had a clear view of the approaching airships. There, the Gricks finally saw the knight they had been looking for so long. Standing still while gazing at their overwhelming army, unfazed.
The Fallen Knight night, unmoved by the fleet arrival stood before the lake with an eerie stillness. His motionlessness heightened the unease among the tensed warriors, for it seemed as though this enigmatic figure could withstand any harm that might befall him. He stood like an impervious sentinel, an embodiment of fearlessness in the face of a numerous enemy.
However, what can one knight do against a whole army?
When he entered their range, countless flaming projectiles were released, raining down on the lake.