The night air was thick with tension as Nyxara prepared to depart. With a heavy heart, she crafted a magical will - a sentient construct imbued with her essence, designed to monitor Oliver's growth from afar. As she completed the intricate spell work, a blood-curdling screech pierced the silence.
Chaos erupted in the village. Monstrous creatures, their bodies a twisted fusion of shadow and flesh, poured through the gates. Each bore a glowing sigil on its forehead - a number from one to five, denoting their rank and power.
General Thorne's voice boomed across the village square. "Defenders, to arms! Protect the civilians!"
Kai, awakened by the commotion, rushed out of his home. His eyes widened at the sight of his father, wreathed in flames, battling against the invaders. Without hesitation, he joined the fray.
"Kai!" Thorne called out, relief evident in his voice. "Watch your mother's flank!"
Kai turned to see his mother, her hands aflame, fending off a group of rank two beasts. With practiced ease, he began to weave spells, his fingers tracing complex patterns in the air.
"Aegis of Light!" Kai shouted, and a shimmering barrier sprang into existence around a group of fleeing villagers.
"Flame Lance!" A spear of pure fire materialized in his hand, which he hurled at an approaching monster, reducing it to ash.
As a rank two sorcerer, Kai moved with fluid grace, his spells coming to him as naturally as breathing. He alternated between offensive magic and protective barriers, shielding the soldiers and villagers alike.
But the tide of battle shifted abruptly. A massive creature, easily twice the size of the others, lumbered into view. The glowing '4' on its forehead pulsed ominously.
Kai felt his heart plummet. The beast's aura was suffocating, radiating malevolence and power beyond anything he had ever encountered. For the first time in his life, Kai felt true fear - the cold, paralyzing certainty of his own mortality.
As the rank four monster bore down on him, something stirred in the depths of Kai's mind. A fragment of memory, a flash of another life - of cosmic battles and godlike power.
In that moment of crisis, Nyxara's will activated, sending a pulse of energy across vast distances. In the blink of an eye, faster than thought, Nyxara appeared on the battlefield, her sword drawn and ready to defend her prince.
But before she could intervene, an invisible force held her back. The air shimmered, and a voice that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere spoke directly into her mind.
"You shall not interfere," the voice of Orton commanded. "This is Oliver's fate to face. His journey, his choices."
Nyxara struggled against the divine edict, tears of frustration streaming down her face as she watched Kai - Oliver - face down the monstrous threat.
Just as the rank four beast was about to strike, a pillar of flame erupted between it and Kai. General Thorne stepped through the inferno, his eyes blazing with paternal fury.
With a series of rapid gestures, Thorne unleashed a barrage of telekinetic strikes, each impact resonating with the force of a thunderclap. The rank four monster staggered under the assault, its armored hide cracking and splintering.
"For our home!" Thorne roared, gathering all his power for one final attack. The air itself seemed to ignite as he brought his hands together in a thunderous clap. The resulting explosion engulfed the rank four beast, reducing it to nothing more than scattered ashes on the wind.
As the dust settled, Thorne turned to his son, his face a mixture of pride and concern. "Kai, my boy," he said, clasping Kai's shoulder. "You fought bravely today. Your mother and I couldn't be prouder."
Kai, still reeling from the flashes of memory and the intensity of the battle, managed a weak smile. "Thank you, Father," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
As the villagers began to regroup and tend to the wounded, Nyxara watched from afar, her heart heavy with the weight of secrets untold. She knew that this was only the beginning - the first tremor of a cosmic upheaval that would soon engulf them all.
With a final, longing look at the young man who carried the hopes of a shattered world, Nyxara vanished into the night, bound by divine command to watch but never interfere as Oliver's destiny unfolded.
Nyxara arrived at the capital of Ariel kingdom. The city was a marvel, its tall spires reaching for the sky. Streets bustled with life. Sorcerers in colorful robes haggled with merchants. Witches flew overhead on broomsticks. Knights in shining armor patrolled the squares, while adventurers swapped tales in crowded taverns.
She made her way to the royal palace, a grand structure of white marble and gold. Guards tried to stop her, but she simply walked through them like mist. In a flash of divine light, she appeared in the throne room.
King Aldric jumped, nearly falling off his throne. "Who dares enter uninvited?"
"I am Nyxara, divine being of Planet Orton," she said, her voice ringing with power.
The king's eyes widened. "A god? What brings you to our humble kingdom?"
"I come with a command," Nyxara stated. "The children of all four border generals must attend your kingdom's academy."
King Aldric frowned. "That's... a significant request. These generals guard our borders. Their children are often trained at home to follow in their footsteps."
"This is not a request, but a divine mandate," Nyxara insisted.
The king's face hardened. "With all due respect, we have our own gods. I cannot simply bow to every divine being that appears."
"You test my patience," Nyxara warned.
King Aldric stood. "Ares, God of War, I beseech your aid!"
Red mist swirled, forming into the shape of a man.Ares, the Olympian God of War, exuded an aura of raw power and menace. His golden armor clanked as he moved, and his eyes blazed with the fury of countless battles.
"What is it, mortal?" Ares questioned with irritation in his eyes.
King Aldric pointed at Nyxara. "This... being... makes demands of our kingdom."
Ares turned to Nyxara, eyeing her curiously. "You're not from around here, are you? Why do you trespass on another gods domain?"
"My purpose is my own," Nyxara replied coolly. "Stand aside. This doesn't concern you." She said with irritation. This domain belonged to Orton, but sensing Orton's destruction, this god rushed to take over .
Ares laughed. "Everything in this realm concerns me. You dare challenge my authority?"
Nyxara stretched her hand in open air, then drew her sword from the void, removing it from the scabbard It glowed with otherworldly energy and radiated essence from it. She wasn't taught to exchange words twith enemies in Orton.
Ares grinned widely, cracking his joints, he too brought out a blade "finally some fun".
With a roar that shook the very foundation of the palace, Ares lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. Nyxara met his attack with a swift parry, their blades clashing with a sound that echoed like thunder. Sparks flew as they exchanged blows, each strike a testament to their divine strength.
Ares was strong, but Nyxara was quick. She ducked under his swing, countering with a slash that cut his cheek.
Ares swung his sword in a wide arc, aiming to cleave Nyxara in two. She deftly dodged, her movements fluid and graceful. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a wave of wind magic towards Ares, the energy crackling with celestial power. Ares raised his sword to block, but the force of the wind sent him stumbling back.
"Is that all you've got?" Ares taunted, regaining his footing. He summoned a burst of fiery energy, hurling it towards Nyxara. She countered with a shield of earth, absorbing the impact and dissipating the flames.
"You talk a lo for a god" she answered . She herself wasn't a god and she doesn't hope to become one, she like her prince is taking a different part.
The battle raged on, a dance of swords and magic. Nyxara's strikes were precise and calculated, each one aimed to weaken Ares. She weaved spells into her attacks, creating illusions that confused and disoriented the God of War. Ares, in turn, relied on brute strength and relentless aggression, his attacks growing more desperate as the fight wore on.
With a final, powerful swing, Ares aimed to end the battle. Nyxara anticipated his move, sidestepping and delivering a swift, decisive strike to his side. Ares roared in pain, dropping to one knee. Nyxara stood over him, her sword poised at his throat.
"Yield," she commanded.its not that she doesn't wish to end his life, but Orton needs allies instead of enemies. This was not the time for a war of domain between Olympus and Orton. "Count yourself lucky, and run with your tail in-between your legs"
Ares vanished in a puff of red smoke, defeated but not without a look of rage and humiliation on his face.
Nyxara turned to the terrified king. "Now, about my command..."
King Aldric nodded frantically. "Yes, yes! The generals' children will attend the academy. All of them!"
Satisfied, Nyxara lowered her sword. "Wise choice. Do not test me again." She warned
In a flash of light, she vanished, leaving behind a stunned king and a wrecked throne room. Her task was done. Now, Oliver would have a chance to grow in the academy.