It was a command, not just to the darkness, but to all who would dare challenge. "This oath of mine is the last wall for my human race, heed it and you shall fall to be burned into smithereens of ashes" The voice that boomed across the world next, lingered as the light receded from everyone's sight.
A remark to warn and shield the human race from those prying eyes that existed beyond the wall, that the human race now possessed a new Venerable in charge. -------------- Back at the site of the battle, the dust settled, and the darkness that once loomed so large had been utterly obliterated.
As the dust began to settle, the aftermath of the titanic clash with the darkness revealed itself in full.
The landscape that once stretched as far as the eye could see had been utterly transformed, reshaped by the unimaginable power that had been unleashed between the two parties involved from before.
The very ground beneath was unrecognizable, a vast scar upon the earth that spanned a staggering 10 kilometers in every direction.
The once lush plains and rolling hills were no more, in their place was a massive crater, its edges jagged and torn, as if a great meteor struck this place just moments before, or even the hammer of the lord had smashed down upon the land.
The epicenter of the blast was a void of scorched earth and blackened rock, still smoldering from the intense heat of the golden sword's impact. Large waves of molten lava could be seen sprawled all over the landscape, and surely even in the next thousand years, this lava will never burn out nor cool down.
Blessed by the divine power under the path of the sun's divinity, its potential was apparent as the ground around it burned under an invisible fire despite having no medium that fuel it.
All traces of life within this area had been obliterated, leaving nothing but a desolate, lifeless expanse. Leaving behind the sole city that survived the blast with its populace confused, relieved, and also aghast filled with numerous other emotions.
But the devastation did not end there.
The shockwave from the collision had radiated outwards, extending its reach far beyond the immediate zone of destruction. Like a wind of doom, the shockwave impacted in each direction it could, leaving nothing in its wake other than ruins and devastation.
For 100 kilometers in every direction, the landscape bore the marks of the venerable's might. It was brief, even not a minute. The whole battle was simply as short as it was, but the impact was forever to remain, a scar upon this land.
Forests had been flattened, ancient trees uprooted and thrown like mere twigs in a storm.
Rivers had been diverted, their courses altered by the upheaval of the earth, and lakes had been drained, their waters evaporated by the searing heat.
Villages that once dotted the countryside were either leveled or blown away entirely, their remnants scattered like leaves in the wind. How cruel is this world is evident in this scene.
Who are you to deny death when it greets you the same way it greets others? Who are you to question strength when you remain weak despite all the years you were alive? Children dying? Newborn perishing? Elderly groaning as their bodies were half burnt from the impact, who can save them, who can help them? No one can but themselves, and surely death is as merciful as it is cruel.
To protect something, others must be destroyed. And that is the face of this world, no one is fair but in their thoughts, though to others they are evil just the same these individuals are... to the other.
The scale of the destruction was almost incomprehensible.
Mountains far in the distance had cracked and split, their peaks crumbling under the force of the blast.
The very air seemed to shimmer with residual energy, the sky above still swirling with the remnants of the fierce battle between light and darkness.
Hovering above this scene of utter devastation, Elara sat upon her throne, her figure a stark contrast to the desolation below.
Her posture was relaxed, one leg crossed over the other, her head tilted slightly to the side as she rested her hand against it.
Her expression was one of boredom as if the immense power she had just demonstrated was of little consequence to her.
"One blow, all it took," she mused, her voice carrying a tone of detached indifference. "How pitiful..."
Her words echoed through the empty landscape, though deep within, a smile was there.
For her, this had been a simple exercise, a casual display that was as easy as it was to breathe.
But for the world, it was a cataclysm, a single moment of destruction that had forever altered the very fabric of the land.
the saying of the folks was true, when the immortal fought, the mortal suffered.
When the divine quarreled, the living are to be devastated.
The city, which only moments before had seemed destined for annihilation, now stood miraculously intact amidst the aftermath of the colossal battle.
Shielded against the blast under the cocoon of golden energy's protection.
As the light of the world faded from the horizon and their vision began to clear, the people of the city gradually awoke to a new, astonishing sight.
A whole new perspective yet silent upon their prior situation.
The chaos and destruction they had anticipated had somehow bypassed them, leaving their city standing and their lives miraculously preserved.
"W-we are alive?" a voice trembled, breaking the heavy silence that had fallen over the crowd.
As if confirming this surreal reality, another voice echoed in disbelief, "Y-yes, we are... Somehow."
Slowly, people began to stand up, their eyes wide with shock.
The entire city, having momentarily lost its sight in the blinding display of light and power, now regained clarity.
What they saw was a scene they could scarcely comprehend, their city still whole, their bodies still breathing, and their lives somehow spared. Where was the giant sword just now? Where was the giant hand of darkness just now? Was it all just a dream?
The once chaotic streets were now eerily quiet as the citizens, still dazed, struggled to come to terms with what had just occurred.
The immense power that had been unleashed so close to them should have wiped them from existence, yet here they were, still standing, still alive.
People looked around at each other, at the buildings that still stood, at the ground beneath their feet, and at the sky that had returned to a semblance of normalcy.
Among the whispers of disbelief, the same question repeated itself over and over, passing from one person to another like a wave of uncertainty. "A-are we still alive?"
The answer came, hesitant but certain. "Y-yes, we are... Somehow."
Amid this collective shock, Illira, Saer, and Sirius began to stir, their vision gradually returning to them.
The memory of that overwhelming light and the cataclysmic power it wielded still lingered in their minds as they slowly regained their bearings.
"We are... Alive?" The princess's voice was soft, almost as if she couldn't quite believe her own words.
"Very much intact, Your Highness," Sirius responded, his voice steady but his eyes still wide as they darted around, taking in the scene.
Around them, the crowd was slowly regaining consciousness, millions of people who had been gathered in one place now standing, shaken but unharmed.
It was a dazzling sight— though appalling.
As Sirius and the princess continued to survey the scene, Saer noticed a familiar figure among the crowd.
His heart leaped, and he called out, "Lord Baelor! Here! Here!"
The crowd's gazes followed Saer's, drawn to the figure approaching from the far end of their sight.
Tall and imposing, Baelor emerged from the mass of people, his expression one of equal parts relief and disbelief.
"Saer... We are alive," Baelor said as he reached them, his voice thick with doubt and also confusion.
"Yeah..." Saer nodded, his eyes wide as he took in the vast crowd of humans around them.
The enormity of what had just transpired was beginning to sink in, and with it, a profound sense of awe. "We all are..."
"Though..." Sirius's voice carried a note of sorrow as his gaze drifted toward the end of the street.
His eyes, filled with a somber realization, settled on the spot where the main gate had stood.
Perhaps even the distant scene beyond it, he sees.
"There's no longer a place called the Grave City for us..."
Illira's confusion was palpable as she asked, "What do you mean by that, Sirius?"
"Stop with the depressing words," she added, trying to maintain a semblance of optimism. "As long as we are alive..."
Sirius's gaze turned toward her, his expression grave. "Your Highness, what I mean is that... There is no longer a piece of land around us. It has been obliterated. What remains is a city that will stand alone on a floating piece of rock from now on."
"What?!" Illira's eyes widened in shock.
To provide a clearer understanding of Sirius's grim words, the scene zoomed out to reveal the full extent of the devastation.
The once thriving Grave City was now gone, replaced by a deep, expansive crater that stretched as far as the eye could see.
The city itself had been lifted from its original location and now floated precariously on a massive, isolated rock platform, suspended above the gaping abyss.
The power wielded by the Venerable had reshaped the landscape, creating an upside-down bowl-like crater below that seemed so deep that it was pure darkness intertwined with golden energy within it. And in the years to come, this place will be a treasure trove for the human race.
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The morning after the cataclysmic event, news of the devastation spread rapidly across the empire. People emerging from the portals, carrying luggage and personal belongings travelled far and wide all over the empire to spread the news.
As for why are the people leaving the city? It is because it is unsuitable for a normal mortal to live there from now on. The energy that resided within the atmosphere of that area had changed utterly by a whole new level.
If they were to remain for a long period, death is sure to greet them, either by their insides being cooked alive, or turning crazy under the residues of the two energies inside the area.
For awakeners such as mages, warriors,s and other professionals, can withstand the new environment of the area.
The reports were unmistakable: a vast swath of land on the right side of the empire had been reduced to smoldering ruins.
Hundreds of villages, crossing merchants, outlaws, bandits, and so on.... Died and perished in an instant.
Perhaps there might be doubt, as for one eyes could spell a disbelieving reports.
Though, witnesses and survivors confirmed the scale of the destruction, recounting the terror they had endured.
The enigmatic figure responsible for the destruction had vanished as soon as the battle concluded.
Her absence did nothing to diminish the profound impact of her presence.
Despite the terror and damage, one undeniable fact emerged from the chaos: humanity now possessed a Venerable, a being powerful enough to stand against the forces of darkness and the other race.
This was a revelation that resonated across the empire and beyond the border.
The message reverberated through every corner of the world, reaching even those enslaved or cornered by other races.
The words were simple but powerful: "Humanity will rise. A Venerable has appeared."
Her name, Elara Solis, the Venerable of the Sun, became a beacon of hope.
It was not that the human race didn't have a venerable before, but they were tied down or even, unwilling to help their race and venture on onto the outside world to seek greater strength. And for so many years, a venerable has finally taken action in front of so many people, how can it not be exciting?
Though... "It was a splendid entrance to this world, isn't it?"