The battlefield was still, the oppressive aura of the Ancient bearing down on everyone like a physical weight. The air seemed to hum with dark energy as Roulin, or the creature he had become, stood at the epicenter of destruction. His black aura rippled outward, crackling with malevolent intent, and the once-familiar figure of Roulin Arie was all but lost.
The woman, her sleek metallic frame gleaming faintly in the dull light, took a step forward. She was the product of Arie ingenuity—an automaton designed for war, crafted to be both merciless and efficient. Her mechanical voice cut through the silence like a blade:
"Subject : Roulin. Analysis : power levels exceeding acceptable thresholds. Threat level : catastrophic. Activating containment protocol."
Roulin didn't respond with words. Instead, he unleashed a guttural roar, the Ancient's wrath manifesting as a wave of black energy that distorted the very space around him.
The automaton raised her arms , white Shinsoo coalescing into twin blades that shimmered with radiant energy. "Protocol : Absolute Neutralization ," she intoned, lunging toward Roulin with inhuman speed.
Her strikes were precise, a blur of White light as she aimed for Roulin's vital points. But the Ancient's power was overwhelming. With a single swing of his dark sword, Roulin countered, the sheer force of his attack creating a shockwave that sent the automaton skidding backward.
She recalibrated instantly, stabilizing herself and launching another volley of attacks. unleashing a torrent of Shinsoo blades that rained down upon Roulin like a storm.
But Roulin simply raised his sword. unleashing a devastating slash that obliterated the incoming attack and struck the automaton head-on.
Her white form faltered, cracks spreading across her frame as she struggled to maintain functionality. "...Error... power output... insufficient..."
Roulin advanced, his dark aura swelling with each step. With a guttural roar, he raised his sword high and brought it down with catastrophic force , the attack cleaving through the automaton and splitting her in two.
Her upper half sparked and flickered as she uttered her final words: "Message... to Celis... the Ancient... has... awakened..."
She crumbled into golden shards, dissipating into the air as if she had never existed.
The Ancient's Rampage
Roulin's aura flared wildly, the Ancient's presence growing stronger by the second. His hatred and anger seemed to feed the entity within the sword, which now pulsed with an ominous crimson glow. The regulars watching from a distance were frozen in terror.
Karean clenched his fists. "This is beyond anything we've ever faced..."
Kaiden's expression darkened. "We can't let this thing get to the train. If it boards, there's no telling what will happen."
Before anyone could respond, a sharp whistling sound cut through the air. A small warship descended rapidly, its engines roaring as it landed amidst the chaos.
The ship's hatch opened, and a man stepped out. He was tall and imposing, with sharp features and an air of authority. His silver hair gleamed in the dim light, and a long, battle-worn spear rested on his back.
Kaiden's eyes widened. "Ariel?"
Ariel, Kaiden's teacher, surveyed the battlefield, his gaze settling on Roulin's monstrous form. His expression was grim. "Kaiden, get on the ship. Now."
"What?" Kaiden took a step forward. "But the train—"
"No one will board the Hell Train," Ariel snapped, cutting him off. His voice was commanding, leaving no room for argument. "That thing is beyond anything you can handle. Get on the ship, or you'll die here."
Kaiden hesitated, his fists clenched in frustration. "Why are you here?"
Ariel didn't answer. Instead, he stepped forward, his spear in hand, and faced Roulin. "I'll hold it back. You get out of here."
The Ancient roared, its dark energy surging as it prepared to strike. Roulin raised his sword, the malevolent aura around him intensifying , unleashing a massive wave of energy that threatened to consume everything in its path.
Ariel moved quickly, raising his spear and channeling Shinsoo into a shimmering barrier. The wave crashed against it, shaking the ground and sending shockwaves through the air. Ariel gritted his teeth, holding the barrier steady.
"Go!" he shouted over the roar of energy.
Kaiden and the others boarded the warship reluctantly, the engines roaring to life as it began to ascend. Roulin, enraged, turned his attention to the escaping vessel. He unleashed a massive slash of dark energy, aiming to destroy it.
Ariel acted swiftly, intercepting the attack with his spear. The impact was catastrophic, and though Ariel managed to protect the warship, the force of the collision cost him dearly. His left arm was torn away, but he didn't falter.
Ariel ran into the warship , which then disappeared into the sky , leaving the regulars and Roulin Behind