Footsteps of hurrying knights echoed through the silent, abandoned streets. They ran at full speed, their physical enhancements fully activated.
"It's moving our way," one knight said urgently, pointing toward the massive object hurtling toward the town. It was immense, several dozen meters across, perhaps even a hundred. To them, it looked like a meteorite, a falling star, or even a small sun descending from the heavens. If it hits them, they can do nothing to save themselves, but...
"Don't think about it," Vera called out as she led the pack of knights and adventurers. "They'll stop it." Her steady and confident words seemed to reference the barrier group, trusted to minimize the destruction looming on the horizon.
There was little evidence to suggest the barrier would hold, but Vera's words were enough to convince the ragtag group. To them, it was not about believing her words, whether they believed or not, nothing would change. If the barrier fails, they all die.
Everyone knew that, however, despite the impending uncertainty and doom, they pressed on toward their destination: the south gate, where they would face the full brunt of the enemy.
...
A giant flaming rock hovered, dozens of kilometers above the walled town of Agatha. Its true identity was the Collapsing Sun, a devastating fusion magic conjured by the invading Caldris army in their bid to capture Agatha.
"Release," commanded a man clad in grand armor. His name was Argentt Welt Luger. He was a burly figure, his muscles bulged visibly even beneath his heavy armor. His dark, fierce eyes radiated authority, instilling fear in the hearts of his soldiers.
At his side stood a young man, not yet at the peak of his youth, Reid Ela Caldris, the third prince of the Caldris royalty. Nineteen years old, the prince joined the invasion in search of a notable achievement to solidify his name in history.
At Argentt's command, the mages released their control over the Collapsing Sun. The massive, fiery surface began its descent toward the town. It was clear their aim was not a mere occupation but total annihilation, delivered through the overwhelming force of this catastrophic spell.
"To think the day would come when I'd see such a spell in actual use," Reid said, his voice tinged with awe as he watched the unfolding spectacle. Then, with a note of concern, he asked, "Are we safe at this distance?"
They were only one or two kilometers from the walled town, and Reid's concern was justified. Surely, the mere impact of the spell would cause massive destruction to the surrounding area, if not more.
"Perhaps it's better if you move further back, Your Highness," Argentt replied, his eyes narrowing as he watched the flaming rock fall from the sky. "Gaspar!" he called to his aide. "Take out the artifact," he ordered similarly concerned with the impact.
"Understood!" Gaspar responded immediately, his voice sharp and focused as he rushed to perform the task. His eyes scanned the soldiers around him, and with a commanding gesture, he ordered his underlings to hurry. "Set up the artifact, move quickly!"
As the soldiers scrambled to position the artifact, a white glow began to emanate from it, slowly enveloping the entire army. The light grew brighter with each passing second, forming a shimmering barrier that radiated a sense of protection. It was a barrier—an artifact designed to shield them from the coming devastation.
The glow intensified, casting long shadows on the ground, and for a brief moment, the soldiers could feel the heavy weight of anticipation in the air. The magic was ready, but the impact of the spell was still coming, and they could only hope it would be enough.
...
A loud crashing sound echoed throughout the area. What could it be? The only thing that came to mind was the object in the sky. It had finally struck the barrier, shattering it.
"Ran!" Katherine called out to me, her voice urgent as she nodded in my direction.
"Let your mana flow into the machine," the man instructed hastily. I really should ask for his name. "Everyone, take your positions!" he barked at the others. Katherine and Pruscha quickly positioned themselves beside me.
I closed my eyes, focusing on the memory of activating the Spirit Eye. I dove deep into my soul, searching for that familiar light. Gradually, the machine began to glow, emitting a faint green hue.
Voices murmured around me, but their words barely registered. My thoughts centered on a single goal: stopping that thing from falling, even if it meant draining every ounce of my mana.
...
"It's broken." Reid mused as he witnessed the barrier crushing without putting up much of a fight.
"It seems I was overestimating them, after all," Argentt mused. "Prepare for the impact. Tonight, we shall witness the birth of a new era." His words lingered in the air as he imagined the destruction of Agatha, a cold satisfaction settling over him.
...
"Charlotte," Vera said, her gaze steady and knowing. She gave no orders, but the meaning between them was clear.
The barrier met the giant rock, but it offered little resistance, shattering under the weight of the impact. Despite this, the rock wasn't without any damage. The surface cracked, slowing its momentum. Though it had lost some speed, the rock remained intact. Meanwhile, molten fragments rained down on the houses, igniting fires as they fell.
Unfazed by the rain of molten debris, Charlotte and the other mages took their positions atop the wall. With every passing second, the danger grew closer. Yet, they paid it no mind. They believed in something, in someone. It hadn't been long since that man arrived, but his talent spoke volumes beyond his words.
He could stop it. They believed in him. They had placed their utmost trust in his abilities.
That was why they would do what was expected of them.
"Ancient forces, hear my plea. Unite as one, in harmony!" Charlotte began chanting, her voice steady and resolute.
The other mages, in turn, started casting intermediate magic, focusing on minimizing mana consumption. In a battle of mages, strength alone doesn't guarantee victory. It's the one who knows which spell to cast and when that wins the fight.
But this time is different, Charlotte Lynd Beaumont, a talented mage, known throughout the Royal Academy, is a monster in her own right. At the early age of twelve, she had mastered mana manipulation in just under three months, an unprecedented achievement, rivaling the geniuses in history. She had been headhunted for a prestigious position as a royal mage, but she declined. Her laid-back personality had kept her from climbing the ranks among the elite.
"By the flames that scorch and consume, By the waters that flow and entomb,"
Spells of various natures—fire, water, earth, and wind—soared through the air, aimed directly at the enemy troops. However, they were easily thwarted as a massive barrier rose, effortlessly foiling their attempts. Yet, they remained resolute, continuing to cast their spells.
'By the earth that holds and shields, By the winds that cut and yield,' similarly, Charlotte remained unbothered, her expression calm and focused as she continued to cast her spell. Her hands moved with practiced precision, every gesture deliberate and filled with intent.
A circle of light slowly formed beneath her feet, its edges glowing faintly at first before the light began to pulse with an array of shifting, vibrant colors. The hues rippled like a subtle dance, casting soft reflections across her surroundings. Despite the chaos unfolding around her, Charlotte's concentration never wavered. Each incantation she uttered seemed to draw even more power into the circle, building steadily as the spell took shape.
Similarly, the enemy began firing their magic. Unlike Charlotte and her allies, they focused on sheer destructiveness rather than conserving mana.
They managed to conjure a barrier for defense, but it wasn't strong enough to withstand the onslaught. When the spell collided with the wall, it exploded violently, sending shockwaves through the air and hurling debris to the ground. Several of the mages caught in the blast were injured, their cries of pain lost in the chaos as the spells didn't let up.
Meanwhile, Charlotte remained unbothered, her focus unwavering. Some of the mages, despite the danger, chose to protect her, even at the risk of exposing themselves to the flying debris.
'Merge your power, boundless and grand, Shape the will under my hand! As creation and chaos intertwine, Unleash a force both pure and divine,'
As she continued chanting, the magic circle began to glow more intensely. A palpable shift filled the air, everyone could feel it. A cold shiver ran down their spines. This was no ordinary magic, nothing like the flimsy spells they had been hurling at the enemy. It was a force worthy of her title as a genius mage.
At the same time, a radiant green light began to rise from the ground, rapidly encasing the entire area. It collided with the giant rock, causing a massive impact. Waves of shockwaves pulsed through the air as the barrier struggled to contain the immense force behind the falling rock.
"Elemental Convergence," Charlotte continued, her voice steady despite the strain. She paused for a moment, her body drenched in sweat from the sheer power of the magic she was releasing all at once.
The magic circle shattered, its pulsating light vanishing in an instant. The torrent of mana that had surged outward also disappeared without a trace, as if it had never existed, like a bubble bursting into nothingness, leaving no evidence behind.
Silence followed, as though the world itself had stopped. The only evidence that time was still moving was the explosion of the giant rock, unable to penetrate the barrier. Shockwaves radiated outward, sending buildings crashing down, their shattered pieces raining across the area.
Black smoke rose as the walled town of Agatha ignited into flames, the destruction unfolding in an almost surreal stillness. The once-thriving town now smoldered, its future uncertain as the fires raged unchecked. The devastation was undeniable, the result of magic so powerful that it had left its mark on both the landscape and the hearts of those who had witnessed it.
But they were alive.
In that single moment, Charlotte opened her eyes. Her staff was raised horizontally, her arms extending behind it. Two words follow...
"Extinction Nova."
...
Explosions rained down on the Caldris army as magic spells collided with the erected barrier, the force of each impact reverberating through the air. The deafening sound of the blasts continued, but the barrier held, not even showing any strain.
"It seems like they're desperate," Reid observed, his eyes narrowing as he took in the relentless barrage.
"It doesn't matter. It's over already," Argentt replied, his tone calm, unwavering.
Having witnessed the barrier shatter so easily under the massive force of the giant flaming rock, they were already convinced that victory was all but certain. The enemy's efforts now felt futile, their magic and weapons no match for the overwhelming power that stood against them. Still, they knew better than to assume too much. The fight had to be finished.
"Fire at will," Argentt ordered, his voice cutting through the chaos. The mages, their mana replenished after the exhaustion from casting the collapsing sun magic, rose from their positions. Without hesitation, they began casting military-grade spells, each one a devastating force, designed to break through the enemy's defenses with terrifying ease.
The impact of their spells shattered the enemy's barrier, sending chunks of the wall crashing to the ground with thunderous force. The once-imposing defense now lay in ruins, unable to withstand the sheer power of the mages' onslaught.
Though they were convinced of their victory, they did not let up. They refused to allow the enemy any opportunity to retaliate.
However, light covered the entirety of Agatha. Its origin was unknown to them, but one thing was certain, the giant rock had stopped moving. The light was holding it in place, preventing any further progress.
"What is going on?" Reid asked, his gaze fixed intently on the unfolding events.
The rock, massive and menacing, collided with the light as if testing the strange force that had suddenly appeared. It was an impact unlike the one before. The light acted as a barrier preventing the rock from falling. The collision caused shockwaves and the ground to shake. Dust and debris swirled around, carried by the shockwaves of the magical forces colliding.
Massive as it was, the rock couldn't penetrate the barrier crumbling from the impact and its own weight. A massive explosion ensued. The sound of the blast was like thunder, echoing across the land. It created a blast surpassing that of a meteor impact as the stone shattered into thousands of jagged, molten pieces. The sky was briefly filled with the fiery rain of rock fragments, cascading down in all directions.
One more thing...
As a seasoned veteran on the battlefield, Argentt sensed it.
Something was coming.
"Increase the barrier output!" Argentt shouted, his voice urgent, cutting through the chaos as he yelled at the top of his lungs. "I don't care if you exhaust your mana. Pour everything into it!"
His men moved quickly, surrounding the machine and feeding it every last drop of mana they could muster. The machine, though smaller than the ones used in Agatha, resembled them closely, its intricate design glowing as it pulsed with power. The light from the device grew brighter as more soldiers joined the effort, their faces set with determination.
"Is something wrong?" Reid asked, a trace of concern creeping into his voice as he observed the frantic scene.
"Get to the center, Your Highness," Argentt replied sharply, his tone heavy with grim realization.
Just then, the surroundings were swallowed by total darkness, the air growing unnervingly still. Not a sound could be heard, no wind, no battle cries, no movement, only the oppressive silence pressing in from all sides.
"Those pigs!" Argentt could only shout in fury, his anger boiling over.
A blinding light engulfed his entire army.
...
Intense light enveloped the once lush field, blinding everything in its wake. What was it? No one could say for sure.
A shockwave followed, knocking some of the knights off their feet. A few were even thrown several paces into the ground. Then, a muffled explosion reverberated through the air, causing their ears to ring.
The light gradually subsided, revealing a mushroom-shaped cloud of smoke rising in the distance. A massive crater now visible to the naked eye.
...
A massive explosion erupted. Comparable to the Collapsing Sun spell, strong enough to wreak havoc.
The Caldris army took the full brunt of the blast. The barrier artifact was completely destroyed, but it had managed to protect them from total annihilation, at the cost of several hundred knights, now lying motionless. The surviving knights were left heavily injured, both physically and morally shaken by the devastation.
But it wasn't over yet; there was still hope in sight. They had taken a huge loss, but their numbers still outmatched the enemy's. They couldn't just give up and run. The Goddess of Victory still smiling upon them.
"Destroy those pigs," Argentt said in a low voice, pure hatred and hostility can be heard.