"Tsk… Just how many are still left?" Vera muttered under her breath, her brows furrowing in frustration. She had been targeting lone soldiers, picking them off one by one, but it felt like their numbers weren't diminishing at all. If anything, they seemed to be regrouping, growing stronger as they converged. The enemy was tightening their formation, concentrating most of their forces in the plaza.
Squeak-squeak! Squeak-squeak!
The high-pitched sound cut through the tension of the moment. Vera's eyes snapped to the little white mouse that scurried up to her, its tiny paws tapping urgently against the stone. A slip of paper was neatly tucked into the mouse's back, held by a small ribbon. Vera's heart skipped a beat as she reached down, careful not to crush the fragile creature, and gently plucked the paper free.
The mouse squeaked again, then darted off to find a safer corner, leaving Vera to read the letter.
"No Good. Army At The Gate."
The message was from the adventurers who had been tasked with circling the town. They had planned to perform a pincer attack.
When the enemy soldiers began rushing toward the gate, they hadn't provided magical cover, which suggested one thing: they had lost most of their mages in Charlotte's attack. Vera had suspected this. That's why she had planned to lure them inside the town, hoping to strike from both sides.
"Tsk… They saw through our plan."
She exhaled sharply and pulled out a small, folded piece of writing material from her pocket. It was rough, not the kind of paper she normally used for formal communication, but it would do. Quickly, she uncapped a small ink vial and dipped the quill. Her hand moved swiftly, writing a short, sharp response on the back of the letter she had just read.
"Don't Risk It. Regroup."
The plan has fallen now they need to regroup.
Vera folded the letter carefully and tied it to the mouse's tiny back, giving it a gentle nudge. The creature, now understanding its purpose, darted off into the distance, back toward the safety of the shadows.
The enemy's plan was clear, they would push straight to the mansion.
...
I woke with a start, my whole body aching as though I'd been run over by a truck. Every muscle screamed in protest, but the sharpest pain came from my side. I couldn't help but gasp as I tried to shift, the pressure on my ribs almost unbearable.
A soft, warm light enveloped me, and I blinked, trying to focus through the haze. I turned my head and saw Pruscha kneeling beside me, her hands glowing with healing magic. The gentle hum of her incantation was soothing, I can feel the wound healing though the pain remains but can be handled.
It took a moment for me to realize I wasn't alone, everyone else was here, though they were in similar condition.
My eyes scanned the room. It was totaled, like a bomb exploded inside and we all got caught in the explosion. If there's a positive thing, the others are slowly stirring back to life, and are already trying to move. Except for one, my eyes fell on Katherine.
She was still. Too still. Blood stained her face, her dress all banged up, and the sight of her like this made my heart seize. I tried to push myself up, but the pain in my side sent a wave of dizziness through me, collapsing back down with a grunt.
"What happened?" My voice came out hoarse, barely a whisper.
I struggled to recall what had happened. My mind felt foggy like I was reaching for something just out of my grasp. All I could remember was us supplying the artifact with mana, everything after that was a blur. It was as if a wall had come down, and I couldn't break through.
"Aughhhh!" My head throbbed with an ache that made me wince. I clenched my teeth, trying to force the memory back, but there was only the pain. Nothing more.
"Please, don't move," Pruscha's voice cut through my growing panic. I turned to look at her, and my heart sank. She was kneeling beside me, her face strained with effort, her hands glowing with healing magic. Despite her own injuries, she was working tirelessly on me, her brow slick with sweat.
But she was hurt too. I could see the way her body twitched with pain, the way she winced after every movement. She was barely holding it together, and yet… she wasn't stopping.
I reached out, my hand trembling slightly, and grasped hers. "Pruscha, I'm fine now," I said, my voice rough and hoarse. "Heal Katherine. She needs you more."
The moment I said it, a sickening feeling twisted in my stomach. Katherine… she was still lying there, unmoving. I don't remember what happened, but, I feel like it was my responsibility. My pulse quickened just looking at her, and I knew deep down if Pruscha didn't heal her soon, we might lose her.
Pruscha's hand tightened in mine, but she didn't meet my eyes right away. When she finally did, I saw the crack in her composure. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. "I already did what I could." She swallowed, the pain in her eyes unmistakable. "Let's hope for the best."
I felt a cold lump form in my chest. "What do you mean 'hope for the best'?" My voice was sharper than I intended, but I couldn't help it. The fear was clawing at me now, sinking deep into my bones. Katherine's life was hanging by a thread, and Pruscha's words, her apology, only made it worse.
Pruscha didn't say anything else. She just continued her healing, her magic pulsing steadily around me. Her movements were slow, and deliberate, like she was forcing herself to keep going even though every part of her wanted to stop.
I watched her for a moment, then turned my gaze back to Katherine. Every second felt like an eternity. I had to do something. But I didn't know what. I was barely able to use magic, let alone do anything to heal her. No way I could save her. All I could do was sit here, helpless, as the reality of the situation settled over me like a heavy fog.
The reality of this world is anything but my deluded expectations.
KABLAAAAGGGG!
The door burst open with a deafening crash, and I flinched, instinctively trying to brace myself even though I barely had the strength to move. The sound of rushing footsteps followed, echoing in the tense silence.
"Everyone!" Pristina's voice rang out, sharp and commanding, as she strode through the door, leading a group of people behind her. They were all battered, bruised, and covered in dirt and blood. But what caught my attention was Charlotte, weakly hanging by Pristina's shoulder, her face pale and her eyes unfocused. My heart skipped a beat.
"What's the situation?" Frank's voice was low, full of tension. He looked just as bad as the rest of us. It seemed like we were all hanging on by a thread. I forced myself to sit up, grimacing as the pain in my side flared, but I needed to know what was happening. We couldn't afford to be in the dark now.
Pristina didn't answer Frank right away. Instead, she turned to the others, barking orders. "Those that can use healing magic, prioritize the heavily injured. Heal them as much as possible!" Her voice was sharp, cutting through the room like a blade, not anything that I know of her, completely different than normal. Everyone scrambled into action, setting down the injured and getting to work with hasty, desperate magic.
I looked up at Pristina, still trying to focus despite the throbbing in my head. "What's going on?" I asked, the question heavy with fear and confusion.
"The enemies are rushing inside," Pristina said, her voice tight with tension. "Vera and the others are trying to reduce their numbers, but we need to help them, or else they won't hold out much longer."
The words hit me like a punch. My mind raced, and adrenaline started to surge despite the pain in my body. The battle wasn't over. It was only escalating. I glanced at Katherine again, my stomach twisting. She needed help now, more than any of us.
Pristina didn't waste any more time. She pulled a small vial from her belt and handed it to Pruscha, who was still sitting beside me, her hands trembling slightly as she continued to heal my injuries. "Drink this," Pristina said as she handed her the vial, "It's a mana potion. You need the energy to keep going."
"Thank you," Pruscha whispered, her voice strained, but she didn't hesitate to uncork the vial and drink it down. Her hands steadied just a little as the potion took effect, but there was no time to rest.
"Katherine needs to be operated on," Pruscha said, her voice quiet but urgent.
Before Pristina could respond, a male adventurer, someone I didn't recognize, stepped forward, his face grim. "I'll do it," he said, his voice low but firm. "I studied medicine before I became an adventurer. I can help her."
I stared at him, the doubt creeping up. Could we trust him? How could we know he wasn't just another desperate soul trying to make himself useful? But Katherine didn't have time for hesitation. We couldn't risk waiting any longer. If we didn't act now, we might lose her completely.
"Can you do it?" I asked, my voice hoarse and raw. There was no time for second-guessing, but I needed to hear it from him.
"I can!" he replied, his tone unwavering, as if he was trying to convince us, and maybe himself, that he had what it took.
Pristina looked at him for a long moment before nodding. "What do you need?" she asked.
The man's gaze flicked around the room as he quickly assessed the situation. "I'll need a clean space to work. A few bandages, and something to stop the bleeding. If she's still breathing, then there's hope."
I swallowed hard, my throat tight. There was nothing more we could do but trust him. Katherine had to make it through this.
Pristina moved to help him, and I felt a rush of helplessness wash over me. Every part of me wanted to be the one to help, to do something, anything, but right now, there was nothing I could offer but hope.
'It's what you do that defines you' memory of that day
I will become stronger...
...
"Tsk..." Vera hissed under her breath, her covered eyes narrowing as a fireball shot toward her out of nowhere. The air around it shimmered, the intense heat reverberating through the narrow gaps between the houses as it flew at her with deadly speed.
Without hesitation, Vera spun, her blade slicing through the air with practiced precision. The steel met the fireball with a sharp clash, deflecting its trajectory just enough before it exploded in a burst of tremendous heat.
"Tsk... Looks like these pests just keep coming." A voice emerged from the shadows, dripping with disdain. Out of the darkness stepped a massive figure, unmistakable in his size and presence. It was Argentt Welt Luger, the leader of the invading army, with four soldiers trailing closely behind him.
Without a moment's hesitation, one of the soldiers charged forward, his sword raised high, eyes locked on Vera. At the rear, two mages began to chant in unison, their hands weaving intricate patterns in the air as they prepared their deadly magic.
"Burning light, flicker and ignite, unleash thy wrath, a blazing arrow. Fire Lance!"
The soldier closed the gap, swinging his blade down with deadly intent. But Vera moved like lightning, parrying his strike with ease. The soldier pivoted and leaped aside as a flaming lance shot towards her, its fiery tip a streak of death.
But before Vera could react, another soldier rushed in, blocking her escape. Their swords met with a clash, locking their swords in a struggle. Vera notices the spell dangerously close, she hastily drives her knee into his chest with a sharp thrust, throwing him off balance. As she moved, she sidestepped narrowly avoiding the Fire Lance, erupting in a burst of flame that sent shockwaves through the air, consuming the area in the explosion.
For a moment, there was only the crackling of flames and the lingering scent of scorched earth. Smoke and dust billowed from the impact site, in their mind the foolish woman had been obliterated in an instant, or so it seemed.
From above the smoke, Vera emerged, her clothes singed and scorched, but she remained unharmed. With a swift motion, she hurled one of her blades toward Argentt, catching him off guard.
Still, Argentt managed to dodge just in time, the blade grazing his left ear with a sharp, sickening hiss. He recoiled, but the weapon vanished into the shadows, its deadly arc falling short of its mark.
"YOU FUCKING BITCH!!!" Argentt snarled, fury boiling in his voice, but Vera didn't falter.
Her senses sharpen as she locks unto him. She continued her charge, the speed of her movements a blur, each step bringing her closer to her target.
Argentt. He was the only one who mattered now. There was no other option. The pincer attack had crumbled even before deploying, but now the leader himself had come to her. This was her moment to strike, the chance to end it all.
But she knew it wouldn't be that easy.
"Tsk..."
The sound of the grunt barely registered as the two soldiers charged forward, blocking her path. Their swords clashed against hers in a flurry of steel. Before she could break their lock, the two mages behind them began weaving their spell. In perfect unison, they cast their Fire Lance, the magic crackling with deadly intent.
At the same moment, Argentt stepped forward, his hand raised, muttering an incantation. An immense aura gathered around him, his eyes burning with fury as he prepared his own spell.
Vera's heart raced, but her mind remained sharp. She couldn't afford to hesitate. The time to act was now. Beneath her breath, she began chanting, ever so quietly, so that not a single soul could hear.
"Frozen earth, awaken thy might, From deep within, bring forth thy bite. Sharpened fangs of ice arise, Pierce the world, Pierce the skies. Ice Fang!" The air around Argentt crackled with an icy chill as he summoned his magic. From the ground, jagged spikes of ice shot up like fangs, rapidly rushing toward Vera's direction. Each one gleamed coldly under the dim light, reflecting the icy wrath of the caster.
The three people whose weapons are locked in a swordfight dodge in quick movement. Vera jumped upward but before she could land two fire lances shot through her way, it was fast, precise, and powerful, offering no way to dodge. In desperation, as if trying to block it with her own body, she stretched her hand directly where the fire lance was coming.
A surge of mana shot out from her hands. "White Chains," she cast, omitting the spell chant, but the activation word. A chain made of light coiled around her just as the fire lance impacted. An explosion ensued, enveloping her like a firework blooming in the night sky, briefly lighting up the surroundings.
Then, a lightning spell 'Lightning Pierce' shot through the air. It was cast by Argentt himself, sniping Vera as she hung suspended in midair.
Vera plummeted headfirst, her mask completely obliterated, her body riddled with burns and injuries. Her right arm was missing.
Vera had been the strongest among the defending troops, but now that she had been defeated, it could be said that the fight was over. The enemy had won.
At least, that was how it should have gone.
Vera spins mid-air, unconcerned about her injuries, and she throws her blade towards Argentt, but it offers no force, easily deflected.
"Come forth at once, White Light." An elementary spell whose effect merely creates a glowing light. However, it was common knowledge that depending on how much mana was applied, it could temporarily blind someone. Her thrown blade glowed intensely, like a floodlight, shining directly into the enemies' faces and disorienting them.
Argentt hurriedly swatted the blade mid-air, stopping the light, but it had already done its job.
A distraction.
Vera's actions had all been deliberate and calculated, even sacrificing an arm for one critical blow.
"I won," Vera said calmly. Despite her injuries, despite the continued barrage of slashes and magic spells, her concentration remained unwavering. The spell she had been casting quietly was now complete.
"Explode. Destroy the Darkness." Tremendous mana poured into her other sword, the one that had taken Argentt's left ear, the one that had disappeared into the shadows of the night.
That one, now radiating ominous light from behind the enemy's back.
Doing whatever it takes to defeat the enemy standing in front of her. The reason she was given the title of Absolute Blade. A former member of Silford's Hero's party. The tenacity of someone who willed herself to become stronger. To become somebody...
"White Nova." the activation of her spell,
Explosion erupted, and caught in the blast, Argentt, and his soldiers.
...
Outside the Mansion
A figure stood alone, clad in the distinctive armor of the Caldris Army. His eyes flicked between the blade in his hands, tossing it up into the air and catching it with practiced ease, like a casual game.
BOOMMMMM!
The explosion rumbled through the air, shaking the ground beneath his feet. The man froze, the knife still in the air as he turned his head toward the sound. A grin stretched across his face.
"Looks like they're having fun out there." His voice was laced with amusement, though his eyes were already scanning the horizon for any signs of what had just happened.
He raised his hand casually, murmuring something under his breath. "Long Vision." The magic took hold, and his eyes narrowed, shifting into an almost predatory focus as he peered into the distance, as if looking through a giant lens.
"Well, well…" His grin widened as he watched the battlefield unfold. "Looks like the old fart is done for. Hahaha."
The laughter echoed in the quiet night, the sound carrying across the open air.
"Master!" A voice called from behind, snapping his attention away from the distant scene.
He turned, the smile never leaving his face. "Ah, it's been a while." His tone was friendly, but there was a cold edge to it. "So? The item?"
A figure stepped forward, offering an object, its shape obscured in the darkness.
He took the item from them, his gloved fingers tracing its surface before he raised it to the light of the moon.
"Ho!" He marveled at the object, holding it up against the pale moonlight. "What a beautiful sight. A shame it hasn't seen a real fight in… what, thousands of years?"
The figure nodded, their face unreadable. "It sure is."
"Then I shall leave now." His voice shifted, becoming more distant, as if he were already halfway gone. With a single motion, his form began to be swallowed by the darkness beneath him, melting into the shadows. "Prince Reid, let's get our asses out of here. The old fart is done for."
His voice rang through the air, but there was no one in sight. A telepathic command, cool and composed.
"And oh," he added looking at the person behind him, his tone shifting slightly. "Don't get yourself killed, not yet at least. I still have a use for you."
The person replied, faint but clear. "Understood!"
The darkness swallowed him entirely, and in his wake, only the faintest whispers remained.