Valoria was drenched in blood and fire
The remnants of ArchenLand's elite soldiers stood firm, despite the overwhelming numbers of their enemies. These weren't just ordinary soldiers—they were Özels. The Royal Guards of Valoria, the last line of defense for the capital.
And at their head stood Commander JohanFare, a raccoon Tracient of the Fare Clan and Özel Rank #10.
"Steady, men!" Johan's voice roared across the battlefield. "Hold the line at all costs! We will not hand over our home to these cretins!"
His Arcem surged forward, raw mana spiraling into his hands, forming into a sphere of pure compressed air, twisting with an intense vacuum force that pulled the wind around him into a vortex.
"ARCEM: Sarmal Küre!!!"(Spiral Sphere!)
He hurled the attack into the enemy ranks.
The explosion tore through them, scattering bodies like fallen leaves.
But it wasn't enough.
For every enemy obliterated, more took their place. Among them were Özels, elite warriors who could hold their own against Johan's men. The Royal Guards were strong, but they were already at their limit.
Johan clenched his fists, pushing his mana further.
"One more attack—"
"Maximum Output—!"
But—nothing happened.
The mana gathered in his hands flickered weakly, his vision blurred. His body was failing.
Just as darkness crept in, a sudden surge of energy flooded his body.
His eyes snapped open, his mana pool replenished in an instant.
"What in Asalan's name—?"
A familiar aura enveloped him.
Johan turned, his eyes widening in disbelief.
There, standing behind him, was Lord Thrax Deniz—his Arcem fully active.
"Aegis Tide: Vital Flow!"
A soft, bluish-green glow radiated from Thrax, spreading out over the battlefield. The wounded soldiers' wounds began to close, their mana reserves were restored, and their bodies regained their strength.
"Johan!" Thrax's voice carried across the battlefield. "Keep pushing! Go all out! As long as I'm here, I will support you!"
Johan gritted his teeth and nodded.
"For ArchenLand!"
His mana flared once more, surging even stronger than before.
Thrax stepped forward, moving toward the fray.
"Aegis Tide: Enerji Kilidi!"(Energy Lock!)
With fluid, precise movements, he spiraled his mana outward. The wave of energy swept across the battlefield, paralyzing dozens of enemy soldiers.
Their mana flow was entirely disrupted—they couldn't move, fight, or resist.
Meanwhile, Johan compressed the massive amount of mana Thrax had just buffed him with.
A massive, swirling sphere of compressed wind and raw power formed in his hands.
"For ArchenLand and for Asalan!"
"Maximum Output: Oodama Sarmal Küre!!!" (Great Spiral Sphere!)
The impact was cataclysmic.
The enemy forces were obliterated, their ranks reduced to dust.
The remaining invaders hesitated, their confidence shaken.
And then—
A shadow fell over them.
A chilling voice spoke from above.
"How dare you step foot into my home?"
The invaders looked up—
—And their hearts turned to ice.
The entire sky was covered in mana-infused feathers.
And at the center of it all—hovering above them, his cape of feathers spread wide like the wings of an eagle—was Lord Talonir Kushan.
The storm of feathers rained down in an unstoppable assault.
The enemy forces died instantly.
No dodging.
No blocking.
No mercy.
In seconds, the battlefield was empty.
Silence fell over Valoria.
Then—
A slow, mocking clap echoed through the air.
"Oh wow!"
A pink-furred rabbit Tracient stood a few feet away, clapping his hands together with a wide grin on his face. He wore a long hat, and his eyes glowed with amusement.
"So this is the prowess of the #6 and #7 of the Hazël?" He tilted his head. "Impressive!"
Thrax turned sharply, his body tense.
Talonir's bow was already drawn, his arrow aimed at the rabbit's heart.
"Who are you?" Talonir's voice was deathly calm. "The way you answer determines how you die."
The rabbit chuckled, his smile unshaken.
"Come on now." He raised his hands. "Would you really attack an unarmed man? No need to be so aggressive—"
BOOOOM!
A yellow sword, crackling with red mana, tore through the air at impossible speed, aiming directly for the rabbit's throat.
The moment it hit the ground, the explosion ripped through the battlefield, sending shockwaves across Valoria.
But when the dust settled—
The rabbit was completely unharmed.
Kon Kaplan stood in the middle of the crater, his scowl deep with rage.
The rabbit, standing a few feet away, grinned wider.
"Woah! That was close!" He tilted his hat. "You almost did me in there, Lord Kaplan."
Thrax turned to the rabbit, his eyes narrowed.
"He dodged Kon's attack?"
Kon was already moving again—
Faster than light.
His sword thrust forward, aiming directly for the rabbit's heart.
But once again—he hit nothing but air.
The rabbit appeared a few steps away, untouched.
"Sheesh!" He pouted. "If you kill me, you won't even learn what I wanted to say."
Kon ground his teeth, his mana surging.
He was done playing games.
His entire body radiated red energy as he prepared to go all out.
"Control yourself, Lord Kaplan."
Talonir's voice cut through the tension.
Kon hesitated, his eyes locking with Talonir's.
After a moment, he grunted and dissipated his mana.
The rabbit sighed in relief.
"Phew! Thank you, Lord Kushan."
Talonir's gaze was sharp. "You have five minutes to explain who and what you are."
Kon thrust his sword into the ground and crossed his arms.
"Start talking."
The rabbit grinned wider.
"Sheesh, talk about a rowdy bunch!"
He adjusted his long hat, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
"The name is Jarik. Jarik Fare. But I assume you already guessed that, given my appearance. After all..."
His smile deepened.
"Lady Hompher and I are well-acquainted."
Thrax's eyes narrowed. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"That's not important." Jarik waved his hand dismissively. "But what is important... is that I came here on behalf of my master."
Talonir's eyes darkened. "The Shadow."
Jarik bowed dramatically. "Indeed! I am here to tell you..."
His smile turned cruel.
"Why ArchenLand is in ruins—and to make you an offer."
The Narn Lords tensed.
Jarik laughed.
"Oh, and Lord Kaplan?"
Kon's eyes locked onto him.
Jarik smirked.
"All of this? The war? The raid? Everything?"
" It was my idea."