A creature that looked like a short human the size of a house with an enormous head, a single, equally enormous eye, and six hands protruding from its head chased after a group of Arcanists adorned in Arcana armor.
They ran frantically across the small, snow-covered town in search of their horses, which had run away from the stables where they were kept.
Looking over their shoulders, the Arcanists could see the Spector crashing through the buildings as it chased them. Despite the buildings obstructing the creature, it still drew closer to them with otherworldly speed. Its hairy claw-covered hands reaching for them.
"Dammit dammit dammit!" one of the Arcanists cursed.
"Eidolon, save us!" another cried out to his god.
They ran, and ran. With no hope in sight, they knew all twelve of them would be dead within a few seconds if help did not arrive.
The Spector behind them was a Star, one whole rank above every Arcanist here. Of course this was the fault of no one. The information given was that the Caldera that opened up in this town was of the Sky rank.
Such misinformation was rare, but not inconceivable. And on such occasions, Arcanists fed this misinformation usually paid for such folly with their lives.
The Spector was gaining, and the Arcanists were losing their speed.
Reaching out for one of the Arcanists, the Spector widened its grip, ready to grab the nearest Arcana.
SLICE!
Its hand fell off, and within the same span of time, several razor thin waves slammed into the Spector, tearing massive gapes into its body so it fell back in a pile of purple blood.
Looking ahead, the Arcanists could see a young, handsome man atop one of the buildings.
He was tall, muscular and very attractive. His long red hair blew in the wind, along with his black cloak, which enveloped the young man in a mysterious yet heroic aura.
Catching the glint of the morning sun was his silver sword as it bounced the light into the gold of his eyes. Looking at the Spector which he killed in but three of his air slices, the young man smiled.
Noticing his red hair and the large symbol on the inside of his cloak, the eyes of the Arcanists gleamed as hope filled their hearts.
"It is Lucion Kaloway!" one of the Arcanists screamed.
"Lucion Kaloway?!"
"He's come to save us!"
The young man Lucion smiled in revelry at the cheers of the Arcanists.
Looking behind them, Lucion could see a pile of crumbled buildings trailing a path to an enormous hole in the ground. The Caldera.
Not long after meeting the Caldera with his gaze, several more Spectors of the same features as the one he just disposed of emerged.
"Dear Eidolon!" one of the Arcanist said, his hands on his head.
"More of them emerges," another Arcanist added.
Though fear permeated the surrounding air, Lucion on the other hand was not fazed in the slightest.
Instead, his smile deepened.
"This will be a good exercise on my part," Lucion said before drawing himself in like a spring and leaping onto the next building.
The Arcanists watched in amazement, as the incredible Lucion Kaloway ran head first into danger.
He did not bear an ounce of fear within him, because as far as the people of Winterpeak knew, Lucion Kaloway was one of the strongest Stars in the Kingdom.
Landing in front of the closest Spector, he stood and watched as the creature tried to slam its fists into him.
Zipping to the side just as the Spector's hands crashed into the ground, Lucion swung his sword. What followed was an enormous gust of wind that bit into the Spector, eating into it and tearing a clean line across and through the creature, so it came apart in a horizontal split.
This was the result of his Arcana.
Weaving it with his left hand, Lucion continued to swing the sword in his right as while effortlessly evading the Spectors' attacks.
One swing and three Spectors tore in half, taking the building behind them.
Another swing, and five Spectors fell apart.
Now indulging himself, Lucion swing at one Spector eight good times, so it came apart in eight different slices.
Within several seconds, Lucion had cleared the town of the dozen and a half Spectors with relative ease.
Yet his job was not over.
Exiting the Caldera was a Spector similar to the others Lucion had just done away with. Yet this Spector was five times bigger.
The creature was evidently stronger than the others, especially considering that it was the Alpha Spector, and the last to exit the Caldera before it would close.
Smiling still, Lucion stared at the enormous Spector towering over him.
"You seem big and strong," Lucion took a stance. "Be sure to give me a little more resistance than your subordinates did."
The creature ran toward him, causing several quakes in its wake. And likewise, Lucion dadhed toward it.
Like a sonic burst Lucion closed the gap between him and the Spector in seconds. The roof of buildings explained off their base and several windows, statues and wells burst in his wake.
In the blink of an eye Lucion was already behind the Spector. He stood, grinning as he waited.
A quarter second later, the Spector split in half. So both halves fell to the sides as its momentum still carried it, causing it to crash into several buildings.
Turning around, Lucion took a moment to admire his efforts.
"I almost feel bad for it." Lucion said, just as his hunting party made their way toward him along with the Arcanists whose job it was to rid this town of the Caldera.
On top the horse at the forefront was one of Lucion's closest friends.
"A display such as this was not necessary, Commander Lucion." Lucion's friend said. His horse along with that of the others halted in front of Lucion.
They did not have to be told before unmounting and scattering across this ruined section of the town. Each of them tearing the Spectors open for their Cores and other parts of their insides valuable to Alchemists.
The Arcanists initially in charge of this Purge just stood, their heads bowed.
"Of course it was necessary Lyrian. I am Lucion Kaloway after all." Lucion remarked, then made his way toward the group of Arcanists bowing their heads.
He stretched out his arms to them as he drew closer, only to hold their shoulders upon reaching them.
"You do not need to thank me, I could not just sit by and watch you all perish." Lucion said, eyes intent on the Arcanist who — by his prominent features and the demeanor — was evidently their leader.
"Yet I cannot help but do so. Your aid is most appreciated," the leader said.
"Fret not my friend. It was my pleasure." Lucion said, then made his way to Lyrian, who held the reins of Lucion's horse.
Hoisting himself onto the horse, Lucion turned his gaze to his men tearing into the remains of the Spectors.
Then peer further out of the town, Lucion could see his enormous wagon carrying a Spector he had hunted down only hours prior.
A very rare specimen beared great value on all its parts.
Lucion was just returning to Winterhaven after this hunt, when he stumbled upon this town which was under threat.
Looking around, Lucion was quite impressed with how the town's citizens had effectively evacuated the city.
A shame they will have to rebuild a quarter of the city, partly because of him.
"Shall we return? I'm sure your men will return with the spoils without daring to horde any for themselves." Lyrian said, pointing his gaze to the setting sun.
It was not pleasant to be caught in the wild at night. Not even with the protection of a Ward Arcana.
Lucion laughed, and just as he was about to speak, the leader of the town's Arcanists approached.
"How might I help you my friend?" Lucion asked.
The leader could not speak, he stood frozen for a couple of seconds while Lucion and Lyrian watched in confusion.
"Is there a problem mister?" Lyrian asked.
"Forgive me young Lords," the leader said. "But I wanted to ask if...if you could spare some Cores and Spector parts for my men and I."
Lucion's smile disappeared. Then he exchanged glances with Lyrian, who shrugged at his gaze.
"Do you not believe it fair that I to reap the benefits of my labor?" Lucion asked, his voice cold.
"No, of course not Commander Lucion," the leader stuttered as he spoke. "It is just that the Cores for such a high grade Spector would fetch a handsome price at the Guilds. And this town is in desperate need provisions. I was just wondering if you help..."
"I will have to stop you there." Lucion waved his hand. "It seems that you fail to grasp the circumstance we have found ourselves in."
Lucion leaned in as he spoke.
"Had I not intervened when I did, you and your men would have been but corpses. And this town of yours would have been reduced to rumbles. Tell me then, how would you ask for spares when there would have been nothing left of you?"
The leader said nothing, he stood still while avoiding Lucion's gaze.
"I believe I asked you a question." Lucion insisted.
The leader gulped, then forced the words out of his mouth.
"We wouldn't have Commander." the leader said.
"Precisely." Lucion erected himself. "Neither you nor your men hold any claim to the spoils of this battle. And I do not see it fit to give to those what are they not owed. I do not believe in charity, good sir, so if you want help, then help yourself."
Silence fell.
Not willing to say anymore, Lucion pulled on his horse's reins and turned around. Then he urged it forward.
Lyrian followed behind, a wry smile on his face.
When they had gone a good distance away from earshot, Lyrian giggled.
"That was most humiliating." Lyrian said as he giggled.
"For who? Him or I?" Lucion said, a vein forming on his forehead.
"Me." Lyrian said and Lucion laughed.
"Foolish peasants, unable to accept their place in the dirt." Lucion said.
"They never do Lucion."
As they rode, one of Lucion's Arcanist walked up to him and bowed.
"What is it?" Lucion asked.
"We have gathered all the valuables from the Spectors Commander," the Arcanist said.
"Splendid, then we shall be off to..."
Lucion paused as something in the distance caught his attention.
"Commander?" Lyrian asked.
"Captain, is it not standard procedure to evacuate any resident within a thousand meter radius of a Caldera's spawning point?" Lucion inquired.
Raising a brow, Lyrian trailed Lucion's gaze, only to then share in his confusion when he beheld a man sitting on top a building, presumably talking to himself.
The man sat on the roof of an Alchemy center, he was covered in a cloak that obscured a good bulk of his body. Yet his hands, legs and head could be visibly seen.
The stranger sat in a crossed leg position on the snow encased roof completely indifferent to the cold. He helped himself to a plate of food which he ate with chopsticks as his blonde hair whirled in the wind.
"What will you do, Kael?" a voice asked.
Turning to the men on horses with a mouthful of food. Kael squinted in contemplation whether to kill off everyone present here, or to just do away with Lucion.