The gusts of wind, like whispers from the heavens, conspire against us as dark clouds solemnly unfold across the sky.
Though the outlook may not be the most favorable, something within my senses a strange advantage in adversity. I gaze determinedly towards the horizon, reflecting on the path that has led us to this point.
Crusch's figure, upright and undisturbed despite the tremors shaking her, instills in me a renewed sense of purpose. In the heights surrounding us, there lies a perfect opportunity for a surprise attack, a fleeting moment where our actions could alter the course of the battle.
With my heart beating to the rhythm of urgency, I exclaimed:
"Prepare the bombs!" My voice resounds with authority, and my eyes meet Crusch's, who bravely dives into the task of preparing the projectiles. A simple gesture, a lever's movement, and we will unleash Irlam's fury upon our target.
Beatrice's firm grip on my hand is a constant reminder of the determination we share as we prepare for the inevitable confrontation ahead.
"It seems the rain won't be long in coming, indeed," her voice, laden with concern, urges me to act swiftly. "We must hurry, I suppose; this balloon isn't designed to withstand storms, indeed."
The castle, imposing and distant, stands as a challenge before us, and in its shadow, I glimpse the figure of the enemy awaiting us. I trust in my abilities, in my tenacity; I know I am stronger now, much stronger.
If Eric manages to survive this day, I will not hesitate to claim him as a prisoner in a matter of seconds.
At the top of a mountain, far from civilization, the castle stands tall like a defiant colossus. But that's not a problem; its location makes it vulnerable to our attack. Without defensive angles and shrouded in dense fog, the castle does not expect an assault from the air. It's the perfect opportunity.
Once in a high position, we begin to prepare the explosives. The bomb has been meticulously designed to cause maximum damage. A combination of gunpowder and lamicta in different proportions.
Following the design of a propane bomb, I am confident that what we have here will reduce that castle to rubble, perhaps not with one, but with two explosions.
It will be a massive explosion.
They'll witness it, unaware of what's coming.
By the time they realize, they'll be dead.
The battle erupted just an hour ago, and the news reaching me is discouraging. Our army has suffered a drastic reduction. Although the demihumans are strong, mere villagers are managing to defeat them.
"Don't worry," says Flynn, the disciple of the sage Bordeaux, with a smile that sends shivers down my spine.
His words resonate with a malevolence that makes me tremble. He extends his arms ominously and adds, "This is the fruit of my labor, a crystal designed specifically for their resilient bodies."
It's a repugnant task; although we need them and are above them in the social hierarchy, it's still something repulsive and inhumane.
Without these crystals, we would have lost completely.
"It seems they've used some weapons capable of moving through the air," comments Flynn, caressing his hands with an expression of envy. "It would be incredible to have something like that in our hands; it must be very satisfying to travel through the skies."
Anxiety devours me mercilessly. I feel that something important is about to happen. We have no news about the whereabouts of the viscount.
"The viscount has always been at the forefront of all his battles; he must be plotting something," I murmur as my mind works at full speed.
I observe the landscape, trying to devise a plan. That man, capable of defeating our army even after increasing their numbers at my insistence, has forced us to use these crystals. How powerful must his army be? He is a threat, but he could also be my salvation if he allows me to be kidnapped.
If I can establish an alliance with him...
I must be realistic; if he has the strength to kidnap me, then...
I direct my gaze towards the roof of the castle. If they can move through the air, they are likely to attack from that direction. I purse my lips, hoping my intuition does not fail me. If I survive and if he manages to defeat Flynn and kidnap me, only then will I be able to seize the opportunity to betray my father.
I will be free from his plans and can attack him during negotiations. I could even form an alliance with Irlam and take everything from my father. To bring about a world without discrimination, to abandon the monstrosity they have forced me to adopt.
To abandon the thoughts of the monster that inhabits my mind.
"I will set you free," I think determinedly as I examine the battlefield reports.
Countless lives have been sacrificed, both innocent and guilty. Our prisons are now empty, used as offerings in exchange for their freedom. In the end, they used that cursed crystal.
The mind control magic drives them mad.
"It's time to take action," I murmur, aware that the fate of the conflict hangs by a thread, as I prepare to face what's coming.
Somehow, the crystals seem to plunge them into a state of madness, leading them to attack anything not imbued with those crystals. As if doing that would turn you into one of them.
I don't know where they got something like that.
But it's repulsive.
"Get ready, I'm sensing something," Flynn says, stepping in front of me, ready to use magic.
I use magic to sharpen my senses, but all I hear is a whistle. Despite the wind, it feels like a whistle that increases in volume over time.
"What could it be?" I ask, looking up at the sky. "I think..."
BOOM! A deafening blast rocks the place, shaking everything around it. Debris starts flying, and dust covers everything. My ears are ringing; I can't hear anything but a buzz in them.
Flynn seems to be shouting something, but I can't hear him. Quickly, he uses earth magic to create a barrier that protects us from the debris. I try to listen, but I can't make out anything.
Then I see it, in the distance, through the gaps made by the explosion. A strange object floats in the air. It's imposing; I realize my assumptions were correct. They've mastered the skies.
A mastery that was believed to belong to dragons and advanced wizards.
I see blood dripping from my forehead; it seems I've hit myself. My ears keep ringing, while a headache hits me hard. I almost died; if it weren't for Flynn, I'd be completely dead.
"We must get out of here!" Flynn exclaims as cries of pain and agony echo from the rubble. The people my father put there, the people I was supposed to protect. They're all being massacred by my father's greedy decisions.
War... is a terrifying thing.
Flynn looks up and quickly grabs my arm. We rush outwards, darting through all parts of the castle in seconds.
When we emerge...
BOOM!
An explosion engulfs the castle in a cloud of fire, devouring everything. Flynn creates a barrier to protect us from the falling debris as the castle crumbles into pieces. The ground shakes in response, and dust invades everything.
The fire consumes the castle, and soon it turns into a mountain of rubble. Could a wizard be capable of something like this?
"We must go," I tell Flynn, noticing that they're not looking to catch me.
We exit through the castle's gate and find ourselves facing a vast field of stone used to accommodate carriages. It's a spacious area, the only place without debris.
From the sky, we see someone descending. My suspicions are confirmed, despite having ignored their previous attempts to establish friendly relations, despite having acted according to my status and appearance to prevent my father from suspecting.
Now I must find a way to convince him.
He lands with supernatural speed, and when he touches the ground, the earth cracks under his presence. Stones fly as he holds a woman in his arms.
When he releases her, I can see his expression, fully prepared.
His gaze emanates killing intent, a fierce determination to end this once and for all. There is no anger on his face, just that emotion that has gnawed at me for so long.
Yes, it's pure and unrestrained hostility.
Being intelligent, capable of transforming a town, and becoming a threat is one thing. But, standing before him, I feel the immense pressure emanating from his being.
It's the pressure of someone who has survived countless battles, the burden of someone who has defied death time and time again. It's that of someone who has lived life on the edge.
He resembles you, father.
However, unlike him, you have underestimated him.
Marco Luz is someone dangerous, someone more dangerous than you.
"You'll have to come with us, Erick Costuul," his voice is firm, and then he extends his hand, pointing at me with some kind of weapon, a tube with a knife in it.
I don't need to guess what it is.
"A rifle..."
The atmosphere grows even more tense, and I can feel the weight of the moment. The war is about to end, and amidst this storm, I must find a way to survive.
Crusch by my side, with her weapon aimed, has regained her composure, ready to confront the enigmatic hooded man. My attention is focused on Erick Costuul, whose eyes reflect surprise but hide a defiant smile.
The explosions have claimed lives and left these people in a desperate position. I feel nausea trying to take hold of my determination, but duty is greater than any emotion I feel now.
The tension in the air is palpable, as if every second were crucial, as if we were on the edge of a precipice.
"It's over, Erick Costuul!" My voice, filled with determination, resonates over the roar of the destruction surrounding us, a clear warning of the consequences of not surrendering.
Beatrice, with masterful skill, keeps the balloon under control as turbulent winds try to divert us from our objective. Uncertainty is reflected in her eyes, but her determination does not waver.
Erick, under the influence of his father, faces a choice that could seal his fate. The shadow of betrayal looms over him, but his smile suggests a confidence that defies logic.
The mysterious man, as he frees himself from his hood, reveals a face marked by the miasma. His skin, pale and gaunt, is speckled with dark patches that seem to absorb the surrounding light.
His eyes, sunken and surrounded by deep circles, reflect a malevolence that chills the blood.
Crusch and I remain alert, aware of the threat posed by this enigmatic being. His presence seems to distort reality itself, enveloping the battlefield in a sinister mist.
In a moment of horror, my mind connects the dots and recognizes the miasma enveloping him.
"It can't be..." I try to hide my trembling lips as I see who stands before me.
A shiver runs down my spine, and primal fear grips me. The miasma, that force that grows more present every day, is now before me, manifesting in flesh and bone.
Is he an archbishop?
My body trembles involuntarily, the perception of danger intensifies, and fear threatens to paralyze me. It's as if the whole world stops for a moment, while terror takes root in my being.
"What is that?" Crusch's voice cuts through the tense air, revealing the unease that grips all of us.
The man lets out a macabre, defiant laugh.
"Don't move!" Crusch looks firmly toward the man, trying to recognize him.
The tension reaches its peak, danger pulsates in the air, and amidst the chaos, emerges the certainty that the battle is far from over.
The ominous aura continues to increase, and several knights emerge from the castle exits, surrounding us with their swords. They don't concern me in the slightest, but this man, this individual, seems to be much more dangerous than I had anticipated.
With a simple gesture with my eyes, I indicate to Crusch to shoot using her magic.
Bang!
A bullet propelled by wind magic, with a roar akin to a whip, pierces the man's skull. In the blink of an eye, he lies on the ground.
Erick still doesn't seem to have realized what has happened, but when he finally does, his gaze rests on his companion's lifeless body. Crusch is the only one capable of executing such a precise and quick shot, all thanks to her special magic.
With her blessing of the wind, she automatically calculates the necessary air pressure at the exact moment.
The knights watch in astonishment, not daring to approach as I continue to release my mana.
"If you move, I'll eliminate you!" I warn, securing the rifle on my back and drawing my pistol, advancing toward Erick. "It's over, Erick Costuul."
Despite the tension in the air, Erick trembles slightly, but strangely, he doesn't seem scared.
"I surrender!" Erick exclaims, throwing himself to the ground.
Everything seems to be orchestrated in some way.
"Marco!" Crusch suddenly shouts, and in the blink of an eye, I retreat using murak.
A violet ice stake rises in the place where Erick's body was. I look towards the owner of the magic, that thin man, but there is no trace of a bullet in his head; it's as if nothing had happened.
"A touch of Yin magic," he smiles, covering himself again with his hood. "If only you had been a little more patient, I could have invited you, but you pushed me to the limit."
My eyes meet Crusch's, and in the blink of an eye, the entire surroundings are plunged into a dense purplish fog that hinders visibility.
The knights react quickly, rushing towards us with war cries.
Crusch and I advance, keeping our backs together.
"Why is it that whenever we fight, we end up in fog?" I ask, aiming my rifle in the direction of any movement.
"Who knows, maybe there's something we're destined for," Crusch responds, pistol in hand.
We both nod, aware of the bloody battle looming ahead and the terror enveloping this confrontation in the fog.
Fighting in these conditions is madness.
We take a step forward and, at that precise moment...
"Fura!" we roar in unison, unleashing a hurricane that sweeps through the battlefield. Some knights are torn apart by the explosion of wind, while others press on. They are only twenty; they will not be an obstacle.
Bang!
A precise shot hits the nearest one, shattering his helmet and making him fall lifeless.
"Impressive! You've shattered steel without needing magic," the man says, applauding impatiently as he watches us. He wants to test us, find a way to counter us.
If I'm not mistaken, I've seen at least four types of magic.
He seems to master various types of magic: air, earth, water, or fire, and Yin magic... He's a quadruple mage, at least.
Just as he seems to be immortal.
Bang!
I take down the second one and rush towards the others. I holster my pistol and grip the rifle. I shoot waves of wind, and when they cease, I fire seven shots in quick succession, ending their lives.
One more fall to my bullets, but it doesn't seem to affect him. His gaze of hatred and his purple eyes unsettle me. It's normal for a shot amid chaos to not take effect. But I modified those bullets.
I marked them with a cross knife, causing them to disintegrate upon impact, tearing through flesh and causing indescribable pain.
The knight wounded in the stomach lunges at me with fury, his guts hanging out from the impact, like a zombie.
I want to vomit just from seeing it, yet I must maintain my composure.
"That's disgusting," I blow his head off with a shot, and he falls lifeless to the ground.
Crusch also takes down hers, but something strange happens. I approach and see that their blood has purplish hues. I don't know if it's necrosis, but the sensation disgusts me.
Then I realize.
"Witch's miasma," I whisper, looking to where they both are. "Have you infused these men with witch's miasma?"
Now I understand. It's similar to how they recruit followers for the cult. The wise are deeply involved with the witch's cult. Just as they seem to have a greater knowledge of miasma than I do.
Crusch opens her eyes, looking astonished at the man.
"I remember now... Flynn, you're the assistant of Sage Bordeaux," Crusch clenches her lips, looking at him with a terrifying expression. "So, it's true, Lugunica's main leaders are allied with the witch's cult."
Flynn opens his eyes in surprise, pointing at Crusch.
"That's something not many know," he points at Crusch with his finger. "Who are you?"
Crusch smiles but remains silent. Flynn lunges at Crusch, trying to catch her. However, she doesn't hesitate and shoots quickly. Three bullets break the sound barrier, but they seem to dissolve, as if the magic dissipates into thin air.
I can't let myself be taken by surprise, so without hesitation, I shout with all my might:
"Fu Murak!" I tackle him before he can react. He crashes to the ground, and upon touching him, I finish him off with a vita spell. Then, with my pistol, I blow his head off with two shots, making sure he's truly dead.
But when I realize, there's no one in front of me. I open my eyes, only to think about what's going to happen next.
Do you know what the key is to kill a good mage?" Flynn disappears, only to reappear behind me. I use murak to move away in an instant and see a purple dagger about to stab me.
My heart pounds hard, as I am on the brink of death at this moment.
"It was close, very close." At the same moment Flynn says those words, Crusch shoots, piercing his body. The bullets pass through Flynn, but the only thing that falls is a black mass wrapped in a purplish mist.
"Unfortunately, my body is not a good vessel, but there is not much of a problem, it can be repaired." Flynn examines the wounds on his body, then looks at both of us with determination. "You are strong, undoubtedly, you would be a great force to consider."
He crosses his arms, looking at us arrogantly.
"It's a pity I only have a dagger, but oh well." He waves his dagger, looking at it and showing it to us. If bullets don't work, there must be something that does. Yang magic, or even Luan's blood.
I shouldn't waste the bullets I have.
Maybe I should rethink my strategy. At this moment, if my initial plan doesn't work, I must be able to reset. But for that, I must thoroughly know my opponent. I must reveal all the cards Flynn has.
If I give up on this world, then I can act with all my power.
"MURAK!" I step forward and stand in front of him, placing my hand on his chest and shouting, "Vi-GOA!"
A blaze of fire envelops him, in the form of a circle and static, gravity consumes the air, leaving a space without oxygen that would kill anyone. His lungs are going to expand and since there is no way to escape because of gravity, he will die.
But, going through the gravity sphere, he grabs my arm and squeezes it tightly. He tries to speak, but since there is no air, it is impossible for him.
"It can't be." I use vita to contain him and knock him down again. His body seems immune to fire, just as neither bullets nor physical attacks hurt him.
How do you defeat something like this?
"This is getting boring. At this rate, I won't be able to touch you and you won't be able to kill me." Flynn teleports, placing himself behind Erick, who seems to be completely out of it. "You are strong, Marco Luz, but you are not immortal."
The ground begins to shake and rocks crack. Crusch and I approach, watching closely.
"Admire! My masterpiece!" Flynn applauds as he conjures his spell. "Now, I hope you provide me with some entertainment."
Arms begin to emerge from the ground, but they are not simple appendages. They are muscular stone arms. I shoot one, but the damage is minimal. My bullets work with humans, but this thing... It's something completely different.
Dozens of golems emerge from the ground, rising up and fixing their gaze on us. Each one looks imposing and resistant. The amount of magical energy required to create them must have been considerable. At this moment, I must weigh my options carefully.
I must press on, defeat them, and escape from this place.
Uncertainty looms over us as we face the mysterious horde of golems. Crusch and I exchange determined looks, aware that this battle will be challenging.
"Do you know about golems?" I inquire, watching as the colossi emerge from the ground with a deafening roar.
Crusch seems surprised by my question, but she nods solemnly.
"We came across a book once that mentioned their creation, although it was incomplete," her voice is firm as she draws her sword, preparing for the confrontation. "Do you plan to fight with that knife?"
I nod, adjusting my grip on my kukri, a tool imbued with the power of mana given to me by Frey.
"I don't need to learn swordsmanship. I prefer to focus my skills where I know I can excel."
Meanwhile, I observe how the golems advance towards us with heavy, steady steps. They are imposing, each one reaching a height of approximately four meters.
I decide to take the initiative and lunge at the first golem with a Murak spell, sliding towards it in an instant. However, its reaction is quick, and it raises its stone arms to defend itself.
Nevertheless, it's not enough to prevent a violet ice stake from piercing its head, bringing it down with a loud crash.
A crucial tool for this moment. Something Emilia and Beatrice taught me to use perfectly.
As I fight against the first golem, I feel the weight of the situation on my shoulders. These are not simple automatons; they seem to be imbued with a resilience and power that defy all logic.
I seize every opportunity to cast spells and turn the tide of battle in my favor. I recall Julius's teachings and adapt my skills to face this new threat. I raise my hand and conjure:
"Gravitational Cyclone!" a combination of using fire magic, wind, and Yin magic.
I extend my arm, and the spell activates in the center, creating a gravitational zone that pulls everything towards the fire cyclone, almost like a black hole. I just had to increase gravity at one point.
A whirlwind of fire and gravity.
The golems begin to be lifted from the ground, only to fall piled up and be consumed by the fire.
The golems are caught in a growing glow, their bodies illuminated by the high temperatures. The earth, subjected to extreme temperatures and immense pressures, inevitably transforms into one thing: burning lava.
The earth and all the corpses begin to pile up. I feel the attraction of my magic, but they use vita on me and Crusch prevents us from being consumed.
The golems begin to melt, the pressure increases the temperature as the whirlwind is captured by gravity, destroying itself and concentrating all the heat in the area I have created.
What remains is a pool of burning lava, the golems reduced to a melted and useless mass. However, my relief is fleeting. As I look around, I notice that more golems emerge in what seems like an endless number.
"It won't be enough!" Crusch exclaims, her voice resonating with determination as she unleashes her ferocity against the new adversaries.
As we prepare for the next assault, I know that this battle is far from over. We are facing an unknown and overwhelming threat, but we will not retreat without fighting to the end.
At least that comforts me in the midst of this desperate struggle.
But the main problem is Flynn. Keeping his hands raised, it seems he needs to remain completely still to control the golems. I already knew they were allied with the witch's cult, but this is something entirely different.
Normal bullets will have no effect on him, but Yang magic bullets, previously tested with Petelgeuse, could be the key. However, finding the perfect moment is crucial.
Flynn is an experienced mage, and he will undoubtedly sense the fluctuations of Yang magic. I need to distract him, keep him occupied long enough to shoot one of those bullets into his face.
I launch myself at a golem, using my vita to stop it and then plunge my kukri into its neck.
"Goa!" I shout, causing the golem to explode from the inside, scattering pieces of earth everywhere.
Crusch and I continue to fight with all we have, facing the endless avalanche of golems. Just when it seems like nothing can improve, something unexpected happens.
The golems begin to expel a thick, dark liquid from their openings. Quickly, I realize what it is.
It's thicker, but it's like something I've seen before: miasma.
The situation becomes even more complicated. The battle is far from over, and the unknown looms over us in this desperate struggle.
The golems become more frenzied, pounding the ground, and spreading the liquid miasma that devours even the dead knights. Concern reflects in my gaze as I look at Crusch.
I could fly and get us out of here, but I don't know if Flynn has a countermeasure for that. Despite everything, I decide to wait for the right moment. My mana is valuable; Beatrice still holds the balloon, and I must hurry.
"GOA!" I shout, launching a barrage of fireballs. The balls, precisely aimed, are sent towards multiple parts, each controlled by my wind magic. My goal is to maximize damage.
Upon exploding upon contact with the golems, the explosions are less powerful, leaving only minimal burns on their bodies. It's evident that the magic is affected by the miasma, as if they were dark counterparts of themselves.
Crusch positions herself behind me, displaying evident wounds. Her gaze meets mine, slightly panting as she speaks with determination:
"I'll keep them busy, finish off Flynn."
Her words fill me with confidence. She prepares a spell, her sword transforming and radiating an intense blue glow that overshadows the light filtering through the clouds.
The golems advance from all directions, but this is the perfect moment to show what we're made of. I crouch, ready to leap, while entrusting our escape to Crusch.
Amidst the darkness enveloping us, her voice resonates strongly:
"A Thousand blades!" Crusch shouts. Her sword becomes a whirlwind of cuts that transform into wind blades, piercing through the golems. Their bodies fall apart, and the liquid threatens to touch our skins.
"Now, they must die!" Flynn exclaims as Crusch prepares to jump. It's my turn to act.
"Fu Murak!" I hold Crusch, ensuring that my magic doesn't affect her. Around me, gravity decreases, creating a wave of wind that blows everything away. The liquid falls onto other golems as I seize the opportunity to act.
"El Murak!" I launch myself into the air, gaining momentum and shooting towards Flynn. He opens his eyes with a smile, but his expression changes to one of arrogance as he exclaims:
"Is that all you've got?!" He lowers his arms, panting and spitting out more miasma. I approach at full speed, but just as I'm about to reach him, I see something emerging from the ground in front of him.
I brake abruptly upon seeing a golem emerging within seconds. But it's not just any golem. Despite being twenty meters tall, this monster surpasses me. It's a slender stone golem, without legs, but with huge arms towering like skyscrapers.
Stone stakes protrude from its back, and its blue eyes shine like pyroxene crystals.
I look toward the balloon, where Beatrice shoots me an impatient glance. I can't see her expression, but I can feel her anxiety. The monster before us is no ordinary foe.
Its mere presence exudes dark and overwhelming magic that permeates the air.
But I'm also aware that unleashing magic of this magnitude must come with great sacrifice. At this moment, we cannot allow this being to continue existing.
"Get out of here, Marco Luz!" Flynn shouts desperately.
I fix my gaze on the golem, which seems to await my next move with anticipation. I grip my kukri, my faithful companion that will accompany me in this operation that could very well be suicidal.
I have no guarantee of surviving what is about to come.
But I must try. I've developed new magic, a creation entirely of my own. It is now, amidst the uncertainty and danger, that I must prove what I'm made of.
The world around me fades as I focus on the target before me. The battle is about to reach its critical point, and I'm willing to face whatever it takes to stop this monster and protect those around me.