Smoke billowed from the chimneys and was caught by a passing breeze. Thud! Thud! Thud! Small footprints on a muddy ground led to a group of children running towards the center of a small village. Their faces are stained with dirt and rare happiness.
"Children! Co. This is no ti to play!" A mother shouted from afar, waving her hand worriedly.
The children hurriedly ran towards her, entering the house as quickly as possible. Their stomach growled at the sll of stew, which they hadn't tasted for months.
The mother stared calmly at the other village houses. It was hard to believe such peace had graced them so suddenly.
A week ago, this village was devastated with malibreed raids, tens of lives lost every day, food beca scarce, and their bodies were plagued with corruption. The population dwindled significantly as they waited for escorts from the nearest base to fetch them.
However, just as they all decided to abandon the village and head towards the base themselves, facing the jaws of death willingly, a group of soldiers in silver armor arrived. They carried an aura so magnificent and mighty that the people couldn't help but tremble. Too scared to approach, the villagers hid in their shelters and watched from their covered windows.
The n quietly set up a strange wooden pole. The gem at the top glistened like a bright star, entrancing every single one of them.
From that day on, no monsters had co to ravage their land. Sohow, even the once dead earth began to grow grass. Withered trees began to spring to life. It was no doubt a miracle.
The n and won left their houses and welcod the soldiers, sensing they had no evil intentions. They learned that they hailed from Aurona's fortress and praised a god they hadn't heard before. And a savior, a prophet of this particular god who created these purifying artifacts to save the dying land from the demonic pests invading it.
Their words were so filled with devotion that the villagers, even the woman, couldn't help but join in prayer. In this dying world, even the tiniest sign of hope could spark a fla so bright it attracts others to do the sa. Hope was already sothing too far for their poor hands to reach.
"Mother! They're here!"
"Hush! Keep your voice down. We don't know how many malibreeds are lurking nearby."
The child instantly covered his mouth fearfully. Despite the peace they have experienced for several days, it was difficult to forget the frightening experience of monsters lurking around their village, searching for fresh at to eat.
The thin woman along with a few n, approached the Arcan soldiers with a few baskets of warm food.
"There is no need. Please, use these for yourselves. We have brought enough rations to sustain us." Was the sa answer they received. Most of the soldiers would even offer their own food to the villagers. The people's eyes could not help but redden. Nothing could describe the gratitude they felt towards these brave soldiers.
"The construction of the Arcan Conduit is finally complete." Announced the leader of the soldiers. His dark eyes glanced at his n before declaring," We'll wait for a few days before departing. Jacran base's escorts should arrive by then."
"Yes, Sir!"
As the skies gradually darkened. The villagers invited the soldiers to the chief's dinner once more. Feeling that they couldn't keep rejecting them until they depart, the Arcan leader finally relented.
A strong breeze swept past him as he followed the sloping path up towards the village chief's house. Several admiring gazes fell upon each of them, but they went unnoticed.
All of a sudden, the leader of the small group of silver soldiers abruptly stopped. The n behind him paused in confusion. He turned back with narrowed eyes, searching through the still forests.
Suddenly, thick fog crept towards the village's tall walls. It grew thicker and thicker as each second passed.
The Arcan Conduit violently pulsed with energy, as though trying to resist so unknown force. The crystal trembled but continued to shine with determination.
"Everyone! Return to the shelters!" The n wasted no ti, yelling out warnings as they scattered instinctively. They must ensure everyone evacuates to the safe house. The torches flickered as they moved.
anwhile, the leader stood on the hill, staring towards one particular area beyond the village gates where the fog was the thickest. His fist clenched around the Arcan artifact solemly.
"Child of Light…" he began a short prayer as his instincts scread of danger. Sothing dangerous was waiting for them…
Inside the fog, dark shadows began to grow visible. Red eyes glowed eerily in the darkness. A sharp whistle sounded.
…..
Moulin opened his eyes. Soft daylight caressed his pale face as he turned to face the windows. The silence in his room had been gnawing on him and was starting to get on his nerves. The foreboding feeling he had sensed returned.
He felt like vomiting…
Ever since Morhas spoke yesterday, everyone has been on edge. Well, he couldn't bla them. Even he was shocked by the news. Although he had already expected so sort of retaliation from the demons, he didn't expect it to co so soon.
Now he was left alone with his thoughts while his ntors left to confide with the Royal Council. And Moulin had waited long enough…
"Ao?"
Moulin lowered his head and gazed at a pair of big, moist silver pupils. Snow's tail wagged slowly as he sat on the table before his master. When a slender hand finally stroked his head, he let out small whines.
"I can't go on like this…" Moulin declared. He took Snow to the bed, making sure the little fox was comfortable before he left.
'You have co…'
Morhas's voice filled Moulin's mind the instant he arrived.
With a troubled expression, the youth approached the pedestal. "I am itching to leave this godforsaken realm and find out the situation for myself."
'That would be… unwise.' The Chrysolite thrumd with power, pulsing with every word. 'Now, is not the right ti… Our enemies have learned of your works. And they will learn how to overco it…'
Silver eyes narrowed coldly. "It is precisely because we can't let them progress that we have to do sothing…"
His fists clenched tightly as he stared at his hands. "They have already taken so of my essence… they could use it to find vulnerabilities with the Arcan artifacts or perhaps…"
They have already offered it to Vigal and, in return, blessed them with sothing powerful. Does that also an Vigal is close to achieving his goal?…
No…
Moulin shook his head, "They can't complete the resurrection as long as I am in hiding."
With a dull hum, the Chrysolite glistened. 'Your elven ntor has returned…'
Moulin's eyes widened. "Then I shall return with so news later…"
'I will always welco you…'
Moulin left the Arcan Chambers quickly. His presence was like a sudden gust of wind, startling Na'El, who had co to the garden to look for him.
"Moulin…"
"Is it serious?" The youth asked with worried eyes.
Na'El sighed. The tall elf revealed a small smile before speaking, "It would be best to wait for tomorrow. A big assembly will be held with the Royal Council. Of course, you must attend."
Tomorrow? So I will have to wait until tomorrow to ease this strange strangling feeling?
Moulin forced a smile. "I see… then will Lord Hadrian be in attendance as well?"
The elf furrowed his brows, "I am not sure he will be. However, we will find out tomorrow… Moulin, you must have been anxious. Co, take a mont to rest…"
Seeing his outstretched hand, a gleam flashed in Moulin's silver eyes. He nodded and took Na'El's hand. "Yes, you are right…"
It was only for a brief mont.
The mont Moulin's hand touched Na'El's, his mana acted swiftly and stealthily. Before he knew it, Moulin's vision had undergone a change.
He was in a small ornate hall accompanied by Lady Celeste and Lady Calanthe, who both shared the sa uneasy expression. Before them, a round table where a certain prominent person sat. Prince Archaen's deep golden gaze swept towards them.
"Is this the truth?"
Lady Celeste nodded, "The Holy One has spoken."
The prince leaned forward , stroking his chin in deep contemplation. His eyes seed to darken as he delved deeper into his thoughts. After a mont, he finally spoke. "A few reports have arrived this morning. Ralor has been stabilized. However, amidst the journey, they have encountered several deserted settlents… There were signs of bloodshed, but no corpses had been discovered. Perhaps, were these the incidents the Holy One had foreseen?…"
It seed as though he was talking to himself, Moulin thought. Deserted settlents? No corpses?
"Has the Arcan Conduit blessed these settlents, Your Majesty?" asked Lady Calanthe.
The prince shook his head, "I'm afraid not. We could only deduce that these might be the works of malibreed invasions despite their… peculiarity."
"However, I am expecting more reports to co by noon. I fear we cannot take this matter lightly. Tomorrow, I shall call for an assembly, and I will expect each of the lords to attend. The Lynari must currently be anxious. Please, placate him. Our people's heart follows him closely." Archaen added as he leaned back in his chair to continue his thinking.
"Of course, Your Majesty…"
A burst of pain abruptly filled Moulin's body.
In the next instance, he removed himself from the mory and returned to the present.
So it wasn't just happening in one location? How many were these incidents? How could these monsters act so swiftly?
Moulin was frustrated with the lack of information. Their enemies were already scheming sothing undoubtedly dangerous. Restlessness rushed inside the youth.
"Moulin?"
A worried voice resounded in his ears.
Moulin saw Na'EL looking at him worriedly. His hand remained carefully wrapped around the young man's slender fingers. Suddenly, the elf's eyes widened in shock.
"You are bleeding!"
"…?" Moulin blinked before he finally felt sothing trickle down his nostrils. Subconsciously, he raised a hand to touch his nose and instantly felt his fingertips turn wet.
Blood stained his fingers, seeping underneath his fingernails.
'Ah, I must have overdone it.'
Before Na'El would be suspicious, Moulin revealed a reassuring smile. "I must have been too anxious. Don't worry… it will go away soon…"
It was the first ti he had experienced a nosebleed after using Gaile's gift. Was he really overexerting himself? He hadn't felt anything different then.
…
'Ah, this is exhausting …'
Honestly, all these feelings, choking him up, would all go away in a snap if he could just see…
The youth closed his eyes tightly, taking in a deep breath. '…him'.
When will he return?
…..
In the corrupted plains, a chilling breeze followed an eye-catching group of people in silver armor. Their banners beat the wind as their mounts traveled across the dry earth. Their hooves beat the ground brutally. The n entered a wide path through the thick forests where the darkness hid hundreds of ravenous gazes.
However, they could only hide and watch as the soldiers passed. Wherever they go, they slaughter and leave behind sothing that leaves every bit of their being panicked and terrified. An energy so pure, it flowed in the air and burned their flesh. When they breathe, it burns them inside.
However, this magic wasn't the only thing to be feared. Leading this group of soldiers, a being, bright as the sun, a ruthless slaughterer, shook their souls with just one gaze. Yes, he could see them. No matter how much they hide, they will always be seen by those cold, inhuman eyes.
On his mount, the golden-haired man glanced towards the darkest part of the forest. The monsters squird, their bodies trembled in fear. A dark smile graced his calm countenance.
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