Once Envy reached down to the outskirts of Calibren, amidst the dense forests and rough rocks, he'd see the glint being brighter and brighter. He was getting closer to its source.
Thwipp!!
An arrow whizzing close across his head, a reactionary dodge away from such a near hit, letting him hide in the foliage to avoid being detected. He'd rather not be caught if he would eavesdrop over some vital information. Once he'd get close, he'd see what was going on: An army. The bodies drenched in ink, skewered or slashed across, but intact enough to operate as personal soldiers. Some were practicing in Archery, shooting at targets from the far end. Some in swords and spears, mastering their respective style in rows to ensure maximum efficiency. Some would take to act as their own personal explosives, ready to get close and detonate when possible. Leading such an army up above, hanging in the trees, was King's Elite Hunters. "Alright, alright! Next style is the Posta Breve! Hoist up the blades and swing by my command!" The second Elite, Ji-Mon Shoka, barked. He'd have his Bamboo hat give shade to hide his head as he clapped with his steel shoes, as Envy saw his army reciprocate his demands.
His control over the dead was getting stronger since their previous encounter. He was starting to get worried, as this could mean a secondary defense unit for the likes of King. Question comes, however, on where he found such a mass of the deceased.
It wasn't long until the First Elite, Cupid Itanos, arrived, carrying an assortment of scrolls and pencils, a compass, and a ruler. "Ah, Ji-Mon! I take it the training is going well?" He'd ask, as he'd set up a table to unfurl the scrolls: Maps of the various locations within the Omega's Circle.
Ji-Mon, once hearing his teacher, puts his army on standby as he'd leap down, his talisman covering his face twisting to indicate a smile underneath. "Very! Ever since that pit stop on Danmaki, My magic's been cooking good! I'm even starting to set up some simple demands instead of needing to puppeteer them!" He'd praise, as he'd loomed over and see the diagrams through the parchment. Envy was confused once he heard such words. Danmaki wasn't a place on the Circle, the last time he recalled.
"Is that right? Excellent! I take it you won't need the Black Candle then?" Cupid replied, as he'd take a compass and set up a circle around Calibren, already realizing the Living Tar's fears. An organized front to push out any of the Shadow Mages, or worse, any of their own group away from such civilizations. This would mean they'd be consistently low on resources and places to properly stay unless they were willing to take their side as a treaty, worming them in to enemy territory and giving them a chance to attack in the shadows.
"Eh.... somewhat. I still need to get used to the style, and the Candle's unfortunately at half by now." Ji-Mon would open up his shoulder to pull out the melted wax, the wick still alight, but now no shorter than one's middle finger.
"Mmm... You think you can master it before it runs out?"
"Probably! I mean, with what Sozo did to Danmaki, I think this is more than enough to let me get used to the dead!" Those words rang Envy cold, as he trailed his mind back to his 'father's' wishes. He recalled well on removing those that act as excess outside of the Circle. He wiped out a whole kingdom in one move? When did this happened? Was this what Harvard heard when facing the two's top soldiers? Before he was able to complete his thought process, he'd sense two things. The first was a crackle of twigs and bushes, snapping and breaking. Someone was getting close in the same manner, prompting him to look back and try to find the person. To his annoyance, no sign of life outside of the flora around him. The second was of a person storming in, donning two small barrels for 'cannons', as well as a black toga, coupled with white sandals and a golden set of teeth across his upper jaw.
No doubt a dredge that lived off the slums of the Kingdom.
"YOU!! You are the Elite Guards, are you not!? I, Master of the Barrel, demand a Duel to take your place! I will ensure my rightful spot atop the castle of Calibren and dine on the finest of food and wine!! Step forward and present your magic, for I will SLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLIME you soldiers out and earn my place up above!!" A booming challenge, one that would make Ji-Mon be excited, as he'd snap his fingers and readies his army, stepping down from the branches.
"Oh hell yeah! You came at the perfect time! Got a name, Mr. Barrel man? I'll write it in your gravestone if you get mauled." He'd ask as the undead began to take their positions, four on his sides, four in front, two in the far back, arrows at the ready for the latter, while the blades and spears were ready for the former.
"You can call me Lomian Lahweh! I'll even give you a handicap by giving my magic style!" He'd boast as he'd take aim, watching a brief wind begin to suck into the barrel, already quick on taking two of the zombies and the blades they wielded. Once sucked in, he'd close the barrels and shake it, acting like a Bartender with his mixture, before shooting the mass in a goopy mass, a living hose that harnessed the Zombie Magic earlier, turning the earth into a living organism out of steel. "My Barrel Magic grants me the ability to mix and squeeze out the energy within ones system. It SLLLLLLLLLLLIMES anyone inside and converges them all into one cocktail! No magic has a counter against this perfect mixing maneuver!! Now give me your best shot, Elite!!"
Right as Ji-Mon would start his advance, Cupid raised his hand up. "Hold on. Let me have a go." He'd ask.
"EH!? You wanna go, teach?? You sure? I can-" Ji-mon would be interrupted as Cupid approached the intruder, pushing up the cloak's sleeves, showcasing a set of writing across his arms, all under a foreign language.
"If you send out our army, it would only end up getting blended. Besides, You had your fun last time with the Princess." A slight tease, but a quick glance directly towards Envy's direction makes the Living Tar nervous. He saw him through the foliage, he's sure of it. Yet even then, Cupid remained ignorant, as he'd begin to cast his own magic, his eyes beginning to glow. "Lahweh, correct? I hope you're prepared for what comes next." He'd speak, as Envy would try to get closer, a chance to see what was Itanos' main style of magic.
"HAH! More than enough for the likes of you two!! Now c'mon and be prepared to be SLLLLLLLLLIMED, Sorcerer!!" Right as Lahweh demands it, the glow grows brighter, enveloping the area, having Ji-Mon jump back as both fighters and Envy would be taken in.