Arc 5: The Stars Against Anarchy
"What do we do next?"
Across Greenvale, both the central village and the smaller one across the woods of Godrick Mountain rushed with people asking that same question over and over again. The streets, yards, courtyards, store fronts rested regularly with as many Knights and Leviathan soldiers as possible. The more injured, strong, smart, or higher ranked you were the closer you were to the Commanders. Soldiers and lower class Knights pushed up the Mountain. The swarm of Red Arrows, Warriors, and Athens refugees were looked over by Leviathan soldiers to see how they fit into everything. But it was leaving Walgonia to dry out.
Jong: "I need to speak to soldiers from the North about anything you know! So please come forward!"
From the camps of soldiers to just small groups, even a single person fighting. Anything they did, all the anarchists they could stop or places they could save were now for the taking. The South, West, and East were all fighting back, but the growing presence of the Upper Pillars and the attacks on the North could be a real turning point. So the injured had to heal. The scared had to stand. And the weak had to grow. So Walgonia could even stand a chance against the rising flames. And now that Lincoln was here with even more reinforcements on the way, they really could start laying the groundwork for the Siege.
Lincoln: "Where can a guy get a drink around here! After ten refills you think they'd leave the bottles!"
Inside of a large circular common space inside of the Commanders home sat their strongest. Of Walgonia's Seven Heads, their strongest Leviathan soldiers, only five remained. Kioshi and Musashi's passing left those places open, and the North still held two of their own heads. One being the Leviathan Armies second Commander, and the other a Scholar of Valor, Walgonia's best Spirit Mage. The seventh head laid against the wall silent and focused, the third head Ryo sat with the others on floor mats, and the Commander himself, the fourth head Gordon stood facing a large map of Walgonia. Their best healing mage Erline, the strongest man in the world Lincoln, the Commander of Walgonia's Knights Jong Long, some of their stronger Knights and Leviathan soldiers like Venyeta and Dershia. Packed together, speaking over each other, and all trying to figure out just how they should handle the Sect.
Gordon: "How about we push to the North, create a Sect free zone before connecting to the rest of Walgonia, and then we clear out like a spider-web until we push them all back. An unstoppable tsunami of soldiers rushing to meet each other somewhere at the border of the South and North. We could do it from the East and West as well, maybe near the Capital and surround it."
Knight: "Is that even safe!?"
Lincoln: "That's kinda what we've been doing!? They'll just attack, force us to spread out, cut off our heads. After going up against that snake, Upper Pillar, it's obvious how they beat Kioshi. Even one of them is too tricky to fight head on. Abilities you can't just above, block, overwhelm. Even if you do, another will stop you, kill you in a single strike. Unless we could trap, avoid, toss them into the sun or seal them away they could just keep coming. And they ain't gonna go easy."
Leviathan Soldier: "Nothin's gonna be easy but we still have to do it!"
The other groups of knights planned around them. Looking through letters of people still rushing through towns, collecting forces, freeing civilians or destroying roaming anarchists. Small things like figuring out how to take out a home of anarchists, a single potential Pillar terrorizing a village, how to get some Spirit Beasts to attack a Sect Camp, or surprise the lines of anarchist wagons with a large magical trap. It was too overwhelming, to break down the small branches of power the Sect kept growing. Even if the Sect always grew three more heads the second they cut down one.
Jong: "But we don't have anything to throw at them! We'd have to compile a bunch of mages to try and make magic strong enough to seal somebody like that, we'd need something like the Dark Arts or Dark Magic for that. Spirit magic, elemental magic, potions won't do anything. A powerful seal, something from Oni-mas or an older defensive magic. We need to use history, how other countries and tribes survived stuff like this."
Red Arrow: "The Sect used Athens against us, but we also used Athens tunnels to survive for years. Using the land, the spirits, what the world has given us is usually the best option. Because you can't just kill it."
Ryo: "I agree, but if I looked into a more complicated net of magic, maybe help with seals from Gordon than holding them down could be possible. A massive purification, something to do with time or space, maybe target the OD only. Even if it took our lives, multiple lives, thousands of us would give our lives to trap them away forever. Without somebody like Kioshi, killing an Upper Pillar like Azalea could be impossible. Especially if they find somebody strong enough to start replacing themselves. It's all a matter of time, and it's only on their side."
Jong had spent time moving through Walgonia, but compared to the others here the only people who truly know what this war is like, are the soldiers. The Knights like Carlos, Lanner, Venyet, or Leviathan Soldiers like Dershia, even the Head Levithan watching over had all been through hell and back against the anarchists in the last few months. City, town, village, street, forest, farm, mountain, it didn't matter. They'd walked through it, fought through it, and watched the Sect burn them away amidst the battle, before they pulled their bleeding bodies to the next one. They had to be here, to say the words of Walgonia, not just its government. They knew what was really happening, what they really had to do.
Dershia: "We can't just focus on one place anyway, one idea. They always surprise us or activate something they've planned for years! We have to act hard and fast, take their feet out from under them! We keep trying to stand above them and overtake them but it won't work! We've always treated the Sect like some problem but they're stronger than us! They could take on any country but the Southern Islands and could come out on top! Every second is another group killed, another time an Upper Pillar destroyed a city or blew up a farm."
Finally the other head Levithan stepped in. She wore light, but dense light blue Leviathan gear over the dark Leviathan shirt and pants. She was technically the weakest of Walgonia's strongest, but that level wasn't extremely accurate. Where one may beat another given the situation, except for Musashi, Kioshi, and Ryo. She walked forward while her sword shifted, her half-elf ears twitched, and her torn white cloak blue in the winds from the open sliding doors to the surrounding training grounds. Staring straight at the Capital.
Yui: "Dershia's right, but I think we're getting close to the answer. We just need to think like them, right? Then we do exactly that. I've had Levithan and Knight groups cut off any time they try to take ground in the Capital, but the Capital is also filled with rebellion. It's massive with cracks, and a hot spot for civilians fighting back. Just like the Sect used to be in Walgonia. We just need to get inside, to surround their heart, and take over Walgonia just like the Sect did. But we have a numbers advantage, so even if their Upper Pillars could wipe us out, they'd have to restart with a dead country. If they didn't wipe us out, then their anarchists can't fight a war head on with Walgonia. Their ranks or simply filled with too many inexperienced civilians. That's why they still stick to doing whatever they possibly can!"
It was all overwhelming, filled with so much thought and anger. They continued to bounce across the room with large statements enriched in the memories of the fallen. Every idea, every yes and no, every path they could take was for the future. And for what had been left in the past. That emotion, the rage and sorrow, it was all stronger than the simple hatred consuming the anarchists. But it was also eating away at the thousands of training, thinking, crafting, planning, eating , dying , crying, screaming people all beside each other side by side like clones. You were doing something, you had to be to survive in this roaring and wild ocean of Greenvale. But, compared to most, Gray and the others laid quiet. Alone with their thoughts, the pain in their ODs. So they could become as important and capable as the ones inside Gordon's home screaming for the future.
Gray {I wonder if I would be any help there. I also wonder if even thinking that should get me smacked or something. I'd probably drown in that room.}
After Lincoln had arrived in the village yesterday, Ryo and Gordon had to put their focus on the group to a halt to regroup and manage the mass amount of people arriving. They'd spent the rest of the night practicing mana flow, rushing around the forest, but many sat and spoke under their mana training. Between a fire, pushing their bright auras tight against their trembling bodies, while Edward swung his blade across the forest behind them. With a tent, food from Ryo, and tired bodies too sore to walk all the way home, they'd spent the night around each other. Only to awake a few hours ago, and start that same training without any orders.
Gray {I just hope Gordon might say something nice to us for one, like good job young Kyojin! It's great you've decided to train yourself! I might not hit yah this time! Or something.}
Gray sat with his back against a massive snow coated tree pulling his mana tightly against itself for a dense bright aura, glowing blue from spirit mana. Watching over Rosemary holding the fourth stage's raging flame firmly across her body in an attempt to control the flow, to master it, while swinging and kicking against Edward. He spent his time trying to focus, block, move and dodge any and every attack he could instead of just swinging his sword. Rolling, jumping, leaping across the grass to force Rosemary into creative, flowing movements to stop him, while forcing him to train his speed and reactions. Overhead Soku leapt with wind, trying her best to evade and throw wind blades around her back. But they were cut right through by Julius, practicing a constant pressure instead of evasive style with a tight mana flow. Keeping Soku constantly pivoting, rushing, and surfing across the land with wind before leaping and swinging across the trees.
Gray {My body's still sore from yesterday and I'm still not up for battle right now, what's up with these guys!? Even Soku's up and fighting and she's younger than me! I don't know how I managed to beat her in the Knight exam, at this rate she'd flatten me with a single wind shove! Rosemary could blow me away with a big punch, Edward could just kill me the second he slashes me, Julius is ruthless too! He'd just snap my neck or cut my throat! Once Peter figures out how to make that rifle he'd probably just shoot me in the head too! I know I should be happy they're so strong but man! Why am I so far behind!?}
His despair, that inner voice that never shut up, his dwindling flame had all returned in full force. So much worse than ever before with all of the stacking trauma. But he knew it, that he wasn't the same boy from before. Them being strong, ahead of him, growing and maturing. That didn't mean he was useless, that he sucked, that they hated him or wanted him gone. It meant that they had a better chance at living. This risen stakes, that have left the world on the edge, has also made Gray feel lighter. He was trying to speak to Azalea, control his mana, become a master of himself instead of some kid that was gonna blow himself up. He wanted to be a part of them, of something bigger than himself. A cog in the machine that could help, exists without being expected to do more. So he wouldn't fear inadequacy. But he would always think he's useless, it just seemed who he was.
Gray {No no! Stop whining, stop cryin! Smile stand fight smile stand fight! Why have I been so much more inside my head!? I can't let Athens get to me! I love Ophelia and Al and Kioshi and Musashi but I have to stop crying! Please! It has to be possible, to just let it go, for just a second.}
Then he looked toward the cursed charm around his neck. Maybe he wasn't affected, he didn't feel affected. But it was a truth that the charm would pull down his soul, take him over, corrupt him from the inside out. So he took the Charm off for the time being, unless he needed to train with it, but even then he'd focus on his mana instead. And the second he took off that charm, a small bit of the massive weight on him slipped, and his mind felt slightly clearer. It didn't make anything easier, it just made him think about reality even more. The Cloak seemed to protect him inside the darkness just as much as it pulled him in, and he knew he couldn't take advantage of that, or he'd end up just like the Witch of Darkness inside his OD.
Gray: "What should I do!?"
He stood, smiled, and Rosemary rushed forward with a similar grin to help. So he could keep that tight flow of mana as Rosemary ran towards him fists flying.
Gray: "EEEK CHILL CHILL!"
Walgonia was trying its best to survive, but they had to keep themselves afloat at the same time. Through the peace of mind that came with the plans, from the small jokes and screams inside body breaking training, to the people singing while washing clothes and rolling bandages. Those that didn't swing a blade shot spells, and those that didn't use magic jogged in large groups to train. People that didn't fight healed, fed the animals, cared for the crops, or worked on crafting gear. Smoke was in the air with the many black smiths, but Walgonia's best Blacksmith rested in the smallest shop. Peter had walked all the way there yesterday early in the morning, covered by the crowds of soldiers coated in fear. He looked shriveled as he panicked, at just who the blacksmith was.
Peter {What if he's mean like Gordon! Or some scary guy! What if he hates Dark Elves!? What if I suck at being a black smith!? He's gotta like my ideas right!? Oh I'm an idiot for bringing this gear no way is it good! My wrist talons are broken and my poppers are weak and that rifle still doesn't work and my sling shots are kids stuff! What should I do? What do I do!? I should turn back! Maybe I could be a farmer! No way my arms are too weak! UGH!}
He held two large bags of gadgets and tools, dragging them by the end of the walk. Sweating, sighing, about to puke from fear, he faced the small cottage looking blacksmith shop ahead of him. To his right was a large gate into Godrick Mountains forest, nearing the other village. But right in front of him was the home of Rick, an incredible old man, and twin to Walgonia's other best blacksmith. But his brother Vargas hadn't been in Greenvale for the past two decades, leaving their best swordsmith gone, and their best armorsmith alone to craft away in the boiling darkness. Hammering and hammering without anybody around, in a large underground stone forge. The walls are covered in various weapons and armor, piles of new Leviathan gear in the process of being made, and even more new Blacksmiths already being taught by Rick.
Peter {Just go in just go! NO JUST RUN! GO! RUN! GO RUN UGHGHG!}
In his head shaking in panic, he thought of what Leo might say. Toll, Garly, and squeezed his face as hard as he could. Before knocking on the door almost fifty quick times. And that door finally swung open.
Peter: "HI GORDON SENT ME HERE I'D LIKE TO LEARN UNDER YOU SIR!"
Peter was looking up with his bags filled with fear and covered in sweat. Then he looked down, to find an incredibly old and annoyed man covered in soot. He wore dark blue overalls beneath his torn apron, scratched at his thick braided beard, and almost hit Peter with his long braided white hair as he flicked around. A dwarven Demi-human, different from a short human. He was about Peter's height with an incredibly strong build, firm face, and had hands corroded in small scars and callousness.
Peter: "...Sorry, I guess I shoulda none you'd tell me to go away."
Those hands waved Peter forward, before his rough voice pulled him in.
Rick: "What are you talkin about? Gordon aint no nothin about my work so if he's sendin you yah must know somethin. And what are in the bags?"
Peter: "Well they're -
Rick: "And come inside! You're lettin all the hot air out!"
Peter shuffled into the room, and instantly fell face first on the wooden floor. Unable to hold his bags any longer. But Rick just moved in to grab them, tossed them onto the store counter behind him, and quickly rummaged through them both. Leaving Peter to panic as always, and stare out at the small dense shop. Old smithing and sealing magic books beside variations of Knight, Soldier, and Leviathan gear, over stacks of blades. From the form fitting broad and short swords of Walgonia, to original hilts or shaped blades, even swords blessed with simple effects or even latent seals waiting to be enchanted. This wasn't the place of a rich blacksmith, nor a godlike one. But he was obsessed, over and over he made similar weapons and armor to insure perfection. Between mixes of blessings, seals, enchantments, over the decades of making armor for the army or specific powerful figures like the Helsings, Jong, or Bjorn.
Most people in the Walgonian army sported RIcks gear, and once sported both the twins incredible armor. To be a name unknown. Just a hand that affected the world, like the first person to make the wheel or the world's best Spirit tomato farmer. In a world filled with battle, powers, and so much blood, people who shaped and controlled the world through power. Politics. They were always the strongest, the ones that pushed the rest. But in his heart, Peter knew who he wanted to be. Maybe he couldn't be a Knight, a God of War, but he could be like Rick. He could help, he could change the tide, and maybe then he'd live on in history. He just had to start learning first hand, not by a Blacksmith, but by THE Blacksmith.
RIck: "Junk took broken stuff scrap scrap bolts piece of metal snapped tool gross hammer warped wrench, what is this stuff!? Got some flame crystals, paper, dust, and powders."
Rick pulled out a thick and long slingshot, before the bottom unlatched to let the rest of the slingshots handle hit the ground. Looking more like a thin, green, and flexible catapult for any piece of rubble or popper he'd need. Then a broken wrist watch, a small mix of Poppers that burst in a small burst of powder, a prototype switch blade, new parts of Sokus glider, before he finally took out Gray's cracked wrist talon and the Sects Rifle.
Rick: "Lots a stuff but not much armor or blades, and what are these? This vambrace is all shattered."
Peter: "I couldn't remake stuff to show you I'm sorry! I had made the Vambraces but they broke in the battle for Athens, and that Rifle is kinda a project. Gray gave it to me but he made me promise it would only be for me, but it might burst if it misfires so I'm being careful with it. That Vambrace has a blade inside of it, I figured if I could make it as strong or stronger than normal armor, it'd be a mainstay! Stupid to not have it on you, even if it's just an extra tool!"
Rick: "Y'know I got a class of people back there all from nobles, Knights, some prodigies of all ages. Training to learn seals, enchantments, and how to master armor smithing. But you? Fightin in Athens? Havin real experience, real goals? It's pretty nice to hear. But I wanna know you, simple stuff. If I'm gonna mold yah then I gotta know what I'm workin with."
Peter was rushing with a mix of embarrassment, fear, and complete confusion of where to start. So speaking at a mile a second, he rambled off into oblivion.
Peter: "My mom had a Library and I read her books and she taught me stuff and my dad was a blacksmith and they died when Athens war started but I joined the Red Arrows and I learned how to fix armor and sow and started making tools and plans and Leo ended up liking me and treated me like a little brother so I was usually at high ranking stuff for the Red Arrows! I helped plan the explosions that hurt Raylice and destroyed a lot of the Gravestones camp before I ran away under the tunnels when Mount Yerlia burst, got this strong Dark Elf killed by accident and escaped on Dema before I saved my friends and got them out of Athens!"
Not even ten seconds had passed before Peter was done and gasping for air, and Rick had understood it all with a surprised smirk. But what really struck the deal, was the last few mumbles that fell out of Peter's mouth.
Peter: "And I'm turning fifteen in a few months."
Rick: "HOT DAMN KID! You got more gumpson than most people in this damn army, let alone a blacksmith! No wonder you're with Musashi's kids. I'd be proud to teach yah, and help you with this gear. If you're able to make stuff for the army, it could give us the edge we need against the Sect. Finally somebody useful walked in my door, and Gordon finally had a good eye for something."
Peter almost screamed in joy. Like a pure relief of that fear, but Rick's hard hand stopped him. The dense, smelly glove felt like everything he didn't have. He knew everybody around him was fighting, training for something. That even the kids of these soldiers could beat him across the streets. That the friends people seem to identify him with were out fighting in the woods with their monstrous strength training to be even more than they already were. The heights they've reached, all of the eyes constantly looming over him because of his Dark Elf nature, even the strength of people in his own passion was more than him. Peter would always see everybody so high above him, and he just didn't know why. But now he wasn't just helping, trying to talk somebody into standing up. He was going to try just as hard to do his part in this battle on the front line.
Gordon: "Come on! And ditch that stupid cape, but I like the overalls. It would be better if they were a different color though."
Peter had run in to line up beside a mix of taller Demi-humans and humans, watching and listening to Rick's instruction as he hammered away at a blade. His friends had pushed through the day with mana, punches, leaps into the sky. But Peter watched, took notes, and listened. And when the sun started to set, when the classes had come and gone, Peter stayed. For Rick to toss him one of his hammers. So heavy Peter could hardly lift it.
Peter: "Dragons stone? And covered in seals? How do I even use this thing!?"
Rick: "Figure it out, you watched me do it all day didn't yah?"
Peter shook his head, took a deep breath, and fell right over. Still he stayed and watched, used a smaller hammer with all his might, before his body finally gave way. And he rested in a stack of hay in the flame lit stone space rising over the front shop, and deeper into the mountain. Surrounded by even more gear that shook in the creeks of the mountain, he fell right asleep. Before flinging back up this morning when he awoke, to do the same thing all over again. Hammering away until the other students came to do the same, and he was finally pushed away to relax.
Left with his gear, no idea what to do, and surrounded by thousands of people all with a clear goal in mind. So he had walked home, laid out his gear in front of him, and found something else inside his bag.
Peter: "Rick gave me these! Nice!"
A belt filled with proper tools, and handfuls of actual paper and pencils to make schematics. For his Rifle, his Wrist Talons, and his Poppers, so he could advance alongside everyone. He had to dismantle, look over, and begin jotting down ideas of how to fix it. Like the blade getting stuck, not working, the crystal falling out of place, or the entire thing just busting. Then came the Rifle he didn't know where to start on, Poppers he had to make, and the inability to craft anything on his own without a forge or Red Arrows to get him scrap. He just had to think, to prepare, so he could return to Rick with a clear plan in mind; he'd have to find his own purpose, not just training or making gear, but Peter Day's soul contribution. It could be Poppers, Wrist Talons, even a better fitting shoe, but he'd find it. And he'd make sure people thought of him when it was all over, at least for a second, so he'd know he wasn't useless after all.
They all fell into their routine nicely. Gray practiced mana control as he chased Soku through the woods, sprinting before leaping to swing off a branch. Yet, he crushed it the second he held tight, and fell straight on his face while Soku burst to a higher branch. Rosemary held the fourth stage as tightly as she could across her body and rushed from a massive slash, dodging Edward before kicking back and slamming him across the face, over the dirt, and onto his knees to sprint into another slash. They were watched by Julius, training his Monocule to read all of their movements amidst his own stance training. Rising and rising in control, across from the commanders planning attack after attack. Looking for camps, directing routes, going through the Marks of Providence and curses inside the army they could put together.
But in the middle of Gray running and refining his flow, he lost all control out of panic when he sensed a sharp and grand wave of Spirit mana appear. It was instant, but Gray still tried to put his arms up, and had them caught by a gentle fist.
Ryo: "I can tell you're getting better with your mana, but you still fall back on surging when you're scared. It leaves you way too open."
Gray went to smile at the sight of Ryo, but watching Gordon and Lincoln walk up through the bushes behind him pushed any joy away. And had everybody frightened at just what might be thrown at them next. But Gray was able to breathe a sigh of relief when Ryo pulled him away, he only felt upset that he couldn't spend more time with Rosemary before they were separated.
Edward: "Lincoln? Are you here for your own boot camp?"
Lincoln: "Actually yeah, so get ready you two."
Lincoln's eyes jotted between Edward and Rosemary amidst the end of their duel, and cracked his knuckles with a deep grin.
Lincoln: "You've both gotta learn to control and unleash some power, fifth stage or Dragon fist, I don't really care. All the same to me."
Rosemary leaned close to Edward, whispering full of fear and waving goodbye to Gray just as Lincoln went to step away from Gordon.
Rosemary: "You trained with him? Is he worse than Gordon or Musashi? Or is he like Ryo?"
Edward: "....He's…worse."
Edward took a heavy gulp, and Lincoln stepped across the short space with one quick rush. And had their faces in his thick sweaty hands by the next second, before Gray, Soku, and Julius all instinctively stepped away from Lincoln's sudden pressure. The forest shook, snow fell while birds soared off the branches, and Lincoln couldn't help but laugh.
Lincoln: "Nice landing!"
Rosemary slid across the grass using the leaking second, then third stage, but Edward had smashed right into a halfmelted snow man Gray had made. Embarrassed, Edward tried to burst out with his blade swinging forward. Rosemary wasted no time trying to talk or get the lesson started, she leaped along with Edward, so they could both be blown back by the force of Lincoln's clap.
Lincoln: "Hold your ground better! Lean and stand against the pressure! If you can't even get near a battle, how are you gonna fight one!"
Soku took one step back, thankful she didn't get caught up in Lincoln's grasp, until she felt Gordon's hawk-eyed glare at the back of her head. Forcing her to kick off the ground with wind, hold her blade forward, and kick a quick kick from the old man before he dove toward Julius. Leaving the four of them all mixed in a tussle with the Commanders on their break, and Gray to walk away from the commotion with Ryo. Alone into the coming spring, and the risen sun.
Gray: "I've been trying to flow my mana like you said, but I can't get it even. It just feels like a heavy tight flame, like it's sizzling, always moving. Like a hot tub or something, it's boiling but not flowing flat. I think it's making regulating it easier though, like I can jump between low and full power flow to find the right balance."
Ryo: "I'm glad you're taking it to heart, but for now you can relax. Controlling your mana is necessary to maximize your mana use and harden your defenses, but you need to worry about your Spiritual regulation just as much. If you ever want to use a spell that isn't a novice tier, you have to get a handle on your incredible connection, as long as you want to stay true to your word about not killing spirits."
Gray: "Of course I will! I mean stay true to my word, not kill spirits! But what spells could I learn anyway? You told me I'd kill spirits by just trying other novice spells, since Cenic is like a baby spell or somethin."
Ryo: "Cenic is incredibly simple but I wouldn't say it's the simplest spell, it's just a perfect spell for you since it affects spirit mana and not the spirits directly. There are others you could use, and if you did use higher level spells your connection would make them incredible. It would just hurt your ability to connect and take the mana in. It's mainly a personal choice, not a barrier."
Gray: "I have to draw my line somewhere. If I kill people like Ceasar, Jeremiah, and if I don't stop? If I just destroy it all and only leave the stuff I like? That just sounds more like the Sect, and I'll never be anything like them."
The moment Gray thought of the Sect his vision narrowed to a harsh rage, and a deeper sorrow. He lost focus of the noises behind him. Julius thrusting his rapier as quick as he could whilst Soku sent out two quick air slashes, Edward leaping into the air to slam his blade, Rosemary kicking out air pressure, Lincoln simply moving around all pushed them just a bit. But Gray stood his ground, and only lost his footing when Ryo spoke.
Ryo: "I'm glad you care so much, but I hope it's for the Spirits as well. Not just yourself."
Gray: "...I promise. These Spirits have given me so much, saved me from my first anarchist and every time after that. When I used Cenic, even Satic, the Spirit Sense, their mana. They've been healing and helping me since I started."
Ryo: "Then keep that calm love in mind when you give them your mana. Because you'll need it when you use these next spells I'm going to teach you."
Gray: "______"
Gray went dark for a second, before lunging up into the air. His mouth wide, his eyes bright, and even his mana leaking, all from sheer joy.
Gray: "FINALLY! When I learned Satic I thought I was gonna be a mage and then I had to throw it away, I was scared I'd never learn another spell than Cenic! Or at least die before I learned one! This is awesome! What do I learn!? Another spell like Cenic? Spirit clones!? Spirit Beam!? Oh, maybe a big Cenic Sword!"
Ryo: "Well uh, no not really. Cenic would be in the illusionary subclass, something that alters the area in some way to disorient you. Other spells like that are pretty tricky, only a few Novice ones at that. And things like clones, beams, swords, any attacks or anything that can physically harm, won't really be possible. You've got a defensive affinity after all! Even if your connection lets you use "Offensive, it'll kill the Spirits unless you're on the same level of mastery as me."
Gray: "I KNEW IT! ALWAYS SOMETHIN!"
Ryo: "In the coming months you could learn a handful of new spells, knowing you anyway. But we don't have those months. I want to teach you things that will defend you, keep you alive like Cenic does, give you an edge. And it's one of the easiest spells you can use.
Ryo waved his hand out, let his mana seep towards the spirits, and spoke proudly to the air around them.
Ryo: "Walnic."
The air lit a bright blue, setting like cement into an iron hard transparent dome of Spirit mana. A simple, but incredibly powerful shield.
Ryo: "There are other spells that make smaller shields like ones you fight with, shields around your body, around other people, other shields for certain magic, and a higher level shield in general. But to make sure you don't do something rash I'm not gonna tell you those spells. But this spell should be on your skill level. You just need to push mana out to the Spirits, and they'll help you do the rest. It's like how you've been making your mana denser. You've got to make your mana, and the spirit mana in the air dense and stable, solid for your shield."
Gray nodded, the shield fell into the grass to feed the earth with nutrients, and went to push mana out.
Ryo: "Wait!"
Although he had to stop instantly. As Ryo took and pushed his hand forward, kicked his legs into place, gave his back the proper position, and patted his back. So he could take a deep breath, focus in with Spirit mana, before pushing them out to the Spirits with as little power as he could. Terrified to kill a Spirit.
Gray: "Walnic!"
He kept his eyes closed, fearful for what might happen. But when he opened them, he saw a warped and uneven half dome of mana struggling to form. Before it burst like a bubble, sending the shield flying like glass shards before fading into Spiritual ash when they slammed into the trees.
Gray: "Uhhh, now what?"
Ryo: "You try again, and next use Cenic, and then Walnic again. I wanna make sure you can handle them before anything else. I know we said you all would be practicing with Gordon and I, but on days like this, you're in my hands. So don't worry about getting hit okay? Just relax, flow your mana, and WATCH OUT!"
Ryo flickered forward to move Gray, just in time to dodge a hunk of Dragon stone flying through the bushes, followed by a rush of Golden Light, and finally a burst of air pressure that carved the ground open.
Ryo: "Careful please!"
Edward: "Sorry!"
Lincoln: "Quit whining and fight back!"
Gray took a sigh of relief with his head in tacked before standing, spreading his body back into position, and screaming out to the Spirits -
Gray: "Walnic!"
Another misshapen bubble of spirit mana struggled to form around him, and popped yet again into the air. So he used another burst of mana, creating a cloud of Cenic this time, before trying to create another failed Walnic. Then Cenic, cenic again, Walnic, Walnic. He took moments between each, trying to rest his headache, or the spirits around him. And as he chipped away at his mana, draining lower and lower with each spell, he saw Rosemary. He watched her block a jab from Lincoln, stand and flare her fourth stage, and swing her own fist. He heard Sokus comments to Gordon about his scary eyes, or anything to distract him so Julius could try and miss another swing.
It didn't take long before Edward and Rosemary were both struggling to stand and Lincoln went off with other soldiers. And at the same time Gordon finally stopped his battle with a final knee to Sokus stomach to walk with him, leaving Ryo to pick up the exhausted Gray and take him over to an equally broken team.
Ryo: "Would you all like to come and eat with us? A lot of the Leviathan soldiers are gathering."
Gray and the others didn't have to ask, or even look at each other to respond. Because they all wanted to do the same thing.
Gray: "That's okay, I think I'll just lay on the grass and pass out."
Ryo: "Then go home and rest, Gordon will start back up with your training tomorrow. And go find your Peter friend, Rick keeps saying that he won't leave him alone."
Soku: "Will do, I guess."
After half an hour of just laying on the ground in silence together, they finally pushed themselves enough to stand and grab their things. So they could walk onto the path leading into Greenvale, and through the ocean of soldiers all the way to the other side to get to their house. A walk they didn't realize just how bad was going to be until they stepped foot through the gate.
Gray: "Is all of this really gonna work? Just feels like we're making ourselves sore for no reason. Like, is a couple weeks of this gonna do anything against an Upper Pillar, even a Lower Pillar?"
Edward: "It's better than nothing, and I'll take that."
Rosemary: "Yeah, we can't really do anything else. The only other option would be to sit and wait for the Sect to win or just leave, and we're not gonna do that. What's really left to choose?"
Gray: "I mean you're right but saying it like that just makes it sound sad. I wanna hope this is actually the right choice, and not just any choice."
Soku: "Any choice could be the right choice, it all depends on us."
Julius: "In the end that is all it is ever going to rely on. How we act, and how others act to us. But I do think Gray is right, that we need to have heart in this. If we have no drive, or a drive slightly smaller than we need, it is all over. So we have to be past what we think is necessary, and then we might just survive. Even if victory seems impossible, and it really does. Honestly I do not see how we win, or win with Walgonia still the same as it is."
They didn't know how to deny Julius words, because they couldn't help but understand them. Still they walked toward their home, catching a glimpse of a familiar face trying to move under the waves of soldiers.
Peter: "Hey guys, where yah goin?"
Gray: "Home. Where are you headed?"
Peter: "I'm going to check on Leo, wanna see if he's up yet!"
Peter continued running up the hill and to a district turned into a dense street of medical tents. Homes made hospitals, alleys were surgical rooms, and the mood was grim. You were either a healer, somebody helping, covered in bandages, or on your way to bleed out. But Peter had to keep a straight face and head toward a small cottage. Where his Leader laid broken.
But Leo wasn't broken, not completely anyway. After three days of intense healing since Athens fell, and almost from two days from Walgonia's best Healers, his hand finally twitched. And his head was finally filled with something other than darkness.
Leo {Where's my brother?}
His intense battle against Ralyice played out like she was still beating him. The fear, how hard he had to push himself just to escape her. The impact of her fists against his chest, being stabbed, having to rip her stomach open while strangling her to death. It was memories soaked in blood, in rage, and overtook the parts he couldn't remember.
Leo {Where's Toll!?}
His Mark flashed with pain, like it had awoken from its slumber alongside Leo. Feeding him the hints of the battle pierced together by his painful mind trying to open. The blue volatile lighting, the intense adrenaline rush that kept him alive during the rest of Athens. Where he could feel the horrific sights of lava eating the entire country. A sky of ash and red lighting. The screams of his brother, and a vision of his fate. Leaving him to fall into the abyss of Athens, before Toll passed away right beside him.
Leo: "WHERE IS ATHENS!?"
His eyes were blank. His body was covered in a thick cast he tore away without any idea of what he was doing. He just ran, screamed, and roared forward.
Peter {I hope Erline isn't in there, she's scary -
Before Peter could walk into the cottage, the wall beside him burst open. As Leo charged through in an intense daze, full on panic, sheer rage. It was almost unexplainable, but still he rushed. Past the many healers and soldiers trying to stop him, away from Peter's screams to stop, before a bright purple, golden, and green light landed in front of him.
Gray: "LEO CHILL OUT BRO!"
Rosemary: "You're safe! You're not in danger!"
Soku: "WAKE UP!"
Gray put his hands up hesitantly, trying to ease the charging Valentine. Rosemary went to guard, ready to hold him down if he ran past. But Soku burst forward, sliding her hand across the grass before pulling it up. So a thick wave of wind could rise and splash against Leo and force him back.
Leo: "BACK OFF!"
All Leo could see was a burning Athens, Warriors running to kill him. His body was hardly able to walk, let alone move like he was trying to. Causing even more confusing and dazing pain, so much so he instinctively pushed out his mana. And his Mark.
Leo: "GET AWAY GET AWAY!"
He was bruised, clean shaven, with a handful of new scars and small stitches across his face; if you hadn't seen how badly he looked before, you'd think he just fought Raylice. But his Mark still expanded with a bright, all encompassing wave of yellow lighting. Quickly layering past his body to expand near the many injured trying to back away, too quickly for the others to do anything to stop it.
Peter: "LEO PLEASE STOP IT! STOP IT STOPP!"
A natural disaster in the form of a man arrived from the sky. Slamming into Leo, to hug him so hard he stopped his mana flow.
Lincoln: "Please my son! You're safe, I promise you!"
Hearing his fathers voice, Leo gasped for air. Finally pulling himself out of the drowning memories, and really waking up. So he could breathe, and stare his father in the eyes for the first time in almost five years.
Leo: "....YOU!"
His lighting instantly activated once again, this time far more controlled. Focused around his body, and surging around his fist. With enough might to pivot forward and slam Lincoln into the dirt, before punching him with all he had against his face.
Leo: "WHERE WERE YOU!?"
Another strike.
Leo: "WHY DIDN'T YOU STOP HIM!? WHY DIDN'T YOU SAVE ATHENS!?"
More and more, over and over, pushing Gray and the others away in their attempts to stop him.
Leo: "WHERE WERE YOU!? WE NEEDED YOU WE ALL DID! WHY!? I NEEDED YOU! I NEEDED YOUR HELP, EVEN YOUR ADVICE! WHY NOW!? WHY WOULD YOU COME BACK NOW!? WHEN IT'S ALL DEAD!? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!? WHY THE HELL DID YOU HAVE TO BE MY FATHER!?"
Leo finally had to stop striking when his body gave way. Losing his flow of lighting, and his ability to sit up right. Falling back to stare into the sky, and cry into his bandaged hands. But Lincoln only had a few scratches and burn spots, standing right away to stick out his hand to his son.
Lincoln: "I know I failed Athens. But you can't blame yourself. You beat Raylice, and you won that war. And now you're alive. Are you just gonna scream at me? Cry? Or are you gonna do something about it?"
Leo grit his teeth, balled his fist with lighting, and let out a sigh of sorrow. Before trying his best to stand until Peter held his arm, and walked to shove past Lincoln. Moving right to Gray, Rosemary, and Soku, while Edward and Julius ran up behind them.
Leo: "...Without you all, I wouldn't be here. Nobody from Athens would be. I want you to know we failed you…so please, don't hold anything over your heads. I wanna repay you, and live up to my word of helping to free Walgonia from the Sect. Especially now that they took Athens from the world. Just tell me where to go."
Gray: "I know Gordon and Ryo are gonna wanna speak with you, but if you want our advice. I'd just say to relax."
Edward: "Yeah you still need to heal. But I know they'd love to have you in the war room. You just led an army through four years of war, so right now you have the most recent experience with something like this."
Rosemary: "But don't let Gordon push you! Make sure you're alright, and please talk to us if you need help. You could come sleep in our home if you have nowhere else -
Soku: "Wait he can do what now -
Rosemary stuck her hand out to push Soku away, before awaiting Leo's response. And while he hated needing help, he nodded and smiled, before Edward began helping him alongside Peter. So they could all use the last few days of rest they had, before Walgonia's life was fully on the line.
Julius: "Do you not wish to stay here for healing?"
Leo: "I'll make em come to me, or I'll walk back, but I just need to go somewhere I can relax. That's the only type of healing I need right now."
Leo gave his first real smile, and walked away with the only real family he had left. Thinking of his mother, his brother, Toll, Garly, even Stern. And nothing of his father. And Lincoln just stood watching on in silence, before spitting out a rotten tooth Leo had knocked out of place.
Lincoln {I don't know what that war did, but you're really getting stronger aren't ya? I just hope you can use all you've got, before these bastards end it all.}
Everybody was finding their way down the path of war. They just needed to truly get their purpose, their job. What, where, and when to strike. Who to go after. How to prepare. It felt like they were completely in the dark, and the only light they had was the hope something would happen to make it all seem obvious. And until then, they'd rest, break themselves, rest, and break themselves again. Until the bell's final toll.