[SOUTH KOREA]
[MORNING OF INVASION]
Yoonho Baek paced around his office frantically while periodically glancing down at his smart watch. Among the many preparations the hunters took, Jinho Yoo directed Ahjin Soft to develop and roll out an "invasion count-down app". The app was undated daily based on the intel collected by Thalia during her scouting missions.
"Will you PLEASE just sit still? At this rate you will run out of stamina before the fighting even starts." Miho Baek said with annoyance oozing out of her voice.
"I wish we could just start already…all this waiting is not healthy." Her dad replied.
BUZZ, BUZZ, BUZZ
Both hunters looked down at their smart watches…the first gates had opened in India. A few seconds later notifications started trickling in - gates in England, Mexico, Columbia, Nigeria.
A few minutes later the notification pour in…gates rapidly appearing in all the continents. Finally, an alert came in for South Korea.
Yoonho grinned…it's time.
[VOID - CENTRAL ARMY]
"Here they come," Jinwoo said calmly like an expert surgeon in mid-operation. "Igris you command the left, Bellion you command the right, and Beru on me."
"Arise."
Instantly an army of 5 Billion soldiers materialized…each well trained, powerful, and well-coordinated. Their jet black weapons and armor shimmered like an ocean in the deadness of night…obsidian black shields, swords, claws, and roars thundered across the field like a tsunami.
The force of Jinwoo's Shadow Army could be felt…like a thick syrup spread across the entire Void.
"I see we have a slow start…only 5 Billion my King?" Beru asked expecting more.
"Let's leave some action for the rest of the army…the more they fight and contribute, the more united the Alliance will be." Jinwoo said casually.
He added, "we can summon more if needed."
"Monarch's Domain."
That command alone was like an injection of adrenaline, testosterone, and tiger's blood straight into the soul of every Shadow Soldier. Their ferocity and intensity skyrocketed to even greater heights sending chills to every ally.
[VOID - LEFT FLANK]
"Incredible! Unbelievable!" Kavar uttered in astonishment, "the Shadow Army far exceeds anything I imagined….I had no idea…no idea at all."
"I take it it's your first time seeing it?" Gaia questioned.
She continued, "just wait until you see them fight…it's no army. It's a war machine. Unstoppable and indomitable…that is the true power of the Shadow Monarch the one who rules over death itself."
"No wonder he is called the Dark God…this is unreal." Kavar said.
"Prepare the troops, here they come!" Gaia shouted.
[VOID – RIGHT FLANK]
"Ok boys and girls…let's get this done." Liu Zhigang attempted to speak casually. In truth, his hands were shaking with excitement. For years he dreamed of fighting alongside Jinwoo Sung on the frontlines and he hated feeling like a burden.
Now he finally had the chance to contribute directly.
"Light them up!" Liu shouted as he unleashed powerful sword strikes. Immediately, the force of the blades obliterated the first wave of spirit creatures.
Millions upon millions of imperial soldiers, spirit creatures, abominations, and Apostles came crashing into the right flank. The force of the impact can't be described as a sound so much…it was more of a feeling…like that the force felt by astronauts on lift-off.
Every ally and enemy on the front lines felt that 'rumbling' or 'vibrational' feeling produced by the enormous clash of forces.
[NORTH EMPIRE – RA'S CASTLE]
"Suho wait…something is off. There are no guards, sentries, or even troops in the entire castle." Thalia said as they approached Ra's castle. The central stronghold deep in the North Empire.
She continued, "there are only two mana signatures. A big one in the throne room…and my father! I see my father! Wait, something is wrong. His mana is weak and fading."
"It's probably a trap…but we can't afford to waste time. Let's charge in…stay sharp!" Suho replied.
The castle was impressive with its stone corridors, polished stone floors, towering columns and majestic towers. However, what stood out the most was the eerie silence of an abandoned fortress. Even the gates were left open.
Suho and Thalia made their way to the throne room. In the center of the colossal room sat an Itarim patiently waiting. His sword resting on his lap.
"You made it…I'm glad." Said a voice, calm and collected as one keeping an appointment.
"Who are you?" Thalia asked.
The Itarim stood up and calmly answered, "you know most Itarims chose pompous titles such as Devourer, Dominator, Almighty, or something similar. That's ridiculous."
He drew his sword holding it comfortably with both hands. It looked like a natural grip…one belonging to someone accustomed to wielding a sword.
"I am Siri, the Sword Itarim…I know it doesn't sound catchy, but I don't care."
He added, "Ra knew you were coming because he knew you would not resist the opportunity to rescue your father. He asked me to stay here and wait for you. Ra extends a limited time offer - join him."
"Forget it…besides we are in a hurry." Suho replied pointedly.
"I was hoping you would say that…prepare yourselves". Siri said with a smile.
MAIDEN'S DOMAIN Activated
CORONA Skill Used
REVELATION Skill Used
Suho and Thalia rushed toward Siri. Thalia swung low with a horizontal strike; Suho swung high with a vertical strike. The Itarim agilely jumped over Thalia's sword pushing her blade down into the ground with his left foot. In one fluid motion, the Itarim used his left foot (still standing on Thalia's blade) to pivot clockwise dodging Suho's attack.
While pivoting on his left foot, Siri delivered a powerful vertical strike with his blade directed at Thalia who appeared to be unarmed with her sword pinned down into the group by the Itarim's foot.
Having spent the last month vigorously training with Hae-in Cha and Liu Zhigang (sword), Thomas Andre (hand-to-hand, grappling, boxing, wrestling), and Ammut (strength), Thalia had developed and refined an impressive repertoire of skills.
She perceived the mana flow in the Itarim's legs, body, and arms allowing her to predict the Itarim's movements before Siri even preformed them. Predicting the incoming sword strike, Thalia quickly dropped her left hand to the ground and used it to explosively push her legs upward.
Thalia's feet slammed into the Itarim's jaw, creating a powerful uppercut that thrusted him upwards with tremendous force.
Taking advantage of the situation, Suho leapt into the air unleashing a precise diagonal slash with his left hand.
Siri, however, took advantage of his momentum to swing his body causing a mid-air flip. This allowed him to counter Suho's attack with an opposite diagonal slash. The two swords clashed…
THANG
The resulting powerful shockwaves destroyed columns and pillars in the throne room, scattering debris in every direction.
Siri smiled in approval.