Paladin 4: Chapter 58

When Darren told Horon that he had reached the Sixth Order, Horon didn’t believe it. Even when he showed Horon his wings, Horon thought it had to be some sort of trick.

“I’ve never heard of a Fifth Order human in the Sacred Seas, but I’ve heard rumors from other lands. But the Sixth Order? Surely we would see dozens of Fifth Order humans before one finally pushed the bounds of what is possible one level higher.” Horon crouched down and poked Darren’s wings with his finger as though checking to see if they were genuine.

“I am at the Sixth Order,” Darren assured Horon.

Horon stood. “Care to prove it?”

Moments later, Darren and Horon stood in the center of a makeshift training grounds in their camp. Bystanders were gathering, wondering what was happening. The fighters drilling in the area stopped their practice when they saw their Prime Saint pick up a practice sword. What could he possibly learn here?

“Come to teach another lesson, Prime Saint?” One man asked.

Horon shook his head. “No, you gentlemen are in for a little show. Have you ever seen a practice fight between two Prime Saints?”

“Two Prime Saints?” the man turned to Darren, who unveiled his aura and all three sets of wings.

“Paragon,” Darren corrected, though no doubt these seraphim would see him as a Prime Saint no matter what he said.

Darren and Horon locked eyes as the two of them assumed fighting stances. Few among the gathered crowd had ever seen a battle between two beings of such immense power, and it felt like all of them were holding their breaths in anticipation.

Horon made the first move. He launched a wave of nearly invisible projectiles at Darren with a wave of his hand.

Absolute Analysis: Skill Analysis

Tempest Fury (Epic)

• Through force of will, this ability summons slicing blades of air and wind at short range when used over a small area. When less focused, it's used to create tornados and storms.
• Heavenly Judgement (Epic)
• This ability brings the might of the sky upon its target in the form of a bolt of lightning.

Darren saw through Horon’s tactic immediately. He wanted Darren to focus on the wind blades coming for his face and not notice the bolt of lightning descending from above. But Darren had grown wise to such feints many years ago.

He used Manifest Will to create a pillar in front of him that was sturdy enough to block the incoming wind blades but also tall enough to intercept the bolt of lightning. The pillar took shape as pure Divine Aura, but at his command, it shifted until it took the shine of platinum, a metal he read was used for lightning rods in Whiteguard. That was something he’d read in one of his old family books. He hadn’t expected the knowledge to be useful in battle, but here it was.

Darren’s barrier shattered and crumpled beneath the dual assault, but when he dispelled it entirely, he stood completely unharmed.

“Not bad,” Horon nodded appreciatively as he eyed Darren. “But I’ve yet to see proof that you’re as strong as a Prime Saint.

“Then you’ll have to hit me with more than that,” Darren replied. He flexed his three sets of wings, each shining silver and brimming with Divine Aura.

Horon initiated another attack, this time using far more abilities than before.

Absolute Analysis: Skill Analysis

Indomitable Will (Epic)

• Unyielding determination and focus in battle makes the wielder of this ability highly resistant to all negative status effects and attempts at mental manipulation.

Soul of the Warrior (Epic)

• Grants dramatically heightened reflexes and perception when in combat.

Divine Momentum (Epic)

• In combat, movement speed and attacks from this skill come with increasingly greater speed and strength at the cost of greater Divine Aura expenditure.

With a nod of acknowledgment, Horon charged at Darren. His sword gleamed in the sunlight as he closed the distance between them in the blink of an eye. Darren responded kindly, pulling Melancholy from his Realvault and meeting Horon’s sword stroke.

Their swords clashed, and the two weapons rang in unison like a note from a bell. Horon’s mouth quirked up in a grin. “The shield was new, but you haven’t really shown me anything you didn’t show before.”

“I was just letting you warm up,” Darren chuckled.

Horon’s Divine Momentum skill went into full effect then, and he started moving faster and faster. He expended vast quantities of Divine Aura to do so, but as a Prime Saint, his power reserves were tremendous, and he could keep this up for far longer than someone of a lesser rank might. That one skill alone was probably a large part of why Horon held the status he did within the Seven Heavens.

The next exchange of blows happened so fast that they were beyond the comprehension of their onlookers. Only the Fifth Orders had any hope of even following the fight. The others could perceive nothing more than two frantic blurs.

Darren realized he had enough of Horon’s Divine Momentum skill. As the Prime Saint grew faster and faster, he was getting troublesome, even for someone with Darren’s reflexes. He’d been relying on Manifest Will to generate obstacles for Horon and force him to keep his distance, but Darren had a much more reliable way of shutting down Horon’s speed.

“Nullification.” Darren closed his fist as he spoke.

All of Horon’s active skills collapsed instantly as his Divine Aura was wiped away. His eyes filled with panic, and for a heartbeat, the Prime Saint was more vulnerable than he’d been in a long time.

Darren held back and let him recover rather than capitalize on the advantage like he might in a real fight. After all, he had to test all of his new skills, and Horon had volunteered to help him.

Darren relied on Agile Movement, Mental Fortitude, Rapid Regeneration, Divine Regeneration, and Weapon Proficiency. Though they were only epic skills, all of them were completely passive. So using them was more a matter of getting comfortable fighting with them actively than learning to use their abilities. And a fight of this level was the closest he’d have to prepare to fight against Kalaziel with them.

“I’m not out of tricks yet!” Horon shouted, activating another series of abilities, new and unaffiliated by the effects of nullification.

Absolute Analysis: Skill Analysis

Guardian’s Resolve (Rare)

• When activated, this ability shields the user and all their allies, absorbing the next incoming attack.

Divine Reprisal (Epic)

• When an attack against the user or an ally is intercepted or blocked, that same ability can be returned upon its attacker.

Fleetfoot (Rare)

• Grants temporary passive increase to movement speed.

Celestial Maelstrom (Mythic)

• Transforms the wings of the wielder into storm-aspected weapons of destruction, summoning lighting, thunder, and blinding white mist and enhancing all the user’s physical abilities so long as the storm remains.

Darren countered with his own set of abilities. Oracle Sight, Adamantine, and Fetters of Fate all went into play. Horon’s shield intercepted a sword slash from Darren. It reflected it right back at him, but Adamantine’s ability to evade all homing abilities meant the attack missed anyway.

“What in the Seven Hells?” Horon cursed as Fetters of Fate wrapped around his ankles. Darren and Horon locked eyes, and the battle intensified. But all the while, Fetters of Fate crawled higher and higher up Horon’s ankle. Soon it was creeping along his waist.

While Horon could probably tear himself free of the chains, he couldn’t do so while fighting Darren. So this battle would end when those chains wrapped around him completely.

But Darren realized he didn’t want to win. Defeating Horon outright in front of his followers could damage the Prime Saint’s reputation and undermine his authority. So, for a rare change of pace, Darren planned to lose.

He pressed the attack, letting Horon’s Celestial Maelstrom ability rage around them all the harder. The air crackled with electricity, and the blinding white storm of Divine Aura intensified. Horon’s wings became deadly instruments of destruction that lashed out in all directions.

For anyone else, it would have been impossible to weave through the unpredictable, chaotic mass of swirling blades, but Darren had his Oracle Sight to rely on. He knew where every attack was going to land before even Horon did.

Then Darren dove through the Celestial Malstrom, sword raised. Melancholy’s edge cut right through his own Fetters of Fate, cleaving the chain that held Horon in place. He let a few minor blows rain down on him, scoring bloody slashes across his body.

“I’ve had enough,” Darren said.

Horon nodded, panting in exhaustion. He canceled his abilities and let himself fall to the ground. He caught himself on one knee and heaved himself to his feet.

“Who won?” someone from the crowd asked.

“Horon did,” Darren said.

But Horon answered at the same time. “Darren did.”

The two Sixth Order warriors shot each other a glance and chuckled. Soon they shook hands, and the gathered crowd clapped in excitement.

“I can say for certain now, Darren here is most certainly on the level of a Prime Saint!” Horon held Darren’s hand up victoriously.

Many people cheered, but a few others pointed at the red scratches on Darren’s body and whispered to one another. They’d seen Darren’s blood was red, not gold. But that was fine. Darren wasn’t trying to hide his humanity. These seraphim would have to get used to fighting next to humans eventually.

***

Darren and Horon reared to his cabin to plan for the coming battle. Once they were alone, Horon congratulated Darren on the true results of the duel.

“I saw what you did there. Normally, it would irk my pride to be handed a win, but I understand why you did. Let this be a growing tally on the list of favors I owe you.” Horon shared a warm smile. “Your power has surpassed even my own. Considering how powerful you were at the Fifth Order, I suppose that’s to be expected. Seven Hells, you killed Synthia, then. She wasn’t too strong, but she was still a Prime Saint. But do you truly think you are a match for Kalaziel?”

Darren thought, giving that question the weight and consideration it deserved.

“I do.”

Horon let out a long-held breath. “Then you’re our greatest hope. Heavens knew I was no match for him. The question is, how are we going to lure Kalaziel out for a fight on our terms? Right now, he’s huddled in the higher heavens, securing control over the Heavenly Throne.”

Darren explained what he’d been doing as of late. He had a Genus Loci of his own and had been contesting Kalaziel’s claim over the lands of the Heavens. Ashe appeared while he spoke, all so she could sit on Darren’s shoulder and stare down at Horon with a smug look.

“You really weren’t pulling my leg?” Horon asked.

“Of course not!” Ashe answered on Darren’s behalf. “And here I thought Darren had knocked some sense into you with that last fight...”

Darren patted her thigh. “My forces exist, and they will meet us here soon.”

“If we can rally with these forces of yours, my Protectors can guide them to the sources of densest resistance here on the Fourth Layer. If you can do exactly what you have been doing on the lower layers, we can drive Kalaziel’s forces into the city on the Fifth Layer and perhaps even beyond...”

“What lies beyond the Fifth Layer?” Darren asked. He’d only been to the Fifth Layer once with Gaviel, but that was as high as he’d gone.

“The Fifth Layer is as high as most seraph ever go. Truthfully, it’s the highest layer that is actually habitable. The Lord of Light was the only person who ever frequented the Sixth Layer. It houses the Heavenly Throne and all the administrative centers of the Heavens. It also houses the Prime Ophanim. Those ophanim collectives would be powerful enough to be Prime Saints, were they seraphim. They administrate the entire ophanim network. Their efforts allow the Heavens to recreate our ancient ancestors’ lost technology, despite not knowing how they truly work.” Horon ran his hand across his chin and shrugged. “As for the Seventh Layer? The Lord of Light supposedly absorbed it into his body long ago while reaching the Seventh Order. I never had the chance to go when it was still around, but rumor says Kalaziel went once upon a time.”

Darren, Horon, and Ashe spent two hours preparing for the next stage in their joint operations. Outside the cabin, they could hear the carousing and merriment leaking through the door. Horon’s Protectors were in a far better mood than when Darren arrived. His arrival renewed their flagging hope and showed them they stood a chance.

They would have continued like that longer if not for an urgent knocking on the door.

“Come in!” Horon called.

The door swung open a moment later, revealing Captain Gaviel in his battered armor. He’d cleaned himself up from his last fight and looked much better.

“Prime Saint Horon! Oh, and Prime Saint Darren,” Gaviel nodded in their direction.

Ashe cleared her throat off to one side.

“And Prime Saint Ashe! Forgive me for the interruption, but the news just came in. The Order of the Rod is taking action again. They’re raiding one of our smaller supply stations as we speak. I fear some villagers are getting caught in the middle.”

Horon stood up straighter. “Grab your things. Let’s go.”

“You’re coming in person?” Gaviel’s eyebrows rose in surprise.

Horon grinned. “Now that my wounds are healed, I have no excuse for sitting on my rear while others fight our battles.”

Darren, naturally, wouldn’t be left behind, either. So soon he, Horon, Gaviel, and a dozen others were all on their way. Darren recognized most of the people with them. They were all at the Fifth Order, and he had resurrected all but two of them when Darren met Gaviel again.

Sneaking out of the residential neighborhood they were hiding in took the longest. Once they were clear of it, they all flew straight for the village that needed help. It was on the outskirts of the Fourth Layer. It was rural by local standards, though back in the mortal world, it would probably just have been considered an extension of the settlement they were staying in.

“There’s a battle up ahead!” Gaviel said, pointing into the distance. “Looks like the villagers are fighting back!”

Horon squinted into the distance. “Do my eyes deceive me, or is the Order of the Rod in retreat? I don’t think that village had anyone capable of putting up a real fight beside the guards we stationed there. And who is that giant warrior woman standing in the center?”

Darren smiled. He recognized the banner before Gaviel or Horon even saw it. And he was especially quick to recognize the giant golden-haired woman holding the line. That was Sasha, and she was using her Might of a Giant skill.

“They’re friends,” Darren replied. “Come.”

He rushed forward. Horon and Gaviel followed close behind.

By the time Horon and his forces arrived, the battle had reached its apex. Sasha and Morgana were up against three Fifth Order members of the Order of the Rod. The two women were holding their own despite being outnumbered, mostly thanks to the work of the Order of the Rose supporting them. Priestess Blossom and the other priestesses kept every member of their side fully healed while sparing a little aid for Sasha and Morgana to bolster their damage and endurance the moment they started running dry.

The Order of the Rod was much more top-heavy, relying exclusively on the sheer physical might of paladins to crush all in their path. Though they had other orders under their control, their bias for Paladins showed in their ranks even now among these people who’d abandoned their human bodies in pursuit of power.

Though their troop composition had given them the advantage at the start of the battle, now that the fight was wearing on, their lack of healers and support units were showing its disadvantages.

Not that they would have survived much longer anyway. The moment Darren arrived, the battle was won, to say nothing of Horon, Gaviel, and all the Fifth Order Protectors they’d brought along.

Darren cast Fetters of Fate on both enemies. Morgana used the opportunity to stab one with a deadly poisoned dagger. Sasha bashed the other in the helm with her shield and would have followed it up with a strike from the hammer she was wielding in her other hand if Darren hadn’t cleaved the man in two with his landing.

“Sasha, you’re early,” Darren said, smiling back at her.

“We couldn’t just sit by while you stormed the heavens alone!” Sasha grinned, her face flushed with the excitement of the battle. “We trained hard for this. Don’t think you can leave us behind again!”

“Darren! Ha, you thought you could ditch us!” Morgana appeared from the shadows at Darren’s side.

“Never.” Darren stroked the back of Morgana’s head.

“Hmm... it sure looks like you ditched us to hang out with your seraph friends...” Morgana nodded in Horon’s direction. When he appeared, the remaining members of the Order of the Rod knew they had no chance at victory and threw down their arms.

Darren chuckled. “Come along. I suppose I have some introductions to make.”