Side Story 41: No Threats left Dead. [First Draft]

“Krraaaaak!”

“And you’re saying you can’t heal?! Stop it, take this potion already and ge—”

“Oh shut up, ya piece of— Urgh! I have [Identify], I can appraise my own self! That damn bitch sent me off with a shitty present before her damn mother slapped me away. Urgh, arghk, damn ribs!”

Vifi’Yok, a level 150 demonkin of wrath with the training of a Warbringer from the Yok family. Respected and noble, they were a military family through and through, and was one of the several aristocratic families allowed to send in candidates whenever a position within the seven Princes of Sin was available, specifically in their case, it was the Prince of Wrath.

Although strong, the princes weren’t treated as unstoppable warriors or mages, but were beings with the ability to use the few demonic techniques left behind from the War of the Demons — the Original Sins. For example, the demonkin of envy Hestia fought was able to use [Original Sin: Demiurge], the ability to perfectly transform into somebody else, even hiding their demonic presence.

U’Skaie, the demonkin Hestia fought, was under the employ of the Prince of Pride during the Griffonpeak siege, but was once one of the apprentices under the Prince of Envy. It was similar to the relationship between the Prince of Wrath and his Warbringers. They were to become their replacements if one day the associated prince were to die.

As such, it was rare for most demonkins to possess Original Sin techniques. After all, it was the method to extract power from their bloodline, literally tapping into the might of their ancestor demons. Outside of those privileged to know these techniques, most demonkins only understood the Original Sin techniques as godly powers, similar to a blessed’s unique skill.

Vifi’Yok, groomed into becoming the next third seat Warbringer by her adopted father, only managed to learn one of the two Original Sins belonging to Wrath. Nevertheless, it wasn’t anywhere close to U’Skaie’s near-perfect execution of [Original Sin: Demiurge], even able to fool a god’s eyes.

But, on the contrary, U’Skaie wasn’t a fighter, he was a spy. His abilities as an envy demonkin were specialized in manipulation and subterfuge. Although she couldn’t fully bring out her abilities without prior preparations, Vifi’Yok still proved a mightier foe to Hestia compared to her senior. Even weakened by her [My Darkest Thoughts], she was still able to push Hestia into a more drastic battle style.

And because of everything that happened, Vifi’Yok was now close to death after her encounter with Melloxtressa.

Urgh, it hurts. Everywhere…

Since Hestia was too preoccupied with escaping the little trick Hee’Rlak used on her, her song ended just when Melloxtressa appeared. At that moment with all her emotions at 100%, she managed to tank Melloxtressa’s unrestrained [Humanize (Moderate)] slap with her true form and all the protective abilities associated with it. Nonetheless, if Melloxtressa had the intention to kill Vifi’Yok, she would have been dead at this very moment.

… Then again, it would have been a painless death, unlike how her bones were creaking in agony at this very moment. With no way to heal herself due to Hestia’s [Dread Burn], she couldn’t do anything else but force her body to rest until that status abnormality disappeared.

“… You’re bleeding internally. Those broken bones must have ruptured an organ or two.” Hee’Rlak, having managed to follow her to one of the islands off the coast of Elyonda, was panicking internally, but kept up his facade to not worry his master.

“I’m not gonna die right here, Hee’Rlak. Urgh, you took your sweet time for me, so I can kinda get the gist of my body. Right lung punctured, muscles ruptured, backbone cracked, heart almost crushed. The fact I flew from the city, off the coast, all over to where we’re storing our supplies and pirates, is enough to tell you that simple bitch slap wasn’t normal.”

Vifi’Yok grimaced at how even at 100%, she was still outmatched by the dragon empress. She was also an SS rank she heard, causing her to question how was supposed to kill Karhalantheel.

I still have [Original Sin: Satanael] but… Krk, even at 100%, that simple slap nearly pulverized my body. Not to mention, she was in her dragonewt form. What kinda nature-defying powers does she have as a dragon?!

“[Dread Burn] is a status abnormality, it’ll disappear soon. Urgh, honestly, now that I fought her, she was no slouch.” Vifi’Yok grimaced a bit, but her face was still softer than the one Hee’ralk had.

“She’s a beast, even amongst Champions. Poison, fire hot enough to turn a whole area into a volcano, high stats, and even a song to prevent me from using [Emotion Surge] properly… Urgh, and she probably has room to grow since she’s probably around your age. Lord Envy was right, this is a threat we need to stomp out before she grows even further.”

Hee’Rlak had witnessed Hestia’s powers first-hand as well. As a military man, he understood what was needed to win a war. Tactical powers couldn’t be underestimated in Peolynca as a single soldier could turn the tides of battle if they were strong enough. While numbers as a strategic advantage would never die out, a whole plan could be ruined by a being with powers far superior to everybody else’s.

In his mind, Hestia was a priority target, somebody they had to prioritize even over the Supreme Commander of the Hands of Heaven and also the Enlightened One, the leader of the Empire’s blessed. On the other hand…

“Hmm? You fought that girl?” Vifi’Yok raised an eyebrow at this sudden revelation.

Hee’Rlak nodded. “We got ambushed when you were away. The whole base was raided and destroyed, including our allies within the city. I was almost apprehended, if it weren’t for one of the Yanderu bosses we came here with. What a disgrace to be saved by a human, but he managed to distract Auegor’s Blade just long enough for me to flee with him. That damn knight nearly sliced off my arm, though.”

Hee’Rlak massaged his arm, thanking the fact they brought along enough Health potions for these situations. Although, a part of him was regretting the fact it couldn’t help his master.

“If that’s so… then shouldn’t you have realized what this meant? What that song of hers means to us wrath demonkins, Hee’Rlak?”

“Hmm?” The man tilted his head, unsure what the young girl was saying.

“It managed to stop me from going berserk at M.E.P. That song allowed me to feel the effects of it, but not the burden.”

M.E.P. the acronym for “Maximum Emotional Potency.” The opposite of L.E.P. While L.E.P. left a wrath demonkin into a state similar to depression, M.E.P. was the state where all these emotions entwined into a coalescence of euphoria. Overwhelmed by all their emotions erupting at the same time, most wrath demonkins fell berserk while their powers were fully released. It was an accident soon to happen.

“I disagree with yours and Lord Envy’s assessment. Instead of killing her, we need to learn how she’s doing this. How is she able to keep a wrath demonkin’s M.E.P. in control. We need to know that, Hee’Rlak.”

“Master!” The older demonkin shouted, visibly outraged at that suggestion. “How injured are you? Such a suggestion is bereft of reason from the mouth of a Warbringer. You should be thinking this through from the mind of a commander of the army, and in this case, that girl is an issue we need to eliminate. If she can cripple you, then she could cripple the other Warbringers, no, our entire army with her singing! What makes us demonkins physically superior to humans is our demonic abilities, otherwise, we would just be the same!”

Hee’Rlak couldn’t fathom what his master was telling him. Learn from the enemy? Sure, it was an important ability to have as knowing your enemy would lead to defeating them. However, at the same time, it was also imperative to sabotage any advantages your enemy had. To kill Hestia was to steal away a mighty military power.

To Hee’Rlak, Hestia was like a natural foe to himself and all demonkins. The ability to apply [Dread Burn] would cripple Gluttony, Lust, and Greed demonkins, her songs could weaken a Wrath’s power boost, and her poison could silence even the most lion-hearted Pride fighters. Not to mention how she had tactical potential by disrupting Envy’s disguises and Sloth’s remote controlled drones. Hee’Rlak thought of all of them.

However…

“Don’t give me that shit!!!” Vifi’Yok raised her body as she yelled at Hee’Rlak, catching him off-guard before the girl groaned from her pained body, coughing up blood.

If this were Earth, she would have died before Hee’Rlak had reached her. Unless your Health dropped to zero — or Mana for fairies — you couldn’t die in Peolynca.

“Master!” Hee’Rlak tried to help Vifi’Yok, but the girl pushed his aid aside, instead, snapping at him.

“Don’t! You don’t understand how it is in the fucking slums you spoiled imp! You don’t! All you’ve experienced is ya damn bubble as someone with a last name! What about those without ones? Too poor to be relevant? What about all the wrath demonkins forced into ‘shelters’ to keep them away from the normal populace? What about all the orphans and decrepit people this war had produced? Huh?! Tell me, Hee, why did you only think about the army when it is also the people that need help?”

“…!” Hee’Rlak groaned, silent to his master’s question.

“There were two choices for me — either continue being a street rat stealing whatever to survive, or join the military. But not only that, every wrath demonkin only had this option. Either you join the military so they can keep an eye on you, and be shunned by everybody because even a child could be dangerous if they suddenly turn M.E.P. in the middle of the city.”

If a demonkin of wrath were to reach M.E.P., they would go berserk with their elemental prowess fully released. The moment a wrath demonkin became eight, they were allowed to choose their elemental preference for their powers, but at the same time, they would also become a threat to everybody around them. This was why they were “encouraged” to join the military, or become a pariah and “persuaded” to live in a community made just for them.

Vifi’Yok didn’t think too much about all these problems when she joined the military at eight, all she wanted was to get off the streets. To her, a warm bed with food everyday was all she needed to enjoy her time there, even if the training was harsher than anything she ever experienced.

Still, this mindset changed after she became a Warbringer and took her first step outside the confines of Bole’Taria and the battlefield. Instead of lingering on her own problems, this new breath of freedom allowed her to think more liberally about everything.

And in this case, it was the situation of her race.

“Vifi’Yok…” Hee’Rlak frowned.

“Tsk, that song of hers managed to calm me down. Aurena’s work, most likely, but if we brought her back, Lord Sloth could have thought of something. The best inventor and artificer in the world; if someone could do it, he could! He was able to make a coat hide our demonic presence, after all!”

But she then glared off to the horizon, in the direction of Elyonda.

“But it’s too late now. If they aren’t here yet, then that means both that girl and the mother were taken in by Lord Envy’s trap. No way those two can break through when that item came from the Edjurl gods, right? That means, everything will stay the same for the wrathies in the slums.” Vifi’Yok fell back to the floor, defeated from that fact. “… I think I need two days to get back up.”

“Master?”

“Aurena will probably do something this time. Unlike here on Peolynca, she can do something when they are outside, yeah? In another dimension pocket? Maybe they will get out, but even if they don’t, we still have some other people to deal with.” She turned around to Hee’Rlak, letting out a sigh. “As I said before, I’m a Warbringer. This is my duty.”

Larent, Tehmrayn, Kushlek’zar, and Fargryneill. Four more powerhouses were still around. Even with the army of grimgarians incoming, she couldn’t be lax about everything. Even ignoring the other three, ‘Auegor’s Blade’ was a known combatant to every soldier. A monster on the battlefield who could contend against even a prince’s guard.

In addition, he was also a Territory user.

Vifi’Yok didn’t know if the grimgarian army had a Territory user or not. She was sure the Ogre King would have one, as he was an A rank monster, but what about the rest? While Territories weren’t undefeatable for those without one, as you could just bombard the user from afar due to its limited range, those with one were difficult opponents, since it required high-quality skills to unlock.

And this, Vifi’Yok understood too well.

This operation is in my hand. I have to make it work!

“Hee’Rlak, tell those two Yanderu bosses nothing will change with our plans. Tell the third seat to get ready to free the leviathan. We’re gonna use the device reserved for the girl as the capturer.”

“Are you sure, Master? It cannot replace the one we just used. The leviathan might break free.”

“Even if we can’t, then just let it free. It’s better to lose on one front, than all of them. All we need is enough distraction to kill the royal family.”

“Yes, Ma’am!” He saluted.

Danger will stop.

********************************************************

“Haaaaa, finally down.” Kushlek’zar heaved a deep sigh as he stared at the rain coming down, cleaning him of the blood on his face, but not his robes.

“You can say that again, Kush. We don’t have the numbers to take down a battalion full of people including a bloody high ogre.”

“Mhmm. But we did. Talk about a good amount of experience, although can we really see this as ‘guerilla warfare?’”

The red and green carnosilians Krim-Slak and Grazlatha cleaned off the blood on their axes and spears, all while making sure none of the grimgarian corpses were alive. They then turned around to see their hulk-sized sarcosilian ally Akasht hold up the skull of the high ogre they just fought, roaring into the sky as he was the one to land the finishing blow.

“Hmm, well, we were forced into fighting or letting that group of refugees die. Goddess Plesia shall praise us for such a feat my friends, I assure you that.” Kushlek’zar pressed his hands into a prayer and sent the souls of the dead today to Ilsaphone, before opening his eyes. “Let’s move. The longer we stay here, the more we risk getting caught. This should be enough distraction for the day.”

Away from Elyonda, the invasion effort had already begun, including any interference the saurians could do to help slow down the enemy. For two days straight, the Depth Serpents have fought bravely against the enemy through guerilla tactics and ambushes. Although outnumbered, the saurians weren’t only cunning but also strong enough to overcome this challenge.

However, as they were anywhere close to the city, none of them knew what was happening and how Hestia and Melloxtressa were swallowed up by a dimensional hole. They believed if they could stall long enough, it would all work out just fine.

“Hey, Kush, we can’t keep this up, you know?” Krim’Slak spoke to his leader as they all rode off with one of Kushlek’zar’s water golems, shaped in the form of a triceratops. “Our rations, tools, and also our general stamina. Can’t tire ourselves out before the real battle.”

He was right. This was just the prelude. The battle at Elyonda would decide if the city were to fall or not.

“Hmm, I understand that. We aren’t trying to destroy everything. Just enough to save as many as possible and slow down the enemy. Hmm, however, I can see your point. At this rate, they’ll be at the city’s gates in two days,” he replied after assessing his party’s rations.

“We might have had more if you hadn’t given that Renee and those two mages our food, Kush. What are those fools trying to do by pleading to Aleistunum, anyways?” Grazlahta scolded his leader and scorned Renee for leaving the battlefield, finding it less ideal she wasn’t helping.

“Ha ha ha ha! You’re thinking too straightforward, my friend! In this sort of battle, we would need all the allies we can afford. We struggled against that high ogre, but there are still 14 more left. Not to mention, how many are coming here by boat?” Kushlek’zar stared east, wondering what Renee was planning to persuade Aleistunum to aid Yeos. “She had the right mindset. The two mages who followed her behind our backs were master mages, correct? If you ask me, if Aleistunum can profit from knowledge, then there will be a way. Hopefully, she won’t use my apprentice as a bargaining chip here, then, I must admit, I would feel angered.”

Renee had not gone alone to Aleistunum, but with the two Evidian mages Naemon and Joek. When Kushlek’zar noticed those two, Renee had asked him to stay quiet about it in his report, as the mages didn’t want everybody to know their participation in this. It was mostly because they themselves weren’t sure they could persuade anybody to send a helping hand, and didn’t want their names associated with it.

Renee, ready to take the fall if something happened, took them on their gambit. She knew something was wrong, and had planned to call for help from their neighbors in case of an invasion. She understood this after she spoke with Hestia about her Divine Quest, realizing the gods knew the enemy might be sending a large force to kill off any chance for a Champion of Yeostar ever again.

Of course, Yeostar couldn’t foresee this, nor did Aurena. They assumed it would be the perfect time to attack, leading to Yeostar to send Hestia in case anything happened. However, Renee’s faith in the gods made her firmly believe this was the only answer.

However, over the years, Aleistunum had turned into a nation whose interest was reserved for themselves and the pursuit of knowledge in the name of Istari. They understood they were the prime place for magical and arcane advances, and were using this leverage to spread their influence through the mage’s guild and any court magicians they sent out.

Crafty, and Aleistunum hadn’t changed in this mentality for nearly 600 years after their current Archerudite was elected. A curse and blessing from having an elf be the supreme leader of this country.

Now, Renee and the two mages had to find a way to persuade this person to work. How would they do it, only Renee would know. To her, protecting her country and her father’s legacy meant everything.

However, what could she give in turn for this aid? She was not sent there by the current monarch of Yeos? She was only a commoner, after all. What could she do with her status? What could she bargain with to gain the military power of Aleistunum? After all, Aleistunum valued knowledge over everything else.

What could an idealistic knight-wannabe possibly do in this situation?

But, then again, would this reinforcement even come in time even if she succeeded?

“Scale’s blight! We need to retreat now, Kush!” Krim-Slak after they participated in another day of fighting.

“Tsk! I understand, this is all we can do! We can’t fight two high ogres with their soldiers! Retreat, now!” Kushlek’zar gave the command to retreat back to Elyonda, knowing they couldn’t continue after the grimgarian army had begun sending in kill squads.

Still, their efforts had seriously delayed the invasion force long enough for two days to pass after Hestia and Melloxtressa disappeared. When the exhausted saurians returned to Elyonda, they were shocked to see large barricades higher than the city’s walls greet them, only to be flabbergasted at how they were all made with earth and looked frozen in place.

They were informed by Jethro that the Fargryneill and Larent had provided some important labor by deconstructing Melloxtressa’s “gift” into shields for the city, preventing any siege weapons from being used. Due to the number of enemies, he and Alistar believed they needed to move forward with cunning, instead of hitting them head-on.

“The citizens and nobles are all in the arena, protected in case we fail. We’ve also managed to hire quite a ton of mercs and also the contestants of the tournament to our cause,” Jethro explained the situation to Kushlek’zar, before going over to see a leonid man cheering and motivating a group of mercs. “Ghorush, is his name. He’ll be leading the mercenary and adventurer forces, but we’ll probably need his help since our scouts informed us the naval forces were around the coast.”

Invasion forces came from the land and sea, both coordinating their engagement to sunder their opponents into pieces. While Jethro did believe Tehmrayn spoke the truth of staying on the island to protect the seal, he had to protect the harbor at all costs to prevent getting cut off from him. This was where his warrior priests and Ghorush’s forces will come to play,

The soldiers under the commands of Alistar, Larent, and Fargryneill would lead the assault on the land forces, using the new terrain to their advantage including the traps Rita had set up everywhere. On the other side, he wanted Kushlek’zar, Tehmrayn, and Ghorush to lead the remaining forces against the naval forces.

“You have our ships and also sailors to work with. A few of the Caedhulens there are willing to help, so I hope you can lead them, Saint Kushlek’zar,” Jethro asked the saurian, to which he agreed.

“Mhmm! Of course, this is your battle as well as ours. Hmm, but tell me, you didn’t mention my apprentice. What will she be doing?”

Jethro frowned at this question, causing the saurian to suspect something was up. “Well… this is a secret we kept from everybody outside of those who know. It would cause a massive panic and plummet the morale of everybody, but…”

“Guhahahahaha!” But before Jethro could say something, a tall leonid suddenly strutted over to them, laughing boisterous. “Ha! Don’t you and your friends look strong! Especially that tall one.”

The leonid pointed at Akast, who was minding his own business. Seeing this, Kushlek’zar asked him who he was, although he knew it already.

“Ghorush! I’m here for the thrill of fighting. Ha! Can’t believe I’m fighting for the humans right now, reminds me of all the time my tribe fought against the Empire. Hmm, what an irony…” Ghorush reminisced about his past, all to Jethro’s chagrin. “But, whatever, the past is in the past. You pay me well, I deliver you the results. So you better not cheat on us, manablood, cause we’ve a ton of mercs around who won’t be too fond after learning how we risked our lives for nothing but scrapes. I heard your country ain’t that rich.”

“Hmph, do not underestimate our treasury. We aren’t as rich as the Empire, but you will find enough coin to spend it all on mead, food, and your nighttime leisure after you’re done. Now, get onto it!” Jethro then turned back to Kushlek’zar. “I apologize, but we must hold this conversation later. Time is something we lack right now, so please follow Ghorush to the shore. I shall follow you a bit to lead you back to the island.”

“Of course, and I can already understand the situation. No worries, my little apprentice is not somebody you can write off that easily. She will find a way, I am sure of it.” Kushlek’zar’s faith in Hestia was unwavering. After all, he had it aplenty for his first real apprentice.

“Ha! The lass might come late, but she will arrive. Just have to make sure we stall long enough, ain’t that right, Grazlahta?” Krim-Slak nudged his partner, prompting the other to nod.

“Waiting a little bit more won’t hurt.”

“Hmm. Yes,” Akast grunted his response.

And so, the stage was set for the upcoming battle, all while Hestia and Melloxtressa were slumbering away. Many soldiers were expecting Hestia to return, believing the propaganda created by Duke Alberstien that Hestia defeated two demonkins and that she needed to rest before the battle.

But, in the meantime, those watching over all of this with sinister eyes, focused on executing the plan once the time came. All the hopes in Elyonda were gone once Karhalantheel was released, and the sweet ecstasy following this despair would fuel the smiles of the demonkins of Bole’Taria.

A war was a two sided coin, and this would never change.