abcnovels
Chapter 279 The Beginning Of The End
Chapter 279 The Beginning Of The End
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-- POV General --
"H-How are we going to get there in time to warn them ?!"
In the warm night as darkness engulfed everything on earth, a medium-sized dragon could be seen dashing in the black sky. The little Princess on his back, protected from the wind by his scales, held on tightly even though her mind was elsewhere. She didn't know how long they'd been flying, but one and the same question swirled around in her head, a question the creature that had bonded with her seemed to ignore.
"Draggy !!!"
They were together, but Shiro was still young, very young, and although driven by an uncontrollable urge to protect those she loved, she was frightened. She had left everything so quickly, had those in the Underground Kingdom already noticed her absence ? Had she been right to act so impulsively because of a silly dream ? Draggy could feel her fears, her doubts, and as the silence grew heavy, the Princess finally heard an answer.
[We won't get there in time to warn them, but the ultimate aim is to help them and if possible save your family, isn't it ?]
"Yes, but...but someone will arrive to do it, what I want is to warn them. Before...all these deaths happen..."
[Someone, huh ?]
The dragon's shining golden eyes stared out at the black infinity into which he spun, immersed in a multitude of mysterious, indecipherable thoughts. When he'd bonded with Shiro for some unknown reason, he'd been able to see snatches of her life flash by, including that dream buried in her memory. He'd seen it all, and even though the little girl didn't seem to grasp what was going on, he, who now shared her mana, was beginning to understand.
[I assume you're referring to the lady who appeared in the sky during your dream ?]
"Y-Yes."
[I see. What if...what if she doesn't come ?]
"She'll come ! I've seen her, l-like everything else"
The Princess was so young, so fragile, yet Draggy could feel determination emanating from her little being as well as doubt, fear and guilt. He wanted to help, he wanted to keep his promise and fly to the end of the night to carry her to those who were still unaware of the future tragedy. However, she knew nothing of her own powers, her strength, she hadn't even understood what it all meant, so how could he help her face what was coming ?
[Princess, you...]
"Mmmh ?"
[Nothing, never mind, first things first, she'll come yes...]
Her little body trembled as she thought about making a big mistake, but she was willing to be scolded if it meant giving them a chance. If this tiny chance existed, if they arrived in time, Shiro knew that she would do anything to preserve this happiness that for so long had seemed forbidden to her. She knew it, this world needed the Empress, the Queen and their people, and as Princess she would stand up and do her duty.
"F-Faster, please"
[Then lend me your strength once more, lend me your power, infuse your mana through my scales and let's fly to our destination without looking back. Together]
Nodding her head, Shiro leaned forward, closing her eyes tightly before doing as her Aunt Kalaa had taught her. Gently infusing her mana into her new friend's body, she prayed that her decision would not backfire. As these thoughts invaded her mind, a sudden fatigue took hold of her, while she could feel the wind becoming more and more violent, drying her tears of distress.
[Hang in there, Princess !]
Draggy could feel the powerful mana flowing through his body, giving him the power he needed to keep going, faster and faster, further and further. He didn't know if Shiro's dream would come true, but one thing was certain: he wanted to see how far her courage would carry her, and he'd be there to help. The dragon remembered nothing, but he was ready to exhaust himself to carry this brave little girl wherever her heart called her, no matter how much fear they shared.
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< In the Kingdom of Zal >
"THERE'S MOVEMENT TO THE EAST !"
"Huh ??"
While the sun still hadn't peeked over the horizon, in the highest tower of the castle, the most powerful were huddled together. Trembling like the cowards they were, they waited as the doors to the room opened, followed by an announcement they'd been dreading for weeks. Like a sledgehammer blow, the news was enough to plunge them further into fear while a question lingered in every mind.
"How come our scouts didn't report anything ? I thought we'd at least have some information on our own territory !! DAMN IT !!"
How could they know that Elysium Commander Luna, who had been on site for days, was intercepting every piece of information ? Yes, they were all at the center of a long-established plan that made them pawns on the chessboard the Empress herself had devised. In a war, the strength of each side was very important, but the balance always tipped in favor of those who knew how to manipulate information.
"All available Knights and Paladins are stationed at the city gates, a state of emergency has been declared and no civilians are allowed to roam the streets of the Capital. The battle for our Kingdom's survival is about to begin..."
The Supreme sat in the shadows, silent, saying nothing, but an inner fury had taken hold of them, growing with every second. Why was nothing going according to plan again ? Was this a test of the gods for them ? They didn't know, but the mere idea of an army of subraces daring to rise up against Mankind was unbearable. They had to annihilate them, reduce them to ashes, and for that the Supreme was ready to make any sacrifice.
"We must hold out until reinforcements arrive from Vancesia, don't do anything stupid"
"Iolas and I will go to the city gates and protect the heritage that our father and ancestors left us. Wait here and even if it takes days, we'll pass through these doors again to announce our victory"
Giving their final orders, Prince Erzian and Iolas rose to their feet ready to join the few remaining fighters in order to gain time. They were aware that the King's recent expedition had greatly reduced their forces, but they were also convinced that they could make a difference. Without looking back, the two brothers strode determinedly towards the exit as one of the castle's Ministers shouted.
"SOUND THE HORNS and may the Gods watch over you..."
And so, a few minutes later, all the Kingdom's inhabitants holed up in their homes could hear the hoarse, heavy sound of the horns echoing around the four corners of the Capital. Everyone prayed for the victory of their people, the victory of those brave Knights and Paladins about to fight for their safety, unaware that the invasion had already begun in the form of a Commander and her spies slipping in among the soldiers.
_________
In front of the walls protecting Zalhythe, an army of 6,800 Knights and Paladins stood finishing their final preparations. It was organized chaos, there wasn't much time left, but at least a day before the attack, as troops from Elysium were setting up at the top of the small hill. The sun was finally shining on the Kingdom as the two Princes walked towards the large tent erected to discuss strategy.
"Your Highnesses"
When they arrived, after passing the two guards stationed on either side of the entrance, they could see a large table with a map of the Capital and its surroundings. On it, pawns were placed representing the placements of the groups of Knights and Paladins present. Glancing briefly at the organization, Erzian eventually turned to the new Captain Colt replacing Myles since his death for a quick summary.
"How does it look ?"
"We don't have much time, but every available soldier in the Kingdom has been repatriated to the Capital in time. An army is looming on the horizon and from what we can see our forces are a little outnumbered but they seem far better prepared than we are."
"Tch ! What else ?"
"All the man-beast and half-human slaves are gathered over there as Prince Iolas ordered, there are about a hundred of them, we await your orders. Shall we dispose of them and make examples of them to destabilize the opposing army ?"
Pointing to a large roofless tent to the west, Colt made no secret of his disgust for the "subraces". He, who respected the former Captain more than anything, had never recovered from the news that had fueled his hatred, like every human preparing outside. Staring at the Prince with his dark eyes, he waited for the orders that finally arrived, pinning him to the ground as he expected everything except this answer that he didn't understand.
"No, give them weapons, armor and shields, they'll fight on our side"
"But Prince Erz-..."
Without giving him time to complain, Erzian raised his right hand to silence him before leaving the tent to head for the one the Captain had indicated. There, dozens of half-humans and beast-men sat on the grass, tired and dressed in rags. Surrounded by Knights, it was easy to see the fear in their eyes, which only intensified at the sight of the royal figure who had just arrived.
Paying no heed to the soldiers bowing to him, he strode confidently to a small platform previously set up for executions. He was a handsome man with short blond hair and cool blue eyes, distinguishing him from his blond long-haired, brown-eyed brother Iolas. As the female Knights stared at him in awe, he finally paused to utter words no one had expected.
"Listen up, all of you, subra-...people. Our Kingdom is about to be attacked by a band of rebels who will stop at nothing to destroy us. Fight for Zal and I promise you that at the end of this battle you'll be given your freedom and a letter from myself proving your amnesty. Fight with us for your freedom or perish here and now by refusing, what do you say ?"
Erzian couldn't hide his satisfied sneer, knowing full well that none of these slaves really had a choice, it was fight or die. The poor prisoners knew it just as well, and despite the fear that made them tremble, this sweet freedom was all they'd ever wanted. So, in an instant, they all knelt down, pressing their foreheads to the ground in acceptance, ready to fight alongside humans for a less miserable future.
The Prince expected no less, hiding his hatred for those he found pathetic behind a falsely benevolent smile. Now he was forced to call on their help, all because of this mysterious army whose leader was still unknown. Turning his back on those who hadn't moved, Erzian wiped the smile off his face to address Colt, who had been watching the scene, trembling with frustration.
"Make sure they're all on the front line, use them as cannon fodder for all I care, they're just there to buy us time"
"Even the ones who can't fight ?"
Among these slaves were women, children and even old people clearly incapable of wielding a sword. Even the men present were too thin and weak to make any difference to the battle that was to take place, but that didn't really matter. The plan was simple, certainly cruel, but what were the lives of poor, disgusting, insignificant creatures compared to the future of an entire Kingdom ?
"Yes, because if we don't recoil from the death of these useless beings...our enemies surely will. If our weapons don't bring them down, it will be their own goodness that does."
"At your command, your Highness !"
Colt, who finally understood what was going on in the young Prince's mind, was now trembling with excitement, delighted at the turn of events. If King Theophylactus hadn't been able to stem the threat, maybe Princes Erzian and Iolas could, no, in fact he was sure of it. And so began the final day of preparations for the battle between two Nations who would stop at nothing to seize victory.
- Days before the start of the invasion: 1 -
[N/A: I know, you may be tired of all these wars, but this one really is a turning point in history. Not only because it's important for the future of our characters, but also because a loooot is going to change...for better or for worse :c ]
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FULL STATUS
Names : Freya / Lucifer Nightshade
Age : 0 year old / Mentally : 25 years old
Sex : Female
Course: Ice Demon Wolf of Chaos - Adult
Race : Imperial Demon
Titles :
- Demon Goddess of Primordial Blood and Death (former - until all powers are recovered) - 35%.
- Wrathful Lucifer (7th Sin) - Master of the uniques Sins Demons (to unlock it, please gather the other 6 - 3/6 - (locked)
- Dragon tamer
- Ruthless slayer
Level : 47/70
Exp needed for next level: 7 000 / 48 000
HP : 170 000 / 170 000 MP : 85 000 / 85 000. BLOOD : 100 / 100
Strength: 660
Defense : 660
Agility : 666
Endurance: 663
Speed : 662
Intelligence: 660
Charisma: 500 (imperial she-wolf)
Attribute points to allocate : 1 600
Married to : Gaya Nightshade
Daughter : Shiro Nightshade
Twins (son & daughter) : Tyle & Altaïs Nightshade
Little sister : Kira Nightshade (Greedy Fox)
Big sister : Kalaa Nightshade
Empire (menu)
Subordinates: 15 491(keep growing)
Humans killed: 153
Souls: 0/3
Elements: Ice / Chaos (Freya) - Blood / Death (Lucifer)
Skills (all):
Attacks :
- Demon Claws (Lvl 5)
- Bite of hell (Lvl 6)
- Infernal ice spikes (Lvl 6)
- Fighting techniques (Lvl max)
- Mastery of the katana (lvl max)
- Demonic Empress aura (lvl 7)
Défense :
- Ice demon wall (Lvl 6)
- Demonic Cloak (lvl 5)
- Pain Resistance (lvl 6)
Attack/Defense :
- Domain of the Ice Empress "Frozen Wrath" (lvl 4)
- Death Gaze (lvl 1)
Others :
- Humanoid form
- Demonic form (linked to the title so incomplete) - 20%.
- Ice creation (Lvl 6)
- Detection and control of mana (lvl 6)
- Storage of chaos (Lvl 4)
- Devouring Chaos (Lvl 5)
- Master of Souls (lvl 3)
- Lucifer's Threads of Blood (lvl 3)
- Healing Blood (lvl 3)
- Reminiscence (lvl 2)
- Analysis
- Telepathy
Passives :
- Commander (lvl max)
- Natural Aura of the Ice Empress ]