255 Breach (1/2)

”How did that happen?” Mindy protested as they climbed out of a hole.

”Think of those Grand Temple Knights as Tier 7 humans.” Remian suggested. ”That should give you an idea of how strong they were.”

”That strong?” Mindy gaped.

”Don't look so surprised. You're not too far off, yourself.” Remian pointed out.

”But I have a bond with the Flame Emperor, and we're rather close to her location right now. Also, she's currently awake, which means I'm more powerful now than ever. They… how did they get so strong?” Mindy asked.

”Darian should know better than me. He's as strong as you are, and he doesn't have any such special bond that I know of.” Remian pointed out.

”How DOES he get so strong? Comparing Darian to the likes of Max and Marcus is like…” Mindy shook her head.

”Comparing Tier 6 to Tier 4 Wilds? Exactly.” Remian nodded. ”My little brother is growing up…”

”Your little brother is tying up a girl with ropes.” Mindy pointed out.

Remian blinked, then turned to see Darian and Doom restraining Damnaith.

”Kill me!” Damnaith shrieked. ”Just let me die! I'll be remembered as a hero! Or a heroine! Yes, heroine is better!”

”You seem to have an awfully light opinion of death.” Darian growled.

”Temple Knight teachings include a rewarded afterlife. Judgment according to what you did in life and all that.” Doom explained. ”Damnaith, in particular, seems to have a thing for death…”

[I like her, too.] Death chipped in, right on cue.

Remian glanced over his shoulder. It had been so long, he hardly noticed Death hanging around any more. [Can you give me a bit of space? You're getting uncomfortably close.]

[But of course.] Death hobbled back a bit. [Nobody wants death so close, right?]

Remian froze. [What is that supposed to mean?]

Death chuckled in a tone that made shivers run down Remian's back. [You're about to find out.]

[Breach! Intruder alert!] a Psionic broadcast flooded across the horizon from the south. [Spectral Beasts have entered our world! The Rift has been opened! They're coming through!]

[Stop them!] The Flame Emperor turned.

Psionic screams flitted through the air. [They're too strong!] [Call for reinforcements!] [Get back! We need to surround them…!]

The Flame Emperor raised her wings. [All of you, get clear!]

[RUN! The Flame Emperor is about to make a move! Everyone RUN!!]

A Psionic Blast shot out, a blast so powerful, Remian almost blanked out when it appeared. For a moment there, the whole world turned blurry and started to tilt around ever-so-slowly…

[We GOT IT!] a Psionic cry was jubilant.

[Great! Wait… what's that!]

[Oh, rabbit poop, that's big! That's BIG!]

[Everyone, get out of there!] the Flame Emperor roared, and fire started to rain down from the sky all over the south. [Pull back to Nine Kings Range!]

[RUN!] thousands of Wilds immediately sprang into action. [It's coming through!]

There was a heavy tremor in the ground. Then another.

”Are those… footsteps?!” Mindy gulped. ”What IS that?”

”That's the reason why we never wanted to open the Source of Magic wider.” Darian grimaced.

”Not entirely.” Doom refuted. ”There's more where that came from. That there is just one of them.”

Mindy's face paled. Meanwhile, the Flame Emperor went into full battle, but even then none of the Wilds fleeing slowed down for even a moment.