14 Imperial Nether Flames (1/2)

The crew-mates on the other ships within the fleet had heated discussions about McLeod. Most of them had no idea what attack was coming, but after seeing the Fire phoenix they released shouts of joy.

With a shrill cry the phoenix flew forward like a bolt of lightning. It did not take long before it reached the attack headed for the ships.

It was at this point that the yellow blaze was finally discernible to Windsor.

”A yellow flame with a black purple outline?” mumbled Windsor.

Siren's beautiful face exhibited horror when she heard Windsor speak. She wanted to say something but alas it was too late.

Boom!

The phoenix and the yellow flame clashed, resulting in an explosion, or what should have been one. The phoenix was almost ten times the size of the yellow flame streak but it was instantly devoured by the yellow flame until nothing was left. This Resulted in the yellow streak expanding, in terms of size, multiple times. It turned from a yellow streak to a yellow pillar of flames the thickness of a giant's waist.

Now that it was bigger the yellow flame was now visible for everyone to see. The disappearance of the massive phoenix was just far too eye catching.

Windsor was gobsmacked, unsure of what to do, when Siren's shaky voice sounded out behind him, ”It's the Imperial Nether Flame.”

Sirens words made McLeod and Windsor take in a breath of cold air. McLeod was a well-travelled warrior who had heard legends of what this was. Windsor remembered reading records of this flame when he was a child. The majority of the world believed it to be a myth, but now it seemed to be true. The Nether Flame had many abilities, one of which was just exhibited before them.

”The ability to absorb any flame to increase its own strength, it's actually true?”

Windsor finally realized how grave of an error he had made, by making McLeod, a fire user, attack that flame. Unfortunately there was no medicine for regrets in this world. The flame was now quite close, and its menacing aura was starting to take effect.

The eerie black outlines of the flames exuded a feeling of death. Some of the weaker soldiers in the fleet, were starting to faint, with foam coming out of their mouths. Most of those who did not faint started to experience illusions. Illusions of an ancient battlefield riddled with rotting corpses, rivers of blood flowing ceaselessly, unimpeded in this desolate land. Many of the crew mates started to attack their own men, shouting incomprehensible things in a language that no one there could understand.

Those who neither fainted nor faced illusions were only the strongest of the strong among them, yet they were not left of the hook. The aura of death permeating from the flame was so strong many men started to lose control of the mana in their own bodies, resulting in them being unable to protect themselves from the surroundings.

Many of the ships were made from wood, thus they started to catch on fire, even though the yellow flame was still many miles away. Suddenly a frightening thought hit Windsor's mind as he looked back at his fleet which was now caught in a raging inferno.

If the flame is this strong while it is that far away, then what will happen when it gets here?

A chill ran down Windsor's spine when he thought of the consequences. He did not want to see those who had followed him to meet a cruel end, thus he started to circulate his own mana in order to face the incoming attack. He knew that would endanger him, but he felt that he had no choice.

”It takes royalty to defeat royalty, sigh.”

Siren noticed his actions and held his shoulder. Her own mana invaded his body, cancelling the spell he was about to activate. Enraged Windsor turned around to berate her, only to see an unusually serious expression on her face.

”Captain, this flame can only be used by Gutu royalty. We may not know much about the Gutu but we do know that their royalty are monsters among monsters. This is just a probing attack, thus if we were to retreat they will likely not chase after us. However if you so much as use a single spell, attracting their attention, then this could become a manhunt, one that will result in even more lives being lost.”

Windsor could not rebuke her words, thus he could only sigh and look at the incoming inferno.

”McLeod, activate a defence rune around the ship.”

”Aye.”

McLeod knelt on the ground with one knee and placed one hand on the ground, and a large rune appeared underneath the trio. Following this a shield made of pure energy radiated outwards, creating a bubble around the ship.

”Captain, my rune magic is weak, the best I can do is protect one ship.” said McLeod with a sullen face.

”I know old friend…I know.”

…

”Hahahahaha! Fools, feeding my nether flames with more fire, how stupid! Looks like there is no longer any need for us to stand here. That fleet is as good as destroyed.” harrumphed the little child.

”Let's get back home!”