91 Heaven-bound Training (2/2)
”I am telling you this because I am leaving Alleucanth and search for power in this massive universe. My adventure will take so much time that by the time I return, I don't even know if you'd still be alive. That is why, strive to lead Alleucanth and its people into the future.
”The gods may try to stop you because we've ruined their game, however, we shall not – ”Just as Clay was giving that impassioned speech, he felt a movement near the skies of Moribor. A massive energy signature that even the Demon Azarael, could not compare to.
The same feeling of dread turned Clay's body almost into jelly while the four of them were already on the ground. Even when far away, they still felt the dread.
This feeling of dread was the same as when Clay came inside the Forbidden Chamber to meet the Lich god, when he was yet ascended. When he had ascended, he did not feel this again even when he met the Lich god again right after.
But now, he was feeling dread even more than when he encountered the Lich god for the first time! Just what could have caused this. However, Clay could not stay still. He perceived that this massive energy was not going to be dispersed but instead aimed and fired and the only target that is close to Moribor was Claiomh.
”This is bad!” Clay knew that his apprehension was right on the ball. Immediately he teleported right at the peak of Moribor and finally, the dread he felt took on physical form.
”Y-You!”
”Ah~ There you are. I couldn't find you anywhere in Alleucanth. I thought you went and died from just my manifestation. Do you know why I'm here?” said the physical form that the being in front of Clay.
”You are Sa– ”before Clay finished pronouncing his name, Safir, the god of humanity hushed him.
”Hush! Do not mention my name lowly mortal. Have I not told you already? I told you like it was just yesterday to not lightly mention my name. Have you forgotten?” Clay stared at him in dread. He really felt like his insides were going to burst from the fear that he was feeling.
”Since you are keeping quiet, I shall answer my question then~
”I came here to punish the champion I have sent here to do my bidding. Since it was doing things not according to what I had in mind. You see, I asked my champion to destroy the other races and beat them to a pulp so that I would win, and the other gods would bow down before me and my power.
”However, my champion instead united the whole world and would not start to live according to peace. I predict that this peace would last for about a few hundred years with the insurances that you've already planned out and put in place am I right?
”My anger is consuming me, and I cannot let this go any further!
”You have given me no other choice! I shall destroy you and summon another hero that's right for my taste. And this time, I shall make it my slave! Damn you! Wasting my divinity on useless scum like you!”
After saying up to that point, the manifestation of Safir, the swirling clouds in the sky started to churn and coagulate. It turns into something else as a hole opened at its center and a bright light threatened to swallow the world with it from it.
”I shall destroy everything you've built so far, and I will kill you!
without further explanation and chances to converse, Safir brought his already raised hand down abruptly which corresponded to the movement inside the hole in the sky.
A bright light immediately beamed towards Claiomh along with the whole Moribor mountain where Clay was. Swallowing the entirety of Claiomh and even the periphery.
Clay's anguished voice resounded, ”No!” as he circulated all the means he had all the power that he swore never to use for fear of going out of control. Everything he had, he dished out to resist this dreadful attack from one of the gods. The beam reached Clay first and he was almost completely crushed had it not been for his ascended power and skills.
”No!”
”No! No!”
”No!”
”No~!”
Clay's mind was flooded with images of Ryan and Giselle who were at home probably teaching each other magic. The family of his four subordinates still going on with their daily duties happily and dutifully.
The citizens that put their trust on Clay the moment they moved to Claiomh. The countless lives that were going to be lost from this one attack of Safir. He was powerless to stop it. Even with the powers he attained it was not enough to resist a god.
Tears started to flow from Clay's eyes. He felt despair from being powerless against Safir. He also did not expect this god to be this malicious as to kill him and even those that were innocent. Tears continued to flow as Clay howled while clasping that Energy Beam from the sky in his embrace.
He did not want to let go, however, even if he did not, his body had already started to dissolve. It was as if this beam of light was separate from the laws of the world. Heat should not affect him, magic should follow his will and yet, it did not yield to him no matter how hard he tried.
”No!” Clay continued to shout ”No” in denial of the fact that he could not stop this. Resisting till the last moment.
Safir showed up only for about 5 seconds from his manifestation to the conversation they had and the attack. In only five seconds, Clay was rendered powerless and incapable. In that 5 seconds, the lives of close to a million citizens would perish along with his child and wife.
Clay had hope that Ryan would be able to use his Space-Time Magic to run away, but not even Ryan could resist this beam as even after he used Time Stopping magic, it continued without being hindered at all. Only the sound of glass breaking as spell after spell was broken which only added to Clay's despair.
Clay was desperate but he did not have anything he could use to save his people. There was only one thing he could do now. That was to run away. And even this idea was something he rejected again and again. With his Space-Time Magic spell of Teleport, he could go to Evernight, the only other planet he could teleport to as he did not have any other coordinates. His magic was not restricted, and his energy was constantly being replenished by his reactor skills. It was possible to run away.
Time seemed to have slowed down for Clay to think it through again and again. And each scenario that he could think off, he would die and even his family died and people he cared for died. That was an unavoidable outcome, however, there was an outcome that did not involve him dying with them as well, giving him the chance to avenge his family and loved ones.
Yes, that was if he ran away.
Tears continued to drop from Clay's eyes as these thoughts continued to run in his mind.
”Will they forgive me?”
”Will I be able to avenge them?”
”Will I be strong enough?”
Questions upon questions sprung up and he denied each with a definite answer.
They'd not forgive me. Definitely.
I would not be able to avenge them. Certainly.
I won't be strong enough. Unfortunately.
Yet every time he reached that conclusion, somewhere in his heart, a hope was always budding.
You'll be fine. You'll be able to avenge them. You'll be able to punish them. No matter what it takes, no matter how long it takes. You will. If you are alive.
If you are alive.
When that line, ”If you are alive” finally stuck itself on Clay's mind. He had made the decision. His expression turned cold and unfeeling. It was as if his warm and easy-going attitude was erased from existence. He executed Teleport right as he was pushed by the beam for the last time.
Clay's struggle only lasted for 1 second. And the beam, now unhindered by Clay punched through its target and cleansed the whole city of Claiomh.
Without knowing what happened. They only saw the disturbance in the sky and then the shine of the beam before they all turned into nothing. Citizen, Adventurer, Mercenary, Original Family, Imperial Family… no one was spared.
The aftermath was of no concern to Safir. He was going to summon another hero anyway.
However, the uniqueness of Safir's attack was that it only took the lives of people, not affecting the physical surroundings. And so, the city of Claiomh Solais, became a ghost town without anyone in it.
Not until four men arrived at a secret room inside the Imperial palace. Four men who despaired. Four men who witnessed what their Lord had done for them.
They were ascended beings. Their perception and sense were exceptional. Even now, they still felt the dread even when they knew that the being that manifested was already gone.
Their Lord faced that annihilation head on to protect them, and even he failed and vanished in the face of that overwhelming power.
They could not hold on and tears also started to stream from their eyes… The loss of their families and the pain of losing even their Lord… they were in so much pain.
Jon and Mor started wailing and banging the floor as they kneeled and cried. Isaac had been holding back his tears as he stood however, he still succumbed to it, nevertheless. Caltec on the other hand started to punish himself by banging his head on the sturdy walls that their Lord had made for their city. All for them.
He was furious at himself for being powerless, useless. The same went for the rest. Their cries filled the city of Claiomh with wails and as if offering their tears to the lost, they continued even until after a few days had passed.
They understood… Clay, their Lord was no more. And their loved ones were no more. However, the Empire was still dependent on them. And their Lord had given them one last order before he sacrificed himself for them. He said to lead, guide, implement, execute plans and reformation that he'd planned out for the future of Alleucanth.
They will not fail him again. They all swore.