Chapter 316 - Chaos to Come (2/2)

True chaos.

It only dėsɨrės one thing, and that is more of itself, more chaos, more and more until there is nothing left in this world and all worlds except the cold of the void before the stars themselves gathered from cosmic dust.

You think the demons with their warring dėsɨrėd chaos? No, they would have razed many lands, burned many mortals, but in the end, this world would still stand. Perhaps, a boy like you would still have even lived, except instead of bowing to a human monarch, you would have been under a demonic overlord.

But chaos? You think you will have anyone to bow to aside from the cold, infinite expanse of the void? A tyrant, no matter how cold he is, will still care for his subjects in some way, but chaos? Chaos is uncaring. You will be scattered dust regardless of how much you fight or grovel or how small or big you are.”

Li glanced to Zagan trotting at his side. For so long, the demon had been quiet, likely in deep contemplation throughout this entire journey of how to free his people. In a way, he fought just the same as the mortals behind him.

”Chaos will not care whether you are human or demon or beastman. So why would we? That is why I will not slaughter the demons with my might. I will cure them, take those to my side that will come. I understand this will upset many, but when they see Chaos dawning, they too will know that the safest shelter is under the shadow of my Order.”

A splash echoed from below, far below where the ocean must have flowed through this continental rift. A grumbling roar approached rapidly, and within a few seconds, the enormous brawn of a Flying Giantfish soared high up, above the Midpath, its four translucent, almost insectoid wings fluttering.

The giantfish snaked its lengthy body down, baring sharp teeth and a glowing, hungry pair of reddened eyes at the party.

A hungry flying fish come to try and feed. An interruption? Li was not in the mood for this.

Li turned to Mason and stepped up to him. The boy reflexively cringed backwards at Li's almost threatening aura.

”I will borrow this.” Li took the longsword sheathed from Mason's hip.

He turned back to the descending fish and craned his arm back, the blade the sword gripped in his hand. He did not hold back his strength. He instinctively fused magical energy into the blade to reinforce it then threw it at full power to the fish.

The longsword whistled like a bullet as it punched through the fish's mouth, sliced through all of its innards, and then punched through the other side from its tail in half a second. The sword continued to shoot upwards, disappearing into the clouds.

The light in the fish's eyes died down, and it grew limp, falling back down into the depths below.

”Hm,” said Li as he saw the enormous corpse shrink as it fell. ”That cleared my head a bit.”

”I…I am sorry for offending, seer,” said Mason with a bowed head.

”It is fine,” said Li with a small sigh. ”My apologies for the lost blade. I understand it was a weapon of some value, given to you by the smith that once raised you. I will compensate by creating weapons for you.”

He turned to everyone, eyeing their shoddy equipment. Mercer fought with twin daggers that bȧrėly reached the magical item rank. Sheela and Vilga fought with their own racial traits. Sheela with her claws and speed and Vilga with her brawn and bestial reflexes.

Old Thane fought only with his fists and had just a few northern animal skins to cover his body. Asala did not use any catalyst to channel her magic.

If they were going to fight, they needed better gear for sure.

”You know, this is quite interesting. This almost seems like a rather typical tale. A party that heads out to stop a world ending threat. Is that not quite the common and alluring tale?” said Li.

”It is,” said Asala, tongue flittering out. ”One of my favorite types of epics, they are.”

”And if you all are going to save the world, you will not be doing that wearing and wielding scrap.  I will fashion weapons for all of you. Time for a much-needed upgrade.”

”Ohoh, I'm game!” Old Thane punched his ċhėst in brimming glee.