Chapter 739: Two Realms (1/2)
Lightning cackles into dim sparks. The humble hue glides ever so gently onto a charred ground, undoubtedly, a battlefield. Two nations faces one another, five empowered individuals glared at the opponent who bore four till three smaller entities were spotted. It had been a few hours ago, walking where many had stood, displayed cruelty and the extent of how much the will for strength could push living beings into committing such gruesome acts. The smell of burnt flesh, iron, and a mixture of rot and miasma, fills the ground into a darkened mist of despair. Survivors; some without arms, others without crucial parts of their bodies, clung for a chance at retrial. Lifeless were piled to save space, winner or loser, it didn't matter, death grinned sadistically.
Curtains unveiled at the battle climatic end; high-tier spell, akin to those wielded by angels, flung on either side. Upon landing, large-scale devastation, sphere-shaped clouds rose – sun, unable to pierce the thick fog, retreated into somberness, habitants of below shuddered. All-encompassing and warm light gradually vanished; a line of grey sunk the battlefield in horror.
*Cough, cough, cough,* faint lights flickered across the mist, ”-what happened?”
”No idea,” stones and rubble fell onto the cold ground, the sound of life clambered to a stand, dimmer lights lit in turn, ”-who's alive?”
”Everyone, I think,” fired an unshaken voice.
”Too much effort, I'm tired…”
”No complaining till we get home!” unimportant argument set off to the side.
”Whatever, this place is boring.”
”Don't insult…”
”Calm it, you're acting like children.”
”Well, we are?” returned a harmonious quip.
Two sharp claps resounded, those carrying lanterns halted to stare vaguely at the sound, ”-the battle has concluded,” a gust blew, the fog dissipated instantly, bodies left to the elements regenerated, ”-we're pleased by the display,” said four massively imposing figures, ”-Vesper, representative of the Monster Realm, I, Miira, Guardian of Time, humbly accept thy realm's strength as our own,” a sharp line divided the forces, five to the left, elemental guardians – Lightning, Water, Earth, Fire, and Wind, brazenly gazed onto the opposition; Cora, Starix, Kaleem, Yuria, and the trio of, Draconis, Saniata, and, Vanesa. Shadow of large griffin circled the center and promptly landed; the resultant dust cloud rose in a show of strength.
”The battle was very well fought,” returned Vesper at the head of the King of Monster's army, ”-we do apologize for the lack of personnel, our residents are still in the process of moving from realm to realm.”
”No offense taken,” replied Miira, ”-have the army retreat, welcome to the Shadow Realm. We shall speak at greater lengths in the capital – provincial portals are readied for operations. Don't dilly-dally too much.” On said note, the guardians flickered into nothingness, proven warriors stared wholeheartedly, ”-I hate to admit it, the monster army is strong.”
”Coming from Kaleem, a man of fist to words, I say I'm impressed,” returned Starix, ”-they were very strong, especially those guardians.”
”The raw power of the elements,” added Cora, ”-if this had been a real invasion, they would be considered on par to arch-angels. We've made a fearsome ally,” he grinned nervously.
”There's no cause for concern,” a keen-eyed lady slithered into sight, ”-we're servants to our Monarch, the King of Monsters. Besides, Starix, you've met Kul, the master's personal guard, her attitude should give a peek into our world.”
”We're good friends,” returned Starix, ”-she's got a hot-temper and I dare say if she ever decides to unleash the real strength…”
”Yes, yes,” interjected Vesper, ”-the four heroes, disciples of the General-Gods of the Shadow Realm. In accordance with our previous master, we shall follow lady Miira's guidance until the master sees fit for us to focus on a new journey.”
”Lady, lady, are you strong?”
”And who might you be?” she glanced to the side, Draconis, enveloped by chaos energy, wove a ball of concentrated mana.
”A boy who likes to play,” he smiled grandly.
*chop,* interjected a hasty Cora, ”-no conjuring chaos energy in front of guests.”
”Cora…” he pouted, ”-let me blow a little bit.”
Stood firm with arms crossed, ”-no more chaos energy outburst for today. Saniata, if you would.”
”Understood,” the figure stepped from Kaleem's overwhelming shadow, ”-whatever am I to do with you, big brother…”
”No,” he looked away defiantly, ”-I'm not going with Saniata, she thinks she's too pretty or something. Look at her,” he pointed, ”-short skirt and a white shirt, who wears that to a battle.”
”Brother,” she grinned, ”-don't bring up fashion,” five enormous balls of fire circled the group, ”-one more word and I'll kill you.”
”Try me,” an equally powerful outburst forced the observers to side-step.
”There they go again,” yawned Saniata, ”-Starix,” she pulled onto his shirt, ”-conjure a cloud for me.”
”Why?” returned she with knotted brow.
”Just do it.”
”Sure,” *poof,* the nonchalant visage sparked, albeit slightly, emotions definitely showed. ”Warm fluffy bed,” she dove face first, ”-fly to my siblings,” it obeyed and flew. Tension from the disagreement condensed into pure elemental strength.
”Should you not intervene?” inquired Vesper. A line of observers watched, both armies retreated long before the squabble.
”Out of the three devil children, Vanesa's the strongest by a long stretch,” said Starix proudly.
”Oh please, just because she's always listless and never raises a finger doesn't mean she's the type to kill on a whim,” fired Kaleem, ”-it's obvious Saniata has stronger control over the flame of Rah.”
”As your leader, I have to disagree,” Cora challenged their point of views, ”-Draconis is far superior to the two combined. He's not only mastered flames of his prior self – but is on way to conquering lady Gophy's legendary ability of destruction.”