94 Ghost Steps (1/2)
All around the world, a similar scenario was happening.
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Northern Philippines. The municipality of Claveria.
”Is this it? Did we build our Nation only for it to fall?” A short, stocky man knelt down on the ground. From how he looked like, one could tell how exhausted he was. Tears ran down his face as he recalled his family and friends getting slaughtered by the Void army. His Nation was merely one of the few who refused to join the stronger ones.
The price for doing so was a burden he never thought he'd shoulder.
”Leader, it has been an honor fighting alongside you.” Said one of the soldiers. He someone who was just a common foot soldier yet he managed to survive until now. He bowed towards the stocky-built man as a sign of his utmost respect.
Looking towards the young man, he replied. ”What's your name, kid?”
”Stefan, sir.”
”Stefan. You fought valiantly today. All of you did. It was my foolish decision as a leader that brought all of this upon you.”
A woman who looked to be in her thirties beside him placed her hand on his shoulder and helped him up. ”Akira, we all made this decision together. Do not put so much blame on yourself.”
Hearing this, he held the woman's hand. ”Chandni, my love, I'm glad we get to be together until the end.”
Akira Sugihara and Chandni Patel, these two, before the apocalypse were merely co-workers. They later on developed feelings for each other during these trying times. Despite being foreigners, the Filipino people trusted them to be their leaders.
Just as Akira was preparing himself for the final clash, one of the soldiers noticed something unusual happen out of nowhere.
”Leader! The Void army is retreating!”
”What?” Akira was shocked. Not only him, but the rest of the citizens also couldn't believe it either. Why would they retreat?
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”Damn that Vizicsacsi! We could have been done with this Nation by the end of today. Why is he requesting immediate assistance now?!” A General complained. This was one of the level 70 Generals that was responsible for subjugating this area.
”General Lars, he has apparently encountered multiple enemies that could, at the very least, threaten him. He expressed that he needs assistance as soon as possible and that if he falls, all the other General-class beings for this invasion, including yourself will be picked off one by one.” The messenger half-kneeled with his head down as he gave his message.
”Threaten a General-class? And there are multiple of them? Very well then. It's not like this Nation has much left to it. We proceed to assist Vizicsacsi right away!”
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Back in the <Sovereign Nation>'s Western front.
The Smiling Immortals. Finally, all of them now lived up to their name. Donning their masks, they mowed down the Void-army with renewed vigor. Inspired by the moves of Luna and the rest, their morale was at an all-time high.
When someone does what you think is daunting right in front of you, it makes it much easier to get over that hurdle of fear.
Following the lead of the Nation's veterans, they inched closer and closer to Luna's position.
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Vizicsacsi was trying to buy as much time as he could for the rest to arrive.
”Greetings, I am General Vizicsacsi. You are all quite bold. Are you that confident of going up against me?”
”Oh? He speaks our language?” Luna was quite surprised. This was the first time he had actually been spoken to by a being from the Void.
”Yes, Lord Luna. The languages of your world were inherited, after all,” Elder Aran answered.
Luna nodded. He remembered the Elder's lessons. However, it was still quite a surprise to hear Vizicsacsi speak to him. This was normal, since all this time, he had seen the Void army as nothing more than sources of EXP.
He then stepped forward and replied. ”Confident? I think so. If we were all to attack at once, I'm quite confident we'll annihilate you. But you see, this is quite a good opportunity for me to test out my strength. A pity there's only one of you right now, as my family here would have liked to test their strength out as well.”