"WAAAAAH!" A dark-blue haired elf with blue eyes screamed in horror as she clutched higher to Subaru's back. The wind was hitting straight into his face, but it didn't falter his concentration. The flapping of wings could be heard as the Mist Dragon, Rigel, soared through the sky, carrying Subaru, Lyra, Vega and Antares as they flew high above the skies. Subaru couldn't help but chuckle at Lyra's reaction.
"What's wrong, Lyra? Enjoying the view?" Subaru teased, looking back at her with a grin.
Lyra, her face flushed with a mix of fear and excitement, clung tightly to Subaru. "I-I'm trying to! But this is a bit too much for me!"
Subaru couldn't help but laugh at her reaction. "Don't worry, Lyra! Rigel is an expert flyer. You're in safe claws!"
Vega and Antares, who were hanging on to Rigel's scales behind Subaru, also joined in with laughter, enjoying the thrill of the flight.
"I can't believe it! Our first mission is with Lord Pleiades himself!" Vega exclaimed, her voice filled with awe and excitement.
"It's like a dream come true!" Antares added, her eyes sparkling with joy
The wind whipped through their hair, and the sun cast a warm glow over the landscape below. Rigel's powerful wings flapped rhythmically, propelling them higher and higher into the skies.
"Hey, Rigel, when will we arrive?" Subaru asked, turning his attention to the Mist Dragon.
'We're almost there. Just a few more minutes,' Rigel replied, his voice filled with a sense of calm assurance. "Velgalta Empire is just ahead.'
They were travelling at supersonic speed and thanks to Rigel, they should arrive from Midgar Kingdom to Velgalta Empire in less than 1 hour, than usual few weeks.
"Velgalta Empire…" Subaru said thoughtfully.
The Velgalta Empire, also known as the "Country of Swords," due to its deep-rooted culture that values swordsmanship above all else. The nation has a formidable army known to be the most powerful in the
world, showcasing their skill and mastery in combat. Warriors from Velgalta are highly skilled in wielding swords, making them fearsome opponents on the battlefield.
Rigel was flying above the sea as they started seeing the first glimpses of the ground. They also passed by Altena Empire, where the Altena imperial family lived in.
Memories flooded Subaru's mind as he remembered his new acquired mission.
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"Subaru Kageno, I have a word with you." Lord Lapis or rather Grease called out Subaru. The lessons had ended, and Subaru was about to leave the training field.
Subaru looked around, ensuring nobody was listening, before turning to face Grease, his expression shifting into one of slight concern. "Yeah, what's up? You seem a bit... serious for post-training banter."
Grease's expression remained serious, and he took a step closer to me, his voice dropping to a whisper. "It's about the Cult of Diablos, Subaru. I've received some... Leaked information from the higher ups, let's call it."
"Leaked information?" Subaru echoed, his brow furrowing in concern. He couldn't shake the feeling that whatever Grease was about to say, it wasn't good.
"Do you know the history of formation of the Velgalta Empire?"
"Hmm, so there were these local lords, right? And they kept on fighting each other all the time, like a bunch of kids in a sandbox. But then, one of them teamed up with some smaller-time lords who didn't have grand ambitions, and that was when things started to change. I mean, it's not like they were working together out of the goodness of their hearts or anything, but they were all after the same thing - power. And that's when Velgalta got unified, and the first emperor rose to power... I think. I'm not really sure, it's all a bit fuzzy. That's how the history books tell I guess." Subaru answered, scratching his head as he tried to recall the history he had studied.
Grease shook his head. "That is not entirely correct. Cult of Diablos played the key role of the formation of the Empire."
Subaru's eyes widened in surprise. "The Cult of Diablos? I've never heard of them being involved in the formation of the Velgalta Empire. Damnnit... So they are deep-rooted in this place, then."
"Yes," Grease continued, his voice grave. "The Cult of Diablos has been intertwined with the history of Velgalta from its inception. The leaders of the local lords sought the power that the cult promised, and in exchange, they made pacts that would forever alter the course of this nation."
Subaru's mind raced with the implications of Grease's words. The Cult of Diablos, notorious for their dark practices and malicious intentions, had a hand in shaping one of the most powerful empires in the world. It made sense why Velgalta's warriors were so fiercely loyal—many likely owed their allegiance to the Cult for the power.
"Subaru," Grease continued, his tone heavy with urgency. "I believe the Herzog Family is tightly tied to the Cult of Diablos. In fact, there are rumors that the Herzog Family's was the first ones to submit to them. I've heard that they've been receiving guidance from the cult, using their influence to shape the empire's policies and decisions.
"Subaru, I know this might sound like a wild goose chase, but I need you to infiltrate their inner circle and gather any information on their relationship with the Cult of Diablos. If the reports are true, this could be a major breakthrough for us."
"Me, infiltrate the Herzog Family?" Subaru blinked, trying to wrap his head around the enormity of the task. "You do realize they're some of the most influential players in the empire, right? They won't just let some random guy waltz into their ranks."
"Which is why you are going under the different identity," Grease replied, his voice steady and persuasive. "You'll be posing as a noble from Midgar, claiming to have business interests in Velgalta. With your skills in swordsmanship, it's not unreasonable to believe you could catch their interest."
"However, that's not the only danger." Grease continued, his eyes narrowing in focus. "Velgalta's Seven Blades are tied to the Cult as well. If they catch wind of your true intentions, things could get very dangerous, very quickly. They are not someone to mess around with."
"So, I'll need to watch my back constantly. Great…" Subaru paused, as thoughts filled his mind.
He breathed out "I'll do it," Subaru finally said, resolute. "But we need a solid plan. I can't walk in there and hope for the best."
"Of course," Grease replied, nodding appreciatively. "I'll prepare a cover story for you, and you'll need to learn everything you can about the Herzog Family. Understand their ties, their enemies, and their motivations. Knowledge is your best weapon."
"Also I would warn you about the weird activity within their Empire. It's said that there is a strange activity of dragons being sighted in the region. It seems like an unrelated matter but given the Cult of Diablos' obsession with power, it's worth looking into," Grease cautioned.
"Dragons, huh?" Subaru echoed, shaking his head slightly at the thought. "Just what I need—giant, fire-breathing lizards complicating my already over-the-top mission." He chuckled nervously.
He sighed. "Alright, tell me more about the Herzog Family."
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"Back to the present," Subaru thought, feeling the wind whip against him again as Rigel soared. He couldn't help but glance back at Lyra, whose grip on him had slightly loosened, revealing a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
"Karen von Herzog…" He muttered under his breath. She was the only daughter of the Herzog Family. A baroness and head of their family—she is the one who I need to get close to.
"Lord Pleiades! I believe you need to take a look at this." Vega said, as she handed over a weird tech-decixd with a small display that emitted a soft glow. Subaru took it from Vega, scrutinizing the device with a mix of curiosity and caution.
"What is this?" he asked, turning it over in his hands.
"It's a "Locator of Possess". One of the new creations made by Eta." Vega explained. "It shows the nearest living being with a possesion."
"Wait, the display shows a blinking light over there in the front direction. Does that mean there is someone there with possession?"
Vega nodded. "I believd there is."
"Rigel, can you slow down and navigate us towards the signal?" Subaru called out to the Mist Dragon, handing the device back to Vega as they prepared for a potential detour.
"Of course, Subaru," Rigel replied. The dragon gradually decreased its altitude, gliding gracefully towards the source of the blinking light.
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"No, no, no… How could this happen…" An elf with emerald-green eyes, and short, jaw-length blonde hair was running down the forest, as she clutched her right eye, which was gouged out, blood seeping through her fingers. Panic and desperation fueled her swift movements, her breaths coming out in ragged gasps.
The cultprit was still after her. She could hear the faint echoes of footsteps behind her, getting closer, more insistent.
Just a while ago, she was with her whole family-Herzog Family and everything seemed normal, they were celebrating yet another victory on the tournament, boasting about the triumph over their rivals in the swordsmanship competition.
However it all changed in an instant, her ally, one of the Velgatla's Seven Blades, who was known as a "Storm Sword" turned against her and betrayed everything she stood for. It had all happened so fast—one moment they were sharing laughter nd the next, he had drawn his sword, plunging, slashing, thrusting, cutting in half her whole family in a brutal display.
She attempted to fight him off, to defend her family but she was heavily weakened. And the reason of this is right on her chest-black spot, mark of possession. The elven woman stumbled, her heart racing as pain shot through her body. The black mark on her chest throbbed like a cursed heartbeat, it hurt. And it hurt a lot.
Tears threatened to spill from her remaining emerald-green eye, mixing with the blood that stained her hands. She pushed herself to run faster, but her strength was waning. Doubt crept into her mind, the hopelessness of her situation weighing her down as the curse kept growing stronger.
She stumbled, her vision blurring, and her legs giving out from under her. The elf collapsed to the ground, gasping for air as the darkness closed in around her.
As she lay there, she couldn't help but think of her family, of the people she loved and lost. She thought of her father, her mother, her siblings... all gone, killed by the very people she considered as an ally.
The elf's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps, heavy and deliberate. She knew that sound, knew what it meant. The cultprit was closing in.
"Karen Von Herzog..." A deep male voice echoed in her mind, as he was approaching her lying body. "Or should I call you "Shooting Star"? A Named First Child of the Cult of Diablos, It's a shame that you fell down so quickly because of the curse plaguing your body."
The man finally came to her vision, he was a tall and a muscular man with red eyes who wears a mask that covers his face with a thick green armor and a distinctive gauntler on his left arm.
"Sergey... Gorman... Why?..."
"You've brought this upon yourself, Karen," Sergey said, his voice chillingly calm. "You played your part well, but now your usefulness has run dry."
"You betrayed us!" Karen's remaining eye widened in horror as she struggled to pull herself back to her feet.
"Don't waste your breath," Sergey continued, stepping closer. "I have no interest of being an ally of the Cult of Diablos. My ambitions lie beyond their petty schemes. And you, dear "Shooting Star", are nothing but an obstacle in my way. With you and your family's elimination I will gather more support from the people." He raised sword above her, preparing to deliver the final blow.
"Your ambition will lead you to ruin," she gasped, forcing the words through clenched teeth.
Sergey ignored her words. "Goodbye, Karen von Herzog. Don't worry, I'll make sure that your name will be remembered, but for all the wrong reasons."
Just as Sergey prepared to strike down Karen, a sudden burst of magic hit him from the side, sending him crashing into a nearby tree. The force of the impact caused the forest to shake.
Emerging from the shadows were 2 figures, wrapped in dark-slime bodysuit.
"Eta! Did you see that? I managed to hit him!" A half-elf with dark-blue hair exclaimed as she stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with triumph.
"That was... Just... Luck... Gamma..." Eta tiredly replied, as both of them approached Karen.
"Are you alright? We need to get you out of here!"
Karen's heart raced as she struggled to comprehend the appearance of her unexpected saviors. "You... who are you?"
"We're here to help you," Gamma replied, her voice steady. "Eta and I are part of a group that opposes the Cult of Diablos."
Karen's eyes widened in disbelief as she processed her words, however before she could reply, Sergeyleapt back to his feet, shaking off the debris from the impact. His expression shifted from surprise to calm anger as his eyes locked onto the two figures who had interrupted his plans.
"More pests to eliminate?" he growled, flexing his gauntleted arm, before picking up his sword from the ground. "I'll make short work of you as well."
Both Gamma and Eta positioned themselves strategically beside Karen, prepared to defend her at all costs.
"You really think you can save her? You're just as foolish as she is." He lunged forward, the blade of his sword cut through the air with deadly speed and precision, aiming straight for Eta. Before the blade made contact, a dark-slime barrier formed in front of Eta , absorbing the blow with a crackle of energy. The barrier shimmered ominously, reflecting Sergey's fierce expression back at him.
"These types of attacks are... ah... predictable," Eta began tiredly. "The... force... of your strike... creates an equal and opposite... reaction. When you... swing your... sword with.. such force, it generates... pressure... that can be countered... using a... barrier..."
"Of course, there's a... margin of... error," Eta continued, her voice laced with a yawn as she calculated the movements in her mind. "If your... attack were to... exceed the capability of the barrier... it would shatter... like glass. But, yawn... given the current... situation, your strength... should not be... that overwhelming.""
Sergey's eyes narrowed as he assessed the two figures before him. He knew that underestimating opponents could lead to unanticipated problems, and he had no intention of making that mistake today. "Predictable, huh?" Sergey said, his voice devoid of any emotion. "Then let me show you something unexpected-" However, before he could continue a huge tree trunk hit him from the side, thrown with such force that it sent him crashing against another tree. The impact momentarily stunned him, shaking the ground beneath them.
"Direct hit!" Subaru exclaimed as he, Lyra, Vega, and Antares emerged from the trees, having followed the signal from the Locator of Possess. Subaru's heart raced as he saw the injured elf on the ground and other 2 figures standing near her, her situation seemingly desperate.
"Lord Pleiades!" Gamma excitedly "Lord Pleiades!" Gamma excitedly shouted, her voice filled with disbelief and pure joy as she took a step forward, nearly forgetting the immediate threat posed by Sergey.
"Gamma? Eta? It's been a while!" Subaru exclaimed, recognizing the two figures who had come to the elf's aid. His heart was racing, part excitement and part urgency.
The tension in the air hung thick as Subaru and his companions surged forward, ready to assist the injured elf.
"Are you both okay?" Subaru asked urgently, taking a quick glance at Karen, who lay on the ground, blood seeping from her wound and the dark spot on her chest pulsating. "We need to get her out of here!"
"We will," Gamma replied, her face shifting from excitement to determination. "We can't let Sergey—"
"Save your chatter for later!" Subaru interrupted, snapping back into focus and pointing towards Sergey, who was brushing himself off after being crushed by the tree. "We've got a bigger problem right now!"
"Tsk." Sergey clicked his tonque in annoyance. "Who in the world all of you are?"
"We are Shadow Garden" Subaru declared confidently, his voice echoing through the clearing as he stepped forward to confront Sergey. "We are here to stop you and the Cult of Diablos."
"Shadow Garden? I've heard whispers about you," Sergey replied coolly, his eyes narrowing as he assessed Subaru and his companions. "Foolish amateurs playing at heroism. You stand on the precipice of your own demise."
"Allow me to introduce myself as well. I am Sergey Gorman, the 10th Seat of the Knights of Rounds." Sergey mockingly bowed.
Subaru eyes widened in revealition. He quickly looked around to assess the situation, Gamma and Eta stood alongside him, their expressions steely and focused. Behind them, Lyra, Vega and Antares were treating Karen's wound.
"Lyra, Vega, you two focus on getting her to safety!" Subaru ordered, glancing over his shoulder at the injured elf, Karen, lying on the ground. "Antares, we're going to need your backup to distract him while they get her out of here."
Vega nodded, her eyes bright with determination as she moved closer to Karen, and Lyra quickly followed suit. "We'll take care of her," Vega assured Subaru
"Just be careful!" Subaru added, his words laced with concern. With a deep breath, he redirected his focus to Sergey, who was watching intently.
"Running away already?" Sergey taunted, his voice dripping with disdain. "How heartwarming. However, do you really think I'll let her go?" He said, as he pointed his finger towards the running figures of Vega and Lyra with Karen carefully being lifted between them.
In the next moment, a fireball erupted from out of nowhere, going straight towards them. However, the attack was quickly dispersed by Eta's dark-slime spears that shot forth from her suit, obliterating the fireball before it could reach its target.
Sergey's brows furrowed as he reevaluated the situation, frustration beginning to take root in his usually calm demeanor. "You're more resourceful than I anticipated," he acknowledged, though his tone remained condescending. "It doesn't matter. You'll all still fall before my might!"
Behind him, a dragon rose from the ground, its wings spreading wide as it ascended into the air, casting a massive shadow over the clearing. "You think you can win against me, with mere tricks and distractions?" Sergey mocked, his stance shifting into a combative position as he prepared to command the dragon.
Subaru's form trembled as he remembered his first fight and encouter with his contracted partner, Rigel. The memories of its power and speed surged back into his mind.
'Subaru, do not be afraid. That dragon met evolutionary dead-end. He is no longer able to evolve or develop new skills or abilities. His abilities are relativity weak for a dragon' Rigel's voice echoed in his mind.
Deep breaths, Subaru thought, grounding himself as he faced Sergey and the looming dragon. "I've faced much worse than you," he said defiantly, his voice unwavering despite the chaos around him.
"Is that so?" Sergey said, clearly unimpressed. "We'll see how long that bravado lasts when my dragon decides to feast on your bones."
"Antares, can I entrust you in taking care of the dragon?"
Antares stepped forward, a fire igniting in her eyes. "Leave the dragon to me," she declared with unwavering confidence. "I'll keep it occupied while you handle the main threat."
"Gamma, Eta can you assist in the battle?"
"Yes, my Lord." Gamma nodded as he materialised the dark-slime sword.
Eta just tiredly nodded, focusing her attention on Sergey.
"Then it's settled," Subaru declared, his voice resolute as he faced Sergey. "I'll take you down, and while I do that, Antares will deal with your dragon. We won't let you harm the elf or anyone else today!"
"You're delusional if you think you can stop me," Sergey said, his grip tightening on his sword. "But I do admire your spirit, foolish as it may be."
With that, Subaru lunged forward, channeling the mana coursing through his body. In an instant, he closed the distance between himself and Sergey. The ground beneath him blurred as he propelled himself with a burst of speed, dodging to the left just as Sergey swung his sword with deadly precision. The blade cut through the air where he had just stood, causing a gust that nearly knocked Subaru off balance.
Subaru barely recovered before retaliating, a quick combination of strikes aimed at Sergey's exposed side. However, Sergey anticipated his movements, parrying the first strike with his gauntlet before delivering a swift counterattack. Subaru narrowly dodged the oppressive weight of Sergey's blade, feeling the air rush past him as it barely missed his shoulder.
"Your reflexes are sharp, but they won't be enough!" Sergey taunted, pushing the offensive with a series of rapid strikes that forced Subaru back.
Eta quickly joined in, sending a wave of dark-slime spears shooting towards Sergey with blinding speed. The projectiles struck with unerring accuracy, trying to disrupt his rhythm. One of the spears grazed Sergey's arm as he twisted and dodged, but the wound was little more than a nuisance to him.
"Annoying!" Sergey growled, turning his ire towards Eta as he aimed a powerful kick at her, only to have it deflected by a wall of barrier that she conjured just in time.
Subaru seized the opportunity, capitalizing on Sergey's momentary distraction. Channeling his mana again, he lunged forward, aiming a precise thrust at Sergey's midsection. Yet, in a blur of movement, Sergey sidestepped, turning the blade in a fluid arc that sent Subaru stumbling past him.
"Too slow!" Sergey said, swinging his sword with ruthless efficiency, the blade barely missing Subaru's shoulder as he dropped to the ground, rolling out of harm's way. He felt the rush of wind as Sergey's strike bore down.
Subaru pushed off the ground just in time to avoid being struck and sprang back to his feet, adrenaline pumping through his veins. He took a moment to assess the battlefield, heart racing: Antares was already locked in combat with the dragon, which was snapping its massive jaws in an attempt to overpower her. She danced around its strikes, as she managed to cut and penetrate dragon's body a lot of times.
"Keep it busy!" Subaru called out to Antares, catching a glimpse of her fierce determination before refocusing on Sergey, who was now advancing, clearly unimpressed.
With a deep breaths, his once again channeled his mana in his body, this time using his technique "Pandemonium" which grants him incredible speed and agility, making his figure appear as a blur. He closed the distance again, aiming to get in multiple strikes before Sergey could fully react.
"Your tricks won't save you!" Sergey roared, swinging his sword in a wide arc. But Subaru was ready. He utilized his enhanced speed to slide beneath Sergey's offensive swing, letting the blade pass overhead. Surging back up, Subaru thrust forward, finding a gap in Sergey's defense. However, the blow was not nearly as effective as he had hoped; the armor absorbed much of the strike.
Before Subaru could respond, Sergey focused his energy, channeling it into his gauntlet. Suddenly, the air crackled with energy, and a surge of magic seemed to erupt from him. The ground trembled as Sergey raised his gauntlet, a formidable glow radiating from the enchanted metal. "Time to end this!"
Subaru's eyes widened in fear as he felt the overwhelming surge of power radiating from Sergey. A flash of instinct urged him to evade, however he didn't have time. Before the gauntlet could unleash whatever devastating attack it was charging, It was interrupted by a battle cry.
"Here I come!" Exclaimed Gamma as she rushed towards Sergey with slime sword in her hand, however she tripped over her own foot, the momentum carrying her forward, where Subaru's was standing. And instead of gauntlent hittting and smashing Subaru into a pile of bloody mush, It hit Gamma's head.
There was a moment of stillness as Subaru's eyes widened in disbelief. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, displacing leaves and scattering debris.
"Gamma!" Subaru shouted, his heart racing as he turned toward her, fear gripping his chest. However, unexpected happened.
"Ow, ow, ow! That hurts!" Gamma exclaimed, as she clutched her head, dropping her sword to the ground. Her tears were threating to leak out of her eyes as she turned towards Sergey. "Just what do you think you are doing swinging that glove around?!"
Both Sergey and Subaru shared a moment of confusion, momentarily caught off guard. They both stand there frozen for a few seconds, trying to comprehend whatever just happened.
"Are you serious right now?" Sergey exclaimed, momentarily taken aback, his usual demeanor cracking. "You are... You are not supposed to survive this attack."
"Was that... is she really—?" Subaru stammered, unable to process what just transpired. He had expected a grim ending for Gamma, but instead, she seemed unfazed by the gauntlet's impact.
"Are you okay?" Subaru asked, half worried, half amused, as Gamma brushed herself off.
"Of course I'm okay!" Gamma protested, her expression a mix of indignation and determination. "I won't go down that easily, especially not when I'm here to help you!" She picked up her slime sword, holding it with renewed enthusiasm.
"What?" Sergey stammered, bewildered by the unexpected turn of events.
"Take this!" Gamma screamed as she lunged forward once again, her energy surging. With a newfound determination, she slashed her slime sword toward Sergey with reckless abandon, he prepared to deflect or block the attack, however it completely missed him and instead struck the ground.
Subaru was watching the scene with wide eyes, trying to comprehend whatever was happening, however he quickly gathered his composure. "Gamma! Look out!"
Once again, Sergey focused his mana into his gauntlet as it surged with energy, aiming his ttack directly at Gamma again.
"You're about to regret that move!" Sergey declared, raising his gauntlet to unleash a powerful magical attack.
The gauntlet made contact with Gamma's head again, and she dropped to her knees clutching her head in pain. "Owwww... Just what is wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with me? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, WOMAN!?" Sergey roared, his voice filled with anger and disbelief.
However, they got interrupted by a roar of pain. All their attentino were drifted towards Antares. She was gracefully moving around the dragon. The dragon was covered in deep slashes as it couldn't keep up with Antares. Its movement became more sluggish as Antares launched another series of rapid attacks, each one finding a mark on the scales of the massive beast. However, the dragon was no ordinary creature, and with a final desperate strike, it twisted around, its tail sweeping towards Antares with deadly intent.
But Antares was quicker. With a nimble leap, she dodged the dragon's tail, rolling gracefully to the side and regaining her footing in a combat stance.
"Time to finish this!" Antares shouted as she leapt high into the air, her sword ablaze with energy. She aimed for the dragon, channeling her mana into one decisive strike that promised to end the fierce battle. The dragon roared in fury as Antares descended, her blade aiming for its neck.
"Die!" Antares shouted, her voice ringing with conviction as she swung her sword down in a powerful arc. The blade made contact with the neck, penetrating the scales and completely beheading the massive dragon in one swift motion. The massive form of the dragon crumpled to the ground. Antares landed gracefully behind it, panting slightly, yet her eyes were fierce with determination and adrenaline.
Subaru's jaw dropped in awe as he took in the sight of Antares standing victorious over the fallen dragon. "Nice job, Antares!" he shouted, a grin spreading across his face. "I knew you had it in you!"
"Thank you, Lord Pleiades!" Antares replied, her smile shining. But the celebration was short-lived. Subaru's attention snapped back to Sergey, who was now seething with rage, his eyes blazing as he surveyed the battlefield.
"Enough!" Sergey bellowed, his voice echoing through the clearing. He turned back to Subaru, the intensity in his eyes palpable. He whistled three sharp notes, and in an instant, three more dragons ascended from the ground
Subaru's heart raced as he took a step back, eyes wide with shock. "Is this guy serious?" he muttered to himself. "More dragons? How many does he have?"
Subaru's took state of his allies, Antares was heavily exhausted, she wouldn't last long against the onslaught that was to come, and Gamma, despite her tenacity, was clearly shaken by the blows she'd taken. Eta, though capable, was looking fatigued as well. Only he felt somewhat prepared, but even then, facing multiple threats was overwhelming.
"Plan E! Gamma, Eta, Antares! Retreat! I'll take care of this." Subaru's voice rang sharp and clear as urgency spurred him into action.
"Lord Pleiades, we can't just leave you alone!" Gamma objected, brows knitted with worry as she glanced back at him. But the steely resolve in Subaru's eyes was unyielding.
"Trust me! I can hold them off," he said, his tone decisive. "I have some cards under my sleeve... or a dragon to be more exact." Subaru smirked.
Gamma, understanding his implications, nodded and stepped down, following Eta.
"Lord Pleiades, be careful!" Antares shouted, glancing over her shoulder as she joined the others in their retreat.
Subaru turned his attention towards Sergey with determination in his eyes.
"Just look at that, seems like your allies have abandoned you." Sergey said, watching as Gamma, Eta, and Antares pulled back, giving Subaru the space to confront him alone. "You think you stand a chance against me? You're a fool to think you can."
"Well, well, Sergey Gorman, the 10th Seat of the Knights of Rounds, protector of self-importance, and general bad guy vibes!" Subaru declared. "You'd think someone with such a fancy title would have better things to do than terrorize innocent elves and make cruel speeches. But here you are! Seriously, do the rest of the Knights of Rounds know you're this insecure? Did you get picked last for dodgeball in school or something? To be honest, you're way overrated; did anyone even tell you that? Look at you! That armor is just begging to be in a 'most likely to look foolish' yearbook. I mean, green? What is this, a rejected costume for a low-budget villain? You could at least put a bit of effort into your image. If you're trying to scare people, maybe skip the gaudy gauntlet and pick something a little more intimidating! what's next? A monologue about how you're going to rule the world? Classic villain move!"
Sergey stood frozen, trying to comphered whatever this kid was saying the smug confidence he usually wore replaced by momentary confusion. "What... are you even talking about?"
Subaru clapped his hands together. "Alright, I bought enough time. It's time to shine, Rigel!"
As if summoned by Subaru's words, a brilliant flash of light erupted above the battlefield, and in an impressive swath of energy and purple bluish mist, Rigel soared down, illuminated against the sky. The Mist Dragon's massive form cast a shadow over the clearing as he landed gracefully beside Subaru.
Sergey's eyes widened in shock as he took in the sheer size and grandeur of the dragon. "What in the world…?" he stammered, disbelief painting his features as Rigel let out a thunderous roar.
"Do you really think an artificial dragon will save you?" Sergey taunted.
"Oh, it's not an artificial dragon," Subaru shot back, a grin spreading across his face. "This is Rigel, the Mist Dragon! And today, you're about to learn why picking a fight with us is a colossal mistake!"
Immediatly, Rigel launched himself into the sky, towards the other three dragons which were up in the air, attacking the dragons. With a fierce roar, Rigel dove towards the nearest dragon colliding into it with a force that shook the ground below. The dragon let out a shriek of terror as Rigel's powerful form sent it spiraling out of control.
"Now, Rigel! Let's show them what we can do!" Subaru called out.
With a flick of his wings, Rigel soared back up into the air, positioning himself between Subaru and Sergey He released a torrent of mist that fell down like a waterfall, obscuring the battlefield in a swirling fog.
Sergey's expression shifted from disbelief to frustration as he attempted to peer through the mist. "What kind of trickery is this?"
"It's not trickery—this is just a taste of what we can do!" Subaru shouted back, his voice resonating with determination. "With Rigel's magic, we can turn the tides in our favor. Prepare for what's coming next!"
Subaru's voice echoed through the battlefield, and due to mist's magic, his voice resonated from the all sides —surrounding Sergey and the dragons he commanded. Confusion swirled with the mist, making it difficult for Sergey to orient himself.
"You're just delaying the inevitable, kid!" Sergey growled, clenching his sword as he searched for his target. "You think this fog can save you? I will crush you and your dragon!"
Sergey felt sharp pain on his side, as Subaru's blade slashed through the mist , catching Sergey off guard. The blade cut across his armor, leaving a shallow but burning line where it connected. He stumbled back, gritting his teeth in surprise. He saw Subaru's form before it again disappeared in the fog.
"How…?!" Sergey growled, clutching his side as he narrowed his eyes, trying to pierce through the mist ,leaving him vulnerable and desperate to regain control.
Another slash at his other side, causing him grunt in pain. Subaru's swift movements allowed him to stay just out of Sergey's reach as he danced around, using the mist to his advantage.
Meanwhile Rigel has taken care of one dragon, blowing it up with his breath magic as he shifted his attention to the second dragon, which was still in the air, trying to find its footing amidst the confusion. With a deft maneuver, Rigel let loose another torrent of mist that enveloped the remaining dragons, disorienting them further and giving him the upper hand.
Subaru tried to slash Sergey again, but this time he dodged just in time, stepping back as Subaru's sword whistled through the air, immediatly counterattacking him, but Subaru was nowhere to be seen again.
Sergey channeled his mana in his gauntlet, before hitting the ground, causing shockwaves that disarupted the mist momentarily and gave him a clearer view. His eyes locked onto Subaru's figure who was caught off guard. "There you are." Sergey said, as he lunged at Subaru, a fierce determination in his eyes, barely had time to react to Sergey's sudden charge. However before the blade made contact, Sergey was hit with tail forcefully smacked aside by Rigel, who had swooped down with incredible speed.
"Rigel! Nice save!" Subaru exclaimed, feeling his heart race with adrenaline as the dragon positioned himself beside him.
Sergey stood up, brushing off the dirt with increasing annoyance. "Still clinging to hope, are we? You're a fool if you think this creature can protect you!" Sergey looked at the sky and realised that all his dragons were defeated. Sergey whistled, five sharp notes and in the instant, 30 dragons rose from the ground.
Subaru's heart dropped as he witnessed the surge of dragons responding to Sergey's call. The skies filled with these magnificent, terrifying creatures.
"Oh, great!" Subaru exclaimed, tightening his grip around his sword. "Just what I needed—a dragon hoard!"
'Subaru, I believe we should retreat. I am confident that I will be able to defeat them all, but I wouldn't have time to cover you in case of danger.' Rigel's voice boomed in Subaru's mind
Subaru took a step back, his instincts screaming at him to prioritize survival. "You are right, Rigel," he admitted, eyeing the massive group of dragons now filling the sky. "We should-"
"Misfire!" Sergey interrupted, his taunting voice echoed as he pointed towards them. "Let them rain destruction!"
Over the horizon, flames ignited as the dragons unleashed their fiery breath toward the ground .
Rigel spread his wings protectively, shielding Subaru from the wave of fire that rushed towards them. The heat was intense, and the air crackled as flames scorched the earth where Subaru had just been standing.
Rigel channeled his mana in his chest and in the next moment he released fast-moving projectiles, which were aimed at the dragons and Sergey. Multiple dragons were hit by the projective and they fell down to the ground, Sergey managed to dodge the projectile but as he focused his attention back to them, Subaru and Rigel were nowhere to be seen.
"Pleaides... I'll make sure to remember that name... Next time, I won't understimate you."
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Lyra and Vega were still carrying Karen, her body carefully cradled between them. Panic flared in their chests as they heard the distant sounds of battle echoing through the trees. The earth shook beneath them with the force of immense magical bursts, and they exchanged worried glances.
Gamma, Eta and Antares finally managed to catch up with them.
"Lady Gamma! Where is Lord Pleiades?" Lyra asked worringly.
Gamma turned to Lyra, her expression a mix of concern and determination. "He's still fighting Sergey. We need to get Karen to safety first and then rejoin him!"
However, they were interrupted by the flapping of the wings above them, Rigel suddenly descended, landing gracefully nearby, the ground shaking slightly under his massive frame with Subaru on his back.
"Lord Pleiades!" Girls shouted, their eyes lighting up with relief. "You're okay!"
Subaru hopped off Rigel with a slight stumble, taking a moment to catch his breath. "Yeah, I came out the other side in one piece. But things are heating up out there—literally."
Subaru took a notice of Karen's condition. "Is it that i think it is?"
"That's a Possession." Gamma replied. "We need to bring to her Alpha or Epsilion to-" However, she was quickly interrupted as Subaru approached Karen and placed his palm on her black spot, mark of possesion. In a few moment he absorbed the cures, leaving no trace of the possesion.
Stellar Squad member's eyes widened. "What a honor... To be cured of the possession by none other than Lord Pleiades himself!"
In a few moments, Karen's eyes fluttered open, revealing her vibrant emerald-green gaze, though it remained clouded with confusion. "W-what happened?" she whispered weakly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Where am I?"
"You're safe now. We found you just in time, The Cult of Diablos was after you." Subaru reassuringly said.
Karen blinked, trying to process everything around her. "The Cult... of Diablos?" she murmured, memories rushing back in fragmented flashes—her family's celebration, the betrayal, and the pain.
"We're part of a group that opposes the Cult, and we won't let them harm you again."
"N-no..." Karen's voice trembled. "I am... one of them."
Subaru raised an eyebrow, confusion filled his mind. "One of who?"
"A Named First Child of the Cult of Diablos." The moment those words left her mouth, everyone's body tensed.
Subaru's heart raced as he processed Karen's revelation. "A Named First Child…" he echoed, staring at her with a mix of disbelief and concern. "But you were attacked by someone from the Cult—we've seen that firsthand!"
Karen squeezed her eyes shut, tears slipping down her cheeks. "I was… before the possession."
Subaru's thoughts raced as he tried to piece together Karen's harrowing situation. "So you were once aligned with them?" He took a step closer, keeping his voice steady despite the swirling emotions inside him. "What happened?"
Karen took a shaky breath, her voice barely a whisper. "I was born in the Herzog family, I was raised within the ranks of the Cult of Diablos. From a young age, I was groomed to become one of their most powerful assets. 'Named First Child' was an incredible honor, bestowed upon those deemed worthy of the Cult's most significant magic and power."
"But then there was the betrayal," she continued, her voice thick with pain. "Sergey Gorman... the 10th seat of knights of rounds massacared whole my family for unknown reasons."
'Herzog family... So she must be Karen von Herzog?' Subaru thought to himself.
"The moment I began to question their methods, I became a target."
Subaru's heart ached for her. The weight of her words felt heavy, and he could see the anguish written all over Karen's face. It was a harrowing revelation, one that intertwined her fate with the Cult of Diablos in a way he hadn't anticipated.
"Karen... Do you want to join our organization, Shadow Garden?" Everyone's eyes widened at Subaru's words.
"We can help you find a new path," Subaru continued, his voice steady and filled with determination. "You don't have to go back to them. You can make a difference, fight against the very forces that sought to control you. We stand against the Cult of Diablos, and we have the strength to protect you."
"But... I was one of them. How can you trust me?"
Subaru's heart raced at Karen's hesitant response, but he couldn't back down now. He stepped forward, determination shining in his yellow eyes. "Because I know what it means to fight against your past. You've already begun to break free from their control, and that's not something everyone can do. You deserve a chance to redefine who you are."
Vega nodded in agreement. "We've all made our choices, Karen. It's your turn now. You can turn your back on the Cult and join us in fighting against their tyranny." Antares nodded alongside.
Lyra stepped closer, her voice warm and encouraging. "You don't have to be alone anymore. We're all here for you. Together, we can make a real difference."
Gamma and Eta exchanged glances, both nodding silently in support. Gamma moved in front of Karen, her eyes filled with sincerity. "We believe you can be more than just a tool. You can stand alongside us, your potential unleashed for a better cause."
"I... I... I want to fight back," Karen finally found her voice, speaking louder and surer. "I want to stand against the Cult of Diablos! I want to reclaim my life and honor my family's legacy, not as their puppet but as my own person!"
Subaru's grin expanded, and a wave of relief washed over him. "That's the spirit! We're all about reclaiming our own paths. Welcome to Shadow Garden!"
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"Proceed with reports now." Alpha's authority voice boomed across the meeting room, giving an order to Gamma to speak. Gamma took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts as she prepared to share the developments of their recent mission.
"We encountered an elf named Karen von Herzog. Initially, she was being pursued by Sergey Gorman, the 10th Seat of the Knights of Rounds. During the exchange, we discovered that she was once a Named First Child of the Cult, trained to be one of their most powerful assets." she began, her voice steady.
The room fell silent as her words sank in.
"Sergey massacred her family in a brutal display of betrayal, and she was possessed," Gamma continued, her face breaking into a smile. "But she has broken free from their grasp thanks to Lord Pleiades, and she has expressed a desire to join our ranks."
Gasps echoed around the room.
"Lord Pleiades?" Epsilion exclaimed as she stood up. "You met Lord Pleiades?"
"That wasn't fair!" Beta joined in, sounding both envious and excited.
"Ahem." Gamma cleared her throat. "During our fight with Sergay Gorman, Lord Pleiades and Stellar Squad has joined us in the battle."
"Stellar Squad..." Alpha muttered under her breath, her voice was tangled with jealousy. Epsilion and Beta shoot jealous looks as well.
"What about Sergey Gorman?" Alpha asked, composing herself.
"Lord Pleiades engaged Sergey directly as we managed to retreat with Karen," she continued, her expression shifting to one of seriousness. "Rigel, his contracted Mist Dragon, provided incredible support during the battle, but the situation escalated quickly when Sergey summoned an army of dragons."
"Wait—an army of dragons?" Alpha echoed, her eyes flashing with concern. "Was Lord Pleiades hurt?"
Gamma nodded, her expression unwavering. "No, he managed to escape with Rigel, but the encounter was intense. Sergey is a formidable opponent, especially with such overwhelming forces at his disposal. However, Lord Pleiades's strategic thinking and Rigel's strength allowed them to turn the situation around enough for us to retreat."
Alpha frowned, her mind racing with the implications of what Gamma had just shared. "This Sergey Gorman poses a significant threat, We need to be prepared for potential retaliation from him."
Alpha turned her gaze to Gamma, her expression softening slightly. "You did well out there, Gamma. Bringing Karen in with you is no small feat, especially considering her pedigree and the danger of her previous affiliations."
"Thank you, Alpha," Gamma replied, a hint of pride sparkling in her eyes.
"Epsilion. You will be training Karen-No, Kai. That's her codename now."
Epsilion nodded, eager to take on the role of mentor. "Understood. I can work with her on developing her skills."
"Thank you, everyone," Alpha continued, looking around the room to each member of Shadow Garden present. "The meeting is considered to be over."