Arc 5: The Stars Against Anarchy
The sun was rising over a new day. Over the heart of a dying land. Ground Zero of the Sects chaos. Where the once loud crowded roads now rushed with broken, scared people. From each district of the capital they saw the Sect. Burnt buildings, Sect flags and large banners flowing off buildings lining every road. The Sect moved with stolen knight armor atop black torn clothing, with any Walgonian symbols carved and scratched away for the Sects crest to lay.
{Just go to work don't look just go to work -
Still the city moved. A large majority of people had fled, a slowly rising margin was fading away into ash, and the many that remained were forced under the weight of their endless eyes. Atop buildings, in carriages, groups in alleys or just walking on patrol. Listening to endless anarchists speaking over crowds, using Communicators to make their voice open up to crowds, banging on doors to sit and meet with families. The worst part was that it was working. Humans and non-humans were forced together, younger or broken people joined in for a purpose. Others finally dawned their mask because their jobs were gone, burned down for being named a traitor or for housing any resistance. For being family, neighbors, coworkers with traitors. Silenced, stared down, broken away until they reached their hands out pleading to live a life of freedom. And they were given it, a weapon, a home, a family, with training and promises of a bright future held just over their head.
"My fellow people! Hear our warmth! Wealth, food, safety! We value it with all our heart! We value peace! So please, lend your hand and fight for it! For your world! So we can all live with endless joys! Pleasures of any kind! With nobody to control you!"
Tryouts for Potential Pillars, battles against guards crowded and blocked roads, but people still got to their shift. Went to the store. Made tea in their house while looking out at the city. Took their kids to schools taught by anarchists. But under the homes, in the cracks, in the sewers. Where the Sect used to live and remain, where they left behind to take the world, was taken by the resistance they searched for with such ferocity. They were people, Human or Demi-human, wearing normal clothes with regular faces. Into buildings people passed and checked up on. And inside shops, inns, apartments or large houses were plans. Knights, civilians trying to fight back, Leviathan Soldiers. Closed off and trapped from the rest of Walgonia. But the outside was still coming in the same way. Carriages, wagons, on foot like any other.
About fifty Leviathan soldiers that were inside Walgonia when Arthur and the Sect began to take hold, in a two story stone space under a burnt mansion in the richer district. Built to keep the now burnt nobles' disgusting interests, and a space to trade slaves unknown to anybody in Walgonia aside from the people he had killed that built it decades ago. Inside the sewers it connected to rested some Resistance fighters smoking spirit herbs, drinking, or even dosing elixirs to hide from the constant panic. But in their daze, in the disgusting shadows leaking and draining past their feet, moved a bright black light. They saw the flash, they felt the heat, the bloodlust. But before they could scream, the man from the shadows grasped his throat.
"MMPH—---"
A last cry of pain rang out from the young man before his throat burned into his spine. The man instantly flashed to the next soldier swinging a blade. He slashed with his blazing hot hand right through the blade, right through the older man.
"IG -
And finally spun with his momentum to send a wave of extreme black flames into the young woman preparing a fire spell. It fell over her like a Cloak of decay, taking her screams away in an instant. Too weak to even resist before she fell to ash. A flash of pain, of memories that only lasted a few seconds, before she blew away to the force of the man's steps. Draining away with the blood of her friends in the sewer, and laughed at.
Arthur: "You've gone against us one too many times!? How's it goin? Good morning? I wonder what's coolest? Definitely the good morning one. Doesn't matter if I saw a stupid Sect thing unless I let them live, and that's not happening. Oh well."
Arthur was wearing a tight black shirt, a white cloak held by golden shoulder plates and a chain he stole out of the castle, torn black pants, and a wide hungry smile. Inside the large area under the manor rested the Leviathan soldiers, some Knights, more resistance fighters all preparing or looking over maps of the Castle.
"We can move out through there in groups, maybe take him on and kill him before he can react!"
"No way! A sneak attack is what we gotta do!"
"Oh Arthur! No way!"
One of the larger Leviathan Demi-humans looked on in confusion at the wall on the second floor. Right before it blew open with a wall of black fire, insulting the large open floor below. The upper floors had a large open square center, where any flying Demi-humans could soar up into the air to face him. Where magic could fly out. Or people could leap into the fight. But all that took them was fear, screams, as Arthur instantly rushed toward the swarm of fighters ahead of him.
Arthur: "KINDA EARLY ISN'T IT!? A MAN THAT SUCKED NOT COOL AT ALL! NOW I DEFENTLY GOTTA KILL YOU GUYS!"
He flung forward with eyes white, filled with vigor in his screams. Using flames to burst forward while he crossed his arms, swelling and charging with even denser power before sending it all toward the screaming soldiers in front of him. It took over Demi-humans flying or blocking, elemental spells charging forward, the bodies and armor of everyone screaming against him. Then like a dance he rushed with rapid punches that threw out dense and quick jabs of flames, large overhead kicks for larger overhead waves, then sliding lower kicks to force it up. Cutting through the many surviving soldiers hit by hit, before he looked over and sent all he could forward. Taking on a large swarm of magic, before bursting right to the center. Where he spun in circles with attacks. Killing anybody in his path almost instantly, and rushing to break the skulls of those who did.
The ground above shook the crowds walking past, before the mansion crumbled into itself with the rising flames. Where Arthur walked away, to the next location. To truly convert Walgonia, its heart, to a Heart of anarchy. It's why so many continued pushing to Greenvale, fighting for their lives at every turn. Why did Gray and the others have to awake so early, and break themselves with training?
Gray: "GET AWAY GET AWAY!"
Amidst a burning city, under Azalea's rising tendrils taking over Athens' collapsing sky he screamed. He choked. His eyes, his soul burned as he sprinted. Without mana, his Cloak, even his scars. He was just running and running, and never stopped.
Gray: "HELP ME PLEASE HELP ME SOMEBODY HELP ME I DON'T WANNA DIE I DON'T WANNA DIE PLEASE PLEASE! I NEED SOMEBODY ANYBODY! PLEASE!"
He looked over head at a Knight Cloaked in corrupted mana, swinging right over his head with the Cloak. Leaving him reaching out, crying for his life, as The Phantom Knight left him. As he left himself to die to fight a collapsing world like he did to so many others. Before the ground finally crumbled underneath his feet, and left him screaming into the abyss.
Gray: "PLEASE!"
Gray leapt out of bed with tears in his eyes and mana erupting from his body out of sheer panic. Before he was able to fall to his knees, and breath back in reality. With a window behind him overlooking Greenvale, filled with even more soldiers. But Rosemary wasn't in the bed nor the room, so he just sat with himself for a moment. Clutching the Cloaks charm with each breath, before he finally stood.
Gray: "...Guess I gotta go to Gordon's training. But I kinda destroyed my Leviathan clothes, and my armor, oh and my sword. And the Wrist Talons, ugh maybe they'll give me somethin."
Without any real gear left and eyes even heavier, he put on his stitched up jacket. Slipped on his tearing shoes, some black pants, the golden scarf Rosemary made for him due to the cold of Greenvale, and his only piece of real gear left. The belt Ryo gave him for a short sword he didn't have. So he just walked out of his room with his hands in his pocket, noticing Soku's door was open and empty before heading down the stairs. Then he saw Edwards open the door, and was hit with a fate he was too scared to accept. That he had woken up late, and Gordon would scream at him for it.
Gray {On days like this, I really do wish I could just go work in a shop, come home to Rosemary, live near the others. I can't believe I'd rather go to work, and I'm me! Whatever, I don't really care if he says anything to me anyway.}
He picked up the pace, flowing the Cloak out over him as he stepped into the harsh mountain wind, and into the heart racing crowd of hundreds, maybe even thousands growing around Greenvale. All hidden under the seals, the thick spiritual presence of Godrick Mountain just as large as the other Ever-Biomes, and centuries old spells seeped across the land like a web of defense. Demi-humans flew, ran, stomped or walked past amidst humans drinking, joking, training, or bandaging each other. It only stood out to Gray after what felt like forever in Athens. Something bright enough to make him smile, and I thought Kioshi would be proud.
Gray: "Now where is -
Like his heart jumped or the spirits screamed every hair on his body stood up. He panicked, braced with his arms up, and leaked out mana without any idea. Before his forearm was caught by an iron and wrinkled grasp. His other arm was pushed to slap his own face, before there was a brief second between them.
Gordon: "Good, you all reacted well, and even if you're the last one to wake up you all got up early."
Before Gray could speak he was flung over their wooden fence and into a melting pile of snow. Where he burst out to find Edward, Rosemary, Soku, Julius, and Peter all standing with red bruises on their faces. Edward has his Dragon Stone, Soku her torn jacket, the same clothes Julius always wore, and a white long sleeve sweater Rosemary didn't care about breaking. Peter was even prepared, holding multiple large bags full of gear, and new schematics he had to remake. As most of his things had gone up in flames in Athens. The only reason he had so much was because he took it all in fear he'd have to use it against the Gravestone Pirates.
Gray: "How come you didn't warn me!?"
Edward: "After each surprise attack he told us to wait, sorry."
Gray: "Ugh, well what are we supposed to do then?"
Gordon rushed between them, staring out at his home up the Hill with a terrifying grin.
Gordon: "I told you I need to see what level you're at. You'll face me, together, and after it's time for Ryo. When we know exactly what we should focus on, and when more soldiers show up, you'll focus on it until it's time for the Siege."
The dawn was truly upon them. The weight of Walgonia, Saga, maybe even the world was now on their shoulders. Of course there were many stronger than them, thousands upon thousands of soldiers left who could just over take them; the burden was on them all, but it really felt like the world was putting them at the forefront. Or Gordon at least. Like they were Walgonia's trump card.
Gordon: "Now come on, we've got a busy day."
They quickly followed without any gear or time to prepare, so they stood together behind Gordon to talk. Maybe to figure out just what to do, but Peter had to stop half way. As his destination wasn't with them, but further down to the end of the road near one of the Villages exit.
Peter: "I've gotta go meet the Head Blacksmith of this place, so wish me luck please! Or y'know you could just come with me and -
Soku: "Good luck, now what do we do!?"
Peter sighed, waved, and pushed forward with a body about to burst into flames from panic. They watched as he was quickly smothered by the crowd, leaving them to plan some kind of victory.
Gray: "Mmm, Edward and Rosemary are heavy types, me and Julius medium, Soku light, or maybe we're all medium and Edwards heavy? No no, Edwards a tank, Rosemary you're a dps, me and Soku are support - wait no we've gotten better, so maybe we're dps for Edwards tank. We fit into many categories!"
Gray's confusing and rapid muttering listened to Rosemary, and even Gordon up ahead. Julius was silent, Edward was panicked, Soku was thinking the best she could, but Rosemary stood confident with an answer.
Rosemary: "If we all fit multiple categories then we should work on that. Like swapping in and out of roles, or just doing what we're best at while trying to help each other. Gordon doesn't have an ability we have to work around, and unless he's using a bow or blade, he's just an incredibly strong man with a good amount of mana and amazing control. Impossible maybe but the best we can do is try and outlast, survive, like we did in Athens."
Soku: "I dunno, Gordon is considered one of the strongest in Walgonia right? Top five at least. It'll probably be like Kioshi where she took us out in an instant. Or training against Musashi."
Gray: "Hey I did well both those times!"
Soku: "Well Gordon doesn't have rules you can cheat. He'll just punch you."
Edward: "It's scary how much he reminds me of Lincoln, makes me sick thinking about him hitting me in the stomach again."
They made it further and further so much faster than they thought. They were now pushing through a dense wave of Leviathan Soldiers, to go through Gordon's home and into the large training yard around it. It felt so surprising, overwhelming to see so many people. People they knew were strong, maybe just as strong or stronger, smarter, with better or more complex abilities and personalities. Endless stories, possibilities, training regimens and fighting styles trapping them in from just how many there were. And yet Lincoln, Jong, or even a single Red Arrow had made it yet. Still pushing on for the last four days, to either arrive today or in another few.
Edward: "...Do you think they won at the Town of Shells?"
Gray: "I don't really know. People probably died, but Lincoln didn't lose. He fought a Volcano! And he did pretty well!"
Gordon: "Ryo says he didn't feel Lincoln's spirit fade, nor his son Leo. At least they live on."
Yesterday when they had left the battle, the Town of Shells was left for Lincoln to hold down. Where Serverus endless arms tore through the earth, the homes, consumed the air, and desperately pushed him away from the juggernaut that is Lincoln Valentine. Serverus was sent back, dashing side to side throughout the town to get away from him, but also away from his targets. All Serverus could do was scream, destroy, and maybe work his way back to the soldiers. But Your monsters were dead, Shioreta was thrown toward Athens, Donte was forced to fall back, and Conna drug herself away through the crumbling allies.
Servers: "MY SOUL ACHES FOR YOU! YOUR MIGHT, YOUR POTENTIAL! IT COULD SHAPE THE WORLD SO EASILY! NOW THAT YOUR HOME IS GONE YOU SEE HOW DESTRUCTIVE WAR IS! MY SOUL ACHES FOR ATHENS, FOR EVERYBODY THAT WAS LOST, BUT THEY'RE ALL A MESSEGE STRONGER THAN ANY GOD!"
Lincoln: "IF YOU DON'T SHUT UP ABOUT YOUR ACHING SOUL MINES GONNA START CRYIN!"
Rapid blows that shook the Town, the fleeing soldiers, the dead monsters still breathing with the growing infection, and ripped Severus endless scales to pieces. No matter how much Serverus tried, he simply couldn't scratch Lincoln and infect him. Then crashing across the ground before twisting his body back into place, he went to send his chaos forward all over again. Yet Lincoln had been using the Dragons Spirit to survive, leaving most of the Town nothing but rubble in his path, and it made him fast enough to stop the madness. Tearing Severus arms off, before stabbing his hand through his heart in a single massive burst. Throwing the Red Arrows, Warriors, Knights, and homes away from them.
Lincoln: "Tell Prometheus I wanna see him next!"
Serverus eyes broke open across his decaying face with an all consuming wave of green mana. Lincoln's veins lit, his eyes went white, and he instantly began to form stone scabs across his body. Although before he could be entranced into stone from just glaring into the eyes of this monster, he flared his Dragons Spirit to it's maximum. Breaking the stone and his hold with the flex of his muscles, pulled his arm back, and punched Severus in the head so hard his entire body combust into the ash of the street behind them. Erasing that Vessel, and Marker, before they could start moving out once more.
Lincoln: "Nasty snake."
But all Gray and the others could do was worry. Scream at themselves for leaving them behind. For being so, so weak. It's why they walked proudly, ready through Gordon's home. And into the courtyard filled with soldiers breaking themselves for the upcoming battles.
Gordon: "Alright -
They had just stepped onto the wet grass when Gordon threw two short swords for Soku and Gray, rushed into an order to clear space between the soldiers, and gripped his fist as tight as he could. Looking to all of them, and then to the overlooking Ryo behind them mediating under a tree with some Spirit users.
Gordon: "Don't even think about holding back. You fight to kill, and I'll show you just how much you need to grow. We've got a wide space, and if any attack goes out of our field it's a part of their training to dodge it. Only worry about me."
Gray began pulling in Spirit mana before anything happened in fear Gordon would jump into the fight. And he was immediately proved right, as Gordon went into a terrifying sprint.
Ryo {He really isn't gonna go easy, is he?}
The third stage stronger than ever, a cloak of winds, a Dragon Stone blade, and a rapier all followed. But he moved under Edwards instinctive swing, past Rosemary's swift jab, over Julius' low swing, spun around Gray while kicking Soku's shielding blade back, and sent Gray flying right into Edward.
Gray: "WATCH OUT!"
Gordon ducked under a blade of wind while Edward ducked Gray, and Julius rolled forward as Gray rolled onto his feet. Forcing Gordon to dodge, push Rosemary back with a slam of his forearm, spin and kick the side of Julius arm, and slam his hands together over his head.
Gordon: "HARDER!"
He caught Edwards blade mid-air, and bashed his leg into his stomach. Edward slid back in the grass, but Gray sent the Cloak in two thin tendrils past Edwards' sides. He wanted to push Gordon back, maybe even grab hold, but he didn't expect Gordon to grasp it on purpose. And yank Gray right into Edwards back.
Gray {Dammit! Is he playing with us!? What is this!? Am I really this weak!?}
Edward {I'M NOT WEAK!}
Edward sent Gray tumbling off him in his rage. Edward's panic, his sweat vanished. And it was all replaced by the flame of the Warriors Spirit, overtaking the deep pit Moro left with a confusing and powerful rage. Gordon felt it under Edwards' roar, but Rosemary, Julius, and Soku all pushed forward. Rosemary and Julius together, and Soku soared above them to charge her Mark.
Soku: "UP HERE HAWK EYE!"
Gordon smirked right as Soku sent a large blade of wind right between the group. Forcing Gordon to swiftly roll with Edwards hefty swing and kick him in the side of the head. Gray's blade came rushing toward him right after, but Rosemary stopped anything with a sudden burst into the fourth stage. She sent out two quick flicks like she did against Calgary, slamming wind against Gordon, before she sent out two more with her other hand. Gordon dashed between them both, punched Gray back, and ran over Edward before jumping into the right for Soku.
Gordon: "YOU'RE ALL NOT FIRED UP ENOUGH!"
Soku spun to gather wind, but Gordon punched her blade so hard it cracked. It sent her against the ground right over Julius, who grabbed her hand and threw her right back at Gordon before she hit the ground. She didn't expect it, and felt rage toward Julius for even doing this, but still engulfed herself with wind. Using her Mark and her panic, she sent it all around her. Just to push Gordon away with the burst, and let them all stand together once again.
Gray {I'M NOT DOING ANYTHING! HE KEEPS PUSHING ME AWAY WHY!? WHAT IS HAPPENING HOW AM I GONNA FIGHT LIKE THIS!? WAS CAESAR A FLUKE!?}
Gordon could sense Rosemary's need to stand guard, Soku's hesitance, Julius attempts to stay out of most of the battle, and Edwards overwhelming anger. Anger that sent him running away from his friends without thought while throwing out all his anger toward Gordon. But the look inside Gray's eye, the raining sweat on his brow, that's what he was worrying about.
Soku: "STAY BACK EDWARD WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"
Gordon punched Edwards blade away with each swing, but it got harder and harder to do. Until Edward swung to the side, then back to the other, overhead before flipping with another. A quick barrage of separate slashes all to get through Gordon, but all it did was leave Gordon open for a brief second. One where Edward let go of his blade, swung his fist, and hit Gordon's shoulder so hard Gordon groaned with pain. But Edward was promptly punched in the side of the head right into the ground, leaving him dazed and hardly able to stand and fight with his charging friends.
Gray: "GET AWAY FROM HIM!"
Flaring with bright purple corrupted mana, rushing with flashing bright blue spirit mana, he roared like Edward. With a tight full power flow he burst ahead of the group charging his blade with that Spirit mana.
Gray: "BREAKER!"
Gordon dodged the quick blade of Spirit mana, only for the Cloak to rush down and force him back into the middle. Where Gray swung his sword again rushing with mana. And was simply dodged, before he got kicked in the side right into Edward.
Gray {NO! COME ON DAMMIT!}
Edward was still trying to stand and get control of himself but Gray was now the one drowning in spite. He crouched, took the harsh pain, and pulled in as much Spirit mana as he could hold. Slowly filling with power, focus, a Spirit sense cracking open as he watched them. Julius spun like a butterfly along with Gordon's movements, yet Gordon acted like a scissor snapping robes. Cutting off any opening, any idea, like he was reading their mind. A surgical precision in sheer hand-to-hand combat not even Musashi or Lincoln had. Leaving Julius hit over and over again until Sokus' wind blades forced Gordon back to Rosemary.
Rosemary {NO!}
She smashed her arm down in the air in the fourth stage to create a wall of rushing pressure that kept Gordon back for a moment, where Soku dropped her sword and flared her mark. Using her hands to send a large rush of wind like a wave of water right over Gordon. He was forced back, toward a leap of power behind him.
Gray {DON'T SCREAM JUST MOVE, A REAL SNEAK ATTACK}
Filled with Spirit mana Gray moved toward Gordon, pivoting as quickly as possible before they got head to head -
Gray: "CENIC!"
Gray dodged Gordon's grasp just as thick smoke burst between them. But even surrounded, in darkness, Gordon didn't blow Cenic away. He sat, and listened. Felt the world move, the earth shutter, the air filled. Before he twisted, and smacked both Gray and Rosemary away with hefty shots to their stomachs. Leaving Julius open to get his blade caught, and himself thrown into the air right at Soku. Forcing her to pivot down in front of Gordon, block a swipe that knocked her sword back, and jabbed in her shoulder hard enough to collapse her onto the grass.
Edward: "GORDON!"
Gordon: "What?"
The last one standing, and all Edward did was miss a slash and get kicked right across the face. Sliding him back to the collapsed others, groaning and moaning, but quick to stand even still. Their faces were bruised and angry, their ODs leaked mana while their bodies grew with might. Ready to fight harder than -
Gordon: "We're done. I think I can change you know. Even if you held back, I could feel that gap. I'm glad you didn't all explode trying to get a hit on me, but if this were a real fight and you held back like that. If you took this as anything more than a fight for your life you would have been dead. And all things considered I coulda killed you all a few times."
All of their faces fell with their power, their blades. Leaving them to sulk under his words. And confused to see Leviathan soldiers walking up to surround them.
Gordon: "But I had to try not to get hit, and you still surprised me. But when you work with Ryo, that's when you grow. When you work with me, I'm gonna shave away everything that's holding you down. But you're gonna hear it from your own people. I had them watch over for training of their own, not spit it out! One of you starts explaining what they did wrong!"
Gray {We're really gonna get bashed by everybody!? I don't think I've been awake for an hour yet, definitely not two! No food either, I like to be full when I'm getting made fun of for looking like an idiot!}
Gordon: "Speak dammit!"
The Leviathan soldiers seemed just as scared if not more scared of Gordon than Grays group was, jumping at the sound of his voice. But the first soldier stood stern, large woman with the feathers of a reptilian Spirit Beast.
"In terms of coordination, there really isn't any. The Helsing is clearly the strongest head on since he dosen't use mana to power up, but you kept running from your team and getting separated."
Then another chimed in, covered head to toe in thick Leviathan Gear.
"Yeah you getting angry made good pressure but you lost focus almost instantly. One bad opening and that could end a fight, and you were filled with them. Only time you landed any hits was when you focused and went for an actual surprise attack instead of just swinging harder at an opponent who'll dodge you no matter what."
Edward gripped his hands as tight as he could in his flaring rage at himself, but he'd have to sit with it as his friends went next. Soku, pointed out by a younger soldier.
"And the elf was probably your best bet. She's got slashes but also pretty big attacks. But she just stayed back the hole time and played defense. If you'd worked hand and hand with a teammate, or just focused on using your martial skill instead of your novice sword skill you'd have done way better."
Soku {Bleh bleh I could probably beat yah with a single blast.}
"Same with the Goldenwind. She had enough power to overwhelm him, took his hits, but you acted too much like a shield for the group. They can handle themselves, but it just left you open every time you jumped headfirst to help. Physically you're about the same as the Helsing head on, even better with range and area of affect. There just wasn't enough commitment."
Rosemary {I really hate that they're right. It feels like it actually hurts.}
A mage chewing on Spirit Jerky raised her hand forward to speak at hearing the word commitment, before pointing right at Julius with a face full of food.
"You weren't committed at all. You just dodged and tried weirdly angled strikes. You're not really gonna outlast or outspeed Gordon, but you might have if you stopped holdin back. I don't know what you can really do, but what's the point of saving yourself when it'll just leave you alone when you die."
Julius: "Thank you for the feedback."
Gray was ready for his turn at the spotlight of problems, but not a single Levithan there spoke. Instead, Ryo stepped through the circle of soldiers, and faced Gray with a hand on his shoulder.
Ryo: "It's clear you've got a better handle on your mana, and you've made great progress in absorbing and containing Spirit mana. But you rely too much on your ability to increase your strength, it makes you extremely easy to read. Your face, your words tell the enemy everything they need to know to beat you. Either that, or you burn yourself out trying to fight back, or break yourself to survive. Your willingness to take a beating, to keep running straight forward into battle even with your obvious fear, it's why you can stand. But it's why you keep getting beat down over and over. You can't recover, you can't pull your head into the battle yourself, and in your attempts to take Gordon on and prove yourself you just got in the way. You get in the way of yourself."
Those words, from Ryo especially made Grays heart sink into itself. He was feeling so disillusioned with reality, with his place in the world, but now it was really looking like this path of a Hero wasn't possible. He wasn't a prodigy, an endlessly empathetic and caring angel. Even if it seemed like he was catching up to the others, after Athens, that gap seemed even larger than when he first arrived in this world. Maybe his body had gotten stronger, maybe he had gained more control, but Edwards increase in might was so much clearer. Rosemary's control over her stages, Sokus manipulation of her wind, even Julius growing to look toward others. But Gray was still skinny, frail in comparison to the others. Without the experience, outside skills or connections, he was more like a ghost. Without any respect, or reason to be respected. Even valued.
Ryo: "But you all get in the way of yourselves. That's why I will train your spirits. Your control. So you can continue to grow and shape yourself."
Gordon: "And then I'll see you to shave away the broken and corrupted pieces."
Soku: "And how long until that Siege?"
Gordon: "At the latest…in a month, maybe two. At the earliest, it'll be two weeks."
Their eyes, their hearts, even the soldiers shared that flame of fear. The need to be so much more than whatever they were now. So far away from it all, and yet this would be the only chance they had before the Sect took hold permanently. Either by controlling Walgonia, or completely destroying it. Kioshi and Musashi passing, taking hold of Walgonia, and Athens fate has made the Sect feel so much more overwhelming than they ever have. Gray was probably the most scared out of them all, as he couldn't help but live inside his weakness. Against Gordon, according to Ryo himself. So Ryo had to pull them forward, call the soldiers away, and move to a gate leaving the yard. To somewhere calmer, far more secluded than the thick yard.
Gray: "So we're starting the Spirit Boot camp now?"
Ryo: "Yes. I want to start with the basics, simple questions and ideas, before you can start building on what you have."
And so they sat north of Greenvale just outside of the village. Surrounded by large trees, round boulders around them in a circle, on a snowy ground. They meditated, some struggling more than others with their position, but they still focused. To whatever Ryo wanted them to do next.
Ryo: "Just focus in on your OD's. Your body. Push your mana into yourself, around yourself, tightly. Not a wide aura, not even a powerful one, just as dense as possible."
Edward: "...Uh I don't really have mana to use like that, I could use a small burst and then I'd be zapped for the day. How would I use my mana for that?"
Ryo: "Lincoln has the same amount as you and he still manages. Just look toward your Internal mana instead. Find it, expose it, let it rest so your body can understand it. Shape, form, shape and form. So you all can stand anew, true Levithans."
Soku had her fists together, Gray held his fingers together, Rosemary sat on her knees harshly focused, Edward held his head forward, and Julius copied Ryo perfectly. Before Ryo pushed a powerful rush of mana between all of the spirits surrounding them. From the mana itself to the Spirits, they all began to glow. It felt hard to breathe, see, as it just burned to even try. Gray was the only one resisting full force while the others groaned in a deep pain, sickness. But as Ryo adjusted, as their bodies adjusted, it began to feel more like the ocean than a flame. Drowning in a seemingly infinite world of energy, of life, that only pulled you down while you lost all your energy trying to pull back up.
Ryo: "Now can anybody tell me what you'd say to cast a fireball spell?"
Gray {A quiz!? Trying to sit inside this dome is hard enough I don't wanna do a quiz! My ribs are still screaming from Gordon!}
Julius: "Ignum."
Ryo: "Correct! Getting to understand spells by name even if you aren't a mage is incredibly important. You know what to react to, what to expect, or what ideas ot have or work around if you work with a mage. You all are more physical fighters even with your unique abilities. But most people, humans at least, rely on one connection. To water, fire, earth, air, or the Spirits."
Rosemary was pushing out her stages to resist the overwhelming mana, Gray absorbed some Spirit mana to not be overwhelmed, Soku pushed out wind, Julius a tight thin layer of mana, but Edward just had to sit through it all. Gritting his teeth. A mind of rushing pain, flames, and not a single spark of the Dragon Arts. His internal mana. He just had to sit and endure, listen, as he always did.
Ryo: "Now what's the second tier of Spells."
Gray {Come on I can get this -
Soku: "It's El right? And Al is the highest tier."
Ryo: "Yep! Now I'm trying my best to force your auras down, but you have to pull your mana into itself. A large aura is powerful, but it's destructive and wasteful. Always having your Stages, wind, or Spirit mana flowing out and away drains your OD, your body, and makes your flow uneven."
Rosemary tried her best to find a middle point inside her controlled second stage, without low power or it's rushing flame like aura. Gray on the other hand went like a wall, forcing his mana against himself and into itself. Trying his best to do the opposite of pushing his mana out, but all it did was go inside of his body instead of around -
Gray: "OW OW WRONG WAY!"
Ryo: "You can't force it. Also Gray pushing your mana into your body is a bad habit, don't be like the Southern Islanders and break your body doing that. It has to stay around yourself, for all of you, to insure no permanent damage. Just an increase of power, protection."
Again Gray tried to follow, but it seemed Soku and Rosemary's flow of mana was far more controlled. Julius didn't even look like he was struggling, and then there was Edward trying not to roar in pain or puke from the Spiritual sickness. He just wanted to survive, he wanted to get stronger any and every way that was possible, so if this was something he couldn't handle he'd do it until he could sleep inside of it.
Ryo: " You must let your mana flow onto yourself, like this water flowing around you and back onto itself. Freeze that flow, make it dense around you like iron skin. If you don't, leaving your aura weak or strong, it is unstable. Always bursting or slipping, breaking things around you instead of flickering, soaring, pivoting. You're sending out destructive punches instead of devastating blows. Breaking things, throwing people around, destroying the battlefield, it's nothing to a true strike."
The snow fell from the trees as it melted into the Spring. Under Ryo's calm words, the struggles and groans of everyone inside his manas grasp, his questions rung out. And all they could do was try not to vomit, cry out, rub their dry eyes out of their skulls.
Ryo: "What kind of mage can use all types of elements? Even Lighting?"
Rosemary: "...A - Spirit mage! Right - ow - ? - ow ow!"
Ryo: "The difference between Potions and Elixirs?"
Edward: "PoTiOnS ArE MaDe WiTh SpIrIt MaNa AnD SpIrIt HeRBs, buT ElIXErs UsE A DeNsE MiX oF SPiRiT HErBs!"
Ryo: "Good."
And finally his flow rushed away from them back into the air, giving the Spirits the rest they need. And in the process letting all of them gasp for air like they've never breathed before. Choking over the ground, crying into the snow, holding burning ODs and quivering bodies. Before Ryo continued along.
Ryo: "Now let's just focus on that control."
And for the next few hours, they went to work. Gray sat trying to pull Spirit mana into his body faster and faster, handle larger and larger amounts without losing himself. To make his mana denser, harder instead of an exploding decaying flame. Nearby Rosemary shot flicks of the Fourth Stage, surrounded her body in it's powerful grasp before holding it down with her own will, to master the roaring might that used to tear through her. Above Soku tried to float with wind alone, soaring before hitting the snow to jump and try again under Ryo's watch. And the sounds of metal clashed all around with Julius and Edwards movements, swinging through the forest to catch one another in their attack.
They were together, Ryo gave them snacks and drinks, but it was so quiet. All they felt was their pain, the chill in the air. Without any idea of how much time had passed except for the moving sun, they just worked and worked. Leaving them all drained, angry, so so tired. And left Gray spirling into effort, falling and falling, puking and crying before rushing out more mana. Trying again and again until his OD wouldn't let him anymore, and he finally rested against a tree. Not stuck inside his efforts or OD, just with himself and a body hardly able to move. Watching the others do far better, move faster, hit harder, as they always did.
Gray {Is even possible to get stronger? Ryo says I've connected to around thirty percent of my mana, is this was thirty percent should feel like? I can't control it, and these fights are just gonna get harder and harder every time I survive one. Soon enough I'll just be a sitting duck again that needs their help. What kinda Knight could do that? And they act like I'm some powerful Leviathan soldier just because I punch hard, even if I'll blow my arm up doin it. But Musashi, any of these Gods of War, even Gordon, they really are just Gods. And I'm just some random boy that got lucky. Maybe if I died in Athens, it would have been easier, and more fitting.}
His eyes rung low, and the only comfort he had was the Cloak oozing around him. He could have, no, he wanted to fall asleep right here. Take a real break from this world no matter how scary his dreams could be. But the sounds of reality were far more terrifying."
Gray: "WHAT WAS THAT!?"
A large quake was sent through the mountain, strong enough to send Ryo bursting across the woods and back into the village. Leaving Gray to pull himself up until Edward sprinted right past. Picking him up onto his back before moving right toward the village, while Rosemary, Soku, and Julius all leapt behind him. Flickering with footsteps, kicking off the ground, or pulling through the wind, they all moved past the gate and into the waves of endless soldiers trying to figure out just what was happening.
Gray {Are we really under attack!? When I'm broken!? Of course this happens of course!? What is wrong with me!? Does somebody have it out for us!? Why do the Sect hate us this much!?}
All he felt was fear. But he could feel Edwards rage, his need to fight by how hard he ran. How hard he was breathing. How he didn't speak. How he pushed through the crowd without fear, leaving Gray to get bumped into over and over. Until they reached the large front gate guarded by hundreds of Levithans. They couldn't get close, but Gray could sent the Cloak up with a short burst of mana and yank them overhead to the archers and mages.
Soku: "That rumbling! Is it an Upper Pillar!?"
Edward: "No, it feels kinda familiar actually."
Soku slid right behind them on the cottage roof, Julius appeared ahead of them out of nowhere, and Rosemary landed right beside them. Staring to the gate, to Ryo ahead of their entire army. And at the large wave of dirt that rushed past them all when the Powerful figure landed right in the village. The mages held their wands and staffs forward, archers their bows, others their swords claws or mana, but Ryo just blew away the dust with his hand. Slowly walking forward, before bowing down.
Ryo: "It's been far to long my friend."
Lincoln: "Oh yeah hey dude, took way to long to find this place, but daddy's home!"
He had Leo unconscious around his arm, and far behind him pushed a long wave of wagons and carriages. Filled with Warriors, Red Arrows, Knights, Leviathan soldiers, and even some of their strongest Levithans. Lead by Jong at the front of the line smiling and waving toward Ryo with a grand smile.
Gray {Mph, I guess there's really still is hope out there. I just hope it'll stay with us until the end of all this. So please, whoever or whatever is dictating all of this. Spirit God or Prometheus, Walgonia or Godrick, or if it's just me and my terrible luck, I'll beg. Please don't let this all be in vein.}
The smiles of hope that rung across Greenvale, across Rosemary's sorrow filled eyes. He'd do anything to insure that feeling, that warmth lived on and on. No matter what happened to him.