Arc 5: The Stars Against Anarchy
Walgonia was taking itself back, inch by inch.
When the battle of Symbol had started, the beginning of the Siege started alongside it. Lincoln had led that attack East of the Capital by himself. Gordon and his unit had left the Sects large roadblock destroyed North of the Capital. Having poured forth from Greenvale, a large mix of Knights, Leviathan Soldiers, Elites, Warriors, and Red Arrows closed in South of the Capital. Through a few villages, roads, Spirit Biomes. Not trying to target anywhere large, anything that would take too long. To insure they all survived, and left a trail of a free Walgonia intertwining around them. And with the end of Symbol, and Leo's group pushing toward the Capital, they had taken out the largest Sect controlled Town West of the Capital. To create the Spider-Web of battle, one that would be torn away for a united Walgonia.
And almost a day since those battles started, they'd all come to an end. With Gray's group already inside the Capital as planned, it was time for the rest of Walgonia to do their part. From Gordons unite dispersing through the woods North of the Capital, to both make camps, and begin moving inside, to Leo's party standing atop a hill facing the massive West side wall of the Capital. Even Lincoln was moving in, walking through the Capital with a coat over his armor, bandages over the destroyed side of his face, and drinking out of a glass bottle proudly on the sidewalk. His presence was enough to keep people weary of him, and yet it didn't draw any attention, since all of the anarchists that felt his power tried to stay far away.
"STOP RIGHT - Huh!?"
And when they did try to scream out, he simply vanished from sight with his insurmountable strength, and appeared a block over to keep walking on.
Lincoln: "Man this stuff sucks, I need to find a bar that isn't filled with anarchists!"
And sprinkling in from the South, dressed as any other person, came the soldiers. Athenian or Walgonian, Demi-human, human, Dark elf, or half Elf. Mages, Swordsmen, Archers, Brawlers, Spirit Knights, Mark Users, Elixir or Potion users, healers. On and on, bit by bit, they entered through the rushing gates. Presenting themselves as regular civilians moving in supplies, trying to find some Sect authority, to find safety under their hand. Lie, lie, lie, lie. And maybe some got caught, stabbed and burned down with magic. But sadly the same thing happened anyway, related to the army or not, inside the Capital or not. So they were able to stay as hidden as they could, and begin to search for every last drop of resistance.
In the thick, tall, almost industrial North District. The rich manor and shop filled the East. The large, open, calm South. And the desolate, decaying West. Rebellion existed in the shadows in them all. The soldiers, guards, Knights, anybody who managed to survive. Ex Knights, thieves, Bounty Hunters. Every corner of Walgonia housed hope against the chaos. And as quickly as they could, they moved inside of it all, to continue connecting the spider-web. The strings of fate needed to be perfectly aligned to insure the New Dawn.
Gray {Nights coming, ugh.}
Still in the room above the Rebellion Base, Gray, Rosemary, and Soku all ate some recovered scraps. Jerky bread, a few stale vegetables, some bitter tea, but Gray still found it way more rich and flavorful than its Earth counterpart. Spirit lettuce this, Spirit Cabbage that. At first he found it odd, but that "Spirit" just meant it was filled with so much more love. Almost twice as big in some cases, lasted far longer, and if you were good with spirits you could make it last even longer. Grow faster. Or even regenerate, both bits that had been eaten and any parts that had rotted. Something Ryo had told him over Gray's endless questions, and it gave him an idea.
Gray: "Now watch, as I make this tomato rise from the dead!"
The weight of the Capital, the weight of it all, it was pulling him deeper and deeper. No matter how confident he was. No matter how willing he was to put himself on the line, and die to take down a single anarchist if he had to, he couldn't help but feel sick to his stomach.
Soku: "If you get that nasty thing on me I'm gonna blast you with my Mark."
The fear he felt in Symbol had stuck with him. It hadn't even been a full day yet, and Pandora had left her Mark. Ripping out his sin, making him feel like it was all gonna end right there. The panic, the intense self-hatred he felt inside the Looking Glass. It was in his slight twitches, the daze in his mind, the haze of the world, the circles under his eyes. And now, inside the Heart of Anarchy, the Heart of the Siege, it was gonna rip him open from the inside out. And take every last piece he had.
Rosemary: "Maybe you should try it out on one of these peas -
Gray: "Mana go!"
He was smiling and boosting and posing and standing and rushing, without any control. Rosemary tried to speak with ease, Soku tried to speak just like normal, but after knowing him for so long, they both couldn't help but feel a bit sad seeing such a familiar look in his eye.
Soku: "And boom -
With a swift inhale of Spirit mana toward the thick, rotting tomato, it instantly gave way. As the mana quickly rushed inside, it already began erupting. But luckily Soku had already sent out a short pulse of wind to save herself and Rosemary from the raining rotten juice, and in turn sent it all rushing against Gray and his armor.
Gray: "You guys have no faith! You didn't even wanna share in the rain. I feel betrayed!"
Embarrassment. Failure. Of course he failed. Of course he couldn't do something so simple. Of course they expected him to fail. He was gonna mess up the Siege wasn't he? Trust the wrong person like Ceasar. Fail to save the three girls Julius had permanently silenced. Fail to save anybody that day. It was becoming such a long list of names, from Toll, to Iris, to Ophelia and Al. So he had to act, he had to be better. He'd try to smile and scream and fight and boast, and take everything in stride. With vigor. With Will. Like a real Hero would, no, like any real soldier should.
But he never wanted to be a soldier. A killer. Somebody who fought for governments, for war, against people who just want to live. He knew if Walgonia was like Ravoria, like Athens under Bearguards rein, then he might have joined them. And the fact he knew that, even if he'd scream and fly into a rage if he was faced with it, made him feel more sick than anything else. Should he be able to reason, to understand the people who've destroyed so much? What kind of person could ever do such a thing and still think they were anything close to good. He wasn't Arthur, he wasn't Ceasar, but some Warrior? A Knight maybe, a Spirit Knight definitely, but a Hero? A person who fought, saved, acted without anything else. Without any reason. No matter where they were. Not tied to a country, even a continent. But in the end, it was always a dead end of thoughts, because he'd just feel childish in the end. A boy trying to be a Super Hero, in a Medieval Fantasy.
Soku: "Go feel betrayed in the bathroom, you don't wanna be all sticky when we go out. And maybe you could take a shower or something. You've smelt like sweat since Symbol, that maze turned you into some dead fish."
Gray: "What!? Alright, I needed some water anyway, I don't really like tea and this stuff is sucking out all my energy! It is stronger than some super black coffee or somethin."
But inside all of that panic, Rosemary leaned forward with a voice that always calmed him. Holding his ungloved hands with a warmth that always distracted him. And left his mind blank for just a few moments, enough to feel a bit more at ease before he walked out.
Rosemary: "Please, make sure you're taking care of yourself."
It struck deep into his heart, his OD, his soul. However he wanted to put it into words. And even if he just burst into a bright smile, thumbs up, and vigorous attitude -
Gray: "No problem! I've always been a lazy guy so taking care of myself is the easy part!"
Before quickly rushing into the empty hall, and into the tight broken bathroom. Where he successfully drizzled mana into an old broken water crystal to wash himself, and stared longingly into the mirror. Inside that reflection laid a boy far, far too tired. And a shadow, holding him closely.
Azalea: "You can't give up too soon, you've still got a promise to live up to."
Gray: "EUGHEH!?"
He gasped like he was fighting for breath, before it had all faded just as it appeared. Sinking in that ever constant reminder, that he truly was cursed. And reminding him of the Lost Dream. The fractures of memories, of a fading conversation. Although he still had to wash his armor. Keep that great grin on his face. And step back into the hall, and right into the mission.
Gerald: "You! We're moving out soon! So pick a group!"
Gray: "I thought I would go with my party?"
Gerald: "There's four of yah! And you're strong right? You can move in groups of two if you need, but we need the split strength or we're gonna lose people! We need to move out and kill as many anarchists as we can dammit! Do you hear me!?"
Gerald took hold of Gray's shaking arms, getting his sweating, wrinkled, enraged and roaring face right in Gray's scared one.
Gerald: "We move out, near the borders! We can't draw attention to ourselves, but we still need to start taking hold right before the Siege right!? So go grab your friends and meet us downstairs! The second that the sun falls in a few minutes we move out! We don't have time to clean ourselves or be sad! So quit sulking and do something, or leave!"
Before Gray could fight back against his words Gerald pushed past, rushing toward the stairs to close in with the others. Leaving Gray hesitant for just a moment, before he rushed right back to their room. Leaving Rosemary and Soku in a panic, seeing Gray so worked up so suddenly, and yet they rushed right into action when he spoke.
Gray: "We need to split up in groups of two with the others, so who's with who!? And where's Edward!?"
Rosemary: "Edwards down stairs -
Soku: "And if we're going in groups I wanna be with Edward! Or Rosemary. I fought with Edward, kinda, and we're a good match if we need to think smart. And he's crazy strong! But so is Rosemary!"
Gray: "Wait why not me!? Am I so weak!?"
Soku: "No but compared to them you're scary, one second your doin great, the next you're exploding stuff and breaking your body to pieces!"
Rosemary: "I'll go with Gray, and to make sure you stay safe!"
Gray: "Wait so I'm being baby sit -
As he tried to make another joke, Rosemary and Soku had already moved past him, leaving him for just a second until Rosemary grabbed hold of his Cloak to start pulling him along. Rushing him down a short flight of stairs barely held together, and into a tight room already rushing with chatter. Where everyone stood -
Gerald: "Well I ain't goin with you!"
Grom: "Are you strong enough to rush into a Commanding Post!? You need more strength!"
Tim: "Physical strength isn't our only aid. My magic, your axe, Joyce's Demi-human abilities, or Luca's Mark. We've got something."
JJ: "I don't wanna go in without muscle though! Magic or fists!"
Edward, Tim, Gerald, Grom, Luca, Joyce, and even Sherly, JJ, and Boid all stood together over another map of the Capital. With circles around a space on the Northwest border, another spot further North, and the South West border. Desperately trying to decide their plan before they'd have to rush into action immediately.
Edward: "Then we regulate the squads. It's three groups, twelve of us, so four together."
Soku: "Yeah and we're going together, same with Rosemary and Gray. So that's half of the two teams!"
Grom: "Then I'm fine with you taking the lead, Helsing. I'm willing to be right in the front lines, so I just need support. Same with you, so what'll you do Gerald?"
Gerald: "I ain't workin with no damn Demi-humans. So Luca's with me. I guess that means I'll have to go with the beautiful Goldenwind and that nasty corrupted kid."
Groups, plans, battles all planning and rushing, and Gray couldn't breath at all. And now he had to team along with Gerald the awful and Luca the creepy. On the other hand turned toward Boid's group with a smile, and even if Sherly was ready, both Boid and JJ were instantly filled with panic. Leaving Tim, Joyce, Soku, and Edward to stand together. And it left them all awaiting the last second of rest.
Gerald: "Then we're heading to the Furthers North Command point.. Now come on!"
Gray: "Wait what!? We don't really have much of a plan -
Gerald: "Do you wanna take the West or not!? We gotta leave now to make up on time! If we attack only in the West then it'll be obvious what we're up to! Even if it's only for a few days, a week or two at max, any extra time could save us all! You know that much don't you!?"
Of course Gray knew time was the only thing that mattered. Time let him train. Time killed so many. Time pushed him through so much hardship. Everybody through the pain of life. And that it always went on and on, no matter anybody's control. So he'd just have to move with the rushing Gerald and Luca right alongside Rosemary, waving away at Edward and Soku, to ride the wave of time. Although, after a few more brief moments, the other two groups moved out along with them. Edward used the Sect robes, Soku took to the roof tops with Joyce, and Tim easily sulked through the endless shadows under the setting sun. Moving South. While pushing North, Gray and Rosemary both used the Sect robes. Desperately trying to keep up with Gerald, who just ran through the alleys full force, and Luca, who walked through the streets like any other civilian waiting for a carriage he could pay for. And slightly behind them stepped the loud and imposing Grom, accompanied by the young trio, like he was just taking them home. Even if he had to leave his war hammer behind to keep cover.
Gray: "I know there's gonna be some consequence for running head first right?"
Rosemary: "I agree, but when it comes to the Sect it's hard to plan. It's like a symbol. Yeah there were anarchists, but their powers, that maze, Pandora suddenly appeared. It's always a gamble, or some kinda mystery or puzzle. We just have to solve it fast enough to not, y'know just die."
Gray: "Yeah but we're always dragging ourselves half dead. Will we even have the strength to fight in the Siege!?"
Rosemary: "Either way we'll fight. But most people can't just fight and get away without a scratch. If you're evenly matched, or simply not a God of War, then battle is battle. The more you compare yourself to other people the farther away you'll get from seeing who you are, right?"
Gray: "....I think."
The broken maze-like buildings loomed above. Yet the streets were mostly empty, aside from those with nowhere to go, and the roaming bands of anarchists. The lights slowly turned on, flames in the lanterns rose, and more Sect groups gathered closer across the streets. Forcing Gerald to sink deeper into the alleys, before grabbing hold of two lone anarchists and smashing them against the brick building beside them. Leaving Gray and Rosemary in shock, while also trying to put on a stern and confident posture with their Sect attire on. Drawing more and more eyes by the second, since it was just two lone anarchists rushing without word.
The Sect had infected it all. Across the roofs, alleys, homes, streets, shops. Soku was forced to push a few off their posts with wind atop a few short buildings, Grom scared away smaller bands of anarchists with his massive and muscular stature, Edward tried to not get himself caught by accidentally waving at anarchists or tripping over his far to large cloak in the Sect gear. And the farther they got from the most broken sides of the West, the more anarchists there were. Their flags, messages, flames, corpses everywhere. Speaking and screaming constantly over the streets. It was a corruption of Walgonia's core. Of the Capital, and soon to be all of Walgonia, if they didn't act first. But to do that, they'd have to beat the Sect, mind, body, and soul. To burn their beliefs away from the memories of the world.
Gerald {Finally, these bastards won't get to sleep peacefully.}
However, they had to unite first. From Lincoln listening in through the dark streets, to Hellana inside the East of the Capital with another portion of the rebellion, or Leo and his unit moving to the West Capital entrance to hopefully sneak their way through. While Gordon and the rest of his forces were soon to move into the North, and even more of Walgonia's outer army to push South. Slowly building closer and closer, so close to being fully united. They just didn't have the communication, the faith, and if everything goes poorly, the time to save themselves. And it would take a while longer to move, they were gonna close in before the night ended.
Luca: "And then boom! The place went up in flames, and I already left! I told those guys it was a bad idea!"
For people like Luca, he was able to put his feet up and chat along in a carriage, or how Gerald was trying to kill as many anarchists as he could on his way, or Grom using his strength to pass by, it wasn't too hard. But Gray and Rosemary had to push on foot, past the Sect over and over, while any non-anarchists looked at them with intense hatred. Making it feel like some chase scene in a horror movie, or at least that's how Gray saw it. That at any moment it could go wrong, that Arthur or some other Lower Pillar, even another Upper Pillar could attack. It had happened multiple times before already, so one more attack would be more likely than not; nothing ever went to plan when it was against the Sect.
Maybe they all drew some eyes, maybe some anarchists were more suspicious than others, but the only thing that did happen was the sounds of roars in the sky. Crashing thunder, falling from the sky along with an intense blanket of rain. It washed against the dirt and debris covered road, through the many cracks and holes inside the buildings of the outer west. To leave the streets quickly rushing like small streams, under the harsh and rapid splashes of the rebellion. But soaked or not, deafened by thunder or not, they just used it as cover while sprinting along. From the alleys past the open streets, stopping to pretend to walk periodically, or even using the Cloak to move over some safe rooftops when they rarely came by. Until the first group got to their destination, almost two hours after they began moving through the streets. Two hours of fear, panic, hiding. And in Gerald's case, two hours to cleave down the Sect. They were always in small groups of two to six, where he could suddenly appear to swing his axe right through their skulls. Building up small cuts, bruises, pain, that would soon fuel his curse. And leaving his own web of freedom inside the West, one step at a time.
But every single anarchist that vanished. That Gerald cut open, bashed their skull in, beaten senseless while he screamed and screamed in rage filled agony. He didn't care why they were fighting, how old they were, how much they begged him to stop. They would leave spots, voids. Meetings, number counts, anything they had to do, it would undo any espionage. Their mission was already in the hands of fate, but even now. Every step they took, and especially every anarchist Gerald bashed down, took what little control they actually had left. And they all felt it. The ticking clock. The absolute fear, what could be the absolute truth, that the Sect really had taken over. Not because they were impossibly powerful, not because of some centuries of planning. It was because every last one of those anarchists were people. People that Gray and Rosemary felt terrible for the moment they saw Gerald's work. Against the walls, on the floor, hidden in corners, while Gerald just smiled and sniffed for more blood on his way toward the North.
Gray {Jesus Christ.}
He was sick, terribly sick. And any thought he threw up rushed away with the blood in the rain fall. But he had to walk past. He had to keep aiming forward. Maybe not because he wanted to, but because his friends were walking right into that same hell. And he wouldn't let anybody burn, unless he'd killed himself trying to stop it first. But he was only half way to hell's door, and Edwards' group had just stepped right in.
Edward: "I guess it does stand out."
Edward stood in an alley still in his anarchist robes, with Soku and Joyce behind him, and Tim staring right toward the Command post. With tall, rotting homes and shops surrounding it. Desolate streets avoided by everyone but the Sect. And what looked like a hundred or more anarchists all around it, the home of a Noble family recently burned by Arthur to clean up their tracks as traitors. Stone, a few stories tall, resembling something closer to a church than a home. And yet the multi colored glass pains once of a beautiful Spirit were now broken in to show the Sects crest. The walls were decorated in their torn flags and banners. There were even holes blown out across the building, for wooden walkways allowing the Sect to take more control of the building. Giving them a complete, tightly compact, overlooking home for the keeping.
Tim: "We'll wait a little closer to night so our attacks will be too hard to react to."
Soku: "But what's the run down or whatever? Do we know what to expect at all? Even if it's just an estimate on how many there are. Going in fully blind will get us killed, so don't hold any info, even if you don't think it's useful."
Joyce: "YAH! WE -
Before Joyce could burst out screaming, Tim instantly slipped behind her to hold her mouth shut, before looking toward both Edward and Soku with a bit of sorrow.
Tim: "I'm sorry but I don't really know much. Maybe a hundred or so anarchists. But the Commanding posts all over the Capital aren't controlled by Lower Pillars, they don't have enough for that. At most any Lower Pillar in the Capital is at the castle, or the strongest Commanding sight. It's those potential Pillars we've gotta worry about."
Edward: "And how important is this location compared to the others?"
Tim: "We chose three smaller locations, one's reasonable. So they're all about the same, but I'd say this is the most compact. Your friends are facing a more spread out spot, and Grom is in the middle. In terms of numbers hopefully it should all be the same."
Soku: "Hopefully?"
Tim: "Yeah I know, not the best of words in times like these, but it's all we'll ever really have when everything else is gone."
As the sun finally started to fade, Grom and his group faced a short street of thick buildings. Four homes in a small gated suburban looking section, filled with supplies and rushing with anarchists. Another hundred or so members all moved in and out, with maybe even two hundred or more in the general area. Leaving JJ and Boid terrified, while Sherly smirked, and Grom breathed slowly. In and out with his massive statue, before he started to stretch and groan in pain.
Grom: "Make sure to get ready. Gimme a minute or two, and we're going on a rampage!"
Boid: "I'm not too sure about that! Can we really take them all on at once!? Without something terrible killin us!?"
JJ: "Yeah I can't take on more than like a single anarchist or two at a time! You shoulda brought some other Knights or somethin! There's gotta be a Bounty Hunter or two back at the base!"
Sherly: "Well I'm more than ready to kill as many of these bastards as possible."
Grom: "Just support me, and everything else should go smoothly."
Maybe from another three skull bounty hunters, those words wouldn't be enough to shake the insurmountable panic. But from a man as experienced, scared, and confident as the massive and powerful Orc he was, even the squealing Boid was able to breathe a slight sigh of relief. Even if Boid was the second strongest they had in the group. Leaving the last group to soon reach their destination under some roaring thunder.
Gray: "So that's it huh?"
Gray stood at the edge of a seven story apartment, looking over a dark and still rushing Walgonia. People moving through the rain to get home, people rushing past the anarchists guarding the roads. Or the troops of soldiers moving inside from the rain. From Gray, to the Anarchists, to the civilians, to any soldier, the rain connected them all. They just moved under it all so differently.
Gerald: "It's filled with filth. A bunch. So get ready."
Rosemary, Gray, and Gerald all stood proudly, even if Gray and Rosemary were still hesitant. But they had to wait just a few more seconds for Luca to finally show up. Having used the fire escape to move behind them and overlook the same street. Similar to Grom's side, with the roads blocked by large stone and wooden barricades made by hand and magic. Sealing four small shops for industrial work, and a single four story home. What used to belong to a flame mage guild, now a breeding ground for training anarchists right beside other jobs for them to do. Working, planning, moving all around from the sun rose until it set. So they would be tired, distracted, and completely unaware their lives were soon to crumble. Maybe not under Gray's hands, but definitely Gerald's.
Luca: "Sorry I'm late, my carriage ran into some bad traffic because of the rain, but I feel pretty refreshed! Now before we start I'll show you why I'm so great."
In a flash, Luca's body was engulfed in a mix of golden mana similar to Rosemary's stages, along with hints of white and blue, with both his hands out.
Gray: "What is that? Are you a Golden Knight or somethin!?"
Luca: "Nah dude, it's my Mark. The Mark of the Brave. As long as we're all feeling confident, our connection will give us a boost. You just need to shake my hand."
Gerald: "I'm good."
Gray: "Uhh if it depends on how brave you are I don't think I should do it. Not that I'm a scared baby or anything! It's just that I tend to jump up and down."
Luca: "So that just leaves you, beautiful."
While Gray instantly surged with panic, rage, and disgust, Rosemary suddenly went silent. It was enough to shake Luca out of his daze and pull himself back, as she'd even begun to shutter. With flashes of Calgary through her mind, before it was all replaced by the feeling of Gray's hand holding hers.
Gray: "Are you okay?"
Rosemary: "Yes, but you're right. Back in Greenvale, when you asked me about what I said in the Red Arrows base. That we do need to talk."
Gray: "Defently, and make sure to take care of yourself. Remember? It works both ways."
Rosemary couldn't help but smile, pushing Luca to awkwardly move toward the roof's pointed edge with Gerald. Who was just wildly sniffing the air under the rain, before taking out his long double headed axe. With a long black handle, and a large silver blade, along with a dull red corrupted seal spreading through the blade like a virus.
Gerald: "QUIT TALKING! AND ACT DAMMIT!"
Luca and Rosemary still pressed hands instead of shaking them, pushing his colorful aura around her body, before Luca stood right by the heavy Gerald.
Gerald: "Dammit, whatever gimme the boost."
Luca, while hesitant to touch such a grimy man, still shook his dirty, bloody, sweaty hand and shared their connection. The last thing Gerald needed before he stood proudly, and prepared to launch to the next building. To get inside the closed off street. From North West, to the North West Border, to the South West Border. Gray, Rosemary, Soku, Edward, Tim, Grom, Gerald, Luca, Joyce, Sherly, Boid, JJ. So many names, and yet it was just three small groups of four. Against a Church-like tower, a tight street for anarchists to live and plan, and another tight street training and crafting tools for the Sect. From the alleys to the roof tops. It was all the same.
Gerald & Tim & Grom: "GO NOOOOW!"
Gray, Edward, Rosemary, and Soku all flashed with fear. Even Boid, JJ, and Joyce couldn't help but fear a harsh burden suddenly flung against them. But they had to watch as Tim rushed into the shadows to get around the building, Grom burst right through a thick earth and wooden wall to get inside the street, and Gerald leapt toward a building a floor down. Leaving everyone behind in their mission, until they ran in alongside them.
Gray {Here we go again!}
He pulled in Spirit mana while drizzling out his own mana tightly across his body, pulling his mask forward to seal his confidence under his drenched hood.
Rosemary {Please, just one night without our terrible luck.}
Her stakges clicked one, two, three in an instant, before it mixed along with the Mark of Bravery to simulate a fourth stage, almost fifth stage of power safety across her.
Edward {DON'T THINK! MOVE MOVE MOVE!}
With Joyce and Soku moving up the buildings to his shoulders, all he could do was rush head first into the action.
Soku {These guys suck! The Red Arrows always had a good plan, even if it backfired! These guys better not get me killed!}
Soku just leapt straight up the building, sliding along the broken brick like she was surfing straight up a wave. Leaving them all out, ready, and falling into chaos. Under the crying skies. That rain was so spirituality thick that Gray's spirit sense was thrown off, but he could still properly glide down through the air. Seeing Gerald running atop a slanted roof, right into some Sect archers with his axe swinging widely. Through the first, then second head, before he spun to slash through a ball of fire.
"IGNUM!"
The weak, fearful flame was instantly sent back, before Gerald pushed to cleave through his stomach, and the large Demi-human archer's chest. Clearing the rooftop, and giving him the chance to roar into the night.
Gray {SO MUCH FOR COVER! WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS GUY!?}
Technically they weren't discovered yet, but only time could tell. Because looking through the boarded windows were entire groups of anarchists, waking the others, grabbing their things. Before Rosemary slid across the side of a building with her hand, tearing through the mix of old stone and rotting wood, and smashed against the street. Throwing her arms forward to push the surrounding anarchists back with her heightened wind pressure, and leapt forward to smash in a towering anarchists face against the street.
Gerald: "WHAT ARE YOU WAITIN FOR!? FIGHT DAMMIT! BRAT, GO NOW!!!"
Rosemary was already getting surrounded, but with just one confident look from her, he changed course and soared right toward the Guild's home.
"STOP HIM!"
Pouring out into the street from the two wide front doors was Demi-human, mage, warrior, over and over. All ready to swarm them, so he had to pull in their attention. Aiming his legs forward to burst through a circular boarded window on the second floor. Using his momentum and his thicker aura to crash inside, stomp the wooden floor, and immediately flung forward. Screaming in fear, and yet his mask covered his exploding face. Only letting the anarchists feel his Spiritual aura, his corrupted mana, and the darkness of his Cloak launching forward. Instantly snagging two faces, while he pushed backward off the floor to dodge another two, before pulling the first two right into the second. Leaving the four down in an instant, while the other anarchists began pouring out of the rooms. Instantly forcing Gray to scream and sprint through them in fear, pushing them away like some football player before reaching the end of the short hall.
Gray: "SHIT!"
And found himself in front of a stairwell connected to the other sides of the buildings, where so many anarchists were already there and rushing outside. Before a majority of them instantly realized just who Gray was, and turned tail to run at him head first. Daggers, blades, maces, claws, wands all jotting forward -
"No fire magic! Don't burn the damn building down!"
And, even with so many people Gray couldn't help but freeze in his tracks, those words gave him a very simple idea. To do exactly what the anarchists just screamed out to the others, and jumped with all he could to grab hold of the upper third floor railing, and kicked off yet again to hop the railing of the fourth. And still anarchists were swarming over top of another, leaping and lunging, screaming and crying out. Slash after slash, kicks, punches, large sets of jaws ripping out of their masks, and all Gray could do was move backward. Right into a tight bed room, where he had to stand his ground in front of a window. Wrist Talons ready, Spirit mana pouring into his body, and that tight cloak aura of mana broke into a dazzling flameand rushing blaze.
Gray: "BACK OFF!"
Swarming through the tight doorway were about five anarchists, who were all met with a thick tendril of the Cloak slamming against them. Pushing them back down the stairwell along with some more Sect members, before Gray faced the others still trying to get into the room. By ducking under a dagger and slicing through a leg, before dodging a hefty stomp by hopping like a rabbit, and kicking the Demi-human right in his thick chest. It moved him back with the force, however the anarchist was flung backward far more violently. And it gave Gray the chance to scream out -
Gray: "CENIC!"
Rosemary could see the Black smoke burst out against the fourth floor window, temporarily distracting her from the dense waves of anarchists surrounding the streets.
"DIGELOW!"
The earth around her quickly burst into a deep sand, sinking her stage covered body down into the street. Letting a few larger Demi-humans charge, others to fly, mages to draw their wands, and Rosemary breathe. All so she could leap out of the sand with a burst of wind pressure, and land a strong right hook against a towering Demi-human. With Lucas buff, she was almost effortlessly breaking them down. Sending out barrages of punches to the surrounding fighters, lunged into heavy kicks against tougher foes, and rolled back to fire rapid flicks of wind to the winged anarchists soaring overhead right in their stomach.
Gerald: "BEHIND YAH!"
Without a thought Rosemary turned backward with the anarchists strike, letting his massive fist smash against the cobblestreet, and leaving him open from a harsh and loud uppercut. Sending out a small burst of pressure, and sending even more fear into the unprepared Sect. But they still had a chance; since it wasn't a major attack, the group still thought they had a chance on their own. If they did they'd surely get rewarded, but if they didn't and lost this hold, there was no telling what Arthur would do to them.
Gerald: "NOW COMMON! I'M RIGHT HERE! I'M WAITIN!!!"
Gray was still dodging, kicking anarchists back, desperately surviving under his smoke. Rosemary was holding the line with her might. Even Luca finally showed his face and drew his long clean blade, slicing past the backs of members already defeated by Rosemary and Gerald. But Gerald? He was ripping open stomachs, kicking through knees, jumping to grab hold of the flying anarchists to drag them down to earth and beat them until their souls fell even deeper. It wasn't like Edward, a Warrior. The way Gerald moved wasn't to dodge, hell he didn't if he knew he could take the punch or stab, just so he could get closer. Dig his axe into their flesh, their skulls, until their ODs were no more. Until they couldn't scream in pain, cast a spell. Bathing in his victory, in their pain, like it was some form of therapy.
Gerald: "YOU'RE ALL SO PITIFUL! DAMN ANTS TRYIN TO STAND TALL! YOU'RE PETHETIC! DISGUSTING!"
Over and over again, and even if he was met with small cuts. Hit in the side, kicked across the face, clashed against a massive mace, and he just kept going. Under the rain, under the thunder, his blood soaked axe swung. The world was falling down onto itself into battle, as it always had. From Gerald, Rosemary, and Luca shaking the streets. To Gray barely landing kicks, snagging anarchists with his Cloak, or simply bashing them back through a wall. Then came Edwards' team, taking hold of the street as quickly as they could, as their rampage toward the manor began. As Grom charged head first into a two story home to soon collapse it onto itself, and every Sect member inside.
Sherly: "We gotta move quick! There's no telling when somebody like Arthur could show up!"
Boid: "I KNOW! THAT'S WHY I'M TERRIFIED!"
Edward ran head first with rage, Soku with a hint of fear and confidence, Rosemary with intense will, Gray with his anxiety mixed motions, under the Sects hold. To Hellana, walking into a thick hub of Rebel Knights inside the East. Where she saw Lincoln standing proudly, drinking, and trying his best to get them together while partying at the same time. Leo's team were ready to move directly into the Capital through the Wests' decaying walls. Gordon moved between the waves of anarchists permanently guarding the North Gate without even a hint of his presence. And so many soldiers of all kinds continued fighting to get inside from every direction, to meet the rebellion fighting everywhere. Maybe the West had planned these attacks with Gray and his friends, but across the east small scuffles were breaking out across the streets. Across the North, the South. At all times, always fighting against the chaos. And even if they were snuffed out, forced to run. Every act meant the world. Because it was one less thing that could stop them.
Gerald: "LOOK AT WHAT YOUR CULT BRINGS YOU! DO YOU FEEL THE AGONY YOU'VE CAUSED SO MANY!? FEEL THE PAIN! FEEL IT! IT BURNS RIGHT!? IT BURNS YOUR SICK YOUR SCARED YOU WANT IT TO STOP YOU'RE PLEADING YOU'RE BEGGIN! BEG! BEG! BEG LIKE YOU'VE MADE THOUSANDS BEG! PISS YOUR PANTS IN FEAR SCREAM FOR YOUR MOTHER CRY FOR YOUR FATHER! SCREAM SCREAM SCREAM AND SCREAM AGAIN, UNTIL YOUR PURGED!"
The Sect. No matter their age, their size, their affinity. All Gerald saw was their masks, their cloaks, their crest. Their blood. And left them all as martyrs, pieces of what once was. It was enough to distract Luca, but Rosemary's strikes continued raining out. Far too used to the blood shed by now, especially after suffering through so many GoldenKnight campaigns. After the hell that was Athens. The hell that's been the last few months across all of Saga. But they ran head first, always. Edward swung his blade to crash right into the manor while Soku burst through a window two floors up, covered by Joyce cutting down anarchists and Tim sending a quick burst of flames against the manor with her wand. To break the manor like their own pillars of strength. From bulldozed out of the house while Boid tried his best to swing his fist down against another Demi-human, covered by JJ whipping the eye of a mage and Sherly stabbing the throats of two more Demi-humans around them. A unit of constant destruction. And Gray's squad continued fighting back as hard as they could. Into the night, into the storm.
Until Gray was finally kicked by a Demi-human too fast to react to, and was sent flying through a wooden wall. Leaving him winded, and surrounded by nothing but darkness. With only the flash of lighting to show all of the anarchists around him from the surrounding windows.
Gray: "EEEK!"
Panicked, he immediately stomped the floor with all his might. Collapsing the wood to drop him a floor lower, down back into a hall he could sprint through. Right back into the act -
"I think that's quite enough."
But the battle had just begun; the first Potential Pillar had thrown their soul. Not their face, not their breath. But their voice, their ripple. And it instantly dug its way into Gray's mind without warning, and turned what used to be a shaking guildbase, into a land of dreams. But his body still moved, his eyes a dead white, and his mouth carving into a deep smile. Not the Looking Glass, not Pandora, not the shape shifting Suzan Gol. But yet another foe Gray had no idea of. With a power that broke all of the training, planning, screaming. To reset that boy to the start of his Road again, and again, until he was finally ready to run through it all. First he'd need to live. But for Gray? He'd have to save all of Walgonia before he could ever start calling himself a Hero.
[Gray] : "Now, let's begin."