Oscar was unconscious for long, he was abruptly woke up to a slapping sound. Then, the sensation of his cheeks being hit. It started to sting, that is why he woke up. In front of him, was the familiar face of Learco van Mahaut, an anxious look plagued his face. There was the thick smell of smoke that wafted in the air, and a hole in the ceiling allowed the midnight moonlight to shine through the building.
"Wha…?" the disoriented Oscar mumbled, softly. A second later, before Learco could even speak, all of the information entered his brain. His senses sharpened.
The royal capital has been attacked… no, it's actively under attack.
Oscar stood up.
"Thank you," he said to Learco.
"The king has been attacked! The most skilled army section in the kingdom, the Iron Vanguard, specifically created to protect the king during the most dire events, has revolted against the king, and they're wreaking havoc! You need to get out-"
"Where's Leah? Kai? General Yesynore?" Oscar cut him off. Learco stared at him, before sighing.
"I-I'm not sure. But, it's not safe anywhere. I suggest you take cover! Damn it… why couldn't my sister have been here?! She would've handled this!" Learco grumbled, before hearing another loud explosion and rushing for cover.
Oscar walked through the rubble of the building. On the ground, bodies piled up, some crushed by falling debris, some dismembered. The site was a bloody mess, and it reminded Oscar a little bit of the scene he had saw in that rural town. Entrails coiled around stones, a disgusting smell from warm intestines and other bodily fluids mixed with the smoke in the air.
The king isn't here…
Those four, they're definitely fighting the Iron Vanguard!
On a nearby wall, there was an array of swords left for display, but Oscar decided that they were fit.
. .
.
The captain of the Iron Vanguard sat underneath a tree, overseeing the destruction that was caused at his command. A peculiar man. His hair long and black, falling just below his chin. Deep, inhuman purple eyes, that stared aimlessly into the sky. The color of his skin was more of a pale grey than anything, which was definitely not human like at all.
The armor he wore was light but complex, dark black with purple compliments. The spear he held rested between his legs. That man, was Kibim Sisk.
"Agh, it's such a beautiful night. I am so thirsty…"
"Captain of the Iron Vanguard, Kibim Sisk. Surrender now, and there is still a chance for you to walk out of this situation alive."
A voice suddenly spoke. Without realizing, a blade pointed at Kibim's neck. Despite the cold metal at his neck, Kibim did not waver.
General Yesynore held the sword firmly.
"Aithlin Yesynore… just my luck. A highly awarded general had to have been here."
[Cast: Blood Web]
Thick, viscous webs shot out from the ground, wrapping against the blade, stopping it from digging any further.
Just as this happened, Leah and Kai struck from the sides.
"Now!"
"Haah!"
Kibim's eyes were low. But he was quick. With sharp nails, he stuck his arms out on both sides quickly, piercing through the chests of Leah and Kai.
Aithlin Yesynore's eyes widened.
The second motion followed by quickly, with Kibim Sisk ripping the hearts out of their body, and kicking them to the side. His movements were quick.
The discarded bodies of Leah and Kai were thrown to the side, rolling a few times. Aithlin wanted to run towards them, and bring them to safety. But he knew that he would be in an equal amount of danger, if he did so. So he swallowed the guilt down, and the sadness.
"You…"
Kibim Sisk chewed on their hearts, in a scene of pure filth and barbaric nature. The bloody flesh slid down his throat, entering his stomach. No, as soon as the blood touched his tongue, his eyes grew limpid. He smiled.
"That's what I needed. Youthful hearts! God, I feel so rejuvenated. Praise Ogthos, right?"
Kibim cleared the distance between the two of them. He got so close, Aithlin could see the blood caked around his lips and cheeks.
Kibim swiped at Aithlin, his sharp nails clashing with Aithlin's sword.
On his offhand, he thrust his sword toward Aithlin.
[Cast: Energy Drill]
Red and black mana charged the spear, and it spun rapidly. Aithlin avoided this, leaping to the side.
[Cast: Intense Gust]
Aithlin swung his sword. It didn't land. But the intense winds shot forward, cracking Kibim's armor and sending him back a few meters. His feet slid across the dirt.
Aithlin did not stop in his motion.
[Cast: Gale step]
He moved quickly, his feet guided by the southern winds.
[Cast: Downward Pressure]
Winds blew, and Kibim felt it harder to move.
Clang!
They clashed, yet again. Sparks flew as their weapons clanked, in that movement, their swordsmanship and spearsmanship was relative.
Clank!
Aithlin grew fierce. Naturally, he was angry. His two cadets were on the brink of death.
[Cast: Blood Slash]
A change in momentum threw Aithlin off guard.
Kibim spun around, the tip of his blade oozing a red energy with the same texture as blood. His spear slashed threw Aithlin's skin, a diagonal cut from the right shoulder to the left hip.
"Keuk..-"
Kibim followed up with a kick to the chest. Aithlin slid back. At this moment, he was left open unguarded.
Damn it! Aithlin thought.
[Cast: Blood Web]
Webs shot out, restricting his movement.
Kibim's spear pierced through his chest.
At that moment, Oscar had arrived.
Kibim plunged the spear deeper into Aithlin Yesynore's heart. Then, he pulled it out, blood spluttering and splashing.
General Yesynore's body fell to the ground, with a heavy thud. He was kicked to the side, right next to Leah and Kai. Oscar saw it all.
Am I still awake?
Is this a dream? Oscar thought.
It must be.
"Who's this kid? Hey, I suggest you scram, before you end up like these three."
[Cast: ???]