441. The Start
A crowd of adventurers stood around the base of the hill in silence. They wore black, their heads hung low, and their mood dour. Edithe Dawnrise was one of the adventurers standing amongst the crowd. She remained silent, listening as a familiar man gave a speech.
Today, we are gathered here not to celebrate our victory, but to mourn those we have lost. To rember those who died fighting for a greater cause.
Hadrian spoke in a low voice. The leader of the Valiant Drears Company wore the saddest expression of them all, yet he still remained strong. Edithe cast her gaze over the gathering. She recognized every single face that was present here. After all, they were all part of the sa adventuring company. So cried. Others gritted their teeth, holding back their tears. Others scread in anger at the unfairness of it all. And it was all for those who werent here.
Those who had fallen during the siege of Alyras. Their absence pained Edithe. But more than anything, what hurt the redhead the most was the overbearing numbness she felt.
At one point in ti, the Valiant Drears Company was a massive company that spanned throughout the Human lands. It was the premier adventuring group in the Sunre Republic. Back then, adventurers regularly ca from the Helbir Plains and the Alterian League to join them. So even traveled to the Sunre Republic from as far as the Eastern Kingdoms to be a part of the Valiant Drears Company.
Then the company war happened. There were so many deaths. So many lives lost. All because of the Iron Champions or, rather, because of the Demons that had taken over them. Sabotage and espionage. Large sprawling battlefields where thousands died.
But even when the company war ended, the pain inflicted to the Valiant Drears didnt stop. First with Belzu and the death of Baris. Then with the split when the True Valiants broke away from the Valiant Drears to form their company. Finally, now with the siege of Alyras too.
And with each life loss, Edithe couldnt help but feel more numb to the pain. To the aching that had once hurt her to the bone. It was frustrating to her. She wanted to be more upset over it, but she couldnt. As much as she tried to cry, she didnt have any tears left to shed. Her eyes were dry, and all she felt was an imnse sense of guilt in her heart.
...and may their souls forever rest, dreaming of peace.
Hadrian finished as Edithe closed her eyes. There was a mont of silence. Then slowly, gradually, the crowd began to dissipate. They had paid their respects to the lives lost, and now they would return back to camp. After all, it was a ti of war. A ti to battle. Not a ti to grieve.
There werent dark overcast skies. Nor was there a pattering of rain and thunder falling from the crying heavens. No it was day. The sun was high in the blue canvas overhead. In the distance, armies moved. Thousands of soldiers packed up camp and marched away from the city of Alyras.
Delegations from around the world were returning to their ho countries to amass their forces needed to crush the Inoria Empire and the Demons controlling the country. To stop the invasion of the Mortal Realm.
The Valiant Drears werent going to sally forth. Not just yet. They were going to be moving with the greater adventurer alliance between Three Honorable Companies. So they returned to their encampnt. Most of them, at least.
Hadrian stayed standing over the graves of the fallen. Edithe watched him. He refused to leave. He didnt budge, even when she ca up to him.
Lets go, Hadrian.
The leader of the Valiant Drears Company didnt move. He didnt raise his head. She looked at him, waiting, and he finally turned his head and spoke.
I need to get stronger, Edithe. To protect them. For their sake.
He faced the rest of his company as they stread over the plains back to the encampnt. His voice was soft yet determined.
Edithe saw the pain in his eyes. Saw the way his lips trembled. She bit her own lips before reaching out. She grabbed his hand and t his gaze.
We will get stronger, Hadrian. Together.
The man looked back at her. And she took a step back, gesturing towards the rest of the company with a nod of her head.
All of us.
Hadrians eyes grew wide. Then they fluttered shut as he lowered his head. She ran a hand over the side of his cheeks, leaning forward. Their foreheads touched, and they embraced each other. For a mont, neither said anything.
Then at the sa ti, they leaned forward. The edge of their lips touched. They held onto each other their love supporting one another so neither would fall or crumble under the pressure that had been placed on their shoulders. They drew back as their gazes held.
Hadrian
Edithe
They stared at each other. Their rock. Their shield. Their sword. And then Edithe caught a flicker of silver from the side.
Um, hi?
Salvos stared at both Hadrian and Edithe as they stood intimately next to each other. The pair flushed and took a step back as the silver-haired girl blinked. She carried with her three pink creatures. The baby Wyverns shed been looking after. And for a mont, none of them reacted.
Then it was like they had just registered what they saw. The baby Wyverns faces contorted in disgust as Salvos stepped back.
Ew! Dont look!
She quickly covered the baby Wyverns faces as she turned away.
Gross! Why are you guys doing that?
Salvos
Edithe just sighed as she broke away from Hadrian. She shook her head and faced the silver-haired girl.
How long have you been standing there, Salvos?
For like, the last five minutes!
Salvos exclaid as she hid the baby Wyverns from the redhead.
I thought you guys were busy so I didnt say anything! I didnt think youd do that!
Theres nothing wrong with that, Salvos. Its just a sign of affection.
The redhead rolled her eyes. Salvos crossed her arms.
A weird sign of affection! Youre both weird!
Edithe massaged her temples as Hadrian just chuckled. He waved at Salvos with a soft smile.
Good to see youre doing fine as well, Salvos.
I was doing great.
The silver-haired girl scoffed.
Until I saw that.
Sa.
An ethereal voice said in agreent. Edithe blinked and looked up as a ball of green flas descended from the sky. A [Will O Wisp]. Willy. Edithe rembered him. It was thanks to him, they managed to bring down that [Jinn] during the siege of Alyras.
Greetings, esteed Spirit.
Edithe bowed her head slightly. Hadrian blinked and awkwardly followed suit.
I am glad to see you are doing well.
She smiled up at Willy, but he awkwardly shifted back.
Y-yes
He replied hesitantly. For so reason, he looked quite uncomfortable. Perhaps it was because of that brief argunt they got into during the battle. Edithe just rembered tensions being high because of the adrenaline rush of being in multiple life-and-death scenarios in rapid succession. Still, she didnt get why he looked nervous.
Was he upset at her for what she said back then? She didnt rember saying anything offensive, but she sotis had to watch what she said when she was mad.
Anyway
Salvos interjected before Edithe could prod Willy about it.
So, Edithe, you havent properly t them, right? Say hi to Novis, Bellum, and Oriur!
The silver-haired girl grinned as she held up the baby Wyverns. The three pink creatures made a face of disgust as they faced the redhead. But Salvos used Novis hand to wave at Edithe.
Uh, hey
Edithe waved back awkwardly. She wasnt really sure how she was supposed to treat the baby Wyverns. In the first place could they even understand her? She highly doubted it. After all, all they did was growl and whimper.
Was this why you ca to find , Salvos?
The redhead raised a brow at her friend. Salvos nodded.
Yep! Theyve been so excited to finally et you properly this ti! They feel bad for lashing out at you last ti. Right, guys?
The silver-haired girl looked down at Novis, Bellun, and Oriur. They squeaked a weak response. Even though Edithe didnt speak Wyvern, she was pretty sure they werent too enthused to et her. In fact, if the redhead had to guess, it was Salvos decision to bring them here.
Are you sure its fine for these Wyverns to be around Humans?
Edithe asked as she leaned forward, taking a closer look at the three pink creatures. They drew back nervously, and she wondered if maybe it was ti to bring them to a [Beast Tar] of sorts.
But Salvos didnt even consider that. The silver-haired girl just grinned.
Of course! I an, why would it be a problem if they spend so ti around Humans?
Well, because theyre, uh monsters?
Edithe scratched the back of her head. Salvos took a step back, affronted.
Dont you dare call them that!
She cradled the three baby Wyverns protectively.
Theyre babies, not monsters!
Edithe just sighed.
Still, theyre Wyverns. Theyre not really native to the Human lands.
Edithe is right, Salvos.
Hadrian spoke up in agreent with the redhead.
Even [Beastmasters] would often have trouble controlling their pets when they reach a high-enough-level. And these are Wyverns. They are apex monsters. As long as they continue to grow in size, theyre likely to grow in level. When that happens, you dont want anything bad happening to them, dont you, Salvos?
The silver-haired girl backed up as she clung onto the baby Wyverns. Novis, Bellum, and Oriur were confused, just hanging in her arms like dolls. Salvos opened her mouth.
I
She hesitated. Salvos clearly knew Edithe and Hadrian were right. But the silver-haired girl didnt want to accept it. And that was fair. This was probably the first ti shed felt this sense of attachnt to anyone or anything. Not companionship, but more of a caring role over the baby Wyverns.
Edithe shook her head.
Its sothing to just think about for now. We can deal with it later
The redhead started, and Salvos suddenly snapped her head to the side. She looked towards the southeast with narrowed eyes. Edithe blinked.
Salvos? Salvos? Did sothing
And then the redhead sensed it too. She stumbled back as she felt the pulse of energy. The rupture in space. It was a familiar feeling to Edithe. She recognized it because she was a [Summoner]. Shed seen such portals through the planes plenty of tis before. But this feeling it was more overwhelming than anything shed sensed before.
Even compared to the ti Belzu summoned that [Hellabomination]... and this was from sothing so far away. So distant.
A commotion broke out in the nearby encampnt as a few high-leveled [Mages] and [Summoners] ca rushing out. Alder the Augur Elder stepped out of his tent with wide eyes as he looked in the sa direction Salvos was facing.
Hadrian glanced between Edithe and Salvos in confusion. He didnt understand what was going on.
Hey, whats happening? Are you both ok?
He asked worriedly. Neither Salvos nor Edithe answered. Instead, it was Willy who spoke simply.
The ritual has finally begun.
The Grand Spirits voice echoed in Edithes ears. And, soon, those very sa words would ripple throughout Alyras and the Human lands.
After all, ti was running out. The Demons were finally beginning their invasion in full force. The ritual was starting, and Humankind would have to a halt to it before it finished.
Edithe just hoped that theyd stop it in ti.
Reviews
All reviews (0)