Despite being the only place where alcohol was legally served in Magna, the Midcity Bar was often visited by people who claimed to specialise in the making of meals or drinks, even though they had no way to prove their words.
Once a year, a different paladian from Saphrith desperately tried to fool the person behind the counter into serving them meals for free. Until Ella started working as the bar's everywoman (as in, she cooks and prepares drinks, and keeps tabs on the inns), the crew there used to be made up of morians only, and they weren't known for being as sturdy as rocks. You could tell them one thing, and they'd probably believe it, especially when talking to the younger ones.
"It was one of my first days at work here," Ella spoke, putting a cigar in her mouth, and Chyuuichi eagerly listened, holding a wooden cup of cocoa in his hand. "The guy who pays for this place didn't tell me much, telling me I'd be laid off if I gave in. Didn't know what that meant, until I saw that shit-eating grin on the paladian's face."
Atomu turned.
"He claimed to have come here to judge if the bar could be deemed essential to the people of Magna, based on what I could make." She looked at her nails. "So I asked him to prove that, and he said he didn't have to. Something stank there." Ella put her hands on the counter and inched closer.
"Did he not take a bath?" Chyuuichi asked, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. Elton looked at the two as well.
"Ekhem," she cleared her throat. "As a haran, we're quite respected for our food and drinks, even if one would tell us they don't look like the typical food eaten elsewhere. Mix one thing with the other, and it explodes in your stomach!"
"Did he explode?!" Chyuuichi belted out, and soon, everyone looked at him. He sat down, rubbing his chin. "...did he explode?"
Ella chuckled. "I mixed up a few seeds with alcohol, and well... he didn't leave the bathroom for the next two hours. You'd think that'd be enough reason to fire me on the spot, but no. He and all the others never came back," she clapped her hands. "I guess these morians needed someone like me to shake things up," she put two glasses together and jiggled them rhythmically.
The liquids shifted into an orange hue as she poured such into a bigger jug, placing it on the counter, pushing it towards the man standing next to Chyuuichi. He grabbed his drink and threw some Silver coins into Ella's hand. "My pleasure."
"I'm starting to think that Chyuuichi doesn't like paladians," Elton whispered, bumping Atomu's shoulder.
"Oh my, what? I just think he doesn't understand metaphors, that's why I avoid them as well." He explained. "I don't like sticking too much wisdom or confusion into my words. Considering..." he took a sip of the freshly made tea. "...that I barely talk to people who'd understand."
"I am one for comparisons," Elton smiled. "But I make sure everyone gets them."
"I'm not that knowledgeable, and old." Atomu laughed, looking into his drink.
"Thirty is young enough, right, Ella?" Elton asked.
"In my prime!" she blurted out.
Jyuzou walked by.
"Ooh, Jyuso! Where are you going?" Chyuuichi turned around.
"Um." Jyuzou scratched his head. "Outside," he nodded, putting his hand on his backpack's shoulder straps. "I need a b-breather."
"Oh, I get it!" Chyuuichi pointed. "It's the damn alcohol looming in the air! Are ya drunk?!"
Jyuzou looked down. "I'm not drunk, Chyuuichi."
"How old are ya again?" Chyuuichi raised an eyebrow.
Jyuzou sighed. "I'll be back, soon enough," he glanced at Morio, and their eyes met before he took to the stairs.
Atomu's eyes traced Jyuzou's steps before he breathed out, taking another sip.
"Mentioning influence-" Ella butted in. "What was it that you said you saw in the forest, Atomu?"
"Uh." The paladian turned, surprised. "You mean... that thing with Morio?"
"What was the word again?" Chyuuichi blurted, putting his head on the counter. "Fae... fair..."
"A fairy." He finished, blinking.
"A fairy?" Elton continued. "You don't see or hear much about these creatures here."
"I heard it was more of a Mirillis thing." Ella folded her arms.
"No stupid fae-faes come from my caves...!" Chyuuichi raised a drunken finger, as Atomu closed his eyes with a sigh.
Light, as well as darkness, couldn't exist without one another. When the sun came out, the moon basked in its full glory somewhere in the world. Witches, told by myths, tales and stories, were playful creatures, bringing fortune and passing on important information. They were believed to come from the forests of distant islands that normal humans (or, dullum) can't access.
...and with that came its evil side. Fairies fooled people into believing that they were, in fact, those heavenly creatures. They fed off the people's belief in the supernatural and stole their belongings if they managed to harm them.
"I just can't wrap my head around it." She wagged her finger.
Atomu gulped. "Everything in that forest was anything short of strange. I was surprised to learn that the tributals didn't find anything of interest, especially with everyone's accounts."
"Maybe that's why old Eryk keeps it all to himself." Ella raised her brows.
"Let's find the fae-fae and tell her what we think...!" Chyuuichi continued, pointing. "...and him as well!"
"That's Lamon, Chyuuichi," she chortled, before the mirillian's finger poked Atomu's cheek, twice.
"I a-already took care of her." he placed his shaky hand back on the table.
"Really?" Elton took a sip of his drink.
"Heard the surefire way to kill them is with some salt and water. Does the Tukman forest also hide salty rivers?" She shook her head. "Though it was only a Halesdeep thing."
"J-Just a sword." Atomu nodded.
"You sure it wasn't a demon, then?" Elton proposed.
"How would he kill it?" She laid her elbow on the table.
"I didn't use my weapon. I think it was Ambrosia's, coated with strange writing."
"Tributal magic?" she pointed. "Heard this and that."
The paladian put his hand on his forehead. "It stopped a-attacking Morio. That's all that matters. If I keep talking about all that, we'd have to get into some words the tributals love to use."
"Right." Elton leaned back. "Wisdom and all. That's something I find quite funny about Demonears."
"Hm?"
"I've met lots of them over the years, and they're mighty about their positions. I mean, most of them were even older than me, so that's to be expected." The weaponsmith stretched, closing one eye.
"If they had to go through what I did... I feel like it's a position that deserves praise." Atomu said. "Though, when it happens again, I can only h-hope it's not going to be as harsh."
"Yet, you denied having that wisdom." Elton turned. "Jeez louise."
"I'm new to this," he lay his head on the table.
"I think I get it, though," the other added. "I'm not a Demonear, yet people tend to see me as this scary adult who knows everything, just because I make weapons, and in reality, I'm closer to just calling myself an overgrown child, in a way."
"People expect too much from adults, and then you have kids who desperately want to be mature, h-have all there is in the world..." Atomu closed one eye. "I'd know."
"There's something I've been meaning to tell you, my friend. That kid that came after you into my hut-"
"Morio?" Atomu spoke up.
"Was he a part of your team?"
"H-He's who I just mentioned, maybe that other morian too."
"He takes on a lot from you, doesn't he?" Elton continued.
"What...? I don't think so."
"One glance into both pairs of eyes, and I can tell. Being the only adult in your group probably means he looks up to you."
"Why would he?" Atomu grinned. "I don't want to be anyone s-special."
"You both hold your swords in the same way as if you're ready to take on this world's challenges. You were both a bit fearful, yet fascinated, willing to push through. I thought you were family until Chyuuichi over here spouted all about your adventures."
The mirillian triumphantly raised his clenched fist, snoozing.
"Your glances are similar," he put a hand on Atomu's shoulder, inching closer. " Full of curiosity... and a little unsure as well."
"He'll definitely be 'unsure' if you do all that." Ella laughed, and the paladian furrowed his brows.
Atomu stared at his reflection in the cup, recalling Morio's words. He didn't know what he did to earn this position, or if he should be caring as much as the boy did.
The white-haired morian waddled over to the exit, and the paladian turned.
"Morio?" Atomu stopped him. "Where are you going?" he asked, as the morian put his hand on both sheaths.
"O-Outside," he answered.
"Why? It's warm and nice here!" Chyuuichi yelled out.
"Jyuzou left, and I want to find him."
"O-Okay, don't take too long, though," Atomu answered, and Morio sprinted down the stairs, leaving the bar.
"Atomu." Ella snapped her fingers as he eventually looked up. "How's the tea?"
"It's good, a bit too hot though," he replied.
"It's those Shato seeds. They keep the temperature for quite a long time. You'll need to wait, then."
"H-How long?" Atomu squinted.
"Thirty, forty minutes? That's when it'll be warm, not cold. I don't know how you like your drinks." Ella stirred the various drinks, sneaking a wink, and Atomu eyed the exit to the bar.
"I'll-" he glanced at Elton and Chyuuichi. "-I'll be back in thirty, forty minutes."
"More likely thirty."
Atomu closed his eyes. "Soon enough," he added, before essentially leaping down the stairs.
After pushing through the crowds gathering outside, he spotted Morio in the distance, treading forth and hiding between buildings. With a gulp, he followed him through Midcity, all the way into the Bore Forest.
Each time the boy halted, so did Atomu, as if afraid of confrontation. After a while, though, he stepped forward when the moon met the snow.
"Morio?" The paladian asked, as the boy turned, grinding his teeth. "You're not..." he pointed. "...searching for Jyuzou."
Morio put his hand on a tree. "I am. I just don't know where to look."
"Jyuzou went out for a breather. He'd be nearby, not here."
"We've been here together, so I thought I'd find him..." his lips shook. "...him right here."
"Why did you come here?"
Morio breathed out, covering his face. "I-I don't know," he uttered. "I don't know how to feel," he shook his head, stepping towards Atomu. "I said many awful things to Jyuzou, and I'm not sure he'll forgive me. B-Besides-"
"Morio, everyone told you the same thing. That it-"
"-doesn't matter." Their words overlapped, and Morio ground his teeth. "Am I strong enough to kill a demon? Everyone says that I'm a liar, everyone says that I'm too childish, everyone thinks that I'm never ready, and... I'm starting to believe those words. I don't want to rely on others' help! What would that cost? A life? What if I never see my mama again? How would she feel having to face someone so... useless?"
"You're putting way too much on yourself," Atomu uttered. "You're still young, and-"
"It's the same thing again! Mr Bancho once told me of a boy who saved his entire family at the Lot Thúrum cliffs, and he was only ten! Why is everyone around me so much better? Why can't I be just like them? Why can't I help others, and why do they have to help me?" Morio cried out.
Atomu raised a brow, reaching his hand out.
"Go back and tell the others that they won't have to help me again," he announced. "Nothing will change if I don't..." he ground his teeth, ready to step forth. "If I won't just leave."
Then, the paladian put his hand on the morian's shoulder, stopping him.
Morio glanced back, and Atomu crouched, looking into his eyes. "We're not different there, Morio. I didn't do as much work as Jyuzou and Jeffy, yet I'm not going to beat myself up for something so minute. I know of all the opportunities heading my way-"
"Everybody tells me that." Morio raised his voice. "Everyone tells me that I'll have more time when they have already done something to prove themselves." Morio continued. "It never lives up to my expectations. It's always worse than how I imagined it to be."
"...they're not meaningless words, but maybe you don't accept them since they're coming from people that you don't know or trust, for that matter."
"I..." Morio wanted to say something, but paused.
"Or from people that you've already crossed out since you think they're better than you," Atomu spoke. "Then, accept them coming from a person who's not sure about anything either," he chuckled. "Not special, even if someone would want to tell me otherwise. If I could take their words and give them to you, I would."
Morio's eyes shook, eyeing the distant trees.
"I went through so much anger. I desperately vowed to be like my peers, and I lost what made me who I was. Even now, when that frustration comes back, I get reminded. I'm not mature or wise. I'm taller, and maybe a bit stronger, but still the same young me." He stopped for a moment, collecting his words.
The morian clenched his fists.
"...and the worst thing that ever happened to me was shoving that person away. Even if they were flawed, I became just as imperfect and lost what I had. I want to make sure that you never go down that path." Atomu's hands were shaky, and they slid down onto Morio's arms. "I h-hope that you'll remain the Morio you are. Curious, and courageous. D-Determined to become an amazing Demonear, and someone who'll once make a grandeur atlas of this entire world." Atomu smiled. "I can lend you a torch to illuminate the path I once trod, but... the rest of the road is for you to create."
"I don't want people stepping out of their way so I can be protected," Morio muttered weakly.
"But, they will. They're your friends, loved ones." Atomu continued. "You'd protect someone, too, right?"
Morio slowly nodded, and Atomu flashed a beam.
"It's only natural. Please, don't beat yourself up f-for it," he gulped. "Do what you think is best."
The paladian ultimately sighed, before straightening up. The boy stared at him for a while, as he played with strands of his hair and ultimately met his gaze.
The moonlight reflected off Morio's black eyes.
"It's your decision," Atomu said.
"Y-You won't be angry with me?"
"Oh my, I feel if I told you to stay, I'd deny all that I just said," he chuckled nervously. "But, I'd tell the others," he nodded. "It'd make things even more complicated."
Morio breathed out. "I'm not really sure. I want to talk to Jyuzou first."
"Then, let's head back, shall we?"
The morian nodded and followed right after, before coming to a halt. He looked at the snow, placing his hand beneath his vest and playing with the emblem.
A similar feeling soon overcame him. His heart skipped a beat, and a sharp pain struck his forehead.
"Morio? Everything okay?" The paladian asked.
Morio gulped, shaking his head, and Atomu breathed in, glancing to the side.
"They're...!" he gulped. "They're coming. The demons are coming!" Morio yelled out in a panic.
"What?"
"Demons!"
Atomu furrowed his brows before haphazardly taking a stance in front of Morio, lifting his giant sword out of its sheath.
Morio turned to his new weapon as well, Gloria, as it reflected his glance. He gulped before the two stepped back, hearing a plethora of noises coming from the trod path.
"Uuk. Ham. Du," chants could be heard, echoing in reversed rhythm to the synchronised march of the goblins.
Some tumbled across, flew above, trod through the snow or even resembled humans, piling amongst the goblins, shaking their pouches with devilish groans. Morio sucked air through his teeth as the paladian pushed back, clenching his jaw.
"They're... heading towards Magna." The morian's eyes shrank.
"It's guarded. They won't let anyone through." Atomu shook his head.
"We need to save them!" Morio gasped, jumping and running, carrying his weapon in one hand.
"Morio!" Atomu put Knrhum's Blade on his shoulder and followed.
The lights from the torches or the small lamps hung atop the weapons the goblins held faded into the darkness.
***
As sounds echoed around town, some of the bar's whispers carried over to the wooden outposts, crossing one another.
On each one of these stood a tributal, carrying a round lamp filled with see-through paper, a long spear, and a rope attached to a horse's mouth. They glanced forward, hearing something in the waters, and put the light in the front, as it illuminated the area around them.
A pair of yellow eyes stared from beneath the liquids.
"Hell is that?" they uttered, pointing and squinting, carefully chucking the spear forward. It darted through its head, and the creature's body quickly sank beneath the water.
They breathed out.
However, out of the blue, seven goblins pierced the black surface and zoomed towards the surprised tributal, who desperately tried turning back, raising their voice. The same was thrown back and struck the horse's body, causing an auditious neigh. With one more push from the other monster, the two tumbled to the side.
A whisper here and there, and a groan, followed by laughter, sounded.
The tributal crawled towards the building, and with their fingers, reached for a rope tied to a silver bell, hanging from the outpost. They squeezed tightly and started moving their hand back and forth with a bellow. Noise filled the area, and with thin lines carried across the walls, more bells were moved.
Such was something people of Magna hoped to never hear. Most of its residents immediately froze, praying that it was some mistake. But, after hearing a sudden stampede through Handulia, Homeo, Kyrkogarde, Swania and Midcity, they were sure.
The guards yelled out as loud as they could, telling the residents to find shelter or defend themselves from the demons, and by that rule, the goblins. Everyone rushed to the inn of the Midcity Bar, and Eryk, with Lamon's help, crawled under a hatch beneath a table.
Jeffy woke up, alerted by the screams, and Chyuuichi looked around, confused.
"Why is everybody screaming?!" Chyuuichi yelled out, putting the cup into his hands. "Hey, hey! My drink! Ugh!"
"Chyuuichi!" Jeffy ran up, taking his weapon out. "The bells have sounded, the darn bells!"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"M-Magna is under attack!"
"W-What?" The mirillian inched closer, with shrunken, fearful eyes, trying to spot Ella and Elton, as they stormed off into the nearby basement. Jeffy, however, quickly grabbed his hand and stormed down the stairs.
When the two made it out, the goblins came from between tall buildings, and among them stood the demons, crawling through from the Tukman Woods or pouring in from the ports. Several people who stood as an iron defence at the sides were pushed into the water, and even one of the braver guards haphazardly ran in front of them, striking a demon, only for his hand to be sliced off.
What once was a city engulfed in darkness, turned into a bright orange, spawned by the fires which crawled out to the streets, followed by shouts, screams, yells, cries, and everything worse that was imaginable.
Horses neighed, then came running between the creatures. One stopped in front of the two, with a stampede, as Chyuuichi covered his face.
"Hell, you standing around for?!" Rowan pointed to Chyuuichi's scythe. "Demonears, defend Homieo! There's another wave of attacks coming from the district bridges!" They announced, stepping off the horse and pushing them forward. "Run when you still have time, idiots!" Their eyes gleamed, and their voice was rather sharp.
Both hesitated before Jeffy's glance met the unsure and confused eyes of Chyuuichi.
"Go!" Rowan yelled, and almost instantly, the morian dashed, with the mirillian unsurely following suit.
The tributal jumped onto a small wooden roof and climbed up onto a chimney of a nearby building. They stood atop the bricks and took out a massive bow, drawing an arrow, which soon pierced through three heads of demons, before creating a big blast.
The creatures screamed out, and Rowan leapt around, as the horde traced their movements, rushing. As they made it to the pointy towers of Swania, they saw a familiar figure below, circling the tight corners and using their weapon to fend off the horde.
"A-AMBROSIA, GET UP HERE!"
"I'm fighting alongside, Rowan. There are too many!" Ambrosia announced. "W-we can't hold them off for long!"
The tributal bit the arrow's tip, as a small black flame flashed from underneath their glasses. "Not again." They put one arrow into their mouth, before shooting three at once, which cleared the path in a thick line of fire.
At moments, Ambrosia halted their movements, turning to the sight of the various tributals pushed out of the towers, tumbling into the sea of flame below.
Rowan hesitated, drawing each new shot. This must've been a bad dream. All such occurrences happened in the span of minutes. Yet, the fire felt real, and the screams of terror only grew louder.
It all came crashing down, however, when the tower in front of Ambrosia plummeted to the ground, with one of the bricks hitting their body.
Rowan stuck their hand out, and the arrows flew back into their palm. The structure behind them was engulfed, with a separate, darker fire climbing towards the panicking tributal.
The dust cleared, and out from beneath the tower debris appeared a massive goblin, with chains wrapped around its shoulders and two long fangs sticking out of its mouth. As if agitated, Ambrosia threw their weapon, hoping it'd harm the monstrosity, but it only crashed into the wall behind them. They screamed and leapt to the garden, as the creature gave chase, smashing its head through the surrounding masonry.
Its massive stomp caused them to trip, and the goblin suddenly changed its course, climbing the tower that Rowan stood on.
"Chicho!" Ambrosia yelled in desperation.
But... it seemed as if their words hadn't reached them. Rowan stared forward hopelessly.
Above what once were the tallest peaks of Magna, stretched the Midcity, engulfed in embers, blood on the ground, and people running for their lives. They could make out the goblins in the windows, storming the inns and threatening the people, tying them up and throwing them into the waters.
One sight lingered for even longer. A goblin stood atop the body of a nearby tributal, as its long, black hair piled itself among the blood that spewed from the corpse below.
They seemed desperate, as horns twisted and reflected in Rowan's shrunken eyes.
The fall of Magna was imminent. Soon, the tower they stood atop crashed down as well, and grey dust filled the area.
Despite Kashmir Zenon's best efforts, he had trouble defending the entrance to the Midcity Bar. The guards ran, striking the goblins, while he focused on the demons, before another group of the headless stormed out from another engulfed street, and a hit of the club wasn't enough.
They were quickly overwhelmed, with some heading inside. Blood-curdling screams echoed into the Zenon's ears, with similar words bouncing about.
Some people stepped out of their homes and tried their best to fight the onslaught. Most were unsuccessful; some managed to kill a few. Most who found themselves outside, however, were stripped of what they had and dragged elsewhere, if not standing at death's door.
Kashmir ground his teeth.
It was too much, and there were too few to help. Swania's defences had fallen, and Midcity was on the brink of such.
***
The streets of Homieo were oddly quiet. Here and there, you could hear the worried words of the people peeking out of the windows.
Chyuuichi and Jeffy stood back to back in the middle of the seven inns. Their ears immediately caught each noise, and then their eyes turned to the source. They didn't have to wait long, however. From a distance, a rhythmic pattern grew louder: a march, heading through the open street to their left.
The chants echoed.
"Uuk ham du. Uuk ham du."
"There they are, the bastards!" Chyuuichi uttered. "Come on, Jebby! Run when ya still have the chance!" he uttered, and essentially, without waiting for the morian's word, started sprinting forth.
Jeffy hesitated for a moment, but when another noise sounded, his eyes widened. "CHYUUI-"
The mirillian turned, with one raised brow, only to be met with a shocking sight. A hand covered Jeffy's mouth, while the other pushed a knife to his neck. The morian tried screaming, punching through or kicking to escape, yet the demon only seemed to stare.
Chyuuichi ground his teeth. "L-Let him go, ya filthy devil!" he pointed the scythe, furrowing his brows. His heart picked up speed, with a weary breath which the demon seemed to spot.
Leopold didn't budge and instead pushed the dull goblin weapon into Jeffy's skin.
"BASTARD!" Chyuuichi dashed, in a fit of blind anger, before swinging his scythe forward, even though he didn't know what it was capable of.
In a flash, both disappeared, and Chyuuichi almost tumbled. He gazed up, seeing Leopold leaping onto the red, slanted roofs above the wooden buildings. Then, as if to add insult to injury, the army from behind reached the streets, with a yell announcing another attack.
In a fearful turn, he gulped, unsure how to hold his weapon. The mirillian ground his teeth and yelled out, frustrated.
"Screw that! Jebby!"
He swung the rope in his hands as it wrapped around a wooden plank extending from the top of the inn. He landed above, Jeffy kept mumbling, and the demon's grip tightened.
Chyuuichi screamed in vigour before his scythe's blade made contact with Leopold's hand. He let go of Jeffy, pushing him off the roof. He plummeted downwards, before grabbing the rope which hung off the mirillian's belt, pushing him down in a similar manner.
Though with a quick wrap and another groan, he wrapped the end around the same plank and breathed heavily, at the same time that Jeffy climbed back up.
Leopold slowly analysed the wound on his arm.
"G-Got ya now, demon, fight me or run!" Chyuuichi pointed his scythe.
Leopold's eyes slowly turned, and the mirillian took one step, trying to strike again with a determined shout. One wrong swing, however, and Leopold kicked him in the stomach.
"C-Chyuuichi! Darn it!"
The next strike came, meeting Jeffy's face, before the two were flung off elsewhere, with a massive force that seemed to surprise the demon. The morian hit the distant roofs of another inn, as the mirillian's rope flailed upwards with the change of force.
Leopold dashed, using the item to fling himself towards the morian. Jeffy turned, and with closed eyes and a yell, struck with his elshuim, leaving a big wound on his forearm, which bounced the force back.
He soon landed, slid through the bricks, and almost fell off at the end. He breathed in before pointing the sharp end at the demon, daring to stand up, opposing Leopold's march.
"Leave darn us alone!" He raised his voice as he kept moving forward, and the demon stepped back. "Leave Magna, or we'll kill you!"
Leopold stared at the morian before putting his hand on the wolf mask and, out of the blue, leaping away.
Jeffy sighed in relief, putting the elshuim down, rubbing a small wound on his cheek, before turning, shocked.
"O-Oh, crap!" he recalled, before running to the edge. "Chyuuichi!"
Chyuuichi flew to the ground, shouting at the top of his lungs. He let go of his weapon, as it spun midair before creating a massive circle of frost around its snath.
"Jebby! Save me! Jebbyyy!" The mirillian screamed, just as he was about to reach the bottom. However, the morian's eyes only widened.
The goblins halted, encased with ice, as Chyuuichi's body bounced off their frozen heads, onto the other demons.
"Shin!" Jeffy muttered.
"Ah!" Chyuuichi reached his hand out towards his weapon, but the goblins which stood nearby reached for his legs and arms, carrying his body elsewhere in thick chuckles. "Jebby! Save me, Jebby!"
His voice faded away as the morian took another deep breath, clenching his fist. "I'm shucklesorry, Chyuuichi! I'll find you later! Don't darn die on me!"
Another scream sounded from the general vicinity of the Midcity, and even through pain, he ran elsewhere, again. As for the enemies, most people were left unharmed, but every inn was stripped of every treasure it had and quickly guarded by a good few, which Jeffy had to jump over.
***
Lisbeth flew through Handulia, amongst the screams. The goblins hurried to the stashes of Silver and the rare items left on the tables. One of the storefronts exploded, and the creatures ran in, fueled by greed, pushing through the people cowering in the corners.
"What a stroll," Lisbeth muttered, putting her hand on her hip. "I feel like royal in this district. Everyone makes way for their leader." She stopped. "It's what he meant."
She gazed up.
"No. I'm getting exactly what I worked for. Do you see it now, Yanma?" she asked, putting one hand behind and the other above her head.
As if praying to something, before suddenly letting go, with blood crawling around her forearm.
"One," she counted, as the goblins pushed people into the small canals between the streets of Handulia. "Two." The demons crashed through the windows of the apartments above. "...and-"
All of a sudden, something flashed before her eyes, and a rift in the ground appeared beneath her. She looked down, leaping, before hearing someone battling to catch a breath.
"I recognise that face," she uttered, looking at Atomu, who rubbed off the dirt and sweat from his cheeks and furrowed his brows. "You're that... paladian from the forest. You passed. I wouldn't expect any different from someone who managed to use a little more than their wit."
Atomu moved the blade a bit, shivering, but ready to fight. "Who are you?"
"It doesn't matter, because you know exactly what I'm talking about. Are you proud of your accomplishments? Do you feel that wielding both hands gives you an advantage here?" Lisbeth chuckled, extending her arms.
Atomu ground his teeth.
"That's fine, I don't need an answer. Actions speak more than words." She added, before avoiding a massive wave of dirt, resembling a wall. Atomu stared in shock before falling to the ground, exhausted.
"It must've taken you a lot of energy to chant something as simple and avoidable as that," she added, looking into Atomu's angry eyes. "I swore it was mightier," she pointed to Knrhum's Blade. "At least, that's what Rottwan-"
"Grah!" Atomu pushed the sword with his foot. Lisbeth instantly disappeared. He stood up, alerted, and glanced, putting his hand on the grip.
She snapped through the air in a wave of blood, leaving a nasty wound on his side. He bellowed in pain, putting one knee on the ground.
"Courageous," she appeared, holding onto a few bricks. Atomu struck, this time, creating a small wave, which was just enough to reach her, but again, she flashed away.
The paladian found a wound across his stomach. In a pain-filled shock, he let go of his sword, as it landed in a ditch, further away. He caught his breath, and his hand was covered in the blood that dripped down from his body.
"Here," she spoke softly, before hacking through Atomu's back and tapping his shoulder. He flew towards a building and crashed into a small hole in the ground.
"Dullum would die after one hit. But you're not one of them, are you?" She glanced down as Atomu barely spotted her through the sudden blur, amidst the muffled screams.
She chuckled.
"The next time we fight, at least try to hit me." She slowly walked away, and even though the paladian tried moving, he eventually lost consciousness.
Knrhum's Blade tumbled into the canal behind him, and Lisbeth breathed in.
"One," she whispered, as one of the buildings in Handulia crashed into dust. "Two." The chants of the goblins grew louder, and their song picked up. Humans tumbled, sliced through the onslaught, and blood splattered on her clothes.
Reaching her hand down, she absorbed it, as her nails temporarily transformed into longer, thinner blades, before retracting.
She smiled.
"Three."
Blood shot out right from her back. A shadow of a dragon came down, creating a massive wall of heat, which went through all the windows, doors, walls and bricks of Handulia, storming up into the air and hurling towards the statue of Darius.
Lisbeth put her hands together. She twisted her knuckle, and the apparition crashed into Darius's head before splattering the same liquid across Kyrkogarde.
With the dust settling, half of the statue tumbled into the waters. One hand remained, reaching up into the air.
Lisbeth turned.
"Ought to be a good enough show."
***
Two hours have passed since the beginning of the invasion.
Most of the districts were consumed by chaos, and the people who once ran or hid were either trapped or missing.
The creatures wandered, raiding bars, inns, and shops, taking as much as they could, stuffing it into bags and throwing it to their king, who sat still on the square in Midcity.
He gathered everything and put it under his bright and shining golden jacket, snorting from time to time and ensuring that none of his riches were lost. He kept sending more, as his greed knew no end.
The giant goblin came back, carrying Rowan's body. The king stood for a moment, pushing the big one to the side, as it fell on the ground and writhed in pain. Another goblin ran, tightening the chains around its shoulder, while their supposed leader took off Rowan's necklaces, rings and earrings, which tributals were known for.
After he was finished, he signalled his minions, using a silver chain to carry the nearby bodies into the dungeons. The king laughed, almost as if he was announcing victory, at that very moment.
The ones standing around joined in, and the others, who bore in the guards' armour, kept chanting the same song.
"Uuk ham du," they repeated. "Uuk ham du!"
It seemed that with each minute passing, more hope was lost. The last lights of glory were to fade into the darkness, and there was nothing that anyone could do. The demons only appeared, leaving wounds. The goblins only stormed further in, raising their voice.
...but, there remained one warrior who stood, ready to strike.
Morio jumped out of a window and landed on the ground, breathing heavily. He held his sword tightly, and when a group of the minions attacked, he swung forward, like he used to swing at the white willow, just days ago. Although he didn't kill them, he cleared a path he trod.
He had no direction but knew he needed to fight.
He passed by the overhang, heading towards the castle, when suddenly, a demon, with wings transforming into both hands and legs, attacked from the side, opening its jaw as if it was to bite Morio's head off.
He ground his teeth and struck blindly, hitting the creature's stomach. Morio opened one eye and couldn't pierce through its skin, no matter how hard he pushed.
He yelled, perhaps in fear or courage, and the demon backed out, with a trail of blood beneath its feet. It jumped and crashed into one of the surrounding buildings.
The chants grew louder, and the march kept getting closer; all were focused on attacking the one Demonear, which still fought back, despite the odds. The morian turned, seeing no exit. His heart was pounding faster than the flames engulfed the streets.
His hands were shaky, his body was cold and trembling, but deep inside his heart, he knew there was no way out but into the horde. He kept waving Gloria as if warning them not to come closer. Sparks appeared on their own, while some circled, with blood forming at their feet and reflecting the nearby fires.
A stone fell from above, and Morio looked up. He climbed up a few dents in the wall and raised one foot, just as a goblin was about to reach for it. He launched himself up, grunting, and landed on the red roof of the overhang. He slowly stood up, and a fire appeared in the middle as if it had separated the thick line into two.
The songs echoed, piercing through as if they were Rowan's arrows. The demons started climbing up, and the goblins threw small stones his way. He breathed in, looking back and forth.
That story couldn't possibly end without something changing at the last moment.
...and that's exactly what occurred. Something jumped on the other side of the overhang, and Morio turned towards the stomps that shook the bricks below, sending a few flying.
Through the fire, a figure revealed itself. "Found you, morian!"
Morio's eyes shrank, and Isak grinned, with a deathly stare.
"For a moment there, I thought that you managed to run away in time, fleeing from the inevitable. But fate always finds its way around a coward, doesn't it?!"
"S-Stay back!" Morio swung the sword. "I'm not afraid to kill you!"
Isak chuckled. "You haven't been paying attention back then, have you, morian?! Humans and demons... we're not the same."
....and as was said, the demon ran forward. He leapt, extending his arms towards Morio.
The boy's breathing fastened with each second that passed, and he turned to his sword.
Isak landed, completely wrecking the overhang. He turned his head, and Morio stood on the other side of the fire. He held his sword up as a small bolt of electricity appeared on the blade's tip, charging down, with shock, painting his expression.
"I guess you have even more tricks up your sleeves!" he chased after, and the morian pointed his sword, closing his eyes.
...when the demon landed again, Morio found himself himself on the other side, with a massive trail of zaps behind him. He couldn't wrap his head around what had just occurred, but it must've been the sword; Gloria, protecting him at those key moments.
"Come on, morian! You're just denying the inevitable!" Isak put his arms to the side as they consumed the fire beneath.
With another frightening stomp, the overhang below shifted, bending and ruining Morio's balance.
"Stop running!"
Morio held his sword, and each time Isak struck, he snapped from one place to the other. The blade changed colour, from silver-white to black, as lightning dispersed at its end.
For a moment, he looked at what he held in his bloodied hand.
"I think you'll learn everything about Demonears if you're just one of them, Morio. Stories can't portray these certain feelings," She closed her eyes as Morio walked up a few steps, holding onto the blanket.
Morio ground his teeth, putting the weapon to the side, determined.
"Mama, are you there? I don't know what's happening, but I'm alive. I'm still there, fighting!" He thought, snapping again, and the two of them found themselves on opposite sides of the roof. "If you're there... if you're the one protecting me from him, then, keep watching!"
Morio started running forward, and the weapon flashed.
Isak yelled, sticking his tongue out, and the two met in the middle.
Morio's weapon clashed against Isak's leg, before...
...it exploded in a massive electric strike.
Morio's body was chucked across the wall, landing in a snowdrift.
As his vision blurred, something spun around its axis before becoming a clear afterimage of the Gloria sword.
Then, his weapon fell, piercing his side.
Morio bellowed, jolting up, grabbing the grip and forcefully pulling it out. He wept through the pain, his shaky hand resting above the wound, in tandem with Isak leaping down.
"It looks like you've already dug yourself a pretty grave," he smirked.
Morio breathed out, turning to the demon.
"No more running, morian!" Isak stormed, and the boy turned, with a clenched jaw.
Out of the blue, another yell permeated the air.
Jeffy raised his voice, jumping from above and stabbing Isak's nape.
The demon groaned out, pressing the wound, before angrily turning back to Jeffy, who rolled onto the stone ground, furrowing his brows.
"L-Leave my darn friend alone, you shuckle-nutted demon!" he pointed his elshuim at the opponent.
"What's this? Courageous morian number three coming to the rescue, again?" he laughed, grinning. "White-haired, you really are useless!"
Morio stood up. "JEFFY! RUN!"
"I'm a darn Demonear!" Jeffy raised his weapon as Isak sprinted forward, meeting its sharp end that soon stopped his fist in place. In turn, the other morian crouched, stepping towards Morio, taking his hand. "I'm done fleeing!"
Morio straightened before blood gushed out of the wound and halted his movements.
With another grunt, however, they realised there wasn't enough time. Isak clenched his fist, before throwing Jeffy to the ground.
The morian tried standing up, but the demon launched himself on top, looking deep into his eyes, pinning his hands to the ground.
Morio froze, sticking his hand out despite the aches.
"Are you afraid?"
Isak smiled, and Jeffy struggled, furrowing his brows and grinding his teeth, as if spitting in the face of cruel fate.
The elshuim lay barely out of his reach. He thrashed, but the demon didn't budge.
"JEFFY!" Morio managed to rise, ready to throw the end of his bloodied weapon forward.
He was close. Thunder snapped out of its end and waited to disperse before a high-pitched scream came from where the demon's long hair obscured Jeffy's face.
All the shine present in Morio's eyes faded, followed by something crunching through a tough material.
Jeffy's protests went silent. The demon pushed himself off, blood dripping from his jaw, followed by a wide grin.
It turned into a chuckle, shrunken eyes raising the weight of his next word. "He's d-"
Out of the blue, Morio stabbed the demon's eye, in collected, shaky silence. Isak grabbed the sword, coughing out, as the morian eventually let go, thrown away in shock.
Litres of blood pooled in his palms, and he glanced at Morio with a sinister smile.
He chortled before disappearing into nothing.
The morian dropped to the ground, with another ache overcoming his side. He gulped before his eyes met the other morian's.
"Jeffy?"
He asked calmly, putting his hands on his shoulders. Jeffy's face was... unrecognisable, on par with everything that made his hacked body.
Morio's pupils went blank. He stood up, tears mixing with everything that spoke of his pained expression.
Terrified, sad, angry... he didn't understand.
He wanted to ask if Jeffy was still there, perhaps just waiting to open his eyes.
There were no last words of courage.
It just happened.
As more demons crawled from the sides, one four-legged grabbed Morio's side. He jolted numbly before throwing his weapon forward, slicing through the demon's limb. It tumbled, and the morian breathed out.
Demons waited, and goblins continued their hunt. The waters reflected the fires, separated by the stone bridges. People were running, hiding, and losing their lives amidst the chaos.
It seemed as if there was no end to the chaos. Hours felt like days, and minutes felt like hours.
Morio marched forward. His feet moved on their own, and it seemed like no one stood in his way.
Eventually, he started running, covering his face. He squeezed between the flames, ignoring the pleas of the people, even a familiar voice amongst many.
"Morio!" Chyuuichi whispered, with one eye closed. "Where are you going?"
The boy ran and ran until his legs told him to stop.
...and Magna continued to fall.
***
The first raid was much more devastating. The army was thrice in size, and the damage was six times as big.
In the end, though, humanity triumphed, with the sacrifice of Darius. The only person who could ever come close to his power, in Morio's mind, was none other than Bancho. He wondered if things could've been different, if an elderly man, living in the calm town of Mistwick, stood amongst the other Demonears.
Would he be strong enough to kill that demon?
Would Jeffy have lived otherwise?
Would they be able to save the dying hope?
Everything went in and out, back and forth, and he couldn't focus on one thing to find the answer.
The grey morning came with peaks of sunlight gracing the calm crowns of the Bore Forest, after hours of Morio's journey, and despite the pain forcing him to stop. He trod forth without a destination.
Passing all the trees he had already seen, he tumbled, grinding his teeth in pain, as the blood dried out on the sleet.
He waited, trying to catch his breath, before looking forward, seeing something that found itself outside of his grasp.
It was Gloria's necklace. He sat up, crawling to pick it up. It reflected the dull sunlight as he eventually stood up, catching onto the nearby noise.
Waves crashed upon the shore. It was the first of Herbes, but no birds could be heard, and no snow started melting. He squinted before his gaze softened, tears trickled down his face and dropped onto the emblem.
He gulped, feeling his dry lips, and wept, albeit quietly.
"If in doubt, remember," she wrapped a necklace around his neck; an emblem of a reversed triangle with a line going down the middle. "You can always come home, Morio."
Morio breathed out. He knew what rested on the shore. He rubbed his tears into his sleeve, furrowed his brows, and put the necklace over his head before moving ahead.
His hands landed on the boat's deck as it flew above the shallow edge. His eyes widened as he noticed a backpack stuffed under the seat. He pushed it out from beneath the wooden plank, confused.
"Morio?" Jyuzou asked, stepping out from a small grove. "What... are you doing here?"
Morio's eyes lit up, but it took him a while to speak.
"W-Where have you been, Jyuzou?" he asked, his voice breaking down. "Magna has fallen, and I couldn't find you for the longest time."
"I-I know," Jyuzou added, before waddling over, pushing the backpack in. "It was too dangerous. I fled like a coward."
The white-haired morian blinked before grabbing his palm.
"Are you leaving?"
Jyuzou bit his lip in hesitation. He put one foot inside the boat, as Morio stayed on the shore. "I thought you didn't want to see me again," Jyuzou uttered. "I wanted to make this job easier."
"J-Jyuzou," Morio spoke through the gulps.
"...and why are you here too? Answer my question!"
"Jyuzou, you don't... You don't get it!" Morio yelled out, clenching both fists.
"What is there not to get?!" Jyuzou raised his voice. "If I stay in one place, nothing will ever change," he gulped. "If you want to see a better me, you'll have to let me leave."
The morian grabbed the oars, grinding his teeth and trying his best to swim away.
"Jyuzou, wait!"
"Go home, Morio!" he yelled out.
"I'm not going anywhere without you!" Morio ran forward, and Jyuzou pushed him back. The boy landed on his back, staring at the grey sky.
"Please." Jyuzou shook his head. "Go back to Mistwick. For your safety," he begged, holding back the tears which brewed inside.
Morio stood up and sprinted before leaping and landing in the water. The blood from his wound stained the liquid, and Jyuzou's eyes widened.
"M-MORIO!" Jyuzou let go of the oars and reached down, grabbing Morio's hand, pulling him onto the boat, as the two fell atop one another.
Morio coughed, as Jyuzou groaned, before the morian's wet hands landed on his shoulders.
"W-We're both cowards then!" The white-haired announced. "I ran away from the battle because I couldn't take it. I ran away because I wasn't strong enough...!"
Jyuzou opened his mouth, hesitating.
"I get it," he wept. "I get that the road will be difficult, no matter which one we pick," Morio spoke, breathing out with a shake. "...and I hate it when you get angry because you're always right."
"I w-was the one who screwed up. I lied, too," he shook his head. "I don't want to lose you as a friend. I don't want that to change, even if we do."
"Then... it won't," Morio muttered, smiling. "So, don't tell me to go home. What would I see there when I'd return?"
Jyuzou covered his eyes, breathing out.
"I'm... sorry," he said. "For everything I said, back then."
"I don't want to lose you, Jyuzou. I don't want to lose anyone."
The two embraced each other quietly. Water dripped down Morio's hair, but the other morian didn't mind, letting go after a good few seconds.
The boat swam away from the shore, carried by a breeze and a current.
"I-I..." Jyuzou stuttered. "I-I don't know how long it will take us t-to get to the other side. So I'll need your help with rowing."
Morio took one final glance back at the Shimori shore, and by that rule, the home he was about to leave behind.
His gaze softened, recalling Atomu's words. He sat down, putting the oars into his hands, nodding.
The two disappeared into the mist that extended above the skyline. The longer they swam, the more Shimori resembled nothing but a blob of white, before disappearing entirely.
***
The sky lit a warm orange, changing into a fuzzy pink, as the two found themselves on a calmer side of the Aria River, with sharp formations sticking out of the ground above fog and water.
Morio stood up, and so did Jyuzou.
"Only a few hours more, I t-think," Jyuzou informed.
Morio breathed out as the other morian turned curiously.
"What is it, Morio?" he asked.
"Just... I'll need to catch up on some sleep." Morio smiled.
Jyuzou beamed, fixing his glasses. "There better be some good plants on the other side."
Morio chuckled before rolling his eyes and sitting back down.
A cold wave of air surrounded them. It flew through Morio's hair, picking it up, before becoming a warmer breeze on the other side.
All in all, there was always something in a cruel world that made it worth living.
Worth, to keep fighting for hope.