The Inner Odyssey

Celeste's powers centred around healing, sure, but they were also pretty lethal.

To any Defiled, that is.

And the reason was pretty simple.

Life energy was the antithesis of the corruption brought about by the Great Collision, so it made sense that the abominations did not like it. Celeste would even go as far as to say that every attack she made was akin to a Defiled being injected with poison.

Of course, the rank of the abomination and her own rank were two major factors that affected the strength of that sensation. Still, she was content to have some way to harm the Defiled as a healer.

After all, it would not do if she was forced to stay behind the front lines and be protected like some helpless little girl.

Celeste would hate that.

Immensely.

As it was, though… she was in a great position to thin down the ranks of the vast army.

Especially after consuming that mystical flower - she discovered her life force had increased drastically from that.

…Which meant more life energy that could be used against the Defiled.

Gritting her teeth, Celeste made sure that her centre of balance was firm and swiftly let an arrow loose.

The projectile, covered in her mana, shone with a white hue as it streaked through the air.

In the next second, it lodged itself deep in a tiger's eye, instantly killing it.

The abomination toppled to the ground.

'One down. Many more to go.'

She sighed, nocking another arrow.

The body of the dead tiger she had slain gave her a brief window to launch another attack.

And Celeste used that opportunity to its fullest.

She released the shaft a moment later.

It streaked through the air like the first, appearing as a little glint of light in the frigid environment. Before the arrow struck true, Celeste already had another one in hand. A split second later, she downed another abomination.

Ignoring the strain on her arms and hands, the young healer continued to fire off arrows at a rapid pace.

The vast army of Snow Tigers and the strange beings with grey-blue skin also continued to advance.

Similarly, the mundane humans kept rushing past Celeste, hoping against hope they could make it to safety in the inner parts of the Sanctuary. She blocked them out, though, fully focused on the battle. Eventually, after a few more kills, the young lady found that the Beasts in this section of the vanguard had dried up.

All that remained were Devils.

Taking a deep breath, as her chest rose and fell from the exertion of nocking so many arrows in such a short period, Celeste forced her body to move. A quick strike later - imbued with more mana -, and the Defiled Devil was grievously injured, sporting a deep cut to its face.

It had shifted its body in the last moment, escaping being skewered in the eye like its weaker brethren.

However, its progress slowed, as if its frame was experiencing a dire battle within.

A second arrow to the face and the Devil was finally dead.

Celeste hastily wiped the sweat from her eyes, determined to keep going.

Light snow fell from the heavens above, a silent witness to her bravery.

***

Alden rushed through the Sanctuary.

His eyes rapidly scoured every inch of land within a certain radius.

There was still no sign of Celeste.

'Blasted Asterons!'

He cursed.

Desperation gnawed at his heart. He needed to find his love.

And fast.

However, there was only one problem…

Alden came to a halt, a grim expression on his face. It first started with the screams. They were indistinct, as if still a fair distance away.

Then, the closer they got, the louder the sound became. Until it reached the volume of a deafening roar. That was not all. What followed the thunderous noise was a vast mob of humans rushing with all their might, hoping to get as far away from the Barrier.

It was at that moment that Alden had confirmation the three armies had arrived.

And not only that, they had also dismantled the impenetrable barrier of the Sanctuary.

The latter was most likely also a signal for the rest of their forces, hidden within each Territory, to attack.

He panted, almost overwhelmed.

The sight of so many frantic people only added to his growing anxiety. Alden inhaled, retaining an infinitesimal sense of calm.

That small shred of composure allowed him to remember his priority.

First, he had to find Celeste.

Then, he could deal with whatever the Dryads, Dwarves, and Dark Elves threw at him.

Perhaps even the Merfolk had also decided to join the attack.

Shaking off the grim thoughts, Alden burst into motion, heading straight for the approaching mob.

Eight dark and shadowy tentacles materialised around his figure.

In the next moment, they solidified.

As soon as he entered the chaotic crowd, Alden used [Dark Tentacles] to clear a path gently for himself. At the back of his mind, he registered a few fiery mana signatures diving in after him, utilising the opening he had created in the human horde.

Alden recognised the presence of a few Paladins as well. He prayed that the members of the Ember Clan would leave him alone.

After all, they had a much more pressing issue to attend to. Surely they would prioritise dealing with the imminent danger instead of trying to resolve a petty squabble for their heir.

'I really hope they have some common sense.'

Unfortunately for Alden, he had no more time to ponder on that thought.

For just then, a vast and innumerable army entered the range of his Mana Sense.

He paled once more.

'S-So much..'

There were just so many.

This was the largest number of Defiled Alden had ever seen gathered in one place.

Furthermore…

As he finally exited the frenzied mob of people, he saw beings with grey-blue skin scattered amongst the abominations.

That wasn't good.

'Dammit!'

The presence of the Dark Elves complicated things a great deal.

Shaking his head, Alden focused on what was happening on the front lines.

And once he did, his gaze constricted.

There, up against countless Defiled, was the valiant form of his precious childhood friend and love.

She was on the verge of being completely overwhelmed; her arrows like little drops in a vast ocean.

'Cece!'

Without any hesitation and acting on pure instinct, Alden dove into the fray.