The Inner Odyssey

Was Alden a fool to throw himself so willingly into the jaws of death?

…Not really.

He didn't think so.

After all, it wasn't like he had lost all reason and was blindly attacking the vast horde.

No, Alden had backup.

And while it wasn't the most trustworthy, it was better than nothing.

Furthermore, he had Celeste back there too.

She was much more effective when given enough distance to show off her impressive prowess with the bow. Alden, however, was the opposite - he was much more dangerous up close and personal, where his insidious ability shone.

He was glad that his precious love had listened to him. This way, he didn't have to worry about her safety while fighting. And the decision had the bonus of also playing to her strengths!

It was a win-win. With this, both parties should be happy.

Unfortunately, knowing his childhood friend as well as he did, Alden suspected Celeste was unhappy with him throwing himself in danger… again. It was almost instinct for him at this point. And while that was most certainly not a good thing, it was pretty much all Alden knew.

After all…

His biological parents had sacrificed their livelihoods for him when he was younger. To provide for him, they had to surround themselves with constant danger almost daily.

If that wasn't a sacrifice, he didn't know what was. Although it wasn't the traditional relinquishing of their lives for him, it held just as much importance to Alden. And so, it seemed that he had inadvertently taken after his parents in that regard.

A wry chuckle escaped his mouth.

His thoughts on love greatly differed from those of Celeste's - they both possessed different experiences which helped shape that view. Nonetheless, Alden wasn't too concerned. After the battle against the Dark Elves was over, he would have to have a heart-to-heart with his dearest love and do his best to communicate his view.

He hoped Celeste would do the same.

For that to happen, though…

He had to kill a ton of Defiled first.

***

Alden raced towards the mob of Snow Tigers, his steps light and swift. The tentacles surrounding his figure wriggled menacingly.

Alden grinned.

It was time for him to get to work. He had an endless amount of reaping to do, after all.

Reaching the vanguard of the vast army, he circulated his mana, augmenting himself internally. Just then, a volley of flame from the Ember Clan crashed into the abominations.

A litany of snarls and roars reverberated in response. Alden lunged in a split second after the blaze, using the thin fog and smoke to conceal his figure.

His sword flashed, cutting through a tiger's neck like it was made of paper.

The Defiled Devil's head fell to the ground with a gruesome thud. Alden suspected the only reason he had killed the ghastly abomination so easily was because of the Ember Clan's fiery fullisade. If not for their help in weakening it, he might have needed a couple more strikes.

Alden shifted his body, having no time to celebrate the great feat. He dismissed his decay - his weapon on the verge of being destroyed from the strain of the insidious power - and gripped what remained of the short sword, his expression solemn.

Three other abominations lunged at him from all sides, maws open and fangs glistening. Immediately, six tentacles rushed out, blocking two of the tigers.

Alden allowed the remaining one to continue its advance. He took a half-step to the side, utilising the last two shadowy appendages to slow the abomination's momentum. In the next moment, Alden stabbed the remnants of the short sword into the Devil's eye.

It roared, doubtless experiencing excruciating pain.

'Good.'

Not letting up, the young man coated his foot with decay and sent a devastating roundhouse into the Defiled's face. A small crack resounded within the thunderous cacophony of battle. Alden ignored the disturbing sensation of sensing a few of the tiger's bones break and controlled a dark tentacle with his mind.

After solidifying, it immediately pierced the abomination's other eye and burst through the other side of the Defiled's head. Alden had to imbue the appendage with a little more mana so it didn't break upon contact. He didn't regret his action, though, for he couldn't spend too long focusing on one tiger.

By now, the other two had got past the tentacles designed to stall them. They were both furious and startingly hungry.

As he stared at the deranged light in the Defiled's eyes, Alden let the crumbled remains of his sword fall to the floor. He quickly turned around and took another half-step tp the side, allowing the two abominations to ram into each other.

Nearby, another scorching salvo slammed into the vast army. The flashes of ice increased.

Alden didn't pay the battle occurring between the Ember Clan and the Dark Elves any mind, his focus on the two Devils that sought to take his life. Instantly, he spurred into action, capitalising on the moment they were both stunned to strike.

A tenebrous energy covered his whole hand.

Letting himself rely on the instinct honed from sparring Alistair, Alden struck a tiger's neck with a knife-hand strike. Then, he tugged on a dark tentacle, guiding the attack of the other Defiled so it bit down on the wound he had just made into the first tiger.

The abomination roared and buckled. The jaw of the other Devil quickly claimed its life.

While the monstrous tiger savoured the blood of its brethren, Alden brought his knee up and smashed it dead centre in the face. The Defiled bellowed, dazed. He swiftly engulfed his fist with decay and punched the creature's chest.

Alden's arm pierced the abomination's hide, and with a quick squeeze, its heart was no more.

Staring at the remains of his enemy, the young man's bloodlust soared.

Just then, a few metres away, the thin fog parted, heralding a being with strange blue-grey skin.

Alden blinked.

Then, he let out a mad laugh.

…It was time to battle a Dark Elf.