The Inner Odyssey

At the same time as Alden's duel, within the Territory of Earth, a vicious clash was taking place. The heavens boomed and shook, a thunderous noise splitting it apart.

Rain fell from the sky in great waves, and the wind was especially fierce. Amidst the chaos, pleasant and enchanting voices reverberated softly like gentle melodies.

They wormed their way into one's soul, disabling one's defences. A sense of peace and security welled within whoever heard it.

The defenders, individuals wearing earthen armour, resisted the insidious call to the best of their abilities. Unfortunately, the weaker warriors couldn't hold on very long, and thus, under the cunning command of these voices, they dove into the Haunted Archipelago.

Their fates were swiftly sealed.

As the battle progressed, the storm continued to grow in intensity.

The StoneWardens manipulated the earth, trapping any merfolk and other scaly abominations who dared come up to the surface and fight. Seeing that a ground offensive was suicidal, their corrupted opponents raised their tridents. A moment later, the heavens glowed and a deafening salvo of lightning crashed into the ranks of the earthen warriors.

Thick, earthen shields materialised in front of the StoneWardens forming a long line. The magical constructs blocked the harrowing attack, minimising the area with which the electricity travelled. Alas, a few combatants were tired out from so much fighting and their barriers held only for a moment before breaking apart.

Their figures immediately burnt to a crisp.

The smell of charred flesh pervaded the battlefield.

Some of the Stonewardens attempted to retaliate by hurling earthen spears into the water, but only a limited number of Merfolk perished. More surfaced, taking over from their fallen brethren. The warriors of the Sanctuary had lost more than they had killed from their corrupted opponents.

Things weren't looking good.

Suddenly, a figure wearing an earthy-brown robe appeared in the sky.

His features were expressionless with absolutely no hint of emotion on his face.

A long, full beard travelled down to his chest. The man took a moment to survey the battlefield. Then, perceiving that the forces of the Sanctuary were on the losing end, he slowly raised his arm and tugged. The earth immediately responded to his will.

Vast columns of stone exploded upward from underneath the water. They rose, twisting and turning into the air to form a sprawling mausoleum. The Merfolk and other abominations were quickly trapped inside.

The figure gazed at his handwork, expression still stony. In the next moment, he clenched his fist.

…And the vast army of Merfolk was no more.

***

Within the Territory of Flame…

Within the Territory of Ice…

Within the Territory of Wind…

Three different figures suddenly appeared in the sky.

Each of them wore robes of varying colours. The first donned a fiery red garment, while the second and third were dressed in pale blue and green, respectively. Each figure took a second to gaze at the battle raging on below.

Inside the frigid environment of the Territory of Flame, the overwhelming number of Dark Elves caused the defenders of the Sanctuary an endless amount of trouble.

The snow turned a deeper shade of murky red.

Meanwhile, inside the Territory of Ice, the Dark Dwarves and winged abominations similar in stature to the extinct dragons wreaked havoc. The ice-clad warriors could do little but delay their demise.

Lastly, inside the Territory of Wind, the Dark Dryads bulldozed through their foes. No matter what the Zephyr Clan threw at them, they kept on advancing, uncaring for how many limbs, branches and personnel they lost.

The mist roiled within the Territory of Flame. Water vapour evaporated under the scorching heat of the Territory of Ice. And the wind howled ferociously inside the Territory of Wind.

Suddenly, the three figures moved in unison.

The first figure drew his arm back as if he was nocking a bow. A flaming arrow slowly manifested into existence.

…And under its searing heat, reality trembled.

The second figure snapped her finger and a vast mass of frozen shards appeared behind her, blotting out the skies.

A chill seemed to run through the world.

Finally, the last figure pointed her finger towards the desiccated mob of Dryads. The very heavens seemed to roar in response.

Under the combined might of these three figures, there could only be one conclusion.

…Death.

The fiery arrow split into countless smaller arrows and showered the Dark Elves in a fiery blaze. The cloud of infinite shards swiftly descended, skewering every Dark Dwarf and their winged companions. A harrowing cyclone tore through the Dark Dryads, ripping them to shreds.

The corrupted nature spirits could regenerate no longer.

And just like that…

The invasion against the Sanctuary was over.

***

Celeste was by Alden's side in an instant. She gently deposited Ignia on the ground beside her, her heart beating at a million miles an hour.

She ignored how the sky had suddenly turned an orange colour, spewing out hell. Celeste placed her full attention on Alden.

…And his injuries.

There were many.

His body was in a terrible state.

But perhaps the most alarming of all was the sheer extent of internal injuries he had sustained. Celeste's Mana Sense swept across her childhood friend's frame.

Her expression fell.

Alden's breathing was immensely laboured.

Suddenly, she sensed it beginning to slow.

A jolt of panic ran through Celeste.

She hurriedly placed her palm on Alden's chest. Her hand swiftly glowed.

However, as if facing some opposition, the light abruptly flickered out.

Celeste frowned.

She tried again, and again, and again.

The result was the same.

Alden's breathing became slower and slower. Celeste bit her lips to suppress a scream.

Her eyes welled with a fresh wave of tears.

Al…

Her precious love…

Was on the brink of death and she could do nothing about it.

It was as if his body was rejecting whatever life energy she tried to inject into it.

She saw a small smile on his lips and her heart shattered.

…Through his death, was Alden finally getting the rest he deserved?

Celeste sobbed over the battered form of her first love. Her muffled weeping echoed within the thick mist.

The young lady kept trying to heal her childhood friend.

She used every herb at her disposal.

She poured every ounce of life energy she possessed.

No matter what…

She would save Alden.

***

Drakon stared at Alden.

The white-haired young man appeared to be on death's door. While he should have been happy at that fact, the Ember heir's heart was strangely heavy. He flicked his gaze towards the burning sky and his expression darkened.

He gritted his teeth and peered at the little bird.

Ignia lay on the ground a few metres from Celeste. With the Chosen of the Divine Sovereign too busy sobbing over Alden, now was the perfect chance to steal the phoenix.

Drakon's mind urged him to move.

…To grasp the key that would help get rid of that blasted bottleneck.

Yet, strangely, against all odds, his limbs did not move. Drakon didn't know why.

A strange feeling entered his heart.

With it, a flood of memories came rushing back.

…Of a time when life was good.

A time full of warmth.

As he stared at Celeste weeping over Alden's broken form, Drakon's heart shook.

Oh, how he wished for someone to care for him like that!

The Ember heir tore his gaze from the Chosen of the Divine Sovereign and sighed.

His chest was extremely heavy.

Drakon took a chilly breath and turned around, ignoring the little bird.

The sound of his footsteps crunched against the murky snow, leaving fine imprints.

His forlorn back slowly faded from view.

Love…

What a lonely and forsaken thing it was.

[End of Volume 1]