Il’tel

City of Iron Ice

The next morning

Io walked through the cold, broken city. Gazing at the aftermath as civilians and soldiers alike gathered the skeletal remains of all who died in Yokai’s wake. There was no relief in their pale dreadful expressions, only sorrow and anger as none of the dead could be told from one another. Not knowing if their loved ones were already gone or still holding on underneath the rubble.

Half the city was in shambles, dozens of buildings laid to waste by the dark flames. Bones lay strewn out all over the streets, the monster having had at the crowd after killing King Freiz.

Io had spoken to the calmest of the survivors, which was saying very little as all she spoke to were frightened out of their lives. Each spoke from different perspectives but all recalled the same tragedy, the same harrowing nightmare.

They described a dark God of death walking among them, laughing maniacally as its flames devoured all in its path. Nobody and nothing could stop it, not the walls, not the soldiers or guards, not the royals or even the guardian Frost Drake. They told how of it toyed with them, as if playing with its food right before gulping it down.

Io was distraught, at the verge of tears even as she walked through the destroyed streets. (“I…I didn’t sign up for this…”) she thought, holding her emotions in check as many turned to stare at her passing. But her task here was not to give aid, she had brought soldiers with her for that who had already spread out through the city.

Io was here to find someone, anyone who could be called the next in line for the Frost Court. Freiz was dead, she was clearly told that much so she was chosen from the Elders to search for the next in line. Freiz’s only daughter, Sion.

She dreaded everything at this moment, not even knowing whether the Champions and her apprentice were alive themselves. She was behind sending them all after Kyle in the first place, by request of Karnage but she had talked the rest into it.

She for some reason couldn’t reach out to any of them, she couldn’t sense their location or being at all. At the same time she also couldn’t warp to Kyle, she hadn’t been able to get a good grasp on the man’s soul to sense his location.

So she wanted to do anything she could, because none of this nightmare was agreed upon by the Elders with the mercenaries. The Elders had agreed to a clean, silent removal of the Court’s leadership. Not genocide. She had sent the Champions with Karnage to stop the madness at Hasharr because they had expected it, but they hadn’t even the clue of what had happened here before it was too late.

“E-Elder?!” exclaimed a voice from behind her, recognizing it Io turned to find Sion and a contingent of the surviving soldiers gathered around her.

Io immediately flew towards the group, gathered at a table someone must have brought out with a map of the city. It seemed Sion was already taking the lead, commanding the troops around the city to search for the missing and aid the injured.

Io flew down before the group “Highness, I’ve brought three platoons of good Elves to aid in the search. Staff Commander Leonald is awaiting word from your men at the gate, his people are already aiding those around.”

Sion’s expression visible showed relief but she looked nothing close to calm. Her eyes were bloodshot, wide and trembling. Her cheeks flushed red and skin paler than normal. She was out of breath and her hands were shaking above the table she held onto. But even then she had been ordering soldiers around, dividing squadrons around each district that was hit.

“Thank you…” Sion manage as she stared down at the map “It’s been…a difficult night.” Her voice was cracking and choked, as she held back her own tears.

“Give us some space will you!?” Io shouted at the others gathered around them, the soldiers nodding and saluting as they scattered with their orders while the scouts walked off to give them privacy. Io waited for everyone to leave before she walked over to the table, gazing down at the map before her.

“Will…the Champions be arriving soon?” Sion asked as her trembling grew worse.

Io shook her head “We…are unsure as to where the Champions are at the moment.” She watched as Sion’s eyes rose to meet hers in confusion “We sent them after the creature on its first appearance at Hasharr…We lost contact with them there.”

Io teleported in a panic as Sion collapsed to her knees, appearing next to the princess as she held her left arm “Sion! Are you alright?” Io asked in surprise.

Sion weakly shook her head, as she tried to rise back. “I’m trying madam…I’m trying to seem strong for my people…” Io helped her back up, letting go as Sion leaned onto the table and covered her eyes to hide the swelling of tears ”Not even the Champions…” she whispered “What are we to do?...We’re naked before this nightmare. We…are we hopeless?”

Io grimaced as she clenched the table’s edge “The Champions are alive, they must be. Do not lose hope so quickly child, our people combined have gone through worse and we will deal with this!” Io encouraged her, but Sion only stared down at the map where she had marked all the destruction.

“Your Highness!” suddenly exclaimed a frantic scout as he ran over to the table, completely out of breath as he almost collapsed onto it.

“What is it!?” Io barked at the scout “Report damnit!”

The scout shaken by Io’s tone and face immediately began to speak “The border dungeon detected a squadron of fast moving Griffins heading directly towards Iron Ice! The dungeon and the shore fortress defences couldn’t keep up! They will be here within minutes!” he anxiously explained.

“Griffins? Humans?! An attack now!?” exclaimed Sion, baffled by the thought she was only shaken back into action by Io’s nudge. Sion turned to the group of scouts that had moved to stand in the side “Gather the fur coats! An attack is on its way! Tell the corporals meet us outside!” she ordered them and each of the twenty or so scouts immediately scattered.

Sion turned to Io “Madam can I ask of your people to aid us in the defence?!” panic was clear in her tone and expression.

Io nodded “Yes, let us gather at the first gate.” She grabbed Sion’s arm and suddenly, without even a chant, a runic circle appeared beneath them before it began to rise and dissipate their bodies into thin air.

Io and Sion appeared at the city’s only entrance from above, a runic circle descending from mid-air forming their bodies out of it.

“Elder!” Saluted a grizzled Night Elf at her appearance “I saw the panicked scout, what has occurred?”

“A platoon of Griffins is heading this way, somehow too fast for even the border Dungeon to stop them.” Io quickly explained before turning towards the blown open gate “Gather your men! We must not let them through!” before stomping her way into the tunnel.

Sion shouted at several soldiers around the entrance, building up a small platoon of men which she lead after Io. The contingent, their princess and the Elder made their way through the battered tunnel and out of the holey gate were a small group of mages worked on repairing the rusted metal.

Io gazed off at the south where she was sure the Griffins would first appear from. The sky was grey and mildly clouded but the weather was clear for the most part, the desolate tundra of snow spread out for as far as the eye could see and little wind was blowing through today. This was a problem as the Frost Court’s Elite soldiers, the Fur Coats were at their best during a blizzard.

(“Would Esfelt truly attack now?...Does their hate for us still run so deep that they would abuse of such a tragedy and attack? Will the Dezol follow?...Were…were we tricked?!“) Io’s rage only boiled further as the minutes went by, mana clearly sparking around her as she awaited the worst.

Slowly hundreds of Tundra Elves began to gather with them, most staying inside the tunnel and preparing to defend there where an artificial blizzard could be summoned. With them were several dozen mixed Elves, all wearing armour of the same design as Fei’tel’s guards.

More minutes passed before “I see them…” whispered Sion as she noticed the winged creatures approaching from afar “How many is that?...”

“Twenty four by my count but…what is that in the middle of them?” asked Io’s platoon leader.

“It looks like a carriage.” Mused Io as she also gazed at the approaching squadron of winged beasts.

Each soldier stood ready, bow held high and arrows nocked awaiting the order as the Griffins closed in on them.

“What is…What are those!?” exclaimed one soldier in a panic as everyone noticed the massive goliaths riding the winged creatures, wielding large shields and staves while glowing a menacing red hue.

“T-The Griffins too!” exclaimed another, clearly pointing out the heavy armour each Griffin wore “And that’s no carriage!” he then announced, the Chariot close enough to see its smooth, deadly features.

Sion noticed as the squadron leaned away from them, flying at a safe range from their bows and magic while moving in an arch to come back around. Far off from the entrance the Griffins and the lead Chariot descended down into a landing, stopping a safe distance away.

“Why did they land?...” Sion asked, confused at what to do next. She knew well no sane Griffin rider would land in a wide-open field like this, not if they planned to engage.

“Someone is coming out of the carriage.” Pointed out one mage to her left, and just as she said several people stepped out of the carriage’s back.

They watched as the group walked towards them, leaving behind the Griffins and their riders. It was a mixed group of several races, Elves, Humans and Halfbeasts, Scalarions, Mers and Dwarves. It was obvious these were from the Alliance.

Sion relaxed as she saw no aggression coming from this group, but Io’s eyes only widened in further fury as she recognised Kyle among them. Casually walking towards the city he had laid waste to only hours before, a calm and relaxed expression on his face. Io tried very hard to contain herself.

“We come to lend aid.” Announced Zaahr, at the lead of the group of Adventurers Guild leaders and Birse’s contingent of four including Kyle, Death and Cherry “We of the Adventurers guild of Barik and the Esfeltian alliance wish to offer assistance with this tragedy.”

Sion stepped out from her group, announcing herself as the one in command “And how exactly have you, Esfeltians, heard of our situation?” She bitterly asked, unable to believe a word these non-Elves spoke.

Zaahr glanced at Io “We are in close contact with your Elders, the news reached us as well.”

Sion glanced at Io who nodded “My…apprentice is their leader.” She whispered to the princess who’s expression relaxed.

Sion turned back to the adventurers “Even so…” she clenched her hands around her new staff “Why? Why would you help us? Us who only days before today would have your entire continent wiped out!?” she demanded to know.

Io grinded her teeth as Kyle stepped forth to speak now, his cold eyes and hollow smile capturing all “Because unlike your racist ideals, we seek survival. We push for co-operation and peace, we only want a united Chaoz against the flood that is sure to come. Your idealistic and frankly idiotic actions were cancelled out by the Elder’s swift and wise counter actions. This gives us hope that peace with the Elves is at least possible through reasoning…Now if you could just get over your cultural bull shit we could all sleep in peace.”

Sion stared at the blunt Halfbeast, baffled by his words. Kyle noticed her surprised stare, winking suggestively with a sneer and causing Sion to glance away in disgust “We thank you for your gullibility but the Frost Court does not require Your help. Be on your way.”

Io glanced at Sion, she was hiding her hands within her coat, barely visible to Io as they trembled in fear. Io could understand questioning the alliance’s aid but to straight up decline? In the situation the Court found itself in, it couldn’t decline any kind of help. Io knew something else was going through Sion’s head (“Did she…recognise him?”) Io thought as she glanced at Kyle (“No…if she did we’d already be standing on a battlefield…Then what is she…”)

“Don’t be stubborn your Highness.” said Kyle as he stepped towards them, only to stop midway as several arrows found their end near his feet. Kyle sighed “It is obvious you require help, we saw no resources being pulled back from the borders meaning that you expect more attacks elsewhere. You also brought out as many soldiers as you could, trying to show off numbers but to us the numbers you’re currently showing are…laughable at best. Meaning that most of the city’s guards are still inside, working their asses off to minimize the damage and losses.”

Kyle tried to continue forwards, but more arrows whistled into his path.

“Keep your distance, Beast.” One Elf hissed at him.

To which Kyle chuckled as he ignored the Elves’ warning shots and threaded forward “Don’t!” exclaimed Nakano after him but Kyle ignored her too.

Sion glared in annoyance at the disrespectful Halfbeast “It seems you do not comprehend who you are dealing with!”, she raised her right hand up before suddenly lowering into a chop. A rain of arrows followed from behind her, all targeted at Kyle.

But Kyle only chuckled as the hail of projectiles fell upon him, speaking out a short chant “True slime, Body Shift. Elder flame slime.” Kyle’s entire body shifted to a dark red slime as he continued to walk forwards, the arrows peppering his body before bursting aflame and turning to ash.

Sion stared as the man made of red hot flames casually walked through the rain of enchanted arrows, speechless at the sight.

“It seems as, it is you who doesn’t know what you are dealing with.” Announced Kyle as he stopped mere feet away from Sion, his body turning back to normal as the arrows stopped.

Sion inspected him, her eyes widening as she read.

Kyllix [{{Master} Lord of Slimes}]-[{Chosen Of Frost}] (Devil Slayer) (Blood Pack Mercenaries) Level 209

“I am Kyllix of the Blood Pack Mercenaries, Lord of Slimes, Slayer of Devils and Chosen Hero of the God of this desolate terrain. Ymir.” His cold eyes gazed directly into Sion’s “And I beg you to reconsider our offer.”

Sion watched as he forwarded his hand with an all too friendly smile “Durga announced you as a Heathen, an evil to be rid of.”

Kyle chuckled “Angry Gods tend to spout childish things. Tell me Princess Sion Oswold, who do you treasure the most? Your God? Or your people?” he asked while glancing over the soldiers behind her “Has your God done anything at all to aid you? Has your God given you protection from the monsters that lurk in the dark?” he turned to meet her faltering glare once more “Truly, tell me your Highness. How exactly has Durga earned your respect and reverence?”

“Durga…Durga created us! All us Elves! Durga created the things that sustain us!” Sion vehemently argued.

Kyle smirked, amused by her simplistic response “She created you as weapons, she made you as soldiers to fight for her pitiful cause of greatness. Gods are selfish beings, in more ways than one they only care about themselves. They don’t love their creations like a mother loves their child but instead how a blacksmith loves his craft. They see themselves in you, they possessively protect you. Not as blood or family, but as possessions. Objectificating you.”

Kyle easily sensed the prideful fury rising within each Elf including Sion, he even felt Io’s building rage but chose to ignore it.

“What gives you…Wh-” Sion began to ask but was swiftly cut off.

Cut off by Kyle “What gives me the right to say any of this?” He stepped closer, a mere foot away from her blade now “I’ve spoken with many Gods, I’ve met, been around and argued with more than I care to remember. So believe me when I tell you that your hope is an empty one. But really there is no reason for me to tell you all this is there, you should know what Durga planned for her chosen after all?” he asked with a raised brow.

Sion looked confused now “The Hero of Light was assassinated by your people!” she angrily spouted, lowering her blade to Kyle’s face.

But Kyle retained his smile “Zeeke betrayed us and sided with a blind, foolish cult. He got what he deserved. But that is not the chosen I am speaking of.” Kyle’s smile faltered when he noticed Sion’s increasing confusion “Oh so you really don’t know.” He snorted in annoyance, truly annoyed by this reveal “As Durga she chose Zeeke, But as Kali she chose another. The Hero of the Dagger, Devil of the Dezol of Wrath Zeokul Ares Hellsong. Also our friend, our comrade and brother of the Blood Pack. Justin.” The anger in Kyle’s tone could not be faked.

Sion’s eyes and tone showed disbelief as she spoke “A Devil chosen by Kali? Pray tell where is this figment of your imagination?”

Kyle’s eyes widened with rage as the sheer amount of mana he suddenly began to radiate encompassed the entire entrance “This figment of my imagination gave his life to defeat the damn Lich who started all this. He gave his immortal existence away to save this damn world.” Kyle had to try very hard to hold back his Spirit, unfortunately allowing the rest of his mana to enter a frenzy as it assaulted the Elves in a cold aura which caused them all to fall on their knees “I don’t care who you might think you are, nor of what importance you might be. Disrespect him again and I will be the last fucking thing you see.”

Zaahr appeared next to Kyle, clenching his shoulder in her hand “Calm down fool.” She hissed at him.

Kyle glanced back at Zaahr, sneering “Oh trust me, I’m very calm.” Zaahr doubtfully let go of his shoulder as he turned back to the now kneeling army of Elves. He took a deep breath, regaining control of his mana and Spirit “So I’ll ask again, letting bygones be bygones. Will you accept our generosity? Or should we leave you be and take this insult home, after the journey we took to come here in the first place.”

Io stared dumbfounded, even she had fallen to the man’s power and was brought to her knees. Now she just stared in amazement, not cause of the magical strength Kyle possessed but at how devious and manipulative he could be. She was baffled at how well he acted.

Sion on the other hand couldn’t even glance up as she was terror-stricken, frozen on her knees as she remembered events of only hours before. Faced once more with a power she couldn’t dare match, Sion felt at the end of her ropes.

Kyle inwardly smirked, he thought he had messed up by losing control but it had only made everything all the easier. He kneeled down next to her and grabbed her hand “I apologize, I did not mean to frighten you.” He said while pulling a still terrified Sion up to her feet, her expression reddening as she realized he had pulled her up to meet his face.

“So, where can we help?” Kyle asked with a smile.

Io wanted to vomit.