Ilis stretched her arms while her boots crunched along the road. She looked up as she saw one of the Aspirants fly past, heading in the same direction that they were. She frowned. Should be fine. They’re not strong enough to completely destroy everything. She ran her eyes over the gathered force. Nearly every Adventurer had come, only the ones who’d could find a solution to the swarm stayed behind. Her eyes travelled to the man who was leading all of them, Brand. She’d always been aware that he’d hated the wastelands that wars would leave behind, but this was the first time she’d seen him do anything about it. She’d definitely been surprised when he’d taken up a commanding position, and even more surprised that everyone listened – not that he wasn’t a good commander, she just expected people to be stupid. But, there was something going on with him, she could see it in the way he stood taller, the way he spoke and left people walking away with lighter steps. If it was what she thought it was…then something special was happening.

She marched along with the small army, her mind wandering to this morning.

“So, you’re staying then?”

She nodded. “Yep, Brand’s got everyone riled up, so I think we actually have a chance.”

Juliet nodded, looking out of the window, while leaning on her shoulder. “Were you going to leave?”

She winced. “...Yeah. I didn’t think there was any hope.”

She looked up and met her gaze. Her green eyes pierced into hers. “You fought when there was no hope against the horde.”

She lightly shrugged. “I had no choice. It was do or die.”

Juliet sighed. “...I see.”

“...sorry?”

The Innkeeper looked up again, her eyes searching, before smiling. “Don’t be,” she whispered.

She blinked out of the memory, and her mouth lifted. She had fallen behind the front a bit, so she hurried to catch up. She fell into pace with her teammate. “So what are we expecting?”

Brand turned his head to her, and grinned. “Ah, finished daydreaming about your new lady?”

Ilis rolled her eyes. “Yes, I have. Now answer the question.”

The bear-like man shrugged. “Members of the Grasping Hand, Bracken monsters, maybe even the one controlling all the parasites. We get past all of them, and we take back Danist.”

She nodded. “Seems simple enough”

The man snorted. “Well, with everyone we’ve got with us, it just might be.”

They continued to walk, time passing slowly for a while, until a call came from the side. “Monsters!”

Everyone sprung into action; Spells were prepared, swords were drawn, and fists were raised. Ilis immediately began to humm the [Flickering Tune], and she watched as grins spread across peoples faces. She blasted off towards the sound of fighting, moving so fast that she had to hop over people. She continued to blur past everyone until she came to a stop right in front of an enormous bracken weasel, which was shooting cutting winds at the group. She jumped right into the fight, her fist becoming enveloped in flame as it arched down towards its head. A crispend corpse later, she was moving on to the next bracken creature. Her fists pummelled the monsters back, and soon she was joined by the rest of the Adventurers. The force of monsters quickly diminished, and when the last few were destroyed, a cheer went up from all around.

She smiled, wiping her fists on a dried out patch of grass. Easy. Let’s hope the rest of this journey is the same. A lot of people were doing the same as her, before walking back to the encrusted road. She looked around one last time, making sure everything was safe. She paused when her eyes caught on something. She squinted at the shifting shadows that moved in the trees. She turned and called to the others. “Oi! Anyone seeing those shadows?” A few heads twisted and peered beyond her. Her gaze returned too, and she watched with a growing sense of unease. A cry came from behind her. “The shadows are weird over here!” Her expression firmed. Something is happening. Just as she finished the thought, the darkness advanced. Mist? “Attack!” she called, and the darkness surged. She heard the mages respond immediately, summoning the wind to push it back. The mist swirled around the wall of air, and reached up to try and get over it; it continued, revealing that they were inside a dome of wind. The sun faded, until there was barely enough light to see.

“Head towards the woods! Their mages must be supplying the spell!” A breeze whooshed around her, and the worry that had been on her mind, lifted. She shook her head, and began to humm [Flickering Tune] again. She started marching forwards, her body burning to punch something, and judging from the faces around her, the others felt the same.

Soon, they were among the trees, and she felt her nape prickle. They’re just going to move out of the way… she growled, and looked at Brand, who was running a critical eye over the gathered force. She moved closer. “What are we going to do?”

He frowned, and glanced behind him, before doing a double take. “Earth Manipulators! Dig underground and use your senses to find them, or armour up and charge in a group! Anyone who can fly, come up here and the Air Manipulators will let you through to the sky…”

She listened as the man rattled off orders, coming up with ways to attack around the mist. She bit her lip. “Brand… I have an ability which could help…”

The man paused and raised an eyebrow at her. “Well? I assume you have a reason for not using it?”

She nodded. “It’s…not a normal ability.”

He frowned. “...I think I understand. You should do it anyway though.”

She nodded. She took several deep breaths and then…she began to sing. It was almost too easy, as if the [Song of Ashes] was simply waiting to burst out. The haunting melody rose, and she saw Brand stumble back, his eyes wide. She watched, rooted to the spot, as the shapes formed again. She didn’t see the familiar woman from last time. Her teammate stared as people made of ash came to life, nodding at the silent spectators around them. Her chest lifted, as the song grew more powerful. The Old Man formed once again, and he immediately turned to look at the bear-like man. Brand stood there, completely pale and trembling. The Old Man adjusted his spectacles and snorted…except it was more like a puff. He then turned and examined the mist, nodding every once a while. The other figures had already walked into it.

After examining the darkness for a bit, the archivist stretched out his hand, and a torrent of Mana poured out. The mist reacted violently, swirling against whatever he was doing, and then… it became white. She heard gasps around her, and saw the old man give her and Brand a smirk. The Bastion recovered first, and started barking out orders to people. His voice travelled by her ear on a breeze. She didn’t pay attention, the old man was watching her. His lips moved, but no sound came out.

Be careful

She felt a chill, and could only continue to sing helplessly as the song ran its course. Notifications started to roll in.

‘Ding’ You have defeated [Deathly Mists Lv 140]

‘Ding’ You have defeated [Deathly Mists Lv 145]

‘Ding’ You have defeated [Deah…

The notifications continued. How many people were in these woods?!

‘Ding’ You have levelled up. [Fiery Enhancer Lv 120 – Lv 127]

35 Stat points gained

‘Ding’ You have levelled up. [Burning Singstress Lv 80 – Lv 90]

30 Stat points gained.

‘Ding’ [Flickering Tune 2nd Tier Lv 2 – Lv 7]

She fell to her knees, and Brand came over quickly, putting his hand under her arm. “Well done Ilis…You saved a lot of people there.” She nodded, letting him carry her weight. The man straightened. “Retreat back to the road!” She watched the Adventurers eye them but still proceeded to do what he said. They trudged back, keeping an eye out for any more enemies.

“So, wanna talk about that?”

She sighed. “I don’t know what to say…I just got the ability not long ago, and it can do…that. I don’t know what to do about it, Brand…”

The man nodded, and didn’t say anything as they headed back. Once they got on the packed dirt again, she slipped her arm out of his grip, and gave him a weak smile. The group was about to set off again, when a flare of light washed over them. Oh, now they come? She glared at the floating shape of the angel.

“Are you alright? I detected massive amounts of Death magic.”

A few people glanced at her, but didn’t do anything. Brand spoke up. “We’re fine now. Thanks for asking.”

The man nodded and she narrowed her eyes at him.

‘Ding’ [Aspirant of The Saviour Lv 189]

“I should remain in case of another attack.”

She sighed, and looked at her teammate. The man didn’t look happy about the situation either.

“We’d be happy to-”

A rod of silver descended and pierced through the angel, striking him to the ground. They all stared at him, as he fluttered like a pinned bug. A giant spidery shape rose from the forests. The silvery limbs connected to a man who stood on a metal platform. It was eerily silent, as the man crawled forward.

Everyone was shocked into silence, until Brand barked out commands. “Mages! Slow it down and try to do damage! Warriors! Defend them!”

Spell spun into life again, and shot towards the figure. A sheet of metal moved from behind the man and blocked the attacks. Even though the Manipulator’s eyesight was blocked, he still shot whistling rods, most of which were blocked by the defenders; the few that weren’t surged around the mages, making them appear like insects stuck in glue. Her attention was brought back to the fight, as a massive limb swept the entire road, causing trees to crash behind them.

“Ilis! Your ability! Use it again!”

She glanced at him, but didn’t argue, and opened her mouth to sing once more. It was like breathing through mud, the sounds didn’t want to form, but she ploughed on and forced the mournful song into the air. It warbled a bit, but nonetheless, the ashen forms of people came again. She had to push the song to keep going, there were less summoned people this time, and they needed- spikes of silver impaled each form, causing them to collapse instantly. She felt a whiplash, and the song was cut off. She stumbled and looked up, feeling someone's gaze on her. The man in the centre of all the metal stared at her, his head tilted to the side. She watched his mouth curve upwards. The metal surged around her, like liquid; she growled. She was not just a singer. [Flickering Tune] activated almost without her noticing, and her [Body of Flame] ramped up its heat. She blasted upwards, using explosions to guide her trajectory, while smashing any grasping tendrils. She grinned as she saw the Manipulator's eyes widen, and she rocketed even closer. He began to retreat, but her speed was on another level to him, she closed in and he threw all of his metal at her. The flames around her fist blazed, and she started leaving molten holes with her attacks. She stuttered while flying, and did a big blast with her feet, pushing her up further into the air; she took the moment to pant, fighting like that continuously was expensive. Her Mana and Stamina were draining fast, and she hadn’t had a chance to recharge from the previous fight.

The metal parted, and a glare was aimed at her. She smiled sweetly. Just before she could engage in another round, a voice travelled up and swirled around her ear.

“Do one big attack and then retreat.”

She blinked, and her smile widened. She rushed forward, drawing upon her reserves to increase her speed and power to almost the maximum it could go. She smashed into a plate of metal, and made a glowing hole that splattered molten droplets onto the man behind it. He shouted in pain, and she quickly moved back, just in time too.

“NOW!”

The distracted Manipulator turned too slowly to completely block the barrage of spells that were all somehow aimed precisely at his opened back. Dust, ice, air, rocks, and fire all swirled around his form. They all didn’t let up though, there hadn’t been a scream, so either he was dead, or…

A silver statue stepped through the attacks, and looked impassively at them. Her heart dropped, while the statue raised its hand. The earth started to shake, and she looked around in panic. Questing tendrils of metal started to rise from the ground, and her breath caught. Brand didn’t hesitate, however. “RETREAT!” She and the others started running back up the road, as more metal joined the rising wall of shimmering silver. She watched as it began to fall with finality, her [Flickering Tune] faded, its last note ending dreadfully.

“FUCKING DAMMIT NO!”

The air roared, and suddenly, her spirit lifted, and her mind focused. A breeze swirled around her legs, causing her to run faster. She used [Explosive Movements] to move ahead of everyone, and she started singing with [Flickering Tune] again, giving it words this time, about not giving up, about continuing in the face of death. All around her, everyone was using spells and abilities to help each other. It seemed like they might have escaped, if the tide of silver hadn’t also started moving faster. She continued to sing, but internally she felt resigned. That's just how it is… She remembered the day her mother didn’t return, and then she remembered Juliet. Fuck, I’m sorry baby… She slowed with everyone else to watch their end, except for Brand. She watched him grit his teeth and suddenly race forward. He flung out his arms and his presence loomed. The short man became a giant, he was everywhere, behind her, and everyone else, encouraging them to never give up. With his hands outstretched, the air rippled, and the wave of silver slammed into it. She goggled at the sight, as one man held back an attack that could wipe out a town. Her breath hitched. Not just a man… a…

‘Ding’ [Bastion of The People! Lv 150]

His presence whispered words all around her. “Move…” and everyone reluctantly did, everyone except for her. She ran towards him, pushing people out of the way. “Brand!” She called for him. “You better not be fucking sacrifcing yourself again!” She watched his shoulders hiccup, and he turned around, giving her a grin. She shook her head, and hurried to his side. She slowed to a stop when she arrived, nervously licking her lips as she looked up at the truly massive undulating wave of metal.

“Congratulations on your Class advancement.” She said conversationally.

Her friend snorted. “Thanks.”

She turned around, watching as the last of the Adventurers escaped. “Time to leave Brand.” The man looked at her, revealing his sweaty and puffed up face.

“Pfft, you look so stupid…” She laughed, and the man rolled his eyes.

“...leave.”

“I’m going to try and carry you out of here.”

“Too heavy.”

“Yeah.”

She thought of Juliet, waiting for her back at the inn. She shrugged. “Let it down, Brand. Let’s go out with a bang.”

The man was breathing heavily, and didn’t acknowledge what she said. She rolled his eyes and slapped him. Startled, his hands dropped, and he gaped at her in shock. Time seemed to go in slow motion, as she laughed once more, before clenching her fist as it burst into flame. She bursted into song, and it filled the air, calling to the adventurers retreating; she felt their surprise, and then… their determination. Resolve and strength burned within her, and her song rose as more voices joined in. The flames around her fist slowly changed colour, becoming an intense blue that was so strong, Brand had to shield his eyes and step back. The song rose into a crescendo, as her fist pushed forwards, and unleashed a thick bar of azure fire. It melted through the crashing wave of metal, and to protect their sides, she Used her other hand to unleash more fire in a dome, pushing the enveloping silver back, while her attack continued to drill out.

“HOLD ON!” she called to her friend, and the man hurried to grab her shoulders. She crouched, and then exploded. Brand cried out in pain, but there was nothing she could do about it, as they launched through the hole she’d made, following her blue fire. She could feel molten metal drip onto her shoulder; it didn’t burn. It felt as if they were travelling for an entire lifetime, memories flashing through her mind. And then… they were free, sailing through the air, shooting past the shocked expression of the Manipulator, and beyond. The wind started to swirl around them, guiding them towards the woods. It was perfect timing too, as her Mana and Stamina were completely dry. Brand wrapped himself around her, and then they crashed, in a flurry of cracks and a roar of mud being sprayed into the air. They came to a stop, leaving a deep furrow through the earth, as mud flowed around them.

A notification chimed in her head.

‘Ding’ You have unlocked the Class Ability [Choir of the Bonfire Lv 1]

Take their hopes, their resolve, and feed it into the flames. Let their dreams burn free.