CHAPTER 22: FORLORN HOPE

The mind is the most powerful asset a soldier on the front lines can have. Not sword nor ax as Vasu may think. No, it is your mind that will guide you to make the decision that no one else will. It is your mind that will show you a pathway out when all seems lost. It is the mind that can thwart any evil that crosses your path. So, it is the mind of a human soldier that will save them as a hulking green orc standing at 8ft tall towering over them charges to run their blade through their flesh like a hot knife through butter. It is the mind of the soldier that will hold either erasing or disregarding their fear standing shoulder to shoulder with their brother’s spears extended and body braced. Your mind is a weapon. Choose carefully how you wish to wield it.

Excerpt from Fross Adventures written by Lord Alexander Fross.

What’s it like working for the Kans? Well, if Rouge really had to describe it. It was like visiting one of the many taverns within the city of Ashburn. You never quite knew what type of establishment it was until you stepped inside leaving it a mystery until then. That’s what it was like working for the Kan’s. Rouge short spear stabbed into the Nox that jumped for her lady while still pinned on her spear she rushed forwards like a bull Alex besides her as she pierced through the body of another creature. It’s not that the Nox were easy to kill it was just that Rouge Spearaltin had armor and equipment superior to her peers. Far better than the long spear and ax most soldiers of the Crimson Army were equipped with. Not to say those items were bad in fact the Young Lord had splurged according to Alice and Alex with the equipment his soldiers were wearing.

A swift kick sent the bodies tumbling from her spear the Nox impaled dead at her feet as they stepped over them. It was only the few stragglers that made it out of the way of her lady’s spell that attacked. The rest steered clear of the party as they moved to rejoin her squad and Alex.

Rouge mind however was worried not for herself or her lady but for her Young Lord. The man she was sworn and bonded to protect. How could she fulfill her duties when she was so weak, and it would take at least a solid year for her to digest the gains of her new power level and then even longer to move further. Or it would have if not for the insights provided to her as not only Lady Amaya’s power washed over her but the Spear of Altin provide details as well. Every time she activated the perk it was as if someone was guiding her. Move like this, walk like this, hell, it even wanted her to talk a certain way.

Rouge didn’t know what to think of the magic her Young Lord provided her. So, she wouldn’t think on it. Right now, she was focusing on making sure her Crimson General arrived to the platforms along with the princess.

A quick glance to Rouge right showed a laughing Princess Moriah as the sound echoed across the battlefield to them. Her fight against three individuals with a similar level of strength appeared almost one sided as golden light erupted from her, and a projection of white wings graced her side. She almost appeared to be flying.

“Focus now is not the time for distractions,” Lady Amaya said as Rouge was slightly out of place. The insight provided from Lady Amaya showing that she was a step behind. The mountains rumbled as red thunder cracked across the sky. The nice afternoon weather all but gone. Rouge tightens her grip around her spear and took that step back in formation. Alex shooting her a reassuring smile.

*

Karla mind was still in a state of shock. She was tired and the Warrior Princess was absent from the battle. How could she not have seen this. How could the Nox have infiltrated so deep. It was impossible unless there was a traitor, or a noble in the right position of power had been infiltrated and consumed by the Nox. Karla could see no other way because they had measures to detect the foul creatures and unless a noble in her close circle betrayed them. Karla just could not see another way so many of her elite guards could be turned without so much as a peep. Was it General Irvon? Impossible even now he was fighting against one of the tier nine Nox. Gloria being turned didn’t even cross Karla’s mind. Baroness Vanns? Knight Commander Denvin? Count Falcon?

Or could it be someone from the alliance between the races she put together. In a gesture of faith representatives had been stationed and allowed into the royal castle. Karla’s mind rapidly moved through options and the Warrior Princess began to reemerge a cold expression on her face. Her gaze shifted around her. Watching the men of the Crimson Army. Was it worth it to stay as their prisoner. For Karla could tell they were bringing her along for such even if nothing was stated. From the way they hadn’t even bothered to help her men told Karla all she needed to know.

Then her gaze shifted to Aegis. Who even now the way finder pointed towards. All around her she could see the brightly glowing figures that had been affected by the man. Her gaze turned towards Princess Moriah and the woman appeared in a normal setting. Her eyes shifted to Amaya who glowed in a soft crimson light. Then back to Aegis who lit up the area.

She was strong enough to break out now. Even with their superior equipment Karla held the advantage in strength. She looked around once again. Her men had formed together and were slowly headed back to the Air Bastion preparing to leave. She could make it if she chose to now.

One look in Aegis direction was all it took for her to change her mind. The Nox held him in their hands and looked deeply into him. this was their process of conversion and in that moment, Karla watched as it failed. She had seen it fail before when a Nox of a lesser cast tried to bite off more than they could chew and target someone stronger than them. The backlash would disintegrate the body. For Aegis however, the corpse simply fell to the ground dead and in that moment Karla knew. Whatever secrets Aegis held would save her people. So, she turned her eyes from the sight of her dying men and shut her ears from their screams as the Nox consumed and converted.

Karla sent a silent prayer to Arlo for protection for the rest of her living men. She knew General Irvon, or Gloria would be able to handle things in her absence. She warily glanced at the spell that had built so much power and its caster. Silently praying once again that her men would be able to escape before its released. A roar of thunder hit the air as lightning flashed through the growing clouds.

Then the sky split open, and Karla learned why the Endless Mountains remained unexplored as an overwhelming sent of honey flooded her senses.

“|Forlorn Hope|.”

*

“How did you escape from joining together with us?”

She asked once again. Her head tilted to the side and her red eyes studying me intensely.

My breath caught not from fear. No for the Bracelet of the Forever Hero was still equipped and pushing my mind to a state of calmness. My breath caught from the overwhelming killing sensation I felt erupting from the petite woman.

“Today is a good day to die… but not for me.”

She cocked her head, and I unleashed my magic the tier four construct fireball spell of my own design coming into existence.

“|Blue Shot|.”

In the same instance I dove for my ax with was a few feet away. The fireball connects as my hand grasped the handle. I turned only to pause as a hand was mere centimeters from my face.

“This magical phenomenon is so very interesting. The High Queen should know of it.”

She paused and a look of concentration appeared on her face.

“There it is done.”

“Break for me.”

For the first time I got to see an aspect fail. Reality cracked and whatever magical effect was in the air. Created by Amaya perk was broken. Leaving me wondering how as a hand grasped towards my face and a bright red ax blade sliced upwards missing the retreating hand by mere centimeters.

The Nox drew her hand back and looked at her nails. They were painted red matching her eyes. She blew gently on them before looking up and frowning at me.

“That is no way to treat a lady! You should not be this fast for someone of your tier. You must be on the verge of breaking through.”

“What are you?”

For the second time I talked. Maybe I would be dying today. The smell of honey intensified.

“We are Nox, and you can be us too.”

The woman took sniffed again her eyes harden as she looked towards the sky.

“You’ve been near the world seed. Be a darling and tell me were that was exactly. I can smell it all over you and your people.”

“World seed,” I asked in confusion.

“Is that not the reason you invaded this world? One of ripe for evolving.”

“I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

The lady looked at me in surprise.

“You really don’t know? Your soul is too honest to deceive me. Oh, you’d make such a great addition to the Nox. It would be my pleasure to bring you into the fold. To allow you to become a greater being. Count this as your blessing.”

If I could keep her talking, if possible, I would, as every second that passed was a second more of my recovery, yet it wasn’t fast enough as the essence and mana in the air just wasn’t enough. Even in the worst areas of Nia the essences and mana concentration would be three or four times higher. How did the people of this world manage to cultivate at all was a wonder. Questions to ask for later.

She moved again almost too fast for my magi senses to pick up, but everything seem to pause as both the woman and I looked up as the sky split open revealing a black void.

“Tch, the guardians are here. It’s your lucky day boy.”

With those final words she vanished but they barely registered as I watched octopus like creature pour out from the void in the sky. Maws open wide with blender like teeth. At once they descended on the Nox that had yet to leave tearing though their flesh with little resistance. My mind was lost as each creature was peak tier nine and there were hundreds perhaps thousands.

“Today was a good day to die.”

“|Forlorn Hope|.”

*

Moriah laughed in pleasure. Finally. FINALLY! It was here. What she long sought after. The taste of battle, while expending your all as your opponent did the same. Together you’d tried to overcome one another in a contest of skill and strength. Her bloodline SCREAMED. Its pleasure radiating throughout her body. She could feel herself becoming more in tuned with it. Her connect to it growing stronger and her control and mastery over it increasing as well.

The Nox in front of her regarded her warily. They were all a tier below her, yet this did not mean that they couldn’t overcome her even if she was stronger and faster. Not by much as it was only a tier stronger but enough that it would make a difference. A difference Moriah expected to capitalize on soon. A projection of wings appeared on her back. Angelic in nature. The same wings that were the cross guard of her sword.

At once Moriah flashed or sword appearing to be made from light as it skewered the Nox that was in the back. Moriah had flashed through two of her opponents to arrive at the third. The one that would be least expecting an attack and would be the least on guard. As the shock radiated on the creature’s face Moriah knew she had been correct in her judgement. This would not work again however, and the remaining two creatures instantly tighten their guard. Like this Moriah played around trying to extend the battle for as long as possible and bring out the most in her opponents. So, when the sky cracked open and creatures that made even Moriah paused appeared and began to tear through the Nox her emotions became conflicted.

“|Forlorn Hope|.”

The creatures seemed to ignore her and actively consume the Nox and any soldier of the Primans that hadn’t evacuated or had been cut off from their fellows. Soon the battlefield was quiet and the only ones remaining were the members of the Empire’s. Moriah eyes turned and searched for Aegis figuring he’d have to answers to what just happened. She noted Amaya’s spell as it seems to even effect the creatures from the void.