“Remember everyone! Don’t come close to the mist or it will kill you!” Loo shouted.

“Then how do we kill those things?”

“Like this!”

Chief Loo took out his weapon: a chain with a weight at one end and a scythe at the other. He swayed the weight while holding on the chains before launching it at the arm of one of the monsters. With the chain restricting its movement, the rat beastman pulled the monster from the cloud toward him. Grabbing the scythe, Loo jumped up and plunged it into the beast’s eyes, making it shrieking in pain. With its curved blade, he pulled the scythe out and lacerated its head. Holding its decapitated head, he jumped down from its body and turned back to the group.

“That’s about the gist of it. Just lure them out of the smoke and then fight it normally. Any question?”

“Holy shit, that’s amazing!” Lucas shouted excitedly. The monster that would normally take thirty men to deal with fell so easily to the smallest beastman he ever saw.

“Hohoho, size doesn’t mean everything as long as you have the right technique.” The rat beastman proudly said.

“Oh please, don’t try to trick the young ones. That monster is the smallest out of all of them out there. Look at the one over there! I will take it on! AAAAARRRR!” chief Gon screamed his battle cry and ran toward a giant beast.

“Hey Gon wait!...Damn it old geezer just want to show off his strength. Chief Loo, please go after him! The rest of you, stay in group of two or three! Make sure to stay clear of the mist! As long as the evacuation is still on, we can’t let any of them get into the camp. Good luck!”

“Yes sir!”

* * *

“Oh dear, look at those hopeful eyes! Such determination, such courage! I wonder what could they possibly thinking right now? Do they really think that they would get out of this place alive?”

“That just makes thing much more interesting. It would be boring if the prey doesn’t resist. Hahaha!”

“I can understand that. Let’s play a game, shall we? Whoever kills the Champion first gets to kill the rest. What do you say, Aldol?”

“Game on!”

* * *

“”

Viviana cast a row of sharp stones surging from the ground and impaled a monster. Despite being critically wounded, the beast was still simmering and charged toward the girl in four legs. Because of the transformation, the once noble elf has lost all his sense of pain. Now all that remained in its mind was the desire to kill, to feast.

Enti, with his light speed, blocked the charge, holding on the beast’s head with his bare hands and standing his ground. Using that momentum, Lucas jumped on the beast back from behind and plunged his sword into its head. But the beast wasn’t dead yet. Summoning Yggdrasil, Viviana raised tree vines from the ground and bind it.

“Everyone get away! ”

Hearing it, Lucas and Enti immediately jumped back to avoid the bursting beam of light coming from the sky, burning the monster to crisp.

“ *heavy breathing*is everyone alright?” Viviana gasped for breath. Throwing a series of spells way above her actual level was exhausting her body to its limit. But that wouldn’t stop the girl from continuing. She must persevere. Everyone was counting on her after all.

“Viviana, I am warning you: if you continue to use my power like this you won’t last long. You are not the one destined for holding this kind of power.” Yggdrasil might sound harsh but he spoke the truth. Viviana was not the Child of Destiny and this power would destroy her at this rate.

“No I can still fight. I must!”

“You idiot……..!!!! DODGE!”

If not for Enti who has pushed her out of the way thanks to his fast reflex, Viviana would have been pierced by that purple glare. However there was a price for that.

“ENTI!” the girl shouted.

For saving her, Enti has taken the beam in his right arm but it wasn’t just a simple energy blast. His flesh was disintegrating in the area around the wound and it continued to expand. Left with only one option, Enti quickly used his claws and cut off his own right arm. Needless to say, it was very agonizing and the pain almost made him faint immediately. Blood gushed out from the wound as the lacerated arm fell off. Standing up, Viviana rushed to Enti’ side.

“Please, Yggdrasil! Heal him!” she cried out.

“…Alright. Just calm down! Leave it to me!” A green light englobed Enti’ shoulder where he cut his arm off. It was a miracle that he was still conscious, despite all the blood he lost.

“….ru…n” Enti uttered.

CLAP CLAP CLAP (hands clapping sound)

Turning their head to the source of the clapping sound, Viviana saw an elf wearing a black garb and a golden crown walking out from the black mist. Unlike them who had to stay clear of the miasma, this person didn’t seem to be harmed by it at all.

“Clever! You cut your own hands before it invaded your entire body. I have seen many who took too long to decide and died because of their indecision. But you on the other hand, in that short amount of time and without any hesitation, cut off your own arm and survived thanks to that. Truly remarkable! Though I wonder how long you will last.” The young man said.

“Who are you???” Viviana raged.

“Hear my name and bow to me, peasants! I am Aldol, King of Malatas and your new God. Those who are my subjects will die. Those who resist will die. Everyone will die before me! Hahahaha!” Aldol proclaimed madly. “So now, die!”

Dark energy started to focus in Aldol’s hands as he pointed it toward Viviana.

“”

* * *

“Boss, are you alright?” Garrick reached out his hand to Zen who has just been thrown off by one of the monsters.

Together, the two have managed to lure a dozen monsters away from the camp. However nearly half a mile from there, they encountered another wave of beasts coming toward them. Being encircled with no way to get out as the mist has engulfed the area, it seemed that their time has come.

“I am fine! Garrick, listen to me! I will draw their attention to me and you will use that moment to get away. We still need a leader after this and you are the person I trust the most.”

“That won’t do, boss! If I abandon you here, how am I supposed to face my sister? She would kill me for leaving her husband to die.” Garrick affirmed. “Compared to her wrath, these monsters are nothing.”

“Haha how did I get such a faithful brother-in-law? Very well! Let’s do this! ARRRRRR!”

“AAAARRRRRRRR”

All of the sudden, Zen could hear the roaring of multiples monsters from afar. Unlike the usual savage clamors, these sounded more like the final cries just before death. From afar, he could see something jumping at one of the monsters from the background inside that black mist. And another from the left. And another from the right. They moved so quickly, finishing these beasts in just a few seconds, leaving the Beast King baffled in awe. Who or what were they? And how could they survive in that mist?

The monsters, realizing that they were being attacked from behind, began to head back into the black mist. As the smoke continued to spread, the beasts, one after another, faded away as if they were being swallowed by miasma, leaving only a shrieking scream before felling silent. Where were they now? The noises they usually made were creepy enough but this silence was even more eerie.

Then, without warning, one of the monsters, spurted out from the mist, its body covered with wounds. It seemed to be trying to escape from something. The moment it got out, the first thing it saw was the confused Zen who didn’t catch on what was going on. The beast set its sight on him and rushed forward, baring its sharp claws so quickly that Garrick or Zen couldn’t react in time.

Suddenly four sets of chains lashed out from the black mist, each ensnaring one of the monster’s limbs and stopping it in its track just before it could reach Zen. Despite its berserk rampage trying to get away, all its movement has been sealed by the chains, making it unable to even lift a finger.

From the dark mist, five shadows took shape and revealed themselves. Black knights wearing stygian armor from head to toe with four of them holding on the four chains binding the beast spread out and surrounded it. The fifth one held an obsidian greatsword on his back and pulled it out of its scabbard. Zen tried to see through the thin gaps on the armor on their faces to see who they were but he couldn’t see anything, only darkness as if they were hollow. The thin armor and their slim figures suggested that their method of combat was based on agility rather than a heavy armor to defend themselves. In fact, it served more of a decorative uniform than for actual protection.

“Together we move as one….”

“…Crossing the field of darkness…”

“…In honor of our lord and brothers, we fight…”

“…Death, we do not fear…”

“…For we are the Legion of the Abyss”

With a single motion, the beast was beheaded and fell to its knees. Still shocked by the display, Zen was left speechless. He was amazed by these warriors. ‘Just who were they?’ he wondered. Reinforcement from Zagon? It couldn’t be. The zagonian knights wore blue armor and despite their popularity, they couldn’t compare to these stygian knights. It was just another whole different level.

“Who…Who are you?” Garrick stepped in front of Zen and prepared his weapon.

“We are the swords of Alastor. Wherever he goes, we follow. Whoever points their weapon toward him, we kill. The ones he loves, we protect. For we are the Legion of the Abyss!

In other words, we are here to help.” Said the knight.

“Alastor sent you? I appreciate the help but with just the five of you, I am afraid that it’s not good enough.”

“Fear not for we are many!” The knight turned his back to Zen and raised his sword high. “Behold, the Millennium Regiment!”

The sounds of footsteps echoed throughout the forest. And it wasn’t coming from one or two but hundreds marching toward them. Yet each footstep resounded so loudly as if the entire group was marching as one, their rhythm uniform to each other.

The Millennium Regiment was the result of Alastor’s fascination with the Abyssal Knight’ style of combat and him spending days of meditation in the Abyss because he had to create them one by one personally. Each of them wore a set of chain surrounding their belt and a greatsword on their back in the image of that strange knight. Consisted of an army of a thousand stygian warriors, it served as one of the main battalions of the Legion of the Abyss. It made you wonder what would happen if the entire Legion was deployed? Or perhaps it would be more appropriate to ask what could force Alastor to use the entire Legion?

* * *

“” Aldol fired a dark beam toward Viviana.

“” but someone else stopped it in its track. In an instant, the beam was sucked into his hand and vanished.

“What? Who…Who are you?” Aldol shouted angrily. His attack, one that was capable of destroying a tornado or even an entire valley if he willed it, was cancelled by the kid in front of him. How could it be possible?

“What a strange thing you have there! Care to tell me how you got it?” the boy asked haughtily.

“What are you talking about?”

“The thing on your chest, idiot. Did you get it from Odium?”

“What? Who is Odium?” Aldol seemed confused. Unfortunately, he only knew the court mage by her given name and not her true identity. “I don’t know what you are talking about but I will make you regret for opposing me!

“Step down, Aldol!” a loud voice roared.

A woman wearing a crow-like robe slowly descended from the sky in front of Aldol. She wore a witch pointy hat and a staff, the signature weapon of a sorcerer. Upon seeing her, Alastor knew who she was. Her appearance may change but he could recognize her instantly. She was, after all, his daughter.

“What are you saying, Astrea? Let me…”

“I SAID STEP DOWN!” the sorceress raised her voice. Her expression was a mixture of confusion and anger. Certainly she was not happy that someone interfered with her plan. But moreover, that person was Alastor, the one and only person she cared about. She did all these for him in his name. That was all this was about since the beginning. Then why was he standing in her way now? Perhaps he was trying to gain the enemy’s trust for another higher purpose, for a plan she could not yet fathom? That could be it. No…it must be. Or else, what was the point of all this?

She wanted to call him ‘father’ but she was aware that others were still there so for now she must make it so they didn’t know each other.

“Who are you?” asked Astrea.

As if understanding her intention, the boy answered. “I am Alastor, prince and heir to the throne of Zagon. And I am here to stop you.”

“….How about taking this elsewhere? This place is hardly open enough for the both of us.” Trying to remain calm, Astrea proposed.

“That’s fine by me. Ikarus, please take care of the brat!” yelled Alastor.

“Roger!” Ikarus, having observed the situation from above, flew down with her translucent wings and took out her spear.

“Be careful! Do not underestimate him! There is no need to risk yourself. You just need to buy some time before the Legion comes here.” Alastor whispered to Ikarus. He was aware that Aldol had a demon lord’s power but it seemed that he didn’t fully master it so Ikarus could still win with the power given to her by the chain of bond. He then turned back to Astrea. “Lead the way!”

The two flew a few miles away from the battlefield before landing in a desolated open area. Finally, they could speak without holding back.

“It has been a long time, Odium! I see that you have been…busy” Alastor said.

“..Father, if I may ask…Why are you siding with them? Isn’t it our goal to make the world pay for what they did?” Odium uttered.

“I am not siding with anyone. And don’t include me in this goal of yours. I have never consented to any of these.”

“Consent? Have you forgotten how you felt when they took Mother away? Or have you forgotten about Shana as well?”

“Do not bring Shana into this! This is about you and the consequences of your….no, of OUR actions. Don’t misunderstand me! This is also my fault for misleading you when I asked you to create that. Had I known that it would lead you to do this, I would have never given you my permission.

You have to understand that not everyone is the same. There are evil but there are also good in this world.”

“Are you listening to yourself right now? YOU CREATED ME. I am born from your hatred!!! YOU WANTED THIS.”

“I won’t deny the fact that there was a time I too shared your opinion. But I have changed. I have met different people and from that I know there is still hope left in this world. That’s why I have decided that I will change the world. For a better future!”

“…..”

“Odium, let me help you! What you did, we can’t change it but we can still change the future. So join me, my daughter! Together we can figure out a way.”

“…..”

“Odium, please! I….”

“So in the end, you too betrayed me. Just like the rest….”

“Odium, that’s not…”

“SHUT UP! I don’t want to listen to your hypocrisy anymore. You or anyone else! From now on, I will do everything for me and myself only. I won’t be bound to you no longer!”

A dark portal opened behind Odium. Her mind was filled with rage and spite, not just for the world but also toward her creator. Did you know what it felt like? To be betrayed by the one you worshipped, the one you loved? To experience absolute solitude? To have lost our purpose? Such were the numerous emotions Odium was feeling right now.

“Odium, wait!” Alastor ran toward her.

All of the sudden, a surge of power emerged from the clouds above them and a luminous ray of sunlight struck down toward Odium.

“Watch out!” Alastor rushed to his daughter and pushed her into the portal.

“AW!!!” Surprised by his action, Odium tried to call out to him but the moment her body was thrown inside, the door closed itself and disappeared. Why did he do that? Didn’t he want to kill her too? Then why…

Unfortunately for Alastor, he didn’t have enough time to use and took on the full power of the sun beam on himself. The heat emitting from the ray pierced his body and set it on fire as he fell down to the ground, motionless.

…..

“Stop playing around! I know something like this isn’t enough to kill you! Your soul has been carved into that crystal. As long as it exists, you will never die.” A womanly voice spoke.

The crystal on his chest began to shine as the wounds were healing and reformed the body it once was.

“And how did you know that? Even I didn’t know about it until recently.” Alastor, still regenerating, looked above him.

It was still daytime and very sunny so it was normal to still see the sun. However, what Alastor saw was two suns instead of one, shining brazenly in the sky. Only, one of them wasn’t a sun at all. It was a person that was radiating so much light to the point even the real sun seemed to be less brilliant than her. With long golden hair and two pointy ears, she wore a white robe way passing her legs.

“…Why did you save her? Isn’t the reason you seek her is to finish what you started?” the woman asked.

“And why does that concern you? I didn’t know that you are the type to eavesdrop other people’s family matter.”

“It’s no longer a matter just between you two the moment she created those atrocities and that crystal. The Abyss must never reach this world or it will be the end of all life.”

“Nice words, coming from the friend of that murderous bastard!” Alastor said sarcastically.

“…..He used to be the gentlest of soul I have ever known. But he too fell into despair upon realizing the dreadful truth. I tried to save him but….”

“What truth? What exactly are you trying to do? Why are all of you seeking me for?”

“….We will continue this later. Now, since you clearly are not capable of handling your pet, I will do that job for you.”

“What? You…”

As the false sun began to fade, the woman spoke in an angelic voice.

“I will be waiting for you at the castle of Galahad! Before I go, let me present myself: I am Elemyr of Radiant Sun, Goddess of the Elves!”