The air was filled with smoke and blood, Swords and spears bound to their shield, Riaz and arrows fire volleys freed, while mystic flames went around as their blades clash and resound, With the polearm in my hand, I readied myself pointing my new weapon at the beast.

Each swing it makes easily cut through the soldiers its face, yet with such adversity, the soldiers keep their discipline while they continue their assault. When the monster swing it's blade once more, Sis Yuwei quickly blocks and parry it's assault, directing it to the ground. As it slices the ground like a hot knife cutting a butter, Sis Yuwei stops the monster's weapon with her feet.

The monster uses its free arm to attack Sis Yuwei once more, this time she interlocks it's wrist between her hook blade and stops the monster from moving. As she holds the monster bay, she starts screaming:

"What are you waiting for!? Stab it and fire!"

The spearman charges with a burning tip and stabs the beast lower part while the range units fire at the upper part. The beast laugh as it cries, weeping a tear as it smiles looking at Sis Yuwei with it's deformed face saying:

"I really expected more... But, if this is all you can do then you disappoint me, my darling~"

The monster quickly lets go of her curve blade when it turns into a wooden stick, it raises its now free left hand and swings it down on Sis Yuwei. She jumps and turns her body upside down while still holding her blade, dodging it's punch as it crashes and shook the ground. With her head now where her feet are, Sis Yuwei was now left exposed in mid-air.

Yet, she's not stopping there. She quickly spread her leg as her garb slide down revealing she is wearing short black spats, she spins a full circle producing purple flames from her feet. Burning the monster horizontally right in the middle of it's twisted form, with her blades she cuts the monsters right arm that is locked between her hook blades and continues spinning her body, burning the monster diagonally before she lands a burning dropkick on the monster face, landing down beside me from the propelling force.

As it's body burn without stopping, the soldiers surrounding it begins to back away. The monster holds the flames and move her hand around but effect nothing. It looks at Sis Yuwei asking:

"My, my~ what's this? A flame I cannot control and conjure? Mind sharing a secret, my sweet angel?"

"I share no secret to my enemies, this will be the end, you monster!"

Sis Yuwei points her right blade at the beast as her aura burst uncontrollably. Rage and unrelenting fury are what fills her now. She quickly takes another stance but before she can, the monster suddenly back away saying:

"Ha ha ha ha, I see, I see, I was wrong. Then you leave me no choice."

The beast turns its bone tail at us and immediately run back to whence it came. Sis Yuwei quickly runs ahead screaming:

"Dammit, We cannot let that thing escape! Man, to me!"

"Yes, Maam!"

With her as the vanguard I ran beside her asking:

"Sis Yuwei, is that really your mom?"

Sis Yuwei stayed silent as she ignores my inquiry, She just tightens her grip and went ahead. Multiple purple fireballs came flying at us, she easily dodges and conjures it, sending it back to its caster, leaving none for me to do. Yuwei summons a myriad of firebirds and lets it fly lithing up the hallway from behind us and ahead of us. When the birds finally reach the monster as it hooves the large hallway. It suddenly grabs one of the metal torches with its right arm and turns it into a bow, her body reanimates and suddenly she starts to produce two smaller arms in her back and give it the bow. The smaller arms and fuse it together with the bow turning it into some kind of flesh bow and starts shooting hundreds of light bolts at us.

Sis Yuwei jumps ahead and raises both her blades high, she swings both of it down sending a huge vertical wave of purple flames. When the flames swallowed all the lights and getting close to the beast, it suddenly makes a quick turn and head to the right barely dodging it. It seems we reach another fork, there are two roads when Yuwei suddenly looks at me screaming:

"Sova you take the left and head to the left wing living quarter to search for Fei! While I continue to chase after the beast in the right wing living quarters while looking for my sister!'

"W-wait I don't know anything about-"

"I don't give a damn! Just search for my little sister! You still remember the house layout right!?"

"Y-yes, I understand Sis Yuwei!"

"Good, one phoenix company follow the knight in silver, the rest with me!"

"Yes, Maam!"

I look back in surprise to see mostly melee units with no range units following us-, Never mind, the range units are flying near the tall ceiling. They follow their respected orders and divide.

Hundreds of people followed me to the left while the other followed Yuwei to the right. There are around two hundred or more people behind me as I keep running ahead in this opulent hallway.

Unlike the hallway in the guild which is mostly made out of gold and looks quite modern? (Is the right word I think?) This place is starting to look quite empty and vacant like it never changes and has never been renovated since I first came here, the only thing this place differs is the ancient designs, traditional look, and high maintenance...

And I kinda forget the layout of the house since Sis Yuwei have been avoiding and everyone forbidding me, I rarely come here.

(What should I do!?)

I just say yes in the spur of the moment since Sis was screaming at me, Aren't I quite screwed!

When I look ahead I finally found an opened giant gate.

(Fine, Let's just use my guts in this!)

I quickly ready my polearm and went inside first and the soldiers continue after me.

The huge room was pitch black, everything from the floor, ceiling, the wheels, the walls, and the only thing lighting the place up is the black torches in the walls. I look around the room, I could only see two doors leading to the right and ahead. I see the right door open when I whisper slowly saying:

"It's like something exploded here..."

One of the soldiers walk beside me and point to the right saying:

"Sir, there is an open door."

"Yes, I can see that... Uh, we will split into two groups... And uh, who is the acting commander here?"

"That would be me, sir," the soldier beside me reply.

"I see, t-then we will split into two. You will lead half into the door ahead. Uh, while I w-will search the one on the right with the other half. We will follow Sis Yuwei's order and search for Sis Fei."

"Sir, this may be rude for asking since you're probably related to the Mistress, but do you know these palace layouts?"

"Yes, I live here for quite some time back then, so I know this place for quite a bit. The door ahead will lead to the living quarters (I think) while the one on the right is the forbidden area (I think), so, I think the words are... Move out?"

"Yes, Sir! You heard the man move it you squealing beaks!"

The commander takes half and head ahead, while I hold my polearm and look at the other half saying:

"O-okay then follow me."

"Yes, sir!"

Ah, this is making me sick, and my arms shaking giving command to these people... Why did Sis Yuwei even tell me to lead? Either way, if my memory serves me right, this door will lead to the forbidden chamber with that scary door, I think? If I remember correctly, Sis Yuwei's father, sir Yewang told me that I can't enter this place no matter the circumstance and it was guarded by the Honour guards back then. Now, I'm heading there by Sis Yuwei's order, this is making me even more sick for some reason.

I hold my weapon tighter and move forward, enhancing my eyes so I can see the darkness, the soldiers following behind me. I open the door when another huge hallway enters my view again, the walls too charred in black while being lit by the black torches. I walk ahead into the pitch black hallway when the soldiers suddenly walk beside and raise their shield and spear up as they move. They form into some kind of three-four layered spear wall, with me as forefront center. I look back and see the guards carrying the bows and guns form a line and raise their shield up while flying above, I look closely at them when I can see a small thin barrier surrounding them, no, even the soldiers beside me also have that... So, why don't I see the Phoenix Honour Guard have those too?

As I question myself, the sound of our footsteps resound as we walk, and the squeaks of rats can suddenly be heard. When I see one of the soldiers beside me being tense, I give him a pat on the back saying:

"It'll be okay."

"Yes, sir Silencer!" he responds and looks ahead with a new conviction.

(Ah, I really can't handle this... But I have to! To save Sis Fei and stop the same fate happening to Sis Yuwei)

Gripping my weapon more tightly, I look up to the ceiling. I could see rats running in the edge of the wall in droves, making the squeaking sound.

(Where did they come from?)

As I walk ahead and follow their trails since I have nowhere to go and there is only one way left in this huge hallways. When I could finally hear something barely, the sound of steel and stampede from afar. I kneel down and everyone stops moving. I hold the ground once more, I close my eyes and focus.

I could hear it, something is coming from ahead of us and there is someone holding them back but the hordes just keep passing through. I stand up and hold my weapon ready, I raise my spear forward saying:

"March as we hold the line, something is coming fast!"

"Yes, sir!"

I raise my polearm and we march as they follow the rhythm of my steps. The sounds finally grow loud enough without focusing, I could see it monsters running on all four with their daggling chains shadowed by the torches as they come in droves. With it's glowing red eyes, it's huge yet slim body and it's sharp steel teeth.

Wait, what did the commanders do when they hold the line? Ah, whatever!

"Hold the line! And move forward, we can't let them through!"

"Yes, sir!"

The beast comes closer when it finally gets close enough, the gunman behind us starts shooting and the monster died in droves each shot not missing its mark. We march forward while the beast fell. We walk over the corpses while some beast still moves but the man behind the line quickly stab it and makes sure it's dead. The monsters come without formation, their charge was stopped with the unending waves of volleys of Riaz and arrows. Not even one was given a chance to reach even the tip of our spears.

"G-good, keep moving forward. Uh, leave them no quarter!"

"Yes, Sir!"

When suddenly a new wave of monsters was coming alongside the previous one. It's a monster standing on two feet yet it runs while using its long arm to help dash further. The guard's fire upon the beast quickly, yet, it doesn't fell with one shot like the previous one. As it comes closer I held my polearm tight, the monster runs to me with ferocious speed and starts to jump and raise its arms.

I quickly shoot a qi blast, blasting away the monster's head as it fell to the ground and we went over it. I ready myself again when I could see there is more of that beast coming.

"Focus fire on the large beast, aim for its head! The front will handle the small beast!"

"Yes, Sir!"

They started firing upon the giant beast, some hit it dead on while some miss grazing its skin. The giant beast fell one after another, while the small ones come at us without stopping. I keep thrusting my spear killing one after the other. Stab and remove, stab and remove, rinse and repeat while we keep moving ahead when we could finally see light on the end, Inside is another layer of darkness between the thin layer of light making the hallway look like a spiraling end.

Yet, this is no time to rest! Sis Fei is probably in there and we need to find her and close that gate!

"We are getting near! Don't stop and keep pushing forward!"

"Yes, Sir!"

Their cheers are louder as they attack more furiously and I could hear a new wave of volley shooting more rapidly. I started moving faster and the soldiers follow my rhythm easily and we march forward.

The gate grows bigger as we get closer, the light shines more brightly I stop enhancing my eyes. When we finally pushed the monster back and enter inside the vault. It's another huge empty room with only one way, the huge opened vault ahead that leads to the eternal abyss. In the middle of that darkness, a purple sphere coated with spiraling flames are nested right in the middle of the hoard as the sphere splits them in twine. There is someone holding the hoard back.

"Keep pushing, we're almost there!"

"YES, SIR!" they shout louder as we move forward.

When I could finally see who's inside the sphere. A female purple knight using a spear, she is barely holding her ground as she is standing on her last breath. There is no doubt that's:

"Sis Fei! Someone take my place, I will run ahead and retrieve Sis Fei! Don't let them give an inch and cover me!"

"YES, SIR!"

I quickly hold my spear and charge ahead, stabbing the monsters and make a qi wave blast, cutting the monster in half while the shockwave pushes the smaller ones away. Someone quickly closes the gap I make while I run ahead into the darkness. The monsters come in droves as they separate from the horde and try to attack me, but most of them are quickly shot down by the soldiers behind. I quickly use the dash I learn with Rana and stride forward cutting the small beast easily while dodging the huge one. I swing my weapon left and right without stopping, I thrust my polearm one head after another without pause as bodies piled up from beside me and blood starts to splash and smear my arms. The loud roar of guns and monsters ring through my ear as I get closer and finally enter inside the darkness.

It was now silence, though the monster screams I could hear nothing for I only have on focus in mind.

(Save, Sis Fei!)

I could see her clearly now. She wears a purple helmet died in the scarlet red blood of her enemies, dreadlocks that peeks from her helmet, a decor that looks like a descending phoenix carrying an amethyst pin on it's back, her slightly wavy purple hair that is a mixture of lime green and apricot orange coming out her helmet. She wears an indigo coloured female full plate armour that covers the whole body with a design that is a twisted mirror of Yuwei's armour, her left pauldron is now an open crooked wing while the right is a closed wing with feathers jutting up making it look like thorns. The feather design in her chest now goes while also making some small thorns. She looks like someone who has been corrupted.

"Sis Fei, hang in there! I'm coming in there to save you!"

"Huh? T-that voice, So-va...?"

She turns her head back and looks at me. I can see a part of her helmet has been broken, revealing Sis Fei's Empty purple eye and a little of her hair coming out of the opening. I quickly march as I pass through the huge vault in the wall.

Sis Fei turns and faces me fully, barely standing with the help of her spear. She walks closer to me as I get closer to her. Before long her sphere begins to flicker, the shape starts to waver back and forth as she moves closer to me.

I quickly dash faster enhancing my self to an insane degree, so much so I feel my body burning. I hold the polearm and ready a stance I learn from Sis Rubeca during training this one technique that I mastered.

I gather my strength on my right feet and jump high, I raise my weapons high coating it with my qi, bending my body till my legs reach my back and my hands till the back of my head.

I am right behind her where the monsters are and slam as hard as possible thinking:

[Invincible Dancing Monkey's technique: grand slam]

And quickly slam the end of my spear into the enemy located near Sis Fei's back. Sending a mighty shockwave that pushes back all the monsters and shattering the sphere Sis Fei made in the process. As I feel my hands shaking from the backlash, I look at the monster tried to stand but was utterly stepped on by the one behind them as they now try to chase us.

(The continuation technique forces me to move forward. But, if I follow the crane's technique I can push them back even more while retreating).

Not stopping there, I quickly dash back wrapping my arm on Sis Fei's waist. I ready my polearm for another attack with only one arm, I make another dash feeling her weight pulling me down, I put more strength on my feet and dash once more to where the soldiers are located, thinking:

[Graceful Dancing Crane technique: open crane wing]

I dash ahead while still holding Sis Fei, spinning left to send one qi wave blast and quickly spin to the right, sending another qi wave blast. Forming into a shape of a crane wing that pushes the split wave back even more.

Dodging the monsters while killing the small ones, I finally manage to get out of the darkness and enter the huge room.

The soldiers are still moving forward to the opening, while the flying units shoot down the monsters behind me. I quickly run and regroup with them. The middle marches ahead and makes an elastic defense so I can slip inside before they tighten it again.

While they march forward, I lay Sis Fei on the ground asking:

"Sis Fei, can you hear me?"

She looks at me saying:

"Y-yes..." before passing out.

I stand up and look ahead as the soldiers are pushing the monsters back. I look on the ground and around to see the situation.

(Good we haven't lost anybody.)

"Keep it up! Push them back inside, then we will close the huge opening."

(But, I wonder how? I mean I never use any of this contraption)

I look around the room and wondering how to close the huge vault.

(Aaah! Whatever it is, I need to bring Sis Fei somewhere safe first!)

"Somebody take Sis Fei to a safe place and heal her!"

"Yes, Sir!"

A few soldiers in the rear line move and carry Sis Fei out of the room. While the other is shooting, pushing and killing the monsters.

When suddenly I sense something fast coming towards me. A sticky tentacle appears from the darkness but I quickly cut it off and multiple more comes at me. As I slice them off, one tentacle finally sticks at my feet and as I tried to cut it off another stick to my arms, preventing me from attacking.

More soldiers in the rear and air move to help me cut them off and free me.

"Thank you," I say in return.

And they nod and continue fighting. I held my polearm firm screaming:

"K-keep pushing them back!"

The monsters finally grow thinner and thinner. From the darkness, another wave of tentacles come to attack me. But this time I'm ready.

I slice one tentacle after another without letting one touch me, suddenly one figure wearing a black cape and a white phoenix mask jumps above the soldiers landing near me, wasting no time the shadowy figure summons an ice spear to quickly attack me. I parry it's attack quickly, and as my weapon touch it's spear, it shatters upon contact of my black steel.

(Are weapons suppose to break that easily!?)

The soldiers that are shooting suddenly draw their blades and helps me cut the tentacle coming at me saying:

"Protect the knight!"

But the shadowy figure just continues its assault without flinching. Summoning one spear after the other broke, an attack from the left, I block it and my weapon shatters the ice spear easily again. From the right, diagonal left, diagonal right and thrust which I dodge and I counter with another thrust at its body when it dodges and lets it pass up through its shoulder.

When my weapon barely touches its shoulder, it's starting to burn in blue flames. The shadowy figure screams in agony to reveal a female voice. Not stopping there, the shadowy figure quickly locks my spear with hers and turn her back at me. Forcing our backs against each other, she bends forward and throws me away.

As I fling into the air, I saw the fire in her shoulder turn to ice. She wastes no time cutting the soldiers on the ground from the back while also sending qi burst by throwing her ice spears at the one above, disrupting the formation. Only some of them can block her attacks since they are occupied with the front.

Seeing how dire the situation is, I quickly roll and soften the landing, dashing to the shadowy figure to attack her.

Appearing beside her, I quickly swing my weapon with all my might, imbued it with qi to strike her thinking:

[Almighty roaring tiger technique: mighty slash]

She blocks the attack in time. But to no avail, for she was quickly flung high before smashing into the wall. Not stopping there, I quickly dash and tried to apprehend the figure saying:

"Sorry, but I have to."

She suddenly moves and blood gushes out from her mask dying it red. She quickly stands up and barely dodges my attack. Crawling away from me and quickly stand up again, taking a low stance with her ice spear, she points her spear at me while keeping her body straight.

She now has to go through me to attack the soldiers. Blood drips from her mask without stopping as her body shakes uncontrollably. I take my stance, spreading my leg as I face my body to the side, readying the tip of my blade below while the pummel high.

(Well better use this chance!)

Still facing her, I ask the soldiers:

"Do any of you know how to close the vault!?"

One of the soldiers that are firing flew close to me saying:

"Yes, Sir! We have to first push the monsters and pull the lever near the gate."

"Then please do so! I'll hold her back until you close it, I'll depend on you."

"Y-yes, Sir! You heard the man push them back! There is glory to be won today!"

(Whew, looks like I don't need to worry how to close that gate anymore)

When I look at her again, she was already infront of me thrusting her spear.

(Not today!!!)

I spin my weapon, directing her blade up. I quickly grab the top part of her spear and retract my spear shorter to quickly strike her side with my pommel.

"Argh!" she screams as she lets go of her spear and her sides burns.

Not stopping there, I quickly turn around and retract it to the size of a short sword and disperse the qi blade, striking her head with the blunt black steel, as her head smash to the ground and her mask broke, revealing a deep blue eyes that can drag you even deeper as you look at it.

I Snap out when she shuts her eyes with a scream of pain, blood flows with the part I hit along with her flowing blood catches on blue flames before turning into ice, knocking her out cold, I think.

(Wait for a second, did I kill her!?)

I kneel down and get close to her to hear her, she is still breathing and her chest still moving.

(Whew, for a second there I thought she was going to be my first human blood... Wait a minute, why should I care for her? She is probably the one who caused this mess!)

I ready my spear once more, producing the qi blades and ready myself for the last strike. My hands shake as the thought creeps to my mind.

(Bagel! I already strike her more than once already!)

I close my eyes saying:

"I-I'm sorry but you have to go."

Before my blade can plunge into her. She quickly summons another ice spear and surprises attack me again. I quickly shatter the ice spear, yet, using this chance she grabs ahold of my armour and pulls me closer to her. She pulls out a scroll stained with her bloodied hand saying:

"Y-you will pay!"

She releases the scroll and a magic circle appears below us. The light envelopes her and before long crawls onto me. But suddenly, as the light touches me, the magic circle quickly disintegrate and shatters, the scroll burned to dust while nothing happened.

Shocked, she looks at me saying:

"Y-you're an Owlian? H-here, in the royal district... How much has her ideal corruption spread!?"

She suddenly pushes me to the ground. Crawling to the exit, as she drags herself away. I quickly chase after her, putting my weapon back and I grab her feet, pulling her closer and I get on top of her. She summons an ice dagger and tried to shank my neck, but her blade can't even pierce my armour. I quickly grab her arm and disarm her by bending her arm before continue grabbing both her arm saying:

"Stop it! Isn't this enough!"

"All of you killed my family! Nothing will be enough! Especially not when Owlians like you walk on this soil!"

(What? Is she even serious? Whatever it is, she might know something about this)

I quickly smash her face with the crown of my head, shattering her phoenix mask to reveal a girl in her teens when she starts screaming:

"Look at those poor soldiers! Do they even know who they-"

And not stopping there, I headbutt her again, knocking her out as I feel her hand stop moving. Just to make sure... I headbutt her the third time now breaking her small nose and fresh blood spills from her nose. The spilling blood catches on fire and turn to ice once more.

I listen closely as I hear her barely breathing to her nose and her chest is still moving.

"Good, I'm doing that just to be sure so please don't hate me for this. I'll let Sis Yuwei handle you."

I finally get up and look at her again. She has silky silver hair hiding behind her contrasting black cape. A very pretty lady to say the least.

I look back at the ground soldiers who have managed to push the monster back and is now closing the vault. I walk ahead saying:

"T-that's it. Uh, keep closing the gate."

"Yes, Sir!"

The ground troops responded and finally closes the vault fully as I hear the giant vault banging. The range troops come and land near me. One of them walks closer to me saying:

"As you have ordered Sir, we have closed the vault. Mission accomplished!"

"Great work everyone, I'm sure Sis Yuwei will be happy to hear what you all did today."

"Yes, Sir."

I look at the wounded soldiers resting on the walls asking:

"What about the one wounded by her? Can they still move?"

"Please don't worry sir, they will be able to move after a while."

"I see, thank goodness. We will quickly regroup with Sis Yuwei and deliver the good news when all of you can move."

"Yes, thank you, Sir!"

The soldiers replied and the one talking to me look at the girl asking:

"Who is she, my Lord? Could she perhaps be the one behind this invasion?"

"Huh, Her? I don't know but it seems she is related to this invasion, best I give her to Sis Yuwei since I manage to bring her down alive."

"I see, that seems to be a reasonable choice, my Lord. We will help you carry her to the dungeon sir."

"Wait, what? You're not going to give her to Sis Yuwei immediately?"

"Not to question your wisdom sir, but she is now out cold and there is no point in bringing her to The mistress in this condition."

"I-I see then-"

"H-help!"

A soldier comes here for help as he shoulders Sis Fei. I quickly run ahead asking:

"W-what's going on!? Aren't you suppose to bring her back to heal?"

The soldier shouldering Sis Fei gets closer to me saying:

"S-sir..." He hands her over to me and gets near the entrance, pointing out to the darkness saying, "Sir it's a monster, the monster is out-"

His sentence was cut short when a skeletal hand plunge through its chest, piercing his armour.

"Haaah! Argh!!!"

The soldier screams in pain and agony as the monster raises it's hand high and threw the soldier like a doll. As the soldier breath his last, the figure walks closer, I quickly bring Sis Fei and drag the girl away while crushing her ice to get them back to safety.

I can see it now. It's mismatch four legs and the upper body of a female with a long skeletal arm... No, there is only one arm left and the monster have a considerable amount of damage into it with its huge slash marks and ongoing flames on its body. It's the same beast we encounter just previously.

(How did it get here!?)

The soldier quickly forms a line infront of me, some surrounding the beast and the range units fly above and ready their weapons again.

The beast smiles maliciously saying:

"Hello there BOIYY~ It seems you just did something NAUGHTY. You know what adults do with naughty children now, do we?"

(What happened to your group sis!?)