《Refining the Heavens》Chapter 24: Starfire formation (玄火星辰陣)
Advertisement
After the previous rain of arrows, only fifty odd Orcs remained, but this number nearly got cut in half as those weaker beasts exploded into flaming bits from the tyrannical fire array. Those that could still fight are few in numbers.
Those that survived groan with intense pain, the wave of fire pressed against them, trying to force them back. But instead of backing down, the stronger Orcs pressed their charge, and with their mighty bodies, they somehow managed to shatter the flaming shockwave. These beasts enraged by the pain rushed forward savagely, led by nine Entry D ranked Orcs.
The Starlight array may have heavily wounded them, but Kairos' teams are not much better in condition. It is an incredibly potent offensive stratagem, working in the same theory as a runic set. Runes are of nature's laws which call upon the true name of the elements to control it as one wishes.
The team have fulfilled the two criteria needed to activate a Rune by using their formation and Ki to replicate an inscription of fire, and power it by a union of their Ki. Fortunately, the array that Kairos has created is perfectly in tune with the element's true name, and therefore they did not explode into the sky when they activated such a powerful array using their bodies.
Depending on how much the medium could endure and the type of rune, the power unleashed could be as powerful as a volcano or as little as a candle that is why everyone craves for a higher grade of weapon. Therefore, even if it is the same type of runes inscribed on Kairos’ Swallow, this amount of power they called forth using one’s body is incomparably stronger than an activation from a single weapon. One can only imagine the potency of the Starfire array formed by so many of them, even if it is only at 35% power.
After activating the array, many of the guys slumped weakly onto the forest ground. Having expended most of their Ki for this activation, they are in no condition for direct combat.
While their hearts have not given into despair, their bodies drained of energy are unable to react to the D rank Orcs that are almost upon them.
Those D rank Orcs, Orc captains, stand half a head taller than their kin. Their skin glowed in emerald green, and their faces more hideous than the peons and the grunts, but their eyes shone with intelligence.
With a great wave of its arm, one of the Orc captains attacked the group with its oversized stone club. Seeing the fearsome blow aimed at their helpless teammates, those that could still move, threw themselves forward to block the attack.
Advertisement
If those that can move do not receive the blow, then they cannot imagine how many will die in this place.
Alan, Jim, Tommy, Edward and the four captains also ran forward desperately to help, but the other Orc Captains immediately engaged them.
The battle quickly turned into eight students against nine Orcs captains.
The height difference and how, extremely slowly, both groups are fighting while hindered by their wounds would make it a comedic scene if not for the grisly injuries that the students have from head to toe.
From the crystal ball in the instructors' room, the instructors looked horrified at the clash between men and beasts.
The short and round Head of Logistics instructor grip the arm of his chair furiously as he and even his close friends, the Head of Student Affairs instructor and the Disciplinarian Head instructor glared lividly at the Head of Events instructor.
The three are adamant to stop this exercise ever since Alucard’s group fell into danger, but without the Head of Events instructor's permission, they are unable to do so nor can they bypass her decisions. By protocol, they have to submit their request to the higher ups first in order to do anything.
Reduced to helplessly watch the things unfold at the training ground through the crystal ball, they can only wait for the instructions of the higher ups.
Despite the pain made by the Starfire array, those Orc captains are still D ranked beasts with tremendous physical strength. Fortunately, they are not agile by nature and further slowed down by their burns, the eight that fought them are somehow still surviving, even though they are at least two whole ranks lower. They come to realise that by focusing on dodging they would not be in serious danger, at least until their stamina runs thin.
With a disgusted snort, the last and strongest the ten D ranked Orcs walked into battle. At Peak D rank, it is the least affected by the Starfire.
As the only one at the Orc War Chief level, it felt ashamed seeing the way its troops are fighting and decided to kill the humans personally. Its instincts cried out to him that Kairos is a dangerous adversary, so naturally, its first target is to kill the severely wounded Kairos, despite the human boy sitting helplessly on the ground.
"If we hold them back for another thirty seconds, and we will have a chance!" Kairos yelled mustering as much energy as he could in his weakened state.
Advertisement
Although he wants to stand up and fight alongside his brothers, he had held position at the heart of the formation during the Starfire array activation, and he was the one who supplied the array with the most amount of energy out of everyone. Unable to fight due to his injuries, and being the only one who could control the powerful energies of the Starfire array, Kairos had to assume such a dangerous role. It is no surprise that afterwards he was more drained than everyone else and could barely move now.
Kairos' life force is now dangerously low from how much strength he had used. His internal Ki has become disrupted from the exhaustion, and even his life force has stopped recovering naturally.
Seeing the imposing Orc War Chief approach their leader, the group desperately dragged themselves over to attempt blocking the most powerful war beast. But, at this crucial moment, Alucard's team attacked, unleashing multiple powerful long range attacks at it.
With a handful of inscription talismans in each of their hands, Alucard and his team invoked Ki attacks formed of several elements and fired them into the Orcs swarm.
As those talismans treasures of a rather high level, are equipped with targeting control. Colourful elemental attacks flew in curved lines past Kairos' teams and homed in on their targets.
Before when his team were desperately surrounded by enemies, Alucard could not use these items. Activating a talisman may be fast only requiring a practitioner to fill up the yellowed paper with Ki, but when the combat is intense, it is hardly plausible to find time to use more than one or two. Against an entire group of Orcs, using such a small amount is ineffective, and will only waste their limited stock.
With Kairos’ teams grabbing all the attention of the Orcs, Alucard gained the lapse he needed to unleash all of his attack talismans. He ignored their costliness and activated everything they could at one go. It could be called an attack powered by money.
Each of the Orc Captains were hit with an elemental Ki and got blown back immediately, but for the more dangerous Orc War Chief, they fired a bombardment of elemental Ki strikes. The purple aura covering it glowed fiercely as one after another attack landed on it.
The first few blasts were block cut down by the massive jagged-edge stone sword it held, but it was unable to keep up with the amount of attacks sent its way that rained down and exploded into colourful energy spheres before dissipating.
The might of the explosions shook the ground with every flash of light.
Scorching flames, screeching lightning, and razor blades of wind came one after another and did not allow the Orc War Chief a moment to breathe.
All the students near by stumbled backwards from the powerful shock waves. When the upheaval ends, everyone silently waited the cloud of dust shrouding the area to settle.
The other Orcs too stood motionlessly at this scene, as if holding their breath to see the result before making a decision for their next action.
A white and sharp tip of a sword broke the stillness, appearing from within the cloud at the top corner, followed by a massive stroke that diagonally sliced apart the cloud of dust. Along with it, a sonic boom exploded outwards from the power of the strike, revealing the Orc War Chief standing mightily in the centre, unscathed from the Ki bombardment.
It had shrugged off the attacks without much difficulty but now glared at Alucard with hatred.
The Orc War Chief roared a command, shaking down the leaves from the cypress trees around them with only its voice, and the Orc Captains renewed their attacks at once. Holding a large stone shield and club in each hand, the nine D ranked Orcs followed their war chief into battle.
Then the leader of these Orcs pushed itself forth with a bent leg to strike, however instead of Alucard and team who attacked it, it trusted its instincts and continued to aim for Kairos who is sitting motionlessly.
If this human child is not dead, its heart could not stop thrumming.
Those nearby acted immediately. They rushed fearlessly to block the attack, but just by getting closer, they found themselves blown away by the force of the wind.
At this perilous moment, a powerful aura burst forth from each of Kairos friends. Alan, Jim, Edward, Tommy, and Kairos. They are brothers by name and not by blood, but their bond is no lesser than a family.
No matter what powerful beast dares to bare its fangs at their brother, they will not retreat.
Advertisement
- In Serial13 Chapters
From Fake Dreams
The Magus Killer was dying. He had done all he could to be a Hero and save as many people as he could. He killed his father to do it. He killed his adopted mother to do it. He killed his wife in the hopes to put an end to the need to do it ever again. He failed in rescuing his daughter as a result of his efforts. All he had left was a cursed and failing body, a sizable yet antiquated home in Fuyuki Japan, and his adoptive amnisiac son whose life he had destroyed in the first place. And then the dreams came. Dreams of War, Fire, Curses, unborn Gods, Heroes, and Monsters. Dreams of unresolved conflicts, promises, dreams, and tasks. Dreams with his nearly clueless son in the middle of it all. The Magus Killer was dying. But he could still prepare for what was to come. And fortunately, that was something he was still terrifyingly exceptional at. Currently at chapter 60 on FF.net
8 91 - In Serial24 Chapters
Revenant
By kidnapping the son of a wealthy family, street thugs Flynt and Avery unwittingly clash with an all-powerful cult. Realizing that they have no concept of life, they crumble beneath the weight of reality again and again. But life goes on.
8 208 - In Serial20 Chapters
Parallel World Vet
After a difficult and lonely life, Arun is reincarnated in a parallel world thanks to his love for animals. In the body of a brilliant vet who doesn't have any success, he wakes up with the ability to hear the voices of pets. And in this new world, they have a very important place, to the point that each human being has a unique pet. Thanks to the new capabilities offered by his system, Arun decides to take over the veterinary clinic he now owns, to help pets and their owners through their problems. But it seems that in this world where pets are as intelligent as humans, understanding them may lead him into complicated cases... What will he discover about this mysterious world, and about the true role of pets ? 1 chapter / day.
8 153 - In Serial6 Chapters
Magus Zero
Announcement(s): A sudden family emergency happened...so the next chapters may take some time. I'll try my best to release a chapter tomorrow, but I'm not too sure I can. I'll try my best to make up for it. Sorry for the delay and thanks for understanding. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey! The light novel reached more than 100 views! Thank you for the support! It means a lot to me who's just starting out! Special thanks to my girlfriend who supports me right now (she's gonna be my illustrator soon too!)Special thanks as well to Deathkiddoom, who made the first ever comments on my works! You guys may not know how much these things mean. They might be little in your sight but for us authors it encourages us to keep going! Once again you have my thanks! :D ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Synopsis: Five magic nations have been created out of the land of Rasec. Gloseren, Loche, Veile, Lieza, Meharea. Each nation with their own unique setting, and thus have their own unique understanding of magic. One thing was common though: they rank their magi according to their capabilities, and the one with the highest capabilities become the ruler of the nation. This story is about a boy from one of the nations. He stood out more than his peers not because he has something unique, but because he has nothing. He has zero. Watch the story unfold as the boy who has zero becomes the Magus Zero. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author's blab:Hello everyone! This is my second light novel project! This particular project will be updated daily except Saturdays PST until further notice.Anyways, I hope you guys have fun! Here are my other work(s): Strife Howl of the Deities (Discontinued)Title TBD, Either a romance or another adventure (Novel to be published)Title TBD, A romance or a smut (Short story to be published) Cheers! -Halcyon.Bahamut ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: This author's works are officially available only here at Royal Road. Announcements will be made on this site regarding any changes.
8 141 - In Serial12 Chapters
Joey's Eternal Torment: The Fairy Princess Saga
Sometimes, bad things happen to bad people. Joey is one of those bad people. She's not incompetent, but she's not a genius either, unless you count partying. Which you shouldn't. Because getting laid the night before your wedding is not the mark of intelligence, nor moral fortitude. FORTUNATELY, the wheel turns, and the day of that wedding, the city is attacked, and Joey is stolen away, in a manner which is entirely painful and appropriate. She is dragged through the portal, and sentenced to Eternal Torment...which just so happens to be very similar to some-nerd-shit RPG video game (Joey's words, not mine). She goes through class and race selection, meets her new people, gets banished by her people, finds a new people, gets in fights with them, and then ends up in the fabled Camie-Town, where she has to work her way up, from the lowest of the low. Eventually, she'll probably get banished from there too. She's not a good person you guys. Alternative Title: Joey's Adventure in Camie-Town. This is a light hearted grim-dark work, Portal Fantasy, with limited LITRPG elements. What’s new Season N1: -No GUI or Convenience Numbers -No XP from Combat & No Levels -Abilities (capped) grow & evolve with use -No More Loot Drops This Season’s Officially Sponsored Evils: -Broken Soul Exchange (Devils) -Punisher Pits (Televised) -Thread Achievement Unlocks & Farming -Shawnies Slaving Hill Tribes This Season’s Officially Approved Wars: -Children of White vs Oceaners -Beastkin vs Village Green -Crystal Throne vs Dry Lands
8 147 - In Serial33 Chapters
The Mafia's Stolen Daughter
"No one will ever love you." ••••••Imagine stepping into Aubrey Simpson's shoes. You're living a depressing, abusive life and then discover everything you have ever known has turned out to be a complete lie. Your parents aren't even your biological parents and you have to adjust to yet another new school, all while juggling the never-ending downs of your not-so-average teenage life. Not to mention, trying to find out the truth behind why you live your life in complete misery. And to make matters worse, you learn that you are just the key to a Russian Mafia leader's revenge plan on your father, an Italian Mafia Leader, who has never given up on finding you. COMPLETED/Book 1
8 138

