Chapter 32: Alexander; Shauran 42nd, 344SR; 23:10

Two days had passed since House Rael's defeat against the resistance commanders, but Alexander had lost track of that time. All he knew at the moment was the buckling pain in his back, the endless caves he had fought this creature through, and crashes echoing through them. At some point he found himself surrounded by darkness, however everything around him was fairly bright and easy to see. The shadows always faced away from him, but he couldn't identify the source of light. However at the moment, he couldn't care less. The soles of his feet struggled to keep him standing, he stood on his toes since using his heels hurt more. His eyes felt like they were split horizontally through the middle, his left eye bruised. The skin on his palm calloused and his fingers struggled to stay gripped to the handle of his blade. 'How many times can he summon that giant... I've slayed it over fifty times... It just keeps coming back stronger!'

"You dare to imitate the divine berserker! You fraud! Fake! Counterfeit!" the old man with half a face cursed from above, his voice brimmed with contempt.

Alexander took a deep breath. "I don't care... Shut your mouth already... Where are my lieutenants!" he shouted as he charged forward.

The old man floated backwards as Alexander ran forward over grey roots on the ground, all the while looking down on the noble with disgust. Two giant grey hands rose from the shadows and grasped Alexander in mid air. 'Damn-' Alexander grit his teeth as his shoulders squeezed together, he felt something crack. 'Agh! It keeps- getting stronger!' Alexander pushed the hands apart with all his strength, the veins in his arm tightened. His greatsword lit up with a dazzling green flame and he swung, slashing the grey palms and setting himself free.

"Ack-" Alexander coughed after falling on his side.

The creature writhed as it burned at the lick of fire, it's hand slammed into the ground.

"The fire! Put it out! Put it out!" the old man panicked despite not being the one burning.

Alexanders greatsword landed next to him, piercing into the ground. He rolled onto his back, heavily worn out from hours fighting. 'It'll be back... I have to kill the summoner to stop it... it's main body hasn't risen for several hours...' Alexander's collar bone shifted and reformed. His entire body had been battered, beaten, wrung, and twisted. Each time he had healed, but the pain remained. He lost his armor hours ago, he only wore black pants. He walked on bare feet with each step sending ripples of pain pulsating through him.

Alexander grasped the greatsword and leaned on it as he breathed in and out. 'This rotten scent is everywhere, but i'm getting used to it...' He began to focus his flames into the blade. 'He'll dodge again if I throw a flaming slash...' Alexander closed his eyes and breathed out, the pain was easier to handle the longer the fight went on.

"Divine One... My friend, Oaraun, I, Bishop Ardel Grim will slay this counterfeit..."

The floating old man's face had the same expression, it never moved or changed while he spoke. His mouth hung slightly open and his uncovered left eye was closed. The half of his face which was uncovered didn't move at all, the other half was covered in a lumpy black mass. He was fashioned with dark green robes, golden hollow triangles decorated the edges, his legs couldn't be seen past the bottom of the robe. A golden scepter was held tightly in his left hand, the pale fingers seemed to be surrounded by a similar black mass to the one on his face. Ardel raised his scepter.

"I'll put everything into this attack..." Alexander whispered to himself as he glared at Ardel.

The large grey hand rose from the shadow and clenched its fist. Alexander continued to channel the flames through the sword and into the ground. The ground shook, then started rumbling. Ardel payed no attention to it as he raised the golden scepter towards Alexander. The clenched fist flew forward.

"Suffer! Be crushed! Regret! As your broken to pieces!" Ardel cried.

Alexander didn't flinch, the ground around him started to crack, a green glow spilled through. 'Jealous Flame!' The ground erupted as Alexander jumped, the explosion launched him above the fist.

"That technique..." Ardel suddenly hesitated.

Alexander landed on the creatures arm, and stabbed his greatsword into the wrist. He ran forward and dragged the blade straight through, then kicked off towards the bishop.

"Die!" Alexander roared.

"Wait-" the Bishop raised his hands, surprised at the distance being closed so quickly.

Alexander stabbed his blade into Ardel's chest and hung on. He could see him much better up close. The black lumps suddenly unraveled, revealing the other half of the bishops face.

"Ah!" Ardel screamed.

"What the hell are you, freak..." Alexander growled.

The left half of his face was human, resembling that of an old man, there was no head, just the skin of a face hanging off where it should've been. The tentacles unraveled and writhed frantically, underneath was a black skeletal face with lumpy purple and green tendrils protruding out of his head. It's yellow eyes lit up as it cried out.

"Agh! You-" Ardel's voice cracked as Alexander tightened his grip on the sword.

'Jealous Flame!' Alexander channeled green flames straight into Ardel's body. The bishop was engulfed in green flames.

"Ah! Burns! It burns! It-" The bishop stopped writhing and his eyes widened.

The robes were set ablaze and revealed the lifeless corpse he had impaled underneath. 'What the...' Alexander started to descend and the blade dragged out. Ardel hit the ground, his clothing flopped on the ground as something moved underneath, he rolled back and forth as the flames burned him. The large fist writhed as well as it receded back into the shadow it came from.

"This... No, No! It couldn't be?! Could it?" Ardel rambled to himself as he burned.

Alexander breathed heavily as he walked towards Ardel on the ground. The husk of the old man weakly stood, pushing himself up with all his strength.

"You... Why are you still alive? Why do you have that sword?" Ardel asked while the creatures yellow eyes twitched. "These flames..."

The old man covered the right side of his face with his hand, wiping tears from his face. The old man had no hair, but the left half of his body seemed to be engulfed in something. His legs were motionless as he floated.

"How could you... how could you! How much will you angels drag to hell with you!?" Ardel suddenly screamed, rage and anger gushed from his voice.

"Shut up!" Alexander huffed as he raised his great sword.

"Insolence, insolence! You are nothing but a fraud," Ardel hissed.

The giant hand rose from the shadows behind Ardel and tried to crush Alexander. 'What the-!' Alexander noticed a green aura spilling from the creature's hand. 'Counter it!' Alexander swung the greatsword at the hand instead before it could connect it's strike. The blade pierced into it's arm but didn't go all the way. However the creature still charged forward and slammed into Alexander.

"Agh!" Alexander flew through a wall.

"You must die! I'll kill you! You'd dare mock him! He who gave us our throne! He who risked his life for Xenia's conquest and prosperity! He who never stopped fighting for our ongoing salvation!"

"I don't know- what you're on about... Shut your fucking mouth!" Alexander pushed against the ground with his forehead as he spoke.

"You'd dare mock him! You dare mock Oaraun! Kill him! Crush him until nothing remains!" Ardel screamed.

Alexander raised an eyebrow 'Oaraun?' The massive creature swung it's fist at Alexander, he blocked it with the flat side of the blade. The force pushed the noble back, but he held the creature at bay. His shoulders flexed, the beast struggled to push him back.

"The... the toll... impossible... Impossible!" Ardel screamed as he dragged his fingers down his lifeless and wrinkled face.

The creature rose from the shadow. It was a headless giant, it stepped forward and started to sprint. Alexander lost his footing. The creature slammed him into the wall once again, Alexander's back took the brunt of the impact as he crashed through it. The creature pulled it's hand away, Alexander immediately coughed up blood. He looked up groggily, as the creature slammed it's fist into Alexander again. The creature smashed him through the wall with the next punch, he flipped through the air as he landed at what seemed like the edge of a cliff. He struggled to hold onto his conscience.

"You brought me more angels? I wonder what this ones mind will taste like," an ominously childish voice spoke, loud enough to echo through the dark caverns.

Alexanders eyes shot open, he turned his head to look around. He could see nothing but the pitch-black darkness above him.

"Brother... don't be cold. Help Mr. Grim," the voice spoke again, it came from somewhere beyond the edge of the cliff.

"What the..." Alexander quickly stood up as he peered off the edge of the cliff.

'That was way too loud... Where did that voice come from... How big is it? I should be able to see something that loud...' A green light soared up from the hole and flew over Alexander. It landed behind him, Alexander turned and pointed his greatsword, but the thing standing in front of him was something he could barely comprehend. 'What the... Am I seeing things?'

A knight with a jade crown stood between Alexander and Ardel, it's face was just a skeleton with hollow eye sockets. Black tentacles we're wrapped around it's limbs, almost resembling flesh and muscles. 'Those giant skeletons earlier also had those tendrils ensnaring it...' It's silver breast plate shone brightly, a green cape flowed off it's back. What confused Alexander, was the weapons it held. It held two greatswords, they looked exactly like Alexander's. 'What... Isn't that... My gift-' What happened next confused Alexander even more, a tear fell from the skeletons eye socket.

"Brother? What's wrong?" The childish voice asked, it sounded closer than before.

Alexander turned around and peered off the cliff, he saw nothing but darkness. He glanced up and his eyes widened. Alexander dropped his great sword as he stepped back.

"What the fuck!" Alexander's heart skipped a beat as he saw the source of the childs voice.

There was a massive creature floating in the air. It appeared like a mass of dark green tentacles hanging in the pitch black sky, the middle of the creature was large and round. Above the tentacles we're hundreds of long pale green hands reaching outwards. A flower at the top of it's body was where Alexander noticed something out of this world. The upper half of a girl with light blue and glowing rigid skin had been leaning over the edge of the massive flower. 'How big is this cavern... Why couldn't I see-' Alexander's heart stopped as he noticed two people in the clutches of the girl. Vivian and Bruno we're both held in the creatures hands, she held them like lifeless dolls. 'You-'

"I'll kill you!" Alexander threatened while making a dash for his greatsword.

"The noble Alexander Rael, you have the same face as the one I saw in both of these angels minds," the girl bragged with a careless tone.

Alexander grasped his blade and pounced up off the ground. But he immediately realized just how truly high up this creature was. 'It's... too high to jump up too! Then- Jealous...' Alexander's sword lit up, 'Flame!' he swung a wave of flames. However it collided with a dark blue barrier which surrounded the entire creatures body.

"What?!" Alexander started to descend. "A barrier!"

"Waaa- Pretty lights..." the monster in the sky looked at the green embers which crackled in the cold air with awe.

'What the fuck! What the fuck! Am I losing it... This thing can't be real- ' Alexander didn't hear the warrior holding two greatswords approach from behind, the whistle of blade being swung alerted him. 'Huh!' The dual greatsword wielding creature held both it's blades up. 'When did it-' Alexander noticed a tendril protruding from it's back into the sky, connecting to that creature. It swung both it's massive blades down, Alexander blocked but he was launched backwards.

"Ack!" Alexander coughed as he was launched off the cliff.

Alexander opened his eyes to see where he was falling, but his eyes widened as he saw the skeletal lord float forward holding the two greatswords. Then without moving a single leg he soared towards Alexander while raising the greatswords for another strike. 'What the fuck! He's just gliding straight at me!' They clashed in mid air, however it continued to pursue the noble through the air. Green embers ricocheted all across the darkness as they continued to cross blades. 'Deflect his strikes! I can't go on the offensive like-' Alexander crashed into a building, he squinted as he looked up to see the relentless puppet still charging for a swing. 'Wait-' Alexander raised his blade and blocked the strike, only to be launched through the building.

Alexander crashed through the wall and landed in a narrow alley between two buildings. The ground was made of a loosely packed cobblestone, grass and foliage sprout through it. 'Buildings? This stone...' The dragging of blades made him focus, he quickly stood up and coughed with a hoarse, dry throat.

"That thing is being dragged through the sky towards me..." Alexander glanced back down the alley to see that he wasn't being followed.

'Could it follow me? With the tendril it was connected to... Wouldn't it have to attack from-' Alexander looked up to see the skull faced warrior fall down towards him. Alexander pressed his feet into the ground, smashing the cobble stone and coming to a stop while winded his greatsword up for a heavy swing.

The two clashed, Alexander swung his blade back around for another swing, they clashed again, and again. Their blades dragged through the walls of the alley, cleaving through the walls of the buildings. bright yellow sparks, as well the light from the embers flying off of Alexander's blades lit the dark alley. The two ran parallel down the alleyway as they continued to swing their massive weapons down the narrow path. Alexander stopped and ducked, dodging a swing and letting the knight soar past him.

"Rah!" Alexander roared as he jumped up with his greatsword raised.

Alexander's roar echoed through the strange buildings, he swung the blade down and launched the skull faced knight backwards. He followed after the knight, but stopped as he exited the alleyway. The skeleton had crashed into a building across a large gap. Down below to the left was a hill full of decaying junk and various bones, the ground looked smooth, further down the hill was a body of water. Across the gap was a pipe with a slimy substance hanging out of it's lip. 'Is this... a dock?' Alexander's mind had been racing, however his thoughts came to a stop as a shriek echoed through the air, it grated at the inside of Alexanders head as his vision slightly obscured. 'What the-'

"Ah!" Alexander screamed as the sharp pain of three needles pierced through the back of his right shoulder.

"Don't pick on my brother... He's just a kid..." The childish creature spoke from above.

"Agh!" Alexander grasped the end of the tendril with his other hand and tried to push it out, but he winced as he tried.

The tip of the tendril possessed three firm needles, edged with smaller spikes. It hooked into Alexanders shoulder, trying to pull it out caused more damage.

"Ah!" Alexander cried as another one skewered his other shoulder.

His skin felt like it would be torn off as the tendrils lifted him up. 'Damnit it got me!' Alexander was raised up in front of the massive blue girl. From this distance, the ridges in her skin almost appeared like the surface of a tree. Her arms and head resembled regular body parts, however her torso and arms looked like tree bark. She had long hair, the ends flowed like tentacles like it had a life of it's own, Vivian and Bruno we're suspended in the air by the tendrils. They didn't look heavily injured. However Alexander was more focused on the massive creature he dangled and struggled above Vivian and Bruno who we're unconscious on top of the flower petal.

"What'd you to them fiend! Tell me and I may not incinerate you slowly!" Alexander threatened.

"Fiend? My name is Terra, not fiend? Terra Gerrenwalt, I was born on the 32nd day of Shauran, 195SR. When we're you born?" The creature's tone did not seem natural.

"195SR... That's almost 150 years ago?!" Alexander replied, his expression shocked.

"I asked them if they wanted to play but they kept screaming... What's wrong with them?" she spoke with a child like innocence.

"Screaming..." Alexander seethed, "what'd you do!"

"The thin skelly's always have boring memories... But those angels show a bright beautiful world with lot's of stuff to know about! I just love to know about it, I want it all!" Terra smiled while her head rocked from side to side, the sight disturbed Alexander to his core. "Hey you're an angel? Right? You probably have lot's of interesting memories! Let's play a game to introduce yourself!" Terra spoke with a menacing glee.

Terra raised her hand towards him and her eyes lit up with a bright blue hue. Alexanders shook and struggled to get free, but it was no use, the barbs were stuck inside of him

"Stay back! Stay away from me monster!" Alexander hissed.

However she simply held her palm above his head. Images flashed into Alexander's head. 'What is she... What's-' Everything went black, the battle he just fought started to play in reverse in his head.

***

"Alexander Rael, noble of house Rael," he could hear Terra's voice echo in his head.

'What the- That things voice- I hear it in my head?!'

"That thing? I said my name is Terra... How rude," she moped.

'You're- reading my thoughts?!' Images of Arthur, Angela and Arid flashed through his mind. His squad, Lector, Yami. The battle in Logos, the day he executed Jacks parents. His memories played backwards through his head quickly. 'What are you doing- Stop!' Alexander struggled.

"The four nobles, Helios, the celestial... I've seen this all in the memories of those two. You seem to respect the members of your squad greatly, but no one else. You treat the slaves of Logos with an unreasonable brutality. Why? Hmm?" Terra asked.

Alexander tried to move but he couldn't. 'Get- away!' The memories of Logos came back, countless slaves being beaten and murdered flashed through his mind.

"Why are you the way you are?" Terra suddenly became confused.

The memory of a black haired woman entered his mind, she stood in front of Alexander. A white hood obscured her eyes, but her pupils possessed a deep red glow. The woman walked past the throne and towards the open window. The room was familiar, the throne of Helios was meters away. His hands grasped the silky gold carpet, 'Is this real...' Alexander looked around in a daze, the banners of the four houses were missing from the walls to his left and right. Instead, there we're two banners hanging from the window, one displayed the Lightbringers insignia. The other was one Alexander hadn't recognized, it depicted a ring made from a snake consuming its own tail, the inside of the ring full of sharp spikes. The golden light from the sun lit up the sides of the room, however a shadow was cast down the middle. Alexander stood up and turned to see Shinra Pendragon.

The old man had been wearing bandages on his forehead. He held his black halberd in his right hand, his left hand was broken and wrapped up in a cast. 'What happened-'

"That creature tried to manipulate you Alexander... Perhaps it was the work of it's gift which has twisted your mind, but worry not good friend," a voice came from the direction of the throne. "She has restored your mind, and rid you of that freakish giant's curse."

Alexander turned to see the king of the angels stand up from the golden throne. 'Lord... Lord Lightbringer?!' The blonde man wore a white shirt that flowed down past his knees. The man's shoes and clothing had been embedded with diamonds and crystals from across the land. Lucifer had a small neck and was extremely thin, his blonde hair was combed over, it just reached his neck. The features of his face we're unnaturally perfect, not a single wrinkle or sunken pour in sight.

"What?" Terra whispered in confusion.

"House Raf- Rael, is essential to our cause, our military might hinges on the technology pioneered by them. You will handle the logorite operation to maintain stability of our economy, and the training of young angels to become the authority of the celestial. However the expansion of our borders will be handled by a new house."

"I understand my lord," Alexander heard himself speak.

He looked down to see himself bowing before Lucifer Lightbringer. Alexander's eye twitched as he watched the memory.

"That... That's it? When was Alexander Rael born?" Terra asked.

The scene which just played reversed, and repeated from the beginning. The black haired woman moved her hand away from Alexander as she turned towards the throne and walked past it.

"What? I just saw this... Show me when Alexander Rael was born!" Terra demanded this time.

The same scene played once again. The black haired woman with red eyes and pristine skin had a sorrowful expression on her face before she turned away from Alexander.

"That... No that's impossible... That can't be..." The creature was at a loss for words. "There has to be memories before this!"

Alexander felt something enter his ear.

"Ah!" Alexander started to scream and writhe in pain as a sharp pain struck the sides of his skull, a white noise filled his mind.

He could feel the rigid spines sticking out of the needle, latching and bending through his ear canals. Alexander cried out in pain as his head was filled with blurry and unclear visions. The skull screeching sound reverberated through his head as fragments of disjointed memories reconnected.

"I'll pry it out of your dense skull!" Terra yelled in frustration.

***

Alexander opened his eyes and they rolled to the back of his head, his vision filled with images from before his earliest memory. The world spun around. Until it suddenly stopped and Alexander watched a scene he was not familiar with play out. He found himself looking up at a dark grey sky as rain poured down his face.

"What'd they do to you!" a hollow voice yelled, it was familiar.

Alexander looked down to see a giant creature writhing on the ground, broken branches and chips of wood we're scattered around the barren dirt. To the right was the dock Alexander would use to train angels. Behind him was a wall of rock, the top of the cliff wall was where the hybrids and angels held their council meetings. 'Wasn't this... a beach?! ' Alexander looked around at the green flames coming off of the grass and nearby trees.

The giant was bigger than Alexander despite being on all fours, it struggled to crawl out of a crater it had been slammed into. Instead of legs it possessed three wooden tendrils. It was shrouded in wet black rags, which covered up a damaged set of armor. The breastplate of the armor was covered in fading white lines. The skinny fingers on it's hand curled through the dirt as it grasped chains which connected to a lantern. The inside of the lantern glowed a bright green, a skull seemed to be the source of the flame.

"This! This is your flame! Why are you doing this! Why are you siding with them! This can't be true! Oaraun it's me!" the giant's voice cracked. "Rael Gerrenwalt!"

The moment Alexander heard the name the pain seemed to ease. 'Rael...'

"Gerrenwalt?" Terra repeated with a confused tone.

"After what those wretches did! After what they did to Lavera! Why do you fight for them!" the giant creature shouted at Alexander.

"Lavera..." Terra repeated. "Lavera... Lavera? That name... Who is Lavera?" Terra was suddenly sounded interested in something.

Alexander felt the agonizing screech inside of his head as the scene changed once more.

***

Alexander stared down at his boots. He sat on white stone steps, he looked up to see a little girl with black hair holding a sword twice her height. His whole body from head to toe was fitted with a jagged black ethore. The air was crisp, the sun's warmth embraced him as he closed his eyes and looked up. 'What a beautiful day...'

"Hiya!" Alexander's peace was interrupted as a little girl shouted before a sword struck the stone step. "Did I do it right?" she turned and asked Alexander with a bright smile.

The little girl was just short of three feet tall. Her hair had been neatly tied back, the top of her head was decorated with a blue flower pin. The sword she held was a basic short sword, however she could point it up with one hand at the age of ten. She wore a blue dress with a long skirt, her bare feet we're exposed as she stepped against the stone on her toes.

"Don't hit the ground Vala, control your weapon when you swing, you should be able to stop at any point during your swing. Also who gave you two swords?" Alexander asked.

"You weren't even looking?! Stop thinking about your wife, and teach me how to fight like you!" Vala pouted.

"Like this Val..." A boy spoke up from behind Alexander.

The boy swung the blade down, a whistle flowed through the air as he swung the blade down and stopped it just an inch from the ground. His pony tail floated upwards from the force of his swing. The boy was very slim, his bright orange eyes brimmed with confidence as he smirked at Alexander. He wore a full sleeved white shirt with black shorts that covered his knees.

"Arken? Won't you get in trouble if you're out-"

"Just say pro, that's all I need to hear," the boy confidently stated with one hand to his ear.

"Well, you're footing isn't going to support anything," Alexander looked up at him with an eyebrow raised.

The boy's feet we're angled inwards. Vala started to laugh triumphantly.

"Shut up Val i'm better than you!"

"I'll be a pro before you Arky, and i'm two years younger~" Vala boasted with a careless glee as she twirled the handle around in her fingers, however she accidently flicked it backwards out of her hand. "Ah..."

"Shit-" Alexander shouted as he quickly stood.

"You idiot!" Arken cursed as he crouched down and held the side of his head in panic.

The blade bounced against the stone step and started spinning through the air. It traveled straight down the flight of stairs towards someone approaching the steps. The woman shrieked as the sword stuck into the ground in front of her. She immediately looked up and started to scream intangible curses. The scene changed without warning. Alexander found himself at the bottom of the steps shortly after that incident.

"These memories are fragmented? Why?" Terra asked.

"Vala I told you not to sneak into the armory! What if you actually hurt someone!" A woman with braided blue hair yelled at the young princess.

"Sorry Shura... I didn't mean it, really," Vala sniffled while she looked down at the ground.

Shura wore a tight black top with a red flaming sash around her waist. She wore baggy blue pants, however the tight shirt defined her well built body. At her side was a long katana with a white handle and golden guard.

"Eyes up here missy! You can't lead this country one day if your subjects stand a hundred feet behind you!" Shura scolded.

Alexander was a short distance away near an empty caravan. An old man with green robes walked around the caravan. 'What... the... How...' Alexander thought to himself the moment he saw the old man. He held a golden staff. His face was old and wrinkled, however half of it wasn't gone. 'It's him... That guy...'

"What..." Terra uttered in confusion.

"You've finished unloading the rations Ardel?" Alexander asked.

"Uh- Yes my- lord," Ardel stuttered.

"What's the problem?" Alexander asked.

"Well... the extra rations we provided, it's more than what we should've given... Should we really be giving them so much?" Ardel wondered.

"It's food Ardel... They've been struggling to survive, part of it may be our fault," Alexander explained.

"Had you not shown up my lord... Our kingdom and it's people would've struggled."

"It really doesn't matter what our histories we're, I won't let anyone starve, especially children. We're more alike than we really want to accept, there should be no reason we can't coexist."

"Well... the peace we've struggled to maintain is proof of it working... You are most generous Lord Oaraun. I will be sure to pass on such wisdom," Ardel bowed.

'Huh...'

"What does this have to do with Lavera..." Terra groaned impatiently.

"Prepare to leave, we will depart soon to make it back to Logos by nightfall," Alexander ordered as he turned back to the hybrid royals at the steps.

The current queen of the hybrids stepped down the stairs. Her eyes we're large and unlike anything Alexander had seen, multiple rings we're layered overtop of each other on her pupil. Queen Zadia stepped down the steps and Vala ran towards her. She knelt down and wiped a tear from Vala's eye, then said something Alexander couldn't hear, but she had said it with a loving mothers smile. Zadia pulled Vala in for a tight hug, she patted her daughters hair gently.

A quiet shifting came from the emptied caravan as Alexander walked away from it. He turned, the caravan didn't move at all. pulling the curtain to the side and peering inside. It appeared empty, until Alexander looked down and saw Arken laying as flat as he could to avoid being seen. His expression was incredibly awkward as Alexander looked down at him.

"I can ex- Wait wait- Ah!" Arken yelped as Alexander pulled him out of the caravan by the arm.

Arken was set down gently outside the caravan.

"Arken!?" Zadia suddenly hissed.

The queen's soft expression switched to a hateful glare, she started to walk towards him quickly. Arken turned to Alexander, he looked left and right as he thought of something. Her purple dress had a large skirt which covered all of her legs except for her feet, it was covered in shiny silver and gold furs. Her hair was tied back, and it made her forehead look especially large under the silver tiara she wore.

"Uh- Oaraun before you- I go- I just wanted to ask... Does a king have to be generous? What if his subjects don't- don't appreciate him? What- what if they don't deserve it" Arken stuttered as he tried to quickly ask.

"A king who cannot command the faith and respect of their followers, is no king at all," Alexander replied.

Arken looked up at him with a dazed expression as he processed the words. Zadia grasped his wrist.

"I apologize Divine Lord, please excuse my son's foolishness..." Zadia conversed with him shortly and dragged Arken back to the steps.

Alexander watched her walk away, Arken struggled to keep up as he was dragged along. Vala waved goodbye with a concerned face for her sibling, however the queen grasped the hand she waved with and pushed her hand down. Ardel raised his golden scepter and hands rose from his shadows, each hand grasped the sides of the caravan and lifted it up.

Alexander turned to board the caravan, however he heard a loud slap echo through the air. He glanced behind him to see Arken holding his cheek as he looked down at the ground.

"Who said you could leave the castle! Who gave you a sword! Don't you dare forget your place!" Alexander walked away as he listened to the distant scolding Arken received.

Alexander took a seat at the front of the caravan, it rocked and creaked slightly as he shifted into place.

"Let's go home," Alexander ordered.

The caravan glided forward seamlessly over the shadow.

"Your generosity is admirable, however Queen Zadia certainly did not seem happy about it," Ardel commented.

"It wouldn't be generosity if I expected something from it... I've ended many wars sparked from rampant and uncontrollable envy, however it always returns... We mustn't let up until it stops for good," Alexander explained.

"You're right," Ardel replied as he looked up at the sky in front of them.

They travelled east, the sun was covered up by a massive island in the sky. The city of black buildings from this distance looked tiny. It reached bout half the height up the celestial just north of Logos.

"During the war of the giants, you we're called foolish for your beliefs, yet look at this..." Ardel gestured towards the islands in the sky. "The city of Ethos is proof you we're always right..."

"Save the praise for your familiar..." Alexander glanced over to his right.

In the distance, just south of Dorad was another massive tower stretching into the sky. A second Celestial overlooked the lands with it's divine grace.

'What... Why is there a second one...'

"Your humble nature is inspiring... That makes me want to follow your lead even-" Ardel stopped as he looked up. "Hey..."

Ardel's familiar stopped dragging the caravan over the shadows.

"Hm? Why did we..." Alexander gazed off at the second celestial. "Stop..." He glanced at the sky above becoming brighter and brighter despite it being the middle of the day.

"My lord... Do my eyes deceive me... Is the sun coming closer?" Ardel asked as he pointed up.

Alexander looked up into the air to see a giant smoldering ball falling from the sky. 'What the hell is that...'

"What does any of this have to do with the one named Lavera..." Terra asked with an annoyed tone.

"That's heading for Ethos..." Alexander uttered as he tried figure out if the sight he was seeing was real.

"Walbur! Charge as fast as you can!" Ardel yelled the order.

The caravan started to move forward.

"I don't care! Who is Lavera!" Terra shouted angrily. "Why is that name familiar!"

The scene started to change once more, Alexander watched the scene speed up. It was like a blur, a desperate struggle for survival flashed through his mind in a millisecond. It only stopped at a scene Alexander recognized. 'This... I've seen this in my dreams...'

The sky was red, the air was hot. Flames, rubble, and destruction we're littered everywhere as far as the eye could see. The scent of burning wood and asphalt stung his nose. The sky was clear, nothing could be seen for miles despite one final piece of the island in the sky.

"You are blind Abaddon! This is what we, the angels, must do! If we don't, it'll be the end!" Ymir Lightbringer shouted.

Alexander ignored their discussion. He saw the pregnant woman on the ground, the same one he saw last time. She was very frail, her green blouse was stained with blood. Alexander knelt down and caressed her cheek, pushing a loose strand of hair to the side. He noticed another hand touch her cheek, he stood up and stepped back to see a green haired man in black armor leaning over her.

"Lavera... Lavera!" the man cried out in anguish.

"What the..." Abaddon uttered in disbelief.

"How... how are you still alive!" Ymir yelled in fear.

"M-Mother..." Terra stuttered.

***

The tentacles pulled out of his head and Alexander panted heavily, his body was dripping with sweat. Terra started to scream and cry.

"Mother!" Terra screamed in anguish.

'Ah- Ah! My head!' Alexander felt blood drip out of his ears as his brain slowly healed from the damage caused.

"What... It can't be..." Ardel's jaw dropped. "You're him..."

The old man started to float as he pulled at the skin under his eyes, tears flowed.

"What have they done... how could they be so reprehensible!" Ardel grieved. "What have they done to you!" Ardel looked up at Alexander while raising his hands.

"Rah!" Alexander roared as he grasped the end of the tendril sticking through him. "Jealous Flame!"

The tendril burned in his hand, the flames licked at his skin and flesh but it didn't affect him. The fire channeled through his body and lit the two tendrils ablaze. They writhed back and forth, Alexander fell down towards the top of the creature and landed in front of it's torso. The petal of the flower didn't budge, Alexander pushed himself up and ran across it. Vivian and Bruno we're just a few meters away. 'Go!' He picked the two up and jumped off of Terra's body. He could see nothing but darkness in front of him as he descended, but as he approached the ground it came into view and was incredibly bright. Alexander focused solely on getting as far away as he could, there was too much on his mind to think about.

"Stop him! I need his mind! He has more memories I must see!" Terra ordered.

Alexander glanced behind him to see Ardel floating through the sky towards him. 'Shit! I can't fight while carrying these two!' Ardel soared next to Alexander and didn't attack. He had a concerned, yet worried expression on his face. His shoulders screamed in pain, leaking even more blood as he ran with his two lieutenants.

"You!" Alexander hissed. "Get away or-"

As Alexander ran a grey palm raised from the ground, he stopped as it lifted him up. 'Huh...' The palm glided over the ground and sped up Alexanders attempt to escape.

"What are you doing?!" Alexander asked.

"Walbur! Take him there! To Xenia!" Ardel ordered. "What are you doing Ardel!" the left side of his face suddenly shouted.

"Why..." Alexander whispered as he looked back.

Vivian and Bruno's ears we're dripping blood, there were scars around their heads. Alexander lifted Bruno's head and touched his neck, he felt a rapid heart beat. 'He's still alive... Why is his heart beating so fast?' Alexander pushed his eye lid up to see his eyes rolled to the back of his head, vibrating. 'Shit... Shit shit shit… I can heal but they can't... how much we're they damaged?! That fucking fiend! I'll-' Alexander remembered what he saw and he hesitated, he shook his head to stay focus. After several minutes of soaring through the darkness, the hand stopped, then lifted them up. 'What's-' The hand whipped them forward, Alexander soared through the darkness as he held his two squad members. He crashed into the ground and dropped the two.

"Urgh!" Alexander grunted as he hit the ground and rolled.

Vivian and Bruno tumbled to a stop. Alexander immediately crawled to Vivian and turned her over. 'She's okay... she's okay... She's-' Alexander looked around for a moment, 'The ground isn't bright anymore...' His eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness. He could clearly see the walls of rock in the distance. As he turned in the direction he came from he noticed a deep darkness unlike anything. It almost looked like a shroud of black fog. 'I can't go back in there... I need to find a way out of here... If these two we're awake it'd be simple...' Alexander picked them both up, he held Vivian by the waist and lifted Bruno on his shoulder. His muscles ached, but he ignored the pain.

He limped one step at a time, carrying the two people through the strange caverns which surrounded him. It was a wide open chasm, a wall of rock hung low, the sound of running water crashing down could be heard throughout the cavern. He walked parallel to a wall of rock, the ground was covered in strange weeds breaking through the stone. As he got to the end of the wall he noticed a damaged bridge over a ten foot deep gap. He stepped onto the bridge, but he spun around as the distant sound of metal shifting came from behind.

"Who's there! Show your-" Alexander stopped as he looked past the wall.

Behind the wall, Alexander could see two giant stone statues which depicted headless knights. They stood tall outside an even larger building. They possessed a carving of a tree on their breastplate. At the peak of the fortress, was a silver tree which slightly resembled the one on their armor. As Alexander's gaze hovered over the giant stone statue, he saw a black figure sitting on the shoulder of the statue on the right. It looked down at him.

"Shit! Shit!" Alexander panicked as he continued to limp away. "I can't fight right now!"

Alexander crossed the bridge and started up a hill. As he got to the top of the hill, the sound of crashing waterfalls grew much louder. A wall of rock hung just low enough to walk under, it created a pathway to another section of caverns. He continued through and noticed light coming from the end of the path. 'Is this all... under Hiria?' Alexander entered another large cavern, this one much bigger than the last. Water flowed down from above and crashed into a body of water within the cavern. He looked up and could see holes in the ceiling, beams of light spilled through each one. 'What the...'

The upper sections of the cavern seemed to have pillars carved into the rock. Gaps in the wall which could not have formed naturally. He looked around for a pathway up, but there didn't seem to be any. However his attention was drawn to a hole at the other side. A bright green light came from within.

"What is that..." Alexander huffed as he continued towards it.

It took about an hour to reach the other end of the large chasm. On each side there we're multiple dark holes and caves in the walls, water flowed through some. 'Where is that water flowing...' As he reached the end of the cave, Alexander was left speechless.

In plain sight, a massive citadel at least three times the size of Helios stood in the center of the city. The main building was comprised of multiple pillars and buildings with pointy roofs. Alexander looked up, this chasm had been even bigger than the last, it was carved out for miles. The largest tower in the center of the kingdom only reached half the total height. Above the main citadel, we're large stalactites with sparkling green lights. The massive citadel had a circular outer wall surrounded by towns of small houses. The circular outer wall was evenly divided by four massive overpasses that stretched between the inner citadel and the outer wall. 'I- I was here... this was in my dream...' Alexander looked down a two hundred meter drop, at the bottom was a smaller town outside the citadel wall.

"What is this place..." Alexander walked over the overpass as he observed the hidden city.

He walked over the damaged bridge, triangular shapes we're carved into the railing. He approached the side of the bridge, and looked over. Down below were small houses that were broken in several places. A sudden crack, followed by grains of stone falling caused him to panic, the ground shifted with another crack.

"Shit!" The overpass he stood on started to crumble and give out. "Rah!" Alexander threw Vivian and Bruno back onto the bridge as he fell down to the houses below.

Alexander curled his head forward, anticipating the impact. He crashed through a building and smashed into a street between the houses. The crash echoed a few times. 'Ugh...' Alexander groaned, the pain meant nothing, but to his surprise the doors and windows around him started to open. He rolled onto his front and pushed himself off the ground. He watched the door closest to him slowly open. A slim pale hand pulled it open, revealing a grey haired pale man with green eyes.

"Who are you!" Alexander demanded an answer.

The pale man opened the door fully, he wore ragged robes that covered his lower half. Behind the skinny man we're two pale skinned children wearing the same clothing. All of the doors began to open and multiple people with pale skin now surrounded him. What confused Alexander the most, was the green gem embedded into their body, above their abdomen and just under the chest. Alexander looked down at himself, the crystal inside of him was similar. Alexander became even more confused as he looked around, the pale skinned people surrounded him, but they didn't attack, only stared at him in awe. 'Are these non-unified... they all look malnourished...' A bald headed child walked up to Alexander.

"Stay back!" Alexander pointed his greatsword at the boy.

The people all suddenly looked scared, they cowered back, then dropped to their knees, they all curled up onto the ground and started to sob heavily. As if their loved one had just died in front of them. Alexander felt a throbbing pain in his head, he stepped back. 'What is this...'

"To think an angel would come to the city of the damned," a deep voice spoke.

Alexander glanced at the top of the building, a dark skinned man stood with his hands behind his back. His mouth was covered by a strange mask that resembled a wide grin with large teeth. He had no eyebrows, his narrow eyes we're the only expression Alexander could comprehend. He wore similar robes to Ardel, but his mannerism and dialect was far different. The man also had a green gem embedded into his chest.

"Well, what are you waiting for... release your righteous envy, kill the angel," the man ordered the pale skinned people. "Hm?"

He tilted his head as he watched the people remain in their curled up forms, sobbing. Alexander took a stance to fight.

"Why are you crying-"

"Who are you!" Alexander spat, his head still throbbing in pain.

"Shut up you rude heathen. I, Dariel Drake, judicator of this kingdom order you all to kill him!" Dariel's eye widened as none of them did anything. "Why are none of you-" Dariel took notice of Alexander's sword. "That sword... Who are you?"

Alexander held his head in anguish, it immediately throbbed in pain, "I- am... one of the four nobles of the angels! Alexander... Rael!" he roared as the pain and exhaustion weighed him down.

"Rael? You... wait just a moment, that can't... Be... That sword... Impossible-" Dariel stuttered as he stepped off the roof and dropped to the street.

Alexander pounced forward and swung down with a strength he didn't even know he had. Before it could hit the judicator, Dariel quickly drew a golden scepter from behind him and raised it to block. Alexander struck him with all his might, and launched him through several buildings. 'Another one of those scepters! What are these things?'

"You seem to be familiar with this place," Alexander grinned as he pushed his blade forward. "You're gonna tell me how to get out here!" Alexander ran forward, smashing Dariel through several more walls.

"Ah... The time has finally come..." said Dariel.

"Answer me!"

"Is this fate? Coincidence? I believe this is nothing short of the purest form of judgement," Dariel laughed.

Dariel took his mask off, Alexander cringed slightly at the sight. The flesh around his mouth was exposed, there was no bottom jaw, or tongue just a row of upper teeth.

"I wonder who did it... A gift capable of manipulating memories, I really doubt it..." Dariel continued to ramble about something, all the while his mouth disturbingly did not move.

"You- What the hell are you..." Alexander stopped as Dariel's eyes lit up.

A force pushed Alexander back suddenly. 'What the-'

"May my soul take root, becoming the foundation for the druid within," Dariel whispered with the golden staff held up.

Alexander stopped as Dariel flipped the staff over and hit the ground, the strike echoed through the citadel. The staff disappeared, and the dark skinned man began to float upwards. Dariel started to scream as his head whipped around violently, bones protruded out of his back and surrounded him. Flesh started to form and was quickly wrapped up by greasy skin. Alexander looked up in disbelief as the man had transformed into a pale skinned being, it dwarfed the buildings in size. Dariel's altered form had skinny arms we're still behind his back, he had no hair, and lacked a mouth. Rather than legs, three tentacles waved through the air, they seemed to be keeping him afloat.

"Hear me Xenia's army! May my voice beseech you! Rise, rise! The time has come!" Dariel's voice projected across the cave for everyone around to hear.

Alexander looked around, 'What the hell, he doesn't have a mouth?! How is he speaking?'

"Druids who serve underneath our queen! Rise up! The time has come! Our vengeance will finally be met!" Dariel called.

"This guy is getting on my nerves-"

"Oaraun has returned!" Dariel shouted.

Alexander's veins bulged as he grit his teeth, he jumped up to the top of the building and kicked off once more into the air towards the creature. Alexander swung the great sword, and Dariel floated backwards out of range, Alexander struck nothing but the air. 'Fighting air born targets is starting to annoy me!'

"Forgive me, my lord. I must commit an act of shame," said Dariel.

The creature raised his hand, there was a mouth where his palm was. His wrist expanded, before the mouth spat a black orb towards Alexander at high speed. 'I can't dodge!' The black orb hit Alexander, and he suddenly felt an intense throbbing in his head, even worse than before. 'What- the-' Alexander fell towards the roof tops and crashed through it.

"You bastard! Give her back!", "My parents! How could you kill them like that!", "Fucking angel! You should all be killed!", "Monster!", "Why did my son have to die! Why!"

"Ah!" Alexander cried as the voices ripped at his brain.

"Ah, how sad. You slaughtered thousands of your own for the angels," Dariel spoke from above, he was so loud it was difficult to gauge which direction it came from.

"What- What did you do!" Alexander as he curled up into a ball and grasped his head.

"Damn nobles! Why did the celestial grant you gifts!", "Give me back my daughter!"

"Those voices are the sound of your sins. The anguish your victims- your own people felt. Your mind has mistaken these thoughts for pride, Divine being or not, no man is capable of escaping their own shame-"

"Carol... why..."

Alexander spun around, his sword lit up with a massive ball of flame. He whipped it straight down behind him, a massive pillar of green flames smashed into the ground. Dariel shielded his eyes as he floated back. Alexander crouched down and jumepd through the flames, impaling his sword into Dariel's massive form.

"Ah!" Dariel cried, his composure vanished as his cry echoed through the caverns.

"Die!" Alexander screamed as he slammed his fist into the massive creature's stomach.

"Gah!" Dariel grunted, Alexander pushed his fist forward and launched the giant down to the ground, his massive body crashed into the buildings.

"I'll kill as many monsters as it takes to get out of here!" Alexander roared.

The green greatsword appeared in his hand as he soared down towards Dariel. Before he could stab his blade into the creature's abdomen, Alexander felt a heavy smack to the side of his body and he flew into a nearby building. Dariel slowly rose off the roof he landed on as he panted, while grasping the wound. The rib cage protruding around Dariel's main body disintegrated as he fell to the roof and coughed raggedly. The rest of the creatures body disintegrated.

"Viceroy Gungnir, thank you for heeding my call." Dariel panted.

Alexander shook his head and looked up to see another strange creature floating in the sky. This one was different. It still possessed three tendrils waving back and forth. This one wore an armor, with a strange bubbly blue plasma flowing from the breast plate and connected the gauntlets to the main body. It's head resembled a skull, but the upper half was covered by a mask. The mask had been cracked and only one large eye peered down at Alexander. It's grey hair flowed in all directions. It held a massive silver spike edged halberd with both hands. Just behind the collar of the breast plate, Alexander noticed a withered husk acting as the source of it's transformation.

"Judicator Drake, we must lead him to Xenia," Gungnir spoke with a commanding voice.

"That's easier said than done..." Dariel replied.

"I will do it, I won't need your assistance."

"You sure about that old man?"

"Where is my son, or Elisia, a physical fighter is better suited for this than mages."

"I don't know, probably the Sunken City..."

Alexander crouched down against the roof and jumped into the air. Gungnir's tentacles flapped and he soared at Alexander. 'He's fast-' Their weapons clashed, but Alexander was launched back by what felt like a second impact. 'Agh! That was-' The forced reminded him of the impacts of Ajal's strikes. An almost explosive force which followed every impact. Alexander descended back to the ground. 'Burn!' Green flames engulfed Alexander's blade, he swung the blade once more and spun through mid air, sending a slash of flame at Gungnir. He simply floated forward and spun his polearm, deflecting the strike and then swinging it down with great force.

"You are to weak to be Oaraun, I have no need to feel bad for this," said Gungnir.

"Me? Weak?!" Alexander grunted with grit teeth.

Alexander swung his blade up and knocked the halberd back. 'He didn't use that explosive impact-' Gungnir spun the giant halberd around and cleaved through the building. Alexander jumped up and blocked with his greatsword, the force launched him upwards towards the bridge.

"Ack!" Alexander coughed up blood.

Alexander landed on the bridge, he breathed in and out heavily as his chest pulsated up and down. 'Ah... I feel like utter shit...' Alexander thought, the hours of fighting, the injuries he sustained all the while. It weighed down on him heavily. He held onto his greatsword as hard as he could as he started to channel green fire into the blade. It glowed a neon green, Alexander got to his feet as he wobbled. He looked down over the bridge to only see Dariel on a rooftop in the distance, Gungnir was gone.

"Shit!" Alexander turned to his left to see the monster swing it's halberd down at him. Alexander deflected it, however Gungnir pulled his weapon back and started to thrust it straight at him. He used the flat side of the greatsword to block, but each stab pushed him further back.

"Spirit Ignition!" Gungnir shouted.

He thrusted the halberd forward and launched Alexander straight towards the citadel. 'What!' Alexander felt his body get forced back as he flew through the wall of the citadel. He crashed into a large flight of stairs.

"Agh!" Alexander felt his bones shifting under his skin as he healed.

Gungnir flew through the hole in the wall and remained floating in the air above. He floated past Alexander, over his head, 'Get back here!' He ran up the steps, there we're pillars in the room, they led the way towards a throne. Behind the throne were tree roots which spread around the room.

"My Queen, Xenia, he has returned, the divine berserker," Viceroy gestured with one hand over his breastplate and the other palm open towards Alexander.

"Queen? Who the hell rules this shit hole..." Alexander whispered to himself as he stood.

Alexander walked up the stone steps, avoiding branches that hugged the ground. Viceroy Gungnir floated to the left of the throne, to the right was another creature similar to him. Alexander raised his greatsword with the one hand as he panted.

This one had larger tentacles on it's lower body compared to Gungnir, but it's upper body was much skinnier. Grey hair flowed in all directions as well, a mask covered it's eyes, the only facial features visible we're it's wrinkled red lips and sunken cheeks. It was the same height as Gungnir, the creature wore white dress covered in maroon stains over its torso.

Between the two giants, seated on a jade throne, was a woman in silver armor, clad from head to toe. Her face was covered by a mask with no details on it at all. A white cape hung from her shoulders as she stood up, her breast plate had the design of a tree on it. The two giant creatures to her left and right lowered themselves to the ground and bowed as she walked past.

"What the hell are you people!" Alexander hissed.

The masked woman stared directly at him. Alexander raised his greatsword toward her.

"You'd dare point-" Gungnir snapped, but stopped the moment the queen raised her hand.

"So you're the one who leads the damned..." said Alexander. "Eliminating you here should prove useful..."

"The Damned?" She spoke, her voice was soft and calm, she sounded fairly young. "Is that what we're called in this age?" she asked.

"Would you prefer subterranean squids... What the hell are those things behind you..."

She continued to stare at him behind the mask, 'I remember her... from my dream.' Alexander noticed several branches sticking out from under her armor. 'What is that... there's something under her armor.'

"We were forced to adapt after we were defeated by the off worlder's, you don't remember, do you..."

"I am Alexander Rael, noble of the angels. Prepare to die!" Alexander charged forward.

She conjured a greatsword in her hand, it possessed a green blade as well. 'What!' The blade was longer than Alexander's but not as wide. They clashed and she was launched off her feet.

"Xenia! Please take caution! He's a too dangerous-" Gungnir shouted.

"Silence," the sovereign ordered with a cold tone.

"He's right, you know," said Alexander.

"I don't fear one of my own," Xenia replied.

"One of your own?"

Xenia stood up and walked forward, she dropped the greatsword behind her. Alexander squinted in confusion, he was about to charge forward as well, but couldn't. 'Huh...' Alexander looked down to see the black roots entangling his feet. The roots ensnared his whole body, surrounding him and pulling his arms to the side. Alexander roared with all the strength he had left to free himself. But the roots continued to reinforce their hold on him. The roots climbed into Alexander's mouth and forced his jaw open. 'What the-'

"Ah!" he struggled as much as he could.

She raised her palm and the roots underneath her armor extended outwards as if they were growing. Alexander continued to struggle as a white berry sprouted from the budding branch. She placed the berry in Alexander's mouth, however the moment she did his jaw clamped down and he bit her hand. She pulled back, wincing in pain, but the fruit had fallen down Alexander's throat. His vision started to blur, and all of his memories suddenly started to return at once.