Do comment and rate, Chapter 13.

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It was a fenced house in the middle of a mountain, with lush forest nearby and waterfall with flowing river just beside it. Inside the thick wooden house, a child was about to go to bed, and was placed to bed by her parents – a black-haired handsome man, and a brown-haired beauty both of whitish skin.

“Dad, is the story about our Martyr Emperor real? It’s not a fairy tale, is it Mom?”

The five or six year old girl asked a question seemingly too advance for one of such age, first to the father then to her mother. The mother caressed her brown-haired daughter with adoration, while the father kissed the girl and then pinched her nose.

“He’s as real as you, your mother, and me, honey.”

The father assured her, voice full of confidence.

“Of course it’s real, dear.”

The mother added.

“Then can you tell me that story again?”

The parents sighed. They somehow knew it was a ploy by their smart daughter for her to hear that story again… It was quite a long story; nevertheless, their daughter never seemed to get bored of it. The father pinched her somewhat chubby cheek.

“Very well, but you have to promise me you still have to wake up early tomorrow.”

“Okay… I promise.”

The girl held out her little finger, and made a pinky promise with her father. He gave a contented sigh, while his wife giggled at their daughter’s cuteness.

“In a world where our people originated… it was a world of other dimension than ours… it all began when a certain man raise a crippling Empire… He was from humble origin…”

…

…

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Chapter 13 – The Martyr Emperor

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ROME, FIRE-PROOF FORT.

KARLZ, OUR ESCAPE ROUTE.

HELMUTH, STRONGEST J.T.S.

SHIA’RINE, AIR UNITS AND FIRE.

FAITH, HALT CAVALRY, RUIN ARTILLERIES.

ATHMUS, TAKE KNIGHTS OF WATER. FOCUS -- PROTECTION.

ARK, TIME MANIPULATION -- COMMANDING KNIGHTS AND AVERON.

GO.

““As you command, My Emperor!””

The seven Knights around the Emperor said in unison and left his side – howling commands as they ran towards their respective knights. The Emperor stood with his two aides – a sturdy brown-armored Knight and a rather short lady with a black cloak. Wind from the battle was flapping the lower part of the Emperor’s black coat. Shisha, who was looking at the man, was in awe.

He was wearing a shiny hard cap of military, with black chest armor similar to a well-trained chest as well as wide shoulder plate, black gauntlet, black sturdy pants with materials similar to Averon’s, shin guard and boots. All of his uniform screamed black with black shiny coat, and the man himself, was a man over 60 years of age, whitish wrinkled skin with wide moustache and a goatee. He seemed stern yet had a charming look – to those who love manly figure.

He stood with his large sheathed sword in front of him, reaching the ground. His hands, with fully black yet shiny gloves held the tip of the sword’s hilt.

- Aa… A…mazing… His presence… Such presence… How to describe it… Majestic, yes! And his voice… what a voice…!

KNIGHTS OF EARTH! FIRE-DEFENSE FORMATION: EARTH WALL..! MAKE ALL INCOMING FIRE DISPERSE ELSEWHERE!

KNIGHTS OF FIRE! PROTECT OUR RIGHT, LEFT AND FLANK! SECURE OUR ESCAPE ROUTE! DISPERSE!

KNIGHTS OF LIGHTNING --- JOINT-TACTICAL STRIKE FOR THE DRAGON! 50-MEN STRIKE. HUDDLE UP!

KNIGHTS OF WIND… DEAL WITH ANY AIR UNIT OR FIRE COMING IN…

KNIGHTS OF WATER, ICE-CLADDING TO EVERY INNER WALL AND TO KNIGHTS OF LIGHTNING… PROTECT THEM!

KNIGHTS OF LIGHT! CONFUSE ANY ENEMY PREPARING LONG RANGE ATTACKS. BLIND THEM! HALT ANY MOVING CAVALRY!

KNIGHTS OF TIME! TIME MANIPULATION EN MASSE ON GENERAL AVERON! INCREASE HIS SPEED! SECOND TEAM – BOOST THE CAPTAINS!

MOVE! MOVE!

UWWAARH…!

Their war cry vibrated in the air.

...

ENERGY.

PURE ENERGY.

GENERATED BY MANY, STIMULATED BY ONE.

- How… As if the whole Knights were strengthened 200% just from him rallying them… This energy coming in… nature is helping out…!

Shisha had her mouth opened by the sight in front of her, eyes monitoring, yet she already forgot to move around as the view was already too much to calculate. From her eyes, she could see Ether and various other elements in the air and from beneath the ground, the underground water, and even the subspace elements coming in to answer their call for help. It was as if seeing the whole of Sages gathered at one spot -- and tripled their amount… ten times their power.

“20 minutes.”

The Emperor said. His aides by his side heard it, and without delay, the knight delivered the command –

20 MINUTES! OPERATION: COMRADE WILL END IN 20 MINUTES! HURRY!

The command was given. The time was of extreme importance, as the enemy all around them would cut off their retreat should they have enough time. Right now, due to the fact of them being quite near to the fire dragon, the gigantic demons did not dare to attack – but it was merely a matter of time.

Shisha again took a good look at the man, the very one who led them… His sharp gaze was looking over the battle between Averon Arcad and the dragon. His eyes were deep, and it was as though he was calculating… She was just beside him, yet since this was merely a recollection of an event, he could not possibly see her. Yet the vivid event was evident to her…

- This… This man… the one they called “My Emperor”… he must be the original Emperor of Astaria… the man who built up the falling Empire and placed the foundation of Arcadia… The man against his time… A man against the whole world of demons…

She took a deep breath…

- For me to witness this… the very man who lead these capable men… The Legendary… Knights of Astaria!

She shivered as she looked upon them again.

They numbered at around 1500, making a base at her location – not far, yet not near enough to be trampled by the dragon. However, its fire breath should be more than capable to reach the location – as Shisha had experienced before.

She stood just in front of them, witnessing the organization of Knights – each knew full well what to do, and among them there were clear chains of command – all went about their role without doubt, with haste. The leader of each group would give instruction to their knights to do something specific, and they moved on without delay. The knights each wore uniform and armor slightly coloured on their shoulder matching their nature affinity.

Within a minute, the earth facing the dragon were raised by the Earth Knights into a formation of three triangular, sharp pointed walls, yet the walls at both sides were different. The earth around the walls and around them was in a wide double arch -- designed to disperse incoming fire breath to circle fire around them. In between the three walls, there were two open spaces where they could observe the battle.

NOT BIG ENOUGH! BIGGER! 30 METRE! TWO LINES!

EARTHEN SPEARS AND BARBED PERIMETRE -- ALL AROUND!

STRENGTHEN THOSE ARCHES!

With the commands, the earth walls were made bigger, stronger, and another wall of earth came out, forming another defensive perimeter. This would serve as a fail-safe should the first wall fall. Large and small earthen spears and barbed perimeter came out of the first then second wall – to prevent enemies from latching on the wall so easily. Soon, the double arch around them became thicker than before.

She noticed the leader of Knights of Earth. He was a handsome man still seemingly in his 40s… stern yet calm manner, wearing a black-grey set of armor. He stood as still as mountain, even with violent wind flapping his black coat.

She estimated his power.

“W-wow… at least double an Adriat… what kind of age is this… what was his name…?”

HUDDLE UP, CHARGE!

All the while, Shisha noticed the five groups of 50 knights each – huddling together, channeling their power into one sphere. The amount of power channeled into each of the five spheres was outstanding, and opened her up to the true meaning of “Joint-tactical strike”.

- They’re going to attack the dragon to open up a chance for him – Averon Arcad to deliver the finishing blow… is that what they’re doing? Whoa… this… power… the leader… also double an Adriat…

She looked around with her stretched eyes, and noticed the flow of nature coming in from all around into each spheres.

PROTECT OUR COMRADES! NO STRAY FIRE WILL GET PAST US!

The knights of water encircled them, channeling their nature energy into a formation of something else… She calculated the ability of each knights… original ability without the boosted status they got from the Emperor, as she did to the leaders before.

“Midriats! The average powers of these Knights are Midriats… My level… And hundreds… of Adriats! These guys… strong… really strong… Hm?”

She noticed ice forming around those knights, then, solid hemispherical blue ice covered the whole of each group, preventing any outside observer from taking a peek. All these happened within less than a minute when they started to gather. Even then, the Knights of Water did not move from their location. A knight with blue cloak was commanding them, and he seemed quite thorough with his job.

“Solid… hemispherical ice cladding… and within, each knights started to have their own ice claddings… the leader… an Adriat? No, stronger… almost Master Kyosei’s level.”

Shisha could also observe the Knights of Fire securing their escape route towards the entrance of the plateau’s crack, planting something into the ground all around the route.

“Fire… spheres… and such amount too…”

WE SECURE ROUTE FOR OUR EMPEROR AND OUR COMRADES. NO ENEMY SHALL PASS.

The Knight leader’s voice was calm yet unyielding. It was not a shout, yet the voice vibrated through the air and reached all Knights of Fire.

“Their leader… what… what the heck with this power?!”

She noticed the knight, a blonde with a long strip of red cloth binding his eyes, the one who was commanding the Knights of Fire. She sensed his immense amount of power --- surpassing those of others… Wind blew the extra red strip of cloth at the back of his head…

- Three… no, four Adriats?! Averon Arcad is using the legendary Life’s Nature’s Aura – which should multiply his power up to twenty times – but this man… even his normal power is this much… Even Master can’t hold a candle against him… How… what was his name just now? K… Karlz?

She shivered. This time she reminded herself of the power of her ancestors – those who struggled a bitter and long war against the demons… Even with this much power, they still could not win…

- Knights of Astaria… really strong… Yet… Just what would happen if an Opening – a portal, successfully established… hordes of demons into Ein Gard… Uiii….

Just beside her, Knights of Time – the least amount of Knights there were, only amounting to 24 -- men and ladies, were directing their particular skills on Averon Arcad… It seemed their skill needed certain time and effort, possibly since he, the target was quite far and constantly moving. Soon, she noticed Averon’s movement steadily becoming faster. They did not focus on the dragon since its sheer size and power would mean exerting too much effort to restrain even its simple movement.

- This is… Time Manipulation? No Sage could do this… They are --- the Emperor’s Personal Bodyguards…!

She had her jaw dropped.

“Too much! All these information are too much to be discovered in one single event! My maiden heart… huuuuu…”

…

[Averon]

“My Emperor?”

The voice of the man, the Emperor, calling Averon, reached Shisha. She turned, only to see that the man was still gazing the battle and did not yell or speak. It seemed he was calling him telepathically.

“…Without meditation?”

She mused.

[We’ll prepare some chances for you. Conserve your energy – even the power from Life’s Nature’s Aura has limit.]

[Understood, My Emperor. However, I plead you to return to safety.]

[I’m a Knight before I’m Emperor, my boy. Do not worry of me. I’ll inform you of possible chance. Be ready. Let’s take down this abomination with our comrades.]

[… Acknowledged, My Emperor!]

Averon replied to the man in the same manner, and she could sense excitement and his morale rising even from this distance. He was hovering in the air, engaging the Fire Dragon with snow-white tornado hitting the dragon with chunks of ice blocks. The dragon seemed weakened, now only with only one head conscious while the other was limp – either dead or merely fainted. However…

FSHUUUUUUUUUU-------------------------------

One massive fire breath of black, and the tornado dissipated. Black fire hit him, only for him to release all the chunks of ice surrounding him to relief him of the fire. He retreated, and he was panting. It seemed summoning the dark cloud, generating the tornado, flying in the air with ice and fighting the demon dragon for over half an hour took a lot out of him.

[Ice will slow you down, change to lightning Averon.]

[Defense is good, but… Tch, so lightning is the right choice, huh? I thought just maybe ice will ---]

AHHHH-------!

He changed from being surrounded by ice to being clad by lightning. The wind cladding was still there, swirling around him. The dragon flapped its wings, and waves of destructive air current hit him --- and it released its fire again, this time dispersed by the violent wind. He twiddled around the fiery air with his wind and lightning cladding – trying to get a good chance to deliver a blow on the head. The dispersed black fire even reached the base of the knights – yet was blown away by the Knights of Wind.

“My Emperor, allow me.”

The rather short lady in black cloak turned to him. Shisha took a look at her -- She was of the whitest of skin, with black scarf covering her neck. She had a mysterious beauty, with eyes so deep yet seemingly sharp. She knew quite well the story of the Martyr Emperor, so she wondered who the lady was while the Emperor gazed at her determination.

“Luna, that dragon is too big.”

“I’ll just bind it or blind it when there’s chance. Do not worry, My Emperor.”

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

“Thank you, My Emperor.”

Luna rushed closer, and moved to the back of a rock formation quite close to the battle. She peeked, and the rumbling sight of the dragon clawing around its body filled her view.

[Averon, Luna’s there in the rock formation to blind or bind the dragon.]

[Isn’t that bordering reckless, My Emperor? This thing is too—]

[Blame yourself for leaving her behind.]

[Ugh, Yes Sire.]

Meanwhile, in the airspace close to the base, a few hundreds of enemy air units seemed to have noticed their existence, and coming in towards them. Half of the Knights of Wind jumped and either stood or sat on top of the earth walls, now with Wind Cladding around each of them. Originating from their blade, Shisha could ascertain that they were ready to deliver powerful wind blades -- each strike by the dozens.

“In – in term of experience… even if my power at the same levels with them… their experience and mastery is much higher… WAR… make or break… Hm?”

A lady knight stood amongst the Knights of Wind, with braided brown hair, clad in green armor and light cape. Her shiny green gauntlet seemed evidently special, so did the light sword strapped on her shoulder. She was a beauty befitting a princess, graceful and elegant in hopping from one place to another.

Her lips moved…

KNIGHTS OF WIND... CUT DOWN ANY FIRE OR ENEMIES WHO DARE COMES... LET THEM TASTE THE MIGHT OF ASTARIA’S MASTERS OF WIND...

It was a whisper carried by the wind -- A whisper which sounded so enigmatic, yet so elegant.

…WE, MASTERS OF WIND, SHALL CUT DOWN ALL ENEMIES, O’ GRAND DUCHESS!

B-BAKA! CALL ME GENERAL WHILE I’M IN COMMAND! *MO*

“Wind Clan of Astaria… What did I just hear..? Her power… double Adriat… Em?”

Blinding lights grabbed her attention, moving her view to several group of knights who now assaulted the nearest of enemy group.

…

ILLUMINATION AT 10 O’CLOCK! KNIGHTS OF FIRE, BURN DOWN THOSE ARTILLERIES WHILE WE DISTRACT THEM!

Shisha noticed a particular blonde knight commanding the Knights of Light and alongside her, Knights of Fire. She was with power equal – no, even surpassing an Adriat… She commanded the knights with grace, and knew well where to strike before the enemy could.

Blinding lights covered the enemies’ view, and it bought enough time for the Knights of Fire to deliver devastating blows upon blows onto their artilleries – cannons seemingly merged with living organisms of demonic nature.

SEND BURSTING LIGHTS OVER THE CAVALRY!

She noticed more groups of Knights of Lights delivering sparks of intense lights to enemy’s division. As the day turned dark due to the dark cloud, the lights seemed to be more effective.

“It’s ready, My Emperor!”

The one in charge of the Knights of Lightning, Helmuth informed the Emperor. Shisha turned to the hemispherical ice… it seemed to be trembling with lightning power within it – ready to burst at any moment.

[AVERON. TELL ME WHEN YOU WANT US TO STRIKE.]

[UNDERSTOOD, MY EMPEROR.]

The Demon Dragon, noticing the absurd amount of knights near its vicinity, flapped its wings – trying to fly away from the already disadvantageous location.

SHUUUU------ SHUUU-------- SHUUUU---------

The flapping was so strong that the incoming enemy units were thrown about in the air --- many lost their bearing altogether. The Knights on top of the wall braced for the squall…

After a few flapping, the gigantic dragon was now hovering in the air…

“Not so fast!”

Averon hurled himself towards one of its wings, and with his lightning sword, hit its thick wings with the intent of piercing it.

SHRIIIIII-------

The sound of the sword meeting its wing was akin to a sword cutting through an Asmodite rock – such was its hardness. He failed, yet the lightning and the sword left a definite injury on its wing.

KYAOOOOOOOOOO------------

The dragon shrieked in pain, and fell back onto the ground.

BAMMMMMMMMMM--------!!

[NOW!]

Averon informed his Emperor, and ---

SHIZZZZZZZZ--------------------

The first strike came and hit the dragon’s chest --- the lightning strike staggered it and for awhile, it seemed to lose its balance.

ANOTHER! DOUBLE!

SHIZZZZZZZZ--------------------!

SHIZZZZZZZZ--------------------!

KYAOOOOOO------------------ !!

Two more rounds of “Joint-Tactical Strike” of lightning hit the dragon. It howls in pain, yet still standing on its two feet, inhaled deeply… Averon noticed this, and ---

[TAKE COVER!]

TAKE COVER!

FSHUUUUUUUUUU-----------------

An extreme black fire was directed to the base. Fierce hot wind all around rushed in as well. Fortunately, the Averon-Emperor’s warning was heeded in time and the Knights dashed to the safety of the back of the now ice-clad walls. The fire shook the first, and later the second wall – yet most of it was directed sideways – to both left and right, and only two openings allowed that black fire to enter. The remains of fire were immediately disposed of by the wind directed by the knights.

Two remaining ice-clad hemispheres were shielded from the black fire by the walls, with only its remains managed to land on them, burning the ice slowly before being removed by the wind.

“Wa… Wow…”

Shisha, being in the centre of it all, witnessed the ferocity of the black fire. Even when it touched the ground, it did not cease, but burned the ground as well… for how long? Unknown, yet she could see it… the first three walls, filled with gigantic spears were now burning with black. The back of the second walls were burning as well. The whole earthen base was now half-surrounded by black fire, as well as steam and water from the ice.

The temperature rose at an alarming rate.

“Just what kind of fire is this… this thing…”

[Averon. J.T.Ss. are ready. Two strikes. Limit the battle to nine minutes.]

[Yes, Sire.]

GRUUUUUUHHH---------

KYASHA, SHIIIEK!

Seeing the demon dragon in a pinch, from afar commands were directed to assist the dragon. The command this time came not from a human or a normal demon, yet from one dark figure riding on top of a Mummakill.

[Tch, a Cantus now of all time… I killed one just yesterday…]

[Forget about the Cantus. Karlz will deal with it. Focus and tell me when and where to strike.]

[Yes, Sire.]

KYASHA, SHIIIIIIEK!

Hearing the Cantus’ forced command, the gigantic demons – dozen of Shriekers and Behemoths, plus three Mummakills rushed to the scene. Seeing the advance, the Minotaurs, Bullgars, Borrosque, Giant Snakes and Lurkers followed suit. The flying units came in droves as well, Growlers, Fire Drakes and Demon Wyverns – all commanded to aid the demon dragon. The demon army already lost three demon dragons – if lost another, no doubt the Cantus; the Demon General in charge of that army, would suffer terribly.

GUH—GUH—GUH—

SHAAA-----

KOO--- KOOO----

DUMM--- DUMM----

“Oh great. Now we have a lot of meat to slice…”

“The usual, guys. Let’s warm up before it’s too late.”

“It’s warm enough already… I’m drenched with sweat… or is it water from the ice?”

“Let’s took down these monsters, guys…”

“…and grabbed Averon by his legs back home.”

“Yeah, let’s do that.”

The Knights of Wind, standing on top of the second wall and seeing the view, chuckled in excitement. They were not tired yet, and still in a good mood for a good battle. A few of them were about to jump before ---

DO NOT ENGAGE -- HOLD POSITION.

““Grand Duchess?””

Many turned to her, and saw her calculating face, full of confidence. They turned, and nodded to each other – it seemed the Emperor still awaited the signal from Averon, thus she wished to trust on that.

“Averon was like a brother to her yet she…”

“She decided against plunging ourselves against that. That’s… wise, no, sane.”

“Let’s trust on the Emperor, we still need to preserve the next generation.”

[Seven minutes, Averon…]

[Yes Sire.]

The rumblings of the ground were enough to shake the fighting spirit of any soldiers – but not a knight. Averon rushed towards the dragon, now turned towards him and spew black fire – less than usual, yet it did not take much breath to execute this one attack.

“Ugh!”

“EH?!”

Shisha felt the same burning sensation from before, yet it was quickly dispersed. She came out from the base, and rushed nearer to see what was happening. It seemed she still retained her speed even when she cannot control the nature here.

SHUU--- PAK, PAK, PAK!

BAMM-----------

The giant claw of the dragon hit the ground, and from the dust cloud came a figure moving lithely around the arm. Averon was still holding his sword with his right hand, blade to his back, running up the shoulder of the dragon – his aim was clear – the head. Any attacks on its body merely tickled it – or paralyzed it to some extent, but not enough. Even the lightning from the dark cloud that filled the horizon was merely enough to stagger the demon dragon.

“Damn beast and its endurance… I’m… tired… already!”

[Keep moving Averon.]

[Yes Sire I’m doing – just that --]

“Now!”

Luna, who was eyeing the battle all of a sudden land her hands onto the ground – black ethereal vines came out just below the battle ground and caught the face of the dragon, with its vines digging into its face, moving just below its thick scales towards its eyes.

KYAOOOOO---------------!!

[Averon!]

[Got it!]

He hurled himself towards the distracted dragon, which now closed its eyelids to protect its eyes. He landed on its face, and not stopping – continued to jammed his curved sword into its left eyelid.

[NOW!]

SHRIZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ-----------------------!

KYAOOOO--------- RAUUUUURRGH------------!!

One of the prepared lightning struck the dragon’s right wing, and managed to drill a gaping hole and half-burn the rest of it. The demon dragon was now on its knees – before another black vine came and latched onto its right leg, and drilled itself into its scales…

KRAAAGH----

BAMMMM------!!

The dragon fell with its back onto the ground, and its unconscious head was thrown about violently.

“Ugghh!!”

Shisha could feel the whole scenario clearly, as if she was in the middle of it. She suspected it, and now it became clear to her…

“This recollection… it’s… it’s… then again! How come it’s so clear even to the people all around me? I heard we should only get glimpse of our apprentice’s memory – but this is! Too clear! Too vivid! Even the feeling --- aw, aw… how come even my legs become sore?!”

She was complaining.

…

With his sword left on the dragon’s left eye, Averon forced himself to keep running with the wind, while the dragon moved its falling body left ---

GUUUUUSHHHH-----

And right----

GUUUUSSSSHHHHHH----

And repeated the process a few times. From afar, one could see a dragon wiggling on the ground -- and ground trembled as it did. The rock formation near the battle crumbled and its giant rocks fell. Luna was nowhere to be seen.

[Where’s Luna?!]

[Don’t worry about her! Focus!]

On the skin of the dragon, Averon had to maintain his position. Flying up in the sky was not quite as effective as staying near, in term of avoiding attacks. Though he could shrug off the blast of black fire, and had done so twice already, the energy needed to withstand the attack and disperse it all around strained him, even in his current Nature’s Aura form.

And then the demon dragon did something he had feared it would ---

“Oh, shoot----”

GUSHAAAAAA-------------- !!!

---!!

Shockwave dispersed through the land – throwing the currently approaching demon army – Giant Snakes and Minotaurs were flying, Lurkers quickly burrowed itself on the ground, yet it was too late and were thrown about on the ground. Bullgars and Borrosque, able to use their brain a little, hold onto each other and braced the impact…

The dragon just body-slammed itself onto the ground.

It had seen Averon as significant threat – one it cannot tolerate anymore and waited for other demons to remove. The gigantic demons seemed to only staggered, and had to resume going in to kill off the attacker due to the command of the nearby Cantus.

FSHUUUUUUUUU--------------!

Soon, the dragon threw the black fire all around its body, attempting to clad itself with it.

Shisha at the time, was having the dizziness of her lifetime. She wondered why – especially when she already braced for the impact early on, though she already could guess the reason.

[NOW!]

At that signal, the Emperor raised his hand and pointed it towards the head of the dragon – the source of Averon’s voice. The last hemispherical ice opened up, and a burst of lightning came out, landing on the monstrosity that was on the ground…

SHIZZZZ-----------------

“What the?!”

The lightning that came through seemed to land, yet it seemed to be absorbed by an entity, before ----

SHRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIII-----------------------

“Lightning pillar!”

“The general he—absorb the lightning?!”

“That’s the lightning pillar technique! For him to master it this young-- ”

From a little further, Shisha, with her extended eyesight, saw what happened – Averon grabbed his sword on the left eye of the dragon, and after absorbing the lightning, channeled it right into the skull – directly to the brain, intending to fry it for good. She could feel sensation of lightning current swept across her body – much stronger than when she even received her own lightning strikes one particular time.

KYAOOOOO------------

In a desperate attempt to finally kill off its attacker, the dragon hurled out as much black fire as possible in frenzy. The incoming demon horde – the gigantic types, were close enough to the dragon that the fire caught them all around.

HAUUUU------------

KYEEEEAAAA---------

AUOOO------ OOOO------------

BAM! BAM! BAM!

Many of them went on a rampage and effectively stopping more hordes from coming in nearer – aside from those in the sky. They already assumed encirclement, and ---

KYIASK! UR SERRA!!

A command was given – the command for the air unit to finish off Averon before he finished first. Enemy air unit numbered at thousands, all hurling ranged attacks at him while growlers approached him with their baring teeth.

“O’ the One God who command the loyal Angels… Your command is absolute. I plead you, O’ My Creator… command the Angels to strike the demons again… With Absolute Lightning.”

This time, his prayer was answered immediately.

SHIZZZZZZZZZZ--------------------

SHIZZZZZZZZZZ--------------------

SHIZZZZZZZZZZ--------------------

SHIZZZZZZZZZZ--------------------

KYAOOOO-------------------------!!

KYOOAA------

KIEEEKKKKKK--------

WHOAAA-------

The dark cloud strikes again. Strikes upon strikes of lightning landed directly on the dragon, and along with it, the thousands other victims who were unfortunate enough to be within the vicinity. While it was happening, Averon was absorbing some of the power, and channeled it directly to the brain of the dragon…

BUUU----- BUUUUUGGGHHH---!!

The part of the head, where the brain was, exploded… with it, the body of the dragon went limp. Averon fell down to the ground, gasping for air…

“Is it over?”

Shisha, seeing the dragon went silent, pondered. Indeed, the life force of the dragon seemed depleted already… The other knights, seeing this, looked at each other with amazement.

…

…

...

“Better safe than sorry!”

Averon opened his eyes and jumped towards the other head --- the one he jolted early on. He impaled another of its eye, and ---

KYAOOOOO------------

“It’s still alive?!”

Shisha and the knights from afar had a feeling that it might be, but for the dragon to play dead…

“Playing dead, eh… Well just be --- dead!”

He used his last strength to deliver another round of lightning, this time, he did not stop – and nothing was stopping him until he heard the sound --- of brain splattering. It was not a good sound at all, yet he was glad he could hear it.

FSHUU---- BOOOOOMMM!!

Another round of fire breath caught him, yet this time, it was an explosion… A massive explosion of black fire, piercing through his body… as the whole two heads of the fire dragon exploded – and from afar one could just see how big it was.

“Auu…. Uuu?”

Shisha felt piercing and burning sensation before it finally stopped. She wondered what that meant…

“Could it be..?”

[Averon!]

“Damn it!”

The Emperor and his brown knight, as well as Shia’rine and half the Knights of Wind rushed towards the scene. Knights of Time followed the Emperor as well.

When they arrived, they saw him, lying among the lump of meat that was the demon dragon… clad all over his body… black flame…

*HAAAA*

Shisha and Shia’rine, who arrived along, gasped in horror.

"Delay it!"

Ark commanded. Knights of Time, in unison, quickly use Time Manipulation to delay the burning flames. Shia’rine tried to dispersed the black flame latched onto his body --

SHUU----

SHUUU----

SHUUUU----

No result. The fire seemed to be more potent this time. She gritted her teeth.

“Tornado Waves!”

SHUUUUHHHHHHHHHHH------------!

A violent swirling of wind came from Shia’rine hand, swirling larger and consumed Averon and then took the black fire away… Then again, some of it still lingered inside his shoulders and thigh.

Shisha, looking over the event, could only shed tears… falling from both eyes, which still could see the Divine Wind around his body – protecting him to some degree, yet only able to slow it down… Even his skin was no more, and with the effect of the divine wind, he – and she -- did not feel much pain.

“Kuu--- Wind----”

“Stop, My Emperor. I’ll be dead anyway.”

He spoke, without so much as trying to get up.

“Wind Knights! Help Shia’rine!”

The Emperor disregarded what he said, and ordered the knights to disperse the fire – wind came and went, wind after wind… yet the fire did not disperse. Shisha then noticed -- Just beside him, his tattered sword, on the ground.

“You can stop now… This fire is not normal… Even my skin is no more, Shia’rine-nee… and My Emperor--- do not waste your life for me.”

He spoke while his whole body was consumed by it.

“You… knew?”

“Life-Force Transfer… Shia’rine told me once.”

The Emperor turned to the green knight princess, who whimpered in return.

“You, what are you doing? Hurry!”

He urged his knights to disperse the fire once more, yet still to no avail.

“I’m currently alive thanks to the Nature’s Aura… stop, my comrades. Or you’ll see your Emperor giving his life to me in exchange.”

The other Knights staggered. They looked upon their Emperor with questioning look.

“You… you’re my successor… just when I finally… God… Hmmph!”

He clasped his palm, and the earth around Averon raised itself and put him in a slanted sitting position. The earth clad itself around him, yet slowly so even the earth was burned by the flame.

“Em?!”

Shisha sensed a large amount of force clashing from quite a distance. She recognized one of them as the leader of Knights of Fire – Karlz. After just a few exchanges of attacks, he took down the main enemy – the Cantus commanding the demons.

Consequently, the gigantic demons surrounding them – half already were burned by the demon dragon – became less active… only observing from afar. The Majestic Presence coming out from that very location made them trembled in fear, as it was screaming at them the existence of a presence much superior than theirs…

…

Two figures approached them from behind the remains of the demon dragon.

“GENERAL AVERON!”

Soft voice of a lady came, and there was Luna, brought to the location by Athmus, with her hand and temple bruised and slightly bleeding. She gasped as she saw him, and turned away while gritting her teeth.

“How… could… this... be? Damnit! Didn’t you promise me..?!”

“Forgive me, Luna… I couldn’t…”

“You promised damnit! You promised! You promised! You promised---!”

She had her whole face flushed, and tears flowed out before she was embraced by Shia’rine.

Uwaaaa----------! Aaaaaa---mmmm-----!

She cried herself out in her embrace, with her voice dampened by Shia’rine. The Grand Duchess looked at him -- now a burning black figure clad with earth, he did not answer Luna’s childish gripes.

Athmus, just beside her, had tears running down his cheeks.

Shisha, tears subsided, observed her. Luna was quite young, being barely 20 – she was not mature enough to hold back her overflowing emotion. The Emperor, just next to them, had his eyes closed.

Averon put his feet together, and saluted everyone there with his open palm.

“It’s been… an honour... My Em..peror… I wish… could... be… of service… more… but God… have… better… plan…”

Hearing this… the Emperor gritted his teeth, yet composed himself, and took his sword into his front, returned his salute. The other knights put their feet together, and saluted in the same manner. He went to the front, and turned to the knights – with the burning Averon just beside him.

MY KNIGHTS!

HEAR MY PROCLAMATION.

… WE HEAR YOU, MY EMPEROR!

The knights replied in unison.

The Emperor stood majestically in front of them – his Majestic Presence was awe-inspiring, and Shisha could feel how superior his existence was, while his voice instilled into her a sense of camaraderie and safety. His presence and action made Luna stopped her wailing, and along with others, turned her attention to their Emperor.

A MARTYR LIVES ON -- SUCH IS THE PROCLAMATION OF GOD!

AND THUS – I HEREBY PROCLAIM, THE NATION OF OUR NEXT GENERATION – SHALL HEREBY BE CALLED ARCADIA – AND IT’S LIVING EMPEROR SHALL BE –

AVERON ARCAD, THE MARTYR EMPEROR!

I PLEAD TO THE ONE GOD

THAT YOUR MARTYR EMPEROR -- SHALL RETURN..!

BELIEVE IN GOD

IN ME, AND IN YOUR MARTYR EMPEROR!

WHAT DO YOU SAY, MY KNIGHTS..?

… WE HEAR AND WE OBEY, MY EMPEROR!

LET THE NEXT GENERATION REMEMBER THIS DAY!

ENGRAVE INTO THEIR HEARTS AND BEING –

THE SACRIFICE MADE BY THE KNIGHTS OF ASTARIA!

LET THEM KNOW!

THAT THE MARTYR EMPEROR –

SHALL RETURN--!

… UWWOOO…!

… UWWOOO…!

… UWWOOO…!

Seeing the whole scenario – the figure engulfed with black fire seemingly smiled.

“Pro…te o… ne…t ge…ne… tion… com---at…”

His voice was barely makeable as his body turned to ashes, with black flame still burning him and the earth. He again saluted them, with what remained of his palm, open.

“Return to us, you’re a Martyr! Promise me!”

Luna’s childish demand resounded in his ears.

“You’ve surpassed me, my baby brother…”

Shia’rine’s whisper vibrated in the air.

“I shall safeguard the next generation until your return, General..!”

Athmus was still in his salutation and his tears.

“We, Masters of the Wind, saluted the successor of our Empire!”

Knights of Wind saluted him en masse with style.

“May the passage of Time intertwine us again, General.”

Knights of Time saluted him en masse with solemn look.

“A Martyr lives on, so lives on, my senior.”

Ark bowed to him, holding out his tears.

“Let’s meet again Averon, in front of our God.”

The Emperor forced a smile, raised his sword onto his shoulder then bowed his head and shoulder down a little – his brown knight followed the same example.

Shisha, who was standing there as a mere spectator, felt the rush of feelings.

She instantly knew -- The people there – Shia’rine, his clan leader and sworn sister… Luna, the one whom he took under his wings many years ago… Athmus, his trustworthy aide who always took things seriously… The Knights of Wind, laid-back knights whom he grew up with… The Knights of Time, lead by Ark, his junior who always pestered him…

And the people quite a distance from him, he could well sense their presence…

Rome, his former stylish superior and mentor… Helmuth, his former Hell instructor and a heck of a teacher… Faith, his second-in-command whom he often teased … Karlz, his target towards being the best... and all the Knights there, and the people who awaited them under the Asmodite plateau…

And next to him, the very man he dedicated his life to--- the one who taught him never to give up—the one who brought their Empire back from the rubble... who brought forth their inner strength out to become the best of living human in history.

… VREWW……

Finally, his body turned to ashes, and the squall took it all away… spreading it all over their homeland.

The Emperor, holding out his emotion, turned to the hundred or so Knights who followed him. He held out his hand, and the curved sword with a red line on the ground swirled and hurled itself into his hand. He grabbed it with ease, spun it and with it on his back, he turned to the Asmodite plateau – where the portal to the other dimension – Ein Gard, was. The Knights followed suit.

Shisha’s vision went blur as she heard his last sentences.

LET’S GO.

WE’LL SECURE A HOME FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

WE’LL SECURE ARCADIAN EMPIRE FOR OUR MARTYR EMPEROR.

==================================