413. Beginning of the Fall of Alyras

I woke up to the sound of high-pitched whining. My eyes blinked open as I craned my neck and cast my gaze around the large tent. I was in my Wyvern form at the moment— even if Novis, Bellum, and Oriur were used to my real self now, they still preferred it when I took on a more familiar body.

It wasn’t something I cared about that much. Sure, I was happiest when I was my true self, but even then my body changed with each evolution I got. Sometimes, even a new Skill would make some changes to my appearance. It was as though I didn’t actually have a true body in that sense.

So, I was fine with being a Wyvern for the Wyvern babies. I was also happy to oblige to the [Lion Beastman] cubs who liked it when I took them on rides. Although… that attracted the attention of others such as Minnow Fellingchamp, Tuktox and even Guruz from the Grave Hill Tribe. They all wanted to take turns to experience what it was like to fly— even though they never asked for a ride once when I wasn’t in my Wyvern form. I found that weird. It was almost like they didn’t care so much about flying, as much as they wanted to be on the back of an aerial Wyvern.

Anyway, I stopped obliging them a day ago. It had been three days since I dealt with that annoying [Witch], and I felt that I had spent enough time here. All in all, I was quite happy with my stay, especially since I managed to get Novis, Bellum, and Oriur to make friends. Now, it was time for us to leave.

Unfortunately, it seemed like the Wyvern babies had grown too attached to Mountaintooth, Sharpbraid, and Amberarm. Their whining woke me up as they hugged my tail, tears streaming down their cheeks.

“Do we have to go, mom? Can we stay, please?”

Novis begged me as Bellum nodded in agreement.

“Pleeeeaase?”

She stared at me with round eyes. Oriur didn’t say anything… too comprehensible. Even with [Universal Language Comprehension], what came out was a babble— sounds that barely had any meaning.

“Garbrghidontwanttograaaahhpweaaaase…”

I rolled my eyes as I plucked the baby Wyverns off my tail. They looked pleadingly at me, but I lowered them to the ground with a snort.

“We can’t stay here forever.”

“Why not?”

The three of them asked at the same time. I shook my head as I lumbered out of the tent.

“Because the longer we stay here, the less you’ll want to leave.”

“And?”

They stared at me, still confused as to why that was a problem. I sighed.

“I have responsibilities. I need to keep my promises to my companions and to myself, alright?”

For a moment, it looked like Novis, Bellum, and Oriur understood what I was talking about. But they just tilted their heads and parroted themselves.

“Pleeeeease?”

I stared at them sternly and spoke with finality in my voice.

“No.”

“Awwwww…”

They groaned. I stepped out of the tent, casting my gaze around the Furious Whispers Tribe. Tuktox was already waiting for me, seated at a nearby rock. He got to his feet, helped by a few other elders, hobbling over until he was at my legs. He craned his neck up— almost looking like his back was about to break— just to meet my gaze.

“Avenger—”

He started, and I saved him the trouble by lowering my face until it was on the ground.

“Yes?”

I blinked at him. He cleared his throat as a relieved expression crossed through his face.

“Avenger, once again, our tribe owes you a great debt. If, at any point, you require our aid for whatever reason, do not hesitate to come to us. We will do whatever we can to help you.”

I waved a clawed hand dismissively as my wings flapped, attached to my arm.

“Sure, it was no problem. I managed to test out the Sword of Alexander anyway. Did you know? Mythic Grade Weapons are strong? I never would’ve thought that!”

The eldest of the Furious Whispers Tribe hesitated. He exchanged a glance with one of the other elder [Ape Beastmen] supporting him before turning my way.

“Avenger, with all due respect, I believe that that is a given…”

“I know, I know!”

I chuckled and drew back.

“I was being sarcastic, y’know? Anyway, I appreciate it. No— we appreciate it.”

I set down the three baby Wyverns before Tuktox and bowed their heads for them.

“Say thank you to Tuktox!”

“Grrrr!”

They chorused. Sadly, they still couldn’t speak. Tuktox just nodded at them before facing me again.

“Safe travels, to all of you.”

I was just about to leave, but I spotted a small figure approaching me. Minnow Fellingchamp strutted forward. The Elf stood out like a sore thumb— or rather, he didn’t stand out. He was quite short. Almost like a half Human. But he was an Elf.

Daniel found Elves being short to be weird. I didn’t get what his issue was. In any case, Minnow Fellingchamp wasn’t alone. He ushered forward three little cubs. Young [Lion Beastmen] who stepped forward hesitantly, not sure whether they should interrupt the talking adults.

“Go on.”

Minnow urged them forward. Mountaintooth, Sharpbraid, and Amberarm walked past the other Beastmen adults. They looked towards the three baby Wyverns at my feet. Novis, Bellum, and Oriur leapt forward, already bawling.

“Grrrr! Grrrr! Grrrr!”

They hugged the [Lion Beastman] cubs, refusing to let go. I expected Mountaintooth and the others to be crying as well, but they weren’t. After all, they were not babies like the Wyverns. They were cubs— young, yes, but still mature enough to understand when it was time to say goodbye.

They held their cool as the baby Wyverns cried and cried, not saying anything sensible— even to my ears. It was only when Novis calmed slightly, did Mountaintooth grab him by the shoulders and meet his gaze.

“Let’s play again!”

The [Lion Beastman] cub smiled at Novis. The baby Wyvern froze. His crying stopped. Slowly, he wiped away his tears and nodded.

“Grr!”

He agreed. My lips curled up as I watched the scene. Then I turned my gaze to the small figure approaching me. Minnow Fellingchamp bowed his head respectfully.

“It was a pleasure meeting you, Avenger. Truly, this may have been but a brief encounter for the both of us, but I wish you the best, and I do hope our path crosses again in the future.”

“Yep! You’re a cool guy, Minnow!”

I gave him a thumbs-up— even though I didn’t really have thumbs as a Wyvern. He chuckled and drew back. With all the farewells said and done, I scooped up Novis, Bellum, and Oriur before taking off to the sky. The baby Wyverns weren’t crying anymore, but their gaze was fixed on the earth below.

I glanced back once and waved at the Beastmen, before focusing on the glinting orb waiting for me.

[Will O’ Wisp - Lvl. 136]

“Are we ready, Willy?”

I looked towards my friend. My… companion, at this point. He didn’t have a face, but even without any facial expression I could still tell when he was going to reply with a quip.

“Are you?”

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

I looked back down at the baby Wyverns and grinned.

“Hold on tight, we’re going to be flying back home!”

Well, it wasn’t really my home. And there wasn’t much of a home to return to for the baby Wyverns since I caused that landslide with the Sword of Alexander. But maybe it was finally time to bring them into Alyras to meet Daniel and Edithe once again. Clear up their previous animosity.

I couldn’t wait to introduce them to Saffron and Rana too. And all my other friends. I just hoped nothing bad happened while I was gone.

With that thought, I flew towards the rising sun.

Their plans had changed. It was a sudden, last-moment change. But Gula knew they had no other choice. Two factors came into play here— the first being Gloria’s death. While the Archdemon of Pride had survived thanks to her Grand Skill, she had become seriously debuffed. Her task to distract the surrounding armies around Alyras would be too daunting for her at her weakened state.

After all, five levels were a lot to lose.

But what was even more important was the fact that the Human Elites had brought one of the Treasures of Alexander with them. That changed things. Gula herself wasn’t sure what the Greaves of Alexander could do, but that changed things.

If the Elites broke free from her barrier— and it was very much a possibility with a Mythic Grade artifact in play— then they could break the siege of Alyras before the Demons found the Crown of Alexander. She even doubted Ira’s ability to slow them down, with a Mythic Grade artifact on their side. Their plan would be ruined if the Elites reached Alyras before the Crown of Alexander was acquired.

Now, if Gula remained outside, she could have a good overview of the battlefield. She’d be able to employ a quick retreat if necessary by teleporting everyone out, so there was no need for any unnecessary casualties. And the Archdemon of Gluttony knew that there was likely going to be casualties here.

She fully expected Gloria to perish in battle at her current state. Avaritia could make another mistake too. As could Desidia. She hoped Iivor would keep them in line, but for now, she needed to focus on keeping herself alive.

Gula nodded at her companion. A [Jinn]. Libid. He floated down with her towards the city, halting right before the domed barrier set up by Helena Warshade. It was a powerful barrier indeed. Set up by an Elite, and empowered by the [Mages] within. The only problem was that it was hastily erected— and thus could be dismantled just as easily.

“Do it.”

The [Fiend] gave the order. Libid didn’t reply as he brought his ethereal hands up. His misty form quivered as wisps of black smoke trailed off him into a black shroud. A crimson glare pierced through darkness, and a hollow voice whispered out.

“[Flames of Hell].”

As a [Jinn], he barely had a physical form half the time. However, it always looked vaguely like a typical [Fiend]. But whenever he cast this Skill, he took the form of a terrible creature. A kind of Demon which even Gula would flee from. A thing of many teeth and many eyes. With jagged barbs poking out in odd angles as the midsection of its body opened up to reveal a fleshy within.

A deluge of black flames poured out— like a sea of Demon’s blood. But one that burned everything it touched. It was like acid or magma. Bits of black flame sparked out as it touched the translucent dome. For a moment, nothing happened as this dark liquid fire continued to pour out.

Then Libid closed his body. His figure blurred for a moment before he returned to his normal form. And then the liquid fire erupted.

All at once, with the force of a volcano, a pillar of black fire shot into the air. It shredded apart the barrier, burning through the city’s walls and wreaking havoc into the nearby buildings. Its heat melted the sidewalks of the closest blocks as screams of terror and fear echoed in the night.

Even Gula found the intensity of Libid’s black flames overwhelming, having shielded herself with a quick fractal barrier. The [Jinn] lowered his head and turned back to the [Fiend].

“It has been done.”

“Good.”

Gula gave him an approving look. Then her eyes flickered. She looked down as a speeding arrow shot up to her— glinting in the night. With the wave of her hand, a portal appeared and it vanished. Frowning, the Archdemon of Gluttony stared towards the distant adventurer encampment as figures began to sally forth en masse.

“Now comes the hard part.”

She spoke simply, spreading her arms wide. Hundreds of projectiles soon began to fly through the air as portals and fractal shields appeared all around her, marking the start of her battle.

Edithe Dawnrise watched from the balcony in horror as the black flames ripped apart the barrier before incinerating a portion of the city. The sheer scale of the destruction made it clear: the Archdemons had won. They were here.

“Wake up the others!”

She turned to Hadrian, and he nodded. He ran back inside as she reached for her Bag of holding. The former [Summoner] produced a horn and blew on it. Its call resounded throughout Alyras— its sound echoed through the night, waking up all those who’d been asleep and alerting them of this threat. But more importantly, it was a cry for help.

Please, Salvos… Edithe pleaded as she watched the battle from a distance— the explosions and blasts as an army engaged with two floating figures. And she hoped the silver-haired Demon would make it in time.

Unfortunately for her, another Demon heard the call.

Iivor raised his head as he arrived at the city. His eyes narrowed, fixing on the source of the horned call. Even from afar, he could see clearly. And what he saw piqued his interest. Turning to Avaritia and Desidia, he spoke simply.

“I believe we found the first place to investigate.”

With that, the three Archdemons entered Alyras, hiding under the guise of the battle.