Conviction, page 22
Thankfully, the backlash from a single time using taunt wasn’t enough to cause Xeal to lose consciousness, as he waited for the ten minutes of being weakened to pass. During which the situation on the right had returned to a more even exchanging of blows and Xeal knew that the same trick would only be effective a few more times. So, rather than use it right away like the enemy was likely expecting, Xeal focused in on the small force that King Ulfert Uladzimir had surrounding him. This group was in the rear and he could tell that they had almost charged into the right side when it looked like collapse was imminent, but had held back when the collapse didn’t occur. This annoyed Xeal as it would likely mean that the first collapse of Habia’s forces wouldn’t lead to a rout as they were rallied by the reinforcement. At the same time, Xeal wasn’t so foolhardy that he believed that he could win single-handedly if he faced off against this group as he currently was. The only saving grace was that neither of the tier-8 NPCs that could have been brought forth had been. So Xeal decided that it was time for him to play a few more hidden cards, as he had a signal sent up and waited to act.
Princess Bianca.
Xeal had given Bianca the option to join Holly and several of his wives, as well as the elite force that were currently in a newly formed tunnel below the place she had once called home. Never had she dreamed that infiltrating it would prove so easy, as no spell existed that would make what she was witnessing possible. Yet Bianca knew that Xeal was surrounded by those who could manipulate the elements at will and in ways none had ever known before. Even if a mage was able to create such a long tunnel, they would have run into a wall by this point as the palace would negate the spell from activating properly.
Bianca was still thinking about this when the tunnel opened up into a room that should have been empty, but was currently filled with young noblemen. At the far end of this room stood a figure shrouded in darkness and frozen in shock from the sudden intrusion. As Bianca took in the scene, another of the women that was with her, Lucida if she was remembering correctly, shouted out.
“I am holding back the corruption in those weapons, but there are too many of them!”
With those words everything started to move as the shrouded figure ran and was out of Bianca’s sight before she could even try to figure out who he was. Next, all those with her surged forward and five minutes later all of the nobles were subdued. At the same time, Bianca feared what was going on as she realized that each of them had been about to take up a demonic weapon and likely doom the city. Sadly, it seemed the source of this scourge had slipped away once more, as it was time for them to move on to their next objective.
Xeal
It was only five minutes after sending the orders that Xeal smiled, as he shifted to his lightning form and flash stepped to the area in front of the token NPC force. At the same time, Zylah appeared and with her was Eira, Luna, Selene and Enye. This group of five surprised King Ulfert Uladzimir and he frowned as he tried to place them all, as realization crossed his face as Enye charged straight at him. A second later and a now fused Luna and Selene was creating space between that fight and the other NPCs, as Zylah focused on targeting anyone who made to interfere. This just left Eira and Xeal without a role to play as they watched the impromptu death match to see who would win.
While it was clear that King Ulfert Uladzimir had the stat advantage, having reached level 279, he was rusty as Enye was used to fighting others. Her time in the subterranean realm had helped her gain skills that would aid in fighting people rather efficiently, as dark elves made great sparring partners. Still, it was clear that she was going to fall short and so Xeal stepped forward and drew both his blades, before focusing on releasing his fighting spirit as he charged into the other 99 NPCs. Their goal wasn’t to kill King Ulfert Uladzimir, it was to remove the other 99 and leave him alone and it wasn’t long before Xeal had killed his first NPC as Eira focused on guarding his back.
The world became a flurry of blades as Xeal worked to keep track of his condition, while also making sure the others were doing well at the same time. While he knew Luna and Selene hated fusing, the ability made them one of the few who had stats to rival his own and that made it as if there were three tier-8s rather than one fighting on Xeal’s side. Enye and Eira were too weak to be included in this plan normally, but with there only being 100 enemies, most of whom were at the lower end of tier-7, made Xeal confident that they would at least survive. Still, the current situation wouldn’t be enough for them to win, which was where the sudden appearance of Noriko, Sceca and Ianira at the rear going unnoticed came into play. Even so, it was still nine fighting 100 and after ten minutes Xeal knew it was time to start the withdrawal.
“Enye, time for smoke,” called out Xeal.
Smiling, Enye shadow stepped away as Zylah grabbed Eira and took off. Luna and Selene jumped back and split apart before following after Enye and the three who had attacked from the rear were already gone. Yet none of the 74 of the NPCs who were still alive even tried to give chase. No, they all looked at Xeal who had stayed behind. It was clear that they were expecting him to do something and he was even sure that they had a plan to try and counter his attempts to escape. Xeal even knew of a few rather expensive options, that only someone like a king would have access to at this stage of the game. Even so, he stayed still as the injured focused on healing and King Ulfert Uladzimir spoke.
“What now, you buy time for them to slip away and then escape yourself? Repeat that over and over until we are all dead? Though I am surprised that you would risk Duchess Enye’s life like this.”
“If I thought her life was in danger, she wouldn’t be here. No, I am just going to stand here and smile as you all wonder what my next move is. After all, just holding me here is a victory to you as if I don’t help my forces, we are doomed to lose the war of attrition. Now, what move will you make and what move will Atius make?”
“You’re buying time for something. I know that you have other cards hidden besides those eight, as good of cards as they are. No, if I were you my goal would be much grander than just winning this battle, it would be the end of anything that could cause you an issue on the continent.”
“True. Now did you know that 48 rebellions have been subdued today? Really, I expect that was Atius’s doing, but it still bodes poorly for the future of this territory.”
“That would explain why he was so insufferable after the negotiations.”
“Yes, that was when they all tried to act. His hope was likely to force me to attend to them personally, but only a few even materialized into anything of note. It is why a third army from Nium never materialized as they were spread out across your former kingdom for just this scenario.”
“What does any of that have to do with right now?”
“Nothing. As you said earlier, I am just buying time and now that I have done so, the question is, what happens next.”
Xeal just smiled as the NPCs were all focused on him, as they failed to notice the arrival of the 30 rogue-style players who had snuck up on them. While Xeal would have preferred to have waited for this group before the first attack, they would have been noticed without a distraction. Sadly, his first group hadn’t been able to avoid enough damage to still be present and so his backup plan had been needed. However, the instant death of five more NPCs was enough to grab the group’s attention, as Xeal found himself fighting once more. Though he was quick to work his way to the outside of the mess and slip out of the fighting before shifting to his lightning form and flash stepping away.
As he returned to the rear position of Nium’s forces he frowned at the state of battle, before meditating and restoring his MP with the assist of a potion. Still, it was 20 minutes before he was able to return to the right side of the formation and repeat his taunting trick and allow for another major push from Nium’s forces. Yet as Xeal looked out and took in the situation as he recovered after, it was still clear that Nium was at a disadvantage. The group he had left fighting the NPCs had also been killed, though only around 48 NPCs were still alive and it made Xeal wonder what his next move should be. As he thought about that, he found himself asking what surprises Atius was holding onto still and what would happen when they were sprung.
One which Xeal was sure of was already being handled as the battle raged and due to that, Xeal needed to make sure that it continued for a while longer. However, between that one and the rebellions, only two had been played and Xeal knew that Atius had at least three if not more. With him expecting to have two years before he would face Xeal again, there was no reason for him to hold any cards back unless he thought they would be more effective if left unknown in two years. Yet, Xeal knew him too well and so he could see the way those under his command were moving and he decided to spoil the fun once he was done recovering. Still, such a simple trap couldn’t be the card Xeal was looking for. Rather, Xeal was thinking about if any of the cards Atius had used in his last life, would even be feasible against the current Xeal. It was with such a thought that Xeal realized the play that Atius likely had and smiled as he made his plan and sent orders out to those who would need to act.
Princess Bianca
The group that Princess Bianca was with had made quick work of reaching and securing the treasury. Honestly, the fact that around 100 of those who Bianca knew were part of Abysses End had been working to break in, had made her want to laugh. After all, without her father or brother, it would likely take hours for them to succeed and it looked like they had already been at it for a few hours already. Had there not been a major battle being fought just outside the city, Bianca was sure the guards would have stopped them by now. That was if there were even any guards left as knowing her father, they had likely all been relieved of all duty and sent away with a year’s pay for their loyalty in standing by him until the last moment. Her father may have been many things that she disliked, but when it came to rewarding loyalty, he wasn’t going to lead them to their deaths when there was truly no point. No, while the armies that had retreated to the capital would be mustered for the battle at sword point for having failed to defend their posts, his personal guards would live on.
Still, it wasn’t until the group trying to steal from the treasury had been killed and Bianca found herself above ground that she realized the true extent of Abysses End’s actions. Standing atop the tallest tower that was designed to allow her father to speak to all the citizens of the capital, was an idiot trying to incite the crowd.
“Proud people of Habia, I say once more that those outside these walls, who right now fight to ensure none of you fall victim to the terrors that being ruled by Nium will bring, will fail without your aid!”
Bianca almost charged the tower on her own when she felt Jinx’s hand on her shoulder as the peculiar woman spoke.
“Time is not yet so short that you need rush your actions. Sometimes a composed leader who others trust is all it takes to right a situation.”
“Right,” replied Bianca. “I don’t suppose you would aid me in getting enough support to get up there to shut him up, would you?”
Jinx just gave Bianca a smile and a minute later they, along with a bit over 100 others who were tasked with securing the palace, were headed to the tower. The few who stood in their way were quickly dealt with and it was only five minutes later that they had reached their destination. As Bianca came up behind the idiot, he was so focused on his speech that by the time he had noticed them, she had already shadow stepped to him and pushed him over the edge of the tower. Sadly, he was tier-7 and so he recovered, though that did him little good as there were others waiting below for when he landed. It was then that Bianca looked out at the city and decided to speak.
“Fear not, loyal citizens of Habia, for while today our proud nation will lose the struggle that has lasted far longer than any of us has been alive, it is not our doom. No, while I know times will be hard and there is certainly uncertainty ahead, we need not fear any terror being thrust upon us. The one who will conquer us today is a man by the name of Xeal Bluefire and I have watched him now for more than five years. If there is one thing that I know beyond that I am in love with him, it is that he cares for your lives more than even I do. All that resisting now will do is cause another life to be lost, so please, let this be my last act as your crown princess. Allow me to surrender to him peacefully once my father falls in the battle outside. His death is to ensure that Habia will be remembered and that the end of the rule of House Uladzimir is one to be remembered forever!”
Catriona
Catriona had been annoyed when she failed to secure one of the senior vice guild leader positions. Yet she knew better than to think that complaining was what she needed to do. No, she knew that it was the fact that she was too focused on leading the crafters under her, and had done little to branch out and prove that she could command an army as well. It had been for this reason that she had almost begged to take command of a battle, or something, during the final days of the war with Habia. Only, there had been no opportunities to do so as Habia had all but surrendered by the time she was present. So it was that she had requested command of something during the current battle and Xeal had personally given her an assignment.
She was to lead the small group of players who had bonded with the hippogriffs that FAE was raising, as they acted as one of Nium’s hidden cards in the battle. The only issue was, if they weren’t needed, they would be left hidden for another day. So, when Catriona saw the message to take to the skies, she almost shouted in joy.
Xeal
Fully recovered and ready for some fun, Xeal focused in on Frozen Sky and smiled before using his lightning form to flash step to him and return to his physical form. The second he did, a dome-like structure came into existence and Xeal could see that none of his MP was accessible to him. This was one of the options that Xeal feared King Ulfert Uladzimir would have had, yet it seemed that he had handed it over to Abysses End. While this was annoying, it was also clear that Frozen Sky was the one who was using the item and so he would be the only one that he needed to kill to escape. Though the other ten who had been trapped in the dome with them would likely complicate things.
“Not so high and mighty now that you have fallen into a trap, are you?” taunted Frozen Sky.
“Really, are you sure you want this result? After all, there is no option to surrender when I have beaten you to a pulp now.”
“It’s 11 on one. You’re outmatched, especially as none of us use MP in any significant way, while-”
“You think that I do. Really, it’s only my third-highest stat, fourth if you include what my stats become once my equipment is accounted for. Well, ten others fighting for you is just too few if you ask me.”
Xeal just smiled as he started to use his double upward and downward slash skills, combined with transitional attack skill to move between one opponent after another. Were he still using the blades Darefret had crafted him, he might have been worried about running out of stamina, but that wasn’t an issue. His True Heart Seeking Blades were more than enough to make short work of the ten besides Frozen Sky, who he was having fun avoiding. It was only ten minutes later when it was just the two of them that Xeal sheathed his blades and smiled. His health was still over 90% and his stamina was over half full still as the constant movement had taken its toll on him, but that was more than enough as he turned to Frozen Sky and spoke.
“Now, how about we see about that rematch. I expect that those outside this barrier are wondering about just how things are going about now. Tell me, were they hoping that you could actually win, or just hold me in here long enough for their other plans to succeed in winning the battle. I bet that my actions have really been throwing Atius off as I don’t normally fight like this, right?”
“Fine, I hate you and I might as well take you with me if I am going to lose regardless.”
“Really, you would destroy something that valuable just to try and kill me, when you and I both know it won’t work. All I need is the tenth of a second that I will have after the MP nullification disappears, to escape your move.”
“Not if you are near enough to touch me,” countered Frozen Sky. “So, it seems we have ourselves a stalemate.”
“Right, so they never expected you to win, just hold me here long enough for their other plans. Unfortunately for you and them, other plans are what I had and they don’t include me staying here much longer, or even killing you, at least directly.”
As Xeal finished saying that, the dome burst and he shifted to his lightning form just in time to avoid being hit by a dozen spikes. These were the exact same design as the ones he had used to down airships with when defending the Huáng empire and with them Xeal knew their reinforcements had arrived right on time. After seeing Frozen Sky had taken a spike to the head, Xeal looked up and smiled to see the hippogriffs flying overhead as they dropped even more spikes down. Though only the few that had been used on the dome he had been trapped in were coated in adamantium. Even so, the results were devastating and the right side finally crumbled and the 48 NPCs rushing in failed to stabilize it. While not everything had gone to plan, Xeal knew the battle was over as he caught sight of Atius running while looking at the city in annoyance. That was until a group of about 1,000 came out of it and Xeal just smiled to see Aalin, Gale, Holly, Lucida, Jinx, Arnhylde and Princess Bianca at the front of this group.
From the looks of things their mission had been a success, but Xeal would need to worry about that later as he shifted to his lightning form and cut Atius’s retreat off. A second later and Xeal had his arm of lightning buried into Atius’s chest as he twitched uncontrollably and his health plummeted. Chaos fully descended on the remnant of the battlefield as the final conflict of the war to unite the continent came to a less than dramatic ending.
