EPISODE 208: CLANG! 6

— GREAT EDRYAN, YEAR: 7292. SEASON: NEW BEGINNING.

Carno sneered, watching the magi-humans surge forth. He was close to Lawruthian but removed from everyone else.

"What a disgusting display," he spoke—yet his voice seemed lost in the laughter, unheard by the [Chosen of Madris]. His sneer grew deeper, and he clenched his fist as he heard them, the magi-humans , laughing.

He spoke again, this time louder, trying to be heard through the laughter. "Have you no shame, is such a display something you should be putting on as a [Chosen of Madris]?"

The laughter continued, growing louder in crescendo as they swept forward. So much so that it began to gather the attention of strong creatures who had sieged the Central Gate Army. The Queen's Army had fought a nearly five-to-one battle since the very beginning. And, for every one of them that dropped from the sky, bodies broken and their mount slain, such a number of wyverns and more would have fallen by their hands.

Carno's fist grew tighter as his voice went unheard. He closed his eyes, and memories of his mother, Tenten Edryani, flashed before his eyes. He opened his eyes and looked toward Queen Titiana—a tiny voice muttered a thought that he instantly squashed.

"We're both [Chosen of Madris] yet why does he get to laugh, why does he get to be happy?"

He didn't focus on the semi-divine body of Titiana, lest he be scarred for his insolence. He wasn't a demigod right now and didn't possess the qualifications to watch her. What he watched was the surrounding area, and judged the performance of the battle through such.

Queen Titiana yanked her whip, a gift given by the Goddess. [Heavenspear] remained outstretched, ready to have Frigid Lady be pierced upon it. Flames licked at the blade, colored pink by the Demigoddess of Love—it was pretty to her eyes, a color suiting her very much.

Frigid Lady roared, and ice blasted forth from her mouth in an all-encompassing wave toward Queen Titiana. Titiana disappeared, a feather left in place to take the blow. The blast eradicated it, but the Queen didn't let up with her attacks. The moment she reappeared above Frigid Lady, she clutched [Heavenspear] with both hands. Her wings were tucked, and she dove like a falcon pursuing prey—her attack ready to punch through the creature.

Frigid Lady tucked her wings and did the same, choosing to avoid conflict rather than face her opponent properly. The wyvern was quick, and its flight was like a fish in the water as it flew through the air, wings bursting open and catching air, forcing Titiana to overshoot her mark. Instantly, their positions shifted, with Frigid Lady on the attack and the Queen on the run.

The Calamity blasted out a small but powerful blast of ice energy from her mouth, and a dozen spell constructs opened at her back, and jagged ice spears erupted from them—all possessed the power to pierce through the Queen's defense and deal her a powerful blow alongside the debuffs Krystyna specialized in. Titiana poured mana into her shield, using it to block what damage she couldn't avoid as she came up with a plan to end this in the next few seconds.

The pair moved fast, faster than the magi-humans who cast errant gazes in their direction could follow. Margret held a wounded Liana, who returned to her normal size. She sought an opportunity to step in, barely able to keep up with the fighting pair in her normal form. She hesitated, debating whether she should take her semi-divine form now or wait with Liana. The Queen hadn't technically ordered her to back down, but Margret understood Titiana would feel more comfortable with someone present to help Liana. Like now, her attention would fully remain on the fight.

Titiana drew on her connection to the fire element, drawing her connection deeper as pink flames surged on her spear. It drew traces through the air like a falling meteor while Krystyna released ice crystals behind her like a comet that flew too close to the sun.

Queen Titiana began to whisper, constructing a spell that would help her reverse the situation and give her the opportunity she needed. All she required was one solid blow—one blow that would wipe away Krystyna from this plane of existence.

Time was running out, and she had less than a minute left before the Calamity's strength jumped once again. Although her mind was worried, her gaze showed her true intentions and feelings.

"It's been so long since I could cut loose," Titiana voiced—a pink light in her eyes. "Let's see exactly what I can do."

Her divine form had never seen the light of day. The cost just to practice it was far too great for her currently. And, its accumulation was slow—nearly sixteen years since she became the Demigoddess of Love, and she'd barely reached above a hundred points.

She refocused, bringing her attention back to the fight. Frigid Lady chased, her (Winter Realm) kept itself around her, its effects grew stronger by the second. Titiana could feel it piling onto her magic shield, draining her of more and more mana by the second. She held no doubts should it touch her skin, then all three Life Points would rapidly drain from her body.

Queen Titiana blinked and reversed the situation at that moment, a feather taking her place as she once again appeared behind the Calamity. Krystyna snarled, ice gathering around her as she began to flee. Titiana's eyes narrowed at the Calamity's actions. She only had around twenty or so teleportation feathers, and that number was quickly decreasing as Frigid Lady went after them.

Titiana smiled, and just as the Calamity flew toward another feather, the Demigoddess appeared in her way, spear outstretched and aiming for Krystyna's neck. Frigid Lady swerved at the final moment, but not without taking damage from Titiana's attack. The Queen hadn't been able to prepare a spell, but [Heavenspear] managed to graze Krystyna upon her flank, leaving a small gash that quickly closed.

Frigid Lady -438 Health Points.

The regeneration provided by (World Bound) immediately dispelled the small amount of damage struck by Titiana, and the behavior of Krystyna changed once again as the Calamity moved to create distance between the two. Krystyna was buying time with her actions, and Titiana's sense of worry began to increase with each passing moment. She had to act now or face a Calamity beyond what she could handle.

Just as she prepared to use more Love Points, a change occurred. Titiana found her body transported not from her power but another. She appeared directly on the fleeing Calamity, and the traces of Margret's magic began to fade.

Titiana laughed, a clear and melodious sound that caused those who heard it to become dazed. She struck downward at Krystyna's head while she activated an ability.

"(Divine Skill: Heart Break)—something like you must have had a mate at least once," Titiana attacked. A single heartbeat resounded through the air, stunning the Calamity as a pink wave spread from Queen Titiana. It left Frigid Lady open—her defense negated as her deep blue crystal scales lost some of their color.

Divine Skill: Heart Break

Rarity: Divine

Category: Law Skill — Love

Properties:

1. Release a powerful psychic wave that overwhelms nearby enemies, flooding their minds with memories of past or present love. Inflict {Lovely Stun} on all who fail to resist.

— While under {Lovely Stun}, enemies lose all defensive abilities, and all attacks against them are guaranteed critical hits with 100% increased damage.

Cost:

2000 Mana Points. 5 Love Points.

Description:

Oh, Love… what a divine thing you are. It is the love of my countrymen that guide me and it is the same love that will be my downfall.

As her strike lowered, the voice of Liana entered her ears, (Heartbound) activating to further amplify her attack. Liana's bloodline ability reached a new level the moment she became a Prestige—its effects showed as a passionate wind swept the area around the Titiana. The skill boosted her next attack by three outside its other effects.

Titiana's spear erupted from the bottom of Krystyna's head, and with a heave, the Demigoddess of Love pulled her spear to the side—partially decapitating the Calamity.

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CRITICAL HIT

Krystyna -51,106 Health Points. You have slain [World Boss: Krystyna — Frigid Lady].

The world, once hostile, seemed to release a cry of frustration. The mana within the air no longer rejected the magi-humans and once again allowed them its use. Titiana stood on the falling body of Frigid Lady, a frown on her face as her body shook from a hum within the air. She jumped, disappeared, and reappeared at the location of another feature and close to her companions. [Frigid Lady] fell forgotten. A sense of unease entered Titiana's mind, and she gazed around, wings gently flapping as she searched for the source of the hum. She hadn't heard it previously, the falling snow of (Winter Realm) kept it muffled and away. Yet now it was far too distinctive to ignore.

SYSTEM NOTIFICATION

[World Boss: Krystyna — Frigid Lady] has been slain. Rewards shall be given based on contribution at the end of the battle.

Her gaze turned to her favorite son, and a breath of relief escaped from the sight of him and his army. They glowed with the [Light of the End]—the army clawed its way through any resisting wyverns. The battle was coming to an end, most wyverns were slain or nearing such.

"Something is wrong," Margret frowned as Titiana neared. "The magic… it's reversing…?" Margret's eyes glowed from the light of two small spell constructs that covered them. She shifted her glasses and allowed Liana to stand by herself. The icy-green-eyed woman looked toward the northwest, where the battle against another Calamity took place.

"We should focus on freeing up the rest of our party before anything else Margret," Liana began, nearly back to full recovery. Even the hole that was once penetrated her armor was slowly closing.

"No," Titiana softly whispered. "Focus on freeing the Central Gate Army—have them head for Camilla and Vivian and fight against Calamity [Red Rage]—it can't fly as well as the rest, and we hold the advantage with such. Liana, lead them well," her voice picked up in strength as a worried gaze looked toward her companion's directions.

Liana saluted, thumping the knife edge of her right fist over her heart. She didn't leave yet, sensing the Queen had more to say.

Titiana turned away and back toward the distant battlefield. Queen Titiana could see the ground churn and a massive crater of destruction a few dozen kilometers away. She focused, carefully spreading out her Intent to understand their situation better. A formless aura swept over the battlefield, quickly taking in everything just over a hundred and thirty kilometers. Titiana could give an accurate account of just how many magi and wyverns lay slain below. She didn't focus on the small details. Instead, she put her attention on Camilla and Vivian—quickly ascertaining their situation. Large amounts of dust and debris obstructed her vision from gaining an accurate account of their battle.

She sensed the two, and the wild gaze of Camilla appeared in her mind. The woman laughed, launching spell after spell as she chased [Red Rage]. Vivian sighed but followed closely behind her, ready to support her in the case of a sudden change. A sigh of relief escaped from her plump, pink-painted lips, and the Queen turned to order Margret—pausing briefly as her Intent touched the Mountain of Final Hope. Her furrowed brows increased a notch as Titiana understood the source of the hum and what made the mana behave strangely.

"Margret, clean up the battlefield… hurry—something is happening on the mountain," Titiana spoke, her gaze growing increasingly worried. "Its like… the mana… not reversing… but… inversing …?"

Margret nodded in understanding, her attention turning to the Central Gate Army as she began to cast a divine spell. She slightly muttered, and high in the air, countless golden-magenta spell constructs began to appear.

Titiana's eyebrows furrowed, and she gazed in the direction of her son. A step later, she arrived a thousand meters above him. She kept her divine form active, but she appeared out of sight to prevent issues from arising.

Lawruthian laughed, an action his soldiers repeated. No one understood why their Prince laughed, but they joined him in doing so. Their laughter changed—originally it began as an emulation of the Prince but that shortly changed as the glow from [Light of the End] provided them with a strength and power like none before. They laughed as they slayed their way forward, surprised as damage against them was negated—simply… washed away as if it never occurred.

Some laughed, for the stories they would tell and the children they would inspire would begin a new generation of worship. Others laughed because of the legends they were becoming and the carefreeness they felt at the moment. Edryan would roar their names once the story of their deeds spread back to the capital and beyond. There was nothing a good magi-human love more than a story of war and heroism.

Lawruthian laughed and called out a single name. A name that he'd been missing for months now—a bond, a connection renewed and growing stronger than ever before.

…

Two consciousnesses, one soul.

…

What a strange connection they held.

' Minerva ,' Lawruthian mentally called, his joyous voice a stark difference from the panicked voice of his perk.

For a few moments nothing but panic, desperation, worry, and so much more radiated from that connection. Then, it all seemed to pause as a hesitant voice responded.

' …Lawruthian… ?'

Minerva's voice was hesitant, unsure, as if she imagined it.

A resounding laugh came as the initial response. Lawruthian's boisterous laughter spread across the Imperius Army and even approached the Central Gate Army. He gazed up in surprise as hundreds of golden spell constructs appeared above them. And, in seconds, arrows began to fall like raindrops.

'It's me, I've missed you,' Lawruthian responded. There was so much he wanted to say, but after sensing his partner's current state, Lawruthian decided to keep it simple.

The arrows fell, each nearly a meter in length with golden-magenta serrated arrow tips. They fell, yet still, the Imperius Army remained unperturbed. Their {Hope} was strong—far too strong to simply fade after a minute of use. It didn't matter, for the arrows avoided them and guided their jagged edges to the flying wyverns. In moments, the creatures attacking the Imperius Army were gone, and the same could be said to be occurring for the Central Gate Army.

Presently both Minerva's and Lawruthian's mother spoke—each occupying a portion of his attention.

"Lawruthian," Queen Titiana softly called, her voice easily appearing in the ears of those below.

Lawruthian slightly raised his head, and a bright pink light erased all traces of his mother's figure. It seemed she found a method that halted any wanton attacks from gazing at her form. This method was harsh on the eyes but it at least allowed him to look in her general direction.

'You need to leave Lawruthian! NOW ,' Minerva's panicked voice exclaimed. Lawruthian could nearly feel the anxiety his perk radiated.

"My Queen," Lawruthian answered, slowly coming to a halt alongside his army.

'You know I won't do that Minerva… not after just reconnecting with you. Tell me what's going on so we can be as prepared as possible.'

Queen Titiana didn't respond immediately. The demigoddess stared at her son, a gentle, and loving expression on her face. She took a deep breath; the danger she sensed from the Mountain of Final Hope increased with every passing moment. Titiana heard Lawruthian's laughter and saw the bright, hopeful expressions of the Imperius Army. They were becoming a fine force—a force that could be respected as near elites in Edryan and the rest of the continent.

Minerva stayed quiet, an internal battle going through her mind. Thousands of thoughts passed per second, each doing its best to find a way to convince Lawruthian of the danger present. He needed to leave… NOW . Yet, those streams of thoughts arrived at one solemn conclusion…

…

Lawruthian Imperius Koltius Edryani would not be leaving without his perk.

…

Not without the Codex of Earth.

…

The Queen's gaze shifted to the mountain, and the notification of a [Golden Age] appeared in her vision. Such a dream was nearly here—an unprecedented age like none before. It was only now that they could activate such an age, unlike the rest of the continent, Edryan was still behind in terms of magic, technology, and some might even say culture. Should they be at the level of the gnomes of Ja'forr or any of the Middle Kingdoms, then their requirements would be much stricter and more stringent. However, as a Low Kingdom still fighting the dregs of old ages, Edryan was in a perfect position for growth.

"I want to see you married soon," Titiana finally said, turning her gaze back to her only son. She spoke as if no one else was present, and her son responded in kind.

"Haaa…," Lawruthian let out a dry chuckle. His gaze shifted away from his mother and partially over his shoulder, allowing him to see the Imperius Army. His helmet covered his face and no one knew what the Prince was gazing at. "Only if you lead by example."

Queen Titiana's eyes widened. She wasn't the only one, as much of the Imperius Army, whose golden-white lights began to fade, stood there awkwardly.

Titiana laughed, her warm gaze settled on her companions. Margret finished sweeping up the final remnants of the wyvern horde they fought while Liana began to lead the Central Gate Army to reinforce their companions. "Then… it'll be one right after the other."

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