EPISODE 213: POTENTIAL MADNESS 3

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

Rasheed Reach — Level 450

HP: 42000/42000

SP: 27000/27000

MP: 42600/42600

HP Regen: NULL

SP Regen: NULL

MP Regen: NULL

Base Atk: 5000

Base Def: 5000

Power: 10000

Mind: 14200

Vitality: 14000

Self: 10000

Endurance: 9000

Intent: 5000

Main Path: [Aspect of Knowledge]

2nd Path: [Red Dragon] — 320

3rd Path: [Knowledge Mage] — 110

Aspect Skills: [+]

Path Skills: [+]

Elemental Control: Primary Ten — 550%

Madria tumbled through the air, a surprised and slightly irritated expression on her face. The look quickly faded as she shook her head; she didn't know why she should have suspected anything different of Lawruthian. A small smile tugged at her lips, and eventually, a laugh escaped. The Imperius Soldiers who prepared to catch her gazed at her strangely as the young woman landed without help.

Of course Lawruthian would do something like that.

She wasn't upset, but a small warning would have been great. It wasn't her responsibility to fight in the front in the first place, and now wasn't the time for errant thoughts. Madria focused, the mana thread placed on Lawruthian strengthened as she cast a (Life Link) spell.

A quiet hush settled over the hall as the exchange between Lawruthian and Rasheed ended. The dragon breathed in, and every soldier took a half-step forward from the force; he breathed out, and they took a half-step back.

The [Chosen of Madris] was fearless as he faced against the [Red Dragon]. [Legacy] shined like a star in the night sky, and his dark armor only added to his heroic physique. He squinted at Rasheed's status sheet, surprised at the numbers he saw.

…

Level 450, nothing too difficult.

…

If he put his all into an attack, perhaps he could shave off a scale—if he was lucky, maybe he could hit a reverse scale and slay the dragon in one blow. Unfortunately, wyverns didn't have such obvious weaknesses, and Lawruthian doubted Aspect Rasheed would have the same, as they were pale imitations in the face of the original.

Madria's gaze settled on Queen Titiana, a brightly burning pink star as it moved forward. "It is my turn now, little warrior, you've had your fun," the Queen stated.

Madria could hear the hint of amusement and love in her voice.

"Reach… Rasheed Reach, the Aspect of Knowledge. One of your station should know what curtsies the Prince of Edryan should be afforded, and, as the [Chosen of Madris], such standards should be tripled," Queen Titiana said, coolly gazing at the red dragon.

As she spoke, her cohort moved. The members each took a battle-ready position, with Liana staying next to her. Mental communications took place, their minds connected by Margret's spell. This was no calamity, albeit they would be facing one in their quest to slay the [End of Adventure].

"We have treated your Wyvern's Roost with respect, such that no wyverns overstep their bounds and unnecessarily put harm to magi villages, yet you have not shown our most loved a modicum of respect. Today, we are here to answer for your crimes against the [Chosen of Madris]," Queen Titiana ended with a tone of finality.

"Oh, Saphens… how I pity you creatures—perhaps your Goddess was right. Perhaps I should have put weight behind Her earliest actions and found a way back."

(Fireballs), (Earth Spikes) and other spells erupted as the words of the dragon came to an end. Marna's voice echoed out, emerging into the air as a cacophony of [Priestess of Madris] quickly joined her, adding their divine mana to the spell.

" …Endurance for the battle to come. Mind is set, and Self holds no regard—for even in death, our Intent shall rise Above to Astral— (Blessing of War)."

Lawruthian blinked, once… twice as he suddenly found himself next to Madria. Her small giggle erupted, but she quickly controlled herself at the absurdity of her actions and the situation. This was a battlefield. Men, women… magi would die shortly to slay the [Red Dragon] and put an [End of Adventure]. Perhaps it was Lawruthian's {Madness} business truly infecting her. Perhaps the magi-humans, under the leadership of their [Chosen], were truly mad.

" All is the Origin of Earth ," two voices, conjoined in chorus, spread over the battlefield. The light from their star-like forms fluctuated from the intensity of their magic.

The ground trembled, and a (Verdant Grove) appeared as dark creatures began to fall from the sky. Madria shivered, the dark creatures starkly reminding her of Olvido. The creatures were dark mutations that never quite fit into Rasheed's forest—failed experiments never meant to see the day's light.

" …emerge from below and Spike through all obstacles— (Spike Earth)."

A mountain in the shape of a sword rose, piercing from below and toward Rasheed's chest. The large blade shifted the (Mage Barrier) around Rasheed, lifting the mountainous dragon off its feet. Cracks appeared on the blue and purple barrier, but the attack wasn't able to pierce through in one go.

A flaming meteor impacted the Red Dragon's shield from above—Akeem's flames surged into an attack that helped do what (Spike Earth) couldn't.

The Queen and Liana dove, shooting for the golems Lawruthian spoke of previously. They were powerful combatants stationed here to keep the dragon safe. With their freedom, her cohort hoped to find an opportunity in the distraction to kill the creature. Things needed to be chaotic. The more it was, the better chance they would have at success in their objective. This was no longer solely for her son's future kingdom. Instead, this was an opportunity to gain levels and prestige that would further cement her name in the annals of history—that would further provide reasons for the magi to worship her.

Titiana spun as she fell, space vibrating behind her as the realm groaned. She was in her Demigoddess's (Battle Body), and the weight and might of her presence caused a strain on the realm from her harsh actions. Liana followed closely behind, prepared to protect the Queen from any errant attacks.

Lawruthian pushed himself forward, closer to the [Red Dragon] and the fight between those beyond his level. It was dangerous, with spells flashing above and explosions taking place, but Lawruthian couldn't leave Minerva in that area without anyone close to help. He wasn't certain what would happen if Minerva's physical body was destroyed, and now wasn't the time to find out.

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" Cease ," Rasheed commanded, and the magic halted. " Disperse ."

…

And the magic dispersed .

…

It wasn't just the magic of (Spike Earth) that dispersed. All magical skills (Fireballs), weapon enhancements, and more disappeared—simply melting away back into the base forms before returning even further.

For a moment, the battlefield quieted, with no sounds of clashing occurring. Lawruthian stood there in surprise, his eyebrows raised under his helm. That was an application of advance Intent—something he learned in the Hall of Attributes.

But… to do something like Rasheed just showed him a limit he didn't dream possible. And, it opened a new way of thinking… perhaps a new way of fighting in his mind.

Lawruthian wasn't the sole person who stood there in surprise. The Red Dragon's words came during Titiana's attack, and the built-up momentum and Power of her strike was affected by his words. She impacted into the bubble surrounding Minerva and the golems; her attack showcased cracks but did not break through the barrier. Fortunately, she wasn't alone. Liana's blade broke into the barrier, shattering the rest like glass. The golems and Minerva suddenly found themselves transported from their previous location.

Minerva's mind felt foggy, partially from the lesson Rasheed had introduced to her and in part from whatever had just happened. The last thing she recalled was Rasheed's lecture. The next moment was like a blink, and she was simply in a new location. It was weird, and it took precious seconds for her mind to comprehend.

"Minerva, retreat from here," Titiana commanded, her gaze settling on the golems and the dragon near. "[End of Adventure] has gone mad; is it not your responsibility to restrain it?"

Minerva jumped, startled after not even noticing the Queen at such a close distance to them. She blinked, once… twice before her mind fully activated, and she felt the closeness of her connection with Lawruthian.

She turned; Minerva found it strange they were in the Welcome Hall, but more importantly, she had to alert everyone of Rasheed's reality manipulating ability.

'Lawruthian, Rasheed is manipulating reality—he's sacrificing Vitality and more into G.E.N.E.S.I.S. to jumpstart his children's genetics,' she panically spoke to her companion, her words emerging in a half-jumbled mess. She opened her beak and did the same to those around her.

"Rasheed is manipulating reality with his perk, Ignis—you must not strike G.E.N.E.S.I.S. or he will reverse everything!"

Her warning sent, Minerva did as Queen Titiana commanded, a hurried flap sent her meters away.

Minerva's action seemed to break the silence between the dark, failed mutations and the armies fighting against them. Magical spells found themselves back in the air, and the dying breath of men and creatures returned with a vengeance.

The [Realm Guards], living golems, regained their awareness. Each began to act, preparing to stop Rasheed by force—the words of Queen Titiana brought them back from the weariness produced from Rasheed's perk. They found themselves in a new location, but their thoughts hadn't focused too much on it. Instead, their bodies became active—flames on Ignis rose a level—water forming Aqua's body turned darker, black like the depths of the sea.

A heavy, despondent sigh emerged in the air; its sound was heard above all the ruckus. "Oh, Minerva… such reasons are not the reason I've done what I've done."

Rasheed peered down at his chest, frowning as G.E.N.E.S.I.S.'s light seemed dim—its absorption rate lessened. This gaze traversed to the beings surrounding him, and it grew sharp as it landed on the three saphen armies.

"Minerva," Rasheed's aged voice croaked. "Allow me to show you the power of a dragon."

Minerva could only feel what happened next as she continued to fly toward Lawruthian, not observing the Aspect's attack. Lawruthian watched, dazed as the [Red Dragon] began its attack.

Two wings, tanish red with blue veins within them, unfurled, destroying pillars that held up the mountain and throwing up a dust storm that covered the battlefield. The Red Dragon reared upward, wings outstretched and chest shining with the light of G.E.N.E.S.I.S. as its yellowed eyes gazed down on the fighting forces beneath it. Its actions dispersed some of the dust, but not enough for the fighters to see its actions properly. Those age eyes focused on one of the three armies surrounding it and in a moment, all air seemed to be sucked into his chest as the light of it grew brighter. Those unprepared flew into the air before quickly recovering.

" Die ," he breathed, and red flames clawed their way outward, burning all in its wake as the dust ignited.

" Stop ," Ignis shouted, his flames surged out and blasting into Rasheed's own. They clashed together, one light like the light of a campfire, the other dark, closer to the color of blood.

" Flow ," Aqua acted. Water surged from her body, and a tsunami consumed the rearing dragon. The water flowed from her body—its flow endless like the depths of the sea.

" Bind ," Terra clapped. Braided chains formed from the surrounding earth and speared their way toward the Aspect, wrapping around him to restrain his limbs.

" Blind ," Tenebris whispered, and all light dispersed as everything was covered in his darkness. Not even the light from his twin broke through.

The remaining six [Realm Guards] drew back, not acting but prepared to incase the actions of their companions wasn't enough.

"(Mage Light)," Lawruthian and many other magi acted, attempting to bring light to the darkness. Lawruthian felt the spell activate and even saw the mana drain from his Mana Points, yet nothing but darkness consumed his vision. Even sound was muted, the slain creatures and dying magi unheard by the prince.

"What powerful golems," he whispered, drawing on his bond with Adam to pull the golem closer to his side. There was desire in his voice, and the ideas in his mind bloomed rapidly. He still held onto the book of their creator, Master Craftsman Jaahgar, but its ideas and templates were far too advanced for him. He could barely parse through some of it due to several reasons.

A second, heavy, despondent sigh rang out, breaking through the silence. "Well then… allow me to teach you what it means to be an Aspect."

Minerva was close, so close to Lawruthian that when the lights went out, all she did was use her bond with him to close the distance. She landed on his shoulder, rubbing her face against his helmet as the words of the Aspect of Knowledge were spoken. The words of Rasheed broke the small feeling of warmth and safety she gained from reuniting.

"(Law of Knowledge: Magic Nullification)—I will allow you to understand the strength of the Old Gods," Rasheed's age voice said. The chains and water that attempted to bind and restrict him fell, their power nullified by the magic he cast.

"Using magic to nullify magic," Margret uttered, slowly falling from the air as the magic that kept her levitating was extinguished. "What a brilliant concept. Children, magi, do not look at our bodies—avoid your gaze, least you be struck."

"Now," Rasheed turned his head back toward the North Gate Army, but his voice echoed in Minerva's ears. " Die ."

Rasheed breathed in deeply, lifting those unprepared from their feet. Madness tinged his eyes, and the light on his chest glowed deeply. The mountain groaned under the weight of his strain, and the thrum of the egg on his chest increased in pitch. The [Realm Guards] were suppressed. Each of their bodies was created from pure elemental magic, and the spell wrapped around them like restricting chains. They struggled, but to no avail, as the world itself fought against them. The inverted magic supports Rasheed, completely disregarding anything before him.

"Do not belittle the magi," Akeem laughed, shooting forward under the power of his flames.

He slammed into Rasheed's side, throwing the dragon off as his flames passed over the heads of the North Gate Army. Taking a magi's magic was like directly cutting off their bottom half.

Lawruthian recalled the panic he felt when fighting against [Ruined Temple Guardian: Alarax – ★★★ ]. All of his skills and abilities required mana to function, and directly disabling the magi's mana was simply making them lambs ready for the slaughter. It was an inherent weakness but one not easily exploited. And, Lawruthian understood how to mitigate its harrowing effects.

"Focus on using your Stamina Points to reinforce your attacks— a magi without magic is still dangerous ," Lawruthian barked. His voice spread to those around him and was quickly repeated until it spread through his army.

Akeem Oni's attack became a ray of light in the darkness of the mountain. He directly slammed into the dragon's side, throwing off his attack as a surprised grunt came from Rasheed.

"A Chi user? A magi actually gave up their magic for Chi," Rasheed voiced—it was filled with incredulousness at the attack. His eyes focused on the saphen-shaped flames that impacted into him. It hadn't phased him or even broken past his natural defenses, but it did manage to allow the North Gate Army precious seconds to reorganize and create distance.

A second attack struck Rasheed, one coming from near the dragon's hind legs. Liana bashed into the Red Dragon, attempting to upset its footing. Her attack struck true and forced the dragon a step back.

" Stop ," Rasheed grunted—Liana's body halted, momentarily.

She wasn't the only one to act as Queen Titiana wielded [Heavenspear] in both hands. Her third eye gazed strangely at the dragon as if it was seeing something only it could. Then, in one swift motion, as the dragon was tilted off balance by both Akeem and Liana's attacks, Titiana reared back, transferring her spear to her right hand before tossing it with all her might.

She didn't aim for the Red Dragon's eyes, which focused on Akeem, nor did she notice its long tail, which silently whipped toward Liana. Her eyes remained focused on the shining gem-like egg at the center of its chest—bulging out like a tumor. Threads of Love, invisible to all but her third eye, were woven around the egg, stemming from the dragon's sol. Her connection to her peers had been severed, but they didn't need to constantly talk to formulate plans.

What Akeem and Liana were doing was creating openings. And, Queen Titiana was taking advantage of such.

[Heavenspear] impacted into the egg, into G.E.N.E.S.I.S.—its speed like teleportation. Aged, yellowed dragon eyes immediately locked onto the egg, and a hint of {Madness} flashed through them. The spear dug deep, and a dragon's anguished roar echoed through the hall.

" No, it did not ."

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