Year 70.2

  *As the alarm bells ring, Emma and everyone turn to Giovanni and Seraphina for guidance. Seraphina waves for Goren to leave, and he runs off..*

  Giovanni: Teams three and four head east. Everyone except Ariella and Emma. Head to the South gates!

  *As everyone leaves the room, Giovanni stops to talk to Emma and Ariella.*

  Giovanni: Gather our allies in the courtyard around the base.

  *A large explosion comes from the south gate. Emma looks out the window as an army clad in Black armor with a Red weightscale adorned on their chests. They quickly break through the inner walls and push toward them. They’ve cast a spell to concentrate the full power of all four moons onto their entire army. Emma squeezes her fist tightly before running out the window.*

  Emma(TL): Lily!

  *Lily runs behind her.*

  Ariella: Emma!

  *Emma yells back from Lily’s back as she scales down the trunk.*

  Emma: I’ll slow them down! GET EVERYONE READY NOW!

  *Ariella turns to Giovanni and nods.*

  Giovanni: Hurry and meet us out front.

  Ariella: *nods* Yes, Father.

  *Ariella runs to the Barracks where her army awaits deployment. As the army of Allies gathers, made up of different races, Ariella orders them into position, leading them to the front gates. As she rides Celestra to meet the others, she can hear explosions in the distance.*

  Celestra: She’ll be back.

  *Ariella looks down and smiles*

  Ariella: I know, but that doesn’t mean I can’t worry about her.

  *With the rest of the army gathered around the base of the Veiled Glade, an elf points up.*

  Elf: Look at the branches! The leaves are falling!

  *As they all turn to look, the leaves fall all in unison.*

  Giovanni: BARRIAR!

  *The weight of the leaves crushes the city below, destroying roofs and streets everywhere. The barrier flickers before dispersing, barely keeping the leaves from crushing them. As they look forward, they spot the Seers as they advance.*

  Giovanni: THIS IS IT! THIS IS FOR OUR FREEDOM! EVEN IF WE ARE TO LOSE, KNOW THAT WE’VE PROTECTED THE FUTURE OF THE ELVES… FOR THE MOON GODDESS, LUNA!!

  *With Giovanni’s voice ringing through the city, the army’s clash. A scream comes from up above.*

  —--------------------------------------------------

  *In Seraphina’s office, she sends off the last of her assistants before turning to Darain.*

  Seraphina: Find them. Watch them until you know it is safe and reveal it to them.

  *As Darain flies off, the door closes behind her, and Archon walks forward.*

  Archon: Evening majesty.

  *Seraphina sits in her chair, keeping her composure.*

  Seraphina: Evening, Alicia Flyheart.

  *A pillar crushes the desk into the floor, then crumbles. Seraphina wipes off her dress.*

  Archon: *Smiles* You’ve really done your research. I’ll ask this once. *Frown.* Where is she?

  Seraphina: Who?

  *The leaves from the canopy drop, ripping out the balcony, and exposing the city. Seraphina turns and sees the city destroyed. The Seers march forward as if walking through an empty field, as the elves who haven’t attempted to run are mercilessly killed, as though cutting through briars. A tear forms as she turns back to Archon.*

  Archon: The only thing he asked for was Emma. Now tell me where she is and I’ll kill you quickly.

  Seraphina: I believe Emma is scheduled for training in the north quarter today.

  *As Archon listens to her, realizing it is getting her nowhere, grabs Seraphina by the neck, and holds her out, facing the city.*

  Archon: If you’re not going to be useful, then go say hello to your children for me.

  *A maid screams after opening the door. Valorin charges from the doorway toward Archon, and as they drop Seraphina, they smile. Archon turns and creates a staff out of lightning stones, which were hidden on her body, and they spark out as she swings it around. As Archon swings down on Valorin, he grabs hold of it and begins to grow. Archon starts to sweat. The room begins to burn around them as Valorin doubles in size. As he smashes his fist onto the staff, it lets out a sound similar to thunder. Archon shoots out of the tree and into the city. Valorin looks down to Serphina safely resting below with Ariella and Giovanni, he nods before jumping toward Archon.*

  *Archon turns the ground beneath them into a liquid state, softening her landing. She dusts herself off..*

  Archon: The report said he could only grow to 50% larger.

  *The buildings in front of Archon explode, while they grab their staff with a grin. Valorin’s body heat distorts the air around him as he breathes. He turns to Archon and unleashes a violent explosion of flames from his mouth, incinerating everything around them. Archon uses their staff and magic to jump high enough to avoid burning. Valorin grabs a large chunk of rubble and throws it at Archon, as Archon swings down to destroy it. Valorin bursts through, breaking the staff as he bites down on it. Valorin kicks Archon and whips them with his tail, back into the ground.*

  *As the dust clears, Archon stands upright, pointing their staff at Valorin. As he lands, the ground opens up, closing around his neck. As his body is crushed, Valorin coughs up blood. Archon slowly walks forward with a grin on her face.*

  Archon: All the power, and your biggest weak point is that you struggle to deal with your weight.

  *Archon walks over and kicks Valorin in the head.*

  Archon: I thought you’d be a good warm-up. *Leans in* But I guess you’re just all smoke and no burn.

  *The ground shakes and vents of steam burst open, Archon’s left arm gets badly burned as she turns to see Hakhir, fully on fire, with his axe blade in the ground. Valorin quickly climbs out and stands beside Hakhir.*

  Valorin: I had her right where I needed her.

  Hakhir: Yes, but I won last night's drinkin game. That means I get first pick. So, how about we just take care of this one together, and then you can have next pick.

  Valorin: *Smiles* Sounds good to me.

  *Archon drinks a potion to dull the pain as Valorin starts to charge at her on all fours. Archon sneers before a stone pillar shoots out from underneath Hakhir. Valorin swipes at Archon, but they block using their staff. As Archon is pushed back, Valorin continues to swipe at them like an enraged Dragon, flames expel from under his scales as he breathes. Valorin turns to Hakhir, his flames still lit, but he has dropped to one knee as the Pillar from earlier had cut off Hakhir’s left leg; he keeps one of his hands firmly on the ground while cauterizing his wound with the other.*

  Hakhir: Stay focused! I’ll keep her from using any earth magic. You’ll have to keep the heat on, though, I’m afraid.

  *Valorin smiles before charging toward Archon again. Hakhir's flames fade as he lifts his other hand to reveal he is bleeding heavily. Hakhir turns behind him to a broken belt of health potions.*

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  Hakhir: *Grin* *Dwarvish*I don’t know wether to be pissed or impressed. But give’m hell, you big lizard

  *As Hakhir’s vision fades, Archon grins.*

  Archon: That makes one.

  *Valorin uses Hakhir’s sacrifice to unleash a breath of flame, large enough to clear the north eastern quadrant of the city. As the flames purge the area, the sounds of screams can be heard, as Valorin reminds himself that the area should’ve been cleared. As Valorin finishes expelling the flames, his body begins to shrink as he spots something white in the distance, and he collapses. The sound of a man reaches out from behind Archon, she turns to see a male elf with white hair and blue eyes. Clifton adjusts his glasses, as he walks forward, he creates a frost nova. The area around them hisses and screams as the ice and fire collide. Steam fills the area as he steps forward. *

  Clifton: Leave it to the two hot heads to burn themselves out right in the beginning, am I right?

  *Clifton looks at a white chrysalis amidst the flames. A hand breaks free from the inside, as Archon climbs out of the frozen shell she used to protect herself, using blue elves as fodder, their burnt corpses rest at her feet as she walks forward.*

  Archon: And who are you?

  Clifton: While I don’t approve of your methods, I think we can both agree he needed to cool down.

  *Clifton extends his arm from beneath his cloak, revealing a staff. As he taps the ground, a series of ice spikes shoot out between the two. As Archon attempts to jump, they slip and fall. The look as Clifton smiles at them.*

  Clifton: Don’t run on the ice.

  *As Archon is buried in ice spikes, Clifton chuckles.*

  Clifton: Or you’ll slip.

  *The ground rumbles as Archon bursts out, they breathe heavily as they seethe with anger.*

  Archon: I’m not even going to ask anymore. It’s your turn to die.

  *Archon raises their hand and creates a giant ball of rubble, using the area's buildings, earth, and ice. Clifton begins making an Ice wall, but as the ball of rubble begins shooting off sparks, cracking the wall. Archon's face twitches with anger, then turns to a grin as they open their mouth.*

  Archon: Now get wiped off the surface of this planet like the good shit stain that you are.

  *As the projectile is released, it collides with the wall. And Clifton struggles to keep the wall standing, until it finally shatters. *

  *Leaving nothing but a crater from the impact.*

  —------------------------------------------------------------------

  *Ariella looks up to see her mother.*

  Ariella: CELESTRA!

  *Celestra quickly catches Seraphina. After stepping down, she dusts herself off.*

  Seraphina: I see what Emma means by an attitude. *Turns toward Giovanni.* They’re looking for Emma. Where is she?

  *Ariella and Giovanni look at one another, a massive explosion in the distance lights up the area, as they turn, the shockwave blast knocks everyone over. As the ringing stops, a Spirit and an elf run toward them all. As they stop before everyone, on the back of a cart being pulled, rests Emma. Ariella pushes people out of the way as she goes to investigate.*

  Elf: She exhausted her Magic, killing one of the seers.

  *Everyone looks at Emma. She sleeps with a smile while Lily rests on her stomach.*

  Ariella: Lily.

  * Giovanni looks up and notices branches of the glade have grown thorns and have begun twisting. Ariella pets Lily, who blinks a little before smiling upon seeing Ariella.*

  Ariella: We need to hide Emma. She’s the target.

  *Lily shakes her head.*

  Celestra: She said their leader is the one after her. They still intend to take over the glade.

  Ariella: Why?

  Seraphina: Because.

  Ariella: No. According to Celestra, Lily told her. Only the leader wants Emma.

  Seraphina: Interesting.

  *Seraphina turns to the troops.*

  Seraphina: Everyone! Today, we have one goal in mind. But the Seers. They have split matters! We must protect the Glade, in unison. We must not let them take our home!

  *Everyone cheers. Giovanni notices the Seers' army advancing.*

  Giovanni: FOR THE VEILED GLADE!!!

  *As the two armies collide, Ariella brings Emma and her mother to the hospital. Ariella sits next to Emma, lying in a bed. Seraphina moves Ariella’s hair and smiles*

  Seraphina: She’ll be okay.

  Ariella: I know, I’m just scared this might be the last time I get to see her smile.

  Seraphina: *Smiles* Leave it to dear old Mom, then.

  *Seraphina starts to walk toward the sounds of battle. She looks back at the Hospital and smiles.*

  Seraphina: I pray we don’t have to meet again, my children…

  *Ice quickly forms from beneath Seraphina, and Giovanni turns to witness, as Seraphina’s body becomes the catalyst of a Giant Ice sanctum, protecting the tree and Emma. Giovanni turns back to the seers and screams as he continues to fight. As the air chills, Ariella looks outside, She looks up as the sky is blocked from sight. Ariella turns back to Emma and asks a nurse to bring more blankets. She then sits down next to Emma and pets Lily.*

  Ariella: I’ll protect you both until she wakes up.

  —---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  *Goren climbs out from the rubble. As he climbs out of the leaves, he looks over to Keya and Isabelle, who had created a quick shelter that barely withstood the weight of the leaves.*

  Goren: Are you two okay?

  Both: Yeah.

  Goren: Okay, let’s go see what’s happening.

  *The family runs toward the sound of clashing metal. They even manage to catch some seers, who’ve been left behind, using the bracelets as they make their way.*

  Isabelle: I know I doubted the idea of brittle defenses, but I see what she meant by it would confuse them in battle.

  Goren: That’s why she designed them to look like their keys.

  *A voice calls out from behind them, atop some rubble.*

  Voice: I was wondering why that idiot went quiet.

  *The family turns to see a seer, green eyes.*

  Robin: I’ve been wanting to meet the rest of Emma’s family. *Grin*

  Goren: And who are you supposed to be?

  Robin: Did Emma not talk about me?

  *Robin hops down and starts to walk toward them.*

  Keya: *Glare* You’re Robin.

  Robin: Oh! So she has talked about me.

  Keya: Only that you’re a cocky asshole who couldn’t tell the difference between a slime and his brain.

  *Robin’s face twitches with anger for a moment as he stops moving.*

  Robin: I’ll start with you first.

  *Robin dashes at Keya, but Isabelle swings her Hammer, sending him into the air before the fight even begins.*

  Keya: What the fuck. I was ready to teach him a lesson for what he’s done to Emma.

  Goren: You might have another chance later. But we should avoid anyone who knows who we are.

  Isabelle: Right, because odds are, they’re going to be their elite.

  *Isabelle’s entire body freezes as a tear falls from her face, and she pulls out a broken necklace. Goren turns to her and notices it.*

  Goren: He’s probably toward the fires. Go. Quick.

  *Isabelle nods before running toward the fires in the distance. She arrives at a crater, she holds Hakhir’s lifeless hand as Archon looks off in the distance.*

  Isabelle: I’ll kill you…

  *Archon turns to see Isabelle as the ground begins to tremble beneath them, the ground slams into Isabelle’s body as it creates a natural armor, she cracks her knuckles, each pop creates an audible boom, as she wields a pair of volatile gloves. Archon smiles, and in the blink of an eye, Isabelle punches Archon in the stomach. With a loud explosion, she is thrown into a still-burning pile of rubble.*

  Archon: *Stands up, coughing* Try that again. I dare you.

  *Archon’s staff rebuilds itself, sparking around her. Isabelle makes another move, but is blocked by Archon. As the two collide, the explosion shoots out arcs of plasma. As Isabelle is knocked back, she creates an earth pillar under her feet to jump back toward Archon, again and again. The shockwaves level the rest of the remaining nearby structures as the fight goes on. *

  *After a barrage of explosions, Keya and Goren arrive to see Isabelle breathing heavily.*

  Archon: *Grins* Oh good. An audience.

  Isabelle: Stay out of this one, Goren. *huff* huff* Go find Emma.

  Archon: Yes, and let her know. He’s looking for her. *Laughs*

  *Both run off angrily toward the Glade. Isabelle smiles as they run.*

  Archon: You know, maybe I won’t kill you yet, I’ll wait until after we capture her so she can see us kill you all one at a time.

  *Isabelle laughs as she stands up right, as she cracks her knuckles, the stones begin to hiss.*

  Isabelle: You’re assuming you’re making it out of here. Funny thing about Volatile gloves. They have the strength to take down a full-grown dragon in one punch.

  Archon: *Scoff* You’re bluffing.

  Isabelle: *Grins* So you’re willing to find out?

  *Isabelle starts charging toward Isabelle again, but this time Archon avoids attacking, barely managing to dodge.*

  Isabelle: *Smile* What’s the problem? Getting scared?

  Archon: Assuming those are the Legendary Volatile gloves, the shockwave alone could level half the city.

  Isabelle: *still smiling* I guess that means I'd better aim the impact correctly.

  Archon: *Smiles* Fine, I’ll prove it then!

  *Archon appears behind Isabelle and swings her staff, hitting Isabelle in the side.*

  Isabelle: *Glowing eyes* No… You’re not going anywhere.

  *As Isabelle slams Archon in the face, the entire battlefield goes silent. In the confusion, everyone looks around as the shockwave from a powerful explosion slams into them all knocking everyone over. The Ice barrier cracks slightly before healing itself. *

  —-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

  *Ariella helps pick some things up from the shockwave, then looks outside. She quickly shoots an ice arrow to fix the cracks as they appear. As she returns to the room, Emma is sitting up, drinking a magic potion.*

  Ariella: Oh, thank goodness you’re awake.

  Emma: Yeah, how are things so far? And why is it so cold?

  Ariella: … My mother created a barrier for us while you get your Magic back. I fed Lily some magic berries, hoping it would help you.

  Lily: They were nasty.*Sticks out tongue.*

  Ariella: *Chuckles* I can already guess what she’s saying.

  *Emma goes to get up, but Ariella stops her.*

  Ariella: You need all the Magic power you can get. If you charge in now, then what was the point of bringing you here?

  *Emma can hear the anger in Ariella’s tone.*

  Emma: Okay. But the moment the barrier is in danger, I’m heading out.

  Ariella: Okay. I’ll stay outside on watch then. *Looks to Lily* Keep her in bed.

  *Lily nods as Ariella leaves the room.*

  Emma: She got away…

  Lily: Yeah, but we didn’t want to kill them anyway. The tree has already begun corrupting.

  *Lily looks out as multiple branches have become twisted and covered in thorns.*

  Lily: And by the look of things, I’m not sure if we can handle too many more Seers dying.

  Emma(TL): Well, the more that die, the more Devils that can come through. But the tree needs to “Reach through the Veil” for the others to get here, he said.