Chapter 55: Fire and Brimstone
「 Raf il-Cul 」
"My liege..."
"Now that we are certain of the prodigal child's existence and his connection to the legendary artifact, I humbly request for the demon army to be deployed."
"In the glory of your name, to ensure our victory."
「 Mysterious Figure 」
"Do as you see fit, Lord of Anguish."
"The artifact must not fall to others..."
"Especially, Aena."
◈◈◈
The Lord of Anguish, Raf il-Cul, was still preoccupied with his master's recent words. The Mysterious Figure's message lingered in Raf il-Cul's mind, spurring his determination to acquire the fabled artifact by any means necessary. The artifact held immense power, and the demon knew that obtaining it would secure his uncontested rule over the realms, even tempting him to use its power to defy his master.
Without wasting any time, Raf il-Cul commanded his demon army to prepare for the final assault on Cardinal Peaks. The demons, driven by their insatiable thirst for chaos and destruction, eagerly obeyed their lord's orders.
Meanwhile, Zanno and the defenders of Cardinal Peaks were unaware of the impending demonic invasion. They continued to mount an unrelenting push against the remaining Sanguine Knights, confident and motivated by their previous victory over the controlled Gears.
Little did they know that a greater threat loomed on the horizon. The demon army, led by Raf il-Cul, was ready to unleash its fury upon Cardinal Peaks, casting a sinister shadow over the land.
The defenders regrouped and prepared for the next wave of attacks as an eerie wind swept through the air, carrying with it the scent of impending doom. The stage was set for a monumental battle, one that would determine the fate of Cardinal Peaks.
「 Laksmana Ohma / Raf il-Cul 」
"The stage is set!"
"Oh, Great Keeper of the Gate..."
"Open the path, and let loose the fury of the Demon Army!!!"
On the battlefield, portals of darkness suddenly appeared, exuding an ominous and foreboding aura. They served as a gateway for the demon army to enter the realm of Aena and cause destruction. The defenders felt a palpable malevolence emanating from these portals.
As they watched the grotesque and blood-red-eyed demonic forces emerge from within, they knew that a fierce battle lay ahead. The defenders steeled themselves against the surging demonic horde, bracing for the impending onslaught.
Towering demons with sharp claws and majestic wings made their way through the dark portals. The ground shook under the weight of the advancing army, and the air grew heavy with the stench of sulfur and decay.
Zanno and his team knew that they were about to face the fight of their lives. They stood firm, determined to defend their people against the seemingly endless waves of the demonic army.
「 Xeno Armor Zanno 」
"Stand strong, my comrades!"
"We have faced adversity before, and we will overcome this!"
"Defend Cardinal Peaks with everything you've got!"
Zanno's voice cut through the chaos, rallying the defenders once again. They formed a tight formation, their weapons at the ready, prepared to face the demonic onslaught. The battle raged on, and Zanno realized that they could not hold out indefinitely against the overwhelming numbers of the demon army. They needed a strategy, a way to turn the tide in their favor.
Drawing upon his tactical acumen, Zanno devised a plan. He called upon the defenders to create a defensive perimeter, focusing their efforts on protecting key positions of Cardinal Peaks. This would buy them time to formulate a counterattack and find a way to defeat the Lord of Anguish, Raf il-Cul.
The defenders swiftly executed Zanno's plan, fortifying their positions and forming a defensive perimeter around the crucial areas of Cardinal Peaks. They strategically positioned archers, mages, and warriors to guard the town's gates, walls, and other vulnerable points.
As the demon army descended upon Cardinal Peaks, the defenders unleashed a barrage of arrows, spells, and melee attacks. They fought with unwavering determination, pushing back the demonic forces and defending their positions with all their might.
Nonstop artillery support from the town's steam-powered ballistas provided some support to the defenders but the demon army seemed to be endless. Every demon shot dead, two more came out from the portals.
Hopes were lost and only despair could be seen in the eyes of the defenders of Cardinal Peaks. Even with his Xeno Armor, the demons were too much for Zanno to handle. They were greatly outnumbered.
「 Babah 」
"Never lose hope Zanno."
"You can only rely on Him."
"Trust Him, The Creator..."
"Trust Him with all your heart, Zanno!"
「 Xeno Armor Zanno 」
"Babah..."
"The demon army."
"It's too many."
「 Babah 」
"There is nothing but Him!"
"Zanno!"
Upon internalizing Babah's words, Zanno began to acknowledge their strength and found himself once again connected to Babah after steering his vehicle alone for quite some time. Zanno shut his eyes and placed his tongue on the roof of his mouth. He began to follow his heart, and his conscience merged with Babah.
After a few moments, Zanno opened his eyes. The defenders of Cardinal Peaks were spellbound as they witnessed a radiant light emanating from Zanno's Xeno Armor. His armor appeared to transform, glowing with an ethereal energy. The ground beneath him shook as a surge of power coursed through him.
「 Xeno Armor Zanno / Babah 」
"Wa aakhareena muqarraneena fil asfaad!"
The voice that emerged from Zanno was not his own. It resonated with a divine authority, carrying a sense of overwhelming power and righteousness.
As Zanno spoke those words, a brilliant aura enveloped him, extending outward to encompass the entire battlefield. The demons faltered, their advance momentarily halted by the sheer force of the divine energy emanating from Zanno, shackling them to the ground.
With newfound strength and unwavering faith in the Creator, Zanno became a beacon of hope for the defenders of Cardinal Peaks. They felt a surge of renewed resolve, their spirits lifted as they witnessed the miraculous transformation of their champion.
Zanno, empowered by the divine energy coursing through him, raised his weapon high and charged forward. With each swing of his blade, waves of divine power surged forth, striking down demons with a single blow. His movements were swift and precise as if guided by an unseen hand.
The defenders rallied behind Zanno, their morale reignited by his extraordinary display of strength and faith. They fought with renewed vigor, striking down demon after demon, pushing back the relentless horde.
As the battle raged on, the divine energy radiating from Zanno began to influence those around him. The defenders, inspired by his unwavering faith, tapped into their inner strength, unleashing hidden potential and fighting with a determination they had never known before.
The tides began to turn, and the demon army found itself facing an increasingly formidable resistance. The once seemingly invincible demons now trembled in the face of the defenders' newfound power.
Zanno's connection with Babah had transformed him into a vessel of divine intervention. With each strike, he shattered the portals, severing the demons' connection to their realm.
Zanno, still surrounded by the divine aura, turned to his comrades, his voice filled with gratitude and humility.
「 Xeno Armor Zanno / Babah 」
"This is not me..."
"This is the will of The Creator!"
The defenders of Cardinal Peaks, inspired by their leader's words, joined in a chorus of praise and gratitude to the Creator. They knew that as long as their faith remained unwavering, they would be guided and protected in the face of any future challenges.
The battle continued, and with the divine intervention of Zanno and the unwavering faith of the defenders, the tide decisively turned in their favor. The demon army now disheartened, began to retreat into the dark portals from whence they came.
One by one, the portals closed, sealing away the demonic forces and restoring a semblance of peace to Cardinal Peaks. The defenders stood amidst the aftermath of the battle, their bodies battered and weary, but their spirits uplifted by their triumph over the forces of darkness.
Zanno, still clad in his radiant Xeno Armor, approached his comrades, his voice filled with gratitude and determination.
「 Xeno Armor Zanno / Babah 」
"We have prevailed, my friends!"
"But let us not forget the cost of this battle."
"We mourn the lives lost and honor their sacrifice."
In a solemn display of remembrance, the defenders bowed their heads in tribute to the fallen heroes who had valiantly fought alongside them. It was a sobering reminder that victory had come at a great cost, and their hearts would forever carry the memory of their comrades.
Turning his attention towards the Qeddah Sultanate Army camp looming in the distance, Zanno knew that their work was not yet done. Specifically, he set his sights on the command tent where their ultimate target, the Lord of Anguish, Raf il-Cul, resided. It was clear that the team would not rest until their mission was complete.
「 Laksmana Ohma / Raf il-Cul 」
"My demon army..."
「 Mysterious Figure 」
"Do you think your resolve is on par with the prodigal child, Lord of Anguish?"
In the aftermath of the defeat of his demon army, Raf il-Cul was confronted by the mysterious figure, his master who appeared behind him unexpectedly. The figure posed a simple question but it made the Lord of Anguish tremble with fear for his fate.
「 Mysterious Figure 」
"Remember..."
"The child has a Soul Traveler with him."
"You may have defeated countless of them before..."
"But each Soul Traveler is unique, il-Cul."
"Thread with care and revise your judgment."
「 Laksmana Ohma / Raf il-Cul 」
"I am sorry, my liege."
"This will not happen again."
「 Mysterious Figure 」
"Take this..."
"And finish the job."
The enigmatic figure disappeared into the shadows, leaving Raf il-Cul with a small, intricately designed box. The Lord of Anguish was now filled with a mixture of fear and determination, curious about the contents of the box. With trembling hands, he opened the box to reveal a deep crimson crystal, pulsating with a dark and ominous energy.
Raf il-Cul knew that this crystal held immense power, capable of turning the tide of any battle in his favor. His heart raced with excitement as he tightly gripped the crystal, vowing to use it to subdue the prodigal child and secure the coveted artifact for his master.
As night fell on the second day of the siege on Cardinal Peaks, the Qeddah Sultanate Army ceased their attack and regrouped at their main camp, preparing for their next assault on the morrow.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone