Chương 59: Manipulation
"Aldric, we need to talk."
The blind girl uttered in an assured tone. As if this conversation were ordained.
Her robe did little to hide the subtle curves of her matured body. Pale but soft shoulders were exposed to the air as well as parts of her sternum. The sight would be enticing to any man that looked her way.
Summoning his silk robes to cover his torso, Aldric stepped aside to let her into his room. Closing it as she entered.
Using her floating rapier to guide her to an adequate seat, she sat on the wooden chair beside his bed. Following her, he took a seat on his own bed. Leaving a sizeable gap between them. Enough to hold a conversation.
In the silence before she spoke, Aldric was thinking about what she wanted to talk about exactly. Given the importance of tomorrow, he knew that it related to the final siege. While his rational brain could not think of a possible reason, his intuition spelt it out to him. Jogging certain memories regarding the original conclusion of the Forgotten Shore.
"I'm sure you wondered why my gaze seems to linger around you more than necessary."
Cassie spoke.
Aldric thought in response to what she just said.
'She's really laying it all out, huh?'
He responded, acting slow.
"Isn't it because of your aspect? You can see the attributes of other sleepers."
Cassie's lips formed into a hard line.
"We both know there is more to it than that. Does the word [Destined] ring a bell?"
She responded in a calculative tone.
It was weird to Aldric. Hearing something so personal come from the mouth of someone else. Any regular person would have no reason to know such a thing, but Cassie was different.
Aldric did not want to entertain her move, so he kept quiet.
Guessing his mood, she continued.
"You see, my visions are very vague; however, what they aren't is inaccurate. Before you had arrived in the outer settlement, I knew how the end of this story would play. A play that you were not a part of."
Aldric kept quiet. Allowing her to continue her monologue.
"You weren't meant to be there. On the expedition, in the cathedral, or even in the war. But you were. Did you not wonder why I welcomed you into the outer settlement so easily? At a time when Gunlaug sent spies by the dozen. It was that attribute."
Her uncovered eyes widened as she stared at him.
"But you see, it is not all powerful."
Now that surprised Aldric. He wanted to see exactly how his attributes looked from the eyes of a seer.
"From when we met, I continued to have visions. The same visions, but ever so different. Ones that included you. All beginning to converge in a familiar scene. It seems that fate is not that easy to overcome."
Her behaviour was erratic. Constantly shifting where she was looking. It was as if he was not in the room as she explored her thoughts.
Her face screwed into a look of displeasure as she imagined something terrible. Looking straight at Aldric with a face pleading for help.
"All I came to ask of you is that for tomorrow, whichever way this ends. Protect Nephis and Sunny. It might be too late; however, I can't tell you anymore without affecting things, but please."
She stood up and gripped his shoulders from where he sat down. Invading his personal space.
"I might have ruined it already, but please help them!"
In Aldric's eyes, all he could see was a fragile girl. A girl who already overcame insurmountable odds to reach so far with such a debilitating flaw.
He stayed quiet.
Aldric could feel primal emotions begin to form within him. Like any man, protecting such a vulnerable woman was not a wrong thing.
Any other person would agree to whatever she asked of them. Perhaps in an act of kindness. Or someone who was unable to refuse such a heartfelt request. Or even a manipulative person, wondering how they could benefit from having such a vulnerable girl ask something from them so earnestly.
But Aldric was different. He was not controlled by kindness and integrity. He was not controlled by greed, hoping to gain favour from agreeing to this task. Or even desire having such a beautiful girl begging for his help.
His [Insight] did not alert him of anything, showing its weakness in determining non-direct dangers and manipulations made against him.
So while any other person would crumble in front of such a request, his [Tranquil Core] helped him in removing any vested emotions in the subject. With cold rationality, his answer was clear.
No.
Tomorrow would be a day of slaughter. Even if they won, no one knew exactly who would be left standing. Beside surviving tomorrow's battle, nothing else was on the majority of the sleepers minds. To attempt that battle while worrying about two perfectly capable people. Especially their leader, Nephis. It was frankly silly.
As for Aldric, he had his own plans for how tomorrow would play out.
His voice spoke into the silent room.
"I don't know what you are talking about. I really don't. If I see Nephis and Sunny needing help or in danger, I will not hesitate to help them."
Cassie's face did not seem pleased with the wording of his answer; however, in her eyes, this was the best that she could hope for without giving him more information. What if telling him resulted in both Nephis and Sunny dying? She had already made a mistake in detailing her prophecy to both of them the first time around. She often wondered if that was what caused it to cement in the annals of fate.
With a small nod of her head. The conversation was over.
Giving her a reassuring hand on her shoulder, he escorted her to her room. Knowing how certain people may act seeing the highly respected 'Lady Cassie' in such a vulnerable manner.
Walking back from her room, Aldric couldn't help but chuckle. It was so easy to see past what she was attempting to do. This was not a webtoon based around young awakened coming into their maturity. Characters were not one-dimensional.
From the clothing of choice, the prolonged eye contact, the physical touch, and vulnerability. Playing the damsel in distress.
Aldric knew.
This was most likely Cassie playing her final card. Knowing that she already chose Nephis over Sunny, this was her playing it safe. Giving up her responsibility in a way. Introducing a final variable to make sure things did not go out of hand. While she could have asked Effie or Kai, neither of them were in the same league as Nephis and Sunny. Caster was not a choice to even consider based on his allegiance. Where as Aldric was in the perfect position to do something. An attribute that acted against fate and the power to act.
It made him wonder how much of their friendship over nearly a year led up to this request.
"I understand your motivations, Cassie. But something like this won't stop me."
Going back to his room, he removed his robe and entered his cool bed.
Inhale
Exhale
He fell asleep.
**********
The next morning was surprisingly calm. Everyone went about their morning. Most had breakfast one last time. Others did not have the appetite. After eating his breakfast, Nephis asked her group, including himself and Seishan, to follow her.
Entering into a small room deep within the castle, she spoke.
"It's time. Summon your memories."
All those that harboured the memories relating to the seven heroes summoned them. In a coalescence of light, a beam began to form between them as they got closer.
That was all that Aldric could see before the show finished. Sunny, Effie, Nephis, and Seishan had all received some kind of feedback as they were obviously staring in their runes.
To confirm this, Nephis spoke.
"We're ready."
----------
A few hours later, a large procession of over 600 sleepers left the Bright Castle. Marching through the culled streets of the Dark City, the castle behind them collapsed in flames. The idea was not theirs but the residents of the castle. Aldric did not care either, but he helped them. He always had pyromaniacal tendencies when he was younger. It was fun to watch things burn.
It would be a long march, but they would make it.
West.
To the Crimson Spire.
**********
Thank you for reading.
We are in the final stretch. You guys ready for this?
Cassie tried it. Your boy was not falling for that.
Haze_Plank: I get you to be honest. I've done that with fanfics that crossover a verse I haven't watched. Trust me though, Shadow Slave is peak.
That is all, till the next one.
Chương 60: Siege
It took over a week to reach the foot of the Crimson Spire.
Since leaving the Dark City, the mortality rate skyrocketed. Meaning that they had lost a few of their numbers. However, collectively, they had only lost 20 sleepers, so it was less than anticipated.
In the last break before the final battle began, most people were lingering in fear. Some checked over their armour and weapons one last time while others made conversation to calm their nerves.
Aldric was meditating away his nerves. Nothing else would ease his heart. However, their time was nearly over.
"Formation!"
A voice shouted.
That was the signal for them to get into position. The sleeper army of nearly 600 was split into five different groups. The first and second battle formations were formed of those with combat-based aspects and powerful memories. Led by both Effie and Seishan, respectively, they consisted of the more powerful and experienced sleepers. Aldric, Gemma, and Caster were beside Effie at the front. They were the pinnacle of combat and strength.
Forming a pool of darkness around his feet, a familiar shape began to walk out of it. Cloaked in darkness, Bael was ready to wreak havoc on the battlefield. His biggest responsibility was to watch his masters back.
Kai led the third group that made up the vanguard. Consisting of long-range attackers along with the siege weapons. Behind him were a small group of runners with no particular useful aspects or memories. Their role was to support the vanguard as well as bring back any of the lucky few that were injured to the final group, which were the healers. The reason it was lucky to be injured was because of how likely dying instantly was in this battle.
As the sun rose higher and the dark sea retreated, larger columns of coral formed a bridge connecting the mainland to the island that the Crimson Spire stood on. Stood there were a myriad of different species of nightmare creatures. It reminded Aldric about the two clans of nightmare creatures that they fought on the builders statue so long ago.
They were made up of many creatures that he recognised from the Dark City. From the parasite-infested primates, basilisks, and locusts. To creatures from the labyrinth, such as the many variations of crab creatures. A horde spanning as far as the eye could see. It was horrific to all the sleepers present. They were all subjugated by the Crimson Terror. Like a king annexing neighbouring countries, all of these different clans of nightmare creatures were under its thumb.
With no one directly in front of him, Aldric had a front row seat to the horde charging their way. Behind him, he could hear sleepers praying to anything and everything. Gods, legendary figures, and he even heard Nephis' true name mixed in there.
Sensing their faltering will and fear, Effie shouted.
"Stand your ground wretches! If anyone runs, I'll kill you myself."
Aldric nearly chuckled at her serious words. It seemed that even Effie had an image to uphold.
Inhale.
Viscous darkness began to pour out the crevices of the [Mantle of the Underworld]. Compared to where he usually stopped, Aldric kept going. Completely encasing himself in a shell of darkness. Using his [Tenebrous Rule], he sculpted a set of armour over himself. Fashioned similar to the armour he wore underneath the darkness. With sharp edges and a minimalist design, he looked like a demon out of hell.
This focus on defence came from the fact that he would hold back on the long-range attacks this battle. He had to conserve all the darkness that he could.
He could feel Nephis' Dawn Shard empower all his memories. The effect on his ascended-ranked memories was smaller but still useful.
With his {Sundered Sorrow} covered in a coat of darkness beside him, he was ready.
The ideal plan was for the first group to interrupt and hold back the first wave of nightmare creatures. Allowing time for the third group to use their range attacks to pick off the horde. The second group would support the first group and make sure that nothing reached the third group, eventually swapping with the first group once they exhausted themselves.
However, typically no plan survived contact with the enemy.
Nephis, Cassie, and Sunny were nowhere to be seen. Not that it mattered to Aldric. To him, this battle was a chance to make a name for himself. To test his strength and evolve as a warrior. There was nothing like a grand battle to get stronger.
Effie shouted out.
"First mark!"
Behind them, Kai gave the order to attack with the siege weapons. Laying waste to the horde as engine-powered bolts crashed down onto them like a judgement from heaven.
"Second mark!"
Now arrows and all sorts of other long-range weapons were flying to their mark. Wounding many and killing some.
Aldric definitely had the hardest role out of the whole cohort. He would have to join the first group and battle the first wave, as well as be on the lookout for any fallen-ranked abominations. Knowing the kind of havoc a fallen creature could have on the sleepers present, it was his job to preemptively take them out.
The horde was advancing.
Aldric was now in position.
"Brace!"
Effie shouted at the top of her lungs.
Exhale
Aldric began a dance of death and fury.
----------
An untold amount of time passed, Aldric.
DODGE
WEAVE
LEFT
JUMP
DUCK
SLASH
Aldric was a god of death. Reaping the souls of countless abominations. Strengthened by his darkness, there was nothing that could stop him. No hide nor armour. Death was all that he promised.
He had already killed three fallen-ranked creatures. While they were only fallen beasts, it was still a hassle to kill them. Aldric used his flaw to his advantage and looked out for whispers of madness around him, hinting at the arrival of a fallen creature.
A clearing formed around him. Made up of the corpses of his enemies, a moshpit circled him like in a concert. Many sleepers in the first group abandoned their own smaller battles and took refuge in the space that Aldric created. They used this opportunity to fight together and support Aldric from behind. Gemma, Caster, and Effie had formed similar nexuses, but they were much smaller in size. With the help of Bael, together they were able to cull more than twice compared to the others. Exhaustion was beginning to creep into Aldric's body. Ignoring the feeling, he continued on.
'Shut your brain off.
Enter flow.
This is your chance.'
Avoiding all thoughts, all he focused on were the signal from [Insight], his own intuition, and battle experience.
Thoughts and feelings passed through him like a haze. All he could feel were sharp signals that he used to guide his next move.
Just like that, Aldric had evolved.
**********
Thank you for reading.
The siege has begun. What did you think?
Double upload today. I'm in the flow.
Ballad: that is a very valid point.
I appreciate all the support recently. Much love.
Till next time.
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