Ave laid the palm of her hand, which emanated a soft warmth akin to the gentle rays of the morning sun, upon the frail shoulder of General Lance. It was a touch reminiscent of that which had soothed and healed Hinabi.
"I can mend him with the Skill of Life's Song," Ave declared with quiet conviction, though a shadow of unspoken worry, like a fleeting cloud across a bright sky, lingered upon her countenance.
Slowly, the tension that gripped Lance's body, a rigidness born of pain and poison, began to ease.
His breath, which had been ragged and shallow, now grew calmer, following the measured rhythm of the life energy that flowed from Ave, a soothing tide against his ravaged form.
For nigh on thirty minutes, Ave remained thus, her focus unwavering in the arduous yet hopeful healing.
Meanwhile, in the silent corridor without the chamber, Jade waited with growing unease alongside Hinabi, the minutes stretching long like shadows at dusk.
In hushed whispers, punctuated by the occasional catch in her voice, Jade recounted the sequence of extraordinary events she had just witnessed within the Nypocampus, striving to piece together the fragmented shards of strangeness that had descended so suddenly and defied all mortal reason.
"Lady Hinabi… truly, it is hard for my mortal mind to grasp the entirety of this revelation."
"Everything has transpired with such bewildering swiftness, and upon the field of battle, I was nigh unto death at the hand of General Guan…"
Jade bowed his head in profound bewilderment, his gaze fixed upon the cold flagstones of the floor, as if seeking answers in their unyielding surface.
His limbs felt as water, devoid of strength, so that he was compelled to lean against the cold, rough surface of the stone wall, seeking some small measure of support amidst the swirling turmoil of his spirit.
Hinabi drew a long breath, seeking the words that might rightly convey the ancient truth that lay hidden behind the thick veil of forgotten history.
"Jade, their existence has long faded from the memory of the outer world,"
Hinabi spoke, her tone grave yet gentle, the light that usually danced in her serene eyes now holding a deep earnestness as she referred to the entities known as the Grand Aeon.
"The Grand Aeon is but a name, faintly etched in ancient chronicles and the long history of the noble families who have ruled this realm.
"Only those of direct lineage inherit the fragmented knowledge, oft shrouded in the mists of legend, concerning them."
"Even so, noble descendants such as Her Majesty the Queen and the esteemed Dukes, who hold the reins of power and shape the destiny of our people, have never once met them as a customary part of the lineage of rulers."
"Countless generations and ages have passed, like the turning of the great wheel of time, since the last trace of their presence was recorded in the collective memory of humankind."
"What matters most at this perilous hour is this: the Grand Aeon has chosen you, young Jade."
Hinabi extended her hand and clasped Jade's firmly, seeking to impart some measure of calm and strength to the man who stood before her, beset by doubt and burdened by a destiny unforeseen.
The warmth in her steadfast gaze endeavoured to assure Jade that he was not alone in facing this unforeseen and momentous destiny.
The stillness that hung heavy in the air, a silence broken only by their hushed words, was suddenly shattered by the piercing shriek of a bell from the temple watchtower! Hinabi and Jade started in surprise, their eyes widening in shock at the sudden intrusion.
Without a moment's hesitation, they hastened down the corridor, their footsteps echoing on the stone floor, towards the door that led onto the balcony, eager to discern the source of the clamour that had rent the silence of the night, a discordant sound that spoke of impending danger.
In the darkening expanse of the night sky, three winged figures of Umbra Strixy were seen circling with menacing movements about the watchtower, their dark silhouettes weaving a sinister dance beneath the pale and watchful moon.
A more dreadful sight unfolded above the quiet city; scores of other Umbra Strixy winged their flight like dark shadows tearing through the stillness of the night sky, their pinions beating soundlessly yet with an air of terrible menace, their presence a harbinger of doom.
Upon Hinabi's face, a look of stark fear she could not conceal was plain to see, and the same dread clutched at Jade's heart, causing him to freeze for a moment in his tracks, his blood running cold.
One of the Umbra, with the swiftness of a lightning bolt descending from the heavens, plunged down from the heights, directly towards the barracks where Gala lay deep in slumber, unaware of the peril that approached.
The instinct to protect, burning fiercely within Jade like a newly kindled flame, overcame his shock and hesitation.
With the strength of Muscle Force surging through every sinew of his being, he ran as swift as the wind down the corridor, leaving Hinabi rooted to the spot by surprise and a growing apprehension for the young man's safety.
"Jade!" Hinabi cried out in alarm, her voice catching in her throat, a choked sound of fear as she saw Jade rush headlong towards the looming danger. But Jade heeded her not, his pace unwavering, his thoughts solely fixed upon the safety of his friend Gala.
"Air force! The air force of the men of Ramon attacks us!" a knight cried out loudly, his voice filled with panic and echoing along the corridor as he passed Jade, who was still running with desperate speed.
At the same moment, Queen Yukihiko was seen emerging from the chamber where General Lance lay, with Ave at her side, the Queen's countenance etched with deep worry and a growing fear for the fate of her kingdom.
Following the swift movement of Jade as he ran towards the outer reaches of the temple, Luna stood firm before the temple's outer door, her posture resolute.
Her bow was drawn taut, an arrow nocked and ready to fly at a moment's notice, her eyes narrowed sharply, surveying the scene without with unwavering vigilance.
"Luna! Gala is alone out there, vulnerable to their attack!" Jade exclaimed with urgency and fear in his voice as he hurried down the steps, entering the great prayer hall, usually a sanctuary of serene contemplation but now filled with a palpable dread, a chamber that opened directly to the temple's outer door.
"Jade, where have you been?! I thought you were with Gala, ensuring his safety!" Luna approached Jade, who had now reached her, her face a mixture of confusion and worry at his sudden appearance and frantic words.
"Gala sleeps soundly in the guest barracks, unaware of the attack. Come, Luna, let us hasten there at once!" Jade continued with a pressing tone, hoping Luna would swiftly grasp the gravity of the situation and the imminent danger.
"Gala sleeps soundly in the guest barracks, unaware of the attack. Come, Luna, let us hasten there at once!" Jade continued with a pressing tone, hoping Luna would swiftly grasp the gravity of the situation and the imminent danger.
"Luna, lend me a sword… I find myself unarmed!" Jade realized with a start that he bore no weapons, having left them behind when he went out and unexpectedly met Ave, his thoughts consumed by their encounter.
Without further question, understanding the urgency of the moment etched upon Jade's face, Luna unsheathed her own sword, its polished blade gleaming faintly in the flickering lamplight, and gave it to Jade without hesitation.
The two ran out of the temple, into the menacing and perilous night, where shadows danced and the air crackled with unseen danger.
In the dark sky above, the dragon-slaying forces were seen locked in a desperate struggle against the swarms of Umbra Strixy that dominated the heavens, the flash of their weapons occasionally piercing the gloom like fleeting sparks in the darkness.
Jade and Luna ran on, their hearts pounding in their chests, a frantic rhythm against the silence of the night, as the scene in the distance grew ever clearer, revealing the unfolding chaos.
They saw Gala locked in fierce combat with a rider astride an Umbra, who now was seen to fly back into the sky, its monstrous mount riderless, a testament to Gala's skill or perhaps the rider's demise.
Gala fought with a valiant heart, his youthful courage shining bright against the encroaching darkness, aided by his two loyal wolves, Fion and Gale! The three faced three warriors of Ramon who attacked with brutal and merciless intent, their eyes gleaming with fanaticism.
The fangs and claws of the wolves mingled with the deadly swings of Gala's warhammer in a grim dance of death, a chaotic ballet of blood and steel beneath the watchful eyes of the night.
Meanwhile, on another part of the battlefield, some twenty paces distant, an old man with a striking long white beard, flowing like a winter torrent, was seen, wielding a great warhammer in his veined and weathered hands, his movements surprisingly swift despite his age.
He too was engaged in fierce combat against one who appeared to be the leader of a squad from the Ramon forces, a hulking figure who swung a massive axe with brutal and ceaseless movements, each blow capable of cleaving a man in twain.
"Gala!" Jade cried out loudly, his voice cutting through the din of battle, and with the strength of Muscle Force once more at his command, he shot forward like an arrow loosed from a mighty bow, cleaving through one of the enemy warriors with a swift and deadly stroke, his borrowed sword whistling through the air with lethal grace.
At the same moment, Luna deftly loosed an arrow from her drawn bow, the shaft flying true to aid Fion and Gale, who with their sharp teeth were biting and tearing at an unwary foe, their ferocity a match for any human warrior.
Gala's heavy warhammer struck true upon the body of one of the foes who dared to face him! The warrior fell instantly, his armor offering no protection against the sheer force of the blow.
"Jade! Where have you been? We were beset upon without warning!" Gala asked, his tone relieved to see his friend yet still wary of the surrounding threats, his eyes scanning their surroundings as the three stood once more side by side, guarding each other against the encroaching darkness.
"We are under attack. I had just visited General Lance, who was found in a state…" Jade did not finish his sentence, his words trailing off as a new threat emerged.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the night air, coming from the direction of the striking white-bearded old man, a sound that spoke of immense force and destruction.
The man was thrown backwards some fifteen paces, his body striking a stack of wine fermentation barrels, neatly arranged at the corner of the temple wall, with a terrible thud that resonated through the night and the scent of spilled wine flooding the air, a pungent aroma mingling with the smell of blood and fear.
"Father!" Gala cried out in anguish, his voice filled with sorrow and deep concern for his beloved parent, and without the slightest hesitation, he ran towards the man he had just called father, his heart pounding with dread.
The old man was Robert Limbersius Constantine, Gala's father and also the Earl of one of the important cities in the inner Baranesta province, which bordered directly with the City of Alden, namely the City of Shasara'i, a man of considerable influence and respect.
The strength and resilience he had shown in battle moments before now seemed to have vanished, replaced by the frailty of an injured father, his age and the sudden blow taking their toll.
Jade swiftly followed Gala, setting himself in a firm stance before the leader of the enemy squad, who appeared haughty and triumphant, a cruel smile playing upon his lips as he surveyed the scene.
Luna did likewise, her bow once again raised, an arrow nocked and ready to loose with deadly accuracy, her keen eyes locked onto the enemy's movements with unwavering vigilance, her posture radiating a quiet determination.
A dark red aura, as thin and seemingly fragile as woven cloth yet feeling immensely strong and menacing, enveloped the body of the squad leader, pulsing with an unnatural energy.
His face bore a cynical sneer, belittling the courage of Jade and Luna who stood before him, as if they were but small flies daring to defy a dragon, their bravery a mere annoyance to his overwhelming power.
"Younglings such as yourselves even join the fray… How amusingly futile!" The leader spoke with a mocking and condescending tone towards Jade and Luna, then with a rough and dismissive movement he thrust his massive axe into the dusty ground, causing a loud and earth-shaking impact that reverberated through the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Gala was seen striving mightily to help his father to his feet, supporting him with difficulty behind his two companions, who now stood ready to face the greater threat posed by the Ramon leader.
Robert's face was etched with pain, his brow furrowed in agony, yet the look in his eyes showed a greater concern for the safety of his son and his brave friends, his own suffering secondary to their peril.
"Be wary… that is a foreign power, Muscle Force will avail you naught against it…" Robert spoke with a weak yet warning voice, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he finally managed to stand with his son's aid, his body still aching from the hard and unexpected blow.
"Hahahaha!" the booming laughter of the Ramon squad leader echoed across the battlefield, his voice, heavy and triumphant, reverberated throughout the night, raising gooseflesh upon the skin of those who heard it, a sound that spoke of cruel confidence.
"Muscle Force? Such primitive power can never hope to slay me, a true master of Rem!"
Jade moved with lightning speed, his reflexes honed within the Nypocampus and by recent, terrifying experience!
With a single deadly slash, he swung his borrowed sword towards the exposed neck of the enemy squad leader! The clang of his blade shrieked high into the air, followed by a shocking and heartbreaking snap that echoed the fragility of his weapon.
Jade's sword broke! Its fragments flew high and scattered upon the dusty ground, the once-gleaming steel now useless shards.
With an acrobatic movement that bespoke his underlying tension and heightened alertness, Jade spun around, executing a swift backflip to create distance between himself and his formidable foe.
He felt something strange and terrible emanating from the skin of the one before him, its texture unnatural and radiating an odd, unsettling heat that spoke of powers beyond the mortal realm.
"Hahahahahaha! Such a brittle blade cannot even touch a true Rem user such as I! Your pathetic attempts are but a fleeting amusement!" the leader's terrifying laughter echoed once more, filled with mockery and unwavering confidence in his own invulnerability.
"Rem?" Jade murmured with a startled tone, his eyes fixed sharply upon his opponent's strangely resilient skin, trying to understand the nature of the power that protected him.
His memory flashed back to his brief yet impactful conversation with Ave within the Nypocampus, concerning Rem users and the Maha who had reached the level of perfect aura control, an ability that far surpassed mere physical strength and rendered ordinary weapons ineffective.
They could not be defeated by ordinary swords, and the same likely held true for the legendary Grand Aeon. And the only person he knew who possessed a Dagger with a Mythrilblood blade, a weapon said to be capable of harming such beings, was Hinabi.
"Luna, Gala… this one is exceedingly dangerous. Waste not your strength on common attacks, they will prove futile. He is a Rem user, wielding power beyond our current understanding."
"Only weapons with special enchantments or sword blades forged from the rare and potent Mythrilblood might have any hope of wounding him, of piercing his formidable defenses,"
he spoke softly yet with emphasis, his gaze warning his two companions of the grave peril they now faced, a foe unlike any they had encountered before.
"What mean you, Jade? How could a mineral harder than tungsten be cut and molten to fashion into weapons? Such a thing sounds like mere fantasy!"
Robert asked with a surprised and curious tone, the furrows in his brow showing that he seemed to possess a vague yet important knowledge of the legendary Mythrilblood.
"Hey! Cease your mumblings like foolish old men and naive children! Whatever your cunning plans might be, not one of them can stop me from achieving my goal!"
The leader of the Ramon squad cried out haughtily, ensuring his voice carried clearly to all present, attempting to break their morale and defy their courage.
"And entering this sacred place is my true and ultimate purpose. I shall lay waste to all within this temple, defiling its sanctity and crushing any resistance!" he threatened with a cold and resolute tone, his eyes burning with fanaticism.
"AAAAArrrgggghhh!!!" the squad leader suddenly roared hideously, his voice a guttural mixture of pain and burning, unholy rage that echoed across the battlefield.
The dark red aura that had previously enveloped his body now seemed to be drawn violently inwards, causing his physical form to swell and grow terrifyingly tall, his muscles bulging and contorting until they tore through his garments, revealing a grotesque transformation.
His eyes glowed red like malevolent embers blazing in the darkness, strange lumps appeared upon his head and instantly transformed into fearsome, pointed horns, his jaw jutted forward slowly and menacingly, his teeth lengthening and sharpening into cruel, bestial fangs.
The man changed before their very eyes, his humanity fading as he transformed into a monstrous minotaur, a creature of nightmare and brute strength!
With massive, clawed hands that could crush stone, he gripped his massive axe, which was still embedded in the dusty ground, and wrenched it free with incredible, inhuman strength, the earth groaning under the strain.
The three-meter-tall minotaur snorted loudly, a sound like a raging bull, and roared thunderously, its voice shaking the very air around them and causing the ground beneath their feet to tremble.
Jade was stunned, his mouth slightly agape in utter disbelief at the horrifying and unnatural sight before him.
So too were Gala and his father, Robert, who could only stare, rooted to the spot by a primal fear, at the dreadful and complete transformation of their enemy.
Yet, amidst their shock and the paralyzing fear that gripped them, Luna, with her instincts honed, swiftly drew her bow with a quick and practiced motion, her movements fluid and precise despite the chaos.
The arrow, flying with great speed and deadly accuracy, shot directly towards the Minotaur's head, aimed at the vulnerable point between its eyes, but instead of piercing its thick hide, the arrow shattered into countless pieces upon impact and bounced harmlessly to the ground without so much as scratching the monstrous creature, its power proving utterly ineffective against the transformed foe.
The sight left the four brave warriors speechless and utterly dumbfounded, their minds reeling in disbelief, unable to fully comprehend the terrifying reality that stood before them, a creature of myth and legend brought to life by dark and forbidden powers.
A Rem user with a terrifying and complete form of transformation stood before them, poised to unleash its monstrous strength and destroy all who stood in its path.