Chapter 14: The Hero's Return.
"Frillet Tofan". Conqueror of the Heavens. Aggressor of the origins.
After creating the plane, bad news struck. As terrible as the revival of the Blood God.
The Hero of the Great Catastrophe has arrived!
Benefactor of the Pillars of Creation. Wielder of "Umbra", Blade of Deliverance. 2nd governor of the human realm. Next to the Celestine Central Electrical Box, Cricket Cricket.
"Flights ready! Get the weapons on board!"
The plane was ready to take off. Den led the plan for bombarding our enemies.
Though, a massive disaster has hit mankind. War still continued, but we all now had a common enemy. Frillet Tofan.
"Shouldn't we target the old hero first?"
"The demons will be more important..! Why would the old hero even target us? Besides. He's like a few continents away from us."
The barrels filled with chemicals and poison were now loaded into the plane.
I feel bad for the demons now. Having a fate worse than death...
"Fly my creation!!"
"Look at it go!!"
"Goodbye plane! And demons!"
The plane was being controlled by magic. It doesn't take that much magic energy to fly one. Accuracy wasn't that well, but it will be enough to destroy the demons.
First target we're going to hit, is obviously Fort Kol. It will take a few days to get there, but we've already prepared Crowler's magic energy for this. Eventually, the plane dropped the weapons into the enemy fortress. Mission was a success.
"Alright. So this thing does work huh..."
"Of course! But I hoped you didn't use it as a weapon..!"
"Worry not. We're going to put an atomic bomb on it one day... After the Blood God is taken care of-"
"Wait..."
Wait... Why don't we just drop a nuclear bomb on the Blood God? Let the war continue and then destroy the Blood God when it comes..? Oh right. Humanity still doesn't stand a chance.
"Why not... Just kill the blood god?"
"Idiot. No matter how many atomic bombs we drop. It won't scratch them."
"Aww..! What can we even do then?!"
Later, we continued attacking enemies with chemical weapons. Those struck by this were quickly captured by the army, along with their base.
Perhaps. It should be time now... To visit the Fanine Clan. Triax said something about the pyramids? I don't have a clue where it's at. And besides... I still need to confirm Rabbit's situation.
"Fanine Clan". Located in the mountains, is a large village owned by the Fanine Clan. General Litharin Fanine, Triax Fanine, and Ruley Fanine. They are the top three strongest members of the Fanine Clan.
As I step foot near their land, a group of guards approach me. There are multiple traps in this area, but I've already sensed it a few miles away from here.
"Ah. It's the Great Wizard."
"How foolish. Have you come here to avenge your friend?"
Hm? Did Rabbit really die? Looks like I've been set up huh.
They all take their stances, pulling out their weapons. Since I'd rather not cause more bloodshed... This should work.
"Your friend's already dead. We have-"
I walk up to one, and use [Snap Suplex]. It breaks their neck, paralyzing them. It won't be fatal.
"W-what the!? How unchivalrous! Going up to-"
I perform [Snap Suplex] on another one. Why aren't they attacking yet? Do they need to make their speech before attacking?
"You're really just going to keep doing that?! Men, attack!!"
"Raaahhh!!"
A sword swings, which I quickly dodge and use [German Suplex] on the attacker.
"A-are you really a wizard?!!?"
Well... Using Blood Magic would definitely take away their souls... But this will be fine. I cast [Blood Hardening] on my arms. Should be good enough.
"Fgyah!"
"Ughk-!"
I'll just punch all of them in the gut for now. Is this really the most brutal clan I've heard about..?
"What seems to be the problem here..?"
Hoh..? It's the old man. Ruley Fanine huh... Glad to finally see a strong opponent..! If I'm right... He's the only one who's actually strong here. Litharin and Triax have gone elsewhere.
"Lord Ruley! That Con Artist's friend has come to take revenge!"
"Heh! Looks like your time is-"
Well it doesn't really matter. I'm still as strong, or stronger than their number 1 member, General Litharin.
I use [Chop] on a guard's collarbone. I also need blood for my Blood Magic to work, you know?
"Aaaahhhh!!! M-my!! I can't even feel my arm anymore!!!"
Ruley steps forward, preparing to draw his sword. Advancing in a split second, swinging vertically as I break his sword with my arm. Looks like technique won't work on me!
"What a monster..!"
I send a [Chop] down his hand. He jumps back as his hand falls. He won't be able to use two-handed weapons anymore.
"Seems that I've underestimated you, Vampire. Now. Time to get serious."
Is he joking? Calling me a Vampire and then saying that?
He proceeds to crack his neck, and his knuckles before using [Dragon Piercer]. A volley of slashes are sent at me. I can only dodge and block against his attacks. Some of the swings hits me, but I instantly regenerate them. Also, since they really expected me to be a Great Wizard, I can't let them down then.
I cast [Earthen Spike], but Ruley just instantly cuts it down.
"Your tricks won't work on me. For I am a master of the blade. Of course. A vampire like you, wouldn't understand all the patience and hard work in order for me to get at this level... Die!"
Unfortunately for him. I don't care about all of that. I cast [Blood Hardening] on my legs before using [Counter Dropkick].
"What are you? A martial artist?! You can only choose one, magic, or techniques! You can't choose both-"
Yes I can- ow! Ruley uses [Flower Switch]. Cutting off my leg. But it won't be a problem with my regenerative abilities.
He seems to be extremely tired. Looks like it's the end.
"Heh. You haven't realized it huh."
Hm? What's he talking about?
"I still have something up my sleeve. Not my sword techniques, but one of my secret-"
I use [Snap Suplex] on him. I can't let him- huh!? what's this?!"
"Hahahaha! I wasn't known as the 3rd strongest in the Fanine Clan for no reason!"
It's [Pocket Hornets]! He has released hornets into the air!
Hah... Is this really even a fight..? What was the point again?
"Take that, Vampire! The element of surprise-"
I use [Rushing Dropkick] on him. He's knocked down. I win! Well... This wasn't actually much of a fight at all huh...
"M-monster..! What do you want?! F-fine! I'll tell you the truth..!"
The truth? I'm more impressed on how he can still talk after taking [Rushing Dropkick] to his face.
"Your Con Artist friend..! They didn't actually come here! Triax just told us to tell you that!"
"Y-yeah..! He's the only one who can really defend this village too..! So please don't end him!!"
I wasn't planning to. But that's good news... Seems like Triax is planning something. But Rabbit definitely hasn't come to this continent. She's still back there at least.
"Triax has ordered us to kill you! After General Litharin has gone... Triax has been acting strangely..! I promise you! We didn't do this for no reason!"
Hmm. They don't have Bloodlust anymore. Guess I'll trust them for now.
Ruley and his guards leads me further into the village. The people don't seem happy tat I'm here... I can't blame them. I did paralyze a few of their friends.
Ruley then stops in front of a castle. Is this their main base? Oh. He's heading into a gazebo. I follow behind.
"Sit down. Let us discuss peace..."
Peace? What is he talking about? I don't think there's any conflict between us now.
"The hero... Ahem. I assume that you've come here for your friend. Or just to visit us or something... But let me tell you first. The entire Clan began falling apart after General Litharin left. Triax is up to something. And it's not good. In other words. You've been set up, Vixen."
Huh? What? Is there actually no other strong person in this clan? I feel like something big has happened...
"A few years ago, The clan was still going fine. Until this war happened. Unlike any other wars before, this war is a War that will end all Wars. One of the major events that will happen, is the Blood God's revival. Triax's plan is also probably tied to the revival."
I see. It makes sense now... A little bit. One good news is that Rabbit is not in this continent. Bad news is...
"The Hero has arrived, Vixen. We need your help. We thought you were weak, and we only followed Triax's orders or else we'd die. I apologize. And we will all apologize as well."
No need to apologize... I feel bad actually... I hurt a lot of them and they still apologized...
"We don't know much about Triax, other than him being one of the strongest. Besides him, there were more members that were actually strong. That was until the war obviously. I'm only in the top three because the rest are gone. Dead."
Sounds like this clan was already crumbling before the war even happened- no. The entire world was ruined even before the war..!
"Sen Fanine. A savage warrior that tore down everything in it's path. But eventually, he disappeared without a trace. Zoe Fanine. One of my friends... She was killed by Triax after she fought him for some reason..! Ghen Fanine.... He disappeared the same day that Zoe died... I don't even know what's happening anymore..."
Hmm... He doesn't look too well. It's safe to say that this clan won't be here any longer. Most of their important people died after all.
"There were more... But they all met the same exact fate... Vixen...! .... There is still a way... To revive them...!"
And what would that be?
"Kill the Blood God."
W-w-w-what a ridiculous request!!
"The Blood God is incomprehensible amounts stronger than us... But still... During the Era-"
Huh? There's rumbling? An earthquake? Or an attack?!
"Oh god... We don't have much time to talk..! I've set up bombs all around the village. Good thing you've avoided them..! Looks like Triax has returned. I- no... The entire Clan will probably be gone later... For now. Find Ruthenoceras Ptychodus! You probably already know where they are but- we don't have much time! Run!"
Something exploded in the village. A massive fire is breaking out. Triax is here... I can sense the immense aura... There's a massive difference between Triax and Ruley. But I'm still stronger than both of them combined.
That Salmon Shark again..? They're really important huh... For someone who's dead.
"There's a secret route near the river. It's getting dark already... Triax is not that strong when he's in the dark. That's why he'll burn this entire forest down just for light. You see. He has an intense fear of darkness. Use that to your advantage.... And good luck. Vampire!"
Heh. Calling me a Vampire again... Is that an insult?
Anyways. I'll head out now. Goodbye, Ruley. The river is just right next to us. Wait. Which way should- he's gone already...
Well. I'll just find it out on my own then! I head down the river, and as expected, there's a road in the forest. It's very obvious... But it's also very dark. One of senses allows me to see without light though.
The road leads me into an empty field. The fires behind me, where the village was at, grows bigger. It begins to fill in the dark sky. Was fires always this huge? No! The forests burning! He's already found me out huh. That means Ruley has been defeat as well... How tragic...
Huh?! He's already out of the forest!? I'll have to run then... Engaging in a fight would mean one of us will die... The nearest village is...
I sigh... There's no way he'd let me go huh. It's nearly impossible to escape so...
"Curveball". Taught to me by Lare, a few days ago while we were still in the city. It's a technique used in baseball, but it could also be used in anything. Anything round enough, or shaped like a baseball.
I use [Blood Hardening]. I cast [Physical Enhancement II], before picking up a rock. This will do.
It is a difficult move to perform, and usually, it isn't supposed to be made using a bat, but Divine Intervention's stock is shaped perfectly, just for a Curveball.
"Vixen... You should've joined us when you had the chance to...-"
I flip Divine Intervention as I throw the rock up in the air. Then, I catch the weapon and swing it back, preparing to hit. I cast/use [Physical Enhancement III], [Blood Hardening], and [Holy Barrier] on the rock.
Triax has already stepped 50 meters in front of me as he realize this. It's too late for him now. I swing Divine Intervention, hitting the rock, perfectly, it blows up into multiple pieces, and into dust. The gun and the rock aligned too well, and the pieces curved towards Triax, while the dust forms into a dome, blocking all light for less than a millisecond.
I mean... Isn't this kind of ridiculous?
"You!!- Aaagghh!!!"
I use [Rushing Dropkick], hitting him on the face. Unlike the one used on Ruley, this time, it's with my full power.
"Kkkghhhaa-!!"
He's knocked out as I follow up. He is blown back into the forest. He won't be getting up for a while, at least.
I run back towards the nearest village. Escaping the scene.
After I returned, I immediately called reinforcements, and the army. Everyone searched the Fanine Clan's village but everything was burnt down to the ground. Including the forest around it. Triax disappeared. Our only clue in finding him is that he's in the Holy Pyramids, probably.
"That Triax guy was kind of crazy huh. Burning down his entire village just like that..."
"Yeah..! Pikaia, you shouldn't be like that guy, okay?"
"Uuuu..!! Who are you to say that?!"
Looks like we've got another enemy. We all sat down around Rika's house for the time being. There was no rent here, and it's a pretty safe place.
"So? Vixen, who were those guys that died before the war again?"
Den asks. But I can't talk right now, you know?
"Ghen... I used to know him before. He was in Djoflour for a while, right?"
What? Someone in the Fanine Clan was there? How? And why?
"Don't believe anything he says, Vixen. He's probably drunk again."
"No. I'm serious, Den. I haven't even drunk anything this month..!"
"Feradon... You just said Drunk."
"I mean Drunk! As in drinked! Do you have a brain?!"
"Heh. Of course. You're talking to one right now."
"How nerdy. Why aren't you using it then?"
And then, Feradon and Den continued arguing for 5 hours straight. Lare went to sleep, while Liand and Rayan joined in with them, adding more fuel for the argument. Pikaia was then ordered around to cook food and bring drinks.
"Uu...!! Wawawawa..!! Why do I have to do this?!! Waaaahh!!"
"Shut up! More drinks! D-Den told me that you still hug pillows when you s-sleep!! Don't make me reveal that!!"
"Haha! It appears that you've mistaken! You're the only one who does that!!"
"Hah... Even I don't do that... Is there something wrong with you, Feradon..?"
Huh..? How unexpected. How does Den even know that anyways?
"Wait you actually do that, Feradon?!!"
It was chaos. The house was really loud. And so I went to sleep in the basement.
Why are they doing this when the Blood God might return..?! And the Hero of the Great Catastrophe has already returned!! Does these guys have no fear..?
Or am I just too serious..?