Heroes to Be Reckoned With

The heroes had come in time of need... when the answer for a problem leaving nothing but a desperate one, caused by the intricacy of the noteworthy question of what one should do in such threatening environment - short of time, and narrow space of breathing... when anyone's life could've been pulled out from the body at any given time and the glamour of the thriving habitat full of civilized humans, would eventually become mundane during the invasion of antagonism. Houses, solid lump of concrete... letting it go became the wisest movement as the family members replaced the priority slot. Annihilated, destroyed, and demolished into ruins of nothingness but dust... losing its shape and purpose. As long the inhabitants feet still maintained its capability to run away from the main sources of such pandemonium, disregarding the ephemeral wealth should be blessing.

When the sources of pandemonium however, exhibiting something standout beyond one's imagination... beyond any normal humans capability, fleeing proven to be futile. Hence the answer existed... a heroic answer. Must protect even at the cost of their own life... resembling altruism but it's not, a personal sacrifice is more appropriate. Whether bounded by simply a duty or a noble goal and readiness to accept a consequence of fighting for this goal, the kernel of heroism rotated around the struggling captain whose armor was shining bravely, and her blonde ponytail that dancing along with the red cape on her slender back amongst winds in the sky as if she was spreading her valorous wings, about to smite down the monstrous catastrophe from the sky with one single gash of her steel sword...

Despite the wide gap of power difference between them... despite she knew this act would likely maimed her, even could bring her close to her own demise... someone had to do it, not anyone but herself.

"That's enough! Leave the rest to me!"

Shouted the blonde captain as the pandemonium took a form of three gigantic reptilian creatures in a frenzy trance... going wild and uncontrolled when several armed soldiers had bravely gave such filthy creatures some notable wounds. The further order had been given for those soldiers when the circumstance turned into an unfavorable stance, mainly for offensive approach... hence retreat was also a courageous act in order to prevent unnecessary sacrifices as knowing one's limit was too, a wise mindset.

Navigating themselves, maintained the balance and walked above the ruined ground and infrastructures, the soldiers were trusting all faith on the back of their captain that carrying the symbol of the city... knowing well she would be fine with her current strength of will - will to protect by facing those impossibly large reptilian creatures. One hell of massive scale battle and another wave of strong quake, soon or later, was about to be expected... hence the rushing soldiers. No one willing to be caught within the crossfire that able to squash them flat - both armor and bones would too.

Yet no one expected one bigger and more destructive quake afterwards,

"It started! Be careful. Watch your steps!"

Not just an ear-splitting hissing the soldiers heard, as the hissing drowned into more roaring sound of indescribable eerie nuance... as if the creatures were suffering through an episode, bearing such intolerable pain and causing one of them - once again - fell to its claws... resulting in a stronger impact to the ruined paved road and nearby ramshackle houses.

To think that the strike landed by their captain was a success, in reality, it was only partially correct as they saw the surprised face of their superior whose steel-plated feet still roaming in the sky.

"Looks like we arrive on time."

It quite difficult for the soldiers on the ground-level, from that angle to perceive what just happened to the one beaten reptile. Judging from the voice they just heard... a deep, hoarse voice yet giving an impression of a friendly character from atop the knocked out creature. Needed to move a few steps until eventually able to take a glimpse of a figure... a bulky-looking figure whose short hair was grey on its side, growing thickly on his square-shaped head.

There was no further doubt that that bulky figure who was responsible for the prior destructive tectonic quake and one who just knocked one of those gigantic reptiles out cold,

Wearing the sleeveless armor that bulky figure was... protecting only the most vital part of upper body, specifically thorax and its organs, as well as the twelve bones of thoracic, yet was intended to keep the flexibility and efficiency of use when one wearing such a design. Letting the wearer shoulder and arms to freely maneuvering at any given angle and moment as nothing would intervene but the direct air that exposed to the skin and muscle - lots of bulky biceps and triceps that were being exposed from the figure standing atop a collapsed reptile, simply beaten using one punch, cracking through the thick layer of the creature's skin.

"You may rest now, Captain Rondine. From now on, leave the rest to us. Thank you for your hard work."

A great amount of green blood was then dripping from the bulky figure hand, once he had pulled out his half-drowned hand from the reptilian creature's back. Took him quite a while until he finally had a chance for his deep black eyes to stare at the surprised captain and for his green-blooded hand to salute yet the relieved captain who was slowly descending to the ruined ground where her subordinates waiting for her, expressing the similar reaction on their faces.

"Is that... Lyell Frenschaft?" asked one of the wondering soldier full of inquiry inside his skull that hiding beneath the iron shell while looking up to the most stood out figure in this scene.

The blonde captain, who just recently reassembled and blended with her tired subordinates, promptly answered to that query with more relaxed intonation prior the said figure's appearance, "Yes. That's him."

The answer had been authenticated,

The bulky figure's name had been validated,

"So he's one of the famous group they called Ancient Heroes. Rumor has it that the group's filled with five insanely powerful individuals."

Such a strong remark from her subordinates, causing the blonde captain to let out her low volume, a bit stifled laugh as if she was diffidently hiding it for the sake of her own charisma as a captain, moreover in front of her subordinates in such difficult times. It couldn't be help since how ridiculous those rumors were in her perspective... given that the bulky figure - Lyell - knew her, it possibly to be assumed that they knew each other well for quite some time, and the group he was signed up to, too.

"Rumors spreading aren't to be believed. Well... some maybe true since he showed capability to knock over that thing. We can rest easy anyhow, assuming the heroes have indeed come."

Watching and observing were the only things those ironclads guards could do, along with their blonde captain who was now manifesting a little smile on her tired face covered in sweat, knowing well that the sudden mission had been successfully carried out with little to no casualty but material constructions. Her subordinates showed no signed of wounded nor harmed except for the overwhelming fatigue overflowing from their dusted armors and faces.

Or so they thought when the rest of the conscious monstrous reptiles that still fully aware of surrounding, becoming increasingly hysterical after seemingly going through a frozen trance in place, occurring right after the appearance of the bulky figure knocking one of their kin out. Perhaps... his presence was also induced some fear instincts into their tiny brain as they recalled one's that had beaten them in the past. This frenzy state was seemingly more stimulated by fear and trepidation, hence about to make a full charge forward those reptilian creatures were - as if trying to escape - towards where those soldiers were standing and would soon eventually storm the crowds of innocent people watching things from a far.

Panic reigned down once more. Barely having a time to catch a breath after the intense section where one's life may at stake... the storm apparently had yet to arrive.

"It's coming! It's coming in full force!"

"Darn it! Even for a man as strong as him, is it still impossible to handle three monsters at once?"

A familiar feeling struck once more. The tremble feet were seemingly losing its vigor to move, let alone taking thousands of steps away from the life-threatening stage. The panic-stricken soldiers were simply reluctant to withdraw from the feral creatures, gaping its mouths and showing sharp, rows of spear-like teeth smeared with its venomous saliva that capable to melt any solid materials upon contact - humans flesh and bones were alike.

But the temptation to care for oneself life became unbearable eventually... solely for one's good, hence some of the ironclad soldiers had been fleeing from the current situation after accumulating enough energy to do so, leaving only a handful of bold soldiers remained in place with their captain whose oddly the tranquility resided within herself was unchanged... for she knew better.

No words came out, not even when noticing most of her subordinates had no longer prepared in the front line. Wouldn't censure it and didn't inculpate them as insubordinate subordinates, for she knew better that this level of threat when faced up close... human limitations seemed eager to expose itself.

And as a captain, it was her duty to remain in front line till very last moments, However, this alone wasn't enough to explain why with that tranquility trance.

Up till something came and intervened. Not a human nor living breathing person, but simply a piece of paper... an old-looking paper that flying down before the blonde captain and facing its crumpled surface yet seemed to be filled with many ancient syllabary handwritten in onyx ink, towards the incoming threats.

That piece of paper was the reason behind the tranquility, backing up the captain's boldness to remain in place, for the paper wasn't an ordinary but an abnormal one, given that it already showed its distinctive nature by floating in the air and soon enough... those enigmatic words on its surface, began to glow as the ancient letters and symbols expanded forming a large translucent wall-like barrier that mostly constructed from the same symbolistic scribbles with high-complex patterns.

The barrier appeared to be so strong and durable that those gigantic reptiles were unable to break it with all of their might, instead it gave them yet another trauma that made them dazed and almost collapsed after the impact.

"Our apologies for being late, Lady Rondine. Please, step back a little, while we are cleaning the mess we were causing."

A graceful voice - rich in timbre and gentle in texture - was then heard greeting the blonde captain in a very formal way, proudly showing how classy its owner would be... such a captivating lass with seemingly calm temperament despite the situation and how her controlled intonation able to execute the impression of providing high esteem towards someone superior from herself, mainly for the blonde captain.

A pair of slender, smoother-skinned feet... floating in the air not far from where the blonde captain stood up right now. The owner of such an elegant voice, matching with her physical appearance of being a mixed-race. Blood of human race, flowing within her veins and arteries along with one other race's - long gone race - that renowned for its longevity and an inborn talent in the ways of magic thus destined to be a great powerful mage at a young age. A half-elf person she was, the one who cast that barrier using a scroll she made on her own with her knowledge and talents in the arcane art inherited from her parent and intentionally saved the blonde captain and the rest of her subordinates from the creatures rampage, because she was too, a part of the Ancient Heroes.

Frames of human physical were still remained nonetheless, even becoming the most dominant features with shorter height compare to any Elf-like race... closer to human's average height instead... yet still maintained the paler and fairer skin, round ears with a bit pointy on the outside - barely visible. And one apparent characteristic which represented most of her Elf lineage... this could be - doubtlessly in fact - was her long hair and sharp, hazel-colored eyes.

Long hair, silk-smooth surface that waltzed along with the blowing breeze, emitting its silver tone as it parted and then covered her exposed slender back for wearing a white azure dress... the half-elven race slowly descending, placed her skinny pale feet to the uneven ground... standing before the blonde captain.

"Is she... an Elf?" one of the captain's subordinates, who still preserved his sense of caution, closely discerning one of such a kind he rarely found in today's world.

"Half-elf to be exact." Captain Rondine gladly put her subordinate's remark to the right path, "Iecie Sigurros Turetajs. She's new to their cause. It's no wonder you never seen her before, specially in current situation."

The blonde captain seemed to be smiling... one smile that more perceivable. Wanting to return the inconvenient greeting, albeit not in current situation. No matter however, because the situation would soon turn a better state for such affairs. As for now, since the mission had exhaustively completed as the heroes had arrived... watching while catching a break was her and her subordinates new mission.

"Lyell...!" yelled the Half-elf, calling her partner from a distance behind the rune barrier, highlighting her presence in order to continue the next steps that heavily involving teamwork.

The bulky-looking figure, Lyell, heard his partner voice and instantly perceived the situation regarding what he should be done next, "Right away!" he shouted, leaping from atop the still-knocked out reptile of which wounds seemingly began to slowly regenerate and undeniably would soon open its eyes once more to rampage the surrounding.

Hence the next movement was about to be executed,

At the exact time as Lyell was leaping across the ruined path and then dashing with every nimble steps he performed - despite the body size and the heavy attire he wore - navigating easily through the uneven ground crowded by the nearby ravaged buildings towards where the rest of gigantic reptiles were... Iecie, the Half-elf, was seen about to cast a spell by raising her right hand, but more likely to give an order to a specific rune within the barrier she created.

The barrier went glowing as Iecie mumbled softly some a word through moving lips, "Eruces," one cryptic word being voiced, delivering a command induced to the barrier.

A lighting response, creating a lightning-speed movement of newly-formed symbolistic runes creeping across the uneven ground - the rune barrier as its parent. This creeping, tendril-like rune was taking the direction contrary to the bulky man as its destination was that the unconscious reptile. Reaching its target, the rune was then parted in half... branching its shape off from both sides in order to circle the reptile's large anatomy, and when each of the branches were met on the other side... that's when the spell was nearly completed.

Lines of cryptic syllabus began to solidify itself, formed many tangible tendrils coming out from the circle which getting longer to such an extent it reached capability to wrap tightly around the reptilian creature with its glowing runic words and eventually shrinked the reptile's giant size into tiny bits that fit to be sealed inside a scroll which appeared soon thereafter in the center of the runic circle.

One had been neutralized completely with little to none noticeable effort and two more to be conducted with the same method... yet this would likely be a little violent for the two imprisoned creatures. Facing a force to be reckoned with, diminishing the creatures options except to rally themselves as the bulky figure already about to initiate the opening assault... bare handedly.