Black Horseman of the Night (Final)

"Run." Trevon said.

"Huh?" one mercenary said. Trevon glared at him with fear and desperation in his eyes that there is nothing to continue fighting.

"RUN! SCATTER!" Trevon yelled. Every mercenary screamed and ran for their lives. They abandoned their weapons in hopes to run faster than Arex.

"How pitiful..." Arex sighed. She flew towards the fleeing army with her swords of light. As Arex nears them, the six swords flew on their own and began attacking the other nearby fleeing mercenaries.

"Everyone, time to clean up. Leave none alive." I said.

*NEIIIGH!*

*GRAWWR!*

*SCREEECH!*

Zala, Groza, Taudera, Santrasa, and Schwarze gave out their cries while Viridesca did a loop. They dispersed and began chasing down the mercenaries.

I readied my halberd to take down the rest of them as well.

--------------------------------------------

Arex twirls her body in the air and swung her Light Swords at the mercenaries.

*SHING!*

The twin trails of light from her elemental swords passes through 8 mercenaries.

*SLASH!!*

*SPLURRGK!!*

The mercenaries' bodies were bisected in one blow, their entrails spill out from their torsos and bleed profusely in the process.

*Shing!*

The six swords separated and flew into the six unfortunate runners.

*STAB!* *STAB!* *STAB!* *STAB!* *STAB!* *STAB!*

Each separate swords of light pierced 6 more of the mercenaries trying to escape to the forest. And then began slicing more after.

*BWOOSH!*

Viridesca summoned a tornado which sucks in dozens of them and tears their bodies apart with her cutting winds.

[244 hostiles remain.]

*BRA-KOW!!*

Santrasa's red lightning and Groza's yellow lightning strikes another group of mercenaries, exploding and scorching their bodies upon impact.

[178 hostiles remain.]

*CRUNCH!* *CRASH!!* *SPLUKK!!*

Taudera impales more mercenaries with his horns, anyone with leather, chain-mail, and plate armor is a wet paper bag to Taudera's horns. Those who didn't get impaled were trampled to death by Taudera's hooves.

[111 hostiles remain.]

Mavros, who finally jumped out of the shadows began clawing the mercenaries which attacks the souls directly thanks to his Incorporeal skill. The mercenaries caught in that were reduced into husks.

[48 hostiles remain.]

Lastly, Zala is ramming down and trampling on the mercenaries while I cut them down with my halberd. Each swing I make sends a head flying, spraying blood as it takes flight.

Meanwhile, the nobles can only sit and watch as the mercenaries get helplessly massacred by the dozens. They can see that the money they spent without raising too much suspicion is being torn to shreds. Every mercenary dying is seeing money dying in front of them. Ripped, burned, crushed, bit by bit. Even if they run on foot, they'll only be slaughtered like cattle.

"Elliot...are we getting executed by the Ergex kingdom?" one of the nobles said.

"If so...it'll be better than being slaughtered like cattle or be banished to the Infernal Realm." Elliot said. By seeing the massacre and being unable to do anything about it, he decided to resign himself as further resistance will cause more unnecessary pain.

[1 hostile remain.]

After we slain 599 mercenaries, Trevon is the only one remain who soon too paralyzed to move. He looked at me with extreme fear in his eyes, deeming me an abomination sitting on a Umbra Horse. Santrasa, Taudera, Schwarze, Groza, Viridesca, Mavros, and Arex stand before him.

"H-hey, if you let me live, I'll join you, I'll work under you and make you the leader of the Azure Feather Mercenary. Sounds good, huh?" Trevon proposed while on his knees.

"No." I said. I turned my hand into a shape of a gun and a ball of fire in the size of a dime came from my two fingers.

*BANG!*

I shot him right in his forehead, like a handgun. This headshot kills him instantly and fell backwards. Blood soon pools behind him, making him the last to die.

[600 hostiles slain. Breaking down report...]

[10 A ranks slain. +2,000,000 EP.]

[200 B ranks slain. +20,000,000 EP.]

[390 C ranks slain. +19,500,000 EP.]

[Subtotal 41,500,000.]

[You now currently have 46,968,930 EP.]

Holy. Fucking. Shit. 41 million in one battle!? Just imagine starting at J rank and have this much! I'd be far above S rank with this much if ain't for that restriction!

I went back to the nobles who stood there, accepting fate. How surprising, they'd start running immediately the moment things go south.

"So, you've accepted your fates with dignity without pitifully dying like a dog." I said in a deep voice.

"Please...as long our souls didn't get devoured by whatever crawled out of that cursed realm..." Elliot begged as his voice quivered.

"Good. Arex, restrain them." I said.

*SHWIING!*

Arex reached her hand out and multiple rings of light flashed around the six nobles, binding them. Arex's rings of light lifts them off the ground. I turned Zala around to face Valtuz.

"We're done here, let's go back." I said. Zala started to walk towards Valtuz to bring in the news.

{Few minutes later...}

We reached to the side gate of Valtuz where the rebels happened to see the impossible.

"Those nobles and that kid...holy shit, that kid did it." one rebel gasped in astonishment.

"600 mercenaries...that's what the kid said. And he only brought half of them." another rebel said with his eyes wide open. But is more surprised at the sight of what is floating beside me, "Wait, what's that!?"

The other rebel looked and is shocked herself and knows what it looks like.

"It's an Angel Prime! They're the strongest Angels before Archangels!" one female rebel said. "If an angel happens to follow him, then he's a Celestine!"

"Celestine!? Oh man...then those who attacked them are screwed, right?"

"They're even more screwed if they happen to kill one too! Many people suffer terrible fates when they kill a Celestine."

I look up to see the rebels look down in amazement and shock as I near the gate.

"Open the gate!" the rebels yelled.

The rebels scramble to open the gate where the wooden doors slowly open to see a massive crowd of rebels waiting for my return.

They see my monsters Zala, Santrasa, Mavros, Taudera, Groza, and Schwarze covered in blood. While I was covered in blood and my halberd has been slowly dripping blood from my enemies.

For Viridesca and Arex, no drop of blood or dirt ever came in contact.

"No way...he actually came back." Thompson said.

"To think that kid can come back with half of his forces unscathed. What a terrifying fellow." the blacksmith owner chuckled.

"The city is saved...we survived!" one of the rebels yelled. More rebels cheered along with them until everyone cheered for their survival.

I jumped off of Zala and everyone greeted me with gratitude for saving the city from being ravaged by the mercenaries. And let's not forget...

"Kaaaaaiiin!!" Hyoran yelled with joy that I made it back. She ran towards me, but suddenly skids to a stop.

"What's wrong, aren't you going to dive into me?" I said. "Is it the smell of blood too strong?"

"No, it's the smell of poop." Hyoran complained, holding her nose. I looked around and the crowd continues to cheer where the closest ones were coughing, holding their noses, and waving their hands as to repel the smell.

Oh shit, did I shit my pants AGAIN!?

"System, did I shit myself again?" I said, hoping I was wrong.

[Negative. Only the smell of fecal matter only landed on you.]

Well, at least I didn't shit myself. I summoned a large ball of water above me.

*Splash!*

I drenched myself in hopes I get to wash the stains and stink off of me. Viridesca soon flies in front of me and used Wind Magic to dry me off.

*Woooosh!*

Some of the rebels no longer suffer from the bad stench, but better than nothing.

"I can still smell it." Hyoran said. Well, can't do anything about that since she got a keen nose.

{Later...}

In the cold, dark confines of a prison, Alphonse sits there, resting his arms on his knees and head hung low, broke, defeated, and alone.

He remembers how everyone in Valtuz bent to his will just by his words alone, the guards that supported him gained positions, and he even made his rivals disappear if they were to resist.

With this skill of his, he could rule places beyond Valtuz and gain fortune beyond his wildest dreams.

That was until one day, an anomaly came and made his world crumble. That anomaly was me, of course.

"I heard that the mercenaries are coming. If it's Elliot, he'll break me out. He'll break me out...just like he did with people under him." Alphonse thought to himself.

*Ka-chack!*

A door was opened and Alphonse quickly jumped to his feet and ran to the cold metal bars. Hope gleams into his eyes, thinking that all is not lost.

"Elliot!? Over here! Get me out!" Alphonse yelled. He is hopeful that Elliot managed to quell the masses without shedding blood as the citizens cannot afford to involve king's military or whatever means to dissuade them.

"Oh, so you know Elliot, huh Alphonse?" I said as I walk in with Arex floating, restraining the nobles including Elliot in the air with her Light Magic.

Alphonse's face becomes pale the moment I spoke and appear before him.

"Take them inside to separate rooms." I said to Arex. She nodded and began throwing them in and locking them. "Now tell me..."

*Crack!*

I punched the stone wall, causing it to crack. I purposely missed Alphonse's head, making him yelp as he thought I was gonna punch him. I inched closer while I am still in my mask, to make sure he looks me dead in my fucking eyes to know who he's fucking with.

"How loud can you squeal?" I growled at him. Alphonse trembled, breaking out cold sweats, tears welling up at the terror that I could very well make him squeal until his vocals burn out.

"P-please don't kill me! I'll confess it all to the king! I won't resist!" Alphonse begged.

"Kill you? Hah! And reducing the chances of ridding the Red Claws and some corruption? Do you think I'm stupid?" I laughed and then mocked him. With the nobles funding the bandits, having them arrested will allow the King of Ergex to start a purge on the corrupt nobles since he has a high sense of justice. I mean, I heard it from Vampa.

But what if it's all but a front? What if it's an impostor? If it was so, then I should take it up with the prince. If not, the retainers and representatives will do the work. If that don't work, well shit, I can't do everything all at once.

I'll just do some precaution.

"System, Curse Magic Tier X."

[Not possible. Can only reach Tier V due to restrictions.]

Can't do anything about that, but Tier V Curse is more than enough.

"Tier V then, and make Holy Magic-V too."

[Acknowledged. 500,000 EP deducted.]

[Unique Skills acquired. Curse Magic-V, Holy Magic-V.]

[Hellkin threat increased to 22%.]

I stared at Alphonse's scared expression, thinking what I should do. Actually, I already do. I opened my left hand and a black aura came from it.

"Wh-what's that?" Alphonse said.

"Curse Magic. Open wide." I said and immediately fisted Alphonse without hesitation.

Alphonse screamed in agony, but faded as he realized that he's not being killed nor tortured...for now.

"What did you do to me?" Alphonse said as he searched his body.

"Tier V Curse Magic, Echoing Dread." I said. Echoing Dread is where the cursed will feel pain in their body and soul by the user's will. Also, Curse Magic users by default can track down those who are cursed by said user.

"Echoing Dread?" Alphonse said as dread rapidly creeps onto his body as he already knew this kind of magic.

"Oh, you knew? Well, that saves time." I said. I come to the other prisoners and placed that same curse on them.

"Now be good boys and stay there until they arrive. If any one of you try to do anything funny...everyone suffers." I said as I flashed my Menace skill around them. They yelped in horror and nodded desperately.

"Good. Arex, we're leaving." I said. Arex nodded and floated right behind me, closing the door behind us.

As soon as we exited the prison building, I stopped at the front door. Arex stopped as well.

"Arex, you did ask me a question if I command a Hellkin, right?" I asked.

"Yes you did, it was a lie. I have Truth Seeker." Arex replied.

"Well, what I said isn't a lie." I said.

"How so?" Arex said, tilting her head.

"Saeva." I commanded.

*Fwooom!*

The infernal flames erupted in front of us, roaring briefly until it dissipated. What showed after is Saeva jumping into my arms. She whined, complaining that I did not summon her out from the Infernal Realm into the battlefield enough.

"Hey, girl. Sorry about that, I had to keep appearances." I said, petting her jet black fur and some spikes.

"No way...but what you said was a lie. My Truth Seeker wasn't wrong." Arex said, surprised.

"It only applies to events happening in the current realm you're in. Especially the questions that wasn't directly at me." I said. Arex was dumbfounded.

"Saeva, guard the prison." I commanded.

*Bark!*

Saeva barked and stood guard that she will do her best. Arex and I walk to Zala and got on.

Zala took us back to the tavern where Hyoran waited for me as she was staring at Viridesca with astonishment.

"Hyoran, we're back." I said as I stopped Zala.

"Kain, is that little girl Viridesca?" Hyoran asked.

"Yeah, she's a High Wind Elemental." I answered.

Hyoran's eyes lit up while she is looking at Viridesca. Hyoran offered a hug and Viridesca happily accepted it. I smirked at how adorable these two are.

"Can she speak?" Hyoran said. Viridesca shook her head. "Oh."

"Come on, I'm tired. We still have stuff to do tomorrow." I said, yawning.

{Later...}

Some time later in the night, I walked out of the room, fully clean and ready to see that comfortable bed. Back then, I had to rely on cots or even the ground to have some form of rest as a rebel.

I jumped on the bed on my back to feel the sensation of the soft mattress. I sighed heavily as everything has been crazy. I basically started a rebellion, encountered a Hellkin and Heavenkin, and took on 600 dudes with half my army.

I looked at Hyoran who is sleeping where Fennec is also sleeping. I noticed an open window which is perfect for both Schwarze, Vampa, and Burya to fly in.

"System, how's Vampa and Burya?"

[ETA 2 hours and 44 minutes.]

I looked at the ceiling, thinking about my past life, the time Andre, Ashley, Danny, Suzana, and I had a sleepover. A sleepover was us sitting on a maroon leather sofa watching movies inside of an abandoned furniture store. It was strangely fun.

I notice Arex and Viridesca floating beside me, they crouch down to match my height, yet they still float weightlessly. Arex and Viridesca have a slightly concerned expressions on their faces.

"Oh, what's wrong?" I said.

"Kain is your name, correct?" Arex asked. I nodded.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"You have a sad expression on your face. Sadness mixed with loneliness and regret." Arex said. Viridesca held my hand and she gave a sad face too.

"Me? Sad? No, I'm just tired. Had a long day, y'know?" I said, smiling. Viridesca went on top of me and put my hand on her head.

"Oh, Viri. I know you're trying to cheer me up." I said. Viridesca smiled hoping I'm not sad anymore. "I'll be all better once I sleep on it."

"If you say you'll recover, then rest well." Arex said, bowing. Arex gently flew outside the window and Viridesca follows.

I turned away from the window and then something wet went down from my cheeks. I blinked and wiped my face to see that I'm crying.

"Eh, just some dust getting in my eyes." I said to myself, rubbing my eyes. I then quickly went to sleep to pretend that never happened.

{Meanwhile...in 3rd person.}

Meanwhile, Arex and Viridesca are floating in the night sky. Arex summons a dim ball of light from her hands and it was red. Arex showed a slightly sad expression at the sight of it.

"Oh, Kain...why must do you lie to yourself? What made you this way despite being so young?" Arex softly asked herself in a sympathetic manner. Viridesca tugged Arex's dress and she looked at her with worry.

"Viridesca, even though you are incapable of speech, you do know what he feels, right?" Arex said. Viridesca nodded in agreement.

"Then, he must know that keeping that pain suppressed for too long will be bad for him." Arex said.

Viridesca gave Arex a determined look, motivated to fight for Kain and support him. No matter what.

"You're right..." Arex smiled slightly. "Kain gave us names and a purpose on not just fighting, but in supporting him."

Viridesca smiled that it will get better, better for all. Arex looks at the moons and then the stars. Arex prayed.

"Kain. I pray that no matter the hardships, you will overcome them. No victory comes without pain, be it physical or emotional."