The Last Battle (2)

"Then it is settled," said Jacob. "Algus, I suggest you enter the Obscure Guild's Inner Layer from the roof. That way, you can take the mages by surprise."

Algus, the stranger, nodded. "I already know my way around the guild."

"Bye!" Rico disconnected the call.

…

Dovure City, Inner Layer

"The gate is open. It looks like they gave up," Ejiro walked through the city's main gate. Seth was beside him, and the rebel army followed closely.

The entrance led up a long metal slope with windows revealing an underground mall on either side. At the top, visitors would usually find a bustling market street, vibrant with advertisements, loud music, and crows of customers.

The steel road extended further into the city. Several theatres stood to the left, and in the opposite direction, actors would make their way to various film studios, trailed by bodyguards and journalists. Restaurants waited for patrons at every corner. Most had terraces adorned with artificial greenery.

The concrete roof was covered with screens for advertisements, and the silhouette of the tall white buildings in the distance looked like beautiful clouds.

But this time, the city was different. The streets were deserted, the ads were silent, and the music had stopped. Only a small group of wealthy people in suits greeted the visitors.

Gabriella studied them. There were a few reptoids, snake humanoids, and werewolves in human form. However, a man hidden beneath a purple hood stood out from the group.

"What's your name?" she asked, keeping her distance.

The man revealed his face. He had two golden piercings on his nose and wore a diamond necklace to flaunt his wealth. Yet, his dark skin was unusual for someone in the Obscure Guild. Gabriella had never heard of a Southerner working in the government.

The stranger bowed gracefully, "I'm Alg- I mean, Euriel Blood, a vampire. It is my honour to serve you, Your Majesty."

"A traitor wants to serve me?"

"My Queen!" He bowed even lower. "The vampires here were wrong not to acknowledge you. We beg for your forgiveness."

The other officials also bowed as Christopher arrived

Shaking her head, Gabriella retreated behind Seth and Ejiro. "You won't be forgiven."

"We should make them fight to the death," Christopher suggested with a grin.

Gabriella turned abruptly. "What? No! The war is over."

"There's no need for more violence," Victor said. "I'll have a prison prepared for the old government."

He ordered the rebel soldiers to round up the former government officials, gathering them near the gate's entrance. None of the officials resisted as Victor called them out of their homes. Within an hour, the rebel soldiers had surrounded a hundred people, waiting for a delivery of anti-magic handcuffs to safely move them to a prison.

"You really did it, Gabriella Rivampe," Seth said with a sigh. "I didn't think it was possible, but you've saved the Obscure Guild."

She smiled. "It's thanks to all of you. We couldn't have done it without Stephen's brilliant mind, the rebels, the Western Alliance's army, and some of the world's best mages."

Pushing Seth aside, Christopher Fireblood grunted as he knelt before her.

She frowned. "What are you doing?"

"I've made up my mind. The werewolves accept you as our guild leader." 

His face turned red. "Don't mistake my intentions! I'm only doing this so I don't have to meddle in politics, not because I want to kneel before you."

"Haha, then you didn't have to kneel!" her laugh echoed through the city.

Aaron and Isaac snickered as Christopher flushed, and Jenna smiled. Suddenly, everyone relaxed.

Seth shook his head. 'With the werewolves and vampires under her, at this rate, the guild will turn into another monarchy.'

"Yes?" Stephen distanced himself from the group as he received a call. "What is it, Sophie? …On the roof? What's on the roof?!"

"Did something happen?" Seth hurried over.

"It's best if I show you. My secretary found that the satellite data was being altered again and managed to secure an image from fifteen minutes ago of something flying above us."

Stephen's face was unreadable, but Seth could tell something was wrong. He clutched his staff tightly as the tablet's screen lit up.

"There's someone… or something, flying on the roof," Stephen said loud enough for the others to hear.

Ejiro frowned as he looked at the image. "Is that a human?"

Jenna gasped. "An apostle!"

"What? Let me see!" Luo peeked over her shoulder and saw the strange creature on display. It looked like a human, but the creature's face was too round, and its body was disproportionately small. It had a flat face with giant red eyes and a horrifically small nose.

"Jenna's right. It's an apostle, but not the one that caused chaos in the Wandering Lands. I don't recognize it."

"What's an apostle?" Ejiro looked at Luo, puzzled.

Luo glanced at Isaac. "They're the Dark Faction's killing weapons. They use the same power as Isaac: red magic."

"An apostle coming here can only mean one thing: the Dark Faction wants a final battle," Seth said.

"Wait." Aaron approached Stephen and pointed at the screen. "You said this image is from fifteen minutes ago… Where is it now?"

Stephen's pupils dilated. "We need to find out where this thing went."

But just as he finished his speaking, a familiar voice emerged from the circle of prisoners. "There's no need to look for me!"

"Euriel Blood?" Gabriella recognized the voice. It was the vampire from earlier.

The man took a step forward, but a soldier stopped him. "I lied. I'm not a vampire. I'm something… far worse."

"What?!"

A red glow blinded everyone as his body levitated and contorted into the shape of the apostle from the image. Taking advantage of the confusion, the apostle spat out red explosive orbs from his fingers, killing dozens of soldiers below.

"Get back!" Seth shouted. "He's trying to grow his strength!"

Jenna and Luo squinted, trying to see through the blinding light. As their eyes teared up, they confirmed their suspicion: this apostle wasn't the one they had faced in the Wandering Lands. Did the Dark Faction only have two apostles… or were there even more?