Chapter 8: Engage

"It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives. The act of dying is not of importance, it lasts so short a time." - Samuel Johnson

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|AZRAEL|

We have to defend this Kingdom, that's what Roland and I promised to the King even if he is no longer a Hero. But... It's just him and I...

I looked at Roland as if we understand what we're saying to each other just by our eyes.

That's right...

Only I and Roland made a promise to the King...

I looked at father who's busy preparing himself for the upcoming battle. He wore his Haori and grabbed his sword, the Nodachi and placed it in his back.

I walk close to him and hugged him tightly...

He's too old to fight now... There's no guarantee that we can come back alive in this battle... My tears fall on it's own just by realizing what might happen in this battle.

"What's wrong my child? Why are you crying?" I looked at him with a pleading eyes.

"Please Father, don't join this battle, you're too old to fight those demons!" But he just smiled at me and messed my hair.

"You don't have to worry about me, this old man is prepared to die for the sake of this family."

No... We can't let Father fight this risky battle... Or atleast I won't let him go...

Roland is just standing quietly in the corner with a troubled face. I know he is worried about father too...

I noticed his hand signaled 'do it' that is why I steeled my heart and do what I must.

I looked back at father and smiled at him. "Okay father, let's go now." He smiled back at me and tightens his clothes.

As soon as father turned his back at me, I casted a spell on him...

"Sleep."

"A-Azrael-chan... W-wh-what did you do?" He said as he slowly dropped his knees to the ground because of the effect of my spell.

I cupped his face and kissed his forehead...

"Father, please take care of the kids. We'll return soon once the battle has ended." I said with a smile on my face.

"N-No... I can't l-let this happen..." after that, the spell took effect and made him sleep.

Father's resistance is indeed strong, normal people will immediately fall asleep once I casted that spell, but he manage to resist it for a while.

Roland placed his hands on my shoulders to keep me at ease. I looked at him with a faint smile as he helped me carry father to his bed.

I entered the room of Shin and Aria too and placed a sleep spell on both of them and kissed their foreheads as Roland and I left the house.

I looked back at the house one last time, and smile... I hope that they'll live a wonderful life in the future... And it's our job to make it a reality for them...

Roland has been keeping his silence since that time we felt the approaching surge of magic powers full of malice.

I don't know what is running on his mind right now... I hold his hand tightly and ask. "Is there something bothering you?" He looked at me and forced himself to smile.

"Nothing... It's just that, for the first time in my entire life, I feel this strong sense of danger..." I see, even the bravest warrior I have ever known fears this situation...

We continue to run towards the Royal Castle. With the use of enhancement magic, we can run five times faster than our normal speed and we reach the Castle faster than riding a carriage.

"Roland, Lady Azrael, you're both here." King Luther uttered as soon as we arrive.

He is already done forming an army that will repel the demon invasion.

"We have come to assist you. Any reports about the demons?" King Luther's face turns pale and I can feel the uneasiness towards the Grand Sorceress, Merlin.

Maybe the situation is even worst than what we're expecting.

"Our situation is dire, one of the scouts says that the numbers of the enemies are more than ten thousands. Our number is only seven, and I can't let the Kingdom unguarded." I can feel the frustration in the King's voice, the enemies outnumbered us, we can only use brute force to repel them.

"What about the other Kingdoms? Will they provide assistance?" Roland ask but with the disappointed look on the King's face, I already understand what's going on.

"They can't, all of the neighboring Kingdoms are also being attacked by the demons, the Hero of Flames, sir Lionheart Pendragon decides to stay in camelot to defend it." It's understandable. Lionheart also has something he must protect at all cost.

"I see, we understand, without further ado, let's prepare for the war." Roland added as he draw his sword. "But My King, you should remain here inside the castle."

King Luther looked at him with a confused face, but Roland just stared at him without batting an eye.

I'm already expecting this from him. It's the truth, this Kingdom still needs its King, cause without him? This Kingdom will collapse all fall into ruins.

"You can't be serious Roland, I am the King! It's my duty to defend this King-" He stopped talking when Roland taps his shoulders and hugged him.

"You're the King, that is why, as the former hero, and a brother, it's my duty to protect you for the sake of this Kingdom."

Roland looked at me and signaled to put the King to sleep. I immediately walk towards them and cast my sleep spell to the King.

"T-this is insanity... I-I-I can't, let you...." before the King finishes what he was about to say,

Roland held the unconscious body of King Luther and let Merlin take his Majesty to his room.

"Sir Roland, Lady Azrael, please allow me to join you in battle."

I looked at Merlin straight in the eyes and hold her hands.

"Grand Sorceress, I know you know who I really am, this is an order for you. Fulfill your role and become the next generation of heroes' guide." Tears starts to fall from her eyes, but she have to steel her heart.

"If that's what you want me to do, Lady Azrael."

I smiled at her again as the Roland and I, together with an army of five thousand marched towards the border of the Kingdom and the Demon's lair to intercept their attack.

I looked at my husband who's standing beside me and hold his hand. He smiled at me and say.

"Let's finish this fast, before the kids woke up."

"Yes, let's do that, Dear." I have to go all out. I have to protect this Kingdom for my children's future...

I won't hold back...

"Blessed by thee who is holy, give me thy strength to bring justice to the enemies, Divine Weapon came from the abyss, the Divine Weapon of Death, Heed my call!"

"Scythe of abyss!"

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|ROLAND|

For the first time, my wife draws her divine weapon, I just can't help but to be mesmerized by her beauty.

Her long black hair turn white because of her Divine powers...

I looked at the sword in my hand and smile. "I guess you and I still have a few battles to win, partner."

Durandal, the legendary sword bestowed upon me by the God to protect the world from the threats of the Demon Lord.

We fought and won countless of battles, this one won't be any different...

We waited for the enemy to reach inside the border, with their numbers, our strength is enough to repel and push them back.

Little by little, I can see the enemy army marching towards us. I tighten my grip on my sword, this won't be my last battle-

Wait...

What in the world is this?

I looked at my wife and my army and their reaction is just as shocked as I am...

I thought there was only ten thousand of them!? But... but they are...

"This is madness... They're more than hundreds of thousands..."

I can feel the fear in the hearts of my army. This is the first time we've encounter this large numbers of enemies.

The enemies are composed of goblins, orcs, kobolds, and lower demons which are usually led by Demon General of the West, Abaddon the Death...

But he is nowhere to be seen... Where in the world is he?

I looked at my wife and she nods at me.

I can understand what she was trying to say. I face my armies and gave my orders.

"This is a battle that we will surely loose our lives, but I won't let that happen." I took a deep breathe and shout.

"All of you! As your commander, I order you to return to the Kingdom and be with your families! Go back and protect them!"

That's right... We don't have to waste many lives in this battle that we cannot win...

They all have families to return to, and so do I...

But as a hero, it's my duty to protect all of them, all of the people inside the Kingdom is my family that I'm willing to risk my life protecting...

Many of the armies protested but Azrael and I manage to convince them to return.

Now it's just me, my wife, and the overwhelming numbers of our enemies...

I saw her on my peripheral vision, chanting a spell on a piece of paper. When she's done, I asked her what is was.

She just smiled at me and say. "A letter for Father and the kids."

I hold her hand as the two of us march towards the enemies without fear... We may lose here, but it will be all worth it, for I know that the new generation of heroes will defeat them in our stead. I just have to buy them some time.

"Let's go, My Love."

"Yes Dear, I will fight by your side."

I smiled at her and face my enemies without regret...

The two of us rush towards the Demon army and clashed with their front lines.

We are far more stronger than any of these demons but their strength in numbers is giving us too much trouble.

I guess I have no choice but to use it early. Without the crest, the recoil of this skill will inflict more damage in my body, but I have to do it.

"Limit Breaker!"

I can feel the surge of power inside my body! With this, cutting through the enemy's defenses is easier than usual.

My wife on the other hand, with a help of her personal magic, multi-casting and her close combat abilities, she can easily fend off any enemies in her way. She can simultaneously fire more than five magics at once, with the maximum number of ten.

The two of us continues to clash against these insane numbers of enemies and little by little, we're starting to thin their numbers. But on the other hand...

Our mana and stamina is depleting rapidly. If this continues, we can't hold on any longer. There are still a few thousands of enemies and we don't have enough strength to stop them anymore...

I can even taste my iron taste like blood that was building up in my mouth...

I already used up my Limit Breaker thrice and I can't use it anymore...

My wife is still fighting, but I don't have any strength left in me...

I'm sorry, My Love. In the end...

I still can't...

Protect you...

Father...

Aria...

Shin...

I'm sorry...

I think I won't be able to come home...

I already accepted my fate... My vision is starting to become blurry... I'm loosing my consciousness...

I was about to close my eyes when all their faces flashed upon my very eyes...

The Kingdom's people who prays for our victory...

The King and my friend, Luther waiting in the Royal Castle with Merlin...

My Father's smiling face...

My son and my daughter, sleeping in their beds waiting for us...

And my wife who's still haven't lost hope yet and still continues to fight...

I can't give up just yet... Please almighty God, for the last time... Give me the strength to fight for the people I swore to protect!

I feel the heat in my chest, the surge of magical powers granted to me by God is overflowing inside me. I looked at my sword Durandal and smile.

"I guess this would be our last time fighting together, partner."

With every ounce of my strength, for the last time, I will give it all I've got...

"LIMIT BREAKER!!!"

My whole body is covered with the golden light aura. I can feel the surge of powers flowing all throughout my body and this time, I feel much more stronger that before. I guess this is my strongest form...

This is more than enough for me to finish this battle without anyone else dying except me...

I poured all of my remaining strength into one strike that will end everything...

I raise my sword and starts to chant my last and final spell...

"Sword of Divine light, execute evil and bring justice and peace-

Heroic slash!"

A giant slash of light flew out from my sword wiping out all of our enemies in an instant, and with that final strike, I manage to end and won the war...

I erased all of the remaining enemies but, I think it will cost me my life...

My body is starting to deteriorate because of the recoil of using Limit breaker for the fourth time, I chuckled a bit when I notice a huge crack on Durandal's blade. I guess, we will still be together even in the afterlife...

I pierce my sword to the ground to keep my body from falling while panting real hard...

Blood started to came out of my mouth, nose, ears, and eyes...

I can also feel my body starting to fall apart and collapse...

My wife slowly walks towards me with her already weak body full of injuries...

She is using her scythe to support herself as she endures the wounds she took from our enemies...

I can't stop myself from crying when I saw her bloodied face still smiling at me...

I can't help but to chuckle bitterly...

How can I face my brothers and sisters in Valhalla when I met them?

How can I face her father, the almighty God, when I met him face to face?

"I'm sorry, Azrael... I'm so sorry..." that's all I could say, when I started coughing with blood.

With the last drop of her strength, she manage to cupped my face and put her lips next to mine...

"It's okay now, Roland. It's all over, we've won..."

My tears continues to fall while all of my blood vessels and bones started to break one by one as my whole body starting to fall apart...

"I-I'm s-so-sorry... For d-dying befo-re... you..." I've said it... I've already said it... I can take my rest now and be at peace..

"D-Don't worry, D-Dear... I'm coming w-with you... I've u-used up all m-my life force w-when my mana depleted... I'll b-be dying s-soon too." Despite the wounds in her body, she can still afford to smile.

"We'll be together... E-Even... In d-death..."

My heart breaks because of what I've heard... In the end... I wasn't really able to protect her...

Luther... My King and My Brother...

Protect all of the people of the Kingdom...

Merlin... My Sister...

Guide and support the King and the new Heroes...

Lionheart... My brother...

Please take care... It's all in you hands now...

Shin...

Aria...

I'm sorry...

Mom and Dad won't be coming back...

Father...

I'm sorry...

Please take care of them...

We love you...

I looked at the night sky, and pray that, may the new Heroes carry the flames of justice, and fight for peace...

My life is truly blessed... I couldn't ask for more... And now... It's time to part ways with my duties...

And for the last time... I pulled my wife close to me and kissed her lips and smile...

We looked into each other's dying eyes with a smile on our face as I uttered...

"My Love... Let's meet once again... In Valhalla..."

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End of chapter 8.