Chapter 478: Specters (2)

|This novel will not reach chapter 600, I will end it in the 500s, I have a vision for a new novel and have already laid out the blueprint. I have not started it yet as it would interfere with me writing this one, if you have any suggestions, let me know, the Christmas special part 2 will give a clue as to what it will be about, or at least, who it'll be about.|

3rd Person POV

After the negotiation, unity had forged stronger bonds among their ranks. Their knights, clad in sturdy armor, and mages, wielding shimmering spells, gathered with a shared purpose, to invade the elusive village and rid the surrounding forests of the dangerous creatures rumored to lurk within.

The human side's agreement was to purge the village and the forest through land while Tehios and the demons were to come through the waters.

The knights, standing tall with unwavering determination, polished their weapons under the watchful eye of seasoned commanders. Their resolve was palpable as they honed their skills, preparing for the impending incursion into the unknown. Mages were preparing expensive equipment to counter the powerful creatures like the scarecrows and any other creatures that the village may be hiding.

Whispers swept through their ranks, tales of the eerie creatures that haunted the forest, and the village within its depths. Their preparations were not just for the village's invasion but also to purge the woods of the rumored dangers.

With grim determination etched on their faces, they readied themselves for the imminent expedition, a unified force, driven by the shared goal of eliminating any perceived threat lurking within the shadows of the forest.

In the heart of Tartia, within the halls of the royal palace, the preparations of the royal family unfolded amidst the looming conflict between the village and the rest of the world. The atmosphere brimmed with a blend of tension and resolve as the royals strategized and readied themselves for the impending upheaval.

Amidst the preparations for the impending conflict, the Tartian royals also grappled with internal strife, a struggle to maintain unity and stability within their own court since there still were coups over the temporary alliance. In the midst of uncertainty, the Tartian royals upheld their duty with a measured resolve, navigating tumultuous diplomacy and conflict as the village would be one of their greatest enemies in the history of humankind.

Today was just as busy as ever.

The palace grounds buzzed with an air of anticipation as the heroes, revered figures with legendary feats to their names, made their grand entrance. Clad in armor that bore the marks of countless battles and wielding weapons that spoke of their valor, they exuded an aura of quiet strength that commanded respect.

The Tartian royals, seated upon ornate thrones in the grand hall, rose to greet the heroes. The king and queen, flanked by courtiers and advisors, extended formal greetings, their demeanor a blend of regal poise and genuine concern for their future. Amidst the exchange of pleasantries and formalities, the discussions turned to weightier matters. It was about the brewing conflict between humans and demons, and the implications it bore for their future.

Amidst the discussions, a sudden tremor reverberated through the palace, sending shockwaves of alarm through its very foundations. Before anyone could comprehend the source, a deafening explosion rocked the walls of the castle, causing a section of the fortified structure to crumble into a cloud of dust and debris.

As the dust settled and shards of stone clattered to the ground, a figure emerged from the newly formed breach, a silhouette framed by clouds of dust, cutting an imposing and unexpected sight. It was Perseus, flanked by two ghost-like entities.

|Just know that, in my mind, I initially wrote this scene with Perseus walking out of the hole in the wall and doing the legendary bully Maguire dance. So, you can either have him walk out normally or this version, this is both canon.|

The Tartian royals and heroes stood frozen in astonishment at this unanticipated intrusion. Perseus strode forward confidently through the gaping hole in the castle's defenses. The spectral entities trailed behind, their eerie presence casting an ominous presence across the chamber.

The Tartian royals, caught off guard by this brazen arrival, exchanged furtive glances, their expressions a mix of apprehension and curiosity. The heroes, renowned for their readiness in the face of danger, readied themselves for a confrontation, their weapons at the ready.

With a subtle gesture from the MC, the two spectral entities surged forward and glided across the chamber toward the assembled heroes.

The spectral entities moved with eerie grace, their tattered rags billowing as they closed the distance between themselves and the heroes. Wisps of spectral energy crackled around them, an ominous aura that seemed to sap the warmth from the air.

The heroes, seasoned warriors hardened by countless battles, met the spectral threat with skill and valor. Spells crackled through the air, and blades clashed against the spectral forms, each strike met with an unnerving resistance as the entities retaliated with ghostly tendrils that lashed out unpredictably.

Even though they lacked knowledge of the specters, it didn't take more than 30 seconds for the specters to be overpowered.

Perseus knew that the specters couldn't take on all the heroes at once, so he joined in as well. He took Jonathan out and rushed in, he cut down several of the heroes and overpowered many of them as they didn't dress in their best gear on the day.

It didn't help as the specters were siphoning their powers and weakening them. A figure then burst into the fray, it was the lord of the red rose, Reiner charged forth with determination etched on his face. However, his valorous charge was met with swift and calculated retaliation from Perseus, the sword was so quick and powerful, that the slash broke through his armor.

And...his blade cleanly went through Reiner's neck.

"Nooooo!" Rowan screamed and charged in.

But it was too late. With Reiner's death, Rowan's body slowly dissolved into a cascade of red dust and delicate petals that scattered into the air before he could reach the corpse of the prince. Reiner's wife rushed in to retrieve the body, his wife was fighting tears, but the specters stopped them and sucked out her life force before going for his children whose life force was even more pure and abundant.

"No!" Perseus shouted

But too late, the specters got there before he could do anything and those children were no more.

"Shit, this wasn't meant to happen." he cursed, "Retreat!"