Λουτρό αίματος

As much as the moment was filled with joy, a knight came running toward us, urgency written across his face. He was panting heavily, struggling to catch his breath before speaking.

"Princess Marie, Luna Galadriel, and Ezekiel Rhea! You must return immediately to the Celestial Tribunal Building. A group of Abyssals is approaching the town—we need to retreat for now!" the knight exclaimed.

The weight of his words settled over us instantly. Without hesitation, I took Princess Marie's hand, leading her swiftly toward the Faction's building. We sprinted through the streets as the town fell into chaos. The deep echoes of war horns blared, bells rang in alarm, and townsfolk scattered, parents clutching their children tightly as they rushed toward their shelters. The tension in the air was suffocating, a stark contrast to the peace we had felt just moments ago.

But amidst the panic, Ezekiel suddenly broke away from us.

"Ezekiel? Where are you—?" My voice caught in my throat as I turned to him, only to see his expression shift. His eyes darkened in concentration, the unmistakable flicker of his ability activating.

A shiver ran down my spine. What did he see?

Before I could even ask, his entire body tensed. Without a single word, he pivoted and sprinted toward the western wall at full speed, his urgency making my heart drop.

I grabbed Princess Marie's wrist, guiding her faster toward the Faction's building, but my gaze remained locked on Ezekiel's back as he disappeared into the distance.

Something was terribly wrong.

"Luna! What is he doing?!" Princess Marie's voice trembled, her grip tightening around my hand. "He's not thinking of—"

"I don't know!" I snapped, frustration and worry mixing in my voice. "But whatever he saw, it was enough to make him run straight into danger."

We pushed forward, dodging through the panicked crowd as more knights rushed past us, shouting orders and directing people into shelters. I caught sight of one of the Celestial Tribunal officers nearby, his face grim as he coordinated with his men.

"Commander!" I called out. "The west wall—what's happening?!"

His gaze flickered toward me, then toward the rising purple glow in the distance. His lips pressed into a tight line. "The Abyssals have a siege weapon. A cannon. If it fires, half the town could be wiped out."

My stomach twisted. "And Ezekiel just ran straight to it…"

The words barely left my mouth when a deafening, crackling energy surged through the air. My head snapped toward the western sky, where a massive pulse of abyssal energy coiled, charging for destruction.

"No…" My breath hitched, panic clawing at my chest.

Then, through the haze of swirling energy and dust, I saw him. He had already reached the wall, scaling it with an almost unnatural speed. Fire trailed his every movement, his determination clear even from here.

He reached the top, and without hesitation, he dove over the edge.

"Ezekiel!" I screamed, my voice lost in the chaos.

Princess Marie clung to my side, her face pale as she followed my gaze. "He—he's going to stop it, isn't he?"

I swallowed hard, my heart hammering. "He's trying."

The battlefield beyond was a blur of movement and destruction. Ezekiel tore through the Abyssals, his flames a whirlwind of devastation, cutting through their ranks as he pushed toward the cannon.

But then it happened.

A dark streak shot from the eastern flank—a single arrow, swift and precise.

Ezekiel staggered. His arm jerked back, the projectile embedding itself deep. The spear of flame he had been preparing wavered for just a fraction of a second.

I felt my breath catch in my throat. No. No, no, no—

Then, a familiar crimson aura erupted around him.

He wasn't dodging.

He wasn't running.

He was bracing.

The cannon fired.

A deafening explosion shattered the air, sending a shockwave rippling outward. The very ground trembled beneath our feet. Dust and debris engulfed the battlefield. An enormous wave of energy clashed against the shield surrounding him, cracking against it like a raging storm.

I could barely see him through the chaos, but I knew he was still standing. He had to be.

Seconds stretched into eternity.

Then, at last, the beam sputtered out, its terrifying energy fading into nothingness.

The battlefield fell eerily silent.

And there he stood.

His arm hung limp at his side, blood dripping onto the ground. His clothes were torn, his body barely holding together—but he was still standing.

A choked breath left my lips. Relief, fear, admiration—all tangled into one overwhelming emotion.

But this wasn't over.

The Abyssals were regrouping.

And Ezekiel, injured and exhausted, was still right in the middle of it all.

I tightened my grip on Marie's hand. No more waiting. No more hesitating.

I was going in.

[Celestial Rush] [Activated]

I activated my celestial skill, surging with newfound speed and agility as I blitzed through the panicked crowds, weaving past civilians and allies alike. My focus remained locked on the west wall, where the battlefield raged on, and where Ezekiel—injured yet defiant—stood against the Abyssals that had begun regrouping for another assault.

[Roar of Heavens] [Activated]

A rift tore open above me, golden light spilling forth as beams of pure celestial energy rained down, obliterating the Abyssals in a wave of divine fury. Their screeches were drowned out by the searing brilliance, leaving only the scent of scorched flesh and dissipating corruption in its wake.

Through the settling dust, I caught sight of Ezekiel. He had collapsed onto one knee, his breaths coming in ragged gasps, his body trembling from the sheer strain of enduring such an immense force head-on. His left arm hung limply, blood trailing steadily from the wound inflicted earlier. Despite it all, his eyes remained sharp, scanning the battlefield for the next wave of enemies.

I rushed to his side, dropping to a crouch as I reached for his injured arm. "What were you thinking?!" I snapped, frustration and worry lacing my voice while I summoned healing magic.

Ezekiel let out a weak chuckle, grimacing as the spell took effect. "I was supposed to destroy it, but I got interrupted. Had no choice but to take the hit head-on."

"Still…!" I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to focus on mending the torn flesh and fractured bone. His recklessness frustrated me, but I couldn't deny the admiration that swelled within me. No ordinary fighter could have withstood that kind of attack and still remained standing.

The moment my healing spell completed, Ezekiel immediately pushed himself to his feet, rolling his newly mended shoulder with a smirk. "Thanks... but we still have company."

I turned to see the approaching swarm of Abyssals—twice as many as before, their grotesque forms charging toward us with renewed fury. Behind us, knights and Celestial Tribunal members surged forward, weapons drawn and ready to join the fray.

I met Ezekiel's gaze. "Then should we disrupt their formation?"

He grinned, fire swirling around his fists and flickering from his mouth. "Yep."

Summoning my lance from the pendant around my neck, I took my stance beside him, feeling the weight of battle settle upon my shoulders. The reinforcements thundered behind us, waiting for the signal.

Three.

Two.

One.

We charged forward, splitting apart as we dove into the Abyssals' ranks—Ezekiel unleashing fiery destruction upon the east flank while I struck from the west, my lance carving through the enemy like a divine spear of judgment. The battle had only just begun.

Chaos reigned around me. The streets of Pasagin, once filled with laughter and life, will be soon a battlefield of screams and destruction. I could still hear the wailing of frightened children as the knights rushed to guide them into shelters. My heart clenched at the sight, my hands trembling as I clutched the pendant on my chest.

"Princess Marie, we must move!" One of the Celestial Tribunal members urged me, but my feet remained frozen. Luna and Ezekiel had rushed into the fray, disappearing into the chaos ahead. I wanted to follow, to fight by their side, but the weight of my responsibilities as a princess held me back.

"They're still out there," I whispered, my gaze locked onto the distant battlefield where streaks of fire and divine light clashed against the abyssal darkness. "I should be there."

"Your Highness, if something were to happen to you—"

"And if something happens to them?!" My voice rose, surprising even myself. I was tired of being sheltered, tired of being seen as nothing more than a figurehead. I clenched my fists, determination replacing my hesitation. "I'm not just a princess. I'm a mage."

Before the knights could stop me, I turned and sprinted toward the battlefield, ignoring the calls behind me. My breath was heavy, my heart hammering against my ribs as I pushed my legs forward. I wouldn't stand idly by. Not this time.

As I reached the western wall, I saw Luna and Ezekiel standing amidst the wreckage. Ezekiel's flames burned fiercely, and Luna's celestial light shimmered like a beacon against the encroaching darkness. I summoned my magic, letting raw energy course through me.

This was my fight, too.

And I would not be left behind.

Blue flames erupted from my fingertips, forming into a barrage of spears that streaked through the air like falling comets. They crashed into the advancing Abyssals with such force that shockwaves rippled through their ranks, shattering formations and leaving scorched remains in their wake. Without hesitation, I wove intricate runes in the air, channeling my energy into support spells that enveloped the knights and members of the Celestial Tribunal. A surge of strength and magic coursed through them, fortifying their will as they clashed against the relentless horde.

The battlefield was a chaotic expanse of fire and steel. The ground, once firm, had turned to cracked and scorched earth from the sheer heat of our spells. Charred bodies of Abyssals lay strewn across the field, their twisted forms still smoldering. Towering fortifications loomed in the distance, shadowed by the flickering glow of battle. Smoke and ash filled the air, mixing with the pungent scent of burning flesh and ozone from unleashed magic.

From my vantage point atop the fortress wall, I scanned the battlefield, watching for any lurking threats. The chaotic symphony of battle echoed around me—clashing steel, searing flames, and guttural roars of the Abyssals. My gaze fell upon Luna, who tore through the enemy ranks with terrifying efficiency. Her every movement was a display of raw power, her lance a blur of devastation. A shiver ran down my spine as I realized just how fearsome she truly was.

Meanwhile, from the rear of the battlefield, Princess Marie stood with unwavering focus, her hands weaving intricate sigils in the air. The sky above her glowed a deep azure as her magic manifested into a storm of blue-flamed spears. With a single motion, she unleashed them in a devastating downpour upon the Abyssals. The impact sent shockwaves through the enemy lines, throwing creatures into the air, their bodies igniting before they even hit the ground. Her relentless barrage painted the battlefield in streaks of blue fire, carving through enemy ranks like celestial wrath.

As her magic rained destruction, I surged forward amidst the chaos. With a single, crushing motion, I grabbed an Abyssal's head and slammed it into the ground. The creature barely had time to screech before it disintegrated into ashes beneath my grip. Without pause, I conjured another volley of flame spears, launching them toward the archers who attempted to strike from a distance. At the same time, I unleashed a wave of fire from beneath my feet, consuming everything in its path, turning the battlefield into an inferno.

A sudden cascade of blue-flamed spears rained down from behind, piercing through the enemy lines. I turned my head to see Princess Marie, her hands still glowing as she continued her relentless barrage, her expression calm yet resolute.

Pushing forward, I incinerated the remaining Abyssals in my path. As I carved my way through the battlefield, I found myself converging with Luna at the heart of the enemy formation, right as reinforcements arrived. Our eyes met, and without a word, we moved in perfect synchrony. Luna surged ahead, her light-infused charge illuminating the darkness, cutting through the enemy like a divine force. I followed closely, materializing a bow of flames and striking down Abyssals wielding ranged weapons.

Our coordination was seamless. Luna's speed and agility allowed her to weave through enemy ranks, cutting down those in her path, while I provided covering fire, ensuring that no ranged attackers could target her. When she leaped into the air, preparing to bring her lance down upon a towering Abyssal, I sent a burst of flame to disorient its stance, allowing Luna's strike to pierce through it effortlessly. Our combined assault left no room for the enemy to counter.

As I reached out, one of Princess Marie's blue-flamed spears soared toward me. Catching it mid-air, I channeled my own fire into it, causing the flames to swell into an enormous blaze. With a forceful thrust, I drove the empowered spear into the ground, igniting a sea of fire that engulfed the surrounding Abyssals in an unstoppable inferno.

The enemy numbers thinned rapidly, their forces crumbling. Some, realizing their inevitable defeat, began to retreat.

"Where do you think you're going?" Luna's voice rang out, firm and commanding. Golden chains materialized around the fleeing Abyssals, binding them in place. With a swift motion, I slashed through them with a blade of fire, reducing them to cinders.

As the battlefield quieted, the remaining embers flickered against the darkened sky. Victory was within our grasp, but something told me the true battle was far from over.

A triumphant roar erupted from the knights and members of the Celestial Tribunal as they raised their weapons, celebrating victory over the siege.

I exhaled, feeling the weight of the battle settle over me. Who would have thought that before even reaching the festival, we'd be caught in a siege just because of an escort mission?