Chapter 13: Sanctuary of Solis

Dust and the smell of blood filled the air. Teddy reached for the old man's hand, helping him to stand. Their gazes met amidst the chaos of battle. "Old man... can you still fight?" Teddy asked, his tone flat but his eyes full of concern. The old man gave a wry smile. "If my mouth answers, I'd say I can." He let out a heavy sigh, his body swaying slightly. "But the truth is... this body is nearly broken. When the time comes, I'll buy you time to retreat. So don't worry about me, kid."

Teddy clenched his fists, a feeling of heat rising in his chest. He had never truly cared for someone in the battlefield before, but this time was different. "No," he said firmly. "I don't want to lose a soldier as valuable as you just because your body gives out first." The old man smiled and said, "We're in a battlefield, anything can happen. We need more young ones like you, so don't feel guilty, kid."

Teddy turned his gaze away, then spoke within his mind. [Axcel, listen, if I use a mana-based buff... would it help him? He uses arcana as his energy source, right?] Axcel's voice sounded somewhat uncertain, [Honestly, Ted... I don't know. It's a gray area. Mana and arcana have different frequencies. It could work, or it might make his body collapse.]

Teddy clicked his tongue in frustration. They didn't have much time. He turned back to the old man. "Old man, I have a skill that might help. But there's a risk... I'm not sure of the effect it'll have on your body. Want to take a gamble?" The old man was taken aback and asked, "You're an Arkanist?!?" He stared at Teddy for a long time, as if weighing something in his heart. Then, he let out a small laugh—a bitter laugh from a warrior who had lived too long under the shadow of death. "You know, kid... I don't need guarantees for a hope. If I can stand five minutes longer to protect the others... that's enough."

He pounded his chest with his fist. "Do what you need to do. I'm ready." Teddy smiled slightly, feeling something tight in his chest. "Okay, hold on for a bit, Old Man."

He raised his right hand, took a deep breath, and then recited his incantation:

["O Solis, the Great Light, bless this servant of Yours, that strength may not fade in the midst of darkness."]

["Grace of Solis!"]

In that instant, a soft golden light shot from Teddy's hand, enveloping the old man's body. It looked like tiny light petals fluttering around him, then slowly absorbing into his skin. The old man stood still... then his eyes widened. His body felt light, the pain in his muscles vanished, and the energy that had been drained returned to his veins. He gripped his spear tightly. "I... I can fight again," he said, his voice choked.

Teddy smiled with satisfaction. "Good. Because we still need you." Seeing the success of his spell, Teddy glanced around. The soldiers on the fortress wall were running low on energy. If left unchecked, the fortress would fall. Teddy straightened his back, both hands raised to the sky.

He took a deep breath and then recited his second incantation:

["O Solis, King among lights, grant Your protection to all the faithful fighters."]

["Sanctuary of Solis!"]

From Teddy's palms, a massive golden pillar of light shot into the sky, forming a vast transparent dome that covered the entire battlefield. The light spread like small meteor showers, touching each soldier one by one. Those who had been staggering straightened up. Heavy breaths turned into deep, fresh inhalations. Desperate eyes regained their spark.

Cheers of encouragement erupted along the walls, followed by battle cries from the soldiers, now reinvigorated.

They were shocked to see the golden dome surrounding them, none more so than the female Arkanist with red hair, as she immediately felt the effects of the golden dome, unlike the Arkanists on the other side of the wall who could only see but not feel its effects. Although surprised, the soldiers, including the red-haired Arkanist, didn't dwell on it for long because there was something more important in front of them—the enemy. One thing they knew for sure was that the golden dome was on their side.

The zombies, which had almost breached their defenses, were now pushed back by the newfound spirit of the defenders. Teddy smiled faintly. His face appeared pale, proof that he had used up too much mana, but for the survival of humanity, he didn't care. ["Ted, don't push yourself too hard, you know your mana capacity isn't what it used to be," ] Axcel said with concern.

["Don't worry, buddy, I know my limits,"] Teddy tried to reassure his comrade.

Teddy refocused on the battlefield, without hesitation, taking position at the edge of the wall, raising his weapon, and beginning to fire.

Each shot was precise: the bullets pierced zombie heads one by one, eliminating the threat before they even had a chance to get close. On the other side, the old man swung his spear like a storm. His movements were full of energy, so full of vigor, it was as if he were twenty years younger. Occasionally, he glanced toward Teddy, admiration in his eyes.

After clearing a horde of zombies, the old man ran towards Teddy, carrying something in his hands—a large rifle, intricately engraved with arcane symbols, emanating an arcane aura.

"Hey, kid," he called as he handed the rifle over, "If you want to make a bigger mess, use this." Teddy caught the weapon with both hands. It was denser than a regular rifle, and there was a faint vibration in his grip. He nodded to the old man.

["Axcel, scan this weapon."] Seconds later, data flowed into his mind. [This... it's similar to a mana gun, Ted. But more crude, more primitive. Like its predecessor. Mana guns are more refined, more stable.] Teddy lifted the weapon, testing its balance. He turned to the old man, who was now standing firmly beside him. A mischievous smile appeared on Teddy's face.

"Ready for round two, Old Man?"

The old man chuckled loudly, then raised his spear high. "More than ready, kid. Let's finish this together." And with that, they both leapt back into the fray—the fire of their spirits burning in their chests, fighting against the endless waves of darkness that came their way.