Chapter 172: First Act 41: Hero's Arrival 4

The once vibrant city now lay in ruins, a haunting spectacle of destruction. As Bishop Austin moved through the desolate streets, the heavy rainfall of blood and death served as a relentless reminder of the catastrophic events unfolding around him. The city, once full of life and activity, had been reduced to a pile of rubble and despair.

Every corner he turned, every alley he traversed, revealed scenes of devastation. The remains of once-living beings lay scattered on the streets, their bodies slowly being devoured by the merciless blood rain or the relentless monsters roaming the city. The bishop's heart weighed heavy with grief and anger, witnessing the consequences of the malevolent forces that had unleashed chaos upon the once-thriving academic city.

'The pope should've already heard by now....'

Despite the overwhelming despair that surrounded him, Bishop Austin pressed on, his footsteps echoing through the eerily quiet streets. His focus remained unwavering, driven by a singular purpose—to find Elena, the saintess who held the key to the ancient relic known as Tonatiuh. The fate of the city, perhaps even the entire continent, hung in the balance, and the bishop knew he could not afford to falter.

'We will have to postpone our meeting oh dear death....'

In the midst of the chaotic aftermath, Bishop Austin continued his arduous walk through the city's shattered streets. The relentless rain of blood fell around him, painting a macabre scene of destruction. His left leg throbbed with pain, and his body bore the scars of his encounters with the monstrous entities that roamed the desolate landscape.

Despite the physical toll and the weight of the 'Tonatiuh' relic in his hands, the bishop pressed forward. Each step was a struggle, but his determination remained unbroken. The divine energy within him flickered like a diminishing flame, yet it sparked with a fervent desire to shield the saintess and salvage what remained of the city.

As he stumbled through the ruins, the creatures lurking in the shadows dared not confront the man fueled by a purpose greater than himself. With every swing of the relic, Bishop Austin fought not only to survive but to preserve the remnants of hope left in the beleaguered city.

The once lively streets were now silent, except for the bishop's labored breaths and the occasional squelching sound of his boots in the muddy mixture of blood and rain. In his weakened state, he navigated through the debris, a lone figure determined to face the encroaching darkness head-on.

"How boring..."

"I even had my hopes up"

"Humans truly are disappointing~"

The vampire that had been stalking him had ceased its pursuit, its disdainful gaze lingering in the background. Despite the creature's mockery, Bishop Austin focused on the task at hand. Pride took a backseat to the urgency of delivering the relic to the distant saintess, Elena.

"Why are you so far away, child?" The distance between him and Elena weighed heavily on his heart.

Even though he could now guess where she was at after relentless use of his divine energy, fate was cruel.

Grrrgh!!

The echoes of monstrous growls reverberated through the air, reaching Bishop Austin's ears with an unsettling intensity. Despite the absence of visible threats in the immediate vicinity, his heightened senses picked up on the proximity of danger. The source of the ominous sounds seemed to emanate from the concealed depths of the academy's notorious alleyways.

As the archaic structures loomed overhead, casting elongated shadows that danced with the eerie glow of blood rain, Bishop Austin hesitated. The alleyways were notorious for being a breeding ground for rumors of criminal activities and the clandestine operations of sinister syndicates.

—No!"

—Brother!"

The bishop's conviction and duty urged him to move forward, yet the undeniable cries of children pierced through the air, cutting through the veil of uncertainty.

Clenching his fists with a sense of grim determination, Bishop Austin released a heavy sigh. The weight of responsibility pressed upon him as he made the choice to enter the labyrinthine alleys.

....

"Get back, Shani!" Bert's voice rang out, cutting through the tension of the narrow alley. His protective instinct kicked in, and he positioned himself between the three monsters and his younger siblings.

"But, Bert—" Shani's protest was cut short by Bert's firm response.

"Big Bro—!"

"Don't worry, I'll protect you guys" Bert reassured, his eyes narrowing with determination. The narrow alley was now their battleground, and Bert, armed with a makeshift sword salvaged from a fallen knight, faced off against a menacing group of Kobolds.

His younger siblings, huddled against the wall, watched with wide-eyed fear as the Kobolds closed in. six of them, two wielding swords and the others ready to unleash their clawed attacks, presented a formidable challenge. Though considered low-ranking monsters, their speed and agility made them dangerous adversaries.

Bert's grip on the sword tightened as he observed the creatures in front of him. The dream of becoming a knight, nurtured by glimpses of combat department students at Estelle Academy, fueled his determination. He yearned to protect and provide a better life for his younger siblings, a life far removed from the harsh reality of slum existence.

'They're weak but... these guys are all stronger than me!'

As the Kobolds advanced, Bert focused all his senses, anticipating their every move. The alley became a makeshift arena, and Bert, driven by a blend of desperation and courage, stood resolute in the face of the monstrous threat, ready to fend off the danger that lurked on all sides.

Though categorized as low-ranking monsters, Bert understood that underestimating Kobolds was a mistake. They were agile and surprisingly quick for their size, presenting a formidable challenge even for an experienced adventurer.

The bizarre amalgamation of dog and lizard features in the Kobolds' appearance only added to the uncanny nature of the encounter.

Their bipedal movement, reminiscent of a grotesque hybrid, was an unsettling sight. However, Bert knew better than to let appearances deceive him. These creatures, despite their peculiar look, possessed a dangerous blend of agility and combat prowess, standing upright and utilizing weapons with surprising dexterity.

Haah!

Bert swung his sword with a practiced precision, a mimicry of the impressive swordsmanship he had witnessed during a secret visit to the academy's arena.

The two Kobolds armed with swords were momentarily taken aback, their caution evident in their stance. Glancing at their comrades, they decided to step back, giving Bert a momentary reprieve.

A triumphant smile curved Bert's lips; his imitation had worked, and the Kobolds were now warier of engaging him head-on.

However, beneath the surface, Bert harbored a growing unease. Despite his talent for replicating the sword skills he had observed, it was a crude and unrefined version. He had never wielded a real sword before, and the weight of responsibility bore heavily on his young shoulders.

If he made a mistake, not only would he pay the price, but his sisters huddled behind him would face a fate worse than death. Kobolds, like goblins, sought other races for their reproduction needs, and failure would condemn his siblings to a gruesome fate.

'I can't keep this up for long; they'll catch on soon' Bert thought, his determination mingling with the anxiety that gnawed at him.

Each swing of the sword held the weight of not just his own survival but the safety of those he vowed to protect. The crude imitation might fool the Kobolds for now, but Bert knew the true test was yet to come, and he couldn't afford to falter.

'Promise you'll take care of them, okay Bert? Protect them always, okay?'

His mother's words echoed in his ears...

"I'll leave them in your care Bert"

And his father's parting words resounded in his heart, those were final words he heard as he fought against the onslaught of monsters so they could have time to escape.

In that moment, an unexplainable force enveloped Bert, empowering him with an unwavering determination.

Surprising the already astonished Kobolds, Bert took the initiative. He dashed through their ranks with astonishing speed, his fist covered in a golden hue.

His punch seamlessly passed through one Kobold's defenses, smashing its face and elongated mouth, meeting its throat in a swift, lethal motion.

"One," Bert mumbled, his vision hazy with determination.

Another Kobold attempted an attack from the left, but Bert, in his heightened state, sensed the impending threat. He swiftly grabbed the assailant's clawed hand, crushing it with his palms. Lifting the Kobold into the air, Bert slammed it forcefully back onto the ground.

"Two" he declared; his gaze unwavering as he faced the three remaining Kobolds. The golden energy surrounding him flickered with intensity, signifying a newfound strength fueled by the love and responsibility he carried for his family.

Graggh!

The guttural roar of the enraged Kobold echoed through the alleyways, its fury intensifying as it witnessed the demise of its comrades. Instead of cowering in fear, the remaining Kobolds seethed with anger, a manifestation of the dangerous tenacity that made them formidable despite their low-ranking status.

The very air was charged with a palpable sense of vengeance, and Bert found himself facing not just monsters but embodiments of relentless fury.

The last Kobold, armed with a sword, struck in front of Bert, while its companions attacked from the sides. In a bold move that surprised the Kobolds once again, Bert opted to absorb the sword strike with his own body.

Ignoring the trickle of blood staining his chest, Bert moved swiftly, countering with powerful punches that shattered the faces of the flanking Kobolds.

"Four," he mumbled, his voice carrying a mix of determination and exhaustion.

Grggh!

The remaining Kobold roared defiantly, lunging forward with a twisting strike. As expected, Bert paid no heed to the sword's trajectory and met it head-on with a punch. A resounding clang reverberated through the cavern, but to the Kobold's bewilderment, Bert's fist remained unscathed. Like solid, impenetrable metal, his golden fist defied the usual outcome of a blade meeting flesh.

"Hah!"

Bert screamed, unleashing a relentless barrage of left and right punches. The alleyways echoed with the clash of sword and fist, creating a fiery spectacle of combat.

Only one combatant wielded a sword, and against Bert's seemingly indestructible fists, the Kobold found itself trapped in a relentless dance of steel meeting unyielding flesh.

The battle seemed to stretch into eternity, the clash of steel and the relentless exchange of blows echoing in the bloody air.

However, amidst the relentless struggle, it was evident that Bert's determination and resilience were gradually wearing down the last remaining Kobold.

Blow after blow, the seemingly invincible fists of Bert closed in on the Kobold's face, and with a powerful left hook, the final punch caused the Kobold's visage to literally explode.

"Hah... haah..."

Bert panted heavily, exhaustion etched across his face. As he surveyed his surroundings, he realized that there were no other Kobolds in sight. The seemingly never-ending fight had finally concluded, and he could finally allow himself a moment of respite. "Five..." he muttered wearily, acknowledging the victory that had come at the cost of his physical and mental strength.

"Big bro!" His three other sisters called out to him, their expressions a mix of relief and concern. Turning to face them, Bert was at a loss for words. His gaze shifted to the fallen Shani, and a profound sense of guilt washed over him.

"Damn it," he whispered, the weight of responsibility and regret heavy on his shoulders. Slowly, he approached his sisters, kneeling down beside Shani's lifeless form. Tears streamed down his face as he embraced her cold, unmoving body.

"I'm sorry, Shani... because of me, because of me..."

In the midst of his grief, a sudden golden light enveloped Shani's body. Bert, overwhelmed with shock and disbelief, watched as the radiant glow emanated from his hands, traversing the wounds she had sustained. Slowly, but surely, the injuries closed, and after an intense few seconds, Shani's entire body glowed with the golden light, and her breath returned.

"Shani...?" Bert stammered in disbelief; his eyes wide as he witnessed the miraculous revival of his little sister. Though still unconscious, she was undeniably breathing.

"Big bro, what happened?" his sisters inquired, their confusion mirroring his own.

"I don't know" Bert admitted truthfully. Indeed, he was as bewildered as the rest. The golden radiance that had surrounded Shani now dissipated, leaving his body feeling heavy once more, as the light in his hands disappeared.

"Big bro!"

The urgent call from his sister snapped Bert's attention as she pointed towards a group of 12 Kobolds emerging to their right. The realization struck him – had the cries of the Kobold he had just defeated alerted these new adversaries? Escape now became their immediate concern, especially with the mysterious power that had aided Bert now seemingly gone.

"Bam, Pam, carry your sister Shani. Lita, follow your sisters," commanded Bert, swiftly entrusting Shani's care to Bam and Pam.

"What are you going to do, brother?" Pam questioned, her worry palpable as she grasped the gravity of the situation.

"All of you go first and run. You know the way, right? We're familiar with these alleys. Don't worry; you know what I'm capable of. Hurry up and—" Bert's words were abruptly cut short by a sudden explosion.

Boom!

A crimson mist filled the air, a gruesome aftermath of the deadly rain that had drenched the Kobolds. From the spider-cracked ground, something floated upward, catching Bert's attention.

"A baton?" he wondered aloud, observing the pure white object suspended in the air before gracefully returning to its master.

Following the baton's trajectory, Bert's eyes widened in surprise. An old man in a bloodied robe stood before them, holding the pristine white baton. A gentle smile graced his weathered face as he looked at the kids.

"Are you kids alright?" he inquired in a soft, soothing tone, his smile radiating genuine kindness. In the midst of the chaos that had unfolded, his presence offered a momentary respite and a glimmer of hope.