Chapter 363: When the Stars Alight the Sky (I)

Chapter 363: When the Stars Alight the Sky (I)

Chapter 363

When the Stars Alight the Sky (I)

Mateo was leisurely sipping some tea in front of his teams temporary lodge wedged in a valley between two sky-piercing mountains. It has been nearly five days since they descended from the 20th floor, participating in the building of the temporary town. It had grown considerably in size--after all, it didnt only need to house the 80 raiders, but also many-an-aux, totaling in just shy of 300 people in total.

Nobody was quite sure as to the exact reason why they descended; though there were rumors that it was for the training, Mateo and most others have already figured as much since they werent making any progress on the fight. He himself was looking forward to it--after all, it was his chance to stand out. In the sea of 80 people that had to coordinate in a specific fashion, it was difficult to stand out and obtain greater role. This was especially because of his choice of subclass--mix-magic Archer. A lot of his hard-hitting spells had fire attached to them, which Unul was effectively immune to.

However, he was absolutely confident in being able to catch the eyes of the top-rankers during the training. Looking out toward his left, he saw the several buildings where they were located--his and everyones inevitable envy. The main party that had single-handedly carved out a path to the 20th floor and earned themselves the title of the Chosen. Though Mateo was confident in facing them in a duel, his hopes were dashed very quickly--everyone in that party... was a complete monster.

Nonetheless, he still believed he had enough talent to, at the very least, eventually end up as the part of the group. As such, he was very much looking forward to the training--even if he was deaf to its details.

Everyone, gather round!!! a call suddenly cried out, causing him to take the last sip of the tea and grasp his leaf-laden bow tightly. It was time, he knew.

Soon, heads came pouring out of the homes like a swarm, gathering toward the tiny towns central plaza. There, a slightly elevated platform stood where, at the moment, only a single person could be seen--the groups main leader, Emma. Or, as everyone in the raid called her--the Crimson Hammer. Though there was some murmur, most stayed mum, expectant.

As you shitheads have figured out by now, she said. Were here to train. Because we suck so much ass we cant even beat that hot chick. Pun intended. After a round of laughter, the plaza quieted down. Well, I said train... but I lied. A bit. Were here to get our ass kicked, time and again, until we are worthy of being trained.

Emma suddenly stepped forward in front of the rest, looking up at the figure with a strange look in her eyes. She held her gaze for a moment before sighing and shaking her head. Similarly, Senna groaned and averted her gaze; Jamal coughed as though he were hiding a laugh; Kramer smiled faintly at the figure; and several others of the main party had reactions wholly unbefitting.

Everyone, in position! Emma yelled out as the atmosphere mellowed. Though the group listened, they were quite unhurried and sluggish. Aah, you should have been quicker... she mumbled before suddenly taking out her massive warhammer. Kramer, Chriss, on me! Yuki, guide healers to the rear! Senna--

Before she could yell out any more commands, the world suddenly shifted--everyone felt it, even the weakest among them. It was as though the Mana that loved them and adored them and hugged them... suddenly betrayed them. The world around them, the very same one that obeyed their whims, no longer loved them.

The figure heaved off the ledge and floated, the kindling fires alighting the valley abruptly; it began to rain molten rock, but not the kind that they had seen before--no they werent rocks, they realized. The stars began to flatten from the sky and toward them, like the speedy bullets. They were human again, humbled by the gaze of something beyond their comprehension.

Emma and Kramer were the first to shake the feeling, both of them roaring as to try and dispel the terror of their souls. This was the first time, after all, in many years that they faced even half-serious Cain. It had been too long since they caught a glimpse of his peak--and even back then, hed left them stunned and silenced.

Senna formed the array of weapons to try and guide the falling rocks of blaze away from the group while Yuki and Shawn grasped the moment, trying to shield as many people as possible.

The moment Shawn saw the figure sitting on the ledge, he knew it was Cain. And the moment he realized it was Cain, blood froze in his veins. He finally understood what Emma meant--though they wouldnt die... theyd wish they could.

The daytime abruptly upturned as the rocks began blowing the valley into the land of craters. The lands hook and creaked and the chasms ripped the world asunder, like the gashes bleeding the dirt. It was night, all of a sudden, and the sky was full of stars. There were millions of them, each one alight in colors beyond all else.

Everyone, even Emma and others, suddenly paused, weak in their knees. Just before they fell down and bowed toward the sight, it all ended. They found themselves on the ground, their health pools dangerously low. What was the most harrowing aspect... the world around them was fixed. It was as though they hadnt faced thousands of meteors. It was as though they hadnt caught a glimpse of death itself.

All simply lay flat on their backs, shaking, shivering in cold sweat, dangerously close to dying. The tepid eyes scarily veered toward the ledge where the figure once again sat upon. The legs continued to dangle, and the atmosphere around still remained aloof. There wasnt a trace of the majesty... but they could not forget. No, they would never forget. They caught the sight of something that would be their guide, they knew--their goal.

Get up, a voice from the abyss spoke, like a God delivering a message to his peoples. We have only just begun.