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~~~(POV: Cera Adamo)~~~
~~~(Location: Watching Capital City Jeelora, Desert, The Continent Of Alforza)~~~
~~~(Time: 10:24 PM)~~~
Sally is relaxing on the cliff's edge as her feet dangle off the edge. I've set up the camp, and now we're just waiting for Rahab to arrive. My arm wraps around her, and a solemn expression forms on her features.
Knowing her, she probably thinks about all the people who will die. The slaves that will get caught in the crossfire between Rahab and the beacon.
It's on my mind as much as hers. Casualties are the unavoidable side effects of war. That's what the Des'merta are in now. A war that will have people, innocent and guilty, dying. I'm not someone who can snap his fingers and save everyone.
As much as people would like that. She leans her head into my shoulder and releases a deep sigh. My arm that's around her gently squeezes her, and I kiss the side of her head. Sally has a lot of weight to bare on her shoulders.
"Why do we always find ourselves in situations where lots of people have to either die or suffer? Due to our power, the system plays a role, but it just seems too frequent..."
The question she asks isn't one I've entertained. Mainly from my lack of enthusiasm at the idea I'm the cause of a lot of suffering. Earth is one thing, but I don't want my very presence inciting such events on Gaia.
"Trouble often finds those of power. The majority of people are weak, which makes those who are weak seek out the strong to help them. Given our strength, the weak naturally find us."
It's a slightly cynical viewpoint if I get down to it, but it's the truth. It's how every intelligent society operates. Most of the time, in nature, you're either strong or you perish. An intelligent society negates that simple mechanic of life.
Much to the detriment of the people living it. Not everyone can be strong or wealthy. If it were that easy, there wouldn't be any need for strong people.
"There are times that I wish you weren't right..."
She's not alone in that sentiment. I've been wrong before, but it's usually led to even worse outcomes.
"It shouldn't be long before Rahab is here. It's been a good few hours, and The Last Levithan won't waste any time getting here. Probably using its most powerful traveling skills."
Rahab is already responsible for the downfall of an entire people and several Kingdoms, and that's just from what I know. I wouldn't be surprised if The Regaliance Kingdom and the Des'merta are gone after Rahab is finished.
Many would argue I should've done something different. Save the slaves and Des'merta. If I did save everyone and everything when they needed it, no lessons would be learned.
To most, that's a relatively petty stance to take. Those who argue that point haven't been taught the proper lessons to see that it's right. The people of Earth are a great example of that. We've been taught a lesson.
One that could've been taught sooner. Instead, we lost our world. Goes to show that when everyone thinks the same thing. That doesn't make it right.
"When we're done helping the Des'merta, what will we do? Are we returning to your family, or are we continuing in Alforza?"
The sound of her voice tells me how tired she is of dealing with Alforza and the things we've encountered here. There are things I still wish to learn about Arch-Angel Michael. His connection to Alforza.
But I'm getting sick of this place too. I want to go back to familiar lands and familiar faces. It's something that I really miss.
I haven't seen or talked to my parents in a long time, and that's something on my mind a lot now. Mom and dad are probably having a lot of adventures together, but I feel bad for not knowing what it is they're doing.
"When we're done with this, I want to go back. We're not done with Alforza, but I need a break from this place. There is so much going on, and I want a break from it."
She leans into my form even more. A way of telling me she's in agreement. A few more minutes pass, and a slight rumbling begins to vibrate through the cliff we're sitting on. It's about time he got here.
Off to the West, the same incredibly large and powerfully divine creature known as Rahab is seen. His eyes are red and full of bloodlust. The beacon the Des'merta has created seems to have the desired effect.
"How many do you think will die..."
It's hard to say... But the number won't be a pretty one...
~~~(POV: Saliandra Orvello)~~~
~~~(Location: Watching Capital City Jeelora, Desert, The Continent Of Alforza)~~~
~~~(Time: 11:44 PM)~~~
Cera and I see the absolute destruction Rahab has unleashed. The entire city of Jeelora has been flattened and carved apart by his attacks. The beacon is now destroyed and the red glow in the eyes of The Last Levithan disappears.
One of the mightiest capital cities I've ever seen is now gone, along with most of the people in it. I don't think this is the result the Des'merta people sought.
The Last Levithan looks in our direction, and that's when I realize Rahab can sense Divine power. Cera remains calm despite my growing fear of the approaching monster. It's hard to think there used to be an entire race of these things.
Rahab makes it to the cliff we're on and is still towering over us. He looks down, and Cera stands up.
"Are you the one responsible for that accursed machine?"
There is genuine anger in Rahab's voice.
"I was the one tasked with bringing it here. The Des'merta people were the ones who built it."
The eyes of the great Levithan narrow, and I can tell it's thinking about how to handle all this.
"Why did you agree to help them? You knew what this would do to me."
This is where we'll find out if we'll be fighting this guy or if he'll move on to Maero, where all this started.
"They weren't strong enough to fight The Regaliance Kingdom, and I wouldn't fight their wars for them. That's when they told me about their weapon. One that could bring you somewhere and destroy the place."
There is a brief moment of silence before Cera starts speaking again.
"I warned them you'll want revenge for being manipulated, but they didn't listen. As to why I agreed to help them... It was the right thing. They want the freedom of their captured and enslaved people. They are willing to pay the price you'll want."
That's the truth to all of this. Rahab can blame us just as much as he wants. But he's got to see why this was necessary in the eyes of the Des'merta.
Rahab turns around without any words and starts heading East. In the same direction as Maero and where most of the Des'merta people are located. The desert where they were born.
And are likely to die.
"The Des'merta are in for a slaughter they've never seen before, and the people that are left alive are expected to fight against The Regaliance Kingdom. The capital city is gone, but that's just one city. I feel as though they didn't think it through."
His perspective isn't a wrong one, but I think the Des'merta know precisely what they're doing. I doubt any cities or locations that house Des'merta are active. I'm betting they're moving everyone somewhere safe.
A place where they can stage their war.
"They knew the risks from the very beginning. You think they didn't plan for Rahab coming for them?"
As I ask him this, Cera runs a hand through his hair, and a breath enters his lungs.
"Whatever it is they planned, I hope it's smart enough to avoid their extinction. Rahab might destroy all of them. No way to know for sure. But I think you're closer to the end scenario than I am. I think they've planned this for a long time."
He turns to look at me with a smile as he finishes talking. His attention turns to the tent, and a familiar urge enters me.
We've got some time to spare before we have to do anything.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.
[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.240][Tier-4]
[Exp: 45/100%]
[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]
[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]
[Mana aura control: 6/100%]
[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]
[Stat Points: 470] [Armor rating: 500]
[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Camping gear] [Fishing poles 2x] [Festival Garbs 2x] [4x EXP Boosts] [Princess Saliandra's Panties (Black Lace)] [Desert Warrior Nomad Set (Rare)]
[Passive Perks]
[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]
[Active Skills]
[Heaven's light Lvl.74 325/7400] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.74 225/7400] [Slash Lvl.92 4600/21000] [Parry Lvl.68 85/6800] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controlled Fun] [Angelic Teleportation (Divine)]