Act 4: Fallen Heaven – Chapter 690: The Accursed Of The Night

Act 4: Fallen Heaven – Chapter 690: The Accursed Of The Night

A corner of Oscar's mouth rose into a bitter smile as he watched the others barricade the entrance in the new wall, now reaching ten feet tall. These Exalts from Haven Academy dug deep, and soon, great pits, their bottoms black and unseen, dotted the perimeter. Light boards lined over the gaping holes, and dirt and grass piled on top, covering the existence of the pits. Seeing the ongoing efforts to prepare for a siege, Oscar gripped his knees, overwhelmed by the memories of vast fleets ramming on the barrier of a vast city, the ivory towers of silver and gold covered in soot and black fumes.

"My Lord, our section is now prepared. Any adjustments?" An Exalt in gray armor pounded his armor, the metal clacking in affirmation.

"No. Follow Serit's plans." Oscar gazed over the bright horizon, the same scenery as the morning greeting him. But soon, the place would turn to night, and hell was about to awaken. Boots stomped to and from as the Haven Academy Exalts leaped onto the walls, brandishing their weapons with Ein igniting outward. Some coughed and tapped their fingers constantly in a weak grip. He couldn't blame them for being afraid, for the nights in the true eleventh heaven were merciless to the weak. He glanced toward the left, finding Marcus at the next entrance, and the half-dragon knelt deeply upon receiving his gaze before directing the few under his command.

"Calm yourselves. Don't lose before the battle has begun." Oscar advised them.

"True. Focus only on killing the enemy before you. One at a time. Isn't that right, Oscar?" Erden joined him, currently wearing human form. His presence brought a warm smile to Oscar's lips, the bitterness drawn out like poison. Some things never changed. Erden clasped his shoulder and patted reassuringly, "You should follow your own advice. It won't be like last time. We're far stronger now than ever before. There are no King Exalts or Primaeres here. No bastard to whisk you away while others fight."

"Perhaps," Oscar returned Erden's kind gesture. "But at least I still have you with me." Indeed, it had been far too long since they fought together. He hadn't seen his friend and beast brother in several decades, left to communicate in thoughts, but far from the companionship he craved. Now, in this eleventh land, before hell descended, he found his brother again.

"To complete it, we need Avril by our side, no?" Erden said, understanding his thoughts. Memories of their long journey from Shattirma to Vallen, with just the three of them merrily traveling, welled up fondly in his mind. Oscar smiled and looked behind near the main building where Avila had set up her group of long-distance fighters, Avril standing by her sister's side. For a moment, their gazes met, and they shared a knowing nod, and he couldn't help but be reminded of when they parted at the portals of Convecia City. Not this time, Oscar told himself. He wouldn't allow that to happen.

Suddenly, the ten orbs dimmed, mimicking moons as the sky turned dark. Stars plotted the vast fields of the night as the plains became shrouded in darkness. Not surprisingly, the moonlight was far dimmer than before, telling of the great danger approaching. He sought to peer deeper, but the night held a special sway over one's vision, reducing his peak sight to a dullish blur. Someone breathed audibly, followed by the others, silence enveloping the encampment. Oscar narrowed his eyes and leaned closer. Faint shadows strode closer, slowly emerging from the far distance.

Many clawed on the barrier as they fell, but Auren's cleverness added a slipperiness to the formation, a mocking of the foul woman who captured him, so he said. Oscar watched slews of the accursed falling on the ground, a loud crack resounding from the hidden boards breaking. The pits opened their gaping mouths and swallowed the accursed into the deep bottom. The Exalts on the walls acted fast, throwing small bags down the pit, red liquid spilling out. Instantly, a great blaze erupted, loud explosions quaking the ground as the infernos raged in the pits.

The accursed shrieked, circling the perimeter. Many mindlessly battered on the barrier, pounding on the wall of Ein. The drumming of the countless efforts to break through soon quieted once one of the accursed jumped across and reached the entrance. Oscar bolted forward and impaled the first accursed, a scarlet-platinum drill protruding from its back. A fist rammed into his head, the Edureisclad and flame barrier absorbing most of the impact, but it still shook his skull. Evidently, these accursed boasted immense physical power.

More accursed leaped over the burning fumes of the pits and rolled to soften their landing. Erden shouted and rushed out, receiving Oscar's Anima and performing the Meld. In human form, a dense sapphire armor encased Erden. In the dead of night, his blue knightly form nocked his arm back, enlarging into a steely fist of a giant, and punched out. The sheer force rendered most of the accursed's efforts moot as they fell into the pits.

"Form up!" Oscar shouted. Demon rushed ahead, uncaring of the injuries brought upon by the lashing of the accursed. Two of the Exalts remained on the wall to deter as many of the accursed from ramming onto the barrier, and the other three lined up behind him. He swept his gaze past the smoke, his heart stilling at the sight of hundreds or thousands of accursed marching toward him. They had to hold on for twelve hours until the day returned. He faced the men, their expressions full of fear. "They can't use spells. They aren't wielders of weapons. They have no Anima. Fight on."

"Yes, my Lord!" The Exalts stomped their feet.

Right on cue, a flurry of ranged spells bombarded the area past the pits, halting the advance of the accursed. To his left, Marcus tore apart his foes with his claws and sliced many into pieces from a single beat of his wings. Oscar had nothing to worry about on that end. He raised a fist high and fired several scarlet-platinum orbs, the magnetic force toppling dozens of accursed as the explosion of bright flames swallowed them whole. That didn't halt them much. Burning, the accursed crossed the pits.

Oscar stood his ground, Erden to his left, Demon to his right, and his retinue behind him. The first night was well underway, and he'd be damned if he let them through. He couldn't allow a single danger to be near the ones he wanted to protect, not ever again. In a single punch, his Shattering Wave carried an immense shockwave that repelled the accursed. The few stragglers remaining on their side of the wall were quickly culled down by the three Exalts.

"Hold fast! Reserve your strength! We're surviving tonight, got it?!" Oscar shouted, and the others cheered back.R/ê/Ad lateSt ch/a/pters at nô(v)e(l)bin/.c/o//m Only