Chapter 925

Chapter 925: Defence

Empress Eira stared Igna frankly, forcing a guarded stance for he expected many protests. By all means, why would one not care for her husband, family was important, yes? Turns out, the empress swallowed her ice-dragon, lifted young Gallliene into her arms, “-let’s go,” her heels tapped and cracked the ice, shattering the ice barrier throughout, “-have I missed something?” she stopped, “-brother, were you not the one who spoke of urgency...”

“Well,” returned blankly, “-I expected at least a little bit of-”

“-of protest? Yeah...” she held on the ‘eah’, “-not going to happen. My priority is the safeguard of my child,” a soft caress crossed the perpetual cold-stare, “-she’s the only reason why I’ve stayed in Alphia. A child is happiest with a father and mother, politically, Alphia isn’t safe from what you retold.”

Mild vibration was sensed, prompting Igna to focus through the walls, “-seems there’s a lot of militia. What say you sister, shall I take care of them or do we make a grand exit?”

“What grand exit are you thinking about?” she narrowed, “-I’m not conjuring my guardian spirit as a means of transport – a flap of her wing and the whole area’s bound for a destitute icescape.”

“Not to worry,” they continued down the escape hatch, climbing a tunnel that rose through a neighboring hill, “-I have a plan,” a push toggled the seal which unpacked into the open peak. Lagoon reflected a pinkish glow, adding to the inky outlines brought by dawn.

“Better make it fast,” commented Eira failing to settle her white locks against the sea breeze, “-I hear helicopters.”

.....

“Not ours,” fired Igna, “-better keep her close,” he stretched his arms in a fist – lightning struck the signet ring, *by the power of my name, Igna Haggard, true monarch and leader of the monster realm, I call upon thee, protectors and guardians of the inhumane realm, manifest in the true title of Demonlord,* relatively empty skies rattled lightning flashes and thunderous growls – static energy swallowed the trio – the symbol of the Demonlord flashed above their heads from which an army of flying monsters exploded, followed by gigantic legendary beasts, namely; a dragon. Fair to say the western seaside shuddered, leaving no time for escape – unknown tourists wandering the beach were killed and devoured – there was no controlling the black-winged clouds, “-Demonlord,” grunted a dragon, “-I have come to serve,” it cried a wonderous war chant.

“Hop on,” winked Igna nonchalantly.

“Don’t mind if I do,” returned an equally brazen Eira, he took her sister’s arms and pulled. Once seated, the legendary figure flapped – tearing trees and creating craters, another growl turned heads of the murderous clouds.

Meanwhile, in the capital, Emperor Markus sat facing the window from a high-rise. One leg over the other, he watched the booming cityscape – multiple steps stormed the door and tapped, “enter.” Shuffles and footsteps rose guns at his head, ‘-it was her,’ he caught a glimpse of the reflection.

“We both knew it’ll end here,” said a figure dressed in a military outfit.

“Not to say I’m surprised,” he spun, “-playing the fool had its advantages. One of which is that I get to see who orchestrated the uprising.”

“Taking all the credit would be greedy, our network grows deeper with each passing day. There’s no stopping a worm once it starts.”

“Lest the worm is drawn to the surface,” he smirked, “-like now, isn’t that suspicious?”

“Don’t kid yourself,” fired the imposing figure, “-out of us, tis I who inherited a superior intellect. United Nation of Alrosia, good while it lasted – good as we sucked dry resources meant for the betterment of the Hidrosian people. We know how this ends,” they rose their hand, “-too bad, you know too much,” *bang, bang, bang, bang,* tears fell, “-stop,” they said, “-enough, the man’s fully dead,” turned for the doorway, ‘-we’ll meet again in hell, don’t worry.’

*Poof,* “-WHAT!” cried an insane man rising to pat himself, ‘-I’m not dead?’

“Welcome to the world of the living.”

“Welcome to the world of the living?”

“If I wished to hear my voice, I’d have spoken to the wall. How do you feel?” the familiar voice approached, drawing on the curtains, “-Emperor Markus, or rather should I say, Markus.”

“I feel weird.”

“That’s because I’ve transmigrated thy soul,” echoed Igna. Time read midnight on a faraway clock, arrangement of the room was hurried – office desk was quickly cleaned, “-I told you, I’d know.”

“So you saved me?”

“Not really – you’re technically dead, one known as Emperor Markus has left the mortal realm,” Igna motioned at the door, home to a small rectangular window, “-the empress said and I quote, ‘-A child is happiest with a father and mother,’ it rang a chord, remembering how hard it was for me, and for Eira too. We know the pain of being brought up by single parents. In what good conscience would I, uncle to the child, allow for her father to pass without acting. Believe me, I’d have watched you die – thank your wife and daughter, they’re the reason thee stand, reincarnated.’

“By reincarnation did my appearance change?”

“Not really,” a mirror summoned, “-still the same, the hairstyle’s changed and the skin color has darkened – wear these,” he handed a pair of circular glasses, “-Markus, from today, thou art but a simple man, a musician perhaps? The violin skills were quite a shock – I made sure to transfer everything.”

The newly awakened man, confused for the most part, slid his feet onto the carpeted floor, a chill rose across the thighs – the world was new, all felt like a big feeling of Deja-vecu, one knee buckled however, “-careful,” reacted Igna, “-take your time, the body is yours.”

‘My family,’ he inched, stretching his arms, *click,* a petite, ‘-papa,’ escaped inside followed by a thud. “Was it worth the trouble?” armor clamored.

“Was it worth it?” turned towards Undrar, “-yes it was,” he smiled, “-thank you for the favor, god of death.”

“For the people thee killed, I suppose an exception can be made,” she leaned in a whisper, “-good job handling Exia. The man is clueless as to the heritage he was bestowed.”

“He’s a good kid, go easy on him – a fellow Death Reaper of another universe, sounds fun, yes?”

“No, I hear but the exhausted cries from constant misfortune. Well, I should leave – good luck, the mortal realm is in quite a predicament.”

‘Say that again,’ he moved to the window, ‘-Raven forces are stationed north. Investing in better outposts and barriers was a good foresight. The question remains, how long can we hold against a rebellion?’

*Incoming Call: éclair.*

“I was just about to call you.”

A pause drew, “-master, Alphia’s not the only place of uprising. Dorchester has made their move – we’re expecting their forces to be joined by PMCs of the Empire. One of the northern naval bases has reported activity – seems they’re not going to hide.”

A simple chair drew towards the window, and there the devil sat, “-we’ve ruled out diplomatic possibilities?”

“Ruled out, master, there’s a communication blackout enshrouding Alphia – if not for the transmitter at Eldow’s high, we’d have no way of speaking. I strongly suggest evacuating Odgawoan.”

*Tap, tap, tap,* “-master, the army has arrived and they have tanks,” panted Starix, “-what are thy orders?” Heels clopped and proclaimed, “-mana detected all around the city, we’re under siege from all sides.”

“Public services are out of order – powerlines have been cut,” gasped Asmodeus, “-we’re running on backup energy.”

“A squadron has been spotted to the east,” motioned an energetic Mammon, “-what are your orders, master?”

Igna turned to the crowd and exhaled, “-we have two options, evacuate or fight. Judging by the expression, it’s do or die,” he pulled a map, “-without information and sudden power outage, the fog of war is great. Starix, coordinate with public safety and issue an evacuation of the northeast front. I’ll take care of the incoming squadron. Asmodeus, Mammon, and Kul, time’s nigh for battle. Choose a cardinal point and defend until power is returned.”

“Master?” spoke over the intercom.

“éclair, listen closely – as it stands, there’s no way we can evacuate easily. City of Dreams is too precious a commodity. Mobilize the army and contact Phantom, Hidros won’t lose in the matters of war.”

“Are we holding back?”

“No, I want the invasion squandered without a single enemy left alive,” murderous intent scrapped from deep within, sending a clear message, ‘-no mercy.’ Off the channel, Igna scanned his entourage, “-hear me,” flashes lit the streets, “-I won’t accept Odgawoan falling. We’ll fight until daybreak – once the sun wakes – Starix, activate the manor’s AFR detector, they’ll live to regret today.”

“Master,” interjected Kul, “-please, lead the battle northeast. I can handle the squadron.”

An icy cold sensation broke inside, “-go fight and don’t hold back. The life of the citizen, as well as the town, is my responsibility,” brother and sister stood face to face, “-I give you my word.”

Nothing need be said, four different colored hues dispersed along with the cardinal points – the ice empress summoned her staff and robe, a crown of white-blue told of her power, “-come to me, Gergusser,” a chilling growled shook the abyssal city and climbed said skyrise. Torches, lamps, anything with light was used to evacuate the populous, policemen and firefights kept the people calm, those outside were forced into buildings – streets lessened into memories of its customers.

Kul transformed, a shot of purple hue ascended to the heavens, passing Carter lake on her right, ‘-there they are,’ an arrow-shaped formation blinked yonder, ‘-holding back is courtesy. I’ve lived my life besides my master not having a chance to go all out like the good ol’ days. Demonlord versus machines,’ the fast approaching killing machine locked, ‘-reason states,’ orbs summoned at her back, ‘-those chosen to serve master will always prevail,’ they warped and instantly destroyed the fighter jets in a fit of blaze worthy of Gophy’s blessing. Killing instinct horned onto foot soldiers, “-good evening,” she landed, “-welcome to the city of dreams,” gunfire rained.

To the west, Asmodeus yawned, “-come, my fellow companions,” an army of demons rose, “-go take their soul, feast until none remains earthbound. Show them the Hidrosian courtesy.”

South of them, Medusa walked beside Mammon, “-humans are so easy to manipulate,” perched the prince over a standalone boulder, “-whisper their whim and they follow.” An active Medusa side-glanced, “-would be nice if you didn’t sit on my masterpieces,” her eyes burned a vivid gray, turning many into stone, ‘-so much for a difficult battle.’

The Devil descended Northeast, facing Fuda Mountain, and the funnel headed into the city. Foot soldiers, cargo trucks, and tanks, ‘-an envoy for occupation,’ armored beasts rose slowly, ‘-a victory can be easily assured; problems arise when we’ll move to Hidros, annexing the Duchy will be a simple task. What to do,’ he paced up and down the road – distance rumble of the heavy beasts closed, not before armed soldiers pointed their flashlight holding barrels, “-who stands there!”

“At last,” proclaimed Igna, “-welcome to the city of dream, foolish invading army.”

*Bang,* “-did you kill the bastard?”

“No idea,” they said, “-might have gone overboard with a turret.”

*Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk,* an unscathed figure discarded the smoke, “-listen closely,” jolts of purple, white and crimson flickered throughout the body, “-no one interjects when I speak,” he dropped his fist, soldiers blinked, the tanks crushed akin to knife on butter, “-Die,” he flicked, the bloodied shells flung forward, taking few trucks and personnel, *snap,* a ball of fire exploded. Burning rubble shone a light on the attacker. Wasn’t long before gunfire echoed across the mountain range, *-VENGEANCE!*

“Yes, master?”

“Kill them,” he ordered, holding an open palm that stopped any projectile. ‘-there are more in the tree line, good.’ *Souls of the dead, thee who’ve sworn to serve me in life and death, come to my side. Blood-Arts: Ghouls Requiem,* fighters crawled from what could only be described as the pits of hell.