In front of me was the same crowd I left not too long ago . They were beginning to settle down in my brief absence but upon my arrival they immediately went back into battle mode. My new appearance was alarming to them. Maybe it was the armor or maybe it was the scythe but they didn’t seem to be pleased with my apparent powerboost.

  Zhil was using his flight skill making us tower over the army of thousands. Dropping down like a hammer, Zhil landed on all fours spreading his wings. Piggybacking on his efforts I raised my scythe for what made for a truly impressive display. I could feel their pride and gusto from earlier disintegrate.

  “Oh so i guess you really weren't out of options” The yellow armored bird said while stepping before the crowd.

  I didn't say anything, yes I'm more powerful and geared up but that only allowed for either more intimidation or actual combat .Both which should be avoided.

  “You definitely are powerful, Realistically you have no reason to care about our lives?” the armored one spoke again.

  How many times could I sigh in the span of 24 hours ,

  so many things happened and I'm getting tired. I am starting to understand that most denizens don’t expect anything but bloodshed .Thinking back on the human world neither did any of them.

  Now the green bird spoke.

  “King Alioth is it? Do you have no respect for our tokened way of life“

  I could tell from the look in his eyes that he was scared, but he continued

  “Even if it is our fate to die in battle right here today , it is much more acceptable to submit yourself to an unknown ruler. Understand that our kingdoms are forged from two different cloths. Do not assume peace is preferable to battle”

  That was the first time I've heard a denizen's thought process displayed so plainly. That's probably what they all were thinking. They didn’t understand that it wouldn't be a battle but an annihilation. All the power ups and boost’s I’ve received lately , I just couldn’t see how they could defeat me . I was accumulating power so rapidly it was hysterical. This was what I wanted for so long but the second I got it , I wanted to rid myself of its burden.

  “How much longer are we going to talk!” The gray bird said

  You know I'm addressing them by their color , how superficial of me. .At Least let me learn their names.

  “PLEASE, at least tell me your names” I begged them. Or at least I would’ve if it could make a difference

  Admittedly not the best tactic but I already knew where this was going.

  “You want to know our names? Do you think this is a novel or something? We're going to kill you, you know what . IM DONE TALKING”

  The gray avian started muttering some mantras , Her body bulked in size growing to almost 3 times her original size.

  “If the chief says so , time for discussions is over ” the green one summoned a staff from thin air and prepared to cast a spell.

  As for the yellow bird i assumed he was hesitant , he made no movements

  The gray one turned to the yellow one “what's wrong Fabio , feel like yielding to the enemy? Fuck is all that armor for? ”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Looking at the monochrome feathered hothead , then looking at me his face was conflicted .From his perspective things might’ve seemed hopeless , would most denizens be ok with looking death in the eye.. Repeating this gesture a few times he said “ We stand… no chance. I think the smartest thing to do would be to avoid aggression, pretty sure he’ll just leave on his own if we don't provoke him.”

  Disgust was clearly visible on the grays ones face , spitting on Fabio as he was called she uttered “worthless general”

  “I knew you would react like that , this might not be the most heroic thing to do but its the smartest”

  “Did a dragon and a scythe make you lose your composure , there are so many more of us and 2 of them. Do you really think you’re being smart?” the green bird taunted

  “Smarter than you realize. This dungeon rai” - one of his own men from behind attacked Fabio

  “Your not our leader anymore”

  I was watching mutiny right before my eyes.

  Dodging the blow he rolled as his armor clanked with every motion. Covered in dirt he now stood in between his former colleagues and his new acquaintance . Did he simply see the writing on the wall or was this because he was moved by my speeches? He might not be the most trustworthy but that was one more life saved.

  Mhhp “ Anyone that wants to come with me come” Fabio said without looking back.

  I was surprised he didn’t get attacked again. Also maybe 20 or 30 denizens coincidentally all of them were yellow. I suppose they were the ones who had the most affiliation to their general.

  Walking to the left of Zhil and I, Fabio demonstrated his newfound “loyalty”.

  Zhil from his momentary silence finally chipped in but in the form of telepathy.

  “Let us end this farce.. If not they will continue to attack us. I'm sure you understand ”

  I did understand.

  But I hated the thought of adding more blood to grease the wheels of misfortune. I had to satisfy my mind with the idea that this was for the greater good. True or not, I couldn't say but what choice did i have.

  “Ok” was all I responded with

  TKKK the gray harpy eagle began her assault.

  The colorless bird jumped at me leaving the earth shattered behind her. She was moving extraordinarily fast. I could see where her confidence came from . I knew I wouldn't be able to dodge so I put my staff in front of me to absorb the impact. Though that wasn’t necessary as Zhil's tail whipped her hard into the ground sending her barreling into her army. This all happened in under a second. It looked like it hurt because she was holding the side that was damaged when she got back on her feet.

  Realizing that she was displaying weakness she removed her hand from the injured spot.

  “Not bad”

  Seeing her weakened, my first instinct was to again , try talking things out but I stopped myself. What would this be the 5th or 6th time I tried to use words.

  It wouldn’t work

  “ Dark impulse or breath of madness? “ i debated with Zhil

  “Breath of madness will be more than enough , Shall we kill them in units to be most efficient?”

  Ugh of course not ,well… What difference did it make? NO the ends do not justify the means… or did they. If I was as ruthless as possible i could kill them in groups securing the most exp but i didn’t want to kill them in the first place. This was only because it was absolutely necessary. I needed to reaffirm time and time again. The line was blurry and mistakes couldn’t be taken back.

  Directing my attention towards combat i started to transfer mana over to Zhil.

  I could feel the mana leave my body entering Zhil’s, mixed with that i focused my emotions, then Empowered Zhil. Three buffs stacked on top of each other no one would survive.

  The green mage bird was almost as pale as his chief. I'm sure seeing her get shut down in an instant was an eye opening experience. upon Seeing Zhils stomach and mouth bulge he was casting some type of barrier spell.

  He knew that at this moment he had to go on the defensive.

  Barrier after barrier was forming around the front side of the army, each bigger than the last.

  It occurred to me that the only reason I had to resort to violence was because I was weak. As weak as everyone else.

  “Sorry” I said, keeping my eyes completely open. I wouldn’t look away from my actions.

  BOOM

  The fire breath that escaped Zhils mouth was staggering. The crazy part is the density was so thick that it reminded me of ocean waves back in Lunka. A small hallucination of my hometown appeared in my eyes, almost causing me to close them. I wanted to feel as sad as I should've been but I knew this was a necessary evil.

  The closest barrier held for all of 3 seconds , then the one after it. It was admirable how the mage stood directly in the line of fire putting his life on the forefront to protect the army.

  That lasted a whole 10 seconds before

  Shatter the staff broke and so too did he . The denizens within a meter radius of him were carbonized. Zhils fire breath was beam shaped rather than cone shaped , so with the twist of his muscular neck he fanned out his cataclysmic ray of death. The ground beneath where his fire was turned either into black dust or if he held it there obsidian. There were no screams, all that was here was gone.

  I wonder how many of them actually shared the beliefs of their commanders. Truth is looking at their charred remains, I didn't hate them.

  (Rank Up)

  C-

  There was nothing to be proud of

  This battle was over or so I thought.

  In the middle of the fire and flame stood a white figure.

  Is that who I think it is?

  Standing in the middle was a pure white body 5 meters tall. A giant of white feathers was standing there unharmed and wounds healed. I was rather astounded, I’ve gotten so strong but did she just face tank Zhils empowered firebreath?

  WAIT!

  That white form didn't Oolia have it? Ordas if i remember correctly?

  “Hahaha , so you wanted to know my name? Yes i want you know the name of your better “

  “Emily Avi”