EPISODE 189: WYVERN’S ROOST 4

  — GREAT EDRYAN, YEAR: 7292. SEASON: NEW BEGINNING.

  Chi-infused flames licked at General Ameri’s oversized gauntlets. Her flames lit up the surrounding area as creatures emerged from the darkness—their maws dripped with fluids as their claws churned the dirt in their rush to attack.

  She punched out; her cousin, Ade Oni, did the same, and a wave of flames rushed forward to consume the forerunners of their attackers. Large (Mage Lights) emerged to chase away the darkness and provide light for the Imperius Army to see. The army’s surroundings were quickly exposed from a cloudy, moonless night to a near noon daylight. What they saw made them tighten their fists around their weapons.

  Thousands would be an understatement. A sea of movement stretched before them as creatures of all tiers rushed toward the army. Their numbers were so massive that the Central Gate Army held no choice but to step in.

  Prince Lawruthian’s eyes widen in surprise. He stood near the front of the battlefield, just paces behind General Ameri and her forces. His mind drifted back to his lessons with Eliana and how battles on the continent of Elrunian, better known as Genesis to him, could take place.

  “It can be fast or slow. Instant or take days to fight through—it all depends on three factors,” Eliana taught, holding up with fingers to her student.

  A young Lawruthian listened intently, in his lap was a large tome on battles and warfare. He flipped through the pages, reading carefully and making scribble notations.

  “It will be fast if the armies are unequal—a Gold Knight army fighting against a Copper Knight army can quickly kill them off using skills in conjunction.”

  Lawruthian nodded, although his eyes weren’t on Eliana, his ears listened intently. A Copper Knight Army would range from level twenty-five to level sixty or so—this was under the assumption they were all Rare.

  “It will be slow if both are equal—that is when it will become a battle of skill—not skill of the Prime System, but skill of the individuals.”

  He nodded, showing he understood, and continued listening as Eliana gave her final explanation. “However, there is a third situation… let me give you an example.”

  Prince Lawruthian stepped forward, prepared to help as the assault continued. Creatures—scaled in nature and true to the forest name—attack from above with abandon. Their claws searched for flesh, and flames flew from their jagged maws in an attempt to burn away the invading stain. Thunder sounded, the galloping draw as a mighty creature neared.

  He kept his Intent spread, and the aura of the [Chosen] assured those near him. He was not the only champion spread through the Imperius Army. Simra Enlar’s blade sang throughout the battlefield. Her moves were a dance that displayed sword skills of the highest grade. The surrounding soldiers fought with vigor as she led from the front. Her mind was dedicated to a sole purpose: kill . Close to her was Viviana Consus, who constantly cast spells that tripped up the attack creatures. She held the class [Imperius Botanical Researcher], and her manipulation of plant matter worked flawlessly to trip up her opponents.

  The rest of the Little Greats were spread through the Imperius Army, some in the front lines like Lorde Drumian and others further back, such as Amaya Musa and Madria Gamal. Both young women knew their opportunity to announce their hero-ship to the world was neigh.

  Lawruthian eyes widened as a large creature shifted through the horde of endless monsters. The large trees of Wyvern’s Roost did little to impede its path as it trampled its way forward. Flames licked the edges of its mouth, scaled nostrils exhaled thick ink-like smoke as it rushed forward. The creature's face was dyed by this smoke, while its body was a striking yellow-blue. It moved on all fours with its forelimbs poising small, angular wing attachments far too small to allow the creature proper flight.

  Lawruthian instantly recognized this creature as one of the more common land drakes found in Wyvern’s Roost. And, its appearance gave proof to Eliana’s third teaching.

  “(Inspect).”

  “High levelers hiding among the rabble pose the greatest danger—this can slow an army as they take further precautions to prevent such incidents. For they can lash out and disappear into the masses.”

  Lawruthian’s eyebrows raised in surprise at the detailed information his (Inspect) provided. He quickly pulled up the descriptions of a few skills and weaknesses as he moved past his fighting troops. His new armor greatly improved his Base Attack and Defense. The [Dark Prince Armor] wasn’t as good as his [Eternal Love] set, but it was more than enough with his current attributes to make him a threat to any Gold Knight.

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  [Legacy] shinned under the moonless light, its blade glittered like stars in the night sky. The Tygrex grew closer, its body tore through the smaller creatures that failed to remove themselves from its path.

  “Prince,” General Alexandria’s voice rang in Lawruthians head.

  “Speak,” Lawruthian responded, his body still steadily moving forward. The [Imperius Knights] cleared his path, Tobi Indrian at their forefront. They moved with efficiency, their blades seemed to find purchase in any weakness a creature showed. Stray eyes turned to the procession as they made their way forward and into the path of the land drake.

  “Will you need any assistance,” she responded. The first general of the Imperius Army remained near its core. Her Intent linked itself to her lieutenants which allowed her precise control and understanding of the battle situation on all fronts. The Imperius Army held its own. It did more than hold its own. The endless stream of one and two-star beasts were dispatched with quiet efficiency. There was little Life Point usage, which meant the army stayed at their peak.

  Champions, although small in number, were spread through the Imperius Army. They were able to challenge the tougher, three-starred creatures who sporadically appeared. Lawruthian liked and appreciated what he saw. Their development over the few months in the Stormforged Dungeon completely opened their prospects and displayed their potential.

  In their squad-based nature, each team was composed of two, sometimes three [Imperius Heavy Soldiers] who served as tanks. These men and women drew the attention of their nearest creatures through timely placed taunts as they bashed their weapons against their dark, heavy, rectangular shields. Then there were two primary attackers. These [Imperius Soldiers] held lighter armor and quicker movement speeds with high Base Attacks and adequate Base Defense. Once taunted, they would be the primary strikers as they stabbed, bashed, and sliced critical points on a creature. The final soldiers were composed of [Imperius Priestess] or [Imperius Paladins] in some cases and a dedicated [Imperius Warmage]—disregarding the commander and lieutenant of the squad.

  Lawruthian took another glance at the attribute placement of the Tygrex as he pondered over General Alexandria’s question. It would be stronger since it lacked magic like most Saphens of Genesis, but that also allowed certain weaknesses to develop. Its attack was high and defenses were adequate, but Lawruthian’s current power in his [Dark Prince Armor] put him near the Tygrex in terms of power.

  “I should be fine,” he responded a moment later. “It's not like we haven’t participated in killing stronger creatures.”

  General Alexandria didn’t verbally respond, but Lawruthian picked up her mental nod at him. He did notice that General Ameri shifted her squad and troops toward his direction.

  “Make sure nothing bothers me,” Lawruthian called to his [Imperius Knights] while mentally speaking to his generals.

  His gauntleted fist repeated opened and closed, as he cracked his knuckles. Following him closely was Adam 2.0 with his striking large hammer and shield.

  “It’ll be good to test the abilities of [Divine Sovereign of Edryan] on an actual battlefield,” he muttered.

  The upgrade of his second class and the establishment of his Faction brought many different changes. His Imperius Army was already benefiting from some, but he hadn’t experienced it with them. Stormforge Dungeon wasn’t the only reason many of them surged past their initial goal of just thirty levels.

  “Adam, Defense—block its charge,” he ordered, red-gold eyes flickering to his HUD.

  The golem’s body surged past him, right as the Tygrex’s large body bore down on Lawruthian. The creatures before it turned into mush as it charged through all opposition. Adam’s shield glowed golden as a skill activated to increase its defense.

  The golem’s body dug into the soft soil as it was pushed back several meters. Its defense ultimate blocked most of the damage from the Tygrex, but its Power lacked the same might the beast held. Lawruthian took a closer look at the creature. Its face was similars to a T. rex while its eyes followed the same coloration as its skin. It snarled, rearing up as a new skill activated, its fore claws took on a blood-red glow.

  Lawruthian calmly walked to the side as the creature’s attention remained locked onto his golem. To many Imperius Soldiers who glanced over, it appeared as if their prince was unworried to face against the mighty opponent before him. Their hearts surged with confidence and shared looks as they continued their battle.

  The [Imperius Knights] under Tobi’s leadership kept the area clear yet the creatures of Wyvern’s Roost already gave the Tygrex’s battlefield a wide berth. The creature didn’t seem to notice him nor care as it continued its attacks against Adam who continued to focus on defense.

  Each attacked forced his golem back several meters and gave the Tygrex room to build up its charge. This was when Lawruthian struck.

  [Legacy] glittered as the blade glowed with skill activation—its light disappeared from the eyes of the Imperius Soldiers for just a moment, only the flash of a disappearing figure left in place.

  “(Sovereign’s Strike),” Lawruthian spoke, leaving the words behind in his previous area.

  The light of his attack reappeared in the eyes of his men as Lawruthian’s attack struck—it shined with the golden-white of the Light element. Lawruthian felt his blade clang against the Tygrex as its skin took on a grayer, iron hue.

  “Good reaction, it's not one of the top wyvern’s of the forest for no reason,” Lawruthian muttered, his body pushing off the iron skin of the Tygrex.

  Its attack was interrupted, but it was quickly able to activate its defensive skill before Lawruthian’s attack hit. He’d waited until he was nearly behind it before he struck, yet it was still capable of perceiving his attack in time and defended properly. Its mobility may be challenged, but the Tygrex made up for that in other ways.

  A gust of wind blew against Lawruthian forcing him a few steps back before he could continue with his attack. The Tygrex’s wings spread and caught the air as it jumped back and landed a distance away. The moment its limbs touch the ground and its wing extensions refold into its forelimbs, the creature took off in a (Thundered Charge).

  “Interesting,” Lawruthian began. “Adam…, Exterminate.”

  Lawruthian glanced at the moving figures in the endless horde that rushed toward the two armies. Within, he could see many similar figures to the one he faced. This was not the time to play around, not when his army could be threatened with extermination. His gaze hardened under his helmed head—his blade glowed with elemental light, his choice to harmonize with for this battle.

  “Let's amp it up a step and see what this new class can do.”