Before the Legion came to attack the north, Stone Glacier had been the home of the Aragon Family … the home of the frost dragons as well. It was once the wealthiest … most powerful city among all places in Glacia, as the mountains in its territory were rich in gemstones, sold at expensive prices for the making of arcane runes and jewels; rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and more. But it all came into ruins as the demons came out from the portal far north and brought chaos to the lands of Glacia.
It wasn’t until the Legion had been forced to retreat to the Underworld that King Terrowin began establishing a base in Stone Glacier Ruins. But the only repair they’d been able to make were the walls … not the entirety of the city. That was all Arth could see as he finally glimpsed the high walls from the horizon. They had indeed fixed the walls, but the cracks and damages were still evident from one’s sharp eyes.
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‘Is there even a limit to their numbers?’Arth thought. He took a quick glance at Lucas and Chief Gregor, witnessing their killing spree with both impressive power and speed. But still, more knights were coming.As he looked back, he spotted Luna and Janshai still climbing the incredibly high walls. Luna was piercing her arrows through the wall to serve as their steps in going up.“You’re wide open!” Arth heard a dark voice from a knight behind, but he was quick enough to spin his body, swinging his ice-dagger at the enemy’s neck. Blood spurted instantly from its opened throat, before the body hit the ground.The snow fell continuously, as they’d been moving farther to the north. After seeing Robert slaughtering every knight on his way, as if he was dancing, Arth came to realize he’s losing … He needed to kill more.&l
Reaching the top of the stairs, Arth finally stepped on the blue crystal floor. The place had a wide and open space, having no walls or roofs, only pillars on the edges. He wasn’t familiar of this temple, built between the Twin Mountains, but he could sense a familiar presence … a familiar energy … lurking nearby. Looking ahead, six tall obelisks had stood, forming a six-pointed star, with a glowing semi-spherical crystal at the center of the floor.“I knew you’d come here …” a voice spoke from one of the obelisks, “nephew …”Arth froze as Terrowin stepped out behind the obelisk, his blue cape dancing wildly from the cold blowing wind.“I know why you’d have to wait for me,” Arth said, glaring at the false king. “I know you can’t open the portal … so you need me just so you can get your unworthy hands on the
“How …” Terrowin spoke, his mouth drowning with blood. “You … traitor …” He tried to stop the bleeding using his hands, while he hopelessly grasped for air.Lucas made no reply. He walked forward and then touched the ice that covered Arth’s body. “Divine Revocation,” Lucas cast.The ice cracked and then it broke, shattered into pieces. Arth hit the floor, breathing heavily while holding the wound in his gut. He gritted his teeth from the pain, panting hard.“Well done,” Lucas told Arth, before he turned back to face Terrowin. “Your eighteen years of wicked reign ends here.” Then he sliced the king’s neck, cutting his head off at a blink of an eye. Blood spurted from the sliced head, spreading on the blue floor.“Can you stand?”Janshai’s v
“Cynthia Denvorn,” Kael immediately told the lady at the desk right after he and Tristan entered the Home for the Aged.“May I know your name, sir?” the lady asked, working on a parchment using a quill pen.“Kael Denvorn.”“And you are her … son?”“Grandson.”“Just a moment, sir.” The lady pulled one drawer open under her desk and then took a folder. She opened it, traced her finger on the list of names, and flipped through the pages. Then she stopped and put the folder on the desk.“I’m afraid she’s still having her meal. Can you wait for a moment? I’ll call you when they’ve already taken her back to her room.” The woman smiled as she gestured her hand towards the couches on the side of the lobby.Kael closed h
“Watch out, boss!” Arth yelled.But before the claw of the dragon could strike, Lucas made a high jump to dodge. He waved his sword to land a quick slash, aiming at the beast’s head, but then it ducked and spun its enormous body, swinging its huge tail to strike him. Lucas couldn’t move, as he’s still on air, so he had no other choice but to block the tail with his arms crossed.The direct hit blasted Lucas away, slamming him against the stone wall, only to fall on the floor, coughing blood, leaving the wall cracked.Arth held his sword tighter. Despite its enormous size, Draphiron was undeniably fast.Even Arth himself couldn’t possibly react in time had he been in Lucas’ situation earlier.“Why does it keep on attacking us?!” Arth shouted.No … Why would it keep on attacking only Lucas? Not Arth … or J
“No …” Once again he burst into tears, leaning his forehead on the cold floor.“I failed … all because of me … all because of my stupidity!”Arth could no longer see any hope of saving Glacia. His body was too exhausted, worn out to go after Lucas and stop him. He could not even stand a chance now that Lucas had the sword and the power of its curse. No one could stop him now. And even if there was someone, Arth was already tired of hoping.“So all of our efforts are wasted … our accomplishments with the team … with Alice … all are wasted for his selfish ambitions?!” Arth said to himself as he hit his own forehead against the floor. “Alice died for nothing …
“Are you sure about this? What if they attack Cold Hills?” Tristan asked as they rode their horses, the west gate of the kingdom capital rising from their view ahead. It was a half-day journey from Cold Hills after they spotted the blue beam piercing through the skies, coming from the far north.“Don’t worry,” Kael replied. “Our village will be fine. The winterbird from the citadel said that the enemies were only attacking straight towards the capital.”As they reached the western gatehouse, Kael could still see the destroyed portcullis he had caused by the explosion two days ago. He raised his head to the top of the curtain walls and found no knights on watch anymoreThe fort bell kept on ringing, like repeating thunder amidst the dark clouds; the alarm for evacuation. The skies had already turned dark … wind blowing hard against his face, carrying the scent
After rushing out of the dungeon, Kael led the whole group inside the citadel, sneaking, as they did not want to catch the attention of the ghouls scurrying on the palace grounds … and the undead beasts flying above.A symphony of darkness and silence welcomed them … and it was a bit strange as to why Kael found no ghouls inside.The armory was located on the third floor of the citadel, so they had to use the wide staircases. As they made their climb, they tried to keep the silence, but Kael was annoyed by the Chief’s son who kept on whispering to Gregor. Had Gregor not taught his son how to keep his mouth shut?When they reached the armory, Gregor and his son quickly got their swords back. “Where are we going now?” the Chief asked Kael as they stepped out of the armory.“The throne room,” Kael replied. They got back to the staircases and clim