Chapter 1068 Little Sera
[Welcome to the island of Cloudreign.]
The words greeted them as they entered the gigantic island. Then, it proceeded to explain to them that Cloudreign had eight zones that could be captured by merely staying in them for at least a day. However, no two armies could coexist in the same zone for it to be captured.
The situation was simple: either conquer lands with no one or eliminate others to claim the land as yours. Dorian stared at the explanation that reached everyone before turning to look at the altar beside them. n(/o-(v/.e)/l((b)(I-)n
[Each army had a safe zone, where they could plan without fearing enemies and revive once killed. However, the altar would only revive them after an entire day of being killed. Those who die three times die forever.]
As the tower explained to them, Dorian walked to the edge of the safe zone. It was situated atop a hill with some sort of barrier protecting them. Even if the enemies tried to surround them, they would not be able to, since the hill was connected to others.
While looking below, Dorian felt a strange energy wash over them. He raised his eyes to the sky, seeing a small artifact appear high above them. As he squinted his eyes, he realized what it was.
"My father is already using his artifact to see the situation in the other armies. I'm guessing that he has already counted our numbers and general strength," said Dorian to Ilia, who frowned as he raised his eyes to look at the same artifact. "Since he has an invisibility artifact as well, it would be hard to anticipate his movements and location."
"My lord gave them these artifacts even though he wanted all cities to participate?" muttered Ilia with a frown. "They might obliterate us before he even arrives. This situation is quite dire."
"Since we only have one artifact and Xeloria has two, that means that seven remain. Rosewood has one as well, while Crestview has obtained two. Xeloria and Crestview will keep each other busy while we take the situation into our own hands."
"Then, should we focus on that?" muttered Ilia as he pointed in the distance. An army was marching to the land neighboring their zone. It was crucial for Ascent City to obtain this land if they wanted a footing outside their zone.
"That city is... Westcoast," said Dorian with a frown. "If I remember correctly, they were the sixth city, right behind Starhaven during the last war."
"Then this will be an easy fight," said Ilia Perli as he brandished his spear, which crackled with threatening lightning. "We take them out and establish our dominance within the area."
"Given their weakness, it does not make sense for them to march straight away," said Dorian with a frown as he took a few steps toward the edge of their barrier. The first zone was ahead of them, but the situation seemed dangerous. "Although we considered Crestview to have some artifacts... what if they have none? What if some of the smaller cities lucked out to have two?"
"Then, why would Crestview participate in this war?"
"Because they have no other choice," said Dorian with a shake of his head. "They have been the crowned winner all this time, so... they are forced to fight for their status."
***
"The war began, and countless armies started clashing against each other," said the cloaked figure floating with his group in the sky. "As he has predicted, some cities obtained more than one artifact, while others obtained none."
"Can we just barge into this war?" asked the tall creature covered in white fur. "Little Sera, this blood boat of yours is uncomfortable to my weak bones. Can you create a bed for me?"
"I will make a bed from you," said the demon, who had her hands raised, with a scowl. "Call me that name again, and I will make you into a toilet."
"...sorry."
Seraphine seemed content as she turned away toward the situation on the ground. The other two glanced at each other and said nothing since her blood kept them afloat over the island.
"When is that tamer going to reveal himself?" asked Whisker as he pulled down his hood with a frown. "Ever since we appeared on the second floor, he has been missing. Can it be that he betrayed us?"
"I couldn't care less even if he did," said Seraphine as she looked at the armies below. "Although Seika asked us to find some artifacts, we only managed to find one. You should tell him that you were the reason that we lost the second one."
"It's already an achievement to snatch an artifact from these scary armies," said Sarohan as he hugged a small pouch between his arms. "Seika would understand that we had no chance against them."
"He asked us to find at least two," said Whisker with a shake of his head. "Let's just blame Sarohan for this."
"That's cruel, Whisky Boy," said Sarohan with a sigh as he looked at the situation below. "The war has begun, but Seika is nowhere to be seen. Is it possible that something happened to him?"
"Doubting him is not a part of our plan, Waiga," said Seraphine as she began controlling the blood to make them descend. "According to the feline, Seika has already chosen a man to lead the second floor. Let's just help him for now."
"Do you mean Dorian Stormblade?" muttered Sarohan as he jumped to his feet and looked around. "How would we find him given that we don't even know his face?"
"We ask the one person who knows," said Whisker as his eyes turned beastly as he gazed into the distance. "We must converse with Jonathan of Silver Rose."
The party reached a plan as they started to descend toward the island. Although they could not create a portal that would lead them to the island, there was nothing to prevent them from flying toward it. Although this would make chaos ensue, it also meant that the tower allowed for ambitious individuals who wanted to take out lords.
As for the situation below, it was already in mayhem. Xeloria was the most aggressive army, as they began conquering two zones at the same time, making them clash with Elvenheim. Ascent and Westcoast were also fighting against each other. The other four avoided conflict as they each hurried to occupy a zone among the eight.
Of course, the ranking would not recognize those who built a fortress and tried to outlast the rest. If these armies wanted to rise, they would have to fight to the death. This was the entire point of the second floor, which was the Eternal War.
Seraphine and the rest joined the war carrying an artifact, waiting for an order from their leader. However, their other aim was to find Jonathan of Silver Rose, who was fighting against a high-elf who controlled the wind.
Their battle was fierce, as each wind blade cut through the mountains and lakes before seeking to behead the knight. However, true to his reputation, Silver Rose used his exquisite swordsmanship to deflect each of them.
Seraphine and the other two stared at the escalating fight between the two, which made their armies take a step back and leave them alone. The two were atop a mountain, sending shockwaves across the entire island with their clash.
"It has been almost a year since we fought like this, Silver Rose!" said the high-elf as he floated with a sinister grin. "This scar that you gave me still demands its revenge!"
"You should take revenge on your incompetence," said Jonathan as he waved his sword, sending a gale that upturned the soil. "Xeloria will be the first ranker in this war, Azaphyer."
"Is it because of your two artifacts?" muttered the elf with a smirk as he raised his hand, swirling it twice to create a vortex of wind blades. "We also have reasons to believe in ourselves this time, I'm afraid. Our Elven Kingdom will not lose again!"
As the two rushed at each other, the entire mountain seemed to sink into the ground underneath the impact of their clash. Each strike made the air buzz around them. Their sweat and blood mixed as they sought each other's necks, but neither could obtain an advantage.
"Let's end this in a single strike!" shouted Azaphyer as he summoned storms to surround him. Jonathan looked at him with a hardened expression as his silver petals created a rose atop his sword, filled to the brim with mana. Then, the two rushed at each other, wanting to decide everything in a single strike!
As their figures blurred, one silver and the other azure, the two reached unimaginable speeds. The ground sank beneath each step they took, cutting through trees and shattering boulders in their path.
Everything relied on this one second, where everything merged into one for the two fighters. The outcome had already been decided, but as they rushed at each other, they were surprised to see something white fall from the sky to land between them. The two squinted their eyes as they realized... it was a furry white butt falling atop them.
"...I'm sorry for calling you Sera!!!"
Boom!
