God of Nothing

Aleph's hands became clammy as he imagined the scene. Agony, one of the strongest beings he had ever faced had had them cornered. He recalled the demon's unique ability to allow his imposing nature to escape notice, a skill that had allowed him to get captured beforehand. Looking at the state of them now, it was a miracle they had gotten away at all.

He picked up the dragonscale shield, and sure enough, a lot of the scales on it were broken or simply missing. A quick look at its core confirmed that it was completely drained of mana. He stared at the gem intently, trying to put himself into Rayse's shoes. What would he have done to get away there?

It seems that Vaynard was also familiar with the beast's abilities, for he just nodded along and pressed on.

"...How did you get away?"

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Rayse panicked. His day out on the valley had been just running into herald after herald. Well, there were only two, but that's still twice as much as he had ever encountered. He tried to push back on his shield

"Hee hee hee!" The demon stomped repeatedly on his shield, driving the trio deeper and deeper to the floor. The metal spines that held them all in place felt more like a vise, threatening to devour them just as eagerly as their master. The contraption had a malicious aura, and even in their dire straits, Rayse dared not touch it. He felt there was nothing good that would come of it, to the point that he preferred being crushed to death. Each stomp left him winded and battered, and he felt a sickening crunch in his arm. He could feel Connor bracing against his back, but he could tell he was beginning lose strength as well. All the while, innumerable shards of dragon scale fell all over them.

"Aghhh!" The demon roared from above, and then suddenly, the weight was gone. Taking the opportunity, Rayse pushed off the shield in order to free them.

"Shield charge!" The shield rose straight up, taking the fell contraption with it.

Rayse and Connor sprang up instantly as soon as their metal bindings had been released, but Brig still laid on the ground, limp and unmoving.

"Sir Brig? Sir Brig!" Connor was at his side in an instant, trying to bring him back. His hand came away bloody, even more than before. Rayse had no time to worry about him though, as a large thud shook the ground in the distance. Agony was there next to scattered pieces of rock, angrily stomping the earth as it got ready to charge.

"GrRrRAHHHH!!" It belowed as it ran at them all, destruction in its wake. Several wayward limbs began to brandish its many misshapen weapons, each one carrying the same malicious energy that the massive claw did earlier. How anyone could take their eyes off of this titan for even a second was a mystery to him.

"Move him, Connor, the bastard's coming back." The scout complied, taking their fallen friend as the herald resumed its attack.

"Hurry!" Luke shouted from behind as magic oozed off of his pores. He was barely on his feet, as was the rest of his squad. The biggest attack the veteran could manage had only angered the mad herald, effectively doing nothing but reducing the limited weapons they possessed.

Rayse recalled his shield after it had pitched away the giant metal claw from earlier. He stood his ground, bracing himself to meet the charge. He absolutely didn't want to, but with their exhaustion and injuries, this fight is far more lopsided than it was. The broken shards of metal that littered the floor around him shook as Agony stomped his way over to them. 

"Earth spears!" Polo's hoarse voice erupted from behind him. In response, shards of sharpened earth began to batter the beast as he went over. It stopped him for a spell, but the lumbering giant just started to wade through it. It reduced his speed by a hair. He was carried off quite far by Luke's attack, but at this rate, it would arrive before long.

"Tailwind! Hurricane!" A fantic voice shouted. Even more elements were thrown at the onrushing beast. Its roaring became even more pronounced, but soon, it was marching through it along with Polo's continuous attacks. It's swinging arms smashed the rocks and even the wind itself as it approached.

"Dammit!" Rayse swore. They were only prolonging the inevitable at this point. He recalled how ineffective his current offense was against the demon king, but right now he had no other recourse.

"You, there! Kid!" He called out to the newcomer that huddled with the rest of the wounded. He was the other trail of light that was running with Brig earlier, and the one that had casted the spells just now.

"Huh? Me?" The scout responded. He looked to be about Rayse's age, but something about him screamed the innocence of youth. He looked out of place in the war, but Rayse had no idea why he was even here. 

"We're making a run for it. Can you carry Brig? You're the fittest one out of all of us."

"Yeah, but… what are we going to do about him?" He pointed to the beast that was seconds away from arriving.

Clang, clang clang. The shards of dragon scale on the floor tinkled against each other even more aggressively as their doom approached ever closer, but the sound gave Rayse an idea.

"I'll handle it. Just be ready to run, okay?"

"Y-yes." The scout nodded, putting on as brave a face as possible. He was still maintaining two spells at once, so it's a miracle he could even speak like this. Rayse took that as an encouraging sign. He raised his shield once again and faced the enemy herald. The countless shards, broken on the ground, floated in their midst. Each one shone a bright emerald sheen, the same hue as Rayse's spear. He summoned all the mana he could muster, both from his shield and his spear, focusing his entire being into this next attack.

"Valiant scale burst!!"

Each bit of metal enlarged into large spikes as it rushed forward, engaging the beast. Agony tried to batter some away, but they were far too numerous for him to counter. Finally, he was not only stopped, but was even pushed back. He roared in frustration as the trio battered him with their own spells, until soon he was completely on the defensive.

"Now!" Rayse shouted, and he and his group bolted. He kept the spell on a loop, applying the same imagery he used on the cascading spell he used last time. He turned his back and hoped that was enough.

They ran like bats out of hell after that, keeping on until they finally collapsed under the shadow of the fortress.

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"I-it almost had us. If it weren't for Rayse, w-we would have been…" His voice was hoarse and trembling, as if speaking for this long had strained him somehow. Aleph decided to be considerate, knowing full well that the man himself was still grieving.

"That's enough, son. You should get some rest as well." Aleph said kindly before walking over to the captain's quarters.

"Sid," Vaynard called from behind him. "Ask the quartermaster to bring up some food for these men. Then, you may take your leave."

"Yes sir!" Came the answer from down in the halls.

Aleph returned to the main room with a bottle of honey colored liquid.

"Here, Polo. To calm your nerves." He said as he pressed it into Polo's hands.

"T-thank you." he said gratefully before taking a swig. In a few moments, his trembling began to die down. He settled back, posture relaxed, and began to relish the bottle for the time being. Vaynard looked concerned, likely thinking about what he had just heard, until he noticed what exactly it was that Aleph gave the young soldier.

"Wait, did you get that from Iona's stash!? Are you crazy!?" He exclaimed. Polo choked on the drink as soon as he heard.

Aleph tilted his head, surprised at the sudden outburst. He had been mostly silent during Polo's recounting, but this is what set him off?

"W-what do I do?" Polo asked as his trembling returned. He stared at the drink in his hand, simulataneously wanting nothing and everything to do to it.

"She owes me. It'll be fine."

"But you made me…" Polo despaired. Aleph saw him listlessly wandering around in the aftermath of Kyrios, so to see this much emotion from the young man was a welcome change. Unfortunately, it was one of pure dread. "I'm so dead."

Aleph sighed, before taking the bottle in his hand. Polo's reaction went from regret, to relief, and finally to horror when he saw Aleph take a swig of the fine ale.

"Hmm." Aleph smacked his lips. He hadn't had a good time with this world's alcohol, but this one was mellow, filled him with warmth, and went down easily. He stared at it for a moment before passing it back somewhat reluctantly.

"I will tell her I downed the entire bottle, so just take it."

Polo hesitated a bit, which gave Vaynard the opening to take the bottle for himself.

"Your majesty!" He exclaimed, desire fully evident in his eyes now.

"This is ridiculous! What future king is afraid of his charge?" He said after he took a long, healthy swig off of the bottle. "Don't worry, Polo, I'll have Sid bring you some beer from downstairs, too."

"B-but…" Polo went completely limp now, as if he was back to his former self. His eyes looked alive, though, more than it ever has been. Whatever they encountered in the valley, it has helped him a great deal. 

The ruckus caused the rest of his patients to finally stir, adding to the 'festivities'. Luke was especially eager to ransack Iona's wine stash once Aleph expressed a desire to have another taste. It looked like it was already established that he would be taking the fall for this whole operation.

Aleph watched the scene in satisfaction before snatching another bottle from Luke. This minor victory was one he was sure to relish.