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A Nascent Kaleidoscope - Chapter 298

Published at 15th of March 2024 06:32:47 AM


Chapter 298

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Chapter 298:

"The Teleportation Circle we have connected to Kanto isn't responding." Yasaka informed me as her Guards were filing into the room. "We tried others one that were set up – the more public ones that our citizens use to move between the East and West, but they're all much the same."

"Enemy action." I breathed out, looking at the retinue that she had gathered.

"Without a doubt. After the first message, I haven't heard from the Old Man, which makes me think they're sealing both communications and any means of movement."

"Probably some sort of spatial scrambling." I clicked my tongue. "The go to method for such things. What of Scáthach and Raikou?"

"Scáthach had left for a mission the other day after you all went to Skyrim. Raikou is watching Kunou right now." Yasaka replied, a clear sense of unease in her voice.

[Raikou.] I sent my message through our connection. [Is Kunou okay?]

[Yes, Master.] Raikou replied. [I have heard from Yasaka, Kunou will not be harmed while I am around.]

I let out a breath, feeling confident on that front. "Chances it's a trap?"

"No idea." Yasaka shook her head. "But I'm making preparations in case it's meant to lure us away. And I doubt they can account for your unique abilities." She finally formed a small smile.

By preparations, she probably put everyone on high alert and was only bringing a small amount of elites. ".....If you want to say.."

"No." Yasaka denied me immediately. "Even if I wanted to stay, I couldn't. I have to personally answer this call for aid from Nurarihyon." She explained. "Besides...." A tail wrapped around my waist. "I'm strong, Wilhelm. Worry not for me but for those who anger me."

Yeah, I guessed I might be getting worried over nothing on that front. She's strong, and even stronger now that she had unlocked her Aura.

"It seems we're ready." Yasaka turned around to see her people lined up, weapons ready, spells cast, Touki enveloped.

I thought for a moment before withdrawing my Staff of Magnus. Yasaka eyed me curiously as I held it up. "Let me give everyone a little boost – Ebony Flesh." I pumped Magical Energy into the spell, chaining the casting over every single one of her Guards that were present, the Staff helping in facilitating the chains to each individual. "A standard strengthening spell, but it operates outside the person it's on. It also absorbs a certain amount of damage before breaking, don't rely on it, but it can save your ass in a pinch." I said loud enough for everyone to hear, though with the silence present, that wasn't too difficult.

"Good." Yasaka relaxed ever so slightly, taking a deep breath as she addressed the crowd. "I won't say much, you all are aware of what's happening. The East is under attack – we don't know from what, only that Nurarihyon has called for help. And you all are aware of his attitude, if he didn't sorely need it, he wouldn't be asking."

She paused letting that sink in. "We're going in with the assumption that we're going to be fighting right out the gate. The good news is that they won't be expecting us since they cut off all communications, the bad news is that we're also completely blind. I trust your judgement, if you see enemies, there will be no mercy. If the entire town is under siege, prioritize the civilians and saving lives."

This lot weren't the strongest, but Scáthach did give them training for quite some time. From what I've remembered, she made sure they were adept at teamwork.

A good team can hit above its weight class.

"Wilhelm." Yasaka turned back around. "Do it."

I nodded to her, taking out Mirage and planted it into the ground. I waved my hands, accessing the Kaleidoscope. "I was right, there are spatial fluctuations that made the coordinates completely chaotic."

"Is there an issue?"

"None whatsoever." Atleast for this level of interference.

It was the standard procedure for stopping tricks like Teleportation or things under that umbrella of magic. However, my method of 'Teleportation', if you call it that, completely bypassed this form of repulsion. It doesn't take into account stepping out of the World-line then reentering at the desired point. It's like blocking off all the roads into a city, but I'm taking a helicopter.

I swiped my hand to the side, creating a Portal that connected where we wanted to go, and immediately hot air splashed across my face.

Fires entered our vision, chaos just from the first glance, but we had no time to dwell on it.

"Lets go!" Yasaka bellowed out as she went through first, with me right behind her.

[***]

There was another wave of heat as I walked through, nearly hitting me right in the face if not for my Aura.

Buildings were set ablaze, and an intense fire was tearing through the city. Smoke rose to the sky from every direction.

The Screams hit my ears immediately as well.

My eyes widened in horror as I saw people being impaled and decapitated by calvary. Individuals wreathed in bones and armor that sat atop flaming horses dragged people away. Others galloping down the road, throwing nets or hooking others.

"GO!" Yasaka shouted upon seeing the scene, and her people moved with a fury.

The majority of the forces she gathered with her today were Tengu, and they were quick.

The intruders, these invaders, were immediately set upon them. It took a moment for the invaders to realize we were there, but it was already too late for the first lot. Spears and Swords bursting through their chests, the Youkai's eyes filled with rage at seeing their kin being treated in such a way.

I knew who these invaders were.

"The Wild Hunt." I uttered the name with absolute disgust.

There were many – many legends and myths regarding them, but none of them were good.

I saw Yasaka clench her fists as she snarled in rage. "I'm going to find Nurarihyon!" She spoke before shooting off.

With Mirage in my hand, I didn't sit still either. I found the closest enemy and I shot forward. I didn't know what type of Fae it was, but it spoke something that not even my Devil Heritage could translate as I sliced through its neck.

Without thinking, I began casting Healing Spells with my Staff on every one of Yasaka's people or any other Youkai I found. I didn't even give them a second glance, if I passed them, they got healing.

With an extra wave of my staff, I cast Runic Circles above my head. My Lightning Circles. While their damage weren't significant, they were versatile in usage and I continued to use them. I also thought they were the most apt magic to use right at this moment, because there were way too many enemies.

On the ground and in the sky.

I didn't notice it at first, but above us, there was a sort of distortion in the world, a connection of space to somewhere else.

I would have to investigate to know more, but a quick guess was probably all I really needed due to the large number of enemies surrounding it.

Hundreds upon hundreds of similar horses and riders wearing similar amor and covered in bone-like decorations.

I focused on the ones in my immediate vicinity first. The ones who were apparently looting and pillaging as they caused wanton destruction.

If I didn't despise these people, I would be impressed.

His head jerked towards me, and the slits of his helmet seemed to be focused right on my person. He waived his right hand at me as well. I think he might have said something because a chunk of his people broke off and started coming down right at me.

[Brat.] Ddraig spoke up from within. [I don't like these guys. I won't say I haven't caused my own share of destruction in my wake, but not like this. I've never taken pleasure in killing random people like this.]

I put away the Staff of Magnus and my Swords.

I made a mental note to expand my repertoire with less spells that would be harmful to nearby allies or the surroundings.

"There's a lot of them, lets even the playing field, yeah?" I took out an entirely different staff.

A shaft of Orichalcum and Ebony, with veins of Moonstone just like my Mirage. At the tip were Dragon Bones, Runes covered over nearly every inch of surface. They curved and intertwined around a singular jewel, a combination of Dust so condensed and reformed into a solid orb. The Foci that had a singular name carved into it – the name of the spell that was also the name of the staff.

This Staff was only for casting a single spell.

I summoned the Boosted Gear to my hand as I placed it over the top of the staff.

"Ready Ddraig?"

[I've been ready for a long time.]

All of this together still wasn't enough. If it weren't for Durnehviir, I wouldn't have been confident casting this successfully.

I picked up the Staff again, and lifted it towards the oncoming mass.

I began casting the spell.

A large Runic Circle emerged infront of me.

"Ddraig, together." I took a deep breath.

[Together.]

Dragon Words had so much meaning in a single word, it was difficult to put them into a 'mortal' understanding. With Durnehviir's help, we were able to figure out Five 'Words' which would serve our purpose.

Open. Spirit. Legend. Temporary. Deceive.

Forcing the Boosted Gear – the Prison – Open for even a moment.

Pulling out the Spirit of Ddraig.

Recreating the Legend of Níðhöggr.

A Temporary attunement to the state of being.

Deceiving the world.

Each word reinforced every aspect of the spell that was already put together through the staff.

As if in anticipation, a deathly silence fell down upon the city. The flames of war that were raging, seemed to dim in acknowledgement. The clash of steel faded to the background as it became a secondary concern.

Words that bent the very fabric of reality.

"BEX ZII ZOOR FRUL LO." Ddraig and I shouted as one.

The world shuddered.

An invisible ripple of power cascaded out in all directions.

Words of power that caused the fight above to come to a stand still.

There was a weightless feeling that shook my body. A sudden lightheadedness overcame me for a brief moment that had me stumble before I reorientated myself.

I could feel it, Ddraig left my soul, The Boosted Gear was empty.

His spirit flew into the Runic Circle, the magics entangled as they swirled around him.

There was but one more step, to actualize everything together.

The name of the Staff and the name of the spell.

It was Lucretia who named it, and upon a silent world was it declared.

"Disgyniad yr Ymerawdwr!"

Names had power, but so did meanings attached to names.

A Welsh name that connected to Ddraig without outright stating his name.

Descent of the Emperor.

Massive claws tore through the Runic Circle. They pulled the remainder of its body through. Black scales that seemed to absorb all light, a poisonous miasma that seeped out with each breath it took. Fangs and claws that would rend the toughest of steel. Two sets of dreadful wings that arched up across its back, kicking up cyclones with each flap.

It was with his permission that sound returned.

A Dragon roared to life.

[***]

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