Chapter 8: All the Devils are here
Everyone was in a grim mood inside the sparsely lit conference room. The Cold was trying to find its way in, frost building up on the few covered windows.
They had started Summoning their armor memories and weapons, preparing for the upcoming battle at the coast.
They had barely survived the last major clash, and now their only aquatic Saint had left them... so this wasn't promising anything good.
But one young man didn't seem concerned at all. Much to their slight agitation, He even had a growing smirk on his face.
'An aquatic, Leviathan, or Serpentine creature, you say?'
Shutting off his communicator, Sunny checked his runes.
[Soul Serpent]
[Shadow Rank: Supreme]
[Shadow Class: Tyrant]
It's runes had its characteristic shine and liveliness to them once more. Which meant that Serpent was indeed getting closer.
'So it is you causing this stir, Serpent?' His grin grew wider. 'So soon... You're a damm Genius Rain! As expected of my sister!'
His glee was rudely interrupted by Belle.
"Captain, what are you smirking for! That... that things gotta be at least of the corrupted rank!" Belle yelled. He didn't like that look on Sunny's face. It meant nothing good... "If not worse..."
Sunny turned to look at them, tilting his head in mock confusion... but his smirk betrayed him. "What is it? I've said before that my ally was coming over here, didn't I?"
Jet gave him a long look... and then joined him, grinning as well. "Well, that's an interesting ally you've got there indeed. Might even be useful..."
The three devils were greatly surprised by this. They hesitantly unsummoned their armaments, looking at their major wide-eyed...
"Major, you've hid this powerful echo of yours... all this time??" Samara was feeling a bit excited, honestly... Sunless was already abnormally strong. And now he even had another ridiculously strong echo hidden away as an ace card? To her, It wasn't even a debate now if he was the strongest Master of humanity. He IS the Strongest Master of humanity. Or perhaps ever... 'Could he kill a Saint...?'
Sunny gave them all a look. He smiled faintly... "Sure... Serpent was busy with its own task. But this takes priority... only i didn't expect it so soon..."
Jet watched the alert on her communicator, swiping at it. Her smile strained a bit... "But Sunny, your friend's timing must've shocked the army quite a bit. We should go and de-escalate the situation down there."
He nodded a little... "Yeah. We'll go in a moment... but let's quickly wrap up our meeting as well."
He didn't want to keep them here for too long. But one thing still had to be cleared.
((Read))[1]
<"Test, Test... Hello?">
Dorn frowned, Belle yelped, and Samara startled as they heard their Major's voice ring out in their minds. "What the hell...!"
Jet raised an eyebrow, looking at Sunny curiously. "Huh. So you've got a telepathic memory... Also, invading a ladies' mind now, Sunny? How naughty of you..."
Eye twitching, Sunny shrugged her off. His voice spoke out through their minds again.
<"I'm not invading anything! I can't read your minds or anything either... thank the Gods. But anyway, don't overuse it and just see this as a communication network between us. Makes things easier.">
They nodded, understanding his point. Having a private telepathic communication network between the cohort members would make things way easier and manageable. Their Major was cunning as ever.
"Also... we – our cohort that is – don't even have a name, do we?"
That made then pause. Sure, people called them the Devil's and stuff... but they just went along with it. But much had happened, people died, Squads disbanded, and now they had formed this final cohort...
Soul Reaper | Jet, Devil of Antarctica | Sunless, Guardian Angel of Antarctica | Mongrel(Saint), Dorn, Belle, Samara. The final axis of resistance that stood between the horrors of Antarctica and the gates of Falcon Scott.
They entertained the idea quietly...
Dorn scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"I'd say we keep it simple: The Devil's cohor."
Sunny turned to Jet, but she just shrugged lazily. "I don't care... as long as it sounds cool."
Belle and Samara didn't seem to have any noteworthy suggestions... or didn't really care for the name.
Sunny sighed in disappointment... 'This is my cohort? These fools can't even brainstorm a little...'
"Alright then, we'll stick with "The Devil's cohort" for now."
Having come to a conclusion, Sunny dismissed the three, only staying with Jet now.
"Alright then, take my hand, I'll bring us down there..."
Sunny held out his hand, intending to Shadow-Step to the coast defenses with her.
Jet meanwhile looked at his outstretched hand, offering him an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Sunny, you're a cool guy and super strong as well... but you're way too young and a little short for my taste as well."
"..." He gave her a deadpan expression... 'How did she even...? Ugh...'
Letting out a heavy huff, he looked away from her for a moment, pinching his nosebridge. His hand was still held out, waiting to be grabbed... "I'm teleporting us, dumbass."
He would have liked to refute her claims, but... his flaw wouldn't have allowed it anyway.
"Ohhh... since when can you teleport others as well?" Jet grinned shamelessly, probably more amused than anything. She stretched out her arm, grabbing his hand now.
They suddenly fell through the shadows, vanishing from inside the office.
*
Appearing on the fortified coast, Sunny let go of Jet and looked around with an observant eye. "Just recently."
There were thousands of soldiers carrying light memories to make the darkness retreat. They were running around the walls, the wind howling coast, and between. All had been completing tasks and preparations in the knee-deep snow for the upcoming battle. The Awakened of clan Night and the Government stood in lines around the plain, frozen coast. All staring at the water with grim determination.
Searching spotlights were illuminating the ocean for kilometers, trying to find the approaching monstrous Nightmare creature they designated Leviathan.
The Railguns and countless Armaments had been reloaded and prepared. Pointing toward the ocean and being manned by a combination of soldiers and a few volunteer refugees as well.
Looking at Sunny, Jet saw him standing with his arms crossed, eyes darting around in a calculating manner. 'What is he planning now?'
The officers who noticed them were already rushing over, bringing their reports and needing to await the leader's orders.
His tight face slowly relaxed again... he glanced at the approaching officers and then at the Antarctic ocean. A devilish grin splitting his lips. Jet heard him say...
"They want a fight? I'll give them one."
Jet's eyes widened a little... 'This guy... don't tell me he's planning to...'
But then the 5 officer's arrived, saluting their Leaders, an awakened adorned with many metals of clan night was just about to tell their report on the situation...
"Sir! We've..."
Sunny held out his hand, stopping them. He ditched his grin, wearing a more stern look that would befit a general.
"I'm aware. Thank you all for your quick response and coordination." He paused, glancing at the formations of awakened. All ready for War.
"But I think you all overestimated our foe. Send my soldiers back to tend to our refugees and stand by duties."
Sunny started walking, his Mantle of the Underworld manifesting itself to encase him in dreadful onyx plate armor. His [Shadow lantern] hung by his side, releasing a tide of shadows that loosely clung to his dark form. His [Cruel Sight] materialized by his side in its spear form.
They watched wide-eyed at his unorthodox orders and were just about to protest...
"But! Sir...!"
His voice rang out loudly, cold with absolute.
"I will be enough."
He wrapped all his five shadows around himself as he approached the ocean alone.
Every eye was drawn to his imposing figure... a spotlight was moved to illuminate him, making people gasp when they noticed him approach the ocean, ready for a fight.
The previously grim soldiers lifted their head again, seeing their leader, their savior, stepping up himself to save everyone once more.
A man armored in a large exoskeleton and diverse weaponry spoke through the radio.
"Holy sh... don't tell me he's doing it himself...?"
"That Devil... he's totally insane."
Jet meanwhile let out a breathless chuckle at his bravado play. 'What a cunning bastard... good that he's on our side.'
Indeed, Sunny could have just dismissed the army and sent them back to their positions normally without this play.
But what would that have caused? This huge army build-up was a massive strain on the already stretched logistics and resources they had. Just sending everyone back and calling a false alarm would have been quite a relief... and quite a disappointment.
Soldiers would have mobilized for nothing. Army command would have been blamed for the failure... and the people would have lost some faith in the army.
They needed a victory. After the Devil's speech, their hearts were ignited. If Sunny could manage to turn this logistical and communication disaster into a resounding victory instead, it would instead raise the morale even further. It would show that their leader – The Devil of Antarctica – had the strength to singlehandedly protect them from even the greatest threats. It would undeniably raise his credibility and reputation even further.
This was the Mad-man's improvisation plan he thought up on the spot.
'Well played, Sunny. Well played...'
Jet just smiled knowingly and turned to the pale officers.
"Haven't you all heard him? Recall the soldiers back to their previous positions!"
The officers quickly saluted her and ran off, barking orders. "Everyone of the first line, pull back! The General will manage it himself!"
"I repeat! Fall back to your previous positions!"
When everyone received the news that the Devil would handle it alone, the reactions were mixed.
They felt awe for his courage, strength, and leadership.
They felt fear, not wanting him to die and leave them behind.
They felt relief, silently thanking him for sparing them this gruesome battle.
But most of all... they trusted their leader. Trusted that he'd protect them, as he always had been these past months.
*
Sunny swam, inside the freezing waters once more. He assumed the shadow shell form of Deareon, but without the rage part this time.
He couldn't let anyone know that this was actually his echo/ shadow. If people knew he'd have such things at his side, he could attract unwanted attention from the true current leaders of this world.
'Serpent?? If you can hear me... come at me as fast as possible. Let's have a play fight...' Sunny – in his sea Serpent form – was about a Kilometer away from the coast, hovering on the water surface and observing the shadows for any movement.
Luckily, the darkness underwater wasn't considered True-Darkness, but rather just normal darkness that allowed his shadow sense to work.
'...'
The waters were calm as ever, no disturbances except the waves and an occasional aquatic nightmare creatures of no worth. These fish seemed kind of scared of him nowadays...
Rumble...
"Huh..." Sunny turned, sharpening his senses. Indeed, the water had just rumbled.
'The water is rippling... there's... is that?'
A massive shadow was traveling through the water... it was going at a mind-numbing speed... and straight towards him.
'S-serpent...?' His eye widened... glee filling him.
The shadow had onyx scales, Serpentine features, and was of at least 80 meters length. It was indeed his loyal shadow.
"S-serpent...! You're finally back!" He almost wiped a tear of his eyes but then remembered that he was still in his shadow shell,"I missed you -"
He didn't get to finish. Serpent hadn't been slowing down... and then straight up rammed his Shadow shell at full speed.
A massive shockwave spread out, making the waters explode...
The power behind the vicious attack was so enormous that Sunny was straight up, shot out of his Shadows-shell at dangerous speed...
The spotlights had been illuminating him and the new titanic guest. So everyone watched in shock as Sunny's body was flying back fast... he even started skipping on the waters surface like a rock...
Skip... skip... skip...CRASH!
His body collided violently with the coastal walls... the ice clinging to it, shattered everywhere, and a pile of rubble buried him.
Everyone – The soldiers, the Awakened, the Refugees, the officers... – was gaping at where he was buried. Eyes wide, jaws dropped to the floor. No one could breathe or dare say a word...
Even Jet was starting to worry... <"S-sunny... this is a bit far for an act, isn't it...?">
<...>
<"...ugh. F-far...? I dont know...">
He sounded all confused and disoriented...
'Dammit, sunny... you overdid it, idiot...'
Jet face palmed...
Meanwhile... Sunny had almost been red mist had it not been for his [Weaves], reinforcing his physical body and his [Feather of truth] Ability making himself extremely light weighted...
[Bone weave] held his bones together, mending the cracks that had formed.
[Blood weave] was retracting the blood from the floor and walls, back into his rebuilding form...
[Flesh weave] worked the hardest. It rebuilt his mashed organs, mended his flesh wounds, reconstructed his exploded eyes, and grew new skin everywhere like a reptile...
He groaned, slowly standing up, the rubble falling off of him as he relocated his shoulder.
When the disorientation wore off and he was mostly rebuilt... he stared at the ocean again. Serpent stared back, waiting...
'Oh, he got me good, heh...'
"Hah... haha. Hahaha!!"
A grin split his face as he started walking towards the water again. He started laughing to himself, as if he had just heard the most funny joke ever...
No one said a word... but they all knew it. This guy was totally insane!! WHO THE HELL SURVIVES A CRASH LIKE THAT AND THEN GETS UP LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED!?
Suddenly, they were unsure who exactly the nightmare creature here was...
Sunny released more shadows from his [Shadow lantern] and manifested himself large, raven like wings. He lowered himself for a moment and then shot forward into the dark sky, leaving behind a large cloud of snow...
'You want them to see a show? I'll give them a show!'
He climbed high into the air, holding his spear [Cruel Sight] in hand. And then he folded his wings, diving down like a Falcon.
The [Cruel sight] ignited, shining brightly with divine fire like a lone star in the boundless darkness of Antarctica.
Everyone gazed at the spectacle... it looked like a comet crashing down on the enormous Leviathan.
"Eat this!"
Increasing his weight 10 fold, Sunny crashed into Serpent, the waters exploding out once more as they were both dragged underwater.
Of course... as a Supreme Tyrant, Serpent wouldn't take much damage from a mere ascended memory. But Sunny still wanted to get back at serpent for catching him off guard!
Summoning the [Essence pearl] in his mouth, he dived for Serpent. The surrounding wild shadows of the ocean wrapped around him, forming a new shadow shell around him as he shadowed Serpent's form again. He willed the waters to bend... so they bend, increasing his agility and control immensely.
'Come here, buddy!'
Serpent didn't wait. It launched at him as well, opening its maw wide enough to swallow a whole APC.
Sunny pulled to the side, dodging its attack and countered, biting into its side... only his fangs couldn't penetrate the hard scales of the Supreme Tyrant...
'Right... I guess we'll keep dancing then.'
Serpent roared loudly, making the grounds quake and waters bubble. It turned abruptly, throwing him off and coming around again for another try.
Sunny narrowed his eyes in concentration... he was taking this play fight too seriously, and he knew it. 'But it's so Damn fun...'
The two Sea monsters went at each other once more... of course, one was way larger and stronger than the other... but Serpent knew when to hold back for its master.
'Right...?'
They dragged their fight deeper and deeper underwater... Both Serpents violently swirled and bit each other apart with their fangs... Sunny had to constantly call forth more shadows so he wouldn't crumble from all the damage.
And then, Sunny had finally done it! He had channeled his will into the bite and cracked a part of Serpent's scales at the neck. The waters were supporting him while slowing down Serpent, but it couldn't help much in the immerse power difference...
Serpent had been busy butchering a blood path across the Indian ocean after all... it was all but warmed up, ready to keep killing.
And Sunny... he had been getting a bit rusty anyway, so this was a great exercise.
'Come on! Almost...!' He ripped and teared at Serpent's neck but couldn't get deep enough for the spine no matter what.
So, instead, he wrapped his long form around serpent, applying suffocating pressure all around. 'More! More!!' A few cracks were forming on Serpent's scales now... he was finally getting somewhere!
Serpent, in response, twisted sharply, trying to throw him off with brute force. When that didn't work, it channeled its Supreme will outwardly with a groundbreaking roar that made the ice plates on the water surface shatter like glass... a small tsunami building up as a by-product.
When the intense pressure of Serpent's roar hit Sunny, he felt dizzy and disoriented... his Shadow shell was losing cohesion and crumbling...
But then he focused again... he willed himself into existence again, fighting against the suffocating pressure Serpent put on him.
'Alright, Serpent, let's... wrap this up. This was quite fun.'
He mused momentarily, letting go again, before using his momentum to ram Serpent's neck and pulling deeper into the Darkness.
*
The army and refugees watched the ocean silently. The tension in the air was becoming suffocating as they waited and waited...
The two gigantic Serpents had dragged their fight underwater a bit ago, so they couldn't observe the fight anymore...
Seeing the fight happen was terrific, but also reassuring because you had some semblance of information...
But now they could only wait for who the winner was... and that result could very well be their fate.
The large waves slowly calmed, stopping the minor flooding that happened on the coast...
The minor earthquake slowly subsided...
And now the people were trembling, and that was not just from the cold.
From the waters, a man slowly emerged. His Onyx plate armor was battered and broken, and his long hair was damp and clinging to his pale face.
But his eyes looked as stern and determined as ever. He walked on the frozen plain, spitting out a pearl as he pulled his hair back with his hands... he had 5 shadows loyal at his feet.
Then, he finally turned, his eyes sharpening as he stared back at his audience...
'Why is there always a damm crowd when i fight?'
Seeing him come back, a collective breath of relief was let out... people started talking amongst themselves.
An awakened stationed along the defensive line slumped forward, relief filling him. He didn't think he would have survived the fight against Leviathan, and neither did many others. "Oh, thank the Gods..."
"That Madman did it all alone..."
"Does look like it."
A group of refugees stared at him... they were all tired, not because of the physical labor, but because of the stress of not knowing the result of the fight.
An awakened female soldier chuckled and nudged her friend. "I knew he was the strongest here... but is that bastard really a Master? How is he this strong..."
Her pale friend worryingly scolded her.
"Shut up, you Idiot! Don't you know? They say he can hear everything through the shadows!"
A group of healers and high-ranking officers ran up to him, worried and relieved.
"General! Are you alright!?"
"It's the Devil! He actually did it!"
"He won!!"
A young healer used his Aspect, checking for any wounds in him, but Sunny just dismissed them with a hand again. "No need, thank you... I'm fine."
He turned to the high-ranking officers, giving them a stern look. "Haven't I given clear orders to send everyone back to their posts? Why is everyone still on the coast??"
"General, we... we... everyone was just so captivated by your heroic fight!" A middle-aged awakened said with barely hidden excitement.
Sunny rolled his eyes inwardly... 'I hate that word...'
"Well, it seems like you aren't blind or deaf after all... Get to it then! The refugees need to be tended to, and you will take care of them all as if it was your own damm child! You got that!?"
"Sir, yes, sir!"
"O-of course, Sir!"
They all trembled for a whole different reason again... Saluting, they all quickly left, barking orders loudly through communication memories.
He sighed... he didn't mean to be so grumpy, but because of them all, his reunion with his dear Shadow was cut short! 'We'll talk later, Serpent. Stay as a tattoo for now.'
Jet walked up to him and put her hands on both his shoulders. She inspected him left and right with a firm grip. "Gods, Sunny, how the hell don't you have a single scratch on you? Are you even human?"
Sunny let himself be inspected. He shrugged. "My body is quite resilient, you know... and uh... Not much these days."
"That's... not reassuring." She sighed, letting go of him again. She started walking, gesturing him to follow.
He walked next to her, smiling faintly.
"It wasn't supposed to be."
They walked up the walls again, not saying much. Sunny took this small chance to look at his runes once more...
[Name: Sunless]
[True name: Lost from Light]
[Rank: Ascended]
[Class: Tyrant]
[Shadow fragments:] [0067/5000]
'Ugh... reaching my Terror core will take ages. But going into the Shadow realm is suicide right now.' There was still a certain feral God killer running rampant after all.
[Memories:] [Silver Bell], [Puppeteer's Shroud], [...etc.]
[Echos:] [Ravenous Fiend]
'Soon I'll turn you back as well, Fiend.'
[Shadows:] [Onyx Saint], [Soul Serpent], [Nightmare]
He focused on some of Serpent's new abilities and attributes.
[Soul Companion]
Attribute Description: "Soul Serpent can fuse with its master's Shadow Shell, granting it some of its abilities."
[Slaying Blade]
Ability Description: "When in its Soul Weapon form, Soul Serpent embodies the Death aspect of Shadow God. As such, it ignores the will of greater beings."
This was what Sunny needed. Having Serpent's abilities integrated into his Shadow shell would allow him to get close and wreak havoc.
[Attributes:] [Fate breaker], [Flame of Divinity], [Master of shadows], [Blood weave], [Bone weave], [Soul weave], [Flesh weave], [Marble shell], [Time Anomaly]
He skipped over the usual, but his eyes stopped for a moment, glancing at the greyed out runes...
[Master: Changing Star]
'...I wonder. Is this Fate Breaker's work?'
But there was no use pondering about it. He'll learn eventually.
[Aspect Legacy: Shadow-Dance]
[Legacy Mastery:] [5/7]
[First Legacy relic: Claimed]
[Second Legacy Relic: Claimed]
[Third Legacy Relic: Claimed]
[Fourth Legacy Relic: Unclaimed]
[Fifth Legacy Relic: Unclaimed]
[Sixth Legacy Relic: Unearned]
[Seventh...]
'The 5th Relic... what will it be?' Sunny knew the 4th Relic already. It was a fragment of the shadow realm. But he couldn't control it, and it was a one-time use. So it wouldn't be much help against the Winter Beast.
The 5th Relic, however... it was an open variable. And this made him excited.
'Will it be a memory? Ichor? Something else entirely? Let's see... just don't fuck me over now, Spell.'
"Claim..."
Jet turned, sparing him a glance. <"claim what?">
<"Just my Legacy, is all...">
She nodded, impressed. Not even she had achieved her Aspect Legacy yet... she didn't pry further, for now.
[??]
[??:] [??], [??]
This was the fragment, now he continued. Tense in anticipation, he whispered... "Claim..."
...
[You have gained a memory]
'A memory!' He quickly opened his runes again, scrolling down.
Memory:
[Crowned by Death]
[Memory Rank: Sacred]
[Memory Tier: 3]
[Memory Type: Charm/Tool]
He grinned shamelessly, oblivious of his surroundings now. 'S-sacred ranked! And a charm as well!'
[Memory Description: "What is a King without his people? What is a king without his servants? What is a king without his domain?
...And what is a King without his Crown?
This Crown has been passed down by generations. Only those deemed Worthy by Shadow had the Will to wield it.
Pick up your Crown, Treacherous Lost from Light." ]
Indeed, what kind of a Sovereign was Sunny if he didn't even wear a Crown Worthy of him?
'Interesting... so i guess I'm next in line, huh? I'll gladly take it then, spell.'
[Memory Enchantments:]
[Wisdom of Kings], [Indomitable], [Uncorrupted].
[Wisdom of Kings]
Enchantment description: "A king has to be wise as much as he has to be strong.
While wearing your Crown, you will be immune to mind attacks as well as have the ability to sense the hidden malice of your counterparts."
[Indomitable]
Enchantment description: "A king's will has to be indomitable and Stalwart against his foes.
While wearing your Crown, your Will gets significantly enhanced. A king shall bend the worlds to his will."
[Uncorrupted]
Enchantment description: "A king shan't succumb to Corruption.
Shadow created death as a weapon against corruption, so if the corruption ever festers in your soul, you can destroy a part of your soul, leaving you behind weakened, but still pure."
These were mostly utilities/ protection abilities, as usual of high Ranked memories.
Divine beings had enough means to inflict damage on others. What they needed most was probably utilities and the such.
'So first is Immunity against mind attacks and a sense if someone is scheming bad things about me...' Those were not to be discarded.
'The second... is a overall strong boost to my will... that is quite useful, indeed.'
And at last... 'A sort of... desperate last measure should I ever get corrupted? That... could be a life saver. Even if it leaves me with multiple shattered cores...'
Overall, it was a welcome addition to his growing arsenal. Sunny was happy about it.
He summoned it, and it slowly manifested on his head. It sat snugly around his crown, radiating a sense of power off of him that made heads turn. It had a simple design and was made out of a fine dark metal. There was a Soul Serpent engraved on it, symbolizing its connection to Shadow God.
He felt a fragment of his Will return to him. It wasn't his Supreme level by a long shot, but still a considerable boon.
But mostly... it fitted his personal look perfectly. 'Not too complex or standout-ish, but it gets the point across. Just how I like it!'
His observations were interrupted by Jet...
"Wow, look at that... now you really are a short king... Literally!"
He took a deep breath, not letting himself be ragebaited about this.
He had accepted his height long ago. Even as a sovereign – when he had the chance to change his height at will – he stayed at his own height.
And – most importantly – Nephis liked it. So nobody else's opinion matters!
"I guess I am." He looked around now that he was done with his runes.
The streets and snow covered barracks were all lively and full of people. Both soldiers and volunteer refugees were busy constructing shelter against the snow and cold, as well as other pioneer projects that made logistics easier.
Now that the "threat" of Leviathan was gone, the next vessel could dock in the port again.
Sunny and Jet watched as the gigantic vessel dropped its multiple anchors and prepared for docking. The workers of clan night already in position. They had become veterans in speed and efficiency these last months. They brought supplies and then took the refugees in return.
And after Sunny's latest treacherous act, rumors and stories of his incredible feat spread through the whole city like wild fire. Just as planned...
"Have you heard, the Devil has defeated Leviathan all on his own..." A refugee stopped shoveling for a moment. He adjusted his wooly scarf and glanced at his coworker.
"Wasn't like half the army down there? There was this huge drama a while ago..."
"Yes, they were there, but...! He just told everyone to stand down and return to their posts!" He leaned leaned on his shovel letting out a puff out air. "And true to his word, he went in the water and killed it... that Madman!"
His coworker looked at him astonished. "You're joking!? I've heard some soldiers say that thing was a Corrupted one of high class!"
"Ask the others who where there..." He lifted his head, staring at the worsening blizzard. Temperatures had long dropped below the freezing point, and the snow was almost knee high by now, so they had to shovel free paths. "I wonder..."
His coworker joined him, both staring at the distant snow storm. "There's no point in wondering... either we die, or not."
The man took his shovel up again, chuckling. "Haha... Gods, who cursed me with this pessimistic bastard??"
The remaining refugees would now be organized in the priorities they declared.
Children, Woman, and the disabled went first. Men second, and the elderly at last.
This wasn't the standard army doctrine tho... usually it would be arranged around Citizenship rank, with high priority evacuees going first. But Sunny had ditched that doctrine. In emergency situations as these, he had to appeal to empathy of the people, and having the people of higher wealth and status go first, could have created resentment and a "Us vs Them" mentality among the Refugees. And they had to avoid that.
Sunny and Jet reached one of the organized lines that had been constructed earlier and was finally being used. Thousands of refugees being guided by soldiers to board the vessel.
They all looked at Sunny and Jet as they passed, waving and thanking them with frozen tears in their eyes.
<"This is... really not my thing, you know.>"
Looking over at Sunny, Jet nodded a bit. <"Same here.">
There were lots of children, moving and being guided by mothers, soldiers and the like... but one face stood out to Sunny. He recognized it quite well.
"Sir! Did you really kill the Water Monster? D-do you remember me, sir?"
A tentative but awed voice called out to him. The boy had stopped in the line to look at Sunny, much to a soldiers trouble.
"Come on, boy, dont bother the General... we have to be quick, okay?"
But Sunny shook his head, reaching over the small barrier, he ruffled the boy's hair softly. "I've killed lots of Aquatic creatures, sure. Oh and... of course I know you, Rafael."
Rafael beamed at this. His idol and hero remembered him! Nothing would be cooler than that! "C-can I have an autograph, sir?"
Sunny wanted to roll his eyes a bit but stopped himself. "What? A measly autograph? I've got something better for you."
He called upon a wild shadow, manifesting it in his palm, it slowly changed into the form of a Crown that replicated his own. It was out of a Light alloy texture and fit perfectly for Rafael's head.
Sunny placed it on the boy's head and then turned to leave. "It's yours. Keep it safe for me, will you?"
Rafael touched the crown on his head with trembling fingers and then nodded at Sunny with determined eyes. "Yes sir, I will!"
"That's good. Goodbye, Rafael."
"Bye, Sir Devil! Be safe!"
'Safe huh...?' Sunny and Jet left the lines now, heading back. He smiled faintly... 'That's one more saved.'
*
Inside the HQ conference room, the electronics keeping the systems and technologies alive was failing. They had to use illuminating memories inside so they could see. Now that the heating wasn't working properly, the cold finally seeped in, making the windows freeze.
Sunny stood at the head of a small, round table. By his sides stood Jet, Saint, Dorn, Belle, Samara, and now... Serpent was coiled around Sunny, its head resting on his shoulder.
Sunny pointed at the Map of Central Antarctica with his stiletto [Moonlight Shard]. "Currently, it's about here... give or take, that's 10 hours until its Blizzard domain becomes hazardous in Falcon Scott."
Everyone nodded grimly. This was the final preparation of operation: "Melt the Ice."
"Me, Jet, and my Shadows will move out in 1-2 hours. You three know what to do, right?"
Belle waved him off. "Yes, yes, we know, captain. We will manage the evacuation in your absence."
Sunny nods, looking at his friends with a grim look. "Don't forget plan B or plan C either. I don't need you three to die uselessly."
Nodding in agreement, Dorn turned to look at his friends. "If the situation should get out of control – which it hopefully won't – we will use your escape plan, General."
Samara looked at the map, seeing the position of the Winter Beast. She sighed. "Are you really sure that you can do it alone, General?"
"Don't worry about me... I've planned this out pretty well." He ran a hand through his long hair. "But... we'll make this possible. Doesn't matter what Fate throws at us."
Rasing an eyebrow, Jet looked at the pale young man.
"You know... You've been tempting Fate so much Sunny, don't you think it'll bite back eventually if you keep saying that?"
He looked at the map thoughtfully for a moment. Would Fate try to stop him? Maybe. Maybe not. It was very confusing how it worked. But one thing was clear.
"Let it try. I don't care. I will kill the Winter Beast regardless." He looked up at his cohort, giving them all a cocky smirk.
"What do you guys think?" He held out his hand in the middle of their circle.
Grinning Belle and Jet joined him, putting their hands together. "Let's do it!"
"That Beast is in for one hell of beating!"
Samara and Dorn reached out as well, a resolved look on their faces. "We'll do this..."
Saint didn't seem to care for their little hype moment but put her cool stonelike hand on top as well.
Serpent, at last, climbed down Sunny's arm, wanting to be part as well. It Hissed with approval.
Now everyone was here. The final moment before the end and the beginning.
Grinning madly, Sunny spoke.
"We'll then? If this is our will, who can stop us?!"
"Nobody!"
"No one!"
"Not even Fate!?" He asked in a condescending voice.
"Never!"
"Not even Fate!"
"Then let's do this! Together!"
"Together!!"
They vowed loudly in unison, throwing their arms up in the air.
*
Somewhere far away, hidden by an impossibly deep blizzard, a vile being stirred, Sensing millions of souls of the Flame, still untainted by the Void. But one soul stood out... it shone blindingly bright with Divinity.
"..."
The blizzard picked up again, howling loudly and freezing the very fabric of the world.
It was time.
[1] I will use <...> for Telepathic communication to avoid confusion.