Some Lost managed to get pass Erica and Jericho, but they were easily and quickly dealt with by some vines Alice created with her ability, William hasn't called upon his ability yet, but he had mastered using his soul energy to enhance his physical abilities and limitations which Jericho described as a pure genius move from Williams, calling him the first 'Soul Enhancer'… with a smile he said… "this won't be like the last time we met… when you managed to break my arm monsters… am much stronger now"… he began channeling his soul energy, passing it all over his body, with a bright red glow all over his body, it gave him enhanced speed, strength, intelligence, processing power and durability, making it almost impossible for him to sustain any injury… so far he was the only one that could use soul energy like that, which he used to stump the Lost that headed his way completely to the ground…. the Elite Knights whom were able to use soul energy were springing out their abilities against the Lost in front of them, fire, earth, wind and air all coming out from different knights who also managed to take down some of the Lost, but some quickly run out of soul energy, while others weapon gave out, and in the process were knocked around by the Lost, and some killed, before Alice came rushing to their aid.
At the very front of the mass attack Jericho and Erica were still in sync, fighting side by side, taking them out by the masses, with both of them showing incredible martial art techniques, with Jericho's enhanced with his godly strength.
In the middle of the fight Jericho got a transmission request from Drako, which he answered… "hey Drako, I would love to talk but now isn't really the best time, am kind of in the middle of something pretty serious" said Jericho while throwing punches and kicks left, right and center… "forgive me my king but am afraid this news can't wait… it's about your brother" as he heard what Drako said his eyes went wide… "what happened Drako?" ..… "he mobilized some Lost and sent them ahead to act as a distraction against the defense of Warmark, so it can grant him the perfect cover to secretly make his way to the nation undetected" Drako said in a calm and quite voice… "hmmm… I have ran into the Lost he mobilized (punches), am currently in the middle of fighting them (spinning kicks, send most of them flying)… wait, that would mean he left early again" said Jericho in a worried tone… "yes my king… am sorry I didn't inform you sooner but, since I was left out of the invasion, I don't get any Intel about it, I just found this out now cause they just set out, and I was asked to guard the castle… please forgive my incompetence my king" Drako said in a submissive tone… "that's… all right (more kicks and punches)… it couldn't be helped (dodging attacks)… thank you for this Intel Drako (dodging some more) I will now work on adjusting my plans" said Jericho as he continued fighting… "I know you will be victorious my king (he smiled)… one more thing my king, your brother left with two very powerful people, and I don't think one of them is human, or a being of this world, he sometimes gives off the same aura as lord Jace… please do your best to be careful my king" Drako concluded in a worried tone… "I see… thank you for the warning Drako, I will take it from here" Jericho replied while punching some Lost, the transmission ended and Jericho resumed with his full attention… "Erica… (she answered)… we can't waste our time here, Jace has made a new move blindsiding us again, we need to end this… please unleashed your strongest attack to help me comb down their numbers again, and retreat with everyone else" Jericho said to Erica in a very serious tone, seeing that she didn't argue, she kicked and slashed the last few closest to her and then prepared her inferno attack with no holding back… "Alice, William… fall back" she screamed, hearing that, they picked up the injured Knights and retreated, the carriages fell back too, creating some good amount of distance between them and the action.
Taking a deep breathe she held her sword out… "Soul Technique… Grand Burst Inferno"… a bright red light started illuminating around her, so bright it looked like that area was another dimension, everyone had to look away and cover their eyes… then all that light was sucked in by the sword, a tiny harmless looking red ball started floating out of her sword slowly to the direction her sword was pointing, when it made contact with one of the Lost, a huge explosion was heard and felt all around, as the ground itself rumbled viciously… "what was that!!... is everyone alright, answer me this instant, what's going on out there!!" said the king in a panic… "your Highness that was from the commander, nothing to worry about she is alright" a royal guard replied the king… "that sound, light and unbearable heat came from Erica?!… soul energy… so this is our future" the king concluded with a shocked look in his eyes.
Erica's attack completely decimated the area, destroying several hundreds of the Lost in the process, Erica used so much soul energy in that attack that her sword became dust and she started losing consciousness, but before she could fall Jericho hurried and caught her… "I… leave the rest… to you… Jericho" said Erica as she lost consciousness…. "of course… Erica" Jericho replied with a smile, as he carried her, he looked around and saw everyone had retreated completely out of the area, then turning his attention to the Lost left, he smiled… "Erica drastically reduced their numbers… there are not much left anymore, at least around here… time to finish this" Jericho said while still carrying Erica, whom was completely drained.
"Bend to my Will… I Summon Thee, One of The Four Divine Avatars of Nature… The Avatar of The Earth… Come Forth, Mitera… Vine Trap" Jericho screamed with a hand stretched out to the sky still holding on to Erica, the wind picked up viciously and the clouds began to gather, blocking the sun, then a figure resembling a very beautiful female Centaur with green skin and hair, and pure white eyes with green colored pupil, ran down from the sky and landed beside Jericho holding a staff… "(scream)… W-WHAT IS THAT THING" a guard screamed with a panicked look on his face, which also got the attention of Alice and William… "Sir. William look (Alice said pointing) it's one of the avatars of nature, and it's the earth avatar this time" Alice stated with excitement in her voice upon seeing what her element divine avatar looks like… "it looks like Jericho isn't holding back anymore, this fight will soon be over" William adds looking at the avatar in awe… "she is so beautiful" Alice adds still taken by the avatar.
She was huge, about the size of a building, and up close her horse half was majestic, truly beautiful as Jericho stared in awe… she then stumps her staff on the ground, and the plants around her came to life and grabbed on to the Lost left after Erica's attack, destroying them all with ease, she then looked down at Jericho, and it looked like she was giving him a smile, to Jericho's surprise, she started running towards the completely decimated vegetation and as she pass, everything started returning to normal, then she ran back to Jericho, before she could clash with him she disappeared and the wind carried forward blowing through Jericho's and Erica's hair and faces, the clouds returned to normal and the ray of the sun touched the earth once more… "{wow, she fixed all the destruction our battle caused… I never knew I could get a Divine Avatar to do something like that, but… am sure I never asked her to, when I called upon her I only asked for help against the Lost… and was she smiling?… so strange, looks like there's a lot I need to learn about the Divine Avatars of Nature}" Jericho though staring at the completely rejuvenated vegetation, Jericho started slowly making his way back to the others still carrying Erica, then Erica started regaining consciousness… "J-Jericho… is it… over?" she asked in a dull tone, while opening her eyes… "hey, that was fast, I wasn't expecting you to regain consciousness this soon… are you sure you are really human Erica?" Jericho asked trying to tease Erica but he was truly surprise to see her awake… "am not sure if I should see that as a compliment or- (she realized she wasn't walking and was being cared by Jericho)…W-W-W-Why are you carrying me?!" she asked with her face turning bright red… "well you drained your soul energy during our fight against the Lost and you unsurprisingly fell unconscious" Jericho explained… "that's right, what happened with the Lost… is everyone safe, (she looked over his shoulder, and to her surprise she saw no sign of a battle, as the surroundings was as if nothing ever happened)… Jericho, was I dreaming all of that" Erica asked in confusion… "(chuckles)… well no it wasn't a dream, we were really attacked by a huge number of Lost and we fought them all… but unfortunately we lost some truly brave Knights (sad tone)… but you did a great job too, it was thanks to you we didn't have a lot of casualties" Jericho said trying to cheer her up… "(sobbing)… I failed… I failed to protect my men… this was suppose to be a simple escort mission" said Erica in a very distressed tone, holding her hands over her face… "Erica, you of all people should know what being a knight entails, you have to always be ready to give your life for your nation, and that was what those knights gladly did, they were so brave and bold, even if they knew they were facing a new enemy they don't understand much about yet… we shouldn't dishonor them or overlook their bravery… you really did prove why you are the commander Erica, you protected everyone including me… you should be proud of yourself, and those brave knights" Jericho concluded, giving Erica a smile, Erica then took a deep breath and composed herself… "you are right am sorry, am dishonoring their effort by feeling bad, they were truly fantastic knights (she smiled so too did Jericho)… so we got them all yeah?… and what happened to the area, I don't mean to brag but am very sure my attack left the place unrecognizable" in a prideful but equally surprised tone… "well… em… yes together with taking out the Lost you completely destroy this area, but while you were unconscious, I took care of the few that was left around here… I summoned a divine avatar of nature, the avatar of the earth, to finish them quickly so we won't waste much time here, it was her that fixed all the destruction too" Jericho explained… "wait… are you saying I missed out on seeing another avatar of nature?!… hmmm, Jericho… I want a do over, summon her back at once" Erica said in a jealous tone… "are you serious!!… it's not that simple Erica… summoning them takes a lot of soul energy to do, that's why I have to be really careful about when I summon them… plus I don't think they will hear my call if it isn't a pressing issue" Jericho explained in a distress tone… "I do not care" Erica replied with a pout… "geez what a drama queen".
"everyone, I can see lord Jericho and the commander approaching" a Knight announced, Alice excitedly turned her gaze towards their directing, William soon follow… "is he… carrying her?… was she hurt, oh no" said Alice with a worried tone, as she was about to run towards them to check on Erica, she was held back by William who gave a tired sigh… "no, do not worry yourself Alice, look (she turned and looked at them again)… they are bickering about something again, as always, the commander is alright by that sight alone, looks like I should prep myself to settle something dumb again" William said with a tired expression… "{then why is Jericho carrying her}" Alice though, feeling heavy in her chest.
soon enough Jericho made his way to the others with Erica still in his arms, as the reason for their bickering can now be heard by the others… "I told you… you unreasonable knight commander, the divine avatars of nature are not for our amusement, they are godly entities, I can't summon them just for show" said Jericho lamenting with frustration… "but you just did for the others, why not me… (gasps)… do you really hate me that much, is it because I saw you butt naked that one time?… but that wasn't my fault, you just came out of no where in the nude, you exhibitionist… now quit being stubborn and show me" Erica replied with a heavy cry… "d-did the commander just say she saw lord Jericho naked?!… oh I thought I was the only one that heard that… what is this 'divine avatar of nature'… the commander really does look comfortable in lord Jericho arms doesn't she (smiles)" the knight close to them muttered as they heard Erica and Jericho arguing…
"Hey I only summoned her cause it was an emergency, not because I wanted to show her off… and stop reminding me of my pass shame, it was a misunderstand which I though we've cleared up… I AM NOT AN EXHIBITIONIST!!!" Jericho argued with a tired scream…. "good grief, would you two please refine from your comedy routine, you are making the others feel uncomfortable" William said in a frustrated tone… "exhibitionist?" Alice muttered to herself with a very confused look, then she suddenly turned bright red and it looked like steam can be seem on her head… "OH NO LADY ALICE… PUT YOURSELF TOGETHER" the knights around her screamed as they saw her reaction… "good timing Sir. William, would you talk to your commander, she is being unreasonable as usual" Jericho said hoping to get the support of William… "hey, I didn't do anything this time, it's Jericho here who is being stubborn, as usual" Erica adds, also looking for William's support, as they continued with their back and forth, William eyes began to twitch viciously as veins can be seem forming on his head, until he reached his breaking point, then he exploded… "would you two ease your bickering!!… commander, for someone insistent on not being childish, this is a clear example of how childish I say you are, I signed up as a knight but thanks to you I have acquired the experience of babysitting" said William in full lecture mode…. "and you Jericho, I thought you would be the perfect help to assist me with the commander's nonchalant behaviors, but instant you just came and doubled my work… for shame to the both of you" said William as he began breathing heavily… "a-am sorry Sir. William, I easily got caught up" said Jericho with a remorseful sigh, still holding on to Erica in his arms… "yeah, but you didn't have to be so mean about it Willy, sorry too… I guess" said Erica looking away… "you were deep in your unsightly bickering you didn't even notice you were still being carried by Jericho"… upon hearing that they both looked at one another, and at how it was true that she was still in Jericho's arms all this time, Erica turn bright red and jumped down from Jericho's arms, clearing her throat and dusting off her clothes… "I- I knew that" she said trying to keep a straight face… "look… you guys even broke Alice" said William point at Alice behind him… they both turned their gaze to Alice, whom was in the middle of a break down with steam sighted coming out of her head, looking lost… in a panic Erica hurried to Alice… "Alice are you alright?" she said in a panic… then all three of them stood around Alice as they could faintly hear her saying something… "exhibitionist, Jericho, exhibitionist, Jericho, exhibitionist, Jericho"…. in a panic Jericho screamed and hugged Alice… "no, no Alice, it was just a misunderstanding, I am not an exhibitionist… I PROMISE" said Jericho with little tears in his eyes.
Soon everything and everyone was back to normal as the prominent military figures gathered in the kings carriage to talk about what they just faced with the king present this time as they continued their journey to Warmark… "we have a real situation on our hands… Warmark is in huge trouble and it's too late to warn anyone, I… no… we have to make it there as soon as we can" said Jericho in a very serious tone…. "Jericho, tell me, what is really going on" the king asked with concern, Jericho exchanged eyes contact with Erica and the others as they all gave a nod, then Jericho told the king everything about Jace planing on invading Warmark, only leaving out the part about Drako, the king had an expression on his face like he just saw a ghost, he was so shaken by the news he just received from Jericho it was hard for him to speak, their biggest fear has been realized now that Jace knows the truth… "Jericho… how sure are you about this… where did you get your Intel from?" in a skeptical tone the king asked, hoping Jericho is really lying to him… "am sorry your highness, that was the deal I had with my informant, to keep his identity to myself cause Jace influence is everywhere and he can't afford it slipping out of someone I tell about him… so please your highness just truth me" said Jericho trying his best to protect the identity of Drako, which he thought was the right call not to tell the king even if he knows everything else and can also keep a secret… "hmm… is it wise to continue our journey to Warmark at this rate" the king asked, feeling they have a plan… "you will be safe your highness… we need you to get the assistants of Warmark's military immediately… if they hear about the impending danger from you am sure they will act… I won't be making it straight to the castle, I will go else where to prepare myself to meet my brother, that's why we really need you your highness… I assure you I… no (looking at Erica and the others)… we, will keep everyone safe" Jericho responded with confidence, the king took a deep breath and relaxed on his sit… "so Jericho, was it all the Lost you and the commander took care of back there?" William asked… "am afraid not, some of them didn't bother coming to attack us, they just ignored everything and continued their march to the capital of Warmark, but we did bring down there numbers, so the rest will be up to you and the help we will received from Warmark if they choose to cooperate with us" Jericho responded…. "{I see now, that's why Erica was insistent we come with all this guards, there were preparing for battle}" the king thought, still very worried about Leohart.