Vivifica - A Mortals Ascension

[ENCOUNTER]

It was around noon when a heavy rain poured in the encampment that was deployed two days ago by an order of the Pope himself. Sebastian, an assigned commander for the 85th scout regimen is formulating a plan to seize the whole area of Salune forest and will be ready to depart by dusk.

"Julius, are my men ready?" Sebastian asked Julius, second in command.

"Yes, a thousand men are ready to be deployed whenever you are ready commander."

"We will be ready at dusk after Lady Beatrice's scouting party returns. They will decide which routes are safe for this mission to succeed."

Sebastian added while looking at the map that is resting on his table.

"We have a total of 1,000 men and we will divide them in half and you'll take command of the other half. My men will scout and subugate any monsters in the eastern side of the forest while you go west." Sebastian expects that his plan will go smoothly since the future of Carthenon City rests on his shoulders.

"I also heard that the Pope plans to expand his territory and provide trade routes going south that's why we are clearing the forest for them." Julius implied.

Sebastian looked Julius in the eye and said,

"Whatever his plans may be, we will make sure that our scouting regimen are always ready at his command because it is for the sake of our people."

"I do believe that as well. A little more and we will go back to our families." Julius smiled and Sebastian responded with a smile as well.

After thier soft smiles, Julius noticed his commander feel a little bit worried.

"What troubles you commander?"

"The reptilian tribes in the swamps of the Toll Valley, the Visahls, I can't seem to be a bit anxious about what they're doing."

"What is there to be worried about commander? Their main strike force has been wiped out by Michaelangelo, our soldier of light and because of that, they haven't made a move since then." Julius replied.

"But still, I've heard rumors about they're preparing for an all out attack at Carthenon City." Sebastian added.

"You know we don't base on a mere rumor right? And if that were to happen, our families will be safe and no harm will befall to our City if that's what you're worried about commander." Julius replied and rests his hand on Sebastian's shoulder reassuring him.

"Commanders, I have grave news!" A holy night enters their tent carrying a bleeding acolyte, It's Beatrice and is pale from rushing towads camp.

Sebastian hurriedly assisted the holy knight in getting te acolyte to safety.

"What happened?" Sebastian asked Beatrice.

Beatrice let out a loud cough.

"Commander, the forest, a demon dwells the forest. He instantly killed my scouting party with his overwhelming power."

"How did you encounter this demon?" Julius asked Beatrice while tending to her wound using healing magic.

"We were strolling down a path in the eastern side of the forest when a giant crow flew over us and we followed it to subjugate the beast." *cough Beatrice told her two commanders even though she feels intense pain.

"But when we got to the place where the crow is, we were terrified to have withnessed a man eating up the crow, but he isn't using his mouth, it was some form of magic. And until I realized, my party are wiped out and I'm running as fast as I can." She added.

"How is her wound Julius?" The commander asked.

"Commander, I am known as one of the greatest at using healing magic, but as far as I can observe, the wound is not closing. I have applied pressure on the wound but it's still bleeding." Julius was shocked in finding out that there is an ailment that negates any form of healing magic.

"I see, prepare a transport to escort lady Beatrice and bring my fastest horse." Sebastian commanded the knight present and proceeded to go outside.

"But commander, I can still be useful." Beatrice insisted that she should stay.

"No, I was careless. You are the only daughter of the Lionhart family and I can't risk your safety regarding this matter. Tell me lady Beatrice, are you ready to face that demon again?" Sebastian asked a question that let him observe the horror in Beatrice's face as she is reminded about her insignificance in the upcoming battle.

"You are to be escorted back to Carthenon City and be healed by our best healer, no further instructions and may the Goddess guide you." Sebastian added.

"Come Julius, we must prepare for the inevitable and we'll see for ourselves how powerful this demon is." Sebastian goes outside the tent while he gets his sword.

"As you command." Julius obeys.

Julius rushed outside their tent prepares his men to get their weapons and be on standby.

"Men, to arms! Follow protocol number 10!" Julius shouted and all the knights present at the encampment gathered all their weapons. The archers goes to the safety of their watchtower, holy knights prepared their swords and shields, and the spearmen gets their weapons as they get into an arch formation in the gates.

"Be on the ready men!" Sebastian let out a loud command that can be heard in the whole area. Moments later, an escort exits the camp site along with five horsemen, it was lady Beatrice. Sebastian hopes that her escort will be fast enough to get to a nearby town in half a day.

Everything became silent, everyone anticipated something to happen. Julius stood by Sebastian's side and he noticed his commander getting anxious.

"So the Pope's foresight has come true." Sebastian said.

"Well the Pope is well known for his clairvoyance and he predicted five calamities which was avoided including those Visahls." Julius replied.

"That's what I'm worried about. Will this men be enough?" Julius looked at his commander while he was asked this question.

"I am worried as well commander." he replied

...

Moments passed as everyone became more anxious and impatient. The holy knights are soaked wet as the rain gets heavier along with their sets of armor.

"Commander, it seems that the creature wandered off elsewhere and didn't mind us." Julius told his commander to sheathe their weapons as he himself, is impatient.

Sebastian looked at the watchtowers for reassurance.

"Archers, what do you see?" He said

"Tower one, clear!" the first group of archers confirmed.

"Tower two, clear!" second group of archers confirmed as well.

"Tower three, clear!" the third group of archers confirmed.

"Tower four, clea- no I see something"

"Soldiers! To the east!"

Without hesitation, Sebastian ordered his knights to go the eastern entrance of the encampment and the troop took an arch formation along the barricades and readied their weapons. Only a fraction of them are on standby while the others are on their backs as the archers loaded thier bows.

Moments later, a silhouette appeared out of nowhere and the holy knights could hear his every footsteps despite the heavy crackles of the rain. With every step the figure makes, knights began to shake as if they're seeing a some sort of horror before their eyes.

With every step, their unease grows larger that even Sebastian could feel.

Finally, the first row of knights collapsed without a word due to the intense fright that they all feel. As the silhouette figure comes closer, Sebastian could see his eyes glimmer in the color of death as he saw his biggest fear emerge at the back of the figure. Even the archers at the third and fourth watchtowers collapsed due to intense trauma.

*Focused Mind*

Julius casts out a magic which would negate the effects of fear and trauma but is not good enough to wake the collapsed knights.

"I apologize Commander, for this is all I can do, I can't fully negate the effects of his magic." He said while breathing deeply.

Sebastian didn't notice that he fell into his knees after he was applied with magic.

"It's fine, thank you Julius." says the commander while standing up shaken with fear.

"What shall we do? If this drags on, all of us will collapse and be killed before we even realize it." says Julius with a shaken voice as well.

The Commander became silent for a moment figuring out a new plan for an unprecedented event.

"I've been training for 20 years and it all comes down to nothing." he implied

The Commander took out his sword as he steps go to the eastern gate and meet the strange figure.

"Make way for I will deal with him myself."

Sebastian commanded and the knights made a path for their commander to pass.

Everyone is shaken in fear even the commander himself is no exception. But he must make an example that as knights, they should not falter at the hands of their enemies, whomever they will be.

Sebastian walks forward to meet the silhouette figure as he orders a duel. Everyone remains in formation as they watch their commander challenge a duel. They all witnessed his flawless swordsmanship when he is challenged to a duel. But this is the first time he called out for one.

And then they both stopped, meeting at the middle of the road and Sebastian is finally able to see the figure. A man in his mid twenties, has a slight build and almost as tall as him. When he saw the figure, for him he's just a man. Sebastian sets out an intimidating tone, "We finally meet."

"So you're the strongest amongst them, I didn't expect I'd be welcomed with such hospitality." the man smiles.

"Tell me your name." the man added

"I am known as Commander Sebastian Wykes, and yours?." Sebastian put his sword on guard ready to strike anytime.

"Raizel, just, Raizel." the man replies with a calming voice.

"I must be very lucky today to meet a 50, the strongest one here and you have quite the skills as well, this will be hard." he added while smiling.

Sebastian, who's clearly confused as to what he said asked one final question.

"What is your objective Raizel?"

Raizel looked at him and said,

"To become stronger." and he let out a more intense aura as he said those words.

Everyone who saw his bloodlust put their guard up even more because they feel like being consumed by his force. Sebastian could see a black mass with a red accent that strongly resemble one's aura. This is the reason why Lady Beatrice came to a conclusion that he is indeed a demon incarnate.

Shaken, Sebastian points his sword at Raizel ready to strike him anytime.

"I apologize, but I cannot let that happen." He murmurs out of fear.

"What a splendid sword you have there, mind if you hand me those?" Raizel threatens Sebastian with a smile.

"Don't worry I'll hand it to you, after I cut your limbs off!" Sebastian charges with his sword placed over his head ready to cut down his enemy before him.

But before the sword reaches Raizel's shoulder, Sebastian felt something stopping his arm from swinging his sword. To him, it's some sort of vine that's wrapped around his wrists.

"You think this will stop me demon?" Sebastian's body glows faintly as he breaks the root but suddlenly two roots emerged from the ground and pierced Sebastians palm and his left kidney which causes him to fall to his knees just enough time for another set of roots to stab his feets and thighs.

Raizel summons another root to get the sword.

"Such fine craftmanship, I never had these in London." Raizel adores the sword as it comes near him.

"Tell me Sebastian, is this enough to stop you?" Raizel added

"You foul demon, tis' but a scratch." Sebastian responded with an obvious pain.

The troops behind inside camp trembles in fear as they witness their commander down to his knees.

"I-impossible! Commander Sebastian never lost a battle." one holy knight told his fellow soldiers.

"Archers! Shoot the enemy!" Julius gives his command but he didn't realize that the archers are unconscious. He could not do anything but to use healing magic to his commander instead.

*giggle *giggle

"A healer huh? Just like those two acolytes that I encountered earlier, but it's sad that the other one ran off to Carthenon City." Raizel let out a gentle laugh.

"How did you found out?" Sebastian looks puzzled as he asked the question.

"Even if I told you you wouldn't understand anyway for only I can see them." as Raizel say those lines, he took a step forward just enough for Sebastian to see what he will do.

"I noticed that even though you're being healed, it doesn't seem to affect you. Is it because of my roots? Well whatever, he will die anyway." with his right hand reaching out to Julius' direction, Raizel summons a thick root behind Julius thus impaling him.

"JULIUS!!" Sebastian screams.

"Shhh! You be quiet now as I murder them all before your very eyes." Raizel giggles as he looked at Sebastian.

"You monster!" Julius added.

"That's three times already, yet you haven't done a thing. If you were only stronger and faster, could've killed me already." Raizel giggles more.

"What about I turned you around for you to see what I will do to them. I'll even try out my new sword." Raizel twists the roots that penetrates the commanders feet and summons multiple roots to stab and tie him up but avoiding his vital parts in the process.

"Ughh!" Sebastian felt more pain than ever as he is stitched by the roots.

"It says here I can modify the roots to anything I want. I have an Idea." *giggles

He summons multiple long roots into a single area merging them. He also gave it a mouth with sharp thorns as teeth forming some sort of a giant snake creature.

Raizel pointed towards the holy knights.

"Eat as much as you like my sweet". *giggles

"RAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

After letting a loud scream, the creature rushed towards the knights crushing them with its ginormous body.

"Let me have some fun as well."

Raizel uncovered his wings and started flying while holding out the commander's sword and flew out in the sky to head for the camps direction. Sebastian could not do anything while he sees his men getting murdered, he cannot imagine a single man would dare murder a scouting regimen and do it without remorse.

It's obvious that Raizel doesn't have any experience with handling a sword before because he cannot cut deep but with the help of his roots, it's able to finish the job. The giant snake creature is effortless in devouring every knight it sees and they can't do anything to cut it down.

"I can't believe I'm leveling up at a fast rate, so many alarms! Hahaha!" Raizel was amazed on how he can kill without any authorities following his every move unlike his previous life.

"Stop this insult Raizel, let them go and kill me instead." Sebastian shouts at Raizel and the man heard him.

Raizel, who's hovering in the sky heard the commander and faced him.

"Don't worry commander, you'll be the main dish. I won't kill you, I'll devour you instead" *giggles

"Witness my power Sebastian. Hahaha!" Raizel added as giant roots emerged from the ground impaling every single knights that Raizel is able to see while the giant snake finishes the one who are escaping.

Sebastian couldn't do anything as tears flow in his eyes and feel helpless.

"I remember those sad eyes." Raizel implied

"I had that kind of face before, helpless right? I know, I understand. But you must know that this is for the greater good." He also added

"Greater good? What the f**k are you talking about?!" Sebastian looked at Raizel's eyes with anger.

"Imagine, you'll be free before everything in this world turns to hell. You won't feel any pain once I go all out." *giggles *giggles Raizel responded.

"Tell me, do you have a family?" Raizel asked.

"You leave them out of this!" Sebastian was infuriated

"Ohh a weakness huh? This is fun, I'll just find the Wykes Family when I go to Carthenon. I'll just follow the Acolyte." *giggle *giggle

"I'm warning you, I'm gonna crush your head before you get there. I'm gonna die here anyway, I might as well take you with me." Sebastian suddenly channelled his power trough his body breaking free of his entanglement.

"So you can still stand huh? What intimidating power, but you do realize that it will kill you faster right?" Raizel told him

As Sebastian takes a step forward, his overwhelming enery crushed the ground when it meets his feet. The wounded commander put his one knee to the ground as he prepare to charge Raizel.

"How, predictable." Raizel said.

Suddenly, Raizel felt his ribs break as the commander charged him with a crushing blow and he is slamed to the trees.

"Guhhh! Where did that came from?!" Raizel surely felt the pain as he vomits blood.

Sebastian is about to charge Raizel with another lightning fast attack but this time, Raizel uses his eye to concentrate while he's on the ground. Time seems to slow down as Sebastian charges Raizel. Roots suddenly came out of the ground impaling his torso and lunging his body in the air. Another set of roots appeared from the roots impaling his body as well ensuring the commander cannot move. Raizel flies to follow the commanders body impaled by the giant roots he summoned. Black matter appeared in his hands as it surrounds the lifeless body of Sebastian consuming him.

After the momentary chaos, everything went silent. A thousand soldier was lifeless, some are lying on the ground, while some are dismembered and the others are impaled by sharp thick roots.

Raizel looks at the horizon as he is being healed and ~¤》》¡¿☆《°>~[[~>|{[]

[YOU HAVE LEVELED UP]

[YOU HAVE LEVELED UP]

[YOU HAVE LEVELED UP]

[YOU HAVE LEVELED UP]

[YOU HAVE LEVELED UP]

[ALL STATS HAVE INCREASED TO 15]

I'm finally level 40. I nearly died there. Thankfully all my injuries heal whenever I level up. It's good to know that the medallion earlier was a lot of help. Should I try using gluttony as well to consume those dead knights?

NAME: RAIZEL LEVEL:40

RACE: HUMAN STATUS: NONE

TITLE: NONE

STRENGTH: 105 VITALITY: 105

DEXTERITY: 85 INTELLIGENCE: 85

SENSE: 80 AP: 5,000