Ashes and Kingdoms

Seven or so days before the emperor received the news of an expedition in the square, intense snow was blowing in the Purma Mountains.

Even in the villages of the Sarda tribe, all men were closing the doors of their houses perfectly and leaning against their furs. Blue fog and fins are the only ones that are also flat in the cold.

"Fine, my brother."

Finn smiled back bitterly when Mac had a red nose and envied him.

"It's not like you don't feel anything. I know it's cold. I just can't stand my body... so I get kicked out in this weather. You want me to take your place?

Mac laughed and shook his head in response to a distracted question. Finn gently snapped the boy's head and told him he was going to his family before going out quickly.

The sky is heavier and darker at night. In fact, it would be time for dusk. The snow falling blocks my sight, but the glimmering light of Lena standing next to me illuminated my feet.

Finn walks carefully to avoid accidental distress in the village. There are few footprints left on the snow. Birds and beasts alike, I guess, lurk their breath somewhere. The footprints of the villagers who went out on unavoidable business disappear into the white and gray. Nor does it look like there are people who have gotten into a bubble.

Finn exhaled like a small cloud and looked around.

"Nothing unusual..."

In the first place, could something unusual happen on a day like this? Finn shrugged his shoulder small and laughed at Lena like a prank when he thought of it.

"Let's make a snowman and surprise Nellis and Mac"

"What, that?

"It's one of those snow games. It didn't pile up that much when I got down in Nanais, so I could only make it small, but there's enough here to bury it."

I shrug the nearby snow, circle it, nuke it, and turn it up and snowballs. Lena looked at it intrigued, but eventually when the point went, she happily started rolling the snowballs herself.

Where two suitably sized items are available, decide where to decorate them and stack them up. I'll look for stones and dead branches to make your face, and it's done.

"I hope someone from the village came out on business."

Half the time. As Finn said in the voice expecting it, Lena reached out from the side and stuck pine leaves on the snowman's cheek. Finn squeezes his eyes, and then, oh, he laughs bitterly convinced. It's a scar on his left cheek.

"If Nellis notices this, he'll break it with great joy."

"No way. Nellis wouldn't do that."

Finn flaunted his shoulder as Lena denied in surprise. She still doesn't understand that it's a reversal of affection or something like a blackmail tantrum/outrage. Finn stroked Lena's head pounding.

"I hope so."

Even if I don't break it, I'll do enough to make it look weird. A view of creating a separated snowman, thinking about that while already giving up.

- And that's when the cold air accidentally wore itself.

Finn sighs in his breath and looks around reflexively.

(This feeling)

Memories of a dark night were instantly brought back, and he was gripping the pattern of his sword shortly after he became aware.

(No way. Even though this weather is still sunny)

With the snow, the silence hits my shoulders. As he killed his breath and explored the signs, he heard a noise that could not be captured by people's ears, faintly far away.

Gasha Gasha and the metal sound of rubbing sword bands and shields. Hundreds of shoes step on the snow, like a giant's bedtime speech. And surrounding a silent army, a sign of a covert shadow...

"Such an idiot!

Finn shouted and cursed at him unexpectedly. At this time of year, and in this weather, what about stepping into the mountains, etc. Has Dilgius gone mad at last?

Lena also senses movement and looks up anxiously at the gray sky.

There came Nellis wrapped around his fur.

"What are you doing, such a big snowman if you think you're never coming back!... your brother?

He deceived me into pretending to be worried about him, and then frowned when I realized that Finn was looking strange.

"What's going on? Something..."

She asks and she turns north, too.

"Why... why? The Dark Beast is gathering over there..."

"An army came into the mountains."

Finn roared. Nellis took a breath and then rushed to grab Finn's arm.

"You're not going, are you? Brother, you're not going!?

"Nellis......"

Staring at her with fear, Finn gently removed Nellis' hand as she wandered.

"Even I wouldn't want to go if I could. But we can't abandon them anymore. Nellis, you... everyone will be safe with the Sardas. Blue fog protects me. But what happens to legionnaires? I can't let Dilgius drive me like a slave, surrounded by the beast of darkness in the snow, and destroy me all for convenience."

"But if you're alone, how much Lena is in danger!

"If you're dying, I'll run. Besides, Nellis. Right now, not going to help a legion soldier is like killing dozens of me."

As Finn told him quietly, Nellis was stuck in words, chewing his lips and nagging.

Yes, if I hadn't met Lena by chance, Finn would have become an army soldier and could still be under Dilgius. If so, he would have also silently obeyed the reckless march so as not to bother his family as deserters and, above all, not to be slashed and abandoned on the spot.

"Come on."

A calm voice pressed her back. Ha, looking back, the blue fog stood at some point.

"Once the beasts of darkness filled with anger enter deep into the mountains, we will not be able to maintain the same relationship as before. But even if I go, it won't have any effect on the beast on the flat ground. Rather, it would be less harmful to let the beasts clean up the legion soldiers quickly and ask for them to be picked up promptly. For us Sardas."

So I didn't have to ask you to go. Finn nods and signals Lena by will. The moment he seemed to have put his hand on Lena's shoulder, the girl's appearance was wrapped in shining white wings and changed.

A dragon giant rushes up to the sky, stirred by wings and a ground blizzard strikes. The next time Nellis, covered in his face with his arm, opened his eyes, Lena's appearance had become indistinguishable as a piece of snow falling from the gray clouds.

While he went across the sky like a meteor, Finn had already pulled out his sword and gathered light full in his body on the blade. Neither the thinness of the air nor the low temperature do him any harm today.

White hair waving around wasn't sure if there was an entity or not, but there was a warm and powerful presence. Finn runs between heavy clouds and across mountain ridges as one rather than saying he's on there.

Later, I saw what I was aiming for.

The rugged mountains come to an end, and streets that are not yet buried in the snow appear unreliable. Legionnaires were hissing about one crossing from the north flat.

Darkness, darkness.

Fighters and runaways are bumping into each other, making noisy noises. Confused screams, yelling officers, and from the point of contact with the darkness, the voice of the disconnected demon.

The line of legion soldiers that fills the streets for a long time is already dimensioned and has lost control and order. Apparently, the rear-end soldiers had not yet figured out the situation, trying to go to rescue them and instead blocking their exit.

When Finn saw all of them from above, he flew first to the rear of the line. Keep altitude so they can see you, but don't shoot an arrow.

"Retreat!

Finn shouted with all his strength in his voice. Rip the confusion like a lightning bolt and the order reaches the ears of the legion soldiers.

"Troops ahead are surrounded by dark beasts, stand back and clear the way out! Hurry!"

Finn was tasting the thought of his stomach being tightened as he waved his light-bearing sword and directed him to retreat. Face, face, face looking up at this one in amazement. It's not just a surprise, it's an intense emotional imperative.

It was something that Finn had never been directed at before in his life and never thought about whether he would or would want to take it somewhere in his life ahead.

Fear and emotion, great expectations. It was felt that the soldiers who saw him instinctively tried to entrust everything to themselves. Lay low every day, as if you were a god.

(Stop it, motherfucker! I know how you react to dragons, but don't look at me like that!

Finn repeated the order again, fighting the urge to rumble.

When the rear troops flipped and made sure they started going back the way they came, Finn also turned around and went back in front.

"Retreat! Don't go any further, you're going down the mountain!

Conscious of the streets and pouring out the power of the Lena little by little, calling on the troops on the way that they are still bringing. Like drawing light muscles in the darkness.

The darkness retreated and the roar of anger rocked the forest. For the first time, Finn felt the light filling him weakened by being pushed into darkness.

(Is this place... so dark?)

It's natural for Lena to be afraid. With a sharpened feeling, I could see the darkness lurking in the surrounding woods twitching and approaching in the shadows of the mountains. Even the sky is now dominated by heavy clouds, with thin twilight secretly covering it.

Finn stirred up a will that seemed frustrating and put his sword up against the darkness that covered the world. It's not a sign of resistance, it's a flag of surrender that begs for life.

Miss me, forgive me, one or more.

Finn prayed strongly, jumping off the back of Lena on a force completely surrounded by beasts.

"Wow! What!?

A shadow came down at the same time as the light shot over his head, and the legions raised their voices of surprise. But Finn doesn't mind it, he puts one hand on the ground and pours in the light. I knew it wouldn't last long.

"I'll make way, retreat!

He wields his sword screaming, grinding away the shadows of the unobtrusive that have struck him from outside the streets. A pale light spot danced in the darkness. Slash the shadows blocking the exit one after the other, shake them off, and let the soldiers escape into the gaps that have arisen. When he realized, Finn felt no rush or fear, just repeating Oandus' words over and over in his heart.

- You're a special person who protects those who can't fight.

A whipped tentacle hits his arm. Paralysis and pain ran, but no blood flowed. It's the usual wound. Finn severed his tentacles before being dragged into the darkness.

I can't give in at all, and I also transfer light from my feet on the ground. I felt like I was just a conduit.

Legion soldiers turn one direction after the other, blued in fear, fleeing without setting up any more weapons. Finn, alone, continued to retrace the outside of the stream.

Eventually his eyes caught the Legion's flag. I haven't fallen yet. Someone seems desperate to protect it.

"Retreat! Run!!"

How many times will it be now, throat-slapping and screaming? Then he stood still for a moment.

It was Dilgius who was under the flag. In the shape of anger, he erects a loose sword and steps on the corpse of a legion soldier with dirty shoes. On the chest of polished armor, a red splash was flying.

Realizing the meaning of the sight, Finn sighed.

If the beast of darkness did it, blood would not flow. That red stain belongs to Dilgius, who put his soldiers in his own hands.

"… Commander"

Why, there was no word out there. Because I knew right away. Dilgius didn't allow him to escape, he said. Finn groaned instead.

Oh, my God.

Soldiers who were still around look at the commander alternately with the mysterious savior, twitching and falling back. But a few seem to be completely dominated by Dilgius, who set his sword against Finn.

"Not if we're fighting!" Finn yelled and showed the way with his hands. "Don't you see, there's no one here who can beat the darkness! I'll make my way, so run!

"It's still your business!

Dilgius barked sooner than I could finish.

"You guided me, you traitor! You set it all up, darkness! Fuck me everywhere, you little brat!!

Dilgius was attacked with a growl. After a severe slaughter, Finn is driven out of the street a little while while on the defensive side, toward the woods. No matter how talented Finn is, he's a warrior.

(Is there no way to get it done without killing)

Finn was looking at the opportunity to fight back as he read his opponent's hands. If we stop Dilgius from moving in a detour, the waiting men will come together and skewer Finn. It's the same if you kill him with a single blow. Faithful - or contaminated - if they don't prioritize the Commander's intervention over killing Finn and steer him away from this scene.

(I'd love to keep you out of command for a few weeks if I could... oh shit, I can't believe I'm in this crisis with a human opponent, not a beast of darkness)

On his back toward the woods, signs of malicious cold laughter sneak in. The darkness awaits. One more step, two, come back... Almost there, sora, your heels stick out of the light...

"Come on!"

Finn jumped heavily to the side on the outskirts, escaping both the sword of Dilgius and the darkness to be invited. He hits the cobblestone flank, stuffing his breath with woo, yet rolls reflexively and rises.

I set up my sword in anticipation of the attack, but I touched nothing on the blade.

"Ah..."

Between the broken breaths, my voice leaks. Behind Dilgius, darkness opened his giant jaw.

"- Run!!

As bounced by Finn's screams, several legion soldiers run out at a glance. But I didn't make it. From the darkness of the left and right, darkness becomes a great wave and pushes, swallowing the fleeing soldier from one end. Darkness was no longer a shape that could be called a "beast”.

There was a scream. of the soldiers, and of Dilgius.

Dilgius is eaten by darkness in front of the stunned and frozen Finn. A few dark hands tangle up on his hands and feet as he tries to escape, and countless mouths raise their fangs and devour. Crazy screams rang out of the darkness again, as I had remembered, getting high and broken.

Finn noticed, slipping his hips and walking in. Power is also out of my hands, and my sword is thrown into the cobblestone. Too many teeth of fear squeal, and I can't even discipline my body.

(No, run, you can't die here)

We have to go home alive.

Remembering Nellis' face, which held him back, Finn was forced to hold the sword with his trembling fingers.

The neighborhood is already quiet. There's just so much darkness and nail tips still sticking out of it.

(Lena)

Even as I explored within myself, the light was weak and frightened. I don't see a dragon in the darkened sky. There was not even one star in the light that would help Lena.

I'm sorry, Finn, but only you can protect me.

I heard Lena slightly. Finn breathes strong and rises to support his sword. It was already completely surrounded by darkness, but there was no way that it would strike.

"... are you full"

The grin I couldn't make was tight. Darkness shakes. Finn looked at the front and back of the street, and then, towards the foot - slowly walked out to those whose legions had fled. From here to the village of the Sarda, it is impossible to walk back. Besides, you can't take the Dark Beast up from the lower realm.

As he dragged his cursory, painful feet, the elaborate darkness cleared the way as if reluctantly. It's like watching a dessert pass right in front of you with your fingers crossed. Finn thought of that and ironically distorted his lips.

Fatigue, which has fought even and continued to pour the power of the dragon, now pushes at once. Finn was able to stumble on the cobblestone. I thought it would fall as it was, but something supported his body.

――

It felt like leaning against a giant frost column. Finn is surprised, and his eyes flash unbelievably.

"You..."

A mass of blue and black darkness was beneath my body. I can see something hairy in a slight shade, but the feeling I touched is just like the snow frozen in the gully. Your breath turns white and your temper shrivels. But still, Finn wasn't the same as when he once spent the night on the outskirts of Winnea.

In the core of the body the light breathes, giving us hope and strength. You can't beat cold air and despair.

With a neat fin on his back, the Dark Beast walked out. To those he was on his way, keep it up.

Stupid Kana.

Sounds like the beast snorted furiously, and Finn manages to connect the seemingly interrupted consciousness. He rebelled in his heart and maintained his strength, no sardines laughed at with his nose.

Killer Darina Gala.

I'm not a murderer.

Strength falls out of my body. The sword slipped off and made a noise with Kashan, but I couldn't even move one finger to pick it up.

Killer Dakara Raw Casitanoni

My voice sounded unfortunate. But if such emotions are in the beast of darkness,

Finn remained hazy and was so convinced that, oh you know what?

(So you let the bandits go?)

When I was in Winnea, I wondered why bandits living in the wild were not killed by the Dark Beast. But the answer was simple. If you leave me alone, I'll kill the same person. If you kill each other on your own and perish, it saves you time, I suppose.

(I'm not)

I say back, is that what you want to do?

I'm a protector.

"... stupidkana"

Kuku, and a laugh in the back of his throat. You're the only one who thinks that, all the time.

Finn was musty, but his temper didn't last any longer. Protect the light by tightening the darkness out of your heart so that the light that dwells within you does not disappear. Warm signs wrapped his consciousness and Finn slowly melted into it.