System Change

Chapter 374: Watch

As you can see, Edwards voice sounded out, once again, he projected it so that all could hear over the remaining crackling of the dying dragon flames. We came prepared. The dragons? Theyre all for show. The real threat is in those we brought along. Mr. Hunt has proved time and time again that one person, if strong enough, can outdo armies Speaking of armies Edward looked over at Osian.

Speaking of armies, King Osian took over from Edward. Our combined army he gestured at Traven and the queen. Was nearly destroyed by just Mr. Hunt and his companion. After that, he took out my brother, Tevarian, then Terrin. And from the reports Ive seen, he didnt even break a sweat doing it.

Thats not true, Derek thought. Silvis fire that took out the king was really hot. Surely I broke a sweat then.

Along with Mr. Hunt, Osian continued. You have no doubt noticed the attendance of Mr. Marrick, too. Now, Ive not had the pleasure of seeing him in battle, but I have heard storiesspecifically, stories of your father trying to ambush him and barely escaping with his life. And, Im sorry to say Traven, but you are neither your father nor your son, and Mr. Marrick has had many years to grow even stronger since then.

And you, Queen Cassandra, Osian directed his words at the woman standing next to Traven. Im sure you havent let it escape you that Ms. Alanah Swan, also known as the Dawn Siren, has been nice enough to provide us with her help. I understand that you may hold a grudge against her, but do you really think that grudge is worth more than just your life?

So, former King Traven Queen Cassandra, Edward began. Think of your kingdom for once. Surrender now so that the others may live.

Surrender? You want us to surrender our lives? Queen Cassandra yelled. Without my son and husband alive, Id rather see the kingdom burned to the ground than surrender to you. No! I will not surrender! WE will not surrender. So what if that man and his pet have strong auras? Aura means nothing without strength. And you think were scared of a little fire? How much mana did something like that take? How long is its cooldown? Dont think we dont that it was all a show.

Were not going to believe your stories either, Traven continued after the queen. They are just three people and a pet. You think youre one of the exceptions? The former king pointedly looked through the crowd until his eyes landed on Derek and Silvi. Thats true for everyone of us you see standing here, too. Exceptions are all around you. You can manage to beat three exceptions? Then well send six or eight. The man turned his attention back to Osian and Edward. You should have brought more people.

Do you all truly believe that? Osian said, speaking to those behind the former king and current queen. Do you believe that Indria would ally with Cydaria so easily after waging war against them if there was another way? Even a kingdom such as Astrus is getting the opportunity to survive, just as Indria did, yet youre throwing it away. If Cydaria wanted to, they could just take and destroy everything without you being able to do anything to stop them, yet Crown Prince Edward is being magnanimous.

We will give you one last chance, Edward said. Back away. Take yourselves out of this battle and you may yet live. You neednt fight for Cydaria and Indria, but you must not fight for Astrus.

The time for talking is over! Traven shouted.

The former king seemed to know that if he allowed anymore discussion, he would lose much of his support. Unfortunately, he was too late to realize it, and as he shouted, a few people broke away from his group. With them, Derek noticed thatthrough the lessening smoke behind themmany soldiers slowly backed away, too.

It seemed that those soldiers really must have been guards and employees of some of those up front. He could only imagine the relief that those soldiers were currently experiencing, and the sorrow of those whose employers seemed to choose to fight alongside Traven.

Garrett! Finn! You dare betray your kingdom? Traven turned and yelled at some of those who had decided to withdraw. When this is over, I will personally see to it that your house is removed from the roots if you dont come back.

Thats smart, Derek thought. Its always a great idea to threaten someones family who is apparently quite strong if everything that the former king has said holds weight. Its especially a great idea if they had decided to just not interfere instead of actually turning on you. Thats a great way to get them to fight for you instead of against you. Derek rolled his eyes as he watched the childish former king throw a fit.

The runes were glowing a sickly green color, and the same color bled down through all the runes etched in her sleeves and into the back of her hands. The sickly green then spread out like veins and eventually found its way to the needles that the woman was holding between each of her fingers.

Is she using poison needles? Derek wondered. He wasnt a big fan of fighting poison, toxin, or acid usersespecially acid users after his encounter with the ghouls from the Undying Dungeon, and the massive whale from the raid dungeon. He had back luck with them ruining his clothing and armor. It was even worse now that he was running low on the majority of the clothing items hed brought from Earth. Im definitely bringing it up with Brandi once this is over.

As he was watching the two powerful women face off, Derek felt a cool breeze from beside him and saw that Avery had made his move as well. He appeared in the back of the battle between two men that Derek hadnt gotten the names of. Hed already put his bow away in exchange for daggers, and he was going to work on his opponents.

Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a man with ice wings take off into the sky. Following the former king was the old man, Marrick. He had his hands laced behind his back and continued to stand hunched over, but under his feet was a cloud of sand lifting him into the air.

Soon enough, everyone else went their own way so not to interfere with each others battles. It seemed that the poison queen didnt have the ability to fly, so Alanah had been kind enough to charge into her and carry her a great distance away from the center of the battle.

Another two people focused their combined efforts on Avery, and he slowly moved backwards, bringing his four opponents with him. As for Edward, he was standing beside his fathernot currently embroiled in any battle. It wasnt because he wasnt prepared or was running away, though, instead, Ryven and Osian were working together to contain ten men and women themselves.

Which left Edgar. The young prince was having a field day. It seemed hed gotten used to his previous tactics during the war, and he was flashing between multiple enemies, peppering them each with bits of lightning, one at a time.

However, the other side wasnt kidding when they said that their people were exceptional. The remaining elves and humans on Cydarias and Indrias sides were all fighting one on one, and being pushed back from the opposing forces. And that still left a handful of fighters on the opposing side that were free to fight whomever they wished. If they did it right, they would easily be able to take care of Cydaria and Indrias other forces, one by one.

Beside Derek, it seemed like Tara had come to the same conclusion, so she quickly raised her hands in the air and began casting her buffs on everyone who looked like they needed it. With her buffs cast, she looked over at Derek. Im going back to the dragonkin so you dont have to protect me. Im useless in a battle like this once Ive done my job.

Go to Lyra, Derek said. Shes smart. Just tell her what youre doing.

Okay, Tara said, and began her run to the dragonkin.

After watching the support mage to make sure she arrived at Lyras side safely, Derek turned back to the battle. It seemed the remainder of the army was preparing to make their move. If Queen Cassandra was Alanahs cue, I guess thats mine.

Silvi, you remember back by Torith when fought an army, and I told you not to kill those that didnt attack? he sent.

Yes? she replied.

Try to hold back a little more this time. With that, Derek took a step forward and disappeared.