I opened my eyes after consolidating my breakthrough, and as I looked around the cavern, the view of the world seemed to have changed. Instead of just feeling the mana in the atmosphere, I could see it now. I could also feel not just the mana, but my new symbiotic connection to it. Realising the implications of this and feeling this newfound power coursing through me, made me euphoric.
However, I soon regained my composure, not allowing this new power to control me. Then I sat up and teleported back to the palace. It was time to face the Vaelgrim's, and with this new power, there were even fewer in this world who could stop me.
As I arrived within the throne room yet again, I called for Diablo and he appeared hastily. When he saw the 'new' me he couldn't help the awe filled and excited expression that appeared across his face. "Wow, if before you were seen as untouchable, now you look like you are, Your Excellency. It seems like the mana around us is drawn to you instinctively." I raised my eyebrow as I said "How do you know that?" Diablo shook his head and said "I didn't know it, but could feel it, and I think most high level mages will, to a certain degree, depending on certain conditions ."
I nodded in understanding, then spoke with some urgency in my voice "Lets go Diablo, It is time to end their pitiful existence and put this behind us." Diablo nodded before following me to the teleportation gate room to head to the Vaelgrim Kingdom, or within the vicinity of it.
....
Their footsteps echoing quiet confidence, considering a Grand Mage a legendary existence in this world, with only as many in the world as their are fingers on your hands and an Emperor Mage were heading to face what was seemingly some a group of mostly Lord and King Mages with Marcus being the only Emperor. However, Kyros and Diablo are going to be in for a shock when they realise a truth of this world.
...
As we arrived at the vicinity of the Vaelgrim Kingdoms capital and could see the large castle and military compound ahead of us, we wasted no time and approached. Not stealthily nor too directly. When we arrived at the compound, at the entrance to the castle, which was situated above the city, that seemed to house a military base much similar to the one in the military quadrant of Luminosity, albeit that one was a lot larger, we found it deserted.
"It is too quiet" I murmured, and Diablo nodded in affirmation. Then suddenly from the in front of us came sound of footsteps, as I looked I could see Marcus Vaelgrim moving with arrogance and poise as if one of the most powerful people in this world turning up on his doorstep was to be expected. He then said "Lightborn, what do I and my family owe the pleasure of your visit to our home?" He acted and sounded gentlemanly, however, the look in his eyes betrayed his resentment and arrogance.
I simply replied, as if just by being here and walking to him wasted my precious time "I came for retribution, you and that rat of a son of yours killed the mother of my child, and I do not take kindly to when people act out against me." As I said this Marcus face twisted with barely contained venom "You are actually here for so called 'retribution?' Retribution for what? You let her go, you left her alone, and you allowed for her to be hunted. This isn't retribution, but just a sad little revenge to make yourself feel better and so that you can look your little bastard in the face and not feel ashamed."
My fists started to clench instinctively at his vulgar words, but there was a small voice within my head that agreed with the premise, yes, I thought, maybe this is just me driven by guilt, maybe taking in Aurora was driven by that same guilt. Maybe I am just here to make myself feel better rather than getting closure for my daughter, maybe by calling it retribution it makes it sound like I am seeking justice.
Anyway that doesnt matter, I am here now and I will finish it. As I thought all this I quickly spoke, "I do not care what you think, you vile man, you hunted her like a dog, you and that son of yours are a disease that I will be happy to expunge from the world"
As I said this, I started to step back and ready my spell, but not before saying to Diablo "Deal with the small fry" He nodded then went to draw out the ones hiding, before he could however, Marcus shouted " QUICKLY, ATTACK." Then at his words hundreds of King and Lord and even lesser mages rushed out from all around us. It was expected, I could sense them, however I did not care. Diablo laughed wickedly "hehehe, YES, MORE, MORE!" As he finished and was about to rush into the fray I said "Diablo wait, there is something off about them, they are all different races, and are giving off a sinister aura" As I said this Diablo seemed to halt his movements for a second, then turned and said "Does it matter? they are all weak anyway." Then ran head first into what will be a gruesome battlefield, with a maniac grin plastered on his face.
As Diablo ran off, I could hear Marcus laughing triumphantly, "Oh you ignorant fools, It is a little soon to show our hand, but if it means dealing with you, then all is well." As I was about to attack I heard Marcus whistle and then four more figures appeared, seemingly from nowhere, all different races and with that same sinister aura, however these peoples auras were a lot heavier than the others.
Before I could think any further they didn't even speak before acting in unison, the wolfman moved first launching himself at me at speeds defying what a supposedly Emperor Mage could reach, slashing at me with ferocity of predator. I quickly put mana into my legs and jumped back, the long, thick, claws laced with a corrupted wind whistled by my chest. 'Huh, it seems he is a wind, body reinforcement mage.' I thought quickly, as I steadied myself then hit back with a palm strike that radiated a bright golden light from my hand, the wolfman shot back at blinding speeds and ended up smashing into the outside wall of the castle before coming to a stop. From my vision as a Grand Mage, it seems his chest is burning from where my light touched him, interesting.
Before I could ruminate further a second body reinforcement mage, a stocky dwarf, who uses earth as an element and a Warhammer larger than his own body, launched himself at me with a huge jump, then tried to use gravity to smash me into meat paste, I kept calm though, this isn't my first time dealing with mages, especially ones two levels below me, however unique they are, they are still Emperor Mages I thought, then I pointed my arm up as multiple spears of light materialised around me and shot at the dwarf. He seemed momentarily caught off guard before he twisted his body into unnatural angles and conjured earth around himself like rocky armour, the spears missed or grazed his rocky shell and he came crashing down upon me. BOOM!
A huge smokescreen and crater got created from the impact and as it cleared the dwarf was shocked to see me still standing, with a shield made of light around me, however, I was more shocked, that kind of attack should not come from an Emperor Mage, that attack and type of movement is on the level of a Great Mage. I couldn't understand it, what is going on? First that strange sinister aura, radiating not just from them but the other mages too, my light burning that wolfman...
Suddenly, the dwarf went for another hit this time his rocky armour started to move from his body and converge on his hammer, as I was about to swat him away, ice as cold as a snowstorm converged at my feet and held me in place, while flames as hot as the sun fell from the sky taking shapes of meteors, and a huge golem as tall as the castle itself converged out of nowhere, powered by what seemed to be a powerful nature spirit, its large fists coming at me from above, like an executioners axe - all these elements and powers seemed to be empowered by some corrupted and sinister energy.
As I braced myself for a fight, that seems to not be as easy as I first thought it would be...