Denizens of the Labyrinth

DING!

THE CORRUPTION HAS BLED THROUGH INTO YOUR GATE!

NOT ONLY ARE CORRUPT CREATURES BREAKING THROUGH!

A RED GATE IS ABOUT TO OCCUR!

PREPARE FOR THE WORST!

THIS GATE WILL BE UNLIKE ANYTHING YOU HAVE SEEN BEFORE!

WARNING!

CALL FOR HELP WHILE YOU CAN!

The system had never said that to him before, but Jazmel wasn't a mad man to not acknowledge a warning.

He pulled the origami swans from his ring and sent a scattering of them with the details of the notice. To Mary, Charme, Baek and Sadé.

The three men burst out of the tavern and into the relentless downpour, the cold rain soaking them to the bone almost instantly. Jazmel tilted his head up, his hood falling back, revealing his face as he scanned the skies. The storm above was unlike any ordinary tempest lightning didn't just flash; it tore through the clouds like jagged cracks in a pane of glass, illuminating the heavens in bursts of violent light. The sky itself seemed fractured, dark clouds splintering like a mirror under pressure, each break glowing with an eerie, otherworldly energy that pulsed and writhed, threatening to burst free at any moment.

The thunder roared, shaking the ground beneath their feet as arcs of energy spiralled out from the breaks, casting strange shadows over the drenched streets. Jazmel's origami swans, perched on his shoulder, suddenly fluttered to life. With a sound like paper rustling in the wind, they took flight, their delicate forms glowing faintly as they sped into the stormy night, moving with purpose and urgency.

But it was Gideon who stole the moment. With an audacious grin, he reached for one of the storage rings on his fingers, pulling free a slender, elaborately decorated firework. Rain dripped from the vibrant casing as Gideon channelled mana into its core. The firework ignited despite the torrential rain, flames sparking to life in his hand. With a practiced motion, Gideon launched it high into the air, and it streaked upward like a comet, leaving a trail of golden light in its wake.

The firework exploded with a deafening crack, and the sky was illuminated in brilliant white. Out of the explosion burst a massive heron, its form crafted from pure fire and mana. The bird was majestic, its wings stretching wide as it soared through the storm, undeterred by the rain that seemed to slide off its burning feathers. It emitted a low, resonant cry as it circled above, its light casting stark shadows over the city below.

Gideon folded his arms, watching his creation with satisfaction. "That'll do the trick," he said, his voice cutting through the rain. He glanced at Jazmel and Bolen, a smirk tugging at his lips. "The fireworks cost a pretty penny a few platinum coins per shot but they're much better than swans."

Jazmel raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You might be right about that. I'll need to buy some of those."

Gideon's grin widened, and he gave Jazmel a knowing look. "You'll thank me when you see the response. My guild won't waste time. When the heron flies, the Heron Guild comes." He turned his gaze back to the sky, where the flaming bird circled, defying the storm. "Whatever's breaking through the domain, we'll be ready."

Jazmel nodded, his attention drawn back to the sky, where the cracks widened, and the energy intensified. The swans and the heron flew in tandem, their contrasting forms a graceful glow and a fiery blaze marking the beginning of a battle none of them could yet fully comprehend.

Just as Gideon's words hung in the air, a brilliant crack split the sky, and the downpour seemed to draw back momentarily, as though the world itself held its breath. A jagged tear in the fabric of reality appeared before them, glowing with shifting colours of iridescent energy that sparked and shimmered with unrestrained power. The sight was mesmerizing, otherworldly, but Jazmel's instincts had him immediately on guard. His hand dropped to the hilt of Yoru no Tsubasa, the familiar weight of the blade steadying him as his mana-infused eyes focused on the rift.

Through the tear, he saw them. At first, it was just silhouettes, faint and shadowed, but as the rip widened, the forms became clear. A wry smile tugged at Jazmel's lips. He recognized them instantly his people, his Black Wing Faction. Mary stepped through first, her pristine white hair catching the fractured light of the rift, her eyes sharp and determined. Behind her came Baek, his diminutive shoulders and small frame as misleading as ever. Charme followed, her Gui clean and made of great quality. She stood looking around and when she saw Jazmel she inclined her head with respect, he mirrored her she came over to stand behind him, his protective shadow. Then came Sadé, her eyes searching and eager, she wore her armour and Kazumi bounded through beside her, huge and her fur steaming with her own temperature beneath the downpour. Last Tango, grinning with his usual air of roguish confidence.

And they weren't alone.

Behind them streamed an almost endless sleuth of figures, their presence commanding and powerful. Nearly one hundred rankers, each clad in armour or robes that bore the mark of the Black Wing Faction, stepped into the drenched street. The energy they exuded was palpable, even though the storm, a unified force that seemed to cut through the oppressive atmosphere.

Mary stepped forward; her tone composed yet filled with resolve as she addressed Jazmel. "We didn't want to leave Moxores undefended, so we fortified it before we came. The defences will hold. Now, we're here to ensure you don't face whatever's coming alone."

Jazmel nodded, his smile deepening as he let his hand drift from his sword. The memories of the attack by the Sworn surfaced briefly a stark reminder of what they had endured and what they now fought to prevent. He met Mary's gaze, her unyielding confidence rekindling his own. "Good thinking," he said, his voice steady. "With the Sworn, we learned that preparation is everything. I'm glad to see you all."

He turned to Gideon, whose grin widened as he took in the sheer number of the Black Wing Faction. Bolen let out a low whistle, clearly impressed.

"Well," Gideon said with a laugh, "looks like you've got yourself quite the army, Jazmel."

Jazmel's smile turned sharp, his gaze shifting back to the still-splintering sky. "An army we're going to need. Something's breaking through, and whatever it is, it's big."

The storm raged on, but with his people at his side, Jazmel felt a renewed surge of determination. Whatever challenge was coming, they would face it together.

Above them, the sky was a battlefield of nature and chaos, its once-unified canvas shattering under the weight of whatever force sought entry. The jagged cracks spread wider, like veins of molten light coursing through darkened clouds. Each tear pulsated with unstable energy, the edges glowing an iridescent spectrum that seemed to vibrate with a sound too low to be heard yet felt deep in the chest. Thunder roared intermittently, not as a herald of rain, but as a warning of something much worse. Lightning crackled in sharp, violent arcs, illuminating the fractured heavens in bursts of blinding brilliance.

Jazmel stood firm amidst the chaos, rain dripping from his soaked form, his mana-infused eyes fixed on the sky as the rifts multiplied. Beside him, Charme and Sadé mirrored his stance, their presence calm but alert. Charme adjusted her daggers, her movements precise and deliberate, her eyes scanning the heavens with a focus honed through years of experience. Sadé, ever composed, stood tall, her hands resting lightly the hilt of the sabre and dagger at her side. Her gaze held no fear, only quiet calculation.

"What do you see?" Sadé asked, her voice low but cutting through the storm.

Jazmel's eyes narrowed, mana swirling as he peered into the growing fractures. "Not everything yet. The cracks... they're not just breaks. They're openings. Someone, or something, is forcing them wider."

Charme exhaled sharply, her grip tightening on her daggers. "It's not just the storm, then. It's being shaped."

As if to confirm their fears, more rifts appeared, spilling light and shadow into the darkened streets. From one of them, shimmering shapes began to emerge. These weren't enemies yet. Guild members of the Heron began stepping through, their forms materializing with an array of light effects unique to each teleportation. Clad in battle-ready gear marked with the proud insignia of the Heron Guild, they moved quickly into formation. Their disciplined movements were a stark contrast to the wild chaos above.

Bolen was already in motion, his commanding voice cutting through the clamour as he organized the Heron Guild. "Move! Spread into triads and secure the perimeter. Shields on the outer rings, casters inside. Keep your focus sharp this isn't a drill!"

Gideon, standing on a nearby crate to elevate himself above the crowd, projected his voice like a general rallying his troops. "Eyes on the sky, people! Whatever's coming is breaking domains to get here, and we're not going to let it take us by surprise. Bolen has your commands. I'll lead the first wave."

His words sent ripples of resolve through the gathered guild members, and Jazmel couldn't help but admire Gideon's presence as a leader. He turned his attention back to the sky, where the cracks deepened, their light bleeding into the storm in cascading bursts.

"It's beautiful, in a way," Charme remarked, her voice holding a strange, detached awe.

"Beauty and destruction often are," Sadé replied, her tone unwavering. "But this... this is something unnatural."

Jazmel nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of Yoru no Tsubasa. His gaze sharpened as he studied the patterns forming in the fractures, the lines of light weaving and unwinding like threads being pulled taut. "Whatever's on the other side, it's not waiting for permission to come through. It's going to force its way in."

Another crack appeared, closer this time, and the energy pouring through it sent a shiver down Jazmel's spine. The air itself felt charged, heavy with the promise of confrontation. He glanced at his companions, the corner of his mouth twitching upward in a faint smile.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

"Ready yourselves," he said softly. "This is just the beginning."

The rain continued to pour, but the battlefield was no longer defined by the streets of the city or the storm above. It was in the tension between the known and the unknown, in the sharp edges of the cracks in the sky, and in the hearts of those preparing to face whatever would come through them.

The sky shattered entirely, the final tear erupting with a deafening roar as the void spilled forth its horrors. From the rift came a horde a mass of corrupted beings that seemed to defy natural form. The creatures were twisted amalgamations of nightmare and chaos, their bodies dripping with an oily, black substance that hissed and sizzled as it hit the rain-soaked streets below.

In the air, enormous, winged abominations dominated the stormy skies. Their leathery wings beat against the storm, their grotesque forms illuminated by flashes of lightning. Some had serpent-like bodies that coiled unnaturally as they flew, their heads crowned with multiple eyes glowing crimson. Others resembled massive, corrupted birds, their feathers replaced by jagged shards of bone and talon-like claws outstretched, eager to rend flesh. Smaller, darting creatures swarmed between them bat-like monstrosities with needle-like teeth and bulbous, pulsating sacs of light embedded in their backs, ready to burst and release volatile energy.

On the ground, the horde spilled like a flood. Hulking brutes with thick, stone-like skin lumbered forward, their massive arms dragging spiked clubs of blackened iron. Slithering among them were snake-like entities with scaled bodies glistening in the rain, their mouths opening wide to reveal rows of jagged teeth. Scuttling horrors with spider-like legs and grotesque human-like torsos crawled along buildings, their many limbs scrabbling for purchase as they sought higher vantage points.

From the tear in the sky came the worst a towering centipede-like creature that unfurled itself with a scream that pierced the storm. Its segmented body glowed faintly with a sickly green hue, and each of its countless legs ended in a hooked claw. On its head sat a crown of twisted horns, and its many eyes seemed to scan the battlefield hungrily.

Charme glanced upward, her daggers already in her hands, and muttered, "Tier IV and V in the skies. The centipede is pushing Tier VI, if not higher."

Mary stood beside her, the rain running off her cloak as she clenched her staff tightly. Her sharp eyes scanned the battlefield with practiced precision. "The brutes and serpents are mostly Tier III. The small ones Tier II or less. Easy for the rankers to handle if they don't get overwhelmed."

Charme scoffed. "That's a big 'if.' We're going to need to thin the skies before those things overwhelm our backlines."

Jazmel's voice cut through the tension, sharp and decisive. "Baek! Clear the skies. Don't let anything get too far away from our groups."

The towering Baek, his immense frame a force of nature in its own right, cracked his knuckles and grunted in acknowledgment. Without hesitation, he leapt upward, his mana surging as he launched himself into the fray with explosive force, striking down one of the larger winged monstrosities in a single, devastating blow.

"Rankers!" Jazmel continued, his voice rising above the storm. "Group up! Fight the ones you can handle. If you can't, steer clear and support the others."

The rankers immediately obeyed, clustering into tight formations. Swords and spells ignited the air as they clashed with the swarm, their cries of battle mingling with the unholy screeches of the horde.

"Sadé!" Jazmel barked, his grin cutting through the chaos. "Make the storm ours."

Sadé nodded, her composure unshaken as she stepped forward, her mana flaring brilliantly. With a sweep of her arms, she channelled the storm itself, bending the rain and lightning to her will. The downpour intensified but now moved with purpose, driving the smaller creatures back and providing cover for the rankers.

"Mary," Jazmel said, turning to her with a commanding nod. "You're in charge of the others. Keep them steady."

Mary inclined her head, her voice calm and authoritative as she began organizing the remaining Black Wing Faction members, directing them with swift efficiency.

Finally, Jazmel's hand settled on the hilt of Yoru no Tsubasa, and his smile widened into something sharp and dangerous. "I'll do what I do best."

He surged forward, his presence cutting through the battlefield like a blade. His mana flared, resonating with his sword as he carved into the horde with surgical precision. Around him, the battlefield was a symphony of chaos, but Jazmel moved like a maestro, directing the flow of combat with every strike. The Black Wing Faction stood as one against the tide, their leader at the heart of the storm, unyielding and fearless.

Paldane clambered free from Jazmel's collar, his small, serpentine form coiling gracefully as he leapt into the stormy air. For a brief moment, he hovered, the rain slicking his scales and lightning illuminating his sleek, obsidian form. Then, with a burst of mana, he expanded. His body grew longer and more muscular, his wings unfurling to their full, majestic span. Each beat of those wings sent a powerful gust through the battlefield, scattering the smaller, airborne monstrosities in all directions.

When he reached his full, awe-inspiring size, Paldane let out a thunderous roar that shook the air itself. The sound cut through the howling storm and the clamour of battle, a primal declaration of dominance. His eyes, burning with an inner fire, scanned the skies with an intensity that sent fear rippling through even the fiercest of the winged abominations.

"The skies belong to me!" Paldane bellowed, his deep, resonant voice carrying far and wide. His very presence exerted a crushing pressure, a wave of authority that momentarily stalled the swarm in their chaotic descent.

Jazmel stood below, the rain running down his face as he watched his companion with a smile of pride and satisfaction. That's my dragon. Paldane soared higher, his wings cutting through the storm like blades. Each powerful beat sent shockwaves through the air, and the smaller creatures that dared approach were either obliterated by his claws or scattered by his presence.

Jazmel chuckled under his breath, gripping the hilt of Yoru no Tsubasa tightly. "With Paldane up there," he muttered to himself, "this battle just tipped in our favour."

The massive centipede-like creature let out a bone-rattling screech as it broke free from the rift and crashed into the city below. Its grotesque, glowing segments crushed buildings beneath its immense weight, sending debris and panicked citizens scattering. The air was thick with the acrid stench of corruption, and its sickly green glow bathed the streets in an eerie, unnatural light. The creature's hooked legs clawed at the earth, tearing apart anything in its path as it advanced.

Baek wasted no time. With a single, effortless leap, he propelled himself onto the nearest building, the rain splashing against his massive frame. His mana surged, rippling through the air like a palpable force as he fixed his steely gaze on the writhing monstrosity. Without hesitation, he extended his hand, his deep voice resonating through the storm.

Night of the White Moon

As he invoked his favoured skill, the atmosphere around him seemed to shift. The storm's fury dimmed momentarily as large, pale white orbs of light materialized around him. They hung in the air like spectral moons, their glow serene and haunting. Each orb pulsed faintly with contained power, their surfaces swirling with ethereal patterns. The light they emitted stood in stark contrast to the creature's sickly glow, pure and untainted.

Baek extended his arm, and the orbs began to move, gliding through the rain-soaked sky with deliberate intent. They circled the centipede, forming a perimeter of pale light. The monstrosity screeched in agitation, its many eyes swivelling toward the orbs.

With a smirk, Baek clenched his fist, and the orbs ignited. Brilliant beams of light shot forth, striking the creature's segments with devastating precision. Each blast ripped into the corrupted flesh, leaving searing marks that crackled with residual energy. The centipede thrashed wildly, its screams echoing through the city as it tried in vain to escape the relentless assault.

Baek stood tall on the building's edge, his figure silhouetted against the storm. "You'll regret crawling into this city," he muttered, summoning more orbs to replace those expended. The Night of the white moons multiplied, their glow intensifying as they prepared for another volley.

From the rift, another monstrosity emerged, its form unnervingly precise, almost beautiful in its symmetry yet wholly corrupted. A colossal praying mantis, its body glistening like polished jade but marred with dark veins of corruption, descended with terrifying grace. Its serrated forelimbs, the size of massive scythes, sliced through the air, crackling with energy that distorted the rain around it. Its bulbous, multifaceted eyes glowed with a sickly green light, scanning the battlefield with cold calculation. Surrounding it was a swarm of smaller mantis-like creatures, each the size of a man and equally menacing, their movements sharp and unnatural.

Jazmel narrowed his eyes, his grip tightening on Yoru no Tsubasa. The sight of the massive creature triggered a memory a fight beneath the roots of the Spirit Tree, where he and Baek had faced jade-handed monstrosities eerily similar to this one. But this was no time for reflection. The smaller creatures were already swarming forward, their bladed limbs glinting even in the dim, rain-soaked light.

Before Jazmel could move, Gideon's voice rang out. "Leave these with us!"

Jazmel turned to see Gideon and Bolen already rallying the Heron Guild, their members forming ranks with practiced efficiency. Gideon's fiery red hair clung to his face, drenched by the rain, but his grin was feral, eager for battle. Bolen stood beside him, his mismatched eyes one a deep brown, the other pure gold glowing faintly as his mana flared, casting a golden hue over the gathering guild members.

With a wave of his hand, Gideon signalled the charge. "Herons, let's show them what we're made of!"

The Heron Guild surged forward, a mix of warriors and mages unleashing a barrage of attacks against the incoming swarm. Gideon led the charge, his claymore igniting with fiery mana as he cleaved through the first wave of mantis creatures with devastating precision. Bolen followed close behind, his movements fluid and confident as he struck with a gleaming, golden-tipped spear, his attacks precise and unrelenting.

Jazmel watched as the two commanded their guild with seamless coordination, their voices carrying over the chaos. Gideon's booming laughter echoed as he carved a path through the smaller mantises, while Bolen's sharp commands kept their formation tight and effective.

Jazmel allowed himself a small smile. "They've got this," he murmured, his gaze shifting back to the larger battle. As the Heron Guild pressed forward, the massive praying mantis shrieked, its scythe-like limbs crashing down toward Gideon and Bolen. The two dodged with practiced ease, retaliating with strikes that forced the creature back, even as it fought with frenzied intensity.

The sight filled Jazmel with a rare sense of camaraderie. It's good to see old friends thrive. With that, he turned back to the heart of the chaos, his focus sharpening once more. There were still battles to be fought, and his role as leader of the Black Wing Faction demanded nothing less than his all.

The ground trembled as another behemoth emerged from the fractured sky a massive rhinoceros beetle, its gleaming, silver shell reflecting the storm's lightning in blinding flashes. The creature was a juggernaut of destruction, its bulk crashing through buildings and scattering debris as it landed with an earth-shaking thud. Its horn, a massive blade of metallic silver, gleamed with malevolent energy, crackling with arcs of violet lightning. Every step it took sent shockwaves rippling through the city, its sheer presence a challenge to all who dared face it.

Charme's eyes locked onto the monstrous beetle, her expression sharpening into fierce determination. Without hesitation, she shot forward, her movements a blur as she leapt atop a toppled stone pillar for a better vantage point.

Her voice rang out, cutting through the storm, cold and commanding.

Dark Tyrannical Path!

In an instant, the air around Charme darkened, shadows pooling at her feet like an inky tide. The ground beneath her cracked and warped as tendrils of black energy erupted outward, carving jagged paths across the ruined street. The energy raced toward the rhinoceros beetle, weaving through the rubble like sentient serpents. The storm itself seemed to bend away from her power, the rain hissing into steam as it touched the blackened ground.

Charme extended a hand, her fingers curling into a claw-like grip, and the tendrils of shadow surged upward, latching onto the beetle's massive legs. The creature bellowed, a low, guttural sound that shook the very air, but the shadows held fast, dragging it to a halt. The silver shell shimmered brilliantly as the beetle thrashed, its strength immense, but Charme's power was relentless.

"I'll break that shiny armour of yours," Charme muttered, her voice laced with a deadly calm. She raised her other hand, and more tendrils erupted from the ground, wrapping around the beetle's horn and wings. The creature roared again, its energy surging as it tried to break free, but the shadows only tightened their grip, pulsing with dark energy.

Jazmel, observing from a distance, felt a flicker of amusement despite the chaos. She's as fierce as ever. He turned his attention back to the other battles raging around him, trusting Charme to handle the silver-plated behemoth. Her power, though dark and overwhelming, was precise and devastating perfect for a foe of this magnitude.