General Stronoff was tasked to oversee the capital along with a thousand of his best men. The bulk of the empire's military might had marched to the southeast to support the units stationed there led by the cardinals. Apparently, there was a new threat rising, — one which has gone through the nation's defense line like knife in a butter.

Stronoff was a bulky man with a strong jawline.

As he stood on top of the wall encircling the city, he gave off a righteous aura. His uniform strained to hide his muscles as he stood there like an unmovable mountain.

He had a hardened expression as he overlooked the capital.

There was no bandit, no man, no solider who wouldn't shrink and confess under his steel gaze.

That was just how he was. He had an aura that commanded respect.

As he overlooked the citizens going on with their daily lives his eyebrows twitched. The city's borders have massively expanded in the past couple of decades, further complicating his task. He was the commanding officer in charge of defense, more concretely the one who protected the capital.

Stronoff saw a royal guard rushing through the crowd down below — he waved his hand. The guard instantly recognized his position and doubled his efforts as he hastily moved through the sea of people. Finally, the guard was in front of him. The emperor must have something he needs done urgently if he sent one of his trusted guards.

"General! I bring a critical order from his imperial majesty!"

"Be at ease soldier and-"

Stronoff couldn't finish what he was about to say as a shadow fell over his face.

He felt the change in the air as the wind died down.

'So, it is happening again?' He thought as he elevated his sight and looked straight up to the battered sky. The once beautiful ocean blue color had long been drained. It was replaced in the past decades, in truth even in his childhood the sky was not what it was used to be… he believed so…

Cracks spread around as the sky further darkened and black lightnings shot out decimating those unfortunate enough to be in their path. It didn't take long, and the familiar thunderous shock wave reached him, but he withstood it out of sheer will.

He removed his sight from the skies above and focused down below. The citizens — the people he meant to protect were collapsed on the ground, many crying out in agony, many bloodied and unmoving. It didn't take long for Stronoff to realise what he must do.

"Messenger tell the emperor; … I might be late." Stronoff said before shouting for his men.

He left the stupefied royal guard, as he took up his mantle and readied his sword. Light shone on Razor Edge's blade as it cleaved a way in darkness. The city guards gathered behind him and formed a tight formation for they knew what was to come. A fight for survival, a grueling struggle that would demand many lives.

A moment later tentacles reached out from the gap between dimensions and soon descended upon the city. Madness was sure to follow…

…

"What the hell is that?!"

"Don't just stand there! Move!" The commander's voice woke them from their stupor.

Shouts echoed all around them — the soldiers felt their courage drain rapidly.

The colossal tentacle monster which moved through the rift had started its rampage — trampling all who stood in its way. Its myriad tentacles didn't stay idle either as they aimlessly flayed around — extinguishing the unfortunate souls who got in the way.

The rattling sound of armor was proof how threatened they felt, but they had a duty. They couldn't abandon their post now… they feared that if it came down to that then the general himself would cut them down for their cowardness.

The commander's voice rang out and hope ignited in their hearts.

"Soldiers! Protect and evacuate the citizens, I will deal with that thing!" Stronoff gave the order as his weapon was aimed at the huge abnormality.

The city militia jumped into action to save those who were in desperate need while Stronoff eyed the great monstrosity, blade by his side — ready to sever.

The leaving unit got a glimpse of Stronoff jumping down the wall and rushing the massive monster with blade in hand accompanied by a spirit that was a rare sight.

…

"What the hell is that thing?" Rachel asked as she levitated above the capital of the human empire.

There was a black monster rampaging in town. Adorned with countless tentacles and maws throughout its massive body it was plain to see that this was no simple monster.

She had fought side by side the seven for the past century, — she knew well what lurked in the abyss or at least that's what she thought until today. This creature was new to her, and from the looks of it this one was leagues above the rest who had entered their realm.

She had a thoughtful look as she pondered on what to do; should she intervene? Should she wait it out? What if the monster was stronger than her? Should she risk it? Was it worth it?

She looked over to her entourage. Two of her brothers were here along with a dozen or so magic casters of the 3rd tier. 'Hmm, what to do?'

"It's been a while since we had a challenge sister, I don't mind a little exercise." The man beside her gave the answer. Dressed in green he had no particular feature worth mentioning, although he did have a little longer ear, but that was due to him being a half-elf.

"I agree with Luka, it won't hurt to move around a little and I am sure you'd have fun too!" A man with dark wings on his back spoke enthusiastically.

"I guess…"

"You and you." Rachel said while pointing at two of the 6 arc wizards who accompanied them.

"Report to her royal highness about our situation… Let her know we engaged the enemy."

The two nodded and began their way hastily to the Sorcerer kingdom.

"Now then time for some action, hah?"

They readied themselves to join the fray…

Vapor rolled off Rachel's form as she began to transform while her brothers backed off.

It has been a while since they were presented a proper challenge.

She had permission.

Then, she didn't believe that she would encounter an opponent where she would need to use her full power, but Elle had foreseen the incident. Yesterday, when she called for her, her mind could only make up such fantasies, but then… the true reason was revealed.

Ellee gave her permission to release her true form if the situation called for it… and call it did.

Today was her lucky day, she would enjoy herself to the fullest.

…

Stronoff was blown back by the beast's huge leg as it moved its blackened cursed body destroying the vicinity in the process.

He had an exasperating expression as he realized that the creature didn't care about him. No matter how many times he rushed at the creature he couldn't even wound the damned thing. His martial art {sense weakness} didn't pick up anything either meaning that the monstrosity before him had no weakness. That shouldn't be possible, he was sure there had to be some kind of weak point he could focus his attacks. He held Razor Edge — the empire's treasure that was said to be able to cut anything, but it simply bounced off the bleating abyss creature.

He glanced behind him; the citizens were still in the process of being evacuated — he couldn't falter now. He was the only thing that stood between the fleeing town's folk and the monster of the abyss.

He clenched his teeth as he pushed himself to his knees, intent on standing up yet again, but then… something inexplainable happened.

A sound boom went off racking the surroundings and making Stronoff fall again. When he looked up, he blinked repeatedly not believing what was before him.

High in the sky a platinum dragon hovered, a dragon lord. One of the mightiest creatures, the rulers of the world whom even the scriptures, the most elite units of the united holy empire could not challenge.

His eyes trailed behind him at the new shouts rising… Two man in uniform, one with wings, the other with a weird staff stood not far behind him. He would recognize the symbols edged into the uniforms anywhere they were… they were part of the Eight Sacred Flames!

The legendary god like warriors whose fame held strong against the efforts of the church.

Behind them he could see the citizens being evacuated while the two seemingly stared behind him, surely, they were sizing up the opponent, but why didn't they engage? Was there any association between them and the dragon? As Stronoff wondered he could hear an unearthly roar before he was swept off his feet once more.

When he turned around, he could see the dragon dodging the huge tentacles which had apparently moved with intent now. No longer did they rampage aimlessly but focused solely on the adversary.

Stronoff thought sourly, 'hah, you recognize that dragon as a threat but not me…'

He felt a hand on his shoulders and when he turned around the two man was behind him.

"Leave this to us." They said. 'Hah, like he could do that!' Stronoff pushed himself upright, a drop of blood hitting the ground.

"No, I cannot possibly ask you to fight instead of me. Let me help you. I insist." Stronoff said as he mustered his most serious expression.

"You would be only in the way…"

A moment later the man added.

"If you want to help, then see to it that the citizens safely leave this part of town."

Stronoff felt frustrated but after sneaking one more glance at the ongoing struggle he realized that the sacred flame was right. There wasn't anything he could do now.

The dragon lord struggled as it slipped through the tentacles and fired off the famed dragon breath while magic circles appeared all around it and cast several high tier spells Stronoff could not recognize.

The man along with the other sacred flame member joined the fray, while Stronoff ultimately left the battlefield. He had a job to do after all. It was to protect the city, but his true purpose was to protect the citizens above all else.

…

In a dark place that was only illuminated by the flowing magma and the occasional geysers a fiend dressed in crimson cackled. Demiurge had gotten the most peculiar intel just now. A shadow demon of his had reported that a great battle was taking place in the city designated as capital to the nation they were currently invading.

They showed commendable skills for lower life forms, much more so than those he had the fortune to meet on the front lines.

"It seems they were hiding their trump cards all along..."

"If they think this is enough to stop us… kha-hha-ha"

"I can't wait to see their despair! ~"

Demiurge disappeared in a flash of light.