Thump

Thump

The two guard’s bodies dropped to the floor as they were knocked back by the floating figure.

Covered in a dark hood and surrounded by a dangerous aura, they approached the locked door.

Behind the door was the treasure vault of the kingdom and hopefully the thing they were looking for.

“THERE HE IS!”

Guards came pouring in to the hallway leading to the vault.

They had noticed that a part of the castle had not been reporting in.

To their surprise, they found a trail of fallen guards leading to what could only be the vault.

“Surrender now, Metis!”

The figure had called themselves “Metis” in a previous encounter with guards in the city.

Metis had been breaking in to various noble’s homes throughout the last week.

They were searching for something and had ransacked several homes just for people to later disappear.

As a result, Metis was thought to be one of the demons in charge.

Metis slowly turned around and glared at the guards before them.

Woooooosssshhhh

A gust of wind suddenly blew through the hallway and all the torches went out.

The guards fumbled to take out their light orbs but it didn’t go well.

Each and every one of them were thrown against the wall.

Metis turned around again and started to blast down the seal on the vault door.

BOOM

RUMBLE RUMBLE

BOOOM

RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE

BOOOOOM BOOOOM

RRRRRRUUUUUUUMMMMMBBLLLLEEEE

No matter what they threw at it, the vault did not look like it was opening anytime soon.

Metis was trying to brute force their way in and it looked like the castle would crumble down before the vault opened.

THUD

An axe had just been dodged by Metis and struck the vault door.

Fwip

Not even a split second later, an arrow had flew straight at Metis’ face.

But it was currently floating in front of Metis.

Crack

The arrow bent in half and fell to the floor.

“Looks like he sees us, spread out!”

Greer shouted as he moved in to formation.

[Light’s Blessing]

[Iron Shot]

[Light Speed]

[Star Crusher]

The four party members started their assault.

They had all lined up in a row with Greer in the front, then Arthur, next was Arte, and Maria was last.

Maria was the priestess of the group and boosted everyone’s endurance and vitality.

In front of her, Arte used a martial skill that granted her arrow the ability to strike harder and faster.

Arthur meanwhile, used his spell to charge at Metis by giving Greer a boost from behind.

After Greer was pushed forward at a blinding speed, Arthur would then run along the wall and attack from there.

All of this happened at nearly the same time.

So, as Arte shot her bow, Arthur and Greer ducked while charging.

All three attacks should hit one after the other.

This was a deadly combo to be used in a narrow setting.

BOOOM

Unfortunately, Metis sent a shockwave hurtling at them.

“GAH”

Greer was hit head on with Metis’s attack and was sent flying back past Arthur.

Arthur immediately raised his sword and blocked the shockwave.

His sword started to shine with an intense light, reacting with equal energy in order to negate the attack.

“Cover us”

Arthur called back to Arte as he ran to pick up Greer.

Fwip Fwip Fwip

Metis moved to dodge Arte’s arrows and allowed Arthur to reach Greer.

“Ready?”

“Ugh. Yea, looks like everyone’s breaking my [Titan’s Forge] these days”

Greer had used [Titan’s Forge] on himself and it had saved his life.

Despite his entire body hurting, as he was thrown to the floor, at least his body wasn’t ripped apart.

“Arthur, we can’t beat him, we have to run”

Greer expressed to Arthur as they both leap back to Arte and Maria.

[Heal]

Maria mended the damage to Greer’s body although, he still felt sore.

Arthur was stumped at what to do next but was interrupted by Metis’ actions.

Metis had seemed to give up, as they flew over the group.

Soon, more guards came and surrounded the area.

Maria went to attend to the wounded.

Arte went to gather information from the guards still conscious.

Greer went to lie down with some of the wounded.

And Arthur got a message to meet someone by the balcony in the ballroom.

The balcony overlooked the hall where parties and other festivities were held.

Arthur arrived and saw the man he had been hoping to meet.

“Your Majesty”

Arthur bowed in front of the king.

“Come, Arthur walk with me”

Arthur nodded and followed the king.

“It has been years since someone would so boldly attack us here. Don’t you think?”

“Yes. As I recall, the last person to stage a large scale attack was prince—“

“We all know what happened to him don’t we? Well I need you to make sure that Metis must be killed or dealt with in the same manner. I can’t have the people and demons ripping apart the city at the same time”

“Of course”

For a sick old man, you seem to be in good shape.

Arthur thought as he felt a little disappointed.

“As long as you understand. I have to face the people during the ball where I’ll announce the selection of my new heir. It

would be a shame if there was no one left to hear me. Now go do your job, “hero”, or I’ll have your brother do it”

Arthur bowed and the king faced away from him.

If I can’t do it what makes you think that he can?

Arthur shook his head at who he thought was a troublesome old man.

He looked up the painting that the king was also looking at.

Titled simply as “The Goddess”, it was a large painting of a forest.

And in the center, was the titular goddess herself.

She had long green hair flowing past her shoulders, white milky skin, and piercing yellow eyes.

But the first thing people would look at was her beautiful red dress.

The painting depicted her strolling through the forest, casting a glance over her shoulder at the viewer of the painting.

It was painted a long time ago by someone who supposedly saw and even knew her when she first visited the area.

The king stared at the painting as he had over the years and blocked everything else out.

Soon you old fool, soon. You’ll have your wish, then you can die.

Arthur walked away, thinking that the painter did, surprisingly, capture a bit of the goddess’ beauty.

“Master I did as you commanded but I could not get in to the vault”

“Hmm, well it seems that something important is hidden there. Oh well, this was expected. No trace of it has been found at all?”

“My apologies, nothing has been found”

“We’ll have to test the vault another time then. Don’t contact me until I contact you. Finish searching the rest of those

houses. If you see any other demons, kill them”

“It will be done my master”

“Good, it’ll confuse them in how we could be in different places at the same time.

Well, I look forward to your progress Baphmet”

“Of course ms—“

“Not that name is that clear?”

“Apologies, I meant to say lord Metis”

The cloaked figure broke the illusion spell that gave him the appearance of his master’s cloaked form.

He left his master and flew in to the night sky.

His large black wings were camouflaged in the night.

His black fur shined brilliantly as the moonlight shone on it.

His black horns seemed the more ominous as he flew through the sky.

With one last look in the direction where his master was, his red eyes turned towards his next objective.