Erik looked outside the window.
The view was chaotic. Explosions shook the ground and everything on it. Smoke rose around. Shockwaves destroyed windows, pillars of many shapes and materials got the same destiny, and giant boulders got thrown into the air as if they were just pebbles in the hands of an adult. Dust rose, and the air smelled weird.
The streets were empty. There were no enemies in sight.
<They all retreated...>
It was as if a giant hand had swept through the city, leaving nothing but rubble and silence in its wake.
Though the scale of destruction was immense and the silence unsettling, Erik remained unfazed.
Years of combat had desensitized him to such sights. The silence, the dust, the smoke, and the crumbling structures were all too familiar. To him, this was merely another fight in a life full of them.
As Erik looked around, he saw tiny bugs moving towards him. These weren't normal bugs. His instability brain crystal power made that clear for him; Erik could sense their thoughts. These were the Chimaeric Demons in disguise.
Erik watched the bug-like clones crawl through small gaps in walls, under doors, and through broken windows.
Some flew, while others ran across the floor. To anyone else, they would look like ordinary creatures, and that was exactly how they wanted it to be.The clones reached the area without the blackguards noticing them.
"Report," he said once the clones took human form and entered the building.
"Master, our forces are all heading this way, but many have already engaged the blackguards in battle."
Erik's lips curled into a slight smile. "Good. That's exactly what we need. They'll keep the bulk of the enemy forces distracted while we deal with Levium."
The clones exchanged glances.
"Master," another clone said, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Yes. You know the reason." Erik had no doubt he had to do this. Levium had to die, and he was the only one who could bring him to the afterlife, in his case most likely hell.
"We do, master... But your safety should come first than revenge."
"I will not get killed. Of that, you can rest assured; that is exactly why I asked you to come here."
In the distance, explosions rang out, accompanied by the sounds of energy weapons discharging and the clash of metal on metal. The battle was clearly getting into a heat.
Erik turned to the clone he'd initially been with. "Did you relay my orders to bombard this area?"
The clone nodded. "Yes, Master. The others are preparing for the attack as we speak." "Good. Check the radio. I want to know exactly when they plan to start the bombardment."
The clone pulled out a communication device and started talking to the others. After a brief exchange, he turned back to his master. "They're set to begin in five minutes, Master. They suggest we evacuate the area once again."
Erik's grin widened, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "We're not going anywhere. I didn't ask for the bombardment to flee. I want to take advantage of it."
The clones had uneasy faces at that point. They had the bad feeling their master wanted to make something crazy.
"Listen," Erik said, his voice low and intense. "We're going to kill Levium during the bombardment."
One of the Chimaeric Demons stepped forward, his face etched with concern. "Master, with all due respect, this could be a grave mistake. The area will be under a relentless barrage, and that is just from us. We can't predict what the blackguards will do when they spot us. It will literally look like fire is raining down upon us. We'd be walking into a death trap of our own making at best."
The clone gestured towards the window, where the first signs of the impending bombardment were visible. "We'll be fighting not just Levium and his forces, but also dodging our own attacks. It's suicide."
Erik cut him off with a sharp gesture. "I know this isn't ideal, but it is our best chance. There are simply too many blackguards. for me to have a one-on-one fight against Levium. I need your help to get that opportunity."
He looked around at the assembled clones.
"Levium must die today. I need to know if you're with me. This won't be easy, and many of you may not survive. We're about 300 against at least a thousand of Levium's soldiers. Are you willing to follow me, knowing the risks?"
There was a moment of silence as the clones processed Erik's words. Then, one by one, they nodded.
Everyone, including Erik, knew that what he wanted to do was risky and stupid, and yet their loyalty and their wish to serve their master prevented them from leaving him alone.
It prevented them from leaving Erik on this suicide mission. However, they also knew that if there was someone in the world able to pull off that feat, it was them.
The same clone, who had initially voiced concern, unable to make his creator change his mind, stepped forward. "We're with you, Master."
But through his Instability brain crystal power, Erik sensed his unease.
Erik nodded. "Good. When the bombardment starts, we'll use the chaos and confusion as cover. I repeat what I said earlier. Our main goal is to kill Levium, but he'll be surrounded by his soldiers. Your job is to keep those soldiers occupied while I deal with the guy. The other Chimaeric Demons will bombard the area and keep the blackguard forces occupied until we do our job."
He paused. "Keep them off balance; keep them distracted. If you can do that, I can take Levium down."
The truth was, though, that Erik was underestimating Uncle Benjamin. He was a Vindicator and had two brain crystal powers. But having two powers wasn't the base for his strength. He had always been powerful. Everyone in Frant knew that, even if they didn't know the extent of
his strength.
Levium wasn't someone Erik could kill in just a minute, because he would not leave Erik a chance to use his physical strength, his body, to fight. A pure brain crystal power battle was coming to the young man, and there Erik was, as powerful as everybody else.
The clones nodded.
Just then, a series of explosions rocked the area. The building they were in shuddered, dust raining down from the ceiling.
Erik and the clones rushed to the windows, watching as streaks of energy rained down from the sky, affecting buildings and streets alike. It was because of the Chimaeric Demons, but not completely. It looked like the blackguards were still bombarding the area, hoping to find him.
"It's starting. The other clones have begun their attack."
He turned to face his assembled forces. "Are you ready?"
"YES, MASTER!"
Erik's grin turned feral. "Then let's go."
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