The Exalt [Cultivation Fantasy]

Oscar's black shield caught the fresh light beaming from the ten orbs and poured into his eyes. His shield hit nothing, whiffing in mid-air. It wasn't his mistake, but the accursed lord in front of him had disappeared, vanishing out of existence. The black blood wafted off the bridge, his clothes, his shield, and everything else in thin mists that dissipated quickly. A fresh breeze he had not felt in seven days brushed his skin and hair, and as he moved his shield, more light flashed in his sight, blinking off the dull edge of his steely armament. The long pain of the night had faded, replaced by the bright renewal of the day. Looking up, Oscar saw the vast blue expanse stretching to the ends of Talos, or rather Fallen Heaven.

For the first time in seven long nights, Oscar realized the beauty of silence. Staring out at the plains, Oscar watched the grass, numerous and covering the scars of battle, dancing in waves to the breeze, whistling a fine tune. It was as if the battles had never occurred. How could such a horrific war happen in this beautiful land? Clutching his side, he straightened his back and turned to the beasts and humans behind him, tired eyes warm with wonder and relief fixating on him. Gathering the last of his strength, Oscar slowly raised Volten's sword, allowing the banner to unfurl and stretch to the breeze.

Faced with the symbol on the banner, the humans and beasts cheered their hearts out. No words needed to be spoken between them, and even if they wanted to speak, all of their energy poured out in their resounding shouts of triumph. Any words would drown and land on deaf ears in this sea of victorious cheers. So many…so many were still alive, but how many had perished? The thought sank his heart as if falling into a pit. Injured, Oscar walked with a limp and dragged his back foot as Serit approached and bowed.

"Serit…tell me. Don't lie." Oscar gasped his words out. A part of him didn't want the answer, but the responsibility fell on him and him alone. He held his breath as Serit smiled warmly.

"Two hundred have light wounds. Four hundred are in worse condition but no threats to their lives. Casualties…." Serit's last word gave Oscar a tense jolt. "Zero. No one died. They're all here with you."

A slight chuckle left his mouth. Oscar stared blankly over the large crowd gathered across. Not a single one had died in this long year, not even on the final night when the danger reached its peak. Oscar dragged himself past Serit and neared the crowd, landing an eye on every person, every beast. The people parted and bowed as he drew closer, their hands stretched out as if wanting to grasp even a thread of his white robes. Taps on his shoulders and pats on his arms reached him, warm and gentle to the touch, alive and enduring. Row by row, they split and bowed, allowing no one to interrupt his walk downward. A few cried tears of joy, similar to a baby's birth cry, for today, they had gone brushed past death and were reborn anew in the day.

"The battle is over. Rest well today. Hold your loved ones close and enjoy a peaceful day." Oscar turned with a bright smile and carried on. A resounding 'yes' called out as many slumped to their rears, many lying on their backs like puppets with their strings cut off. His smile widened at their antics, and he wiped his eyes away from their sight, hurrying off and returning to his temporary home. Inside, Oscar paced around before leaning on the wall and falling to the ground with a soft thud.

He couldn't help but laugh, his lungs expanding and hurting to the fullest from how hard he laughed. His hands covered his eyes, moist and leaking the tears he tried to block from escaping. Sniffling, he laughed and laughed, trying to wipe the overflowing tears that never ended. The joy beat his heart tremendously, the relief unclogging the tear ducts. He was glad. This time, he didn't fail. This time, he didn't let them down. The entire time, he had been gripped by fear, seeing a horrific future where blood would pool in the walls as a thousand bodies floated, fearing an end like Volten. But that future wasn't a reality. The past didn't dictate his future.

Suddenly, a warm, loving embrace wrapped around him, a softness nuzzling his head. He found himself sinking into her chest and drenched the area of her clothes in his tears that refused to stop. Avril stroked the back of his head and swayed side to side, rocking him gently. Oscar tried to speak, but only more laughter spilled forth, and the relief and joy were still overwhelming for him to bear. Right now, he felt the damned best he had ever felt in many decades.

"You did well, Oscar. You did well." Avril consoled him, her comforting words numbing his mind as they lulled him deeper into a good sleep. Even while asleep, he could feel her arms around him, the warmth radiating from her embrace. Instinctively, he gripped harder, hearing a faint groan. Her heartbeat thumped softly in his ears, matching his breathing. Indeed, this was the best place in the entire world; he wouldn't trade this spot for anything else.

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A few hours later, Oscar blinked and groaned, resisting the heaviness in his eyelids that tried to shut back to a close. His body felt incredibly light. Raising his head, he freed himself from the devious prison that was Avril's embrace and saw his wife sleeping with her head nodding down and up. He admired her adorable act and stroked her cheek, making her eyes quiver until they opened, drowsiness wetting the pupils. They glanced around as if blind, then regained clarity upon seeing him, a loving smile lifting from her lips. Unable to resist, Oscar gave into his instinct and snuck in a kiss while her guard was lowered, though that didn't matter.

"Ah~control yourself," Avril muttered a complaint, but her seductive tone and actions didn't match her words. She wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the hug and kiss. Oscar's passion ignited to the highest peak, and he carried her over to the bed, gazing intently into her golden pupils full of love, her hot breaths spurring his lust onward. He couldn't peel himself away even if he wanted to. Every second was like an addicting drug that shaved away his rationale, leaving only unrestricted desire for her.

"My Lord!" A voice called out from outside. Oscar snapped his head toward the tarp, clicking his tongue in annoyance. His beloved wife was welcoming him, but someone just had to interrupt. Cursing inwardly, he kissed Avril several more times before leaving with great reluctance. The man outside cowered from Oscar's forceful stomps and bowed. "Leader Serit requests your presence in headquarters."

His frustration sank his feet deeper into the ground. Oscar saw Serit and Avila sitting near the entrance to the headquarters, the ground inside having caved in for the burst of Ein in the barrier earlier in the night. He frowned and waved for the messenger to leave and spoke after the coast was clear, "I thought the agreement was not to interrupt me. What else do you have to say? We're finished in here for now."

"Reports came in from the other fortresses. It seems during the last day of the final night, your good friend, Gilbert Lockwood, showed a similar power to yours, converting the accursed lords and hordes to his side." Serit leaned in and shrugged. "You don't seem shocked."

"If I could do it as Volten's representative. He could surely do it as the Caerulumen's. The only issue I have is he didn't use it sooner." Oscar strained his voice.

"You're a better person than him. That's for sure." Avila smiled and plucked her bowstring like a musical harp, faint, out-of-tune notes chirping out. "At least my sister didn't marry scum like him."

"That's not a great achievement. Anyone with a speck of decency is better than him." Oscar grunted and turned to Serit. "It's been a few hours. Have your spies noted any movements, particularly an offensive move against us?" He feared any noteworthy powers taking advantage of their exhaustion and invading their outpost.

"No. I made sure they could not." Serit dropped his smile, and a chill gripped Oscar's spine at that. What faced him now was not his brother-in-law but the top intelligence agent of the Defiants.

"What. Did. You. Do?" Oscar asked, looming over Serit. Avila frowned and gripped her hands, sweat riding along her brow.

"What needed to be done." Serit stood up. He paused but seemed to find his bearings. "I had some of my men give their lives to undo parts of the walls and barriers, allowing the accursed lords and hordes to enter." Not a second later, Oscar struck Serit in the face, causing Avila to yelp and help her husband up. Coughing out blood, Serit rubbed his bruised cheek, already purple from internal bleeding. "If not for them sacrificing their lives for the cause, the other powers would have retained a good deal of their full might. Perhaps they might have had enough to attack us beforehand. They have contributed to our victory."

"You call that a victory? Having them end their own lives to aid in the slaughter of hundreds of others?" Oscar raised his voice.

"Spare me that hypocrisy. You, of all others, understand giving your own life for the sake of others. Don't insult my men. They knew what their task was and how their end would be. They did it for us." Serit shouted back.

"I would never have others sacrifice for me or use them to kill innocents. Doing all of this. What makes you different from the Primal Council you despise? So easy to sacrifice your own and so easy to slaughter your enemies." Oscar said, gripping his hands into fists. "Some of them might not have been like the others. Maybe they were good-natured or unfortunate. But no, you push them into death for the sake of your goals."

"This is war. We have gained much from their sacrifice. Our advantages in the dark tower have grown. Not a single loss to our own, thanks to you, and their numbers have been cut by half. Once we emerge from Fallen Heaven, our side will have the upper hand in the war that follows." Serit backed away. "I know. I understand your plight. But someone has to do what is necessary. Empires are born by rulers who embody justice and bask in the light, but behind them are the ones who fight in the dark."

"I made sure that your old friends from the Brilliant Drake Empire were not harmed. My men acted in the farthest spot from their position." Serit said.

Oscar punched Serit on the other side, blood spurting from the cut lips. Serit halted Avila from coming near and panted, spitting out a tooth. Oscar gripped Serit's collar and pulled close, his voice rumbling from the quaking anger rising inside. "Pray that you don't become what you despise, though you're close, or else I won't spare the man you'll become." Shoving Serit off, Oscar turned and walked away. Though the final night ended, everything seemed bleaker than before.

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