[Communication Tower]
As soon as it was discovered that Granians had infiltrated the planet, five Ethisians in charge of relaying communication to Planet Edenia and the other Bastions close to them rushed into the communication tower and immediately informed as many of their colleagues as they could.
The first people they told were their colleagues across the planet. Those stationed in the eight command posts were instructed to return to the Bastion, which they did.
Once they returned, the First Bastion, which was attacked by Lord Gravax and the Crimson Knight, was the next on the communication list. For minutes, the Ethisians tweaked at their communicators, hoping to get a signal but alas, all their efforts were in vain.
Out of desperation, those trying to communicate switched their focus to those on the Third Bastion, hoping that they would connect to the Second Bastion Planet. At first, they spent over thirty minutes without hearing from them but luckily, they were able to speak to someone.
"We’ve...we’ve...we’..." the Ethisian on the receiving end of the call stuttered while its hands shook uncontrollably. In fear, it began to panic and bite its tongue repeatedly. It started to forget its words and those close to it could tell. The Ethisian was horrified.
"We’ve what?" the others asked, clearly concerned about their colleague. "What has happened? Tell us. Speak, what has happened?"
With eyes dilated, hands shaking, and lips mumbling, the Ethisian looked at its colleagues and announced with a heavy heart saying, "We’ve already lost this fight."
[Quest: A chance to test your strength has arrived. Gauge how long you’ll last against the High-Grade Ethisian]
[No rewards shall be given]
As soon as the System Quest Notification appeared, shots were fired at the two Emberwyrms. Immediately, the beasts maneuvered past the attacks sent their way while their riders prepared to attack.
"There’s no significant plan," Grim shouted before they touched the ground, "we’re outnumbered and I doubt Skyler will make it. Fall back for no..."
"That won’t be necessary," Ace interrupted and then leaped from the Emberwyrm. While falling, the Blood Bishop began to transform with Enoris following closely behind.
"Blood Essence, manifest."
[12,989 Blood Warriors have been summoned]
The red speck on Ace’s arm swelled and exploded. Like a flood, it overlapped the Blood Bishop’s body and poured below.
As the blood settled on the ground, the Ethisians watching remained vigilant, none knowing what the Blood Mutant was going to do. Stupidly, instead of continuing to fire at the enemy, the Ethisians were commanded to halt and watch by none other than the High Grade.
Intrigued by Ace’s presence, the High Grade watched in anticipation, waiting expectantly for what he was going to do.
’What trick are you going to perform, Blood Mutant?’
Before her and everyone else’s eyes, the flood of blood started to separate, glow, and take form. One by one, Blood Warriors began to appear with bodies glowing red with blood aura and energy pulsating like a rhythmic, tranquil heartbeat. Twelve thousand Blood Soldiers, all conjured by the Hemomancer, stood in four groups.
They all had sets of armor on their bodies with weapons in their arms. Their eyes, blood red, scanned their surroundings and set the Ethisians as their targets. Their presence alone, despite them doing nothing but stand, frightened a great deal of the spectating Ethisians.
What were these creatures? Why were they made from blood? And more importantly, why were their physiques so strikingly similar to theirs?
"Are those...Ethisians?’
"Why do they look like us? They have weapons too."
"So many of them, and they all look like us."
"I think I recognize some of them. Is this the power of a Blood Mutant?"
Taking center stage was Ace, fully transformed in his horrific, terrifying, and mighty Blood Bishop form. The Blood Bishop’s monstrosity frightened most of the onlookers but there was one who was rather fascinated by it.
The High Grade, who stood on the Bastion’s Walls, raised her brows with her eyes glaring at Ace’s form and the Scarlet Army standing behind him. The sight was horrifying to many but to her, it was nothing short of a great display of a power she didn’t understand.
Weirdly, the Ethisian was enjoying every moment of this, so much so that she commanded her soldiers to withhold their attacks. None was to attack Ace until he made the first move...that was if she was going to let him.
’See how long I can last against her?’ Ace thought with his eyes fixated on the High Grade. A foreign sense of anticipation began to rise in Ace. He felt invigorated the longer he tolerated the idea of battling her, a feeling he had never had before.
’Why am I suddenly excited to go against her?’ Ace asked himself. ’Is it because Grim glazed her strength? Or is it the fact that I can feel it too? My body’s screaming at me to spill her blood but...’
Ace and the High Grade locked eyes before she raised her hands and allowed her soldiers to attack. Immediately, turret and gunfire stormed toward Ace and his Scarlet Army.
Quickly, the Blood Bishop waved his hands upwards, creating Blood Shields for all of his soldiers. With both hands raised, Ace reinforced his shields long enough until all the turrets and guns needed to reload.
Swiftly, Ace dropped the Blood Shields and charged forward. Enoris followed Ace and behind her was the Scarlet Army consisting of twelve thousand strong individual soldiers.
Moving as fast at the Blood Bishop, the soldiers quickly drew their weapons and began killing the Ethisian soldiers in bundles. Despite being in the Legendary and Upper Legendary ranks, most were no match for the Scarlet Army.
"ETHISIANS, USE ALL FORCE!! DON’T GO EASY ON YOUR ENEMY. AVENGE YOUR FALLEN COMRADES!!"
The High Grade gave the command and in just one lunge, she sped from the walls with her fist ready to smash through Ace’s head. The Blood Bishop saw this coming and knew he wasn’t going to dodge on time. By the time he’d react, it would be futile.
’Crap. This is going to hurt.’
With eyes cringed shut, and his arms shielding his head, Ace waited for the High Grade’s fist to connect with his body. however, nothing happened, despite him hearing a loud bang followed by a massive force of energy exploding in every direction.
Ace slowly opened his eyes and watched the former Lord push back against the High Grade. At the last second, Grim came to Ace’s aid, already aware of the strength difference between him and the Ethisian.
"You will not win this fight, Human," Grim grunted through his teeth while the Ethisian grinned in excitement. "Your skills are needed elsewhere."