Chapter 14:The Monster That Fell From The

Volume 2: The War of the Broken GatesEpisode 1: The Monster That Fell from the SkyThe sky split apart.There was no other way to describe it.A gigantic rift stretched across the clouds above Elaris, extending from one end to the other as if someone had slashed the world open with a sword.Kazuki stood in front of the palace.He couldn't look away.Two violet eyes glowed within the darkness.Thump.His heart began to pound again.—Astra...The voice answered inside his head.—Don't call it.—Why?—Because it might hear you.Kazuki swallowed nervously.—Is that bad?—Very.—Great.He looked up.A massive silhouette began descending from the rift.First came a pair of claws.Then a head covered in black plates.Finally, two enormous wings spread across the city.Its size was absurd.Even from the ground, it seemed to cover part of the sky.The soldiers began to retreat.—What the hell is that?!—Form the barriers!—They won't work!A voice thundered over Elaris.—BEARER.Kazuki felt his blood turn cold.The monster was looking at him.Him.—Why is it calling me that?Seraphina took a step back.—Because it can sense the power inside you.Elena raised her sword.—How do we stop it?Kael answered:—We can't.Kazuki looked at him.—That's not helpful!—I haven't finished.Kael pointed toward the sky.—But we can force it back into the rift.Leon smiled.—That sounds more complicated.—It is.Kael drew his sword.—That's why we're going to need everyone.The Empress raised her hand.—Imperial Army!Thousands of soldiers began forming ranks.—Protect the city!The mages raised their staffs.Hundreds of magic circles appeared in the sky.Kazuki watched the scene.—This feels like the final battle.Leon stepped beside him.—Have you ever been in one?—No.—Then try not to die.—That was the plan.Leon smiled.—Good.The monster opened its mouth.A black sphere appeared between its fangs.Seraphina turned pale.—Everyone, get down!Kazuki didn't have time to ask why.The monster fired.BOOOOOOM!!A column of black energy tore through the sky.Magical barriers appeared one after another.The first.The second.The third.The fourth exploded.CRAAAAASH!A shock wave swept through the city.Kazuki was sent flying.—AAAAAAH!Elena grabbed his arm.—I've got you!They both rolled across the ground.Kazuki lifted his head.—Thanks.—Thank me later.Elena pointed toward the sky.—Look!Kazuki raised his gaze.The creature was descending.Every flap of its wings unleashed a storm.Roof tiles.Stones.Trees.Everything began flying through the air.Kael shouted:—Kazuki!—WHAT?!—Your magic!Kazuki's eyes widened.—My magic?—It's the only thing that can pierce its barrier!Kazuki looked at his hands.—Are you sure?—No.—Then don't say it like you are!Kael smiled.—But it's worth a try.Kazuki took a deep breath.Perfect.A giant monster.An entire city behind me.And my only option is magic I don't even understand.He closed his eyes.Thump.He listened to the heartbeat.Thump.The black door appeared.This time...Astra was standing in front of it.—Need some help?Kazuki frowned.—Yes.Astra smiled.—Then open the door.Kazuki looked at the enormous gate.—How much?—A little.—How much is "a little"?—Enough.—That doesn't answer anything.Astra chuckled.—Trust me.Kazuki remained silent.Then he took a breath.—All right.He extended his hand.The door opened a few inches.A surge of violet energy rushed through his body.Kazuki opened his eyes.BOOOOM!The energy shot toward the sky.The monster roared.For the first time...It retreated.Everyone fell silent.Leon's eyes widened.—He did it.Elena looked at Kazuki.—Kazuki...He remained standing.A kind of violet armor partially covered his arms.—I think...His legs were trembling.—...I can't do that again.Kael shouted:—It doesn't matter!Kazuki looked at him.—What?—NOW!All the mages raised their staffs.The Empress extended both hands.—Imperial Barrier!BOOOOM!A massive web of magic covered the sky.The monster was trapped.Seraphina raised her staff.—Now, Kazuki!Kazuki lifted his hand.—Let's do this!Violet energy gathered in his palm.The monster roared.The clouds began to swirl.Kazuki shouted:—GET OUT OF MY CITY!He unleashed all his energy.KRAAAAAAAAAASH!!The sky turned violet.The monster was pushed toward the rift.Inch by inch.But then...One of its claws pierced through the barrier.The energy struck the ground.BOOM!Kazuki fell to his knees.—I can't...The monster began advancing again.Seraphina ran toward him.—Kazuki!—I have nothing left.—Yes, you do.—NO!Seraphina grabbed him by the shoulders.—YOU DON'T NEED MORE POWER!Kazuki looked at her.—Then what am I supposed to do?—DON'T FIGHT ALONE!Elena appeared behind him.—We're with you.Leon raised his sword.—Me too.Kael smiled.—All of us.Kazuki looked around.Mages.Knights.Students.Elena.Leon.Seraphina.Kael.Everyone was fighting.For the first time...Kazuki understood something.He didn't have to do it alone.He stood up.—Then...He extended his hand.—Let's do this together.Seraphina took his hand.Elena placed hers on top.Leon did the same.Kael burst out laughing.—THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO HEAR!Magic began to gather.Wind.Fire.Light.Spirit.And at the center...Kazuki's violet energy.The monster roared.—BEARER...Kazuki gritted his teeth.—I don't know what you want from me.The energy intensified.—But this city isn't yours.Elena shouted:—NOW!Everyone unleashed their magic.BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!The entire sky lit up.The creature was dragged toward the rift.One of its claws tried to hold on.Kazuki shouted:—NO!The violet energy exploded.CRAAAAACK!The claw vanished inside the portal.The monster let out one final roar.And the rift began to close.Inch by inch.Until it disappeared.Silence.Kazuki remained standing.Then his legs gave out.—I think...He fell forward.Elena caught him.—I've got you.Kazuki opened one eye.—You again.—Yep.—I'm getting used to this.Elena smiled.—Get some sleep.Kazuki closed his eyes.—Just five minutes...Hours later.Kazuki woke up in a room in the palace.—Where am I?—The infirmary.The voice came from a chair.Seraphina was sitting beside the window.Kazuki sat up.—Did we win?—We survived.—That doesn't sound the same.—Because it isn't.Seraphina stood up.—The rift has closed.Kazuki smiled.—Then we won.Seraphina shook her head.—We only closed one.Kazuki's smile disappeared.—One?She pointed toward the window.In the distance...Small violet rifts dotted the sky.One.Two.Three.Kazuki froze.—How many are there?Seraphina answered:—Forty-seven.Silence.Kazuki lay back down.—I want to go back to my world.Seraphina let out a small laugh.—Too late.—Why?—Because Astravia knows your name now.Kazuki stared at the ceiling.And from the deepest part of his mind...Astra whispered:—And they know you've awakened, too.Kazuki closed his eyes.—Who?Astra answered:—Those who broke the first door.Outside, a new rift appeared over the horizon.CRACK.And something began to emerge from it.To Be Continued...