A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1232: Centurion Darius

Archer, the Oathkeepers, and some of the Nightmare Ants traveled west. By the time they reached the first forest, there was an eerie atmosphere. He stared at the road that would take them through the trees.

Thatʼs when he quickly noticed there were bodies littering the ground at the start, causing him to think, ʼI bet they fell in this place?ʼ

Following that, they entered the treeline as the giant knights circled him as the ants traveled just behind. Archer was storing his soldiersʼ corpses just as he stumbled upon something which angered him.

A gruesome battlefield stretched before them, the broken bodies of Draconians and Alliance soldiers alike carpeting the ground, their blood soaking the earth in crimson rivers. Even the battle-hardened Oathkeepers stood silent as they surveyed the slaughter.

Thalionʼs voice cut through the heavy stillness, grim and unwavering. ”They were ambushed. Cut down when setting foot in this cursed place.”

Archer stepped forward, his expression steely as he nodded. ”Iʼll gather the fallen. But stay vigilant, there will be worse lurking nearby.”

Following that, he used Mana Detection and quickly sensed dozens of creatures around them. Without hesitation, he quickly cast Crown of Stars, causing their surroundings lit up in a violet glow.

Seconda later, Archer sent the radiant bolts streaking out like blazing meteors, piercing the dense underbrush. A shuddering silence followed, broken by a cacophony of unearthly howls that reverberated through the trees.

The Oathkeepers instantly reacted and readied their weapons as dozens of humanoid creatures that charged toward them. Archer watched as they butchered the monsters that reminded him of Wendigos with ease.

He let out a low, guttural growl as the foul aura of the attacking beasts washed over him, sharp and invasive like a thousand needles prickling his senses. His fists clenched when recognizing it.

”The Swarm,” he muttered, his voice laced with disdain. ”They seem to have their claws in everything now.”

Swords, axes and spears tore through the strange things, causing blood to stain the ground and surrounding trees. He quickly joined in and attacked by sending dozens of Mana Blasts into the groups of monsters that tried to swarm them.

Archer stood back, his sharp eyes fixed on the battlefield as the giant knights formed an unyielding wall of steel and muscle. Like a wave, the Wendigos hurled themselves at the armored colossuses, their gnarled claws scraping against shields.

The knights retaliated with as their massive weapons cleaving through the creatureʼs twisted torsos. Each swing of their blades sent severed limbs and dark ichor splattering across the forest floor as they advanced.

He felt the air vibrated with howls and bloodcurdling screeches, the Wendigosʼ cries mingling with the clash of metal. But the creaturesʼ ferocity only seemed to stoke the fire within the Oathkeepers, their ranks pressing forward like a slow storm.

Archerʼs hands crackled with mana as he had a chain attack through the monsters that killed dozens of them. This gave the knights the chance to carve through them with ease, causing him to go back to collecting dead Draconians.

Following that, they continued traveling through the forest and noticed the standards of the 17th Legion littered the floor. Archer stopped when seeing a ring of Legionnaires that circles a group of support staff.

The enemy slaughtered them to the last, but not before they exacted a devastating toll. Hundreds of Alliance soldiers fell under their relentless last stand. When Thalion and the other Oathkeepers stood watching the scene for a few minutes.

Archer clenched his fists, his anger simmering beneath a facade of icy control. The enemy destroyed the 19th while it held the rear of the column. There are too many dead Draconians to think otherwise,” he revealed, his voice sharp.

”That is correct, my king,” Talon confirmed, stepping forward from the shadows. His tone was somber, yet tinged with admiration. ”They fought with bravery to the very end but took out so many enemies that it will feed the forest for years to come.”

Just as the Oathkeeper said that, Thalion spoke up in a careful tone, ”Leave the bodies, my king. Once weʼve secured the southern portion of Avidia, we can send out a legion to look for our dead.”

Archerʼs head snapped toward the commander with narrowed eyes but he quickly sighed as it made sense, ”Okay Thalion, letʼs keep moving and keep an eye for the other legionʼs standard. Iʼm afraid weʼve lost the three armies,” he explained in annoyance.

Following this, they continued on while taking in the battlefield that stretched all around them and then the group came to a large swamp. His anger flared when he found Draconians floating in the murky water.

Without wasting time, he summoned a tsunami of Shadow Creatures and ordered them to butcher any monsters eating his soldiers. The Oathkeepers shivered in fear as the monstrous and twisted beasts washed over the swamp.

Roars, screeches, and howls rang out from all around them. Seconds later, bodies appeared all around them as his army was collecting the dead. The sight of thousands of piled-up Legionnaires and Drakeguards broke his heart.

Just after all that happened, a dying Draconian Centurion fell at his feet thanks to his creatures. Archer crouched down and tried to use Aurora Healing on the man, but he was too far gone.

The soldier, his green eyes dimming with each breath, grasped his arm weakly. ”Eat... my soul, my king,” he murmured, struggling to speak. ”The commanders... they didnʼt listen. Too reckless.”ʼ

When Archer heard this, he cast Soul Eater on the Centurion and all his memories flowed into his mind, but instead of destroying them, he filed them away in case he ever met the older manʼs family.

As the flood of memories surged through his mind, one stood out, which was the beginning of the 17th Legions journey. It unfolded before him like a movie, pulling him into the recent past and revealing the truth of what had happened.

The sights, sounds, and emotions of that moment came rushing back with startling clarity, painting a picture of events he had nearly forgotten.

***

”Centurion Darius!” The commanding voice of the Dragon Marshall rang out, cutting through the din of the camp as he appeared beside him.

”Your Century will take on the responsibility of guarding the support staff,” the leader continued, his tone brooking no argument. ”Theyʼre struggling to maintain pace with the main column, and if weʼre caught unaware, it will cost us dearly.”

Darius saluted sharply, his expression resolute. ”It will be done. My men wonʼt let them falter.”

The Marshall nodded, his sharp gaze holding Dariusʼs for a moment longer. ”Good. Keep them safe. Theyʼre as vital to this campaign as any sword or spell.”

With that, he turned and strode away, his cape billowing as the wind rushed through the camp. Darius watched him until his second in command, Reid Northwind, a human who

moved to Draconia when it was first established.

”What did the bastard want now?” the younger man spat. ”The idiot wonʼt listen to the other Marshals. Why did Queen Elara put him in charge?”

Darius glanced at the dark-haired soldier before answering, ”Varus Stormcloud puts on a

front when the queens are around and fooled Queen Elara somehow. I have a feeling that shit will hit the fan in no time.”ʼ

Reid agreed with a stiff nod. ”The Legionnaires are ready to fight, commander. What was our

orders?”

”Weʼre to guard the support staff at the rear,” he answered while continuing to put on his armor. ”Iʼll lead the rearguard while you take the front. You have eyes like a Bloodhawk.” The younger man saluted before a horn rang out, which signalled for the legions to move out of camp and continue west. Darius knew the 19th would go first, followed by the 18th, then they would follow behind.

”Come, Legionnaires!” Darius bellowed, his voice cutting through the early morning air. He spun toward the hundred men and women under his command, his eyes burning with authority. ”Pack your tents and fall in! We move out at once!”

Like a well-oiled machine, they scrambled into action, packing their gear. He watched them for a moment before his gaze, then shifted to the mountains looming on the horizon, their jagged peaks wrapped in mist.

An eerie silence surrounded them, they cast long shadows that seemed to whisper of hidden dangers. ʼSo beautiful,ʼ Darius mused, his mind troubled, ʼYet hiding such dark secrets beneath that peaceful facade.ʼ

A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he turned away from the mountains. His thoughts shifted to the long road ahead. ʼI just hope we make it to Queen Ashoka and the 9th in one piece.ʼ Seconds later, the last of the 19th left the camp and traveled west on the trade road just as the

18th left just after as the 17th finished loading the carriage with all they need before their Dragon Marshall led them out.

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