Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

”They’re fast...” Shane muttered as he saw Lancelot’s lackeys move.

Lesley stepped forward first. There was a faint gray aura around her fingertips, and it was unmistakable. It must be related to her Petrification Talent. Everyone knew that her talent wasn’t only triggered by giving a touch or gaze, she could also turn flesh to stone through other means, like throwing a wave of energy at a target area.

Beside her, Percival, the Grand Knight, planted his massive sword into the ground.

His armor and the sheer pressure of his aura bore down on the battlefield like a mountain. He was the shield of the Overlord Clan, a warrior whose defense was said to be unbreakable.

”The duel is over, Rank 1.” He said.

Selvaris also followed with sparks dancing across his arms. The Electricbrand Talent coursed through him, as he tightened his grip on his weapon. Lancelot had saved his life, and he would be willing to fight Shane to the death if necessary.

Mireya, on the other hand, emerged from the shadows themselves. As she swiftly cared for Lancelot and checked for his injuries.

Her Phantom Shadow Talent cloaked her form, making her movements blur... She was the clan’s assassin, a killer who could strike from angles no one could predict, but she was also a skilled medical practitioner.

Together, the four formed a wall in front of Lancelot, their combined presence could definitely overwhelm Shane if he were alone.

Needless to say, before they could move further, four figures had also appeared beside Shane.

Shinja the Warlord stood at Shane’s right. Sylas, the Legendary Elf of the Assassination Division, materialized like a phantom, eyeing the group in front of them.

Taylor, the Iron Paladin, raised his shield as he stared at the Grand Knight... He was actually looking forward to this and wanted to fight this out!

After all, it wasn’t every day that he could meet an opponent who could match his skills.

Finally, Earl, the Phantom Blade, appeared with his sword half-drawn, ready to attack at a moment’s notice.

Together, they formed a wall of power around Shane.

At this time, the crowd was tense as they realized that a huge battle might come out really soon.

However, Shane then lowered his hand slightly to give a signal.

Above, the Floating Fortress shifted. Its shadow soon started looming over the shelter. The cannons turned in unison, with their barrels glowing as they locked onto the Overlord Clan’s stronghold.

High above, Elandor, the Elf Archmage and commander of the Artillery Division, raised his staff. Mana surged through the fortress, the cannons powered by Mana Crystals started humming with destructive energy. At Shane’s notice, they would fire, and half the shelter would vanish in flame and ruin.

After all, he didn’t really want to massacre the thousands of lives here. He wasn’t that cruel since he knew that many innocent people inside the shelter just wanted to live and stay away from the Zombies.

Shane then spoke loudly, directed at Lancelot alone.

”You lost. The deal stands. I will continue my assault, and your clan will not touch or destroy the Spirit Vein you have... And now... you will submit to the scroll.”

The reminder hit like a hammer. Everyone remembered the wager. If Shane won, the war would continue, the Spirit Vein would remain intact, and Lancelot would have to face the Talent Stealing Scroll without resistance.

Lancelot’s commanders stiffened, disbelief etched on their faces. Lesley’s petrifying gaze hardened, Selvaris’s lightning sparked faintly, Mireya’s shadows writhed, and Percival’s blade also glowed... They were all ready to fight...

Yet none of them moved. They all turned to their leader, waiting for them to order them to fight.

Lancelot’s golden hair swayed as he shook his head slowly and replied.

”I will comply.”

Gasps erupted across the battlefield.

”He... he agreed?”

”Impossible!”

”Why would he risk it?”

The soldiers in the shelter couldn’t understand it...

However, Lancelot has six or even more talents aside from Immortality. The chance of getting it was low but it was still a huge risk.

Even his closest commanders faltered. They knew the truth, to allow Shane to use the scroll was a gamble that could strip him of his greatest gift. And yet, he stood firm while lowering his sword.

”I will honor the wager. That is the price of defeat.”

The fortress cannons remained poised, humming with destructive energy. Shinja, Sylas, Taylor, and Earl stood ready to strike.

The Overlord Clan’s soldiers held their breath, knowing that one wrong move could bring annihilation.

The duel was over, but the siege was not. The wager had to be fulfilled first!

***

Shane slowly reached into his cloak.

The battlefield held its breath as his fingers closed around the ancient parchment.

The Talent Stealing Scroll glowed faintly as it was seen by everyone on the battlefield.

Shane unfurled it...

[ You have activated the Talent Stealing Scroll. ]

[ Requirement: Target must be within arm’s reach. ]

[ Requirement: Target must be weakened. ]

”Closer,” Shane commanded to Lancelot.

The crowd murmured in disbelief as Lancelot, still drained from the duel, stepped forward.

He was already weakened, the perfect condition for the scroll to activate.

Soon, the parchment burned brighter with chains of light erupting from its surface.

After a few moments, they wrapped around Lancelot, pulling at the very core of his being. His commanders stiffened, but none dared move with the Floating Fortress cannons still present above, ready to annihilate the shelter at Shane’s signal.

It seemed that the process takes some time as a surge of energy erupted between them. The scroll’s power still latched onto Lancelot, dragging at his essence.

After some time, Shane finally obtained something!

[ Talent Acquired: Zombification (Epic): Converts a living being into a Zombie bound to the wielder’s will. The victim retains fragments of memory and combat instincts but loses free will.

Activation Cost: 250 Spirit Points per target

Range: 5 meters - target must be weakened or at least 15% of Vitality Points Left.

Duration: Permanent until destroyed or dismissed

Limit: Maximum of 10 active Zombies

Cooldown: 1 hour before another conversion attempt ]