Earth's Greatest Magus

The battlefield trembled as the arrival of Talaro shifted the tides of war.

His presence was like a shadow swallowing light, commanding attention from all sides, particularly from the three most powerful figures engaged in the chaos. The dark elf’s aura was suffocating, a tangible force that seemed to press down on the battlefield, igniting unease in friend and foe alike.

General Wayne, his armor streaked with blood and sand, his exhaustion was evident. Still, with just one glance, he could measure the power of the newcomer.

“He might even be stronger than Agis…” Wayne muttered grimly. Beside him, Major Kouga floated with a battered but determined stance. His sharp features tightened as he confirmed Wayne’s fears. “Unfortunately, you’re right. That’s Talaro Malic—the High Priest of the Void. A dark elf grand magus of his caliber is… a nightmare to deal with.”

Wayne clenched his fists. The unexpected arrival of Talaro had thrown their already dire situation into disarray. Seizing the momentary lull in the battle, as the grand magus on both sides paused to gauge the newcomer, Wayne raised his voice, his cry echoed across the battlefield. “Retreat! Regroup at the defensive formations!” His words sparked a coordinated retreat among the surviving human forces.

Out of the original 14 human grand magus, only eight remained, their strength sapped and their robes torn. On the dark elves’ side, three grand magus were still standing.

Among the humans, the two generals, Archie of the Valaryn led the retreat, flanked by General Wayne’s most trusted Grand magus—Cassidy and Leith.  On the opposing side, the notorious Red Demon, Agis, glowered as Talaro descended. “Why are you here?” Agis snarled, his crimson aura flaring as he hovered toward the High Priest. “I was about to finish this!” Talaro casually ignored the Red Demon, his movements deliberate and unhurried. His gaze swept across the battlefield like a predator scanning for prey. When he spoke, his voice was calm but carried an edge of authority. “Don’t stop because of me. Finish it quickly.” Agis’s crimson eyes narrowed, but he did not argue. With a sharp gesture, he called out to Draven and Zerynthia, the two most terrifying dark elf grand magus still standing. Their devastating power had already claimed the lives of several human grand magus.

At his command, they surged forward, their magic ripping into the human defensive lines with renewed ferocity.

BAMM BAMM BAMM!!

Explosions erupted across the battlefield as powerful strikes from the three grand magus hammered the human formation, causing significant damage. Realizing that only disaster awaited if the formation broke completely, the six remaining human grand magus rallied themselves. Exhausted but resolute, they prepared to give their utmost in the desperate fight to hold the line.

####

Talaro, had no interest in the ongoing skirmish.

His eyes turned toward the dark elves who had seized the northern wall of Citadel City. Dozens were still locked in combat against the swarming insects, while others had taken cover among the ruins avoiding the fierce sandstorm. “Hiding among the elves… This time, you underestimate me,” he murmured, his voice low but filled with venom. Without hesitation, Talaro unleashed a powerful spell. The ground trembled as an unseen force swept through the northern wall. Instantly the already destroyed wall broke apart and Dark Elf warriors; and their magus leaders were lifted into the air, their bodies floating helplessly as if caught in an invisible tide. Over three hundred of them were dragged into the sky, their screams piercing the storm-ravaged battlefield. “Grand Magus, what are you doing?”

“Why is he attacking us? Who is he?” “Elder! Please, let me go!” Talaro ignored their cries, his spirit sense sweeping through their ranks with ruthless precision. As his probing deepened, frustration etched lines into his cold, stoic face.

He could sense it—faint traces of Khaos energy scattered among them, not one but several.

“There are many of them,” he growled.

One by one, his gaze lingered on them, his cold eyes reflecting his mounting irritation.

There was an easier way—he could use spirit reading to delve into their minds. However, he knew Emery was also a formidable spirit master, he might be capable of planting false memories or misleading information to deceive him.

Talaro’s expression darkened as he dismissed the idea. Instead, he chose a more direct approach.

Straightening his posture, he addressed them all with a voice that cut through the tension like a blade.

“One of you is an imposter,” he declared, his voice cutting through the chaos. “Unfortunately for you, I would rather kill all of you than let my prey escape.” A chilling silence followed his words, broken only by the anguished cries of the elves still caught in his spell. Among those suspended in the air was Azula, her heart pounding as she struggled to maintain her composure.

Talaro’s attention shifted toward her, his spirit sense honing in on the higher-than-usual traces of Khaos energy emanating from her. Without hesitation, he pulled her closer with a flick of his hand. “Elder… I am Azula of the Raines Clan! I am an intelligence officer assigned to track the one you seek. Please, there must be some mistake!” Her explanation came quickly, and her identity speak volumes.

Talaro’s expression darkened. “Raines Clan…” he muttered, his frustration evident. “Another high noble dragged into his schemes. This must be part of his plan. He wants me to kill her, using my hand” he muttered Having been deceived multiple times before, Talaro’s patience was at its breaking point.

His irritation boiled over into fury, and he decided to make an example of the floating elves. Starting with those from the lower realms and the lower-ranked magus, he raised a single finger and pointed.

With horrifying ease, Talaro’s spatial magic crushed his first victim, the unfortunate elf reduced to fragments in an instant.

BAMMM!

 The screams from the remaining captives grew louder, panic spreading like wildfire.

“Not you! Maybe you!?” Talaro growled, his cold gaze flicking across the terrified elves.

His method was random, brutal, and utterly efficient. Each gesture brought death, and no one could predict who would be next.

The sight of the helpless dark elves being slaughtered churned Emery’s stomach. He had hoped to buy time, hiding among the elves while spreading his Khaos energy, intending to save Lyanna and protect her new identity. But the strategy was unraveling fast.

Fate took an unfortunate turn. Whether it was bad luck on Emery’s part or sheer precision on Talaro’s, the High Priest’s spirit sense zeroed in on him.

Talaro’s expression darkened, and his finger pointed directly at Emery.

“FOUND YOU!”