(The next day, Planet Wamir, Veyr’s POV)
The sun hung dim and amber over Wamir’s horizon as Veyr made his way toward the Central Square, his hood pulled low and his expression unreadable, as he looked around for enemies.
The streets around him were crowded yet calm, filled with vendors shouting over one another and children darting between market stalls, as he noticed nothing out of the ordinary.
There were a couple guards near the fountain, however, they seemed to be too engrossed in their own conversation to be on the lookout for him, as he found nothing suspicious about their behaviour.
For almost a full hour he lingered around the square, moving in circles as he pretended to browse through street-side trinkets and overhear gossip.
Yet his mind never left its purpose, as he analyzed escape routes, alley angles, and the rhythm of passing patrolmen until he was convinced there was nothing unusual to be found.
’No disturbances, no signs of an ambush... it seems like I can proceed with the recording,’ he thought, his fingers tightening beneath his cloak.
He crossed the square one last time before slipping into the narrow alley that led to the pre-determined building— a four-story apartment with cracked walls and a rusted fire escape, which was ideal for his purpose.
Climbing silently, his boots kissed the metal rungs with the lightness of instinct, as he reached the rooftop and crouched low, scanning once more in all directions before finally drawing out the small data slate he had stolen off a merchant earlier that morning.
’No more delays,’ he told himself, inhaling deeply as he adjusted the slate’s camera to face him in selfie mode.
*Wobble*
The wind tugged faintly at his cloak, brushing the hood back just enough for the sunlight to catch his false features.
Then, with a quiet exhale, he released his [Shapeshift].
The illusion melted away like ink washing off glass, revealing his true face— deep black eyes glinting beneath black hair, his presence immediately sharper, heavier, almost regal in the way it seemed to weigh down the air.
"People of the Cult," he began, his tone deep and steady, carrying a strange warmth beneath the strength, "I understand there have been rumors suggesting that I am dead. But let me assure you, I am very much alive and holding strong, walking freely among the people of Wamir as one of them—"
*CRACK*
The sky above him shimmered before splitting into streaks of red and gold light as teleportation gates ignited across three rooftops.
Veyr’s pupils narrowed.
He barely had time to drop the slate before the first strike arrived, a silver arc descending from the right as three Monarch-Tier commanders and dozens of Transcendent soldiers materialized around him, their formation clean and suffocating.
*CLANG*
The enemy’s sword met his in a flash of blinding sparks, the impact hurtling him backward as his body twisted midair before crashing through the edge of the rooftop, as he plummeted uncontrollably toward the street below.
*CRASH*
Dust rose. The crowd screamed. As within a split second a dozen attacks landed at and around the area he fell down towards, as the Righteous Commanders showed him no mercy.
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
*BAM*
*BLAST!*
Veyr’s back slammed against the ground with enough force to make the earth quake beneath him, his ribs screaming in protest as a sharp crack echoed through his chest.
The dust burned his eyes, the air reeked of smoke and burnt stone, and the ringing in his ears drowned out the world for several long seconds.
’Shit... I’m fucked,’ he thought, spitting out blood as his fingers trembled against the cobblestone.
He tried to stand, but the pain that shot through his leg made him stagger back to a knee. His sword lay a few meters away, glinting faintly through the haze.
’They were waiting... they knew. Someone sold me out—’
His eyes widened, realization hitting him like another punch to the gut. ’Must be that chipped tooth who used to serve the First Elder... surely, it’s that fucking rat who sold me out.’
He cursed under his breath, forcing his body upright even as his vision pulsed red at the edges.
’No... I’m not dying here. Not like this. Not without a fight.’
He thought, as he reached for his sword, fingers curling around the hilt as another shockwave of attacks struck the street.
*BOOM*
*BAM*
*THUD*
Pebbles and ash scattered around him as he rose to his feet, blood dripping down his jaw, his cloak torn and body trembling—but his stance still remained sharp, still hopelessly defiant.
Above him, the three Monarchs descended slowly through the smoke, their auras like black suns pressing down on his lungs, suffocating the air itself, while dozens of righteous soldiers surrounded the square, their weapons drawn and spells charged, as they formed a perfect circle of shimmering blue barriers.
’Too many. Way too many. I’m fucked,’ Veyr thought, as a bitter smile formed at his lips.
’I should have been more careful.... I shouldn’t have hastened to form that network.’
He thought, as he tightened his grip around his sword.
’But if I am dying for sure, then at least let me take a few of them with me....’
He concluded, as letting out a deep sigh, he looked across the men before him and shouted in a defiant tone.
"COME ON THEN! BRING IT, YOU AMBUSHING CUNTS!"
He roared, his voice cracking through the chaos as he collected mana for a powerful [Mountain Splitting Slash].
*BOOM*
*CLANG*
*CRASH*
With the enemies seemingly hesitant to finish him off, it gave him enough time to launch a counter, as for a brief flurry, he lunged, dodged and struck—his movements feral, precise and hopelessly useless yet beautiful in their defiance still.
For a brief moment, it looked as if he could even manage to break through their encirclement, only for the illusion to shatter when the Monarch’s intervened.
*SHHHHHHHHH*
All three Monarch’s moved at once, raising their palms as they summoned a golden barrier that encased Veyr within a pyramid-like structure pulsing with powerful energy.
"The Fuck?"
Veyr cursed, as he tried to break free from the prison, but to no avail, as no matter how hard he tried it seemed impossible to shatter at his strength.
*CRACK*
Suddenly, a surge of pain shot through his chest as the barrier pulsed, sealing fully, as his ability to channel mana was suddenly cut off.
"W-whats happening? What are you guys doing? Don’t you want to kill me?"
Veyr asked, as one of the Monarch’s finally descended to the ground and looked him in the eye.
"Consider this to be your lucky day, criminal.... Lord Mauriss wants to keep you alive.
And hence, you shall not meet your maker, just yet."