The Exalt [Cultivation Fantasy]

The second night arrived, and Oscar assumed his post by the entrance he had been assigned. Screeches and howls of the accursed filled the air, but no one showed signs of fear and maintained strong stances, carrying great confidence, unlike last night. The Haven Academy Exalts he fought alongside before stared out over the walls, their weapons no longer trembling in their iron grips. Oscar was slightly impressed that one show of power from him had produced such a drastic change. Then again, Serit was right. The desperation led to this result, and he couldn't find any retort.

Oscar looked at the faraway figures that appeared as if sprouting from the horizon. Inch by inch, they walked closer before breaking out into a shrieking sprint, their pale eyes shining under the false moonlight, hungry and ravenous gazes they were. Thousands of pairs of glowing dead gazes zoomed across the dark plains. The sight made Oscar blink. Within the hordes of accursed were the same faces as yesterday, including the burly Stegan's. They were truly accursed, beings doomed to suffer in eternal conflict without a moment of peace for their souls.

'Then fight with honor as you had in your previous lives.' Volten's sword hummed in his hand, Eirin pulsating from its blade like a heartbeat thumping in the sky and earth. Gritting his teeth, Oscar forced the light to expand further in a radiant wave that washed deeper into the accursed hordes. A semblance of clarity rose from Stegan's and other's eyes, and they roared a more human shout as they fought for him once again, culling down the enemy. Tired, he fell back and nodded to Erden and Demon to handle the rest. Using Volten's sword to this extent was quite draining.

Still, Oscar gripped the long handle tightly, turning his eyes to the nearest entrance where Marcus stood his ground behind the flaming pits, piercing his claws through any accursed that dared to leap to his side. Long and sharp black dragon scales levitated and rotated by his shoulders, slicing nearby accursed, cleave after cleave, rendering their limbs into shreds. Having recuperated enough Ein, Oscar marched onward, his strides straight and true. The sluggishness of hesitation had been thrown away and replaced by determination.

'One more year.' Oscar lit the beacon of Volten's sword. Light spread as the accursed rose for their side. As he made his rounds by every entrance, Oscar paused before where Shallen and his men were stationed. The newcomers gave him the most incredulous stares as they turned to the accursed, mouths gaping wide at the sight of the monstrosities fighting for them. The others by them bowed, knees sinking into the ground, and they, too, copied it, lowering their heads. Perhaps they did it because the others had, but Oscar suspected, soon, they would do so out of their own urges.

Thanks to Auren's adjustments and the early conversion of the accursed, the defense of the outpost was far less costly and less dire. Oscar rushed and stomped through the accursed, unafraid of unleashing repeated Shattering Waves with Demon and Erden watching his back. An abomination, the amalgamation of several accursed, flailed wildly, the earth quaking from a single fist slamming down. It let out an enraged roar as it chased Oscar and Erden, ramming right into the barrier that closed down on it. It barraged the barrier a few times, its roar intensifying with each devastating blow.

A single blue flame crossed its neck, and its multitude of heads went flying, decapitated by the sharp flames. The flames erupted from the cuts and swallowed the grotesque body and head, leaving mere ashes that smoldered in a gray pile. Demon remained outside the barrier in the Duality body, safe from death and lasting injuries and free to slaughter without remorse or care. Once the gap in the barrier appeared again, Oscar led the charge, carrying Volten's sword, still shining on his back. All thoughts of being the icon, the worries of the tower, and Metures's plans were washed away by a single instinct. He just had to survive this night.

Hours later, the bright greeting of day beamed from the ten orbs. Oscar gasped and went over to a freshly dug well, drinking from the basket, his hoarse throat shivering in relief after a long day of shouting. His breathing calmed, and he stared out, watching the accursed stand motionless and dissipate into nothingness, back to await the night and continue their cursed war. If only there were something he could do for them. But Oscar shook his head and chuckled grimly. There was enough on his mind already without having to worry for more.

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"Hubby!" A familiar softness landed on his back, arms wrapping around in a loving embrace. Avril coughed and reeled back, fanning away with her hand while the other covered her nose. "You're too sweaty and smell bad. She wants to hug him but can't because of it, shaking her head."

"What?" Oscar gripped her head, causing her to yelp. Clearly, she was joking since they had traveled through the sulfur-ridden lands of the Burning Valley and accompanied him to the fabricator workshops, not to mention their nightly activities. A mischievous smile formed as an urge to tease itched his heart. He whisked her away in his arms, her face deepening red but with a hint of expectation. Returning to their makeshift home, Oscar let her down as she pinched and pulled his ear, her lips forming a pout.

"Honey, I'm starving. Is there anything to eat?" Oscar slightly pecked and then bit her ripe cheek. Avril shivered in response and scampered away before he could go further.

"I have some mutton and vegetables that I collected in the forest. Hold on, I'll cook a nice meal." Avril hummed and started cutting the vegetables, peeling and dicing. As she worked, Oscar stared blankly at her side profile, remarking once more how beautiful she was, particularly the deep golden eye resting by the indigo hair. Avril stopped her humming and tilted her head in confusion toward him, an adorable act that made his heart quicken slightly. "She wonders what Oscar is thinking about. But she enjoys the staring."

"You're beautiful." Oscar smiled.

"Naturally!" Avril returned the smile, dimples peeking out from her cheeks. She placed the mutton chop in a stone pot of boiling water and tossed the vegetables inside, adding in some herbs for flavor.

As the pot shimmered, Oscar gulped his dry throat and spoke hoarsely, "Say…."

"What?" Avril sat beside him.

"If…if it's impossible to live a normal life afterward. If I have to fight until the end of my days, will that be alright with you?" Something nagged at him, an unsettling feeling digging deeper into his thoughts daily. He had a suspicion that there would be no peaceful days for him after Fallen Heaven. No matter the result, the world would certainly not let him be, even if he wished to be left alone. "I know I said I'd fight for this year, but I'm afraid it'll never end until it's truly over. Whether it is done or my life ends. The fight will carry over to Talos."

Avril embraced him from behind, nestling his head by her chest, tilting him to look upward into her eyes. She kissed him on the forehead and gave a reassuring smile. "She said it before. She's alright with what you decide. From the moment we met, it has always been fighting, hasn't it? As long as I'm by your side, I'm fine. She grumbles and pulls his ears, wondering why he thinks it's so bad. We'll be together."

"So we'll keep fighting until there is no more to fight." Oscar chuckled and stroked her face. He had gotten his answer and firmly decided. "Thank you." As Avril went over to observe the boiling pot, he drank another mouthful of elixir, the trembling in his legs halting as his mind numbed the pain from the horrid memories. He was certain the fight, this conflict between all of Talos and beyond, would involve him no matter what. He clutched his knees, exhaling sharply. His legs still stirred at times and showed no signs of fully recovering.

'Volten. I helped you overcome your regrets, but what about me? You should have helped me further before vanishing.' Oscar still hadn't figured out how to overcome. Volten mentioned it was the only way to move on, but he failed, having to rely on the elixir for aid.

"Father! Mom!" "Dad! Mom!" Renn and Gloria barged inside, though there was no door to barge through. Gloria sniffed the aroma and circled the pot before Avril scolded her to sit and wait. Renn sat by him and sharpened his sword, paying great attention to the edge, bringing it a thread's distance before his eyes.

"My Lord!" Marcus intruded on the gathering with Kragg, Santen, Restel, Eve, Auren, and Astrid. Kragg laughed and claimed a seat, inciting Marcus's rebukes. Santen sat on his lonesome, starting some tea, boiling strange roots in a bowl. Eve and Restel greeted Avril and offered to help, which she gladly accepted, giving them other jobs to make the salad and crush some berries for a jam. Astrid leaned on the wall, closing her eyes, unbothered by the commotion next to her as Auren insisted on meeting Maia, which Gloria and Renn rejected. That boy really fell for that woman, a laughable event. Oscar couldn't imagine Maia in a relationship.

"Luckily, I made a lot since Oscar loves to eat. Well, dig up, everyone!" Avril poured the mutton stew, passing the bowls to the others. It had a healthy whitish color with a refreshing aroma wafting over that made his stomach growl. Gratefulness and smiles were exchanged. Oscar held the spoon made from a tree's branch and sipped the pleasant stew, his tongue tingling from the soothing flavor.

'Good stew.' Oscar munched on the tender piece of mutton and smiled at the scene of everyone partaking in the meal, with a few rowdy remarks and scuffles here and there, but overall, it was a relaxing moment. He rubbed his face, wondering if it was tears or sweat dripping down. As the attention turned to him, he said, "It's delicious."

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