Conquerors Will 

The carriage bounced up and down, a rocky ride due to the jutted out wheels of the cart. As Lepic looked thoughtfully at his watch, Jahad flicked his ability on and off with the click of his fingers, contemplating the nature of his power. He realized that the effectiveness of his ability hinged on the terror he could instill in his opponents. Regardless of their strength, if he could frighten them enough, their souls would become vulnerable, allowing him to take control. He pondered the different classes he'll encounter: Knights, sorcerers, and summoners. He had faced knights and sorcerers, but had yet to confront a summoner. Knights were tricky adversaries, often engaging in close combat, limited to their elemental affinity. In contrast, sorcerers wielded their affinity but could also manipulate other elements. "Lepic?" Jahad called out, causing his companion to glance up. The piercing blue of Lepic's pupils held a gentle hue, a stark contrast to the intensity of their journey. Jahad continued. "I've never seen a summoner before, are they rare?". Lepic replied whilst clicking his watch "You won't see them near the battlefield often, especially down here in the underground. They are used mainly to move cargo around, see the spectral steed we are guarding, summoners are manning that right now. Very useful people, but pretty weak." Jahad lost himself in thought. Knights were less versatile due to being limited to their one affinity, although he had heard about knights with another affinity, though that was rare. Sorcerers, they were really tricky. Able to dominate at long distances, class Fs know spells to fight close quarters.

"Lepic what pathway do you have? And what class are you?". Jahad asked curiously. Lepic looked at him. "Classified info, down here in the underground stuff like that could get you killed" he replied sternly causing Jahad to be taken aback slightly. But he understood. If everyone knew your status they could devise plans to take you out. Lepic pulled out a golden needle, poked his thumb before saying "Enya". A drop of blood expanded into a list of hieroglyphic scriptures, Jahad could understand slightly, different to the runic spells. "You'll learn how to read this later on in life, i'll try to teach you, though i'm not a great teacher." He pointed to the first line "Wind affinity, Knight". The information caused Jahads face to beam. Lepic trusted him with this knowledge. He pointed to another line "Class B-". All this time Jahad thought Lepic was a class C, as if reading his mind Lepic whispered "people come after me as a class C, they die to this lie". Jahad wondered more about the entire list, but just then, the carriage jumped high, causing his head to knock the ceiling. He rubbed his head, and Lepic chuckled, the moment lightening the tension between them. Lepic looked at Gladius and Airus, Jahad had forgotten they were even here, deadly still like lifeless puppets. He handed Jahad the golden pin. "Get them to do it". Both the puppets did it. Both class F-. The fire knight they had fought was a normal class F. It was insane the gap between the classes were. "Damn they're pretty weak" Lepic shook his head "At your age and stage, you should be H- rank, you got two class F- in your arsenal, you have the firepower of a normal Class F". The compliment made Jahad smile a bit. He still had the dull sword to his side. Slumped back he twirled it in his hands, clicking his fingers the wisps spiralled around it. He could reinforce his sword, almost like a knight, causing a hint of surprise to flicker on Lepics face. "Never fail to surprise" he snickered to himself before becoming engrossed with his pocket watch. 

Jahad wondered about Lepic's obsession with that clock. He always had it on him, keeping an eye on the time. It was as if the clock held some secret or significance that Lepic wasn't willing to share. Every tick seemed to draw Lepic deeper into his thoughts, and Jahad couldn't help but feel that it was more than just a way to track the hours. There was a sense of urgency in Lepic's gaze whenever he glanced at it, as if the moments slipping by were tied to something important in their journey. Curiosity gnawed at Jahad, but he knew better than to pry. Some things in their world were better left unspoken, and Lepic's clock was clearly one of them.

He felt his eyes closing, it was pitch black outside, only the magical engravings on the spectral steed provided light. The rhythmic thumping of its legs digging into the ground in concordance with the whispers that constantly echoed in the forest. Jahad felt himself dozing off. He and Lepic had agreed to take turns to keep watch at night, and now it was his turn to take the first nap. The black wisps encasing his vision made it hard to focus, and the sirens blaring seemed to drift away, like echoes from a distant world. As the panic and terror that usually gripped him faded into the background, he felt an unsettling calm wash over him. But then, his eyes snapped open, and he realized he was somewhere else. Instinctively, he knew he was still dreaming, yet this dream felt different from the hellish nightmares he was accustomed to. Looking down at his arms, he saw they were clad in blackened strips of cloth that draped over him. Everything felt off, as if he had stepped into a twisted version of reality. The weight of the unknown pressed down on him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that this dream held secrets he was meant to uncover. He was in a dark room, and to the right of him lay a shattered mirror, with pieces scattered across the floor. Jahad lumbered down to pick one up and peered into it. To his dismay, he could not see his own face; instead, he wore a tattered hooded cloak that obscured his being. He willed his body to lower the hood, but it refused to obey. It felt as if he was merely spectating his own self, yet deep down, he knew this figure was not him. The figure was massive and broad, and with every step, a sense of dread filled him, shaking him to his core. The air was thick with an oppressive energy, and he couldn't shake the feeling that whatever lay beyond the cloak held answers he was both terrified and compelled to discover.

The being walked forward to a huge dark oak door, towering enough to accommodate its unnaturally large form. Jahad could sense the fear radiating from the human beneath him, who quivered like a leaf in the wind. As the human looked up at the monstrous figure, his lips trembled, and he began to profusely apologize, slamming his head to the floor in a desperate act of prostration.

"Forgive me master , forgive me master, I forgot to" he repeatedly begged, his voice shaking with terror. The human summoned magical circles, water and wind swept the floor. The contrast between the massive being and the trembling human created an intense atmosphere, filled with an overwhelming sense of dread and desperation. The being lifted a finger, and the man's head snapped up towards him, his eyes already a purple scarlet hue. Was he already conquered? Jahad thought to himself, a chilling realization creeping in. The man's eyes widened in primordial fear, reflecting the horror of his fate. With a flick of his finger, the being summoned a torrent of black chains formed by dark wisps. They pierced into the man's heart, wrapping around it tightly. As the being gently pulled his finger towards himself, a grotesque pop echoed through the air. Black wisps began to draw out from the man, his soul and life force draining from his body. Jahad watched as the energy flowed into the being, feeling a sense of rejuvenation wash over it. The life force of the man fueled the being, a dark exchange that left a haunting silence in the room, punctuated only by the echoes of despair.

Jahad woke up to Lepic gently shaking his shoulder, his body drenched in a clammy cold sweat. Jahads shot him a confused look, his eyes blinking rapidly, trying to process what was going on. "Your turn". "You good?" he asked, a hint of worry. Jahad stammered out "yeah I'm fine". Lepic turned his head to the side to take his nap, leaving Jahad feeling uncomfortable. The trenchcoat clung to him, damp with cold sweat. He swept away the carriage's ragged cloth, letting the cool night air wash over his face, a brief relief from the oppressive atmosphere surrounding him. As he breathed in the crisp air, he tried to shake off the lingering tension, but the weight of the encounter still hung heavy in his mind. The darkness of the night seemed to close in around him, amplifying his unease as he glanced back at the figure of Lepic, wondering what dreams—or nightmares—might be haunting him.

A couple of hours passed, and Jahad peered deep into the dark crevices of the forest, with Gladius and Airus sitting deadly still. He listened intently to the ambience; crickets chirped, whispers danced through the trees, and gusts of wind filled the silence. But then, something felt wrong. The ambient sounds began to fade away, leaving an eerie stillness in their wake. Suddenly, with a jolt, the carriage came to a stop. Jahad swept the front cloth aside, noticing that the spectral steed and the front carriages also halted. In that moment, Lepic's eyes snapped open, alert and wide with awareness, as if sensing the shift in the atmosphere. The tension in the air thickened, and Jahad knew that whatever was lurking in the shadows was about to reveal itself.

In a split second, Jahad was dragged out of the carriage, soaring several meters through the air. The whooshing wind rushed past him as he came crashing down, the carriage exploding behind him. Bits of wood flew everywhere, and the acrid scent of burning and ash filled the air, overwhelming his senses. Airus and Gladius had jumped, but Jahad's warning to Airus came too late. Before he could glide out, Airus's legs caught in the explosion, Jahad heard the sickening squelch as one of Airus's legs were destroyed beneath the knee.The urgency of the situation pushed him to focus on the chaos around him, knowing that survival depended on swift action. Lepic landed right near Jahad, they both stood in their stances. 

Jahad looked forward, the front two carriages were also destroyed. Debris layed everywhere. The front right carriage had a mass of blood and bits of human scattered around it. The group had not left in time. Jahads eyes surveyed the woods, trying to find what had caused this. To the left of him, the spearman and man with the gauntlets, one of them shouted out, his voice cutting through the chaos "In the sky". Lepics eyes locked onto him, his eyes widened before he sent out a flurry of daggers in that direction. The menacing sorcerer hovered in the sky, an imposing figure against the backdrop of a darkening horizon. His wide smile, both chilling and triumphant, revealed a twisted delight in the chaos he had unleashed below. Clad in flowing robes that billowed like shadows, he exuded an aura of power that sent shivers down the spines of those who dared to gaze upon him.

His hands, covered by leather gloves, were adorned with radiant gems embedded in each knuckle, glimmering with an otherworldly light. These gems pulsed with energy, allowing him to cast multiple spells simultaneously, each one more devastating than the last. On his coat, a lapel, he was too far to distinguish what it was. As he raised his hands, the air crackled with magic, and the ground trembled beneath him, a testament to the destruction he had already wrought. The sorcerer's laughter echoed through the air, a haunting sound that promised more annihilation to come. "Jahad move!" Lepic shouted at him, he dashed backwards, Airus using wind magic to increase his dashing distance. In the spot he was just at a blast smashed into it, sending shockwaves through the air, creating a large crater that smoldered with embers. Ash and debris filled the atmosphere, swirling around like dark confetti, while the remnants of the destruction painted a grim picture of the sorcerer's power. Lepic and the spearman's group flit towards the sorcerer. The sky horizon became a chaotic canvas, filled with the dazzling light of magical spells. Jahad had never witnessed anything like it; the sorcerer orchestrated his hands with an almost balletic grace, causing hundreds of spells to ignite in vibrant colors. Explosions resonated through the forest, obliterating everything in their path, leaving nothing but destruction.

To make matters worse, the sorcerer unleashed wind magic, sending gusts of fiery wind slicing through the groups of trees and debris. Jahad darted forward, moving as fast as his body would allow. He reinforced his leg muscles with dark, swirling wisps, granting him the ability to take lightspeed rapid steps away from the chaos. Yet, even with his enhanced speed, it was by mere inches that each spell narrowly missed him, the air crackling with the remnants of the sorcerer's wrath.Jahad's gaze darted upward as Lepic struck multiple spell circles with his dagger, shattering them with lightning speed. The spearmen closed the distance, leaping into the air. He spun his spear before him like a propeller, slicing effortlessly through a water bolt spell aimed at him.

In an instant, the sorcerer cast a wind spell, closing in on the spearman. Arcs of water fused with wind magic sliced through the air, and the sorcerer parried the spearman's strikes expertly with his magical weapon. It was almost child's play for him; every swing of his hands unleashed brutal and complex magical spells that followed in a relentless barrage. The spearman, a water knight, was strong and determined, thrusting multiple strikes in the blink of an eye, each infused with water mana. His movements were fluid and rapid, crashing into the sorcerer with all his might. Yet, despite the onslaught, the sorcerer's maniacal laugh never faltered, a chilling reminder of the power he wielded even in the face of such fierce resistance.The man with the gauntlets moved in perfect harmony with the spearman, their teamwork a testament to their training and trust. They attacked the sorcerer with relentless ferocity, each strike timed flawlessly so as not to interrupt the other's flow. As the spearman thrust and spun, the gauntlet-wielding warrior followed up with powerful punches, infused with energy that crackled in the air. Together, they formed a formidable front, a dynamic duo that pushed against the sorcerer's defenses. The air was thick with tension as they pressed on, determined to break through the sorcerer's barrage of spells and turn the tide of battle in their favor.

Lepic started moving back towards Jahad at a frightening speed. "RUN" his urgent shout pierced Jahads ears. The fight unfolded like a deadly dance, with the spearman and the man with gauntlets coordinating their attacks with precision. The spearman darted forward, his spear a blur as he thrust and spun, aiming for the sorcerer's openings. Each strike was infused with water mana, creating a shimmering trail that sliced through the air. Meanwhile, the man with gauntlets followed closely, his fists crackling with energy. He unleashed a flurry of punches, each one aimed to disrupt the sorcerer's concentration. They worked in tandem, their movements fluid and synchronized, making it difficult for the sorcerer to predict their next moves. However, the sorcerer remained calm, his maniacal laughter echoing through the chaos. With a flick of his wrist, he conjured a barrier of wind that deflected the spearman's strikes, sending the water mana spiraling harmlessly away. As the gauntlet-wielder lunged, the sorcerer unleashed a torrent of fire, engulfing the area in flames that forced his opponents to retreat. Despite their best efforts, the duo found themselves overwhelmed.The sorcerer, with his mastery of elemental magic, countered every attack with ease. He twisted spells of wind and fire, creating a tempest that separated the two fighters. In a final display of power, the sorcerer unleashed a powerful spell that combined water and wind, creating a vicious cyclone that swept the spearman off his feet. The man with gauntlets, caught off guard, was also thrown back, landing hard on the ground. As the dust settled, the sorcerer stood triumphant, a sinister grin on his face as he summoned the same explosive magical circles. The scent of burned flesh and blood plunged into the air.

All of this had taken a measly five seconds to unfold. Jahad's heart raced as he realized the sorcerer's gaze was fixed on him, a predatory glint in his eyes that sent a shiver down Jahad's spine. With little time to spare, he quickly assessed the situation, he commanded Airus and Gladius to intercept. The sorcerer surged in swiftly. Gladius was the first to confront him, but like a mere fly, the sorcerer flicked him aside effortlessly. In a heartbeat, water bolts shot forth, dismembering Gladius's arms with brutal precision. Before anyone could react, the sorcerer redirected the water slashes using wind magic, sending them slicing through the air towards Airus. The attack struck with deadly accuracy, cleaving his body in two. Jahad's mind raced as the sorcerer flitted to his side. Time seemed to slow as he glanced to his right, feeling the oppressive weight of the sorcerer's shadow looming over him. In an instant, a magical circle formed, signaling an explosive spell that threatened to engulf him. Just as the impact was about to strike, Lepic leapt into action, grabbing Jahad's arm and shielding him with his own body. Reinforcing his arm with wind mana, he braced for the blast. The explosion hit with tremendous force, and despite his efforts, the power was overwhelming. The reinforced trench coat and his sleeve burned away, scorching his arm as he fought to protect Jahad from the devastating spell.The air crackled with residual energy, and Jahad could only watch in horror as his friend bore the brunt of the attack. His arm slumped down, unable to lift it from the damage incurred, using his other hand he threw Jahad to the side and crunched a Vestra vial onto his wound, the mangled flesh started to mend but the sorcerer swung in, his arms swinging a frenzy of magical circles.