The Emperor Class

Crystal?

Dreu had been so focused on the demoness that he didn’t see the crystal until the holy knight mentioned it. Or rather, he saw the shattered pieces of the crystal on the ground. By piecing the crystal together in his mind, he could visualize the crystal to be larger than him which was very impressive. There were many questions going through his head as to why the fortress had something so valuable. Clerics were known less for their greed and more for their devotion towards their god.

“I will die?” said the Eglallin with an amused look. “I was just planning on leaving after destroying this crystal. Yet, I think I’ll make a dog like you suffer for your insolence!”

She was smiling and, following a quick bow, vanished before them. Dreu was about to stand up when the holy knight stopped him.

“Stay down,” said the man. “You are fortunate the curse didn’t outright kill you. We’ll have an experienced cleric assist you while we deal with the remaining demons. Take it easy unless the situation worsens.”

A cleric, after receiving orders from the holy knight, stood by Dreu’s side casting a spell. With his strength steadily returning, Dreu spoke to the cleric.

“Thank you for healing me.”

When the cleric didn’t respond, he looked up to study the cleric’s face. The man was expressionless and, several minutes later, walked away without a word. Then, he noticed Jeane sitting down beside him, nursing her right arm.

“Are clerics normally so taciturn?” he asked. "And your right arm?"

“I heard the fortress suffered heavy losses. He might just be grieving for his losses.” Jeane then raised her right arm showing the gash slowly closing. "We clerics can heal ourselves so don't worry about me."

“I see.”

After a short silence, Dreu turned to Jeane.

“What do we do now? It seems like nowhere is safe.”

“I don’t know,” said Jeane quietly.

Despite the two of them not conversing much, Dreu was still glad to have her company. The others were all helping in the courtyard with the aftermath of the battle. The casualties were high for both sides and the humans, being the defenders, realized they only won a pyrrhic victory. Their heavy losses also meant the cleaning process took a lot longer. Therefore, all able-bodied members were expected to contribute with no questions asked. When Dreu asked Jeane about Bayard and Rohese, she said they were asked to help with the cleanup and couldn't refuse. Therefore, she was asked to stay with Dreu following her injury and was told to stay out of the way. While many were busy in the courtyard, the followers of the holy knight were sent to track down and kill demon stragglers within the fortress. Once the fortress interior was searched and nothing suspicious came up, everyone deemed the interior to be the safest place of the entire fortress. As extra insurance, the holy knight remained inside to address the shattered crystal.

The two of them watched two dozen clerics reassembling the shattered crystal under the direction of the holy knight. Dreu learned the man was called Geoff and he was held in high regards within the fortress. During his wait for the cleric to remove his curse, Dreu listened in on many conversations where the clerics and soldiers were all praising Geoff. They claimed that, if Geoff wasn’t present, everyone in the fortress would already be dead. Having seen Geoff free him from the dark prison, Dreu could see why the man was seen in such a positive light. Due to the holy knight staying behind, Dreu was also fine with Bayard and Rohese assisting in the courtyard.

“Do you know what that crystal is for?” Dreu asked Jeane after his curiosity got the better of him.

Jeane looked away uncomfortably, making Dreu wish he hadn’t asked the question. Suddenly, the holy knight stood over the two.

“She has sworn to never disclose the secrets of the clerics,” said Geoff, “but I believe you should know the truth as you nearly lost your life for it.”

The holy knight said the crystal was an Amplifier that increased the effectiveness of the Purificator. By destroying it, the demons hoped to lessen the power and range of the Purificator. However, Geoff emphasized that, while the crystal was shattered, it could still be pieced together due to its unique properties. He reassured both Dreu and Jeane that the crystal would be as good as new in a few hours. Dreu wanted to ask about the Purificator but stopped himself short. He didn’t want to get too nosy and attract suspicion from anyone in the fortress. Without Bayard and Rohese present, he knew how low his chances of survival were. Therefore, he kept silent while he watched the clerics reassemble the crystal.

Dreu soon grew bored of watching the process. Once they agreed fresh air would do them both good, Dreu got up with Jeane’s help and, as the two exited the chamber, they both heard screams behind them. They turned around to see the clerics engulfed in dark flames. In a matter of seconds, the clerics were burned to ashes and silence returned to the chamber. Meanwhile, they watched in horror as a being emerged from the nearly reassembled crystal. The being, covered in the same dark flames that took the lives of the clerics, appeared gaseous initially before it materialized into something solid. During the being’s emergence, the Amplifier began melting into a pool of ooze. By the time the being was fully materialized, the pool of melted crystal hardened into a blackened mass.

The unknown being, resembling an warrior wearing shadow-like armor, then approached Geoff whose armor was shining brilliantly. Geoff unsheathed his sword and raised his shield, widening his stance. In response, the being unsheathed two swords. Dreu watched the standoff where both combatants simply stood there for nearly a minute. Then, the being, in a blink of an eye, closed the gap. The holy knight brought his shield to intercept the incoming sword. The clash of the sword and shield reverberated in the large room.

“Is that the best you can do?” taunted Geoff after he halted the sword.

The being didn't respond and merely maintained the pressure with its sword.