Chapter 167: The Storm Reaches the South
The South Nation had always been a place of warmth and life. Its mana-rich air hummed with the essence of its powerful warriors and the vibrant lives of its people. But today, that warmth was threatened by a chilling presence moving through the waters off its coast.
Dark blue figures, moving with an eerie, synchronized grace, emerged from the depths. Their eyes glowed with an unnatural purple light, their webbed limbs slicing through the water as they approached the South Nation's shores. At their head was General Delrat, a towering figure with sharp, angular features and skin that shimmered like polished obsidian. His eyes were cold, his expression as sharp as a blade.
Delrat and his Aquarian warriors stepped onto the soft sands of the South Nation, the salty wind blowing against their slick, scaled skin. The General's gaze slowly scanned the vast, lush landscape of the South. The trees swayed gently in the breeze, the distant peaks of mountains shrouded in mist. The air was thick with mana, a stark contrast to the cold, dark depths they had traveled through for weeks.
Delrat inhaled deeply, feeling the surge of raw power in the air. He smiled, his sharp teeth glinting in the sunlight.
Delrat (coldly):"So this is the South Nation... a perfect place to begin our conquest."
His soldiers behind him looked around, their eyes widening as they felt the intense mana that filled the air. It was unlike anything they had ever encountered—a treasure trove of energy just waiting to be claimed.
One of the soldiers stepped forward, his voice filled with awe.
Aquarian Soldier:"General, this place... it's overflowing with mana. No wonder Kuzan ordered us to start here."
Delrat's face remained emotionless, his sharp gaze fixed on the distant peaks.
Delrat:"Yes. But remember our mission. This is not a sight-seeing tour. Our purpose is to subdue and transform this nation. Once the South falls, the rest of the world will follow."
He turned to face his soldiers, his violet eyes flashing with determination.
Delrat:"Fan out. We need to locate the center of their power. Find the strongest mana concentration. That will lead us to their warriors."
The soldiers hesitated for a moment.
Aquarian Soldier:"But General... we don't know this land. How will we know where to strike first?"
Delrat's eyes narrowed, his patience thinning.
Delrat:"Use your senses. Focus. This land may be large, but powerful mana always reveals itself. Focus your cores and sense the currents of power."
The soldiers quickly straightened, closing their eyes and channeling their Aquarian mana. They reached out, their consciousnesses expanding, feeling for the pulse of the strongest mana nearby. For a moment, there was only the whisper of the wind, the distant crash of waves against the shore.
Then, one of the soldiers twitched, his eyes snapping open.
Aquarian Soldier:"I sense something... a massive concentration of mana, straight ahead."
Another soldier's eyes shot open, his gills flaring in excitement.
Second Aquarian Soldier:"I feel it too... a town. Many strong presences. It must be where their warriors gather."
Delrat gave a slow, approving nod.
Delrat:"Good. Then that's where we strike first. Move. And remember, leave no one alive who resists."
As they approached the edge of the forest, the first signs of civilization appeared—wooden fences, freshly tilled farmland, and winding paths leading toward a small town nestled between the trees. Smoke rose from the chimneys, and the distant sound of clanging metal echoed from the blacksmith's forge.
Delrat raised his hand, signaling his warriors to halt.
Delrat (grinning):"Be on your guard. The element of surprise is ours. We will crush them before they even realize what has hit them."
The Aquarians crept closer, their webbed feet making no sound as they moved through the thick underbrush. Finally, the edge of the town came into view—a stone archway with the emblem of the South Nation carved into its center. Delrat's eyes glinted with anticipation.
As they stepped into the open, one of the South Nation's knights, standing on the edge of the town's walls, caught sight of the approaching blue figures. His eyes went wide, his breath catching in his throat.
South Nation Guard (shouting):"Oi! What the hell are those?!"
Several other guards quickly gathered, peering into the distance. The sight of the advancing Aquarians sent a chill down their spines.
Second Guard (nervously gripping his spear):"I don't know, but they're coming this way... and they don't look friendly."
The first guard tightened his grip on his sword and called out.
South Nation Guard:"Halt! State your business, or we'll cut you down where you stand!"
Delrat stepped forward, his violet eyes locking onto the trembling knight.
Delrat (coldly):"Who we are is of no concern to the dead."
Before the guards could react, Delrat extended his arm, his fingers tightening into a fist. A spear of dark purple mana formed in his hand, crackling with energy. He hurled it forward, the spear piercing straight through the chest of the lead guard, pinning him to the wall behind him. Blood splattered against the stone, and the guard's body went limp, his eyes frozen in shock.
The other guards stumbled back in horror, their hands shaking as they reached for their blades.
Second Guard (shouting):"Sound the alarm! Warn the castle! We're under attack!"
Several of the guards sprinted toward the castle, their armor clinking loudly as they ran, their shouts echoing through the town.
Delrat (smirking):"Let them run. It won't change their fate."
He raised his hand once more, signaling his soldiers to charge.
Delrat:"Kill them all. Leave no one standing."
The Aquarians surged forward, their scaled bodies moving with a terrifying speed and precision. Their eyes glowed with a fierce, unholy light as they clashed with the South Nation's guards, steel meeting scales in a violent symphony of blood and metal.
The South Nation's first line of defense had fallen, and the Aquarians had finally reached their shores.