671. Ancients

671. Ancients

Rachel heard the tolling of the bells. A panicked alarm reverberated throughout the entirety of the campus-city. The terrified voices of the students and staff of Mavos Academy echoed in the background, only to be drowned out by a cacophonous chittering.

Looking up, the young girl saw the source of the ear-piercing noise. It was an [Ancient Centinel]— a monster she had only ever heard about in books. But even though they thought to be a myth or a legend, she knew with one look at the behemoth of a Centinel what it was meant to be. After all, it rose up to over a thousand feet in height, its chitin covered in crimson spikes.

Thousands of smaller Centinels poured out after it as they charged straight at the barrier of Mavos Academy. The [Ancient Centinel] itself lashed out, striking at the dome protecting the campus-city. There was a flash of light as a small tremor shook the ground beneath Rachel’s feet.

Stumbling back, she barely caught herself from falling over from the shockwave. The barrier began to crack as [Mages] of all sorts rushed around, some of them flying into the air, while others prepared to cast spells.

“Why is that [Ancient Centinel] here?!”

Oriur asked as he fell to the ground. Novis and Bellum growled as they stepped forward, and Kron backed away nervously. But Willy just floated there as he eyed the [Ancient Centinel]. He knew the reason why. As did Rachel.

And as did the rest of the monster-group. Even if they hadn’t fully realized it yet.

Rachel pursed her lips as she glanced back towards the tallest tower in Mavos Academy. She couldn’t see the figure she was trying to make out, even with her enhanced vision, but that was because it was too far away, hidden above the clouds.

But she knew the figure was waiting there. She knew the figure was seeing all this. And as the barrier continued to crack, with [Mages] flying around in alarm, the figure—

Centina lowered her head. She saw what was unfurling below, through a magical spyglass that could see through even the most opaque of clouds. She had no lips. All she had were mandibles. After all, she was an [Evolved Centinel]. But if she did have lips, she’d be pressing them tightly together in frustration. Instead, she clicked her mandibles together and turned around.

A man stood behind her. He was the Headmaster of Mavos Academy, and the highest-leveled [Mage] in all of the Human Lands. His name was Clayton Skyshredder. And from what Centina knew, he had an obligation to serve the people of his school over all else.

So when she turned to face him— when she heard his voice— she knew what needed to be done.

“That [Ancient Centinel] is here for you.”

Clayton spoke simply. Centina nodded as she wore a grim look on her face.

“Indeed, he is.”

While Centina didn’t know every Centinel there was, she could tell the gender of one of her kin without as much of a thought. She closed her eyes, knowing what was expected of her next. So she strode forward, already-resolved.

“I shall turn myself over.”

Clayton’s eyes flickered when he heard what she had to say. She continued past him as she placed a hand on her chest.

“I always knew that this day would come— that I would not be safe forever. The Matriarch does take to traitors kindly, especially those who kill her most-beloved children. And while it was Salvos who was responsible for it, I was also partly-responsible for that outcome. That is why I shall hand myself over to my Matriarch. So that your people will not have to suffer for my mistakes.”

Centina spoke in a morose voice as she fought back her tears. She knew the fate that awaited her— the certainty of death. But before she could begin to descend down the tower, Clayton turned to face her.

“Centina.”

Blinking, she glanced back at him. He nodded at her as held her gaze.

“You have served me well over these past few years. So much so that I consider you just as important as my [Secretary]. For what you have done for me, I am truly grateful.”

He spoke kindly, but that only brought the tears out of Centina’s eyes. She cried as she wiped her cheeks. She thought that was his parting words— that he was bidding her farewell. And she was truly thankful for what he had to say to her. Even if she couldn’t bring herself to say what she felt back towards him.

And then he shook his head.

“But as the Headmaster of Mavos Academy, it is my duty to protect every single one of my members. And that includes you, Centina.”

That made her pause. Centina blinked a few times as her vision cleared, before she regarded the man standing before her. Her eyes went wide.

“What do you mean, Headmaster Skyshredder?”

“You have served me long enough, Centina. I would think it is fair to consider you as one of my people. That is why I cannot let you do this.”

Clayton chuckled as he stepped past her. He made his way towards the magical elevator as he smiled her way.

“I cannot let you hand yourself over to your death. So do not worry. I shall deal with this.”

And with that, he left her standing there, gaping in shock.

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Willy led Rachel, Oriur, Novis, Bellum, and Kron further back into Mavos Academy. They weren’t just going to stand there near the edge of the barrier as the [Ancient Centinel] tried to burrow its way through the magical dome. It shrieked, and even more fractures formed on the sheening surface. A few Centinels leaked in— mostly smaller ones.

But the [Mages] standing guard blasted the Centinels apart before they could enter Mavos Academy.

“Someone activate the fourth layer!”

A voice shouted, and a [Mage] replied.

“We are trying! We need more time!”

Certainly, Rachel could sense the magic coming from beneath her feet. She saw the faint symbols of a magical spell carved into the brickstone. And she wondered where the source of the spell that created the magical dome came from. But she didn’t focus on that right now.

Instead, she kept her gaze locked onto the [Ancient Centinel]. While she knew her limits— that she didn’t stand a chance against such a powerful monster— she also spotted the [Junior Centinels] leaking in. Those would have been a good source of experience for her to level up. And she contemplated joining the fighting, leaving Willy and the others behind.

But before she could make a decision, she saw a volley of light shoot forward, blasting the falling Centinels apart. The shockwave from the explosion sent the [Ancient Centinel] reeling as a bright light illuminated all of Mavos Academy.

Raising her head, Rachel watched as a figure shot forward, riding atop a cloud. Her eyes went wide as she heard a flurry of voices call out.

“That’s Headmaster Skyshredder!”

“He’s here to save us!”

And sure enough, Clayton Skyshredder flew forward, heading straight for the [Ancient Centinel]. He wore a fearless face, his white beard billowing with the wind as his blade was raised.

He sent a massive fireball through the crack at the outpouring Centinels. It erupted into a blast of iridescent light and incinerated thousands of the smaller monsters at once. But the [Ancient Centinel] mostly emerged unscathed from the attack.

“What is that power?”

Rachel asked as she stared at the fading rainbow-colored embers. The three baby Wyverns exchanged a glance. They didn’t seem to be as confused as her.