Some families had locked themselves away in their homes, clutching their loved ones, praying in silence.
Others lit beacons and lanterns, using them as flames of hope, believing that
humanity would endure, no matter what came.
Yet, the one who held their lives in his hands looked at them without any hint of emotion in his gaze.
He saw the people scurrying around, hiding, he saw their fear, but no matter how long he stared, he just couldn't bring himself to care.
He tore his gaze from them and looked up at the skies.
There, the three massive warships belonging to the Dimensari, the Vampyros, and the Dragons that had been hiding behind the clouds had now emerged, hovering openly in the air, waiting.
This only intensified the fear surging through the humans below.
Atticus felt multiple presences approaching from behind, followed by a voice laced with worry.
"Son, are you sure about this?"
He turned his gaze from the warships and looked at his father, Avalon, who had just spoken. Along with him, the other paragons of humanity had gathered, hovering mid-air, their eyes all fixed on Atticus with varying expressions.
But that wasn't what caught his attention.
None of them looked like they usually did. Instead of their elaborate robes, the paragons were clad in armor, each one brandishing their weapons, ready.
Garvin Emberforge had been very busy over the past month, and with the help of Oberon, had crafted weapons and armor for each of the paragons in preparation for
the clash.
"It's the only way, Dad. I'll be fine, don't worry," Atticus said, voice calm.
Even Magnus, who was rarely shaken, looked at him with concern. "We can fight."
Atticus smiled faintly, then turned back to the warships looming in the sky.
"It's better this way," he said. "The Dimensari and Vampyros leaders have both absorbed three cores each. Their current power levels are very unpredictable. This is the most logical choice."
As he spoke the last word, his gaze shifted briefly to Oberon.
Today was the day the Aegis Shield was expected to fall. That alone had set the people on edge.
But that wasn't what worried Avalon and Magnus.
It was the fact that Atticus wanted to leave the safety of the Aegis before it collapsed, and face Eletantron and Jezenet all alone.
Oberon, who had realized what Atticus's glance meant, nodded before speaking. "He's right. We won't be able to withstand the force from their clashes alone. We'll only be dead weight."
The other paragons didn't object. They each knew in their hearts that what Oberon said was nothing but the truth.
Avalon and Magnus clenched their fists hard and didn't say anything again. They couldn't.
Atticus, who saw this, smiled and said, "It'll be fine. I'll be right outside. If I'm in trouble, you can come get me."
He had said it with a smile. And though the words were spoken, none of the paragons could ever imagine this monster ever being in trouble. If anything, they worried for his opponents instead.
Avalon and Magnus slowly released their grips before nodding seriously.
Seeing this, Atticus turned his gaze to the skies once more.
His mind worked.
'What do you think?"
Ozeroth's voice came the next instant, filled with excitement. "Yes! This is how it should be! The whole domain will watch our battle and revere our might. Any other addition is an extra!"
Atticus shook his head. What had he been expecting?
Only minutes remained until the collapse of the shield, and he had decided to leave. To him, it was the best choice.
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