Atticus eyes narrowed as he fixed his gaze towards the crimson skies.
A barrage of attacks had just landed on the aegis shield, sending a wave of fear surging through the entire domain.
Atticus turned his gaze towards the people trembling below. The war had been ongoing for more than a month, but it was obvious the fear they each felt was only getting more intense.
'If that shield should fall, they're all dead.'
The Zorvans swarmed the domains from every direction. Atticus had no idea how the paragons were still holding the aegis shield, especially when the Zorvans had a weapon designed specifically to neutralize it.
Still, regardless of how they did it, he couldn't help but commend them. They had done a great job.
But now… "Now, you have to hold on a bit more."
If that shield were to fall while he was still in this weakened state, especially with Whisker nowhere to be found, only carnage would await the alliance.
'I have to recover. Fast.'
He turned to re enter his room, only to freeze at the sound of a familiar voice.
"Damn, you look like crap."
Atticus's gaze snapped to the side, and what he saw could only be described by a phrase often used to signify the impossible.
And yet, impossibility flapped its stubby wings right in front of him.
A pig like beast, with small white wings, desperately flapping to keep its bulky body airborne.
A flying pig… Atticus didn't think he'd live to see the day. Still, that wasn't where his attention went.
"Whisker," Atticus said, eyes turning cold.
The pig's mouth twisted in an unnatural way as it nodded furiously. "That's me! Aren't you going to invite me in?"
But Atticus wasn't interested in banter. His voice came out cold and cutting.
"Why did you disappear after I fainted?"
He hadn't expected Whisker to protect his family and loved ones, there was no obligation there. Still, their relationship was young, and Atticus was still unsure of how much trust to place in the strange being.
Whisker had helped him countless times before, yes. But if he could simply vanish while Atticus's people were in danger, maybe it was time to rethink things.
If Whisker wanted a transactional relationship, then that was exactly what he would get.
Suddenly, the pig like creature dropped from the sky, his tiny wings straining, face turning red as he tried to stay afloat.
"Ah, that," Whisker panted. "I had to go scare, you know? If my siblings find out I'm with you, they'll come down here personally."
Atticus's eyes narrowed. "So they're not here?"
Whisker nodded rapidly. "Exactly! Now can I come in? I'm dying here!"
Smoke began curling from his wings, the flapping becoming frantic and uneven.
Atticus's eyes remained unreadable as he stared. 'If that's true, it's a reasonable explanation.'
Trying to keep his siblings from joining the war was a smart move. And now, things made more sense, just why the alliance had been able to hold the lines for this long.
Only the Zorvan forces had attacked. The true monsters hadn't even entered the battlefield yet.
He stepped aside.
Whisker didn't hesitate. He dove straight onto the small patio, his wings giving out the moment he touched the ground.
"…Why are you a pig?"
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