Chapter 28: Vol.1 Part. 28: The Gazer.

It would not be long before the monsters reached Athylia and shook the very foundations of the kingdom. Elves and demi-humans have been asked to assist in breaking a potential Bright Eyes siege in the sky. The upcoming threat was first announced yesterday. But it didn't change the situation of the people in the slightest.

Luna had asked around regularly. The people of this kingdom are not troubled. No one seemed to have the slightest doubt that the wall and the soldiers stationed on it could repel the enemy. Everyone went about their business as if nothing were happening.

Evacuation plans were announced in case of an emergency. Ships in the harbor are supposed to carry the citizens to the west. A river cuts through the land beyond the world. However, even that wasn't as simple as it secretly seemed. Bodies of water have always harbored dangers. She trusted the locals enough that they could safely navigate the waters. But she still felt uncomfortable at the thought.

It was already dark, and the moon pushed out the sun. A lonely and quiet night would soon fall. Citizens still went about their business. The clanging of hammers on iron sounded late in the evening. Soaked in sweat and ashes, men and women filled wagons with armor and weapons.

On the way to the gate, the air grew thicker and thicker. Knights hung their heads due to an almost suffocating mood that weighed heavily on their shoulders. They strolled towards the castle like half-dead people. Air was soaked with nervousness, and fear was spread by mages and knights like a virus, spreading through the walls like a plague.

Were the higher ranks hiding something that the common folk shouldn't know? A secret that could spread unrest and chaos?

She shook her head. She was glad Kanah's stubbornness didn't eat away at the other senior officers or was common in their ranks. Her pride and faith clouded her judgment and distorted her perception of danger. Luna had given up arguing with her. Her words and warnings were met with only denial and shame.

Hopefully, everything will go according to plan. Monsters would bounce off the city walls. Magic and arrow fire would push them back.

Luna had to admit. The wall indeed radiated a divine, almost omnipotent power. Even if Athylia were under siege for several days, the wall should withstand it without a problem. With the arrival of the demi-humans and elves from the west, the Beholder would be sent back to Hell with their combined forces.

She was a bit surprised that what she considered a proud kingdom requested help, but in the end, it proved how wrong her perception of the people of Athylia was. She did not doubt that Sighsten could stand by his word.

She sighed and looked up at the clear evening sky. The red light eased her worries every day.

She had used the last few days entirely for Jannet's training. Unfortunately, even through sweat and tears, her progress was still unsuccessful. But it was necessary to stay brave and positive during this dark time.

Although Jannet could now circulate her mana like blood in her body, she was still far away from the perfection needed to cast spells. It was an improvement, considering that she used to squeeze the mana out of her body. Also, the gauge absorbed the mana rather than forcing it into the device under pressure. That made the process much easier.

There was still something missing. Hopefully, she will be able to cast spells soon and not have to wait for an impulse to open her mental barricade. It would still take some time, but with enough time and hard work, she would eventually be able to use magic as she pleases. And who knows how far she would make it in the future. Maybe she would even revolutionize the field.

She cast a sidelong glance. Jannet was leisurely eating a green apple. Her happy eyes wandered through the streets, lit up by the sunset that slightly reached over the wall.

"Don't you think it's much too quiet?" Jannet suddenly asked. "They know monsters are on their way, yet they walk the streets without a guilty conscience."

"It's odd, but isn't it fascinating at the same time?"

Jannet seemed to think for a moment, tilting her head as if not understanding what Luna meant.

"Isn't it unique that you can be yourself under such conditions? They go about their activities and even help the refugees who have come here seeking protection. Whether it is their pride that forbids them to run away or the knowledge that nothing can happen to them behind the walls. As long as the wall stands as a symbol, nothing can shake their faith," Luna replied.

"It just never ceases to amaze me how friendly the citizens of this town are." They rounded the alley and finally found themselves on the main street. The Great Gate in the distance was about to open, and Luna watched the refugees arriving. The citizens they passed had smiles on their faces and greeted them.

The main street was now crowded. More and more citizens reached the city from the south. Scattered, they heard tales of a shining moon in the daytime. Luna knew it had to be the Beholder.

"They are all afraid, but the feeling of security given to them behind the walls makes all worries disappear."

The creaking of the gate made the windows shake. Slowly, Luna could make out the most diverse people streaming into the city in the distance. Tired horses and donkeys were hauling loads too heavy for one's shoulders. Livestock animals were leashed. It was a spectacle indeed.

Citizens rushed to the gate and distributed blankets, drinks, and food to the exhausted farmers and ranchers. They all sought ways to refresh their weary limbs. After a short time, all the chairs and benches were occupied, and the rest had to squat on the floor.

It was harmonious when the citizens stuck together despite the conflict.

"It's beautiful how citizens can stick together and encourage one another in times of fear," Jannet said.

"You're probably right. Would our old world have been able to hold together like this? However, I wonder when the horn will be blown."

"Hopefully not too soon. People are enjoying new company right now. It must be a blessing for them to finally be under the protection of the Kingdom."

"Right, you're the best example," Luna said, grinning. "You settled in at home in no time."

"Hey," Jannet called, slapping Luna on the shoulder. "Everyone needs a break, even a noble knight like you."

Luna shrugged.

"What will we do once the fight is over?"

"Don't you like it here?" Luna asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, the city is idyllic, and no matter where you go, the citizens greet you with a warm smile," answered Jannet with a sad expression.

"But you miss your home, I guess?"

Jannet just nodded, and Luna rubbed her back.

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"I've already thought about that. First and foremost, we complete your magic training. Only then does it make sense to travel the world in search of Dimension Magic knowledge."

Jannet was about to open her mouth when suddenly the silence was interrupted by a strong gust that almost lifted Jannet off her feet. The air smelled rotten, bringing a sense of death.

Jannet held on to Luna and shook her body, which gave her goosebumps. "It's close, isn't it?" she asked.

Luna nodded cautiously. "The mana storms should slowly increase as the threat draws nearer."

"I don't want this peaceful place to be destroyed," Jannet said sheepishly with a complicated expression.

"That's something neither you nor I can decide."

"But isn't it our fault that these monsters saw the light of day? What if it was ripped into this world by us?"

"Of course not." Even if they were the cause, she would never tell Jannet. "If so, it's my fault. I can't remember that day anymore, but it was me who tore us into another world. It's not your fault," Luna tried to reassure her.

 

Jannet had insisted on helping the citizens in need. Now they carried aid packages to the gate, passing dozens of citizens who had fled the south.

More and more knights hurriedly crossed their paths as they almost ran towards the gate in panic. The threat was extremely close, and Luna was aware of it. The silver armor shines in the moonlight. The red light from torches decorating the pathways illuminated the celestial blue cloak each soldier wore.

She suddenly remembered something. "Did you know that the blue cloak has an important meaning for Athylia?" she asked all of a sudden, to which Jannet shook her head.

"The blue represents the sky from which the city was lowered. It stands for hope, and everyone standing under it should feel connected. Not only in the past but also in the future, the blue sky will connect everyone."

"That's kinda nice," Jannet replied.

Meanwhile, the last of the refugees came through the city gate. Luna and Jannet distributed food, drinks, and blankets for the cold season. After several hours, Jannet's curiosity took over. They distributed all the aid packages. Jannet pulled Luna towards the seated people.

They spoke of a great eye in the sky that was heading for their villages. Monsters that trampled fields and meadows

A song sounded outside the heavy gates with the rising of the moons. The soldiers' heavy mood and worry seemed to dissipate as even the tense knights managed to smile. Soon, the great eye would stand like a fourth moon in the sky, illuminating the night with an eerie light.

The flames of the torches danced to the rhythm of the melody. Jannet sat down on one of the free stools and listened to the stories of the past. One could almost forget that this was the silence before the fight. Old heroes danced through the city through melodies, and people danced through the streets.

The heroes dancing through the air came to a halt and flew away in the wind. Silence settled over them as white light flooded the city. It fell in the darkened city, brighter than any moon in the sky, and twinkled like stars only a short time ago. A distant eye looked down upon Luna and her company like an almighty god.

Luna got up. She watched as Jannet was already getting goosebumps from the constant mana winds and ever-increasing pressure. "Jannet, maybe we should call it a day," she said in a worried voice.

"It's probably for the best," she replied with a trembling voice. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead and ran down her chin.

"It was a lot of fun with you guys, but we apologize for today. My friend is very sensitive to mana waves."

After bowing politely, they rushed towards the palace, which, like the port, was given as the evacuation point. Luna looked back. Already, the eye is larger than the moon. It stood at the gates like a nightmare. Crowds of panicked people thronged the streets. Distant explosions shattered the silence behind them. The air crackled. Countless lightning bolts on the wall illuminated the night.

Boom

Dozens of explosions shook the city. Luna turned around. Events had widened her eyes.

Another tremor made the earth scream. Cracking and creaking sounded in the distance. Bright colors shone from inside the masonry. The cracks widened each time. Dust and debris trickled down the masonry. What was going on there?

Everything was bathed in white as a whirring pierced the night, charging like a cannon. She knew what was about to happen. Luna jerked Jannet behind a house wall. The buzzing reached its peak. The world screamed under the concentrated pressure as the wall gate was shot into the city. A magic wave crashed into the city, knocking them off their feet.

A thousand fragments rained down on the city under a blinding white light. The impact of the fragments on the streets veiled the screams coming from every corner. The wall runes glowed red under the weight of the red light.

Luna and Jannet were thrown to the ground. The clothes protected her from the fall. Stones fell next to them, tearing open the road and buildings. As quickly as it had come, the night fell silent again. Only screams of sadness remained. She peeked around the corner, her eyes lighting up purple.

The former gate had collapsed. An eye in the sky hovered through the opening and was said to bring death. Her worst fear had come true. She pulled Jannet to her feet. The face was filled with pain and narrowed eyes.

"We have to leave immediately!" she yelled.

Without even waiting for an answer, she pulled Jannet towards the harbor. Large fragments of masonry blocked the streets.

People sat in the streets with stony expressions. Their faces were pale with shock as if the soul had left the body. Faith was shattered as the monster crept into the city.