Chapter 228: Blood, Order, and Chaos I

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[The events on the memory piece will now begin.]

…

The land of Gaia.

This is where Zeke landed into and, just like every other [Memory Piece], he was like an apparition. Watching everything unfold from a third person's point of view. Seeing every detail which even some characters of the story were not aware of.

Zeke was already used to the [Memory Pieces] beginning with something violent. Either with revolt or with war. With deaths and violence and the hues of red surrounding the area. Yet, what he witnessed at that moment was even worse.

One where corpses adorned the grounds. Flesh rotted at every corner and no form of life seemed to thrive except for those of the maggots, worms, flies and ants that feasted on top of these empty vessels. Their blood soaked the earth – with the trees sipping out of the nutrients they provide.

Then there were the loud cries of war resounding all around. There were beating drums and stomping of large animals. There were arrows slicing though the winds and blades clashing against one another. There were pleas for mercy while there were also wails of regret.

[The revolt on the Capital of Elysium]

[The Thousand Year War]

These [Memory Pieces] paled in comparison to that moment. Yet the gamer did not let this affect him. With [Gamer's Mind] always active, there was no emotion that Zeke felt. For he was only a spectator. No more. No less.

Hence, he focused intently on the corpses. Through these rotting vessels, Zeke observed that there were at least three factions present.

There were certain linings that went with the colors of the armor. White. Black. Red. The type of lining always went with the color of the armor. Adding to this was a certain distinction that the red armored soldiers had:

Among the three mentioned, only the red - armored soldiers were monsters.

The scene then shifted to a location which seemed to be owned by the red faction. There were barriers set up all around and, lookouts were also stationed. This seemed to be the base of operation because, a large number of faction members were running towards it.

"Fall back for now!" These words were commanded by a seven horned monster. She had a mage robe on and, had a striking similarity to humans. She had silver white hair which was ties to a braid and, eyes that seemed to be owned by a demon.

The gamer had no way of assessing her real strength but, with just the horns itself, he knew that she was trouble. Yet she was not the only one who had the said number of horns.

One more creature towering at an amazing eight feet in height entered the territory. The monster had blood stains all over his armor. Ones which weren't even that recognizable as the crimson color of the said gear seemed to absorb these.

The monster then removed its helmet as soon as it came close to the seven – horned female. And, unlike the aforementioned, the gigantic seven horned looked similar to a finely aged orc champion. From the blade which the creature held, Zeke knew that this being went into far more battle than he ever had.

"Where is the King Selena?" The creature asked, with a with a voice that sounded almost out of breath. The creature was panting heavily, suggesting how it must have been fighting for a long time and was only having its rest at the moment.

"Still recovering. The bout against both Monarchs of Order and Chaos has drained a lot from him." The female seven horned named Selena said in reply.

"Dammit!" The gigantic seven horned slammed his fist to the wall. This would have crumbled if not for Selena seemingly casting a spell on it.

"To think that they'd resort to such cowardly tactics when our king requested for a fair duel!" The creature continued.

"Calm down now Aeros. He's far from dead and you should know that better than anyone else in this army." Selena said in reply to the creature who suddenly touched one of his horns. One which Zeke realized was probably connected to the said king.

Their moment was cut short by the sound of the earth trembling. Yes. It was not only a sensation of their body but also something which was so intense that they even heard it. There was a rumbling that went closer and closer to where they were and, with this were the screams of the monsters that have not yet entered the safe zone. Getting killed by blasts of both light and dark color.

"They arrived earlier than I expected." Selena said as her eyes began to glow a dark red color.

With every blast that came, the gamer noticed a pained expression on her face. This made the gamer realize that, she was probably the one responsible for setting up and maintaining the barrier. And that, although it was strong, the spell was somewhat connected to her body.

"I need to head back out." Aeros was about to leave when a barrier came up in front of him. One which was set up by Selena whose arm extended out of her robe. Revealing bandages that covered it completely.

"Don't be a fool, you are not the only aide trusted by our lord."

"Am I really the bigger fool at this moment?" Aeros said in reply, looking at the arm of Selena which was quickly hidden by the female seven - horned.

"We have our orders. That's all I have to say to you Aeros." The two exchanged stares until the gigantic seven - horned finally sighed.

"Don't get yourself killed. He'd probably storm both armies by himself if you do." Aeros said as he finally proceeded within the camp.

"I know." Was all that Selena said as the battle continued. With the scene shifting once again and, this time, showing someone wearing black armor.

"Are you sure that he's hiding here?" The man said which Zeke assumed to be the general of the group.

The man stood firmly, with arms folded below his chest as his left pointing finger tapped on his elbow. This meant that he was running out of patience. One which Zeke did not understand why of course as he has just arrived at the scene.

Zeke didn't know whom this man was talking to. That is, until the general's shadow moved - with a person exiting it.

"Lord Paimon confirmed this using his Chaos Sight. Our Monarch is not so stupid as to mistake such vital information." The person said in a flat and distant tone.

"Bah! It's not my lord but yours. Do not lump me in together with your fanatic bunch." The general said in reply and, it was at this point that Zeke was starting to get a better understanding of the situation.

"I serve only lord Vask. And it is only under his orders that I have rallied my men here." The general furthered.

"But of course. And I assume you understand what would happen to your Lord should you fail to deliver on this mission." The informant said, with a fox - like slyness in his tone. One which Zeke almost mistook to be Glade's

"Tsk." Was the only sound that came out of the general's lips. Showing his obedience but hating every bit of it.

"Farewell general."

The general waited for a few seconds. He simply stood there with an ominous silence around him and, when he was sure that the informant has truly left, he continued:

"Lord Vask will deal with all of you soon. Just you wait."

Zeke was then transported to the other camp. This time it was the white clads. He was sent to the camp where dragons surrounded the area as they fired balls of white flames. Yet, unlike the first two scenery, what welcomed him there was not a general.

It was a Monarch.

[Name: Jurior Liberia]

[Category: Monarch]

[Information: ???]

It was the first time that Zeke encountered it. One where the [Analysis] suddenly activated and showed him the data although he was not really there. It didn't sit right with Zeke but he simply let the moment pass. Thinking that this event would probably help him in better understanding something which has not yet arrived at Mythos.

The female monarch had her eyes closed. She had a fair complexion which matched well with her aqua blue hair. This same being sat patiently on a makeshift throne as a soldier entered her room. One who kneeled immediately with the helmet being removed. Showing a female warrior who also seemed to be the general of the Monarch.

"The plan is moving as planned my liege. We are slowly advancing and those monsters have been forced back to their base. The only thing in our way is the barrier set up by the Immortal Witch. But even that could not last forever."

"Good. I do hate such underhanded methods as this but, those filthy Monarchs of Chaos were the ones to initiate it anyway." She said in reply.

"Yes my liege. We anticipate that the barrier would be shattered a few hours from now. After that, all the cursed lives of those monsters will be ended." The general said as Jean got up from her throne.

"But before that…we seem to have a peeping tom in this room." The goddess opened her eyes and, it was at this point that Zeke understood why he could see her stats.

It was because she could feel his presence. In fact, it was more like she could see him and this made Zeke's whole body freeze momentarily. Forcing the [Memory Piece] to end with the gamer waking up in cold sweat.