Free and Unfettered 108 If Not You, Then Who?

In the previous bustling atmosphere, the sounds of the alarm every citizen knew by heart blared loud in the air for a single minute, loud and clear. The silence in the wake of the alarm was filled with terror and violence.

The minute the alarm sounded, all teleportation spells in Cosmos City were replaced with a different one, which would hold everyone in different safe places in the underside of Cosmos City. This was to ensure that the citizens were not all held in a single place.

There was no doubt that there would be infiltrators and spies, and Nine was not willing to risk an entire populace because they could not be bothered with setting different locations. Though tedious and expansive, Nine, her students, and every mage from the Mage Tower had helped out.

There was never a moment where they had been more thankful that the Royal family was on the throne than this moment.

The sounds of roaring would have terrified anyone, let alone the sounds of these undead corpses. Because of the various decaying states of the bodies, the sounds that left the undead's mouths were something out of a horror novel or film.

No one would be able to forget these chilling sounds that echoed in the distance. But more than the sounds, what hit them first was the overpowering stench that the unending army gave off.

The wind carried the stench down the streets of Cosmos City, causing everyone to stop by in their tracks as their looked around. When they exchanged glances with the other people near them, they all realized that something was deeply wrong.

"Go to the underside!" someone yelled, and this broke the horrified stillness that had clutched everyone in its cold, unfeeling grasp.

At once, there were waves of actions as people orderly lined up, using the nearest teleportation spells that had been hidden in the city. Each resident of Cosmos City grabbed another that was not a citizen.

As calm as possible, they placated the other terrified visitors, but herded them together all the same. Though these people did not know what was happening, the calm demeanours of these Cosmos City citizens calmed them slightly, allowing them to make more rational decisions than they should have in blind panic.

Within five minutes, the city's guards were out in full force, organizing and placating the populace, making sure that no one was harmed in the initial chaos.

Nine and her students were immediately out in full force once the alarm sounded. They each headed to different locations. They were all in flexible roles that would allow them to both defend and attack.

Nine was calmer than she thought she would be. Though they had all split up, she trusted in their strength as well as their skill. Even if they were heavily outnumbered, she trusted that they could at least keep themselves safe until someone could go to their aid. It wasn't until now that Nine realized just how much she trusted everyone. They had done their best in their planning, but even the best plans never came out intact upon enemy contact.

Nine's magic spread out from her in rippling waves, searching. Every single nook and cranny of Cosmos City, both upside and underside, were extensively searched. Nine left no stone unturned.

Nine's magic carried a faint undertone of pure water elements, and as people felt it was over their skin, all they felt was their more chaotic emotions calming down, giving them a semblance of peace in this unknown danger.

One by one, there was a collective sigh from almost everyone as Nine's magic crooned and slid over them. The blessing from the High Water Elemental caused Nine's magic to carry a distinct quality that no one else would be able to replicate.

Everyone, from the Emperor, down to the lowliest citizen, felt an unknown peace surging up in their hearts. Their spirits remained high in this time, almost as if the earlier tensions that had been spread in the previous few months were a lie.

Avner, Emperor Destan, looked in the distance where the magic emanated from. Though he could do this himself, the scale was not as large, but he kept this to himself, and rightfully so. He could already feel the upcoming training his daughter would put him through should she feel that he was lacking in any way. Just the thought of it almost made him tear up.

Bringing his magic to the surface, Avner let his magic spread out as well, his magic impacting Nine's. The moment the two different magics, but still so similar, met, one could almost hear the soothing tune in the air change in quality, multiplying and rippling.

Bells tinkling, chimes in the wind. The sounds akin to an ocean filled the air, helping them forget about the earlier horrors they had witnessed.

Similar to his father and brother, in a different location, Deltan too spread out his magic. As the three Royal's magic synchronised and echoed each other, the Cosmos City's citizens rejoiced.

"It's the Royal Family! Long live the Royal Family!"

This cry was echoed by others around, and they felt proud to belong to Cosmos City.

As this magic placated them, no less than fifty spies and traitors who had been trying to send out a magic signal or communicate with the enemy were burned to ashes. Though water was kind and forgiving, it was also a force that purified.

Those who were steeped in darkness elements were instantly set aflame as they burned. Though Nine did not think that they deserved to die so quickly and easily, she still did it, because she would not compromise the safety of innocents. She would not allow any of them to slip through the tracks and compromise those who resided in her city.

Not only that, there were children and those who were yet untouched by the world who would be around these darkness plagued beings. She would not subject them to watch as someone died torturously in front of them. Not if she could help it.

Before anyone could even comprehend what was happening, the traitors and spies disappeared as if they had never existed in the first place. Even the ash that they left behind crumbled, leaving behind nothing.

Perhaps, this was a fitting punishment for them. They, who tried to establish their name for power by sacrificing millions of innocents did not deserve to have anyone remember who they were.

"Hear me, you of Cosmos City," Nine began. Her voice was unhurried and calm. Just the sound of it alone sent many into a trance as they calmed down even more than the magic washing over them had done. Just listening to this voice, they felt like they would charge to their deaths if it was so commanded.

"Disaster befalls us, but do not fear. With time, even the hardest stone will grind down as long as water drips persistently. All who can help are to do so! If not you, then who? Your life is in your hands. You cannot stay safe forever. Help us! Help yourself. Look at those around you. Look at your family and friends. If you do nothing, they will be no more," Nine said powerfully.

The Cosmians could almost feel the imposing figure the voice cut, their eyes cutting deeply, straight into their soul. Those who had been thinking of leaving it to everyone else straightened their back, feeling an unknown pride take part deep in their soul. That's right. If not them, then who?

"Protect," Nine said, stopping the surge of magic.

With that last word left for those who were gathered, everyone felt motivated and determined.

This was the start of the rise of Cosmos City's Crown Prince. Nine Destan.

Chapter end