Idle Mage: Humanity's Strongest Backer
chapter-404

Back at the barracks, West Two found Alice amidst the bustling activity of the command center. He approached her, his expression calm but determined. Alice looked up from her work, acknowledging his presence with a nod of recognition.

"West Two, you're back," she said, a note of relief in her voice. "How did it go? Did you find any answers within the Celestial Vault?"

West Two nodded, his eyes focused and resolute. "I managed to seal the sentient entity within the vault. For now, it won't pose an immediate threat to humanity. But we can't afford to be complacent. The Abyss, as I've come to call it, is still a great unknown. We must remain vigilant."

Alice sighed, a mix of gratitude and concern evident in her voice. "Thank you, West Two. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. We owe you a debt of gratitude for your bravery and selflessness."

West Two shrugged dismissively, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "It was something I should do, regardless. We're in this together, after all. But I must emphasize that the sealing is only a temporary solution. The Abyss is a force that we barely comprehend, and it will likely seek a way to break free again."

Alice nodded solemnly, fully aware of the magnitude of the situation. "You're right. We can't let our guard down. We'll need to remain vigilant and continue our efforts to understand and contain this threat. We have to find a permanent solution."

West Two's gaze met Alice's, their eyes reflecting shared determination. "Agreed. We need to gather more information, explore every avenue, and be prepared for any possible developments. The Abyss is a formidable adversary, but together, we can face it head-on."

With a nod of understanding, Alice extended her hand toward West Two. He clasped it firmly, their bond as allies and protectors of humanity growing stronger at that moment.

"Thank you, West Two," Alice said again, her voice filled with gratitude and resolve. "Your courage and expertise have proven invaluable. We'll continue to rely on you as we navigate this treacherous path."

West Two gave a small nod, his eyes reflecting a quiet determination. "I won't let you down. We will find a way to protect humanity from the darkness that lurks within the Abyss. Count on it."

As they released their handshake, their focus returned to the task at hand. The knowledge that the Abyss remained a formidable threat loomed over them, but they were determined to face it with unwavering resolve. Together, they would stand against the encroaching darkness, united in their mission to safeguard humanity from the horrors that awaited in the depths of the unknown.

As the weight of their recent encounter settled upon them, West Two turned to Alice with a furrowed brow. "What's our next move, Alice? The Abyss may be sealed for now, but we still have the corrupted Celestial Council Members to contend with. They're a danger to both our forces and humanity as a whole."

Alice's expression grew determined, her eyes shining with a fierce resolve. "You're right, West Two. The corrupted Council Members are a threat that cannot be ignored. They have been driven to madness by the darkness they encountered within the Celestial Vault. Their actions pose a risk to both our forces and the innocent lives they come across."

She continued, her voice resolute. "We cannot allow them to continue wandering unchecked, wreaking havoc and causing casualties. Our mission now is to hunt them down and put an end to their existence. It's not a task I take lightly, but it's a necessary step to protect our own forces and the future of humanity."

West Two nodded in agreement, fully understanding the gravity of their mission. "I'm with you, Alice. We must bring them to justice, or if necessary, end their lives to prevent further harm. These corrupted Council Members have lost their sanity and their ability to lead. It's our duty to ensure the safety of our forces and humanity."

Alice's gaze hardened, her voice steady. "We'll gather intelligence and form specialized teams for this operation. Our priority is to track them down and neutralize them swiftly and decisively. We must be prepared for their cunning and the powers they may have gained from the Abyss."

With a determined nod, West Two spoke, "I'll utilize my abilities to blend in and infiltrate their ranks, gathering any information that may aid us in our mission. We need to act swiftly and decisively, ensuring that their threat is neutralized."

Alice's eyes met West Two's, gratitude and determination evident in her gaze. "Your assistance and unique skills will be crucial, West Two. Together, we will bring an end to this threat and restore order among the Celestials."

As they prepared to embark on this perilous mission, their resolve hardened. The corrupted Council Members would face justice for their actions, their madness brought to an end. United in their purpose, Alice and West Two vowed to protect their forces and humanity, even if it meant confronting the darkest depths of the corrupted Celestial Council.

As Alice and West Two settled in a small makeshift command center, their minds focused on formulating a plan to hunt down the corrupted councilmen, the ground beneath them began to shake violently. Startled, they exchanged bewildered glances, their thoughts abruptly interrupted by the alarming tremors.

The earth convulsed beneath their feet, causing the walls of the command center to tremble and groan. Maps and documents flew off the tables, chaotic echoes of the turmoil unfolding outside. Dust filled the air, swirling in disarray, as the tremors grew in intensity, threatening to throw them off balance.

Struggling to maintain their footing, Alice and West Two instinctively moved closer together, seeking support and stability in each other's presence. Their eyes widened in disbelief as the world around them seemed to shake itself apart, the very fabric of reality fraying at the edges.

Outside, the scene was one of pandemonium. Buildings swayed precariously, and their structural integrity was tested to the limit. The distant sounds of crumbling masonry and shattering glass mingled with terrified screams carried on the chaotic winds. It was as if the very land itself was rebelling, a chorus of tremors echoing through the air.

In the midst of this turmoil, Alice and West Two attempted to steady themselves, their thoughts racing to comprehend the cause of this sudden upheaval. Was it a natural disaster? Or was it something far more sinister, a manifestation of the impending darkness they had sensed earlier?

As Alice and West Two stepped outside the barracks, their eyes widened in horror at the cataclysm unfolding before them. The ground beneath their feet trembled violently, sending shockwaves of panic through their bodies. The sky, once a tranquil blue, was swallowed by an inky darkness that descended upon them with terrifying speed. It spread like a malignant stain, blotting out the light and casting an eerie pall over the land. The air grew heavy with an oppressive aura, suffocating and thick with foreboding.

From the direction of the Celestial Vault, an abhorrent surge of murky darkness erupted, billowing forth like a malevolent tsunami. It swallowed the horizon, devouring everything in its path. Buildings crumbled, trees were uprooted, and the air grew heavy with an unsettling presence.

A deafening roar filled the air, drowning out the screams of confusion and fear. The storm that had descended seemed to possess a malevolent sentience as if it were an entity born from nightmares. Its swirling vortex twisted and contorted, defying the laws of nature.

Alice and West Two were forced to brace themselves against the violent gusts of wind, their bodies buffeted by unseen forces. They clung to each other, their hearts pounding in their chests, as they watched the world they knew crumble around them. The ground shook with increasing ferocity, threatening to swallow them whole.

As the tempestuous storm engulfed them, its fierce winds and blinding darkness, Alice, West Two, and the entire assembly of humans and Celestials have swept away like insignificant leaves in a raging torrent. Unable to withstand its unrelenting force, they succumbed to unconsciousness, their senses numbed by the chaos that surrounded them.

The storm was so strong that nobody, not even West Two, was able to resist it...

When the tempestuous storm subsided, Alice, West Two, and the remnants of their comrades awakened to a scene that defied comprehension. They found themselves amidst the ruins of an ancient battlefield, its once-grand structures now reduced to crumbling remnants. The air hung heavy with an eerie stillness, broken only by the distant echoes of forgotten clashes.

Gazing upon the desolate landscape, their hearts sank with a mix of trepidation and curiosity. This world bore no resemblance to Paradiso or Inferno; it was a hauntingly different realm altogether. The scorched earth and shattered remnants of armor and weapons painted a grim picture of a forgotten conflict, long faded into the annals of time.

A sense of foreboding gripped them as they surveyed the surroundings, their eyes tracing the jagged outlines of broken fortifications and crumbling statues. The atmosphere was thick with the weight of ancient sorrow as if the very essence of the battlefield whispered its tragic tales to anyone who would listen.

"Where in the world are we?"