User blog:Pollux83/Beyond Light and Darkness, Chapter 22

Do you remember that I wanted to rework my story? I did this here and now Wolfgang is also involved in the adventures.

Chapter Overview

Violence against Mamono warning.

22 Duty



The Order was really excited by the first test results. They were also aware that we needed more energy. So they tried to hit two birds with one stone. After 2 months of vacation I should go to the West Front. I was strictly against it, but was not in the position to refuse the order. So I had to go to the front with the crystals.



Officially, the journey served the exploration of several holy places along the route. Unofficially I should test the crystal at the front. But I made it clear to the Order that I would not fight at the front. They took note of it.





As always, my children would not let me go. Their daddy was far too rarely home. I hated it to see my family so rarely. After 1 or 2 hours the two let me go, and I could leave. Together with some of my employees, I went to the West Front. The Order had just "liberated" a neighboring kingdom, and secured the frontiers now. Such an action almost always led to a counter-reaction of the Mamono. In some cases, the region was then embattled for decades. So we traveled in the middle of a war zone.





The convoy began its journey. I, 7 employees of the Order and a dozen soldiers as escort. And Wolfgang. We both just sat in the back of one of the wagons. "Wolfgang, what are you doing here?" "Take care of you, of course." "You want to take care of me?" Wolfgang was not quite so young anymore. "Yes. Someone has to do it." "Did Lara ask you?" "No. It was Kai." "That would have been my 2nd assumption. How do you know each other?" "The lad is pretty curious. At some point, we both came into conversation. That was when we were working in the laboratory in Niskara." "That's quite a long time ago." "Almost 10 years."



"Have your hair already been so white back then?" "Watch your tongue! This is your fault. Without you, I would have spent my life in the library completely relaxed." "Before that, you'd be bored to death." "Still cheeky. The profession as a librarian is connected with a lot of responsibility." "You should make a stocktaking again. Some books are not where they should be." "Except you no one reads them." I had to laugh. The old man was absolutely right. "You're probably right."



"Well at least someone reads them. Most books just stand around and gather dust. The few scholars who come to Niskara every year do not change much. " "You really have very valuable books." "Yes. Most valuable to me is a 2000-year-old recipe for cakes." I had to laugh again. "Stop making me laugh. Of all books do you choose a cookbook?" "Of course! I'll show you if you want."



<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">"Oh, Wolfgang. Good thing you're there." "I can not leave you alone with the people of the Order. They're all so ... fanatical." "Be careful that the Order does not hear this." "That is an open secret, anyway. Niskara is not neutral for no reason." "Not as neutral as you think." "Our small country is threatened to be crushed between two giants. So you have to come up with something to survive." "Whether we really do the right thing?" "You're asking me this for the fifth time. My answer remains the same: Hopefully. None of us is innocent anymore. Not since we work for the Order. I stayed at that time. I saw the Mamono that the Order had captured. I was then on the verge of just quit." "Why did you stay?"

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">He looked at me. "Because of you. Because of your crazy idea to save the world. You know, being a magician is really great at first, but when the years go by and you have not achieved anything, you're kind of disappointed. Do not get me wrong. I have a wonderful family and am proud of my children and to levitate objects through the air is really handy, but it's nothing to be remembered in 100 years." "I understand you. Many people have the desire to experience a real adventure and to achieve something earth-shattering. The irony is that the real treasures are at home." "You rarely see your family." "Too rarely. Traveling across the continent takes months. And only if you hurry. You do realize that this journey will take at least half a year?" "I know that. I'm not getting any younger and have not seen much of the world. I'll make up for that." "We're going to the West Front in the middle of a war zone." I was not sure if he really knew what he was doing.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">"First, it is the Southwest Front. This means it is nice and warm. This will be good for my bones. Second, you take care of me. So nothing will happen to me." "Wait, did not you want taking care of me?" "I'll do it. We're looking at each other." "Wolfgang, really? I should throw you out of the wagon for your own good." "And why do you not do it?" "Because your magic is really handy when we get stuck in the mud." We both laughed. "That was good. Mareus, you're great."

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">"I'll take care that this is not your last adventure." "Thank you. When the children are out of the house, then it is somehow too quiet. But no matter what happens, I am already looking forward to see my wife and the children again. I've heard a short separation revives the marriage life." "You can keep your marriage life for yourself Wolfgang." He was outraged. "The Mamono would not say that." I remained silent.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">"Did I say something wrong?" "No. But we go into a war zone. The Mamono there are dangerous." "I'm sorry. I sometimes forget that you are a soldier." "I'm not going to fight, but you can never know. I was already attacked earlier and had to defend myself. Can we talk about something else?" "Of course. What would you like to talk about?" ...

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">The convoy traveled without major problems through the continent heading south-west. Wolfgang even had to use his magic two times to lift a wagon. In a semidesert we discovered a ruined city and made a rest. Wolfgang was sitting in the shadow of a wall. "Uhhhh that's hot." "I thought you like warmth Wolfgang?" "Warmth, but not that heat." "Here, drink some water." I gave him a water bottle. "Thank you."

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">I looked around. "Who has lived here before?" "Ask an archaeologist. In some of the books in the library are names for months and years of which I have never heard of. It must have been long before the time of the Order." I touched one of the still standing walls. "How long ago was that? The Order is over 1000 years old." "Only 1000 years?" "It is difficult to get older books. Older records of the history seem to have been lost." "And that in the Order? I'm disappointed. They always request to confirm everything in writing and in triplicate." "I'm also surprised. Yes, there have always been devastating wars against the demons and monsters, but that always affected only a part of the continent. It can not be that everything is lost." "Not everything. A part is in our library." Wolfgang grinned. "Yes, but those are only individual books. Like these ruins are relics from the past. A forgotten past." I still touched the wall, but it gave me no answers.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">"Mareus, do you think there is more behind it?" "I dont know. History should teach us and help us create a better future. We should learn from the mistakes of the past, but instead we forget them. Like this city. Only legends remain of the past. Even the history of Niskara is not complete. Sometimes pages are missing in the books." "What? That can not be." "Calm down Wolfgang. That was long before your time. Censorship exists not only in the Order. If a writer has thought the text is heresy, then he simply left it out. And now a page in the book is missing." "Such people really make me angry. A librarian has the sacred duty of preserving the books of a library and the knowledge in them." I had to grin. "Why are you grinning like that? I'm serious." "I know. I'm just imagining you in a white paladin armor with some books in your arms." "Then your laughter would pass stop very fast." "Paladin Wolfgang. Protector of books and preserver of knowledge." "Very funny. But I like the title somehow." "I'll give it to you."

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">"If there were more people like you, then we would surely still know who lived here." I looked back at the ruins. "I think you are right. Someone must actively let the old knowledge disappear." "Do you really think so?" "No librarian with honor would destroy his books voluntarily. Even if you add fires and wars, there is a library in practically every major city. So much knowledge can not be lost." "And who then tries to conceal the history?" "I do not have the slightest idea. The world is great and full of evil. I'm too old to solve this riddle." "Shall I do it for you?" "You first should save the world. After that you solve the really mysteries." "Wolfgang, you're great."

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">We left the ruins. No one had lived there for a long time. We had not found any energy or answers, just more questions. After many months of travel we reached the frontline. On the way we had already explored several places and could collect energy in 4 places. The crystal was brighter than ever.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">That was the situation. The hostilities between humans and Mamono continued. For over a year, both sides fought for supremacy. Little by little, the Order was able to secure more territories, but the Mamono combat groups were small and could always bypass the defenses. So we were in the middle of the war.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Our squad served as support for the fighting troops and was stationed somewhat off the border. "So that's war." Wolfgang looked over at the medical tents. "Wolfgang, you are not a soldier. You should not be here." "I am a magician and trained in combat." "Wolfgang, you could not even defeat a child." "You underestimate me. I've once been the sixth in a magical competition." "Sixth?" "Hey. My competition was good." "And when was that?" "Earlier." "Wolfgang, just leave the fighting to the soldiers. Then we'll both go home safely." "I did not want to fight anyway."

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">For two weeks we took care of the wounded soldiers. Then a messenger arrived with a report from the front. A larger group of monsters had broken the outer line of defense and came straight to our position. I had to talk to the officer in charge of the camp immediately.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">In the commando tent of the camp. "Mareus. Good that you're here." "Robert, is the situation really as bad as I suppose?" "Worse. The monsters broke our line of defense and moving towards our position." He was nervous. "What about reinforcement?" "Our troops must regroup first. This takes at least 2 days and again 3 until they are here." "How long until the monsters reach us?" "Probably in 3 days. Maybe 2." "How many enemies?" "Unknown. The attack took place at night. He estimates the number to be 100 to 300." "Then hopefully not more than 200 are on the way." "Even that we could not stop." "How many soldiers do we have?" "If we also arm the slightly-injured we have 53. Including me." "That is not much." "I was thinking the same thing. That's why I wanted to talk to you. Your mission has top priority. We have enough horses to evacuate you and your staff." "The camp would be overrun." "This is what I am aware of, but order is order. It's up to you."

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">"No. I can not allow that." "The alternative would mean fighting. Without knowing if we can win." "I know that. But I can not abandon these men to their fate." "Very noble. It is your decision. If you change your minds, you should do it quickly. I would understand." "I wont." "I just wanted to say it. If you stay here, we should make a defense strategy as fast as possible." "Has that some time? I need to think about it. I would also like to explain the situation to my employees." "There's no hurry. Take the time. Just look for me as soon as you're ready." "Thank you."

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">I went out to my employees and explained them the situation. A few wanted to flee, but the majority agreed with me. Unfortunately none of them knew about military strategy. Together with Robert and a few other soldiers, we planned our defense. The terrain was conceivable unsuitable for this. Open grassland, with isolated trees and hills.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">We could only dig a trench. We poured the earth behind it to a wall. It was not much, but it had to be enough. Since we only had 3 spades, we dug with everything we had. Anyone who could help helped. Our scouts, however, scouted the terrain. They soon found something. About 100 monsters moved toward us. We were inferior 1: 2, but none of the soldiers seemed to lose the courage. Their faith strengthened their fighting spirit.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">We entrenched ourselves and waited for the attack. The soldiers were standing on the wall. Even a human could easily climb it, but it slowed down the monsters at least a little bit. After that, everyone should retreat to the tents. We had put them closely together to make ambushes possible. In the middle lay the injured. Wolfgang and the others should take care of them if one of the monsters should make it there. It was almost noon, when they emerged on the horizon. Their scouts had also found us. It is interesting how close 2 armies can be without fighting. From our wall we could observe them very closely.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Their army consisted of minotaurs, harpies, orcs, werewolves, and several other monsters. I could also see 3 succubi, who obviously led the army. They did not even try to flank us and simply attacked us head-on. This was typical for monsters. Who needs strategy and tactics if you can also defeat your opponent with brute force? This foolishness was exploited by the Order as well as us.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">I jumped from the rampart and stood in their way. The monsters immediately reacted to my provocation. Around 2 dozen of them came to me. I made myself ready for battle. The four crystals on my girdle glowed. There mana flowed through me. I could just control the power of 4 crystals. My target was the attacking monsters right in front of me. The air around me began to flicker as I turned it into fire. Like water, the fire flowed across the field and burned everything in its way.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">I deactivated one of the crystals and looked around. I had caught almost 20 monsters. The rest surrounded me and tried to climb the rampart. The soldiers and archers tried to prevent this as good as possible. My attention drawn to the 3 Succubi. They watched the battle from a safe distance, they thought at least. I activated the fourth crystal again and aimed. If I concentrated enough, my lightnings found their target by themselves. The lightning beam shot across the entire battlefield and hit its target perfectly. She was instantly dead.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">The other two Succubi were frightened. They could barely react, until I had already fired another lightning. The last one created a barrier, but that was pointless. Just like through her body, the lightning beam burned a hole into her barrier.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">The leaders were eliminated. The next target was the special forces. I selective targeted Arachnae and Harpies. One of the harpies tried to attack me directly. Even before she came near me, she was slashed by some of my airblades. Several monsters had now overcome the wall. You could hear the fighting sounds from the camp. I looked at the monsters who were still in front of the wall. Who wanted to flee was my first target. The rest attacked me.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">After 20 minutes the fight was over. There were dead monsters everywhere, my lightnings had burned through there bodys. Around me only charred bodies. None of them had come closer to me than two feet alive. It stank terribly like burned flesh. I hated this smell and I hated it to have to kill. With my 4 crystals, I even surpassed the power of an elementalist. They had not had the slightest chance. Everything around me just died. So many dead. This war was so pointless.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">In the camp the situation was not any better. The monsters had raged a lot. Many tents were destroyed. Everywhere laid the dead monsters. It was not a pretty sight. We treated the injured. Especially the werewolf bites had to be treated quickly, before the infection spread further. It seems almost a miracle, but we managed to purify all in time with the crystal, even if the light weakened visibly afterwards.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">We had no losses. This was due to these strange weapons the monsters used. A few days of rest and a short treatment with the white crystal were enough. However, the bone fractures took a little longer to heal.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">After the fight I met Wolfgang in the camp. "Mareus, are you all right?" "I'm fine Wolfgang. And you?" "A Minotaur had made it to the tent, but I carried her out." "Then all are fine?" "Yes. Everyone is doing well. But you do not look like that, though." "It is nothing. I just need a break." "Mareus ..." "Please. Let's talk about it tomorrow." It had been an exhausting day. I just wanted to sleep.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Wolfgang let me go, but he felt something was wrong. He went through the camp. The soldiers had begun to clean up. The trench became a grave. Then Wolfgang looked at the battlefield. "Mareus?"

<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">He could hardly believe what he saw.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">A soldier came to him on the rampart. "What happened here? And I thought the camp looked bad." "Mareus has fought here." "All alone?" "Yes." "That's crazy. I thought he was one of the scientists?" "He is." "What? What kind of scientist can stop an army of monsters all alone?" "He can do it. He did it at least."

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Wolfgang went down and stood on the unburned stain of grass. "Did you stand here?"

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Our victory had aftereffects. The Order was able to regroup and successfully pushed back the monsters. The lines of the monsters collapsed one after another so that the country was almost completely under the control of the Order after another 3 weeks. It was done, we had conquered a country which humans and Mamono had lived (relatively) peacefully together and now it was free of monsters. If that was not a reason to celebrate. I think is not necessary to ask, why I could not be happy about it.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">By the soldiers who had fought with me against the monsters, I was celebrated as a hero. I left them the fun and celebrated with them, so I could relax for a few hours. And they were not totally wrong. Without me and my magic the battle would have been different. The country may be a demon realm. In any case, the war would continue. It is amazing how a single won battle can make a difference. The only ones who had really lost this war were the inhabitants of the country itself. On the way we had passed more than one destroyed village. The small kingdom had no chance and wad crushed between 2 extremists.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">The duty at the front was over. I could go back to my work. On the way back, there were other potential sources of holy energy to explore and so we traveled through many countries on the continent. Foreign people, foreign cultures and foreign languages I did not understand. Since Kai had not come with me, I bought souvenirs everywhere. I was sure he would like them.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">We examined the places one by one, and from time to time we were able to collect some energy. Even if the white crystal barely grew, its light shone brighter than ever. It was time to return home. Wolfgang had also done well on the trip. The old man had survived his adventure. Mine went on.

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<p align="left" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">In Tegras everything was as usual. The Order had done nothing stupid during my absence. I was relieved. At home my family was already waiting for me. I had been away for half a year and had much to catch up.