As soon as I willed the words, a literal black lance formed at the head of my spear. It was made of my flames and a large collection of my remaining Qi disappeared as it was all used to form the massive lance.

  It barely took a second to form and perhaps only a millisecond later it shot out at a rapid speed towards Frian.

  It was too close and too fast for him to dodge, and if nothing changed, he would receive a pretty serious injury.

  Of course, Elder Zal wouldn’t allow that, and the flying stick suddenly appeared between the lance and Frian and a small explosion ensued, with Firan taking the brunt of it.

  She wouldn’t allow him to die, but she wouldn’t stop injuries altogether.

  But I expected this, so I didn’t bother waiting for the result of that attack. Using the flame step I spun on my heels rapidly and drove the but of my spear into the chest of Lirian. He was sent flying off into distance with his brother.

  But I didn’t let my guard down just yet, the flying stick which didn’t even have a scratch from the collision with the black lance was rapidly approaching from the front. From there I engaged in a rapid back and forth battle with the flying stick.

  It was like I was fighting a sword…or perhaps a spear master of sorts. The weight behind each blow was enough to drive me backwards every time I blocked, and the precision and speed of the flying stick’s movements ensured that all I could do was dodge and block.

  There was literally no room for me to fight back without exposing myself to receiving a devasting blow. One that I knew for sure that Elder Zal and her flying stick would never miss.

  I was hoping to use that to my advantage.

  The stick flashed to my left and at this angle it would be far too late to bring my spear around in time to block it. I needed to jump backwards and reposition in time to block her follow up attack.

  I wouldn’t do that.

  Instead of jumping backwards I shifted to my right slightly just to give myself a bit more room to swing my spear.

  I would get hit, there was no doubt about that.

  But hopefully I could bring my spear up in time to crush the stick as it hit me once and for all.

  I failed.

  The stick crashed into me at a faster speed than I expected, and I was soon sent flying into the walls of the training room.

  And I would continue to fail at destroying the flying stick for the entire period of my seclusion.

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  Not once did I ever manage to break it.

  I was still doing my best to break it on what turned out to be my last day of training.

  The stick disappeared as I was about to deliver my most powerful strike towards it and Elder Zal’s voice resounded in the training room.

  “Stop.”

  The boys who were getting up from the blows I delivered to them, and myself, who was in mid swing all came to a halt after hearing the order to stop.

  “Come here. It is time.”

  “Time for the war Elder Zal?”

  “It appears so. Thousands of vessels are nearing this Planet. They will likely arrive in the coming days.”

  Thousands of vessels she says. Hm. The scope of this war really will be the entire Planet.

  “And Infernals Elder Zal? Are they here as well?”

  “A few are. More are in route. Though some are already on your Planet and waiting in your City. There are assigned to your command. Keep in mind, most of them are not apart of any Clan, they will aim to be a part of yours.

  “There is a strong chance I will not be able to contact you or provide help. We believe the Vhampryls are not interested in destroying the Planet, so they will not want to have Immortals fighting there.

  “Which means some form of barricade might be placed around the Planet to stop that from happening. But it is my understanding that you would prefer if this Planet wasn’t destroyed as well. Correct?”

  There were a few different questions circulating in my mind at the moment, but I’ll wait.

  “Yes, that is correct.”

  “Then we will allow their barricade to be in place. The war on the Planet will be a stage for Nascent Realm and below. That is not your stage just yet, but as I said previously there are Infernals on the Planet. Any questions?”

  “How many Infernals are on the Planet and how placed them in my command?”

  “A few, and you are a Patriarch. Unless another Patriarchal or Matriarchal level figure, issues a different command, then your word is law. That is the respect you are given as someone who can both communicate with, and also bestow the Eternal Flame.

  “Do not waste the respect given to you. It is not a small responsibility. Do you understand Patriarch Raizen?”

  Who knows how many Infernals that are all expecting me to lead them and none of them have ever met me. And based on the words of Elder Zal, there’s a good chance that more than a ‘few’ of them will be in the Nascent Realm.

  Should be some interesting conversations.

  “I understand Elder Zal.”

  “Good. Then prepare to return, in the eyes of someone of your level. You’ve been gone for some time.”

  That was the last thing I heard before I suddenly found myself back in my office. The boys were with me too.

  “Oh shit! Oh y’all scared the shit out of me! Dammit. Richard said you could randomly appear at any moment, and it still scared me.”

  Someone I didn’t recognize was also in the office. It was a man, and he was posted by the entrance and reacted appropriately I guess to people randomly popping up in his face. \

  But what was he doing here I wonder.

  “Why are you in my office?”

  “Ah sorry, Richard posted a few of us in the City Lord Mansion to watch for you return. We are supposed to bring you to him immediately the second you arrive.”

  Hm, smart choice by Richard I guess.

  “Then let’s not wait any longer. Let’s go.”

  “Of course! Right this way Sir. Richard should be in the camps around this time.”

  “Huh? What camps?”

  “Ah you’ve been gone for some time I forgot. There are massive camps outside of the City. These strange people showed up out of nowhere recently and Richard checks in with them every morning.”

  That should be the Infernals…

  “How long have I been gone exactly?”

  “Ah, I don’t know exactly when you left, but it should be around 8-9 months I think.”

  8-9 months…wow.

  To think I was training with Elder Zal and the boys for that long. It didn’t even feel like it after a while.

  I guess when you have to fight beyond exhaustion every single day without rest and not being able to go outside the entire time, it’s easy for time to fly.

  It seems I have a lot of catching up to do before war truly begins.

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  P.S Book One of Infernal Apocalypse will be Stubbing this year as well!!!