The Exalt Cultivation Fantasy

Act 4: Fallen Heaven - Chapter 694: The Lively Day

Act 4: Fallen Heaven - Chapter 694: The Lively Day

A gale of refreshing air swept over, and the accursed halted still like statues, some stopping awkwardly in mid-swing. Bits and pieces flaked off the ghastly bodies, becoming dust to the wind and scattering into nothingness. It was an unbelievable sight, an entire army vanishing out of sight and existence. A few of the accursed, including the tall Stegan, stared at him and gave a small bow, a semblance of clarity blinking in those pale eyes. The radiance of the new day showered graced the eleventh land, the endless plains of grass dancing to the fresh breeze in a gentle sway back and forth as if no battle had occurred the night before.

The daylight brought a clean slate. Oscar supposed. The last bits of his strength faded in exhaustion. Falling, he leaned on Erden and mounted him, resting his head as a tired sigh escaped in a groan. Twelve hours, twelve hours of fighting those damned accursed. If there was a word to describe how tired he was, it didn't exist in the dictionary. The thought of inventing a new word to describe his present state gave him a slight chuckle. Erden snorted and purposely rocked his hooves, bumping his back up and down.

"Stop that!" Oscar coughed, and his sore muscles wailed in pain from Erden's rough movements. Still, he didn't lose his smile at his brother's antics, for they were that, antics and pranks. However, in the midst of basking in the pleasant daylight, Oscar picked up rushed words from the winds, and his smile fell into a frown. Erden slowed his hooves, the loud clopping turning silent as they slowly sank into the ground step by step. It seemed to be an argument.

"But you must know. You saw him command the accursed. How much longer will you remain stubborn and refuse to follow our Lord? What more must he do for you to open your eyes?" Marcus's stern voice cut through the wind. Peeking from behind a corner of a stone pillar, Oscar saw Marcus arguing with a red face of frustration against Astrid, who kept an indifferent expression.

"Even with a dragon's pair of eyes, you're blind to hell. All wasted on you." Astrid started off with her usual string of insults. "Don't you see the reluctance? How he doesn't want to be around any of you." She jabbed a finger at Marcus's chest. "I will serve if he is willing to lead once again. Not the tear-ridden baby who wishes to stop and leave. I vowed my service as Astrid the Seventh to the one with conviction and a vision. He has neither now, and he isn't even that man anymore."

"All the more reason he is suitable as our leader. Lord Draven and Lord Terr are both our saviors. He denies it but still fights for our sake." Marcus raised his voice, growling an inch before Astrid's face.

"Put your teeth away, lizard. I've smelt enough foulness for the night." Astrid spat on the ground.

"Enough!" Oscar shouted, riding in between them. Erden spread his wings and pushed the two back. Marcus knelt and lowered his head at his arrival, shame flickering across the trembling pupils. Astrid dusted off her shoulders and stood firm, ever silent, and staring in deep scrutiny. Oscar held in the groan of pain as he unmounted Erden and stepped toward Marcus, looming over the loyal dragon. "Leave us. Go and guard Auren. He must be busy fixing up the formations."

"My Lord. Santen and Kragg are already there." Marcus said.

"I said...Leave." Oscar spoke grimly. The loyal First dipped his head lower and rose. In a quick second, Marcus turned and departed, heading toward the main building where Auren was hard at work. With that settled, Oscar turned to Astrid and nodded to her, clear confusion knitting her brow. It was heartening to see that she became more expressive in her emotions, showing good progress from the indifference she always acted in the early days. Oscar smiled and said, "Thank you."

"For what?" Astrid said curtly.

"...If possible, she wants him to use it less or not at all. I'm worried." Avril rested her chin on his head, burying him deeper in her embrace.

"Why?" Oscar felt his breaths heat up in her tight hug.

"You...didn't look happy. If it's something that makes you sad, then I don't want to see that." Avril said right by his ear. Her words turned into a melody that stoked the flames of lust that nearly overran his mind. But he kept his senses and wit and shook his head. He couldn't see her from being enveloped in her soft chest, but she sounded disappointed. "Why?"

"I can't let more die. I know we promised not to get involved, but we can't hide, and I'm afraid you'll be dragged along. I want to protect you and the others. If I have to lead them again, I will." Oscar sighed. Blood-drenched streets and half-submerged bodies flashed across his mind. He hoped it would be different from before. This time, he had to win; he couldn't afford to lose any more than he already did.

Suddenly, his head was lifted up, freed from the soft prison, and a small peck graced his lips. Avril knocked her forehead endearingly against his. "Whatever you decide, I'll follow. But she's glad you're willing to fight again. My hubby is the most handsome when forging or fighting for others like a hero from the stories."

Her cheeky grin lifted, and that brightened away the dark thoughts and tossed out the last barriers of his control. Overwhelmed by desire, Oscar toppled her down on the grass. He sealed her lips before any sound came from her and only let go after a few minutes, her expression already warped by ecstasy and eyes moist from delight. He whispered in her ear, inducing a shaky reaction from her body, "Didn't you say you wanted a child?"

"T-that's–" Avril stammered and glanced around, squirming in his arms. "N-not here. Sh-she's afraid of raising a baby here. W-When we're out." Decades before Fallen Heaven, she had taken the tonic made from a concentrate plucked from a Divine Essence. The issue that had plagued her ever since her time as a slave was healed, allowing her to bear children. It was a pity that Fallen Heaven was nearing, and they couldn't risk leaving a child behind as an orphan.

"Fine, but I'm not stopping." He said the stuff earlier as a tease and enjoyed her reactions, never bored of her changing expressions.

Avril flushed red to the ears and averted her gaze, "J-just don't ruin my clothes. I have no spares." Surprisingly, sometimes, she was bold, and other times, she was very timid. It didn't bother him; rather, that duality enticed him more.

"Ahem!" An angered shout interrupted the good moment, and Oscar scowled at Avila, who arrived nearby. Avril hid her face away in shame, not facing Oscar or her sister, mumbling incoherently. Avila seemed to be breathing deeply in exercises and sighed loudly, "Serit wants to get everyone together for council and further preparations. Get. Off. My. Sister!"