The Third Party - Chapter 52

3rd Person’s POV (12 yrs. and 8 months old)

Nearing breakfast or past breakfast after the group had finalized the formation of the demon army, the adults went and came up with a plan to deal with the monsters as their main concern was the numbers advantage.

Alfred, Lyn, Erick, Lorna, Vin, Kel, Coralia, Trunk, Klein, Ulysses, Lana, Raze, Riven, Trun, Rain, and Cloud, had brainstormed with each other on Klein’s house at the center of the village, town hall if you would call it, since it looks like a mini-mansion but without those explicit designs of modern times, as it was built in the large tree of the village.

They were brought breakfast by Ken and his friends along with some of the magical beasts in their human form since they were deep into the discussion that they didn’t remember that they hadn’t had something to eat.

And now, while waiting for everything to be finished preparing, Ken and his group are at the training grounds, preparing themselves also, getting a little bit of exercise here and there, practice their magic. Ken was deep in thought, squatted at the grass besides a tree near the field’s entrance, which was to the left.

“Ughh, I’m beat, all this thinking is killing me.” He complained, raised his hands to the air and flopped himself on the grass.

“What are you thinking about?” said Allen appearing in his view, Ken sat upright to look at Allen as he other sat beside him, then back at the field.

“I’m trying to come up with other plans in case our other plans fail or gets foiled halfway, and so far I’ve come up of four.” Ken pouted to himself, hugged his legs and leaned his head on his arms.

“Then what are those?” asked Allen, tone unchanging, undiscriminating but curious, Ken understands this well.

“First, is that I’ll wipe out all those demon slaves in one fell swoop then turn to lock all the demon vanguards.” One thing he had also done before coming back to the village is that he shared the information of the demons on how they are called to his friends and the adults.

They wondered for a moment how Ken had been able to do so but shrugged the idea of asking him since that wasn’t such a big deal to tackle with, instead they regarded the information as useful and thanked Ken instead.

They were more disturbed by what Ken’s parents told them, Ken is too.

“Mm *nod*, the second?” it’s one of this times that Ken appreciates conversing with other people, especially Allen, when he can talk about his deep seated worries to him, not that he doesn’t talk about this to his other friends,

This right here is more of practical worries and for the future, nonetheless Ken doesn’t fail to share these types of thoughts with others, just slightly more resonating with Allen.

“It would be that we use my sealing magic powers on the vanguards and slaves then focus on the demon lord, taking him down would cripple their morale making it all the more easier to defeat the demon army.” said Ken.

“Third?” said Allen.

“I’m thinking of combining my moon magic with Flin to create a more direct and destructive spell on each of the monsters, demon slaves, and vanguards, to leave the demon lord alone for us to defeat.” said Ken.

“Then forth?” said Allen.

“We’d help Wilbert conjure a massive light spell that will eradicate all the demons except the monsters, so that we won’t have to deal with them later since they are a bigger threat to everyone.” said Ken.

“But all of these plans has its own loopholes, so I can’t help but worry, I know I’ve said to you guys that we should always look in the bright side of life and find ways to pass it along the way of our journey, but this…” Ken held out one hand.

“Feels like a large tall and thick wall that I can’t seem to find a way through.” Ken retracted his hand and pouted again, angry at himself for not finding ways through this challenge.

“Well, we’ll always be here for each other, won’t we?” said Allen, smiling a little while glancing at Ken, Ken turned his head at him, sighed, inhaled while head’s buried in his arms and exhaled, the same shine of hopefulness returned to his eyes.

“Yes, we’ll be here for one another.” said Ken. “And I’m not letting this obstacle hinder my way of ever spending my life with you guys.” He added. Allen nodded.

Such deep topics were not supposed to be tackled for children their age, but Ken was an obnoxious one, he would always pester them about life and lessons at the same time, making all these exchanges of thoughts and ideas, not unpleasant to talk about.

And Allen appreciates this, for he, at a very young age was struck with disaster in the form of his mother dying before he could even meet her, so there’s no wonder that he would be more inclined in having thoughts of the future and many more.

“How about we join the others now and try practicing with our magic?” said Allen standing up, and dusting imaginary dirt on his pants.

“Right, let’s go.” said Ken and stood up himself. “And Allen, thank you.”

“No problem.” the two joined the others and Ken immediately commenced his plans, making them all groan in despair of the sudden bossy attitude Ken used, nevertheless, they still complied.

Lunch rolled and everyone had their fill on two different places, one at the village itself where most of the magical beasts are currently at, and the other on Klein’s cave.

After finishing their lunch, every individual of the mountain lions, lava and esper wolves were instructed of the plan for the next day, the leaders made them teams of 20 since all in all their force had about 2000, a measly number compared to the 5000 plus outside.

The task was made easier with the help of the spell Ken’s parents used, making their time to practice the different strategies introduced to them longer, making them all the more familiar with what to do and what not to do in regards to any situation.

The afternoon bustled with different types of magic since the people of the village decided to fight alongside the teams Klein and the others formed, the village had about 4000 magical beasts residing at the Northern Village.

The magical beasts living here are of a big group, having a total of 2500 individuals living on the village, but the rest 1500 lived at the caves for they were either elderly or infants and or children Magical beasts.

Those ones that Ken and the others played in the past have the free will of staying at the village or at the caves, but most of them are at the caves. The 1000 others are either young adults or adults that are well versed in combat, still under the teachings of Klein and other masters of the caves.

But these were the caves that were open, unlike the others. There’s no telling the real population size of the Northern Forest with the other caves being un-accessable.

Ken finished his sets of flying and using spells in the air -not to worry, he didn’t direct his devastating spells on the ground so as not to harm anyone-, and landed beside his master overseeing everyone exercising.

He marveled at the different colors and types of spells that was casted almost everywhere, he remembered that he also made flying platforms just so they could accommodate everyone’s training and practices, he gazed at a total of 20 platforms in the air having a radius of 500 meters.

The platforms are made to only last for five hours tops so that when the spell runs out they would just quietly descend to the ground and slowly mix themselves to the earth they were made out of.

‘Hmmm, was everyone amazed at how I made those platforms? At least I didn’t bring the trees along with it and just made the earth flow like water then solidify again, and they also have shade areas having similar structure to the benches with roofs in my past life.’ He thought.

‘But was it enough for them to cool themselves down? After all the benches are made out of earth, maybe the winds are assisting them cool down since I had separated all sixteen in the different directions of the compass, hmmmmm….’ He thought again.

‘What about the dust every time it blows? Maybe I should have solidified it further.’ He adds.

While he was deep in thought, Klein noticed the deep look of his disciple beside him and quirked an eyebrow. Didn’t he come here to ask me something? Then why is he deep in thought? He thought.

“Oh right, master.” said Ken and turned at his master, remembering what he was supposed to ask. “How will you divide the 1000 magical beasts to the 100 teams of mountain lions, lava and esper wolves?”

“I’m sure you already know the answer to that question.” Ken scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “What is it that you wanted to ask.”

“Um… Will the other leaders of the 34 houses help us?” asked Ken, casting his gaze downward and fiddling with his hands.

“I’m sure they will Ken, but for now, they’ll have to find a way out of those barriers the demons placed in the past and get to our aid in time.” Allen looked far of the distance watching the animal beast and magical beasts synchronize themselves and their attacks in patterns.

“Mm *nod* I understand master.” Ken used his magic to feel around the earth below them and the mountain behind the northern village to sense the barrier lingering on the other 30 caves of the houses.

‘Knowing of this information just now is a bit detrimental and… I don’t know what to think anymore, yeah sure if those barriers weren’t there we would have more people with us here and with the other magic of the magical beasts, I’m sure this war would be smooth sailing.’ he didn’t notice that he was pouting -again- to himself.

‘But… why did that demon put up that barrier on the caves, more importantly, how was he able to put up those barriers there in the first place, grrrrr, stupid demon lord, HMPH!’ Klein watched in amusement at his disciple’s frequent change in expression and shook his head.

He noticed the magic fluctuation from Ken and immediately understood why, he held Ken’s shoulders waking him from his focus.

“Don’t force it, I know you’re clearly powerful than anyone here on the valley besides me and your masters, but we’ll need your power for tomorrows battle, you better conserve it, alright?” He said.

“Yes master.” Ken held his head down like a scolded little kid. Seriously, how can this kid be this much of a workaholic, last time I know it’s for adults, Klein thought.

“I’ll be with the others now master, excuse me.” Ken bowed and walked away to the table he and the others always share when having lunch and sat down on one of the benches. Klein turned his attention once again to the beasts practicing as he knows that there is nothing he needs to worry more about Ken, he’s more than capable enough to handle his own issues, he thought.

Dinner came by in a flash as others did a small celebration before a day of full on fight, but to Ken, everything passed by in a blur as he was still caught up in thinking, lucky for them, all eleven of them are sleeping on the same place Ken slept the night before.

They formed a circle in front of a bonfire and were softly, and sometimes loudly conversing with one another, Wilbert and Celine who were always beside Ken had also conversed with him, but they noticed his slight disinterest thus knew that they shouldn’t bother their friend,

They are not remorseful of this, but instead, understanding of Ken’s nature of over-thinking things, thus weren’t bothered by it, and just enjoyed the night with others. Ken still did try to interact though, so that would be more than enough for everyone, for me, Wilbert and Celine thought to themselves.

The next morning came, everyone had their breakfast -for meals are important, no one should pass the important meal of the day-, they were all prepared and had situated themselves at the cliff in front of the wall Ken made, and some are hidden at the two sides of the wall, just 200 meters away.

Situated as ambush for later. No speech was given as Klein didn’t want to, and with all the different leaders present who would say it? So they all had a silent agreement that they should focus on the task at hand and things must go according to the plan, more importantly to keep in mind of lessening the casualties, since this was the purpose of creating such a plan.

Ken and his group along with the adults situated themselves near the moonflower, all clad in armor of their choosing along with the other magical beasts, the animal beasts had dawned their strongest defensive spells either adding a layer of coat or elemental barrier to their skin.

Everyone was in high spirits as they waited for the ice to break any minute or second now, and are intensely watching the frozen statues of the monsters.

“Right, before I forget.” said Klein catching the attention of those around him, he walked to Ken’s side and said…

“Ken, you will not be engaging for 4 hours and watch diligently here atop the cliff, it’s an order.” Ken stared agape at his master earning a chuckle from his friends.

“Bu-Bu-But…” Ken didn’t know what to say or act as his arms fiddled everywhere.

“I repeat that’s an order.” Ken finally settled on his pouting face and a dejected look, he was more than ready to fight some monsters why the sudden order, waaaaaaahhhhh, this is making me saaaaaaaaaaddddddddddddddddd, Ken thought.

Without wasting a moment, the ice cracking resounded on the area reaching the ears of nearby beasts and humans alike. The ice broke freeing the monsters from their stasis, and in a fit of rage, every monster slowly roared into the air, as if their freedom earned them the right of passage of strength.

The air suddenly turned heavy for those that resided at the valley, it was time for battle. In an instant a fire ball the circumference of 50 meters landed at the first battalion incinerating all 100 ogres and werewolves alike.

“Oh shut up!” said Alfred who casted the giant fireball, holding his hand out with a pissed off expression plastered on his face, and with that, the battle finally started. His friends and adults kind of chuckled at his antic.

The monsters glared at the one that burned their comrade and rushed forward to the wall and to each two sides of the wall where a path can be seen going up the cliff, every monster bellowed or screamed in a fit of rage, one monster reached the top of the tall cliff, but was greeted by the numerous numbers of the residents.

The werewolf felt fear, but he wasn’t able to escape when suddenly, he felt no chest, he looked down and a gaping hole was left.

“Die.” said Allen, who casted the water spell that bore a hole at the werewolf’s chest. Battle commence, he thought, jumped into the air, activated his flying spell, casted his water spell again but this time at the line of monsters running up.

Ending them in a fit of jumbled bodies as they were directly hit by a trail of water, all dead. The others joined the fray in mere seconds as both animal, magical beasts and humans tore unto the rushing monsters at the two paths they created for them,

Leaving those situated at 200 meters away to pick up stray monsters, the battle ground became some sort of castle defense as group after group changed with one another to fight and defend the frontline,

Meanwhile, the wall was left untouched. The demon superiors at the back were having a headache at what they are seeing, and are contemplating on what to do. Exactly who is that individual that froze us, the demon lord thought.

Now unfrozen, he quite resembles a general human, with sharp features, sharp jaw-line, an army cut looking hair, had black eyes and red as the iris , a strong build and a menacing aura, only this was of the handsome side, clad in robes instead of armor.

But another thinks otherwise.

‘What am I, some kind of observer ward? *Sigh*.’ thought Ken as he watched the battle unfold before him.

‘Okay, while I wait, let me do some observing then.’ He jumped into the air, activated his flight spell and began observing, while holding an ice umbrella.

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