On a barren field filled with potholes, a dozen figures flickered in and out of existence.
Their speed was beyond what a naked eye could capture.
Even a low awakener would only see blurry shadows and…ice!
Ice arrows. Ice shields. Ice spears.
After every couple of seconds, a blurry silhouette would be blasted away revealing itself to be either an Abyssal or an Astor Clan member.
There were more than seven corpses on the ground. Two of them emitted the aura of Level 6 whilst the rest were of Level 5.
As the silhouettes left behind their after images and clashed, ground caved in and shockwaves swept in all directions.
Due to the shockwaves, the gravel shot out at an insane speed. The sheer force in those little rocks was enough to kill any low level awakeners in the vicinity.
Fortunately or unfortunately, there were none.
In fact, the location of the fight was very far from the frontlines as if specifically done to prevent any interference.
After another clash, the silhouettes stopped.
On one side was a girl in the camouflage. Her blonde hair was tied up and her blue eyes glared at her enemies with endless rage.
Even though she froze them already, there were several deep wounds on her body.
Her enemies weren't better.
Standing on the opposite were two Abyssals and two humans, behind them were five abyssals and humans each.
The ten standing behind were all peak of Level 5. The four in the front were all Level 6.
Two mid Level 6 and two low Level 6.
It might have looked like an easy one vs twelve.
But their supremacy in numbers did not give them supremacy in the fight.
Almost all peak Level 5s had a serious injury. The low Level 6s had several cuts on their bodies.
Only the two mid level 6s looked uninjured. But they had serious internal injuries.
The leading Abyssal spoke in a tone of admiration and hatred. "To think you even these numbers weren't enough."
Sarah tapped on her comm frantically while she answered. "You would need at least a high level 6 to take me down."
The Abyssal Duke shook his head. "It's a pity, that was the original plan."
Sarah was curious on what caused changes, but the Abyssal didn't intend to elaborate further.
Sarah's gaze turned to the Astor Clan members. Even though she loathed each of them to the bones, the situation called for it.
"You guys are used by the Abyssals to bring us down. Even if the Abyssals win in the end, you'd only be slaughtered." She said, but the Astor clan member still looked unperturbed.
She gritted her teeth and roared. "When these people started to kill every human on Pluto, do you think no one in Pluto would've agreed to join them if they are spared?
But these beasts didn't leave behind a single soul. They don't see humans as equals. You will all die!"
The Astor Clan members flinched. Even though they tried their best to hide it, they secretly glanced at the Abyssals with doubt.
Sarah knew her words weren't enough to instigate discord, but that was't her intention anyway.
While keeping a close watch on her, the leading Abyssal turned to the Astor Clan members.
"Don't listen to her words. You know how deep our cooperation is. Even if Enigma targeted you—"
Sarah ignored them and tapped, no, she literally banged her comm. Every single cadet who entered the battle had special comms. They could talk 'telepathically' since it was easier than physically talking.
Even Varian received one such comm. Of course, he was still unaccustomed to it.
But she was sending him messages since a few minutes. He must answer at least once…so why?
Why did he not respond?
From the moment they landed and temporarily ceased fighting, Sarah was mentally yelling into the comm. 'Varian, where the heck are you?'
'Answer me!'
'Give your coordinates!'
'You Idiot! Don't scare me!'
Despite the barrage of messages, she received no response.
In fact, he was in touch with all the time until eight minutes ago.
He first distanced himself after the first attack. After she finished the Abyssal, she heard him say that he was going to check on the battle field.
Later, he said he was going to check out the Astor Clan members. Oh and in the middle, she said she could contact him if she was in a predicament.
Then there was no response from his side.
He must have been ambushed. Like they all were.
But she could still contact William, Dhruv and Mia. They were engaged in the fight and couldn't solve it anytime soon. But she was at least able to confirm that they were safe.
Varian… it was as if he vanished into thin air.
After trying again, Sarah gave up on contacting him.
Instead, she turned to Anna. The best way to ensure his safety would be to let her interfere.
Of course, the price paid would be far too costly.
A level 8 approaching the planetoid couldn't be hidden. This would result in the Abyssals sending a level 8 themselves.
The scale of conflict would skyrocket.
All the responsibility would fall over her.
Her father, the Dean would only punish her more severely.
But Sarah didn't even think about her punishments. She just wanted to ensure his safety.
'Aunt Anna, please check on Varian!' Sarah said into the comm.
'Aunt Anna?'
'It's a life and death issue!'
Even after a few seconds, there was no response.
Sarah's heart sank. 'They must have blocked the planetoid's communication system. I don't know for how long, but even then I can contact others…only him, did he…?'
Sarah pushed back the dangerous thought in her head.
'He must be busy. Yes. Just busy.'
Sarah tried to convince herself.
'So busy that he can't even reply mentally?'
The devil in her head didn't give up. It whispered her darkest fears with the sweetest voice.
'He's new to this feature. That's why.' Sarah kept an eye on her enemies in front.
They were recovering and secretly re-strategizing. They would attack her soon.
'Keep telling yourself that. He just needs to say I'm alive mentally. Anyone can do that. Even during a fight.'
Sarah clenched her fist so hard that her knuckles turned white.
The Abyssals and Astor Clan misunderstood it as a sign that she was about to attack.
So they attacked first.
Boom!
Sarah dodged the lightning spear that shot down the mountain behind her to pieces.
She covered herself with water armor and took a deep breath. Her killing intent exploded.
Kacha!
The next moment, Sarah dodged the attacks of others and crushed a Level 5.
The leading Abyssals gritted his teeth. Her speed was reaching high level 6.
The original plan had deviated too much.
In fact, the plan was to ambush her with a high level 6.
But there was a bastard called Charles Xander. His strength reached the peak of level 6.
Despite sending two peak level 6 and three high level 6s for him exclusively, they were no match.
One of the peak Level 6 personally begged for help.
Thus, the assassination teams down below had to send out the strongest people.
After all, what use was sending peak Level 5s to him?
Charles could kill one level 5 and ten level 5s all the same.
So one peak level 6 and high level 6 of William, one high level 6 assigned to Sarah were gone.
This created a shortage. Thus, some Level 5 targets that were supposed to get a level 6 assasin had it easier.
In the original plan, all the cadets would be killed in five minutes. But now, they might as well survive until the reinforcements arrived.
But they had no choice.
If they didn't send support, Charles Xander would kill level 6s he was facing.
Then, he would go on rescuing others. He wouldn't do it for the sake of charity, but for his own prestige and merit.
He could just save William. William would then save Sarah. Then the three of them could free up everyone.
Then, Charles could just go to the supreme commander on the Abyssal side and kill him off.
Charles, William, Sarah and Dhruv—these four level 6s were enough to reverse the tide of the war.
That was why…the current situation.
With the talent shown, Charles was worth sacrificing everything for.
Oh and there was another level 5 awakener personally ordered by the Demon King.
They even used a very precious barrier to ensure his death.
'Those bastards got such an easy task. Hunting a newbie Level 5 with so many people. Tsk. Since Demon King said it himself, the reward will be generous. If I wasn't worrying about mission's failure due to this monster Charles, even I would try to hunt that newbie.' The leading Abyssal's thoughts were also a jumble of mess.
He didn't have much time for further thinking as Sarah went all out. This time, she didn't even bat an eyelid as she downed precious healing potions and exchanged an injury for injury.
-Thud
-Thud
Her combat style changed.
Until now, it was aggressive.
Now, it was turning…desperate. Each of her attack went for the kill despite the risk it posed to her.
Before he knew it, the leading Abyssal found his sword piercing Sarah's abdomen.
But before he could rejoice, he saw a headless body upside down. He recognized it.
It was…his own.
"Die!" Sarah was bleeding all over with light and heavy injuries.
But she managed to kill one more enemy, leaving only one standing.
The healing potion did its work and prevented her from collapsing. Any level 6 awakener would be a goner with so many injuries.
Sarah gritted her teeth and faced the last enemy.
A lanky woman. High Level 6. Astor Clan. The leader of their group.
Sarah dropped her sword, startling the other woman.
"My words still count." Sarah said, looking at the green eyed woman in the eye.
"If you help Abyssals, you die." She said with a grave tone.
The woman spoke for the first time in a grievous tone. "I know! But if I don't help them, where do I go? Federation is already hunting us down like we're some rats. I-If I kill you, maybe they'll let me live?"
Sarah's face showed a tangled face before she sighed. "You must have seen me tapping my comm and being distracted in the battle, didn't you?"
"Huh?" The Astor's woman was caught off guard by the sudden question.
But she nodded with a strange gaze and said. "You are trying to ask for help, didn't you? Too bad, the Abyssals blocked off all communication out of the planetoid."
"That's not the main thing." Sarah shook her head, surprising the woman once again.
"Then?"
"I'm trying to contact someone. You should know his name." Sarah's face was tangled before she sighed. "I can stop the federation from hunting you. You must know my background. I have the power to do it. But you need to promise me one thing."
The lanky woman's eyes lit up.
Sarah's words from earlier still reverberated in her mind. Abyssals indeed would not let a single human go. They didn't treat humans as equals but rather as insects. To them, humans who betray their own kind were inferior than insects.
She though if all the Astor Clan members went to the Abyss intact, they'd be able to gain a foothold thanks to their strength.
But who knew that once they landed on this planetoid, these cadets started hunting for them.
According to Abyssals, they only needed to land here and sneak to their side before being taken to the Abyss.
But after landing, the plans changed. Abyssals demanded them to cooperate in the assassination plans.
Despite knowing the danger, they had no choice.
So if she really did get a choice now, the woman was willing to stake everything on it.
Even now, she would rather believe a human would let a human go than an Abyssal letting off a human.
But…
"How do I trust you?" She still maintained a wary gaze.
Even though the current Sarah was injured and likely weaker than her, killing her was already not an option.
Sarah could simply escape and as an Earth Awakener, she would not be able to stop her.
That was why she was willing to talk.
"You can trust me fully because…" Sarah paused causing the woman to perk her ears and lean forward subconsciously.
She wanted to trust Sarah fully. It was for the best. She only needed a reason to convince herself.
So she focused on Sarah's next words.
-Shuaa!
Before she could react, an ice needle punctured her throat and pierced her brain.
-Thud
Sarah shook her head at the bleeding corpse with a cold expression. "Never let your guard down."
Then her expression changed into panic and she spoke into the comm.
"Varian!"
"Answer me!"
"Are you alright?!"
With each question, her voice trembled and the cold expression on her face melted. Sarah felt something well up in her chest.
Regret?
Sadness?
"I beg you! Please say something."
The reply to her plea was merciless silence.
Sarah felt her chest turn heavy. She shook her head and pushed back whatever feeling that was welling up inside her.
"If you're in the middle of a battle, just think 'Yes'. I will hear you." Sarah said, but soon, her shoulders dropped at the silence.
Her injuries were beginning to heal, but the pain she was feeling was increasing.
The time they with him after he returned 'alive' flashed in front of her.
She was so happy when he returned. Then he gave her a surprise becoming the disciple of her father. His honor ranking shocked her.
But the two strongest memories had nothing related to his power or achievements.
The second was her vowing to beat Varian. But she didn't use much strength in fear of hurting him.
She did want to beat him up, but at the same time, didn't want to see him hurt. Varian actually played along and acted like she was really beating him.
A smile surfaced on Sarah's pale face as she recalled his acting.
The strongest memory of him was…their lunch together.
It was the first time she saw him cry. When he embraced her, she felt it.
He was deeply hurt. He was missing someone. Perhaps his mother…like herself.
She blamed herself for hurting him. She wanted to tell him that she could understand the pain. It was alright to cry.
But they didn't talk much after that day. It was mainly her trying to avoid him.
Still keeping that day in mind, she agreed to let him join the mission.
'I'm stupid! I should have never agreed to let him in even if that led to him hating me. Now, I'm putting him in danger.' Sarah bit her lip as she stared at her unresponsive comm.
If he was in danger, he should've contacted her for help. If he was not, then why was he not responding at all?
"I-I…." Sarah felt a lump in her throat. Her vision turned blurry before she knew it and she yelled into the comm with red eyes.
"Junior Varian! If you don't report, I'll publish your tomb secret to everyone!"
Her voice reverberated across the mountains and echoed in the valleys.
As she waited and waited, the echoes died down.
-Thud
Sarah collapsed onto her knees and the tears dripping down her cheeks turned into snow flakes.
As her heart was about to turn cold, a familiar voice said in a grumpy tone.
"Sarah, I told you what's written on the tomb is fake, didn't I?"