Pestilence: Rise Of The Pure Undead

In a mere second, the flat span of hardened mud was changed, pits of lava spat their content out, all of the air inside the barrier was set aflame, the heat was so great, that it was beginning to melt everything, including the pyramidal barrier itself, which had been masterfully crafted and engineering to resist effects of pyromancy specifically, the undeads in charge of it had to intervene to keep it from breaking down.

All of the pyromancers could feel their inner flames simultaneously shrinking back in reverence and swirling madly with elation, before the king, all pyromancies bowed.

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Indeed, it seemed like Irlke Combuscrus’s regal status had also seeped into his infernal zone, or perhaps it was his status as the creator of pyromancy that was at play… In any case, he was enacting authority over the area covered by his ability.

Although zone was technically the lowest variation of a multi-layered technique, those above were so rare that there was little point in taking them into account, furthermore, Loimos could clearly tell that the way Irlke’s zone worked was entirely different to one formed from mana or any other energy, pyromancy was something unique, there were no questions of imbuing a specific spells here, it seemed more like a pure expansion of his inner flame.

Loimos knew that the records the north had access to did not make mention of it, and that the scholars had not spoken of it either, meaning that Combuscrus had come up with it on his own, and that he thus did not know that it bore a name.

So the undead, as charitable as he was, saw it fit to inform him…

"Zone"

Amidst the public, apart from Hylop who maintained a perfect calm on the outside, all northerners were visibly anxious and worried, even if in awe of their ruler’s overwhelming strength, they feared for him.

But he was facing the general of the vanguard, the empire’s champion- Due to their proximity with quite a few undeads thank to the deal, they had heard plenty about him, and the many different titles he had racked up, although a few a turned obsolete as time passed, for one individual to be the leader of an empire’s earliest striking force, a champion seemingly chosen by death itself and a patron saint on top of that.

It was like Loimos had been elevated to a divine rank, all undeads revered his strength, his skill, intelligence… Not a single aspect of him seemed to not be the object of admiration, even his looks surprisingly enough, the undead women seemed to really, really love him.

Even though, as they had seen today, he was just a skeleton, even then, there was a vampire fawning over him.

Hylop remained calm still, it was difficult for her to do so, as even if she truly did believe that as long as the flame remained all would be fine, knowing that her beloved was going to die was not easy to accept.

’Come on…’

"Oh, he’s gonna do it" still wearing the item of translation, Maliah spoke to herself whilst keeping One in place, wearing a most disturbing smile of anticipation.

And indeed, the sudden pulse of strength was naught but a feeling but many still fell flat on their butt as though an actual gust of wind had just struck them off their feet, the vampiress had another kind of reaction instead.

"You freaking weirdo"

"You’re one to speak…"

The inside of the barrier was suddenly overtaken indescribable flames as Loimos ever-so simply activated his own pyromantic zone, deciding to unleash flames that had been fed things that livings could not even fathom, he had kept them under wraps until now as this was supposed to be a duel and not a public execution, but to end it all and demonstrate not only his mastery of their fiery art but also an extent of his power large enough to unquestioningly place himself as the strongest being they had ever gotten to meet.

It was also a good way to sort of imply that he was showing respect by not holding back on their king, otherwise, it might be perceived as a humiliation instead, and a humiliated king would struggle to remain the local lord.

"What… What are you, Loimos?" asked Irlke with much difficulty, brought to his knees as he struggled to resist against the undead’s zone of pyromancy.

"What are these flames?" immediately asking another question as the undead appeared within sight, stepping out of incinerating flames like a devil from the depths of hell, the ground turning to liquid lava under his every step.

Loimos decided to ignore the first question and instead graced the living with an answer to the second.

"Death has many aspects under its rule, I simply separated each of those aspects and fed them individually to the fire, nurturing flames embodying those specific aspects" he explained, spinning his spear, he pointed the hand of its handle toward Combuscrus.

"To instantly overpower your zone, even if not necessary, I used flames imbued with death’s aspects of destruction and peace, simultaneously render all your flames docile and destroy them without resistance, the rest, I unleashed just for show, your people do not need to know that I only used two of many aspects"

"You too will be capable of nurturing such flames with time"

Irlke listened, but couldn’t help but move his eyes to the end of the spear’s handle, there, a metallic protrusion was shining a bright white from the sheer temperature it was exposed to.

It sported a symbol, that of a tree.

"Irlke Combuscrus, from then on, you will be a regional lord under the rule of King Nitok, The Prince Of Death, the Northern Swamp is under your control still, all activities upon it will go through you, you will also receive a portion of the Central Plains"

"Soon, you and the other warlords will called to meet with King Nitok, alongside him, you will meet the other regional lords"

"Under this rule, pyromancy and Belliste as a whole shall evolve and reach a level of existence that transcends life, do you swear loyalty for all of eternity?" asked Loimos, flames surrounding the both of them as the undead’s eyes flared with a mysterious, dark purple light.

Irlke put his glaive down before him and rose up to one knee.

"I swear eternal loyalty to King Nitok, The Prince Of Death" and with these words, Loimos pressed the searing iron end of his flamberge against the living’s chest, branding the small ornamental image of the Lithitree in his flesh as all of the other burns he had acquired during this duel disappeared, leaving only this one as proof of their confrontation.

It might seem like an act of degradation upon a defeat opponent, but burns held a greater significance in this region of Belliste, like being burnt by one’s own flame during its elevation was a sign of power and a status marker, Loimos leaving this single burn upon Combuscrus was viewed as an acknowledgement of their abilities, he would forever bear the mark of having faced the empire’s champion.

All flames vanished alongside the barrier, a pulse of death coursing through all of the northerners, all life within them consumed and replaced with death.

Loimos looked at Irlke.

"Rise, for that is our blessing"