Chapter 24 — Ghost Warriors of the Past
A week after Tarisan's fall.
Oreario was living an ordinary life again. But the Hulk did not feel at peace. He felt a heaviness in the air, as if an invisible gaze was watching him. Even in training with Ais, Beta, and Riveria, he was distracted and thoughtful.
"You're thinking again,— Ais said, stopping when his fist flew past her face.
—I'm sorry,— the Hulk muttered. — This feeling ... that someone is watching me, does not leave.
"Are you sure this isn't the aftermath of the fight with Tarisan?" Riveria asked.
- no. It's something else. Deeper. Darker. Ancient.
⸻
Later in the evening. Loki's Tower.
Suddenly, an alarm gong sounded. The Hulk flew out of his room and saw Lefiya running down the corridor, screaming in panic:
— The ancestral temple is on fire! Something awoke there... something terrible!
The Hulk didn't wait for an explanation. He jumped onto the street and rushed to the temple, located outside the city wall, in an ancient park. This temple was built before the fall of the ancient gods, and was considered a sacred place.
When he arrived there, black fire was already shooting out from inside, the opposite of the color of the flame. The magic in the air was alien, overwhelming.
Figures began to come out from inside the temple. Warriors. Dozens... hundreds. Their bodies were ash—gray, their eyes empty. They were wearing armor from different eras. Some are in the armor of the empire, others in the light combat robes of the East. Everyone had a weapon in their hands, covered in a black haze of curses.
Loki whispered, running up to him. — This is the Army of History.
- what?
— Legend has it that an ancient god, banished from heaven, wanted to take over this world, awakening the souls of fallen heroes to turn them into his slaves.
The Hulk stepped forward. One of the ghost warriors approached. He was bigger than the others, wearing dark armor and carrying a two-handed sword.
— The name. The ghost made a hollow voice. "I was Cardor Steelheart, paladin of the Western Borders. I served the good... until he took my soul.
"Who is he?"
— Grimard. The God of oblivion. He's back.
And then the sky howled, as if space itself had burst. A silhouette appeared from the flaming portal. Tall, wrapped in a black cloak, with his face hidden by a mask. Black wings grew from his back, and the ground cracked under his feet.
—Hulk,— he said. "You destroyed Tarisan. Good. He was my servant. But now you've piqued my interest. Join me and you will become the king of destruction. Refuse, and you will be the first to fall.
The Hulk straightened up, and chains began to sparkle around him. His eyes were glowing green, and his body was growing stronger with rage.
"I will not become a slave." I won't forget who I was. And I won't let you enslave others.
"Then you will die like all those who dared to defy oblivion,— roared Grimard.
He held out his hand, and one by one, the warriors of the past rushed at the Hulk. The battle has begun.
⸻
A fierce fight.
The Hulk broke through the first opponents, ripping off their swords and breaking the chains that bound their souls. His rage was growing stronger by the second.
Skill activated: Chains of Rage IV.
Absorbed: 3 curses. Soul armor is activated.
He was hitting back from all sides. Even magic arrows and spells couldn't pierce his skin. He knocked back five opponents with a single jerk and swept forward, cutting through the magical chains holding the ghosts.
Ais, Riveria, and even Finn joined in, fighting alongside him. But there were too many enemies. Every soul that was defeated was replaced by a new one. It was a war of attrition.
"We can't do this!" Lefiya shouted. "He's calling them back from the past!"
"Then I'll tear the very veil that binds him to this world!" Hulk shouted.
He walked up to Grimar and forcefully stuck the chains into the ground, creating a vortex of destruction.
Ultimate ability activated: Memory Rage.
The chains absorb the connection with the past. The gates of the dead are closing.
The sky howled. The gates began to crumble, the ghostly warriors were disappearing, their souls were finally being released. Grimar growled, his wings smoking.
—I'll be back..." and he disappeared into the ashes.
⸻
After the fight.
The temple was destroyed. The Guild's mages were closing in to seal the remnants of the portal.
The Hulk was on his knees, breathing heavily. His body was scarred, but his spirit was as strong as ever.
"It was God...— said Finn. "A truly ancient god.
"He'll call for more...— the Hulk whispered. "And I'll be waiting." I will not allow anyone to enslave this world.