Extra's Descent

Brandon had lost himself in the moment his gaze fell on the amethyst flames.

The flames were beautiful, captivating his full attention as if the entire surroundings didn't bother him.

The light shone from the flames reflected in his eyes and he calmed down soon after.

Truth be told, he hadn't realized what he had done.

The entire time, all he did was follow the cursed pathways that permeated the surroundings, grabbing them, and appearing all around the room as if it was a game.

It was fun.

He had fun.

"....Brandon."

A voice suddenly reached his ears. A familiar voice.

He flicked his head towards the source with an indifferent look.

He met all of their gazes, scanning each and every one of them.

Their eyes widened and some of them had grim expressions.

Then, he looked around.

It was then when he realized what exactly transpired.

Bodies sprawled all over the ground, some even leaning on the wall.

Blood smeared all over the room, as some of the bodies had lost their heads in the aftermath.

And as he looked down, there seemed to be a head right next to where he stood.

"...."

It all clicked.

These guys.

They all fell before him.

And he didn't even realize it until he snapped out of his daze.

Silence gripped the room.

Step—

But that silence was soon broken as a footstep echoed.

Brandon's eyes flicked and scanned. It was Belle.

"Ah."

"Stay calm."

"....?"

Her words made no sense to him.

And then, it finally registered.

He had been gravely injured himself.

"Akh!"

He groaned in pain.

The blood that smeared in his features were mixed with the assailants and his own.

Clank!

A loud metallic sound rang as he dropped his sword. Holding onto his arm, blood dripped down profusely.

His entire body had been etched with deep cuts, ones that tore his flesh.

The stinging sensation echoed throughout his body as the cold wind brushed past his wounds.

It hurt.

"Kh…!"

But all he could is suck it up and grit his teeth.

"We need to get you treated, fast!"

Belle approached him along with a woman with red hair. Brandon didn't know who she was, but he could surmise she could do something about this.

"These wounds are fatal."

Belle urged.

"Lieutenant General, Artoria. Can you stop the bleeding?"

"Y-yes. I think it's manageable. But the treatment will be temporary itself. He needs to get to a hospital as soon as possible."

Then, Belle raised her head and looked at Amelia who stood rigid at the sight.

"Amelia, can you leave this place with Brandon?"

After all, the mission wasn't over yet. But Brandon was already out of commission.

He had played his part. Now he had to leave it to the rest of the Imperial Army.

"Of course."

Amelia nodded her head and watched the entire treatment.

The flames around Brandon gradually dispersed as he stood still, allowing Artoria to treat his wounds.

"Damn, did he do all this alone?"

"It's quite an unpleasant sight. But he had no choice."

The others looked around. Particularly, Ray and Ivan, scanning whatever transpired inside the chamber.

Belle secretly gritted her teeth.

Her brother had been severely injured.

But she had to stay professional. Losing her focus would be detrimental for the mission. After all, there might still be enemies lurking around.

"Brandon, I'll let you rest for now. But I need a detailed report later."

She played it off.

But her heart was hurting.

Seeing her precious younger brother in this state had hurt her immensely to the point where she wanted to cry.

And as Belle glanced at Amelia's direction, she could tell she felt the same way as her. Her expressions told her all she needed to know.

Regardless, for now, they had to stay professional.

Time passed, and the treatment was nearly finished.

But it was then.

Rumble… Rumble…

The room shook and loud banging sounds echoed from the other room.

Something went wrong.

"....!"

"Quick!"

Immediately, Ray, Ivan, Belle and Amelia's alarm bells rang as they kept their guard up.

Belle's gaze lingered on Brandon who had an exhausted look on his face.

He was the wounded, and so, they encircled around him and Artoria who continued treating him.

Brandon felt it.

This ominous presence.

A familiar feeling.

But…. he had felt nothing towards it.

Indifferent to the whole thing.

But the others in the room with him were clueless.

"Get away!"

He cried out.

All heads flicked towards him in confusion.

And shortly after….

Boom—!

The entire chamber shook intensely and a figure blurred past them, crashing onto the wall right behind them.

Brandon immediately turned his head and cold sweat started beading down.

He recognized who had just crashed onto the wall.

It was Zed.

Then, he turned his head back towards the area where Zed came from.

Rock dust obscured his vision. But as the dust slowly faded, he could see a large gaping hole had just formed, connecting this chamber to another chamber.

"....!"

Shit.

It was too late.

A tall silhouette emerged from the hole, adorning what seems to be platinum armor. Long–platinum blonde hair and empty eyes that stared right back at Brandon.

As soon as their gazes met, Brandon felt chills all over.

It was a Wraith.

How in the world….

However, that wasn't the worst part of it. The Wraith smiled and raised his hand for all to see.

There, clenched inside his hand was Evelyn's neck. Evelyn hung limply and blood dripped down from her entire figure.

"...."

This….

Everything had gone bad to worse in an instant.

Brandon's eyes widened.

And as he looked at the Imperial Army, they too stood frozen as their entire figure trembled.

"F-Field Marshal…. E-Evelyn…"

Belle's voice shook.

The fear was evident in her tone as her sword was brandished forward with trembling hands.

Fear.

Brandon could feel no such thing.

Just shock.

Brandon stepped forward, but was halted as Artoria grabbed his arm.

"...."

She spoke no words

The same went for the entire Imperial Army.

Silence gripped the room as they watched the Wraith slowly enter the room and tossed Evelyn's body aside.

Thump!

If she was dead, Brandon couldn't tell.

However, now that it had come to this, there was only one thing left to do.

Defeat the Wraith.

Everyone else only stood to block his path as Brandon waved Artoria off.

Step—

Brandon took another step and they looked at him with horror in their faces.

Then, he looked at Amelia. She shook her head as if telling him, 'Don't do anything.'

However, Brandon looked back indifferently and his gaze returned to the Wraith.

"I've found you."

The Wraith spoke. His voice carried a hint of malice and authority. Such things that Brandon had felt.

Yet regardless, he had felt no fear.

He had already sacrificed such emotions back then.

And it was for the better.

He recalled a certain scenario back then.

The lines the Wraith spoke in the previous progression.

It was the same.

This Wraith clearly knew something, and was after him.

That meant, this was his fight.

Step—

Brandon stepped forward again. But it was then when Belle too had grabbed his arm.

The look on her face as if she was pleading.

But regardless, Brandon waved her off.

Step—

And took another step.

"Please."

Amelia's voice.

It was faint.

But he could hear it.

Yet again, Brandon paid no heed to it as he coldly muttered.

"Dominion."

At that moment, he knew everyone in the room felt it.

Fear.

In fear of the Wraith and him.

Just so they would stay back.

Belle had already died once while he was in possession of this body.

He couldn't let it happen again.

In that instant…

Swoosh—!

The Wraith's figure disappeared.

"...."

And a large hand appeared right in front of him.