I created my own system

Chapter 393 - chapter 393: Reinforcements

The pillar of light turned into tiny sparks before disappearing.

A pair of shaky legs made firm steps toward the edge of the watchtower, and there his eyes saw a marching band of soldiers.

"Took you long enough to get here," he muttered as he wiped the gushing blood from his mouth. Despite the distance, he was able to see it.

Finally, she came.

Right in the middle of the marching soldiers, a dazzling sunset hair fluttered, her golden eyes searching through the broken walls. They lingered until they landed right at the person standing at the watchtower.

"Eros."

The two looked at each other before being distracted by a sudden energy.

Their gazes shifted, two pairs of golden eyes glancing at the pulsing force coming from the manor.

"Is that…?" Eros realized it was the replica of the sacred staff. For some reason, it kept releasing a low humming voice, catching his and Athena's attention.

"My lady, is everything alright?" asked one of the guards, Midgar, worried that something had happened as their young lady suddenly stopped in her tracks.

"Sorry… Lord Midgar, it's just… I felt something was calling for me." She then got off her horse, and with a flick of her finger, the magic ring resting on it glowed. It was a special ring that allowed every member of the main family to enter the house without restriction. Now, with the space lock gone, Athena could finally use this artifact.

"I will leave this place to you, my lord," she told him before being completely swallowed by the ring's magic.

A second later, she was standing right beside her brother.

"Can you feel it too?"

Athena just nodded, answering the question. The two young Lionhearts looked in the direction of the main house. Their instincts urged them to follow that voice.

"We should go," Eros suggested. Even though his entire body ached, he still moved to stand right beside Athena.

"Can you walk?"

"It's okay. I will be fine." His voice was strained, as if his thoughts were trying to take control of something. Athena glanced at all the bruises and cuts and immediately knew just how intense the battle was.

Something heavy clung to her chest. Words could not come out as her eyes kept running through the destruction that had fallen upon their city.

"I am sorry for being late," she could only say, but Eros knew why she was acting like that.

Shaking his head, he decided to console her a bit.

"There is no need to worry. I don't know why you couldn't come earlier, but save your explanation for later. What we need right now is to defend our walls until Father's return," Eros said as he looked up. High in the sky, a new magic circle was destroyed. The spell breakers from the reinforcements were successful again, destroying another attack right before its activation. The timing was perfect, forcing the enemy line to shift more of their attention to the newcomers.

"I will stay here and keep guard. You go and see what that voice is trying to tell us," Athena suggested. The sensation brought by the calling made her spine cover with sweat. The urge to go was rising fast in her chest, but deep down she knew it shouldn't be her who responded to that call.

Her words, however, made Eros think that she wanted him to rest. That thought made his heart lighter. In all the chaos and doubt, seeing her concern gave him a sense of assurance—that despite all the lies and deception, there were still people who truly cared for him.

"I will return shortly. Be careful," he replied before activating the ring to teleport to where Liam and the others were.

Left alone at the top of the watchtower, Athena felt the pressure that had previously belonged to him. The air carried an invisible force that continued to prickle her skin. That digging sensation soon felt like claws piercing her core.

Sensing her thoughts spiraling out of control, she breathed in deeply several times before looking toward the distant section of the wall. The battle was growing more intense as soldiers from the vassal families clashed with the enemy.

But to everyone's dismay, the storm had not yet passed—it had merely changed color. Multiple hooded figures emerged from the scarlet battlefield, their power shaking the core of the fight.

"Stand down, everyone!" he commanded, his voice cutting through the cold wind. "Hold formation—do not engage!"

He instructed them to retreat. Though hesitant, they still obeyed. He wanted to make sure none of his subordinates died in vain.

"What are these people?" he muttered. The more he looked at them, the more their presence overwhelmed him. Their auras didn't register as normal; it was more like… divine. His jaw clenched. Their very existence had the power to suffocate him, causing his grip to tighten around his sword.

This realization made the lord worry, so before the deathmatch began, he contacted Athena. Through telepathy, his words were relayed.

{My lady… the situation…} he said with worry.

What he heard in return, however, was a voice devoid of tension. Like calm flowing water, a cool voice washed over him.

"Got it. I'm going to send some backup."

Her reply came fast, along with a spell that made him and his soldiers gasp in surprise. Without warning, lightning began to pulse. The ground lit up as a spell swallowed many of their enemies.

Back at the watchtower, Athena's hand glowed brighter than ever. Surrounding her was an intense beat of heated light. The temperature rose immediately, shocking the surroundings as lightning sparked from a scroll. The magic scroll contained a replica of Apollo's Thunder Aura. Though it was an imitation inspired by Apollo's spell, Athena made sure it retained its brutal power—one that was currently plunging into the battlefield beyond the wall.

The wand in her hand waved as she added another layer to the spell. Using the replica of the Thunder Aura, Athena used it as a catalyst for another buffing spell.

"With this, it should give them a slight boost," she muttered as she repeated the same spell she had once cast in the academy during Nero's attack.

"By the heavens…" one of his knights gasped. "Lord Midgar, the spell—it's—"

"Lady Athena's doing," he said, smirking beneath his helm. "She just turned mortals into thunder itself."

The power of lightning danced through Midgar and his subordinates, fueling them. They were amazed by the spell's power but didn't let their guard down; instead, they became sharper than before.

"Stay sharp!" he ordered, and immediately the army formed a dense line to intercept any incoming attacks.

The tension rose as neither side wanted to take the lead. All they did was stare at each other, as if searching for the perfect moment to strike.

Midgar didn't dare attack first, worried that traps had been laid. However, he wasn't idle—he ordered the mages to cast delayed spells in case the enemy suddenly attacked.

The pressure became palpable as every second put everyone on edge. Then, without warning, a haze of crimson flame became streaks of molten gold, and from a rift right in front of them, the hooded figures emerged.

Midgar immediately reacted, raising his sword and roaring, "Lions! Raise your blades!"

The men obeyed, and a thunderous call reverberated across the field.

"For the Empire! For the Lionheart!"

Their voices caused the surrounding mana to vibrate.

And then—

They charged.

As golden rain fell upon them, shards of burning light danced in the air. It was as if the light itself was prepared to swallow the invading tempest. Midgar leapt into the air, his greatsword wreathed in stormfire. He brought it down with both hands, creating a cleaving force that tore through the falling light.

The impact split the earth, carving a crater that devoured two of the godlike soldiers. The rest staggered back—their divine energy cracking for the first time.

Smoke and debris covered the area until a slash dispersed it, revealing the two enemies previously struck by Midgar's attack.

One of them hissed, its voice layered with echoes. "You wield a very annoying power."

Midgar raised his weapon again. "You haven't seen the last of it."

He surged forward, clad in energy that made his attacks faster and heavier. The two hooded figures reacted, drawing their weapons and releasing an overwhelming surge that pushed Midgar back.

"Tsk!" He felt overwhelmed for a moment but refused to yield. He channeled his aura into his sword while his mana amplified the buff. This circulation was extremely difficult, but for Midgar, it came naturally.

Beats of lightning grew intense and spread outward, cornering several enemies—ones that had been trying to hide from sight.

"Damn it… so it wasn't several, but a dozen!"

His body tensed, then calmed as he prepared to strike.

"I will take care of them," he muttered.

But his vision was suddenly blocked by a shadow. Looking up, he saw a giant tree that had grown out of nowhere.

"What is this…?"