All things came to an end when the heel of god scraped the outer edge of Althanas’ atmosphere bringing with it a blinding light and scorching air. The massive celestial body’s mass was great enough to assert such a force it rendered the Shinobi to one knee as it blazed past. All Hayate could do was use his tattered shroud to cover his face and prey to the Thaynes as he readied himself for certain death. Those of the battalion guarding the keep who were quick enough too used something to protect their airways from the thick burning air were lucky. Those who didn't fell quickly as their insiders roasted with every breath.
The earth began to quake and rumble as the very foundation of the city threatened to give under the meteors’ immense pressure. The city began to fail as the structural integrity of the Keep and many other buildings appeared to be near their breaking points. The first to fall was the northern lighthouse overlooking the merchant’s port, followed closely behind by a number of connected shops and buildings towards the center of the city near the last known location of Storm Veritas. And as the light and roaring of the meteor faded with each passing second Hayate dared to look. He slowly pulled back his cloak and opened his eyes. The light stung but he persevered through the pain though what he saw next would forever be etched in his psyche.
While the meteor hadn’t struck Althanas, grazing by just barely in the grand scheme of things, it did bring destruction and chaos. Hayate stood in disbelief as he tried to fathom what he was seeing. A molten sky trailed behind the meteor, raining down cannonball sized hell on the country indiscriminately. He could feel the collective terror of the city as one by one the survivors noticed and yet could do nothing to stop what was about to come. There was nothing in the world that could prepare one for something like this.
Nows the time Hayate, I don't care what was said before, you have to or you're going to die. Give me control and ill do what I can to save you, those children, and this whole forsaken city.
The shinobi, while afraid and confused, snapped back into action assessing the situation as his hand quickly darted to the hilt of his Nodachi. His lips parted as he uttered his blades release command and in one swift motion, Hayate drew his massive blade from its hilt on his back. He wiped it in a violent crescent as the magic within swelled, shattering the blade into innumerable pieces. The fragments of his sword culminated in a crimson mire at his feet about a meter in diameter. From the ooze sinewus membraines retched, attaching themselves like leeches to Hayate skin. The red pustules congregated until they manifested into the torso of a twenty-foot tall Shogun clad in ethereal armor.
The Corpse King dropped its skeletal jaw as it unleashed a blood curdling scream finally revealing himself to be on the battlefield. This wasn't the way he had wanted to do it but now wasn't the time for that. This sent those around him crying and running, including the Paladin, as they couldn't help but be frightened after witnessing all the chaos unfolding. Hayate, suspended within The Corpse King’s translucent chest cavity, watched as Yamato piloted their combined form up the outside of the keep. The arms of the beast making great reaches from one level to the next, its eyes dead set on a larger than average meteorite heading directly for the tallest tower of the structure.
Violently the monster made its way to the top unimpeded by any of the troops stationed on the ascending levels. They were either overwhelmed by the literal hell raining down on them or he himself but either way, they dared not incur the titan’s wrath. As they arrived at the top of the highest tower The Corpse King raised one hand to the sky, clawing a tear between realms and drawing from it a mighty crimson blade. The titan’s gaze never left the molten debris as it readied itself for the perfect moment, for they would only have one shot at this. With precision timing they lept into the air bringing their mighty weapon downward in a crescent slash, slicing the meteorite it two sending them colliding harmlessly to the ground on either side of the keep. Successfully The Corpse King had defended the Steel Keep from the largest of its threats.
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