Over time, humanity had lost vast areas of land and resources to the Abyssals. Now only three of the old world's continents remained in Nixara's possession- Asia, Africa and North America. In the span of a few decades, South America, Australia, Antartica and Europe had been lost to the Abyssals.
To protect what was left of Nixara, the Strongholds were built, cities built and fortified with the best of Nixara's resources to defend the remaining continents, as well as reclaim the rest of the lands she had lost. Three of these Strongholds presently exist- The Iron Citadel in Africa, The Forges in North America,and the Silvermoon Stronghold in Asia, the location Draco had been summoned to.
His answer,however... had been rather simple
"No."
Dan froze for a few seconds, failing to register the answer.
" No?What do you mean by 'no'? "
" It means I'm not going."
" Draco, listen. The Silvermoon is one of the most secure places left. And for them to summon you for a mission, it means there's a problem. They need your strength."
" They have you," he retorted sharply
" I can't always be around."
"You're free enough to summon me though. And they sent you knowing we were friends, didn't they?"
Silence. Draco sighed as he stared out the window.
In reality, The Strongholds weren't powerful enough to fight off every Abyssal in the vicinity. Abyssals were attracted to humans, after all, and if they attacked in their numbers, it would only be a matter of time before they brought humanity to extinction
To prevent that, fortresses were erected several kilometers away from the Strongholds, and people were transported there, tasked with gathering resources and serving as the vanguard against Abyssals. These settlements were called Outposts and served one more function, the kind that showed true human nature- they were bait.
There simply wasn't enough for everyone, so like everythimg in society, Strongholds were built around the rich and powerful, while the excess- the dregs of society- were sent to the Outpost to fend for themselves, and serve as a distraction, buying the Strongholds more time to grow.
A society built on blood. That was what Draco would call it.
Draco stared outside, looking down on a group of children playing soldiers. They were laughing, enjoying their fragile, little lives without a fear of tommorow. Because the Crimson Carnage was here.
Draco had been sent here a year ago. Back then, it had been a Slum- one of the pitiful Outposts that had no stream of resouces from the Stronghold, and were left to die, forced to rely on their own strength.
But they were weak. Abyssals raided their homes, and they could do nothing but hide and pray for their safety, only for the dead to rise as Abyssals, and continue the vicious cycle. Many lost their lives, and slowly, the title "Graveyard" became a cold reality.
That all changed when he came. The Crimson Carnage. In that one year, people could finally sleep soundly. In that one year, Abyssals learnt to avoid his Outpost. Because as long as he was here, the blood of Abyssals would never stop flowing.
Draco turned to face Dan, his voice firm.
" If I leave, they die. So I won't. Besides, what made you think I would agree when I would have to work with... them?"
There were two powers used to fight Abyssals. The first ones were Gifts, and those who possessed these powers would hopefully become Paladins.
The second ones were called Cores, and those who wielded them were called Hunters, humans who had awakened their Cores and were able to interact with their Soulscape using essence, the energy of everything.
It was much harder to Awaken a core, just as a Hunter was much rarer than a Paladin.
However, they were also the natural enemies of Abyssals, since they could defend their bodies from becoming an Abyssal's vessel. It also allowed them to control the elements to a certain degree. However, their bodies would narrow down their abilities to the most optimum choices, leaving Affinites- the different forms of essence a body could control naturally and efficiently.
So while Paladins defended the Strongholds from the demons within, Hunters left the safety of the walls to claim the lands conquered by Abyssals.
Draco was expected to work with them. He was a Paladin, but his Gift was specially adapted to killing, plus the fact he had spent a year at the Graveyard, forging his lethal Gift into a far deadlier weapon. Besides, Hunters were rare, so much so they had to recruit soldiers like Draco to defend their Stronghold. However, these soldiers were met with disdain, especially those with a reputation like Draco's.
" The last thing I need is trouble. I'm happy here, and have found something worth fighting for. I have no reason to go back."
" You do."
"And what could that be?"
" Because you know I'm right. You have protected these people, true, but they don't need your help right now. Someone is going to lose their life to an Abyssal this night, but many more will die if you don't go to Asia. They are the ones that need your strength. It's just one mission, and you're coming back right after. Who knows, I may even be able to talk to the Iron Vanguard about setting up a Bastion here."
Draco's eyes flashed to meet Dan's.
" Promise me that you will do your best to set up a Bastion in Godgrave, and I promise to do my best in Silvermoon."
" Hundred percent?"
Draco sighed, but a smile remained on his face.
" Hundred percent."
That night, word spread in the Graveyard that the Crimson Carnage would be leaving for another mission after a year of defending them.
To Draco's surprise, everyone came together to bid him farewell. It felt nice, to be greeted out of admiration instead of terror. Draco stared at the portal in Graveyard's transport department and and shook hands with Dan one last before stepping through for his first, and last mission in the Asia.