Spark in Darkness: Unworldy encounter/Prototype

Spark 23: Gless Moria, again

Haruki still could not quite process what was going on. The cries of the people on the battlefield, the smell of blood in the air, and the flashes of light amongst the darkness. Yet his hands still moved instinctively. He fired arrows after arrows, together with the other Sparks around him. The Sparks with long-ranged Torches were placed at the back of the offensive teams, providing much support for the Sparks.

With his hands moving continously, Haruki wondered if what he was doing was the right thing. Seeing Sparks falling was one thing, but seeing the Nayshards perishing also brought a certain ache to his heart. He could not quite understand why. Maybe it was the Mark of Balance linking his feelings to the Nayshards, or maybe he was just sensitive to deaths. Haruki realised this might be his final fight, and he was wondering if he would die without regrets.

That was a stupid thought.

Of course he would regret it. He would not be able to get back to Japan. He would not be able to spend more time with his friends, both here and in Japan. He would not be able to see his parents again. Meiyu Suzuki. Rinya Nightblade. He would not be able to talk to them again. He still had so much he wanted to say to them, so much to die. And yes, it was a stupid thought. He would die a virgin. He would not be able to start a family. He would not be able to do so many things.

He looked on, as the Sparks tore through the Nayshards' ranks, seemingly gaining an upper hand as the thousands of identical hooded and cloaked figures were defeated one after another. Their backup were also effective, but Haruki could see they were not going to gain the upperhand for long.

Behind these hooded soldiers were beasts of various kinds. Huge wolves, tigers, elephants, apes, crocodiles...you name them, they have them. Around them were some Nayshards that were dressed in more unique clothes, and Haruki understood they were the stronger ones, the main forces. Their numbers stretched on, and Haruki felt a shiver down his spine as he realised the sheer number difference was meant to crush the Sparks once and for all. The Nayshards were not risking anything; they were serious about obilerating the Sparks from this world.

The Sparks had considered that, so they pushed with half the number first. The rest would fight only when the first group was exhausted, and the traps laid around the battlefield when the first group retreated would aid in killing more Nayshards.

The fight continued for hours, and Haruki's arms were getting heavier by the minute. His arrows were also losing their brightness, getting thinner with every shot.

"You guys did a good job. You can rest first. I'll take over from now on." A slightly high-pitched male voice said.

Haruki turned around to see who was talking to them.

"Burton, sir." A female Spark said, a hint of respect in her voice.

The man before them nodded. The lanky figure materialised his Torch, a weapon that resembled a rifle, and placed it on the parapet of the castle wall. Squinting his eye to take aim, he pulled a string at the back of the rifle, and a beam of light tore through the night sky.

Haruki was impressed by the man's sniping skills. He had fired into the Nayshard's ranks, without scratching the Sparks fighting among them.

Burton had the skills and strength, and was above himself by a huge difference, Haruki understood immediately. Calling him a sniping veteran was not exaggerating. He could snipe without a scope.

A Spark volunteered to stay back and help, but Burton rejected his offer.

His eyes never leaving the battlefield for a second, he said, "I can last the rest of the night myself. Get some rest, I'm telling you guys. If you really want to help, keep a look out for Nayshards trying to ambush me."