World's End

Chapter 1: End of The Guild

Altare POV

The world is corrupted...My guild made one fatal mistake: we took a threat too lightly, and now the world is broken beyond repair. Elysium and Xenokuni have both fallen, but the outside world is still prospering. I can't let the corruption reach the outside world...

I remember my guild's final moments like it was yesterday, yet it was a distant dream at this point. I may be the only one left still breathing, but I was unfortunately given a chance to live.

I angrily grinded my teeth in frustration as I tried to fix my broken gun saber, but it just wouldn't turn back on; it was missing a vital part. I could get it, but I'd have to traverse the land and possibly meet a horrid end. Both my mother and my little sister are out there on the other side, living happy lives, and yet I'm here.

Food supply is low, and I'm almost out of water. I only have small rations left. Go figure. "Ugh..." I growled as a memory entered my head. I saw way too much.

Flashback...

"We finally did it! We saved both Elysium and Xenokuni from danger. To be honest, that threat was kind of lackluster. We kicked that creature's fucking ass!" Axel nonchalantly laughed.

"Yes, let's celebrate a job well done," Vesper calmly and reservedly said.

Vesper was not one to really party; he has his chaotic moments, sure, but usually he is a reserved scholar, not really wanting to engage himself in trivial matters such as a party.

"Sure, let's party; we should get the jester and pilot as well." Magni suggested

"I'll get some drinks," I said.

We all gathered things for the party, and Magni gathered up Flayon and Bettle. With them were Shinri and Hakka, who I thought were out on a scouting mission, but they were still here in the guild hall. Hakka seemed unsure about something while Vesper poured us all drinks, and Flay and I went to see what was bothering him.

"You seem a little timid," Flay questioned.
Hakka gave us a quick glance and nodded.

"I don't think we killed that creature," he said slowly.

"But the body vanished," I said, questioning why he would think that

"Yes, it did vanish, but you can say maybe the body vanishing was something else; maybe it escaped; we don't know. I think we should have our guards up. I'm an exorcist; I specialize in killing creatures like that, but that is unlike any demon I've seen before."

After Hakka's long-winded explanation as to why he was worried, I sighed, "We killed it." I told him more sternly, making him try not to worry; he's being too delusional. All of a sudden, Hakka did seem to lighten up a little bit.

"Let's toast to protecting the people like always!" I loudly cheered.

We all banged our alcohol barrels together to toast the beer that spilt out of the mugs and got onto the table and the floor, but we didn't care because this was a party after all. We all ate good food and got drunk, not giving a care in the world about what was going on. It seemed as if the only ones that stayed sober were Shinri and Flayon.

"C-Come on, Shinri, drink more!" Bettle hiccuped

"Maybe just a few more," he deeply chuckled.

Hakka handed Shirni another barrel, and the man chugged it down, slamming the barrel down onto the table. "Ahhhh!" He breathed and groaned.

Hakka began to laugh and turned to Flayon, gently nudging him, "Come have one drink!" He pleaded playfully.

"Are you the one who was convinced that the threat wasn't gone?" Flayon asked