The Dawn of the New World

Hao Xuan stared out towards the massive forest that seemed to go on forever. From where he was, it seemed like a green sheet of paper that went on as far as the eye could see. Two of the newly formed rivers were also visible. They were twisting around a gigantic mountain range about forty kilometers away like a pair of serpents strangling their prey.

Outside the city wall, the neverending rain turned the farmland into a marshy hell. It formed several meter large puddles every few steps. All the crops had long been washed away and what was left was barren land that would not be suitable for farming for months.

"Do we have a choice?" he muttered under his breath.

Kuo also looked out and let out a deep breath, "No," he said shaking his head.

"Then we fight. What else is there to think about?" he smiled and turned around, walking down the stairs and disappearing into the crowd.

Kuo looked at his back with a self-mocking smile, "He sure has changed."

****

Hao Xuan walked out of the Mad Saint barracks and into the city. There were people going about their everyday businesses as usual.

He had ordered the saints to destroy some of the mansions in the upper side of the city to make the area suitable for farming. These places had retractable roofs and could provide shelter from the rain. There were rows of fruits and vegetables growing everywhere which were enough to take care of the daily needs of the few hundred thousand citizens currently residing in Galena.

Fortunately, like many other places in the Beast world, most of the things were massive in scale here. That was true for Galena as well since it's size was enough to hold up to 5 million people with ease. And because of the previous City Lords orders, there had already been a few farmhouses inside the city walls so with the addition of the new areas, it wouldn't be a problem to survive for years even.

He walked through the fields with a smile on his face and picked up an orange. Because of the cold weather, oranges were the easiest to plant and grow. The energy-rich blood and bones of the beasts that was used as manure further increased the maturation speed of these crops and even gave them a small burst of spiritual energy.

Without even realizing it, he started humming while moving from one area to another, sometimes stopping to inspect the produce.

"Boys! Time for dinner, and give Xiao Xiao a quick bath before bringing her in!" a voice said from a few dozen meters away. He suddenly stopped and looked up.

Sophia was standing in the kitchen and shouting out through a window. A young girl of about 17 years of age came from behind her and smiled, "Mother, I will call them in, please have a seat. You shouldn't be walking around so much."

A few minutes later Reece appeared out of the fields along with Miles. They both were covered in dirt and had farming tools on their shoulders. Damian followed behind them with a basket full of fresh vegetables and a small puppy in tow.

The puppy was holding a miniature basket as well, with a couple of grape tomatoes inside. Its small legs couldn't keep up with the boys so it would be left behind every few steps and then would make a run for it to catch up.

They walked into the house and appeared in the kitchen. Reece walked up to the young girl and gave her a kiss, who hit him in the arm shyly. She was another person from the same village as the Millers. Her and Reece liked each other for a long time and they recently got married.

"You still don't remember anything?" Hao Xuan asked looking at the scene in front, but there was no one near him.

"Yes my lord. I have spent many days here taking care of them, but I still do not recognize any of them. Were they...very dear to me?" Ensis appeared out of nowhere and stood behind Hao Xuan, also staring at the merry scene.

Hao Xuan sighed, "More than either of us can ever imagine. If one day there comes a time when you awaken your memories, even if you are a true god, I will free you from your chains and let you return to them, do not worry."

Ensis smiled and shook his head. He bent down on one knee.

"I am your servant, now and for all of eternity. You gave me this life, gave me another chance to walk among the living, and a purpose."

"For that, I shall be your sword throughout the endless time. I shall rend the boundary of the heaven and earth and lay waste to the myriad dao, if you so command."

"You are the only one worthy to stand above the high heavens. All shall kneel before my King, as I do today, lest they be torn asunder."

"....."

Hao Xuan stood speechless in front of him.

A gust of roaring wind circled Ensis along with a dark energy before disappearing into the black night as if the heavens themselves were acting as his witnesses.

For a few minutes Hao Xuan completely forgot where he was. The only thought going through his mind was how this loyalty was forced and not original.

It only made him feel more alone.

'Would you feel the same way even if you weren't forced to do so by the constitution?' he thought inwardly.

"Rise. I told you never to kneel before me. You are my equal, not my servant, and will be treated as such. Now, get ready. We have a tough battle ahead," he patted Ensis's shoulder and walked towards his own residence.

Sophia suddenly looked out the window where Hao Xuan had just been standing, but there was no one there anymore.

*****

A few hours later, just after the sunset, the first wave of the beast horde arrived. There were about ten thousand beasts led by two Malevolent Scaled-Rhinocerous beasts.

Atop the city walls stood Hao Xuan along with Mia, Aria, Luke, and Mason.

Kuo, Hash, Maddy, and Cav formed different teams and stood a few hundred meters away from each other on the wall.

"Sound the warning," Hao Xuan waved his hand and a loud horn was blown a few seconds later, indicating the start of the battle.