Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 3053

In the western Outlands, deep within the Wastelands, the Cathedral's army and the werewolf forces had already clashed three times in a row. The fighting never stopped, and the battlefield reeked of blood and exhaustion.

Makhaylus had been ambushed by Kaelan and nearly lost his life. If Lysander had not fought desperately to pull him out, Makhaylus would already be dead.

"Lysander, thank you. I'm so useless."

Makhaylus lay on a stretcher, his giant-like body torn open by a massive hole. Kaelan's steel claws had pierced straight through him.

Lysander's youthful, handsome face was filled with worry. His eyes never left Makhaylus.

"Makhaylus, we're brothers, children of the Cathedral. You once risked everything to save me under Andrew's blade. So naturally, I would risk everything to save you."

Makhaylus breathed weakly, his eyes half-closed and his mood heavy.

He mumbled, "But I failed the Pope's trust and betrayed the Lord's favor. I was useless and failed to carve a path for the Vindicators. Kaelan's werewolf army killed so many of our warriors. It hurts me deeply."

Lysander clenched his fists and said bitterly, "Makhaylus, pull yourself together. If you are hurting, then so am I, and so is the Archbishop. But the road to spreading the Lord's glory is always covered in thorns. The only thing we can do is offer up these broken bodies and cut through them, even if it costs us our lives."

Makhaylus forced himself to nod. "Yes, even if it costs my life, I would not hesitate. Lysander, you've always been the smarter one. I was the foolish one this time."

Lysander gently tapped his forehead. "Makhaylus, don't be discouraged. Focus on healing. Victory still belongs to us. The Archbishop has already requested reinforcements from Lomuia Grand Cathedral. Arya will soon arrive in the Outlands."

Makhaylus jolted and pushed himself up, forgetting his injuries entirely. "Arya is coming to the Outlands? Isn't she always commanding on the Dark Battlefield?"

A faint smile appeared on Lysander's face. "The Pope has reassigned others to the Dark Battlefield. Arya will soon come to the Wastelands to support us. You know it as well as I do. As long as she arrives, nothing is a problem."

Makhaylus lay back down, fully at ease now, and smiled. "Yes, as long as Arya comes, nothing is a problem. The dignity of the 12 Angels has always been upheld by her. I never expected that we would still have to rely on her this time."

Lysander said softly, "Makhaylus, don't think that way. The 12 Angels each have their strengths. It's just that Arya is more complete and more fully evolved than the rest of us. She is the hidden spear of the Cathedral, the shadow behind the light. The Archbishop said that once she sets foot in the Wastelands, it will be time for a full-scale offensive against the two dark clans."

A relaxed smile finally appeared on Makhaylus' face, and he drifted into deep sleep.

That meant their entire lives were destined to belong to the Cathedral. Marriage and children were forbidden, let alone harboring a desire for one of their own.

Lysander steadied his emotions and asked, "What does the Archbishop need me for?"

The Vindicator replied, "A guest has arrived. The Archbishop requires you to meet them."

Lysander's heart leaped as he blurted out, "Is it Archangel Arya? Has she arrived?"

The White Warrior smiled. "The Archangel will arrive a bit later. She must first return to the Cathedral to report after withdrawing from the Dark Battlefield. Only then will she come here. The one who arrived is not the Archangel. It's the Lord of Abyss City."

Lysander froze, then said in shock, "The Lord of Abyss City, Andrew Lloyd of Holtrien?"

The Vindicator replied gloomily, "That is the one. The Archbishop has received him with a full ceremony."

Lysander's expression darkened as he stormed out in a huff. "How dare he deliver himself to our doorstep! Let me meet this blasphemer, this devil!"