Central Gathering Hall, Sacred Forest Temple Ruins.

Pattou and the rest of his Central unit had advanced onward to put an end to the thorn on the Central unit's side, the Corrvin Snipers. The dancers combined ruthlessness and finesse to dance and whip the archers into elimination. Riff did his part by strumming sound walls and sound waves to unsuspecting snipers. Pattou would charge at them and slash away with the Legacy Sword. Star and the Priests casted Holy once again to deal the final blow, wiping out what would be the last Corrvin forces.

Southeastern Ruins

Sayfuro was still exhausted from his duel with Huo Kuro, until he was being handed a potion. Little did he know, Gerard had actually advanced on his own accord and by intuition, he went to the Southeastern Ruins with his cache of supplies.

Sayfuro: It seems this will be your first time to fight. 

Gerard: Master Sayfuro, did you forget the raid in the South Central Market? 

Sayfuro: - recalls that South Central Market raid - I thank you for the provisions. We must now head towards the Southern Path.

Southern Path.

Zo and some of the acolytes arrived and they noticed the fog. 

Zo: Men, beware of the fog. Keep close and arms on your weapons. 

Zo then placed his shield up, but it was too late. Some of the acolytes fell and were eliminated as a rain of fire came down upon the entire area. Zo had to be on high alert as he does not know where the caster is exactly located.

Somewhere in the fog upon seeing his magic work in that manner, Huo Lan thought, 

Huo Lan: finally, I shall take you all down and none of you can even find the caster.

Huo Lan-Corrvin Camp, Southwestern Altar ruins.

What remained of the Western unit, led by Quasar and Liger encountered Huo Lan's disciples, or at least what was left of them. The shaman were able to cast spirit magic in tandem to both leaders' arrows shots. This led to the end of the Huo Lan disciples. Quasar and Liger along with the Shaman units now marched East to the Southern Antechamber.

Southern Path

All of the Blade-Fierrio forces have arrived after decimating most of the foes. All except for one Huo Lan, who is making good use of the fog as cover. Upon sensing that all of his foes are now present in this fogged down area, Huo Lan once again casts for Fire Rain. This time, it was able to deal significant damage to the Blade-Fierrio numbers as the fire rain eliminated the remaining disciples and priests, but left the 11 remaining officers alive thanks to the shaman spirit magic protecting them. The Blade-Fierrio came into the area scrambled so they were all cautious upon advancing further, more so the Blade Allied officers as this was their first time encountering fog. It did not help the Blade-Fierrio forces that the Southern Path was a maze as well, adding to the difficulty in finding their enemy..

Liger had the idea of having his Sniper Falcon fly above to find the source of the area wide magic. Quasar wondered, 

Quasar: Why send out your creature? 

Liger: The fog has already affected our vision. Think of it as my way of finding the culprit. And as a sniper, don't you have a sniper falcon of your own?

Quasar: No. I depend on the spirits and the Goddess Creator's essence around to find things out. 

Liger: With all due respect, but now is a good time to ask for Her help, my friend.

Zo's shield at this point was already at this point, beyond use it was getting charred further due to the fire rain. Clutching on to his polearm, he was readying himself for when his opponent would come out. He no longer had to wait as from behind one of the maze walls, Huo Lan pounced on him with a fire fist from behind. Zo tried to get up but Huo Lan's fire fist shot to his back was strong enough to keep him struggling. 

Zo: This is not strength. You coward! 

Huo Lan: Oh you are indeed a fool. In this type of fight, honor does not matter. I win this one using my cunning and strength. And I will be taking some mana from you 

Huo Lan then casted Osmose, a spell that saps mana from another target. Paladins are not known to be magic users, but they are also healers, which Huo Lan knows about. After regaining some mana, Huo Lan then casts Thunderbolt at Zo's back to eliminate him from the fight.

Outer area, Sacred Forest Temple Ruins.

Zo suddenly was transported to the side designated for the Blade-Fierrio forces. Rikkou walked towards Zo, 

Rikkou: They got you too? Oh man. I hope the others are doing fine. 

All they can do is wait out and hope that their forces win this one. But sadly, the situation is becoming bleaker and bleaker as their opponent's advantage is already taking over.

Southern Antechamber

The Shamans were using spirit magic to trace Huo Lan, but to no avail, they are still unable to find the enemy leader. Liger only waited for his sniper falcon to return with some direction to find their foe.

Sayfuro and Gerard had been walking through the maze from the Eastern path finding the source of the Fire Rain from earlier. Sayfuro had regained some of his strength from the potion began clutching and using the walls as jumping pads to find Huo Lan. Gerard can only run in the same direction. Gerard in his frustration said, 

Gerard: This maze and now fog. I cannot believe Lord Patriarch talked us all into this without knowing the cost... 

Sayfuro: Now is not a good time to doubt Lord Patriarch. Although I join you in your sentiment, knowing Lord Patriarch and the Blades, he has his reasons and we must respect that.

The Central Unit split up with Star and Pattou taking the left, while Riff, Jinzy and Clara take the right path. Star would cast a light spell to have her staff act like a torch to illuminate the path. Pattou would be on the ready with his Legacy Sword in its scabbard. Star wanted to ask Pattou something but she saw in his body language that he was not exactly in a conversational mood, feeling the weight that had suddenly been placed on his shoulders. Pattou himself feeling fired up, wanted to personally put an end to the one who disrespected and verbally defiled Star days before this Sacred War.

Riff, Jinzy and Clara walked towards the right and heard footsteps. Riff was on the ready with his fingers on the guitar, readying to strum. The footsteps grew closer and Riff was about to strum but Jinzy stopped him. She was right to stop the attack as Liger, Quasar and the shaman units have found them. Jinzy squealed as she found her man, well for her that is. Liger held her in his arms back but told her not to let her guard down.

Riff heard a fireball being flung towards Jinzy but could not decipher due to the fog from what direction was it being conjured from. The fireball was intended for Jinzy's back but Liger turned around for him to take the fireball shot and end up eliminated. Jinzy screamed at the horror. Although there was no death, she was shocked to see her rescuer sacrifice himself for her. The sniper falcon shrieked towards the right path and swooped down to the source of the magic. The sniper falcon, that had a little talisman ring of its own, will sadly join its master as Huo Lan clutched the creature with a falcon hand. Jinzy saw the cruelty and would recklessly rush at the enemy leader with her whip already cracking against the ground.

Huo Lan used his swiftness and nimble movements to avoid each whip shot. Once Jinzy left herself open, Huo Lan would cast a Thunderbolt straight to her spine, eliminating the dancer. Riff had an idea, Clara would distract Huo Lan while Riff commanded the Shaman units to cast a spirit ball to illuminate the area. Quasar would join in keeping Huo Lan busy with Clara. Once the Shaman units casted the spirit balls, Riff would strum his guitar creating a sound wall pointed upwards to create a light beacon of sorts and a sound explosion as well, which served as a call for reinforcements and detection that the enemy was already in their midst.

Pattou, Star, Sayfuro and Gerard had heard of this and ran towards the direction of the sound blast. Pattou in his mind knew, 

Pattou: (Mind) His arrogance will be his own downfall.

Huo Lan had seen the trick and was knocked off. Quasar had his gauntlet bow aimed at Huo Lan, 

Quasar: Your days of harming my sister and deceiving the people are now over. 

Huo Lan heard this and was actually playing possum, so he kicked Quasar of his feet and cast Earthquake to summon earth spires and shake the ground. The shaman unit was eliminated along with Clara and Riff due to the impact. Quasar's troubles did not end there as Huo Lan casted Osmose on him, with no trouble. Quasar for his troubles was eliminated with a fireball flung from short range by the enemy leader. Star happened to see this and was horrified. Pattou grew enraged and charged at Huo Lan, with Gerard and Sayfuro following suit.

Huo Lan would smugly cast fire balls at his opponents, aiming forwards in bursts. Pattou would slash at the bursts with his Legacy Sword. Sayfuro would leap and cling on the walls to avoid the bursts. Gerard would sidestep as much as he can to avoid hits. Star would situate herself far from the range.

Gerard would be lucky enough to reach Huo Lan and strike the ground with his axe, executing a Magnitude shockwave. Huo Lan however was able to leap in time and aim a thunderbolt spell at Gerard's neck, eliminating the whitesmith in the process.

Star aimed for Huo Lan with a Holy spell but instead due to the fog, striking Sayfuro by mistake. Huo Lan saw the flash for a bit and casted a fireball, with his hand over Sayfuro's head near the palm and eliminated Pattou's adviser.

It was now down to the rival leaders and part of the reward of the Sacred War. There may be fog but only one thing is clear as Huo Lan was preparing to cast his spell and Pattou was preparing to draw the Legacy Sword. Only one of them can prevail. Huo Lan began launching Fire Balls at Pattou's torso, with the latter slashing away or blocking using the flat edges of the sword. Huo Lan increased the offensive by casting fireball with one hand and a thunderbolt with the other. Try as he might, Pattou was able to slash back the fire projectiles, but it was the thunderbolt that nearly did him in after it hit him in the midsection, pushing him back to a maze wall, knocking him out momentarily.

Star heard a thud and upon using her illuminated staff, she saw Pattou lying against the wall. Huo Lan had a nasty grin upon seeing her like this. Star approached Pattou but before they were almost near, Huo Lan casted Earthquake to separate the two, causing Star to be knocked over.

Huo Lan now approaches the one he claims to be his woman, 

Huo Lan: What does he have that I do not? 

As he said this, he was shooting fire balls towards her limbs. Star was trying to blast back with Holy but was unable to even cast due to Huo Lan's magic projectiles striking at her limbs. She would not dare scream as well as this will give Huo Lan the satisfaction and ebb him to do more despicable things. Nonetheless, the verbal abuse continued on, 

Huo Lan: No escape this time. Why don't I kill the last hurdle to me claiming everything. Power, Leadership, You!

Out of nowhere, Pattou had stepped on the earth spire left by the Earthquake and was midair. Huo Lan was unable to register or even react to counter Pattou as Pattou had the Legacy Sword drawn to charge with the point aimed at Huo Lan's back. The Legacy Sword found its mark on the right side of Huo Lan's back. Out of rage, Pattou removed the sword and charged once more, performing a running horizontal slash. Once Huo Lan was doubled over, as if fate had not wanted him to lose easily, Pattou vertically slashed him with his sword going down with both hands on the handle.

At that last strike, Huo Lan had been mercifully defeated and taken out of the battle ground. Pattou placed the Legacy Sword back in its scabbard, but as he did, he knelt down on his left knee due to exhaustion, with Star holding onto him catching before he would fall to the ground. A beam of light had formed between the two and before the light took them, Star was crying tears of joy and kissed Pattou on his lips. Pattou responded by kissing her back on the lips as well as the light engulfed upon them and they left the Sacred War Battleground.

Outside Area, Sacred Forest Temple Ruins.

Chief Priest Solaris saw that a light had beamed at the side of Huo Lan's forces. He saw that the infidel had been defeated and knocked unconscious as per the rule of the Sacred War. Then finally, two pillars of light had appeared with Patriarch "Pattou" Blade and Lady Star still holding each other whilst kneeling and in a lip lock, but upon seeing her father, Lady Star pulled away, but Pattou would then be helped up by Sayfuro and Rikkou. Solaris would then have the two forces gather. Once Huo Lan came to, Solaris would then deliver the result of the Sacred War, 

Solaris: The side that is triumphant is Lord Patriarch Blade of the Blade Empire and his allies! 

The triumphant side cheered in jubilation that they have won, especially the Blade Allied officers who doubted that they can pull off such feat at first but were able to pull it off nonetheless.

Huo Lan looked in total disdain at Solaris's direction as he knew per their agreed terms of agreement what is to be said next. 

Solaris: As for you Huo Lan, per the agreed terms of agreement of the Sacred War. You and your followers are hereby exiled and excommunicated. Never to set foot in Tamaran forever! 

Huo Lan was helped by his lieutenant Huo Kuro and said with indignation to Pattou, 

Huo Lan: You may have won her now. But do not think this will stop me from claiming her to be mine. You have found yourself a thorn to your side that you will never be rid off. You shall pay. YOU WILL ALL PAY! 

Huo Lan's forces marched away from Tamaran.

Solaris would then smile and approach Pattou, 

Solaris: Well done, Lord Patriarch. Although you have nothing to gain, you still defended the honor of others, my daughter's honor most of all. You have extended my reign as chief priest and leader of these people. You don't have to apologize for what you two did upon emerging out here, You deserve her thanks. 

He said the last part with a tinge of fatherly pride and jest. 

That was Chapter 24 and wow was it a war!

Until the next chapter, keep safe and stay awesome!