SAO:PoA - Chapter Ten

Floor 35, July 31st, 2023

Forty monsters, heavily armed ran thought the plains. They were ugly, green skin, yet human like faces. No hair, a big nose coming out their face with red eyes with beast-like gaze, and long ears coming out like a fairy. No pretty muscular, and just 1, 60 meter tall in average. Escorting a caravan of wagons with several players imprisoned inside.

All of them were depressed as they looked down the floor of the wagon, just waiting for where the monsters were accompanying them. Most of the players were low levels, two girls.

“This shits just appeared form nowhere. Cerdic’s army of AI monsters are not as others we have faced.”

“Lower your voice Kana. If they would hear you…”

“What can they do they do, that has not already been done.”

“I would not ask it sister.”

“What will they do Diana??”Other player interrupted their conversation.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“They will kill us. One by one, we are like sheep, going to a slaughterhouse, why the hell do you ask.” Other player said, he was nervous as his eyes were fully opened, and almost shouted, enough to lay fear among those in the wagon.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Kana slapped him in the face.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Dot say that asshole, there kids in here idiot.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“You bitch!” The male player closed his fist and rammed to the girl.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Do not dare to touch my sister” Diana interrupted and kicked the player on his groin. He felt to his knees, with his hands covering his weakness, as he could nearly scream in pain.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Still yourself! You are not helping.” She then directed to everyone on the wagon

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“The best thing we can do is remain alive, do you understand. Remain alive.” She pointed to her forehead. “In here.” She pointed to her heart “And in here.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The caravan stopped, as the leader raised its left fist.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“What is happening leader?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I smell.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“What?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Human flesh.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“The wind knocks the back of our necks, they are behind us.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Hasten way!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The caravan continued its way north east, even faster than before.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Diana, someone is following us.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“We have to send message they are and appropriate path.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“How?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Diana untied the ribbon of her hair and threw it out of the wagon. <p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“We but pray now, and hope.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Two players ran as fast as they could in the plains of floor 34

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Two days, following those monsters through the plains. Without stop, nor rest. And not even a single sing of if we are near or not from them.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I do not believe it so, Percival.” He stopped a brief second and lowered his knee to the ground.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“What did you find, Tristan.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“This, a violet ribbon, for the hair of a girl.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“This means we are on proper path. Send Horus on his way to advance on the path, so we may have anticipated sight of where the goblins are headed. ”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“The ribbon here stands as no casualty.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“What do you believe?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“The wind two hours ago was heading on their direction; they may have caught our sent. And when they players noticed, they may have thrown this, as message to us. They are at least 2 hour form us.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“We have gained distance. Then let us quicken legs, to see it even more.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Horus flight!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The hawk began his flight, as the two players continued the way following them.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“It is the most fortunate thing, that we both held Tracking Skill.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Tristan did not answer. His mind was with other things

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“What you lay your thoughts, Brother.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I but think, why they capturing humans?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“This has become Strange since the last months, since attacks of Cerdic’s Army have become more frequent.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Yet, this is not the time for this, we have to free those imprisoned. And call for back up, if we so need it.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Yeah, go!” <p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The Recognition Team of the Royal Knights ran faster, as a veil of dust was left upon their path.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Grey Fist!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Bors: “Good one!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “I yet need to be faster.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Bors: “Two coming by your back!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Garuru Fist!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant pierced through the body of a Goblin, as the other come he blocked the swing of its sword with the body of the one he just punched. He then jumped them two to their back.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Meteor Impact!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A powerful fire kick pierced the body of the Goblin, killing it instantly.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Bors: “yeah, you are much better.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “thanks, yet I need to be much better.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Bors: “Do not press yourself to hard. Combining these movements I taught you with your skill with sword and shield will make you a fearsome opponent.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “what of Lance.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “Here I am.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Did you manage to use that technique?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “Yeah.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Bors:” show us then, a goblin is going right to your back.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance tuned and ran to the monster, as it trusted the sword to him, Lance avoid it and kicked it to the ground. He then jumped and prepared a downwards fist.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “Ryu-Ken!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance’s fist pierced the monsters chest and killed it in a second.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Bors: “Incredible.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “you are much better.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “Thanks, the hour grows late, we should return to the village, see if the guys have come back.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Yes.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The three knights walked back to the village of Ayres, at the center of Floor, medium big city, with walls surrounding it. The city did not serve as home for much of them; it was, by far, the highest level the player had achieved by the moment, and the only place where an Army could be held.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Upon entrance, Gawn, Elicia, Silica and Guinevere were waiting.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “Guys, you are finally back.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Training uses much time, we are already on level 40 Gawn.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “Any new member to your army?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Guinevere: “None.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Damnit, almost six months, we are but a few dozens, up against an army.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“What do you expect; people would not just join an army just like that. They need reasons. Proves that you are worthy to follow” A voice spoke form behind of them. They tuned, it was Klein, leader of Fuurinkazan, and one of the few guilds that joined their Army.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “An idea Klein?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Klein: “In this moment no.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “Then come here when you have something worthy of shearing.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Stop!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “Galant?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “He breaks truth in the matter. People do not look just for actions; they search someone or something to believe in. Perhaps, by doing something, we shall prove ourselves worthy, and see numbers swell, as odds in our favor.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Guinevere: “Anyway, the hour grows late, we should prepare meal.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">They began walk to the inside of the city all of them together. Suddenly, Galant stopped.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Guinevere: “What happened Galant?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Message form the recognition team.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant moved his index finger and opened the message. It held nothing written in it, but an object: a hologram communicator. A device that could be used for communication with someone else at the moment, via a hologram of your body and microphones. It could only work if the other person had one with himself.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “We should go to the Base, and see it there.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “yeah.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">They continued on their way to the center of the city. The base was a medium building, with a large plaza at the back, which made it perfect for their cause and the only reason they stayed there.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The allies gathered on the dining room and sat on the tables. Galant took out the Hologram Communicator and pressed the button for begin a conversation.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Percival’s body image appeared in that instant.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Percival: “Hello Gal, everyone.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Hi. Are you two guys okay? Held any good news for me?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Percival: “We are well. We do have news, but good or bad, is in regard to your opinion.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “Break them so.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Percival: “We have followed the Goblins which had attack the village at the north of Ayres. They got prisoners for reason unknown to us by the moment. We have followed them the entire day.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Klein: “do you continue so?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Percival: “No, since I am speaking to you. We have finished travelling because they have stopped.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “What is your meaning?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Percival: “they have built a fortress upon two ridges.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “Goddamned.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Guinevere: “What are we up against?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Percival: “It seems an abandoned castle, and they have built a sort of wall around it’s entrance. It is a fortress. Only one way in or out, unless we learn how to flight. A security office at the far side of the compound, next to the principal entrance, and a command center, connected by bridge. Both heavily guarded. If Cerdic is there, he might be in that control room.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Bors: “What of the prisoners?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Percival: “They down the control room. They are approximately 70 players.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Where are you?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Percival: “On a hill, on the right side 150 meters from the stronghold. Tristan is up a tree; thanks to his X-ray skill he can easily see inside the castle.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Take pictures, send us images, and all the Intel you can. Remain there and be back here soon. DO NOT BE DISCOVERED.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Percival: “If so, we shall take our own lives.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “Try not to.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Percival: “We shall.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">He finished the conversation by pressing the button once again.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “What do you lay your thoughts?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “The place is a fortress, it will nottbe easy to liberate the players.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “you are saying that…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Yeah. I plan to enter the stronghold and get the players out of it.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “are you crazy?!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “No.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Klein: “I stand with him Galant. We cannot risk life is such absurdity.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “who does sand with me?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Guinevere, Gawn, Elicia, and Bors agreed his statement.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “You have all lost mind.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “we cannot leave those trapped there.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Guinevere: “If there is a way, we shall use it, no matter the difficulty

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Klein: “Are you certain of this?” <p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Klein, you told me we needed to a give a reason for people to join our army. I would send a message to all players, one that shall ignite the hearts of all those who fear Ceric.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Floor 35, August 1st, 2023

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">22:00

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Moon rising to its highest peak. Yet it could not by seen as lightnig and thounder covered it. The sky itself was falling. Mist in the atmosphere, making visualization even worse. The Royal Knights gathered on the hill near the stronghold the soft and cold north wind caressed their faces.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Does everybody remember my Orders?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">All: “yeah”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Great. Then we just have to wait for Klein and his men to make their job. Once they are done, it’s the signal.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A few minutes passed as if they were hours. Suddenly a large explosion several meters from the entrance.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “We are on. Team 1, with me. Team 2, you know what you have to do. Wait for blowing it. Pay attention to you communicators. Tristan we depend of you. Go!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant, Gawn and Guinevere went to the side of the main entrance, while Lance, Elicia and Bors went to the bridge that connected the two sides of the compound.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Tristan, two Archers at the top of the wall. Switch them of.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Tristan shoot two arrows as their two bodies fell to the outsides and shattered into polygons.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “Good shot.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “prepare the hooks.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">They grabbed their hooks, singed them in circles several times, throw them, all of them hooked. They began going up the wall, once they reached the upper side, they looked to the monsters, which were all looking towards the entrance, which had been opened in search of what had exploded.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Guinevere: “Your plan served. The explosion caused by Fuurinkazan was enough to drive their attention.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “fortunately.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “there, the security office!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “yeah. We shall go thought the tents. Down there, do what I do, do as I do. Understand?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant walked that the stairs of the wall to the security office. They covered themselves going around the tents crouching.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant stopped for a second.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Gawn plant explosives upon the tents. We will burn this place down if we have to escape.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn put several explosives hidden on the tents.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Two goblins near the entrance. Gawn”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Guinevere: “wait, seems they are moving.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The goblins got out of the entrance, as it seemed they were walking on a shopping mall, they soon arrived to a spot they could see the humans walking through the camp.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “they are to near to the entrance, we cannot risk.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant tossed a knife to Gawn They followed the goblin few steps, grabbed them from the neck and slashed their throats, dying instantly and without a single sound.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">They got to the entrance. Galant touched the communicator in his ear.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Tristan, we are upon the door of the office, do you see anyone inside?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Trirstan: “four goblins. They seem to have not heard the explosion.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Understood. Gawn Tomahawks.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant took out two kunais and knocked the door. The door opened Galant rammed to the goblin and stabbed it with one knife to the chest, He then threw his other to a monster right on the face. Gawn also threw his tow Tomahawks and killed the Goblins. <p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Clear. We have to advance.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">They continued on their way through the Security Room, getting out to the bridge connecting the two parts of the facility.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “The others should be down by now.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Right, let’s check.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">They looked down, yet the storm did not help to purpose, they could nearly see in front of them, and the lower part of the bridge was covered in total darkness.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Tristan, we cannot see team 2 under the bridge. Where are them.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A brief moment waiting for response.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Tristan: “right below you. Besides that, the Monsters have come back to the base and the doors of the entrance are closed one again.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “thanks. You two are alright?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Tristan: ”Fortunately, they did not got here, and it seems we neither been noticed.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Good to hear it. Guys prepare ropes, we shall help them up.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Team 1 took out the hooks planning them on the edge of the bridge and waited for them to go up. As soon as they all got up, Galant spoke.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Is it done?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “Yeah. The whole damn bridge seems to be about to collapse. If we also take into account the storm, and the river’s increasing wake, those factors shall help.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Let us advance.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The gathered teams got to the second part of the facility. As soon as they were in they saw a divided hallway. One getting to the downstairs, the other upwards, to a second floor.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “Tristan, which path do we take?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Tristan: “The one upwards shall take you to the command center, the other to the prisoner room. Unfortunatly, my X-ray vision skill cannot penetrate further on the walls, so you are on your own.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Understood. Lance and Guinevere, we are going to the Control Room, upwards. Gawn, Bors and Elicia, to the prisoner’s dungeon. Lance”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “Be careful guys, Elicia.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance gave his communicator to Gawn. <p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “We will. We are going now.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Tristan: “A thing you should take into account Gawn, down there is the looker for all the player weapons, so it would be a good idea to use them.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “good idea.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">They got down and prepared for liberating the players. <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “You two near me. We shall end this war tonight.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Tristan: “Galant, the Command Center is right above you, to you left you have a thin wall, that will lead you to a narrow gap where you can crawl up to the center. Down wards o0f it you have the dungeon. I am blind from now on.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Thanks Tristan. Guys we are taking a shorter path.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant used Garuru fist on the wall several times, creating a hole where they could enter.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“We are on.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">They started going up by the wooden beams inside the wall that connected the two sides of the breached wall. Escalating they got to several small hole, where they could see inside of it from the upper side of a wall. There was no sub-boss of note inside, just several Goblins speaking to each other.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“No response from the security room?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“none.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Send someone to check it.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Guinevere: “they may have noticed something strange.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“So is it true?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“The attack force Ayres? Yes.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “we should enter.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “no, I want to hear about what they are speaking.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Why?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“According for what I heard, the humans are preparing an army, to attack the King of Monsters.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“And the attack will be held in purpose of destroying Humans hope of defeating us.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “ready weapons, I would have more words with that monster.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">They took out their weapons.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Lance prepare a fist to the wall, we will catch them by surprise, be fast as you can. At my mark. Three, two, one… GO!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">They combination of Grey fist and Ryu-Ken widened the walls hole, and so the Players entered

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lane rushed to a goblin and using Fujin no Seiken pierced into polygons. Guinevere slashed other several times before finishing the monster with Stardust Slasher. Galant pushed the goblin to the floor; he saw the last one about to escape from the room and throw Balmung to it, piercing his chest. He went to grab his sword while Lance held the monster on the floor, with his katana on the neck.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “we would have words.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “the attack on Ayres, when will it be held.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“In two days, at midday.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “how many?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“A hundred, at least.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “much gratitude.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance stabbed the monster on the neck, killing it instantly.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“This is not good.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “We are too few to face that legion. Yet we must, We have no choise.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “the night gets better and better by each damned second.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I WILL BECOME MUCH BETTER TRUST ME.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The door opened. A sub-boss entered in the room. He was large, not just on weight, but in height also. He has a long hear covering up to he’s chest, and a helmet covering most of his head which the hair communing out by the back. He hand a large belt on his belt along black long boots and as clothes a brown vest and short trousers. He carried a huge double handed axe.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">On his back, four Orcs, level 40 monsters, and the monst powerfull monster in the floor.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Throllbrad.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Throllbrad: “True Galant. I am here to end your lives. THIS SHALL BE YOUR TOMB!”