Parallel - A Virtual Reality.

"Today is the battle against Dorek, there is probably going to be a great wave of wild monsters, and if everything goes well, it will be the last one," Says Eliana as she looks at everyone in the room.

Azalea, Eliana, Peko, and a few representatives of parties and guilds ȧssisting in the defense were present.

They were already used to everyone there, as these meetings were routinely done. Azalea normally gave Eliana the position of coordinator, and while the other representatives found this annoying at first, they realized that Eliana was very efficient at work and an excellent commander.

Of course, there were always rotten apples in the basket.

"Finally! I hope the rewards are worth so much hassle" Says a man with clear displeasure on his face as he looks at Eliana and Azalea.

"Yeah, why don't you let us kill more monsters, all this organization is a waste of time and money for us," Says another woman.

Because of the current organization, parties or guilds couldn't move much, as their position was dictated by Eliana as the commander of the battlefield. This aroused a lot of displeasure of many parties, as they couldn't kill more freely to their sides, as that would create a gap. Of course, these people didn't care if the town was partly destroyed as long as they got more loot and the corresponding rewards.

But even then, there were some especially venomous remarks.

"Kaiser has gotten very arrogant lately, even monopolizing this huge quest and trying to direct people that aren't their own," A smiling man says, with a clear posture that was different from the other small parties.

Eliana's eyes turned sharp as she looked at the smiling man, but before she could say anything, Azalea stepped up.

"I am very thankful for everyone gathering here to help us, I promise that the rewards will be corresponding to all the hard work you have done to keep our town and people safe. But because of that, we have entrusted the mission to lead to the guild Kaiser, especially to their commander Eliana, as I find her vision of the battlefield top notch. My first and foremost job as the leader of my people is to protect them to the very end, so I hope everyone can understand. This is the final wave, let's give it our all this one final time, would that be ok with you, guild leader Lolo?"

The smiling man, known as Lolo, leader from a medium-sized guild called Feral, shrugged at that remark, "Of course, I am just joking around, we will obey accordingly"

"Thank you for your understanding, not just Lolo, but to everyone, Gardan will always welcome you after all this ends," Says Azalea as she bows her head.

Everyone in the room got surprised at that, as it was the first time they saw Azalea bow to anyone. Despite being a proud warrior of Gardan, she still bowed her head, to show her gratitude as her most important mission was to preserve her people and their land.

"Don't worry, Azalea, we will win," Eliana says as she put her hand on Azalea's shoulder, then turn to everyone with a serious expression, "All right everyone, listen up real good as our time is getting shorter and the battle will resume at any moment! As the representative of Kaiser, I will make sure you will be paid in full for your efforts. You guys have done a great job so far, truly, but now all of us need to sharpen ourselves and give the best we can do. For Gardan, for the people here, and, of course…"

A big grin form on her face as says, "…For some great paid vacations for the hard work!"

Everyone grins at that as their expression sharpens.

The meeting starts with Eliana explaining the plan and the new distribution for the different parties. Many looked surprised as they didn't think such a change would be done in the final battle and some dissented that it was a rash decision.

Thankfully, Eliana was prepared for that and she said, "This is to make a magic circle around Gardan, for that, I would need everyone to wear these rings that have been prepared by our Blacksmiths"

- Amplification Ring. Defense: 0 Durability: 1/1. Element: Darkness.

Restriction

Must be activated by the Core Ring to function.

Bonus

Lets the user use the Dark Element for some time.

The people were amazed at that, and without thinking much they agreed to the change. Of course, some voiced their doubts about who would use the Core Ring, but Eliana smiled it off and said it would be a secret.

After that, the meeting finished quickly, as it would be best for everyone to do their final preparations with their parties.

Azalea also waved off to be with her people.

Only Eliana stayed behind as she watched her Amplification Ring. She chuckled to herself when she remembered the conversation she had with its creator.

'Eliana, I might be awesome and a genius, but there is no way I can finish that in time'

'Well, he is crazy when he focuses, in that regard, he is more eccentric than those guys' Eliana thinks as she shakes her head.

The beautiful dark ring was eye-catching, and it reminded her of that beauty that always stayed at the top of the highest building watching the direction of her beloved.

Then she smiled widely.

'I don't know what you little vermin are going to do, but be prepared, because the Priestess of Darkness is every bit of dangerous as she is beautiful

Eliana leaves the meeting room while humming as she puts the ring on

Turbulence soon started as a wave was seen at the distance.

The Priestess of Darkness looked at that with a ferocious expression.

---------------------------------------------------

We are finally in front of the last stretch to enter the battlefield, everyone looks deadly serious as the undulation of power at Storm Lake is no joke.

I concentrate to the best I can as I feel the power of the elements circling me.

'Tsk, I still can't shake that feeling off' The bad feeling that has been with me couldn't let me focus as much as I want to, but I shake my head at that.

I feel a pat on my right shoulder. I look at Zenith, who has an expressionless face, with confusion, and then he says, "I feel great today, so I think I can finish them off by myself"

My eyes widen as I hear that from this guy, and then I feel another pat on my left shoulder.

"Don't worry, little brother, your big bro here is going to take care of the bullies for you" Says Arksen, who was the one who patted my left shoulder, with a trickster smile.

I look blankly at him and then I hear a loud laugh.

"Bahahahaha! Well said! I, Aren, will take care of this little Dorek as Gardan did to his father"

Then I look at everyone behind me.

"Ready to become number two, Ardha?" Says Vladi while winking at me as she shows me her deadly guns.

"My shield is always ready to bash you in the head when you need, my dear cousin," Says Isa with a playful smile.

"I will heal everyone!" Says Juran with a dead-serious expression as he pushes out his fist.

"As Kaiser Guild Leader, I will pave the way for everyone!" Shouts Kagito with a nervous expression but with a firm voice.

"Haha!" A laugh ends up escaping my lips as a smile forms on my face.

The Scardinians start echoing along, being visibly more relaxed than before.

I take another good look at everyone, without realizing, not just an army stood before me. It was the people has battled with me with tooth and nail.

I grin at everyone as I take out my swords.

"Let's take care of this runt, boy," Says Dei as I feel a fierce attack incoming.

"ALL RIGHT EVERYONE, LET'S SHOW THEM WHAT WE ARE MADE OF!" I shout as I turn around and wave my swords powerfully while using my elemental enhancement.

Zenith and Arksen take a step back as they grin without doing anything.

The impact between the two attacks creates a powerful collision.

"Well, well, you are an insect worth squashing," Says a deep, guttural, voice from the Storm Lake.

I grin when I hear that, finally…

"CHARGE!!!!"

It's time to face off Dorek. Even if the bad feeling hasn't left me, I know for sure one thing.

I am not alone in this fight.