After Joshua left, I inwardly sighed.

“That was too close Dad,” whispered Maeve from beside me with a grave look on her face. “I don’t think I could’ve stopped him if...” she trailed on.

I grabbed her trembling hand, fighting to keep my nerves from showing my fear. “I know kiddo, but it had to be done.” I said walking forward to engage the few remaining people waiting for me.

Standing in a semi-circle around the bonfire stood a handful of my most loyal friends.

“You sure about this?” said Vlad behind that cowl. He struck an imposing figure with his black rags and quiet presence. We had faced this world together ever since meeting in The Killing Fields years ago. When he advanced from a Mage specializing in drain spells to a Necromancer class at level 10, he felt he had found his calling.

“As sure as I’ll ever be. I took that chance to show you what we’re up against. If I had waited any longer, we would be in serious danger.” I said quietly.

“He needs every abled bodied fighter at the moment. I won’t serve a purpose after that. I doubt he expects me to survive.”

“What’s your play here, Threads?” asked Hawk, a former Army Ranger who retired to his Biloxi home on the gulf.

Tyrus Lee chose the rogue class at the beginning and the bow for his specialty. The man is single handedly the reason our belly’s stay full and had trained most of our shooting division. He advanced into the Sniper class, focusing solely on long range archery skills and tracking his target. We started calling him Hawk, as it fit with his predator mentality when it’s time to track his target.

“You keep telling us there’s a plan, but you haven’t given us any clue to what it is or what role we play.” the old hunter said.

“I promise when the time is right, you’ll know. As always, make your own choice that you can live with.” I said softly. “I am very grateful for all of your help so far. Go, prepare and form up. I leave your areas of expertise to you for deployment. It’s been my honor to count you guys as friends.” I said as I straightened my fist out to the gathered group.

Each of the strongest individuals, both inside and out, came and bumped my fist. I would trust each of these people with my life but this is not their battle, not yet. Richard came over with his clanking armor William had made for him and grabbed me up in a bear hug.

“Love ya, man. Whatever you have planned, I’ve got your back.” he tightened his embrace. “Just do me a favor and be safe in whatever you have planned. Someone once told me that if you don’t stand back a bit, you can’t see the whole ocean or how deep you’re in it.” He said with his trademark Santa smile.

You just couldn’t stay upset after dealing with him. “Sounds like a wise man.” Remembering my own words said to him.

“Nah, kind of a’ taskmaster but he’s got a good heart.” He walked off with a casual wave of his massive, gauntleted hand.

“He does not lie. For the past two years, I’ve watched you put their lives ahead of your own. You’ve made hard decisions, you are worthy of their respect.” A voice came into my mind.

“It’s almost time. Do you believe this will work, my lady? It’s difficult when everyone puts their faith in me but all I have to offer is empty promises.” I responded mentally as I watched Rich leave.

“With the size of your mana reserves, we have only one option for survival. You have made as many preprations as possible. I wish you luck, Alexander. I have grown quite fond of your experience.”

Silence. She was gone. She left me with hope, however. I’m extremely grateful. I steeled myself for the multitude of outcomes this battle could throw at us. I was struck with the realization that if my plan didn’t succeed, I needed to disappear the moment the fight concluded.

As I looked up and saw that wretched red crack in the sky starting to pulse with energy, I knew the time for the final Wave was nearing.

When the waves started, no matter your location, you were brought to these…Killing Fields as we’ve started referring to it. A landscape that changed depending on the monsters attacking. In one wave it was a forest with giant apes with herculean strength, we referred to them as Ruinous Apes, threw rocks at us from the trees.

We were all teleported to the fields a full twenty-four hours before each wave for preparation. If you were in the middle of battle or resting comfortably; you show up, no matter your condition. I had to keep the few healers on standby at the beginning of every wave, as people showed up with bleeding or missing limbs from being mid fight. We’ve had half eaten corpses show up, while still alive. I had to put them out of their miseries quickly.

The other unforeseen teleportation problem; What if you were fighting another human? They show up as well, in the middle of the fight. We also encouraged everyone remaining to stop all outside actions forty-eight hours before the next wave to maximize our fighting force. At three waves a year, we’ve been able to pinpoint the timing, with the final wave being here in July.

I made my way past the campfire as everyone rushed around preparing for the final battle. It was almost comical how quickly humans can adapt to anything. I heard the familiar clanging of metal on metal before I felt the heat from the forge. William stood over his anvil, like a parent judging a child. Anyone could feel the pressure in the room, like being submerged leagues under the sea, pressure growing as his hammer struck down on the hardened metal.

His mighty hammer had been gifted to him at his level 10 advancement to the Blacksmith class, the same as Joshua with his sword and shield. Runecarver, his System gifted tool, flared with arcane symbols as the incredible hammer descended again onto the anvil with indescribable force. The item had allowed him to create simple weaponry and armor, instantly increasing our survivability.

A spark of blue emerged. It was both captivating and magnificent. William grabbed a pair of small pliers and picked up the miniscule object with the care a mother would have for their child.

Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

“Just in time as always, Threads.” He said while dipping the small object into a nearby pool of water. He glanced at the sky outside the tent. “And not a moment to spare I’d say. It about that time?”

“It is my friend.” I said while staring at one of my oldest comrades.

William was always a tinkerer. He had chosen the warrior class at first, but quickly realized he wasn’t suited for combat. We had no choice but pick what we could back in those days. Once our base was established in the old hospital and we regularly patrolled for food and resources, Will quickly got to work fashioning makeshift equipment out of the things we found and scavenged.

In this new world, your skills were determined by your actions. With repeated crafting it was only a matter of time before The System offered him a class that supported that build during the level 10 advancement. I wish we knew the limits of the choices we had when we had first started out, we could’ve become so much stronger as a group.

“Is it ready for me?” I asked in anticipation.

“Here you go!” he said handing me a small box.

“Probably my greatest creation, so far. I’m not sure how it happened, but it’s like it wanted to be made. It literally named itself.” he said in disbelief.

“I incorporated everything I’ve learned over these years, including taking the chance at Mana Engraving. If there was any time to try my luck, it’s now. I’d say it was worth the shot.” He said as he handed a small box over to me.

Mana Engraving

This skill allows Blacksmiths to directly etch runic glyphs and mana channeling arrays into enchanted weapons, armor, accessories or talismans. The process permanently imbues fashioned items with amplified enhancement magic or additional spell charging reservoirs.

I took the box and opened it. “This…Will, what a work of art!” I hadn’t seen fine craftsmanship like this in my entire life.

“When you asked me for the Spider’s Tooth from one of our kills, I had no idea you had this in mind.”

Needle of Fate (Mythic Quality)

A deceptively plain platinum band etched with psychically responsive purple runes. While worn, significantly bolsters all wielder abilities powered by personal mana expenditure. Refocuses natural magic regeneration rates for accelerated recovery even mid-action.

Signature Ability: Mana Reduction for a specific ability.

Allows for 50% reduction in mana costs for a designated ability. Designation: Psychokinetic Threads

Hidden Options available

Weapon designed by Tinkerer. Soulbound to Alexander Evans

Even dormant, it projects a subtle perception-defying aura - preventing undue scrutiny from those lacking strong mental discipline, scrying defenses, or sharing the wearer’s close trust. A ring subtly steering fate’s flow toward one master’s design.

“What’s this Soulbound thing by the way?” I asked. “Created by Tinkerer?”

“Tinkerer is a moniker, kind of like a cool nickname specifically for crafters to sign their work. I know it sounds corny, but if it got out that I can make something like this.... With the alias, no one can easily track me down.” He spoke. “The Soulbound skill was something new I found after experimenting with Mana Engraving. I wanted you to be able to always have a weapon nearby. Apparently, it’s skill means that your weapon can no longer be separated from you. You merely need to will it into existence.” he stated proudly.

A shout went out and we both looked outside to see the crack start to pulse that sickly red glow at an increased pace. The battle would be starting in moments. I held out my hand towards Will, giving him a hearty hand shake and pulling him into a one-armed hug.

The shocked friend of mine returned the embrace and said, “I appreciate all you’ve done. No matter what happens this day, you have a friend in me brother.”

We bid each other farewell with a squeeze, snap of our fingers and release. “Go give them hell!”

“With all I’ve got!” I responded while slipping on the ring, instantly feeling a less strain on my mana pool. I then made my way to the gathering.

“This is the end of our waking nightmare!” bellowed Joshua, fully armored. He stood at the head of the few hundred humans remaining on our planet. “Today, we give back the pain and fulfill our obligation to those we’ve lost. We fight for those who’ve fought and died on our behalf and for the future of Humanity. We all come from different walks of life and different places. These Killing Fields have become the central location for us to interact and share our stories. Today we put an end to the threat that has loomed over us for these three long years.”he projected loudly.

“Let your anger loose, brothers and sisters! No more petty words and difficult emotions. Let’s focus and push through this last trial, cementing Humanity as a power not to be fucked with!”

“For Humanity!” he shouted with energy rippling around every inch of his ivory armor as he spoke.

Our ears deafened and our hearts ached with the cheer that arose from all the remaining humans on Earth. Tears of loss, anger and pain washed over us all. The rain had stopped a while ago, but the weight of this battle made it feel just as oppressive. We’d been pushed to the brink and made to feel like little more than a blade of grass; tossed around in the wind. The moment of a shared villain tends to become a powerful force for unification for any group.

I listened to his rally as I approached my tent, when that dreadful bellow covered the desert. I’d never been very religious but that trumpet, it brought a primal fear into your bones. It was somewhere between an ancient, commanding sound and a soul quaking revelation. No pun intended. Worse than the guttural feeling of a tornado siren right outside your door, it seemed to sound from everywhere at once. Then that familiar blue screen popped in front of everyone.

System Message -Global- Tutorial Wave 8/8

Challenge: Defeat a combined force of all slain waves broken into 4 consecutive waves.

Win Conditions: Defeat all opponents

Loss Conditions: Death of Every Human.

Reward: One wish granted for the highest contribution within System 1 and the individual will be promoted to System 2.

Defeat Conditions: The seed of Humanity will be cleansed from the Earth.

Good luck Humanity

Everyone looked around completely dumbstruck. The multitude of information, so casually dropped by The System message, started to seep in.

“System 2?” said someone aloud in the crowd.

The crack in the sky instantly exploded open in a torrential teleportation of monsters. Hundreds, of what looked to be goblins, absolute hatred in their eyes and foam in their mouths appeared off the horizon. They blitzed towards at the humans with various crude weapons from swords to clubs and axes.

In the skies, close to the same number of harpies appeared. They screeched an ear piercing scream and started a high velocity dive towards our ranks. Each was the size of an average fifteen-year-old, with yellow feathers and nothing covering their front chest area. Their razor-sharp talons could pop out like a cat’s.

As horrific as it was to leave my people in this moment, I knew it was time to enact my plan. I took a final glance at Maeve. We nodded to each other, and I got moving.

I rushed to my tent while everyone was in shock over The System message. I suspected the difficulty would keep increasing but I hadn’t suspected a multi-stage battle. I estimated we’d lose about 30% of our forces but we should be able to hold out, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

I closed the tent flap and focused my breathing. What I do now, I do for my family and for the future of humanity. Everyone fights in this new world the best way they know how. I would give Humanity what I felt I was best at, real support.

“If this succeeds, I’ll need to think about controlling his outcome...” I mumbled.