Inside a walled town, in a dirty alleyway as the bright cloudy sky looms over its many two storey buildings made out of clay and wood. A malnourished man with a bushy white beard and unkempt nails and hair shakes a wooden mug to passersby. Wearing a tattered rag and the bones on his arms fully exposed. He didn’t look any special, just a hoodlum without any life outside of begging in a town that’s in the middle of a very dangerous place. His boney palms open as his legs crossed one another, sitting with a straight back and the cowl of his robe covering his forehead and eyes completely.
Passing by him were a party of six people, with a man leading them wearing a mid to high level plate armor that has a mana crystal located directly within its middle. He notices how elaborate it is, with the chainmail being mended and stitched alongside the thick leather armor underneath it. Behind him was a huge armored man standing more than six feet tall with an absurdly large greatsword behind his back followed by two females. One Wood Elf with an ancient Birch Bow and a Witch in a blackened gown.
“Man, did you see that Death Knight? The fact that we saw one here just means we’re really entering the super high level areas now. This Event must really be for the strongest people.” The man leading their party had such a light tone to his voice. Respectful and calm, he nonchalantly chatted with the Tank and the two other party members. “I know right, boss! He was so cool! He didn’t even flinch when Lich Mage tried to control him! I hope I can be like him one day, the guy was wearing such heavy Black Steel armor and it felt like nothing on him! Heck, I think he’s faster than Mao!” The Wood Elf then briefly punched the back of the laid back Tank as she pouted. Crossing her arms and scoffed at the chuckle of the heavily armored man,
But what truly caught his eye was a Priest carrying a hefty backpack alongside another would-be Knight player who is also carrying a pack just as heavy as the Holy man next to him. His armor didn’t stand out, it even looked like it belonged to a lower level area and should not be used in their current continent. It was practical, realistic, and nothing special. Something anyone would find in an old museum about Medieval times.
The Packmule of a Human man stops and looks at the begging man. “Palamedes, we have to go! You don’t want our share of today's run getting cut!” He ignores the Priest then goes to his pouch located in the back of his leather belt and gives the beaten man a gold coin. “Here, please use this for food.” the old man chuckled. “Geez, the guy already gave you money yet you laugh at him?”
“Thou harth a good soul. An eye for an eye, a trade for a trade, a charity for a charity. Thouweth shall be there when times are hard. Looketh to the skies and watch as Death befalls them.” His voice was raspy and deep, like a warrior who had been through battle since his conception and end. A man who has been through it all and lived to tell the tale not many others could recount but the two just gave him an awkward smile as a scream echo from their leader. “HEY! MULES!”
They both turn their faces to the right and then back to where the old man was just to see that he has fully disappeared like a gust of wind passing by them. He was gone without a trace, even the mat he was cross sitting on was completely gone. They were silent by what just transpired. Not even the Priest detected any Dark Magic or Ghostly apparition yet he was gone just like that. “C’MON!” Before they could fully calculate what just occurred, the Priest snaps back to the situation and grabs Palamedes by the arms. “Hey wait! Zabad, who was that guy?”
A seeping darkness lurks within the shadows of the town. Throttling about it as it seeks through the windows of every building it passes. Though not as flashy and not with many colors as the dark green of the forest that surrounds its perimeter that paints a town in a sad peril rather than one lively and thriving. The adults outside of their homes all carried swords or knives, no one was left without a weapon as a handful of Adventurers passed the town. Giving it some much needed income that the Traders and Merchants didn’t let pass. Selling everything they could to these well armored and well armed people crossing the dangerous land.
The Darkness then reaches a small Fortress, an Outpost with a basement jail and into a pair of metal bars that’s only half a meter tall. Inside it was a Player wearing a full set of Death Knight armor. Watching his Dragonic Companion fly about in circles like a dog that hasn’t been taken to the park for the day and is burning needless energy. Leaning forward with his helmet gone, the handsome and bulky face of the player didn’t show anything but a stoic expression. His left sabaton constantly tabbing the cobblestone floor as his Dragonic companion did rounds around him. “Well, at least you didn’t steal anything this time.”
The pitter patter of her claws on the concrete wall and then down to the wooden benches kept echoing into the open hallway where other vagrants and bandits were taken to be held. With the Guards having equally serious faces as they stood in full pose. Not moving an inch nor a muscle as they stand there by with pride in their job and title. Not even the annoying sound of the Dragon’s feet annoyed them while the other imprisoned people were visually losing it.
“Bahamut. C’mon. You're gonna annoy the guards and the other people here.”
“Master, can’t we just go through the metal bars?”
“Do you want the entire town to go after us again? You already ate the Mayor’s cat who everyone equally loves. Noble from Commoner to Slave, they all loved Mannie and you ate him. Poor Orange cat. I can’t believe you can even swallow a cat whole!”
“What? The small feline growled at me and gave me a quick wink. That is a show of battle, Master. I’ve entered his territory and thus entered combat as one must, I’ve eaten only him because he started it.”
“Yeah, and now look at what you got us into…” The Death Knight facepalms as he looks back at the Dragon, who is seated carefully on the wooden bench all of the sudden. With a clean cut hair that's parted on the left, he combed his scalp as the man started to deeply dwell into his thoughts. “To think you’d do that in front of everyone too.”
“Such is the way of the Dragons, Master. We fight in front of everyone to show who is more superior.”
“Bahamut, we’re not in the Flying Isles of Albion. We’re in the Dark Continent! Haaaaa….” He just facepalms once again and then starts hearing screeching as he turns to the Dragon once again and sees it munching on an Emerald Upgrade Gem. “Bahamut! Why do you have that?! I locked that in the deeper parts of my carriage!”
“What? Master, you haven’t used this for years.”
“And?! We might need that some other time!”
He stands up and tries to pry the Emerald Gem out of her mouth. Even with his full Armor set on and his strength enhanced to levels that’s inhuman. The Dragon didn’t budge a single bit. “Geez! Is this what it's like to have a fully leveled Dragon?! Grrrrr!!!” As he struggled, noises like metallic bars were dropped onto the stone floor echoing through the halls. He instantly lets go as the man quickly checks the area in front of him and a smile comes to his face at what’s in front of him.
The Guards were fast asleep as he tried to find the one with the keys on his belt. On the most lower right of the straight hallway as the Prisoners screamed in joy, the Knight puts his weight on the Barred Gate then pushes on the metal bar door in front of him. To his surprise, it opens. Making him drop face first to the floor as he was unable to catch his feet quickly enough. Thanks to his bulky chestplate, his head was safe from getting cracked as Bahamut crawled up his long black cape and then to his shoulders as the man stood up. She didn’t bother asking as she just started to profusely lick his cheeks and neck.
“Death Knight Jackson. Thou had a good show.”
He turns to his left and sees the hulking Skull Knight. Wearing a tattered black robe over his Underworld styled plate armor with skulls as pauldrons and a smaller skull that emits a blue flame in the middle of his front chestplate that’s protruding from the man's robe. He used his massive sword as a cane.
“Thank you, Hassan.”
“I want you to go to the Labyrinth of Zakrak after the Event. I have done my scouting and there might be traces of a Mana Core there.” He lifts his right hand from the pommel of his gritty and dirty greatsword that seems to have been used at the beginning of time itself and was never washed nor cleaned yet retained its purple and dark gray hue. “A Heathen with the name of Palamedes is in need of guidance. This might be a good training session for him.”
“Eh? Zakrak is for Level Eighty players. I can’t go there. I’m way too overleveled… and who the hell is Palamedes? Did you take a rando in the Guild again?”
“Then not let your sword fight, let your words sway him. Palamedes is an interest of mine. A good Squire, he might make. We do need a new General for the upcoming campaign as Breznick’s everso encroaching stench for power reaches even the Dark Continent.”
“Haaaaa… and the event? Are we really gonna do this? I don’t know how the mechanics of Bahamut’s God Eater Perk works.” Jackson opens his inventory, finding a rainbow colored Mana Gem that’s not larger than his palm. It only took one box of inventory space with how small it is. “This Gem is super rare, it can even power a Legendary Sword for six months straight.”
“It shall be done… Bahamut might not be at her full strength, in actuality, she’s not even a percent of her usual power.” The Dragon stopped licking his cheeks as she turned to Hassan. “Oy Corpse. I might be like this. Destroy the Pillars and I will return to my God form.” The Skull just ignores her as he continues to speak. “And I believe you will see good in this man. A Heathen he may be, a good heart is all that is needed to prevail in battle.”
“Roger… haaaaa.” as he starts to disappear, with only the blue fires on his eyes remaining, a last sentence spreads throughout the hall. “And Bahamut, strength is not everything in the eyes of Man. One must first find their love and empathy before they become strong.” With only the two of them left, Jackson looked at the Dragon who looked back at him. After a few seconds, they shrugged in unison as he walked out of the hallway, ignoring the pleas of the prisoners.
Finally exiting out of the prison area to much of the behest of the other prisoners who were screaming and wanting themselves to be freed also. The man stretches his arms as the townsfolk give him the most devilish stares he had ever experienced in his life. “Haaaaaah…. They know it's us. Did you really have to eat the town cat?!” looking to his shoulder, the Dragon just shrugged her entire body as he walked into the darbed town. Unlike most of the towns in the Beginner and Mid Continent, the ones here were only remnants of the once bountiful colors that plagued their building walls as a tan and brown overwhelmed everything. The bleak atmosphere and the sadness with angry expressions on the townsfolk made it even disheartening to the Death Knight as he trudged along the rocky stone path with his head looking down, avoiding every possible eye contact with the people.
The only thing that gave the place life was the bright blue sky above, inviting and within its embrace was a warmth he fully knew and experienced his entire life. The hot warm touch of the Sun and the blue that covered the heavens. Before long, the man just walked back to the forest, the gate guards not even entertaining him as he went where his Demon Horse was parked. Junior’s reins wrapped around a thick birch tree. He first checked the sword that’s attached to his saddle. Shiny and polished, he then walked to the back while constantly patting the Dark Horse. “Guns check, potions check, food check, and Dragon care stuff check.” with a nod, he hopped onto the horse and rode into the forest path. “Zakrak? Where is that again?”
“Master, to the meeting area first. Go left and then head straight. Its entrance is within an overgrown area as John said.” the man nods. “And this is why I have you! Alright, let’s go. I might give the job to John anyways. Zakrak. Tsk. I might end up just filling up the crates on my wagon.”
Riding through the forest. The man in his sharp and black metallic armor passed many players, mostly parked on the side of the road. Many prepare themselves as they donned their armor and recited what spells they’ll be using. Almost all of them were in proper groups, having a Tank, Magician or even a Sorcerer, Healer, and a DPS Archer or Ranger. None of them looked half assed or ill equipped. Not only looking stylishly good and in full fantasy ensembles with armor that looks too heavy or bulky or shiny to be actually used in combat to lavish gowns and robes for their magic and arcane users that would need magic itself to be kept cleaned and ironed.
He was the only one using a horse. Most of their mounts ranged from Griffins to large Wolves and Bears. With the Death Knight being the only one riding something as mundane as a four legged mammal that everyone could find from start to end. But his black stallion didn’t dare to lose in the looks area, being in such dark colors, it stood out like something a Being the Grim Reaper itself would ride to reap the souls it is owed. The colors of Junior and her long hair was out of a storybook of what one would call a Dullahan’s mount.
“Turn left now, Master.” following her instructions, the man then enters a beaten off path in the forest where even the trail has been turned together with the bush. He had to concentrate heavily and followed his instincts as they soon reached an opening where a small camp was placed. Ten Knights were there, walking about from tent to tent alongside Squires in lighter Black Steel armor. The Knights all wear some variation of the Death Knight Set. Some are medium size, having less armor and less spikes on the pauldrons and gauntlets in exchange for more agility and no weight. Incorporating into it are buffed Cowls and Coifs for extra maneuverability or stealth.
Sitting on a throne in the middle of the camp was a Skull Knight, Hassan himself having some alone time whilst John and Trevor were on the planning table. Meeting him was Escobar, removing his helmet. The handsome tanned man with a cowlick on his bangs exchanges hands with him. “You’ve finally arrived. John wants to talk to you about the plans.” he nods and quickly hitches his horse alongside theirs. With the rest of the group having their own Demon Horses, but with differing horns. Jackson didn't have any, making it easy to spot for him.
Walking to the table, the two players smile as they meet their friend once again. Even in their bulky armors, they exchanged hugs and handshakes as Jackson got to the maps and looked at the main idea of their attack. The Event is situated inside a low valley Fortress, having four walls. The Death Knight immediately sees that Breznick has already made their move alongside the Guild of Gelliwic. The arrows show they’ve penetrated as deep as the 2nd wall and their numbers count up to an absurd 50,000 players with multiple proper Divisions and Knight Orders from other Guilds being invited and allied to them. Pumping up Breznick’s combined force to a whopping 70,000 total.
“Holy… Looks like the big boys got a hold of the Dark Continent if they can field a massive army like that.”
“You betcha’. Breznick’s been busy in recent months gaining a foothold in the Dark Continent. So far it's only been the Shine Guards that have been able to do this. But looks like they and Keyneth plan to expand their borders further.”
“Freaking player Kingdoms. If this continues, they’ll reach the Forests of Eldwood.”
“That’s why Hassan has been quiet. His thinking and planning on what to do.” John then shows the shoreline near them and the encroaching trading paths of merchant ships. “It’s inevitable. Our little Heaven is gonna get found out soon enough.” Jackson’s hands clenched into a fist as he breathed a long sigh. “There’s no way I’ll serve them. Hassan, you don’t plan on becoming a Knight Order for Breznick, right?” The huge Skull Knight merely makes a groan like an olden man who was far too late in his years to be dealing with nuisance and stood up as if his massive greatsword was a cane.
“Nay. But thou’west invaders who had cometh from afar hungered for power. Thine Order will be in peril soon, and a decision shall’eth be made.”
“Decision?”
Jackson then turns to John and Trevor, the two players nodding to one another as they turn to him. “Jackson, you had prior military experience right?”
“What? I mean… yeah but so what?”
“Then, can you help us with something? As a Commander of one of our best Undead Legion, you should have a good grasp at how overwhelmed we would be by the time Breznick reaches our borders, right?”
“Yeah… and?” Jackson tilts his head as Bahamut starts to look around her. “I was thinking of maybe leading them into a low valley of sorts and trapping them there.”
“But that would be problematic since Breznick has an Air Corps and ours is extremely small compared to theirs. So… we had this premonition of sorts.”
Whacking his way through the bushes, another Death Knight arrives. Riding his lightly armored horse and in his cowled robe that has bits and pieces of a Death Knight Armor incorporated into it, the man quickly stood up on his saddle and jumped from the roof of the tent pillar then down to the middle with such speed and reflexes one would not even put him as a Human. “Hassan-sama.”
“Asayama-san, what’s up? Why the rush?”
“Speak.”
“Hassan-sama, Libertus has also made their landing.”
“WHAT?!” The three Death Knights then ran to him while Hassan only groaned a bit. “Where did they land?”
“Yeah, Asayama, where did they land?”
The lightly armored man then walked to the map and showed them on the Southern Shoreline, by the Swamps. “There?” He quickly put his hands on the sides of his body and bowed. “Hai.” the trio then proceeded to think. Jackson with his hands on his chin, John on his forehead, and Trevor massaging his cheeks. “John, I think they plan on taking the destroyed Castle of the Lizard Empire and use it as a forward base.” all the while, Bahamut had wandered off the camp. Entertaining the Squires by eating their food and hip hopping around the littered crates as she tried to find more things to eat.
Whilst on opened ones, the Dragon would carelessly put her head into it. Sniffing the inside and looking out for anything shiny or can reflect the light. She’d bite and lick it and if it didn’t pass her test, she’d leave it be but those ones that caught her attention would be put into a pile on the corner which the players would have to pick up and return. But that didn’t stop her from continuing on, even eating a small soil worm on the way to the storage tents.
“I was thinkin’ the same dang thing. Trev, what you got?”
“I mean… this is just bad. Keyneth, Breznick and now, Libertus? The only thing missing are the Vampires to finally make their move against the Werewolf Clans since the Main Continent Guilds has waltzed into their territory. This is the chance they’ve been waiting for.”
“Nooo… don’t say that Trevor. That would make this into a fiveway fight. We already have the problem with the Demons, what more with these massive Kingdoms?”
“Oh yeah, tsk. Why are the Demons in Dark World born from curses? It would’ve been better if they were an entirely different species that knows how to do this thing called EMPATHY.”
“Shush Trev. I think it's time to show our Asian friend here what we have in store for troubled times.”
“Hm?” Jackson was only left with a confused expression as John and Trevor both walked up to him. With his arm over the Knight, John drags Jackson to one of the tents where there were two crates. He instantly recognized both of them and he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. “Open it.” as John whispered into his ears, the Death Knight does as he was told. He pushes the locks out of the wooden box and inside it was hay coupled with five long items covered in paper.
“Even the packaging is the same.” He then takes one and unwraps it just to reveal a thinner paper inside which he also takes off to reveal a pristine AKM assault rifle. He then makes a small cross, opening his inventory and removes his Knight armor. Leaving only the padding inside which gave him a more accurate feel of its weight. He nods as his fingers trace to the trigger and the safety. Flicking it off, he pulls the bolt carrier back and points up to the ceiling of the tent and pulls the trigger once.
Hearing the bolt push forward and the receiver crank. The man nods. “Holy shit. This is a One to One replica.” John then opens his palm to the other one. A black gun case with English lettering on it. Flicking all four locks off, the man immediately opens it to show an M4A1 and its attachments around it. As the man started to fiddle with the gun, Trevor and Hassan walked in to check with him and upon staring at his eyes through the dark visor of his heavy helm. Their Leader immediately took the gun from his hands. His arms stood frozen as if he was still holding it.
“That is enough.”
“Jesus Jackson, were in there that deep?”
He didn’t respond, merely recollecting himself as he breathed a long sigh. “Yeah…” he then turns to the ceiling and to his surroundings. Only seeing his friends and fellow warriors but then, when he sees the box and the gun case, he stops and stares down on it. “Ah… it was so bad. The street wasn’t measured by meters but the corpses that lined it… Ankara was no longer a city, it was a vast furnace lit by the flames of the dead… at night, it lit up the desert like a candle…” Hassan then puts his hand on the man's shoulder. “Do not be fooled, war is now in the past. Don’t let it harm who you are now.” Jackson just turns to him and nods. Even though he can’t see his expression underneath the helm he wore, their leader knew very well what he was feeling and going through. “If you are not comfortable with this, we shall plan another way.”
“N-no. No. I won’t let it haunt me. I… I was just taken aback by how nicely it was replicated. You know… not even the animals would go near Ankara on the first days of battle. They’d run away as far as they could.” They all stayed silent as he spoke. His arms and hands were still fixed as if he was holding the M4 in his hands.
“Only Men endured that Hell. Boys died in the first hour or day, the rest… Men, Men with no eyes or souls. Just soldiers in Hell.”
Whilst outside, Bahamut had become tired. Resting herself to the top of a wooden crate as two Squires looked on a broken piece of wall that has an art of the Demon Queen. The two players rubbed their chin as they looked at the sculpted body of a creature that once ruled the very continent there.
“Dang, I wonder how tall she is.”
“Dude, I am more concerned about how that gown is staying up like that. It's barely covering half her boobs.”
“Really? She literally has no horns. I think that’s more concerning than how she’s dressed.”
“That might be why she became so powerful. She might not be a Demon in the first place.”
“And what’s on her neck? Looks like it's made of leather of sorts.”
Hearing the incessant youthful voice of the two, the Dragon’s head lifted from the crate and looked down on the two lightly armored players. Squatting down, it's evident on both their faces that their imagination on how she looked is taking them away to other places.
“Oy, you two know why Demons are weak to Divine Magic right?”
Hearing the motherly voice of a woman, they both reacted as if they got electrocuted. “OH CRAP! IT'S ALIVE!” they jump away from it just for the Dragon to whistle to them. “Up here you dumbhead Chosen Ones.” Turning to the voice, they notice Bahamut all up atop a crate, as if she was looking at two lesser peons with lesser brains, she turned her face to the heavens. “To conjure Divine Magic, one must first have Empathy and Love. Demons feel neither of those.” She then returns to looking down on the two players. “The Last True God had given you the gift of returning from death and those attached to your souls. Do not let it carry you to ideals of attaining the Demon Queen. She will bring destruction as she did to many Dragon Kingdoms.”
After the lecture, the two players just looked dejected as they carried the blown off bit of a wall into a large crate and sealed it.
“But she’s alive right?”
“Yes. Albion was tired after eating the Demon King. He instead chose to banish her into a Dead Realm. Never to escape.”
“But… let’s say-”
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
“No.”
“Awwww…”
“Though… your imaginations aren’t far from what she actually looked like. The thing on her neck is what you call a Choker from what I remember.”
The two Squires then looked at one another and nodded. “Nice.” Walking out the tent were the four Knights. Prompt the two players to stand in parade. Their arms tucked into the sides of their bodies and feet together.
“So what do you think? We can supply Rostock and the Men of the Woods with our Skeleton army while they give us access to their manufacturing.”
“I don’t know, John. I know our Skeletons can do menial tasks. But driving a tank? Flying a fighter jet? Can that even be done?”
“Yeah, yeah, so I have this plan right. Hassan thought it up and I said it was genius. Why not build a modern city?”
“As a test bed to see if Skeletons can perform more complex duties… I see…”
“Ah-ah!? Nice right?”
“Well, for now. Let’s finish this event first.”
“Oh. Sure. Sure. But do you really wanna go? You seemed like you were in trouble back there.”
“Ahahaha, it’s nothing, John. Just a bit of a blast from the past. No need to worry about me.”
“Dude, you looked like you were in the heat of battle there.”
“Trevor, I am perfectly fine. I can still participate in battle. Hassan?” The Skull Knight just observes him for a few seconds and then nods. “Hm. Follow’eth me. Jackson, are you sure you are ready?”
“Don’t worry about me. This isn’t the first or the last. I still like guns and military things… Just not too much now.”
“Hm. If you feel uncomfortable in any way, or if you need time to rest. I suggest you log off or go back to Adventuring.”
“Seriously, don’t worry about me. Thank you but…” he sighs once again as he looks up to the blue sky and the scattered clouds. “I won’t let this hamper me and my ability to be useful. A warrior.” with a light nod, they then return to the outdoor map where Hassan’s sharp armored finger points at the Gates of the Low Valley Fortress. “Our plan had worked. The Guilds hath opened the door for us. We require no army, nor support. Bahamut shall be our only Air unit to lessen thine’s exposure.” he then trails through the two thick fortress walls and into a bountiful forest to where it ends in a Ritual Pond. “The Goddess, named Ninianne, a Fairy turned into a God is the Event Point. Reward upon defeating her is a Legendary Magic Sword named Calesvol.”
“What’re we gonna use with a Legendary Sword anyways? And no Jackson, we’re not gonna add it to your collection.”
“Boooo! Let me put it on my wall!”
“No! Trevor, how did he get more walls?”
“Dunno. Don’t ask me.”
“Like, whenever Jackson gets more walls, he always puts something on it.”
“What? It’s good for display.”
“Silence.” The trio then immediately shut their mouths and looked to Hassan. “Collect the other Knights. The Order moves into action. We’ve already discussed each and everyone’s role. Thou remembereth to not engage the Guilds. We have our own path and time.” They then immediately collected the Squires. Wearing bulky armor, but not to their level and devoid of any metallic horns. They rode into the forest. Leaving only a magic barrier behind as they trudged through the bush with speed.
The calvary of Death Knights has joined the event. In their ghastly appearance in daylight as their mounts ran across the woodland crushing loose branches and pebbles.
Already, they could hear the sounds of a thousand or more people screaming and cheering as fighting became apparent in the horizon of the treeline. Various magics of all schools exploding, beaming, washing and twirling as Dragons alongside Griffins and large birds were starting to frequent the skies above them. Though the leafs covered their calvary, the fighting was so intense that even deep within the woods, they could feel the shockwaves of the magnifying magic that was being used.
Crossing the forest, they reached its end. On top of a ledge, they looked down on the mouth of an armored valley, thousands of players of various smaller groups and guilds stood aside as Breznick’s troops in calvary rode onto the front door. Their grunts cheering from the top of their voices as their Knights in their gleaming heroic colors bounded together as they besieged the gates.
With his binoculars out, John observes the lone path that leads to the gate. It was a mess and there’s no space for them to go in. He then turns to the peaks that flank the valley fortress. Great effort was done and there were players there too, mostly from the Magicians Association giving fire support with their combined magics. The defenders hidden by the thick walls could only watch as the overwhelming firepower of the Chosen Ones bared down on them with no mercy.
The cheering suddenly became overwhelming. Making him turn his lenses to the path and what caught his eyes made him lower his binoculars. “Hm? What is it John?” Taking the binoculars from him, Jackson then looks at the main path to the gate and sees the Sword Saint has appeared with her troupe of players. “Jesus, she’s here.” Having with her the Prince of Keyneth, the Elven player who has a following as large as hers, they stop before the gates as the Royal Knights of Breznick in their flying armored Griffins carrying a mural of the True God lowered it down to the entrance where the pommel of her sword was.
Leaving her white horse, she walks towards it and proceeds to put both her hands on the crossguard. “Let it begin.” She then lifts the sword out and returns it to her scabbard. “Dang! That’s the Box of Saint Ingrid! Those things’ super powered!” Her sword shone unnaturally as she returned to her saddle and pointed the sword forward to the Second Wall. With a mighty roar, the beautiful blonde woman in her curvy golden armor led the charge, this time even the players that were watching on the sidelines joined with Breznick in their charge.
“I can’t believe it. Trevor, what do you think?”
“Their presence here must be already bigger than we thought. Jackson?”
“It's best if we flank it and go straight into the third wall. Bahamut’s fully energized, she should be able to turn into her larger form. If just a bit.”
“How large?”
“Large enough to fit all of us. But without the horses though. We’ll have to summon them when we’re inside.”
“Alright.”
Jackson then lifts his finger to the sleeping Bahamut on his shoulder. “Hnnrrggg… What is it, Master?”
“It’s time, Bahamut. Grow into a size that can fit all of us and take us to the third wall.” The Dragon then proceeded to glide to their back and turned into her larger form. It bent the thick trees outward as she turned into a beast that’s the size of three buses. The Knights and their Squires immediately discarded their mounts as they ran to her spiky back. John had his metallic Longbow out with Dennis and his Dark Arts ready while in the back, Elmer had his Composite Bow tipped with an unknown magic kept guard of their six.
“Bahamut, go the long way around. We can blend in a bit with how many Dragons are in the skies, but you're a bit bigger than the Red ones so be careful.” she nods and with one flap of her magnificent wings, they take off.
“Alright, one last recap. We’ll head straight to the Goddess and have Bahamut to eat her. Straightforward. No bullshitting or side jobs.”
“You're really tense aren’t you Jackson? Do you really wanna join us?”
“Of course. I’ve been waiting for this event myself.”
“Alright… but are you sure Bahamut has the God Eater Skill?”
He then opens his inventory then switches to the companions tab. Pressing the share screen button, he reveals the plethora of weakened Dragon Perks Bahamut has. Though many of them are generic like “Thick Hide”, “Armored Scale”, “Magic Resistance Buff”, and “Fire Breath and Control”. Jackson points at the ones with a Golden Outline. “Authority of the Dragon God”, “BLANK”, “Keeper of Fire”, “Absolute Magic Mastery”, and the last one “God Eater”.
Pressing it, the outline of the Perk opens up to its description. “Being a Dragon God, Bahamut has inherited the power to be able to suck the power of Gods she has defeated and eat them whole which constitutes an instant kill to any NPCs with the God Trait. Note: This only works for NPCs that are literal Gods and does not affect Divine Trait NPCs.”
John was rubbing the chin of his armor and nodded. “And are you sure it works? The Bahamut we have is a severely weakened version of herself after all.”
“I’m a hundred percent sure. Hassan himself knows it. That’s why we’re here after all.”
“Yeah… yeah… but I am still not sure. If so, this Event is made for NPCs with the God Eater Trait.”
“And how many is that? Three? Four? They also wouldn’t be here. This is near the center of the Dark Continent.”
“Alright, alright. Let’s get er’ done then.”
Bahamut who was flying around the surrounding valleys, her size only enough to take up a bit of the center as her back was full of armored men, she stealthily kept it low till she suddenly started to gain altitude as she nearly skims the side of the mountain and then dives down to the 3rd wall. Most of the players noticed the Black Dragon but were so engrossed in fighting the defenders that they continued onwards with their tasks.
Inside the Fortress, the Knights were immediately surrounded by enemies. Ranging from nine foot tall Orcs in armor to Cultists in robes. With speed, Matthew lifted his Great Shield up making a magic barrier to pop around them as Bahamut trashed about with her tail, whipping carriages and barrels as it then reached the balconies as a rain of Soil Magic came at them from all directions.
Their ranged Knights had already fired back, using explosive tips and other manners of magics, with John loading ten arrows at once to only fire them at random and would lock onto the nearest enemy, they made quick work of the enemies in the third wall just as the gate to it started to collapse.
After a while it did and Elizadeath was met with dead Cultists and Orcs. Looking around, she notices the balconies where the ranged NPCs would be were completely wiped out but the gate to the fourth wall which then leads to the main Castle was left untouched. Nonetheless, the players with her couldn’t care and helped Breznick’s fourth battering ram to get to it. With a large armored tip, the Mages alongside the Knights pushed it forward crashing right into the last wall.
Unbeknownst to them, the Knights of Eldwood had already entered the main castle. Walking about its roofs as they watched the thousands of players rush into the front doors where things instantly slowed down. Having so many rooms and hallways, they all got scattered throughout the various levels and areas and Breznick’s forces had to regroup and recoup whilst the Adventurers were already rushing in to get in front of the player army. Hoarding all they could to the paintings and the Vases. Nothing was safe inside as anything that seemed to have value was completely taken away.
Hassan was quiet the entire time, watching something with his eyes while his Knights patrolled around the roof. Knocking down any players trying to get to them as they moved from one place to another. They then reach the South of the Castle where a long hallway leads to a mausoleum then the forest that goes to the Ritual Pond.
To their surprise, a group has already reached that area. A party of six players led by a Knight with messy black hair followed by a hulking tank with red hair and in heavy plate armor whilst wielding a greatsword. Asayama who was guarding their rear immediately threw his dagger into a roof access hatch’s lock. He then opens his palm, melting it close. “Hassan-sama! They have an Archer!” They then look back down as the layered glass sunroof where the Knight had already started to run to the mausoleum.
Their entire party was following behind him, with only the Swordsman lagging behind as he had a huge rucksack on his back alongside the Healer.
“Zabad! Give your stuff to Palamedes! Coda! Barrier as they exchanged stuff! Mao and Harbinger, long range attacks!”
Like a well oiled machine, there Tank immediately ran behind the over encumbered Swordsman as the Priest dropped his things. Their leader immediately grabbed the Healer's hand. “Wait! What about Palamedes?!” he ignores the man's cry as the player got left behind by his party.
Behind him, the large thuds of the armored Orcs could be heard. The Swordsman then raised his basic iron Sword up. Facing the late level enemies all alone. “Tho’weth seem to be in a pinch.” he then looks up to see a huge hulking Skull Knight dropping from the ceiling as broken shards of glass fall on the man. His landing made a huge crash as the band of Orcs made a few steps back as from the dust cloud they could clearly see the burning orbs inside the eye holes of the horned skull.
“Hm. Thou no longer owes thee one. A coin for a life is a good trade, no?” Without wasting a second, Hassan opens his palm, materializing his rusty and olden Greatsword. The Orcs then charged at him, attempting to pierce his armor with their curved swords and spears. Even with his weight and immense height, the Skull Knight moved swiftly, as if he was no more than a falling feather with a sword that’s made out of plastic. Cutting down his enemies with no mercy, going for neck and neck followed by the scalp.
Palamedes merely blinked and the enemies they couldn’t kill were now all beheaded or without the top of their skull. Standing in the middle of the corpses was Hassan. “W-Woah! What Knight are you, Mister?” the young player merely hears a chuckle as the Skull Knight disappears like an apparition, a ghost. “I am no Knight. Thou is an Assassin.”
Whilst his party had reached the Mausoleum. Opening its huge doors, they met with dead Orcs and the Cultist Bishop already beheaded.
Walking out of the back of the pillars were Elven Death Knights. Prompting the party to gather together as they are surrounded by the extremely high leveled players in the most late armor one could attain. Jackson pushes the corpse of the Cultist Bishop off his chair and sits down on it.
“You have some balls, I’ll give you that.” he then collects the Vestment of the Bishop and proceeds to lay it out on the bloody table. Not even making eye contact with the Knight in shining armor as he started to fold the edges. “Smart, taking advantage of the riot and chaos to collect as much as you can and make a run for the Goddess. But tell me, do you know what awaits you beyond this building? Not even the Mana Gem that powers your Knight set will help you.” Jackson was already halfway in his folding. His armored fingers slowly linger at its edges making sure it's as boxy as can be as he stared at the blue gem on the middle of the plate armor of the Knight. It shone a bright divine color as he scoffed.
“W-We have a weapon!” All they could hear was the chuckle of the Death Knights as they took one step closer while Jackson finished folding the Vestments into a perfect square. He then pushes it forward to their view and points to it. “Whatever weapon you have won’t be enough for this.” he then taps on the folded cloth making the party huddle up even more. “We-we’ve seen the videos! We know how to do it! Our Mage has Foresight and the Eye of the Olden Ones! We can defeat her!”
The Death Knight then stands up. “And these eyes of mine have seen things you people wouldn’t believe.” he then neatly returns the chair as the noise of blood being trampled on echo through the circular building. “Would you like to see what I’ve seen?” as he spoke, a dark apparition conjured behind them. “Tho’weth shalt leave. This be the area of those know hath proven oneself.'' The dismembered voice came from all directions, the heavy deep wisdom filled tone of an olden creature whose age is far more advanced the valley there inside of was enough to make them run for their lives.
Appearing was Hassan with Palamedes. “Hm. Good job, Knights of Eldwood.”
“Sad. I wanted to see their reactions if I showed them Bahamut.” laughs and chuckles then overthrew the heavy atmosphere before as the Knights all looked at one another and gave thumbs up and pats on their shoulders. With Jackson and John both bumping their helmets into one another and John moving it to Trevor to then the other members of the Order. “But that was good right? How was my acting, John?”
“You can be an A-Lister if you keep that up! Ahahaha! You see the face of their Mage? She was on the verge of shitting herself!”
“I know right?! I love it when Mid Levels think they can run on the coattails of the big guilds and get into areas they shouldn’t be yet.”
The door to the forest then opens and there, they could see a portion of Bahamut’s sharp predatory teeth. “Though Master, I never managed to scare them.” The Knights then looked at her and then to one another and just laughed. “Don’t worry, Bahamut! Later I’ll be sure to get Jackson a chance to show you off!” as Trevor said this, the Dragon did a little nod and lifted her head. Prompting the Knights to move to the forest with a newcomer. Palamedes walked beside Hassan as they trudged to the strangely placed rainforest.
“Who's the new guy Boss?” The Squire then walked to the Mid Level Swordsman, staring at his head to his toe. The meager plate armor he wore was not even on the same level as the Squire’s Black Steel. “He shows potential. When we return, I shall see to it if he is willing to join the Order.”
“Is that so? You hear that boy? The Boss himself respects you.”
Palamedes just smiled as they reached the Ritual Pond. To their surprise, there weren't any enemies present and Bahamut quickly landed. Crashing into some ancient pillars as she lowered her head onto the water while the Knights took their places. The Ranged ones went as far as to climb the valley that surrounds it while the Tanks were the closest ones and the Generalist Knights like Jackson right behind them, ready to attack.
Hassan just walks past them all and kneeled before the Pond. Touching it, the man instantly burst into flames. “Hmmmm… this is indeed a Goddess’ work.” The Skull Knight was in purple flames but didn’t react harshly to being burned. He just lifts the tip of his cape and swipes it, extinguishing himself of the flames. “Bahamut, may you?”
The Dragon then dips its snout onto the Pond. It was only large enough for it. Having a smaller hole that leads to a deeper part of it. After a while, they could hear the marching had started and Griffins was on the horizon. The Knights and Squires immediately started to get into a more heightened pose as they could see their opponents closing in on them. “Bahamut… how long?” The Dragon then tilted its large head forward enough for its eyes to get a straight view of the water. “Nope. Can’t do it. Master, do you have any swimmers?”
“Huh?! Why?!”
“She’s locked on the bottom of this Pond. The Goddess lives, but she’s shackled by the Chains of the Divine. The foolish Goddess who tried to break the cycle of life is forever damned to the lifeless depths. Someone must free her first.”
“Tsk! Too late! They're here!”
Multiple Griffins rapidly landed around them. Surrounding John, Dennis, and Elmer while their leader landed before Bahamut. Not a hint of fear within the Royal Knights’ eyes. “So… the rumors are true. There lives in the forest of the Dark Continent an Order of Death Knights, they say… to see it for myself.” the man in his blue and gold armor then steps down from his mighty Griffin. The half Eagle half Lion beast also not showing a hint of fright upon the sight of the Black Dragon and her armored scales, with vertical metallic horns that’s sharp enough to pierce a God.
“Names MotorideKiller. Head of the Royal Knights of Breznicks’ Third Legion. Order of the Leslies.”
“Names No One.” Jackson’s reply was cold and heartless, his tone as stoic as can be.
“Alright… No One. Tell me, where’s the Goddess?” Hearing this, he immediately turns to Trevor who was right beside him who then turns to Escobar then Asayama. They all then subsequently pointed down to the Pond. “Good. So much for Death Knights. Wearing all these fancy Gothic Armor that has more spikes than a Castle and yet here you all are.” another Knight wearing just as equally extravagant armor as his comes out of the rear guard position. “Knight Commander, Sir. Elizadeath and her band of Streamers are ready to come here.”
“Good. She can go and defeat the Goddess. The Death Knights pointed to the Pond.” The Knights of Eldwood then proceeded to all gather together in the corner as Bahamut downsized herself and returned to her Master's shoulder. “Hmph. You're all smart though. You know you're outnumbered and outgunned. I like that. King Breznick might take you all if you keep this up. Where’s your leader?” The Royal Knight looks at the collection of Death Knights, Elven of them plus a random Iron Plate Armor.
Walking into the Ritual Pond with a large group of Royal Knights around her, Elizadeath and the Prince of the Elves, Sir Anthony waltz into the scene. The Knight Commander immediately ran to her and briefed the woman on what she had to do. To everyone’s surprise, she does it without question. The Elf having to tag along. In awe of her Heroism, the warriors all stood in silence. Awaiting for any reply of sorts. Behind them, Palamedes gets a ghostly apparition. The black mist handed him a Gem emitting nothing but Curses and Darkness. Holding it, he even wanted to throw it away but he knew who it was. “Await for the time to strike. She will not be successful, but you will.”
Hearing this, the man swallowed everything he could as a sweat fell from his helmet and to his neck. “Alright, alright, alright. Phew, this is it! I can finally show myself and be a Knight!” to everyone’s surprise, Sir Anthony rises from the Pond with Elizadeath. Both of them drenched in the strange liquid as a blinding light almost escapes the hole in the middle of the Pond. “EVERYONE!”
Her scream was too late as a black mist escaped into the Pond and cut one of the shackles, leaving a single chain left as she casted a burst of Divine Magic. “HOLY EYES OF THE TRUE GOD! BLOW AWAY THE COVERS OF THOSE WHO DARE HIDE BEFORE YOU!” before they knew it, a hulking Skull Knight landed before her. “Ahhhh… Thou is fast with the blade and the head.” he then materializes his rusty Greatsword. “But sad that one has seen thee. Everyone here… Time to die.” The Knights of Eldwood immediately pulled out their weapons as they attacked the Royal Knights.
The concentration of such powerful players in one area made it hard to contain them as the others were too busy trying to catch Hassan who is incessantly appearing from one place to another, cutting the heads of everyone that stood in their way. Regardless of their armor, whether it's Magical or Alloy. He was relentless with Elizadeath and Anthony together with some other players keeping him in bay.
To the surprise of the Hybrid Knight Mages of Eldwood, the Royal Knights of Breznick had their own personal magic barriers, each strike with their Dark Magic would hit an invisible barrier that would become visible in contact. It would dissipate there attack, forcing them to drop there metal staffs and don there sword shields but instead of joining along the frontline Knights, they instead targeted the rear, the Mages of Breznick who were protected by a group of Royals, they were caught off guard as the brazen Death Knights who they taught were dedicated in the rear as supports strike them head on. Though not as strong, they still put up a good fight, having the mess that was Hassan behind them, forcing them to spread their numbers out as a glorious battle between such powerful players of Dark World occurred.
Palamedes, who was frozen in place, looked around him at the bloody turmoil that’s occurring. Left, and right, above and behind, there was nothing but pure brutality. The gnashing of magical swords, the elemental magic being thrown in all directions, as the park sized Ritual Pond is started to be demolished by it. The Death Knights fighting in close quarter combat, using every bit of trick they have and know to keep the Royal Knights at bay, he watches as Jackson uses the crossguard of his Greatsword to turn the hand of a Royal Knight casting a spell onto himself, prompting the man to commit suicide instead of damaging him while John jumped from his place and into the top of one of the Pillars where Escobar casted a Magic Barrier on him, stopping the projects and balls of elemental energy going towards the player.
In the midst of it all, the Goddess has finally appeared. But everyone was too busy fighting amongst one another to see her beauty, the untethered face of a woman beyond the skies, her pale skin that hasn’t seen any light for eons and a thin worn white gown. One shackle remains on her, and it's in her left ankle. The player closes his eyes as he breathes in. Behind him, Bahamut was spitting fire that was the size of a normal Dragon’s even though her body couldn’t be anymore larger than a Kittens. Jackson then turns to the frozen Palamedes. “HEY KID! HASSAN SAID YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES!” He kicks the Royal Knight in front of him away, giving him a brief moment. “SHOW US! SHOW US AND BECOME A TRUE KNIGHT!”
The Death Squires who had been protecting the flanks of their Knight Leaders had to dodge the claws of the Griffins and the arrows of their Riders as the man started running through the madness. He didn’t scream, only pure focus and adrenaline was painted on his face. “Goddess Ninianne! I’ll let you rest!” the Goddess suddenly turned her face to him. A solemn expression was on her. The eyes she held seemingly held a galaxy within its iris as she held her hands together. “Ahhhh… I just wanted the pain of those Mortals to end… was I wrong to try to end your pain?” he looked around and no one reacted to her voice that sounded as if she was on the verge of tears. “I’m sorry, Goddess. But Pain is what makes us Mortals stronger.” Palamedes then pushes forward, even going as far as to knock back a Royal Knight who was charging towards Matthew who was getting overwhelmed by ten other players.
“AHHHHH!” With a heroic scream, he slaps the gem onto the last shackle. The Darkness within it eats up the Divine chain, breaking it completely into ashes as she starts to float away. “Uhm-uhm-uhm Bahamut!” The Dragon hears him and proceeds to look at the Goddess that’s finally freed. Floating freely and without any restraints, she started to pray as the skies turned completely white, making all the fighting to stop. “Master! The Mana Gem!” Jackson who was also entranced by the show then proceeds to open his Inventory. Selecting a Rainbowish coloured Gem, he then spawns it and throws it to the Dragon.
Swift as always with her movements, Bahamut eats it making her size up to an abnormal size. Her huge head nearly took up half the Ritual Pond and the Goddess could only shed a tear as the maw of the Black Dragon devoured her whole.
The skies then trembled as the white color fades and lightning strikes the ground in front of the Dragon. Appearing before them, a Legendary sword which Jackson takes without even a hint of regret. “AHAHAHAHA! FUCK ALL OF YOU!” He then proceeded to run to Bahamut alongside the other players as Elizadeath put up a Magic Barrier, protecting them from the Black flames of the beast. Crimson bolts then started to shoot from the clouds, shooting down the Griffins and those random players who were just standing on the roofs and high elevated areas.
“RETREAT! RETREAT AND REGROUP!” The call of the Royal Knight Commander was enough to make everyone run for their lives. But before he could follow the Sword Saint, his vision darkens as his head falls from the Griffin he rode. In the silhouette behind them, Elizadeath could only see the Skull Knight standing straight up, using his Greatsword like a cane as they returned to the mausoleum.
Taking advantage of the situation, they all got onto the back of Bahamut and flew away from the scene. Leaving only behind a completely wrecked Ritual Pond.
Flying back to their camp. Everyone immediately got to work in packing everything up. Without even an hour being wasted, everything has been loaded up and packed. Just as fast as the passing wind, their base was gone from the small opening in the forest and the event finished behind them. With players still trying to push their luck in attaining as much loot as possible whilst the Kingdom of Breznick is left without a final reward to show.
Back in their castle, Jackson was in his suit. Walking around with Bahamut on his shoulder. Passing through the Squires and the new members, he goes down to the main yard where he brushes past John.
“Hm? Off to Adventure again?”
“Heck yeah. I also wanna log off in my carriage.”
“Alrighty. Thought you were gonna stay up a bit longer.”
“Can’t. I have a meeting at Nine and… I also gotta go to the store and buy some ingredients.”
“You know, they have delivery drones for that now.”
“Eh. I feel better when I walk and commute.”
“Just saying, could save you time.”
“Time is something I have lots off. See you later then. Just DM me if something pops up.”
“Roger dodger. Have a safe trip. Where are you going anyways?’
“Mid Continent. Gonna do some farming and then maybe help around if I can.”
“What about here? The Vampire players are really getting more angst now since Breznick and Libertus had made their footholds.” Jackson didn’t reply and merely had a blank expression on his face. “I'd rather not face those cringelords. Them and the Werewolves. I might end up starting a Guild War without me noticing.” John just shrugs and smiles. “Ahahahah, as always. Alright. Have a safe trip. You too Bahamut.”
“You better train Palamedes. No slacking off.”
“Tsk. You should be the one doing that! I have two kids and a wife to take care!”
“Just bring them along. It's not uncommon for families to spend their time in Full Dive nowadays.”
“Heck no. I’d rather have us spend the weekends at the park. We’re already on our phones and computers day and night.”
“Spoken like a true millennial. See you later.” The two nodded at each other as Jackson left for the frontgate. Hopping into Junior, he lightly tugs the reins and the man disappears into the forests of Eldwood.
After a few hours have passed, Jackson opens his eyes to find himself inside his carriage. “Ahhhh… that was nicely cooked. Time for some nightly gaming.” he then looks around, his wagon only consisting of his crates and Bahamut herself neatly sleeping on top of him.
Looking up, it was only afternoon in their place and opening his inventory, the man sees the Legendary Sword taking up a huge chunk of it. Sighing, the man then lightly picks up the Dragon and moves her back to her own bed while he gets up and spawns the sword of the Goddess. Its pale color made it seem so fragile and light but upon swinging it, he merely nodded. Going to the collection of crates behind his makeshift bed, he picks the longest one and opens it where inside, is a whole other collection of swords of differing types and sizes. Plopping it together with the others, he climbs the boxes which gave him access to the front seat.
“Afternoon Junior.” The Demon Horse just made a sound as he tugs the reins. Making his carriage move once again. He had to carefully maneuver his wagon, with the branches and the trees all so close to one another as his mount pops out of the bushes and they reach a more well maintained path that leads to a walled town. The Guards didn’t bother to check him as he entered it. Unlike the previous one he had been in, this one had some colors to it. Though still not like the ones in the Beginner Continent, he smiles at the fact that there’s some pretty colors for him to see in such a dangerous place and the sweet odor of the open sea strikes him.
With a canal in the middle of the stone road, he had to steer clear of it seeing the foul smell and discarded bones of fishes and other animals all going down the canal. Reaching the middle of town, he sees the Sailing Ships. With one of them standing out, painted with a metallic blue and gold, and the logo of Breznick flying on its tallest mast, he squints closely as it disembarks a bunch of Grunts followed by a lone Knight. “Tsk, even here huh?” He immediately turns the horse to another path. Going the long way around to flank it, reaching one of the Merchant Ships tucked away behind the other wooden watercraft.
Disembarking, he goes to the Merchant. The two exchange smiles as he shakes the man's hand. He was clean and of good smell, unlike the others he is watching carry heavy bulky crates off the cargo hold of his Sailing Ship.
“How much? Mid Continent.”
“Ah, you came just in time! Since Breznick and Libertus now patrols the oceans around here, its been permanently discounted from a thousand to only two hundred fifty!”
“WHAT?!” Jackson instantly puts his fingers up his forehead as he breathes a long sigh while Bahamut has taken off from behind his wagon, seeing something glimmering far away. “And here I was paying a thousand just two days ago… OKAY. Deal.” The Merchant gladly smiles and they seal the deal with another handshake. “Meet us again by Nine or Ten, we’ll prepare to leave.”
“Even Night sails are being done?”
“Right! The Chosen Ones and their mighty Kingdoms have started to put Buoys, lighting up the ocean! I already know which ones to take to the Sea of Gwylch!”
“Huh. I guess, sure.” Bahamut with something big red and shiny on her mouth returned to the back of his wagon as he got up to the driver seat and tugged the reins. “Bahamut, let’s eat dinner. The ships going to leave-” a red sparkle hits his eyes as he violently pulls the reins, making Junior stop. “Sorry Junior!” He then immediately slid into the back where he saw the Dragon had gotten herself a pretty Ruby. “BAD! BAD DRAGON! NO!” Instead of letting him be, the Black Dragon wasn’t giving it up so easily and flapped her wings just as whistles were heard and a bunch of Grunts in chainmail and padded leather armor came barreling through the street and to them.
He locks eyes with the man leading the group, floating high above him was the Dragon with the Red Ruby. “TH-THERE! THAT’S THE LADY’S RUBY!” Before he could even react properly, the man was swarmed by the Grunts. With their leader going for his ankles, bending it forward with the butt of his sword, making him kneel while the other soldiers tried to grab Bahamut who was swiftly avoiding them without much effort. With such a small size, she easily slips through in between there legs and up behind them.
With a clear sight of freedom, she flies away.
“Hailing Storms of Artoch!” A flurry of icicles proceeded to block her exit and a powerful freezing magic then clips the tips of her wings, though it was small, it was enough to make her lose all her lift. Making the Dragon drop to the ground where one of the Grunts grabbed her by the back of her neck as an attractive woman in a diamond etched blue gown grabbed the Red Ruby off her mouth.
“M’Lady.” She ignores the grunt and immediately looks at the Black Dragon and the man who's been cuffed by the leader of the group of soldiers. “Bring them to jail. I’ll speak to them later. I do not take thievery lighty. For a Chosen One, you sure are brave, but sadly, a mere Dragon cannot scare me, a member of the Berehaven Family." Before he could speak, the man’s mouth was stuffed and without long, they were brought to a stingy jail with only a small barred slit for him to get sunlight from.
“Tsk. Really Bahamut?” As he sat on the wooden bench held up by chains, the man could only lean forward as he pinched the area between his eyes. The Dragon on the other hand just sat on her rear and sniffed the air. “That was a nice ruby though, Master.”
“Didn’t you say the Emerald Upgrade Gem I have also nice?”
“Yes… but you wouldn’t give that to me.”
“Well… you might never know when you’ll need to use it.”
“Master, when are we going to deposit all of your stuff?”
“When we return back to Eldwood. I still have some crates left unused.”
“Booooo… we’re carrying so much, Master. I don’t think even my wings can help you if we accidentally fall off a cliff.”
“Can’t you get into a larger form now? Don’t tell me you didn’t have anything unlocked after eating a Goddess.” Opening his Inventory, the man shifts to his Companions tab and sees that Bahamut hasn’t unlocked anything. “Are you kidding me? What about this blank one then and why is it shaped like a Human?”
“Don’t know about you, Master. But that Magic won’t truly help you in measuring my strength.” he just closes it and sighs. Looking up at the wet ceiling where droplets of water were leaking from the passing carriages full of fishes. The stench was slowly getting to him as he took one long breath. “Haaaah… will you stop stealing Gems and Rubies if I gave you that Emerald Gem?” the Dragon just turned away, obviously having a devious smile on her.
“Argh…” he then stands up and starts to look around. “Now, how are we going to escape this predicament?”