“When the time of man comes to an end the world will once again belong to beasts.”
The green haired youth smirked as his gaze swept across the multitude of monsters that were screaming and squirming below him, his eyes brightening at the sight of their venomous fangs and needle-like teeth. A sense of exhilaration passed through him when he thought of how the only barrier protecting him from their razor sharp claws was the naturally formed stone cliff that he stood on. A shadow encompassed him and he turned to see a large man with electric blue hair grinning as he too viewed the spectacle below him.
“It's amazing isn't it, Axon.” The man raised his muscle filled arms towards the creatures below as though he were a priest giving a sermon to his flock of followers, his blue robes billowed around him as wind blew through the air “How my magic will be cleaving through every single one of those poor, unintelligent bastards flesh. The thought alone gets my giddy.” As though to emphasise this point he giggled, a gesture which seemed to contrast with his brutish and muscle-bound appearance.
But by now Axon youth had gotten used to the large man's strange behaviour and dramatic flare. His companion went by many names, but the most common was Arturious the Calm. Years travelling with Arturious had forced the green haired youth to accept that his famous companion was anything but calm. The man was a Grand Mage, the pinnacle of any person that wished to learn the ancient arts of magic. He had mastered all ten elements present in nature and as a result had known no peer for years. This had led to Arturious being a companion that was both exceptionally good at killing and yet also incredibly spoilt and temperamental. The moment something annoyed him or even slightly provoked him it was usually up to Axon to calm Arturious down or some unfortunate fool would face total destruction for simply bumping into the blue haired lug.
'And it's not as though its easy to avoid something so large either way.'
“Calm yourself Arturious. We've been waiting three years for this day. We will finally destroy the greatest evil this land has ever known and then our names will be spoken of in legends. All we need now is a bit of patience.”
Before Axon could speak another, thinner man with red hair appeared beside Arturious and gently rested a hand on his companion's large bicep. The large man's arms lowered and he frowned at the red haired man.
Axon snorted at his companion's words, his green hair billowing in the wind and revealing a pair of luminous green eyes, “Don't kid yourself Drake, you secretly can't wait get down to kick some monster ass yourself. I can see you trembling with excitement.”
The red haired man smiled and took a step forward, the shadow of Arturious fell from his face, revealing a young and handsome youth with sparkling red eyes. The leader of their little group with this young man, Drake the Undying. He was a legend that equalled Arturious in fame and strength. Known for his intellect and use of stratagems and tactics to overwhelm both monsters and armies alike his name was spoken of in reverence as the pinnacle of generals. Kings and Emperors alike would sacrifice entire arms and legs to have him lead their empires into battle.
But Axon knew that his leader couldn't strand to be stuck on the sidelines. The first to jump into every battle was always Drake. The man had leapt into a thousand battles and against overwhelming numbers and odds had come out alive, earning him the title of undying.
“Drake, where are Amelia and River?”
Axon frowned as he realised that two members of their group were missing, the gentle Amelia and the fiery River were two sisters with personalities as different as night and day. The beautiful Amelia had long ago chosen the path of a priestess, praying to the gods and using their ancient magic to heal and revitalise her team mates in times of need. Any person healed by her was instantly entranced by her noble composure and kind manner of speaking. She was declared by many a traveller to be an angel wandering the earth in disguise. Her equally beautiful sister River was the opposite in every way, with her short temper and rough talk. River practised the coarse fighting style of axe-wielding. Preferring to cleave her enemies in half and be done with things she gained a legendary status among mercenaries and warriors alike as being as unstoppable as a river. Wherever she went her enemies fell like logs and nobody was spared from her axes.
“It is not often that Axon enquires as to my well-being, I am honoured.”
A young, petite and humble girl appeared in front of Axon and he had to blink as her long pink hair tangled in his green locks. Taking a step back his back jolted as he realised he had almost stepped off the side of the cliff and into the army of monsters below. The girl giggled and he smirked. It was almost impossible for anyone to stay angry at Amelia. She was dressed in her usual pink frock and her white-pink knee socks gave her the countenance of a girl that needed to be protected at all costs. Her arresting pink eyes seemed to read into his very soul as he looked into them but he was interrupted as Arturious gave a grunt and a small head with cropped yellow hair poked out from behind his blue robes.
“I'm thrilled that seaweed brain is thinking about someone other than himself right now. I bet he just wants us because it'll help him survive.”
Axon grunted at Rivers words but didn't deny them. Her blunt words were her own way of communicating and the playful look in her dazzling yellow eyes seemed all the more prominent in this critical time before they all went to battle.
He could choose to ignore harsh words when they didn't even know if they were going to survive to see the next day.
“I see you're still wearing this stupid green armour.”
River walked out from underneath Arturious and the billowing blue robes gave way to a startling yellow tank top and yellow leather pants. The sensual and exposed armour left little to the imagination but Axon knew that the attire's defensive capabilities were not to be underestimated. He didn't even blink as River laid her hands on his green chestplate, encrusted with the scales of an emerald dragon, and tightened some of the armour holding straps which had loosened on the journey to the cliff. Although she criticised the armour Axon couldn't help but chuckle as he remembered that the person to run alone into a dragon's den to kill and skin the dragons had been River herself. He had been quite surprised to see the blood covered girl dropping a pair of green dragon hides in front of him at that time.
“So these are the forces that Veltrax has gathered to fight us, an army capable of conquering the entire world. It is truly a humbling sight.”
As Drake uttered the name of their enemy the air around the five grew chilly and an air of tension took over them. They followed their leader's gaze and took a good look at the army they were to fight. Over ten thousand monsters, ranging from humanoids to large dragons and serpents that could dwarf a castle. It was a gathering of creatures so vile and disgusting that children were told stories of them as punishment. Monster so strong that countries would fear finding a single one of them within their borders. But the group disregarded these creatures. As vile as they were they had fought thousands of them before and could do so again. They looked beyond these creatures, to an area which seemed to be sucking all of the light out of the air to create a virtual night. From this dark area the five could sense an aura of evil so strong that they shivered unconsciously. They knew that standing there was their greatest enemy. The worst monster to have ever roamed the world and the strongest being that had gathered this army of monsters to lay waste to the world they occupied.
The fallen god Veltrax.
“I am glad you find the sight pleasing. Yet you mustn’t be too distracted. I have not fought tooth and nail against you all this time to have you die pitifully at the last stretch.”
A screech broke out from someone and as though thunder had struck him Axon let out a gasp and turned around, a glowing green long sword appearing in his hands. Behind him Amelia was google-eyed and clawing her hands at a pair of black claws choking her throat. As though an unspoken agreement between the group had been made they all immediately attacked as one.
The air grew arid and glowed as large white flames spouted from Arturious's outstretched palms and circled towards the being attacking them. The flames seemed to tighten in mid air and compress into seven white serpents, the power of which seemed to cause the world to ripple and turn around them. Each one seemed to be on a collision course with Amelia but at the last second twisted and turned to attack the human figure behind her. Large booms resounded as the flames met their target but instead of eliminating it the serpents thrashed in terror as the pure white of the flames was overcome by a dark aura that seemed to suck the heat and light out of them until they dissipated into the air. But as soon as the serpents were gone a figure burst out from within them with a large scimitar swinging in the air.
“Veltrax!”
Drake cleaved cleanly into the dark aura that permeated the space but quickly moved back as he realised his attack hadn't felt the resistance of flesh, the aura retreating to reveal nothing in the area. Laughter filled the air and the humanoid creature re-appeared a few feet away, still holding the priestess Amelia. With a casual snap of his wrists her petite body went taut and fell to the ground, lifeless. Axon heard a scream and a flash of yellow filled his vision as River leapt through the air with her mighty battle axe in hand. Her sister's body had barely touched the ground before River reached the monster and smashed her weapon against his body.
*Ting*
River's eyes widened as she realised she had barely scratched the creatures body and it laughed again, swatting her away with a hand. She flew through the air and into Arturious' arms. Axon gasped as he got his first proper view at who they were fighting. The thing looked human and yet jet black scaled lined its body and instead of eyes there was a single red vertical slit in the middle of its head, with razor sharp teeth lining its mouth and dripping blood red venom.
Veltrax the fallen god. His true identity had been unknown until just half a year ago when Axon and his allies had found ancient scrolls that the monster had not been able to find and destroy. These scrolls had been essential in not only finding out who their enemy was, but also what he was.
“You call yourself a fallen god Veltrax. And yet you are no god.” The creatures eye slit narrowed as Axon cautiously moved forward.
“Because your true identity is that of the ancient monster, Black Dragon!” Before the creature could react Axon and Drake moved in on it and swung their weapons towards its head. Without budging an inch the creature grabbed their weapons and forced them into a stalemate as it held them into submission. Axon smiled as the creatures chest was exposed by the defensive actions.
*Bang*
The world around the trio lit up as a white flame serpent smashed into Veltrax's chest and the monster went flying back and smashed into the rocky ground. It was a shame that their healer had died so fast but the group had been coordinating for far too long to be et back by this sudden turn of events. Before the creature could get up River jumped towards it and cleaved her axe into its chest. She was satisfied as she felt the axe slide into its chest, it's black scales melted by the flame of Arturious' magic attack. Veltrax screeched in pain and anger and a large black hole gathered on top of its chest next to River's body.
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“River get back!”
Drake's command came a second too late as the girl was blasted apart by the monster's black magic and her dead body was sucked into the black hole. Golden blood dripped across it's scales as it stood up and before the remaining humans could react Veltrax let out a howl that froze them on the spot and it's body exploded outward, large scaly legs and a large black tail filled with razor sharp spines popped out of the previously humanoid body and a large, snake-like head with slitted red eyes gazed down at the humans with hate. The previously humanoid figure had been replaced with a giant black dragon the size of a large castle. Axon gasped at the size and ferocious aura of the monster in front of them. It could not be compared to the thing they had just been fighting.
The oldest and strongest monster to have ever roamed the earth, the Black Dragon! With an intelligence exceeding that of the smartest human and an unlimited lifespan this creature had secretly controlled the monsters of the world to slowly yet surely destroy any being associated with good. It had posed as a god to strike fear into the mortal races of the earth and used its power to plunge the world into darkness from which it could control the entire world using terror and and iron claw.
The Black Dragon was the epitome of evil, some stories even stated that it was the physical manifestation of all the evil in the world. Their group had fought this being for years and after banding the nations of the world into one and commanding armies numbering in the millions they had fought it's minions and destroyed all of its plans. Now, at the final junction of their journey it had come after them personally.
“You dare strike at me. YOU INSIGNIFICANT WORMS.”
Axon felt shivers crawling down his spine as the ancient dragon spoke, its fiery anger burning in its voice and eyes. Murderous rage spilling forth from its body like flames. Veltrax lifted its head menacingly and roared once more, black flames spewing forth from its mouth.
“Arturious, water protection magic, now!”
The words were hardly out of Drake's mouth before Axon and he were covered in bubbled of water and black flames spewed over both of them. They both calmly waited out the attack and even before it had ended the duo were running towards the large dragon and with a single jump that could get them over buildings they flew into the air and next to the creatures head, striking at its eyes with their weapons. Axon glanced to the side as his green longsword struck a murderous red slit and he gasped in pain as the dragons tail swished through the air and struck him in the chest. He flew dozens of metres until he crashed into the ground and glanced at his emerald dragon chest armour, now broken and charred. A single yelp resounded through the air and Drake was stabbed through the chest as he flew through the air. His red armour hadn't been as durable as Axon's but the green haired warrior could see that his leader had taken one of the dragon's two eyes out with his long sabre.
Axon allowed himself a slight grin as yet more flame serpents occupied the large dragon, it's magical power greatly weakened by the loss of its eye. Unlike other creatures all dragons were too proud to keep their magical power inside their body, they displayed it proudly in their eyes. If a person was to kill a dragon they would first have to destroy its eyes.
“Give me a boost and cover fire, I'm going for it's last eye!”
Veltrax turned its attention away from the flame serpents and to Axon as the youth spoke but by the time the green haired man was flying through the air. Arturious hadn't mastered all magics for show, he was simultaneously keeping Axon airborn and creating uncountable flame serpents to attack Veltrax. Tell-tale black clouds gathered across the skies and seconds later bolts of lightning struck through the air and smashed into the Black Dragon's body, melting its scales and causing it to cry out in pain.
“FEEL THE PAIN OF YOUR MAGICS TURNED AGAINST YOU, ULTIMATE REFLECTION.”
Axon had a single moment to gaze down in horror as his allies magics were reflected off of the Black Dragon and onto his ally, lightning and flames burning Arturious' body into a crisp. The previously sea blue robes a single charred black colour.
“AND THEN ONE IS LEFT.”
Axon gazed at the dragon in front of him. It was a testament to his friend's skill that the spell keeping Axon airborn was still active after his death. Since it was not an attack-type magic it hadn't been reflected by Veltrax's spell. The creatures black tail shredded the air as it flew towards the flying warrior, it's razor sharp black spines glinting wickedly.
“I don't fall for the same trick twice old man.”
Axon coolly flew forward and dodge the initial attack, swiping at the tail with his sword and immediately cutting through the dragons black flesh and severing the end of the tail from its body. Veltrax roared into the air and spewed forth more black flames from its mouth, even its body had begun to emit black flames which swirled through the air to surround Axon.
“Your end has already been pre-determined Veltrax. You were no match for us and after I'm done with you the nations of the world will make sure that your name is erased from history. You will become a nobody that never existed.”
“INSOLENT LITTLE WHELP.”
Veltrax thrashed its tail stump and Axon grinned, dodging the black flames and aiming his long sword straight into the dragons remaining eye. The crimson slit widened, revealing a large black pupil and golden iris. Axon felt the his sword plunge into the remaining eye and breathed a sigh of relief. The dragon had stopped moving and whisps of darkness filled the air as the evil essence that had made up the beings body dissipated into the air and the remains of the previously terrifying beast completely left the world.
'Soon enough it's name would follow suite and everything that Veltrax ever did would be erased from the world.' Axon thought to himself as the air magic released and he slowly fell to the ground.
“All in all.”
Axon looked down the cliff towards the army of ten thousands of monsters that were left. Veltrax had had a good idea to ambush them when they had their guard lowered. He had even managed to kill almost all of them in the attempt. But Axon knew that if the remaining monsters didn't disperse then they would soon be killed by the allied armies that were following the group. That had been Veltrax's one and only chance to kill them at their weakest and he had failed.
“It was a pretty fun fight.”
Axon looked behind him one last time at the spot where his allies and greatest enemy had died.
Then with a single movement of his hand and he disappeared off the face of the earth.
****
[You have successfully logged out of Eternia.]
“Haha, we finally did it!”
Several people standing nearby in the PC Bang jolted in surprise at the shout let out by the green haired youth. He just looked at them with a large grin on his face and whistled loudly in triumnph. Soon after he was surrounded by his friends and allies in the game, huge grins resting on their faces aswell.
They had been playing the game Eternia for well over three years and after hours of gaming a day they had finally destroyed the final boss and completed the game. They had become gaming legends, five kings deemed unbeatable in the gaming world. They had had to fight against countless monsters, NPC's and even fellow online players and yet they had come out on top of it all as the five strongest gamers playing out of millions and conquered a game that had never been conquered before.
“You're damn right we did it.” River grinned at Axon and he could see the smile stretching to even her sparkling yellow eyes. “Who would have thought that a weakling like you would be the one to end it all.” She gave a small 'humph' and then laughed, Axon joining her.
“So my friends,” Arturious grinned as he spoke, “What do we do now? I hear that the new game, Fate, is said to be even greater than Eternia. A larger world to explore and more to be found. It almost seems too good to be true but it is.”
The group wondered at the large man's words. They knew that his father was actually a developer for the games they played including Eternia and the upcoming game Fate. If he said that is was going to be larger than Eternia then it could be considered the truth. But Eternia had been huge, big enough to require three years to simply explore the world and bring it's races together. Something even larger than that...
Was something that these seasoned gamers definitely wanted to explore.
“It seems simple enough if you say it like that Arturious, however, we have been playing together for so long that it seems it would be almost a bore to breeze through this game as we usually do.”
Four pairs of eyes concentrated solely on Drake as he spoke, although the man was far from outgoing they knew that when push came to shove he would always be the one calling the shots and seeing opportunities where they couldn't. This respect had transitioned into real life and they respected all that he had to say.
“Could you be suggesting that we play Fate individually instead of as a group Drake? I for one, would not object to this change of pace.”
Axon glanced over as Amelia spoke. She had always been able to discern Drake's intentions in a moment and it was for this reason that she made such a good secondary tactician, calling shots in place of Drake when he was occupied fighting.
“That's exactly what I'm saying. We've already conquered Eternia, I'm pretty sure no matter if we play solo or as a group we would be fairly quick in becoming powerful figured in Fate. To spice things up, let's have a tiny bit of a competition. Instead of working together, we work against each other?”
At his words the group fell into silence. This was not due to shock but simply because they were deep in contemplation. None of them could deny that after three years of playing together as a team they had come to respect each other not just in gaming, but in dedication to gaming and intelligence. They were essentially all equals.
And nothing could provide more entertainment than fighting your equals.
“Sure. It sounds like fun.” Axon was the first to speak and he grinned happily as the others also spoke their consent.
“So when we enter Fate, we will meet as enemies.” From the moment the agreement had made the group had no doubt that they would meet each other in game. Even if Fate's world was bigger than Eternias they trusted their friends to become famous enough for their names to spread to any corner of the world. They wouldn't even have to meet at the same PC Bang to play games, they all had their own gaming capsules. It was simple for the fun of meeting with each other that they had begun to play in the same area.
“But for now” Axon's grin widened, “Let's celebrate our victory until the week is over and then some!”
The five friends grinned both at their accomplishment and the excitement of the new game to come. They would face off against both the new world and themselves, because they knew that it was their destiny to meet up with each other in the game.
Fate was awaiting them.