As Harry flew upward on the undead dragon, Susan noticed the movement and felt a pang of confusion. She didn't have time to dwell on it as she cast another healing spell. "I hope whatever Harry is planning works," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible over the chaos of the battlefield.

On the ground, Susan and Marcus led their forces with unwavering determination. Susan's healing spells kept the fighters on their feet, her magic a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. Marcus’s stealth and agility allowed him to strike down key enemies, his presence a constant, silent threat to the monsters.

"Hold the line!" Susan shouted, casting a powerful healing spell that washed over the frontlines, revitalizing the weary fighters. "We can't let them break through!"

Marcus darted through the shadows, his daggers flashing in the dim light as he took down another monster. "Keep pushing! We've got this!" he urged, his voice steady despite the turmoil.

Harry urged the undead dragon higher in the sky, the air growing colder and more electric the closer he got to the portal. The mother core loomed ahead, its dark energy pulsating with a malevolent glow. He could feel the power radiating from it, a tangible force that seemed to sap his strength and resolve.

But Harry pressed on, driven by the knowledge that this was the only way to save his world. As he approached the core, he readied his attack. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing in his ears like a war drum.

"Come on, Dragon, we got this," he shouted, directing the undead dragon to circle the core. Dark energy swirled around him, the power of the necromancer's skill amplifying his own abilities. He could feel the core's resistance, a dark, sentient force pushing back against his will.

But Harry held firm, focusing all his energy on the task at hand. With a final, powerful surge, he leaped onto the core. As he readied his attack to plunge his sword into the core, a beam of dark energy shot from his hand, striking the core with a resounding crash.

The core shuddered, its energy faltering. Harry pushed harder, his determination and willpower fueling the attack. The core began to crack, fissures spreading across its surface as its power waned. "Come on," Harry muttered through gritted teeth. "Just a little more..."

With a final, mighty effort, Harry unleashed all his remaining energy. The core shattered, its dark energy dissipating into the void. The portal above him flickered, its edges fraying as it began to close.

Harry slumped forward, exhaustion washing over him. He had done it. The mother core was destroyed, and the portal was closing. But he knew the battle below was far from over. "Hang on, everyone," he whispered, urging the undead dragon to descend. "I'm coming back."

As he flew back towards the battlefield, he contacted Susan and Marcus once more. "The core is destroyed. The portal is closing. We need to finish this."

Susan's voice crackled through the connection, filled with relief and determination. "You did it, Harry. We'll find…” Her words were interrupted by a disturbance. “Harry?... Harry? Can you hear me?”

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The line connected to Harry was cut off. Susan looked up at the sky to search for Harry but couldn't see him. In a few seconds, all the portals around the world closed, leaving only the remaining monsters. Susan felt a wave of hopelessness as she realized Harry had not emerged from the portal. It felt as if the whole world had fallen apart. In the midst of the battle, she lost all senses, not even Marcus’s words were reaching her. She knelt in despair, tears streaming down her face as she realized her best friend was trapped in the other world.

Marcus rushed to her side, shaking her gently. "Susan! We can't give up now! Harry wouldn't want us to."

But Susan remained unresponsive, her eyes fixed on the spot where the portal had been. The battle raged on around them, but at that moment, all she could feel was the crushing weight of loss.

Marcus knew he had to act quickly to prevent the frontlines from collapsing. He turned to the nearby soldiers and shouted, "We need to hold this position! Do not let the monsters break through!" His voice was commanding and authoritative, galvanizing the fighters around him.

He then knelt beside Susan, his tone softening. "Susan, I need you. We all do. Harry needs us to finish this fight."

Susan blinked, her eyes focusing on Marcus. The reality of the situation began to sink in, and she forced herself to stand. "You're right," she said, wiping away her tears. "Harry wouldn't want us to give up."

Together, they rallied their forces. Susan's healing spells once again rejuvenated the tired fighters, and Marcus's precise strikes cut through the remaining monsters with deadly efficiency. The battle below continued to rage, but the tide was beginning to turn in their favor.

"Keep pushing! We can do this!" Marcus shouted, leading a charge against a particularly stubborn group of monsters. His daggers flashed in the dim light as he moved with a lethal grace.

Susan focused on supporting the fighters, her healing spells, and protective barriers ensuring that they could withstand the relentless assault. She cast a glance at the sky, hoping for any sign of Harry, but there was none. She forced herself to focus on the battle, channeling her worry into determination.

As the battle raged on, the communications channel crackled to life again. "Susan, Marcus, do you copy?" It was the voice of Dave, the leader of the safe posts. "We're getting reports from all over. The portals have closed, but the monsters are still attacking. We need to coordinate our efforts to finish them off."

Susan replied, "We're holding the line here. Harry... he's gone to destroy the mother core. We haven't heard from him since."

Dave's voice was filled with concern but also determination. "We'll do everything we can to help. Stay strong, you two. We can win this."

The news that the portals were closed spread quickly among the fighters, giving them a renewed sense of hope. They fought with increased vigor, knowing that this could be the final push to rid their world of the monstrous threat.

Hours passed, and the battle showed no signs of abating. The sun had set, casting the battlefield in an eerie twilight. The air was thick with the smell of blood and sweat, and the sounds of combat echoed through the night.

Marcus and Susan continued to lead their forces, their exhaustion evident but their resolve unbroken. They knew that they had to hold on, just a little longer.

Suddenly, a roar echoed across the battlefield. Marcus looked up to see a massive figure descending from the sky. It was the undead dragon but without Harry atop it. The sight was both a relief and a cause for concern.

"He's back!" Susan exclaimed, relief flooding her voice.

But as the dragon landed amidst the remaining monsters, there was no sign of Harry. The dragon, now acting on the last command it received, began attacking the monsters, giving the fighters a much-needed boost.

Susan and Marcus fought with renewed energy, their hearts heavy with worry but filled with determination. They knew they had to keep fighting, for Harry and for everyone else who depended on them.

As the final wave of monsters approached, Susan and Marcus fought side by side. Their teamwork was seamless, each move perfectly coordinated. They had fought many battles together, but this one felt different. It was the culmination of all their efforts, the final stand against the darkness that had threatened their world.

Susan's healing spells washed over the fighters, keeping them in the fight. Her voice was steady as she called out encouragement, her presence a beacon of hope. "Stay strong! We're almost there!"

Marcus moved with lethal grace, his daggers finding their marks with deadly precision. He fought with a determination born of loyalty and love for his friends. "For Harry! For all of us!" he shouted, his voice carrying across the battlefield.

The monsters began to falter, their numbers dwindling as the combined forces of the humans and players pushed them back. The battlefield was a scene of chaos, but amidst the carnage, there was a sense of unity and purpose.