The Auron Colosseum buzzed with energy as Arlan’s companions gathered in the center of the arena. JD, Niren, Lucius, Frej, Savage, Yuna, Marie, Chrysta, Yanie, Fiala, Edgar, Erin, Dimitri, and Katalina—all eyes were on Arlan as he stood in the middle, donning the black draconian cuirass for the first time. Its dark sheen, almost like liquid midnight, absorbed the flickering light from the Colosseum’s torches, exuding an ominous power.

“Are you insane?” Marie asked, her blue eyes wide with disbelief. Chrysta and Yuna stood beside her, their expressions mirroring her concern. “[Oblivion Surge] can level this entire arena, Arlan. Do you know what you’re asking for?”

Arlan smirked, his confidence unwavering. “Yeah… I know. Just do it. It’ll be alright.”

“And if it won’t be alright?” Yuna frowned, her hands already tingling with the mana she’d need to unleash. “You could be destroyed by this.”

“The spell could destroy all of us,” Chrysta added, raising an eyebrow. She wasn’t one to doubt Arlan, but this felt beyond reckless.

“I’m positive of this,” Arlan reassured them, his voice calm, almost too calm. “This cuirass is designed to absorb a single seventh-tier spell every hour. I need to know its limits before we head into the Iron Grotto. Now, do it.”

The three mages exchanged worried glances. Marie sighed, waving her hand dismissively. “Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you if this goes sideways.”

They began their incantations, mana swirling around them as they channeled their energy into a combined [Oblivion Surge]. The air crackled with raw power, arcs of fire, ice, and arcane energy twisting into a chaotic storm above them. Arlan stood tall, his hands at his sides, not raising a single barrier to protect himself.

The surge hit him like a tidal wave—blinding, deafening, overwhelming. For a moment, it seemed as though the Colosseum itself might collapse under the weight of the spell. But as the dust and energy cleared, there stood Arlan, untouched. The black draconian cuirass had absorbed the entirety of the spell, shimmering with an eerie light as if feeding off the magic.

Everyone stood in stunned silence.

"By Numen..." Niren whispered, eyes wide with awe. Even Lucius, normally composed, looked shaken. Savage let out a low whistle.

Arlan gave a confident smile, “As you can see, the cuirass is more than capable. It absorbed the full power of your combined magic, just as I thought it would. Though,” he glanced down at the armor, “I still don’t know its full potential.”

Just as Arlan finished speaking, a slow, deliberate clap echoed from the shadows. Akasha Renferal, stepped forward with a predatory smile playing on her lips, her crimson eyes glinting with amusement. “Well, well, Arlan, you never cease to amaze. Here I thought you’d gone completely mad, asking for a seventh-tier spell to be hurled at you. But it seems you’re quite capable of surviving... more ways than one.”

Her voice was smooth, filled with seductive undertones as she approached the group, her presence commanding and mysterious. “As per our contract, I’m here. I trust the terms are still... favorable?”

Arlan nodded, giving her a respectful look before turning to the others. “Everyone, meet Akasha Renferal. She’ll be joining us for the mission into the Iron Grotto. Her abilities will complement ours.”

Akasha chuckled softly, her voice barely above a whisper but full of weight. “Complement? Oh, Arlan, I do more than complement—I elevate.” Her gaze lingered on him, filled with an unspoken challenge, but she shifted her eyes to the rest of the group. “I must say, it’s been a while since I’ve worked alongside such... talented individuals.”

Marie’s glare darkened as she crossed her arms, but she kept her voice steady. “Just stay focused.”

Akasha gave a knowing smile. “Of course, dear Marie. For Arlan’s sake, I’ll be on my best behavior.”

Arlan continued, unfazed by the tension. “For today’s training sortie, we’ll be going after the largest dark fiend concentration outside the Iron Grotto. It’s going to be a test of our cohesion as a team and it needs to be destroyed before major operation. Dimitri, Edgar, Erin, Katalina—you four need this experience as well before we face Soketh in the rift.”

The four nodded solemnly, understanding the weight of Arlan’s words.

They prepared their equipment and mounted their horses. Arlan swung onto Kage, his loyal dark stygian mount, whose black mane shimmered. The group began their ride out of Auron toward the Gal-Auro Plains. The familiar rhythm of hooves on the ground was interrupted only by the murmurs of admiration from soldiers and adventurers who lined the streets, watching them pass.

“Look, it’s Arlan’s Banner,” one soldier whispered to his comrade.

“I’ve heard the stories... they say this is the strongest party ever gathered in Midland,” the other replied, wide-eyed.

As they continued on, Frej rode next to Arlan, a grin tugging at the corner of her lips. “Is this normal for you Arlan?”

Arlan smirked in return. “It’s just background noise to me.”

Frej chuckled. “I never had that kind of attention when I was Lady of Aikahn. Guess I was just too boring.”

“You’re far from boring, Frej,” Arlan replied. “Your strength stands on its own.”

Not far behind them, Savage glanced over at Niren, his deep voice rumbling with amusement. “So, how many dark fiends do you think you’ll hide behind that shield to avoid, paladin?”

Niren kept his gaze forward, unfazed. “It’s called defense, Savage. Shields are for protection, not hiding.”

Savage hefted his massive blacksteel greataxe, a grin spreading across his face. “Defense? That’s what people say when they’re afraid to fight head-on. You oughta try an axe sometime. No need to hide when you can just cleave through anything in your way.”

Niren glanced at him, his expression calm as ever. “I’ve found the sword and shield quite effective for not dying, thanks.”

Savage let out a loud laugh, swinging the axe in a casual arc. “That’s because you’re playing it safe. Me? I prefer to get up close and personal. One swing, and it’s over.”

JD, walking nearby, chuckled. “You say that, but I’ve seen Niren block blows that would flatten most people. Not everyone can turn a shield into a fortress, Savage.”

Savage scoffed. “Sure, he’s a walking wall. But he’s still hiding behind it. If he fought like a real warrior—” he tapped his axe, “—he wouldn’t need that chunk of metal to save him.”

Niren smiled faintly. “If you’d ever fought smart, you’d know a shield does more than just block. But I wouldn’t expect someone who swings an axe like a wild beast to understand that.”

Savage grinned wider. “Wild beast, huh? Fine by me. I’ll still be standing when the dust settles, paladin. Shield or no shield.”

Behind them, JD and Yanie exchanged glances as they overheard everyone’s small banter. JD rubbed his shoulder with a wince. “I swear, sparring with Savage feels like getting run over by a boulder.”

Yanie stifled a laugh. “Unlucky day yesterday when Arlan put you up to spar with him.”

JD groaned. “Wasn't easy. For someone whose a fifth-tier, he swings fucking hard.”

Yanie smirked. “Frej is also just as dangerous—well, in terms of physical damage. But I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting her to be so... bubbly.”

JD chuckled. “Yeah, I expected someone quiet and intense, but she’s always talking, laughing. She told me she sees combat as ‘dancing.’”

Yanie raised an eyebrow, grinning. “I saw her spin through those drills earlier like it really was a dance. But honestly, her energy’s infectious. She and Savage are like night and day.”

JD nodded. “And then there’s Lucius. I swear, that guy could talk about artifacts for hours without stopping. I tried to ask him about his fighting style, and we ended up discussing some ancient urn from a lost civilization for thirty minutes.”

Yanie shook her head, laughing. “He’s obsessed with those relics. Did you hear him earlier, going on about how the gauntlet he found has ‘the perfect mana channeling’ or whatever?”

“I guess that’s how he’ll be,” JD sighed. “At least he’s useful, though.”

Yanie smirked. “Between Frej’s constant chatter, Savage’s bruises, and Lucius’s artifact lectures, Arlan’s definitely collected an interesting bunch.”

JD grinned. “Yeah… and then there’s that… Vampire…?”

As the group continued their banter, Akasha joined Arlan and Frej, sliding up beside them on her horse. “Arlan, you never told Frej how you convinced me to join you. Came to me in the dead of night, practically held me down until I agreed.” Her voice was laced with mischief.

Frej blinked, looking between them nervously. “Wait... what?”

Arlan groaned. “Frej, it’s not like that. She’s exaggerating.”

“Exaggerating?” Akasha raised an eyebrow, her smile widening, “I seem to recall a bit of... persuasion.”

Arlan shook his head and met Frej’s eyes with a serious tone. “I’m not the type to force anyone into anything.”

Frej laughed, though still a bit uneasy. “I’ll… I’ll take your word for it.”

The atmosphere grew heavier as Marie, riding just behind, fixed a sharp glare on Akasha, visibly jealous. “For the record, Akasha, Arlan isn’t into walking dead bodies.”

Akasha’s eyes gleamed, and she shot back with a grin. “Oh, really now? Ms. Marie, I could turn you into a dead body that won’t walk.”

Arlan’s brow furrowed. “Okay… Can you two just stop?”

“No!” yelled both Akasha and Marie, echoing each other exactly. “She started it!”

The two girls echoing each other’s words glared at the other, as if they felt insulted by the presence of the other.

But before Arlan could say more, Lucius rode up beside him, patting him on the shoulder. “I’ve heard the rumors, but now I’m seeing it firsthand. Arlan Reeve, the ladies’ man.”

Arlan shook his head, clearly exasperated. “Why is this even going on right now?!”

Riding behind them, JD and Chrysta couldn’t contain their laughter. “This is priceless,” JD managed between chuckles, while Chrysta stifled her own laughter.

Savage, never one to miss a chance to join the conversation, spoke up. “In my tribe, it’s a sign of strength for a warrior to take many wives. Arlan should be proud.”

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Marie’s face turned a bright shade of red. “I’m not his wife!” she shouted, clearly embarrassed. “I mean… Unless he wants me to be… Then I’d do it just because he needs me.”

Akasha leaned over toward Marie, grinning. “So then if you don’t want him, I want him.”

Marie scowled. “He’s got a wife already! He can’t be dealing with a vampire.”

Yanie, riding near the back, folded her arms and muttered under her breath. “I definitely have no chance now... not with a vampire and Marie both after him.”

Fiala reached out and patted Yanie’s back. “Don’t worry, Yanie. There’s more to life than competition.”

Frej, listening to the playful chaos, let out a warm laugh. “It’s actually fun being around all of you. I haven’t felt this way in a long time.”

Her smile faltered slightly as she continued, “After I was disowned by my father, my friends abandoned me too. They were only with me for my status.”

The group fell into a moment of solemn silence. Arlan turned to Frej, his voice gentle but firm. “Frej, as long as you stand by me, you’ll always have a friend.”

Katalina chimed in, her voice warm. “You’ll always be welcome with House Reeve. Anytime you want to visit Galdo, it’s your home.”

Erin nodded, her expression earnest. “You have a place with the Banner of the Claw as long as you’re willing to fight beside us.”

Frej’s expression brightened, her usual upbeat personality returning. “Thank you. All of you. I really mean it.” She grinned, her tone lightening. “Now, let’s go kick some dark fiend ass.”

At the cliff’s edge overlooking the Gal-Auro Plains, the party dismounted from their horses and surveyed a wide valley. Below them, a dark, undulating mass of over five hundred dark fiends swarmed in it. The air was tense, but the group moved with purpose. This was their first major test as a team, and Arlan intended to make sure they passed it with flying colors.

Niren and Fiala knelt off to the side, their voices quiet as they prayed to Numen, invoking divine protection. Frej, Savage, Dimitri, and Erin sat nearby, sharpening their weapons in silence, the grinding of metal on whetstone a steady rhythm before the coming storm.

Further back, Katalina, Chrysta, Marie, Yuna, and Lucius checked and rechecked their mana potions, discussing tactics in hushed tones. Yanie, always precise, was stringing her longbow, her lips moving in a soft elven chant—a tradition she never skipped before battle.

Akasha, standing by the edge, watched everyone with a bemused smile. Her crimson eyes glinted with excitement. “It’s been so long since I’ve fought alongside anyone. I must admit, I’m almost... giddy.”

Marie’s sharp voice cut through the air. “Just don’t get me in my way, bitch. Or I’ll burn you alive.”

Akasha grinned, her voice dripping with mischief. “Oh, it seems someones still a little peeved at me from earlier.”

Arlan approached the group, his calm yet authoritative presence immediately drawing everyone’s attention. He stood at the edge of the cliff, looking down at the chaotic horde below. "We’re going to funnel them into that narrow passage on the west side of the valley. It’ll force them into a choke point, making their numbers manageable.”

He turned to the rear-line casters—Marie, Chrysta, Yuna, and Katalina. “You four will be at the rear. Bombard them with spells as they enter the passage. We’ll need to thin their ranks before they reach us.”

Arlan then shifted his gaze to the frontline fighters—Edgar, Akasha, Savage, Dimitri, Erin, and Niren. “You’ll hold the line. No fiend makes it past you. If the Baphomets break through, you take them down.”

Finally, Arlan pointed skyward to the dark silhouettes of Gargoyles circling in the distance. “There will be flanking forces from above—Gargoyles. Yanie, shoot down any aerial threats. Lucius, use your [Ancient Armor] to assist Frej in the air. You two will handle the rest of the Gargoyles.”

Yanie nodded confidently, her hands running over her bow as she prepared for the fight. “I’ll thin ‘em out.”

Lucius smirked. “Frej and I have this covered. I’ll keep her in the air, and she’ll finish them off.”

Frej grinned, flexing her hands. “Just give me a lift, and I’ll do the rest.”

Arlan surveyed his group once more, his voice steady. “With my Monarch’s Regalia, we can take down at least two-thousand before feeling the strain. Five hundred should be nothing. We move in five.”

Savage, swung his blacksteel greataxe over his shoulder and turned to Dimitri with a grin. “How many of these beasts do you think I can kill?”

Dimitri smirked. “More than you? You’re dreaming, Savage. I’ll have twice as many.”

Erin chimed in, shaking his head. “Dimitri, you’re delusional, have you seen how Savage fights?!”

Edgar, the ever-calm voice of reason, frowned. “This isn’t a competition. Focus on our orders, not on body counts.”

Niren nodded in agreement. “Exactly. Our orders are to hold the line for the rear casters.”

Savage puffed out his chest, staring directly at Niren and Edgar. “We can stack bodies while maintaining those orders. If you can’t count your kills, you’re just a weakling.”

Niren’s expression darkened. “I am not weak.”

Edgar crossed his arms, his gaze unflinching. “We’ll prove it on the field.”

Akasha giggled nearby, clearly entertained by the banter. “This is going to be so much fun.”

The battle began with a signal from Arlan. Marie raised her hands, her mana coalescing as she initiated the powerful [Oblivion Surge]. Chrysta, Yuna, and Katalina joined in, channeling their own mana into the spell, amplifying its power. The combined force created a massive seventh-tier surge of energy that tore through the fiend horde below, disintegrating an entire row of Reapers and Imps, with several Baphomets falling as well.

But the dark fiends were undeterred. The remaining four hundred turned their attention toward the west, rushing into the narrow passage where Arlan’s group was waiting.

Three squads of Gargoyles broke off from the main horde, their wings slicing through the air as they aimed for the casters. Chrysta, Marie, Yuna, and Katalina quickly chugged mana potions and began firing off bolt spells, their projectiles streaking toward the incoming threats. Yanie, her arrows enhanced with holy properties by Fiala, took down an entire squad with precise shots, the holy light disintegrating the fiendish creatures in midair.

Lucius activated his [Ancient Armor], his wand encasing him in a shimmering suit of relic armor. With a pulse of magic, he soared into the sky, Frej leaping onto his back as they ascended.

Once airborne, Frej launched into her signature move, [Falcon Dive]. She sprang high into the air, spiraling downward with her spear pointed like a missile, crashing into the Gargoyles below her. The impact was devastating, skewering several enemies with a single, powerful strike, the force of the dive breaking through even their stone armor.

As Frej landed, she transitioned seamlessly into [Storm of Feathers], launching herself upward again before spinning in a whirlwind of spear strikes. Her rapid, sweeping movements cut through the remaining Gargoyles like an eagle's talons slashing through prey.

The flurry of spear strikes rained down, cleaving through five foes with lethal precision. Each time she began to descend, Lucius boosted her back into the air with a manifested relic platform that would only expand when needed.

Down on the ground, the frontline met the charging dark fiends head-on. Arlan stood at the forefront, Starshadow in hand and performed a massive horizontal swing in front of him, cleaving down any imps.

Arlan was followed by Savage as he swung his massive greataxe, cleaving through two Reapers in a single blow. “That’s two," he shouted with a grin.

Dimitri, not to be outdone, twirled his steel halberd, smashing through a trio of Imps. “And that’s three for me, Savage!”

Erin darted between them, his dual steel blades a blur as he weaved through. His flurry of strikes cut down two reapers at ease. “Stay in formation,” he called.

As if in an unspoken agreement, Niren, his shield held high, deflected a blast from a fiend’s magic before slamming his hammer down into the ground, sending a shockwave that disrupted a nearby wave of enemies. Edgar held his steel longspear tightly and followed with [Thousand Needles]. The stunned imps and reapers were pierced violently by the Stormrider Captain.

Meanwhile, on the furthest flank, Akasha moved unnoticed. Her fluid gambit allowed her to slice through two reapers with her claws. Her eyes began to glow with excitement. “I do quite enjoy this.”

Arlan activated his Monarch’s Regalia which began enhancing his allies by a whole tier, and then gave a sharp command. “Everyone maintain this formation and move forward!”

Marie’s eyes flared as she activated her [Hellborn] form, flames erupting around her. Chrysta followed with a powerful [Frost Nova], freezing the closest enemies in place, while Yuna cast [Greater Augmentation], further empowering her own strength and speed. Then lastly, Katalina unleashed an [Arcane Torrent], adding to the barrage. This combination of destruction made its way to a group of thirty imps and reapers. All vaporized.

While still in the air with Lucius, Frej spotted a particularly large and powerful Gargoyle speeding toward them. Its wings were darker than the others, its presence unsettling. “We’ve got a big one!” she shouted, gripping her spear tightly.

Lucius adjusted mid-flight, narrowly dodging a flurry of shadowbolts that the unique Gargoyle spat. “Hold on!”

Frej leaped from his back, and activated [Falcon Dive] to propel herself above the creature then spiraling down with her spear aimed at its chest. She hit the Gargoyle with a devastating strike, but instead of crumbling, the creature screeched and pushed back, its stone body barely cracked.

Lucius sent a blast of [Arcane Torrent], hitting the Gargoyle in the side, trying to weaken it. “This thing is tough, Frej!”

“Yeah I can tell!” she shouted, frustration rising. She leaped back, positioning herself for another strike. Frej launched [Storm of Feathers], a whirlwind of spear slashes that ripped through the Gargoyle’s wings and limbs. But even then, the beast refused to fall, shaking off the damage and lashing out.

The Gargoyle’s eyes glowed as it charged at Frej again, forcing her to retreat. “I can’t penetrate its stone hide!”

On the ground, Sophia’s voice echoed in Arlan’s mind. “We’ve slain at least three hundred, but more are coming. There’s far more just spawning in!”

Arlan scanned the battlefield with his [Heraldic Vision], his gaze narrowing as he spotted a figure emerging from the fiendish ranks—a towering presence, cloaked in shadow and wielding a purple curved blade. It wasn’t Soketh, but it was undeniably powerful.

“A Naraka Lord,” Arlan muttered under his breath. He raised his voice, shouting to the others. “A Naraka Lord has appeared! Be ready!”

Before they could react, the Naraka Lord swung its blade, sending a wave of pure dark mana that knocked Savage, Niren, Dimitri, and Erin back, their essence barriers shattering under the force.

A blur flew by on the corner of Arlan’s eye. As it was Akasha who was the first to engage. Her speed was a blur as she danced toe-to-toe with the Naraka Lord, but she struggled to keep up with the unrelenting force of a Naraka Lord.

After a fierce exchange, the purple curved blade found an opening and carved into Akasha’s side. But she managed to feint into the attack, making the wound light. Savage moved to cover her, but the Naraka Lord recoiled him as well, knocking him on his back twenty meters.

The Naraka Lord then turned towards Arlan and threw a [Mind Blast] at the Immortal General. Although on a weaker potency, the spell delivered excruciating pain to Arlan’s mind and psyche. Arlan looked for Niren to see him unconscious. “My liege,” added Sophia, “Sir Niren is no longer concentrating on the spell that should protect your mind. Your mind is under assault! You must resist it!”

“Argh… I’m trying to fucking resist it!” cried Arlan in agony.

But before anything else could happen, a strange grasp begins to surround Arlan’s core. He felt his black draconian cuirass start to reach out to his Monarch’s Regalia.

The Immortal General began to lose control over his own thoughts for a few seconds. Upon regaining his composure, Arlan thought his [True King] form had been activated but… Something far more powerful surged through him. His cuirass morphed, dragon scales spread across his armor.

Then something with weight and response could be felt between his legs behind him. A long elongated tail made of his own strange dragon armor whipped around his left into view.

“What the hell is this?” Arlan asked, puzzled.

“My King!” Sophia’s voice echoed, “You’re… You’re encased in dragonscale armor all over! It seems like the black draconian cuirass has reacted to your regalia! It appears your [True King] form has been replaced by the [Dragonlord] form.”

Everyone was now stunned at what they were seeing. Arlan’s draconic cuirass had fused into his mithril armor. Sophia’s voice echoed in his mind once more. “Your core, my liege! It’s now a ninth-tier gold-core!”

The Naraka Lord finally pulled himself out of his state of disbelief and charged at Arlan. But with Starshadow’s damage and weight rune activated, Arlan parried into the Naraka Lord’s first swing and Arlan effortlessly deflected every attack. This outcome put the Naraka Lord on the defensive.

With [Crown’s Reprisal] activated, Arlan easily blocked, parried and riposte every attack the Naraka Lord delivered at hypersonic speeds. But the dark fiend’s defenses were cracking and once an opening was seen… Arlan cut into it with tremendous force. The Naraka Lord felt his very corporeal body deteriorate from the single attack and was forced onto one knee.

Starshadow gleamed over the Naraka Lord and Arlan brought it down with a vertical swing, destroying his opponent with immense kinetic force. Only a smoldering seven meter crater remained.

All the rest of the dark fiends faltered, significantly weakened. Before Arlan could give an order though, the dragonscales that fused over his armor, are now retracting back to his cuirass. His core and form returned to normal. But an immense fatigue overtook the Immortal General, causing him to lean against Starshadow as he impaled the ground with it.

Niren and Fiala cast party-wide healing spells, restoring their injured comrades. Edgar, Dimitri, Erin, and Savage pushed forward with renewed strength, cutting through the dark fiends with practiced efficiency.

It only took a few minutes for the party to finish off the remaining dark fiends without Arlan. Sophia’s voice was calm as she recounted the battle’s toll. “Over two thousand dark fiends were slain. The area is now safe, my liege.”

Arlan was joined by Marie and JD who asked, “What the hell was that, Arlan?!”

Arlan nodded, still catching his breath. “The Black Draconian Cuirass… It somehow connected to my core and transformed my armor. I don’t know how.”

Marie was no longer in her [Hellborn]. She got closer and studied Arlan’s cuirass intently, “There’s some kind of powerful and dense essence seeping from it… and it’s intertwining with your pure lanes, going into your core.”

Everyone else began to gather around, Lucius especially curious.

“What the hell is it?” asked Arlan while catching his breath still.

Marie’s eyes widened and answered, “It's pure dragon essence.”