Comets of every element raced across the sky.

Fire and brimstone flew fatally over the landscape.

Energy pulsed throughout the battlefield in waves that would drive lower levels mad.

Dungeons could not compare to the mayhem ahead of us.

To the carnage of what 40 adventurers can bring.

Wars against the most powerful beings of our realm was what this was.

To reach the pinnacle of what our realm has to offer us.

To challenge the Gods of our Realm

This was raiding.

A squadron of the battle hardened.

Shouting orders over one another.

In unison and at one with one another's hearts.

Healers a.o.e heal now!

D.p.s take out the adds.

Focus the boss after everything else has been done.

Shouted commands from every field officer.

Everything was moving according to plan.

A plan designed by that strange boy we happened upon.

Erich, the raid scholar, from the coastal regions of the realm. Who just so happened to be at the wrong place at our right time.

His arrival was a blessing.

A coincidence that has saved us hundreds of hours in failed attempts.

In front of me, monsters fell by strikes of united power.

Mages relentlessly spammed fire bolts, frost bolts, or any skill they had proficiency in.

Soldiers manned the front lines with massive tower shields that enveloped themselves like moving fortresses.

Healers stayed in pockets providing heals, buffs, and cleanses at all times.

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Rogues, led by Shelly, managed the neverending hordes of adds that threatened our flanks.

I watched over, waiting, itching for my turn to strike.

What I hadn't anticipated was the utter noise of a raid.

The casting of spells

The yelling of men.

The screaming of monsters.

Power erupts in chaos.

There is a raw noise that comes with war.

One that reminds us that life and death are one side of the same coin.

Closer than anything else in existence.

It's either one or the other.

Never both.

Enrich appeared on my left from the battlefield ahead of me.

His guild attire splattered in blood and soaked in sweat.

The boy needn't get too close.

He was our brains not our brawn.

Yet, he did.

Strange men are often great men because of their odd tendencies.

Be prepared, you need to hit the boss once it hits 15% with an execute. Or else we'll enter the realm of possible casualties.

He said as he joined my side.

The thoughts of more pointless deaths cracked my demeanor.

Many high guilds thought there was nothing more honorable than dying for one's guild.

For giving your life on the battlefield.

I would not continue that dictum.

No one would die for this cause.

No one but me.

Two enchantresses, young elvish girls with hair the color of autumn, began granting me auras of power, followed by enhancers of all stats.

Putting their whole essence into mine.

Sharing their strength with their captain.

They smiled weakly.

Good job, girls….

I whispered as my face grew taut with the strain of balancing this new found energy.

My veins coursed with a borrowed power.

After a few moments, I hit equanimity, and I flew into the battlefield.

Across my back rested a weapon that I did not have the strength to wield, but with the mystics aiding me, I was able to draw forth the monstrous blade.

[Darkhawk's Anguish] #43

A massive greatsword that towered over the largest of blades.

It's pure black form being a result of the onyx it was crafted from.

A MasterCraft Creation.

One of the few we had looted from the weeks of grinding up to this point.

Pulsing with a dark energy.

The weapon called for more power.

Imposing it's will onto my own.

Begging for a wielder worthy of unlocking its full potential.

You'll have to settle for me, I whispered as I made my way past the shoulder guards.

Now tanks!

Screamed Muller, as the monster's health had dropped to the required amount.

Once my Frontline had moved out of the way.

I charged in, jumped, then brought the blade down in an arc from heaven that sent ripples throughout the battlefield.

Creating a slicing maelstrom

Dark energy harnessed in one single strike that quaked the air.

Reverberating with tainted power, causing those without enough chaotic defenses to wretch and churn their stomachs inside out.

The monster's fiery contorted face bellowed.

Then, a dark line of matter appeared between the beast.

One half went left...

The other went right.

Only to break away into a thousand sparkles of light before either side hit the ground.

A rush of energy filled the air, rejuvenating the raiding group.

Hours of buildup and fighting had led to this one, final swing.

Triumphant rallying cries filled the air.

[Dolvin's Deeps Raid Cleared]

Our first step into the world of guilds with realm raids under their belts had begun.

With this we could begin to have a say in our realm.

We could begin filling the roles of heroes that our realm wants us so desperately to be.

With a sigh I looked back at my men.

Tattered

Scattered

Worn down.

But not dead.

Most importantly....alive

Thank the Lord's...

I thought as the weight of our actions finally began to settle.

We had done it...

Before the energy from the mystics could fade.

I lifted the blade high into the air.

And screamed.

"We will rule this land!"

"We will conquer all that stand before us!'

"We will be the ones to clear that which could not be cleared!"

"We are…

"The Path!"