Soren could feel his blood boiling as the monster struggled to break free once more, threatening to take control. Deep within his subconscious, he found himself sinking deeper into the dark abyss, and he sensed his grip slipping away, he slowly closed his eyes while Vixra'al called out to him repeatedly. He couldn't help but reflect on what he had done wrong this time as memories flooded his mind, his losses, his weaknesses, his promises. Driven by stronger desire to win than death itself, he clenched his teeth, and opened his eyes, he swims back to the surface reaching unto the light.
Outside, his body began to transform once more, and his opponent noticed a shift in his aura, conjuring more weapons above him, ready to finish him off. To her surprise, the swords surrounding him shattered with tremendous force. His aura shifted dramatically, the dark energy faded away, revealing a more toned physique than before. He chanted, "Base form… Stone Temple," feeling a surge of energy that radiated strength and durability. "So this is the power of Thalzarac," he thought, and Vixra'al confirmed it. Yet, deep down, she couldn't help but be impressed by how effortlessly he not only resisted the monster but also tapped into this newfound power.
He slowly pulled himself free from the swords that pinned him to the ground, kicking and stomping until they finally broke apart. In a panic, his opponent shattered the calm of the pool beneath her. With a stunning display, she stepped onto the pool of blood and conjured a blood-scythe, her eyes flutters to reveal a mesmerizing scarlet glow. She walked deliberately, creating ripples with each step, cradling her weapon like a cherished child. Then, she turned and swung it to the right, unleashing a powerful aura that shook the ground once more. Soren braced himself for the final showdown.
Above them, the Velkryss loomed, slowly descending to claim its feast. As everyone, bound by webs, struggled to break free, Arnac noticed that the spider had chosen to target Lilia first. He pulled at the webs, but they wouldn't budge. In a surge of determination, he awakened a new power, his blade became sharper and longer, his arms wrapped around steel. He spun around like a tornado, slicing through the webs that held him captive, then rushed to free the others. As the Velkryss felt its web being torn apart, it retreated to the ceiling and sprayed acid. Thankfully, Zereth had managed to break free and raised his shield, conjuring a barrier that protected everyone, though it drained him a bit due to the scale. Gasping for breath, he tried to maintain his transformation. Fira Lucia looked at him with concern, to vent out anger, she poised to strike and sprang into action, running up the walls and onto the ceiling to claw at the monster, wounding it as it crashed to the ground. Seizing the moment, the guild attacked on all sides, venting their frustrations as the Ecrea screeched in pain.
In a sudden act of retaliation, the Ecrea flipped over and went on a rampage, attacking its foes in a frenzy. Zereth and the others quickly stepped back, trying to avoid its wrath. The ground was pockmarked with holes, and some were trampled by the creature's ferocious strikes. To make matters worse, the wounds on the Ecrea began to heal right before their eyes. "This is impossible! If this fight keeps going, we're all going to die!" one warrior muttered, turning to flee from the battlefield. One by one, others followed suit, retreating frantically. Zereth and his companions found themselves in a tight spot, facing the Velkryss, which glared at them with a menacing intensity.
As the light slowly dims in the dark chamber, Soren shifts his vision to adjust. Their attacks collide, sending shockwaves rippling through the hollow ground. Each strike is precise and both fighters aiming to outmaneuver one another. His new armor holds up well against the scythe strikes, but every hit takes a toll on his stamina, even as the armor absorbs the brunt of the critical blows. With a powerful swing, he aims for a decisive hit, but his opponent deftly dodges and counters with an upward strike that grazes his cheek. "Her attacks are getting sharper!", Vixra'al's warned him the vessel is adapting. With the Ecrea guiding her, her power is escalating quickly, and soon she might awaken or even worse develop her own Belligerent factor. This thought sends Soren's heart racing as he lunges again, only to have his foe evade him once more. Taking advantage through flight, she levitates away and chanted a spell that empowers her scythe, launching a flurry of blood shade slashes in his direction. Choosing to conserve his stamina, he stops blocking and shifts into Iron Wraith form, focusing on dodging instead. He searches for an opening to strike, muttering to himself, "If only I had a weapon." As he weaves through her attacks, he finally spots a chance. In the narrow space between her strikes, he channels his strength into his legs and leaps high. With his arms pulled back, he unleashes a flurry of attacks, reminiscent of the finishing move he used to defeat Thalzarach. His opponent blocks with her scythe, but after a few moments, she coughs up blood, one of Iron Wraith's abilities infuses his strikes with lethal concentrated energy.
As she fell into the pool of blood, her opponent struggled to get back on her feet. Clutching her scythe tightly, she forced herself to sit up, filled with rage. The blood swirled around her, forming a gruesome armor that tore through the flesh binding her down. It was then that Vixra'al's worst fears came to life. "She's pushing her ability beyond its limits, isn't she?" she thought, feeling his own strength waning, he couldn't think of a way to win. As the pool of blood receded, what remained was a scarlet monster charging at him, her scream piercing the air. He turned to flee, knowing he stood no chance, but the scythe was relentless, slicing through his left arm clean as he stumbled to the ground, clutching his shoulder. Pain coursed through him, and as he looked up, he saw her raising her scythe, ready to deliver the final blow. "Is this the end?" he whispered, filled with dread.
He raised his right arm to shield himself as the scythe swung down, squeezing his eyes shut. But then, the scythe halted mid-air. His opponent was acting strangely, swinging left and right as if battling an unseen foe. "Let go of me!" she cried, her voice tinged with pain.
Vixra'al realized that the monster's grip was weakening, allowing her to regain control. She released her scythe and began frantically clawing at her scarlet armor chipping parts away. As Soren looked closer, he noticed tears streaming from her eyes. "She's still human…" he murmured, pushing himself up to offer her a comforting embrace. "It's okay now, I'm here with you." She sobbed into him, holding him tightly. But their moment of solace was short-lived, the monster was regaining control, she pushed Soren away. Trembling, she begged him to end her suffering. "Please… let me die as a human," she pleaded, not as a command but as a heartfelt request. With a heavy heart, Soren turned away, knowing he had no choice. He offered her one last comfort as his right arm morphed into his Iron Wraith, driving it into her chest to extract her core. She gazed at him, the pain clear in his eyes. "Thank you for setting me free," she whispered. As she bled out, she collapsed into his arms, her eyes fluttering closed. Slowly, she faded away, a gentle smile on her lips as she transformed into shimmering fragments of energy.
The ground shook once more as Zereth and the others, all battered and breathless, braced themselves. As the massive Ecrea charge at them, intent on finishing them off. But just as it got close, it let out a horrific screech and shook violently before exploding, its blood splattering everywhere as the earth trembled beneath them. Zereth noticed cracks forming in the tunnel walls and urged everyone to get out fast. Jaun felt the tremors and heard Zereth calling her name, jolting her awake. She quickly took control of her suit, the screen flickering to life as she punched it in frustration. A smile broke across her face when it finally responded. They hoisted the unconscious and made a dash for the entrance, leaving the collapsing chamber behind.
Once they reached the surface, they collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air as the entrance crumbled and smoke billowed out. The ground shook violently, swallowing the tunnel and creating a massive crater. Workers and medical personnel rushed in to assess the situation. Lilia surveyed the devastation, her heart heavy as she screamed Soren's name, while Zereth's face was etched with sorrow. Inside her cockpit, Jaun fought back tears, but then a silhouette emerged from the rubble. It was Soren, coughing and covered in dust and debris.
Soren waved at them with a big grin, and Jaun couldn't resist. She opened her suit up, revealing a stunning girl with pink hair and bright lime eyes and jumped into Soren's arms. He was taken aback to finally see Jaun out in the open, realizing just how beautiful she looked, as they both tumbled to the ground. The crowd gasped in surprise, all exclaiming "Eh?" in unison, realizing that the suit was actually worn by a girl instead of a guy. With tears in her eyes, she hugged Soren tightly on the ground. They noticed his left sleeve was torn, but he just shrugged it off, saying he was grateful it was only the fabric. Laughter filled the air as they shared a warm moment of victory, gazing at the setting sun, filled with hope and courage.
As Cardaltha's gate creaked open, the crowd at the entrance erupted in cheers, singing songs for their heroes while tossing flowers and confetti into the air. Zereth and the others were taken aback to see so many people gathered in one place. Soren shyly waved back at the crowd, spotting Levar among them, who was shouting his name along with his family. What started as a welcoming party quickly turned into an unexpected parade. At the end of the procession stood Aster, accompanied by a medical team ready to escort the wounded for treatment. With a proud adjustment of his glasses, Aster welcomed them personally. He urged the guild leaders to take a moment to rest, and without a word, they all dispersed, except for Jaun. Soren noticed she had chosen to linger behind, and Aster playfully smacked her head, adding a lighthearted touch to the moment.
The following day, the guild participants made their way back to the guild for a grand banquet, where tables were laden with an impressive spread of food. Alongside the feast, a line of artisans stood ready to take measurements right after everyone had eaten. Zereth was presented with a stunning blue and white armor set, complete with a rare enchanted pendant that enhanced his Mana control. Fira Lucia received a tailor-fitted red and maroon armor set, paired with enchanted gloves that efficiently harnessed her power, while Soren donned a sleek black armor set with a dark shawl and a brand-new weapon. The rest of the guild members were also fitted with their new armors and accessories, and they all reveled in their fresh looks. Delighted, Soren unsheathed his new sword, marveling at its solid craftsmanship, rumored to have been forged from a powerful Ecrea.
Afterward, they moved on to the ball, where they were escorted to the next venue, filled with elegantly dressed guests from all over Cardaltha, bright lights twinkling and soothing music playing in the background. Yuri tugged on Soren's arm, but he soon felt another tug from Jaun. The two exchanged competitive glares, sensing a rivalry brewing. To avoid any conflict, Soren politely declined both of their advances, claiming he couldn't dance. "Nonsense! A man like you?" chimed in a lady who stepped forward, adorned in a crystalline sequined dress and a mask, extending her arm toward him. He hesitated, unable to recognize her until she lowered her mask, revealing herself to be Lilia. Soren was taken aback by how beautiful she looked in her dress, momentarily lost in admiration, until the two others playfully kicked him on the shins, making him jump up and down in surprise from the sudden pain.
The night was alive with joy and comfort, washing away all the tension everyone had carried from the battlefield. Some folks were enjoying cold drinks, others were lost in dance, while a few simply relished each other's company, sharing wonderful memories. Zereth stood on the balcony, holding a goblet filled with wine. Fira Lucia spotted him and joined him, both of them gazing blankly at the sky. As Zereth admired the night, he pondered how timeless it felt, so much had changed on Earth, yet the stars remained constant. Fira Lucia scoffed, brushing off his musings as mere fanciful thoughts, dismissing them as delusions. Zereth chuckled at her reaction and took a sip of his drink before extending his arm, inviting her to dance. Fira Lucia felt a blush creeping up her cheeks and turned away, stuttering a refusal. But Zereth gently took her arm and led her into the dance. In her eyes, it felt like the light wrapped around them as they shared a beautiful moment, and eventually, she surrendered to the rhythm, dancing along with him.
At the center of the stage, Aster clapped his hands twice to grab everyone's attention. With a proud smile, he announced that their country was finally being recognized for its remarkable achievements in clearing Ecrean nests from their lands. He declared that support would soon flood in, including expeditions aimed at reclaiming territories occupied by Ecrea. "The time for change has arrived! Let us celebrate this victory! I promise you, this is just the beginning. Soon, we won't have to confine ourselves within these walls, we'll be free to roam outside. Let's give our all for humanity! To my beloved heroes, I raise this toast to you!" he concluded, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Soren, who had been munching on some food, hurriedly swallowed and joined in the applause with everyone else.
Soren spotted Arnac at the corner of the ball, relishing his solitude. He approached and invited Arnac to join the party, but he politely declined, saying he preferred to stay in the background. So, Soren decided to sit beside him for some company. For a few quiet moments, Soren felt disconnected from the bustling crowd. Then Arnac spoke up, saying he could sense Soren growing stronger. Soren looked at him, puzzled, as Arnac lifted his robe to reveal scars on his right arm. Arnac pulls back his robe to show the scars on his right arm, explaining that each one tells a different story.
He reflects on how every life-threatening situation he faced only made him stronger and just by looking at Soren, Arnac could tell he had faced near-death experiences in the tunnels. Soren sighed, admitting he understood but wasn't sure if he had truly grown stronger, his battles hadn't ended the same way, and he felt lucky to have survived when things suddenly turned in his favor. His voice carried a hint of regret and frustration, and Arnac picked up on his sincerity. "I don't know what you went through in those tunnels, and I haven't fought these same battles as you, but here you are, Soren, that alone is a sign of strength. Being lucky is a skill too, it's about the world favoring you over your opponent." Soren felt inspired by Arnac's words. "You're really wise, Arnac, and I admire that. You have no idea how much your words help me heal inside." Arnac nodded, and another long silence settled between them.
Zereth spotted the two of them trying to sneak out of the party, and a grin spread across his face. He was set to bringing them back, even if it meant dragging them along for the ride. He went to invite them, but when they turned him down, he forced a smile at him. It was obvious that Arnac realized he couldn't escape and decided to just go with it. Soren, noticing this, felt he had no option but to join in and follow the crowd as they made their way over, eager to get to know them better. Some even tried to recruit them for their company, Yuri watched from a distance as Soren was enveloped by a crowd. Feeling jealous, she rushed over, wrapped her arms around his waist, and beamed up at him with a sweet smile.
The night wrapped up with everyone's hearts brimming with joy. They had enjoyed themselves, shaking off their fatigue and filling their spirits with excitement for what lies ahead.
In a far-off land, a laid-back guy was lounging around when he caught a whiff of Cardaltha's latest triumph over the calamity level Ecrea. He glanced at the parchment in his hand and smirked, "Cardaltha, huh? That jerk Aster is at it again." With a hint of irritation, he crumpled the paper in his hands. As the scene pulled back, it revealed a mountain of Ecrean corpses beneath him, along with the shadowy figures of his fellow party members.