Harrison screamed, and Caleb was pulled to the ground as the air electrified with mana. A piercing echo of a sound rung out as the world shook – crackling with power – and others screamed too. But no pain came.

  From the ground Caleb looked up, his heart beating hard as his eyes fell upon the monster and the air, rippling with pure power. Above, three layers of portals encompassed them, each of varying size and differing mana signatures. He sat up quickly, eyes wide as he looked around.

  He was met with horror. Magic barriers had been erected all over the island, but between them were only smoking chunks of dirt, with only a few cowering behind smoking shields as they screamed. Practically everyone not covered had been extinguished in an instant.

  He watched as a barrier fell and the people, then the ground below it, were completely vaporised. Others cried out in panic, cursing as they looked to the barriers that protected them, realising just how close they were to death.

  Suddenly the outermost barrier above cracked. He and everyone else cried out, cowering on the floor.

  Then the attack stopped, the pure power that filled the air receding. Caleb looked back to the monster – Ekhut – watching as it lazily stepped forward. Then reached with a pincer like appendage dripping with mana, it stabbed at a barrier. The construct cracked under the sheer weight of the blow, and the ground everywhere shook as the people inside screamed, vaporised by the magical aura of the attack alone.

  “Fuck! Holy fucking shit!”

  [Oh my god! Oh my god!]

  [Someone! Teleport us out of here now! Now!]

  People all around screamed and shouted, their voices hoarse as the absolute horror reduced them to nothing more than scared children.

  Then suddenly a laser hit the beast in the side, and it screeched, an unholy reverberating echo. It stumbled back falling into the water as the beam cut through two of its smaller appendages, and raked across its body.

  As it fell beneath the water, more of the barriers fell several heroic chosen collapsing from the exhaustion of defending the attack. Instantly people were running. Some towards it, and others away. But most stood still in pure shock. Caleb one of them.

  The numbers had been cut to at least a tenth in an instant.

  The smell, a horrible ozone like smell, sharp, crisp like chlorine cut through the air washing over him now the barrier was gone. Caleb wiped the sweat of his palms against his trouser legs, then picked up the sword he’d dropped.

  [H-Harrison!] Ria cried. [Harrison it’s ok! Harrison!]

  Caleb looked at Ria as she held a bawling Harrison, curled up on the floor.

  Sierra stood next to him, still as tall as always, but the anguish and uncertainty in her face were obvious. Layla was nowhere to be found.

  “Layla?” he muttered. “Where’s Layla?”

  “She flew off” Sierra muttered. “I- I didn’t-”

  Suddenly a sharp reverberating whistle rang out from the water. Caleb gasped, covering his ears, then turned quickly, watching as a barrage of attacks flew forward from the brave chosen that’d rushed to meet the monster.

  They struck the water as Ekhut merged again, pulling itself ashore. It screeched, some of the attacks hurting it, but most of them little more than a nuisance. And as it shrugged off the majority of the blows, with a powerful sweeping claw, it cut across the base of the island shore, sending up a huge spray of rocks as the ground rumbled.

  More people were running now. Caleb didn’t know to where. There wasn’t anywhere to go.

  “W-we have to do something” Sierra muttered.

  [Do what?!] Ria cried. [I- do you see that fucking thing?! We’re all dead!]

  “D-don’t say that!” Sierra shouted. But the fear in her voice betrayed her as the monster stood again. It’s piercing echo rang out again and Caleb felt the mana of the air rebuild to a crescendo.

  “S-SHIELDS!” he cried, grabbing Sierra as he dived for the floor. Everything went white again and Caleb felt the ground shake before a fuzzy feeling of static engulfed him. People all around cried out, and then suddenly – the sounds of the monster were far away.

  He blinked, opening his eyes and looked around. The raging monster – Ekhut – now stood on the other side of the island, the air around it crackling with power. Caleb lay on the ground, the presence of someone’s mana fading from around his body. Confused cries rang out all around and he sat up, heart thumping. Sierra, Harrison, and Ria lay next to him, and other familiar faces all around. Someone had teleported them across the island.

  He stood quickly, helping Sierra to her feet before picking up his sword again. The ground shook as a huge explosion rocked Ekhut, darkening the sky as it sent the creature stumbling. Then another huge laser struck it, forcing it back further. There were still people fighting on the other side of the island.

  How many people had been teleported then? He couldn’t tell. It was far too crowded and he wasn’t in the right state of mind. But the situation was far worse than he’d first thought. They were a disorganised and confused mess, and this monster’s power was singular in its focus. Pure destruction.

  It wasn’t something they could face.

  “W-we need to run” he mumbled, before grabbing Sierra. “I- Ria! We need to run. Swim away or- we need to get out of here!”

  Similar sentiment was being echoed around him, along with screams of panic, grief and agony.

  EVERYONE CALM DOWN!

  Caleb winced, pressing a hand to his temple.

  “Did that- did you hear that?” Sierra said. “I- was that in my head?”

  EVERYONE LISTEN.

  ANYONE WHOSE A HEALER OR WITH LONG RANGE ATTACKS GET TO THE BACK.

  DAMAGE DEALERS AND SHIELDS GET TO THE FRONT.

  ANYONE WHO CAN MOVE FAST, OR FLY GET THE INJURED TO HEALERS.

  AND YOU IDIOTS IN THE WATER, GET OUT! WE’RE NOT GONNA OUTRUN THIS THING!

  WE HAVE TO DEFEAT IT!

  People looked around, their confusion growing at the sudden change of location, and the sound of the voice in their heads.

  Suddenly a loud horn echoed out and everyone turned looking to it. A trio dressed head to toe in golden armour stood atop the museum, on a raised platform of rock.

  “Listen to her dammit! Or we’re all gonna fucking die!” one of the trio shouted, his voice carrying across the island. Slowly people started to move, some people rushing back while others tentatively moved forward, watching as Ekhut’s magic of destruction faded.

  Slowly, the monster started to moved before another even larger explosion rocked it, sending the creature stumbling back to the water.

  [W-what do we do?] Ria said, two clones holding a now unconscious Harrison.

  “I- we listen to the voice” Sierra said. “I mean we have to do something.”

  [Do what?] Ria said, her eyes still wide with adrenaline.

  “Caleb” Sierra said turning to him. “You can- you can beat this thing”

  “W-what?!“

  “It’s- the thing you did. I don’t know you should have enough power to kill this thing.”

  “I- I can’t do that on command!”

  Sierra’s face contorted with a mixture of frustration and anger.

  “You- can you try? I- we need to try”

  “I- ok” he muttered. He looked at the monster, then cursed. Quickly he sheathed the sword and looked down to his still glowing hand.

  “Work dammit” he muttered. “Just- work. Power up.”

  The glow remained unchanged, ebbing and growing with the beat of his heart.

  How the hell does this damn thing work?

  [Frontier 7 – Battle of Giza has ended]

  [Selected of Z1-E94-C Win]

  [Key players]

  -

  Kang Lan

  -

  He blinked suddenly in surprise as he stared at the message.

  “Holy shit” Sierra said.

  Caleb suddenly felt a burst of hope. If somewhere they’d won already, against something as strong as this then it meant this was doable. That they really could win. The guys name . Maybe the creatures had a weakness. He looked up to Ekhet as more lasers struck it from multiple angles, the creature moving around surprisingly quickly as the water beneath it began to lift into the sky, forming an almost protective shield.

  Is fire a weakness? He thought. Or just heat?

  He looked down to his hands again. Maybe he really could do this. He closed his eyes focusing on his power with a newfound hope.

  What had he done last time? He’d recognised he could use the power on himself, that he could latch onto his own mana. But he’d also realised that it was near impossible to keep a hold of the power within himself for longer than a few moments.

  But releasing it practically meant blowing himself up – if his hand was any indicator. And what was it Esaeni had said? That he’d only killed Arithorson with the combination of his own power and Eriana’s sword? Then was this really doable? Ekhut seemed far stronger than Arithorson, and his attack might end up being far weaker. If he could even make it close enough that was.

  This isn’t good, he thought.

  Suddenly people everywhere screamed. Caleb looked up, his focus disappearing as he watched an unholy amount of water stretch out across the sky. It hadn’t been a shield. The water had been a weapon. He cried out as it crashed to the ground, knocking him hard against the concrete of the floor and legs of others.

  Quickly he pulled himself from the mess gasping, then felt a hand grab and wrench him away. His eyes widened as he looked around, time slowed all around him in a familiar sensation. He looked to Sierra as she pulled him along, then off to the side, eyes wide as a huge secondary wave shot towards them even in the slowed time.

  It decimated trees, slammed against barriers, shattering them before consuming the people beneath. Suddenly, as it neared Sierra skidded to a stop then leapt upwards, carrying them both barely over the wave as time sped up once again.

  They crashed back down to the floor, rolling several times before coming to a stop in the mess of water, bark, and blood. Caleb scrambled quickly to his feet, struggling to stand as the knee-high water pulled at him.

  “S-Sierra!?” he shouted looking around frantic “Sierra?!”

  She pulled herself from the water gasping, and he quickly rushed over to her helping her help.

  Suddenly the air behind them crackled with power. Caleb turned, pure fear obliterating his sensibility as harsh purple electricity began to build up all around the monster, crackling outwards as it reached for the water. He screamed, rushing for Sierra as he desperately tried to pull them from the water.

  It all happened in an instant. He felt time almost start to slow down, his body glowing brighter than ever before as the ripple of Ekhut’s mana washed through the water. The then another laser, originating from behind him hit the monster, carrying enough force to send people flying back through the plaza. The rush of electricity died instantly mere moments before it engulfed them all as the monster fell, clutching at the hole in its shoulder.

  It hit the water hard, a piercing whistle echoing out as the water all around it seemed to contort flying outwards in another wave. People all around screamed, but it was too late, the attack raining down upon them.

  A huge rush of water smacked into Caleb sending him flying as he cried out, grabbing at the fresh bruises across his side. It pulled and rolled him before he crashed into something hard, and air finally graced him again. He gulped in air before water washed over him again, leaving him in a coughing fit as he tried to stand, the harsher currents pulling him along.

  He stopped himself, and as he finally pulled himself to his feet. He was next to a tree, somehow the currents pulling him towards Ekhut rather than away. Behind him he heard people all around curse and scream. He wiped at his eyes and looked around, watching as others picked themselves up in the mess of water, weapons and bodies. Someone crashed into him and he helped them up quickly as they coughed hard, blood staining their mouth. He looked up again, searching for Sierra, as he struggled to stay on his feet. the currents of the water still pulling at him. Ekhut’s mana filled the space, a blinding stench that drowned out all others.

  [Fuck] they person next to him muttered, looking around. [Shit.]

  Caleb stared out the chaos before him, his hope disappearing too. They’d been devastated again. There were far more lifeless bodies, than moving ones now. Even the electricity attack had still reached some people, their bodies smoking as the water currents pulled their corpses through the trees, past him and into the plaza.

  Suddenly the boy next to Caleb grabbed him.

  [We- run. We have to run] he said.

  “To where?” he replied. The teen was silent, unable to muster a response. Silently Caleb looked back over to the chaos, then through the destroyed forest, and past the obliterated remains of the statue of Liberty to the still silent Ekhut. It was still in the water. If he had to figure out his powers to end this, he had a feeling now was his only chance.

  He looked down to his fist again, then looked inwards, towards the core of his power, the star that glowed with life in his chest.

  Before it’d been a release of pure energy, and he’d struggled to control it. But he could, couldn’t he? It was his after all. There had to be a way. And if there wasn’t, he had to make a way. It was all he had.

  He closed his eyes in desperation, focusing on it. The raw power of the star itself was almost like liquid fire. Too fluid to control, too unconstrained. But the heat? That was almost simple. With a push, he felt it emanate from his core again, fuelled by his will. It flooded him, searing at the contours of his magical form. He winced, but held strong as the ridiculous tension, an internal pressure that brought forth the feeling of power built.

  His breaths quickened as he felt his awareness of his surroundings dim, his own presence growing within his trait more and more. Like this, when the heat wasn’t focused but directed throughout the entirety of his body it felt a bit easier. Almost like investing stat points, just without any of the euphoria. The heat continued to build, almost to a crescendo before he slowed it, closing off his core from the rest of his body.

  The heat stilled, holding in place as it continued to burn, like leaving his hands under hot water. But it was a pain he could withstand. A precarious stability.

  The heat gave him power, but he wasn’t a bomb. He wasn’t meant to use the heat itself to attack. He was meant to let it fuel him. It seemed so simple now. So obvious.

  He let out a heavy breath as he clenched his fists, feeling the pure density of power that flowed through him. He didn’t know exactly what he could do now, but he knew, more than anything, with the power of his soul’s heat in his body, he was stronger than he ever had been before.

  Suddenly a piercing whistle cut through the air. Caleb opened his eyes, watching as Ekhut moved, ridiculously fast straight for him. The monster’s mana built up in an instant the air around it electrifying as it unhinged its jaw, a purple glowing from within.

  The boy next to Caleb screamed as his own eyes widened and he cried out. Desperately, he reached forwards with all his might as the magic rained down upon him. For a moment everything went white, a blinding pain searing itself onto his skin before- nothing. He breathed heavily, forced to the ground by the pressure of the mana itself, but with pain no longer.

  He opened his eyes, struggling to remain even partially upright as the pressure rippled over him, pressing him to the ground. His entire body glowed gold, like wisps of heat a protective aura encompassed him, emanating all around as he was forced to the floor.

  His eyes widened further. He’d done it almost instinctively. With the desire to protect himself, the heat had grown, emanating from him with such force and power it protected him. He felt strong. The space beyond his aura weaker somehow. The power that eviscerated everything around him, the teen next to Caleb gone. Caleb cursed, and tried to force himself to stand, to pull away from the vicious pressure.

  Suddenly a claw whipped through the energy, stabbing at him hard. It struck him in the chest and he went flying, air roaring before he hit water. He cried out as he skidded across it before coming to a stop and sinking into the water. He blinked hard, clutching at his chest as pain lanced through him, then he swam upwards desperate for oxygen as an exhaustion threatened to take him.

  He emerged out of the water breathing heavily, his head light as he reoriented himself, looking back to the island.

  Ekhut, stood silent and still, watching him from the shores with cold red eyes. Suddenly a huge laser struck it in the side, before a barrage of magical attacks struck it, the piercing echo of a scream washing over the island.

  Caleb took a beath leaning his head back, before looking down at himself as the monster’s whistle echoed out again. He was bleeding. A large, jagged cut raced across his chest, oozing with the monster’s mana. He should’ve been dead. Completely and utterly dead. Not just from the blow, but the pure wash of energy that’d nearly disintegrated him.

  But his power had protected him. Not just him, but his clothes and weapons too. Everything but the point Ekhut had struck him at was unharmed.

  “Mana soul core” he whispered, almost laughing. “What even are you?”

  Suddenly everything went white. He cursed shielding his eyes as a strange low hum seemed to echo out from the island. He looked back, blinking in confusion at the sudden inversion of colours.

  “What the hell?” he muttered, his voice echoing weirdly all around him. Then a piercing echo rocked, then the sound of glass shattering rang out as Ekhut’s mana raged. Suddenly the monster screamed, as if hurt and the effect disappeared, a massive wave of heat and energy was. Caleb watched eyes wide, as Ekhut flew back, sailing through the air before crashing back into the water, smoking the entire way.

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  [Frontier 2 – Battle of Rio has ended]

  [Selected of Z1-E94-C Win]

  [Key players]

  -

  Pedro Manilla

  Tao Weimin

  -

  Caleb’s eyes widened as he looked at the message, his hope growing even further. Quickly he began swimming back towards the island, passing floating bodies before finally reaching the shores.

  EVERYONE LISTEN.

  WE STICK TO THE PLAN!

  HEALERS AND RANGERS TO THE BACK.

  DAMAGE DEALERS AND SHIELDS GO FORWARD NOW! DON’T LET IT GET UP!

  ANYONE WHO CAN MOVE FAST, OR FLY GET THE INJURED TO HEALERS.

  WE CAN DO THIS!

  He pulled himself up back onto the plaza, the water mostly gone now. He breathed heavily, then collapsed, falling to the floor as he clutched at his chest. Instantly someone grabbed him and he felt the world around him shift before he appeared somewhere else. The person set him down, and a set of hands pressed against the wound on healing it quickly.

  He blinked in surprised as the pain vanished and sat up

  [You’re good to go] the girl said, wiping at the blood that dripped from her nose.

  “A-are you okay?” he muttered. She nodded.

  [Hey! You’re healed right? Move!] a guy said, landing from the sky as he set someone else down. Caleb stood quickly, moving out the way as he looked around. He was atop the museum, and healers were all around, healing people as others floated in from the sky with injured or teleported them in.

  It was messy, chaotic, but it was working. People were getting healed.

  A screech echoed out behind him and Caleb turned, watching as six or seven lasers from the plaza below shot forward, striking Ekhut as he emerged from the water, once again knocking him down.

  [Move!] a speedster said, suddenly rushing past.

  “S-sorry” he muttered, stumbling out of the way.

  “What’re doing?” a person suddenly said, appearing in front of him.

  “W-what?”

  “You’re just standing there, blocking” she said. “Are you a close fighter or a long range guy?”

  “I- uh- close”

  “T-then go! Go!” the girl shouted, before rushing past with the injured she was carrying.

  “Right. Sorry”

  He looked off into the distance where people were barraging the partially emerged Ekhut with a ridiculous number of spells. He didn’t know what he could do, but now that he knew how his power worked, he knew he had to at least try. It was hard to stomach, but he could search for the others later. If he wasted time searching for them… he didn’t want to think about what would happen. He unsheathed his sword, his body filling with heat as he stepped forward.

  He rushed forward, focusing on his soul core as he made his way forward. But as he did one of the guys he’d seen in golden armour passed in front of him, eyes widening as he looked over Caleb.

  [Holy shit] he said, looking to him. [Your still alive. And- you look fine.]

  “I did just get healed” Caleb mumbled.

  [But your clothes are fine too. I mean- what level are you? What’s your skill?]

  “Level four” Caleb muttered. “I’ve got mana soul core.”

  The ground shook violently again, a massive explosion rocking the shores as Ekhut’s piercing scream rang out louder now. He moved to step past the guy, his heart thumping wildly.

  [Wait, wait.] the guy said, grabbing him. [Come, quick.]

  “What?”

  [This way. Aleka’s organising things. We might be able to use you]

  The guy pulled him forward, and Caleb followed before emerging into an area half cordoned off by rock. The girl in golden armour stood on the raised rock platform, her magic working overtime as her eyes darted around, looking over the battlefield.

  [Aleka!] the boy leading him along called out. She glanced back. [This guy’s practically completely resistant to the delete attack. He’s gotta be strong.]

  The girl nodded, then pointed at a group of others in the corner before looking back to the battlefield.

  The guy directed him forward to a group of others, all with potent magical presence, then ran off.

  [Who’re you?] the closest girl said, her magical signature strangely fluid.

  “Caleb” he said back.

  [As in Souza?]

  He nodded.

  “Damn” the boy said. “We might actually be able to do this.”

  [I’m Iris] the girl replied.

  “Elliot” the guy replied.

  “Avana” the last girl replied.

  Suddenly the girl a top the raised platform turned to them, leaning down.

  “Quick. What’re your levels?” she said.

  [Four] Iris said.

  “Three” Elliot replied.

  “Three” Avana said.

  “Four” Caleb added as they looked to him.

  “Then you four are probably the strongest among us” she said. “We need you all hit it once. I- what can you do?”

  [I can do whatever these guys can. But only two at a time.] Iris said.

  “I can multiply my strength” Avana said. “Right now, only by fifty times at my strongest.”

  They turned to him.

  “I can charge with energy. Hit it hard.” Caleb said. “If I need to, I think I can hit it hard enough to kill it in one shot.”

  [And if you can’t kill it in one shot?] Iris said.

  “I can hit again” Caleb said.

  “And you?” Aleka said, looking to Elliot.

  “I can summon the Brightbringer. It’s powerful. A magical blade. But for a full attack… I can only do it once, then I’m spent for the day. And it’s iffy. I don’t know if I’ll even be allowed to use the full power, or if I can even hold it for more than three seconds” he said, before looking to Iris. “Plus, I don’t think you can copy it. Sorry.”

  [I’ll take Avana and Caleb’s then] Iris said.

  “Alright, here’s the plan” Aleka muttered as the ground rumbled. “We’ll get each of you someone that can fly, and someone with a barrier. You’ll fly in and strike from above, while everyone distracts it from the ground. Is that… alright?”

  [Yeah] Iris said firm.

  “Alright” Caleb mumbled, his heart thumping hard. This was it. This was their big attack.

  “I… well I can’t really say no” Elliot said, forcing a chuckle. Aleka’s face darkened slightly as she fell into herself. “Don’t feel guilty. It makes sense. If we die… it won’t be you fault”

  [We’re not gonna die] Iris said. [Now quick. Call the people we need.]

  Aleka turned away in an instant, her mana sharpening as her telepathy washed out over everyone. In a moment a flier touched down followed by four more.

  “We only need four” Aleka said. “You. Grab those guys with barriers. They’re hiding behind that tree.”

  “I- alright” the girl said flying off.

  [What’s going on?]

  “We can take it down.”

  [They can?! What’re they waiting for?!]

  “They need you to fly them over there”

  The faces of the fliers paled.

  [W-what about the storm that deletes things?]

  “We’re bringing barriers” Elliot said. “They only need to hold long enough for us to attack”

  “Yeah. It’ll be fine” Avana said, unconvincingly.

  [If you don’t want to do it, go get someone that will. There’s no point wasting time.]

  [S-sorry. I’ll do it. I’ll do it.]

  Suddenly one of the fliers came back, two more in her grip.

  “Barrier skills” she said, setting them down before flying off. The two newcomers looked confused a moment, before a few more rushed up the stairs.

  “Can all your barriers hold against the monster’s big attack?”

  They all nodded.

  “Alright” Aleka said, “We’ve got enough. You guys together, you guys to together, and split you guys down the middle.”

  [What’s going on?] one of the barrier people said.

  “You’re going to fly over to that thing and these guys are going to take it out”

  [What?!]

  [Just do it!] Iris growled. [Everyone’s lives are on the line!]

  [I- ok]

  “Quick, groups” Aleka said, looking off into the distance as Ekhut roared again.

  Caleb moved into his group, a guy flier stepping over and girl barrier user.

  [Heh. Nice crown] the guy said.

  “Huh? Oh, right. Thanks” he muttered, unsure how it was still fixed to his head. “Uh… what’re your names?”

  [George] the boy said.

  [Nadija] the girl replied.

  “What’ve you got?”

  [Telekinesis] George said. [I’m a bit spent, but hey, if we fall the barrier will break the fall, right?]

  Nadija didn’t respond.

  [B-bad joke] he mumbled. [ I can do it. Uh… what’ve you got?]

  [I’ve got Repel Construct. It can form a strong barrier, but- I don’t know if it can break a fall from that height] Nadija said.

  [It’s only water] George replied.

  [Isn’t that worse that high?]

  “It doesn’t matter” Caleb said, feeling his desperation start to grow. “It’s- we’ll be ok. Alright? Let’s go.”

  [Uh- do I carry you both?]

  [It’ll be easier to just move the barrier.]

  [Right. Let’s-]

  “Wait” Aleka said. “Let’s get someone to enchant you guys.”

  [We don’t have time] Iris said.

  “Just- just in case” Aleka said, tapping her foot nervously, as she looked back over the battfield. She pressed a hand to her temple as Caleb and the others all looked back to Ekhut as it struck at a new formed wall of barriers and shields, cleaving through some as sparks of mana flew about.

  We’re co-ordinating properly, he thought, hope rushing through him.

  [Frontier 3 – Battle of Sydney has ended]

  [Selected of Z1-E94-C Win]

  [Key players]

  -

  Dayita Chaudhari

  Sadhika Jayaraman

  Maleah Arellano

  Krishna Parikh

  -

  Caleb looked to the message then to the others, seeing the hope grow in their faces.

  Then people were rushing up the steps, making their way onto the platform.

  “Enchanters! Quick!” Aleka said. “These weapons! Quickly! Charge them up with everything you’ve got left.”

  “Wait” Caleb said, pulling his blacksteel blade from it’s sheath. “This sword is good. Someone take it.”

  Iris took it from him and nodded, before turning to her enchanter.

  Caleb turned to his and held out the soulsteel blade to her. She raised her hands, preparing her magic on it when he realised what he was doing.

  “I- wait, can you do it to my fist?” he asked.

  “No. Only non-living things”

  Caleb cursed.

  “Can you- is there another way?”

  But it was too late. She was already holding the blade in her hand, whispering to herself as mana flowed around it, glowing runes appearing on the blade.

  “I’ve enchanted it” she said. “Your next attack will carry the strength multiplied by twenty.”

  “A-alright.”

  He looked down to the blade, and then a circular barrier formed around him. Before he knew it he was being lifted off the ground, as George moved them forward, his expression focused. He glanced back, watching as the other three took to the air as well, flying behind them.

  We’ll attack as a distraction. Tell me when you want us to fire, Aleka said in his head.

  Got it, he thought back.

  His heart thumped hard, and he looked forward to Ekhut. They were going to fast. He looked down to his blade and clenched his fist around it tighter. A twenty times strength boost? He couldn’t waste that. He had to use the sword.

  What had Daen said to him? Just latch onto it? Latch onto what? In his body it was different, there was power there before. Like an echo of himself he could reinforce. But in the blade there wasn’t anything. How could you latch onto nothing?

  Suddenly his eyes widened, an understanding coming to him. He wasn’t supposed to latch onto nothing, he was supposed to focus on the space and fill it with his power. The same way he could fill the space he inhabited with his presence and power he was supposed fill the nothingness. He was supposed to connect with the artifact, not it’s magic. It made sense now.

  He closed his eyes focusing on his blade as heat rippled out from him and into the weapon. He felt it flow into the material, and hold, the weapon carrying his power like no other. Slowly he let the heat fade. Ekhut had been drawn to it for some reason. It’d be best to wait, then use his magic. On the enchantment and on the sword. He opened his eyes again, thumbing the hilt of his blade. Before breathing deeply.

  They were high now, and ahead Ekhut raged, blasting the surroundings with pure destruction, various barriers erected on the front line. He looked around at their own barrier as the rippling power washed over it, then over to the others. The shields were holding, but the power was picking up. They continued flying forward faster, when suddenly the outer shell began to crack.

  [I can’t hold much longer!] Nadija shouted.

  [Shit!] George shouted, their flight shaking as the storm of power became more violent.

  Aleka! The guys on the ground need to fire!

  Instantly a huge explosion rocked Ekhut, a barrage of lasers, blasts and mana missiles striking him from the other side of the island. The barrage shook the air, reverberating their barrier as the beast roared, stumbling back. Its skill disappeared instantly, and it roared clawing at the deep wounds across its front. The massive attack had caught it off guard.

  Suddenly Avana leapt forward out of her barrier, falling out of the sky her glaive raised. Caleb felt her mana build and then she struck the beast. The blow was deafening, even through the silencing of the barrier. Caleb watched as windows in the city beyond shattered and the water in the Hudson buckled under the force of the blow. Ekhut flew back, roaring as blood spurted outwards from the gash that cut through its neck and down into its body. But it didn’t fall, instead screeching it’s loudest as it grabbed at the wound.

  “Quick!” Caleb shouted. “Catch up! Quick!”

  [I’m trying!] George shouted back.

  They flew forwards faster, but one of the other barriers shot past them flying forwards ridiculously fast. The barrier disappeared suddenly, and Elliot fell from the sky, a huge glowing sword of light in his hand. Ekhut roared, a loud piercing whistle cutting through the air and then white engulfed everything. Caleb cursed looking away. The world was silent for a moment, only the sound of Caleb’s breathing audible before the shockwave rocked the barrier, the three of them screaming as they spun wildly.

  As they stabilised, George cursing, Caleb looked forward. A huge plume of water rose into the air, a mini mushroom cloud of steam. Caleb swore, watching as Governor’s Island was engulfed by the water and steam. But despite the size of the explosion, within the steam, Ekhut’s piercing whistle rang out.

  [Holy shit] Nadija said. [How was that not enough?]

  Caleb cursed. They weren’t co-ordinated enough. They should’ve struck all at the same time.

  He looked back to the mushroom cloud.

  If we had, there might not be a Brooklyn anymore.

  “C-come around from the back” Caleb said. “If we knock it back further then-”

  [Got it] George said. The trio shot forwards faster, as they rose, curving around the mushroom cloud of steam.

  Suddenly a huge blast of power rocked out from the steam, the air around it rippling with Ekhut’s attack.

  [Shit!] Nadija shouted, as George screamed. Caleb gripped the hilt tighter, trying to refuse his shaking hands.

  [We need to turn around!] George said. [I can’t hold on much longer!]

  He glanced behind, seeing that Iris’ barrier had slowed to a stop, hanging in mid-air. If Iris’ team wasn’t going ahead that meant they were wasting this opportunity. This was there chance. Maybe there only chance. He had to keep going.

  “No! Go!” Caleb shouted. “Throw us if you need to!”

  He gripped the sword tighter, readying himself as the barrier shot forward, uncontrolled now, George straining as blood seeped from his nose. It was nearly time. The moment of truth.

  But he could feel it. Despite everything it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t going to be enough.

  Caleb cursed, closing his eyes as he tried to tune out the sounds of Ekhut’s storm and quell his shaking. He breathed deeply, still shaking, and pressed his forehead to the flat of his blade.

  “Dammit. What use is a record in the face of something like this?” he muttered.

  [Caleb Martin Souza]

  Lv 6

  Title: Golden Hand

  -

  Primary skill: Mana Soul Core

  -

  Trait: Mana awareness

  -

  Speed – 1.18

  Strength – 1.15

  Stamina – 2.04

  Constitution – 0.62

  Mana - 8

  Finesse – 1.12

  -

  Free stat points: 6

  -

  [Alert: The beholder is currently suffering from Cancer, grade 7.]

  Huh?

  He started at the page for a moment before cringing. He had to be the stupidest fucking person on the planet. A life-or-death scenario and he’d so lost in his own despair he’d forgotten about the stat points he’d gained from beating Arithorson and completing the first phase. He would’ve slapped himself if he’d had the time, but there were more pressing things to focus on than punishment.

  What did he need right now? What did everyone need from him?

  Power, he thought, as much power as I can give.

  He dumped the stat points all into mana, feeling a new strength flood his magical body. Without hesitation he let the newfound strength pour into the blade, it’s runes and his body. The blade glowed brightly, taking on the true essence of the golden yellow energy within his core as the space around him darkened, and he grew in prominence.

  “I’m ready” Caleb muttered to himself. He turned to the others as Ekhut screeched, the storm raging harder. “Nadija! Can you drop just me?!” he shouted over the wild crackling power of the beast below.

  [What?!]

  “Can drop me? Just me!”

  [But-]

  “It’s ok! I’ll be ok!”

  Nadija looked to George who nodded. Suddenly another barrier formed within the first and then, Caleb was falling.

  He cried out, feeling the pressure of the storm was over him as he fell, flailing for a moment before he regained control of himself. Then he fell into the steam, Ekhut’s piercing whistle cutting through the air as purple strands of lighting narrowly missed him. A claw cut through the air too even closer and he continued falling, before the storm suddenly disappeared. He felt Ekhut’s mana build up all around as his eyes widened.

  Pure power struck him, enough to send. But he pressed against it, letting more of the heat fill his body to fight Ekhut’s darkness. He continued to fall, crying out before finally Ekut’s mana failed, exhausted.

  His body smoked, as he fell the steam scalding him as his mind threatened to slip into unconscious again.

  But he fought it back. He could fall unconscious later.

  Right now, he had to give everything he got.

  He focused on his blade, on pouring power into it, and the magic of the runes that covered it. They glowed brightly, the space around warping as the power within the blade growing and growing until he was met with Ekhut’s red and hateful eyes from below.

  With as much power as he could muster, he sliced downwards.

  His blade cut cleanly through Ekhut’s eye, slicing part of its body clean off as a shockwave carried his will forward. Then he slammed into the creature as it screamed bloody murder, tentacle appendages instantly going to the grievous wound as Caleb continued downwards cutting until his sword finally dislodged. He continued to fall, before crashing into Ekhut. He skidded across the creatures’ smooth oily skin, cursing as he tumbled struggling for purchase.

  He’d expected an explosion, but the power was still all contained in the blade, radiating through it. His eyes widened and he cut at Ekhut as he fell, slicing at appendages as the shockwaves of mana and force were carried forward by his sword. Ekhut screamed more, then moved fast. But Caleb grabbed a hold of him, digging his fingers into the beast rock hard skin.

  But a claw and slammed into him, sending him careening through the air. He cursed and stabbed the glowing blade back into Ekhut to slow his fall. But the beast continued to move, unwilling to fall despite its injuries.

  And suddenly they were out of the steam. He glanced back as Ekhut ran, the wind pressing against him and as his eyes widened. The monster had just stepped off the Eastern shore of Governor’s Island.

  It was heading for Brooklyn. Caleb looked up to the beast gritting his teeth in determination. With a final roar, he filled his blade with as much power he could, the steel glowing bright enough to darken even Ekhut’s skin. He felt the steel reach its limits, his arm burning with his own heat, and then he stabbed it into the creature and released his power.

  Everything went white, the heat of his soul’s fire washing over him and he flew downwards, the deafening shockwave reverberating through the bones of his left hand. He cried out, as he flailed, trying to right himself. Then he smacked the water, hard. The wind was knocked from him, and he was thrown like a ragdoll as the twisting currents of the water pushed and pulled at him.

  He fought for stability, and eventually the water fell still. He lay there, silent in the darkness of the water as he stared to the sky beyond as the light finally faded.

  Jesus, he muttered. No wonder Sierra thought I could beat that thing.

  Slowly he swam upwards, pulling himself to the surface as he took a grateful breath. It was silent for a moment as he looked around confused. Then he heard Ekhut’s piercing roar above. He looked watching as Ekhut fell back towards the water, a magical barrage of lasers blasting it before it crashed to water in front of Liberty hard.

  He watched waiting for some kind of win message to appear. But none came, his hope turning to despair.

  Then Iris fell out of the air, and the air glowed red. He recognised his own power, or something akin to it but weaker, fuelled by a lesser source, something only imitating a core. But then with a sudden flourish of magic, another power bolstered it, replicating what he’d felt from Avana. The power, far more than anything he could’ve hope to achieve descended, the red of Iris’ soul mana illuminated the entirety of New York, as she fell out of the air. And as Ekhut emerged from the water, the blacksteel blade struck its mark.

  A bright flash of red washed over everything, and Caleb briefly shielded his eyes.

  [Congratulations]

  [You aided in defeating the named monster Ekhut Destroyer of worlds]

  [You have levelled up]

  [Battle at Frontier 5 has ended]

  [Selected of Z1-E94-C Win]

  [Key players]

  -

  Avana Hoyt

  Elliott McCormick

  Caleb Souza

  Iris Christison

  Aleka Biros

  -

  [Battle of Dominion for Z1-E94-C has ended]

  [Seven Sins Salar vs Selected of Z1-E94-C]

  [0 - 4]

  [Selected of Z1-E94-C victory by default]

  [Akashic Victory]

  [Phase 2 has ended]

  [You have levelled up]

  [Earth (Z1-E94-C) has earned War Right]

  [Earth (Z1-E94-C) has received a position on the Akashic Council]

  [Trial Complete]

  [Congratulations]

  Caleb hung his head back, staring to the sky again as he slowly treaded water. He closed his eyes, anxiety ebbing away as relief took hold.

  It was over. It was finally over.