—— ? ——

  —- AREA NOTICE—-

  > EVENT CONCLUDED

  > Name: Realm Fusion - Preparation for War

  > Offensive Victories: 556

  > Defensive Victories: 81

  > Description:

  >> The Cadence of War has been called upon, and its presence has descended. Through conflict, new strength is found and forged. Bonds are formed, and realms are conquered.

  Hail the victors of the day. May they ever grow in strength.

  >> Individual contributions have been calculated. Rewards will be distributed based on contribution and rank.

  Leaderboards for the defenders and attackers will be available shortly.

  Congratulations.

  Strength is forged. Limits are conquered.

  ——————————

  Aurelo Seraphar heaved as he kneeled in a sea of blood. He read the notice and smiled.

  His trial was over.

  Shaking hands reached for his blades, and he grunted as he struggled to pull himself to his feet. With monumental effort, he finally accomplished it.

  He turned to leave the gorge, but froze as he saw movement.

  Was it a wild animal? Or…

  Relief filled him as a smile tugged at his face. Multiple people stepped within view, all of them ones he recognized.

  In the center of the squad, a small girl marched.

  When she saw him, she broke the ranks and rushed to him.

  “Father!”

  Aurelo grimaced as his child's boots and clothes were stained with blood as she raced toward him.

  “Careful, daughter,” was all he could say.

  The child slowed, her keen eyes taking in her father. They went wide at the physical changes his body had undergone from his trial. They went wider at the countless gashes and wounds on his clothing.

  Her face was filled with a question she seemed unwilling to ask. She firmed her face, then bowed her head.

  “I have guarded the light, and let it grow.” Her voice caught. “It did not fade, and has guided you home.”

  She turned her eyes to her father. They examined his many wounds, and she waited for his response.

  Aurelo’s face was firm as he answered. “I return to my watch. The duty that has fallen to you is lifted. May the light never fade.”

  Then his expression softened. A smile crept across his face, and he gave his daughter a wink.

  “Although,” he added, “perhaps I should find a bath first.”

  “Father!” Salentia yelled as she lunged forward and hugged him. Aurelo grunted, and his daughter pulled away, her worried face looking up at him. “Oh, I’m so sorry!"

  “It’s all right, Salentia!” Aurelo laughed, his bruised ribs hurting. He looked out toward the gathered squad of guards. All were wide-eyed, and others looked sick at the carnage surrounding the Celestial.

  “Thank you all for coming.” Aurelo bowed his head.

  A man rushed forward. “Sir, do not bow to us.” Aurelo looked up to see Corvus. “You have saved us all today.”

  Murmurs of agreement rippled through them, and one after another, they bowed.

  After a moment. Aurelo spoke.

  “Raise your heads, please,” Aurelo said, looking into the faces of the gathered people. “Now, I would ask for your assistance in returning to our home.” A chuckle escaped his lips. “For it seems, my legs have forgotten their purpose.”

  A man moved to either side of him and helped him out of the gorge. In front of him, his daughter cradled his blood-soaked blades as they slowly made their way back to town.

  *DING!*

  Aurelo glanced at the notice.

  —- SYSTEM NOTICE—-

  > LEADERBOARD IDENTITY

  > You have placed on the defender leaderboard.

  > Please choose a name to be displayed that honors your achievements. If you do not select one, your current name will be displayed

  > Current Name: Aurelo Seraphar

  > Suggested Names:

  >> “The Setting Sun”

  >> “Defender of the Gorge”

  >> “The Father”

  ——————————

  Aurelo thought of the options presented as he walked. He was tempted to simply display his given name, but then his eyes rested on his daughter.

  Who knew what types of enemies were out there? His given name would lead back to her.

  He chose.

  *DING!*

  —- SYSTEM NOTICE—-

  > You have chosen: “The Father.”

  > Name assigned and displayed.

  > Leaderboard Rank: 1.

  > Distributing reward.

  ——————————

  The squad of people around him all froze, their eyes reading the air.

  Then they all turned to him. His daughter beamed at him.

  “Well, it was quite the fight,” Aurelo muttered. “Let's keep moving. I’m sure the others in town are worried.”

  “They are all going to want to hear what happened,” Corvus said from his right.

  “Only after I bathe,” Aurelo said with a smile.

  The thin man just shook his head, and they all started moving again.

  Aurelo fell into thought as he examined his reward notice.

  —- SYSTEM NOTICE—-

  > EVENT REWARD

  > Name: Cadence Crystal

  > Rarity: Mythic

  > Tier: ?

  > Source: Realm Fusion Event - Defender Leaderboard (Rank 1)

  > Description: Your presence on the battlefield is unrivaled across the span. Where you stood, others fell. Protecting the weak is a path filled with loss, yet you did not yield. Against all foes, you triumphed. In recognition of your achievement and potential, a choice now falls to you.

  > Effect

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  > You may designate one enduring benefit born from your leadership and courage.

  > The Light - You become a living standard and guide. Allies under your command gained heightened resolve, resistance to fear, and a significant increase in their abilities. Your presence defines the battlefield, and weaker foes will flee before your armies. While under your command, allies will find clarity in battle and may surpass thresholds in their darkest moments. A portion of all experience gained under your direct command will be given to you.

  > The Guiding Hand - Your experience echoes across the span, and all who follow you shall grow. You gain the authority to shape outcomes beyond the battlefield. All beings under your rule gain significant boosts to their growth, increasing skill acquisition and leveling speed. Subjects specifically tutored by you will surmount thresholds that previously blocked their attempts. A portion of all experience gained by those under your rule will be given to you.

  > The Inheritance - Aethrayn Evolution - Your legend becomes an event that defines your species, forgoing direct personal empowerment and instead passing along the benefit. The crystal binds and resonates, yet must be directed. The benefits gained are set, and the chosen scope determines intensity.

  >> Select one designation:

  >> Bloodline Designation - Your immediate family gains the evolution and will pass it along their lineage. Growth potential is concentrated and will assist in significant advancement across all aspects and disciplines.

  >> Sovereign Designation - Any member of your race under your recognized rule may undergo evolution. Growth potential is distributed among your evolved subjects. Subjects will gain minor growth in all aspects and advancements. Authority to grant evolution is bound to your bloodline.

  >> Racial Designation - All members of your race gain the opportunity to evolve. No direct growth potential for aspects or advancements will be granted. Utilizing this evolution falls to the individual, and future benefits are unknown.

  ——————————

  Aurelo studied his reward for their entire walk back. What should he choose?

  He greeted the members of the town, bathed, and changed. The choice weighed on his mind as he recounted everything that had happened in the gorge. The townsfolk all listened with wide eyes as he sat on his chair in the meeting hall.

  He was left alone in that chair on his request. Aurelo sat in the hall, his mind rolling through each option in turn. He saw the benefits of each and could not come to a decision.

  Finally, he looked up from his musings to the empty hall. The door creaked open, and his daughter stepped through carrying a tray heaped with steaming food.

  Aurelo nodded in thanks to her as he fed his famished bandaged body.

  Salentia took a seat in the newly added chair to his right, and they sat in a comfortable silence.

  “Salentia,” Aurelo said after finishing his meal.

  “Yes, father?”

  “If you had to choose between protecting our family, our subjects, or as many as you can. Which would you choose?” Aurelo asked, meeting his daughter's sparkling emerald eyes.

  Salentia scrunched her eyebrows in thought. “Isn’t the answer simple?”

  Aurelo raised a brow. “What do you mean?”

  “You already answered it today. To protect your family, you would have stayed by my side.” She gestured to the hall. “While these people ask for your leadership, they are not your subjects. Yet you still faced countless foes to delay the enemy.”

  Salentia smiled. “You taught me that our actions speak the truth. So the answer is simple. I would choose to follow your lead and protect everyone.”

  Aurelo’s mind cleared as the choice became obvious. His lips parted in a smile.

  “Well said, daughter.”

  A moment later, his daughter's eyes went wide as she read the prompt. She looked to her father, who nodded.

  Light filled the hall as the celestials within were reborn.

  —— ? ——

  —- SYSTEM NOTICE—-

  > You have chosen: “Brian Kent.”

  > Name assigned and displayed.

  > Leaderboard Rank: 12.

  > Distributing reward.

  ——————————

  Brian quickly read the reward, then turned his attention back to the barrier.

  > Barrier Status: 14%... 13.5%... 14%...

  He breathed a sigh of relief and slumped into a chair. It was holding. The barrier was holding.

  Brian turned to Serel, but then a blinding light exploded from the celestial.

  “Shit! Serel, are you okay?” Brian squeezed his eyes shut. He got to his feet and felt his way along the wall.

  Things always seemed to be going well before disaster struck. Especially when tinkering with the arcane. The lab had seen its fair share of explosive failures.

  He found the panel and flipped the lid off. Brian was about to engage the few suppression protocols they had when a soft hand grasped his shoulders and pulled him back.

  “I’m alright, Brian. Sorry.” Serel’s soft musical voice said behind him. “I should have told you what I was doing.”

  Brian cracked his eyes open. Small spots from the light still danced in his vision, but he could see. He turned around to face the councilor. Brian’s eyes widened as he spotted the changes.

  Serel looked… sharper?

  The patterns of crystals on her skin had shifted. Instead of their normal random pattern, they now flowed in ordered fractal designs. The faint golden glow she emitted had changed from a soft, diffused glow to a pattern of ordered pulses.

  It was subtle, but distinct. Brian had spent countless hours in council meetings with the woman, so the change was jarring.

  Brian met her eyes and found they had changed as well. They had always looked like emerald gems, and the glow was still there, but now it was deeper. The light within her pupils refracted strangely; the light entering seemed to bend and fall into the depths of her gaze.

  “So… That's new,” Brian said, raising an eyebrow.

  “Very.” Serel laughed, the sound a crystalline harmony. “Sorry for scaring you. I should have warned you.”

  “Care to explain what happened?” Brian asked as he moved past her to check on the barrier again. He let out a sigh of relief.

  Fourteen percent still.

  “It seems the rewards from this horrible event are quite generous. I got a notice that the rank one on the leaderboard, “The Father,” had chosen to use his reward to allow our race to evolve.” Serel explained.

  Brian turned back to her. “Really? That’s crazy. Race evolution as a reward?” He mentally pulled up his own reward notice, which he had dismissed, and started to read.

  “I thought so too,” Serel said. “Any of us celestials who evolve will be known as aethrayn. I read that I will be able to channel Aethra and Mana more efficiently, so I immediately agreed.” She stepped back to the barrier and picked up a crystal. “I thought this wasn’t the time to hesitate, as anything that will help needs to be done.”

  Magical energy crackled out from the crystal and flowed across her skin. The energy wove along the concentric patterns and gained speed as it moved. The effect was astounding, and Serel looked up in amazement at Brian.

  “Imagine if we had this earlier! It could have been the entire difference between success and failure! Brian isn’t this…” Her words stopped as she studied the inventor.

  Brian had frozen, as he rapidly read the reward notice again. Then he read it again.

  Disbelief filled him, and he accepted the reward.

  “Brian?” Serel asked.

  Brian held out his hand. There was a glow of light, then a small, intricately inscribed, rectangle-shaped plate appeared and fell into it.

  “Identify,” He muttered.

  His heart started to pound in his chest as he read the notice. Then he was moving. Brian dashed to the small barrier that protected Zerathis. With a grunt of effort, he lifted it and ran for the door.

  “Brian, what’s going on?!” Serel called from behind him.

  “No time to explain!” He called back as he swung the door wide. “I need to go find her! Serel, there’s a way!”

  With frantic steps, he made his way up the stairs. Behind him, he heard footsteps as Serel came after him.

  He didn’t care. He could explain later.

  Right now, Brian had one thing on his mind. He needed to find Kaelalin’s body.

  —— ? ——

  Serel finally caught sight of the frantic researcher near the northern gate. Unfortunately, something else caught her attention as well.

  She gasped.

  Weapons were being brandished, and dozens of people were yelling back and forth.

  “They are my patients! They are harmless! My goddess has confirmed it!” A single man stood between the crowd of weapon-holding Varnholters. Marden.

  “And how are we supposed to trust you? You have lied before, and they tried to kill us!” a voice from the crowd yelled back.

  Serel glanced between the two groups. One held dozens of Varnholters. The other…

  Their enemy.

  The fur-covered horned creatures all huddled together. Their flat faces and orange eyes looked around, confused and scared.

  Serel lost sight of Brian in the commotion, the researcher slipping off toward another group.

  She could figure out what was going on with him later. This situation needed the council to weigh in. Her gaze swept the crowd for other members.

  Kurda was obvious, the big man standing in front of the angry mob. While he wasn’t with Marden, he was also not allowing anyone to pass him.

  “Councilor Kurda!” Serel spoke as she strode towards the commotion. “What is going on?”

  The grim-faced thurgen turned to her. “Oie ain’t got a single clue. One moment, we were preparing for the avalanche, the next, these things were burning against the barrier.” He gestured toward Marden and the creatures behind him. “Then we heard dem fallin into town. Marden over here has been healin’ em, and here we are.”

  “They need to be put down!” A woman called from the crowd. “They are part of the army that buried our friends in the tunnel!”

  Murmurs of agreement spread through the crowd.

  “They are harmless.” Marden protested. “None hold their weapons; they are just as confused as we are.”

  “Why do you speak for them, Liar?” another voice spoke out.

  “They are all in shock. Possession takes time to recover from!” Marden said.

  “And how do we know they are safe?! You say they were possessed and now they aren’t, but how do we know that?”

  “My goddess has examin–”

  “The scheming goddess of a liar!”

  Shouts and accusations flew as the mob of people whipped into a fury.

  “Enough!” Serel shouted, energy crackling as light burst into the air. The crowd quieted as all eyes turned to the woman. “I know for a fact that the Hive mind that infected these people has been slain.”

  She strode forward, standing next to Marden. “While I cannot verify Councilor Marden’s claims, I think enough blood has been spilled for a day, don’t you?”

  Serel spotted Jorik on the wall. The guard was crouched, his massive crossbow held in both hands. Not sighted, but ready.

  “Guardsman Jorik, can we not imprison these…“ She swung her eyes to the creature and muttered Identify, then continued, "nodceian's somewhere?”

  Jorik nodded. “We could.”

  Serel turned to face Marden. “And you will be imprisoned with them as well.”

  Marden opened his mouth to protest, then closed it. “Very well.”

  Serel shifted to the crowd. “We will hold a council meeting as soon as possible to decide how to deal with these beings. Are there any objections?”

  The crowd was quiet.

  “Good. It has been a stressful day, and there is much to do. Please calm your spirits. There will–”

  A new commotion across the square erupted as people yelled.

  Serel’s gaze snapped to it, then she groaned.

  “There seems to be another matter to solve. Kurda, come with me, please!” Serel said as she rushed towards the commotion.

  What was Brian doing with the frost-kin?

  —— ? ——