• Date: September 30, 2173


  
• Time: 9:45 AM


  
• Location: Udel Village


  

  After disposing of the bodies of the guardians, the members of Tip of the Spear went back into their hiding spots. Anticipating another batch of Kaynian troops to stumble into their ambush. But as time passed, the signal emitted by Vee wouldn't gather a response from their enemy. They could send it again, but that would raise suspension on the authenticity of the distress. Having no choice, all they could do was wait.

  ''Vee, any movement?''

  [Negative, which is weird. Did they miss the signal and the I.F.F. somehow? But that wouldn't make any sense.]

  ''Check the Kaynian comms. See if they're sending something.''

  [Will do.]

  She immediately delved into the alien communication network to see what their enemies were doing. Connecting herself, she found the Kaynian Lord broadcasting to his fellow Kaynians about their presence in Udel Village. Answering their superior's call, a century of alien combatants were headed to their position to hunt them.

  [Oh no, Tale! We have a situation on our hands!]

  ''What is it?''

  [They're coming!]

  ''How many?''

  [Eighty! The Kaynian Lord had just broadcasted about his struggles with us and had sent a century!]

  The jig was up—the Kaynians had discovered their existence and deployed a fighting force capable of wiping them out. Tale needed to change his strategy immediately. He knew they would be caught eventually, but he hadn't expected it to happen this soon.

  ''Sarroth, tell everyone that we're switching out strategy.''

  {Understood, my master.}

  Heeding her master's command, she immediately communed with the rest through telepathy magic. Meanwhile, the ranger and the priestess waited patiently from their respective positions. They had been anticipating something for quite some time, though they did not expect it from the hero's companion.

  {Priestess Lumiere, Spear Two, my master, wants to change our strategy regarding the recent event that Lady Vee has revealed.}

  Coming out of hiding, they approached the Ghost, letting him pick up their invisible silhouettes with his H.U.D. The elves wondered what changes had occurred for them to be called. However, they did not question it, as they answered their savior's call.

  ''You called for a change of strategy, hero?''

  ''Affirmative. Spear Two. The Kaynian Lord has reconnected with his troops and has ordered a century to our position.''

  The revelation stunned the two elves for a moment. Did they hear it correctly? Their enemies were underway, fully aware of them? Though they knew that they were at a disadvantage against their adversaries. Now, whatever advantage they held, such as the element of surprise, was gone, and reinforcements wouldn't come yet. In short, this was a nightmare come to life.

  ''What do we do, hero?''

  The priestess questioned, though she was willing to sacrifice their lives to ensure their enemies were distracted until reinforcements arrived. However, they needed to devise a plan to delay them quickly, as time was their ally and enemy.

  ''Spear Two. I want you to take Lumiere and return to Ivershine to inform the incoming reinforcements about the Kayian threat. While I hold them at bay.''

  ''What? No! Are you insane!''

  Hearing the outlandish plan of their savior, which was basically a suicide mission to delay the approaching invaders. Stories and epics of the hero's character were sung as the Former Queen attempted to peer into the future. Above all else, there was a characteristic that moved every elve: their savior's care for all who opposed the invaders and his willingness to sacrifice himself for others.

  ''I took an oath to fight right beside you, even if I were to perish!''

  ''It's an order.''

  ''And I will respectfully decline it!''

  Though there was a height separation between them, the esteemed ranger of the first army stood his ground and eyed the Hero of Eldrant. He wanted to message their savior that because he was destined to save them, that didn't mean they would allow him to do it alone against their hated enemy.

  ''Lord Tale, I know you're doing this for our benefit, but please! Don't face them alone! You are the shining beacon that lights our hope and courage to face the invaders! Let us fight beside you even if we die!''

  Spear Two pleaded, and Tale didn't know how to respond. For most of his life, a direct order must be followed to the letter, even if you perish. But this elve before him dare deny such an order that would save his life? Logically, any sentient lifeform wouldn't want to die, but Hector throws that logic away and replaces it with an oath.

  {They are dedicated to protecting Eldrant, my master. No order or command would discourage them.}

  'So, this is how it's going to be.'

  {Indeed. The question is, what will you do about it?}

  He hadn't expected this, but if fighting against a numerically superior force was necessary, so be it. This world was their home from the beginning, so it was only natural for them to defend every inch of Eldrant.

  ''Very well, we make our stand here...''

  ''...Priestess Lumiere, I need you to prepare your magic, position yourself on the rear, and provide support.''

  ''Understood, hero. It shall be done.''

  Upon receiving the command, she realized the chapel was the only place in the ruined village that could serve as the perfect vantage point. Immediately, she went away to prepare her magic for the upcoming battle. Meanwhile, Hector stood waiting for his orders. Although he had already guessed what he would be doing, he preferred to hear the hero's words directly.

  "Spear Two, you'll have to use the environment to maximize your skills. Shoot and scoot tactics should be your strategy. Utilize the rooftops, the streets, and the structures around us to effectively deny the Kaynians or at least hinder them...''

  ''...Whatever you do, do not stop moving.''

  ''By your will, hero, it shall be done!''

  With his purpose handed to him, the ranger went off to positions where he could reliably reach without issue. Then, he would leave arrows to give him extra mobility without his quiver. Forcing him to move to another position with arrows ready for him to pick up and fire.

  ''Sarroth.''

  {Yes, master.}

  ''We're gonna need some explosives to lessen the numbers of the Kaynian Guardians. Luckily, they tend to group themselves into firing lines. They'll probably position themselves on the village's outskirts.''

  {I believe through the use of fire magic, I can create a clever trap for them.}

  ''Good...''

  ''...Then begin construction.''

  {Understood.}

  The blade spirit quickly moved to the explosive placement locations. Burying them underground, enough to make them undetectable through visual or magical means. Of course, no explosion could save them from the masses of aliens approaching. Thus, to save the world and its people from oblivion would require all their power, strategy, and magic.

  [So we're at our last straw?]

  ''Affirmative, Eldrant's faith lays on us holding the Kaynians at bay.''

  [Then I hope we can take down as many of them as possible with us.]

  TALE: Hero of Eldrant

  Five minutes later, after Tale told everyone to prepare, everything was set up, traps finished, and magic ready. All that was needed was for the Kaynians to approach their position. Everyone was tensed up, though they had the element of surprise. This situation would test them to their limits. Help was coming, but it would take time, leaving them alone against their enemies.

  [They're here. Enemy combatants confirmed outside the perimeter...]

  [...Sarroth, give Spear Two and Priestess Lumiere the heads up. Once you detonate your magic underneath the guardians. It's all hell after that.]

  {Very well.}

  Relying on the command, she would commune via telepathy magic with the ranger and the priestess. A moment later, a connection was established between them, allowing her to inform the others.

  {Spear Two, Priestess Lumiere. Lady Vee has confirmed that the invaders are closing in. I repeat: the Kaynians are coming...}

  {...May the Pantheons grant us strength.}

  Hector and Lumiere immediately acknowledged the warning. This was their last stand to deny their foes dominion over Eldrant. Weapons in hand and magic ready, the two elves waited for the signal.

  ''Understood, Lady Sarroth.''

  ''Of course, Lady Sarroth.''

  They both said in unison as echoes of footsteps had drawn near them. Meanwhile, at the outskirts of the ruined village, Kaynian Guardians were dispersed and quickly formed a firing line. However, unbeknownst to them, underneath their feet was fire magic waiting to be triggered by their enemies. The official in charge of the century, a Kaynian Paladin, stood at the back with his trusted battle brother, a fellow paladin, and two warlocks overlooking the firing line. Surrounding them were eight knights, acting as protectors and quick breakthrough combatants.

  "Sceotendr?w, standae! Biddae fureor beboda!"

  Shouted a low-ranking official, a guardian acting as a disciplinarian to the firing line, and awaited further orders from their leader. The high-ranking official stepped forward and raised his energy lance, fully aware that he and his troops were under enemy surveillance.

  Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  "Dēofol! Ic eom hēr be bebode Kēnīan Lārde Atlantes tō bēon tīn forwyrhta! āwend tē sylfne otte swelt mid swēte tearfe!"

  The alien shouted, his voice booming with ferocity and power fitting for a wounded warrior given new purpose within a paladin's chassis. However, his warnings fell on deaf ears. Even when faced with such a numerically superior force. Their enemy was not one to give up without a fight.

  'Three...'

  '...Two.'

  Tale whispered as he watched the firing line and the proclamation of the century's leadership. Meanwhile, his partner and his eternal servant observed as their shared partner/master aimed his battle machine rifle while standing at the broken entryway of Udel Village. Though his silhouette is invisible due to magic, firing his weapon will reveal his position.

  "Hit tinct tē t?t tū forswearst mīn lārdes willa ēac mid swylcum ymbsittendum. Ic wylle brengan wyrd hēr swīeor tonne swelt..."

  "...Sceotendr?w! R?dige!"

  Immediately, the guardians at the firing line stiffened as they were told to ready their rifles. However, they had no confirmation of the location of their adversary and his allies. Thus, their main targets were the structures, meaning they would have to decimate the remnants of the ruined settlement. But unbeknownst to them, they forgot who they were fighting. After all, Ghost Operatives never play fair; they never do.

  'One!'

  Upon hearing her master's countdown end, the blade spirit instantly activated the fire magics beneath their foe's footing. Applying the appropriate amount of magic, the firing line at the outskirts of the village exploded. A massive cloud of dust and smoke obscured the remaining survivors' vision. Although their numbers were clearly diminished by the explosion, the firing line, once consisting of sixty-eight guardians, was now reduced to just twenty-four.

  [Nicely done!]

  Vee commented as their enemies panicked, unprepared for the trap below them. Though in disarray and confused, an immediate response was overdue. Seeing the carnage brought upon by the Ghost's eternal servant, the official turned to his knights and gave them the order to advance, buying time for the warlocks to aid their fellow Kaynians who suffered in the explosion.

  "Foref?ret cnihtas! Bringat ungemet on ūserne fēond! Foref?ret!"

  All eight knights charged into the fray, emerging from the smoke with easily identifiable silhouettes. Instantly, they were picked up by the A.I. as she marked them for her partner to see through his H.U.D.

  [Incoming!]

  Seeing the approaching Kaynian Knights, Tale activated the automatic aiming software. Letting it take over as he pulled the trigger, sending twelve-point-seven millimeter depleted uranium rounds at the charging aliens. Though accurate, the hypersonic rounds were only powerful enough to shatter several of the knight's energy shields.

  ''Sarroth, give the signal!''

  The operative stated this as he retreated, quickly repositioning himself near the chapel, where the priestess awaited the signal. Meanwhile, heeding her master's command, the blade spirit quickly used telepathic magic to inform the others. It wouldn't take long for her magic to be intercepted, and an immediate connection was made.

  {Spear Two! Priestess Lumiere! Unleash your fury!}

  Hector drew three arrows and set his sights on a shieldless knight. After a steady breath, he released the bowstring, firing with deadly precision. The projectiles would land in three places, the neck, the ribs, and the knee. The alien knight crashed harshly to the ground as his blue colors faded into gray, succumbing to his wounds. After noticing how individual arrows wouldn't kill a Kaynian Guardian, the ranger changed his strategy to focus on one target, and it worked.

  ''Repositioning...''

  ''...Priestess Lumiere, the rest is yours.''

  After securing his first kill against their hated enemies, he quickly communicated with the priestess through his communication orb before relocating.

  ''Leave them to me, Hector.''

  Responding in kind, she saw in the distance the charging aliens, now within the ruined village. Ignorance of her presence would cost them their lives as she was about to unleash her magic.

  'For my sisters.'

  Avenging the deaths of her fellow priestesses, Lumiere cast her lightning magic at the Kaynian Knights. A single tendril erupted, racing toward her seven targets. Of course, her attack wouldn't come unnoticed as the knights saw its trajectory.

  "Ingangende!''

  Shouted one of the aliens as the lightning magic made contact with one of them. What happened next was a chain reaction as the lightning fried the body of its first victim before moving on to the others. Their shields shattered, while those already unshielded endured the aftereffects, though it wouldn't kill them.

  "Brōera, ārīse! ān drycr?fter is nēah!"

  Injured and stunned from the recent attack dealt to them. The knights slowly recovered as they got to their bearings and searched for the priestess, which cost them one of their own. The remaining six traced where the magic had come from and immediately realized it came from the chapel's tower. Thus, they immediately ran to it, aware that the one responsible was somewhere inside.

  "Se drycr?fter is on t?m byldstōwe!"

  Unbeknownst to them, the Ghost Operative wouldn't allow them near the chapel as he charged straight at them while still invisible. With his battle machine rifle on his back, Tale extended his hand before calling out to his eternal servant.

  ''Sarroth, sword!''

  {Understood!}

  He barked, and the blade spirit materialized into her material form on his right hand. However, the transformation allowed the knights to notice the incoming operative. Their eyes widened as they realized who it was charging at them, and at the top of their lungs, they shouted.

  ''Dēofol!''

  Intercepting their hated enemy, the first knight swung his energy saber but missed. Sliding underneath, Tale pierced the chest plate of the alien with a thrust before moving and parrying a strike directed at his head. Then another came, attempting to decapitate his right arm. Luckily, a block prevented it, followed by a swift punch that launched the alien to the side.

  ''Vee, analyze their patterns!''

  [On it!]

  With her quick analysis mode, Vee conducted several programs to her partner's ability to engage in melee combat. In an instant, Tale dodged a thrust from a charging knight, sidestepping to allow the energy saber to bypass his body before grabbing hold of the alien's gauntlet, locking him in place before decapitating his head from his body.

  "Swelt, dēofol!"

  A knight shouted from behind—the one the operative had knocked down with a solid punch. However, his energy shield had already shattered from the priestess's earlier magic attack. Thus, it left the alien open as he raised his energy saber, only for him to be impaled by several arrows. An arrow to the eye, mouth, and neck ended his life. Immediately, the Kaynian's body drooped dead as its blue color faded into gray.

  'Hector.'

  On the rooftops stood the esteemed ranger of the First Army, his silhouette hidden from the aliens' optics. However, the Ghost had no time to acknowledge his ally's skill as another knight immediately attacked him.

  ''Argh!''

  A powerful thrust struck his magic shield, pushing him back several inches. Looking at the alien before him, Tale quickly threw his weapon. Cutting through the air before piercing through the skull of the knight, killing him instantly. Afterward, he took his battle machine rifle from his back and fired at the two remaining Kaynians.

  "For t?t Arc Imperium!"

  Both shouted as they drew near their adversary with murderous intent. In response, the Ghost pulled the trigger, unleashing twelve-point seven-millimeter projectiles at the advancing aliens. Gunning one down while the other leaped at him, energy saber raised.

  [Tale!]

  Vee shouted as she saw the leaping alien before her partner's H.U.D. However, the overhead swing never struck the operative's magic shield, as an ice spear hit the knight's chest. The velocity of the ice projectile would launch the Kaynian to the ground, crashing harshly as its chest exploded.

  'Lumiere.'

  Turning around, Tale saw at the distance the priestess exhausted from her precise aim with her magic. Though they had eliminated the squadron of Kaynian Knights, many still remained on the outskirts. As the guardians reestablished their firing line, healed by the warlocks, they prepared to unleash hell upon the ruined settlement.

  "R?dige! Gēmearcat! F?rat!''

  Heeding their official's command, they pulled the trigger and simultaneously fired their energy beam rifles. They instantly reached the village's structures, blasting them with superheated lasers.

  ''Sarroth, tell the others to take cover!''

  The Ghost barked as his magic shield flared from the indirect fire of the Kaynian Guardians. Meanwhile, the blade spirit returned to her master's power armor and warned her fellow elves.

  {Hector! Lumiere! Take cover!}

  She shouted, and the ranger and the priestess quickly ducked to whatever cover they found. For Lumiere, she hid in the chapel tower's protective half walls, which absorbed most of the laser beams. Meanwhile, Hector leaped from the collapsing structure. Which had been destroyed by the constant energy beams that weakened its support, causing its collapse.

  "Officīal Yriel, f?rt ālīefed!"

  Stated the low-ranking guardian official to his superior. Looking at the ruined settlement, the Kaynian Paladin saw the dead bodies of his knights lying near the chapel. It was clear that their adversary was still present, though without any signs of them. He could command his remaining guardians to keep firing and hope the demon and his allies perished or face them in glorious close-range combat.

  "Wē willae forefaran tō wieercēosan hīe in mēlegeweorc..."

  "...Officīal Myr, ēower weardas willae ēagene winnan."

  "Onfōn!"

  The remnants of the century, once vast in number, were now reduced to twenty-eight. Understanding that their enemy was resilient, they prepared for close-quarters combat. Thus, an advance was made, and leading were the guardians, with the paladins and warlocks following behind. Their footsteps echoed as the Ghost Operative and his elven allies recovered from the volley of energy beams that had destroyed several structures in the village.

  ''Vee, status report.''

  [Uh, we survived the firing line's volley?]

  Staring blankly at his partner, Tale sighed as it was technically the truth. They were fortunate that the invisibility magic on them rendered them unseen by their enemies. Stepping out of cover, he spotted the approaching aliens in the distance.

  ''Sarroth, what of Lumiere and Hector?''

  {The priestess is alright. Her magic signature is stable...}

  {...But it's the ranger that I'm worried about. He is not picking up his communication orb.}

  Unbeknownst to the blade spirit and her master, Spear Two had suffered a concussion, which caused him to go unconscious. When the structure he used as a high vantage point had its support destroyed, it caused him to leap off and land harshly to the ground. Though worried about his ally, Tale couldn't search for him as the Kaynian Menance had made their move.

  ''No choice. We have to keep fighting without Spear Two.''

  He stated with a hint of regret in his voice. However, the reality before him forced his hand, as the Defense of Udel Village had to continue. Then, his magic shield shimmered, a sign that it had returned to its maximum durability.

  ''Sarroth, I need you to inform the priestess to prepare her magic...''

  "...I'll need her support as I draw the Kaynians' attention."

  {Understood.}

  Hearing his command caused the blade spirit to think that her master was about to do something bold. However, she didn't have the time to be consumed in her thoughts as she complied. With her world's future at stake, she nodded and swiftly reached out to the young priestess through telepathy magic.

  {Priestess Lumiere, my master, will engage the invaders head-on. Prepare your magic, for he needs your support.}

  ''It will be done!''

  After hearing the priestess's response, Sarroth turned to her master and nodded, confirming that she had accomplished her task of relying on his order.

  {It's done.}

  ''Good...''

  ''...Maintain the invisibility magic for as long as possible.''

  Without another word, he immediately sprinted to the entryway of the village. Meanwhile, the Kaynian Guardians entered first and saw the devastation brought by their own energy beam rifles. Looking around, they saw the corpses of the knights who charged in to give time for them to recover.

  ''Vee, how many are there in front?''

  [Front row is composed of twenty-four guardians...]

  [...That's a lot of Kaynians for you to go around!]

  ''We have no choice...''

  ''...Sarroth, sword!''

  He barked, and the blade spirit once again materialized into her blade form in his right hand. And much like before, they were immediately spotted due to Sarroth's magical signature. However, it wasn't the guardians who detected their advance but the warlocks at the rear.

  "Mīn officīal, wē habbat an ingangan drycr?ftbrucend!"

  "Hw?r?"

  "Onforan ūser!"

  Shouted the warlock as the paladin turned his head to the desolated pavement ahead of them. Then, he saw footprints coming ever closer to them. Immediately, he realized who was approaching them as he raised his voice to command his century.

  "Se dēofol is unwihtsēoc! Weardas f?rscyld! F?rat swā tū wille!"

  The guardians quickly formed a firing line and managed to fire a volley just in time. However, due to the operative's invisibility, most beams missed, but some hit the magic shield, causing it to flare. Noticing this, they quickly attempted to charge their weapons for another volley, though they never got to fire again.

  "ānwiht! R?dige! Gēmearcat- Ack!"

  Screamed the lower-ranking official as a sword slashed over his torso, which shattered his energy shield and armor plate. Pulling his eternal servant out of the chest cavity of the alien, Tale moved on to grabbing hold of a guardian's energy beam rifle before pulling him and stabbing the poor bastard in the stomach. Within the first few seconds of engaging the firing line, two had already fallen, their blue blood coating his weapon.

  "Se dēofol is ofer ūs!"

  "Wyrcet ēowre beāhnetas!"

  "For t?t Arc! Cēos!"

  The aliens shouted as they realized their adversary had already reached them. Shifting his body. The operative quickly threw a punch at a nearby alien. His fist collided with the passive energy shield, reacting violently enough to create a shockwave that knocked out the guardian. Then, another decided to charge relentlessly with an energy bayonet, attempting to thrust.

  [Watch out!]

  His partner warned, but it was all child's play for him as he sidestepped before decapitating the head of the alien combatant. Moving on, he quickly followed up with another slash, which shattered the shields and armor plate, cutting deep into the chest cavity before pulling out. However, instead of disregarding the deceased body, he used it as a projectile and threw it at a nearby guardian.

  "Sl?? dēofol!"

  More combatants activated their energy bayonets as they were forced to engage in melee combat with the Ghost Operative. Another came, attempting to swing his bayonet, though, with his quick reflexes, Tale managed to dodge the attack before decapitating the head of the alien. Then, another guardian decided to try his luck as he thrust his weapon forward, only to be parried and have his throat apparatus slit. Afterward, he raised his sword and brought it down on an unfortunate bastard who lost half his body.

  [More inbound!]

  Vee warned as he parried another bayonet before he embedded his weapon in the guardian's stomach before pulling out. Immediately, he followed it up by grabbing hold of an energy beam rifle, pulling the alien to him, and slicing his torso from his legs. Meanwhile, at the chapel tower, Lumiere prepared to send off two fireballs near the Ghost's position. Thus, she concentrated as she prepared to launch two flame projectiles at the firing line.

  ''Pantheons, grant me your sight!''

  She shouted as she released both fireballs, gaining incredible velocity as they flew to their targets. Afterward, two explosions erupted, which killed ten guardians in total due to the power the priestess had inputted. Meanwhile, Tale wasn't expecting Lumiere's magic to cause so much destruction, but he was thankful it was.

  'I'll have to thank Lumiere later...'

  '...Just three left before moving on to the paladins and-'

  Cutting him off was an energy beam from one of the Kaynian Paladins, the high-ranking official who had figured out where the priestess was conducting her magics. Within a second, an explosion erupted as the beam connected with its intended target. Smoke, dust, and debris covered the chapel's roof as the tower exploded in a puff of pink smoke—blood. Turning to where Lumiere once was, Tale found her position destroyed, causing him to boil in anger as another member of Tip of the Spear was killed in action.

  "Tū wilt sweltan, dēofol!"

  Though invisible to the naked eye, he could still be tracked through Sarroth's magic signature. The warlocks unleashed potent psionic lightning, its tendrils racing toward the Ghost's last current position.

  [Psionic lightning!]

  ''Sarroth!''

  Dematerializing from her master's grasp, the Former Queen of Elvania made her presence known as she intercepted the incoming lightning, absorbing it, letting it condense into a sphere as she held it gently with both hands.

  {Perish, invaders!}

  Returning the favor, she unleashed the absorbed lightning back at the warlocks, sending the sphere hurtling toward them. It exploded between the two invaders, releasing a powerful shockwave that shattered their energy shields. Seizing the opportunity, she unleashed fire and ice magic, engulfing one alien in flames while freezing the other.

  [Sarroth's doing pretty well.]

  ''Indeed, but we still have tangos to deal with.''

  [Right!]

  Knowing what to do, he retrieved his battle machine rifle from his back, allowing the automatic aiming to take over as he opened fire. The twelve-point-seven millimeter depleted uranium rounds raced as they impacted the durable energy shields of the Kaynian Paladins. In response, both aliens would fire on the approaching invisible silhouette of the Ghost. However, the potent energy beams missed their target, letting their foe close the gap between them, bypassing the battle between the blade spirit and the warlocks.

  "Wiemēte mē!"

  One of the paladins shouted as he decided to intercept Tale and engage in melee combat. However, his official seemed displeased with his action as the other paladin called his fellow Kaynian.

  "Brōtor bid tū!"

  But it was too late; the operative and the careless paladin had already engaged in melee combat. Raising his energy lance, the alien attempted to thrust his weapon at his approaching adversary. However, he missed, as Tale was still invisible—though his silhouette was faintly seeable.

  [Woah!]

  Vee commented as she saw through her partner's H.U.D. how he had slid underneath, not just the energy lance but the sliding beneath the alien's legs. After reaching the rear, the operative wasted no time, mounting the back of the paladin and unloading his weapon. Kaynian Paladins, though heavily armored, were clumsy and could be outmaneuvered by a marine or a Ghost Operative.

  ''AHHH!''

  Screamed the alien as he endured the assault of twelve-point-seven millimeter rounds on his back, unable to do anything but try to shake off his adversary, which was unsuccessful. However, it wouldn't last long when Tale heard a familiar sound coming from his weapon: a click.

  'I'm out!'

  He cursed as he couldn't realistically reload while on a paladin's back, but if he didn't reload. Things were escalating quickly, and unless he came up with a solution, he would soon find himself in an undesirable position. Luckily, someone who he thought was dead would come to his aid.

  ''Lord Tale! Hold on!''

  Spear Two, the esteemed ranger, marksman of Tip of the Spear, shouted as he nocked three arrows before drawing them. Noticing one of his allies, Tale obliged as he placed his weapon on his back before punching the alien. Each punch he delivered was powerful enough to shatter a guardian's body. With every strike, the alien's shields weakened and eventually shattered, like breaking glass.

  ''Hector! Now!''

  Then, the ranger fired three arrows at the vulnerable alien. These arrows flew with grace as they struck their target true. Landing on the eye, mouth, and neck of the Kaynian Paladin, which killed it. Backflipping away from the paladin, Tale watched as it drooped to the ground and its colors turned blue to gray.

  [One down-]

  "Swelt!"

  The high-ranking official shouted as he fired his energy lance at the operative. Immediately, Tale's magic shield flared, and the invisibility magic dissipated due to the constant damage. Helpless, he couldn't get up as the alien's firepower kept him down, and his shields neared their breaking point.

  [Tale!]

  ''Damn it...''

  ''...Can't-''

  Things were looking grim as the paladin applied more power to his weapon. His H.U.D. screamed at him, his partner panicked, and his promise to the Lord Commander seemed unachievable.

  'Is this it?'

  He whispered as if he was willing to accept his fate. However, unbeknownst to him, reinforcements had arrived. An explosion erupted, causing the Kaynian Paladin to stop his assault. The cause of the eruption was a fireball from the Saintess of the Pantheon Church, Isabella. Using teleportation magic, she and her subordinates arrived just in time as things grew dire for the Hero of Eldrant.

  ''Apologise if I am late, hero.''

  To Be Continued.