"Your goal is to sieze the enemy's gate. Likewise, the enemy team will try their best to conquer yours."

"You already said that before, no need to repeat it." I said after I rolled on the ground dodging an incoming blade.

I quickly stood up to return the attack. I swung my sword, twice, then pulled my self back as the enemy countered.

[ Health 62% ]

A white bar appeared in the bottom of my vision as the tip of the blade reached me.

I felt little pain but there was no blood. As far as I have observed I have no blood but what worries me more is that white bar that dwindles down whenever I'm hurt or when I receive any form of damage. It indicates my life, I conclude.

I carelessly let it drop to zero before which then resulted to my death. I just died twice and therefore I am certain of it. In other words, I must keep an eye on the white bar if I want to stay alive.

I must dodge!

"You can ward off an attack using your weapon," the voice commented as I pulled my weight backwards barely evading the tip of the sword that came from my right.

The soft feminine voice that speaks right through my mind appears to be from a butterfly that follows me around.

She calls herself Ideia.

Surprisingly, despite the commotion we are in, I noticed nothing can harm nor touch her as if her corporeal form is nothing but an illusion.

"Using my weapon? The last time I did that, my sword broke into two," I said as I forcefully swung my weapon into my enemy's flesh.

His body then shattered into small cubes and vanished in thin air.

"Weapons have durability, same with the rest of your equipment. Durability decreases whenever the item recieve damage. Items with zero durability will eventually break and most of their effects will be disabled. Broken items however can be replaced in the pool or upon revival."

"Eitherway, I am not allowed pick or use other weapons. If my sword snaps, I won't have anything to defend myself,"

I faced another enemy and blocked him with my sword as he charged. I then kicked him off to knock him back.

"Damn I hate these soldiers, there's no end to them."

"These men are called Pawns," the voice explained. "They should be easy for you to defeat."

"Easier said than done. They are not even Ethereals, right?" I lunged stabbing through the leather-like armor in his chest. As I pulled the blade back, he raised his weapon appearing unconcerned about his wound.

Another soldier then came to stop him stabbing on his side. This soldier wore a different vest and a different helm, a distinct feature that identifies which is the enemy and which among them is my ally.

"Pawns are shadows of war, remnants of their former souls now slave to the cycle of chaos; bound to be present in the Empyreal War,"

"Please elaborate," I replied as I attacked to finish the skewered soldier.

"A balanced number of pawns are summoned on each of the team's gate at certain time intervals. Each of them carry the team's objective of siezing the enemy's gate all while defending theirs from the enemy. The ones summoned by your team understand that you share their objective so they will not harm you even if you attack them purposely."

As I have observed, these soldiers felt lifeless; Their helms hide their faces and they are not capable of communication. Other than dins and battlecries, I haven't heard them utter a proper word.

They fight well as if they are made for it. If only I could talk to them so we can properly form a strategy this battle could have been easier.

Once the last enemy fell down, my allied pawns charged forward reaching a huge stone monument, a humanoid figure made to serve as a landmark--or what I previously thought it was.

The monument moved to smash the first soldier that reached it. It was slow and sluggish as compared to the soldiers but the amount of force in each of its arms is enough to crush metal let alone bones of those who fails to dodge them.

The Golem.

"Golems are stationed to guard specific areas beyond the gate. They are strong and formidable. Take caution when attacking them." The butterfly said as it trailed behind.

"I know. I know," I replied. It was in fact the one that killed me for the first time.

From what I understood, they are extremely tough but they are not impossible to destroy. For instance, the golem stationed on our side was already taken out while I was waiting to be revived.

A golem's body is made up of stones, rough gray boulders and rubbles glued together then carved to form a figure. It has no eyes in its face but appears to have an ability to sense where the enemies are.

I carefully took position as the golem crush my allies then moved to make a couple of strikes in its hard stone skin while trying to avoid being caught as it flailed its arms.

"You got any tips, guide?" I said as the last of the pawns fell. The golem slowly turned to face me.

"Golems are bound in the areas they are guarding. They can only move inside that area and nothing can ever move them out,"

I noticed thick faded lines traced on the ground as the butterfly explained.

Processing what she just said, I presumed they are the extents of the area this golem was guarding, so as the golem prepared to attack, I swiftly sprinted across the line.

Looking behind, the golem stood still and blankly stared at me. I doubt it can actually stare but it appears to be doing that. I grinned learning that it would not give chase if I go beyond its boundary.

It portrayed a smug as it returned to where it was formerly standing. I tried to taunt it a few times but playfully putting one feet across the line does not easily anger the big thing.

"Meh. Back on slaying minor enemies," I muttered to myself and went back just as another wave of pawns started charging from either side.

"Can I just go and get passed that thing?" I asked the butterfly as I slashed on an enemy pawn. "Since it can't move beyond those lines, I bet it won't be able to stop me from going straight to their gate."

"I'm afraid what you are planning is a suicide, Ethereal. Another golem is directly guarding the gate. Its larger and stronger as compared to this one. It is certain you would not survive without the help of the pawns."

"And I'm sure these men won't listen if I suggest them to ignore this guy and go past those lines. That means we must defeat this golem first. So how am I supposed to do that?"

"I'm afraid I cannot process what you are asking. Please be specific with your question."

"Just continue with your lectures or something," I said after striking down the pawn.

"I can discuss three specific categories for you namely: Points, Skills and Items. Which would you like to hear?"

[ Health 54% ]

"Any of them!" I told her as I failed to dodge an attack. Another enemy came to intercept me. I furiously slashed the attacker before saying, "Just do the first one! Points."

"Points are gained by defeating enemy pawns, neutral monsters and Ethereals aligned in the enemy team. Normally, you would gain points on every enemy that is defeated in your vicinity, however, points are doubled to those who lands the killing blow."

[ +5 pts ]

I noticed a small text that appeared on my vision as the soldier before me disintegrated. He was stabbed by an ally pawn from behind.

"And what are these points for?" I asked as I moved to kill the other one.

[ +10 pts ]

"Points are generally used to obtain Skills and Items. Would you like me to proceed to the next topic?"

"Just keep talking." I went to attack another soldier.

The points the butterfly said sounded important and doing the final blow on enemies would enable me to gain more of them. As a simple strategy I can let my allies deal enough damage on every enemy as I wait for the right time to kill them myself. Good idea, eh?

They won't complain anyway."

Skills are potential abilities your avatar have. They are classified into different categories such as combat, passive, movement, support, and utility. Which category would you like me to explain?"

"I can sort of presume their functions, I would like to experience them firsthand rather than listen to their descriptions."

"Affrimative, I will unlock the primary skill for you."

[ -150 pts ]

[ Skill: EMPHASIS unlocked ]

"Weird name," I commented as I glanced on the text that appeared on my vision. "So what is this for?" I attacked another enemy.

I noticed a small circle appeared above the wrist where I held my sword and as I swung my weapon, the blade flashed as if it was made of light.

[ +10 pts ]

In a single slash, the pawn evaporated instantly before my eyes.

"I see, you should have told me this earlier." I checked the blade of my sword wondering how it shone briefly when I took down the enemy. The small icon floating on my wrist was now tinted in grey.

"Most skills require activation and once activated, they cannot be used again for a short moment to cooldown," the butterfly explained.

I tried repeating the action to another enemy but as the butterfly said, nothing similar happened. My sword simply banged on my target's helm.

Even if I put all of my strength on that swing it was never enough to take the pawn down in a single strike. This skill really is something. I better make use the most of it.

The last enemy soldier disintegrated before the icon finally lit up.

Time to test this against the golem. I brandished my sword and joined the remaining soldiers of my team while they ran towards the moving monument.

I rushed and charged from behind, as I tighten my grip and raised the sword up, I activated the skill.

Clang!

[ Health 51% ]

My sword reverberated as it bounced off from the golem's hard skin. I felt a sharp pain on my arm as I held it back.

"Skill activation is not as easy as you think it is," the voice on my head commented, "Combat skills for example, require proper form, gesture, direction and will to precisely activate."

While she was explaining, I checked the icon on my wrist: It was not yet tinted in gray. I really failed to activate the skill.

As I moved to evade the golem's arm, I prepared to try it again.

Form. Gesture. Direction. Will. I repeated the words on my mind as I moved.

The moment the blade flashed it easily sliced through the golem's fist. Cracks appeared on its stone flesh. Pieces of rocks fell off from its broken hand.

The golem slightly staggered but it did not completely stopped from attacking. I was too slow to react as the golem heaved and swung its other arm. The full blown direct hit shove me off from the boundary line.

[ Health 18% ]

I rolled on the ground bruised but I grinned. I felt pain but that feeling was overwhelmed by something else.

My sword sliced through the golem. In just a single slash I was able to cut through it.

I died twice before. If only I listened to the voice earlier, if only I learned of these things firsthand, I should have finished all of this now. But anyways, now I know what I need: gather points.

Kill enemy pawns and gather points.

With enough points I'll be able to gain skills. With skills I can easily defeat the pawns, I can even destroy the golem. I'm going to win this battle.

"Is there anything wrong, Ethereal?" The voice asked as I lied still on the ground. The butterfly gently landing on my knee as I sat.

"Nah, I just think I'm getting the hang of this," I told her then I stood back up.