The army of Blue Oaks only made it barely a hundred feet before the fighting began. Elves were hiding inside buildings or behind them shooting surprise attacks from their covered positions.

Mathew had to stop and take in the sudden surprise attack. He couldn’t believe they would want to still fight after seeing them decimate their wall. If he was on the other side, he would honestly try any tactic other than fighting.

“Unless they somehow are under the assumption we can’t do it again, which is something I might have realized as well.”

The Elves had an advantage of knowledge. Their clan was older than any modern civilization on Earth ever had. So, Mathew could believe that possibility.

The few fights he did see were only between a dozen or so individuals. He was about to start helping them when Henderson grabbed him by the shoulder. “We need to keep going in. This is just a distraction. Even you can’t be stupid enough to not see that.”

“I know, but the more bodies we have later on, the easier the harder fights will be.” Mathew countered.

“Time is also important. The sooner we get that Hearth Crystal, the sooner the Guardians can come and help.”

Mathew nodded, “Right, let’s go.”

Their numbers were increasingly thinned as they continued toward the inner wall. Small groups of Blue Oak’s people broke off to fight random elves. A few humans were fighting as well, but Mathew assumed they were like Keith. All being forced to act at the whim of the elves' influence.

Only a few times did Mathew need to directly fight. Agnox or his Wisps mostly took out anyone that was close enough to be a threat. Cherry stuck close to him. Her [Control Plants] ability had some use. Roots of nearby trees would trip those who were running or stop them in their tracks if she could get a good grip on their ankles.

All in all, things were going mostly well. It wasn’t long before only a small team of twenty was left and made it to the metal wall. Mathew looked up at it, “We just jump it. No point in trying to break it down.”

It was far shorter than the wooden wall, and Mathew doubted this was made with any defenses. Everyone nodded at his suggestion and those who could easily jump the ten-foot tall wall did so—others who couldn’t either climb or were helped over.

Mathew waited until most of everyone was over before he was about to jump. He paused and looked down at Cherry. “Come on, grab on to me so we can both get over it.”

He knew she couldn’t jump that high, let alone stick the landing. Cherry hesitantly did so. Mathew squatted down and lept high into the air, using his Axiom of Bolster to power him enough to clear it with no problems.

When he landed he could see what was a small community of people scared. Dozens of weapons were pointed in their direction, but nobody fired. Fear was easily seen on all of their faces.

One woman shouted out to them, “Just leave us alone! We never wanted this damn war. Take whatever you want, but please let us live. The Elves brought enough problems that we don't want to be enemies of other actual people.”

Mathew looked over at her. She was holding a crossbow and had it aimed toward him and the others in his group.

Henderson elbowed Mathew, “Get to talking Mat. I think she is being honest and this isn’t a trap.” she whispered.

“We are not here for you. Well, not in any sinister sense. Have you been under the elves' thumb this entire time?” Mathew asked.

“Ever since the first phase ended. That portal opened up and elves came at us. Keith said he took care of it. Struck up a deal of some sort. That lie became apparent when they wanted to invade you guys. Forced us to do his bidding with that damn voice power of his.”

“How do you know who we are exactly?”

The woman scoffed, “Keith takes a bunch of people and some elves to attack another zone, a week later he isn’t back and another group is attacking us. If you aren't in the other zone retaliating then we have shit luck.”

“Good news for you, your luck isn’t that bad. We are from Blue Oaks. We are here to get rid of the elves, claim the Hearth Crystal, and apparently save you all.”

The Latina woman dropped her weapon, “I don’t care if you are lying, so long as you don’t side with those people. Please tell me you are actually going to get rid of the Elves.”

“We are,” Mathew said with a nod. “Even if they are an Apprentice rank Dungeon we have several people who are all Apprentice rank, including myself. I finished 3rd place in the World Dungeon…alone.”

Everyone else started to lower their weapons. A moment later a joyous emotion spread quickly. “We are saved!”

Mathew walked up to the woman and stuck his hand out for a handshake, “I’m Mathew. Are you in charge here right now?”

“Maria. And sort of. Anyone who had official leadership status is not here. There are maybe a hundred or so of us hiding around here. We are the only ones who were willing to try and make a stand if the elves came in on us.”

Maria shook her head, “Three days ago, the Elves came in saying Keith betrayed them and broke some sort of deal. They were looking for ‘loyalists’, people who were willing to fight with them. Anyone who didn’t was told we would be dealt with later.”

“Keith is under our control and imprisoned. Why don’t we talk somewhere quiet? You can fill me in on as much information as you can. Meanwhile, we have several medical experts who can take care of your injured.” Mathew looked around the somewhat fortified area. “This would make a great base for us while we push forward to the dungeon.”

“We can go to where we keep the Hearth Crystal. Keith had a private area there.”

Maria led Mathew into what used to be a strip mall. In one of the random stores, the Hearth Crystal was floating in the middle of it. “Go, take it. The sooner someone who can help us is in charge, the sooner I can get some sleep.”

Mathew didn’t waste a moment and claimed the Hearth Crystal. It would be a ten-minute timer before he had full control. This prevented anyone from just sneaking into zones and taking the crystal without a challenge. Anyone who wanted to try to defend it, could.

Maria pointed to the offices next door, “In here.”

Mathew sat down in a leather chair while Maria sat on the other side of a desk. She put the crossbow down on the table and fell into the chair. “I don’t know how much I can help you. I’m not a fighter. I’m only level 23 with a pretty lame class. Nothing like Keith or you probably have. That woman with the sword looked really strong too.”

“I assure you, any details will help. Why don’t we start with the beginning? You said the elves instantly came to this city once the Dungeons opened up?”

Maria nodded, “Yes. It was barely a month since this whole shit show started, which I’m sure you recall. We had found three Dungeons near us. One was a Novice Dungeon filled with something called Urban Mites. They were dog-sized bugs. Can’t see, but damn can they hear well. The other two Dungeons were Beginner tier. One we never had the chance to enter but was labeled as a Sand Dungeon. The other we did get to go into and it was filled with giant birds.”

“One Dungeon we had no clue existed was the Elven one. Its entrance was about five miles away from us but was in the middle of the forest. The other three were closer and easier to find.”

Mathew continued to listen, letting her tell it at her speed. “Two days after the Dungeons opened up a giant army of Elves marched upon us. We were scared. Hundreds fled away, and most never came back. Keith took it upon himself to lead us. Several political and first responder types were quick to keep people safe once the world started to end. I’m just a college chick. My parents paid my way through and I didn’t have a single job. I tried to phone my parents, but they never answered….I still don’t know if they are alive.”

Mathew leaned forward, “We can try to find them Maria. But we need to handle this current problem. What did Keith do with the Elves when they marched upon you all?”

Maria shook her head, “Right. Sorry. Keith was taken away. We all assumed he was dead. A few people started to build up defenses to fight when they came back for us. Keith wasn’t heavily liked, but he was the person who owned the Hearth Crystal. He was gone for only a day.”

“When he came back, he told us he was able to make a deal with the Elves. In exchange for us helping them, they would help us. It only took a week before the Elves took over the other three Dungeons.” Maria waved an arm, “They did it like it was nothing. Like a normal Tuesday for them.”

Mathew had a hunch something like that was going to happen. It just meant the Dungeon would be that much more difficult.

“What can you tell me about the Elves and their Dungeon? Have you been to it?”

Maria nodded, ‘A few times actually.” He pointed at the crossbow, “They offered training to anyone who wanted to learn how to use ranged weapons. Primarily bow and arrow, but crossbows were also welcomed.”

“Their Dungeon is actually beautiful. Everything is built upon these tree branches. You feel like you are thousands of feet up into the air when you walk along them. However, it’s a maze. I always needed a guide to take me when I visited.”

“It was all fine for a few months. Keith said they would help defend us when most people were going into the World Dungeon, and they did. Long story short, that all changed recently when Keith sent a small team to another Dungeon that was found.”

“We were told it was a wild Dungeon. The Elves would have just taken it, but Keith wanted it for himself. Something to help humans, not the elves.” Maria winced a bit, “After that, the Elves stopped being friendly and nice. Their true colors became apparent.”

“What do you mean by that?” Mathew asked.

“Their leader came to speak to us directly,” Maria said, staring into Mathew’s eyes. “And he isn’t someone you can beat. He has this aura, this power that makes you unable to look at him. I doubt even that number one human on the leaderboards can handle him.”

“Maria, tell me all that you can about when you met him,” Mathew asked. “Every detail. Anything you think could be useless. From the way he talked to others to the way he carried himself. What he wore, what he looked like, what did that aura of power feel like?”

Maria shivered, “It was just two days after Keith sent his niece to that Dungeon. About thirty elves came and rounded us all up. Forced us into the city square and told us to not leave. Everyone was afraid. Nobody knew where Keith was. An hour went by, almost two before this pressure appeared around us.”

“Those who were avoiding leveling up fell to the ground unconscious immediately. It wasn’t until he was directly in our presence that others fell down as well. I swear I saw a few elves with fear on their faces. I could barely look in his direction. I knew that if he wanted to, he could force me to look away without even saying a word.”

“The pressure was like I was holding up the sky. Have you heard of that Greek myth? Of a man who held up the sky as punishment for defying Zeus? That’s what it felt like. Every other elf was beautiful looking and sounding. They could read the dictionary and win every award for music and performance on Earth. He wasn’t like them.”

“He said his name was Lord Luvenar. He simply stated that Keith went against his orders, and was being punished for it. He warned us to never break one of his decrees ever again. If we did…we would die.”