Marcus and Kyrie landed on what once was considered the battlefield of Galados. They dismissed their mounts. To Marcus it seemed that the demon threat had been dealt with at Galados. Some of the adventurers and guards seemed to be tracking demons who had fled while the others were simply helping transport the dead and injured guards from the battlefield to requisite locations.

There seemed to be many guards that had died while a whole lot were injured. The adventurers who had died had resurrected. The demons did not leave bodies, only a form of ashy residue.

Marcus and Kyrie walked up to Nadia who seemed to be coordinating everything with a non-adventurer who Marcus assumed to be the captain of the guard. When Nadia saw Marcus and Kyrie approach, she stopped talking and rushed at Marcus immediately.

Nadia tackled Marcus said, “You gorking did it you gorking beast of a man. You gorked Harados into oblivion. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

Marcus grinned as he said, “What happened here?”

“Demon lord and a demonic army. However, they were easily dispatched once the gorking hellhounds disappeared. I believe that was your doing.”

Marcus nodded as he looked around. Hearing the cries of the wounded made him grit his teeth and purse his lips. The damage had been bad.

“Hey”, said Nadia snapping her claws in front of Marcus’ face, “You did gorking well. The scenario would have been much worse if you had not managed to kill Harados.”

“It is still not over, is it?”

“No, it isn’t. Galados isn’t the only town to get hit. All the villages, towns and city of Artorios are under attack right now. We were lucky to repel our attack fast. Other than us, only Frodos and Chardos have managed to repel their attacks. The adventurers there have split up to go help nearby villages.”

“That is a good idea.”

“It is”, said Nassir. Marcus did not realize that he had joined them. Nassir continued, “Good job, Marcus. Nadia, some of the other adventurers' plan to help the villages too. What should we do?”

Nadia said, “Let them. I have a different plan for our team.”

Nadia turned to the non-adventurer and said, “I think you would be good wouldn’t you, Ethos?”

Ethos replied, “Some of the adventurers have joined the guards to take care of the demons that ran away. I am sure they would do well and not make any rash decisions. Moreover, the remaining have decided to go help the nearby villages. That is good too. We, the guards who remain, are perfectly capable of holding on for quite some time if there is another attack but I am not concerned about another demon attack. We should be okay, Nadia. You take care of this invasion as fast as possible.”

Ethos walked away from them as Kinnear and Charinge approached. There was another round of greetings and congratulations for Marcus and a new level of appreciation for Kyrie when everyone realized that she had survived the mass of hellhounds and had killed a lot of them.

Marcus said, “What’s your plan, Nadia?”

Nadia said, “The core of the attack is at the city, Treedos. From what information I could discern, it seems that the city is being attacked by five demon lords. I have already coordinated with some of the other team leaders. Once they are free from protecting their towns, they would split the adventurers into two groups. Some would go to help the nearby villages while the rest would teleport to Treedos. If Treedos falls, it would be very bad for Artorios.”

Kyrie said, “Makes sense. So, only six of us are going or any other adventurers are joining us?”

Nadia said, “I rolled the plan with other adventurers here and none seemed to be keen on joining. They mostly want to help the villages or hunt the remaining demons. They want to finish things here before moving to Treedos.”

Nassir said, “Makes sense. Not all are accustomed to war.”

“You speak as if you are”, said Charinge.

Nadia and Nassir shared a look and Kinnear said, “No shit. We need details. If you are comfortable that is.”

“We are not comfortable”, said Nadia before Nassir could say anything.

Everyone let the matter drop.

Kinnear then said, “Are we portaling to Treedos?”

“The portal to Treedos is down”, said Nassir, “I asked around. Majority of the portals are down. The portal managers are helping with the defence of their respective towns and the city. Only portals at Frodos, Chardos and here, Galados are active. We can only go to these two other towns.”

“Which is nearer to Treedos?” asked Charinge.

“Chardos, but it is still a couple of hours by MQs”, said Nadia.

Marcus looked at Kyrie, “We have flying mounts.”

Nadia glared at him, and he hastily added, “But we will keep pace with you.”

They mounted up and went to the portal at Galados. The portal managers grumbled about letting anyone through, but they knew the urgency of the situation. When they came out of the portal at Chardos, they rushed out of the portal area and mounted up again.

As they raced through the streets of Chardos, Marcus could see the destruction the demons had caused. It seemed that the demons had managed to enter Chardos and cause quite some devastation before they had been defeated.

They exited Chardos in mere minutes. Marcus had observed Kyrie looking at the arena with a look of longing and he had simply shaken his head. They would really need to go somewhere where adventurer versus adventurer was active after this quest.

As Nadia had predicted, it took them almost two hours to reach Treedos and yet they were quite far from it. The demon army besieging it was at least a kilometer long as per Marcus’ estimation. The six of them hid in the woods at some distance from Treedos. They could see the city and fighting taking place but they could not do anything. The six of them would not be able to fight their way through such a large army.

They sat there for some time figuring what to do. Marcus and Kyrie could easily get into the city considering their flying mounts but what about the others. Marcus was sure that Lara and Nalana would seat two if coaxed but would they seat three? Also, would making return trips make sense. Marcus could see archers in the demon army. They would shoot them if they tried to fly over the demon army twice. Once would be lucky as they would have the element of surprise.

Kyrie suggested flying high over the range of the archers. Marcus thought that could work. Before they could decide in detail on what to do, a bush rustled near them. All of them were in a fighting stance at once, their weapons ready and waiting for whatever was coming their way.

A voice said, “Hello there.”

Marcus turned to see a gnome standing behind him. How had he managed to sneak up on them? Marcus checked his name.

Callous Gallows

Gnome, Level 62

Health 400 / 400

“Hey, I remember you”, said Kyrie, “We fought in the arena at Opulential. How are you?”

Callous looked at Kyrie with a frown and then grinned, “The archer water nymph. I cannot forget you. Very few good, ranged adventurer versus adventurer fighters are there. I am good. Slightly gorked up by the gorking invasion over there. I assume you all are here for that purpose only.”

There was a quick round of introductions and Callous nodded to all of them as they introduced themselves.

Callous said, “Come on then. Follow me. There are a bunch of us over there”, he pointed in a direction, “thinking what we are going to do.”

Marcus and the others followed Callous to a clearing. A group of adventurers was sitting there. Marcus counted about thirty of them.

“Who have you brought Callous?” asked one of the adventurers, an elf.

Nadia seemed to recognize him, “Caramoon, hey. It’s me, Nadia.”

Caramoon frowned and then recognition dawned on his face, “Ah! The Galados group.”

Nadia nodded and looked around, “And I am assuming Frodos and”, she looked for someone, “Ah! There he is. Guron, the Chardos group.”

Guron stepped forwards and stood beside Caramoon now. Guron was a dwarf, a heavily armored dwarf.

Guron said, “It is good to see you, Nadia. So, only three towns till now are free.”

Nadia shrugged and checked her notifications, “The others still seem to be fighting. They have not notified anything in the line of that they have been successful.”

“Not all have the experience of fighting demon lords and an army”, said Guron sagely.

“Come”, said Caramoon, “We need to discuss how to help Treedos.”

They sent Callous back to scout for other adventurers who could be arriving. They had also sent other scouts to look for adventurers who would be arriving from different directions. Marcus appreciated the foresight of Caramoon and Guron.

The adventurers gathered and started their conversation about what to do. There were many suggestions thrown around and every suggestion was properly analyzed considering its pros and cons. Marcus was feeling bored. Everyone was simply talking rather than acting. He saw that some of the adventurers were not even participating in the conversation, and he was surprised to find Kyrie was one of them. She was standing a few feet away from the group, talking to some other adventurer. Marcus then considered why he was surprised. For that matter what was he still doing here in the conversation he had no interest in taking part.

Marcus slowly and strategically made his way out of the discussing adventurers and made his way towards Kyrie. The other adventurer shook his head and walked away when Marcus approached.

“What was that about?” asked Marcus.

Kyrie looked at the back of the retreating adventurer for some time and then said, “Tell me Marcus, did you exchange contact information with the champions or any of their party members?”

“I have Selena linked with me for contact.”

“I did not ask anyone. I did not think at that time. The adventurer, I forgot his name, was asking why the champions are not here if the whole of Artorios is being attacked.”

“A fair question. Do you want me to contact Selena?”

“They are in Urtor are they not? The undead kingdom.”

“Yes. Let me message her.”

Marcus sent a ‘Hi’ to Selena. He did not know when he would get a reply and so he waited with Kyrie. They looked at the adventurers still discussing what they were going to do.

“This is a waste of time”, said Kyrie after some time.

“Do you wish to rush into the demon army?” asked Marcus incredulously.

Before Kyrie could reply, Marcus got a notification that Selena had messaged her. Marcus was busy the next few minutes explaining to Selena as to what was happening at the landmass Artorios and specifically Treedos. Selena replied for some time and then she went dark. It was about fifteen minutes later that she replied that help was on the way. Marcus did not know what that meant. Were the champions sending someone or was their entire team coming?

Marcus stood up and went to the discussing adventurers. He relayed what Selena had conveyed to the team leaders present. Marcus could see that they were happy and confused at the same time. They were happy that help was on the way but confused as to what the help would be.

They discussed some more and decided on a strategy to attack the demons.

“Finally”, muttered Kyrie to Marcus, “At least they decided on something.”

The adventurers who were sent scouting for other adventurers were recalled. Marcus counted now. There was a total of forty-three adventurers present now. When all were gathered, Guron explained what they were going to do. It sounded a lot like guerilla warfare.

The adventurers made their way to the edge of the forest. The army was still about five hundred meters away from them. Fast runners were selected from the group. They went. Marcus saw that Kyrie was also part of the group of fast runners.

Marcus saw the adventurers attack the rear of the demon army. That immediately drew the army’s attention. With a roar a large group of demons charged the adventurers. Even from a distance Marcus could see at least one elite demon.

The adventurers started to retreat and run towards where the rest of their group was standing. Marcus did not count how many demons were following but readied himself.

As the running adventurers rushed past the waiting group, the remaining adventurers charged. The front row was made up of tanks who roared their challenge at the incoming demons. The second row was formed of melee fighters who could dish out some damage and the final row was of ranged fighters.

As the tanks charged into the demons, the ranged adventurers shot their attacks at the incoming demons. The runners arranged themselves quickly in their positions. Most of them were ranged attackers while only a few were melee damagers.

Marcus was part of the second row of melee damagers. When the tanks charged into the demons, he cast [Enchant Weapon: Holy]. As soon as he saw the demons well engaged with the tank adventurers, he charged with the other melee damagers.

They made short work of the demons. There were three elite demons, but they also died. Forty-three adventurers versus about a hundred demons and three elite demons and the adventurers were victorious. There were no casualties, and the wounds were healed fast.

Then the forty-three adventurers went back into the forest. They hit the demon army from another part and this time managed to kill about two hundred demons and ten elite demons. They almost lost one of their adventurers. That was when Marcus realized that he and Kyrie had forgotten to set up their respawn point in Chardos and if he died, he would respawn at Galados. He swore but there was nothing he could do at the moment.

They hit the demon army two more times before they took a rest. It had been about three hours and they had done quite the damage. Marcus could see that they had earned the interest of one of the demon lords who was now gathering a part of the army and pointing towards the forest. Did that mean that a demon lord was going to attack them soon. They moved away from their current location, hoping to delay the demon lord and if they had to fight him, they would fight him in the cover of the forest where they had the advantage.

Marcus saw that the demon lord and his army entered the forest from where they all had been about a few minutes ago. Then he saw that they exited and started trailing along the edge of the forest. They seemed to be gaining fast.

Marcus did not feel like fighting another demon lord, but he then remembered that he was not alone this time. As the demons approached, the adventurers started to hide, waiting for the demons to come to them rather than charge them. Marcus saw who the demon lord following them was.

Ann the Deathless

Demon Lord, Level 100

Health 150,000 / 150,000

Marcus felt that the title was a bit too much. Deathless; really? She had a health bar. Marcus was pretty sure that Ann was not in fact deathless, and a healthy dose of holy attack would kill her. Well, wasn’t he feeling a bit overconfident after soloing a demon lord.

They waited for the demon army now. When the army was considerably in and had not sensed the adventurers, the adventurers attacked. Marcus again cast [Enchant Weapon: Holy] and then cast [Whirling Weapon] shredding a group of demons near him.

Ann shrieked and charged at one of the shielded adventurers who managed to block her attack in time. Some focused on demons while a group of ten adventurers focused on Ann. Marcus saw Kyrie attack Ann while he dispatched more of the demons.

Marcus focused on the demons. He did not know how the battle with the demon lord was going but considering Ann’s screams of fury, or at least Marcus considered them screams of fury, it seemed to be going well for the adventurers.

They killed Ann soon and the remaining demons ran away panicked. Marcus gave a shout of joy but did not pursue the demons that were running away. He sat down. He was feeling a bit tired.

At that moment they heard a rumble and looked towards Treedos. A large part of the wall and the entire gate had completely crumbled. Treedos was now exposed. Demons started to pour into the city and slaughtered everyone on sight. Marcus looked at the others present and saw the shock on their faces.

Out of the forty-three adventurers, thirty-five of them remained. Eight had died fighting Ann and her small army of demons. Shock soon gave way to determination, and they all looked at each other. All at once they were of the same opinion as to what to do.

They replenished their health and mana with potions and Marcus also drank some water. Then they stood up and got in formation. Then all thirty five of them charged at the army from behind.

However, instead of the army they came head to head with three demon lords.

Guzuril the Bullheaded

Demon Lord, Level 100

Health 102,000 / 102,000

Akenwsu the Trickster

Demon Lord, Level 100

Health 92,500 / 92,500

Morri the Battlequeen

Demon Lord, Level 100

Health 100,000 / 100,000

“Oh Fuck!”, exclaimed Marcus as they stopped.

The adventurers and demon lords looked at each other for some time. Marcus was not sure whether their group of thirty five would be able to take care of three demon lords at once.

The demon lords charged into the first row and threw them back with force Marcus had not seen before. Marcus ducked as one of the adventures went flying over him. The next moment the demon lord Akenwsu was in front of him bringing a scimitar over his head.

Marcus dodged it at the last moment and cast [Whirling Weapon]. As his twinblade was not enchanted with holy, it did not do much damage to Akenwsu but it did give Marcus some breathing time. His [Battle Analysis] gave him a sense of what he should do but he was feeling really tired from all the fighting he had been doing since morning, even with what little rest he had taken.

Around him, Marcus could see that the other adventurers were having a tough time dealing with the demon lords. Some of them, including Kyrie, attacked Akenwsu helping Marcus but they were not that effective.

Akenwsu kicked Marcus and down he went. Before he could move or get up he saw the scimitar coming down on him very fast. Marcus closed his eyes. This was it for now. Time to respawn in Galados.

He heard a roar and opened his eyes. The next moment Akenwsu was thrown back and an armored figure stood above Marcus. Marcus had to squint his eyes from the glow of the armor. He knew only one person with such ostentatious armor.

“Well hello there Marcus”, said Tamara the full leveled champion of Una, “It seems that you are in some sort of gorking trouble.”

“So kind of you to notice.”

Marcus took the extended hand Tamara had provided and stood up. Tamara nodded once to Marcus and then charged straight into Akenwsu. Marcus saw Tamara’s team engage the other two demon lords. In the distance, Marcus saw Tanniv and his team attack the demon army attacking Treedos from the rear.

A cheer went up from the city soon and Marcus was sure it was due to how the demon army was getting decimated by Tanniv and his team. Tamara was not far behind. She single handedly drove Akenwsu back and attacked him with such ferocity that the demon lord had hardly any time to do anything but defend himself. Tamara made short work of the demon lord in just a few minutes. Marcus realized that his mouth was hanging open and he closed it.

Tamara’s team of adventurers also finished killing Guzuril and Morri when Marcus realized that he had hardly done anything to help them.

Tamara then shouted, “Come on your gorkers. We help Tanniv now. Today Treedos will not fall. Today Artorios will not fall.”

And she charged into the demon army. Her team followed. The remaining adventurers also gave a battle cry and followed the champions. Marcus had still not moved. He did not know why. He just stood there dumbly till someone put a hand on his shoulder.

Kyrie said, “Are you alright?”

Marcus simply shrugged. He was not sure.

Marcus said, “I am just tired.”

Both Kyrie and Marcus walked towards Treedos as the champions, their team, the other adventurers and the guards took care of the demon army. With the arrival of the champions, everything had changed and Marcus could see with the ease the demons were being dispatched. Many of the demons panicked and escaped. Luckily none came towards Marcus and Kyrie. Kyrie did shoot a few of the escaping demons, killing them.

When they reached the fallen wall of Treedos, they met a friendly face.

“Well hello there adventurers”, said Selena, “Lost your way have you?”

She stood there, her bow in her hand ready to shoot. She had a grin on her face as she saw Marcus and Kyrie approaching but that grin suddenly turned to a look of concern as she saw Marcus’ face.

“What’s wrong?” Selena asked.

Kyrie said, “You got this? You got this. I need to hunt some demons.”

Then Kyrie left Marcus and Selena alone as she went deeper into the city.

“It is good to see you Selena” said Marcus.

Selena waved a hand and said, “I asked what’s wrong?”

“I am tired. So fucking tired.”

Marcus sat down on some rubble. Selena sat down beside him. The two of them simply sat in silence as the demons were killed off in Treedos. Pretty soon the news of victory reached Marcus’ ears. He took a deep breath as if he had been holding something in and he had just let something out. He lay his head on Selena’s lap which surprised her but she let him. They had won. They will deal with the aftermath tomorrow. But now, he just wanted to sleep.