“Welcome, folks, to WRN's live presentation of the Summit of Heroes!”

  There stood Tyler, Earth’s local longtime WRN anchor, in a fluffy parka. Right beside him was his co-anchor Becca in a matching parka. Both were beaming at the camera.

  “Over the next few days, all of Earth's mightiest fighters will gather to work out the battle plan for the coming ‘first wave’ – or, as it’s known in the broader Galaxy — 'the Beginning of the End.’ I know. Bleak name,” said Tyler. He nodded confidently. “But not to worry, folks! Our heroes are up to the task.”

  “Mhm! Since they left for the broader Galaxy nearly eight years ago, Earth’s top Rankers have just torn through the Great Factions,” said Becca.

  “Now that their home’s in danger, nearly every one of them has answered the call. There’s just something special about our dinky little planet, I guess,” said Tyler proudly.

  “It's shaping up to be a homecoming for the ages.” Becca was a little flushed, breathless.

  “See that tower behind us?” Tyler gestured. “That's the Spire. Reina herself had it custom built just for this Summit.”

  It was a gorgeous monolith of steel and ice that made tasteful use of its natural surroundings; it blended well into the glaciers and the sky, something halfway between man and nature.

  Defiant mottos were scrawled over its surface in all kinds of Earth languages. The new Earth flag flew on a flagpole alongside emblems of the Nine Great Factions.

  “It'll be a who's who, alright. Big names on big names,” said Tyler. “We’ve got twelve of the top-100 Rising Dragons coming today—including all of that elite group, Earth’s Top-7. There's Rising Stars too, like hotshot sniper Pierre Manon, or the Thunderspear Henry Colt. And let’s not forget the hostess and her man too… I’m getting shivers just thinking about it!”

  “Reina and Zane are set to arrive in just a few hours…”

  “Longtime viewers will know Becca and I’ve got a soft spot for the big guy, ever since we commentated his first fight way back at VGI. Then we saw him plow through world-spanning missions, hunting down S-rank dungeon after S-rank dungeon — and after that, his run through the Superdungeon,” he said.

  “We all know what Zane can do,” said Becca, nodding. “But this’ll be his biggest test yet! Reina’s just about to give us reports on just what kind of threat Earth will face — and, just knowing Zane, he’ll want to take the bulk of it.”

  “Don’t know about you, folks,” said Tyler. “But after seeing that Ragnos run, I’m feeling pretty good about it!”

  Just then, a round of cheers filtered over, followed by a foghorn. Then another.

  “That’s the crowd you’re hearing,” laughed Tyler. “It's meant to be a summit of elites — not open to the public, but — hey, Ben — can we turn the camera around?”

  The scene shifted to show a fleet of ships floating offshore, each with tens of thousands of folks on deck, cheering and waving.

  Just ahead of them, onshore, there was a herd of reporters hefting up cameras and notepads.

  “Those reporters come from Factions all across the planet,” said Becca. “Just think—nearly every man, woman, and child on Earth will be watching…”

  “Everyone you know,” said Tyler. “It’s moments like these that make you think just how much’s changed. I used to work retail, ages ago, before all this went down. A few days ago I needed a breastplate repaired and just happened to stumble into my old boss. He was the local smith! He’s really mellowed out. Charles Mack, if you’re out there—”

  “Tyler,” said Becca.

  “Right, right—” He coughed. “There are reporters from outer space too, aren’t there?”

  “Mhm! Earth might’ve been a fringe, unknown planet just a few years ago,” said Becca brightly. “Not anymore.”

  “We’ve gained a hell of reputation, haven’t we? Our powerhouses’ve really put us on the map.”

  Becca nodded; she turned to the camera, all serious. It was time to get the message across. “But it’s important to remember that this war won’t just be fought by the very best of us! Every able-bodied man and woman has a duty to chip in and defend their home. So far, 80% of Earth’s fighters, Core and above, have signed up to man the defense. We really are all in this together.”

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  “Most of the heaviest fighting will go on out there, that’s true,” said Tyler. “That’s where we expect Zane and crew to hold the line. But once that first wave hits, Safe Zones will start breaking down all over the planet. Dungeons’ll open like crazy. It’ll take every last one of us if we want to defend our home. And folks, if we can do that, these Monsters are good as done!”

  Then a shimmer circled the air, just in front of the Spire. A portal opening.

  “Looks like things are getting underway…”

  ***

  The first few World Rankers to arrive were met by a chatter of camera flashes.

  Out stepped a fluffy-haired teen with wire-frame glasses and a storm-cloud cloak.

  “There he is—one of Earth’s brightest rising stars, Dean Jackson!” said Tyler.

  Cheers floated over from the ships.

  “He’s a brand-new Chosen at Mount Thunderclast,” said Becca. “Congrats, Dean!”

  Dean gave the reporters a little wave before heading on.

  More quickly poured through. A pale, gaunt teen holding a bone staff with skeletons trailing along. He winced a little at the cameras; he seemed a bit stunned by all the lights. Security in suits and sunglasses escorted him through.

  “And there’s Ben Lane,” said Tyler. “World Rank #71, the best new talent out of the British Isles—and the finest necromancy talent the Guild of Endless Shadows has seen in ages, so they say. He might not look like much, but don’t let that fool you—he’s the real deal.”

  “He likes to spend time around the dead much more than the living—I think he’s just really shy,” said Becca.

  Next came a lightning mage—World Rank #66, Vivian Lin. She grinned as she strutted in, wearing a sparkling, strapless dress—the latest fashion.

  “Miss Lin was a fashion empire heiress before the Change,” said Tyler. “She’s since worked her way to be one of the finest mages of Earth’s next generation. It’s a bold choice. But then again, it’s a big deal, this summit—why not make an impression!”

  The next arrival came with a big wave of applause. The cheers were the loudest yet.

  “There’s Henry Colt! A real fan favorite,” said Tyler. “He’s been on a tear up there in Mount Thunderclast, hasn’t he?”

  “His story’s just great,” said Becca.

  “It’s one of my favorites too,” said Tyler. “All those years ago, up in the Cascades—there was a Meteor B-ranked dungeon—just a hell of a dungeon. No one could clear it. It took down half the top Rankers in the area before Zane stepped in and took care of business. Of course—most of our viewers will know it as the place Zane and Vanessa Volkova had their first encounter. But less known is that back then, Henry was just a teen defending his tribe when his hero happened to pass by… the rest, as they say, is history.”

  “That never-back-down, relentless style of his—he says it was directly inspired by Zane!” said Becca. “It's just incredible to see—it feels like half the young warriors today say the same thing. Something about how Zane fights just seems to get folks all pumped up.”

  ***

  More and more trickled in. So far it was mostly the generation just after Zane’s—Earth’s new talents.

  By the hour mark, the true heavy hitters were starting to make their appearances. The folks that would helm Earth’s defense.

  “There’s Emeka Eze!”

  The gasp came from all over the ships as he stepped smoothly through the portal.

  His aura was almost totally controlled, but reality still strained ever so slightly in his presence.

  He looked around, vaguely curious; his bright purple eyes were unreadable.

  There wasn’t a cheer this time—just gasps and a hushed atmosphere. There was a man they only ever saw in scrying glasses and posters.

  “Eze’s already a legend—not just on Earth,” said Tyler. “He’s shot up all the way to the Top 15 in the Rising Dragon Ranking—and he’s got a reputation as the deadliest duelist in the Deep Earth Hall! His Touch of Death… It’s been 8 years; he’s racked up nearly 1,000 duels—and he’s still undefeated. The only man to take that shot head-on and stand back up… is still Zane.”

  “If not for Zane, he’d unquestionably be the greatest talent this Integration,” said Becca, nodding. “They’re saying he’s on track to be the next Deep Earth Patriarch if this keeps up!”

  He wore subtle gemstone armor with an obsidian cloak—he cut a striking figure. He made his way to the Spire with measured, unhurried steps.

  “Sources say he’ll break through to Minor God just after the summit—like a lot of Earth’s finest are planning to do,” said Tyler. “Earth’s rooting for you, Lord Eze.”

  Next through the portal was D'Angelo Hall, and he got nearly as big a reaction.

  He was dressed in sunglasses and a spiffy suit. He moved with power and grace in equal measure. Lightning crackled around his cuffs. A chain around his neck held a single crystal-clear gemstone.

  “That’s the Blitz Orb—a Primordial-grade treasure!” said Tyler, a bit awed. “He won it after he made #1 Chosen at Mount Thundercrest…he rocketed up the ranks there. He’s now peak Ascendant, on the verge of breaking through…When he wrecks monsters—even strong Minor Gods—it’s like a hot knife through butter. Folks are just shocked at how effortless he makes it look.”

  Eze took note of him. For a moment, they seemed to take the measure of each other—the onlookers held their breaths.

  Then Eze said something, and Hall smiled.

  “Likewise,” he seemed to say.

  They shook hands firmly.

  Seconds later, the portal flared again.

  And this time, boos showered down from the viewing ships.

  Out strode Jason Walker, wearing a lazy grin. He wore red-black fatigues and his scythe dangled over a shoulder, dripping fresh blood, as it always did. He gave the crowd a mocking wave.

  He said something to Eze, who ignored him. D’Angelo shot him a look. Jason held up his hands, still grinning.

  “I think he just said ‘I’ll behave,’” said Tyler. “That’s my lip-reading, anyway. Hey Ben—can we get a mic up there,

  or...?” Jason held out a hand to Eze. Eze ignored him, turned, and left.

  “That’s no surprise,” said Becca. “Eze, more than nearly any top Ranker, really cares about character. And Jason’s got none.”

  “Can’t say Jason’s reputation has gotten any better these past few years—on Earth or abroad,” said Tyler. “He is much more feared, though. The Nameless King’s taken him as his personal disciple.”

  “I don’t think anyone believes he’s in it to save Earth,” said Becca, frowning. “But he does slaughter more than anything else…he’s in it for that, at least.”

  Vanessa Volkova stepped out next.