"Perseverance through hardship is the crucible in which true strength is forged. The road may be long and fraught with challenges, but it is these very trials that make the reward all the more meaningful. When all is said and done, the fruits of your labor will taste far sweeter than any easy victory, for it is in overcoming adversity that true achievement is born." – Excerpt from "Book of Elara"

  As the timer expired, Maverick and Emily sat on a bench overlooking a busy canal, its waters reflecting the soft glow of enchanted lanterns that lined the narrow streets. Gondolas drifted lazily by, filled with visitors and NPCs, all moving through the bustling city as if nothing world-shaking was about to happen. But for Maverick and Emily, there was a tension in the air, an undeniable sense of something about to unfold.

  Suddenly, their surroundings dimmed. The usual noise of the city faded into the background as a golden screen materialized before their eyes. Elegant, swirling patterns decorated the edges, and the center displayed an ornate crest—a symbol of power and legend known throughout *The Veil Online*. It was the insignia of the guild’s first master, a figure long thought to be lost to time and myth. Maverick's heart raced as he realized what was coming.

  The air around them seemed to hum with ancient magic, and from the center of the golden screen, a figure slowly emerged. The image of an old wizard, cloaked in dark, regal robes, materialized before them. His beard was long and white, flowing like a river of mist, and his eyes glowed with the intensity of someone who had seen beyond the veil of reality itself. His staff, crowned with a swirling sphere of blue energy, was etched with runes that pulsed with barely contained power. This was **Archmage Verathorn**, the guild's first and most legendary master, thought lost on an expedition to a pocket world decades ago. His return was nothing short of mythic.

  “Adventurers of The Veil,” Verathorn’s voice echoed, rich and resonant, as if coming from both the screen and the depths of their minds. The digital world around them pulsed with his presence, every pixel bending to his will. “I have returned from the depths of a forgotten realm, where I was once lost. For decades, I wandered the twisted corridors of a pocket world, gathering knowledge, power, and the strength to break free.”

  Maverick and Emily exchanged a quick glance, both sensing the gravity of the moment. This wasn’t just another event. This was history unfolding in real-time.

  “But I did not return to revel in triumph alone,” Verathorn continued, raising his staff. “The barriers between worlds are shattering. Rifts, long dormant, are opening across every major city, and the darkness I have seen threatens to spill into our reality. I call upon you, the bravest of adventurers, to stand with me.”

  The screen shifted, and a world map appeared, glowing with pulsating red dots. Each dot marked a rift in one of the game’s major cities—Venice, Caer Naofa, Solstice Keep, The Iron Hold, and thousands more. The scale of the event was massive, larger than anything either of them had experienced before.

  “You will face challenges unlike any before,” Verathorn said, his voice intensifying. “The rifts hold the power to alter reality itself. Teams of adventurers must enter these rifts, cleanse them of their corruption, and retrieve the fragments of the shattered worlds within. Only by doing this can we prevent the collapse of our realm.”

  The screen flickered, and the golden crest reappeared. “The rifts will open in moments,” Verathorn announced. “You may enter alone or with a chosen partner. This is not a test of individual strength but of unity. Join your friends, your guilds, your allies, and prepare for the battle of a lifetime.”

  Maverick’s heart raced as the enormity of what lay ahead settled in. This was it—the final event, the culmination of years of questing and preparation. But what caught his attention most was the option to explore as a duo. He glanced at Emily, already knowing what she’d say.

  “You ready for this?” Maverick asked with a grin, the excitement buzzing in his veins.

  Emily smirked, adjusting the gleaming armor he’d given her earlier. “I was born ready. Plus, with this new gear, I’m practically invincible, right?” she teased.

  “Right,” Maverick chuckled. “We’re going to need every bit of it.”

  Verathorn’s voice broke through their banter, his tone shifting to something more urgent. “The fate of our world rests in your hands. Go forth, brave adventurers. The rifts await.”

  With that, the screen faded, and the sounds of the bustling canal returned in full force, as if nothing had happened. But now, there was a crackling energy in the air, a tension that wasn’t there before. All around them, players were standing up, preparing for what was to come, the same golden screens hovering before them.

  Maverick stood, stretching out his arms and shaking off the last of his nerves. “Alright, let's find that rift. I say we dive in headfirst.”

  Emily stood next to him, her usual smirk replaced by a look of quiet determination. “You think we’re ready?”

  Maverick grinned, clenching his fist as he checked his gear. His warlock robes rippled in the breeze, the eldritch symbols sewn into the fabric pulsing faintly. “We’ve never been more ready.”

  Together, they made their way through the crowded streets of Venice, the canals now reflecting the red glow of a distant rift that had opened just beyond the city walls. Gondolas carrying other players drifted in the same direction, toward the danger that awaited. The streets buzzed with chatter, everyone sharing strategies, expectations, and rumors of the rewards hidden within the rifts.

  As they neared the rift, the air became charged with magic. The faint hum of the rift’s energy filled their bodies, and the closer they got, the more they felt its pull. Standing at the edge of the shimmering portal, Maverick turned to Emily, excitement lighting up his face. “You know, if we survive this, we should probably figure out what to do after graduation. Maybe something less...world-ending?”

  Emily grinned, tightening the straps of her gauntlets. “Let’s get through this first, then we’ll talk about vacations.”

  And with that, they stepped into the rift, ready to face whatever lay on the other side. Maverick and Emily materialized into the pocket world, their forms shimmering as the world around them slowly came into focus. The sky overhead was a swirling storm of purples and blacks, filled with dark, roiling clouds, and the occasional flash of violent lightning that split the heavens. The air was thick with the scent of ash and burnt earth, giving the world an oppressive, heavy atmosphere.

  They stood within an enormous, circular colosseum, though not the kind of pristine battleground found in ancient tales. This arena was fractured—jagged cracks spiderwebbed across the stone floor beneath their feet, pulsing with an eerie, glowing energy. Massive chunks of the earth floated high above the colosseum, hovering like shattered islands, defying the laws of gravity. Some pieces of the ground levitated near the outer edges of the arena, their sharp, broken surfaces suspended in midair as if held up by the sheer force of the mystical energy permeating the air.

  The colosseum walls loomed tall, carved from dark stone that seemed to absorb the light around it. Giant statues of long-forgotten warriors and beasts lined the perimeter, their expressions frozen in eternal battle. Flickering blue torches were mounted high above, casting ghostly shadows that danced across the cracked arena floor. Every time a bolt of lightning struck one of the floating islands, it sent tremors through the ground, causing small rocks to crumble and fall into the gaping voids beneath.

  The vastness of the place made it feel like the colosseum had no end, with the storm overhead and the ground breaking apart below. The sound of distant drums echoed from nowhere and everywhere at once, an otherworldly rhythm that filled the air with tension.

  Maverick glanced at Emily, hands resting on her hips, eyes scanning the broken battlefield. "Looks like they weren’t kidding about this being the final event," she muttered.

  As the pair finished taking in their surroundings, the sound of footsteps echoed through the arena. Emerging from one of the massive stone archways was a figure draped in long, flowing robes of deep crimson and gold, adorned with intricate designs that shimmered with arcane power. His face was partially obscured by a hood, but his eyes gleamed with an unnatural glow, filled with both wisdom and a challenge yet unspoken. This was the Arena Master—a powerful NPC tasked with overseeing the trials.

  He approached Maverick and Emily, his robes trailing behind him as if carried by an unseen wind. When he finally spoke, his voice boomed across the colosseum, deep and commanding, yet calm.

  "Welcome, challengers, to the Shattered Colosseum—a place where only the strongest survive. You have chosen to step into the heart of this fractured world, to test your might against the forces of chaos and destruction that dwell within, hoping to claim a fragment of this shattered plane.”

  The Arena Master gestured to the glowing fissures beneath the arena, which pulsed in rhythm with the storm above. "The rules are simple," he continued, his voice carrying authority. "You will face wave after wave of enemies—beasts, monsters, and those twisted by the energy of this realm. Every five waves, you will be granted a brief respite. Use this time wisely, for it will be your only chance to recover and strengthen yourselves before the next assault."

  He pointed to a massive stone like scoreboard that suddenly flickered to life above the arena’s walls. The empty spaces where names would soon fill up, were divided into two categories—Solo and Duo. "This scoreboard will track your progress. You are not the only ones competing in this event, and the world will watch to see who rises to the top. There are no second chances. Once you begin, you will either emerge victorious or fall to the power of the colosseum."

  The Arena Master’s gaze sharpened as he looked between Maverick and Emily. "When you are ready to begin, you will step to the pedestal in the center of the arena. Once the trial begins, there is no stopping until you either finish five waves or meet your defeat. Between every set of five waves, you will be able to spend Trial Points on unique items and relics that can aid you in your fight. These points will be earned based on your performance—how you defeat your enemies, how quickly, and how well you work together."

  He raised a hand, and a golden pedestal appeared in the center of the colosseum, glowing with a faint light. "But be warned," he said, his tone darkening. "The longer you fight, the stronger the enemies will become. The waves are not endless, but they will push you to your limits. Choose your tactics wisely, and remember—this is not just a battle of strength, but of endurance."

  Maverick and Emily exchanged a glance, the weight of the challenge settling in. The stakes were high, but so was the reward. Emily adjusted her new armor, the plates gleaming in the ethereal light of the arena. Maverick, his warlock robes shifting ominously with the crackling energy in the air, nodded at the Arena Master.

  "We’re ready," Maverick said, his voice steady with determination.

  The Arena Master stepped back, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Very well. Step to the pedestal when you wish to begin. Once you do, the rift will open, and the trial will commence. There will be no turning back."

  With that, the Arena Master’s form dissipated into the air, leaving Maverick and Emily alone with the storm and the shifting energy of the colosseum. The pedestal in the center of the arena beckoned, a symbol of both opportunity and danger. Around them, the colosseum remained eerily quiet, the only sounds coming from the distant rumble of thunder and the low hum of the glowing fissures.

  Emily rolled her shoulders, taking a deep breath. "Well, looks like it’s time to see how good this new gear really is."

  Maverick chuckled, stepping forward. "You’ll have plenty of chances. Let’s just make sure we survive the first five waves."

  Together, they approached the golden pedestal. The air around it pulsed with magic, and the moment they placed their hands on its surface, a surge of energy shot through the ground, causing the cracks in the arena to glow brighter. The distant drums that had been faint now roared to life, their rhythm echoing through the colosseum as the first portal opened before them.

  From the shimmering portal out poured a dozen wolf like creatures, each howling as they noticed the pair. Their claws tore at the stone as they pounced, no hesitation in their attack. For a split second the pain of the manticores venom filled Emily's mind, but she pushed it away. She could fail Maverick now, he was to excited, to ready for this.

  Emily activated one of her fighter skills, and launched herself high into the air. As she descended she charged power into her fists hoping to blast apart the pack of wolves. Maverick watched as his best friend descended from the sky like an out of control rocket. Her slam and after shocks wiped out nearly all the wolves aside from a trio that hung back, almost as if they were watching.

  Not wanting to feel useless, Maverick cast a low level ranged spell, Void Lance, and fired it towards the trio of watching wolves. The lance shaped projectile speed towards its target, but quickly split into a dozen smaller projectiles ensuring total inanition.

  “That was it? Seriously?” Emily exclaimed as the dust settled, no more enemies left standing.

  “It is only the first wave, we probably went just a little over board…” Maverick replied looking at the scoreboard, seeing if anything had changed. But before he could really examine the stone structure, another portal opened.

  This time instead of wolves a war band of three foot tall goblins exited the portal. In total there was fifteen of the green pests, some welding broken swords, junk bows, and even a few pointy sticks. Seeing the amazing power of the war band, Emily stepped forward, “Just stay behind me, I wouldn’t want you getting any blood on that precious night gown of yours.”

  Emily sprinted forward not using any special skills or abilities, just raw power. She barreled into the war band, sending the weak goblins flying in all directions like a perfect spike. Her fists flying as she punched anything that moved, pulverizing their weak flesh. Within seconds the fight was over, Emily stood atop a pile of broken and beaten goblins.

  This pattern continued for a few hours, clearing thirty five waves, as they maneuvered, used abilities and destroyed anything in their way The duo had faced ever growing numbers and powerful enemies. They had seen werewolves, lesser elementals, cave trolls, plague rats, and so much more.

  As it turned out to their excitement, enemies defeated provided a boosted amount of experience, causing Emily to rise from peak level seven to the middle of level nine. This unexpected outcome made the ever slowly increasing difficulty easier, as Emily unlocked more abilities and assigned new attribute points making her stronger all around.

  Maverick sat on a collapsed pillar, watching as Emily harassed and bargained with the shop keeper. Apparently every five rounds, when their trial points added up, a vender and their shop would pop in allowing them a twenty minute respite to shop and recharge.

  So far the pair hadn’t purchased anything, as Emily had somehow caused the shop keeper to spill some valuable information early on. Apparently as they progressed higher, clearing more waves and earning more points, the average rarity of items available would steadily increase with an almost guaranteed chance of legendary and unique items appearing at wave fifty.

  “Only fifteen more waves to go until the good stuff,” Maverick thought. “Even though there had been some interesting gear and potions, I think this is the right plan.”

  Emily walked over, holding a leather belt with various pockets and leather straps. “So I couldn’t help myself, it goes great with my armor. PLUS! It lets me quickly use potions to keep me up. Please don’t be mad, I know we were suppose to wait, but come on look at it.”

  Maverick laughed, “Its fine Em, if you think you need it then go ahead. But did you get any potions for it?”

  “Ill be right back…” Emily turned and began the haggling once again.

  “EM! Watch out for its ice attack, if it hits you’ll be unable to move for ten seconds.”

  “Got it, I’ll prepare a dodge skill. Can’t freeze what you can see you damn worm”

  Emily dashed at a super sonic like speed, unleashing a plethora of punches at the final massive purple worm. Its flesh normally highly resistant to bludgeoning attacks charred further with every punch that connected. Emily had picked up a unique enchantment for her gauntlets among other items in the shop following their sixty-fifth wave.

  “Now Maverick! Its ugly hide is plenty weakened.”

  “Right! Here we go, Ancient One, who dwells forever in the forbidden realm, I your humble servant offer you this tribute in accordance to our pact. Take the soul of the beast and grant me the necessary power to slay my foes.”

  With he chant completed, Mavericks mana dipped heavily by almost thirty percent. But the effect was oh so worth it. A glowing rune appeared on the worms burnt flesh, its magical defense having been halved as it tried to repair its body. The rune webbed out in all directions, its markings searing the already damaged flesh further, glowing green smoke rising into the sky. Until the once powerful alfa of this worm pack disintegrated into dust, carried away by a crashing bolt of purple lighting.

  Breathing heavily Maverick walked over to Emily who laid on the floor wiped from her contribution. That last opponent had been their third wave boss encountered. It was highly resistant to all magical attacks, negating their effects by almost seventy percent if the damage numbers had added up correctly to Maverick.

  At this rate of growth, Maverick honestly believed they would reach the end of their climb sooner rather than later. The scoreboard had displayed over ninety percent of participants had already been eliminated from the event. He and Emilys rank was somewhere in the low thousands, impressive but not the best. The scoreboard only displayed the names of the top ten in each category, and the top three spots had not changed since the start of the trial. The team of Gustav and Hector ranked in at number one, having been eliminated on wave eighty three.

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  The second place team of Kiriko and Jenna wiping on wave seventy eight, with the third place team of Anahi and Naledi wiping on wave seventy-three. With tens of thousands of teams wiping somewhere between their current wave and seventy-five. It seemed to Maverick the challenge would keep jumping exponentially from here on out.

  "Seventy waves," Maverick muttered, his voice filled with a mixture of awe and disbelief. "I mean, can you believe it? We've already outlasted ninety percent of the players who entered this thing."

  Emily rolled over, pushing herself up onto her elbows, her grin wide despite the fatigue. "Are you surprised? We’re kind of a big deal, you know. I practically expected us to get this far." She stretched her arms, her fingers brushing against the worn leather straps of her new belt.

  Maverick shook his head, laughing under his breath. "I mean, sure, but this isn’t some random raid. Look at those names on the leaderboard—teams with years of experience and gear that probably cost a small fortune. We're... just us."

  Emily sat up, narrowing her eyes at him. "Wait, hold on. 'Just us?' What’s that supposed to mean? You doubting my skills now?"

  Maverick opened his mouth to respond but immediately saw the teasing glint in her eyes. He raised his hands defensively. "You know that’s not what I meant! You're a beast out here, Em. I just mean... we’ve come a long way since we started. It’s impressive, that’s all."

  Emily mock-punched the air in his direction, her gauntlets still sparking slightly from their recent enchantment. "Damn right it’s impressive. And if you're not careful, I'll show you just how impressive I am by rearranging your face."

  Maverick smirked, the tension breaking as he let out a chuckle. "Yeah, yeah, wouldn't want to get on your bad side."

  The familiar hum of magic filled the air as the vendor’s stall materialized once more in the center of the arena. A glowing, crystalline archway opened, revealing a different shopkeeper—instead of their usual gladiator like vendor, a tall, robed figure with a face obscured by shadows and a voice that echoed like whispers greeted them. "Congratulations on surviving yet another five waves," the shopkeeper said, its voice smooth and cryptic. "Your trial points have accumulated. Spend wisely.”

  “What happened to Grigos?” Maverick asked they mysterious new vendor.

  “Do not worry for Grigos, his services are simply no longer required. Now buy something or get out.” The robed figure spoke with a heat in their voice.

  Feeling unsure but ignoring the vendors tone, Maverick checked their total points. He was impressed by how quickly the points had stacked up, they’d be able to buy almost the entire shop at this rate.

  Emily was already rifling through the vendor’s wares, her eyes lighting up at the new gear available. She picked up a shiny new pair of silver winged greaves and a bow with engraved runes that pulsed faintly with energy. "Ooh, look at these," she said, slipping the greaves onto her feet. "These babies will add some serious oomph to my kicks."

  Maverick nodded in agreement as her last set of glorified boots went helping their chances. Apparently these new greaves would allow her to run on the air for a limited time and deliver powerful slam attacks. The bow was just a nice additional as Emily could now attack from a range, thanks to her weapon masters skill she picked up when reaching level ten.

  Maverick allowed her to continue her shopping, as he inspecting a set of enchanted robes that caught his eye. "I think it’s time I upgraded too. The mana cost on that last spell nearly wiped me out. I’m starting to feel the weight of these fights."

  Emily glanced over at the robes, then at Maverick from a distance. "Yeah, you did look like you were about to pass out after that worm. You sure you're not secretly eighty years old under those robes? Might explain why you keep wanting to 'reflect' on everything."

  Maverick rolled his eyes, holding back a laugh. "Very funny. I just figured... you know, after almost dying a few dozen times, maybe it’s okay to be a little introspective."

  She grinned, nudging him playfully as she walked over. "Well, you can be introspective while I’m being awesome. Now, help me find a potion that’ll keep me from face-planting after the next boss fight."

  The two spent the rest of their break sifting through the shop’s inventory, using their hard-earned trial points wisely. Maverick found a set of gloves that reduced mana costs by a solid fifteen percent, while Emily also upgraded her belt to hold more potions and picked up various elixirs that promised instant recovery from de-buffs. Other onetime use items were tucked away into their quick access slots, and Maverick not usually one to use a melee weapon purchased a unique quarterstaff, spell focus combo to act as a spell booster and big stick to keep smaller enemies away. With their gear set, they made their way back toward the center of the arena, the storm overhead crackling ominously.

  "Alright," Emily said, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Wave seventy-one. Let’s see what this place has for us next."

  Just as they positioned themselves, the ground beneath them trembled, and a new portal ripped open in the middle of the arena. This time, the air was colder, biting at their skin. A low growl echoed from within the swirling vortex, but before anything emerged a crimson prompt appeared blocking the portal its large flowing letters large enough to read from a distance.

  “Congratulations on making it to wave seventy one. A truly commendable achievement, however your journey ends here as the rules of engagement have changed. There will no longer be any pauses between the five waves, simply a timer. When that timer reaches zero the next wave will spawn, prepared or not they will come and you will fail. Trial Points are now tripled, slain foes have a chance to drop a variety of items and bosses will drop carry over items. Good luck, remember this is a fight for the survival of your world.”

  As they finished reading, the portal began to pulsate softly, its edges shimmering with hues of icy blues and iridescent silvers—the very colors of frozen frost catching the fractured world. Each pulse sent ripples across its surface, like frozen waves captured in a moment of time.

  From the heart of the portal, a chilling mist spilled forth, cascading down like a waterfall of fog. It clung low to the ground, a swirling mass of freezing vapor that moved with deliberate purpose. As the mist spread outward, it caressed the earth with a frigid touch, instantly crystallizing the stone, and even a stray bolt of lighting, tuning them into delicate sculptures of ice. The ground beneath transformed into a glistening tapestry of frost, crunching softly under its own newfound weight.

  The mist didn't stop there. It continued to billow and rise, curling upward around the portal in elegant spirals. Slowly, the freezing vapors began to solidify, forming intricate patterns as they ascended. An arch took shape—a magnificent structure of pure ice, etched with elaborate designs resembling ancient runes and snowflakes woven together. The archway framed the portal perfectly, its apex reaching toward the heavens as if striving to touch the stars.

  As the arch fully took shape, the loud growls echoed from deep inside. Out poured a horde of creatures unlike anything they’d seen before.

  Massive, humanoid beasts stepped forward, their bodies covered in thick, armored plates of ice. Their eyes glowed a deep blue, and steam rose from their hulking forms as they dragged enormous ice-forged weapons behind them. At least a dozen of these ice giants emerged, their footfalls shaking the ground with every step. Behind them, smaller, agile creatures darted between their legs—vicious frost hounds, their jaws snapping with icy breath.

  "Of course, it had to be ice-themed," Emily muttered, adjusting her gauntlets. "Alright, what’s the plan? Smash and melt?"

  Maverick’s eyes narrowed as he analyzed the battlefield. "We’ll need to be careful. Those giants have thick armor, so bludgeoning won’t be as effective. You take the hounds—they’re fast but weak. I’ll work on holding the giants in place so we can focus fire."

  Emily gave him a thumbs-up, already launching herself forward before he could say another word. She smashed into the pack of frost hounds like a meteor, her fists crashing into the icy beasts with a force that sent shards of ice flying in every direction. One of the hounds lunged at her, but she sidestepped, delivering a swift uppercut that shattered its frozen skull.

  Meanwhile, Maverick raised his hands, whispering the incantation to a spell he’d been saving for moments like this. “Chains of the forbidden world, bind the cursed and still their fury." From the ground, ethereal chains of purple energy erupted, snaking around the legs of the advancing giants. Their movements slowed, the temperature around them dropping even further as the chains froze over locking them in place.

  Above the frozen archway a timer slowly ticked down, only three minutes until the next wave joined in. Unsure if they could win without pulling out the big guns Maverick observed Emily. She had smashed her way through the entire pack of frozen hounds and ice elementals.

  “Hey Em, don’t hold back. Use your skills freely! We can’t afford to get overwhelmed here.

  “Are you sure? I thought my overpowering aura of awesomeness would have been enough.” Emily retorted as she dashed toward one of the immobilized giants, her fists vibrating with a powerful class ability.

  "Time to let some stress out! Hope you don’t mind!” she shouted, slamming her fist into the nearest giant’s chest. The impact sending a shockwave through the creature, causing cracks to spider across its icy armor.

  But the giants weren’t about to go down easily. One of them swung its massive ice axe toward Emily, who barely managed to dodge out of the way, thanks to her winged greaves. "Mav! I could use a little more of that magic right about now!"

  Maverick nodded, his hands already glowing with eldritch energy. "On it!" He unleashed the eldritch energy, thousands of green mutated locust erupted from his sleeves flying in all directions. They latched onto the giants vomiting putrid acids onto their exposed icy bodies and thick armors. The creatures groaned, their movements sluggish as they tried to break free from the chains.

  High up in the air, Emily pulled out her new bow, and unleashed a powerful aimed attack. The arrow whistled through the air vibrating in the same fashion as her gauntlets. The impact caused the first giant to fracture and crumble into a pile of ice and snow.

  "One down, eleven to go!" she shouted, her breath visible in the freezing air.

  The hordes continued unrelenting in their attacks, each new arrival swarming the duo all over again. Having cleared wave seventy-three they had officially moved into third place on the scoreboard. But just barely as they now understood why Anahi and Naledi, had wiped. From the frozen portal an ice Lich had casually exited with no less than a literal army of undead, skeletons and ghouls. If not for Emilys bright idea of “kicking the boss in its frozen balls” they would have been overwhelmed. But that strategy ended up working as the metaphorical ball kicking and dispatching of the Ice Lich caused its army to once again take their eternal slumber.

  “You owe me for this Mav, look how sweaty I am. Dinner, your treat, Buckles Burgers, and I’m getting all the extras.”

  “If we can actually make it into first place then you have a deal. Plus, we can hit that boba place you like so much after.”

  “Don’t play with me Maverick, you don’t joke about boba. Especially not my taro.”

  With their mental preparations out of the way, the countdown hit zero, summing the final wave, the dreaded boss of wave seventy five.

  The portal pulsed once again, this time with a force that sent tremors through the icy ground. The shimmering surface rippled violently, and from its depths, a massive scaled hand emerged. Its claws were long and razor-sharp, each the length of a greatsword, and they gleamed with a frost that rivaled the portal itself. The hand grasped the edges of the frozen archway, the immense strength causing fractures to spiderweb across the seemingly unbreakable structure. Cracks echoed like thunder as shards of ice broke away, clattering to the ground in a crystalline rain.

  From the widening fissure, the creature pulled itself forward. A hydra—a colossal beast of ancient legend—began to emerge. Its body was covered in scales that mirrored the icy hues of the portal, each one etched with patterns resembling frozen rivers. Numerous heads sprouted from its massive body, each one adorned with crowns of jagged horns and eyes that burned with an otherworldly light.

  As the hydra forced its way through the portal, the mist around it swirled in tumultuous eddies, whipped into a frenzy by the creature's sheer presence. The ground quaked under its weight, causing the frozen earth to crack and upheave. Each head moved independently, surveying the new world with a mix of curiosity and malice. Plumes of icy breath billowed from their nostrils, freezing the air and causing snowflakes to form and drift lazily downward.

  The once-beautiful archway continued to crumble under the hydra's assault, the intricate runes and snowflake patterns shattering into fragments that caught the light like falling stars. The portal's pulsating glow began to wane, flickering as if struggling against the beast forcing its way through. With a final, mighty heave, the hydra tore free from the portal's grasp, the archway collapsing entirely, sending a cascade of ice and magic scattering across the shattered colosseum.

  Emily stepped forward, cracking her knuckles, the glow of her enchanted gauntlets radiating with barely-contained power. "Well, this is new," she muttered, her breath fogging in the freezing air. "Guess it’s time to earn those burgers."

  Maverick laughed, though his eyes were fixed on the beast. "Stay sharp Em. This one’s different you’ve never fought a hydra before.”

  The air grew even colder as a deep, resonant voice echoed across the frozen colosseum. "Foolish humans, who are you to challenge the great Gelidrax the Everfrozen?”

  “Um, would you believe us if we said we got lost?” Emily shouted up at the hydra.

  The hydra let out a deafening roar, its heads focusing in on her ready to strike.

  “So ill take that as a no,” Emily shouted as she darted to the side, narrowly avoiding one of the hydra’s snapping jaws. "I’ve got this," she called out, determination etched on her face. "Just keep its attention split!"

  With that, she leapt high into the air, activating one of her fighter skills, Meteor Strike. Her fists blazed with energy as she descended, slamming into one of the hydra’s heads with a thunderous impact. The ground cracked beneath the force of her blow, and the head she struck recoiled, its icy scales shattering under the pressure.

  Maverick not wanting to waste any time. Gripped his new staff in hand, chanting a summoning spell. “Great keeper of knowledge, bless your champion with a guardian.” A circle formed around Maverick filling with Eldritch Runes, and floating green flames.

  From the blazing flames, a gate opened. From the gate slithered out what could only be described as an eldritch horror. Its form defied the very nature of reality, a shifting mass that seemed to be composed of shadows and whispers given substance. Dozens of tentacles writhed and coiled around a central mass that pulsed like a dark star, each tendril covered in iridescent scales that shimmered with colors unknown to the mortal spectrum. Eyes—too many to count—opened and closed along its serpentine limbs, each one gleaming with ancient intelligence and a hint of madness.

  The creature's body was a tapestry of contradictions: both solid and ethereal, both beautiful and terrifying. Ethereal wings unfolded from its back, composed of cascading darkness that absorbed the light of the floating green flames around them.

  "Behold," Maverick declared, his voice steady despite the chaos around him, "the Guardian of the Abyssal Archives. Guess your luck has run out, oh well.”

  The hydra's multiple heads recoiled slightly, a flicker of hesitation passing through its gaze. "You dare bring forth such an abomination?" Gelidrax hissed, frost forming on the edges of its fanged mouths.

  Emily glanced between the hydra and the unfathomable entity now allied with them. "Maverick, remind me to never question your methods again," she whispered, her gauntlets humming with renewed energy.

  The eldritch horror began to advance, moving with a fluidity that belied its immense size. As it approached Gelidrax, tendrils extended outward, each one leaving trails of arcane energy in their wake. The very fabric of reality bending around the creature, distorting light and sound.

  The monstrosities classed, sending shockwaves of energies in all directions. Maverick knew the guardian could put the hydra down with some time, but his mana reserves wouldn’t last that long. They were already hanging at about seventy percent and quickly dropping.

  “Em, don’t take your eyes off its heads, just because it’s focused on the guardian doesn’t mean it can’t multitask.” Maverick shouted hoping his voice carried across the battle.

  Emily watched as Maverick channeled his mana in the ritual circle. Guess she really would have to be his knight in shinning armor after all. But that was just fine with her. “Now how did they kill this thing in that movie?” Emily thought mentally as she barely dodged the hydras massive legs dropping like bombs as it battled Mavericks pet.

  Emily used her winged boots to climb high into the air, unloading a multitude of enchanted arrows into the hydras flank. But just as she had feared, the arrows might as well have been toothpicks.

  "Void Lance!" Maverick shouted, summoning a dozen orbs of dark energy that he launched towards the beast. The shadowy projectiles sped through the air, splitting into a dozen smaller lances just before they struck their target. The hydra screeched as the dark energy embedded itself in its scales, weakening the magical armor Emily had cracked with her arrows.

  But the hydra wasn’t so easily deterred. A dozen heads reared back and unleashed a blast of ice breath in Emily’s and the guardians direction. She managed to dodge, her body moving with superhuman agility as she dove to safety, but the blast still grazed her, causing frost to form on her armor.

  “Have any other bright ideas Mav? Because I’m not fond of becoming a popsicle.?

  “I have one, but you’re not going to like it.” Maverick spoke gritting his teeth as the mana drain had become intensely painful.

  “Lets hear it then, I’m running low on stamina potions.”

  The massive monstrosities had continued their clash, the guardian having several spikes of ice imbedded in its weird nonphysical but tangible body. The hydra had faired no better as lost over twenty heads, burned to the nonexistence with green flames.

  Emily had been darting around the coliseum keeping the few unoccupied heads busy. As she distracted it, Maverick prepared a spell he’d only cast a single time before. “If I dismiss the guardian ill have just enough mana to cast orb of destruction, but i’ll be practically useless for an hour or so… But if I don’t we’ll wipe and its third place or lower.”

  Making up his mind, Maverick dismissed the guardian just as the hydras various mouths bit down on its liquid like flesh. Gelidrax was only momentarily confused, until he saw the robed one channeling mana for another spell.

  Emily used her own ultimate ability, following allow with Mavericks plan. She sprinted using the remainder of her stamina in one final jump. Emily soared hundreds of feet into the sky, making any anime protagonist proud. She turned that power into a crashing meteor as she plummeted like an out of control rocket. Pulling her arm back mere meters away from the hydras icy scales she activated it, “Serious Punch," her voice cracking as she screamed.

  Her fist connected, sending an atomic blast level of power coursing through the hydras body slamming it into the stone. The punch had landed on the exact spot where her arrow barrage and Mavericks void lances cracked its magical shield. The hyras body bent into a cartoonish U shape, as the power blasted through it.

  The ice like armor that consisted of its thick scales fractured, causing the hydras many heads to roar in pain. However a beast this ancient and powerful wouldn’t be done in so easily. Gelidrax turned a half dozen heads in her direction, aiming to tear her apart. Unfortunately for Emily, she was helpless, her ultimate ability caused her body to enter a weekend state where all of her class abilities were placed on an extended cool down.

  So as the serpentine mouths closed in on her, she barely managed to dodge out of the way by leaping off the frozen hydras broken body. However she was caught off guard as its massive tail swept to intercept her. The tail struck her full force sending her tumbling form through the air on a collision course with the arenas cavea. As she collided with he stone benches a pile of rubble from higher up quickly fell upon her, like an avalanche.

  "Emily!" Maverick shouted, his heart pounding as he saw her motionless beneath the debris. His mind raced—he had to act fast, or they’d both be wiped out.

  The hydra now left with only a single target turned its remaining heads towards Maverick. “Only one pest remains,” Gelidrax voice echoed as it spoke from a dozen mouths.

  Suddenly all the heads clumped together, channeling a unified attack. The ice breath attack built up power, as the hydras broken body slowly knitted itself back together.

  Mavericks mind raced, he wasn’t ready to leave this event just yet. The idea of a carry over item, and guaranteed legendary loot from the hydra too enticing. Plus any excuse to be out with Emily was good enough for him to try. His mana was dangerously low, so any high level spell or attack was out of the question, except for…

  "Ancient One," Maverick began to mutter under his breath, invoking his pact with his patron, "grant me the strength to finish this. Once again I call upon your power, to baptize this monstrosity in your eldritch warmth.”

  Feeling the connection made, Maverick raised his hand once more and unleashed his ultimate ability. The blue crackling orb manifested, sending sparks of power in every direction as its power condensed. Dark energy crackled all around him now, swirling faster and faster until the orb glowed with an intense purple light.

  With a final glance at Emily who had managed to dig herself out of the rubble, in a not to happy mood, Maverick collapsed the orb of destruction, unleashing it upon the frozen hydra.

  But in that same moment, the hydra unleashed it massive ice beam. As the ice beam exploded towards him, Maverick perfectly understood this was an attack he would not be able to dodge. Instead he used the trickles of remaining mana to guide the avatar of destruction that was his ultimate ability. The orb flew through the air reminiscent of a golden ball with wings, and avoided the ice beam. It moved low towards the ground and crashed into the hydras center mass. At first nothing seemed to happen, but in a split second a blinding flash of light erupted out from the hydras body.

  The hydra shrieked, its body convulsing as the orb’s eldritch magic tore through its icy form. The explosion of energy shattered chunks of its armor, and several of its heads flailed wildly in pain. Its once solid body, seemed to turn into vapor as it simply disintegrated from the powerful ability.

  As for Maverick, the ice beam had made a direct connection. The blast hit him square in the chest, freezing him to the core. Pain shot through his body as the cold seared his skin and frost covered his armor. Maverick in that moment was no better than a snowman, unmoving with a frozen expression of pain.

  But before his characters HP zeroed out, a warm glow radiated from his neckline. A relic of rebirth had activated saving his life in the moment, but barring him from a second chance for a full year. The attack had done its damage however, as much of his equipped gear had broken off him in frozen chunks as the relics warm light destroyed anything that caused him harm.

  The fight had been won, but just barely. Emily made her way down to Maverick in a state much worse than he initially thought. Her right arm, used to cast her ultimate ability had been broken in several places, and her legs were only slightly better. It amazed him that she was even able to stand, let alone get to him first.

  “Yeah I don’t think Buckles will be enough for this, throw in a movie along with a spa day and we’ll call this even.”

  “Sure thing Em, but I pick the movie and I have the right to veto any other weird schemes you have cooked up.”

  With their adrenaline finally coming down, as they talked, the market appeared. But with its appearance, two glowing items had made themselves known where Gelidrax the Everfrozen once stood. It was time to see the spoils of their labors.