Hours later…
"Look at those fireworks!"
"She is really relentless…"
"What a pity Edge can't watch those."
"Guys, don't get complacent now! Let's play this out steadily!"
Nine players stood on the central platform. A magical dome protected them from the bombardment unleashed by Phorina. All around the bridges had long been turned into ruins, crashed into the abyss below. Terrifying arrows of green light shot from the sky, drowning out everything else.
They were so overpowering that the many arrows coming from the side, striking the dome incessantly, were barely noticeable.
Phorina unleashed all her pent-up anger after being hassled by the players for so long, stopping her from constructing the portal which could lead their family to safety. However, the central platform's magical protection was impenetrable for the boss. After a while she had to lower her bow, her face pale from exhaustion.
"Now!"
This was by far not the first time the friends had experienced this situation. As soon as the magical dome faded, they shot into the air like a pressured spring unleashing its tension. Nine flying mounts carried their masters, dashing at the boss at full speed.
Suddenly seven rows, one hundred of forty bows lining the wall gleamed with dangerous light. The players showed no sign of fear. Whistles echoed from the tower walls, piercing the entire space. But the countless arrows only hit empty air. Liam and his friends reacted at first notice, positioning themselves perfectly, just a hair's breadth below or above an arrow, evading everything.
After the arrows whistled past, the friends continued their actions. They reached the weakened boss and instantly unleashed all their skills. Quickstep had saved her [Hurricane Mode] for this moment and Cyclone and Fortune had already prepared their spells. This was a big improvement compared to the first time they battled the boss.
All kinds of skills instantly fell on Phorina. The boss's majestic wings drooped, her chest rising and falling strongly. Damage in the tens of thousands battered her body. She didn't have many HP left to begin with. Now in a weakened state her HP bar emptied out quickly. After a few seconds she forcefully straightened her body, shaking off her weakness. But her HP had been reduced to a pitifully low 3500 points.
"I will not be stopped by you… I will aid my family! I…"
Phorina voice was shaky, tugging at everyone's heartstrings. But at this point it was too late to talk. The friends didn't stop their attacks, blow after blow landing on the boss's body.
Phorina tried to retaliate. She drew her bow, sending arrows at Silver Blade. The tank had long used up her stance. More than half her HP were missing. Another arrow crashed into her chest. A star shone comfortable light upon her, and she recovered all her HP. A hint of despair could be seen on the boss's face.
As the fighters were battling in the sky, a black shadow suddenly appeared from below, rushing at them. It was Bloody Edge who had previously been pushed into the abyss below. However, Radiant Shield managed to grace him with a [Sacred Barrier] in time, thus allowing the thief to survive Phorina's bombardment.
Somewhat embarrassed Bloody Edge was eager to contribute. He flashed through the air and arrived behind the boss, swinging his dagger. With a clang it struck one of the draconic scales, leaving a white mark. Bloody Edge's wrist shook from the impact. However, it was this single attack which finally depleted Phorina's last bit of HP.
"NO!"
Suddenly producing a heart wrenching shout the boss separated from the players, returning to the ground where the foundation of a portal was waiting for her. She breathed weakly, landing on her knees, looking at the portal as a single tear ran from her eye.
"Why? Why are you so adamant about stopping me?"
Liam and his friends landed behind Phorina, their expressions exasperated. Didn't they try to tell her? Now they fought until the boss only had a single HP left and she still didn't believe them.
"You stupid… would you just listen to us? We really didn't want to…"
"No! Don't come close! I'm warning you! I will protect this portal! Even if it costs me my life!"
Cyclone rolled her eyes. She was really just short of throwing another attack at the stubborn woman, but Liam stopped her. So far, they had allowed all the cultists to leave. Of course, they wouldn't kill the boss now.
Noticing that the intruders didn't come closer Phorina stood up shakily, her eyes wary and vigilant. She retrieved a strange dagger from somewhere, its hilt decorated with stylised red flowers. The players frowned as they watched her raise the dagger. Fortunately, just before Phorina could do anything stupid, a bright green light flooded the entire room. A sigh rang out.
A moment later the blinding light receded, and the players opened their eyes again.
"Huh?"
"Where did so many people come from?"
Surprised voices lingered in the air. All around, standing and flying, cultists had appeared. They were of all kinds of races, some with strange temperaments, some incredibly timid. There was a dwarf who had no talent as a blacksmith, shunned by his family, and a high elf unable to perceive mana, a disgrace to her parents. There were Aunty Bafra and Guardian Loro. And all the cultists stared at the person who appeared next to Phorina.
Sitting on a tall beast, a green-furred panther with impressive wings and small horns on his head, was a tall woman with a lithe figure. She wore green-white leather armour, her face fair and gentle, her fingers thin and dexterous. A pair of long, pointed ears stood out between her wavy, brown hair. Tribal tattoos gave her immaculate face a hint of mystery. There was no mistaking it, this woman was a formidable wood elf.
[Cult of Nexkra'nar, Matriarch Evraina
Rank: Boss
Level: 86
HP: 326.000/326.000]
"Mother… I failed…"
A choking voice broke the silence, carrying countless emotions. Evraina looked at her battered daughter with a soft gaze. She reached out with her hand, caressing the poor girl's head. Watching this interaction the friends couldn't help but become tense. They gripped their weapons tightly.
Mother and daughter? This matriarch wouldn't try to take revenge, right? A level 68 boss, could they defeat her?
As the atmosphere turned tense the Matriarch directed her gaze at the party. But at this moment voices came from the side, gentle yet helpless:
"Matriarch. It was these adventurers who assisted me. Without them, I wouldn't have managed to close the portal. Everything is… a misunderstanding."
"Yes, matriarch! These adventurers fought the demons!"
"They killed no one!"
To these voices Matriarch Evraina smiled wryly and waved her hand.
"I know, I know. Adventurers, your appearance here is misfortunate indeed. We have wasted a lot of time. Now, we will complete the portal. You can escape together with us…"
"Escape? Can you escape? Hahaha, little cultists, you have resisted long enough. Now I am here to collect the debt!"
Suddenly a ruckus laughter filled the air. The temperature instantly dropped. Everyone's blood froze. Dark clouds seemed to fill the space.
From below chaotic screams and wails echoed through the world, creating a tragic atmosphere. A dark cloud rose and with it hundreds of infernals. Black ghosts drifted at the front, armoured skeletons cackled, burly demons stared ahead with blazing eyes. And at the centre was a cluster of roaring grey flames emitting a chilling cold.
Everyone's eyes focused on the flames. Upon a closer look one could see a figure inside. It was a skeleton the size of child wearing a long, billowing black robe and a wide hood which threatened to slip off its head at any moment. It looked like a child wearing an adult's clothes, pretending to be more mature than it really was. However, the threatening aura radiating from it was extremely potent, definitely mature.
"Reftrack! Have you come to hound us again?!"
Matriarch Evraina's voice was brimming with cold anger, but her heart was cautious.
"Hound? Haha, if you want to put it like that. Last time I came to make a deal, but you actually threw me out. This time I brought reinforcements. And believe me, I won't be this polite!"
"Still eyeing our Dragontear?! I told you before! It will never end up in your hands! Nexkra'nar possess boundless benevolence. She would never allow her Dragontear to fall into a demon's hands!"
"Oh, but is this her decision to make? Dragons have long since retreated from Crunaboul. This little bit of power left behind. Today it can't stop me!"
The childish skeleton Reftrack suddenly erupted with a violent voice which slammed into everyone's chest. The grey flames around his body burned even more brightly. He pointed a single finger upwards and instantly one of the ghosts following the army ignited with grey flames, shooting at the cultists in a suicidal assault.
The Matriarch reacted quickly. A beautiful wooden bow appeared in her hand, and an arrow was conjured. It brimmed with draconic might, the illusion of a green dragon's head vaguely surrounding the arrow. Evraina let go off the arrow and the chant of a dragon rang out as a ray of green light collided with the grey flames.