1 End in the beginning

In the stillness of a quiet and solitary room, a young man reclines comfortably in an armchair. With a smartphone held casually in one hand, he scrolls through its digital offerings.

Time passes, marked by a protracted sigh that escapes his lips, prompting him to rise from his seat.

Casually, he ambles toward the room's corner, where a substantial gaming console awaits.

This imposing machine serves as his portal to the realm of Avlora, a favored refuge for his leisurely pursuits, particularly on days when indolence prevails.

However, today, a noticeable change has washed over his countenance. Instead of his customary serenity, a blend of wry sarcasm and fervent competitiveness now animates his features, signaling a departure from his typical demeanor.

"Alright, let's do this," he mutters, plopping down in front of the console and firing it up.

Ten gruelling hours had slipped by, marked by relentless gaming. In the aftermath, an unsettling scene materialized. The corpses of players, a mix of humans, demi-humans, and the more exotic Enigma entities, formed a grisly tableau beneath the feet of the remaining survivors.

Above this macabre stage, a cluster of players stood, their expressions ranging from fierce determination to nervous anticipation.

A distant roll of thunder echoed ominously across the sky, casting an eerie pallor over the entire scene.

Amidst this foreboding atmosphere, a robed figure, brandishing a crackling staff, embarked on an incantation. The tip of the staff was aimed with precision toward a particular spot on the battlefield. At the receiving end of this magical pointer lay a colossal creature, dwarfing every player present.

As the wizard's enchantment neared its end, a bolt of lightning tore through the stormy firmament, targeting the monstrous entity.

Yet, the creature exhibited an unwavering stoicism, summoning a colossal sword and hurling it mercilessly toward a hapless player rushing in its direction.

The ensuing thunderous detonation crashed against the creature's formidable defenses, evaporating without consequence.

For the player, however, the outcome was markedly different.

The malevolent sword, a deadly manifestation of the creature's wrath, cleaved through their form with cruel efficiency, extinguishing their virtual existence in a single, disheartening strike.

Despite the charged atmosphere brimming with battling spirits, the creature couldn't conceal the weariness etched across its face.

"Give it up, Zenith. We all know how this ends. No matter how hard you fight, in the end, every realm threat in the game must meet their demise at the hands of the players."

With victory seemingly within grasp, one prominent figure amidst the crowd couldn't help but voice their thoughts.

"It's a darn shame, though. You managed to climb all the way up to being a realm lord in Aetheriel, only to wind up as a realm threat."

"But I guess we're in for some serious luck, killing both a Realm lord and a Realm threat at the same time. Can't even fathom what kind of rewards that'll bring," they continued.

"Enough with the chatter. Let's get this show on the road, shall we?" another player in the crowd urged.

The monstrous creature, once a Realm lord but now a threat, gazed silently at the assembled multitude.

"Well then, bring it on, mobs ," he taunted. With a flourish, he summoned a dual-bladed sword in his right hand and a gleaming silver shield in his left.

With a thunderous roar, every player surged forward, armed with formidable equipment. The monstrous creature swung its double-edged sword with tremendous force, sending numerous players tumbling backward.

Yet, some resilient souls, undeterred by the onslaught, pressed onward, launching their relentless assault. Spellcasters chanted incantations, weaving their magic, while pure warrior-types marched fearlessly toward the beast.

In the midst of the battle, one player, gripping a formidable double-handed sword, boldly positioned themselves at the heart of the menacing creature. With unyielding determination, they deftly parried the monster's relentless blows.

In a retaliatory move, the creature lunged forward, thrusting its sword menacingly towards the player.

However, the very earth beneath them seemed to tremble unexpectedly, causing the creature's attack to miss its mark.

In a swift and daring maneuver, another player armed with a sharp-edged axe vaulted towards the monstrous visage. Their skillful strike inflicted damage, but it also aroused the creature's fury.

With a savage motion, the monster seized the player's arm, impaling them on its wicked blade before ruthlessly flinging them to the unforgiving ground.

Simultaneously, the monstrous adversary leaped back into the midst of the onlooking crowd, sowing chaos and destruction among the ranks of spellcasters.

Amidst the tumultuous clash of battle, a player adorned in resplendent radiance surged forth, brandishing a formidable spear.

With unwavering resolve, they thrust the weapon deep into the monstrous adversary's back, their valor unmistakable.

In response, the monstrous foe, bearing the weight of its malevolence, retorted with a sneer of derision. "frostmaker, is it? A fool's errand, my friend," it taunted with a cynical inflection.

"You should know that realm threat remain impervious to the influence of Divine items," the monster declared, its voice dripping with sarcasm.

Unperturbed, the player gracefully retreated, narrowly avoiding the monster's predatory grasp.

Their response, however, was characterized by a calm assurance that defied the odds. "Indeed, I am aware," they acknowledged, a glimmer of confidence in their tone. "Yet, do they not still suffer the sting of damage, even in the face of such imperviousness?"

The monster's panic was palpable; its health dwindled rapidly. It made a desperate decision.

"let's go together than!" It declared and leaped into the sky.

From its back, two additional hands sprouted, with both palms clasped together at heart level, fingertips pointed skyward. It began to cast a spell in an instant, catching the players off guard.

"It's a Anciant Class spell!" one player cried out loudly.

Panic coursed through the ranks as they realized the gravity of the situation. Despite having unleashed their own Anciant Class spells against the monster, this was the first time it had cast one, and as a Realm threat, it added an ominous element to the encounter.

However, as the player began to retreat, it became evident that time was not on their side. With a sinister smile, the monstrous foe completed the incantation of his spell.

[Aetheriel Cataclysm ]

The name of the spell came out from the creatures mouth.

In an instant, the earth quivered, giving birth to a gaping chasm from which an ethereal, white radiance surged forth, annihilating all in its relentless path.

Catching the unprepared players off guard, the attack inflicted grave harm upon the hapless crowd.

From the fractured ground, an ever-increasing torrent of vanishing white radiance surged forth, engulfing the entire area in an overwhelming, luminescent cascade.

After casting the spell, the monster gazed upon the gradual vanishing of everything around it, its life force dwindling in tandem. 

*****

In the hushed sanctum, a sprawling chamber adorned with seven towering thrones, stone effigies loomed ominously. These statues exuded a commanding presence, their very essence filling the expansive space with an otherworldly aura.

At the heart of this grand assembly, a young maiden knelt in supplication, her attire a flowing, ebony peplos, her sight veiled by a solemn blindfold.

From beyond the sacred confines, distant cries of an approaching throng echoed, their urgency hinting at an impending intrusion.

Yet, the maiden remained steadfast in her fervent prayers, an unwavering pillar of devotion amidst the encroaching chaos. Moonlight bathed the sanctuary in an ethereal glow, casting an enchanting shroud over the mystical tableau.

With an ear-splitting crash, the hallowed sanctuary's once-impervious entrance gave way, yielding to the surge of a defiant crowd.

Amidst the serene stillness of the sanctum, only the maiden, engrossed in her divine communion, was discernible. A figure, their authority palpable, stepped forth from the clamoring assembly and directed his inquiry toward her.

"Are you the sanctified maiden of this sacred realm?" he inquired, his voice weighted with accusation.

Slowly, the maiden rose from her genuflection, turning her veiled gaze toward the encroaching throng.

Despite the sightless shroud over her eyes, it was apparent that her vision remained undimmed; if anything, the blindfold seemed to enhance the enigmatic allure that surrounded her.

"You have spoken the truth." she replied with a quiet dignity. "I am indeed the sanctified maiden of this hallowed sanctuary."

"that's enough than" the leader retorted with a note of disdain. "Bind her," he commanded, his words setting the obedient crowd into motion.

As he advanced toward the maiden, his voice a torrent of accusations, he accused her of disseminating falsehoods about the all-encompassing deity of their world.

"What are you talking about? When have I ever spoken falsely about the all-powerful deity?" the maiden protested, her beguiling charm weaving an enchantment upon those who stood witness.

The man faltered for a fleeting moment, momentarily ensnared by the maiden's allure, before mustering his resolve. "Do not feign ignorance, woman.It is laid bare before thee," he declared, gesturing toward the colossal statues that surrounded them.

"These false idols are the root of our tribulations," he asserted.

"Once we rid ourselves of their malevolent influence, perhaps we shall consider granting thee mercy." A sinister hunger danced in his eyes as he spoke.

However at thise moment , Unbeknownst to the intruders, amid the imposing statues that adorned the sanctuary, a subtle tremor began to ripple through among them.