Progress and Plan

Waking up, Ezyze was shaken to dream what he dreamt of. Still, he plunged his face in a water bowl and went outside.

The camp was bustling with life. Everyone was chatting and playing with themselves. Some went to hunt weaker beasts and gather fruits. Without distinction for race or any form of discrimination, everyone was happy. It was a sight to see. One that Ezyze will keep in his head for a long time.

He reunited everyone.

"Warriors, mages, hunters, beast and scouts. The past few days were like hell. We were assaulted on all sides. Alone and outnumbered, our life was slowly leaking away, like sand in the wind. Still, we relied onto each others. We fought together and protected ourselves. In the darkest hour in the moment where we thought that we will never see the light again, we were saved. We were saved by Harma and the strong gorillas. Nebuch and the magic bees. We were saved by the northern expedition. We fought like a real family and showed what unity could do. I am proud of us. I am proud of you."

Everyone cheered. Their roar released all the pent up stress of the past weeks.

Now that everyone came around, it was time to check everyone's progress.

The hoplites were halfway toward rank 4.

The various mages and goblins became rank 2 and gained an epic class. The mage goblins skipped the greatmage appellation and were called archmages of their elements. The goblin arsonist became a rank 3 mad pyrokinesist- unique rank and the atchdruid of plants became an archdruid, magus of plants, a unique rank 2 class.

The scouts became stalkers, rare classes at rank 2 and the hunters became predators, rare rank 2 classes.

The newborn goblins had the most surprising development. 2 of them gained the B rank Trait sword affinity and the 9 others the A rank sword affinity. After discussing with Arthur, it seemed that continuous hardships and life or death battles squizzed their potential to the maximum. It seemed that them being unevolved was a factor since no rank 2 goblins gained additional traits.

Arthur wanted to keep training them in order to make them into fearsome warriors. The 2 C rank were given the rank 5s cats' essence to absorb.

Aries had amazing developments, Roland became rank 2 and all the others sat strongly at rank 3.

Baal gained a rank 4 legendary class sorcerer - Balrog.

The female Aries warrior with the secondary class Aries berserker became rank 4.

The gorillas gained massive experience. Most of them were rank 4. Harma became a rank 5 lightning brute, a rare class. She gained a Trait called generator, which allowed her to generate lightning mana while moving, and whatever her reserves couldn't contain, was converted to Thunder armor, which bolstered her speed, strenght and defense.

Sunkong focused all his monstrous beings on learning how to fight with his fists while Moonkong was trained in wielding a Persian curved dagger but with a thicker blade. Arthur taught him an art that allowed him to make use of his monstrous strenghth, incomparable power, wild instincts and beast like fighting style, yet combine it with precise movements and burst like attacks, making him in theory both an amazing fighter able to enter fistfight and an assassin, capable to eliminate quickly their enemies with his blade and other limbs. Still, unsatisfied with their progress with their martial arts so far, they poured their remaining experience points to level up their monster form. Moonkong was especially disappointed with his progress thus far and preferred not to use the curved dagger as he thought that it would hinder him.

Still, they would be the strongest students of Arthur so far. With such raw and savage battle style, they would be able to reach incredible heights. Moonkong could truly be something special. 3 meters tall, his amazing physique and battle style so far could be magnified and create a monster capable of slaying armies.

The langurs had some improvements. The rank 2 are now rank 3 for their class, illuminated rune seer - legendary and magic paladin- unique. The others langurs all became earky rank 4, despite the shaman warrior that became a unique emerald lightning shaman warrior, at rank 5. She gained the passive brain power which added to her strenght stat, her intelligence stat.

The infant langur became a rank 2 pure mana mancer, epic class.

Eve became a rank 4 - unique - Quadra Elemental archmage and Nebuch and the knights stayed at rank 2.

9 rank 2 magic wood humans became archmages of pure mana, unique class at rank 2. The remaining one became a legendary rank 2 breather of pure mana.

A rank 3 magic ashen wood human became an epic Pure mana pyrokinesist at rank 2.

A rank 3 magic frozen wood human was a rank 2 legendary World freezer.

A rank 3 Shadow wood human was a rank 2 unique class: magic ghost assassin.

At rank 3, the light wood human became a unique pure light mana sage, at rank 2.

The rank 3 magic sturdy wood human became a unique class, rank 2 runic templar of pure mana.

It was amazing. Ezyze almost forgot all about their hellish past week. They had several rank 5, and others developed their class at unique or legendary rank. While he planned to create a legion with the power of numbers, he had an elite troop under him. While the monkeys and wood humans were allies, the Bees, Aries and goblins were directly under him and truly elite troops. With their levels and fighting experience, Ezyze assumed that he could make a name for the Unshakables. Still, because they possessed rarer classes, it took a while to gain sufficient experience points.

They exchanged on the battle and explained what they thought was good and bad. They lacked signals to communicate from a distance. Having reinforcements was here the key to their victory and they almost died without. While Broblin, Baal and Olivier were natural leaders, it became apparent that they were not beacons of hope when shit hit the fan. They became engrossed in their fights and Ezyze wanted them to be capable commander, leaders by example but leaders still. The good aspects were that everyone cared for each others and put themselves in harms way to protect each others. The various formations that they had allowed then to fight longer, survive and show higher firepower than individually. They really liked the idea of artillery like units battering enemies while the frontlines can hold the enemies.

It was time for Ezyze to finally check his status. He improved, that, he did a lot.

Congratulations, you survived an exhausting battle. Strenght +10, Agility +12, stamina +30, endurance +20, intelligence +5.

You leveled up your skill spatial rays to spatial spears. +50 intelligence, +50 wisdom.

Beginner Aries Axemanship becomes Aries axemanship. +10 strenght, +15 Agility, +10 Stamina.

He poured many experience points into the secondary class and chose the rare class armored axe gladiator, gaining +50 endurance, +30 stamina, +15 strenght and +8 stats for each level up, with +2 strenght, +2 Agility, +1 endurance. He gained +20 strenght and +20 Agility for leveling up his normal class by 20 levels and put the 20 remaining free points into strenght. He knew that strenght was equal to the heaviness of his blows. While fighting up close he found amazing how his gravity manipulation allowed him to deal heavy blows and wanted to do it with oure physical stats. He wondered the extent of using gravity manipulation on his stronger physique.

He also gained the following:

The Passive skill Arena of blood: when fighting at the vanguard, +10 percent in physical stats.

The Passive skill Axe gladiator: when fighting with am axe, damages +10 percent.

The active skill gladiator charge: allows the user to charge quickly against the enemy while retaining the ability to make quick sudden moves.

He poured all his remaining experience points into his secondary class, thus gaining +40 strenght, +40 Agility and +20 endurance. Of his remaining 60 unattributed stat points, he poured 20 in Agility, 5 in stamina, 5 in endurance and 30 in strenght.

Congratulations, your secondary class becomes rank 3.

Please choose between:

Armored axe gladiator - rare

Axe gladiator showman - rare

Ferocious armored axe gladiator- epic

Champion, colossal axe hacker -epic .

Congratulations, you chose the Epic class: champion, colossal axe hacker. You gained +50 endurance, +30 Stamina, +100 strenght. Each level up gives you 13 additional stat points, for which you have +2 endurance, +2 Stamina, +3 strenght, +1 Agility.

You gained the following skills:

Active skill - to the frontlines: allows the user to jump while creating a crater when landing.

Passive skill - heavy hitter: you have 15 percent chances for your normal attacks to be heavy hits, dealing +50 percent more damages, chances to make the enemy stumble.

Passive skill - skills are strenght: whenever your movements when you hit follow the good pathway of a martial art, deal heavy hits.

Name : Ezyze Mostiko

Title: Aries

Level: 61

Trait:

Spacial affinity: S

Axemanship: A

Class:

Primary: spatial greatmage - epic -Rank 2 level 20

Secondary: Champion, colossal axe hacker - epic - rank 3 level 41

Third:

Statistics:

Vitality: 11 600

Mana: 9685

Stamina: 139(+105) + 50 = 189

Endurance: 198(+145)(x10)=1980 + 50 = 2030 (+5 percent)=2131

Strength: 300(+245) + 35 = 335 (+ 5 percent)=351

Agility: 156 (+107) + 30 = 186

Intelligence: 689(+55)

Wisdom: 258(+50) [+1980/2=990]= 1248

Hidden stats: Mana regeneration: high, Luck : low

Skills:

Active skills: medium gravity mana manipulation lv 6, blink lv 3, spatial spears lv 2 (new!), spatial chains lv 3, heavy mass designator lv 3, axe slash lv 7, warrior Aura lv 4, gladiator charge lv 1 (new!), to the frontlines lv 1 (new!).

Passive skills: Hard headed, medium axemanship lv 9, Aries axemanship lv 3 (new!), gravity gathering lv 5, spatial scholar lv 3, Warrior's spirit lv 2, Arena of blood lv 1 (new!), axe gladiator lv 1(new!), heavy hitter lv 1,

(new!), skills are strenght lv 1 (new!).

Ezyze felt stronger by an unreasonable amount. He felt that he could take on the world.

The troops were dismissed. They had free time and could do whatever they want but had to focus on relaxing themselves. It was important to fight hard and train twice harder. They were battling for their survival in life or death fights. Still, they now had the opportunity to concentrate on themselves and enjoying their presence. Some goblins and gorillas played a game where they had to throw rocks in small baskets, others used their skills and abilities to dance and others were enjoying the sun, especially the wood human and the Ents.

Ezyze went in the biggest tent of their stronghold. There, Sunkong, Arthur, and Algen were waiting for him.

"Thank you for coming here at this instant. While the others are enjoying the days I thought that it was a great time for us to speak about the future. First of all, do you know how long will Lampa be gone for?

Algen answered: we don't. She has been gone for a few weeks now. If she didn't come back yet, it means that others will be sent here.

Do you know how many?

No, I don't. I think that numerous Ents will come, around 20 or so. We may have rank 2s and 3s coming, but I asked the council to send more of the Ents that were carefully taught and had the essence of our most powerful members in order to transform them in beings capable of having a class. I believe that with Lampa's return, we can expect 4 rank 1 with the essence of our remaining rank 5 and 10 to maybe 20 Ents that were raised while being fed water from the magic river.

What about the gorillas?

Sunkong (S) answered, his thunderous voice echoing: 30 or so rank 2s and 3s will join. Maybe rank 4s but needed to protect the forest and defend against mercenaries.

Very well. How did you want to proceed?

Algen answered: So far, it will be hard to keep going on with the northern expedition when taking into account what just transpired. We have been too greedy in wanting to increase our levels quickly. We need to conquer the shadowlands and maybe neighboring areas so that we become a real power here.

Arthur followed: While that is true, we must think how to use our forces in the most useful manner? I think that we are now focusing too much on the Eternal Mountain range and thus may miss opportunities.

Ezyze (E) interjected: I second this. I have told you Arthur but I must say that I have been wanting to explore this world and establish a mercenary band. In doing so, we will be able to gather intelligence, grow our forces and establish ourselves more easily. In the process, we may have enemies but we should focus on the possibility of gaining allies.

(S): True! Show might! Show power of classes and strenght! You develop in kingdom and us hide and stronger!

(Algen) While I second your enthusiasm and agree with the fact that we must stay hidden, what schedule did you have in mind?

(E) About a month from now, that depends on Gran. Lampa must come back and decide what to do. She may be coming with several troops that will need to be raised and directed accordingly for our development to proceed. Also, we need Gran to create armors and better weapons for us before we leave. We should as well think of how to bolster our forces in this way. If the Mandrill is the only one providing you with equipments, you are no better than the cats running around naked. We must learn before more of us are killed.

(Algen) Who will you take with you?

(E) The Unshakables. If we truly want to remain hidden, we should show the least of our power.

(Arthur) I disagree. The bees must stay here. Here, they will develop splendidly. If they come with us, we will just be putting a target on our back.

(Algen) Arthur makes a point, Ezyze. The bees are truly rare creatures. Even the council was surprised when they saw this Cleopatra of yours! Also, we can wait for Lampa, but they can't come with you either, they are a wanted race in Blacksaber. What do you want to do in the meanwhile?

(E) Train and get stronger. What else can be done?

(Arthur) Yes and I know exactly how to train the newborn goblins. Still, I think that while we are here, we can send our strongest member getting rid of some rank 5. The cats are perfect targets!

(E) I disagree. Then, we would have to kill them maybe 8 more times! We must find a suitable target, but another, one that is strong, yet wouldn't threaten us directly by sending an ungodly number of forces to kill us.

(Algen) So a lone target..

(S) Me know! Harma strong. But! Harma bothered snakes. Snakes Poisonous. Big poison snake have many heads. We kill poison snake have many heads and conquest easy.

(E) I don't know. They didn't fight the hydra for a reason. What do you guys think?

(Arthur) Sunkong is right. If we leave, we will leave a power gap. We must think in advance who could threaten us and how to make the conquest smoother. From what I understood , this Poisonous hydra is a being that will pose issues to our conquest.

(Algen) I agree with Arthur. No matter how soon or late you leave, you will leave us weakened. It is not wrong as you leaving help us in fostering our goals. Still, we must survive for long enough so that we are stronger. The hydra poses issues and would greatly hinder our plans. If she is left aside, we would have to take longer routes to reach future camps, risk being injured and many other issues. We should nip any potential troubles in the bud while we can.

(E) Who will we send then?

(Algen) An hydra is a rank 5 monster lord. With very high regenerative rate, many different heads, the capacity to breath and exhale poison, a strong body and the capability to use dragon magic, it will be a very tough enemy. While I thought that sending all our members would be beneficial, for their survival and in order to have only impactful members fighting, only the strongest should be fighting.

(S) MEEE! MOONKONG! Harma too!

(Algen) Not only! Us rank 4 Ents que very strong fighters and have some immunity against poison. While the Unshakables are a strong fighting force, we need only the strongest. Arthur and Baal are strong rank 4 classes and would be able to fight up close and use magic. It may not be a good idea to have lower rank pure fighters so the other rank 4 shouldn't come! Eve was fighting brilliantly and her versatility can help us in many ways. The same is true for you Ezyze. While I think that you will be too weak to fight up close with the hydra, your spatial magic will be very useful. Also, we must keep in mind that the cats can still threaten us! Leaving such strong troops can prevent us from loosing valuable members. Always think of the unexpected!

(E) You make a sound reasoning. I agree with your plan.

(S) Fight!

(Arthur) I agree as well.

Like this, Arthur and Ezyze prepared themselves for what would be their last expedition in this forest before a long time.