The Fifth Realm

Hours flew by. The team drooled, each in their own corner. They were tired. Hakim was near dead. Normal people don't got the energy to run around fighting celestials, angels, ogres, old hags, among other monsters all day.

Who cares? this was the thrilling life of an Isekai Game player. No boring 9-5 nor reverie. It was pure study and train to run out battling monsters and players alike. It was the life serious players fought for.

Oaka began yelling on the intercom, "The train has reached its final stop".

Logan stretched himself, "Well, time to go. I prefer tactics to get me by over a train any day".

Jeff threw his hands, "How you feeling Hakim"?

Hakim sighed, "Well I'm doing a little better since Jaivva healed me a bit".

"Just go home man," said Logan.

Jeff placed a hand on Hakim, "Nah, you're fine to stay man. It's about what you want".

Vanessa rubbed Hakim's shoulders to comfort him, "I mean, I can stay. I just can't do anything strenuous".

Jeff stretched out his arms, "Got you, bro. We'll keep you with the girls. If worst comes to worst, we will have you to keep em safe".

Logan shook his head towards Dani as Jeff restated his decision louder. He finally felt power over Logan's metagaming habits. Mina kissed her ferret, taking clear note of the tension.

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Jeff lead the team in a tight formation through the snow-covered forest. They had three sleighs. Hakim and the two girls sat in the center sleigh. Two more were in the rear, filled with gingerbread men.

Andres navigated the team through the woods until he saw an old man in a coat. He looked back at Jeff who signaled for him to make contact.

"How are you doing today?" asked Andres with a naive smile on his face.

The old man looked up revealing his grey beard, "Hey, young man. I am doing well today. How about yourself".

Noticing his weak stance, Andres wiped his head, "We just got off the train and is looking for directions. Do you happen to know the best way to the top"?

The old man stared for a moment, "No. But I do live in a village just a little ways from here. Would you all mind please lend me a ride"?

He began walking the old man towards Mina and Leira's sleigh, "Sure thing".

With only a few steps towards the sleigh, the old man noticed Logan was now standing by a tree.

"Trap," called Logan, causing Andres and the old man to be paralyzed.

Andres managed to resist it enough to punch the old man and jump out of the trap.

He held up his shield as Logan intensified the trap. The old man fell his life suck down into his gut.

Dani shot him back with an ice bomb. An ice boulder formed with him in the center.

Andres ran to slice the boulder when the old man sprouted wings to burst out.

His metal wings spanned past his arms. His arms morphed into cannons, aimed at Logan and Dani.

Jeff shot at him a few times from behind a sleigh. The man fell back into the snow. He was near completely covered.

Logan ran in when the man soared up, "You could have given up. You could have forfeited your pagan holiday. But all of you have allowed yourself to be blinded by your evil ways. Now you have summoned the full power of the Quintis Angeli".

Right after, the old man flew away.

"Dammit," said Andres, "How were we suppose to kill that guy"?

"It happens," said Dani.

Jaivva was furious, "Do they really do boss battles like that in The Isekai Game too? Cuz I think that's cheap. Like, if I can beat and kill him now, let me".

Jeff laughed, "Yo, anything that happens in a video game, happens here. Okay? There are bosses that heal. Have stages to them. Will ride on things. Anything".

Jaivva shook her head, "That's so stupid".

Vanessa rose her finger, "Mmm, what is Quintis Angeli? Are we fighting Angels"?

"You heard that Andres!" Yelled Jaivva, "Vanessa wants to know if we're fighting angels".

Andres sighed, "I'm pretty sure we are. I know the fifth realm is governed by Samael. He's the angel of death. So we might have to fight him. It's likely that each of the demons we fought so far were angels from the fifth realm".

Logan added, "There are no people around. These angels probable killed them, or worse".

"Why," asked Leira.

"Christmas is a sham of a holiday. They were likely killed for their sins," answered Logan.

"No, it's not," objected Leira, "It's a holiday where we can spend time with our families".

"Exactly," said Andres, "Like if you don't like it, then fine. But the rest of us do like spending that extra quality time with our family".

Jeff asked, "Hey Logan, when was the last time you even spent time with your family? or even celebrated Christmas"?

"Is it true Logan?" asked Vanessa.

Logan shrugged.

"I celebrate Christmas," he smiled. "My mom buys me some stuff and leaves it under the tree until I pick it up. I don't spend time with her, but oh well".

Dani kicked his shin, "Told yall he was an ass".

As Jeff got everybody back on track, Vanessa began pestering Logan about the importance of family.