Reaching For The Sky

 At the Klato airport, a handsome middle-aged man with shaggy black hair and a neatly trimmed black beard stepped through the gate with a slender young woman with neatly parted neck-length black hair beside him. She held onto a suitcase that rolled across the airport floor. Simón turned to the woman, "What do you think is with all the commotion?" He asked in Spanish, "I'm not sure," Ms. Nores replied. "There's someone powerful here," he mumbled, "Powerful? How powerful?" She asks, "Maybe I'm wrong. Why would someone like that be here, of all places?" Simón asks himself in thought. "My apologies. The crowd made it hard for me to get to your gate," an MDA agent stepped through the crowd. "No worries, so there is something going on at the airport today?" Simón asks, "Not quite, a Mythic from Flore is visiting Klato. He's here on personal business, so there is nothing to be concerned about," the MDA agent explained. "A Mythic from Flore? I wonder if he has anything to do with recent events," Simón thought, stepping towards the agent, "This way please," he gestured to them to follow.

 Mr. Sears sat at his desk, both hands on the table. A Clipboard rested under his palms, "so this is Simón Alcabú. The very Mythic that is the Guild Master to the biggest guild in Wido-" Mr. Sears began- "He is no ordinary man, simply because his guild rivals the Golden Dragon Guild in Flore in size," he thought. "Draw Sword Guild holds 11 S-ranks and many lower ranked Mythics, While Golden Dragon Guild has 10. Unlike them, the Scavengers' Guild has 15 S-ranks, and are the largest in the Pacific Colony," Mr. Sears continued. "Mr. Sears, my name is Violet Nores. I am Mr. Alcabú's interpreter," she explained, "I will be relaying Mr. Alcabú's meaning to you," she added. Simón commented on something in Spanish, "Due to the recent disastrous events, we have come to the conclusion that Kauai Island can no longer be neglected," Ms. Nores translated. "We have come to pledge our full support," she added. "Their full support?" Mr. Sears thought, "Now, let me get straight to the point. We came here because I want to form a united strike squad composed of only our top-ranking Mythics. What do you think?" Simón asks in Spanish. "Why do I feel he has other intentions? Does he really want a united strike squad?" Mr. Sears asked himself in his mind. "You want all of that to attack the ants at the heart?" he asks, "Yes, exactly," Simón replied. "I know that your top Mythics are extraordinary, but attacking Kauai Island at the heart of S-rank monsters is just too dangerous," Mr. Sears explained. "Not to worry, we have prepared a strategy," he responded. "These are the file documenting the date we've gathered on the ants," Ms. Nores passed a document to Mr. Sears. "Every ant rivals the strength of a high ranking Mythic, but they possess a fatal weakness-" Simón began- "They have a significantly short life span of one year. If we can just kill their queen, all the ants on Kauai Island will die within a year," he explained. "We Just have to kill the queen? It certainly sounds more realistic than killing the entire colony," Mr. Sears thought, "But in reality, trying to kill the queen will be equally hard," he added. "Do you know that the ants will die for their queen?" Mr. Sears asks, "Of course they will, and we have to get past thousands of ants in order to kill their queen if we were going in without anything more than the plan. We won't have to battle all of them if we can get some to leave their tunnels," Simón reasoned. "Is that possible?" Mr. Sears asks, "Yes, it has happened three times before. Back when Mythics arrived at the shore of Kauai Island to carry out a search and destroy mission, the ants left their tunnels and headed toward the battlefield," he explained, "Where is this listed in the document?" Mr. Sears asked, "The events are confirmed by our mana radars. Around page five," Ms. Nores replied. He nods, turning to that page. "We plan on participating in the Kauai Island raid," Simón explains, "in addition, we will be in charge of distracting the ants. Please, have your Mythics defeat the queen. The rest of my guild members will arrive shortly," he continued. "If they successfully create a diversion, only the queen and a few of her guards will be left inside the tunnels," Mr. Sears thought.

 "Our plan is to split up into teams and attack the island from all directions. The ants will swarm towards the sites of our attacks, while the queen remains in the empty tunnels-" he began- "Your strike squad will take a helicopter to Kauai Island and infiltrate the tunnels. After defeating the queen, they'll board the helicopter again to evacuate from the island," Simón explained. "It sure sounds plausible-" he thought- "But why is he willing to mobilize his strongest S-ranks for just this raid?" Mr. Sears added in thought. "All National Ranked Mythics have raided an S-rank dungeon before. Once I finish the Kauai Island raid, I'll be high enough on the ladder to be worthy of a National Rank-" Simón began in thought- "This is an S-rank dungeon we're talking about. I've carefully selected these 10 S-ranks to participate. I must minimize the risk as best as possible," he added in thought. "They have no good reason to decline my offer. This isn't the most honorable way of getting what I want, but I have no other choice," Simón sighed. "We don't have the S-ranks to do something like this alone. We only have 8 S-ranks in Klato, and of them only 6 are capable of raiding. I'm too old for raiding and Michel is retired," Mr. Sears concluded, "The real question is if we're even capable of defeating the boss of an S-rank dungeon?" He asked himself. "Winter Greats defeated the boss of an A-rank Gate all by himself, so if he were to join, we might have a chance!" Mr. Sears added in thought. "They're evolving quickly, their entire army might be able to fly soon. We can't afford to delay any longer," he thought. "I understand. Once the documents have been assessed, we'll have a detailed plan ourselves," Mr. Sears explained. Simón nods.

~>System<{" [Level: 93],"}>it displayed to Winter<~< p>

 He steps up to a castle, "This is the strongest clan? I'm sure it is on the 99th floor," he commented, standing at the front gate. Demon knights stood atop of the stone walls with spears and arrows. Winter smirks, "Come forth," he commanded, and his army forms all around him. Tusk grows in size, with a summoning circle around his wrist with zodiac signs in the matters of the magic. He leaned back, breathing deeply as a dragon head formed behind his head.

~>System<{" The [Shadow Soldier: Tusk] Has Used [Hymn: Dragon Fire]!"}>It rang<~< p>

 With a mighty breath, a tormenting beam of fire spewed from his mouth, breaking through the defenses of the castle with one breath. Melting the metal and stone of the framework. The Strongest of the demon knights avoided the attack, and leaped off the tops of the castle. Rushing into battle with the surviving demon soldiers. They clashed with the Shadow Soldiers with the sound of clanging metal. Sparks flew in the air of the battlefield, and through the chaos of battle, Winter broke through the front line. Cutting through the demon soldiers to get to the demon knights. With the clash of Winter's daggers and the sword of a demon knight, the ground shook with a deafening, reverberating clang. With it came a rushing wave of mana that swept over the battlefield. Another demon knight thrust their spear at Winter, and he ducked under it, sweeping the first demon knight's legs before launching himself at a third demon knight with his sword over his head. With wide eyes, the third demon knight watched Winter's daggers meet their mark in his neck and chest. It roared and brought their sword down with all their might, striking Winter's after image. In The first Moment, Winter appeared behind the demon knight with the spear. Striking the back of their head and launching him toward the third demon knight. The next, the third demon knight's neck and chest exploded with immense cursed energy, and their sword struck the earth with enough force to displace the dirt in a large radius, cutting through the first and second demon knight. "Good work, you're really starting to excel after just one of my lessons," Ultima commented, "Yeah? How about another lesson after I kill this last noble?" Winter asks, "We'll see," it replied.

 Just as the battle began to end, a massive armored demon noble landed on his feet in the burnt courtyard. This noble had four spikes on each shoulder pad, and a large spike on the top of his helmet poking out of the hood of his cloak. Through the back, he had let his braided hair fall from the top of the helmet, with a sharp ornament piece at the end of his braid. He wore a brown cloak over his armor with light purple rope tying it down to his chest, and a sash that a sword hung from his waist. He held a halberd in hand. With it in hand, the top of it was just over his head.

~>System<{" The [Spark of White Flame: Belgromos] Has [Acknowledged] [Player] as an [Enemy],"}>it rang<~< p>

 "What a remarkable force," Ultima commented. "Will I be able-" Winter began, looking at both of the noble's weapons- "to defeat this monster?" He asks himself, gripping his daggers. "You're not alone," Ez steps forward, holding her spear in one hand and a sword in another. Iron stepped forward, placing himself in front of Winter. Igris stands beside him, and Baruka stands behind him. Winter smirks, "You're right," a white, skull-like mask forms over his face. Two black, spike-shaped marks, both stretching past the eyes and teeth going past his chin. Belgromos held his halberd tightly in both hands, watching each soldier ready themselves. "Begin," Winter commanded, just as each Shadow Soldier rushed into battle. Igris led the charge, and leaped up over Belgromos' thrusting halberd. Baruka rushed under the attack, and Iron blocked it with his shield. With an erupting explosion of earth breaking forces, a tidal wave of mana rushed out from Iron's shield. He stepped to the side, letting the halberd follow through its momentum as he brought down his battleaxe. Belgromos blocked the battleaxe with his heavily armored left forearm, swinging it to the side to block Igris' long sword.

 The clang of metal reverberated through the area, but from behind, Baruka slammed his fists into Belgromos' back, nearly denting the dense armor. Belgromos spat out a breath, and stepped forward to swing his halberd around through Igris and Baruka. Ez came from above, her spear meeting Belgromos' open mouth. Cutting open the crease of his lips. As blood poured out of his mouth, Iron stepped forward as well, planting his foot between Belgromos'. Winter came rushing in, cutting his closest leg to Iron just as he struck Belgromos' chest with his battleaxe. Falling back, he attempted to step back to catch his balance before collapsing. With his foot slamming into the ground, Winter sped under the demon noble. Grazed by an attack aimed at Iron, that cuts through Ez. His right ear bled as an explosion erupted with opposing forces. Winter launched himself up into the air, slamming his foot into the bloody helmet of Belgromos. Launching his head back, and his body soon followed. Igris returned, fully regenerated, thrusting his sword into Belgromos' left elbow. Iron struck between his chest and stomach with his battleaxe, and a regenerating Ez shoved her spear into his eye. Baruka attempted to attack his head as well, but was launched away into the remaining brick wall of the castle. Belgromos' aura exploded out, pushing Winter back several yards. Belgromos grabbed Igris by the head, and launched him into Iron. Pushing him back toward Winter.

 Tusk stepped through what remained of the walls of the castle, and watched as Belgromos roared. Blood spilling from his armor and body. Tank rushed in, slashing at Belgromos with its massive claws. Belgromos blocked the first and was struck by the second swipe, his halberd falling to the ground. Pushing him back, Tank bites into his hand that previously held the halberd. Belgromos roared and reached for his sword, but didn't find it on his hip. He felt his foot meet the staff of his halberd, and with his foot he caught the staff on the edge of his foot and kicked it up. Grabbing it with his free hand, he stabbed Tank's head, pushing him away now that he had more leverage. Belgromos watches Winter rushing out of the courtyard. Rushing behind Tusk, Belgromos pulls his halberd out from Tank's head. He bends his knees, glaring at Tusk. Out of instinct, Tusk creates a barrier in front of himself. Belgromos launches himself off the ground, with the tip of his halberd, first. He explodes through Tusk's barrier and head.

 Belgromos lands on his feet, creating a creator in the earth. He grips his halberd and searches the battlefield for Winter. It was littered with corpses of his worries and knights, "Arise," Winter commanded from behind. Belgromos turned to attack, but when he felt a wave of dense mana rushing over him from the battlefield, he had to see what happened. "What-" He asks- "Impossible," he commented when his eyes met the revived vastness of his own soldiers. "You," Belgromos continues, "You're the Monarch of Shadows," he turned to face Winter. "Sounds like there was a previous Shadow Monarch," Winter thought, "Were you gathering to fight me?" He asks, "Not quite," Belgromos managed despite the System's attempt to censor him. Winter sighs, "I guess you can't say more, so let's just end this," he gripped his daggers tightly.

 Winter rushed toward Belgromos, ready for his attack. The demon noble attempted to impale Winter with his halberd, but Winter released the tension he built up in his legs. Launching himself up and over the attack, leaving a creator in the ground before the earth was split open or displaced by Belgromos' attack. Winter's foot met the demon noble's helmet, and Belgromos' head leaned back. Coiling his arm, Winter released the tension and cut down the left side of the demon noble's chest. Cutting through the armor, Belgromos slammed his free hand into Winter's side, but it only passed through an after image. With his stomach exposed, Winter pulled his right hand back just as his dagger returned to his inventory. With his aura condensing into his clenched fist, he slammed it into Belgromos' stomach with as much strength as he could spare. A sudden eruption of magical power, it passed through the demon's body out into the surrounding battlefield in a cone shape. Belgromos was launched back into the courtyard. He forced his feet into the ground to slow, only stumbling back. Winter appeared before the demon noble, and Belgromos lifted the halberd above his head. With as much might as he had available to him, he brought it down on Winter's head. An Explosion of opposing forces displaced the earth and left scars on the 99th floor. Iron held a shield over Winter, blocking Belgromos' attack with the halberd. The strongest of Winter's Shadow Soldiers fully regenerated, and readied themselves for another round.

~>System<{" The [Shadow Soldier: Tusk] Has Used [Hymn(s): Agony, Frenzy, Blindness, Slumber, And Lethargy]!"}>It rang<~< p>

 Crippled, Belgromos could only watch as Winter and his strongest soldiers prepared their attacks. Tank rushed at Belgromos and held him down. Baruka attacked Belgromos' weakest points in his body and armor, while Winter rushed around the noble, creating more of those weak points. Ez attacked his legs, while Iron swung his battleaxe into his chest again. Slamming Belgromos with enough force to make him stumble back, Tusk used his gravity magic on Belgromos. The earth shook from Belgromos being forced onto the ground, Igris brought his sword up and slammed it down at Belgromos' neck. His hand catches the blade, and an eruption of sound and magic rushed out into the courtyard. Winter and Baruka combined brought their daggers down on Belgromos. With all their might combined, they break through Belgromos' helmet and skull. Splitting the earth open while displacing the dirt and stone.

~>System<{" The [Player] Has [Slain] [Spark of White Flame: Belgromos],"}>it rang<~< p>

~>System<{" The [Player] Has [Leveled up] {x2}!"}>It rang<~< p>

 "Finally," Winter sighed, watching Belgromos' body slump into the displaced and broken up earth. Each of his Shadow Soldiers sighed with relief, glad of their victory. "I don't think I could have done it alone," he laughed awkwardly. Leaning over and grabbing the entry permit to the last floor from the corpse. "My liege, do you think we should raise this one too?" Ez asks, "Oh, right. Yeah," Winter held his hand over Belgromos' corpse. "Arise," he commanded. Just as he spoke, his surroundings became suddenly dark and fogged. "What?" Winter asks, turning to find the cause, "What's happening?" He thought, "Wait… It's going back to normal," he added."My liege," a deep voice spoke. Winter turned back to the corpse to find the massive noble demon down on one knee.

~>System<{" [Shadow Soldier: Unnamed], [Level: 7], [Rank: Elite Infantry],"}>it displayed<~< p>

 "Please, bestow upon me the honor of a name," he added. "Hm," Winter hummed, "He deserves a name to set him apart from the rest of the demons," he thought. "Hellraiser, that will be your name," Winter decided. "Thank you, my liege," Hellraiser bowed his head. Winter smiles, "Now, let's finish this by killing the boss," he gripped the entry permit, taking it along with him to the Transportation Circle with his Shadow Soldiers following close behind. Upon his arrival in the circle, they receded into his shadow. "The 100th floor," Winter thought, stepping into the Transportation Circle. With a beam of fire reaching up into the sky, Winter steps through the light.

~>System<{" [Level: 95],"}>it displayed to Winter<~< p>

 Stepping out into the massive field of dirt before him, Winter can see storm clouds that filled the sky. With thunder rumbling through the ruins of a grand castle. Lightning flashed through the clouds, "Where-" he thought just as the sound of flapping wings came to his ears- "ah," he added. The waves of mana rushing over Winter, his face turned serious. Staring intently at the wyvern figure soaring through the sky. It parched on top of a half collapsed tower, crushing the stone by its weight and strength. Atop the white wyvern's back stood a huge man with a demonic figure. A huge, muscular demon with gray skin, glowing flame-like white hair, a long tail, and four horns on his head, two of which were very long and curved. This huge demon held a great long sword with one hand, and from it came a blue aura. His eyes were an uncanny red, and because of it, Winter determined something was off.

~>System<{" The [Demon King: Baran] Has [Acknowledged] [Player] as an [Enemy],"}>it rang<~< p>

 "Demon King?" He asked, "That's only one of his titles. He's supposed to be the Monarch of White Flames-" Ultima began- "It seems like the system is only using a portion of Baran's powers and a vessel to provide us a suitable boss! Otherwise, we'd be dead if he was at full power!" It continued, "So we have a chance?" Winter asks, "Yes," Ultima replied. He summons his daggers, gripping them tightly. "A beast that can fly? This might get annoying," Winter noticed the white wyvern, with electricity running along its scales. "Just like Ez' horse, this is another non-demon I've encountered. Are mountable creatures an exception?" Winter tilts his head. The wyvern takes off, "I'm sure I can extract its shadow," he thought. The huge demonic man lifted his great sword, pointing it at Winter's direction.

~>System<{" The [Demon King: Baran] Has Used [Skill: Raising Hell],"}>it rang<~< p>

 Hundreds of portals came rising up from the earth below Baran, spanning behind him.

~>System<{" The [Demon King: Baran] Has [Summoned: Demon Soldiers, Knights, And Generals],"}>it rang<~< p>

 Demons poured out of the portals, holding weapons in their hands. Adorn with armor of their individual clans. Unlike the previous demons, their eyes glowed red, just like Baran's. "Over a Hundred Knights and generals? They're around A-rank I think," Winter thought, "I can tell that there's nearly a thousand of them. Has it officially begun?" he asks aloud. The demons roared all at once, beginning their assault. Charging all at once directly in Winter.

~>System<{" The [Skill: Monarch's Domain] Has Been [Enabled]. [Shadow Soldiers] And Their [Stats] Within [Range] of Will [Increase] by [30%],"}>it rang<~< p>

 "Are you going to summon them?" Ultima asks, "Not yet," Winter replies. "Oh, I see. Are we going to fight them all by ourselves?!" It yells. The masses of demons approach quickly, stepping past the expensed border of Winter's shadow. "Come forth!" He commanded, and the demons replied with their screeches. Somewhere suddenly cut off by shadow weapons piercing through their bodies. Masses of Winter's infantry rose up from his shadow, piercing their weapons into the front line of the demon army. Massive demons came from Winter's flank, reaching him very quickly. Tank, Iron, And Igris came from the shadows, each attacking their own demon. Tank tackled and ripped through his demon, Iron slammed his battleaxe into his demon's knee, bringing him down to the ground. Crushing his head, Igris leaped up and cut through his demon all the way. Landing on Tusk's shoulder just as Tusk grew inside and strength with his hymns. Esil and Hellraiser form on each side of Winter, with one swipe from both cutting through over fifty demons.

~>System<{" The [Shadow Soldier: Tusk] Has Used [Hymn: Blazing Fire]!"}>It rang<~< p>

 With Massive explosions, blazing fire consumed the masses of the demon soldiers, knights, and generals behind the front line. The infantry Shadow Soldiers continued their battle, cutting down twenty demons before receiving any hint of damage. "We've been climbing the floors since the 78th floor. Yet, I'm still surprised at what we're capable of," Winter smiled. He looks up at the wyvern, and Baran. His face had amusement on it, "Baran is still over there, all high and mighty," Winter thought. Baran opens his mouth, and with a build up of dense mana, electricity begins to form between his jaws. An Eruption of electrical power was released into the sky, and with it came a storm of lightning that struck what remained of the grand castle ruins. Even striking the Shadow Soldiers and demon soldiers in battle. "This isn't just lightning," Winter thought.

~>System<{" The [Player]'s [Resistances] Are Too [High]! [Effects: Stunning Electricity] Has Been [Canceled]! [Permanent Effect: Longevity] Taken Effect, And Any [Negative Status Effects] Will be [Removed],"}>it rang as all the effect was unbound<~< p>

 "It's a spell with a stun in a wide area of effect-" Winter determined, watching his soldiers suddenly freeze up- "If I can't block the spell, my soldiers are going to start losing, and I'll lose more mana!" He takes off from where he was standing. Racing towards the tower, the wyvern previously parched on, and leaped up from one ledge to the other. At the top, he bent his knees, and launched himself off the tower. Quickly rushing through the air, Winter slashes his daggers at the wyvern's wings. Instead of meeting the wing of the wyvern, Winter's dagger clashed with Baran's great long sword. "Crap!" he thought, flinching. Baran swiped his sword, launching Winter away with immense strength. Crashing into the ground, the earth bent and was displaced by the sheer force of his landing.

 "Tch!" Winter coughed, gritting his teeth. Suddenly, the sky was lit up with lightning again. Baran gathered more of this magical electricity and blasted a condensed torrent of electricity at Winter. He rolled out of the way, barely avoiding the full brunt of the attack, the cloak burnt and left his right side partially struck by the lightening and electricity. Winter's feet met the ground and took off, but the beam quickly followed as Baran turned his head. "Fast!" Winter managed to think before it was interrupted by a torrent of fire passing over him. Tusk entered a beam struggle with Baran. Colliding their two beams with crackling explosions, Tusk drew more power from the Orb of Avarice pushing back against the electrical beam. Suddenly, the two beams become unaligned, enough for each to break past the other at an angle. Winter leaped out of the way of the electricity striking the ground, rushing through the gaps. "Incredible!" Winter thought. The torrent of fire rushed up at Baran. The Demon King attempted to pull on the rains to make the wyvern move out of the way, but it struck them with a massive explosion in the sky. "I knew that would come in handy," he smirked. The wyvern crashed a decent distance away, blood following closely, from Baran who hit the ground much harder. The demon king stood up, with an expression of irritation or pain. "Finally, you're on the ground-" Winter began as the dust began to settle- "I was getting tired of looking up at you," he explained, pointing a dagger at Baran. The demon king gripped his long sword, taking large strides towards Winter.