A hero

-Icy Plains, Near Vanguards Stronghold-

"BRIGHT EDGE'S PIERCING DANCE!" I created replicas of myself. This time they don't need to hold on to the Dracotaur. His body is sturdier than I thought so my target this time is his wings!

*FLAAAAAAAAAP!* The Dracotaur tried to retaliate by flapping his wings to push us back but it won't be enough to stop my will!

*BAAAAAAAAAM!* Some of my replicas were hit by his tail, and some took a beating by biting them. They're not as strong as the original. I have to hit him!

*BAAAAAAM BABABAAAAM!* I managed to sneak out and pierced his wings a couple of times! I left a couple of holes through his wings. I don't know why but he's really having a hard time keeping up with me. Maybe he's not really that much used to his Dragon form. But like earlier, it regenerated slowly this time. Maybe I really am inflicting serious damage to him!

"OOOFFFFFF!" Oh no! He's preparing to use another powerful flame attack! Dodging his attack would be a bad idea because the Dracotaur's attack might hit the escaping army and the others! Damn, what should I do?!

"I need something to stop the attack! BRIGHT EDGE'S SHIELD!" I trusted my sword and decided to change its form into a shield! I knew it! I can freely change the form of my weapon as long as I can imagine it!

"BUUURRRRRRN!" The Dracotaur unleashed his attack! It was a massive flame breath but I will block it as long as I can! I am now holding my shield in front of me trying my best to stop his attack!

*BOOOOOOOOOM!* It hit my shield so hard but I can't give up now! The attack of the Dracotaur is pushing me down! I tried to flap my wings so fast to maintain my distance and also not to slip flame out of my defense!

Finally, the attack stopped! It looks like he's out of flame to throw. As I pull back my shield, it transformed back to its sword form. I think I'm also running out of mana fast. I need to end this before he gets me first!

I need to think of something that can defeat the Dracotaur in just one strong blow so it can't regenerate anymore! Think Zia. I know you can do this!

*GRRRRRRRR!* The Dracotaur is now charging at me with full force! It's like the attack he did earlier that almost killed both Warden and Siegriel. I don't have anyone to protect so I'll dodge him this time!

*SWOOOOOOOSH!* I dodge the Dracotaur in time. He's slowing down, unlike the last time. After that fast charge, he's now charging at me once again! I can't catch a break! This monster really wants to tear me up!

*SWOOOOOSH SWOSWOSWOOOOSH!* What the?! Hundreds of arrows were sent flying towards me! The snake woman and her army were resurrected again! Her archers fired thousands of arrows and now I have to defend from the Dracotuar's charge and the arrows! I don't have a choice!

*BAAAAAAAAAM!* I once again transformed my sword into shield! I felt that my mana is running low. I took damage more than I thought after blocking the attack of the Dracotaur! It's so strong that I got pushed back real hard!

*BAAAAAM BABABAAAAAM!* Ack! A couple of arrows hit me at the back! Thanks to my sturdy armor some of them didn't pierce through my body but still, a lot of them got me good and it hurts! Please try to hold on for now Zia. The army should pull back to safety. With me being the focus of attention of the Dracotaur, I'm sure they'll escape in time. I have to buy more time!

*BAAAAAAAAAM!* Ugh! What the?! The Dracotaur hit me with his tail in my right side! My shield only covered in front of me and also it reduced my line of sight! The Dracotaur caught me off guard.

*SWOOOOOOSH!* I was sent flying again! Wings please do something! I tried to flap my wings so hard to stop my falling speed. I did my best and managed to stop falling mid-air. I can't stop breathing heavily. I'm getting too tired fighting alone. My team really can't help me in this kind of situation because none of them can really fight above and they are also preoccupied with the undead and other monsters.

*SWOOOOOSH SWOSWOSWOOOOSH!* Another batch of arrows was again sent flying towards my direction! I can't really catch a break!

*SWOOOOOSH!* I tried my best to fly high again so arrows won't reach me but there are a lot of them to evade! I can't use my shield anymore because I know using it would cancel my transformation.

*BAAAAAAM BAAAAAAM!* Oh, damn! Damn! Tears started to fall from my eyes while trying to endure the pain. The pain of getting struck by arrows feels so real this time. Why am I fighting so hard?! It's just a game, right? What if I just give up now and get resurrected later? Wouldn't it be easier?

Then I remember what we are fighting for, the Castle of Siegriel where a lot of players who live there are not just playing the game to have adventures but to have fun with their families. It's not just the Vanguard's Stronghold; all the kingdoms built together by the people of New Life Online including our guild would be destroyed if all these monsters can't be stopped.

"I will protect this place no matter what the cost! Even if I have to die and get resurrected thousand times, I will make sure that I will stop all of you who destroy our memories and happiness from this world! I know the feeling of losing someone or something important to me. This game showed me how to experience things I've never felt my entire life. I will never allow evil like you to succeed!" I will use my remaining power to destroy the Dracotaur and leave the rest to the others. I hope that I bought enough time for them.

"BRIGHT EDGE'S FURIOUS BLADE TEMPEST!" I moved so fast charging towards the Dracotaur! I will pour all I have in this last attack!!

*SWOOOOOOOSH!*

"Where..." I disappeared from his sight as I planned! He was so surprised that he lost sight of me. Before he tries to say anything...

*BAAAAAAAAAAM!* I hit the back of his head! I put my full force with my last attack! This will stop your madness!! Yaaaaah!!

The Dracotaur's head was cut off. His body started to fall from the sky and so do I. My sword transformed back into a stone sword. I hope I did something good this time. My body is getting numb. Those arrows aren't normal... I think they're poisoned. My eyesight is getting foggy too. I hope the others are ok.

As I look below me I saw that those who can't fight anymore already escaped and left the castle. A lot of them also are still trying to defend the castle. I guess they have the same reasons as mine. I can see the ground now. It looks like I have to rest for a while now.

*SWOOOOOOOOSH!* Ehhhh??

"Ooohhh, ohhh, ohhhh!" It's Zeth! He caught me in mid-air! What is he doing here?!! I thought he took quite a beating earlier?

"Damn, why do you carry that heavy stone sword? I almost lost balance after reaching the ground." After saying that, he put me down safely. I really thought I was going to die.

"It looks like you really did well buying us some time. You defeated the Dracotaur. Everyone will never forget your bravery today, Zia, sister of Aurora." For some reason, he doesn't sound like he's a bad person.

"I can tell that some of your comrades will be coming here for a couple of seconds now. I, on the other hand, will be the next who will stop the Frozen King." The Frozen King earlier only watched the fight between me and the Dracotaur. I don't know why he'd do that rather than chasing those who escape the battlefield. But Zeth said, comrades? Is it Scy and the others? He's too late... A lot of us already died and the Vanguard's stronghold is now being besieged. Even if they help us, it will be useless.

"Now, it's time for me to show you the pride of the Order of Light's guild. I was too careless earlier but not this time. It looks like your friends are here. Stay safe." Is he going to fight alone?!

"Thanks but no, I won't leave you! I will still fight!" I exclaimed! I can't just leave him alone after saving me.

"Zia, thank God you're ok!" Akko came worriedly.

"Can you get her back to the guild? Lili and I will get the others." Elou said then he rushed towards the others.

"Let's go, Zia." She tried to hold me up and carry me but I can't just leave him alone. I accidentally pushed Akko away.

"No, I will still fight!" I have to help him, he saved my life!

"What's wrong with you?! You can't even stand up! I'm sorry Zeth but we have to go. Thank you and please don't get killed." Akko... but I won't... eh?? Then my vision suddenly blocked out...