Radiance Reclaimed

"Cosmic Command!" Ethan's voice resonated, imbued with a potent urgency.

Mana: 140/150

Their descent slowed to a gentle drift, each individual caught in the grip of Ethan's gravity magic. Arthur, aloof as ever, rebuffed the offered help, his dismissive tone rippling through the thin air. "I didn't request your assistance."

Even through the opaque visor of Ajax's armor, surprise was evident. Viktor's eyebrows shot upwards, reflecting his own bafflement at Arthur's reckless disregard.

"Eager for a fatal plummet, are we?" Ethan countered, his voice maintaining an eerily calm composure. The forest canopy below crept closer as their descent continued.

Mana: 90/150

Ethan's system issued a cautionary alert. Warning, Cosmic Command will exhaust your mana reserves in 30 seconds, accounting for mana regeneration.

Arthur considered, before shrugging, a wicked grin playing on his lips. "Release me, then. It'll provide a worthy spectacle for you all," he jibed, affecting a posture of nonchalant relaxation.

'He's asking for it,' Ethan mused, feeling a thread of annoyance. 'Ajax and Viktor heard him too, they're witnesses to his death wish.' With a curt nod, he relinquished the Cosmic Command on Arthur.

Mana: 50/150

Arthur's momentarily flabbergasted expression was a sight to behold. Ethan allowed himself a moment of grim satisfaction, his worry lessened by one.

Arthur plummeted with a startled scream. But before he met the ground, his body transmuted into a radiant orb of energy. As he touched down, the energy dispersed in a stunning display of luminous particles that scattered like stardust. The spectacle rendered everyone momentarily silent.

Mana: 10/150

Landing with a soft thud on the grassy floor, Ethan released his Cosmic Command. Ajax was quick to draw his weapons, his voice a furious rasp. "You let him fall to his death! What kind of monster are you?"

Ready to fight, Ajax assumed a combative stance, while Viktor cautiously retreated, observing the ensuing drama unfold.

"I acted on necessity, given our shared predicament and the limitations of my mana reserves," Ethan retorted, poised for a potential confrontation.

"HALT!" A voice, sharp and commanding, sliced through the brewing conflict. A lean figure emerged from the verdant forest, his skin painted an arresting crimson with horns that adorned his head like a crown. At his side, an eclectic cadre of a hundred, a mingling of human and high-elf warriors, peered curiously at the unfolding drama.

As he emerged, Ajax's grip on his swords slackened, yet his focus remained riveted on the horned figure. "I am Belial. One of you will be under my command in the impending battle. Who steps forth?"

Ethan stepped forward, his demeanor a blend of elegance and respect. "Greetings, Belial. It would be my honor to cooperate with you." He inclined his head in a dignified bow.

Belial responded with an approving nod. "Splendid! Our alliance bodes well for the impending battle." His horns pulsated with a mysterious luminescence, the underlying cause enigmatic.

Ajax bristled, attempting to regulate his rising fury. "Wait a minute," he growled, now the focus of Belial's sharp gaze.

"State your concern swiftly, human. Time is against us, and I must ensure everyone's safe rendezvous with their respective officers before the battle commences," Belial retorted, a note of irritation seeping into his tone.

"This man is a murderer! He must answer for his crimes!" Ajax's accusation was laced with resolute conviction as he pointed at Ethan, who responded with a nonchalant smirk.

Belial dismissed the accusation with a wave of his hand. "That's a personal matter amongst you. Our orders explicitly forbid interference in your disputes. Post-battle, you can address your grievances amongst each other." He punctuated his statement by releasing an energy blast, which whizzed through the forest, yet left the trees untouched.

From his cover behind a nearby tree, Viktor appeared, a question dancing in his eyes. "What was that?"

Belial's reply was matter-of-fact. "A beacon for the other officers to locate us. They should arrive within a minute."

Ajax remained silent, evidently at a loss for a suitable response, while his gaze alternated between Ethan and Belial.

In response to Belial's distinctive signal, the other officers materialized on the scene with remarkable speed. Each officer, bearing a unique semblance, paired themselves with either Viktor or Ajax, until only a solitary figure remained unassigned.

"We're one short..." the officer muttered softly, a note of perplexity lacing her voice. A striking beauty, she stood there imbued with an alluring mystique. Her hair, the color of rich chestnut, cascaded down in soft waves, glimmering under the dappling sunlight that broke through the forest canopy. Her eyes, an arresting shade of turquoise, shimmered with an unfathomable depth, their gaze reminiscent of unexplored oceans. The perfect alignment of her features contributed to a harmonious blend of elegance and strength. Yet, the earnest seriousness that etched lines of concentration on her brow added an intriguing layer of complexity to her persona. It hinted at the formidable force concealed beneath her stunning facade, a testament to her position amidst the array of battle-hardened officers.

A sudden, powerful gust whirled around them, accompanied by a shower of shimmering energy particles. They began to take form, manifesting into a bright, blue silhouette that gradually took on the form of Arthur, his grin wolfish and triumphant.

"Surprise! I'm far from dead. You really thought I'd succumb so easily?" Arthur's tone dripped with pompous mirth.

Ethan blinked in surprise, taking a moment before managing to articulate a question, "What's your class, Arthur?"

A collective pause of bewilderment seized the group, confusion marking every face, including the usually composed officers. Even the typically imperturbable Belial appeared temporarily stumped, as if he were internally interrogating the baffling scenario.

Arthur's response came in the form of a spiteful smirk and an insolent flip-off. "Do you seriously think I'd share that?" He sprawled on the verdant grass, stretching lazily as though easing into a fresh set of limbs.

"He is a..." Viktor's proclamation trailed off under the searing glare Arthur shot his way, making him reevaluate the wisdom of his impending words.