The camp was alive with tension.
The air pulsed with the heavy anticipation of battle — the metallic scent of weapons, the faint hum of mana barriers, the rhythmic clanging of armor being secured. The soldiers and adventurers were all preparing for the storm that loomed in the northern horizon, a storm that reeked of death and destruction.
Among the many tents that flapped under the cold wind, Akari stood silently, her eyes fixed on the floating blue panels of her skill window. Around her, voices echoed — commands, footsteps, shouts of urgency — but her focus never wavered.
Her mind, however, was restless.
The names of her skills glowed faintly in front of her eyes:
Vine Hostage (Lv. 5) — Maxed.
Fireball (Lv. 5) — Maxed.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she tapped on them. Both were ready for evolution.
The system prompt chimed in her mind, soft and serene.
[Do you wish to evolve "Vine Hostage" into "Vines Trap"?]
[Do you wish to evolve "Fireball" into "Mega Flare"?]
Akari took a deep breath. "Yes."
A rush of warmth coursed through her veins. Her skill window flashed bright green and orange, then dimmed.
The new names appeared: Vines Trap and Mega Flare.
She smiled faintly. "That's… better."
But even as she admired her growth, unease gnawed at her heart. She clenched her hand. "Still… it's not enough."
Theo's voice thundered across the camp.
"Formation units, prepare the frontlines! No one acts without signal!"
He and Arke moved through the ranks like commanders of an army — guiding, checking, motivating. Leo and Draco's groups had already formed smaller detachments, assigned to sweep and cut through incoming hordes. The veterans moved like a single machine, their synchronization a thing of beauty.
Ruby, meanwhile, stood in silence by the edge of the camp — her fiery eyes half closed, her arms crossed. The flames around her tail flickered faintly, restrained. She was conserving her strength — saving every drop of magic for the inevitable confrontation with Nefarion.
Akari watched her for a moment, then looked back at her skill menu. She bit her lip, uncertainty flashing in her golden eyes.
"Even with these evolutions, it might not be enough."
She looked toward the horizon — the dark clouds in the distance, where the monsters would come from.
"What if I… summon again?" she whispered.
Her summoning skill had grown stronger since her contract with Ruby and the other familiars. The cooldown was over. Her mana was full.
Maybe another familiar — a knight-type one — could help them.
Without hesitation, she stepped aside from the crowd and knelt on the cold ground. Her hands traced a new summoning circle with mana lines that shimmered blue and gold. The formation pulsed in rhythm with her heartbeat.
She closed her eyes. "I summon under the divine authority granted by the God of Reincarnation… a familiar of might and loyalty. Appear before me."
The magic circle brightened, the air swirling into a violent wind. The runes along the circle expanded, crackling with lightning.
Arke, who was giving instructions nearby, suddenly noticed the rising energy and ran toward her.
"Akari? Are you summoning another familiar again?"
Akari nodded, her focus unwavering. "The group needs more assistance. I'll try to call one that can help cover the ground fast."
Arke knelt beside her, channeling mana into the circle to stabilize it. "Then focus on what kind of familiar you want to summon. Picture its spirit. Give it purpose, shape, and will."
Akari nodded. Her eyes glowed faintly. She thought deeply — of a creature that could run through battle, shield her allies, and carry her swiftly through chaos. A beast strong yet graceful. Fast as lightning, pure as light.
As her will solidified, the circle pulsed brighter. The wind screamed. Lightning arced across the sky.
Ruby's head snapped toward them, her eyes widening. "That aura…"
Smoke and light erupted from the ground. The summoning circle burst open with a surge of divine energy that shook the air.
Then — silence.
The smoke thinned.
And from the center of the circle stood a magnificent white tiger beast, its fur shimmering with streaks of gold, its eyes glowing with divine authority. The ground beneath it cracked from its weight, and the very air seemed to hum with reverence.
Arke's eyes widened. "That's… impossible…"
Akari blinked, stunned. "I–I summoned that?"
Arke swallowed hard. "You summoned the Great White Monarch — a divine beast that once ruled over all others. He ranks as the third among the highest, ahead even of the Red Dragon of Flames,Ruby and the Dragon of Destruction, Nefarion."
The tiger's deep voice resonated like thunder.
"Who dares summon me from the Divine Realm?"
Akari hesitated, then slowly raised her hand. "M-me."
The beast turned his gaze to her — cold, stern, assessing. His presence pressed down on her chest, heavy like an entire mountain. But before the silence grew unbearable, Ruby stepped forward.
"Enough, White Monarch. She is under divine contract. Begin the pact."
The white tiger turned his glowing eyes toward her. For a moment, he seemed taken aback. "… Red Dragon of Flames? You—alive?"
Ruby smirked. "Alive, yes. And her familiar now."
The tiger blinked. "The Red Dragon of Flames, a familiar? After a thousand years, I never thought I'd see such irony."
Ruby shrugged. "Times change."
The White Monarch lowered his head and faced Akari again. "Very well. You have earned her loyalty. That alone commands respect. Name me, and the pact shall be sealed."
Akari stared at him, thinking. Then she smiled gently. "Shiro."
The divine beast's body glowed with white light. "So be it. From this moment, I am Shiro, your sword and shield."
The light faded — and standing before her was no longer a tiger, but a tall man with flowing white hair and golden eyes, wearing armor engraved with divine runes. His presence still carried the air of royalty.
He flexed his hand, looking at his reflection in a shattered blade nearby. "It's been… centuries since I've taken this form." He turned to Akari. "Tell me, summoner — what war have you dragged me into?"
Ruby crossed her arms. "Nefarion."
Shiro's expression hardened. "That's impossible. I watched him perish with my own eyes."
Ruby nodded grimly. "We both did. But he's been resurrected — through the dark summoner's ritual. She's gathering souls to restore him."
Shiro's face darkened. "So the cycle repeats again."
The camp fell quiet for a brief, uneasy moment. Then the ground trembled faintly.
A dreadful, suffocating aura spread across the horizon.
Theo's voice rang out. "Positions! Monsters approaching!"
Everyone stiffened.
Shiro's eyes narrowed. "They're close."
Ruby transformed instantly, her dragon form bursting forth in a flare of crimson light.
"Akari — I'll go first," she said, spreading her wings.
"Be careful," Akari replied.
Ruby nodded, then roared into the sky, taking off toward the northern front.
Shiro turned to Arke and Akari. "Get on. We can't let them take the advantage."
Both climbed onto his back as he reverted to his divine beast form. With a mighty roar, Shiro dashed through the forest, the ground splitting beneath his paws.
When they reached the camp, chaos had already begun.
Theo was commanding the frontlines, his sword flashing as he cut down monsters left and right. Adventurers fought shoulder to shoulder with knights, holding the barricade.
"Theo!" Akari shouted as they landed.
He turned briefly, nodding. "Good timing. Arke, summon reinforcement!"
Arke raised her staff, summoning Skeleton King and Fenfnir — both roaring into existence, their power shaking the field.
Shiro blinked in surprise. "A mortal summoner capable of calling near-divine beings…"
Theo, noticing Shiro, raised an eyebrow but didn't question it. There was no time. "Akari — back Ruby up. She went ahead!"
"Understood!" Akari leapt back onto Shiro's back.
They rushed through the battlefield. Akari's sword danced, slashing through goblins and ogres as they advanced. Shiro moved like lightning, weaving between enemies, his claws cutting through them effortlessly.
"You fight well for someone so small," Shiro said with a smirk.
Akari laughed faintly. "You're not bad yourself."
Within minutes, they reached an open field — where chaos reigned supreme.
Above them, Ruby and Nefarion clashed in the sky. Their roars shook the heavens. Flames and black lightning collided, shaking the earth beneath them.
But before Akari could call out, a black-robed figure appeared beside her — striking silently.
Shiro barely managed to dodge the sudden attack, his fur bristling.
Akari's eyes narrowed. "The summoner."
The figure straightened, pulling back her hood — revealing an elegant elven woman with silver hair and ancient eyes.
Shiro froze. "It can't be… Diana?"
Akari blinked. "You know her?"
"She was one of the legendary heroes — the Summoner of the Great Calamity, who fought beside us against the Goddess of Destruction."
The elf smirked faintly. "So my name still lingers in memory."
Akari's voice wavered. "You were a hero… why are you doing this?"
Diana laughed, cold and sharp. "Because the gods betrayed us. You'll understand soon enough, little vessel."
"Vessel?"
Diana's grin widened. "Don't play dumb. You're one of them — chosen by a god, aren't you? I can see it in your aura."
Akari froze. Her lips parted but no words came.
"So it's true." Diana chuckled. "The God of Reincarnation chose you. Just like the rest of us once were."
"What are you talking about?" Akari demanded.
Diana's expression darkened. "We were tools. Vessels of divine power, used to fight their wars. And when we were no longer useful — they sealed us away. The gods who tried to protect us were erased. Their realm destroyed. Their names forgotten."
Akari stared, speechless.
Diana took a step closer. "Your god gave you too much power, vessel. And now, the divine council will come for you — to erase you before you can upset their precious balance."
Shiro growled. "Enough lies, Diana. The heroes weren't betrayed — they were corrupted. You fell under the Goddess of Destruction's curse."
Diana's smile faltered. Then she laughed again. "Believe whatever you wish. But when they come for you, girl, remember my words."
She raised her staff, and the ground cracked open. Massive monsters — ogre kings, skeletal magi, wyverns — poured forth.
Akari steadied her sword. "Let's end this."
The battle ignited.
Akari activated Reinforcement, taking control of several monsters and turning them against the rest. Vines erupted from the earth, trapping enemies as Vines Trap constricted their bodies. A Mega Flare exploded overhead, incinerating wyverns mid-flight.
Diana raised her staff. "Earth Spike!"
Dozens of jagged spears erupted from the ground.
Shiro leapt, dodging every strike. The system flashed in Akari's mind.
[Learn "Earth Spike"?]
"Yes!"
Power surged through her. She countered with her own Earth Spike, skewering an entire row of ogres.
Diana blinked, momentarily stunned. "You copied my magic?"
Akari smirked. "Something like that."
Rage flared in Diana's eyes. "Blind!"
A wave of darkness covered the battlefield. Shiro roared, clutching his head. "My vision—!"
Akari moved instinctively, defending him.
[Learn "Blind"?]
"Yes!"
She turned the spell back on Diana's minions, slicing through the blinded monsters in a dance of steel and light. When Shiro's sight returned, the battlefield was littered with corpses.
"Shiro!" Akari shouted. "Help me clear the rest!"
He nodded, reverting to human form and summoning lightning from the heavens. Bolts rained down, annihilating the horde.
Akari dashed straight toward Diana.
Diana's staff morphed into a sword, and their blades clashed — sparks flying.
"You're strong," Diana admitted, blocking another slash. "But your god will betray you, too."
Akari's eyes burned. "I'll decide that myself!"
She struck with Power Strike, slamming Diana into a rock wall.
Diana snarled, summoning more monsters, but Akari's Reinforcement twisted them against her.
Then — Akari's golden eyes shifted into crimson red. Her consciousness slipped. Rage consumed her.
In a flash, she moved faster than sight, her sword tearing through air. Rage Mode activated.
Diana's eyes widened. "That power—!"
She opened a black portal behind her and vanished just before Akari's blade struck.
The portal sealed shut. The silence after was deafening.
Akari stumbled, gasping. She coughed blood and dropped to her knees. The remaining monsters lunged toward her, but Shiro transformed and crushed them in one swing.
He turned back quickly. "Akari!"
She raised her hand weakly. "I'm fine… Ruby…"
Her voice faltered. Shiro looked up — the sky was burning red. Ruby was being overwhelmed.
Akari clenched her teeth and cast Grace Blessings, golden light enveloping her wounds. She felt strength return.
She mounted Shiro again. "Let's go. Ruby needs us."
Shiro roared and charged toward the battlefront.
[Scene Shift – Arima Castle]
Diana emerged from the portal, falling to her knees. Her cloak was torn, her breathing ragged.
In the dim throne hall, a deep voice echoed.
"You failed."
A man sat on a throne made of black stone — Arima, his eyes gleaming crimson beneath his crown.
Diana bowed. "I faced her a girl with golden eyes and maid uniform— the vessel of the God. She's stronger than expected."
Arima leaned forward. "Golden eyes, maid uniform?"
"Yes. And she commands both the Red Dragon of Flames and the White Monarch."
Arima chuckled darkly. "So the runaway vessel has finally resurfaced." He looked to the shadows behind him. "Prepare the army. Begin soul collection across the southern kingdoms. Leave the Kingdom of Solemn for last."
A cloaked knight bowed deeply. "As you command."
Arima turned back to Diana. "You've done well. The resurrection of Nefarion can wait — but the hunt begins now."
From another corridor, a slim man with predator-like eyes stepped forward. "My lord — we've located the vessel of the Goddess of Life. The one who holds resurrection."
Arima grinned. "Perfect. She will be our first prey."
[Scene Shift – Deep Forest, Night]
Two figures ran through the forest, panting heavily. Their cloaks flapped as branches snapped underfoot.
The younger one, a silver-haired boy, whispered, "Did we lose them?"
"Not yet," the woman ahead hissed, clutching a glowing parchment. "Keep moving."
They vanished into the darkness.
[Scene Shift – Battlefield]
Shiro and Akari burst through the last line of monsters.
Ahead, they saw Ruby — her enormous form bleeding, one wing pierced by a massive black spike. Her roar shook the ground as she struggled to rise.
"Nefarion…" Akari whispered.
The black dragon's eyes gleamed, its jaws gathering another blast of destruction aimed straight at Ruby.
Shiro's fur bristled. "We're too late—"
Akari's eyes glowed gold again. "No. We're not."
She raised her sword as light enveloped the field.
To be continued…