Book 5. Chapter 37: Before the Final Battle

Book 5. Chapter 37: Before the Final Battle

The Battlegroup didnt have long to wait before more groups started showing up, Jakes party having spent a few minutes at the Node.

Bloodberri needed armor repairs from the caustic explosion, and even Jake had been cut into several times by the void creature. Repairing their Mythic armor with gamelike repair items was still expensive, as the rare materials made them require many for the same result.

Refilling their ammunition, they were ready for the next battle after some rest. It was Valtor and Amaras group that arrived first. Jake had wanted to take Valtor and Amara in his Dungeon Raid, but he simply wasnt high enough level.

Jake and his wives approached him first. Valtor! Its good to see you. It looks likeeveryone is here?

Valtor laughed. Thats right! The battle was a challenge, but those elites were no match for our teamwork. Teaming up with the beastkin and our allies, our Instance did well!

Ophelia asked, What kind of elites did you have in your instance?

Amara answered, They were quite varied. One was a sort of automaton caster, that would enhance the others in the lane it was in. Another was a large ape, that frenzied and leaped at our weaker allies when we attacked it. There was a dangerous rhinoceros-like creature, that tried targeting and destroying our tower. We were only barely able to save it, when we had to fall back and rest before our final push.

Valtor added, There was a powerful archer and a lightning spellcaster as well. Amara and I had to expend much effort to counter them.

Getting more of their descriptions, they were certainly not at the level of the prime instance, but certainly a difficult challenge to counter. Their groups all seemed to have unique elites, providing varied challenges and synergy required for victory.

More groups arrived, most of them successful in keeping their allies alive and defeating the challenge.

But many of them suffered casualties. The elites aim was particularly dangerous, to score kills on the Battlegroup almost through respawn tactics. They eventually found the weakest link or created a difficult to deal with situation, and grabbed their kills.

However, many of the Hearthtribe groups made it through. Takodas group of tamers easily managed the towers with their auril beasts, while their many allies then focused down the elites.

Grayson and Sunmane managed to protect their weaker allies with focused healing and shielding.

A few had ended up using a different strategy. Brocks Battlegroup focused on a strategy of pushing one lane heavily with only a token defense left at the other lanes, defending the towers. Then, they went hunting and ambushed the elite enemies before they could meet, and eliminate any of their targets. The elites were slaughtered easily, and Jake thought it sounded like a decent idea.

However, in some it backfired. Omans Battlegroup did lose a few allies because the elites were able to sneak and group up, and then hit and kill their token defense at one of the towers, even though the towers finished them off. Having lost five Battlegroup members, they left the Raid with two floors completed.

Having 50 people complete what was a solo Trial or better was still a big win. However, with what was the most difficult battle with less than their maximum potential, it was extra dangerous. What the Alliance knew about battles is there was often a requirement to deal a certain amount of damage per second, or the battle would become impossible in many of the chosen final challenges.

If the Battlegroup entered with less than their maximum number of members, they were at a severe handicapwhen the challenge was difficult enough without it.

Davonious and Avinas Battlegroup had done well, but also lost a few allies against the Boss monster. The fire and ice hydra was common among all the groups, but would vary in size and strength, especially if they lost towers. Several barely overcame their challenges, with only one tower lost.

Daves Battlegroup would need to leave, though they certainly werent going home empty-handed. The various loot and tokens could be exchanged, and once the world Trial was done, they would be able to select true classes of decent quality or rarity thanks to their efforts and impact on the Worlds Contest.

He came over, holding a large canister. I have some more grokk for you and your clan, Lady Fhesiah. I wish we could continue, so we could earn more of what was lost and earn you more honor, but we have failed.

Fhesiah chuckled. Thank you, Davonius. It is not a failure, only a lesser victory. You and your many allies have come a long way in just a few short months, but it was not enough for the best. Our enemy is wicked, and being able to improve and fight again is a great gift. Next time your claws will be sharper, and even greater victories will await you.

The many Battlegroups eventually joined them in their rest, with there being a larger percentage of those backing down. A similar percentage to those that failed previously, failed entirely once again. The Champions Rift was set up as a game of tug and war.

As allies were lost and the elites powered up, it was as if it became impossible to win. A proper pace of progress needed to be set. Otherwise, loss was inevitable.

Berri looked at the canister. Oh! Is this that coffee? I want some, this time.

Jake chuckled. Alright. Do you want it hot, or cold?

Berri hummed. Why not both? I want to try it!

Stopping at the Node, Jake grabbed the ingredients and tools, blending some ice, caramel, whipped cream, and condensed milk for the cold drink, and then replaced the ice and caramel for a white chocolate flavoring in the hot one.

Tanda was excited to try the cold blended drink. Once again slurping from the straw, her tail was wagging. Its so good! Its like the smoothie.

Fhesiah and Ophelia both held steaming cups, Ophelia giving a big smile to Jake. These are great! The grokk really has extra energy in it. I like chocolate, but this white chocolate is even better.

Fhesiah hummed, as she mulled over the flavors. Hmm, Ill have to try to recreate this one. She smirked. Which do you like, Blood? Caramel or white chocolate?

Blood looked between the two cups. I have to say, its hard to choose. I did like it when you tried that honey flavor Im leaning more towards the white chocolate.

Berris tongue whipped out and licked a bit of the whipped cream off the hot coffee, enjoying both drinks. A big smile was on her face, as she swapped between the two.

I like them both! Hot and cold are the best. Blood, lets find out what that duck lizard is called, so we can eat them.

He looked at Bloodberri with a frown. Her epic size was particularly dangerous.

Ophelia laughed. Well, I think she makes for one of the better tank options just for that reason alone. Shell be able to almost completely block the portal!

Berri scoffed. Whatever. Im big, but Im fast. Those orbs wont touch me unless I let them.

Drysander, Nadessa and his wives were also a concern, being carried in his boughs. They would need to gather in the caster and ranged attackers section instead.

Jake sighed. This battle was too complicated. The possibility for a catastrophic mistake was extremely high, and that appeared to be just what Tartarus was looking for.

Imagining the other raid groups, he hoped that each group came up with a solution to the various problems, and quickly enough. At the same time, he knew they would get watered-down mechanics versus the Prime Instance. They would receive fewer orbs, fewer penalties when they made a mistake, and more.

He wanted to use Jasmina again, but reasoned that the Garuda would be much more mobile. The creatures immense speed would be useful both for collecting orbs, but also making it able to quickly move to take on the spawned creatures.

Because he wouldnt be using Jasmina, he preferred to use Oran for his healing and auril capabilities. However, some intense desire from his bond from Bree caused him to frown. He received a flurry of emotions, but he got the feeling that she would fight hard, and that she wouldnt let him down.

Fhesiah smiled at his thoughts. I say we use her. She has exceeded all our expectations, and has been a formidable ally. She enjoys the fight, much like Ophelia or Bloodberri do.

Tanda nodded. Bree is really strong! Her song is strange, like its being filtered, but I feel like she is dependable. Oran is less strange, but hes more like a simple beast until Cernunnos takes over.

Ophelia added, And she has the intelligence to understand this complex battle. Odds are, well need the extra offense, too. The idea that we get a stacking offensive buff means that this will be the largest challenge.

Blood tapped her lips. Something about her, Ainora, and Isolyn feel moremonstrous. But it feelslike Tanda said, like I cant read her. Still, I respect her strength.

I like her now. I felt like she was a bitch like the others before, but now, she understands how great our Jake is! Shes like one of us girls now. Berri was on board as well.

Jake raised his brows at that. It appeared to be unanimous. Jake summoned the Garuda and buffed it, before summoning Bree.

When Bree was summoned, he felt satisfaction and gratitude coming from her. She brushed up against him with her large head, her warm vines wrapping around him and drawing him into her neck in a hug.

Uh?

His wives laughed, and all took turns hugging Bree as well. She then appeared to focus, and her vines grew and twisted. Each beat of her odd quasi-auril heart, more auril was sent into her vines.

Jake gave Bree a questioning look, and she shrugged, sending him a feeling of frustration, and desire. It appeared she was changing something, but couldnt really tell him much about it even if she wanted to.

Her vines were in an intricate weave, and it appeared she was building up to something. He sent her a bit more of the energy, as auril came back to him even faster than mana did. While Bree had the mouth of a boar or pig, she smiled at this, but kept working on her vines.

Bree looked at Tanda, and it seemed she understood what Bree wanted, and she cast Rampant Growth as well.

Buffing her up, he prepared the rest of the buffs for the Battlegroup. Meeting with Timone, Morwen, and Yiming, they created their best initial strategy.

Life melee (Death Boss): Ophelia, Drysander, Dahlia, Garuda, Seamus, Longwei, Bree, [Fhesiah].

Life Ranged/Casters: Nadessa and mothers, Jake, Timones mates, [Aisling].

Death melee (Life Boss): Bloodberri, Timone, Bedwyr, Roxo, Vesuvius, Yiming, Darris, [Tanda].

Death Ranged/Casters: Morwens Priestesses, War Maidens and Shrine Maiden, [Rookard].

Fhesiah would fight near the death boss, to capture any errant death orbs, as she used her flames on the Life Demon. Tanda would do the same, attacking the death demon with her bow as she flew around and collected any errant life orbs near the life Demon.

Meanwhile, Jake would set up his Mana Font near the center of the room, partitioning the two groups of casters at the edges, standing closer to their respective portals. Aisling would collect any errant death orbs for the life casters, and Rookard would collect any errant life orbs for the death casters.

Once again, the melee around the bosses would be crowded. Several melee attackers would be tasked with being the ones to go after any spawned creatures, and this would hardly be a detriment to their damage against the bosses.

Valora counted as a battle mount, and like Bedwyrs unliving horse, would only collect orbs for Ophelia if she was riding her. The mare could run around and rescue people put in a bad spot with near-impunity, but her impact on the fight would be limited.

Bedwyr noted, This is a complicated battle. The scripts say that the orbs will only influence our attacksthat the life orbs wouldnt hurt to collect for the Emberborn. Still, it is good that we can act with the energy most appropriate to usit seems there is a benefit or amplification for doing this.

Timone frowned. This battle is truly strange, though I understand this contest is partially the Frameworks doing. Still, balance and harmony are the path to victory, and Chief Jake has gathered a powerful choir. We will defeat this strange foe.

Yiming looked thoughtful. Our people now face this same enemy together, in hundreds of similar instances. We have an excellent mixture of talent, capability, and experience. Im confident Hearthtribe and the new people of Highlands will come out on top.

Jake smiled. Once again, Ill say that we have the best allies one could ask for. Well take on this great challenge, and ascend together.