"What the… this doesn't make any sense!"
"How is this possible?!"
Exclamations came from all sides. The players couldn't believe their own eyes. How could the boss throw the heavily armoured Silver Blade together with her basilisk straight up into the air? How much strength would it take?!
However, Eva didn't care what the players thought. Why would she adhere to logic if she had magic? The Slayer of Mount Zvren licked her blood red lips and stared at Silver Blade multiple meters in the air. She tensed her legs. Her heavy boots pushed against the ground, shattering the cobblestone beneath her as she shot into the air.
Silver Blade had already reached a zenith. Her ascent slowed down and was just about to turn into a descent when the tank suddenly perceived something. In a flash Eva arrived in front of her, her glaive swinging again.
"Damn it!"
The tank couldn't help but curse. She was currently facing the ground, clenching her thighs tightly around her basilisk's body, not allowing the basilisk to separate from her. However, even though she saw the boss coming, this situation was too unprecedented. Silver Blade was unable to react to it. The glaive cut at her leg, the sharp blade as if trying to cut off her limb. Silver Blade drew a sharp breath from the pain cursing through her body. Fortunately, the [Luring Barrier] was there to take the damage.
[-4161!]
And even worse, the fierce blow caused her to spin chaotically. Meanwhile the boss was not done yet. Before gravity could pull her back to the ground, she spun in the air, her glaive moving in sync with her body, slashing at Silver Blade from another side.
"Do you think I'm a toy?!"
Silver Blade became increasingly angered. It didn't matter if her barrier could stop the damage. This was a matter of pride! The tank's thoughts churned. She swiftly thought of a way out. Although her basilisk was not a flying mount, he still had wings. Why was Liam telling the friends to choose these basilisks of unique rank as mounts? Wasn't it all because of [Flying Dash]?
A single thought. The tumbling basilisk immediately flapped his wings. He managed to stabilize in the air. There was no need to escape far away. A small distance was enough. The basilisk carried his rider, swiftly moving out of the way. The next moment the whistling of a terrifying glaive could be heard. But all it cut in half were a few raindrops.
"Good job!"
Silver Blade felt much better. She patted her trusty mount who let out a joyful cry. Admiring exclamations came from the spectators watching Silver Blade gracefully glide back to the floor.
Before the tank reached the floor, Eva already arrived. She landed heavily, crushing the ground below her feet, sending tremors in all directions. Her expression was anything but pleased. One of her favourite moves had such little impact. She abruptly moved her head, focusing on Balm.
Immediately the healer tensed up. Mana was gathered without hesitation. Only a few moments passed before the boss arrived in front of her. But as the glaive was about to hit her body, Balm had already disappeared in a shower of sparks.
"Stay!"
The Slayer of Mount Zvren was losing her temper. She repeated her move, targeting Radiant Shield. The tank was successfully thrown into the air. However, learning from Silver Blade he used [Flying Dash] even before the first follow-up attack reached him. The storming glaive didn't hit anything, and Eva could only grit her teeth. One last attempt! Indignant, the boss targeted Bleary Mirage. But she was not granted the joy of success. With a simple flash step Liam was long gone when the glaive arrived.
"I want you all dead!"
A roaring shout hit Liam and his friends. Watching the boss, they saw the patterns around her eyes growing rapidly, now almost filling her entire face, an appearance straight out of a nightmare. The boss's level again rose by 2. Now she was already level 70 and didn't show any sign of slowing down.
"She doesn't stop!"
"Perhaps it is time based? Do we need more damage?"
"Just keep an eye on the quest. It might change soon!"
The friends discussed quickly as Eva already continued moving, dashing at Silver Blade. Glaive and barrier collided, and the magical protection fluctuated heavily, indicating that it wouldn't survive much longer.
Liam chased after the boss and the battle continued. At this point Eva had already shown pretty much all her cards. As her HP decreased, she became increasingly ferocious, and her level kept rising. She repeated her skill, but the friends already knew how to deal with it. They would only suffer a blow should they allow themselves to be distracted.
This went on for a few minutes. At this point Eva's face was entirely covered in dark pattern, pulsing with uncanny magic. Her arms trembled as additional force streamed through them. She had reached level 76 and Liam's damage against her was reduced greatly. However, Eva didn't have too much HP left. The fight was entirely winnable.
"Adventurers, congratulations! You thoroughly enraged me! However, if you think you got what it takes to overcome an officer of the Gale Army, I have to disappoint you!"
Hatred oozed from Eva's voice. She let out a raspy laugh. The patterns on her face surged and dark magic suddenly broke out of her skin. Her level was increasing again.
But right at that moment an authoritative shout drowned out all other noise!
"Halt! This battle ends here!"
There was only a flash of golden light and suddenly a person appeared on the scene. Clad in light golden armour interwoven with colourful cloth looking extremely precious. With a high nose and stern eyes. Long, golden hair flowed from his head. His pair of pointed ears was proudly revealed. Surprisingly the person was an elf and judging from his armour he belonged to the city guard.
"Golden Staff, Verinam Toussour? What are you doing here? Are you trying to stop me?!"
Eva instantly directed her wrath at the newcomer. She gripped her glaive tightly, knowing that Verinam was no weak opponent. He was highly respected among the city guards, serving as the head of all the guard's mages. As a half-elf Verinam was not always looked upon favourably but he managed to shut everyone up with his strength.
Verinam looked upon Eva, his deep blue eyes not betraying any emotion. His voice was not loud, yet nothing could affect it:
"Of course I am here to stop you. Just look at yourself. Do you still want to continue like this?"
"I have to! The honour of the Gale Army cannot be trampled upon! Even you will not stop me!"
"Really?"
Verinam only lifted his brow lightly. He pointed the luxurious staff in his hand in the direction of Eva. A blinding golden light erupted, washing over the Slayer of Mount Zvren. The latter had to retreat a few steps before stabilizing herself. The dark patterns on her face began to pulse intensely and she was just about to struggle.
However, at this moment she suddenly had a moment of clarity. Eva lowered her weapon and allowed the light to cleanse her. The dark patterns receded, and her level dropped again. Eva let out a deep breath, slowly calming down.
When the golden light disappeared, Eva opened her eyes again. Yet they were still filled with anger when looking at the players.
"Good. I think we can all calm down now.", said Balm with a smile. Upon hearing this, Verinam slowly turned his head towards her.
"Thank you for your help, Sir. You are part of the city guards, aren't you? Perhaps you could help us with a matter…"
"Silence, criminals!"
Balm's eyes opened wide. Before she could say anything else, Verinam slammed his staff against the ground. The entire market was flooded with golden light. It dissipated after a few seconds, allowing the spectators to view the scene. For a moment all the players fell silent before erupting in shock.
"F*ck, what did that guy do?!"
"Quick! We need to help them!"
"I knew we should have attacked these guards with more fire!"
"Don't let them get away with it!"
"Mirage! Silver Blade! Wake up!"
"Radiant Shield! Balm! Can you hear me?"
One could imagine the shock, even fear, of the players as they took in the scene. At this moment the four friends were lying on the ground with eyes closed, unconscious. Everyone felt their stomachs drop. Could an NPC do something like that? Wouldn't players in this situation be completely helpless?
Suddenly there was some movement. Silver Blade woke up, using [Unbreakable Will] to break the negative effect. However, Verinam only waved his staff, and Silver Blade was again forcefully sent to sleep.
Looming over the powerless players Eva licked her blood red lips. Her glaive trembled. She was eager to cleave a few necks. Unfortunately, since Verinam had already acted she knew the half-elf wouldn't give her a chance. She could only watch helplessly as a few guards stepped forth to hoist the players up, about to throw them into prison.