What was her dream?
What was it that she wished for?
Why was she pushing herself through all of this?
Was it because she lost contact with the princess?
No—that wasn't it... she was afraid, she could still feel that feeling of powerlessness on that particular day in the forest. The day everything changed, the day of the summoning. She was far stronger then she was before and could easily defeat the beast, but still the fear she felt that day was not something so easily forgotten no matter the years, it stayed with her, and It changed her.
And she was NOT gonna feel the same way again, so she WILL continue forward, she WILL ascend and she WILL become a full fledged Angel!
Such were the thoughts that occupied Laura's mind as she wore her white armor looking every bit a hero in it, her twin swords safely equipped by her side. She walked out towards the giant closed castle doors, as soon as she reached them however they automatically opened.
Past the doors was a scene that made her halt her steps, hundreds of adventurers gathered in front of the castle, all dropped what they were doing to see their Queen, as soon as she came out all of them went down on one knee.
"HAIL THE ANGEL QUEEN!"
"HAIL THE ANGEL QUEEN!"
"HAIL THE ANGEL QUEEN!"
The chants continued, as she felt herself go emotional, her eyes moistened as she straightened her back and raised her head high. Looking at all the Adventurers in front of her, her companions were in the front row smiling gently at her. She nodded and raised her hand as the crowd quieted down.
"Today! I have decided to continue forward!
Today! The real Challenge begins!
TODAY! OUR FIGHT FOR IMMORTALITY, FOR ASCENSION TRULY BEGINS!!"
Roars and shouts erupted, from the crowds as she raised her sword high up in the sky, tanks hit their shield in unison, mages shot fireworks to the sky, as they all chanted in Unison.
"HAIL THE ANGEL QUEEN!"
*************
The preparations were not easy, Her companions have all decided to follow her, but not all adventurers did, some chose to settle down in the city only a few decided to try their luck and push forward.
Here came the problem, who would run the city after they were gone? It took a long discussion between the team before they finally came to an agreement.
From today onwards, there will be NO king or queen to rule over the city, instead each one Allen, Lana and Collin chose a successor to continue their duties.
The Tanks, are the defense squad and the law and order of the city. The Rangers are the scouts and the warriors in the shadows and finally the Mages, those were the trump card. Each one of these held a district of their own and each held significant influence over the city.
With that decided and out of the way, the companions soon made their way out of the endless Forest in the 99th floor following them was a small army of elites, the best of the best the city had to offer they numbered two hundred exactly.
One hundred strong man and woman were the Tanks, all walked in unison making the ground shake with each step they made, all equipped with a giant shield and a claymore to match.
Behind them eighty rangers followed along nimbly, all equipped in light armor to help their movements and bows, twin daggers were sheeted safely in their waists. After them came the Mage squad, their numbers small twenty, all wore mage clothings made for battle and had staffs similar to Collin's only their's seemed smaller and a bit dimmer.
The walk didn't take long before the group came to a halt in front of a cliff. Past the cliff one could see endless sea on all sides and it seemed as if one lost his footing and fell down, hard rocks and crashing waves would be the end of him.
Laura, Collin and Allen turned their gazes towards Lana the leader of the scouting squads. "You sure this is the place floppy ears?"
Gazing harshly back at Collin she harrumphed loudly and turned to Laura "This is definitely the place." With that she walked slowly towards the edge, looking down it seemed Kieyr's realm was the only destination for anyone who fell down. Taking a deep breath to ready herself she closed her eyes and moved one leg slowly above the edge.
Seeing what she intends to do Collin lost his usual composure as he dashed after her "Oyy Lana what in all hells are you doing!!" Nonetheless it was too late by the time he reached her, it only served to push both of them forward sending them tumbling on the hard ground.
"Ground?" Collin stared in confusion as the scenery changed around them, they were no longer on cliff, but in a rocky plain a huge volcano in the distance spewed Lava constantly.
"Ummm, C-collin?" Lana's nervous voice came from underneath him, looking down the fall had sent him tumbling atop of her, their faces mere inches away.
Lana's face heated up as she stared in his eyes, Collin didn't know what came over him as he gently leaned in and planted a kiss on her lips, shocking her silly, but she did not refuse nor push him away.
*Ahem*
The sound of Allen clearing his throat sent the duo jumping to their feet as if they had been caught, looking back Allen had a smug smile on his face and Laura was smiling as she tried to hide the smile with her hand. Lana turned beep red as she couldn't look at them in the eyes, Collin not fairing any better.
Scratching his head " *Cough* let's ahh move?"
With an evil grin Allen replied as his eyes squinted "Suuuuureee, but we need to wait for the rest to come now..."
Lana still not baring to look at him in the eyes jumped to hug Laura and buried her face in her chest. "Why are you so mean Laura!"
"Haha—but I didn't do anything?" Gently playing with her head she replied a similar grin plastered on her face as she looked towards Allen both smiling evilly.
Allen walked towards Collin and through his hand over his shoulder "Hmmmmm so you finally had the balls to go for it."
And so the mood lightened, as the group waited for the rest of the army to follow their final battle together awaited, the 100th floor...