Chapter 43: Defending the Stone of Time
"We welcome everyone on today's event. The event today was called Defending the Stone of Time. To simplify it for easier understanding, it means, defend of the base."
"All representative of their own countries were already being briefed by the staff. So, it is our job to let you know what to anticipate into the upcoming third day."
"But before that let me announce the current rankings. Please show it."
17 points – 1st Australia
16 points – 2nd South Korea
16 points – 2nd Denmark
16 points – 2nd Canada
15 points – 5th Philippines
14 points – 6th China
13 points – 7th USA
13 points – 8th Sweden
10 points – 9th France
9 points – 10th Germany
9 points – 11th Thailand
9 points – 12th Russia
9 points – 13th UK
8 points – 14th Japan
7 points – 15th Spain
7 points – 16th Netherlands
6 points – 17th Norway
6 points – 17th Taiwan
5.5 points – 19th Brazil
5 points – 20th Turkey
5 points – 21st Italy
3 point – 22nd Jordan
1.5 point – 23rd Finland
1.5 point – 23rd Bulgaria
1.5 point – 23rd Vietnam
1.5 point – 26th Austria
1.5 point – 27th Singapore
1 point – 28th Ukraine
1 point – 29th Poland
1 point – 29th Malaysia
"As you can see, there are countries with same points but different placings. Why? Because if you compared their rankings from the 1st and 2nd day you'll see that the average of their rankings were different unlike the 3 countries who tied at the 2nd spot as well as 17th, 23rd, and 29th which have the same average."
"Australia was still holding on the first place ranking, will they defend it or will they fail? Let's all find out in a few moment."
"Now, let's proceed to the rules of the 3rd event. Everyone here knows that offense and defense have its own pros and cons but today, we'll see how each one of them can hold out and still standing till the end."
"Each country has the same wave. They all have different reactions and tactics when it comes to defending. We will see on how they will adapt on the battlefield where the enemies kept sending waves after waves of attack. What do you think, Miss Agatha?"
"I, for once, tried defending a fort when I was still an unknown player and it was hard to defend a base, not because of the overwhelming troops of the enemies but the continuous strain on keeping up with the changes on the battlefield."
"Right. All of them would continually defend the base. Depends on how fast they finish an enemy the more time they could replenish their stamina or plan some plan."
"Before every wave, there would be a report that will circulate around the base on which enemy they will face next. The next wave will be an hour after the 1st wave so basically they need to finish them as soon as possible."
"Yes, Miss Agatha, they have to hold on until the end. They were given 50 foot soldiers which were all low level. Limited rations, and also limited weapons."
"It seems that defending a base might be doable."
"That's where you're wrong, Miss Agatha. They might have soldiers with them but will they listen to you? What's the point in having soldiers when they wouldn't even listen to your orders."
"You mean that they have to do all things beside defending the base?"
"Yes! The difficulty lies on convincing the troops, managing resources, and kept everything in check. There might be a chance that an enemy is within their flanks."
"Wow! It really seems hard if you say it like that. Basically, they have to be aware of the minute changes within the base! I am having a hard time thinking a way. How will they do that?"
"That's why we are all here waiting for the start of the event. I know that it's a lot of information to take in. They were given 30 minutes to do everything they seemed necessary before the first wave arrives."
"Alright, it seems that the players were all inside the game. Let's focus on it."
Like the two commentators said, each team has their own concerns whether they were a strong group or not.
Particularly, the base itself was bare with only tents inside the 4 walls made of woods. There was only two watch towers from the east and west side of the gate.
The story went like this, the fifty soldiers were the only remaining soldiers from an expedition. They saw a small fort that has a wall that was good enough for defense compared to the bare land where they could easily be tracked and see.
The soldiers decided to hold out until the help come. They disdained the seven remaining adventurers that their leader boasted but they run faster than they could. Now with the impending doom they might face, they decided to have a truce with the adventurers because of the fear of being left out in the open.
They all fled themselves, so they couldn't say anything about them. They could only hold out until the reinforcement arrives. Luckily, they still got the goal of their exploration and that was the Stone of Time.
If they delivered the stone of time successfully to their king, they will receive a large amount of rewards. They could also be promoted from foot soldiers into well known knights.
Unfortunately, they couldn't share the rewards to their dead companions and their leader. He was the first to fall after he let the troops escape.
They all hated those seven adventurers! But, it's not the time to indulge their hate. Rather, they need to unite and defend the base they were staying with their remaining rations and weapons.
The seven characters arrived at a tent. It was a bare tent where only one bed was available. The bed was dirtier than the ground because of the dust and unknown smell that clung into it.
The seven people all looked at the tent and finally decided that they couldn't find anything else beside the bed. They all have an understanding that the upcoming battle would have no time to rest.
The monitor showed different actions of different teams. Some studied the walls, while some checked the rations and weapons.
Unlike the other teams, US and Australia started by locating the 50 soldiers that was supposed to help them defend the base.
Leading a team was their leader's job while on Xavier's side, his six teammates could handle everything except rallying the troops.
Xavier and Leonel both have overwhelming aura of suppression that could easily suppressed unwanted actions of an individual. They could easily control the troops if they showed their strength which was overwhelming enough to suppress the 50 soldiers unless there were an exceptional soldier.
Xavier arrived at the camp of the soldiers. They were huddled together despite their differences. They still maintained order despite being subjected to terror and fear. They also maintained their unyielding spirit towards the adventurers. They all have a determined look yet focused eyes that could make others laugh with their concentration.
They only arrived at the a small fort for only half a day. They were vigilant with their surroundings especially with the minute changes of the ground. They could tell that the enemies were chasing them closely.
Still they got enough time to eat simple breakfast before another battle will commence. The sun almost at its highest point. It will soon be noon. It seemed they arrived at midnight and they all agreed to have a look out while they were sleeping.
Xavier and Leonel also have the same conjecture. They could actually see the determination burning within their eyes. With the right call, they might survive until the end.
Xavier approached the soldiers while maintaining his posture. He looked like a noble with fine lineage and also and experienced knight with his silver armor.
"Greetings, soldiers." He started with a simple greeting and looked at each one of them. Timing, what he needed the most was the right time before delivering a final blow that will lead the soldiers roaring to go with his beck and call.
"I apologize for our actions before, will you lend me your strength to defend this base with our life on the line?"
The soldiers have different reactions toward his words. Some sneered and openly mock him with their expression while some looked at him with an expression of bewilderment.
"As you all know, the enemies are approaching. We are only 57, including me and my companions. If we wanted to succeed in this mission, we should unite and defend this base."
"How can we trust you?! You're a fraud! You just want to escape while we buy you time!" a soldier expressed his opinion while openly pointing an accusatory finger towards Xavier.
"I know, it's hard to trust us. But I will promise with my name on the line. I, Xavier White, will lead this battle to victory. I won't promise that no one will die, even I myself, can't promise that I'll live until the end. But, I know that with disagreement and a brewing problem will bite us so hard that might wipe us all. So please, lend me your strength, we will show them how strong cornered rats could be!"
Xavier's speech with the right strength within his voice moved the soldiers, even the one who complained before was also looking at him with a changed attitude. Maybe, they were wrong. Maybe, they only run first because their leader let them… maybe…
They have a lot of maybe's and what if's but at the end, they all have a determination to follow through the guy at their front. With his overwhelming presence and powerful speech, he might lead them to success.
Yes, they started to hope. They started to open up their hearts. The part of convincing the troops weren't impossible. Just let them feel that they have a hope within you, they will be moved and follow you.
The teams within top ten successfully and easily controlled the soldiers before the horn signifying an alert for the impending doom to come sounded. They all looked at the direction of the gate with determinations in their faces.