Everyone's expressions instantly change around me, a look of seriousness replaces their calm and relaxed gazes. Elith quickly draws her weapon, speaking clearly.
"Any idea how far out he is?"
Before I can answer, to say I'm not sure, Ayvex speaks up.
"Grim is deceptively fast. Even though his body is massive, just as large as some of the clouds floating high above us, he can still match me in speed. So, if he's moving full speed, he could be here within the hour. We must make haste through the gate that Nevere-... Dante, made."
She shakes her head slightly, almost saddened, then looks back to me.
"Dante, you said you fully completed the teleporter?"
I hastily nod in response, Ayvex following through with her words as soon as I finish nodding.
"Dante, you'll start leading everyone through the portal. I'll rally the troops from the back. Elith, please accompany Dante through the teleporter."
Elith nods, Ayvex turning her gaze to our friends.
"Warren, as we discussed, you'll be on the ground with the other troops. Azeroth and Blankk, we'll find a way to get you up on top of Grim so you can use your abilities the best you can. Entren, you'll accompany the mages, keep them safe no matter what. Lancelot, Galahad, Lucan, and Safir, you will accompany the main front, help them however you can. Lamorak, your weapon could be invaluable in this fight, so you should team up with Entren. Valera, Raskira, Kurosaxa, and Mariana, you should be at the very front of the army."
Everyone quickly nods and starts heading back to the army, Ayvex continues, this time speaking to some of the others that I don't know the names of.
"Vich, please relay the plan to your Cyborgs. They should use their firearms to keep distance."
The man who talked to me about killing all the guards quickly nods then runs past me, giving me a quick glance as he passes me. Ayvex continues, talking to the three people left to talk to.
"Vexien, you will have your soldiers stationed all over the battlefield. Your people's nigh-immortality may play a huge factor in this battle."
He bows respectfully then vanishes, presumably going to gather his soldiers. Behind us, I hear lots of commotion as everyone moves around and starts getting ready. Ayvex looks to the older gentleman who I had somehow not noticed.
"Malac, I still say you should call for all S-Class guilds to be on the front lines."
The man strokes his beard and waves his other hand.
"You may believe that to be the best, But I will place the strongest remaining guilds in the middle. That way they can supply adequate support for everyone."
Ayvex nods, almost hesitant to accept his idea. The old man slowly makes his way towards the army, leaving only Ayvex, Elith, and me. Ayvex looks to us and nods.
"Dante, you'll be assisting Azeroth, Blankk, and Elith in getting on top of Grim. I'll act as a diversion to make it easier. And since Grim believes that he's already killed you, you shouldn't have to worry about him being prepared for you."
I give an understanding nod and quickly start towards the teleporter. Elith speaks up, jogging beside me.
"Dante, whatever happens, I would like you to know."
I look towards her, confused by what she's saying. She continues.
"I think you are a very strong man; even stronger than the last time we were in battle together."
I raise an eyebrow, hastily replying.
"Thanks? Guess you could say I went through a lot of training."
She smiles slightly, then we hit the teleporter. We emerge on the other side of the continent, facing off towards the massive ocean. I quickly run up the beach, Elith following me, both of us getting to the edge of the water. We both stand in silence, standing still and staring out across the water in anticipation. After about ten minutes, we hear footsteps behind us, much like a stampede. I spin around, seeing the more advanced soldiers from Vathric forming a line and moving back behind the teleporter. After several minutes of soldiers pouring out of the teleporter, the Lothric army starts rolling out. They take up the right wing in front of the beach, men and women stretching as far as the eye can see. Soon after the last soldiers from Lothric emerge, we see the Sathric army and guilds start coming through. The soldiers take up the left wing, while the guilds stay stationed around the thousand-foot-wide teleporter.
I can't help but smile, seeing everyone working together to combat a common enemy. Soon the stronger people emerge from the portal. Azeroth and Blankk quickly come through and make their way to Elith and I. Entren and the remaining Knights of The Round come through next. Entren and Lamorak quickly make their way to the left side, standing in front of the large group of mages. The rest of the knights spread out, each going to a different area. Valera, Raskira, Kurosaxa, and Mariana come out next. They make their way towards us as well. After several minutes, I notice that Warren and Ayvex haven't come through yet. I stand patiently, waiting several more minutes before they come through. As the teleporter crackles slightly, I see Ayvex appear in the center. She quickly floats up, revealing Warren behind her.
To my surprise, Warren isn't alone. Beside him is two very familiar faces. On his left, Kain, his right, Carrina. As they start making their way towards me, I create a new weapon and shield for Kain, realizing he has weaker gear. Ayvex takes up the lead, floating a few feet in front of us. She stares out across the ocean, her fist clenched tightly on her sword. Warren, Carrina, and Kain all run up to us, stopping just beside us. Kain speaks up, his rough voice ringing in my ears.
"I feel betrayed. You thought you could leave me out of a war, the place where I thrive?"
I look back to him, smiling slightly.
"Oh? If I remember correctly, didn't you say something along the lines of 'As strong as I am, even I couldn't down an entire army'?"
Kain chuckles gruffly as Warren speaks up.
"We were late for a reason, had to make a quick pitstop by a dungeon while picking up Kain and Carrina. He may actually be able to defeat an army now, as sad as that is to say."
I quickly clench my fist and close my eyes.
"A war that could end most life on the planet could begin any minute now, and you felt it necessary to clear a dungeon?"
Kain gives a hardy laugh and readies the weapons I gave him.
"Took less time to clear the dungeon several times than it took to get here, to speak the truth."
I sigh, understanding that he's right. As I start to speak up again, Ayvex cuts me off.
"There he is."
Far off in the distance, a black shadow rolls over the top of the clouds. A large body above the clouds blocking the sunlight out in the ocean. We watch, a sweeping nervousness seemingly covers everyone as the armies behind us shift slightly. Blankk steps forwards, the blue marking rolling down his arm for a moment.
"He's about six hundred miles out, we can only see him because of his size and speed of passage over the clouds. He'll be here in about five minutes."
I ready myself, taking several deep breaths while I stare towards Grim.