Perina stood up and walked to the center of her throne room. She lazily gazed across the room, "Good, it seems like everyone is here. Let's welcome the main attraction."
She casually turned and faced the windows. After only a second the windows shattered and a group of individuals jumped into the throne room.
"Oh how good of you to join us~", Perina taunted.
Nimin shook the fallen glass off himself and pointed his spear, "Your tyranny ends here Perina."
"My oh my~ You're as determined as ever Nimin. Glad to see that fiery look in your eye remains strong."
"Enough chat, you'll die here!"
Perina held up a hand, "Wait, I wish to confirm something. To cement our positions here."
Nimin faltered, "What?"
"Why are you even fighting me? You don't have to."
"Nonsense, I have to in order to free the players."
"No, once I reach my goal I won't have to consume talented individuals anymore. You can assist my growth, gain power and influence you would never see otherwise."
"As if I would believe that!"
"It's true! Fourth Star is my only goal. Fifth Star is simply too high of a mountain to climb. Even if I was to dedicate my life to the cause I certainly wouldn't be able to reach it."
"But you're clearly biased view of your underlings would remain. Your control would grow further. Those who are weak would suffer even more!"
"But what does that have to do with you? You can live in prosperity."
"I won't stand to see the people suffer under your rule."
"It's a shame you can't see the bigger picture here Nimin. Some of you already have. . ."
~ ~ ~
Nimin felt his heart drop, "What do you mean?!"
"Please, you haven't figured it out already?"
Akiol sighed suddenly, "As I expected, we have a spy Nimin."
Nimin suddenly snapped, "Of course there is a spy! We made preparations for that!"
A faint giggle spread across the room, "Oh you mean along your soldiers? Please, I didn't need some grunt to do the spying for me. I've had information on you for far longer."
"No. . . You're lying!"
"Am I?"
"Shut up! You're trying to break us apart. Don't listen to her!"
"I'm not trying Nimin, I've already succeeded~"
"Shut up-"
Footsteps echoed across the hall. Their slow steps muted everyone present. Their attention focused on the source, each step rending Nimin's heart further.
A figure stepped into the light, a rapier buckled to their hip. A hat covered their face in darkness. Lifting it slightly they revealed their face, "It's been a long time Nimin."
Clang~
Glint fell to the ground as she slipped out of Nimin's hands. His eyes widened and his body froze as he stared at the person, "N-Nemmy? What are you doing. . . ?"
"It's a long story Nimin, but I can say this much: Join us."
"You joined Perina?"
"What she says is the truth. This way we can regain our freedom. We can explore just like the old days. Without fear of being caught."
"You believe her?!"
"I haven't been absorbed myself. Is that enough proof?"
"I can't believe it, after what she did to Harrith?!"
"Harrith was a coward who quit when things got rough. He was merely along for the fun, not someone we could rely on."
"That doesn't change what Perina did!"
"Enough of the past Nimin! I want to go back to the old days! I want us to enjoy playing again!"
"That's what I'm fighting for!"
"That's what I'm fighting for as well!"
Nimin shakily picked up Glint, "I don't want to fight you Nemmy. Please don't do this."
"If you can't join us, then I can't let you stop Perina."
"Is it all really worth? To ruin our friendship?"
"Once you see the truth you'll understand."
Perina laughed faintly under her hand, "What a distasteful reunion~ How does it feel to be betrayed Nimin?"
"I'll kill you!"
Wrock caught Nimin just as he was about to jump, "Hold on! This doesn't make sense. You haven't seen Nemmy in a long time right? Then who gave Perina the info?"
Perina clapped, "Amazing insight Wrock. Now let's play a game, who do you think the other traitor is?"
"Oh piss off with your games Perina, I'll rat myself out."
Hundred stepped forward, gripping the brim of his sorcerer's hat. Nimin grit his teeth, "You! Why?!"
"I didn't want things to come to this. I wanted everything to be smoothed over. I wanted to go back just like Nemmy."
"How long?!", Demanded Nimin, "How long have you been ratting us out?!"
"Since Nemmy has. Back then I conveyed info with her offline, we're friends in real life you know. We worked together to free ourselves from this tyranny."
"You do realize I was going to be her final step right?! I was going to be absorbed and she was going to ascend! That was the whole plan!"
Both Nemmy and Hundred said simultaneously, "I know."
Para slammed her staff into the ground, "You were going to sacrifice Nimin?!"
Nemmy explained, "It was the only option. Starting over isn't too hard, we considered starting over again too. Perhaps we could convince that spineless Harrith to join back as well. Dusted Bright, risen from the ashes."
"What utter-"
Perina interrupted, "Enough chitchat. It's time to decide. Will you drop this pathetic attempt at a revolution and join us, or will you continue this trivial fight?"
Nimin took a breath, "I must thank you all. . ."
Para looked at him with a shocker expression, "You aren't considering to actually join them are you?!"
Ignoring her Nimin continued, "The time you gave us to chat, it allowed me to get over this shocked feeling that took over my heart. Strangely enough, I feel a sense of clarity."
Perina extended her arms as if to receive him, "You've made your decision?"
"Yeah, and I've never been more certain in my life. Hundred, Nemmy, I hope you have forgiveness in your heart. I've decided to defeat you as well."
Perina lowered her arms disappointedly, "Wrong choice Nimin, you'll suffer for your actions. Kill them all."
Turning Perina began to leave the room, "Also, don't forget to use that item."
"Don't you dare leave!", Nimin shouted as he bolted towards her.
Nemmy swiftly drew her rapier and stood in his way, "Forgive me Nimin!"
A red orb appeared in her palm and she crushed it. Nimin was left with a single notification in front of his face.
Akiol shouted, "We'll deal with them here, go after Perina!"
Grimwald rushed forward to stop Nimin's pursuit. Yet Wrock stood in his way! Rolling his shoulders he spoke, "You know, I must give you my thanks. If it wasn't for your efforts, I wouldn't have gotten this far."
Grimwald stepped back and took up a stance, "Who are you? Those consumed by Perina never make it past what they were. Even if you were only partly consumed, this sudden boost in strength is much too soon."
"Don't worry too much about it. Now you don't have to worry about killing Perina's next step. But now that we're on equal footing-"
"We are not on equal footing, you merely have a few months of experience as a Second Star. While I have years. My growth far outmatches yours, after all I'm on the cusp of ascending."
"Much more talkative this time around? That's better than when we first met."
"Enough, I'll kill you here."
"Best of luck."
Wrock thrust his fist forward. Grimwald batted it away and delivered a swift punch to Wrock's side. Stepping to the side Wrock grimaced, "Oh you're really not messing around."
"I said enough."
Grimwald threw a kick, Wrock accepted the attack and caught it. Pulling the leg forward he attempted to throw Grimwald off balance, but this failed. Jerking his leg free Grimwald retracted his leg and shot it forward, striking Wrock's face. As Wrock stumbled backwards Grimwald grabbed and threw him into a wall.
Gritting his teeth Wrock endured the pain, lifting his arms he blocked a follow up attack from Grimwald.
Pushing them off Wrock sighed, "I made a mistake, the experience from before isn't going to help now."
"Hmph."
"Back to the old you eh?"
Wrock dashed forward, tilting his body he executed a punch. Grimwald naturally prepared for the strike, but found that his defenses were pointless.
The attack was a feint! Wrock spun rapidly, despite his momentum, and slammed his elbow into Grimwald's stomach. Without giving them a chance to recover Wrock delivered a swift and powerful uppercut. Raising them off the ground.
Wrock jumped and spun in a barrel roll twice, after the second roll he extended a leg to kick Grimwald back into the ground. Wrock suddenly felt his leg being grabbed. Grimwald had managed to catch the attack! With a low grunt Grimwald heaved Wrock into the ground.
The floor cracked from the impact, and Wrock felt like his spine was following the example. Grimwald descended with a drop kick, two neon green talismans made of mana swirled around him.
Wrock's senses alarmed him, raising his arms he rapidly summoned Spirit to defend himself. Embers of a blue flame fluttered.
[Taoist Trail: Descent of the Waterfall]!
The force from Grimwald's attack further damaged the throne room's floor. A chunk was forcefully detached causing both Wrock and Grimwald to descend a floor.
Wrock pushed Grimwald away mid-fall, blue flames bursting from his arms. With a flip he landed on his feet.
Grimwald landed safely and dusted off his clothes, "Picked up a new trick I see."
"I like this one better than the old one."
BOOM-!
The two clashed midair, Wrock managed to land a blow with his knee, but Grimwald returned the favor with his fist.
After the quick exchange of blows Grimwald attempted to gain an edge with rapid fire punches. Wrock placed his wrists together and outspread his hands. A swirl of blue flame appeared and blocked the attacks.
{Spirit of the Phoenix: Disc of Incarnation}!
Grimwald halted his attacks and stepped back warily. Wrock condensed the flame into a small ball and palmed it, "Worried?"
"Hmph."
Neon green talismans appeared and spun around his arm. Forming his hand into a palm he pushed it forward.
[Taoist Trail: Palm of the Western Gate]!
Green energy surged forth in the shape of a palm. Wrock released the palmed blue flame into the incoming attack.
{Spirit of the Phoenix: Second Incarnation}!
The ball collided with the attack and exploded, shattering the the green palm. Using the bright flash of colors as a distraction, Wrock rushed forward.
Grimwald braced himself to guard, but Wrock suddenly jumped to the side. Flipping midair and landing on a wall he pushed himself off with great force. Blue flames gathered at his fist as he charged a powerful attack!
Calmly stepping to the side Grimwald dodged the blow by a hair at the last possible second. Neon green talismans began to spin around his leg as he raised his knee at an incredible speed.
[Taoist Trail: Knee of the Eastern Gate]!
Wrock felt a familiar sensation as Grimwald's knee buried itself in his stomach. The force was great enough to change his momentum and send him flying upwards.
Grimwald slowly placed his leg back down, "Hope I didn't reopen old wounds."
Suddenly he felt pain blossom from his head. A wheel of blue flame appeared around Wrock, it formed from a trail that followed behind his foot. As he flipped he landed an axe kick onto Grimwald's head.
{Spirit of the Phoenix: Wheel of Rebirth}!
Following the force from the blow Grimwald spun in place. Extending his legs he thrust both feet towards Wrock, the neon green talismans spinning around his legs.
[Taoist Trail: Eruption of the Geyser]!
Wrock rapidly covered himself to block the attack. A pair of Phoenix's wings made of blue flame covered him.
{Spirit of the Phoenix: Wings' Embrace}!
The flames faltered somewhat while receiving the blow, but did their duty. Wrock rotated midair and landed, sliding to a stop.
Grimwald shook his head, "At this rate you won't be enough. If this is all you can do, I'm afraid you no longer have the qualifications to stop me."
"Aha, we'll see about that."