Chapter 28 - Killing Ares

6 years ago...

Sophia sat on a cushioned chair inside a lavish and generously furnished room. There was a window so big that it might as well have been classified as a cinema screen.

She patiently sat and played with her long hair, while a girl with similar hair and blue eyes smiled softly as she looked around her.

"Can you believe it? We managed to join the rally that'll make it to heaven!" the girl said excitedly.

"Jess, there's no guarantee that this is legitimate. Who's to say that this 'Genesis' isn't some creep who wants money outta us?" said Sophia.

"That won't happen. And, if it does happen, just know that we'll be walking outta here. Don't forget; your big sis is a pro at smelling fishy situations," Jessica responded.

According to Sophia, her elder sister was powerful. When they first arrived, she singlehandedly killed a whole pack of dire wolves by herself, even though she was only at level 1.

Not only that, but she always won every single fight she was in, placing her at a value of #1,000, making her one of the only few players to reach such staggering numbers in their first year of being transmigrated.

Sophia strived to become just as strong and capable, hoping that one day, it would lead them back home. With Jessica by her side, there was nothing she needed to fear.

And so, if her sister had faith in the rally, she would too.

Just as she thought that Genesis walked through the doors with no beard and a heartwarming smile on his face.

Standing at 6 feet was a muscled and fit man wearing a fedora. Genesis sat down on his desk and greeted the girls, his smile inviting and relaxing.

"So, you're Jessica Storm? We've been expecting you," he said as he crossed his fingers. "And, this is your you get sister, Sophia Storm, correct? I've heard she has quite the potential to reach your level."

"Yes, she does! If she would break out of her shell!" Jessica responded as she hugged her little sister.

"Let go, Jess!" Sophia said as she pried herself out of her sister's hold.

"Anyways, as you all know, we're gathering strong players to help us achieve a certain goal; we've found a way into heaven," Genesis said seriously.

He pulled out a key out of his pockets and showed it to the girls. It was black with a golden gleam that emitted a heavy and potent energy source.

"This is the key to the gates of heaven. We have 2 of these keys safely hidden away while this one is the one we decided to use to breach heaven. With this key, 120 players or more will kill a god and a wish will be granted to us."

"We'll use said wish to leave this retched world and return to our ordinary lives. Does that sound simple?" Genesis continued.

"Yeah, but what's the actual plan?" Sophia inquired.

"Within those 120 players, we have 50 plus healers-myself included, along with 30 fighters, 20 supports and 20 tanks. With these players, we should be able to kill the god that's been lurking around the mortal world for a while."

"Ares," said Jessica as she clenched her fists. She had lost her comrades and friends to the god of war. It's safe to assume that she had a bit of a score to settle with the deity.

"Exactly. We're not actually going to enter heaven with this key. We'll simply breach through their defences and draw him out," explained Genesis.

"Whose to say that he'll be the one to show up?" Sophia asked as she crossed her arms.

"We have a player who's able to call onto gods. With her abilities, we'll be able to draw Ares out, hoping the enthralled effect will last long enough that the gates of heaven will let him through and fall to the mortal world."

"Then, once he's down there, we'll take him down and wish for our freedom!" he concluded.

Sophia furrowed her brows and pulled Jessica to the side as she stood up. "I don't like this one bit," she whispered. "It doesn't sound like a fleshed-out plan..."

"Listen, I understand that you're a bit sceptical of this whole ordeal, but we've been trapped here for 3 years now. I can't afford to stay any longer. We can't afford to stay any longer. So please... let's give it a shot, together..." Jessica pleaded in a low voice.

Sophia bit her lips and sighed heavily. She then scratched her hair anxiously and furrowed her brows in frustration.

"Fine... We'll try this..."

Jessica smiled softly and hugged Sophia, who embraced her as well. "I love you," she said.

"I love you too," Sophia responded.

"So, it's settled," said Genesis as he stood up and smiled. "3 days from now, we kill Ares."

Sophia and Jessica nodded. 'Home...' Sophia said in her head as she remembered the last time she was back on Earth.

All she wanted was to finish Paradox of the Olympian Gods, just like all the other players within its rankings. Once she managed to triumph over the game, just like many others she had beaten, she would be recognised in the hall of fame within the game's system.

But, when she killed the final boss, she suddenly found herself standing in the middle of the street, surrounded by preying men with alienating gazes.

She will never forget her first day on Olympus...

The way the men had greedily killed each other just for the slight chance that she would sleep with them made her blood chill and her skin crawl.

When the strongest managed to kill the other man, he managed to forcefully have his way with her. But, before he could finish inside her, he was suddenly whacked on the head and he fell to the side.

He bled on the side of his head and began trembling. Above him was a woman with long blonde hair and blue eyes carrying a huge hammer.

Without hesitation, the woman smacked the man on his head and killed him. Then, she turned to Sophia and smiled softly, offering her hand.

"You look like me... How does something like that even happen?" Jessica asked as she helped Sophia back on her feet.

Suddenly overwhelmed by her emotions, Sophia broke down in tears and embraced the stranger in front of her. Without turning her down, Jessica embraced her back and brushed her hair.

"It'll be alright, stranger," she said as she comforted Sophia. "I'm sorry I couldn't get here any sooner..."

Since that day, Jessica had been by Sophia's side, never leaving her. As Jessica grew stronger, so did Sophia.

And, because of their similar features, the players who were unlucky enough to do something bad in front of them, started calling them the Rage before The Storm.

Funny enough, they both had the same last names but lived in different states. Plus, Jessica mentioned how she wasn't a real blonde in real life, but Sophia was.

With their status and respect set in Goldhallow, they decided to travel to Red Town and cleanse the dirtbags there as well.

Much to their surprise, there wasn't much to clean up because Genesis and 6 other players had been taking care of everything. And, that's how they came across the future kingpin.

Snapping them out of their reminiscence, Genesis clapped his hands and smiled brightly. "Make sure you girls are ready for what's about to come. Well need the Rage before The Storm for this to succeed..."

"You don't have to worry about us, Genesis. Just make sure the others are ready for us," Jessica retorted as she smirked.

{ 3 days later... }

Jessica and Sophia arrived at the location they were sent by Genesis, and they were completely stunned by what they saw.

"Hey, that's Dante Suarez. He's the ghoul that singlehandedly took down 30 guys that one time," commented Sophia as she pointed at a guy with green hair.

"Isn't he a support? What's he doing standing next to the group of fighters?" Jessica inquired as she tilted her head.

"It's actually because he alone can drag Ares out, with my help, of course," the sound of a little girl responded as she walked past Jessica and Sophia before she stood in front of them.

She had short black hair that was tied into ponytails and emerald green eyes that were so green one could've sworn they were staring at a forest filled with nothing but fresh grass.

The longer Jessica and Sophia looked into her eyes, the longer their curiosity about the little girl lingered.

Why was she so young and why was she here?

But, before they could ask, the little girl dug her hands ok the girls' stomachs and twisted her hands, forming a black gaping hole in their stomachs.

Then, a sinister smile formed on her lips. "One of you is dying today..." she said as she removed her hands from their stomachs, which weren't damaged, and smiled brightly.

"What a shame. I was hoping that you would live. But, it appears that the Rage before The Storm was nothing more than a drizzle in the summer," the little girl added with a smirk on her face.

As she walked away, Sophia and Jessica were trembling, their skins crawling and their eyes widened. Their bodies were becoming cooler as their temperatures dropped. But, before it could get serious, a man with long black hair placed his hands on their shoulders.

"It's alright," he said in a deep and husky voice. "Emerald."

The little girl stopped walking and snapped her fingers. Suddenly, Sophia and Jessica's temperatures returned to normal, along with the conditions of their skin.

Emerald then turned her head and a maniacal form plastered itself onto her face, revealing a darker side to her nature. She successfully sent chills down the girls' spines and they knew this wouldn't be the last of her.