Moyo stood watching the horizon in silence, his piercing gaze fixed on the treeline and the unseen horrors advancing toward his stronghold. Below, Bastion was a storm of chaos. Fear rippled through the settlement like wildfire, driving panicked whispers and frantic movements. He turned from the distant threat, observing the scene below. Idris had emerged from the stronghold's central building—the only structure of note—attempting to calm the crowd. At his side stood a surprisingly composed young man, brown-haired and no older than twenty. Despite his youth, the boy carried himself with a confidence that belied his years, his presence helping hold the near-riotous crowd at bay.
Perched on the wall with his legs dangling inward, Moyo listened to the restless murmur of his name spreading through the settlement. Whispers of "The Titan" floated up to him, eyes searching for his imposing figure as though expecting salvation. He raised an eyebrow. Did they truly think he'd swoop in to save them every time trouble loomed?
He had promised to protect them, but they would need to learn that survival in this new reality meant fighting and growing stronger with their own hands. He couldn't be their crutch.
Movement drew his attention to the ruling body of Bastion stepping out into the open. Annika raised one hand to the sky, releasing a bolt of crackling lightning that tore through the air, silencing the panicked crowd and directing all eyes to her. Moyo found himself respecting her resolve a little more, though he couldn't help but wonder why her storm-grey eyes seemed to draw him so deeply.
"Where is the Titan?" a voice called out, cutting through the quiet. Moyo's gaze swept over the crowd—close to a hundred souls, frightened but attentive.
Annika's voice rang out. "I need everyone to listen to Martha! We don't have much time!" she shouted, her tone brooking no argument.
Martha nodded and stepped forward, her calm demeanor a sharp contrast to the tension crackling through the crowd. Her gaze lingered briefly on Moyo, who remained seated on the wall, before she turned back to the people.
"People of Bastion," Martha began, her voice steady and strong, "gather yourselves. There is no time for arguments or panic. A great test is upon us, and the Titan has provided us with the tools to stand against it."
"How? It's a wave—five in number!" someone called, their tone laced with dread.
"We were all ascenders before the Alpha captured us," Annika interjected sharply. "We all knew how to fight. Are you saying Bastion isn't worth defending?"
"But we need weapons," another voice argued, "not the crude scraps we've been using!"
"Excuses."
Moyo's deep voice echoed down from the wall, silencing the crowd instantly. All heads turned toward him, their expressions a mix of fear and awe. He stood slowly, the height at which he loomed above them lending him an almost mythical quality.
"Excuses upon excuses," he said, his tone laced with quiet authority. "I empathize with your pain. Truly, I do. Many of us have lost people—parents, spouses, friends. But tell me, how many of you woke up in a high-tiered dungeon, alone, weak, broken, and dying?"
The silence was absolute.
"Well, I did," he continued. "Unable to move, beset on both sides by a serpent and something called a troll. Pray you never meet one. Nasty creatures. But I survived. Broken bones and all, I fought. And fought. And fought. Until the swing of my blade and my will to live were all I had."
He let the words hang for a moment before stepping closer to the edge of the wall, looking down at them.
"You want to know how I got the title of Titan? I earned it by never backing down. When facing the Archailect, the only way forward is to stand your ground and fight. If we let Bastion fall, what happens to those who come after us? Where is truly safe?"
The crowd murmured softly, but no one spoke against him.
"Out there," he said, gesturing toward the horizon, "are horrors beyond comprehension, intent on wiping out what's left of humanity. And your greatest worry is weapons?" He turned to Martha. "Fine. Martha."
She bowed slightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
"Get as many weapons and armor from the hub as possible. Anything to help even the odds. I swore I would look after you all, and this is how I'll do it. I will drag each and every one of you through the mud and filth of this system. I will forge warriors out of you all."
The words hung in the air, heavy with conviction.
Idris stepped forward first, dropping to one knee, his massive frame exuding respect and determination. The young man at his side followed suit, echoing his gesture.
"I am willing, Lord Titan," Idris declared, his voice booming.
One by one, others stepped forward—men and women alike—falling into line behind Idris, their expressions resolute. Moyo's chest tightened as he looked out over the gathering. For the first time in a long while, his heart felt something he couldn't quite name.
His gaze met Martha's, her calm eyes reflecting a glimmer of pride.
The defenders of Bastion had been born.
Moyo watched the rumbling rise of new buildings with measured curiosity. Large, sturdy structures appeared seemingly out of nowhere, designated for those unwilling or unable to fight—primarily mothers with children. He paid it little mind. There would always be roles to fill in the stronghold beyond combat. From his estimate, they already had enough ascenders to manage the coming waves.
Idris worked methodically, organizing the defenders based on their chosen paths. The mana users gathered under Ayo, aura users stood with Idris himself, while intent users—despite Annika's mana affinity—were placed under her leadership. Moyo, as expected, preferred to work alone.
Martha called his attention to the central hall, where large boxes filled with weapons had materialized. The crude but functional swords, axes, and even a curious staff caught his eye. Ayo immediately reached for the staff, its crimson crystal catching the light.
"According to Aje, low-ranking mages use staffs to channel their abilities," Ayo explained, her fingers tracing the staff's runes. "Higher-tier mages often transition to vessels, typically grimoires, to manage the complexity of their spells. That'll be my next step once I grow."
"Sole mage path?" Moyo asked.
Ayo nodded, her eyes briefly flaring with mana. "Yes. Pure mana users—glass cannons. Rare, but devastating."
"Not my path," Annika chimed in, her new spear twirling effortlessly in her grip. "I'm adding intent the moment I can. But for now, I stick with the spear—tradition of my Zulu tribe." Her storm-grey eyes caught Moyo's gaze, and she shrugged. "You name places after your heritage. I carry mine."
Moyo turned to Aje, standing quietly at the room's edge. "Any way to acquire stronger weapons than these mundane ones?" he asked, his grip tightening on Ida.
The hologram bowed regretfully. "My apologies, Lord Titan, but such purchases are restricted until your world ascends to tier 2 and gains access to the broader system."
Moyo frowned, annoyance flickering across his face. Before he could respond, Martha interjected. "We still have the path specialization bonus," she reminded them.
Aje inclined her head. "Indeed. However, I strongly recommend waiting until the wave event is completed before utilizing it."
"Why?" Boyle asked from the corner, where he and the young assistant from earlier were arranging weapons and healing elixirs they had bought for cheap rates of 50 credits each.
"I am not authorized to reveal specifics, but it is in your best interest to heed my advice," Aje replied.
Moyo nodded, trusting her assessment for now. He turned to Idris, who stood nearby, axe hefted across his broad shoulders. "How are we looking?"
"Most of the ascenders have been equipped with weapons and basic armor. We're as ready as we'll ever be," Idris replied confidently.
"You'll need medics," a soft, hesitant voice broke in.
The room turned to see a slight, shabby-haired woman stepping forward, her hands nervously twisting together.
"And you are?" Moyo asked gently.
"I'm Samantha. Apologies for speaking out of turn, but I can help," she said, her hands glowing faintly with a soothing green light. "I'm a support mage—healing."
"A healer," Ayo said with interest, stepping closer. "Rare, especially in a place like this."
"I can set up a station for treating injuries during the battle," Samantha continued. "I've hit a skill ceiling healing minor wounds. With this event, I could even advance enough to regenerate limbs."
Moyo noticed the subtle unease among the warriors around her. He smiled faintly. "You'll have what you need. Gather volunteers and set up your station. I'll personally ensure your safety."
Samantha nodded eagerly; her enthusiasm contagious.
A thought crossed Moyo's mind as he touched the settlement's core, calling up the Bastion's resources.
[Bastion: 5,000 credits]
He frowned. That wouldn't last. Without hesitation, he transferred 200,000 credits of his own into the settlement's coffers. Martha, noticing the change, glanced at him in wide-eyed surprise before offering a solemn nod of gratitude.
With preparations underway, Moyo approached Idris. "I'll scout ahead. Let me see what we're dealing with."
Idris looked concerned for a moment, but then his expression shifted to one of resolve. "Understood, Lord Titan. Be careful."
Moyo clapped a hand on Idris's shoulder before stepping out into the empty streets. Above the stronghold, the countdown timer ticked down—thirty minutes remained.
Reaching into his pouch, Moyo retrieved the skill crystal Ajax had given him. With a decisive motion, he crushed it in his hand.
[Skill: Void Step (R) acquired.]
[Void Step (R): Cross vast distances in a single step.]
Testing it, he activated the skill, the world twisting briefly as he reappeared at the forest's edge in an instant. Satisfied with its utility, he turned back toward Bastion, its grey walls glowing faintly with purple aether. A sense of kinship tugged at his chest, a silent promise to defend this place.
Shaking off the sentiment, he stepped into the forest, each movement purposeful. They needed this fight. They needed to grow. And he would guide them—step by step—until they could stand on their own.
The aether in the forest was markedly different from what Moyo had grown accustomed to in the dungeon. It flowed gently, almost lazily, lacking the concentrated potency he had relied on to refill his core. That difference was a quiet but persistent reminder: sustaining his radiant-grade core would be an uphill task. While his cache of refined aether shards provided some insurance, Moyo was reluctant to use them without a reliable source for replenishment. And with the glaring absence of tier 2 dungeons, his resources were finite.
The thought weighed on him. The planet's evolution to a nascent, or tier 2, world would eventually provide greater opportunities, but at a steep cost. Upgrading the world would escalate its dangers, and for the people of Earth—most of whom were still struggling to adapt—it would mean death for many. No matter how strong he was, Moyo couldn't protect everyone. That fact hung over him like a shadow.
Shaking himself free from those thoughts, he crouched atop the branches of a tall tree, scanning the horizon. A dim, flickering column of light flashed in the distance, drawing his attention. With a breath, he activated Void Step, the forest blurring past him as he crossed vast distances effortlessly. In mere moments, he stood at the edge of a clearing, gazing at the creatures pouring forth from the glowing pillar.
They were rats—no, dire rats, his Hud clarified. Hundreds of them swarmed out of the column, their screeches filling the air as they scrambled across the forest floor. The majority were small, ranging from levels 1 to 9, their appearances varying from the vaguely familiar rodents of the old world to grotesque, oversized beasts. The largest among them, nearly as tall as a large dog, had crimson, beady eyes and sharp, yellowed canines that glinted in the dim light.
Then it appeared. A towering figure emerged from the column: a humanoid rat walking on two legs, its sinewy muscles rippling beneath patches of mangy fur. The system identified it as an Alpha Dire Rat, level 10. It sniffed the air and let out a shriek, sending the smaller rats scattering into the forest in chaotic streams.
Moyo observed the scene impassively. While the alpha rat's size and musculature were impressive in their grotesque way, its level was laughable. Even Bastion's ascenders would have little trouble dealing with this wave. Shrugging, Moyo activated Void Step again, hopping through the forest until he reached Bastion's gates. Without breaking stride, he leaped effortlessly over the walls, landing in the midst of the assembled forces.
Their eyes snapped to him as he straightened, his gaze calm but commanding.
"Here's what's going to happen," he began, his voice cutting through the anxious murmurs like steel.
The dire rats poured out of the forest like a living tide, a flood of chittering bodies, sharp teeth, and gleaming red eyes. The ground trembled beneath their numbers, a rolling wave of pestilence surging toward Bastion. On the open field outside the walls, two tightly formed lines of ascenders stood ready, their expressions a mix of determination and dread. At their head stood Ayo, her staff glowing with a fiery orange hue as she prepared to unleash her power.
Above them, atop Bastion's newly fortified walls, Moyo, Annika, and the fledgling leaders of the stronghold stood vigilant. Moyo's sharp eyes scanned the encroaching horde, calculating the tempo of the battle. Beside him, Annika's storm-grey eyes crackled with lightning, the air around her charged with raw energy.
"Remember, I can't hold it for long, boss," she said, her tone calm but focused.
"You won't need to," Moyo replied firmly, his confidence steadying her resolve.
As the rats broke into the open, the sky above began to rumble ominously. The scent of ozone filled the air as Annika prepared her devastating strike. Below, Ayo glanced back toward Moyo, her face alight with anticipation. At his nod, she raised her staff high, a swirling orb of orange flames forming above her head.
"Attack!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the tension.
The orb shattered, sending dozens of smaller fireballs streaking toward the horde. They exploded with fiery precision, scattering groups of rats and setting the ground ablaze. Following her lead, the ascenders unleashed their own attacks. Fire, ice, and crackling bolts of mana surged forward in a relentless barrage, striking down the rats in swathes. The coordinated assault was ruthless, the dire rats shrieking in pain and fury as they fell.
For five grueling minutes, the ascenders pressed the attack, their mana cores burning low as their breathing grew labored. Despite their efforts, the tide seemed endless. The smaller rats were being culled, but the larger ones began to press forward, their thick hides shrugging off weaker strikes.
Moyo turned to Annika, his gaze steady.
"Now," he said simply.
Annika brought her raised hands down in one swift motion, and the skies answered her call. A massive bolt of lightning slammed into the battlefield, tearing through the ranks of the larger rats with devastating precision. Dozens were charred instantly, the acrid scent of burned flesh wafting through the air as the attack left a scorched path in its wake.
The battlefield fell momentarily silent, the smaller rats hesitating in fear before resuming their frantic charge. It was then that the alpha dire rat emerged.
Larger and more menacing than the rest, the humanoid creature bounded out of the forest with a shriek, its muscular frame glistening with predatory intent. It barreled toward the wall, its claws tearing through the scorched earth as it closed the distance.
Before Moyo could act, a figure broke from the defensive lines below. A young warrior surged forward, a massive bastard blade nearly as large as he was balanced on his shoulder, its edge glowing faintly with red aura.
"Ayo, hold!" Moyo barked as the flame mage began to raise her staff in alarm.
The young ascender rushed headlong at the alpha, his determination blazing. The rat screeched, leaping toward him with claws outstretched. With a powerful swing, the youth brought the bastard blade crashing down, cleaving the alpha cleanly in two. The creature's body crumpled mid-leap, its lifeless halves falling heavily to the ground.
But the boy's triumph was short-lived. The remnants of the horde, frenzied by their leader's death, turned their fury on him. They surged toward him, teeth gnashing and claws slicing the air.
And then they were gone.
A vortex of intent swirled around Moyo as he unleashed Blade Storm. The strike swept across the battlefield like a hurricane, obliterating the remaining rats in an instant. The ground was scarred and steaming, piles of lifeless bodies marking the aftermath of his overwhelming power.
Moyo stepped forward, catching the boy by the arm before he collapsed. The youth's wide eyes stared in awe at the devastation around them. Moyo smiled, steadying him as he spoke.
"Idris," Moyo called, his voice carrying back to the defensive lines.
"Yes, my lord?" Idris replied, stepping forward.
"I believe we've found our third commander," Moyo said, clapping the young warrior on the shoulder as the boy blinked in shock, his face lighting up with a mix of pride and disbelief.
The first wave had been defeated, but the battle for Bastion had only just begun.