A month had come and gone since the prophet and the gates arrived on earth. Many new gate sightings appeared all over the world; It was difficult keeping count of them all.
People from all over the world had rushed to become a ranker. However, not everyone was so lucky; many people never received a power, and those who did often did not receive a strong one. Many stuck in the mediocrity of E-Rank through to C-rank.
A select few were granted B or A-Rank, and fewer were given the divine honour of S-rank. The most coveted rank in the world. An overnight sensation; the newest rockstars the world over.
With it, came the guilds. Basically, clubs to help explore these gates. An order for the prophet.
The D-Dogs, were one the very first guilds to be established after the gate's appearance. Their purpose, to maintain the law and order within the gates and ensure that other guilds would abide by these laws or otherwise deal with them. Its secondary faculty, to train new the next generation into elite fighters capable of handling any situation.
Founded under the watchful gaze of the prophet.
"Line up dogs." The booming voice echoed across the courtyard. The voice coming from a towering man, standing over 2 meters tall with rippling muscles. A mountain of a man whose mere presence commanded respect. Short white hair, piercing amber eyes, a long scar stretching across his face, and an expression that screamed authority. This was Akira, Guildmaster of the D-Dogs.
The courtyard filled with newly ranked adventurers; each one groaned with annoyance as they lined up.
Akira, the Guildmaster of the D-Dogs, was known for his strict training methods and no-nonsense attitude. "Today, we'll focus on speed and mobility," he announced sternly. "Who will step up and show me what you've learned?" No one responded, an awkward silence falling over the group.
Kyo and Haruto began to silently whisper between each other. "Not another time trial. I'm still exhausted from last week." Kyo whispered. Haruto shook his head, "I know bro; Doesn't this hard ass have any original ideas?"
"You two, step forward." Akira's voice crackled like lightning, stiffing the two boys. The men shuffled forward hesitantly. "You two want to speak up about something?" Both shook their heads,
"No, sir!" They answered in unison.
"Good, you two will be the first pups." Akira pulled out his phone, tapping the screen a few times before the courtyard's phones began to vibrate. 'New quest received.' the message read.
Before the message dings again, and again, and again. Akira had sent the message over and over. Kyo and Haruto stood at the front shaking, unable to contain their laughter. Turning redder and redder by the second.
"Oi!" Akira marched with a flustered face towards them, "You think it's funny?!" His voice boomed, spittle flying from his mouth as he spoke. He towered over the two men, using his height and muscles to intimidate them.
"No... No sir." Kyo struggled to keep a straight face, struggling to maintain eye contact with the towering man.
Despite his authoritative nature, Akira was an older man with a stereotypical understanding of modern technology. Akira looked down at his phone, repeatedly pressing the screen in frustration. "Why won't this thing work?!" He growled angrily. Haruto let out some muffled laughter, quickly turning into a cough when Akira's head snapped towards him.
"Idiots." Eren sighed from behind the ongoing scene.
Akira's head snapped to Eren like a dog catching a whiff of meat. His eyes zeroing in on the young man. "Something to add crusader Heart?!" Eren froze in place, caught off guard by the attention.
"No sir."
"Well, you can join these two jokesters then." Akira ordered as he tossed his phone aside, landing with a thud on the dirt floor. Kyo and Haruto are about to explode from holding back their laughter.
"Whoops." Rika had fallen onto her hands and knees on the ground. Akira glanced down at her. "Rika, join these three as well. I'm sure they'd love your company." He spoke condescendingly.
"Oh ah, sorry sir." Rika quickly responded, feigning embarrassment as she stood up. Akira's face twitched with annoyance, "Move it!" Akira pointed to the line.
The four lined up, side by side. Kyo and Haruto snickering quietly whilst Eren and Rika stood rigid, looking on at the forward. "You didn't have to pretend to fall over. We're big boys, we can look after ourselves." Eren whispered.
"'You' can look after yourself, but those two morons couldn't save themselves if they tried." Rika retorted.
"Alright." Akira regained his composure, addressing the four once more. "Read the quest, that will be your mission. GO!"
---
Title: D-Dogs time trial.
Received from: Guildmaster Akira.
Gate: C-Rank
Accept? Yes/No
Aim: Clear the gate within 35 minutes of entering.
Reward: 1,000 Exp.
Note: Failure to complete this gate within the allotted time will result in 3 hours of endurance training.
---
The four marched out of the courtyard, the pity and sympathy of their fellow guild members weighed on them.
"Going first sucks." "I hear ya man." "Good luck guys!" Voices cheered from behind. Although, not too loud to alert the stern Guildmaster.
Rika led the group through the stone path to the gate; it sat in small park, a 10-minute walk from the guild headquarters. In its own quaint, tucked away corner of the city. A small blue portal swirls in the centre, illuminating the ground around it with a pale light.
A young woman stood next to it, looking intently at a tablet in her hand. Rika greeted the young woman, "Hi, Yui. You're look as pretty as always." Yui looked up from her tablet and smiled politely.
"Hello, Rika." Yui greeted the group warmly. She was a beautiful woman, with long black hair tied back in a ponytail, tiny in figure and dressed in a tight-fitting jumpsuit.
"Are you four first?" She asked. Rika nodded, "Yup, those two idiots got us in trouble again."
Yui had an important job in the D-Dogs, she was the resident administrator, Rank-B administrator. Whilst the class possessed no inherent combat abilities or special skills, it served has an information class. An in-built ability to access gate information, create quests and distribute items. A hard requirement to start and operate any guild.
"Ready to go?" Yui asked. Everyone nodded; Yui tapped her tablet, opening a clock timer. "On my mark." She waited for everyone to prepare themselves.
"Ready? Go!"
Kyo and Haruto charged forward first, followed closely by Eren and Rika. They jumped into the swirling portal with gusto, and the world around them shifted from the small park to a wide-open clearing surrounded by trees.
---
Dense trees and vegetation dotted the vast landscape. The air was cool and fresh, filled with the scent of pine and earth, untainted by the sounds of human life. It felt as if the world had just been created, untouched and pure. "Who's taking the lead?" Eren asked.
"Me, I'll take the lead." Kyo replied, taking off down the path ahead of them. The group followed with haste close behind. It was not long before they encountered their first enemy, a small pack of white wolves appeared out from behind the trees, slowly stalking towards them.
"Get your weapons out." Kyo ordered, Drawing dual swords from his belt. Rika manifested two long water spears, Haruto equipped his staff, and Eren his great sword.
Eren shot forward, Sword raised high above his head. Brought down in a powerful swing, slicing through the first wolf in one strike. Before the other wolves could react to their fallen comrade, they were met with the rest of the guild's relentless assault.
Kyo quickly took down two wolves with dual slashes before continuing onwards. Haruto waved his staff, sending out a blast of energy that blew away several wolves, tearing their bodies apart on impact. Rika on the other hand, gracefully danced through the fray, piercing each wolf with her water spears as she passed them by.
The final wolf was caught off guard by Eren's quick attack; it tried to flee from the fight but was quickly cut down by the young crusader.
"That's the last of them." Eren stated. Rika nodded, "Yeah, let's keep moving. I don't need any more endurance training in my life."
Kyo took point again, leading the group towards their next encounter. The quartet were making great time, the idea of additional endurance training faded from their minds as they quickly made their way through the forest.
The path opened into a wide clearing with several wolves circling around a giant alpha wolf. The biggest of the pack, a giant mangy beast, its fur barren in places, teeth cracked and broken, bloodied by past battles. The giant wolf looked up to see the new intruders; its red eyes glowed with anger as it snarled at them.
"What's your call Kyo?" Haruto asked. Kyo grimaced, "The boss monster is going to be a pain in the ass. Eren you and Rika-" Before Kyo could finish his plan of attack, the alpha rushed forward towards Kyo. A crazed look in its eyes as it leapt towards the young man.
"Kyo, move!" Rika shouted, but it was too late. The alpha landed on top of him, sending him flying backwards into a nearby tree. Kyo groaned in pain as the alpha pinned him down. Its massive claws pressing against his chest, the sheer force was enough to crack his ribs.
Eren charged in from behind, cutting across the back of the wolf's leg, forcing it to release its hold on Kyo.
The alpha turned its attention to Eren, preparing to attack again, its massive body slamming against Eren's own, pushing him off balance.
Haruto moved to Kyo's side, healing him. Meanwhile the alpha howled, commanding the smaller wolves to assist it in the fight. Rika moved forward to help Eren; She fired her spears into the group of wolves, killing a few but is quickly overwhelmed by the sheer number of them.
Eren dodged the alpha's attack with a quick roll to the side. He could feel the wolf's breath against his face as it snarled at him. Two smaller wolves appeared from behind, snapping at his legs. Eren quickly slashed at them, trying to keep them away from him. However, one managed to latch onto his ankle.
A wave of water crashed against the small wolves, throwing them against the trees. Freeing Rika to help Eren fight the alpha wolf. Kyo stood up slowly, Haruto's healing magic having healed his injuries.
The Alpha charged once more towards Eren, Eren shifted to the side, dodging the wolf's jaws. Slamming into the tree behind him. Rika attacks from behind, thrusting a water spear into the alpha's left eye. It roared in pain, shaking its head wildly, blood and mucus flying everywhere.
"Burning salve!" Haruto yelled, the alpha's wound closing with intense heat, sizzling as the flesh healed over it.
Rika held her ground, watching as the alpha turned to face her again. "Eren, finish it off now!" She screamed, striking at the wolf with her spears again. The alpha retaliated, smashing its body against hers, throwing her backwards into the trees.
Eren used this chance to land a killing blow on the Alpha; He charged forward, leaping into the air with his great sword held high above his head. Bringing it down with force onto the wolf's back, slashing clean through its spine, severing it in half. The alpha let out one final cry before falling limp. Its body lay lifeless, blood pouring from its wounds. The remaining wolves vanished into the dense forestry.
The fight was over.
"Quickly, we need to get back." Haruto called out as he rushed over to Kyo and Rika's side. He began casting healing spells on them both, their injuries were extensive but nothing too severe.
Rushing back towards the gate, time was running out. They needed to finish the quest fast or risk the wrath of Akira.
As they exited the gate, they were greeted by a familiar face. The Ominous glare of Akira greeted them. Sizing up the group with a quick once over, his attention landed on Yui, standing by the gate, tablet in hand. "How much time?" Akira asked gruffly.
"Exactly 30 minutes, sir." Yui replied, holding out her tablet for Akira to inspect. "I see, well done team." He nodded to them,
"You have done the D-dogs proud." An ever so slight smile graced his stern face. "Enjoy the rest of your day off; You've earned it."
Akira returned his attention back the other D-dogs, now lined after in groups of 5. "Next." He barked, the next group slowly walking forward.
---
Haruto checked Kyo over for any signs of injury, "Are you alright?" Kyo winced as Haruto touched his ribs. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just bruised."
"That was a crazy fight, didn't think we would pull through with time to spare." Eren commented, putting his sword away.
"Tell me about it, I can't believe that stupid wolf pulled that cheap move on me." Kyo responded bitterly. "I was barely able to do anything; That damn wolf had my ass pinned down in seconds."
Haruto chuckled, "Well, at least you're alive. Now, who wants dinner?" Everyone nodded, following Haruto out of the courtyard towards the city centre.
Kyo, Haruto and Rika chat away whilst Eren lagged. Something was wrong, he felt like he was being watched. Eren turned, nothing behind him but empty space.
Turning back and looking at his reflection, he saw the black spectre staring back at him from behind. It was holding its skeletal hand out towards him. Eren spun around to confront the figure but found nothing there.
"Is anyone there?" He called out.
Silence greeted him, just as it had before. Eren sighed, shaking his head. 'What's wrong with me? I'm seeing things now.' Eren thought, rubbing his eyes tiredly. Running a hand through his hair, he let out another sigh before turning around and joining the others.
He tried to ignore the nagging feeling in the back of his mind, but it would not leave him alone.
For a month now he felt it. Impending catastrophe.