Chapter 167 The Gap in Realms
Fountain Square was packed, like sardines in a can, with over four hundred people surrounding Eric and his crew. Their eyes were full of hate, weapons ready to go.
But no one attacked. Instead, they split like the Red Sea, making way for a group of twenty to step forward.
These new folks walked in with a serious vibe, faces all grim and determined. Their levels were nothing special, around five or six, and their gear was pretty basic, nowhere near the top-tier stuff from the Martial Alliance. They looked like they didn't belong, like wolves in sheep's clothing.
"Show me what you got," ZephyrStrider ordered, his voice cold as ice. He turned to FlameDancer, a nasty grin on his face.
FlameDancer and AquaBison gasped, eyes wide with shock as they recognized the approaching figures.
"You… How could you side with the Martial Alliance?" FlameDancer shouted, her voice full of betrayal and confusion.
The twenty people were her old buddies, the ones who had fought with her, shared the good and bad times.
ZephyrStrider laughed, enjoying the shock on their faces. "Kai Blackthorn, I keep my promises. These folks helped you take down a bunch of Martial Alliance members. I told them if they took you and your friends out, they'd get a full pardon. The Martial Alliance would leave them alone."
"Kai Blackthorn, don't you think it's time you did something to atone for their losses?" ZephyrStrider taunted, recalling how Eric had subjected him to such profound humiliation last time. He wouldn't let Eric off so easily.
ZephyrStrider was playing a risky game, pushing Eric into a corner, making him choose between saving himself and staying loyal. If Eric fought back, word would spread fast: the famous Swordsman, a heartless traitor, sacrificing his old friends to save his own skin. His rep would be trashed, his future in Divine Realms: Legends up in the air.
FlameDancer couldn't handle the guilt. Her eyes flashed with anger, and she turned on ZephyrStrider. "You snake! They were following my orders when they fought your precious Martial Alliance. If you've got any guts, come at me!"
Joining Eric's team had filled her with hope. She never thought her past would come back to bite them, putting Eric in such a tough spot. If he fought, killing those who once stood by her, rumors would start, calling him a ruthless killer.
"FlameDancer, we had no choice. We need the Alliance's forgiveness, a chance to keep playing in Willowbrook Town. This is our only option," one of her old friends pleaded, his voice heavy with regret.
"We didn't want this, but we're stuck. Please, understand. Just… let us finish this," another added, looking down.
Their desperate words hit FlameDancer hard. The camaraderie they had, the battles they fought together, now felt like a distant memory, a cruel reminder of what they lost. Tears welled up, but she blinked them back, steeling herself for the fight.
"FlameDancer, have you really become so cold? Would you kill your old friends without a second thought?" a middle-aged Assassin in worn leather armor asked, his voice thick with sorrow.
FlameDancer hesitated, doubt flickering in her eyes.
At that moment, the Assassin lunged, his dagger aiming for her heart.
A loud clang echoed through the square as a pitch-black sword blocked the blow, deflecting the dagger."You seem to forget you're still under my protection, FlameDancer. As long as you're part of my team, you're not carrying this burden alone. And no, I'm not accepting your resignation," Eric said, his voice steady and firm.
"You're one of us, and as your leader, it's my job to protect you and wipe away these bad memories."
Since diving into Divine Realms: Legends, Eric never cared much about what others thought. He knew chasing after people's approval was a weakness, a distraction from real strength.
"Let this be a lesson to everyone," Eric announced, his voice strong and clear. "Worrying about what others think will only hold you back. We make our own paths, driven by our own goals. That's how we achieve true mastery."
In a blink, Eric was in front of FlameDancer, standing like a rock between her and the danger.
"Eric…" FlameDancer whispered, tears streaming down her face, her heart swelling with gratitude and a new sense of clarity. Maybe it was her constant need for approval, her fear of judgment, that had kept her from reaching her full potential.
'Why should I care if I fight back? Why should I care if others judge me? True strength is about unwavering conviction and relentless self-improvement.' She seemed to have made up her mind, a confident spark in her eyes.
AquaBison rushed to FlameDancer's side, feeling a wave of admiration for Eric. He had never met a leader so reliable, so inspiring.
Cola and the others exchanged knowing smiles. This was the captain they had sworn loyalty to, a man of unshakable principles and unmatched strength.
"Music to my ears!" ZephyrStrider cackled, his eyes gleaming with malicious joy. "I've got it all recorded, Kai Blackthorn. Your betrayal will be legendary in Divine Realms: Legends!"
"What are you waiting for? Now go get him! The one who brings me Kai Blackthorn's head will be richly rewarded!"
As ZephyrStrider's words faded, a chorus of war cries erupted from FlameDancer's former comrades. They charged at Eric, weapons glinting under the virtual sun, driven by a thirst for vengeance and absolution.
Eric's lips curled into a cold smile as he watched the oncoming horde, a mix of melee and magic users, their moves predictable, their attacks sloppy. He raised the Abyssal Blade, its dark surface buzzing with power.
"Thunderbolt!"
Three blinding arcs of lightning shot from the blade, tearing through the air with a deafening crack. The bolts hit the charging players, their bodies convulsing as over five hundred, even a thousand points of damage registered. Their health bars, once a vibrant green, vanished in an instant, replaced by the stark red of death.
A stunned silence fell over the square, the air thick with the metallic scent of blood and the sharp tang of ozone.
"Eric!" FlameDancer and the others cried out, their voices filled with panic. Attacking and killing players in the town's safe zone had serious consequences. The guards would step in, swift and merciless, leading to immediate execution and imprisonment. Eric, with his red name status, would face a heavy penalty, losing levels and precious experience.
"He's vulnerable now! Outside the town's protection, he's as good as dead! We can take him! Loot his gear!" ZephyrStrider roared, his voice triumphant.
But before the Martial Alliance members could react, a chillingly familiar voice cut through the air, coming from right behind ZephyrStrider.
"Did Leo Ironblade forget to mention how he met his end?" Eric's tone was icy, his words sending a shiver down ZephyrStrider's spine.
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