Way of the Knights

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"Hey, so you guys are coming too?"

"Yeah. Can't miss out on this. I'm 100,000 Merit Points away from buying the sword I was eyeing for the longest of time. I just hope there's enough things kill there."

"Dude, they won't make a huge announcement like that if there isn't enough. Plus, don't tell that you forgot how absurdly fast those abominations reproduce."

"True that. Anyways, wanna team-up? We're missing one person."

"Count me in!"

"…"

"How's is it? Have you finished preparing the things we need?"

"Yeah, I also stock up some pills. Judging by the announcement, shit's about to go down. We have to careful? Where the rest?"

"They're about to arrive."

"What about Lester?"

"Hahaha! That guy's fuming right now. Don't even try to talk to him."

"What? Why?"

"He can't come, that's why. He's on the verge of breaking through so he can't go."

"Ah! Haha, so that's why. Poor guy. A battle-junkie that can't participate in an event like this. I can understand why he's upset."

"Yeah, how unlucky. Anyways, let's just hope that this breakthrough will be fast enough for him to catch-up."

"Mn! Oh, here they are. Come on, let's go. I'm itching for some action."

"Coming!"

"…"

"You're not coming?"

"Mm-hmm. I'm not."

"Why?"

"I feel like something bad is about to happen."

"Duh, bitch. Why would they make an announcement like this if things were fine?"

"You know that's not what I meant!"

"Yes, yes I know. You're a pussy, that's what you meant."

"Y-you!"

"Alright, alright chill! I'm just messin' wit ya'. Still, using 'gut feeling' as an excuse to chicken out isn't the way to my Dude."

"I told you I ain't scared."

"Yes you are. How many times have you said the same phrase over and over again without anything bad happening? Lying is bad ya' know?"

"Hmph, whatever. Maybe you'll appreciate my warning once you're about to die."

"And maybe you'll be come stronger than I am once you muster up the courage to stop lying to everyone and yourself. Well, see ya' later."

"…"

"Ooh, girl. Looking mighty fine as always."

"Thanks, girl. You're doing so bad yourself."

"Bitch, you actually believed that? You're so basic."

"Shut it, slut! Hahaha. Anyways, you sure you wanna go?"

"Mm-hmm! I'll leech on ya' there, you won't mind right Sister?"

"Ew, gross. Never call me that again. And would you please stop squeezing my ass? I don't appreciate it."

"Hmph fine! I'll just ask Justin yours when we return. I think that'd make you more happy."

"Bitch, how did you know? Haha."

"Gosh you sluts are loud. Can't you see that some perverts could hear you? Behave and let's go."

"Yes, Ma'am. But let us squeeze your boobs first before we go."

*Wham!*

"…"

"Should we really be doing this? That guy told us to us rest for at least a month right?" Derek said somewhat hesitating yet he's still following Julius' lead. 

"I know but…" Julius was highly hesitant as well. "We can't miss this! Who knows when we'll have such an opportunity again? And it's not like we're going to the depths anyways. We'll remain on the outskirts and deal with the stragglers. It shouldn't be dangerous."

"His words really riled you up real good huh?" Janine said causing Julius to halt on his steps. 

Julius took a deep breath and said: "Yeah, it sure did."

The three man squad had never been the same ever since returning to Greece. This was actually the first time that they've met since their return. Each of them were badly rattled by Raven's harsh criticism but once they calmed down and thought about it. The masked-man was correct. 

They were making excuses. It's as simple as that. 

Admitting that you're wrong had always been a bitter pill to swallow. Facing the cold and hard truth was never easy. Yes, they were indeed making excuses. All the pain, misery and suffering that they experienced were brought on to them by themselves. 

Perhaps, they were indeed searching for ways to escape this huge responsibility. Perhaps, they've truly given up and just wanted to die in order to escape. 

Nevertheless, Raven's words caused them to wake up from their depression. He slapped them so hard with the truth that they could still feel and hear his words echoing in their ears. Needless to say, there's no other way for them aside from facing reality itself. 

"I don't know if what we're doing right now is the right move but…to me at least, it is. That should be sufficient for now." Julius muttered but it was heard by the two. 

He then looked back and stared at them. 

"Let's start over once we return, yeah?" He smiled in a carefree manner. 

Seeing that caused Derek and Janine's eyes to moisten. Inwardly they screamed 'That's it. That's how he used to smile back in the day. He's back! Thank god.'

Derek and Janine smiled and together, three man squad then entered the transmission gate. 

***

"Attention! All disciples, kindly gather around and listen carefully!" 

Within Asphodel, numerous personnel stood in front of the newly arrive disciples and gathered them together. 

"Okay! All of you listen carefully cause I'm only going to tell you this once." The personnel said. "Right now, a great battle awaits us. Two hours from now, the War Gods will break the seal on the 12th floor and all hell shall break loose! I want you all to stay at your peak condition since we might be staying here for a long time."

"According to intel, the army of devils reach millions in numbers." The man said. 

Hearing that caused the disciples to shiver. Now the severity of the situation just became clearer to them. This isn't just a Great Battle anymore, it's War. Nevertheless, the disciples remained silent despite their varying reactions. 

"Now that you're aware of how many of these abominations we have to face, I want to remind you that our goal right now is not to eradicate every single one of them. Our goal is to survive. If you ever find yourself in danger, escape immediately. It doesn't matter if you return to Greece or just retreat to the outskirts just make sure that you are safe."

"Today, we're handing out new seals which you can use in emergency. Unlike the previous rune that we use, this one will instantly teleport you to either Greece or here. Again, let me remind you, do not hesitate! If you're in danger, retreat!"

The personnel them gestured at the people beside him and they started handing out three seals for each disciple. 

"Each of you will get three seals, stamp it to your arm and infuse it with energy to activate it. Once you run out of it, then return here to get more."

"Now, I want you to pay attention to this." The man gestured towards the bonfire beside him. Unlike any ordinary bonfires, the flames on this one was white in color. 

"Some of you might be familiar to this flame already but for those who don't allow me to explain." The man paused before continuing: "This is a Cleansing Flame. It's an extraordinary flame which could be said as the 'Bane of all Devils'. Utilizing this flame to kill devils allows you to purify them since these flames can wipe out the remnant Will of the Devil Emperor that resides on each devils you will face."

"I won't be sending you out there without coating yourself with cloak of this flames. Those who prefer a close-quarter combat can also get a coating of this flame on your chosen weapon. Again, us and the War Gods don't want you to blindly charge forward and surrender your lives to kill devils. Our goal is to survive, next is to prevent devils from occupying Asphodel. We can't do neither if you guys are dead so pay attention to your safety."

"Last but not the least, I the War Gods have a message to you all." The man looked at the disciples and puffed his chest out ever so slightly to indicate his pride. 

"Everyone who participated in this battle will earn double the Merit Points for each devils they slay. Good luck and stay safe."

All disciples erupted in explosive cheers causing Asphodel to rumble as if there's an earthquake. 

From their gazes alone, those words were the biggest motivator needed to ignite their fighting spirits. Doubled Merit Points! The War Gods won't lie about this. Now, everyone's excitement are peaked.

One by one, the disciples stood on top of the bonfires and got a cloak of Cleansing Flames. As they marveled about the strange sensation go being covered in flames, the ground suddenly rumbled. 

*Boom!*

All of a sudden, the entire Asphodel shook fiercely. The disciples were badly startled as they looked at the direction of the Pagoda. All of a sudden, a wave of ominous and evil pressure started permeating the entirety of Asphodel. 

Although it's currently unknown how, the disciples weren't scared. In fact, every single one of them glared at the direction of the pagoda in anticipation. 

"Disciples! MEET. THE. ENEMY!!!"

"AAAAHHHHH!"