Level Up: Voidwalker

Atlas and the girls dashed across the stone bridge but were abruptly attacked as arrows and spells flew at them. Perplexed, he questioned the situation, only for Artemis to explain, "It's the Bigonia town guard—they're Evergladians, so they would attack us as we're the enemy."

Understanding the threat, Artemis took the lead after speaking, casting an Earth Spike to shield their advance. As they sprinted forward, Atlas spotted guards on the town walls and unleashed Void Bullets, causing explosions that sent them reeling.

Drawing nearer, Artemis wielded her sling, peppering the defenders with mana bullets that caused chaos when they hit their target, while Amethyst unleashed Cosmic Blast to clear their path toward the town.

Grishna used Ironclad to block most of the spells coming their way before casting Razorwind Blades at the defenders. The guards were wiped out within moments as the spells washed over them.

As the orc girl approached the gate blocking their path, she swiftly cast Earth Bolt several times while Atlas sent twenty Void Arrows toward it simultaneously. The combined force shattered the entrance.

Debris scattered in all directions, sparking chaos and panic within the town. The group rushed into the town while Grishna and Artemis took the brunt of the attacks, but Atlas and Amethyst started casting spells as he darted through the entrance, stabbing guards whenever he got the chance.

Once the enemies dropped to the ground, he stabbed them through the hole in their helmets while casting Void Bullets at the reinforcement. Following that small battle, they rushed through the city only to see a bright light coming from a nearby train.

Atlas halted abruptly, a sudden compulsion urging him to aid the besieged townspeople. Sensing his intention, Artemis attempted to pull him away, but he broke free and sprinted towards the train.

As they ran, Grishna relayed, "The tracks lead to the Twilight Forest. We can hide there."

Approaching the train stations, they witnessed a fierce battle unfolding—a group of women bravely fighting off hundreds of Evergladian soldiers. Seeing their plight, Atlas charged towards the station with his dagger drawn.

Spotting him, a man and woman lunged forward. Atlas deftly sidestepped, driving his dagger into the large man's thigh. Simultaneously, he unleashed a Void Arrow at the female's face, eliciting a pained scream.

The girls collided with the enemy soldiers while battling toward the train, as Archer wielded his dagger and magic to attack their foes.

***

[Estelle Argonia's POV]

Estelle and the Battle Sisters had to disembark at the town of Bigonia because the war was breaking out. While in their cabin, Maria rushed in and, panicked, said, ''My Lady. The Evergladian passengers know your identity and are trying to force their way in.''

'People are stupid. I have nothing to do with Father's invasion, but thanks to being an Argonian Princess, they would target me.'

She shook her head, growing concerned, but nodded before walking out, only to see the Battle Sisters blocking the entrance. Estelle took out her beautiful silver shield while approaching her friends. ''Stand back, ladies. I will block their approach,'' she said.

The women stepped aside as Estelle's shield grew as big as a door. Then, she slammed it into the floor, and the passengers broke through. She didn't give them a chance and used Shield Bash to send them flying back as she took out her sword.

Without mercy, Estelle struck out and cleaved an Evergladian fighter in half with a powerful swing. When the people behind the man she just killed become furious and charge forward again.

Estelle stood firm as the Battle Sisters used their weapons to attack the enemy from above, using her shield as cover. She realized they would soon be overwhelmed if they didn't get off the train.

''Maria! Find a way off the train,'' she ordered the older woman who saluted.

Following that, she cast Solar Slash twice. The searing hot slash easily cut through flesh and metal. Estelle moved forward while using Shield Bash to keep the Everglades at bay. They moved forward ten feet before Maria shouted, ''My Lady! We can get out here.''

She turned back and saw the other Battle Sisters forcing a door open, but she noticed the azure blue explosion erupting all over Bigonia. 'Is the town under attack?' Estelle thought while backing up.

As she scanned the chaotic scene, Estelle noticed a boy effortlessly dispatching two soldiers before boldly charging into the midst of the growing crowd. His azure-colored bullets exploded on impact, stunning her with their power.

Focusing on the advancing soldiers, Estelle swiftly took action. She used her skill Shield Bash and Ground Pound to weaken their ranks while her Battle Sisters efficiently dealt with any enemies she missed.

'This should slow them down,' she thought after using her two skills.

Following that, Estelle left the train carriage while the Evergladians surrounded them. Soon, however, the enemy was struck from behind by blue and purple explosions that illuminated the area.

When Maria saw the boy, her eyes widened in shock as she mumbled, "It's The Chosen Messiah, My Lady. He's here!"

Estelle glanced at the newcomers and saw three girls and a boy attacking the soldiers, but the boy caught her attention. His gorgeous white hair was the color of snow, and she could see his glowing blue eyes.

That's when the two groups met up in the middle and stared at each other, but that's when she heard a familiar voice, ''We rescued the blonde bitch? Why did the goddess bless me with bad luck, Grak'Thar Gromog'ar.''

Her eyes landed on an orc she despised. "Look who it is, the green-skinned menace and lousy adventurer."

Grishna got angry and started to step forward, but the boy stopped her. "Grish, not now. We have more important things to deal with."

'What is she doing with The Chosen Messiah? Why is he traveling with such a savage!' Estelle internally complained.

Estelle watched as the orc girl nodded before the boy turned to her. "Let's get going. We can use the tracks to get out of town. It seems the Evergladians are hunting both our groups."

Everyone agreed and rushed toward the trains, dealing with any soldiers or town guards who got too close. She watched the boy as he fought like a wild beast, darting in between the enemies while stabbing them.

'He's wild but I like the effort he puts into his attacks,' Estelle thought.

She smiled and was thankful for their intervention as they jumped onto the tracks while the Battle Sisters covered their retreat as more soldiers appeared.

***

[Back to Atlas]

They sprinted across the tracks when the blonde girl caught up with them. Suddenly, an explosion caused the rails to wobble. Atlas turned to see the station, and several tracks erupt in flames.

'What are they using? Won't the Morozovians be angry?' Atlas pondered but soon stopped as he cast spells at the enemy below.

He watched as the knights accompanying Estelle fell to the ground below. One older woman locked eyes with him before she dropped, calling out, "Look after the princess, The Chosen Messiah. Get her back to the Argonia Kingdom, we will meet you there."

She landed just outside the town walls, surrounded by Evergladian town guards. Along with the other girls, Atlas unleashed a barrage of Void Bullets and spells, clearing a path through the enemy.

The women fought forward, and Artemis urged everyone to keep running, but Atlas noticed the blonde girl wasn't moving and kept her eyes on the four below as they escaped the enemy.

Atlas hurried over, seizing her arm urgently. "Come on, they've gotten away. We need to move, or we'll be cornered."

She met his gaze, nodding solemnly, her French accent distinct as she replied, "Okay,The Chosen Messiah. Lead the way."

After rushing along the train tracks, the group reached a hill and swiftly descended. As Atlas skidded down, he caught sight of distant mountains encircled by an expansive forest.

The forest lay miles away, a daunting distance ahead of them. Upon landing, Grishna's urgent command echoed, "Run to the forest! They're sending riders after us."

With those words, the group sprinted across the picturesque grassland, scattered with rolling hills in every direction. Atlas spotted several villages they avoided as Grishna and Artemis led the way.

It took them more than an hour to approach the forest, but as they neared the treeline, a barrage of spells erupted around them. Atlas spun around and spotted approximately a hundred knights on horseback closing in.

They were covered in shining silver armor that covered their whole body and was trimmed with red accents. Atlas raised his hands, unleashing dozens of Void Bullets and Arrows that streaked through the air.

The azure projectiles struck the enemy, but their advance continued unabated. Suddenly, a rider surged forward, charging directly at him. Atlas attempted to evade, but the knight cast a spell that immobilized him on the spot.

Atlas felt a surge of panic as the knight bore down on him. As he prepared to evade, the blonde girl appeared, chanting something. Her shield expanded as she drove it into the ground, thrusting her sword forward in a decisive motion.

The knight and his mount collided with the shield, eliciting a grunt from her, yet to Atlas's astonishment, she held her ground without struggling. Because of her action, the enemy soared over the shield and crashed nearby.

Turning to Atlas with a serene smile, she extended her hand, saying, "Come, We must make our escape."