Another chapter :O

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GAME OVER

Chapter 43 [A Call for War]

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The last of the people were fleeing out of the town, but Adam was still worried if it was enough. Just because they ran didn't mean they were safe. Anyone as strong or stronger than Ty could catch up to them in no time.

Adam glanced back at the town he saw a bright light that diminished very quickly. Was it over? Adam took a step back and shook his head, he didn't know who won, but he wasn't sure either outcome would be good. Especially if Seto was still pissed.

He saw movement through the crowd of buildings, who was approaching in the rain? Adam's eyes widened, a tall figure emerged, he recognized her immediately and rubbed his neck at the memory.

"It looks like you're the only soul around, the rest are fleeing further inland," The woman remarked. Her composed figure daunted him and the large sword that rested at her hip threatened his very life just by existing. But Adam didn't see Seto, "I'm not sure whether to call you a dumb or brave human."

"Wh-where is Seto, what did you do with Seto!" Adam hesitantly raised his voice.

The woman looked down at him coldly under the increasing rainfall, Adam wasn't sure if it was her gaze or the rain that sent shivers down his spine.

"Dead."

Ba-bump.

His heart felt lodged in his throat. Dead? Seto? Wasn't that impossible? H-he was an OP, more than that! An OP-Player--th-thats right. Seto must've respawned back at the AHD, but...Adam trembled under her gaze, how could she have killed him in the first place if he was in an OP state.

"Th-that's impossible."

"Tell me," the woman placed her hand on the hilt of her sword, "Are you going to fight for those fleeing over the hill? Are you going to protect them or flee just like them?"

Adam reached for his chest and felt the absence of something--that's right. His amulet was with Ross, which meant...

Adam gulped, he was essentially worthless in this situation, but he had to believe Seto or anyone would arrive. He had to believe he could buy those people one more minute, one more chance at survival. So he sucked in a huge breath and calmed his beating heart.

Adam outstretched both his arms, "Even if I die, I won't let you hurt them. They're innocent and they haven't done anything wrong."

The woman stiffened, "Innocent?" she muttered under her breath, but the rain drowned out her voice. Adam did not hear what she had uttered.

The woman drew her sword and pointed it at Adam, he didn't flinch. The woman sliced the air before returning her sword to her hip and Adam watched as the space in front of her was torn in two by that cut. It was only for a moment, but in that moment a diamond sword fell at her feet.

Adam looked to the sword and then looked at the woman as the weird tear in the sky closed, "I don't fight weaponless enemies. If you're determined to put your life on the line for those humans then I will let you pick up this sword and give you 10 second to distance yourself before we fight. However, if you leave now I will spare you and those people."

Adam's jaw dropped, in his head, he didn't literally let his mouth hang open, but regardless he was dumbfounded. There's no way she was being honest, "If that's the case why even bother attacking Sooul!" Adam yelled.

"I only aim to start a war, I will kill all those who raise their weapons toward me. I don't kill the weaponless. Your armies are my target."

Adam was surprised at her mercy, "I can't let you do that either," Maybe she was lying to him, but if she was she wouldn't have given him a sword and answered his question. Adam took a step forward, his shoes splashed in the mud, "I have dear friends who I can't let you hurt," Adam took another step. The woman said nothing as he approached with caution.

Adam stood less than a foot in front of this woman whose red eyes stared down at him, unblinking and unwavering. He could see the way the rain dripped from her hair down onto her silver chestplate. Adam bravely stood in front of her; he bravely stood in front of Death's very messenger before bending down and grasping the sword.

"Ten," she spoke.

Adam was quick to back up, his eyes flicked to his surroundings, he could use the town as his defense.

"Nine," Adam made a run for the town, but where was the best place to take refuge,

"Eight," he heard her raise her voice and shout.

"Seven," Adam ran deeper into the town.

"Six, five, four, three, two," the seconds were going by fast. Adam found a small shed of some sort and hid himself against the.

"One," It was a blur, the woman appeared in front of him in an instant. Adam swore his heart tore out of his chest and made a run for it and Adam barely had enough time to catch up to it as he duck and dove under her feet. He heard a large crash and saw in one swing the woman slice clean through the shed and brought it crumbling down.

No way! No way! Nowaynowaynoway! How could she be so terrifyingly strong!

Adam scrambled to his feet but slipped in the mud. Adam had barely enough time to roll out of the way. He should've known that anyone who could beat Seto was way out of his league. He was gonna die for sure! But...if he wanted to run, he wouldn't have respawned that day.

Adam jumped to his feet, he swung his sword upwards and slashed at the wet ground. Muddy water and grass flew up into the woman's face. She shouted in surprise.

"At least you're cleverer than that hotheaded mage," she rubbed the mud from her eyes as Adam ran to create some distance.

She teleported in front of him and Adam gasped and skidded and changed directions. She teleported again, "Hey that's not fair!" Adam skidded and turned around, he headed back towards the hill.

"What do you mean unfair, I'm an Ender! I can teleport!"

As Adam huffed he tried to think about what he could do. She could slice clean through those buildings and she could teleport, he only managed to catch her off guard once but it probably wouldn't happen again. Adam stopped running and and turned around, maybe he could talk his way--"Aah!"

Adam raised his sword and deflected, "Say, human, you look familiar," she sniffed, "but you smell like a human rank, so you've only got one life. There's no way we've met."

Adam nervously chuckled, "Uhhh..."

Just then a shadow passed over the two of them halting the rain for a single moment, the two of them paused to look above them to see a car soar off the hillside before slamming down into the muddy ground.

Adam was dumbfounded as the mud exploded into the air and the car started smoke. Neither he nor the woman moved after ten excruciatingly long seconds passed before the door to the car opened and a figure slowly emerged.

The ender narrowed her eyes and teleported away as something flew through the air before smacking into Adam's face. Adam squawked and fell to the ground with a splash. If he wasn't cold and wet now this would definitely do the trick.

"OW!" Adam rubbed his nose and peeked open his eyes at the object that fell into his lap. It was his amulet! Adam grabbed it in a panic and insected it carefully, "Why did you throw it! You've could've--"

"Put the damn thing on you idiot before you get yourself killed!" Adam looked up and realized that figure that emerged was Captain Mau, but she was looking worse than he was and he just went head to head with a scary ender lady. She was leaning heavily against the open door of the car she just crashed into the ground and clutching her stomach. Adam didn't know if the injuries were from the crash or Seto.

"And just who are you?" Adam looked back at the Ender, her sword was still grasped in her hand but hung limply at her side. She didn't look poised to come kill him at the moment.

"Ha," Captain Mau slowly straightened up and pushed herself off the car door. She stood for a moment and then took a few steps away from the car. She removed the hand that clutched her stomach away from her body and materialized a sword she had stored in her inventory. It was a cracked stone sword that would definitely not last in this battle, "I should be asking you that question. You're the one invading human territory."

The ender frowned and Adam put his amulet around his neck and stood up. He took several steps back, he could feel this intense staring contest send waves of power and intimidation that even chilled his fighting spirit.

"I am Alista, first princess of Celean and guardian of its people and King. I've come here today to start war with the humans who have wronged us for over ten millennials. We seek justice for the sins born to all Rekrians, the sin of greed and envy."

"Hmph, I don't know any place by the name of Celean or this sin you believe we have, but you're not taking another step forward," Captain Mau pointed her sword at Alista and Adam's eyes widened. The Captain's legs were shaking, and she was breathing heavily, it was her injuries. Whatever injuries she had sustained from shielding his body from the brunt of Seto's power was taking a heavy toll of the Captain. There was no way she would last even another minute standing without a crutch let alone a battle.

"Captain..." Adam squeaked in fear, what could they do in this situation.

Adam turned to Alista who sighed and raised her sword before surprisingly sheathing it, "Our fight would be unfair if we fought now while you are injured, I will not fight you, however if you come at me I won't hesitate to retaliate. Take my mercy for today and prepare your forces for battle in ten days. We will strike the capital and end your king's life before laying claim to the rest of this land's people." Alista turned her back and began slowly walking away.

Jess gritted her teeth, "Do you take me for a weakling! You will regret turning you back to me you monster!" Jess' grip tightened on her sword but Adam interrupted her.

"Captain! Please stop, we should take her deal, it's more important we find Seto!"

Jess hissed and stared angrily at Alista's back before dropping her sword and stumbling backwards into the car's frame. Adam rushed to her side in an instant and only paused to look back at where Alista was, but she had already vanished.

Adam couldn't worry about that right now, the Captain was in terrible shape, "Let's get you into one of the buildings, I don't think she should stay near a smoking car or exposed to the rain," Adam helped support Jess as she limped towards the nearest, unslashed building.

"You damn idiot, always running head first into danger," she muttered, "It's like you didn't listen to a word I said when I lectured you..." She groaned in pain and Adam was silent. He knew he was reckless, he'd always been like that, "But...you did good this time."

Adam looked up in surprise at the Captain as the slowly limped to shelter, "I...I don't understand what you mean."

Jess sighed, "There were no civilian casualties because you were quick to get everyone out. I saw them as I drove and stopped to ask about the situation in town was. They could only tell me that some golden-eyed boy they'd never seen before urged them to evacuate as a dangerous battle waged on the outskirts of town. I told them to continue heading towards the AHD headquarters like you instructed," the two of them stopped at the open door of an empty tavern, "You did good today Adam and you stopped me from being rash...today you are the hero."

Adam's face grew hot from the compliment. The Captain called him a hero. He was the hero! He smiled at the thought and let the giddy butterflies flutter in his stomach.

"But we can't let our guard down yet," Jess heaved as Adam helped her into the building before helping her sit down at one of the tavern's tables. He saw all the abandoned food and leftover ale that people were forced to leave, "War is officially at our doorsteps...Adam, you were right, and we are going to need to double our efforts in order to be victorious. So that means no slacking in your training."

"Right!" Adam nodded, "But how do we get back to the AHD, I'm pretty sure your car is busted?"

"In the rush to evacuate, I'm sure someone left behind their phone, we maybe be able to use it. I need you to search for one and return it to me as soon as do. We only have ten days before the capital is attacked and there is a lot to prepare for before then."

"Right!" Adam paused as he turned to leave, "There's just one more thing."

"What?" The Captain looked up.

"The Ender--Alista, when I asked her...she said she killed Seto. Do you think he respawned safely back at the AHD?"

The Captain was silent before saying in a low voice, "We can only pray to Notch he did."

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I'm gonna take a little time to make something for the GO Extra book that will hopefully clear up some misunderstandings of the ranks and the Celean history and etc. It may come out tomorrow, idk

However, I hope this was a fun chapter, Alista is cool. She's honorable.

Here's a drawing I did of the babe Alista! she has 2 eyes but i was too afraid to screw it up :/ rip.