Cyclone narrowed her eyes staring at the organized group. She couldn't help but feel some respect, realizing that these long-standing guilds truly had some outstanding qualities.
Force of Nature settled some distance from the base, their frontline of tanks forming an insurmountable blockade. Everyone moved with high discipline despite the battle-hungry gleams in their eyes.
"Expert, what are they doing?", asked Cyclone nervously.
"If I head to guess they will send out spies in all directions next."
"What if they see that we left the base?"
Liam pondered for a moment, trying to imagine the fight from the enemy's perspective.
"They would judge that we set out to challenge the relic. If I were them, I would leave a small team to take over the base before chasing after us, creating a pincer attack which would put them in a distinct advantage."
Everyone fell silent, finding fun in creating their own strategies. Liam watched Force of Nature from a distance, contemplating his next move. But as the second ticked by the enemy didn't act yeet, causing him to frown.
"It seems they are attempting to put pressure on us. Maybe they are only buying time."
"Expert, I think we should make a move. We can't play their game!"
"I'm with you on that."
Liam nodded solemnly as he turned around and faced his nearly two hundred guild members.
"Ok, listen. We will attack them now! If they are prepared to fight, we use our trump card. Otherwise, our goal is to force them to escape while earning as many points as possible. But save your big moves!"
"Yes!"
"Finally, a fight!"
"Let's show them what we're made of!"
The excitement infected every guild member as they stared at Liam with fervent eyes. The veteran couldn't help but smile waving his hand, signalling everyone to go.
Liam advanced slowly, allowing the guild to get into formation. The tanks formed a tight row extending from the left to the right, shielding the other classes behind them.
Glancing to the left Liam found Silver Blade, exchanging exited smiles. He turned his head to the right, nodding at Radiant Shield. Liam kept most of the original Hotpot in the base since the scout teams weren't expected to fight, allowed to escape in the face of danger.
A special feeling engulfed the friends as they marched through the field. None of them expected to reach such a point after a bit over a month. But now they led the foremost guild into a war against a famous top guild like Force of Nature.
Liam grinned, staring ahead and adjusting his mindset. He took a deep breath as he noticed movement among Force of Nature. Obviously, the enemy had discovered them, preparing for a clash.
A young man carrying two serrated swords stood among Force of Nature, right behind the tank line. He was Earthquake's younger brother Golden Fang, a talent in his own right and the commander of this group of 130 outstanding warriors.
He stared at the advancing enemy, doing a quick count.
"About 200 people. Let's go with Plan B!"
"Callida is really impressive. Planning for all possibilities...", sighed a woman next to him, obvious admiration for their strategist in her eyes.
"Yes. Now it's on us not to let her down!"
Determination accompanied Golden Fang's voice as he moved with the group, facing Dream Avenue. It wasn't Force of Nature's style to wait for others. They broke in a light jog, their feet causing a rhythmic drumming which put pressure on their enemies.
Dream Avenue's members felt as if a mighty boulder was about to crush them, their faces turning stern.
Liam noticed the trend, knowing that it was important to break it.
"Hey! Why do I see so many of you cower now?! Hurry up! Didn't you want to show them what you're made of?!"
While letting out a bellowing shout, Liam signalled his friends, who understood and sped up. The guild members gritted their teeth, a fire kindling in their eyes as they kept up with Radiant Shield's pace.
The distance between the guilds rapidly shrank. Just as the two mighty forces were about to clash, orders were given on both sides.
Dream Avenue's mages began their casts, their tanks choosing their targets. But right then fierce wind suddenly erupted among Force of Nature. Several warriors jumped towards the sky, drawing wide arcs, aiming to land in Dream Avenue's backline.
At the same time a magic circle suddenly appeared above Force of Nature. Even Liam was surprised that the enemy already employed such means, showing the depth of a top guild.
He stared at the magic revolving in the sky. Images flashed through his mind, comparing the magic circle to those he knew. Suddenly his eyes lit up. He glanced over his shoulder, towards the fog.
The fog began to churn as if a beast was about to awake. Towering silhouettes revealed themselves slowly, their sheer height striking fear in everyone's hearts.
When the first creature stepped out of the fog, Dream Avenue's members looked at it in shock and despair.
Standing at nearly ten meters its blue-greyish skin melted into the fog. Its flat, horned feet could easily squash weaker creatures to death. Its arms the size of a human were an image of incredible power. Together with its sharp face and long, thick hair showering over its back like a cape, this being embodied pure power like no other.
While most people stared at the newcomers in confusion, Liam immediately recognized the war troll. But he knew an important detail about these beings. They disdained fighting in groups!
This important clue would allow Liam to realise something if he hadn't already recognized the magic beforehand. He hastily shouted with all his might to stabilize his guild:
"It's just an illusion! Ignore them! Focus on the enemy! Tanks, tie down their warriors!"
"Trust the expert!"
"Guys, follow Bleary Mirage!"
As the people trusting him the most, Liam's close friends immediately snapped out of it, echoing his words. Cyclone completely ignored the trolls, focusing on the two warriors who landed close to her.
As the guild leader and a famous mage, she was naturally prioritized by the enemy. The two warriors, an orc and a dwarf showed great discipline, attacking without hesitation.
A heavy sword engulfed in a red sheen aimed for Cyclone's head, clearly supported by a skill.
She didn't dare to take it head on. Cyclone interrupted her cast and dodged backwards, gaining some distance.
[Stance -24]
The orc missed but his companion followed instantly, throwing out a cudgel which flickered through the air. Cyclone was just about to move when a barrier made of wind appeared before her. She knew one of the mages must've helped her but didn't waste time thanking them. She would rather escape further.
It wasn't Cyclone's job to engage these warriors. She could already see their tanks turning around, rushing to stop them.
As the guild leader drew back, she felt a chill surround her while stepping onto a towering shadow. Glancing upwards she found herself in one of the war trolls' paths.
Gritting her teeth she proved her enormous trust in Liam, beginning to cast a skill.
A moment later a foot appeared above her, shrouding the sky. Fierce wind tore at her clothes as the troll stomped down. But just as it touched Cyclone the troll disappeared from her perception.
While in the eyes of others it looked like the guild leader was stomped to death, Cyclone was completely unperturbed. She released a breath of turbid air and concentrated on her cast.
Final Fend glanced at the selection of HP bars displayed in a corner of his vision, checking that Cyclone was still alive and focused back on his task.
With a thought his skill [Chain Lock] activated. His chainsword snaked through the crowd aiming for the dwarf who attacked Cyclone earlier.
The dwarf had a face of displeasure, annoyed that Cyclone got away. He was just about to change his target to other mages when he suddenly felt a sturdy chain tightly wrapping his body.
"Damn! What's that?!"
"Hm?"
His orcish colleague glanced at the dwarf, but didn't show any signs of helping. He would rather kill some mages in the meantime.
However, Golden Fang, observing his warriors, showed a heavy frown. The warriors who jumped towards Dream Avenue's backline had less impact than expected. Especially since the guild decided to just ignore the threat emitted by the war trolls.
Golden Fang stared at Liam, who calmly commanded the battle, knowing that it was him who stabilized the opposing guild.
Watching as their warriors were focused by the enemy and were gradually worn down, Golden Fang knew that their assault would not bear fruit.
But if we could kill Bleary Mirage it would all be worth it...
Golden Fang's gaze hardened, pondering how to proceed. At this moment he suddenly cursed his brother's tendency to favour close-ranged fighters. He could only make use of the few mages under his control.
Liam had just triggered his holy marks above a tank's head when he felt a chill run down his spine. He swiped his eyes over the battlefield searching for the reason, noticing the enemy mages simultaneously beginning to cast, their synchronized movement creating an eerie scene.