The Extra's Rise

The arrival of my five most trusted allies transformed the atmosphere within the Ashbluff palace from desperate urgency to focused determination. Cecilia, Rachel, Seraphina, Rose, and Reika had answered my call with the kind of immediate response that spoke to bonds forged through impossible trials and mutual trust that transcended normal friendship.

Each of them represented high Immortal-rank power combined with combat experience that few individuals could match. Together, they constituted a force that could challenge small armies or legendary-tier threats with reasonable hope of success. But even with their combined strength, I couldn't shake the growing certainty that what we were about to face would test us beyond anything we had previously encountered.

"A Calamity will rise," Kali whispered from where she leaned against the command center's wall, her expression carrying the kind of dark understanding that came from recognizing historical patterns repeating themselves.

The word hung in the air like a death sentence, its implications rippling through everyone present. Calamities weren't just powerful individuals or dangerous magical phenomena—they were forces of nature given human form, beings whose very existence rewrote the fundamental rules that governed reality.

Something regarded as myth in this world, or ancient history at best. That was all Calamities were supposed to be—stories told to illustrate the consequences of unchecked power, cautionary tales about what happened when mortal ambition transcended mortal limitations.

Until now. Until another Calamity would arise from the ruins of human frailty and divine artifact.

I bit my lower lip in frustration as the familiar sense of inadequacy gnawed at my consciousness. Despite everything I had accomplished, despite the impossible battles I had won and the legendary opponents I had defeated, one crucial milestone remained beyond my reach.

'I still can't break through to Radiant-rank,' I thought with mounting anxiety, my enhanced senses detecting the immense energies still building around the distant crater. The gap between quasi-Radiant and true Radiant represented more than just increased power—it was a fundamental transformation that would unlock capabilities I desperately needed for what was coming.

"Arthur, relax," Rachel's voice whispered in my ear as her delicate hand settled on my arm, the familiar warmth of her touch providing comfort that went beyond simple physical contact. Her voice carried that ethereal quality that had always reminded me of silk swimming in moonlight, soft yet evocative in ways that sent pleasant shivers down my spine despite the gravity of our situation.

I turned to meet the sapphire eyes of the blonde Saintess, allowing a slight smile to touch my lips as I leaned forward to rest my forehead against hers. The simple gesture carried more reassurance than words ever could, her warmth serving as an anchor against the storm of worry that threatened to overwhelm my thoughts.

"No matter what emerges from that artifact," Seraphina said softly as she took my hand with delicate precision, her voice carrying the honey-sweet scent that always accompanied her presence, "we will fight beside you. You don't have to face this alone."

"So don't do something absolutely reckless this time," Cecilia added with characteristic directness as she claimed my other hand, her crimson eyes flashing with affection mixed with exasperation. Her voice started with gentle scolding before softening into something more vulnerable. "Please."

"I can't promise that," I replied with honest regret, feeling Luna's agreement ripple through our mental connection as she processed the same tactical concerns that plagued my thoughts.

The worst-case scenario looming before us involved a direct confrontation between myself and whatever emerged from the Infernal Armis. Even assuming the new Calamity would manifest at high Radiant-rank, such a battle would push me far beyond my current capabilities.

Regeneration became almost impossible when facing opponents of that caliber. I had been able to kill the Axe King efficiently by using Grey, but a Calamity would possess similar reality-altering abilities that could circumvent even supernatural healing factors.

Rachel's presence as a Saintess would provide significant healing support for our entire group, but in a battle against forces that operated beyond normal limitations, even her legendary capabilities might prove insufficient to counteract the kind of devastating injuries such a confrontation could produce.

Which meant I would need to absorb the majority of the incoming damage myself, trusting in my enhanced constitution and Grey to survive what others could not.

"The energy readings from the crater are stabilizing," Rose observed from where she stood beside Reika near the command center's displays, her business-like tone cutting through the emotional undercurrents with characteristic efficiency. "Whatever transformation is occurring within the artifact's domain, it's approaching completion."

Reika nodded with her usual gentle precision, her analytical mind processing the data streams with the kind of methodical thoroughness that had made her such an effective support specialist. "The spatial distortions are beginning to contract inward. I estimate perhaps thirty minutes before the selection process concludes entirely."

"Then we need to finalize our approach," Valen said with the kind of decisive authority that had made him an effective ruler for over two decades. "Arthur, what's your assessment of our tactical options?"

I studied the holographic displays showing the crater and its immediate surroundings, my enhanced perception noting details that conventional sensors couldn't capture. The Infernal Armis had created a domain of altered physics around itself, transforming the landscape into something that existed partially outside normal space-time.

"Direct assault once the protective shell drops," I said after careful consideration. "We can't allow whoever emerges from the trials to have time to adapt to their new capabilities. Mythical-grade artifacts grant immense power, but that power requires adjustment and practice to use effectively."

"Hit them before they understand what they've become," Cecilia summarized with tactical understanding that reflected years of combat experience.

"Exactly. The first few hours after bonding with an artifact of that magnitude are typically disorienting for the wielder. If we strike during that window, we might be able to end the threat before it fully manifests."

Jin stepped forward from where he had been quietly observing our planning session. "What about support forces? Surely coordinated military action could provide useful distraction even if direct engagement proves impossible."

"You and your father will coordinate that aspect," I replied, noting how his diplomatic training made him naturally consider broader strategic implications. "But the core confrontation will need to be handled by individuals capable of operating at Calamity-adjacent power levels."

"The six of us," Seraphina confirmed, her ice-blue eyes reflecting calm determination that had carried her through countless impossible situations.

Meilyn had been studying tactical projections with the kind of focused intensity that had made her an effective frontier commander. "What about escape routes? If the initial assault fails and you need to withdraw for regrouping?"

"Then we improvise," I said grimly. "Calamities don't typically allow for strategic withdrawals. Once engaged, such battles tend to conclude with total victory for one side or complete annihilation for the other."

The holographic displays suddenly flared with renewed activity as energy readings from the crater spiked beyond anything previously recorded. Through the satellite feeds, we could see the pillar of otherworldly light that had been rising from the impact site beginning to pulse with rhythmic intensity that spoke to some kind of climactic transformation.

"It's happening," I said quietly, feeling the artifact's influence reaching across the distance to press against my enhanced senses like a physical weight. "The trials are concluding."

Valen's expression hardened with battle-tested resolve as he prepared to coordinate what might be the most important military operation in the Western Continent's history. "Then it's time to move. Arthur, are you ready?"

"As ready as I can be," I replied, my hand moving to Nyxthar's hilt while my three companions took positions that spoke to years of coordinated combat experience.

But even as we prepared to depart for what would likely prove to be the defining battle of our generation, something went catastrophically wrong.

Crimson threads erupted from nowhere, moving with speed that transcended normal perception as they wrapped around Valen's body like living chains. The King of the Western Continent had perhaps a split second to register the attack before finding himself completely immobilized by bonds that pulsed with malevolent energy.

"What—" he began, but the threads tightened with enough force to cut off his words.

My blood ran cold as recognition dawned. Those crimson threads carried a signature I had encountered before, one that belonged to an entity whose very name inspired terror across multiple continents.

"Alyssara," I snarled, the word escaping through gritted teeth as fury and disbelief warred for dominance in my consciousness.

Alyssara Velcroix.

The threads began pulling Valen away from our position with inexorable force, dragging him toward what would undoubtedly prove to be a confrontation designed to remove him from the equation entirely. His enhanced strength proved utterly insufficient against bonds that seemed to exist partially outside normal reality.

"Go!" Valen commanded through the supernatural restraints, his voice carrying absolute authority even as he disappeared into whatever trap Alyssara had prepared. "Don't let my situation compromise the mission!"

And just like that, our carefully planned assault had been reduced to chaos.

The Calamity was emerging from its trials with power that could reshape continents. Valen—our strongest ally and the military coordinator we had been counting on—had been removed from the board by one of the world's most dangerous individuals. The responsibility for preventing catastrophe had fallen entirely to myself and five women whose loyalty I trusted absolutely but whose combined strength might not prove sufficient for what we were about to face.

I looked at Cecilia, Rachel, Seraphina, Rose, Reika and the others, seeing my own grim determination reflected in their expressions.

"Change of plans," I said quietly, feeling the weight of impossible odds settling around us like a shroud. "We're going in alone."

The greatest battle of our lives was about to begin.