Silence.
The battlefield that had been filled with roaring monsters and clashing steel became eerily still.
Emerald crystal fragments drifted from the sky like snow.
The remains of the shattered sphere sparkled in the morning sunlight.
Every soldier of Base 101 looked toward the northern wall.
Toward the woman who had saved them.
Runa slowly lowered her greatbow.
Her golden eyes returned to normal.
The Archer Corps erupted into cheers.
"GENERAL RUNA!"
"GENERAL RUNA!"
"GENERAL RUNA!"
She smiled softly.
"We're not finished yet."
Almost as if answering her words...
BOOOOOOOOOOOM!!
The earth shook violently.
The cheers died instantly.
Another step.
BOOOOOOOOOOOM!!
A third.
Ancient trees were ripped from the ground.
The Emerald Behemoth was moving.
Each footstep sent tremors across the Emerald Wildlands.
Its colossal body towered above the forest, emerald crystals covering its ancient stone armor.
Its glowing eyes swept across the battlefield.
Not toward Ben.
Not toward Kael.
Not toward Runa.
Not toward Leon.
Not even toward the Goblin Archmage.
Its gaze stopped on one man.
Sam Martin.
The Emerald Behemoth spoke.
Its voice echoed like rolling thunder.
"You have raised exceptional generals."
Its eyes shifted briefly toward the northern wall.
"The one who commands the sky..."
Toward Kael.
"The one whose spear freezes the earth..."
Toward Ben.
"The shield that refuses to break..."
Toward Leon.
"The shadow that hunts unseen..."
Toward Zora.
"The one who commands arcane power..."
Finally...
Its ancient gaze returned to Sam.
"But a kingdom is measured..."
"...by its King."
Sam remained silent.
His crimson eyes met the Behemoth's without the slightest hint of fear.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander.
Regional Boss confirmed.
Target: Emerald Behemoth.
Battlefield command has successfully transitioned to your generals.
Recommendation...
Engage the Regional Boss.
Sam smiled.
"I was planning to."
He turned toward his officers.
Ben stepped forward.
"We'll keep the army off you."
Kael rested his Frost Spear across his shoulder.
"No monster reaches our Commander."
Runa raised her new greatbow.
"The skies belong to Base 101."
Leon appeared from the shadows beside Sam.
"The remaining elite monsters are mine."
Zora twirled her staff once.
"The Mage Corps will support every front."
Mira placed a glowing hand against Sam's chest.
"Legendary Skill..."
"Heal."
Warm golden light flowed through his body.
Every cut disappeared.
His exhausted mana rapidly recovered.
She smiled.
"Come back."
Sam returned the smile.
"I will."
The Goblin Warlord King stepped beside him.
Its massive axe rested on its shoulder.
Blue soul flames burned brightly within its eyes.
The Goblin Archmage floated forward.
Its crystal staff hummed with mana.
Both undead looked toward their master.
Waiting.
Sam looked at them.
"No."
Both undead tilted their heads.
"This fight..."
"I'll handle myself."
The Goblin Warlord King slowly knelt.
The Goblin Archmage lowered its staff.
Both accepted their King's command.
Sam walked forward.
One step.
Then another.
Every soldier watched in complete silence.
Nobody called out.
Nobody tried to stop him.
Their Commander had reached the battlefield that only he could enter.
The Emerald Behemoth smiled for the first time.
"So..."
"You understand."
Sam stopped less than a hundred meters away.
Black mana slowly seeped from beneath his feet.
His cloak fluttered in the wind.
He reached behind his back.
His hand closed around the hilt of Soul Reaver.
With one smooth motion...
SHING!
The legendary blade left its sheath.
Dark mana surged into the heavens.
The air itself grew heavy.
Inside his mind...
Rex's voice became calm.
Commander...
Beginning Regional Boss engagement.
The Emerald Behemoth raised its colossal fist.
Ancient emerald mana wrapped around its arm.
The ground beneath its feet shattered.
Sam lowered his stance.
Shadow mana exploded around him.
His crimson eyes never left the Behemoth.
A smile spread across his face.
"Let's see..."
"...which King walks away."
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!
The Emerald Behemoth's fist descended.
At the exact same instant...
Sam vanished.
Shadow Step.