The emerald magic circle dominated the heavens.
Its enormous shadow stretched across the battlefield outside the northern walls of Base 101.
The morning sun vanished.
Day became twilight.
An oppressive pressure descended upon the battlefield.
Every soldier...
Every monster...
Every commander...
Looked toward the sky.
---
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Enemy spell analysis complete.
Ancient Regional Magic detected.
Threat Level: Critical.
Recommendation...
Interrupt spell formation before completion.
Sam's crimson eyes remained fixed on the giant circle above.
"So..."
"We're out of time."
---
The Emerald Behemoth slowly spread both arms.
Ancient emerald mana poured endlessly from its crystal armor.
The enormous magic circle answered.
Layer after layer of ancient runes ignited.
The air itself trembled.
"My final trial..."
"...cannot be avoided."
Its voice echoed across the battlefield.
"Come, King of Base 101."
"Show me..."
"...the strength that carries an entire kingdom."
---
On the northern wall...
Ben slammed another Crystal Boar to the ground.
His shield was chipped.
His armor stained with blood.
Yet he never looked away from Sam.
"Hold the line!"
"No monster reaches the Commander!"
The Vanguard answered with a thunderous roar.
"YES, GENERAL!"
---
Farther across the battlefield...
Kael planted his Frost Spear into the earth.
"General's Advance!"
A wave of icy mana swept through the Spear Corps.
The remaining Mana Serpents froze where they stood.
"Push them back!"
The Spear Corps charged as one.
Their formation advanced without slowing.
---
High atop the northern watchtower...
Runa slowly drew her greatbow.
Her golden eyes expanded through Hawk Eye Dominion.
The battlefield unfolded before her.
Every ally.
Every enemy.
Every movement.
Then...
She found it.
"...Commander."
One of her officers looked toward her.
"What is it, General?"
She pointed toward the enormous magic circle.
"There."
"The center."
A tiny point of unstable mana pulsed deep within the formation.
"It's gathering power."
"But it isn't complete yet."
---
Deep behind the monster army...
Leon silently drove a Shadow Fang Dagger into another Crystal Ape officer.
SHRAAAAK!!
The monster collapsed before it could cry out.
Inside his mind...
His System confirmed.
Enemy Officer Eliminated.
Eight Remaining.
Leon looked toward the heavens.
"...Commander."
"You'd better finish this soon."
He disappeared once more.
---
Standing alone upon the shattered battlefield...
Sam slowly raised Soul Reaver.
Black mana spiraled around the blade.
The emerald runes glowed brighter than before.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Weapon Evolution Progress...
87%.
Evolution accelerating.
Warning...
Weapon integrity unstable during synchronization.
Sam smiled.
"So if I push too hard..."
"...it breaks."
A brief pause.
Then Rex answered.
Negative.
If synchronization fails...
The evolution will fail.
Sam chuckled.
"That's somehow worse."
---
The Emerald Behemoth took another step.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!
The battlefield shook.
Ancient emerald mana erupted around its body.
Then...
For the first time...
The giant lowered its stance.
Like a warrior.
Preparing for one decisive strike.
"I have guarded this power..."
"...since before your kingdom existed."
"I have tested countless kings."
"I buried them all."
Its emerald eyes burned brilliantly.
"Show me..."
"...why you deserve a different fate."
---
Sam slowly closed his eyes.
The battlefield faded.
The shouting.
The explosions.
The roar of monsters.
Everything disappeared.
He could hear only one thing.
The steady heartbeat of Soul Reaver.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Black mana and emerald mana flowed together.
Not fighting.
Not resisting.
Becoming one.
He opened his eyes.
"I understand."
---
He lowered his stance.
Shadow mana exploded beneath his feet.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!
The ground collapsed.
The Emerald Behemoth moved.
So did Sam.
One black streak.
One emerald streak.
They crossed the battlefield faster than anyone could follow.
CRAAAAAAAAAAASH!!
Soul Reaver collided with the Behemoth's crystal fist.
A shockwave erupted across the northern plains.
The walls of Base 101 trembled.
Clouds split apart.
Neither moved.
King against guardian.
Power against power.
---
Inside his mind...
Rex's voice echoed.
Weapon Evolution Progress...
92%.
Synchronization nearing completion.
---
The Emerald Behemoth smiled.
"...Yes."
"This is the strength."
It pushed harder.
Ancient emerald mana flooded into the clash.
Soul Reaver answered.
The emerald runes spread across the entire blade.
The cracks almost disappeared.
A brilliant pulse erupted from the weapon.
WHOOOOOOOOOM!!
The force threw both combatants backward.
Sam landed on one knee.
The Emerald Behemoth slid dozens of meters before stopping.
Neither looked away.
---
Back on the northern wall...
Runa lowered her bow.
"...It's close."
Ben nodded.
"I can feel it."
Kael smiled.
"The Commander's sword..."
"...is about to change."
---
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke one more time.
This time...
His voice carried unmistakable anticipation.
Commander...
Weapon Evolution Progress...
95%.
Final synchronization sequence initiated.
Please survive...
Just a little longer.
Sam slowly stood.
He lifted Soul Reaver once more.
Black and emerald light spiraled around the blade.
Across the battlefield...
The Emerald Behemoth raised both fists.
Ancient mana shook the heavens.
The final moments of the trial...
Had arrived.