Silence.
The battlefield outside the northern walls of Base 101 disappeared beneath a sea of black and emerald light.
No one could see.
No one could breathe.
The collision between two ancient powers drowned out every other sound.
Then...
The light began to fade.
---
The first thing anyone saw...
Was a sword.
Emerald Soul Reaver remained raised toward the heavens.
Its black blade shimmered with flowing emerald runes.
Not a single crack remained.
---
Then...
Sam came into view.
His cloak fluttered gently in the settling wind.
He stood where he had unleashed Emerald Requiem.
His breathing was heavy.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
But...
He was still standing.
---
"...Commander."
Ben whispered.
The entire northern wall fell silent.
Everyone searched for the Emerald Behemoth.
Then...
They found it.
More than a hundred meters away...
The colossal giant remained frozen.
Its massive fist was still extended.
A single black line slowly appeared across its crystal armor.
From its right shoulder...
Down to its left hip.
CRACK...
CRACK...
CRACK...
The crystal plates covering its body began to separate.
Emerald light poured from the widening fracture.
The Emerald Behemoth slowly looked down.
Then...
It laughed.
A quiet...
Peaceful laugh.
"So..."
"...this is defeat."
---
The enormous body staggered.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!
One knee struck the battlefield.
The impact shook the northern plains.
Yet the giant did not rise again.
Its ancient eyes remained fixed upon Sam.
"You have done..."
"...what countless kings could not."
---
Sam slowly walked forward.
Stopping only a few meters before the kneeling guardian.
Neither spoke for a long moment.
Finally...
The Emerald Behemoth smiled.
"The weapon awakened."
"The kingdom endured."
"The king never yielded."
Its ancient voice softened.
"The trial..."
"...is complete."
---
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Enemy life signs rapidly declining.
Sam looked at the giant.
"You were never trying to destroy us."
The Emerald Behemoth slowly closed its eyes.
"I came..."
"...to measure your kingdom."
"It was not enough..."
"...for one king to be strong."
"My duty..."
"...was to discover whether your people could stand without you."
Its gaze shifted toward the walls of Base 101.
Toward Ben.
Kael.
Runa.
Leon.
Zora.
Mira.
The Crystal Giant.
The Goblin Warlord King.
The Goblin Archmage.
A faint smile crossed its ancient face.
"They can."
---
High atop the northern wall...
Runa lowered her greatbow.
"...It acknowledged us."
Kael smiled.
"We earned its respect."
Ben placed his shield against the ground.
"No..."
"We earned victory together."
---
The Emerald Behemoth looked back at Sam.
"There is one final gift..."
"...that I alone can give."
Ancient emerald mana gathered within the giant's chest.
A brilliant emerald crystal slowly emerged from deep within its body.
It pulsed with ancient power.
The surrounding battlefield trembled.
Sam watched silently.
"What is it?"
The giant carefully lifted the crystal with both hands.
"The Heart of the Emerald Behemoth."
"The source of my strength."
"My legacy."
Its breathing grew weaker.
"Accept it..."
"...King of Base 101."
"I entrust my power..."
"...to one worthy of carrying it."
The crystal floated gently toward Sam.
The moment his hand touched it...
The heavens trembled.
---
A brilliant golden screen unfolded across the sky.
Visible throughout Eastern Aetherra.
Every kingdom.
Every commander.
Every survivor.
Stopped what they were doing.
The words slowly appeared.
---
WORLD ANNOUNCEMENT
Regional Monster Commander Defeated
Commander Sam Martin
Base 101
Has successfully defeated the Emerald Behemoth.
Kingdom Defense Phase Two Updated.
Humanity's chances of survival have increased.
---
Silence swept across the world.
Then...
The battlefield outside Base 101 erupted.
"WE WON!!"
"THE COMMANDER WON!!"
"BASE 101!"
"BASE 101!"
"BASE 101!"
The cheers echoed across the northern plains.
Even the exhausted soldiers slammed their weapons against their shields.
Tears filled many eyes.
They had survived.
---
Sam looked toward the walls.
Ben raised his sword.
Kael lifted his Frost Spear.
Runa raised her greatbow.
Zora smiled proudly.
Mira wiped away a tear.
Even Leon emerged from the shadows long enough to nod once toward his Commander.
Sam smiled.
"This victory..."
"...belongs to all of us."
The defenders answered with a deafening roar.
"FOR BASE 101!!"
As the celebration echoed across the battlefield...
No one noticed the Heart of the Emerald Behemoth pulsing once in Sam's hand.
Inside his mind...
Rex remained silent for several seconds.
Then...
He spoke.
Commander...
Ancient artifact secured.
Further analysis...
Impossible at current time.
Some secrets...
Must wait until the proper moment.
Sam looked down at the glowing crystal.
A feeling told him...
This victory was not an ending.
It was the first step toward something far greater.