Light Within

First Event!

After the countdown went to zero, a splash of fireworks roamed at the sky, revealing a panda, with winged-ears, appeared behind the smoke. The panda, accessorized with a cane and a monocle, flying to the most top tree in the centre of Ludea, said with a clear voice: "Welcome players to the very first event in Eternal Quest!". All the players cheered and roared. The panda continued, "I'm Mallow, your one, and only favourite mascot here!". Astral nudged Noir's elbow, "Arent he's cute? I hope the developer might consider selling the plushie". Mallow shushed the player, as it continues to speak, "Today, it is our honour to share with you, our beloved players with the first event, Battle Royal". Again, all the players cheered from the bottom of the tree, excited to start the first event.

            Mallow continued, "All you have to do is to defeat every enemy you encounter, players or dungeon's boss", Mallow took it time and continued, "and collect every diamonds left behind by them". Astral's eyes already filled with excitement and eagerness. "After you've already gained ten diamonds, you can convert them to one point", Mallow continued, "Which can gift you with excellent, handsomely rewards, either a skill or a new gear". Mallow raised its cane, while the others, still roaring and cheering, shouted, "Well, are you ready?". Ritsu and Haiz checked out Noir and Astral beside them. "Well, we see you later, but I hope we will not", mentioned Haiz. Ritsu raised his hand, giving a salute before they departed. Noir tucked her hair behind her right ear, with a slight smile, indicating that, Please don't meet us, or we will have to kill you, vibe and walked further away. Astral watched all of her friends and laughed. "Well, see you later", said Astral, running beside Noir. Mallow squealed, "And, Go!". All the players teleported to other places, each of then.

"Finally, some fresh air."

            Both Astral and Noir arrived at a green field, with warm, wind breeze and coated with thick, soft grass. Astral already lay down on the grass, while Noir took the chance to scout. "Hmm, there seems to be no one around here", thought Noir. Astral ignored Noir's thought and continued to roll around until a magic teleport appeared beside her. "Woah, Noir!", screamed Astral as she falls into the magic circle. "Astral!". Noir uses one of her skills, "Speedster!". When she finally succeeded to grab Astral's arm, the force from the magic circle is too strong and dragged them both to it. 

"Are you okay, Astral?"

            Noir asked Astral as she looks like she still dizzies from the fall. "I-i wanhasnt sushie", replied Astral while her head still had the aftereffect from the impact. Noir lets her sighs out, smiled, but the smile quickly faded away when she noticed another presence was there with them. 

"My, my. What we have here?"

            Noir quickly carried Astral to a safer place, far from the presence to notice. "Speedster!". The underground was quite dark, but she managed to find her ways. "Oh, please don't run from us", replied the voice. "Us? How many of them there?", thought Noir, while still making her way to escape. Suddenly, Noir can feel a gush of wind behind her. The presence, or presences, are getting near to her. She had to act fast. Luckily for her, the pace that she took is getting light from the stones there that generating warm light. She notices a hole, fit enough to hide Astral while waiting for her to wake up. As soon as she hides her, the presences are already there in the same room as Noir. Two figures, one of them is wearing a long, grey robe, covering their eyes, while the other one, looks likes a thief, but with its eyes covered. "Oh, it seems like this will be the dead end to you", said the person with the robe. The voice is soothing and soft, indicating that it is she. "Nice knowing you, but we need to win this. Skelton Army!", chanted the girl in the robe. Noir draws her Rapier and starts to attack the skeletons around. "So, you can be a necromancer in this game? Interesting" thought Noir, as she dances her way to kills the undead. Suddenly, she realized a dangerous intent behind her, trying to stab her.

 "Ugh!". 

            Noir managed to evade the attack, from both the undead and the boy in the thief's suit. "I didn't realize when he got behind me. Better be careful next time", analyzed Noir. For now, she has to focus on both enemies' attack style. "You're quite diligent, for someone that will get killed. You deserve to know my name", the girl continued, "My name is Lumia". Noir giggled, "Actually, thank you. If we in the different condition right now, I will add you to my friend list", told Noir. Lumia continued to cast Skelton Army, and the next thing happened the undead roaming in the room. Rather than focusing on the undead, Noir now shifted her focus to the bandit-looking guy. She had to finish him first, as his stealth attack might give her disadvantages in the battle. "Speedster!". Noir dashed to the side, circling the group of undead, and bolted from the wall, to get intact with the bandit-looking guy. "Swan Strike!". Noir makes sure that her attack connected to the guy. The guy dodges the attack, but still got caught by Noir's skill. "Ugh!", whined the guy in pain. Lumia gives the guy potion, and the guy drinks it. 

"Huh, I thought you only know how to dodge and run. Guess you have some guts too, eh".

            The guy took his mask off and replied: "Sid, and that was the last time I'm going to tell you my name". Noir nods as a sign of respect and proceed with her continuously attack.

 "Swan Strike!"

 "Thorn Blow!" 

            She managed to hold those two away in a safe distance, but still cannot defeat them. As Sid getting nearer, Noir uses one final "Swan Strike" to finish him. "Argh!". The attack took Sid down, but Lumia quickly cast something, "Cursed Oath". Not knowing the effect from the spell, Noir immediately put a distance between both of them. Somehow, Sid's HP bar locked. Noir tries to thrust a blow to him, "Thorn s***h", yet the attack did not affect his HP. Lumia chuckled, "Now, honey. None of your attacks will do anything, to both of us". Now, not only her attacks are useless, the vicious attack from sid and roaming undead are getting into her nerves. Continous attacks came from all around the corner, and Noir barely can evade it any longer. 

            She needs to think of a plan. Her minds now are fulls with thoughts and emotion. She cannot thinks straight as she had to evade and defeat the never-ending undead. Then, something struck her. "No, clear your mind. Get rid of unnecessary information", thought Noir, strongly. "Analyze...read the pattern". Noir, stay calm and tries to figure out the perfect plan to execute them both. Soon enough, her eyes created images, straight neon-coloured lines, all connected to Lumia. A System prompt messaged popped out, and Noir took a glance of it. "Desperate calls for a desperate measure, eh?", chuckled Noir, after she had read the notice. 

            Noir dismissed the notice and prepared to attack. "Oh, you don't want to give up yet? You sure are a diligent one", praised Lumia. She cast more army of the skeleton, and smiled, "But let me end your suffering now". Noir draws her Rapier, and, "Swift Slide". She evaded through the undead, straight to Lumia. Lumia jumped back, but not fast enough to elude Noir's attack, Swan Strike. "Ugh!". as Lumia received some damage from the attack, Sid and the army of the skeleton, also received the wound. Noir put down her Rapier and smiled. She now knows how to handle both of them, while getting less damage, swiftly and gracefully. 

 "Looks like I discovered the flaw in your plan".