When the light faded, they were no longer in the forest. The knights had vanished. The air was cold and dead, the walls a seamless prison of stone with no visible exit. In the center of the immense room stood a single, bare altar, and upon it rested a small statuette resembling a monkey.
"What happened?" Regina asks, her voice already laced with nerves.
"We were teleported to this location," the captain replies.
"Who could have done this?" Amanda questions.
"Few people in history could perform such an act. Magic of this magnitude... I know of no one capable of such a feat. Not even Ms. Frost," the captain answers.
"The knights aren't here. Is anyone else missing?" Gabriel asks.
"No, aside from the four knights, everyone else seems to be here," Regina responds.
"Captain, it looks like there's no way out. It's an empty hall with no doors," Renata comments.
"There's always a way out. We just have to find it," Sarah says, intently scanning every corner of the walls, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst from her chest.
"I'll look for something then," Wagner says, before starting to run around the room, searching for any crack or device that could get them out. He finds nothing.
"There's nothing here but this statuette," Regina says, touching it before anyone can react. A sharp gasp escapes her as her energy is violently siphoned into the figure. It erupts in a blinding glow just as the room begins to shake. A massive, caged platform descends from the ceiling with a deafening screech of stone on stone, revealing the six-meter-tall ape-like monster within. Weakened, Regina collapses back while the rest of the group scrambles to form a defensive line.
"It seems we've been issued a challenge. Prepare yourselves!" the captain yells.
With that, the monster's eyes snap open. It shatters the bars of its cage and lunges at the heroes with incredible speed. As it closes in, the ape swings one of its massive arms, striking Gabriel, Regis, and Aldo and sending them flying. The three slam against the wall, and only Gabriel manages to get up again.
Seeing this, Carlos activates his hardening ability and, with great difficulty, blocks the ape's next attack. The following blow would have struck him squarely, but Regina managed to create a shield just strong enough to block it.
"Sorry, everyone. That thing drained all my energy. I can't use any more magic," Regina says, panting.
"It's alright. Fall back for now, Regina. We need Amanda to take your place as leader," Captain Viktor responds.
Amanda looks at the captain and realizes that, despite the complicated situation, everyone is counting on her.
"Carlos, hold on! Gabriel, you and Carlos will hold it off as our tanks. Luca and Roger, try to stay on the monster's back and do what you can to create openings in its defense. Don't give it room to fight back. Renata and Dandara, work together and focus on the monster's face. Sarah, with me. We'll focus on its legs. Let's go, people!"
Amanda shouts the orders and rushes to the attack, but as she does, she thinks:
That was almost automatic. The ideas just popped into my head. Could this be the Hero's power?
Following these orders, the group manages, though at great cost, to defeat the ape monster. But everyone is badly injured and exhausted.
"Luckily we have Helena, or we'd be screwed," Aldo comments, receiving healing from his teammate.
"Your leadership was incredible, Amanda!" Viktor praises.
"Thank you, Captain. But it was strange. It was as if I always knew what to do. The words just came to my mind, and I ended up speaking without thinking. When I realized what was happening, I was afraid I had made a mistake."
"I can only say we were fortunate that you trusted your instincts. Your orders were clear and objective. Enough for everyone to organize and do their part," the captain says, noticing the young woman's hands were still trembling.
The monster on the floor, its head scorched and wet from the combined attacks of Dandara and Renata and its body covered in cuts, began to emanate a prismatic light and disintegrated into tiny, photoluminescent particles.
"Guys, did you feel that too?" Amanda asks, looking at the others.
"Did anyone else feel like something changed?" Dandara asks.
"It feels like my energy has increased!" Regina exclaims.
"Guys, we leveled up!" Regis yells.
"We what now?!" Wagner questions.
"We leveled up! We got stronger from beating that monster... don't you guys get it?" he says, his initial excitement deflating as he looks at their blank faces. "Seriously? Has no one here ever played a video game in their life?"
"I get it, Regis. But does that concept even exist here?" Gabriel says, glancing at Captain Viktor.
"Not that I am aware of. In fact, I am not even sure I understood what he meant," Viktor replies with a curious expression.
"You mean we're the first ones? Even though this is a super common concept in isekai?" Regis asks, incredulous.
"Dude, speak our language, please," Sarah complains.
"Oh my God!" Regis exclaims. "You guys are such normies. Okay. Isekai is a style of story based on characters who are sent to another world. That's us. Our story. Get it now?"
"Yes. But this 'level' concept doesn't exist here, from what the captain said," Gabriel replies.
As the rest of the group tried to catch their breath, the adrenaline from the fight beginning to fade, Amanda looked at the empty space where the monster had been and thought:
What are we going to do now?
Just then, a calm, welcoming voice responds directly in her head:
Ascend. You must overcome the trials of this domain to earn your passage back to the world above. Here, in the Ruins of Ordeal, your will shall be tested. Be warned, child... sacrifice is a toll this path will demand.
"What was that? Who are you? Who said that?" Amanda questions, terrified.
"What's wrong, Amanda?" Sarah asks, seeing her friend apparently talking to herself.
"Get everyone over here, please," Amanda requests, without looking up, her expression thoughtful but still frightened.
Sarah calls everyone over, saying Amanda has something to say. The group gathers around her and notices the unusual expression on her usually smiling face.
"Amanda, everyone's here," Regina informs her.
"Thanks," Amanda replies, seeming to snap out of a trance.
"What happened, 'Manda?" Sarah asks, tense.
"Guys..." Amanda sighs and swallows hard before continuing. "Just now, while we were regrouping, I heard a voice. It said this place is called 'The Ruins of Ordeal' and that we're on the lowest floor. To get out, we have to keep ascending."
"What do you mean, you heard a voice?" Regina questions.
"I don't know. The voice just said that and went silent. But what really worried me was something else it said."
"Amanda, you're scaring me. Just spit it out! What did it say?" Sarah exclaims.
"It said... that sacrifice... is a toll this path will demand.", says Amanda, her voice almost a choked whisper.
With that sentence, a sepulchral silence falls over the room. Everyone avoids each other's gaze. Until the captain stands up and says: "Well... let's move forward. Soldiers learn early on that sacrifice in the name of the people's safety is a strong possibility, and for some, even an honor. You are the heroes chosen by the Goddess to save us. To assume there would be no sacrifices would be naive. We will press on and overcome the challenges thrown at us. Be assured that I will be by your side, even after my retirement, and we will work to prevent any losses."
These words seem to have some effect, as the group slowly begins to move again. Everyone looks to Amanda, and Wagner speaks up.
"Right. Now what?"
"How about that elevator the monkey came down on?" Regis comments.
"Good idea," Amanda replies.
"Then let's go," says Regina.
The group reaches the cage and notices a globe on a pedestal in the corner of the platform. They all look at each other, and Amanda touches the item. She feels her energy being drained as the elevator begins to rise. When it stops on the next floor, the heroes find themselves facing an army of skeleton knights standing between them and a staircase at the end of a long corridor.
"Right. More combat. To the surprise of no one," Gabriel comments with a tired smile.
"At least this time, they look like easier monsters," Sarah says, trying to cheer up the group.
"Do not be deceived. They are indeed far weaker enemies than the monster on the floor below, but in such large numbers, they will still be problematic," Viktor warns.
"Alright everyone, basic combat plan. Sarah, you can advance. Let Carlos stay here with me and Amanda," Regina says, coordinating the team.
"Thanks, Aunt Regina. How are you still able to fight, even after touching that statuette? That thing felt like it sucked out all my energy and will to fight," Amanda says, covered in sweat, panting, and using the last of her strength to stay on her feet.
"It's called experience, sweetie. We women have always had to be tougher than the men give us credit for," Regina replies with a smile, winking at Amanda.
She's tired too, but she hides it well. Still, I can see she's in the same state I am, Amanda thinks, looking at Regina with admiration.
We're defeating the skeleton knights easily, but something feels wrong. No matter how quickly we take them down, their numbers don't seem to be decreasing. What the hell is going on here? Amanda thinks, forcing herself to focus on the fight.
"You noticed it too?" Regina asks.
"Sorry. I'm doing my best to keep us safe. I haven't been able to look at the rest of the battlefield much," Carlos replies.
"It's alright, Carlos. You're doing great. But I think I understand what's happening here," Regina says.
"You do?" Amanda asks, impressed.
"Take a look at the defeated monsters," Regina says, her voice calm and sharp.
"What about them?" Amanda inquires.
"Where are they?" Regina says, staring at Amanda.
"Where... Damn it! They're getting up again! Everyone, the monsters regenerate quickly! We need a new strategy!" Amanda shouts.
At that moment, Regina places a hand on Amanda's shoulder and looks at her with a smile.
"Stay calm. The first rule of a leader is to always remain calm. Emotions get in the way of reasoning and only make things more difficult. Not to mention that a panicked leader does nothing for team morale."
"You're right. I'm sorry. It's just that I'm not a leader. I'm just a girl who's good in a fight. This is all so much..." Amanda says, until Regina interrupts her.
"You are doing well. Trust yourself more. We all do," Regina says with a smile. Then she looks at the others and shouts: "Everyone, group up here and try to open a path for Wagner! Wagner, you'll have to carry everyone to the exit. The first will be Gabriel. Gabriel, when you get there, you'll defend the position so Wagner can bring the others. I will try to maintain a barrier here until everyone reaches the other side!"
The group agrees with the plan and springs into action. Wagner runs, carrying the group one by one to the other side of the hall where the stairs to the upper floor are. After some time, only Amanda and Regina are left.
"Amanda, you are next. I hope Wagner is fast enough, because I am almost out of mana. I do not know how much longer I can maintain the barrier."
"Then you go first," Amanda replies automatically.
"Of course not, dear. I am doing this because it is what I can do. Your role is different. Focus, or we will end up losing more than we have to," Regina interrupts with a smile. However, the exhaustion is clear on her face.
At that moment, Wagner arrives, already tired from fighting and running.
"Now it's your turn, Amanda," Wagner announces, then turns to Regina. "Hang on just a little longer. I'm losing speed because of the fatigue, but I won't lose you because of it."
"Of course. I'm counting on you," Regina replies with a smile.
Then Wagner leaves the barrier, carrying Amanda. He runs as fast as he can, but his whole body aches, and the fatigue makes his legs heavy. He had decided to carry them one by one because it would allow him to reach higher speeds and be safer. But even so, he is reaching his limit.
Wagner reaches the staircase with Amanda and falls to his knees, gasping for breath. His legs tremble and do not respond properly. Anger begins to take over his mind.
I can't stop now! I can't let Regina die because I'm not good enough! he thinks, trying to make his legs respond as he gets up again for one more run.
In the distance, the group sees Regina's barrier begin to falter. Wagner decides to go anyway. "I can't stop now," Wagner says, visibly worried.
"Guys, let's help! Aldo, create images in his path to try and confuse the enemies and create openings for Wagner to go faster! Helena, give him a buff of stamina and speed! Sarah, create the biggest opening you can in the middle of them with a gust of wind! The rest of you, focus on defending our position! Let's save Regina together!" Amanda says to the group.
Thus, everyone does as Amanda proposed, and Wagner takes off at full speed for the rescue. Even with Helena's buffs and healing, his body is still numb and heavy. Looking ahead, he sees Regina's barrier collapse. In a desperate act, trying not to lose his friend, Wagner decides to run in a straight line, plowing through the enemies in his path. This proves to be a worse choice than dodging, but desperation clouds his judgment.
Running while pushing and punching skeletons, Wagner finally reaches Regina, who is fighting against a sea of monsters, using only remnants of barrier magic for specific blocks and repulsions. All this while fighting with fists and feet. Her hands are bleeding from hitting skeletons, and her clothes show several cuts where blood seeps from the attacks she has suffered. Wagner doesn't stop. He just shouts: "Coming through!"
And grabs her as he runs, making a high-speed turn and rushing towards the group.
"Sorry I can't help right now, but I'm completely drained," Regina says, fainting right after.
Wagner smiles for a moment, and then his gaze turns forward, his expression serious. He pushes through the skeleton knights with all his strength and continues until he finally reaches the staircase and meets the rest of the group. Everyone cheers their arrival, but Wagner stumbles and is supported by Gabriel, who steadies him and gives him a nod of approval.
"Good work, Wagner. Now let me carry her," Gabriel says, holding Regina in his arms. Wagner thanks his friend and closes his eyes.
"Gabriel, let Carlos take Ms. Regina. We need your strength to carry Wagner for now. I think you're the only one who can carry him alone," Amanda says, a bit sheepishly. Gabriel understands and agrees, suppressing a smile.
As the group climbs the stairs, they see a very bright light coming from the next floor. They look at each other and continue climbing. Reaching the portal at the end of the staircase, there is no door, just a gateway from which an intensely bright white light emanates, enough to make it impossible to see what lies beyond. Crossing through this light, they find themselves before a very familiar figure to all present. Standing in front of the group, the figure greets them with a "hello."