There were about 40 officers present in the village, ranging from Peak Rank One to Peak Rank Two, each equipped with solid weapons refined to match their individual classes.
In precise and practiced formation, the Tanks had already formed a fortified wall in front of the gate, their shields grounded and linked, bracing for any sudden breakout. Spearmen stood by their sides, their spear tips angled forward like a field of steel, while the Swordsmen lined up behind, ready to fill any gap or finish what broke through.
At the rear, Archers and Mages had positioned themselves on raised ground, long-range attacks primed and waiting for the command.
This was protocol.
Especially for abnormal gates like this one.
Raid it first. Clear it before it breaks. Prevent the disaster.
But as the purple glow of the gate continued to pulse stronger, growing darker and thicker with streaks of black essence, many began to realize…
This might not go the way protocol intended.
---
At the village square, Healers and low-level Mages worked frantically to evacuate the remaining families, guiding them into the Dome Sanctuary and securing its defenses. Several Defensive Artifacts hummed to life, resonating in tune with the hexagonal structure of the dome, casting a faint purple glow over the villagers inside.
Even as fear crept in, the villagers felt slightly reassured knowing the dome was powered by four Peak Rank One mages and two low Rank Two mages working in shifts.
But those with sharper senses knew better.
They could feel the weight in the air.
The swirling essence wasn't calming.
It was building.
And building.
________________________________________
"Earth mages! Dig a trench now! Raise the walls and activate the sanctuary dome! I want mana coursing through those artifacts nonstop!" the head captain shouted, his voice cutting through the wind as dust and energy filled the air.
"Yes, sir!" a group of earth mages responded, slamming their hands into the dirt as the ground shifted, walls rising in layers and sealing the perimeter.
The captain's eyes stayed fixed on the gate.
His mind spun through every possibility.
Why is the dispatch taking this long?
The thought haunted him, looping over and over. He maintained a strong front, but deep down, his gut twisted violently.
I can't send my men into that gate. Not like this. The moment they cross, it's death.
He exhaled slowly, calculating every route.
Best case… the gate holds until reinforcements arrive. Worst case…
His eyes narrowed on the darkening gate.
Worst case… we retreat, if we're lucky. If the boss doesn't cross over first.
---
"Trevor! Come here!" the captain called out.
Trevor jogged over, his uniform damp with sweat, his breaths uneven. "Sir!"
"Get inside the dome."
Trevor frowned. "Sir? Wouldn't I be more help out here? I can reinforce the earth wall, maybe slow the breakout—"
"Trevor."
The captain's tone silenced him immediately.
"You're Peak Rank One. Out here, that's not enough. In there, you're the best earth mage we've got. Those people are going to need weapons, lots of them. Axes, spears, swords—whatever you can craft. I need you keeping them armed for the worst-case scenario."
Trevor clenched his jaw. "But sir—"
"No buts," the captain cut him off, lowering his voice. "Listen… we can handle the Rank One mobs. Maybe. But when Rank Twos start coming through, even I'm going to struggle. If the boss steps through before help arrives... it won't matter how many walls you raise out here."
He paused, looking Trevor square in the eyes.
"If the dome falls... you're the last line of defense for everyone inside. I need you in there, understood?"
Trevor swallowed hard. "Understood, sir."
"Good man. Go."
---
Inside the Dome Sanctuary, panic quietly stirred.
Families huddled together.
Mothers held children close.
Fathers scanned the gate from a distance, their faces pale.
The dome hummed faintly, the mana-infused walls shimmering with protective light, but even that wasn't enough to ease the atmosphere.
Josef moved quickly with his wife at his side, his son held tight in his arms. They settled near the center of the sanctuary as the energy from the dome rippled around them.
"Daddy… are we going to be okay?" his son asked quietly, his little fingers clinging to Josef's shirt.
Josef smiled faintly, even though his heart was pounding. "Of course we are, champ. There are warriors and mages out there stronger than your old man. They're going to clear that gate before you know it."
His wife glanced at him. She didn't say anything, but her eyes told him she wasn't convinced either.
Nearby, Trevor was already at work, kneeling on the ground, pulling stone from the earth and shaping it into sharp, solid weapons.
"Hey Josef," Charles whispered, gesturing toward Trevor. "Does it look like that mage is... struggling?"
Josef followed his gaze. Trevor's hands were trembling. His face was pale, sweat running down his jawline as his mana flickered sporadically.
Josef exhaled slowly. "Yeah... it's the strain. Has to be."
"Right…" Charles muttered. "Let's just hope help comes soon."
---
Back at the gate, the captain stood atop the earth wall, the cold night wind whipping against his face.
The gate pulsed again, its purple light flashing like a heartbeat, and the air grew heavier.
Beside him, Jon held a device, the screen blinking numbers rapidly.
"How's it looking?" the captain asked, though he already knew the answer.
Jon adjusted his lens, his hand trembling. "Bad, boss. Really bad."
The captain said nothing, waiting.
"A stable Rank Three gate usually reads between 1,000 to 1,500 essence points," Jon continued, licking his dry lips. "This one's already at 1,800… and it's still rising."
The wind howled over the walls.
Jon glanced at him, his voice barely a whisper. "What happens if it hits 2,000?"
The captain didn't hesitate.
"It breaks."
The silence that followed was heavier than any essence they'd ever felt.
"Send another call to command," the captain said softly. "Tell them... if that Rank Three doesn't get here soon, they can collect our bodies in the morning."
"Hold positions! Shields up! Weapons ready!"
From within the gate, something stirred.
The hum shifted into a low, resonant growl, echoing across the field as shadowed figures began to press against the shimmering surface.
The first Rank One mobs were ready to spill out. But behind them… Larger shapes loomed.
Thicker essence poured through.
The gate wasn't just rising.
It was feeding.
Growing.
The first wave hadn't even come through yet, and already, the air tasted like blood.
The captain closed his eyes for a brief moment.
Just hold... hold until the Rank Three arrives...
But as the gate darkened further, deep down, he knew.
Help wasn't coming in time.