Battle for the Well of Hope

The **Battle for the Well of Hope** was an open confrontation between the Starrite Guardians and other challengers that wanted a wish from the Well of Hope.

## Background

Long ago, Empress Hi'Santh created the Well of Hope, capable of granting a powerful miracle in the form of a wish to whoever gathered the Coins of Hope and brought them to the Well. The Starrite Guardians spent months collecting the coins and took their allies to the Well's island. They stealthily took Ogadont's final coin and head up the mountain. Despite the various parties desperate for their wish, only few knew of the Starrite's advances, who were first challenged by one of their allies.

## Battle

When they reached the Well, Mazgorr Milrankus turned against them. He wished to use the coins to perfect himself in every sense. He piloted GOD Milrankus, who had recently been entrusted with the Sword of a Million Ranks, and began a battle with the heroes. He held back and kept the sword within his body as he still cared for the Starrites, and absorbed two of their coins with precise grabs instead. The Starrites lied to their ally Dominus by underplaying GOD's power so that he wouldn't be afraid. The trick worked, and Dominus was able to regain the coins by dominating GOD's arm to reach into his body. Knowing he was too powerful, Dominus dominated Vatranir's wormholes, having greater range, while Viknoh Legranov and Bismoth Kayenta pushed GOD through it, dropping him off the edge of the mountain. Golesal Ganarma served as outside support on their flying ship, using his ranged arrows and overseeing the perimeter.

The peace did not last long, as the blue Ant King arrived, wanting to wish everyone in the world into becoming ants. He immediately engaged the Starrites in battle, forcing Vatranir and Dominus to use quasars as a way to fend off his army of ants. He imparted words of wisdom, such as asking Viknoh "back for vengeance?" despite the two never meeting each other, or telling Tuba Warrior "ever since I looked into your eyes..." despite the latter always covering his face. Sir Thomas climbed onto a rock to better position himself against the ants. The Ant King used his mighty Sword of a Million Ants to strike Bismoth, eventually knocking him out with ant poison. He began to fly, but at that moment, Golesal warned them of another presence that was approaching the cave.

Meanwhile, Magnus Milrankus went down to confront a weakened GOD. He had arrived with the Starrites, but did not enter the cave as he was rethinking his life and smelling flowers. He talked to Mazgorr through the beast, who was desperate, and revealed the Sword of a Million Ranks to fight Magnus. An intense fight ensued. Despite his overwhelming disadvantage, Magnus was able to use the teachings from Mathrankus to defeat GOD and regain the sword. He began to climb up the mountain.

An enraged Ogadont entered the cave, almost immediately destroying Ant King's body by smashing him into the ground. He began fighting the Starrites with astonishing aggression, desperate to wish himself free of his curse. He grabbed Bismoth and flung him across the cave, killing him. He injured Tuba Warrior and destroyed his tuba. Ogadont even became an Awakened Human mid-battle. When all seemed lost, Magnus entered the cave and slashed at Ogadont with his legendary sword. Bismoth was revived through a potion and continued to fight while Dominus briefly became overconfident in his abilities before succumbing to his fear. Ogadont was beginning to lose his advantage as his curse overwhelmed him. He devolved into a violent monster and suffered a painful death, ending the fight.

## Aftermath

The Starrite Guardians dropped their coins into the Well of Hope, summoning Empress Hi'Santh herself, inadvertently releasing her onto the world. She healed all of them. The heroes used their wish to eventually obtain some kind of ship that could traverse across space and dimensions, as well as now being able to communicate with Hi'Santh and summon her aid once during a future moment of crisis.

Dominus lost his confidence and left the team, Mazgorr was forgiven, Magnus kept the Sword of a Million Ranks, and Tuba Warrior began believing in the empress after she healed him.