Chapter 17: Blood Trail

## Script

*Chapter 17*
*Blood Trail*
*Scene - The base of Sand Road to Mona Altar*
*Lin Hu, Eddie, Player, Kitty and Vanguard of Light soldiers reach the base of Sand Road*
*The road is a narrow wooden walkway that winds up to the top of a mountain*
**Lin Hu**: This road is too narrow...
**Lin Hu**: There is no way for us to fight here.
**Kitty**: But there is no other route. Let's go up from here.
**Eddie**: There's a trail over there.
**Eddie**: But it's not easy. Let's split up. I'll take Vanguard of Light and meet you at the mountain top.
**Lin Hu**: Yes.
**Eddie**: Be careful!
*Eddie and the Vanguard of Light leave*
**Lin Hu**: I'll go first. Follow me!
**Player**: The plank road is severely weathered. Watch your step.
**Lin Hu**: Don't worry. I'm well trained. My steps are stable.
**Lin Hu**: Let's go!
**Lin Hu**: Let's kill the way up!
*The three race up the walkway*
*Lin Hu encounters a Shadow soldier and quickly knocks him out*
**Lin Hu**: Ha-ha, how's that?
**Kitty**: Brilliant, but mine is no less!
**Kitty**: Taste the power of arcana!
*Kitty spots a Shadow soldier a little further away and uses Cat Claw to take him out*
**Lin Hu**: Wow! Not bad!
**Lin Hu**: Ha-ha!
**Kitty**: Look! There're people up there!
**Kitty**: Looks like they're surrounding something...
**Lin Hu**: It could be some Shadowhunter survivors...
**Player**: Let's take a look.
**Lin Hu**: Let's go!
*The three continue up the path*
*The people they saw earlier turned out to be three Shadowcult members interrogating a werewolf guard*
**Shadowcult Leader**: Why bother? Just tell me their whereabouts...
**Shadowcult Leader**: And I'll make it quick for you.
**Wounded Werewolf Guard**: Don't... even... think about it!
**Shadowcult Leader**: Play tough, huh? No problem. I've got time.
**Shadowcult Leader**: Come on. Pluck this beast clean.
**Shadowcult Swordsman A**: Boss... boss, there's... there's...
**Shadowcult Leader**: What?
**Shadowcult Swordsman A**: S-someone... Someone is coming!
**Kitty**: It's been a while. You just noticed?
**Kitty**: He doesn't look smart.
**Shadowcult Leader**: It's just a brat. Is this ugly man your parent? Bahahaha!
**Shadowcult Leader**: Oh, and we also have a tiger here. Is he your pet?
**Shadowcult Leader**: Or is he your parent, too?
**Shadowcult Leader**: Look at your ears. You look like a hybrid of those two. Bahahaha!
**Kitty**: What did you say?
**Shadowcult Leader**: Our female kitten gets mad?
**Kitty**: You!
**Wounded Werewolf Guard**: Buddy... He's... trying to piss you off!
**Player**: Yeah, Kitty, it's a trap. Don't fall for it!
**Shadowcult Leader**: Are you really a man? With that look? Do you still have that thing?
**Shadowcult Leader**: Pull it out and show us! Bahahaha!
**Kitty**: Go to hell!
**Shadowcult Leader**: This chick's got a fiery temper.
**Player**: (Kitty hates it most when people talk about his ears and his girly looks... )
**Player**: (He's young and easily used for his impulsive acts...I've got to stop him.)
**Player**: Kitty, leave this filthy bastard to me. Go take care of his minions with Lin Hu!
**Kitty**: But...
**Lin Hu**: Kitty, please.
**Kitty**: I see...
**Player**: Bring it on, old fellow! I'll clean your foul mouth.
**Shadowcult Leader**: Huh, cry for mommy when defeated?
**Shadowcult Leader**: That's all you've got, my angry chick?
**Kitty**: ...
**Player**: Kitty, just ignore him. Don't be bothered by a dead person.
**Kitty**: (Whisper) Yeah, hold it back, hold it back...
**Shadowcult Leader**: Ha-ha, dead person?
**Shadowcult Leader**: What a bragger! Just bring it!
*Player and team fight the Shadowcult*
**Shadowcult Leader**: Ha, not bad!
**Shadowcult Leader**: Three of you are so bold that you dare to break into Martin's turf.
*The battle continues*
**Player**: Looks like Martin's truly here.
**Shadowcult Leader**: Huh? Did you come for Lord Martin?
**Player**: Why wouldn't I?
**Shadowcult Leader**: ... Be careful. These guys are tough!
**Player**: It's too late.
**Player**: I'll finish you first, foul-mouthed dog. Then I'll deal with your master.
*The battle continues*
**Shadowcult Priest A**: We are no match for them.
**Shadowcult Leader**: ... I know. I know.
**Shadowcult Priest A**: Let's go!
**Shadowcult Leader**: Go... to where?
**Shadowcult Leader**: How can we escape Lord Martin with these Shadow marks on us?
**Shadowcult Leader**: I'd rather... die here than get caught.
**Shadowcult Priest A**: ... Alas.
**Shadowcult Leader**: Let's try our best. We still have a chance!
*As the enemy are on their last legs...*
**Shadowcult Leader**: My friend.
**Player**: What did you say? Friend?
**Shadowcult Leader**: Please... Do it quick!
**Player**: No filthy words this time?
**Shadowcult Leader**: ... Sorry.
**Player**: All right, then.
**Player**: I'm in a hurry. I have no time to torture you.
**Shadowcult Leader**: Thank you!
*Player wins the battle and checks on the werewolf guard*
**Player**: (He must be terrified of Martin! He doesn't even dare to run away...)
**Lin Hu**: Brother, are you okay?
**Wounded Werewolf Guard**: Thank you... And you are...?
**Lin Hu**: I'm Lin Hu, a Shadowhunter too. I guess we're... colleagues?
**Lin Hu**: Or comrades.
**Lin Hu**: I am on vacation. I come from Never Isle.
**Lin Hu**: This is Kitty, from Never Isle. And... Player, also from Never Isle.
**Wounded Werewolf Guard**: Hello, friends from Never Isle. My name is Riggs. I'm a guard at Mona Altar.
**Riggs**: You're here for...
**Player**: Stop Martin from breaking Naga's seal.
**Riggs**: What? That's great!
**Riggs**: It seems the news has reached Never Isle!
**Player**: Don't worry. We're assembling our army and will come to your aid very soon.
**Lin Hu**: Indeed. We are just the vanguard unit. Tell us Martin's location. We need to buy some time.
**Riggs**: Vanguard unit... with only three of you?
**Player**: Eddie from Order of Equality will take some elite soldiers and come from another side. We'll meet at the mountain top.
**Riggs**: That's still far from enough!
**Riggs**: This Martin you talked about. Is he...
**Riggs**: The leader of the Shadows? A young man in black and good with Illusion Ravens and black flames... Right?
**Player**: Exactly.
**Riggs**: I don't know what tricks he used this morning...
**Riggs**: Dozens of portals opened suddenly...
**Riggs**: With these portals wide open, an endless stream of Shadows came out...
**Riggs**: There were Shadowbeasts, the Shadowcult, along with many Energy Monsters, Shadow Mutants, and Shadow Demons...
**Riggs**: Even robots with Shadow Energy and contaminated Ancient Protectors.
**Riggs**: Such a sizable army... We'd never seen anything like it before...
**Riggs**: It surrounded us in almost no time... Then there was a crushing blow.
**Riggs**: The Shadows were extremely powerful, especially their leader Martin. Many of our brothers were burnt alive by his black flames...
**Riggs**: We already had our hands full, not to mention the Shadow Digger Rats and Shadow Sand Snakes that were erupting from the sand and sneaking upon us.
**Riggs**: In less than an hour, we were almost... wiped out...
**Player**: The Shadows attacked by force without using any tricks? Are they truly as powerful as such?
**Riggs**: Yes, only by force!
**Riggs**: Tons of Shadowbeasts cleared out the way at the front, launching a suicidal attack.
**Riggs**: Then there was the second attack led by Shadowcultists and the Shadow Energy Beings, butchering our soldiers.
**Riggs**: Meanwhile, Martin used a mysterious Shadow Arcana, soaking up all the blood on the ground...
**Riggs**: And then he released overwhelming Shadow Flames... as the third attack.
**Riggs**: Right after that, the Shadows initiated the final attack, but we... no longer had the strength to fight back...
**Lin Hu**: ...
**Kitty**: ...
**Riggs**: Alas, we had over a hundred elite warriors and we knew the battlefield inside out. But still...
**Riggs**: It was a landslide loss.
**Riggs**: And there are less than ten of you. It would be mission impossible.
**Lin Hu**: Um... Sounds tough.
**Kitty**: More than tough...
**Kitty**: But it's too early to quit! We haven't even found Martin.
**Lin Hu**: I agree. No retreat!
**Riggs**: Right... If Naga wakes up, the consequence will be unimaginable.
**Riggs**: But I have some good news. It could be a silver lining.
**Player**: Tell me! Quick!
**Riggs**: Martin sent many soldiers away after taking over the altar.
**Riggs**: Elite Shadowcultists included. They were teleported somewhere else through the portals.
**Riggs**: That would be half of it, by my rough count!
**Kitty**: Woah, only half left.
**Lin Hu**: Don't get excited just yet.
**Lin Hu**: Even with half gone, it's still a large army.
**Lin Hu**: Plus, where did the other half go? What's their agenda?
**Lin Hu**: After all, we're in the dark. It could be a trap.
**Riggs**: ... Hmm, you're right.
**Riggs**: I found out about something else.
**Riggs**: During the battle, Martin didn't spare any time to corrupt us.
**Riggs**: His army also employed suicidal quick tactics!
**Riggs**: His fire was intended for a massive attack at us, even at the cost of his own men!
**Riggs**: He must have been in a great hurry to unseal Naga!
**Lin Hu**: Yeah... Waking Naga up takes a lot of efforts and preparation.
**Lin Hu**: It's nearly impossible to complete the ritual without being found or disturbed.
**Kitty**: I read about the Arcana ritual. It can't be disturbed and it takes a long time!
**Lin Hu**: Anyway, we should stop him at all costs.
**Lin Hu**: Player, what do you say?
*Choice 1.1 - Let's wait for the reinforcement. General said our priority is to stay alive.*
**Kitty**: What are you talking about? You're afraid of the Shadows?
**Lin Hu**: Those Shadows are truly powerful. It's understandable to fear them.
**Kitty**: But if we let things be, everyone would have risked their lives for nothing when Martin breaks Naga's seal!
**Lin Hu**: Yeah, but what Player said also makes sense. How can we stop Martin if we get ourselves killed for not being careful enough?
**Kitty**: Are you... scared too?
**Lin Hu**: Come on. I'm Lin Hu, the god. How can I be afraid?
**Lin Hu**: We can't just sit here doing nothing.
**Lin Hu**: But radical measures won't work as well.
**Lin Hu**: Our goal is to stall Martin, not to kill all the Shadows on the mountain.
**Lin Hu**: Plus, we can at least cut a path for the main force. Even if we fail to stop Martin, we could kill as many enemies as we can.
**Lin Hu**: So... Let's take our time and push forward steadily. It's safer this way.
**Player**: I agree.
**Kitty**: Yeah, works for me!
**Lin Hu**: It's settled then. Let's move up.
*Choice 1.2 - Even if we lose, at least we can make a way for the main force.*
**Lin Hu**: Exactly. Martin and his elites at the mountain top are hard to deal with, but it would be okay to kill some minions on the way, right?
**Player**: Yeah, let's continue.
**Player**: Just tread carefully and don't step into enemies' traps.
*Choice 1.3 - We can get close to the array and release disrupting flux. Will it work?*
**Kitty**: Good idea! It definitely works!
**Kitty**: The array will be seriously affected, if it gets disturbed by other flux!
**Kitty**: We need to approach Martin and disrupt his array with flux. That way we can stop him!
**Lin Hu**: Hmm, we can release disrupting flux if we get close to him, even when we are merely fighting his underlings.
**Player**: Yep, guess his minions won't be too hard to deal with?
**Kitty**: Nah. That John seems to be the best of Martin's men, yet he acts like a coward!
**Lin Hu**: What about Rita?
**Player**: Rita doesn't work for Martin. Her position seems to be lower than Martin's, but she isn't under his command.
**Lin Hu**: Ah, I see.
**Player**: If so, let's move up the mountain and locate Martin asap!
*Choice 1.4 - Let's do our best, and leave the rest to fate!*
**Lin Hu**: Right! Do the best we can!
**Kitty**: Yeah, I agree!
**Player**: If so, let's move up the mountain and locate Martin asap!
*Conversation continues after choices*
**Riggs**: Guys, wait a minute.
**Riggs**: Captain Morgan and two brothers were captured by the Shadow Legion.
**Riggs**: The Shadows might turn them into Shadow Werewolves...
**Kitty**: Just like what happened at the Ursus Altar!
**Kitty**: We need to rescue them!
**Lin Hu**: According to Riggs, the Shadow Legion sent out a large army.
**Lin Hu**: It would be nice to have some help!
**Kitty**: Where were they taken to?
*Riggs looks at the Shadowcult Priest on the ground.*
**Riggs**: It was this Shadowcult Priest who opened the portal.
**Riggs**: He must have the artifact with him.
*Kitty searches the body*
**Kitty**: Found... a black pillar on him.
**Kitty**: I know this magic, but it needs to be used at the matching portal.
**Riggs**: Should be in the cave nearby.
*Kitty runs to a nearby cave and tinkers with the area*
*A portal opens*
**Kitty**: Found it!
**Riggs**: I'm badly injured. Can't come with you...
**Riggs**: Please save my werewolf brothers!
**Riggs**: If they had been corrupted...
**Riggs**: ... Please kill them without mercy!
**Kitty**: ...
**Lin Hu**: ...
**Lin Hu**: You can count on us!
*Player, Lin Hu and Kitty enter the portal*
*They get teleported to an evil-looking church*
*Two Shadowcult priests work on corrupting two werewolf guards*
*Another Shadowcult priest has a larger werewolf trapped in a giant dome of Shadow flux*
**Shadowcult Priest B**: No. 3, why are you here again? I told you...
**Shadowcult Priest B**: Who are you?
**Kitty**: You don't have to know!
**Lin Hu**: One on one!
*Everyone fights their own Shadowcult priest*
**Shadowcult Priest C**: Hmph! You thought I was easy to deal with?
**Shadowcult Priest C**: Try this!
*Player defeats his Shadowcult priest*
**Shadowcult Priest C**: It's not... over yet...
*The party manages to defeat all of the Shadow and save the werewolf guards*
**Werewolf Guard A**: Well...
**Werewolf Guard A**: I feel... sick...
**Werewolf Guard B**: Darkness... (Gasp) Endless darkness...
**Werewolf Guard B**: ... Light... (Gasp) Light is back...
**Kitty**: Are you okay?
**Werewolf Guard A**: I still feel groggy... But I am not injured.
**Werewolf Guard A**: Shadow magic... Disgusting...
**Werewolf Guard B**: Captain Morgan!
**Werewolf Guard A**: Captain!
**Dying Shadowcult Priest**: Hahaha... Your captain...
**Dying Shadowcult Priest**: He's not coming back...
**Werewolf Guard A**: What did you do?
**Dying Shadowcult Priest**: Hmph!
**Dying Shadowcult Priest**: The little plots in your captain's mind...
**Dying Shadowcult Priest**: They will be expanded under the Shadows' power...
**Dying Shadowcult Priest**: Soon or later... he'll be part of... the Shadows...
*The Shadowcult Priest dies.*
*The larger werewolf, Captain Morgan, stands up but holds his head*
**Werewolf Guard A**: Captain... Morgan?
**Morgan**: ... You
**Werewolf Guard B**: Captain! You're alive!
**Morgan**: You...
**Morgan**: Go!
*A burst of Shadow erupts from Captain Morgan and he collapses*
**Werewolf Guard A**: Captain!
**Morgan**: He's right...
**Morgan**: I... can't fight this... power...
**Morgan**: I have to... cripple myself... or...
**Morgan**: I could kill you all...
**Werewolf Guard A**: Captain...
**Morgan**: Leave me here...
**Morgan**: Go! All of you! Stop Martin!
**Werewolf Guard B**: Captain!
**Morgan**: It's an order!
**Morgan**: Go!
**Morgan**: Go... Hurry...
**Kitty**: ...
**Lin Hu**: Let's go. Maybe we will find a way to save him later!
**Morgan**: I might not know you...
**Morgan**: But thank you...
**Morgan**: Go! Hurry!
**Werewolf Guard B**: Captain... Hang in there! We'll be back!
*Everyone exits through the portal and meets back with Riggs*
**Riggs**: You're fine!
**Riggs**: Where's Captain?
**Werewolf Guard A**: Captain... He is worried that he has been deeply corrupted...
**Werewolf Guard A**: So he stayed there!
**Werewolf Guard B**: Captain empowered by the Shadows? It's likely that we could not defeat him...
**Riggs**: Captain was right... We have to stop Martin first!
**Riggs**: And come back for him later...
**Riggs**: These friends are from Never Isle. This is Lin Hu, our Shadowhunter.
**Riggs**: As Never Isle's vanguard unit, they came here to stop Martin from freeing Naga.
**Werewolf Guard A**: Thank you.
**Werewolf Guard B**: But... There are only three of you...
**Riggs**: Their fellows will join us from another path.
**Riggs**: But it's true. That's still not enough!
**Riggs**: Let's go find more men to join our fight!
**Riggs**: We should rally up another team to assist them too!
**Riggs**: To earn more time for the main force to arrive!
**Werewolf Guard A**: No problem!
**Werewolf Guard B**: Sure! We'll assemble our men and fight alongside you!
**Werewolf Guard B**: Kill these Shadows!
**Riggs**: Kill them!
**Riggs**: Friends from Never Isle, we'll meet you at the mountain top once we assemble a team!
**Player**: Yeah, thank you!
**Riggs**: Don't mention it. We should thank you!
**Riggs**: We should head out now. See you at the mountain top!
**Werewolf Guard B**: Riggs, you are badly hurt. Stay here and wait for us!
*The werewolf guards continue to the top of the mountain*
**Player**: We should be off too.
**Riggs**: OK, take care!
**Riggs**: Any questions about Mona Altar or the Shadows, just ask me.
**Player**: Yeah.
*Player talks to Riggs*
**Riggs**: Anything you want to know, just ask.
*Choices start #1*
*Choice 2.1 - Tell me how the Shadows attacked again.*
**Riggs**: Well, just two hours ago, dozens of Shadow portals suddenly opened.
**Riggs**: There was an endless stream of Shadows, including the Shadowbeasts, the Shadowcult, and some Energy Monsters...
**Riggs**: Even robots with Shadow Energy and contaminated Ancient Protectors were there.
**Riggs**: The huge army surrounded us in almost no time, followed by a crushing blow.
**Riggs**: During the fight, the Shadowbeasts took the lead to clear out the way, launching a suicidal attack...
**Riggs**: Then, there was the second attack led by Shadowcultists and the Shadow Energy Beings, butchering our soldiers.
**Riggs**: Meanwhile, Martin used a mysterious Shadow Arcana, soaking up all the blood on the ground...
**Riggs**: After soaking the blood, he initiated the third attack, releasing overwhelming Shadow Flames...
**Riggs**: He set the entire battlefield on fire, regardless of ally or foe.
**Riggs**: Then, they launched a general attack. All the Shadows dashed into the fire, trying to eliminate us with lightning speed.
**Riggs**: In less than an hour, we lost Mona Altar. Most of our brothers were killed in the battle...
*Go back to Choices start #1*
*Choice 2.2 - Can you tell me about Mona Altar and the guards here?*
**Riggs**: 30 years before the old era, Mona, the Wolf Guardian and Todd, the Leader of Luk'ur, sealed Naga in Red Desert.
**Riggs**: Back then, people built an altar where Naga was sealed. It served as the residence of Lord Mona and the place to imprison Naga.
**Riggs**: It is now known as Mona Altar.
**Riggs**: Since then, Lord had been watching Naga until he fell into a slumber after the second Shadow War.
**Riggs**: Lord Mona was badly injured during the war, only second to Lord Dara, the Tiger Guardian... And he never woke up.
**Riggs**: As you probably know, Lord Dara was completely corrupted that the Alliance Army had to kill him. Lord Ursus has taken his place now.
**Riggs**: Mona Altar is guarded by us Shadowhunters for generations. Most of the guards are Gyees in wolf-form from nearby villages.
**Riggs**: As you see.
**Riggs**: We had a team of 103 brothers here. Jellard was their leader, but he was... killed.
**Riggs**: No idea how many people they can rally. Hope their army could assist you.
*Go back to Choices start #1*
*Choice 2.3 - Will the Shadowhunters' reinforcement come?*
**Riggs**: Even if they come, it will take a long time.
**Riggs**: The main force of the Shadowhunters dare not to leave Loong Mountains, while other guarding units can't leave their posts as well...
**Riggs**: We have a cavalry unit, which will come to assist us upon receiving our message...
**Riggs**: Given our current situation, it's impossible to send out any messages.
**Riggs**: If they come, that would be later than the arrival of Never Isle's main force.
*Go back to Choices start #1*
*Choice 2.4 - How's your injury?*
**Riggs**: Thank you. I'm okay...
**Riggs**: Our top priority now is to stop the Shadows. Don't worry about me.
*Go back to Choices start #1*
*Choice 2.5 - No more questions. Thank you.*
**Riggs**: No problem! We should thank you!
*Scene continues after choices*
*Player, Lin Hu and Kitty continue up the path*
*Kitty notices something strange when passing the body of a Shadowcult solider*
**Player**: What's up? What's wrong with the body?
**Lin Hu**: Smell this. It's burnt.
**Lin Hu**: The armor was distorted by heat. Even the underclothes and the skin were scorched. The temperature must be close to the metal's melting point!
**Player**: ... Does that mean he was burnt to death?
**Kitty**: Yes, and it must be Martin's doing!
**Lin Hu**: The suicidal attack Riggs talked about is true...
**Lin Hu**: Martin doesn't care a bit about the lives of his men!
**Lin Hu**: And Kitten wants to work for this guy? Is he out of his mind?
**Kitty**: ... Hu, we don't have time to think about that traitor.
**Lin Hu**: Um... I know.
**Lin Hu**: Material wise, the armor is made of steel or iron-carbon alloy. Its melting point could reach at least 1,400 degrees Celsius.
**Kitty**: Celsius?
**Lin Hu**: The temperature of boiling water is 100 degrees Celsius. To bend such metal without strong force...
**Lin Hu**: It needs at least 500 degrees!
**Kitty**: ... That'll be five glasses of hot water?
**Lin Hu**: No... of course not. Don't you have physics lessons at school?
**Player**: They don't have it in their curriculum...
**Kitty**: ...
**Lin Hu**: Alright... In short, Martin's Flame Arcana is scorching hot and you don't want to be hurt by it.
**Lin Hu**: If he sets the battlefield on fire again, we must stay away from whoever wears this armor!
**Kitty**: Got it!
**Lin Hu**: Are we close to the top? Let's keep walking!
*The three reach the top of the mountain*
*Massive amounts of Shadow engulf the area*
*Four wolf statues focus beams of energy at a large, central crystal*
**Lin Hu**: No wonder there weren't too many enemies down there. They are waiting for us up here.
**Player**: This is not going to be easy...
**Player**: We've got quite a few familiar faces.
*One of the Shadowcult leaders, John, notices the new arrivals*
**John**: Master of the Wheel of Fate, long time no see. We've been waiting for you all this time.
*Choice 3.1 - Call your master. You are beneath my rank.*
**John**: Huh, good or bad, let your skills talk.
**John**: See the door behind me? Walk through it and you'll meet Lord Martin.
**John**: But you must pass the grand welcome ceremony we've prepared for you.
**John**: In other words, you must walk over the dead bodies of these kids.
*Choice 3.2 - Thank you. You and your men can leave now.*
**John**: Ha-ha, what a big talk. Almost made me laugh.
**John**: Unfortunately, my friends and I still got unfinished business here. We don't have time to play with you.
**John**: We've prepared a grand welcome party for you.
**John**: The bodies of these children will pave your way. If you can walk over them...
**John**: You can pass the door behind me and meet Lord Martin.
*Choice 3.3 - Enough talk. Bring it on!*
**John**: Mwahahaha, but why would we do that?
**John**: Nobody cares if you walk away.
**John**: You can leave if you want.
**John**: But if you want to pass the door behind me and meet Lord Martin...
**John**: You have to attend our welcome ceremony.
**John**: Which means, walking over the kids' dead bodies.
*Conversation continues after choices*
**John**: Or they'll carry your dead body through that door.
**Kitty**: What should I do... There're too many of them!
**John**: Ha-ha, yes, yes. I'm not threatening you.
**John**: I just wanted to offer you another choice.
**John**: If you walk away right now, you can definitely...
**John**: Leave without a scratch...
*An arrow attacks one of the Shadowcult soldiers standing next to John*
**John**: Who's there?!
*Eddie and the Vanguard of Light make it to the top of the mountain*
**Kitty**: Ha-ha，Eddie's here!
**Eddie**: Sorry for being late. Let's attack them from both sides!
**John**: Kids, fight!
**Player**: We should get the boss first. We can't possibly finish all these minions!
**Player**: Help me with them. I'll take John!
**Lin Hu**: Got it!
**Eddie**: Roger that!
**John**: Stop him, Spider Monster!
*John runs behind his Shadow forces while a giant Spider Monster approaches Player*
**Player**: I have to deal with this huge spider first...
**Player**: Looks familiar. Have I seen it before?
**John**: Ha-ha, you killed it once.
**Player**: It was the naked spider... at Ursus Altar?
**John**: Hee hee, bingo. He was Rita's underling.
**John**: Lord Martin brought him back from death...
**John**: Used some special tricks though, hee hee.
**John**: Now, without a soul, he's no more than a killing machine...
**John**: He only listens to Lord Martin and me.
**John**: Spider Monster, kill the man in front of you!
*Player fights the Spider Monster along with two possessed werewolf guards*
**Player**: This spider and these Werewolf Guards are unconscious...
**Player**: The corrupted Shadows I saw at Ursus Altar were not like this...
**John**: Of course.
**John**: Unlike Miss Rita, Lord Martin doesn't need them to believe in the Shadows wholeheartedly.
**John**: Nor does he treat them as his men.
**John**: They're just tools. Resurrected or corrupted, whichever works.
**John**: There are countless puppets and killing machines like them in Lord Martin's farm. Ha-ha!
**John**: How dare you try to defeat Lord Martin, you pathetic being?
*Player defeats the monsters*
**Player**: Huh, that's all you got?
**Player**: John, you're next.
**John**: Really?
**John**: Spider Monster is here to slow you down.
**Player**: ...
**John**: Look behind you, kid.
**Player**: ...
*More Shadowcult swordsmen appear out of portals*
**Lin Hu**: Damn, we're surrounded!
**John**: Well, I told you so. But you wouldn't leave.
**John**: And now you pay the price.
**Kitty**: You old bastard! I'll kick your ass off!
**John**: Kids! Smash this impolite, disrespectful kitten for me!
**Shadowcult Swordsmen**: Yes, sir!
*Just as the Shadowcult swordsmen get ready to attack, Riggs arrives with some werewolf guards*
**Riggs**: Brother Lin Hu. Brother Player, we're here!
**John**: Dammit. Those guards are still alive!
**John**: Kids! Stop them!
**Shadowcult Swordsmen**: Yes, sir!
**Player**: Riggs, take care of these swordsmen!
**Player**: I'll take their leader John!
**Riggs**: Got it!
**Riggs**: Brothers, go!
*Player battles John and his two minions, a Shadowcult priest and a corrupted Ancient Protector*
**Player**: You have corrupted... the Ancient Protector too?
**John**: Yep. Lord Martin and I took a lot of effort into corrupting that one.
**Player**: It was your last resort, wasn't it? Let's see what else you got after I defeat the Ancient Protector!
**John**: Is that so? Defeat it?
**John**: Hahaha. Be my guest to try!
*The battle continues*
**Player**: ... It's not working.
**Player**: Martin will complete his ritual if we stay here any longer.
**John**: Ha-ha, come on. I'm already impressed.
**John**: But I'll give you another chance even if you give up.
**John**: A chance to... break through.
**Player**: Break through? What did you mean?
**John**: No idea?
**John**: The portals you saw were just a small part.
**John**: You have no idea how many portals we have on this mountain.
**John**: That's right. You'll be drained by the incoming soldiers. Hahaha!
**Player**: Dammit...
**John**: I did give you a chance at the beginning.
**John**: Didn't you realize it was a trap?
**John**: Wheel of Fate at my doorstep. Hahaha. How can we let you go?
**Player**: ...
*Player defeats John's two minions*
**Player**: John, where are you going?
**John**: Ha-ha, wanna run?
**John**: Kids! Show them the power of Shadow Arcana!
*Four Shadowcult priests next to John sacrifice themselves to summon a larger Ancient Protector*
**Player**: What?
**John**: Bahahaha, look behind you again, kid!
*Shadow Demons start to invade the area*
**Player**: Damn... We're surrounded again?
**Eddie**: You can't possibly finish... all these Shadows!
**John**: Yeah. As I said, these Shadows will keep coming out.
**John**: Guys, you're dead.
**Lin Hu**: ...
**John**: Player, since you can't leave and my people can't kill you that fast.
**John**: How about we have a little talk during the last moments of your life?
**Player**: I don't want to listen to your crap.
**John**: Ha-ha, you're really anxious, aren't you?
**John**: However, I'll let you in on an important secret!
**Player**: Finished?
**John**: Alas, what's with you? Too anxious for the reinforcement to arrive?
**John**: I understand. After all, General Will is your only hope.
**John**: Well... As you must have heard from the Werewolf Guards, we sent away more than half of the army.
**Player**: What do you mean?
**John**: Remember those portals set by Yan Shu-Chi near Never Isle?
**John**: Besides, there's plenty of them on the way from Never Isle to Mona Altar.
**John**: Our elite soldiers, along with Yan Shu-Chi, will ambush the army of Never Isle.
**John**: General Will, who you count on, will never come, hahaha!
**John**: And when Lord Martin breaks Naga's seal...
**John**: The serpent will go with us to Never Isle through the portal.
**John**: Ha-ha, Never Isle without an army? It will be defenseless!
**John**: That's the death of both you and Never Isle.
**John**: Lord Martin will be the king standing on the ruins of Never Isle!
**Eddie**: Don't listen to his crap! They won't succeed!
**John**: Ha-ha, is that so? My crap?
**John**: Against all obstacles, you came all the way here...
**John**: But you haven't caught a glimpse of Lord Martin, have you?
**John**: Failure is fine. As long as you fail with honor, you can rest in peace.
**John**: But you guys, tsk tsk. What an epic failure!
**Eddie**: ...
**Player**: ...
**Kitty**: ... I'm not done with it.
**John**: Bahahaha, well, it won't be too disgraceful to die in my hands.
**John**: You know, even the 'undefeatable' Nemesio from Oathblades was my victim once.
**John**: You guys are still too young, bahahaha!
**Lin Hu**: What can we do now?
**Eddie**: No idea. There could be a chance... if we force our way out.
*Bolts of lightning start to take out some of the Shadow Demons*
**John**: What?!
*Likulau drops down onto the battlefield*
**Likulau**: I... am here.
*Brian and some White Cape soldiers enter*
**Kitty**: White Cape?
**Brian**: We will cover for you.
**Eddie**: Thank you!
*John escapes into a portal*
**Eddie**: Follow him!
**Kitty**: We'll stop this boulder. You go after that coward!
**Player**: Got it!
*Player enters the portal*
*Scene - Mona Altar Complex*
*Massive amounts of Shadow monsters invade Mona Altar*
*John stands guard in front of a set of stairs leading to Martin and Rita*
*Martin levitates in the middle of a flock of circling crows, casting the unsealing ritual with Rita*
**Martin**: Mr. Pawn，we did meet again! Welcome!
**Martin**: You're lucky to witness this historical moment.
**Martin**: Today，it will be a turning point for Luxium.
**Martin**: Future generations will name it the "Beginning of Evernight".
*Continue to Chapter 18*