The Achievement Junkie

"Jack, is there a reason that you've returned and brought these esteemed gods with you?"

"Well, Eedaj hasn't visited Estonya in thousands of years, so I thought I'd bring him along. And Guuro specializes in both holy and dark magic, which makes him a perfect candidate to receive a shrine here," answered Jack. "Dragas and Lorwynn will be coming next time, allowing Estonya more pledge options than ever."

"We appreciate the thought, but isn't it too early to be building temples and shrines?" asked the oldest elder.

Jack nodded. "Right, it shouldn't be our priority. But Guuro will also be able to aid your economy and teach businesses how to maximize profits while providing the best service to their clients. It's something that has greatly helped Gilga. Also, Guuro was the secret founder of Federal City, where he owned at least a portion of nearly every business within the city. He was the key to making Federal City the greatest trade city in Kartonia."

While Guuro smiled proudly and arrogantly stuck out his chest and gut, the old elf found it hard to refute receiving such aid.

"Our goal is not to take over Korten. Trodar is merely a banner of protection and influence," continued Jack. "If we wanted to build temples, then Dragas and Lorwynn would be here with us. Instead, we came to discuss a few key details our Korten's allegiance with Trodar and to show Eedaj and Guuro the city that they'll be spending so much time in."

"Thank you, Jack," added Gwendon. "The people aren't against joining Trodar but they're hesitant to accept you so hastily. Luckily, I learned a lot about the current happenings of the world thanks to Grangor. I quickly shared the story of your fight with Halmut, which left the crowds speechless. They also had no way to deny it after I reminded them of your victory over Lyrun.

"When the people learned of Trodar's recent achievements, they were more open-minded but I believe they want more proof that they'll be protected. I also find that reasonable since we've effectively rejected the strongest god there--"

"That's incorrect."

Confused by the interruption, Gwendon asked, "What was incorrect?"

"Halmut is not the strongest god," Jack stated. "There are a few gods that can face Halmut, so I don't understand why he's still regarded as the strongest. Halmut only knows how to flee when he's in danger and to fight when he's guaranteed victory. Sure, he'd strong but that's all. There's a reason that Trodar's war against Halmut has gone much better than the chaotic gods' effort of the past. We're not afraid to risk our lives to earn what we're after and we've far more tactful than anyone could believe."

Letting out a sigh of relief, Gwendon asked, "So, should a divine threat arise, would you--"

"It's time…" Eedaj suddenly stood up, showing a film of white, illusory energy over one of his eyes. "Jack, we've got company incoming."

"Oh? Then I guess it's time to prove our capabilities," chuckled Jack, standing up as well.

Guuro stood up and sighed, eager to get this over with and finish the job.

"What's going on? What's approaching?" asked Gwendon.

Walking toward the door, Jack responded, "I think we should all step outside. That way you'll see what we're capable of."

"But what--"

Abruptly, bells started to ring throughout the megacity. One by one, bells across Estonya rang loudly and continuously, putting the recently-awoken city on edge.

The three gods stepped into the air as Eedaj mentioned aloud, "We'll handle this but keep all elves calmly waiting within the city walls. Any that step out may lose their lives."

"That…" Gwendon swallowed his next question, guessing what was about to happen.

"So they won't let us off easy… We should've known," sighed the oldest elder, pulling his son along. "We need to hurry! If we don't warn the people now, who will?"

While the father and son rushed off to address the public, Guuro cast his first spell of the day. A thick barrier with intermingling white and black energies came into existence around all of Estonya, using the city walls as a guideline. It startled the people but they discovered that it wasn't a physical barrier when early morning hunters ran into the city in shock. Also, though it was white and black, the elves inside could still see out of the barrier, albeit blurry.

Far beyond the barrier dozens of dragons were rocketing through the sky. They had come from all corners of Kartonia to reach Korten. As they crossed the border, elf scouts had begun to alert the towns and cities immediately. This was the cause of the emergency bells but no scouts dared to make themselves known to the invading beasts.

Just as Estonya was supposed to come into sight, the dragons were baffled by their findings. Instead of a city, all they saw was a strange black and white barrier. The dragons halted in the air a few hundred kilometers from the barrier, curious to learn what it was. At the same time, the ground began to shake, startling the entire city all the more. Quake Dragon after Quake Dragon began to emerge from the ground, having traveled below the surface where they were fastest. Like the dragons overhead, the Quake Dragons eyed the barrier with caution.

"It's nothing!" a voice shouted down from the heavens. "Why fear it without trying to pierce it? Attack!"

The Storm Dragons were the first to respond to the order. They sprayed the barrier with dozens of lightning bolts, however, they were startled to see no damage upon the barrier. Magma Dragons followed next, belching plumes of magma from their gullets, but their attacks failed as well. Quake Dragons hurled boulders and jagged rocks, which were easily deflected from the barrier. The Quake Dragons were going to attempt a frontal assault with their powerful tails, but they were beaten to the punch.

Thunder echoed as three gargantuan Storm Dragons dropped out of the clouds in a nosedive. Lighting fell from their bodies, causing the barrier to tremble but nothing more. But the Storm Dragons roared and were determined to breach the barrier. They covered themselves in lighting and wind energy, daring to charge straight through the barrier.

"YOU SHALL NOT PASS!"