While Solstice blasted sunfire at the door, Isolde flew to the statue. People were like ants that swarmed the open space around this Elven goddess.

All these people looked at her. They all flinched and retreated in waves when she landed with Ghost and Aion. The sight of these large beasts that could easily fit more than two people into their mouths so close made people flinch.

Especially when these dragons had just slaughtered their foes and came down with wounds. One slight irritation and they could turn thousands into ash with a single breath.

The wind howled and blew harshly as Luthor soared above them with Grace. Smoke drifted from the corpses of the dragons that lay in the rubble of buildings. Several districts became casualties to the battle of these behemoths.

Even though they were all from Earth and over ninety-five percent of them were summoners, they couldn’t believe someone could summon all these dragons.

It just made those who thought they were something feel small.

The moment Isolde’s ironclad boots touched the soil, her dragon wings folded as she stretched out her hand, adorned with long golden claws, and caressed Aion’s face.

"They’re afraid of you, Aion." She hugged him and pecked his head, close to his eyes. "Go back to the skies with Ghost."

Aion growled, glanced at the crowd, then turned around. He flapped his wings, joining Ghost who was already ascending to meet the others.

Isolde faced the tip of her spear toward the ground as she walked into the crowd. They parted, creating a path for her. She was taller than a great number of them, so even people far away were able to get a glimpse of her helmet.

The terrain went higher and higher as the statue was built on layers of boulders. Isolde had never felt like the sole beacon of hope for so many people all her life.

She could see the emotions in their eyes, they saw her as some sort of saviour. In times like these was when the best of humanity came out... their unity.

The entire place was silent as she went toward Neila and Isaac who stood before the sea of candles. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Titled God Tier summoners were in great numbers, about a hundred and fifty of them. It looked impressive on paper but as she walked through this crowd, Isolde realized that the number of Titled Gods was insignificant compared to Earth’s population.

And for the first time, she felt pity for strangers. People who would be victims of this cruel evolution, without hope. It became clear that though she broke through limits like they didn’t exist, the population at large remained at the same place.

She was amongst the players and the world at large were victims.

When she got to the top, Isolde removed her helmet and squatted, gazing at the sea of candles. There were several more candles, unlit. Was it for them to signify they once appeared here?

So... she rose to her feet. All these candles were once people who had accepted the hopelessness of their battle, who had accepted their death but did not want to be forgotten.

"It’s okay. We’re not going to die. I promise." She turned to Isaac who whispered to a woman who had broken down in tears.

"We should talk." Neila said to Isolde. The spider legs that became small and clung to her ribs became large and she climbed the statue.

Unfurling her wings, Isolde soared into the sky and landed on one of the elf statue’s arms. Neila came to the same place and sat, her legs swaying as she occasionally shot webs into the air.

There was a flash of silver when she shot a web, then it would vanish into the darkness.

Isolde tilted her head toward her.

"What do you want to speak about?"

"Why are you risking your life for a man?" Neila asked.

"What?"

"You heard me. Why have you placed your life in the hands of someone else? You either don’t value it or have nothing to lose." Neila said.

Isolde was quiet.

"I trust him." She finally said. Neila scowled. "I’m bonded to that fellow down there. He’s not bad, in fact he cares about me but I will never put my life in his hands. It’s foolish." Neila remarked.

"You can’t understand."

Neila didn’t even let Isolde’s sentence land as she retorted swiftly. "What if he doesn’t show up? What if he’s too late? What if he doesn’t find what can save you? You threw yourself into this place with hope, just hope that he will be able to stop you from dying to the creeping darkness. What if there’s no Rune of Golden Light?"

Neila locked eyes with Isolde. "It means you’re dead. And he would live. All your potential, all this beauty, this glamour and power fizzled out because of a crazy decision."

"I have a lot to lose, Neila. You might see me as different but we’re the same. I was once a human with the right to do whatever I want, whenever I want but now I’m a summon with my lover as my master. It’s a complicated situation."

Isolde looked at Neila. "I love my dragons, my parents, my duty. I have everything to lose, including him but... even love and trust is a risk. And I take mine gladly. I have a feeling you’re not really speaking to me but to yourself. Here you are, in this dungeon of death when you fought Isaac and resisted."

"Like you said. I am ultimately a summon. I have a master and I can’t reject his decision." Neila replied softly.

"What a beautiful lie you tell yourself. Godfrey has never treated me like a summon, he respects even my unspoken words. I see that in Isaac. You came because you knew he made a stupid decision yet you still wanted to protect him."

Isolde chuckled. "You’ve grown fond of a human."

Neila scoffed at first, then blinked as her scowling expression melted away into blank innocence.

"I’m still afraid of dying." She muttered.

"So am I." Isolde gazed at the horizon. "But... he’ll come. Even in hell I’m sure he’ll come for me."

She had no idea the darkness at the horizon was already shifting and encroaching on the city.