Author: Yeahh......I got bored and tired of correcting the dialogue on other chapters >_

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No more portals opened the day of the council and the day after, confirming William's theory of rifts being used for scouting. From the information he uncovered back at the archive he's formed a plan and has thought out how the void will invade. The first invasion the void war, was similar. Two rifts opened around the strongest fighters of that generation, if the rifts failed to bring them down portals would open more frequently around them. William would abuse this system, he called for the strongest of each race to form a party under his command. It was difficult to get the approval of their government and themselves, also with the impeding danger of a rift opening at any time while he did this. But he was successful at getting their assistance, currently he was travelling to WillowHeart to meet all of them and then to travel with them to DarkGlade.

"I do hope you know what your doing William, rallying our strongest together will weaken every army and their confidence." Yorick who awkwardly agreed to William's request to travel to WillowHeart was giving out his complaints within the dragon carriage. "Also isn't this a bit too dangerous? Shouldn't we be meeting directly at DarkGlade and not a populated city such as WillowHeart?!"

"That is true, but there is something I wish to make sure of. If a rift does open while we are WillowHeart that would mean the Void can easily open as many as they wish at great speed, if one doesn't that means all openings have been pre set. Depending on which happens our strategy will form." William calmly explains from behind the crystal device where he was currently noting things down.

Yorick's eyes burn with anger as his mouth gapes open"You bastard...Don't use my people as test subjects!"

"Calm yourself Ranger, even if a rift were to open. The strongest of each continent will be rallied there, your people are as safe as they can possibly be." William frantically tries to calm the Wood Elf down, who has reached for both his swords.

Yorick sits back down, releasing his blades back into their sheaths "Very well then..." he sighs heavily.

They've been flying for five hours, William going through his notes while Loke kept in contact with Rosevalt in case of further news. Yorick being Chief Ranger and one of the "strongest" of this world, accompanied them to WillowHeart. As they neared the city William moved away from his device and looked outside. He expected another castle, large walls and houses. He was gravely wrong, as the city of the forest neared. A massive willow tree towered over the rest of the forest around it, multiple blue lights covering every couple meters of its thick branches.

Yorick stands up and starts gathering his gear "Welcome to WillowHeart, home to the Wood Elves."

The forest canopy surrounding the giant willow was too thick to see anything at all of what happened underneath, but it abruptly ends completely when the roots of the willow tree start.

Yorick starts to explain "The tree itself rose six hundred meters into the sky, its trunk a hundred meters thick with twenty meter thick branches in all directions that further branch off into more 10 meter thick branches. The tree's canopy....I'd average it covers seven hundred meters in all directions. It is called the Hollow Heart, as its inside is hollow and where the main families reside. It holds seventy percent of our people, the rest who are not Wood Elf or are mixed families reside under its canopy where some of its older roots have been turned into similar housing as the branches."

William stares at the tree amazed "It's that large and its hollow? How does it stand?!"

Yorick gestures to it's roots "The tree itself absorbs mana of all kind from the planet, using it as a medium to enhance itself. The mana is then released as its own magic from the end of its branches, enhancing the magic of us Wood Elves. In return we assign keepers and caretakers for it, they study and take care of the tree's health."He turns to look at Loke "We have arrived, come Loke"

Loke stands and sighs, stretching his arms "We need to find a communicator...I am not used to doing this long term..." He has been using a form of communication magic to keep in contact with Rosevalt's officials, also giving them details of William's each move as agreed beforehand.

The dragon carriage swiftly lands on the elevated ground next to the roots of the Hollow Heart "You're fine Loke, you two head over to the meetin..." William almost trips down the steps off the carriage, both Yorick and Loke catch him before he falls to the ground.

"Was it really worth it? Letting that shady bastard drain your mana?" Yorick scowls as he pulls William back, straightening him on the steps of the carriage.

"It was either that or me being there for every single cast of the spell, which would not have been efficient. I may feel drained for some time but I'll be fine." William sighs as he descends the last step "As I was saying go meet up with our guests then lead them to the arranged spot, Loke the men are already on their way to DarkGlade correct?"

"Yes, each army has sent their extras towards DarkGlade. With our current numbers there, I estimate a total of thirty thousand men." Loke descends the steps after Yorick and William.

"Good good, I'll be on my way then. If some are late send the ones that already arrived, we don't want a rift to appear in the middle of town." He looks around the "city", large roots ascend from the ground all coming from a single tree who's canopy covered the sky entirely from where they stood. He breaks off from Loke and Yorick and heads towards the forest, following a path of gravel. On his way to the forest he sees what Yorick was talking about, some of the roots were hollow and houselike. Doors and windows on roots that seemed large enough to house four, with two floors. The streets were made to flow around each root house or not, as in preparation for when the tree abandons that root. No lights were needed on the streets as the tree's roots themselves gave off the occasional white light from rune like inscriptions that lay on them, giving off enough light to illuminate the grass around the roots and the roads as well.

After he was done observing the city streets, he arrived at the start of the forest path. The forest itself was quite thick except for the single path snaking its way within, he followed this path for a couple minutes. He met nobody along the path since Yorick ordered for no one to be on that side of the forest, even when he arrived at the meeting area he saw nobody at all. The place they decided on was a large opening in the forest where a short hill of stone blocked trees from growing, the area itself wasn't huge but large enough for his plan. He started with his preparations before the others arrived, setting down crystals previously charged with his mana and someone else's runes. As he set the last crystal which was no larger than a fist, he saw a group moving out of the forest path and onto the slightly elevated rocky hill. With his armour summoned William thought he looked a bit menacing, so he released it back into its amulet. Now wearing his casual long black pants and grey plain T shirt, he started walking towards the new arrivals.

The group of thirteen stopped in front of William, only Loke and Yorick moved to stand beside him. William cleared his throat to speak "Everyone I welcome you to WillowHeart and thank you for accepting the invitation. My name is William Smith as you all must know by now, I am the human ambassador chosen by your "gods" to follow through with their test. Truly I care not for what you may believe about me, I am not holy nor am I a chosen hero. I'm simply put, a test subject for the atlantians to confirm their theories. My kind for long have been under their "protection" as they studied and messed with us, that is because of a single very important ability we hold. We can sense the void and its movements." He glances around the group for their reactions. Some stare intrigued while others glare annoyed. "But unfortunately due to a certain turn of events, my original goal has been set aside. I will cut to the chase, the void is invading your world and will bring forth untold destruction on your people. I have gotten the approval of your leaders to go through with my plans while they prepare to defend your homes, you all have been called here for two reasons. One of the three reasons I am here." He frowns as he turns to look at the sky behind him "The first reason is for us to introduce ourselves to each other properly, Yorick will go through with this." William doesn't turn back but gestures for Yorick to continue.

Yorick takes a step forward and begins "My name is Yorick Stesfal, Chief Ranger and 2nd prince. The one to my left is Loke Runewalker, ambassador of the High Elves for the Magi Alliance. Starting from the right you will introduce yourselves to your squad leader, William." William turns to look at the group with a bored expression.

A ginger dwarf takes a step forward from the group, giving off an amused grin "Kalus Highsung at your service, looking forward to blowing more things up for you."

He is followed by a High Elf also already familiar to William "Wyrran Kaehic, Right High General to the High Elves and Cavalry Commander." Wyrran puts his poleblade on his back and gives a bow.

The ground slightly shakes as a looming giant steps forward, standing four meters high with a bald head and clean shaven chin. The giant strokes his fu manchu mustashe as he speaks "Grakt Elheim, the pleasure is mine." The giant heaves down a large shield along with a mace to match.

From behind the giant a small glowing ball of light flutters upfront, everyone has to squint to look through the blue glow to see the little fae "Elin Lakeside, Fairy 10th Legion commander." he gives a mid air bow then flutters closer to William "I also need to ask, Kurt. Is he truly dead?" a series of glances are sent towards the fairy, seemingly also interested in the answer to that question.

"He sacrificed himself to stop a premature invasion on our lands, you all must know the requirements to closing a rift. Thanks to his actions we've had time to breath and plot." William answers and looks around the group, many of which look down in thought. The fairy nods and backs up, standing....hovering next to the giant.

"I guess it is my turn then..." A large Bearman takes a step forward "My name is Isaac Bulk, Eastern Pack Alpha. I may have just gained my title of "strongest" within my race, but I forward my strength to you." He places his greatsword into the ground in front of him and kneels momentarily, standing up he resheaths his sword.

Following the wereman, two twin mers step forward "We are Kyla and Ryle of the south Mermen tribe." she gestures to the mer next to her "Me and my brother have been chosen by our father the king to represent our people." The two looked human in form, but the similarities ended there. With light blueish skin and patches of scales covering their body, they stood at average human height. Their hands and feet looked normal except for the net of skin between each finger and toe, like a makeshift fin. Instead of ears they had fins on the side of their heads with gills behind them, between the fin and gills four holes lined down which connected to their sound sensory organs. They also didn't have normal hair, instead thick tentacles grew out and down behind them looking like hair.

Next to the mer twins a reddish woman moves to introduce herself, the Abyssal gives a bow as she speaks "Xaria Hellborn, my cousin King Zeaxar has sent me in his stead."

William scowls "Tch...Guess he's too busy to come himself."

"Musstt be me nexsst.." A large spider walks forward, the aracnid being full human down till the hips...where the spider starts. "I am Kesa Sekt, my queen ssendss me for thiss quesst.." She bows down with her spider legs, making for an awkward sight.

Finally the last of the group steps forward, a white avian female "I am Weiss Tundra, Arcane Archer Lieutenant." she unhinges her bow as an expression of fear grows on her face.

William nods at the last introductee and turns back to look behind him, not so much the sky but the air under it. "The second reason of us being here today is to confirm a certain theory I have. Back in the void war the first rifts and portals to appear all formed around two of the main cities, at the time a tournament was going on at one of them where warriors of the Monstra Alliance and Magi Alliance competed, rounding up the strongest of two communities...Now if I am correct, the rift that appeared was not pre planned but a deviation for the void. They hunger for mana therefore target large communities, but what else would be a better meal than thousands of small bites?"

Many turn to look at him in horror "A large meal of minimal bites" someone adds, with a horrified expression from the group. A rift now opening only ten meters behind William.

William fully turns to look at his theory being confirmed, smiling from ear to ear "Exactly..."

Kalus shouts, fully entertained "But you could have told me! That a party was about to occur here human! I forgot to bring a present! Hahahaha!!" he brings forth from behind him a large cannon, seemingly too big for a dwarf to hold alone. He steps forward grinning madly.

Yorick by now is completely panicking "What do we do!? Its a rift! We can't seal that! William you bastard!" he grabs William by the collar.

"Calm yourself, I've got it under control. Take care of any voidlings that come through, I will close this." at William's words the whole group moves forward and takes different stances. Grakt, Elin, Isaac, Ryle, Yorick, Xaria and Wyrran acting as vanguard while Kyla, Kesa and Weiss support with ranged. Each warrior takes arms as they face the first wave of voidlings, the creatures roar and shriek as a blinding purple glow forms all around the hill. Behind the group William stands with his hands open and his aura in full effect, mana surges from the crystals he previously set to surround the hill. The mana forms tendrils that lash out at the rift and enter it momentarily, the rift seems to bend and swirl as seemingly another opens within it. Both rifts swirl and spin around each other in a mangled dance, right before they merge and "collapse" shrinking into nothingness while shrieks of pain and anguish escape. The crystals around the hill shine brightly one last time before shattering, right then and there the voidlings leap forward to attack.

Grakt is the first to move, bashing his shield into five voidlings and smashes them to the ground with a squeamish sound. From behind him Kyla and Kesa cast water and earth magic forming a wave of mud that covers half the voidlings, suffocating them or burying them alive. Ryle, Xaria and Wyrran leap forward into their midst, slashing and cutting down their numbers while Grakt and Isaac back up to stop any voidlings from reaching their ranged fighters.

"Aight mates back off! Its ready to blow!" Kalus shouts above his lungs, signalling his attack. The three back off behind Grakt as the first volley is fired. "Take my load you blasted beasts!" from his cannon a a volley of smoking projectiles rain onto the remaining voidlings, each projectile upon contact explodes in a green flame.

Upon the death of the last voidling, William steps forward "Well then let's not keep everyone waiting, time to head for DarkGlade." everyone turns to glare daggers at him.

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Author: Thanks for reading and remember to rate ;D