The Perfect Guild

Teiran and the rest of the guild members who were supposed to ambush Blackwood from behind finally arrived on the frontlines. They, too, were astonished at the scene they came upon.

"Tsk. I knew this would happen." Teiran mumbled irately. "If they get as much as a scratch on her, I'll really get their heads."

"We were wondering why there weren't any Blackwood members around, so they were already apprehended?" Flo was one of the guild members who specialized in sneak attacks. He was so disappointed when none of the traps he made activated. Who would've thought it was because all their targets were already down?

But why does it look like everyone at Emblem is also in distress? 

From where they stood they noticed how the rest of their guildmates were going down one by one, as if they were being attacked by something. Could it be a skill from someone in Blackwood?

"Are our guys looking like they're under attack?"

"Crap! You're right! Come on guys let's go he- ! E-Eh? What are you doing now, Teiran?"

Although the group that Teiran led were not that many, they're still a force to reckon with. If their opponent wasn't the Scarlet Demon, that is.

"Shut up and stay put. You'll just give her more targets."

"Her? Targets?"

Teiran took his bow and started charging up for his skill.

Looks like she made quite a few more compared to last time. Teiran smirked at how Zhia had become stronger yet again. Even back then, only he could stop it as well.

Meanwhile, Duram fought his way to where Star is. It wasn't easy moving while defending under these circumstances, but it's not like he has any choice. He's hopeful that despite Zhia's temper, she won't kill Star. But that doesn't mean she won't incapacitate him to the point that he won't be able to use his skill anymore.

By the looks of it, only Nero was left to fend off Zhia's clones as well, and it doesn't look like he'll be able to do so much longer. 

Fortunately, Rim was able to understand what Duram was trying to do and was able to cast Lexa Illumina, a defensive skill that momentarily blinded anyone in his vicinity.

Immediately, the Clone-Zhias around him and Duram disappeared. Which made it possible for Duram to move freely and towards Nero for backup.

Rim was left behind panting. Just as he thought he could finally take a break, he was attacked from behind. It felt different that he was sure it was Zhia herself who did it. 

"Dammit… "

"That was a good one~ But you really shouldn't have done that~ " 

As Rim fell face down and slowly lost his consciousness, he promised himself to learn more protection spells later. He never thought a time would come when he'll regret not taking defensive spells seriously. 

Zhia was quite impressed with the stunt that Rim did. It never crossed her mind that it could actually work too. But that's it. She made quite a lot this time so there's still a lot more clones left.

She was planning to take her time torturing the others, especially Duram, when she suddenly felt her brother's skill. For the first time since she appeared, she felt panicked.

If Nero was the party pooper, Teiran would be the party ender. The fun always stops the moment he joins.

"Why now!?" Zhia scowled as she hurried to where Duram was. She has to at least get her revenge on him first. Unfortunately, it was already too late.

Just as Zhia was about to land an attack on Duram, numerous falling lights started coming towards the field.

'Meteor Storm'

It was a high-level hunter class skill that produces multiple arrow attacks akin to meteors. Often it just randomly attacks everyone in a certain area.

However, this time it seemed like it's particularly targeting the clones that Zhia made. And it was strong enough that with just a single arrow, the clones couldn't withstand it and just simply disappeared, including the Clone-Zhias Nero is currently defending from. 

As for Zhia, due to the recoil of her clones disappearing at the same time, he 'Stealth' was undone. She cursed under her breath but it still didn't stop her from trying to attack Duram.

Unfortunately, Star already had his 'Songfroid Hymn' read this whole time and was just waiting for an opening.

"Star, now." Nero had shouted in desperation. He already saw Zhia coming their way, they can't miss this chance.

Star wasted no time and casted the skill on Zhia. The Demon Blade was so focused on Duram that it was already too late when she realized what was happening.

After the chaos was cleared, Nero immediately went to where Zhia fell. He was panting and full of wounds all over, but he still had a silly grin on his face as he plopped down beside her paralyzed body. 

"Haa~ I was so close… " Was Zhia's sleepy and disappointed voice.

"Yes, you were." Nero chuckled. "I guess better luck next time."

"If there is… still next time, that is… " Zhia mumbled sleepily.

"Of course, there is Zhia. It's going to be different this time."

"Mmm… "

If Nero had to be honest, this was the most exhausting and nerve-wracking guild war that he ever participated in with Zhia. And was it just his imagination, but it felt like the number of her clones this time had at least doubled. 

Soon after, Dheyniz and the others also followed to check on her.

"She'll be fine." Nero had assured them. 

Emblem really is a weird guild. Who would worry about someone who almost got them killed just moments ago. Not that Zhia really would, but still she really did quite a number on them.

While Star was busy healing Raistlou for the second time that day, he was also nagging at Duram who had no choice but to just take it. 

"Come on, Star… Let him off a bit. Everythin' turned out fine, ain't it?" Raistlou's guffaw was resounding.

"Don't take his side!" Star scowled. "We're lucky none of us were seriously hurt. Especially Zhia. Just your head won't be enough if something serious had actually happened to her!" He glared at Duram who just responded with a sheepish smile.

Duram knew what he meant even without Star pointing it out. 

It didn't take long for Teiran to arrive to take his sister back.

"She's covered in blood." He said coldly while giving Duram a death glare.

"It's obviously not hers. What are acting co prickly about?" Was Nero's deadpan response and he sighed.

With this, finally this guild war is officially over.

~}xxx@xxx{~

"Did they kick you out?" 

Teiran had found the young Zhia hunched over by one of the unused docks at Sea Prism. She had flinched when she heard him speak, which was new since she usually sensed his presence way before he showed himself.

"T-They didn't. I…. I left on my own." 

"Of course, you did." Teiran sighed and sat down beside her. He didn't intend to say anything after that and just wanted to wordlessly console his sister. But as soon as he patted her head to comfort her, she burst into tears.

The big brother tried his best to calm her down, and she did eventually. Although not before she could rant about what happened.

"Those ungrateful bastards… sob… Even though… I was just trying to help… sob… They even… called me a crazy lunatic psychopath… What the hell was that? …sob… all those words mean the same thing… "

"Should I go and give them a lesson on trash talking?" He only meant it to lighten her mood but Zhia only responded with a glare.

"I'm not… sob… going to enter a guild again ever… "

"Of course, you are. Being part of a guild will help you to get stronger, especially now that you're still a Novice."

"I can just get stronger on my own!"

"Yes, yes. Our Zhia is the strongest, isn't she?"

"Graaahhhh!"

Teiran couldn't help but laugh at her outburst, which just earned him another set of glares. But at least it stopped her sobbing.

"Okay, let's make a deal… "

"About what?"

"Just join another guild. And if they kick you ou- "

"I wasn't kicked out! I left on my own!" Zhia scowled at her brother. He really knows how to rile her up.

"And if you decide to leave… " He corrected himself with a smirk.

"Hmph!"

"...just join another again. Use those guilds to get stronger. In return, I promise to find the perfect guild for you." 

"A perfect guild for me? What kind of guild is that?"

"It's the kind where you can run wild and have fun, and still be welcomed with a smile."

"Is it a guild full of crazy people?" Zhia raised her brow skeptically. After all, her running wild and having fun is not something that normal people will normally smile about. "Where will you ever find a guild like that?"

"I'm sure there is one somewhere. And even if there isn't, I'll just make one for you."

"Pfft! You'll really go that far?"

"Of course! Leave it to your big brother."

"But who's going to join a guild whose guild master has a dirty mouth like yours?"

"Good point." Teiran pondered on it for a bit. "If that's the case, then I'll just get someone else to lead instead."

Zhia giggled and suddenly reached out for a hug. "Fine. Just make sure they're all strong, too. I hate weaktards."

"That's my girl." He grinned affectionately at her.

Years later… Zhia debuted in the guild her brother promised her… with a bang.