Chapter 45: Rallying the Troops

**Reunited**

As Alex sprinted through the ruins of Nothra, his senses on high alert for any sign of his companions, his heart pounded not just from the exertion but from the urgency of their mission. Suddenly, familiar voices called out to him from the smoke and chaos.

"Alex! We're here!" Thrain's voice boomed through the turmoil.

Alex skidded to a halt and saw his friends running towards him. Thrain, Yuki, and Lila, with determination etched on their faces, converged around him. Relief and resolve flashed in their eyes as they reunited.

"We must take down Shona here and now," Thrain said urgently. "If we don't, he'll go to the new world and destroy everything."

Alex nodded, determination hardening his features. "You read my mind, Thrain. Where is Igor?"

Before they could answer, a booming voice called out, "I'm right here!" Igor emerged from a nearby alley, his large frame covered in soot and blood, but his spirit unbroken.

**The Final Stand**

"Alright," Alex said, gathering them in a tight circle. "Let's go."

They marched through the ruined streets towards the heart of the city, where Shona's towering form cast a long shadow over the destruction. The air crackled with dark energy, and the ground trembled with each step the evil god took.

Before they could confront Shona, Alex turned to his friends, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "Before we fight, I want to say something. I don't want to worry about whether any of you will die, but I need your help in this battle. Even you, Yuki. Even if it means death, we fight so that this world has a chance."

His words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of their shared resolve. Each of them nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.

**A Moment of Resolve**

Yuki stepped forward, her eyes fierce with determination. "We're with you, Alex. To the end."

Thrain raised his staff, a spark of magic lighting up his eyes. "We've come too far to turn back now."

Lila tightened her grip on her sword, her face set in grim determination. "For Nothra. For our future."

Igor, his massive frame seeming even larger with the intensity of his resolve, slammed his fist into his palm. "Let's give them hell."

**Facing the Beast**

With their resolve steeled, the group stepped forward, moving as one towards Shona. The evil god noticed their approach and turned, his eyes glowing with malevolent light. His laughter echoed through the ruins, a chilling sound that sent shivers down their spines.

"So, you've come to challenge me?" Shona's voice was a dark, mocking rumble. "Fools."

Alex stepped forward, his katana gleaming in the dim light. "We're here to stop you, Shona. This ends now."

Shona's eyes narrowed, and dark energy began to gather around him. "You will all die here."

**The Battle Begins**

The air around them grew heavy with tension as Alex and his companions prepared for the fight of their lives. Shona loomed over them, a terrifying figure of power and destruction. But Alex and his friends stood firm, ready to face whatever came next.

As they stepped forward to engage the beast, the chapter ended, leaving them on the brink of an epic confrontation.

This concludes Chapter Forty-Five.