Chapter 68- Rest Before the Final Battle

The air felt heavier than usual as Elias and his companions trudged through the gate, their bodies weary from the brutal test of survival in the Warfields of Eternity. They had fought for what felt like an eternity-endless waves of divine soldiers and immortal warriors, each battle harder than the last. The unrelenting battlefield had pushed them to their limits, but now, they were on the other side of it.

The system's soothing voice echoed through the air, signaling a brief respite.

"Congratulatory Message: You have cleared Floor 49 The Warfields of Eternity. All challengers are granted a brief reprieve. Rest, heal, and prepare for the next challenge."

Elias let out a deep breath, feeling the weight of exhaustion wash over him. His muscles ached, and his mind was clouded by the fatigue of the fight. The battlefield had been relentless, and the army of divine soldiers Solmara commanded seemed to never cease. But they had made it-barely.

"We made it," Lyra murmured, collapsing against a nearby stone pillar. She was tired, her usually confident demeanor now tempered by the weariness of their struggle. Her magic had been taxed to its limits, and even she needed the rest.

"That was insane," Althea added, her voice breathless. The warrior looked as though she could barely keep her feet under her, but there was a fire in her eyes that hadn't dimmed. "Solmara's army was relentless. I thought we'd never get a break."

Elias didn't say anything for a moment, his mind focused on the next steps. He knew that their respite wouldn't last long, and it wasn't time to dwell on their victory just yet. Floor 50 awaited them-a place that held even greater danger than they had faced so far. They had to be prepared.

The air around them shimmered as the system initiated a healing phase. Elias felt a warm, ethereal energy begin to flow through him, closing wounds and restoring his strength. His physical form mended, but it didn't heal the mental strain of the endless conflict they had just survived.

The system's voice rang again, and this time, the words were a stark reminder of what awaited.

"Healing Phase: All challengers will receive immediate restoration of physical and magical vitality. Rest for a duration of your choosing. Prepare for the next floor."

Elias stood apart from the others, his eyes distant as he looked at the horizon of the battlefield they had just survived. There was no time to relax for too long. Not with what was ahead. They would face Solmara, the Warlord Goddess, on Floor 50-a being of immense strength and tactical genius who commanded an army of divine soldiers. Elias knew they needed more than just healing-they needed to strategize.

After a few moments, he turned to his team. "We've earned this break, but we can't get too comfortable. Floor 50 is where things get real. Solmara is no joke. Her army is strong, and she's a god of conquest. She'll test us, not just in strength but in strategy."

Althea nodded, adjusting her gear and flexing her hands. "We've handled worse. We've survived gods and armies. This won't be different."

Lyra shot Elias a sideways grin. "What's the worst that could happen? We fight a few more gods, beat them down, and keep moving. Easy, right?"

Elias didn't return her grin. "It won't be easy. Solmara commands legions of soldiers, We'll need to rely on more than just brute force. We have to outsmart her. Think ahead."

The system's voice once again broke the silence, confirming what Elias already knew.

**"Final Preparations: Floor 50 - The Boss God's Floor. Are you ready to proceed? The challenge ahead will be your greatest yet. It is recommended that all challengers are fully rested and equipped. Once you proceed, there will be no turning back."

There was a long pause. Each of them understood the gravity of the situation.

"We're ready," Elias finally said, his voice low but firm. His hands tightened around the hilt of his weapon. "We've come this far. We'll see this through to the end."

Althea clapped him on the shoulder, her expression confident. "Let's do this."

Lyra, ever the one to lighten the mood, gave a mock salute. "Guess it's time to face a goddess, huh? Should be fun."

Elias looked at his companions, a brief flash of gratitude in his eyes. Despite the odds, despite the hardships, they had stuck by his side. They were ready. He was ready.

As the shimmering gate to Floor 50 opened, Elias took one last deep breath, steeling himself for the battle ahead.