Is this really a Game?!

Chapter 1094: Flame of Ascendance: A Descent into Peril

The team surged forward, their combined might overwhelming the remaining enemies. They reached the Flame of Ascendance, their hands outstretched to claim their prize. The powerful, ethereal light of the flame bathed them, filling them with a sense of triumph and renewed energy.

Reign's hand closed around the flame, and he felt its power surge through him. The light of the flame enveloped the team, its warmth, and energy invigorating them.

"Down, go down the mountain!" Reign shouted as the entire team started moving.

The Heaven's Hooligans moved with purpose, their steps sure and swift as they began their descent down the treacherous mountain path. The Flame of Ascendance, cradled carefully by Reign, pulsed with a steady glow, its power a beacon of hope and victory.

Their path was fraught with danger. The jagged rocks and narrow ledges that had challenged their ascent now seemed even more perilous. The air was thick with tension, and the distant sounds of battle echoed around them. They knew other teams would not give up easily and would soon give chase.

After all, not all teams had made it to where the previous battle had taken place, there were still a couple of more teams that were alive, not to mention the fact that the monsters were also drawn by the flames.

"We need to keep moving and stay alert," Reign said, his voice steady. "We can't afford to let our guard down, not even for a second."

Greenie, Wolf, and Tank led the way, their formidable presence a shield against any threats. Greenie's hammer was ready to smash through any obstacles, Wolf's greatsword blazed with Everlasting Flames, and Tank's shield was a solid wall of defense.

Mia, Laura, and Beast kept a watchful eye on their surroundings. Mia's frost magic created icy paths and barriers to secure their route, while Laura's demonic energy blasts were ready to fend off any attacks. Beast's arrows and tamed beasts provided additional support, their presence a constant deterrent to any would-be attackers.

Shadow, Aelrinder, and Jin moved with agility and precision, their senses heightened as they scouted ahead and flanked their path. Shadow's daggers flashed in the dim light, ready to strike at any threat, while Aelrinder's spear danced with lethal grace. Jin's fists were ready to be unleashed again if the need presented itself.

All of their marks were activated, enhancing their strength and resilience, making them even more formidable than they were before. For this final stretch of the trial, they were not holding anything back, except for Reign's transformation, which he didn't want to use unless absolutely necessary.

It was going to be their hidden ace, the one thing nobody would know until it was too late. He would prefer to use it in the final trial, to make sure they could win, but if the need arose, he could definitely use it in this one as well.

The team descended rapidly, their movements synchronized and efficient. They navigated the steep cliffs and treacherous terrain with remarkable speed, their determination unyielding. The Flame of Ascendance continued to pulse with a steady glow, its light guiding their way.

As they neared the halfway point of the mountain, the sound of pursuit grew louder. The other teams, realizing that the Heaven's Hooligans had claimed the flame and were going down, had regrouped and were now giving chase. The air was filled with the distant shouts and clashes of combat as the other teams fought their way toward them.

"We're not alone," Shadow warned, his eyes scanning the path ahead. "They're coming."

Reign nodded, his grip tightening on the flame. "We need to keep moving. We can't let them catch up."

The team quickened their pace, their focus unwavering. The descent grew steeper and more treacherous, but they pressed on with determination. The sounds of pursuit grew closer, and it was clear that a final confrontation was inevitable.

Suddenly, a group of combatants appeared ahead of them, blocking their path. It was a mixed team, their expressions filled with determination and desperation. They had regrouped and were now intent on intercepting the Heaven's Hooligans.

"We can't let you pass," their leader said, his voice firm. "Surrender the flame and you can at least just fail this trial without dying!"

Reign stepped forward, his dual swords at the ready. "We're not backing down. If you want the flame, you'll have to go through us."

The two groups clashed with a fury that shook the mountain. Greenie, Wolf, and Tank took the front line, their combined strength holding back the oncoming assault. Greenie's hammer struck with bone-shattering force, Wolf's greatsword cleaved through armor and flesh, and Tank's shield absorbed blows, protecting his teammates from harm.

Mia's frost was no longer used defensively, instead, she was using it to boost her strength and make sure all enemies close to her felt the icy cold that made their bodies shiver as she attacked them with her sword. Laura's demonic energy blasts struck with deadly precision, taking down key targets.

Beast's arrows flew through the air, each one finding its mark and causing chaos among the enemy ranks as he used a wide variety of skills, creating explosive arrows, powerful wind arrows that were almost too fast to be seen, and more.

Beast's tamed beasts fought fiercely, their presence a powerful deterrent to any who dared approach, their large size making them easy targets, but their immense power, defense, and speed made all who dared attack them suffer immensely for it.

Shadow and Aelrinder moved with lethal grace, their swift strikes taking down key targets and sowing confusion among the enemy forces. Shadow's great speed made him a demon for the enemies while his darkness, which he spread around the enemy team, made it difficult for them to see him until it was too late.

Aelrinder's spear pierced through defenses with precision as his great spearsmanship made his strikes very difficult to evade, not to mention the power of the stars which he was using without holding anything back, boosting his stats greatly.

Jin's explosions created powerful shockwaves, disorienting their opponents and creating openings for their attacks, but he had to be careful not to make explosions that were too big, thus, he joined the melee as well.

His combat experience was second to none, even Jack and Eldar had complimented the man for his incredible hand-to-hand fighting, saying that amongst those in the leveling realm, he was probably near the top when it came to pure skill.

The team that had attacked them, although large, was made up of members of multiple teams, their chemistry was not that good and they didn't know how to fight together well. Even though they outnumbered Reign and the others as there were 24 of them, they were unable to do anything much to Reign and the others.

They held their ground, their unity and combined strength turning the tide in their favor. The enemy forces began to falter, their resolve breaking in the face of the Heaven's Hooligans' relentless assault.

Reign and his team pushed forward with renewed vigor, their relentless assault overwhelming the mixed team that had attempted to block their path. The ground was littered with the fallen, and the air was thick with the sounds of battle and the smell of blood.

The Flame of Ascendance continued to pulse with a steady glow, its ethereal light guiding its way down the mountain. Reign knew that they had to keep moving. Every moment they lingered was another opportunity for the other teams to catch up.

"We need to keep going," Reign said, his voice firm. "We are nearly there, just a bit more and we will win. Stay together and stay focused."

The team nodded, their expressions resolute. They knew that the descent would not be easy, but they were determined to see it through.

As they descended further, the path grew narrower and more perilous. The jagged rocks and steep cliffs tested their agility and coordination, but their training and experience allowed them to navigate the obstacles with remarkable speed and efficiency.

The sounds of pursuit grew louder, and Reign knew that they were running out of time. They had to reach the base of the mountain before the other teams could catch up.

"Keep moving!" Reign shouted. "We're almost there!"

The team quickened their pace, their focus unwavering. They reached a particularly steep section of the mountain, and Reign knew that they had to be careful. One wrong step could send them tumbling to their deaths.

"Watch your step," Reign cautioned. "Take it slow and steady."

They navigated the steep descent with precision, their movements careful and deliberate. The Flame of Ascendance continued to glow, its light a beacon of hope and victory, but also a signal to the other teams and monsters, showing them where to find it.

Multiple monsters had attacked them during their trip down, but they were easily able to push the monsters down the mountain or outright kill them with multiple attacks that were thrown at once.

As they neared the base of the mountain, the sounds of pursuit grew even louder. Reign knew that they were almost out of time.

"Prepare for one last push," Reign said, his voice filled with determination. "We have to reach the bottom before they catch up."

The team surged forward, their movements synchronized and efficient. They reached the final stretch of the mountain path, and Reign could see the base of the mountain in the distance.

"We're almost there!" Reign shouted. "Just a little further!"

But just as they were about to reach the base, a powerful explosion rocked the mountain, sending debris flying and causing the ground to shake. Reign and his team were thrown off balance, and they quickly realized that the other teams had caught up and were launching a final desperate assault.