Hey guys! The Phoenix is back! Before we start the chapter, I just wanted to inform you guys of the change of classes-Add's job is now Lunatic Psyker, Chung's an Iron Paladdin and Ciel is Royal Guard instead of Dreadlord. I decided to add in this particular change because I felt that it is more suitable for my story(s)? later on. Anyways, please do enjoy the following chapter as well as rate and review! I will also appreciate it if any of you guys give me advises on how to further improve my story as well as my English! Aites, enough of ramblings from me and let's move on to the main topic.

Disclaimer: I do not own Elsword blah blah blah, if I ever do the lives of all f2p players in the game will be much more comfortable and easier *^*

Classes:

Elsword-Lord Knight

Aisha-Elemental Master

Rena-Grand Archer

Raven-Reckless Fist

Chung-Iron Paladdin

Eve-Code Nemesis

Add-Lunatic Psyker

Elesis-Grand Master

Ara-Asura

Lu-Noblesse

Ciel-Royal Guard

Phantom-Base class

Maxwell-no class yet

Chapter 2

20 FEBRUARY 2157, LOCATION: SOMEWHERE AMONG THE RUINS OF VELDER HALLUCINATION, LURENSIA, ELRIOS.

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Blink. Blink.

Blinking her eyelids and adjusting her eyes to the surrounding light intensities, Ara slowly sat up from the ground while holding her head with one of her hands as dizziness harassed her brain.

Ugh, where are we?

Seems we are back in Velder, child.

Looking around, Ara could only see burned down ruins everywhere, recognizing the marks and signs as the place she battled Joaquin along with her comrades. Suddenly, she shivered as she felt a chill ran down her body.

Why do I feel so cold?

Child…please be aware that you're not wearing any clothes.

Eh?

Looking down at her body, only then Ara realised that she was wearing invisible clothing, exposing her naked, well-proportioned and slender figure to be visible to anyone around. A huge blush quickly spread across her face as she quickly use her hands to cover her body parts in embarrassment.

W-w-wa-where are my clothes?!

I have no idea, child. It seems like you somehow lost it when we got transported to that other place.

Ah! This is bad….how can I walk around in this conditi—

Before Ara could finish talking mentally to Eun, she felt something large ad warm covered her head and her body from behind. Turning her head behind, she saw a large grey hooded-cloak covered her body and a figure-full-body armoured with azure energy lines pulsating throughout the body armour, and the mask attached to a white coloured helmet with crimson line patterns-Phantom, standing behind her.

"You can have that for the moment."

Pink dust tinted her cheeks as Ara stuttered to thank the man who aided her.

"T-thank you."

As Ara wrap the cloak around her body, she heard a very faint mumble from Phantom, but she couldn't make out what he had just said clearly.

"….it's you….."

"Hm? Sorry?"

Shaking his head, Phantom tried to distract her from pursuing any further in asking him about what he had just whispered under his breath by asking her a question.

"Eun….is inside of you?"

Hearing that, Ara finally remembered that she have yet to introduce herself and her condition with Eun. Standing up on the ground, she bowed politely towards Phantom and started her introduction,

"Ah, I'm sorry I forgot to introduce my self! My name is Ara, Ara Haan. Thank you, sir Phantom for rescuing us! Actually, Eun is a celestial nine-tail fox as you have suspected, but due to certain conditions she's currently bound together with my soul through this hairpin."

Phantom took a glance at the silver hairpin Ara pointed at her hair.

"Sir Phantom-"

"Phantom. Just Phantom is enough."

Ara was about to say something when Phantom cut her off, telling her not to be so formal with him.

"Ah, alright then. I just wanted to say thank you again for helping us back then. Without you, we would never be able to come back here…."

"At the cost of you human stuck in this place though."

Eun suddenly intervened their conversation as she turned into her physical millennium fox form—a small version one though—as she sat on Ara's shoulder and looked straight at Phantom.

"Now that you mention it, master and I are indeed stuck here in another world. What do we do, Phantom-sama?"

Phantom's holographic figure appeared on Phantom's shoulder, casually sitting on it while swinging his virtual legs in the air. As Phantom was about to command Maxwell to do something, Ara suddenly bowed down again and again and spoke up,

"Ah! I'm so sorry! If It weren't for me you wouldn't be here—wah!"

Due to her bowing too quick, Ara suddenly lost ther footing and stumbled forward, only to be met my Phantom's armoured hand's as they supported Ara's shoulder and kept her balanced.

"There's no need to apologize."

"B-but—"

Ara was about to say something else when Phantom and Maxwell sensed movements coming from their back. Being alert, he quickly pulled out his plasma shotgun and aimed it at the coming targets and warned Ara.

"Stay on guard, something's coming….humans?"

After years of experiences in different battles, Phantom easily distinguished the two red dots that's closing in on them shown by the projected holographic map.

"Its most likely Red Knight scouts. Maybe we caused a bit of commotion when we got transferred back, hence attracting their attention."

And Eun's deduction was proven right as the two figures approached them, both wearing red and white armours with Velder's insignia on them, both putting their hands on the hilt of their swords as they stood a few meters away from Phantom, suspicious as to who is he.

"Halt! Who's there?"

Hearing their voices, Ara only popped out her head to respond to the scouts from Phantom's back as she was still a little embarrassed due to her only clothing being Phantom's cloak.

"R-red knights scouts? It's me! Ara Haan!"

"Miss Haan? You're back!"

The scouts immediately recognised Ara and lowered down their guards as the one at the front signalled his comrade to go and inform the El Search Party of Ara's return as quickly as possible. However, as his comrade went away, the red knight slowly grabbed the hilt of his sword as he came near Phantom, who kept his weapon away.

"May I ask who are you?"

But before he could respond, Ara has already helped him to answer that question.

"Ah, he's friendly! He saved me when I got into that trouble! If you don't mind, can I bring him to meet Vannessa and my friends as well?"

Deciding to trust Ara on the fact that Phantom is an ally, the scout agreed with a nod and relaxed his shoulders as he led Ara and Phantom back to Velder Militia Campsite, though the latter was more or less getting dragged by an overly excited klutz to the camp.

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20 FEBRUARY 2157, LOCATION: VELDER MILITIA CAMPSITE, BORDERNG VILLAGE OF VELDER PALACE, LURENSIA, ELRIOS.

As soon as they arrived at the campsite, Ara was tackled down by a Grand Archer who was overly worried about the disappearance of her friend, along with some warm embraces, handshakes and greets from her other teammates. Her clothes was soon returned by the hands of Elesis, who explained that her clothes was left on the ground while her body disappeared to somewhere else. Feeling a bit embarrassed, Ara quickly thanked Elesis and excused herself hurriedly to change into her clothes after briefly explaining the situation she had been through.

"Phantom right, thanks for helping Ara."

Turning to Phantom, Elsword offered a handshake to which Phantom just shook it briskly while staying silent.

"Hey, I helped out too."

Maxwell who appeared on Phantom's shoulder complained a little as he wanted to get recognition too. However, before Elsword could respond to Maxwell, Add already inched closer to Phantom to get a good look at Maxwell.

"Kukuku….how intriguing. This is quite a rare piece of specimen….kukuku…."

"Hey! I'm not a specimen, mind you, albino scientist freak. In any case, your devices look much more amusing...to disassemble them to pieces so I can run experiments and gain data on it, of course."

"Oho? An AI dares to challenge me? Now you're just demanding me to strip off every single piece of data off you now, aren't it?"

"Now now, knock it off, Add, let's not be rude to our guests now, okay?"

Rena, the blonde elf intervened the conversation, only to be responded with a "tch" by Add. Maxwell, on the other hand, looks pretty happy about the outcome and tried to mock Add.

"In your face, albino, I'm too fabulous for you to touch-"

"Maxwell. Shut. Your. Trap."

Phantom shot a death glare at Maxwell for his behaviour, to which it scared Maxwell until his avatar glitches a little and apologize quietly to the El Search Party. Seeing this, Elsword tried to change the tense atmosphere a little.

"Well, there's no need to apologize really since Add was a little rude to you guys to. Ah, now hat I think about it, I have yet to introduce ourselves properly have we? My name's Elsword Sieghart, leader of the El Search Party, nice to meet you."

Seeing this, the rest of the El gang members followed after Elsword and introduce theirselves.

"Hi! I'm Aisha, the world's future best magician!"

"Hello there, you can just call me Rena, nice to meet you!"

"Raven. Thanks for helping my comrade."

"You can address me as Eve. You have my gratitude in saving one of us."

"My name's Chung Seiker. It's a pleasure to meet you! Thanks a lot for helping Ara!"

"Hello, name's Elesis Sieghart, Elsword's sister as well as leader of the Red Knights. I appreciate you helping Ara out."

"Keke, name's Add. It would be nice you will let me study more of your equipments…kuku."

"Huhu, I'm Lu! Luciela R. Sourcream! I'm the one who's going to be the future demon queen!"

"Name's Ciel. Lu's butler. Pleasure to meet you."

No wonder I sensed different aura from these two. Demons exist in this world, huh, Phantom thought to himself before he proceeded to introduce himself formally.

"Just call me Phantom for now. And this guy on my shoulder here-"

"Maxwell! I'm the best AI ever created by my master! Sup' guys!"

"Kuku…someday I will inspect everything about you..keke."

"Oh and I dare you to try, albino freak."

As soon as Maxwell introduced himself, Add immediately showed an overly excited expression towards Maxwell, to which he got back a glare by the AI in return. Just then, a female with light-blue hair and wore a pair of spectacles walked into the camp, followed by Ara Haan who had finished changing her clothes. As soon as Ara saw Phantom, she hurried over and handed over the grey cloak to him while pink dust tinted her cheeks a little.

"Here, your cloak. Thanks for…uhm…helping me back there."

Phantom took back the cloak and put it back on again as the female with light blue hair stood forward to speak.

"Phantom right, name's Vanessa. I'm the Velder's Garrison Centurion, also the one in charge of this camp. While I hate to disturb your talks, I have some urgent news for the El Search Party."

The El Search Party immediately focused their attention on Vanessa as she continued her talk.

"I've just received a letter from Hamel, and they're requesting for reinforcement to counter react against the demon invasions. Even with Penesio, one of the famous Rune Slayer and a strong commander over there, are stuck in a tight spot due to the heavy losses of his men and the continuing invasion of demons. According to his letter, most Hamel's area has been overtaken by demons, and the only fortress left is the Hamel Capital."

Vanessa paused for a moment before speaking again.

"While we would like to help out Hamel's defences, just as you can see, Velder itself is not in a good shape either. We are lacking of a lot of manpower to help in rebuilding the kingdom as well as prepare for any sudden invasions. I know this is selfish of me to ask, but can the El Se-"

"We'll go."

"Eh?"

Before Vanessa could finish her request, Elsword already cut her off and gave her a solid response.

"Don't worry about it. We are the El Search Party remember? We fight for the world's peace! Plus, it is also one of our hometown isn't it? Then all the more to help out then!"

"Elsword…"

Chung looked at Elsword with a dumbfounded expression.

"Yea that's right, we aint' gonna let those demons have their way! I'll show them my how fearful my magic is!"

"Mhm, I as an elf am responsible to protect the El as well as the peace of the world. Also, nothing shall stop us from helping out our friend!"

"Hmp, I will do my best to atone my sins by helping out Hamel, I guess."

"As a Queen of Nasod, I wish to re-establish the bonds of Nasod kingdom and human kingdoms again. Therefore, I shall assist the crown prince of Hamel."

"Kek, don't take this the wrong way, blonde trap. I'm doing this cause I heard there's some interesting history and origins of your equipments there, kuku."

"Huhuhu, I can finally track down more of those imbeciles that dared to defy me as the real demon queen! I might also be able to establish peaceful bonds for demons and humans once I got my rightful throne!"

"I shall assist you in any way to help you reach your goal, milady."

"Yea, don't worry, Chung! We are all here to help! Plus I can get closer to find my brother if I help you to reclaim Hamel too!"

"You guys….thanks!"

Chung was touched as to how his comrades responded. Putting on a grin, he sincerely thanked his comrades for what they have done. However, no one noticed that Phantom was staring at Ara just now as she said her line. Just then, Elesis then stood forward.

"Vanessa, I have a request."

"No need to tell me. You are free to join the El Search Party if you want, Elesis. You've helped us here more than enough, and I couldn't thank you enough for your achievements in Velder."

Hearing this, Elsword couldn't help but jump in excitement.

"EH?! Sis, you're joining us! Yes! This is gonna be great!"

"Ahaha, I see you still haven't grown much, lil bro."

"Hey! I've grown a lot taller now alright! I'm much more stronger now too!"

"Still doesn't change the fact you're a little boy in my eyes."

This earned laughters from the group as well as a pouting Elsword. But Elsword soon remembered something and turned towards Phantom.

"Hey, now that I think about it, what are you going to do?"

Now the centre of attraction has turn to Phantom as he pondered a while.

Firstly I needed to find materials…while I have emergency ammunition production tools the supply to create the special ammunition isn't going to last more than a month…I also need to track down those guys…and find a way back to earth if possible. But, where do I start?

"How about you join us for the time being?"

"Hm?"

Ara immediately add in after hearing Elsword's offer to Phantom.

"Yea…! You should! I mean, since you don't know anywhere here in this world, you need a guide right? Plus, we can help you to find a way back!"

"And also to help us out in the meantime against the demon invasion."

Eun, who turned into her fox form and stayed on Ara's shoulder, also intervened at the conversation.

"Eh? B-but he has already helped us enough to get back here, and because of that he is stuck in this world instead!"

"Child, you do know that we need as much assistance as possible in this war against the demons and you have seen his strength already, have you not? Plus it isn't a bad deal right? We help him to find a way back while he help support us in return in this war, no?"

"But—"

"I'll accept your offer."

"Phantom?!"

"Then, it's decided! Welcome to the team!" Elsword offered a handshake again to which Phantom accepted and shook it. Phantom then turned to Ara is wearing an expression of guilt.

"Don't worry about it."

"But….."

Seeing there's no way to persuade him, Ara gave up.

"Well…thanks…and sorry for troubling you more again…"

"Like I said, no problem."

"Now now, let's not be down now alright? Things will surely get better! Also, welcome to the team again, Phantom!"

The elven female came over and put an arm around Ara while trying to brighten up her mood. And Rena's actions succeeded as Ara put on a smile again and looked up at Phantom.

"You're right. Welcome to the team, Phantom! I'll make sure I'll help you in any way possible for you to return!"

Phantom only nodded to show appreciation while ignoring Maxwell and Add who were participating in a staring contest.

"Kukuku…now I have more chances to get my hands on your codes…keke."

"Hah, I dare you to try albino freak."

As they were getting along, Vanessa spoke up.

"Well, it's getting late now, and you guys have been through a tiring day. Why not you guys go on and rest? I will make sure my men to get everything ready for you so that you may be able to set out tomorrow for Hamel."

Agreeing to what Vanessa had said, they were led by Vanessa's men to the their respective rooms where they rested as silence drowned the night.

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21 FEBRUARY 2157, LOCATION: HAMEL PORT, OUTSKIRTS OF HAMEL CAPITAL, FLUONE, ELRIOS.

Time flies as the El-Gang departed from Velder to Hamel, and by the time they've reached the Hamel Capital it was already noon. Looking around, all they saw was a city that was literally built out of a huge rock overflowing with water; some kind of unknown geographical structure that none have ever encountered, and it was a marvellous sight for the eyes of the El Search Party members to feast on.

"Woah, Chung, this place is awesome!" Elsword was the first one to exclaim.

Chung could only smile while scratching his face a little with embarrassment. However, their moments of laughter was soon interrupted by the a group of Hamel Red Knights that came forward to escort the El-Gang and welcome the return of their crown prince.

"Attention! All hail the grand return of White Wolf of Hamel!"

While the El Search Party was a bit surprised by the actions of the Red Knights of kneeling down, Chung seemed to be quite embarrassed.

"Ah…its oka—I mean, at ease, men."

"Yes, your highness! Welcome home, you highness!"

As the Red Knights stood as a line beside, a man clad in black armor and wore a red scarf came forward and kneeled down before Chung.

"Your highness, it's an honour to see you yet again. Welcome home, your highness, and forgive my incapability that I'm unable to defend your kingdom. I would gladly accept any punishment from yo—"

"Enough, Penesio, please stand. It is not your fault that Hamel has…fall into this state. I swear upon my life, as the White Wolf of Hamel, I will reclaim our homeland again!"

"Your highness….!"

Penesio could only look at Chung with tears of joy forming at the ends of his eyes as he stood up. Even the soldiers at the side started cheering for Chung's return and influenced others around to gather and cheered for him, too.

"The prince has returned! Hamel will soon be reclaimed! All hail the mighty White Wolf of Hamel!"

While Chung tried to calm down his people, Elsword and others could only look at Chung with awe-with the exception of Eve maintaining a poker face as well as Phantom staying calm and acting normally. Elesis took this chance to stood forward to face Penesio.

"Hey Penesio, long time no see."

"Oh! Elesis! How wonderful it is to see you here again! Having the infamous Red-Haired Knight will surely be a great help to Hamel!"

"Ahaha, I'm not all that great, Penesio. But I'm certainly proud of my brother and his team and I'm happy enough to work with them to help others in need."

"Ah, the El Search Party, correct? I have been informed that you guys here will be coming as reinforcements, and it seems that everyone is strong too. This will surely-"

"Sir, report! We have a problem!"

Before Penesio could say anything else, he was cut off by a Red Knight scout that came to report something.

"What is it?"

"Some of our men near the frontlines have been affected by that again! And the situation is getting worse!"

"Tch…such timings."

"Is something wrong?"

Chung, who managed to calm down the local residents, came forward to Penesio as he saw a troubled look on his face.

"Your Highness…! I guess this is fine….your highness, will you and your comrades follow me? I need to show you a new problem that arose not long ago while you were gone. It's urgent. I will briefly describe the situation on the way."

Chung turned around to look at his comrades, to which all nodded their heads in agreement.

"Good. This way!"

As Penesio ran ahead and lead the El Search Party to the camps near the frontlines of battlefield, he started his explanation.

"Your highness, not long ago during the demon invasion, some of our men looked tired and sick. At first we thought they are just lacking of antibodies against illnesses, but a few days later they all suddenly turned to become…something horrible. They looked lifeless, and something that looked like spores spread across their bodies. They even go wild and turned against their own comrades. Those who have been bitten by these…things, started to undergo a painful process in their bodies for 1 to 3 hours, and then they became one of those lifeless bodies as well. We couldn't find any cure to this thing, nor do we know the source of it affecting our men, and we end up have to end their lives...Your highness, I beg of your help to save our men!"

"I got it, let's just hurry there and see what we can do. After all, my comrades are capable people, am I right?"

"Heck yeah, you're absolutely correct! Nothing can stop us….Ara? What's wrong?"

Elsword was boasting about the El Search Party's strength when he noticed Ara had a slightly shocked expression on her face. Ara ignored Elsword's question and turned to Phantom.

"Phantom…why does what Sir Penesio sounds like what we've encountered…?"

"Eh?"

This time, the entire party got confused for a second and looked at Phantom while their feet continue to bring them to their destination as quickly as possible.

"…I'm cannot be certain. But it does sounds like it…"

It was then when Phantom sensed the hostile presences as well as non-hostile ones, but he still refuses to believe the truth.

"We're almost there..!" Penesio informed the team.

"Phantom-sama…how…no, why are they here?"

Maxwell, who was now standing on Phantom's shoulder, broadcasted a radar that gave out red and blue dot signals. Phantom, however, could not answer that question as he himself was asking the same question in his heart.

"We're here!"

As soon as they arrived, the view that entered their retinas was the truth that Phantom tried to deny of. Red Knights swinging their sword around against what used to be their comrades, now lifeless, with spores growing all over the bodies and blood bleeding in every part of the body, as well as mutated limps.

No.

It couldn't be.

It should only exist in our world.

This problem.

So why?

These questions echoed in Phantom's mind as he look at the situation in front of him again.

Infecteds.

OH MY GOD I ACTUALLY FINISHED A CHAPTERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. Okay I'm going nuts. I apologize very very much for the late update . I swear I had the worst writer's block ever for this chapter as well as too much work irl that keeps distracting me. I swear that I wasn't procrastinating in sparring room and that I aint lazy. Trust me. Please…..;-;. Anyways this chapter felt a bit boring imo. Hopefully I can write better next time and update sooner :/. Well, again, R&R! I need more advises on how to write better! See ya guys soon!