{A Few Days Later}

The moon hung low in the ink-black sky as Gabriella stood on the darkened field, the city's forces gathering around her.

A myriad of warriors, mages, and soldiers, each with their own stories and reasons for standing against the impending demonic threat. She glanced over the faces of those who would fight alongside her, allies bound by a common purpose.

As the regular troops assembled, Gabriella couldn't shake the memory of Clara's embrace earlier that day.

The warmth of her touch lingered, a bittersweet reminder of the life she was fighting to protect. Clara, with her unwavering support, had held Gabriella in a silent moment of understanding before she embarked on this perilous mission.

The worst part was that Gabriella couldn't guarantee her that she'd be coming back. She was confident in her ability, but she was no fool. 

[I left her with quite a large sum of gold. If the worst should come to pass, hopefully, she can do something with it. Get someone to take her to a land where the demons won't reach.] 

The soldiers, armed and ready, exchanged nervous glances.

One of the warriors, a young and spirited swordsman Gabriella had heard was named Marcus, turned to his fellow soldier, a grizzled veteran named Elena.

Marcus whispered:

"Elena, you think we can handle this?"

Elena chuckled, adjusting the grip on her spear.

"We've trained for this. Just keep your wits about you and follow the lady's lead. We'll make it through."

Gabriella listened in, smirking to herself as she stood before them, glancing back out of the corner of her eye. 

Marcus nodded, a hint of a smile breaking through his nervous demeanor.

"Easy for you to say. You've been through this sort of thing before."

Elena grinned, the scar on her left cheek stretching in the process. 

"True enough, lad. But remember. Sure, the demons might be fierce, but so are we."

A mix of nerves and camaraderie spread throughout the army.

Another soldier, a crossbow-wielding marksman named Fiona, approached Gabriella.

"Um... Boss?" 

"Yes?"

"Any words of encouragement for us? We, your minions, could use some," Fiona said, a playful smirk on her face.

Gabriella met Fiona's gaze, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

[Minions?]

"Just make sure your aim is as sharp as your tongue, Fiona. We'll need both tonight."

"You got it, boss. Let's give these demons a taste of Gelmora's hospitality."

Fiona saluted playfully, her confidence returning. 

As the tension eased amongst the warriors, if only a little, Gabriella listened. Her presence calmed the nerves of those under her command.

While the moon shifted its position above, sluggishly shifting to the right, the field fell into hushed anticipation as the distant rumble of demonic forces echoed in the night.

Gabriella raised her hand, signaling for anyone who was still speaking to stop.

[It's just about time, isn't it?] She thought as she saw a dark mist spread out from the swamps up ahead. 

Turning around, her golden eyes scanned the faces of the warriors who had chosen to stand with her.

[Alright, my first, and possibly last, speech. Clara said it sounded nice. Let's see.] 

Clearing her throat, Gabriella spoke up as loudly as she could without screaming. 

"Alright, folks, listen up." Gabriella made sure that at least most people were paying attention. "Let's have a little chat before the party starts," Gabriella began, her voice cutting through the tense air.

A few nervous smiles spread among the soldiers, appreciating her lighthearted approach.

"Tonight, we face a darkness that seeks to engulf our home. We stand together against a force that knows no mercy. You've heard the stories so I'm sure I don't need to go into too much detail. Death, destruction, and blood. Lots of that last one. That's what is in store for every one of us today."

Behind her, the rumbling increased in volume a little. 

"Each of you has your reasons for being here, and tonight, we fight for the survival of Gelmora." Gabriella's tone had shifted to a more serious note, but a mischievous glint remained in her eyes. "We are not just defending our city; we are fighting for our way of life, for the people we love, and for the future we hope to build. Remember your training, trust your comrades, and let the strength of Gelmora flow through you," she continued, her words carrying the weight of a leader who understood the gravity of the coming battle.

She understood it a little too well, unfortunately. Her heart did harbor a few doubts as to their chances of success, but she knew she couldn't let even a sliver of that show now. 

Gabriella paused, scanning the expectant faces before her.

"Now, I'm not saying this is going to be a walk in the park. Demons tend to be *slightly* mean. But, look on the bright side!" She spread her arms wide. "You have me on your side. That's something, right?" 

A ripple of laughter ran through the soldiers, tension easing with every chuckle. Gabriella's gaze lingered on Marcus and Elena, who exchanged amused glances.

"It's going to be tough," Gabriella declared, her voice unwavering. "A lot of us won't make it back home. A lot of us won't be seeing the ones we love again. But, think of it this way, your actions here will determine whether one of these demons goes to pay your loved ones a visit in your place. Do you want that?"

"No!" The army yelled back, almost simultaneously.

Gabriella's eyes flashed with intensity as she raised her pulled her staff out from her Inventory, the moonlight catching the determination in her golden gaze.

"Then let's make sure they regret the day they decided to mess with Gelmora! Tonight, we stand not just as soldiers, but as guardians of our home, protectors of the ones we hold dear. We face the darkness together, and we will emerge victorious. Now, let's show these demons the might of Gelmora!"

The soldiers roared in response, their spirits ignited by Gabriella's rallying words.

The demons were visible now, pouring out from the darkness.

The moon illuminated them in the battlefield Gabriella had selected for the occasion.

They were grotesque and nightmarish in their appearance. Some resembled twisted versions of animals, their forms contorted and corrupted. Horned creatures with leathery wings circled above, emitting guttural screeches that surely sent shivers down the spines of even the bravest soldiers.

Among the demonic horde, Gabriella spotted towering figures adorned with dark, spiked armor. Their eyes burned with malevolence, and their massive feet stomped toward the soldiers in the distance. The ground trembled with each step.

[In truth, my job isn't to win tonight,] Gabriella thought. [At least, not definitively. Sure, it would be nice if we just destroyed all of the demons tonight but... No, my job is to kill whatever demonic lord is empowering the enemies. To end the life of that one, specific enemy. In doing so, I might give the city time to prepare. Then, when Gelmora makes its proper last stand behind some actual walls, if all goes well, they won't have to deal with that. Ideally, I'd make it back as well, but that's not guaranteed.] 

The embrace she had with Clara hurt that much more to remember. 

[Anyway... Step one.] 

"CHARGE!" Gabriella cried out.

With a fierce battle cry, the army charged forward, their weapons gleaming in the moonlight, ready to confront the encroaching darkness head-on. The dirt rose as the calvary moved from the sides, taking an angled approach. As a result, a thin cloud manifested around Gabriella as every soldier that had been standing behind her now moved forward. 

Gabriella surveyed the darkened field as the demonic hordes advanced. She could feel the anticipation building among the soldiers under her command still behind her. The demons were an ominous force, their sheer numbers threatening to overwhelm if not handled with precision.

"Timing is the most important thing here," Gabriella murmured to herself. "We have to assume that the demons' numbers are not infinite, but they will feel infinite. It's going to be a test of our collective endurance, and knowing that I believe the correct approach is to ensure as easy of a beginning to this bout as possible. So..." Gabriella muttered to herself, remembering the plan. 

She yelled out:

"Archers, nock!"

A line of skilled archers, their bows at the ready, prepared to unleash a volley upon the approaching demonic horde. Gabriella's eyes glinted with focus as she calculated the timing of the first strike.

"Draw!"

The archers swiftly drew their bows, arrows aimed at the heart of the oncoming darkness.

"Loose!"

A rain of arrows shot through the air, finding their mark among the foremost ranks of demons. The battlefield echoed with unearthly cries as some of the demonic hordes fell, creating a momentary disturbance in their advance.

Gabriella seized the opportunity, her staff held high.

She began just as the demons got within range, casting the spell multiple times. 

Gale Force

MP: 940/1000

MP: 880/1000

MP: 820/1000

A swirling cyclone of wind and rocks materialized at the forefront of the demonic horde, spiraling through them, and tearing apart their ranks with a ferocity that sent some demons flying. 

[That should make the initial clash more bearable.] 

Suddenly, the stampede of demons spread out. Almost looking like they were going to try encircling the soldiers, they avoided the charging troops and, instead, looked to attack Gabriella and her men directly. 

[Noticed me, huh?] She thought with a smirk. 

"Warriors, prepare for their charge! Shields up!" Gabriella commanded, her voice cutting through the turmoil. "Archers, reload! We're not done yet!"

The warriors braced themselves, spears at the ready, as the remaining demons were about to strike the army at the front.

Gabriella, seeing her mana replenishing rapidly, crafted a series of magical, earthen barriers, reinforcing the soldiers and shielding them from afar. 

[It won't last long, burns through my mana too quickly, but I can do this much for you.] 

Stone Sanctuary

MP: 900/1000

MP: 830/1000

MP: 760/1000

MP: 690/1000

Sturdy barriers made of rocks enveloped the soldiers, granting them enhanced protection against the demonic forces' own incoming arrows and magic.

Gabriella's eyes glowed like beacons in the night as she maintained the magical defenses, ensuring the warriors had a fighting chance against the relentless horde.

The archers, having reloaded, awaited the next command.

Gabriella observed the battlefield, her mind sharp and focused. Her eyes scanned the field, hoping whatever enemy had been the source of their successful push into human territory would show itself. 

"Not yet? Alright. I'll clear the pawns off the board, then," Gabriella murmured to herself, determination burning in her eyes.

With a swift motion, Gabriella raised her staff, the air crackling with elemental energy.

Infernal Surge

MP: 880/1000

MP: 780/1000

Waves of intense flames erupted from the ground, engulfing a section of the demonic horde. The demonic entities screeched and writhed in agony as the inferno consumed them. The soldiers took advantage of the distraction, pressing forward with renewed vigor.

As the flames subsided, Gabriella didn't waste a moment. She cast a glance at the archers.

"Archers, focus on the flanks! Pick off any stragglers trying to outflank us!"

The archers adjusted their aim, targeting demons attempting to encircle the human forces.

Gabriella closed her eyes. The next ability was not a spell but, rather, a skill. 

Telekinetic force swept through the battlefield, lifting demons off their feet and throwing them up into the air like leaves in the wind, only to crash into the ground with far less grace.

The soldiers, now more coordinated in their movements, began to push the demonic horde back.

Gabriella opened her eyes, still searching for any sign of a commanding presence among the demons.

[Still?] 

"Fine." 

She advanced towards the front lines, her staff crackling with mana. 

"Time to make more of a statement," she muttered to herself, then raised her voice to address the soldiers. "Hold the line! I'll draw their attention. Archers, cover me!"

With a burst of speed, Gabriella moved towards the heart of the fight. As she drew closer, she unleashed a barrage of magical attacks, a symphony composed of the abilities she'd previously used, cutting through the demonic forces with precision and power.

Freezing the water she produced and commanded, a cascade of ice descended upon the demons, slowing their movements and leaving them vulnerable to the soldiers' attacks. At the same time, Gabriella healed any soldiers who were lucky enough not to die immediately.

The archers, true to their orders, provided cover fire, picking off any demon that dared to approach Gabriella, not that they'd even get close to killing her if they did. 

Arrows and spells flew back and forth under the moon. As the demonic horde began to focus on the level 100 sorceress wreaking havoc in their midst, Gabriella saw it. 

"Ah, finally," Gabriella whispered as one figure, far more powerful than any around it, stepped out from the darkness. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."