Chef in the Apocalypse

Jayce and Colin pressed forward, making their way toward the epicenter of the sprawling plains. As they approached, an unsettling sight awaited them - the majority of Jayce’s faction had congregated around a colossal, swirling sphere of impenetrable darkness. Projectiles and spells hurled at it merely ricocheted off its enigmatic surface, their efforts thwarted by this ominous enigma.

Observing the enigmatic orb with a furrowed brow, Jayce turned to Colin and inquired, "Is that the thing that sent you flying?"

Colins scratched his head in mild embarrassment before responding, "Yeah, that’s the one."

Jayce peered intently at the mysterious sphere, shrouded in obscurity, and queried, "Do you have any idea what that is?"

Colin paused for a moment, contemplating his recollection of the battle, "I was fighting this... thing. Looked like a dragon, or maybe a wyrm. And then, out of nowhere, it got sucked into that sphere. We’ve been trying everything to crack it open, but nothing’s worked."

As Jayce processed this information, his thoughts went back to Macie’s cryptic warning, "They have interfered," echoed ominously in his mind. Could it be that Rubick, or those who stood behind him, had tampered with the final remaining boss, leading to this outcome?

His intuition was telling him that this was the most likely scenario. But what would have made them decide to interfere this time around? He had too little information, therefore any theories that he came up with were likely to be completely wrong.

He spoke up, addressing his faction who were in the surroundings, "Hold fire! We won’t be breaking through the sphere with our current strength."

At those words, everyone took a step back, putting away their weapons. A few familiar faces rushed over after hearing Jayce’s voice, happy to see their leader. "Glad to see you’re alright Leader" Ben walked over and placed his arm over Jayce’s shoulder with familiarity.

Jackie stood next to Colin and spoke up expectantly, "Where’s Lianna?"

"She’s recovering from overexertion." Jayce replied, albeit a little icily.

Colin and Jackie looked at each other, confused expressions painted on their faces. As Colin went to open his mouth to make a joke about their being trouble in paradise, Jackie elbowed him in the ribs firmly, forcing the stupid words back down his throat.

Amber appeared next to Ben, grabbing his arm affectionately, "I think we’re all a little exhausted. How about Paul, is he also recovering back at the wall?"

Jayce’s face remained stoic, not answering the question right away, merely bowing his head a little in response. Ben’s body jolted, seeing his Leader’s reaction to the question, a feeling of dread rising from the pit of his stomach.

"H-Hey Leader... He’s okay right? Paul is alive isn’t he?" Ben’s voice faltered, moving his hands up to Jayce’s shoulders and turning him so he could see his face.

Jayce didn’t resist, however he raised his head to meet Ben’s gaze, seeing the anxiety in his eyes. He let out a pained sigh, responding with 2 words, "I’m sorry."

Ben felt as if he had been punched in the pit of his stomach, forcing him to drop down onto his hands and knees as his mind began to be flooded with loss. "No, he can’t be dead. We’ve almost won."

The others in his party hung their heads low, feeling the sting of losing a friend. The group had always defied the odds in the past, never leaving any man or woman behind, while facing all kinds of adversaries. Yet this was their first taste of loss within the party.

Zane stood to the side, silent as usual. However there was a strong emotion on his usual stoic and handsome face. Amber was busy consoling Ben, who had been the closest to Paul, after all they were both swordsmen on the same path and considered each other friends and rivals.

Colin and Jackie were silent, merely hugging each other as they both accepted the loss as well as they could. Jayce on the other hand, probably had it the toughest out of everyone. He felt solely responsible for the death of Paul, and therefore the pain and grief that each of his party members felt as a result.

However, while the group were mourning the loss of their dear comrade, there was movement in the center of the plains. The colossal sphere of darkness, like some cosmic egg, commenced a slow and foreboding process of cracking.

The very ground beneath it seemed to tremble in anticipation of what was to come. The surrounding people watched in stunned silence as this ominous orb, once impervious to their might, began to fragment.

As the cracks spread across its enigmatic surface, a blinding radiance erupted from within. The luminous tendrils of light snaked their way through the cracks, searing the eyes of those who dared to gaze upon them. It was as though the very fabric of reality was unraveling.

Then, the sphere ruptured. It shattered explosively, unleashing an awe-inspiring surge of energy that surged outward in all directions. This titanic release of power pushed back everyone and everything in its path, an irresistible wave of might.

Amid this cataclysmic force, only two figures stood resolute, their forms unyielding against the overwhelming push. Colin and Jayce, their bodies locked in place, braced themselves against the torrent of power.

Shielding their eyes from the blinding brilliance emanating from the center of the plains, they felt the weight of the entity’s dreadful strength washing over them. The very air vibrated with this newfound might, and both men understood that whatever revealed itself would be a tough bastard.

Jayce looked around him, ensuring that everyone who had been pushed back was safe. Apart from a few bruises and faces full of dust, everyone seemed to be okay.

"Hell’s Kitchen, stay behind Colin and I!" He shouted. Jayce was unsure what kind of entity would appear from the sphere, but he knew that other than himself and Colin, no one else stood a chance as they were right now.