Astral Point: Summoners Dimensional War

The knight stood tall before the Rock Golem, his shield raised high, and his longsword gleaming faintly under the dim light of the dungeon. Despite his opponent being nearly twice his level, he showed no sign of fear. "Alright, back me up from behind. I'll attack head-on," he declared confidently.

"You're awfully sure of yourself for a rookie," Catherine remarked with a sarcastic edge, though she raised her hand, readying her poison magic.

Thomas stood beside Catherine, focused on the flow of water swirling around his hands. "I'll try to open a path to its crystal core. This golem won't fall without it," he stated firmly.

Virginia, standing slightly behind, gripped her magic tome tightly. "I'll make sure none of you die here," she said with a soft yet determined tone.

The first clash came as the knight slashed one of the golem's rocky arms. His attack was strong enough to leave a small crack, but the golem quickly retaliated with a massive swing of its other arm. The knight's shield absorbed the blow, but the sheer force sent him flying back several meters.

"If you're careless, it'll crush you in one hit," Thomas warned as he launched a sharp jet of water at the golem, striking its chest and beginning to erode the surrounding stone.

The knight quickly regained his footing, a faint groan escaping his lips. "I don't have time to give up," he muttered, charging at the golem again. His sword flashed as he struck at the golem's leg, causing it to stagger slightly.

Virginia moved swiftly, her magic tome glowing as she healed the knight's injuries. "Don't push yourself too hard," she said, a hint of concern in her voice.

Catherine launched a ball of poison at the golem, but the attack only left a greenish stain that slowly corroded the golem's surface. "My poison's too slow for something this big. We need something more direct," she grumbled in frustration.

The golem, though slow, struck with tremendous force. A massive slam to the ground created a shockwave that sent them all stumbling. Thomas seized the moment to launch another powerful water jet, targeting the golem's chest. "The crystal core is starting to show!" he shouted.

The knight saw his opportunity. With a loud battle cry, he leapt toward the golem's chest, aiming to drive his sword into the exposed crystal core. However, the golem reacted swiftly, swinging its arm toward the knight. The blow struck his shield, sending him flying back once more.

Virginia quickly raised her hand, healing the knight with a flash of light. "Get up! We're not done yet!"

The knight rose again, his breathing heavy but his eyes filled with determination. "Thank you. I'll end this now," he said, charging forward once more.

Thomas unleashed an even stronger stream of water, fully exposing the crystal core. Catherine, with a sharp glint in her eye, targeted the vulnerable area with her poison magic, ensuring the core became even weaker.

The knight leapt high, his sword raised above his head. "This ends here!" With one powerful strike, his blade pierced the crystal core, producing a loud cracking sound. The core shattered into fragments, and the massive golem collapsed, its rocky body crumbling into lifeless debris.

For a moment, they all stood in silence, their heavy breathing the only sound in the dungeon.

"Well done," Thomas finally said, nodding toward the knight with a hint of respect.

Catherine crossed her arms, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "You're better than I thought, but don't let this victory go to your head."

The knight simply smiled, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Of course not. But we're not finished yet, are we?"

Navigator's voice echoed in their minds. "Good work, everyone. Now, move forward. Two combat units are still waiting."

After defeating the Rock Golem, they rushed toward the marked location on the system map, deeper into the dungeon. At the end of the dungeon, they found an open portal.

The Navigator spoke firmly in their minds, "This is it. The domain's location. Get ready. I'll handle things from here."

A faint breeze emanated from the swirling portal, carrying a damp, cold scent typical of an isolated place. Catherine eyed the portal with a raised eyebrow. "So this is the domain? Not very impressive."

"This portal is strange," Thomas said, examining the energy currents that seemed to absorb light around them. "Whether it's technology or magic, I'm not sure what we're dealing with."

Catherine scoffed, folding her arms. "Looks like we're heading in without answers, as usual."

"Wait," Virginia said suddenly as a system screen appeared in front of them. The text was clear:

[Bambin4Channel requests party merge]

[Accept] [Decline]

Catherine raised an eyebrow. "Who's Bambin4Channel? What an absurd name," she said, her tone dripping with skepticism.

The Navigator answered swiftly, "They're the player who requested our help. Press 'Accept' to merge parties. You'll be working with their combat units."

Catherine glanced at Thomas and Virginia before sighing and pressing [Accept]. "Fine, but don't blame me if this turns out to be a trap."

As soon as she hit the button, a young girl's voice echoed in their minds, frantic and rushed. "Please hurry! I don't have much time left. They're in danger!"

Virginia gripped her magic tome more tightly. "She sounds desperate. We need to move now."

"Charging in without a plan is foolish," Thomas said, though he didn't stop them from stepping toward the portal.

The Navigator's voice chimed in again, this time calmer. "I'll manage this raid. Follow my instructions, and everything will go smoothly. Bambi, don't mess with my focus."

Virginia asked softly, "What's Bambi?"

Catherine shrugged. "Maybe a nickname. Or a pet's name."

Thomas, uninterested in the small talk, stepped forward, standing right before the portal. "Whatever it is, we're wasting time talking. Let's get this done."

The knight joined him, raising his sword confidently. "I'm ready whenever you are. Let's finish this."

Without wasting any more time, they stepped into the portal one by one. A blue light enveloped them, and a strange sensation coursed through their bodies as they crossed the portal's boundary. On the other side, a vast chamber unfolded, its walls glowing faintly as if made of ancient stone. Heavy footsteps echoed ominously in the shadows.

The Navigator's voice rang out again. "Stay alert. This domain is unlike any ordinary dungeon. Cooperation is key. Do not act alone."

"I don't need your lecture on teamwork," Catherine snapped, her eyes scanning every corner of the chamber.

In the distance, two figures stood in the center of the room, surrounded by dark energy that seemed to weigh the air down. "There they are!" Virginia exclaimed, recognizing the two trapped units.

But before they could approach, a massive shadow emerged from the corner of the room—a colossal being that seemed a fusion of beast and ancient mechanism.

"That's the domain guardian!" the Navigator declared, their tone serious, cutting through the tension.

The atmosphere shifted sharply as the group laid eyes on the monster. The Land Dragon loomed in the center of the chamber, a living fortress of dark green scales streaked with glowing veins that pulsed like magma. Its every movement shook the ground, and its roar reverberated with deafening force. Level 30. Far beyond their current strength.

"A raid boss," the Navigator stated firmly. "This isn't a regular dungeon. Only a raid party can handle it. No wonder Bambi called for reinforcements."

Thomas frowned as he observed the dragon. "It's too massive. How can anyone survive fighting that?"

Catherine, on the other hand, was already formulating strategies. "The question isn't survival—it's how we escape alive if this fails."

However, Pierre—their knight—suddenly froze mid-step. His eyes widened, his breath catching as he focused on the two figures battling the Land Dragon. One was a man clad in armor—identified by the Navigator as Pharnaces II, Bambi's combat unit. Beside him was a young woman with long golden hair, wielding her sword with unwavering courage. To Pierre, though, she was far more than just a fighter.

"Jeanne!" Pierre's voice cracked with emotion.

The woman, deeply focused on her fight, turned at the sound of his voice. Her serious, determined expression softened into disbelief as her eyes met Pierre's. "Pierre?" she murmured, almost inaudibly.

But the Land Dragon gave no room for sentimental moments. With a thunderous sweep of its tail, it struck Jeanne, sending her flying across the chamber. She crashed onto the stone floor with a sickening thud.

"Jeanne!" Pierre sprinted forward, catching her just before she hit the ground again. But Jeanne was already unconscious in his arms. Pierre gazed at her pale face, his world narrowing to that single moment. His jaw clenched, and his eyes burned with fury.

The Navigator's sharp voice shattered his focus. "Pierre, control yourself! You cannot fight the Land Dragon alone."

Pierre closed his eyes briefly, taking a deep breath, though his anger was palpable. "I will protect her," he said, his voice low but resolute.

On the battlefield, Pharnaces II continued to fend off the dragon, his blade glowing with magical energy as he deflected its relentless strikes. "Someone help me distract this thing!" he yelled.

"Virginia, focus on Jeanne!" the Navigator commanded. "Heal her immediately!"

Virginia nodded and hurried to Pierre's side. She placed her hands over Jeanne's chest, channeling her healing magic. A soft light emanated from her magic tome, flowing into Jeanne's body.

Meanwhile, Pierre gently set Jeanne down, rising to his feet with his sword in hand. His gaze fixed on the Land Dragon with fiery determination. "It will pay for this."

"Follow Pharnaces's lead!" the Navigator ordered. "Don't act alone!"

Pierre charged into the fray, joining Pharnaces. With his shield raised, he blocked the dragon's brutal strikes, creating openings for Pharnaces to attack its hardened scales. Together, their efforts began to chip away at the beast's defenses.

Behind them, Catherine and Thomas watched the chaotic scene unfold. Catherine weighed her options for deploying her potent poison, while Thomas gathered his energy to prepare a precise water strike.

"This might be the craziest fight we've ever faced," Thomas muttered.

Catherine nodded. "At least we're not alone."

The Land Dragon's attacks shook the ground, scattering shards of stone across the battlefield. Pierre and Pharnaces held the front line, their teamwork wearing down the dragon's defenses little by little. Pierre's shield was on the verge of breaking, but he stood firm, each sword strike carving deeper into the dragon's scales. Pharnaces, relying on speed and precision, targeted the beast's more vulnerable spots with his glowing blade.

Chaos erupted as Domain Sentinels, statuesque guardians resembling living stone, emerged from the chamber's shadows. Armed with heavy weapons, they advanced toward Catherine and Thomas, threatening Virginia and the unconscious Jeanne.

"They're going for Virginia!" Thomas shouted, sending a sharp jet of water to knock one Sentinel off balance.

Virginia remained steadfast, her hands glowing as she poured her magic into Jeanne. Slowly, Jeanne's body began to stir, though she had yet to fully regain consciousness. Even the slightest interruption could spell disaster.

Catherine acted quickly, her gaze cold and calculating. She launched a stream of green liquid at the Sentinels, her poison spreading across their stone surfaces and weakening them over time.

"Thomas, herd them toward the Land Dragon!" the Navigator's sudden command rang out. "We need them grouped together!"

Thomas hesitated but nodded. "We'll need time for that! Are you sure this will work?"

"Trust me. Do it now!" The Navigator's confidence was unwavering, though their plan remained unclear to the team.

Hearing this, Pierre called out to Pharnaces. "We have to push the Land Dragon to the center! Focus your attacks to force it to move!"

Pharnaces nodded, his blade glowing brighter as he adjusted his strikes. Their coordinated assault began steering the massive dragon toward the chamber's center.

Meanwhile, Thomas used his water magic to create slick traps, corralling the Sentinels into a tight cluster. Catherine's poison spread across the battlefield, further restricting their movements and hastening their deterioration.

With all enemies gathered at the center, the Navigator issued their final instructions. "Thomas, activate your Social Contract skill to support Catherine! Catherine, prepare your ultimate!"

Thomas raised his magic tome, chanting the spell for Social Contract. A blue aura enveloped Catherine, amplifying her poison's potency and accelerating its debuff effects.

Catherine stepped forward with a faint smirk. "You should all know—nothing survives this poison."

With a graceful motion, she unleashed Dance of the Serpent, her ultimate skill. A massive wave of poison spread like slithering snakes across the battlefield, devouring the Sentinels in moments. One by one, they crumbled into rubble. Only the Land Dragon remained, isolated in the arena.

The Land Dragon roared furiously, its glowing scales flaring brighter. Despite losing its allies, it stood tall, prepared to fight to the bitter end against Pierre and Pharnaces.

"You did it," the Navigator said with satisfaction. "Now let's focus on bringing down this monster. No hesitation."

Pierre tightened his grip on his sword. "I won't back down. For Jeanne, for everyone—we must win."

The final battle against the Land Dragon began, the team uniting their strength for one decisive clash.

***