Panic had seized the city, turning the streets into a scene of indescribable chaos. The inhabitants, gripped by terror, shoved and stumbled over each other in a desperate attempt to flee as quickly as possible. The bells kept tolling, their deafening peals echoing through the crowded alleys. A mother, her face marked by anguish, clutched her little daughter tightly against her chest, shielding her most precious treasure from the imminent danger.
While the panicked crowd rushed to escape, the city's soldiers advanced in the opposite direction. With determined steps, they charged toward the walls, toward the mysterious threat looming on the horizon. Many of them didn't even know what enemy they were about to face, but their sense of duty drove them forward. They fought so that the population could evacuate safely, and by doing so, they also protected their own families.
Within minutes, the soldiers had taken their positions atop the ramparts, their gazes fixed on the horizon. Some swallowed hard, eyes widening at the sight of the immense black mass of monsters moving rapidly toward them. It was a vision of horror, as if torn straight from a nightmare.
Meanwhile, Mélodie's group finally reached the city gate. The guards slammed the heavy gate shut behind them. The commander of the city's guard, accompanied by Rina, immediately rushed to meet them.
He was a man of imposing build, his glowing orange eyes shining with fierce determination. A magnificent suit of black and gold armor covered his body, amplifying his aura of authority and strength.
"You were incredibly quick to react, adventurers. Thanks to you, the city's evacuation has already begun," declared the commander, his voice imbued with sincere gratitude.
"But it won't matter if we can't hold the monsters back long enough!" Mélodie retorted, fully aware of the gravity of the situation.
"You're right. That's why we'll give our lives if we must, to hold them off," he said, his gaze steady and unshaken.
"Have you contacted the capital?"
"The messenger passed through the teleportation gate just a few minutes ago," the commander replied, a spark of hope in his eyes.
Suddenly, a deep rumbling echoed. Doum, doum, doum! The ground had already begun trembling beneath the heavy footsteps of the monsters, now almost at their doorstep.
"I have one last request to make," the commander said, his voice heavy with both resolve and concern. "You are under no obligation, but… could you help the civilians evacuate? Among them are our fellow citizens, but also our wives and children…"
Those words carried immense weight and emotion a desperate plea at a critical moment. The soldiers' gazes turned toward the adventurers, their faces serious but also resigned. They knew death was already marching toward them, and few would escape it.
"We'll do everything we can. One last thing what's your name?" Mélodie asked, her face serious.
"Elias Decker, commander of the Níre city guard regiment," he replied before turning to rejoin his men.
Mélodie and her group, as requested, ran off to help the townsfolk evacuate while the soldiers stared at the approaching black tide. The ground and walls trembled under its weight. The soldiers had drawn their bows and nocked arrows, while some brandished wizard staffs.
"All those with mastery over fire prepare to fire!" Elias ordered, his voice ringing with authority.
Up on the ramparts, countless lights began to shimmer as the archers raised their bows toward the sky. They poured a large amount of mana into their arrows, aiming to maximize the impact upon release. Once charged, glowing red spheres formed at the tips of the arrows, the concentrated magical energy pulsating with lethal intent. Feeling the decisive moment had come, Elias gave the long-awaited signal.
"Soldiers FIRE!" he bellowed.
The arrows shot from the bows, slicing through the air at breathtaking speed. The first volley of flaming attacks illuminated the night sky, creating the illusion of a magnificent fireworks display. But the illusion vanished as soon as the arrows began to descend slowly toward the monster horde. Upon impact, hundreds of explosions ravaged the battlefield, creating blazing craters that burned and shredded the creatures, leaving behind smoking holes and piles of dismembered monsters.
As the second volley was already charged and ready, arrows pierced the sky again, sowing death among the monsters below. Despite the powerful blasts and the heavy casualties inflicted, the monsters continued advancing relentlessly. The enchanted arrows rained down without pause, but the black army seemed infinite, an unending tide of darkness pouring toward the besieged city.
"It's almost time…" Elias murmured with grim resolve.
Clad in heavy black-and-gold armor that reflected the flickering glow of the flaming arrows, Elias stood atop the ramparts, his imposing figure towering over the scene. He took a deep breath, knowing the words he was about to speak might very well be his last.
"Soldiers!" he shouted, his powerful voice resounding through the night.
Every gaze turned toward him, faces lit by the glow of magical flares. A solemn silence fell, every soldier's attention fixed on their commander.
"The monsters are closing in, and we know we cannot stop them alone! But our mission is not to defeat them it is to slow them down! We must buy time for our citizens to evacuate safely, until reinforcements from the capital arrive!" he declared, each word dripping with courage and unwavering determination.
With a sweeping motion, he drew his sword from its scabbard. The weapon burst into flames instantly, a brilliant blaze dancing along the blade, illuminating the night with an intense, almost supernatural light.
"Let the flame of our courage light up the darkness, and let our enemies know they face warriors ready to sacrifice everything!"
At those words, a roar of determination erupted from the ranks of soldiers, their morale soaring to heroic heights. The sight of Elias, sword ablaze and raised high to the heavens, inspired boundless admiration and resolve. The decisive moment was approaching, and every heart beat as one, ready to face the enemy with unshakable bravery.
The soldiers braced themselves, horses pawed at the ground in restless anticipation, lances glimmered under the stars. The ground shook from the monsters' approach, but in every warrior's eyes burned an indomitable flame. They were ready to write a legend, to turn this night into a glorious battlefield.
"It is now time for us to fulfill our duty, to give our lives!" Elias proclaimed, his voice vibrating with almost palpable intensity.
"For every single citizen in this city, fleeing for their lives! For some of you, I can see it in your eyes you fear death! You're asking yourselves: Why should I die for people I barely know? But among them are surely your families, your wives, your sons, your daughters," he said, thinking of his own daughter.
The ground shook beneath their feet as doubt and fear gnawed at some of them. But their commander's speech ignited their spirits. This man would stand in the front line with them. He too would leave behind family and friends, making the ultimate sacrifice while doing his duty.
"WILL YOU FULFILL YOUR DUTY?!"
"Oooh-ahhh!" the soldiers roared, raising their weapons to the sky.
"WILL YOU FIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILIES?!"
"Ooohhh AHHH!" the soldiers screamed with furious resolve.
Elias then donned his knight's helmet, completing his black-and-gold armor, and mounted his horse. Taking his place at the head of the formation, he stood ready to lead his men into battle.
"Open the gates!" he ordered, his voice booming with authority.
The city gates slowly creaked open with a sinister groan. Adrenaline and tension surged, reaching their peak. When the gates were fully open, the heavy thud echoed like a clap of thunder through the night.
"Charge!" Elias roared.
The soldiers unleashed a war cry with all their might, following their commander onto the battlefield. At the front, Elias led the charge, his blazing sword pointed toward the enemy.
"Forward! For glory, for honor! For the survival of our people! Crimson Blaze!" he cried.
A gigantic torrent of flames suddenly materialized, crashing down with unimaginable force upon the front line of monsters. The creatures were burned alive, their screams piercing the night air.
"I hope you make it out alive," Elias thought as he led the charge, his heart torn between the fury of battle and the hope of one day seeing those he protected again.
Meanwhile, a mother and her daughter continued their frantic run through the city. The mother carried the little girl on her back; the child clutched a small stuffed animal tightly in her hands. Fear shone in the woman's eyes, but she pressed on with unwavering determination.
"Mom, where's Dad?" asked the little girl, her voice trembling.
"Don't worry, Daddy will come back," she replied, her face tense, on the verge of tears.
The girl gazed off into the distance, mesmerized by the magical arrows illuminating the sky like a rain of shooting stars amid this night of chaos.
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Logan is now back with Aria in chapter 30.
"Aria you have to get stronger if you want to follow me." (Logan)
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Thanks to the contributors.
Thanks to Cadméa for her subscription level 4.
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Thanks to Jeffrey for his subscription level 3.
Thanks to Slik Silk for his subscription level 3.
Thanks to Bryce for his subscription level 3.
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Special thanks to
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for her power stones.