"The difference between a monster and a machine? The machine keeps coming—whether you're afraid or not."
—Ashra, Veteran of the Siege of Redvale
Dawn — Day 1 of the Ashen Vault Defense
The sun had not yet risen, but the sky glowed iron red.
From the edge of Stormwatch's southern ridge, a long metallic hum spread like a swarm of bees across the ash-swept hills.
They were coming.
[Wave 1 Incoming: Clockwork Marauder Scouting Force]
Estimated Numbers: 60+ Units
Enemy Types:
— Tick-Drudges (Fast, Low HP, Tunnelers)
— Piston Skirmishers (Medium HP, Moderate ATK, Charge Style)
— Arc-Hounds (Glass Cannons, Electric Damage)
[Terrain Features: Three-Lane Access]
Deployment Status: Locked In
• Jag – Center Front (Oathsteel Wall)
• Ashra – Right Flank (Shadow Dagger Unit)
• Branwyn – Left Flank (Shieldbreak Formation)
Active Towers:
• Tower A (Ballista + Archers)
• Tower B (Mage Relay + Oil Trap)
• Tower C (Bunker Fort + Flame Barricade)
First Horn: The Tick Surge
From beneath the ash hills, the ground cracked open.
Dozens of Tick-Drudges erupted from underground, claws scraping across charred stone. They moved in erratic zigzag bursts, avoiding direct lines of fire.
Branwyn was the first to clash.
[Branwyn: Shield Slam – -27 HP]
[Tick-Drudge x4 Eliminated]
[Formation Intact – Morale +2%]
Ashra's flank was overrun briefly, the drudges slipping past initial traps.
But then—
[Ashra Skill: Phantom Rift]
Result: 8x Critical Strikes
Right Flank Stabilized
From the center, Jag raised his voice.
"Oil trap! Now!"
[Tower B: Oil Pit Activated]
• Effect: AoE Slow + Ignite
• Targets Affected: 21
• Chain Burn: 53% casualties in mid-lane
[Wave 1 Cleared – Duration: 3m 12s]
[System Bonus: +75 Gold, +2 Strategic Tokens]
Second Horn: The Piston March
Heavy tremors.
Marching in perfect sync came the Piston Skirmishers—bipedal machines with reinforced chest plates, hydraulic legs, and extending blade arms.
They advanced in coordinated formations, absorbing arrows and pressing against barricades.
[Enemy Strategy Detected: Siege Rush Formation]
Target Priority: Destroy Towers > Eliminate Defenders
Tower A fired.
[Ballista: -133 HP to Lead Piston]
[Effect: Armor Shatter – Nearby Units Vulnerable]
Jag led the center charge with a frontal wall of infantry.
[Skill Used: Oath Wall]
• Jag & allies gain 30% Defense for 10 seconds
• Intercepts all charge-type skills
Result: Mid-lane push stalled. Barricade integrity 93%.
Branwyn leapt forward.
[Passive: Hammer Arc – Stuns enemies in 90° swing]
Result: 5x Piston Units Disabled
Left Flank Regained
Ashra blinked from enemy shadow to shadow.
[Skill Chain Activated: Twin Shade Execution]
+68, +74, +79 Damage
Right Flank: Secured
Wave End
[Wave 2 Cleared – Duration: 4m 45s]
Strategic Efficiency Rating: A
Resource Gained: +120 Gold
Unit Losses: 6 Infantry (Recoverable)
Upgrades Available:
• Tower B – Add Fire Rune Trap (80 Gold)
• Tower C – Add Grenadier Support Unit (100 Gold)
Jag chose: Grenadier Support – Tower C
Result: New AoE attack type, cooldown-based explosive
Midnight Briefing
In the bunker beneath Tower C, the command team gathered.
Ashra leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "These weren't probes. They were feeling for weaknesses."
Branwyn agreed. "They're building data off our movements."
Jag unrolled a new map—drawn by the Forsaken Eye during battle.
"Next wave won't come in lines," he said. "It'll come in logic."
Rialt entered. "And worse—they've hacked the Vault. We intercepted this."
He held a crystal slate displaying an eerie message, scrolling in mechanical script:
"YOU TOOK THE SURFACE. NOW LOSE THE DEPTH."
—Automata Directive: Grey Assembly
Ashra read it aloud. "They've named us."
Jag nodded.
"And now we'll name them back—by burning the entire line."
Ashen Vault Campaign Status: Active
Total Waves: 8
Progress: 2/8 Completed
Resource Pool: 140 Gold, 1 Strategic Token
Fort Integrity: 91%
Hero Status: All Active
Enemy Shift Detected:
• Phase 2 – Long-Range Artillery + Disruptor Drones
Next Wave ETA: 4 Hours