WORLD NOTICE!

The last Progenitor has finally accepted responsibility, thus beginning the Battle for the domain of Grenora!

New Era Entered!

The Era of Retribution has begun! The time for long long-lost secrets and revenge has come!

Adeline quickly read when she crested the hill on Canidir. Her once polished silver armor was now tarnished with the blood of Undead she carved through. Her grip tightened on the reins when she saw Lor-Vold in flames with Zombies pouring in through broken segments in the walls. She saw Zombie Giants swat away buildings, roaring as they did so. Flying centaurs swarmed the sky over the city, swooping in and out. Each dive held a skewered person on their lances before they dropped them from above. Some of the Death Gorgers she could see through the gap scuttled around, feasting on the dead of both sides.

She took calming breaths, preparing herself for battle once more. She had to decide whether to do her duty and defend the people against the Undead or save her brother that was supposed to be here. The more she watched the city burn from the attack, the more her heart began to harden at the thought of her brother not making it.

The rest of her troops soon crested the hill she watched from. Each of their faces morphed to form grim resolve and determination in the face of insurmountable odds. Half of their unit was still on the way from investigating the bandit camp and the missing dungeon.

She motioned for Canidir to canter forward, the rest of her troops mirroring her actions. They raced across the small foothills before reaching the plains and switching to a full gallop. The Zombies heard the thunderous hooves, the mass of bodies swerving around to meet the newfound charge.

Adeline summoned her great sword to her hand from her inventory. "Dremetica's Force!" she called out, the runes that ran along her blade glowed orange. Other troops shouted their own buffs, each of their weapons glowing.

The Zombies roared in unison when Adeline and her troops were seconds from colliding with each other. “NOW!” She shouted, and as one, her and her troops unsummoned their mounts, catapulting them forward from the momentum. Light blue shields enveloped around each of the troops in a bubble shape. Their protective shield lessened their impact when it exploded, sending shards of energy in a 180 degree cone in front of them.

With a breath of space, Adeline assessed the Zombies in front of them. Quickly deducting that these weren't controlled, "Formation Clean Sweep!" she shouted.

The ones on the Frontline alongside her pulled large tower shields from their inventories, planting them in the ground in unison, making a large thump heard. Adeline backed into the line as they planted spears between the gaps of the shields.

"PRIESTS AND MAGES! PURIFY THE GROUNDS!"

Humming and chanting began, aligning the ground in white light. The Zombies that were the first to be exposed to the grounded light burned. Inch by inch, Adeline and her group pushed their way forward, allowing the light on the ground to take out the lower leveled Zombies that didn’t instantly burn. A passing spear killed anything that still lived when the formation moved. As they gained more ground, their tower shields opened, spilling out Paladins that held swords, maces, and axes bathed in the same white light as the earth.

Adeline went forward with the next wave of troops that were beginning to disperse the Horde. She swung at anything that dared claw at her. Each swing sliced through them like paper. Horrendous screeching pierced the air, making Adeline look upwards to see Death Gorgers scuttling over the walls on their many legs. With gritted teeth, she tightened her grip on her great sword.

The Zombies erratically twitched and pivoted to move out of the way of the many Death Gorgers that were descending the walls. A part of her was briefly in awe at seeing these Death Gorgers because the ones she was used to weren’t as big as these. Magical white arrows soared through the night sky like shooting stars, puncturing the dark carapace bodies of the Death Gorgers with searing fire. That didn’t stop the oncoming charge from the Death Gorgers. They roared and doubled their speed, barrelling through any Zombies that weren’t quick to move out of the way.

Without thinking, Adeline charged at them. A few of her fellow Paladins ran alongside her in her mad charge. Roaring right back at them the whole way, building power in their glowing white weapons.

Adeline jumped to meet the first one that screeched at her, beheading it in one swift motion. It tumbled at the loss of its head before it twitched and righted itself to pierce Adeline with its many legs. She dodged through each of them, shearing a leg off with each movement. At the moment of its fall with the loss of its legs, Adeline pointed her sword upwards, letting the weight of the monster do most of the work for her as it collapsed.

She tore through its abdomen, standing atop the butchered corpse to survey the battle that unfolded all around her. The sickly black blood covered her from head to toe. The flames that engulfed Lor-Vold gave the scene an eerie feeling, as the shadows from the flames attempted to play tricks on her mind. Another Death Gorger screeched at her as it charged and without hesitation, she ran to meet it, jumping off the corpse, letting a war cry bellow out of her lungs. She quickly dismantled the Death Gorger, continuing to carve her way into the breach of the city with her fellow troops behind her.

Adeline crested the rubble of the destroyed wall, fully taking in the city that was overrun with Zombies that feasted on the remains of the living. Zombie Giants trampled buildings, causing them to explode, adding more fires to the already burning city. The Death Gorgers moved bodies into piles that were beginning to twitch as another Death Gorger sat atop of it, vomiting black sludge, sending shivers down Adeline’s spine.

Name: Budding Corpse Crawler Race: Zombie

Level: 30

Loud screeching and chittering drowned out all the other noises, forcing Adeline to cover her ears from the sound. Giant black carapaced centipedes danced through the air like wriggling snakes. A blob of pale gray flesh with many eyes peered down at her briefly before being blasted back by two beams of purple and golden light. Adeline saw a golden skinned Elf in a translucent gold bubble fly after it. Unsure of what Adeline had walked right into, the city was in utter ruin.

“This isn’t a normal siege. . .” she breathed out.

Guttural growls rained from the air, making Adeline look up, seeing the Ecilith dart through the air to and fro. Brief wonder and horror seeped into her at something new to her eyes in the world. In the back of her mind, she knew this world had much to see still, but everything new also had the inclination to be dangerous. Her other soldiers crested the crumbled wall, briefly gasping in shock at the scene. Adeline frowned when she saw a few people who were alive run past all the creatures without being chased or harmed.

“HELP US!” she heard them shout as they got closer.

The Undead whipped their heads towards Adeline and her troop with milky eyes. As one, they all angled themselves and charged forth, their groans and whispered growls filled the night air once more. The Death Gorgers continued to drag bodies into piles at a quicker pace. Whatever they were doing, Adeline knew she had to stop it before it got any worse.

“Spears forward!” she commanded.

Those with spears assembled themselves in a line that plugged their foothold. They angled their spears downwards, bracing for the Zombies that were clamoring up the rocks to get to them. Two spears immediately impaled the first Zombie that got close before being thrown back at a group of Zombies that were making their way up. Those with spears rotated with others at the limited space, defending their foothold against the tide. Adeline watched the skies for any of the flying creatures that noticed the activity. She had hoped that part of the smoke from the flames would at least obscure their vision to give them some more time to prepare a defense. She also kept an eye on the Zombie Giants that continued to wreck their way through the city; and the battle between the golden Elf and whatever he fought.

Name: Ki’Saed Race: Death Gorger Class: Corpse Accumulator Level: 85

Tier: 5

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Her heart seized at the thought of Aldrin being lost in the madness somewhere with that rampaging through the city, what was left of the city at least. She briefly noticed the fleeing people stop to watch them defend, too afraid to move any further. She frowned again at the oddity, still keeping a mindful eye on the people in front of her. Her Mages and Priests worked their magic to replenish their resources and heal them from any wounds. White arrows flew overhead still, thinning the Horde further as it continued to throw its mass of bodies towards them.

One of her men chuckled, “Free experience guys,” he said aloud for others, getting more chuckles in return.

“Stay sharp. There is more here going on than we realize,” Adeline chided.

All of this to her felt too planned, yet meant to be shown as chaotic. Everything was moving like clockwork while the Zombies threw themselves relentlessly at them, almost like they were slowing them down to get any further into the city. Let alone, every creature here should be acting on pure instinct and driven by a mad hunger to devour the living; yet she and her troops presented themselves, and half of the Undead ignored them.

“Push further into the city when you see an opening,” she said, resting her hand on the pommel of her blade that was embedded into the ground.

She wanted to rush forward into the city and search for her brother, but duty demanded her attention first. She needed to secure a safe exit point for any survivors left once reinforcements arrived to help sweep the city. However, that didn't stop a sense of foreboding from bubbling in her stomach when she saw the Zombies stop. Her men tensed up in alarm when they began clacking their jaws together. The Death Gorgers hurried almost fearfully to scoop up the rest of the bodies.

Notice!

You resist the effects of impending Dread!

“Everyone! Ready yourself and prepare for a tight defense! Something is coming!” She warned her men, the hairs on the back of her neck beginning to rise.

The Zombies turned back to the living and began to slink slowly away to the outskirts of the ruined wall, forming a wide circle.

“What in all Abyss is going on?” One of the men commented.

The cackling of fires was the only thing to break the eerie silence of the dead watching them, anticipating something. Horrible animalistic roars stunned her and her men. She knew only one type of Undead that could make that noise.

“FERALS!” she bellowed, her men readying themselves without hesitation.

They appeared from the smoking rooftops, jumping down and landing without a sound. Bat-like ears and faces were the first to greet her. Glowing crimson eyes scrutinized each of the living. The predatory gaze briefly brushing against Adeline’s psyche. Something was different with the Ferals, she noted. They weren’t recklessly charging forth. This whole disaster spoke of something more and she could not figure out what it was.

The few remaining survivors that the Undead chose not to attack shook with uncontrollable fright, more so from not resisting the effects of Dread. She gritted her teeth, worried for what may appear as she scanned her surroundings.

“Mages! Barrier us. I don’t trust whatever this is,” she ordered, her green eyes darting around, looking for any sign of what's to come.

The Vampires let low growls reverberate in their chest, carefully watching for any sudden movements. Adeline noticed they were struggling to hold themselves back, which worried her more. She knew nothing that could control Feral Vampires which made uneasiness settle over her. They pushed past the Zombies, all 12 of them in bloodied ruined rags that were once clothes. Their mouths and talons were still slick with fresh blood.

Her men looked around nervously at each other at the sudden change. Something in the air changed, even with all the fires raging around them. The air chilled, like death had come to greet them. The taste of copper rose in the back of Adeline’s throat, spiking her uneasiness further.

“Leave,” One of the wispy white haired Vampires said.

Shock ran through Adeline, but she refused to let it show on her face. However, her man let their surprise be known by the sudden gasps when it spoke.

“This,” it wheezed when it waved one of its bloody talons around, gesturing to the city, “is none of your concern.”

“We won’t attack if you don’t. Orders.” It ended in a displeased growl.

“From who?” Adeline couldn’t help herself.

“Our Sire of Sires,” It smiled wickedly.

“Time for vengeance has come." A sinister smile filled with fangs graced its face. "This city owes a debt, a debt our Sire of Sires has been collecting on our behalf, though not without conditions, of course,” he gestured at the hidden people, still grinning enough to show his bloodied fangs.

“Why this city?” Adeline asked.

“Ask your Queen. Now I suggest you leave before He comes around,” It waved.

“We only want the survivors,” Adeline said.

A distant boom resounded. Everyone, including the Zombies turned in the direction. From Adeline’s vantage point, she could see one of the walls of the city that was still untouched by the attack engulfed in flames.

“A trick?!” The Feral Vampire hissed.

“No- Wait-” Adeline said before the Vampires and Zombies surged forth. Her men summoned the tower shields from before, firmly planting them in the ground with a loud thud. Their shields glowed brightly in the night like stars on earth. The Mages put up compounded barriers while the Priest started consecrating the grounds. Her Archers fired their white arrows that seared the flesh off the Zombies whenever they hit a mark. Adeline observed the Zombies throw themselves against the barrier. Spearmen thrusted through the shield gaps, killing anything they could reach.

A deep, unsettling roar froze the battle.

Warning!

You have been afflicted by Roar of the Apex!

Your Skills and Buffs have been canceled and locked for 3 seconds!

The barrier flickered like a dying light bulb, as did all the enchantments and buffs they used. Without the safety of the barrier, the Horde surged forth with renewed vigor. “FALL BACK!” Adeline commanded, killing a Zombie that was thrown over the tower shields.

They slowly retreated through the gap in the wall, taking casualties as they defensively backed into the open field in front of the crumpled wall. When they were pushed back far enough, the Horde stopped and waited at the mouth of the ruins, watching and waiting.

The few Feral Vampires scaled the wall, looking up at the sky, almost fervently at something. Something stirred in the clouds that immediately set her on edge. Wispy black fog slowly drifted down from the sky, settling in between all the Feral Vampires. It reformed into the shape of a man, leather armor adorned his body, loose curly brown hair settled just above his shoulders, and worst of all, as Adeline feared, the coldness that descended upon them radiated from him.

Vampiric features masked whatever human part of him used to be there, but that didn’t stop the familiarity that tickled the back of Adeline’s mind the longer she stared. The new Vampire roared a war cry that the Zombies and Feral Vampires echoed.

Name: ???

Race: ??? Class: Night Reaver

Level: 18

Tier: 2

More questions spurned in her mind when she looked. This thing that arrived looked like a Vampire but its Race was a mystery. Something in her mind clicked, “FULL RETREAT!” She knew she couldn't retake the city with only half her forces, not unless she wanted heavy casualties for little ground gained again.

Her man looked to her for guidance for the new threat that presented itself when they were a safe distance away. Whatever this was, it had her on edge. The new Vampire peered down at them, its crimson eyes filled with hunger, malice, and promise of torment. A few of the other Paladins around her took a step back from the wave of hunger the Vampire eyed them with.

She needed to stall for time until the other half of her forces arrived. She stepped forward; the Zombies watching intently. “I seek honorable single combat with the leader of this siege!” Adeline announced.

The new Vampire jumped down from the high walls, landing with an unnatural grace that didn’t disturb the surrounding terrain. “I am the leader,” The Vampire cruelly smiled.

The tingle in the back of her mind reared its head again when the Vampire approached to meet her in the middle. This Vampire was different in more ways than one from the fact that it wasn't a mindless beast that only craved blood. It materialized a longsword, adding more to the absurdity.

“A Vampire that has a Class and can use an Inventory,” She thought to herself as she walked to her own midpoint. Her man cheered her on as she strode forth, her unbroken resolve to end this as quickly as possible trampled any doubts she had.

The closer she got, the more familiar looking the Vampire became, almost as if. . .

“Aldrin?” Adeline whispered. Her mind halted like it had been struck by lightning. Tears brimmed in her eyes as her mind tried to understand.