Only the elite demonic beasts chose to change into their Giant Beast Forms in order to bring out the best of their abilities that they couldn't in their Human Forms. The weaker demonic beasts knew in their hearts that even if they changed into Giant Beast Forms, they won't be of much help. As the Giant Beasts and their respective armies from both sides started attacking each other, two distinctive strategies were displayed by each side's actions. While most of one side's Giant Beasts stopped attacking the regular demonic beasts and instead aimed for the other side's Giant Beasts, most of the other side's Giant Beasts attacked and purposely aimed at the unchanged warriors. Now one may deduce that the Giant Beasts who appeared to be shameless and attacking weaker demonic beasts were from the Three Majors and the Giant Beasts who appeared righteous and fair were from the Great Alliance. Sadly, that was not the case.
Surprisingly, the side that appeared to be righteous and fair were from the Three Majors. They, given their stubborn and prideful personality, could not bring it upon themselves to attack weaker demonic beasts as per their customs, such actions were considered cowardly. And the side that appeared to be shameless were from the Great Alliance. This was because they were more realistic on things like the war they're fighting. Because of their inferiority in power, they decide to compensate that with more kills. By killing off the weaker ones first, they would be able to decrease morale, cause confusion, and quickly focus on the stronger ones without worry of being attacked by a lucky shot from a weaker demonic beast.
"Cowards! Fight us like real warriors!" The Giant Beasts of the Three Majors roared upon seeing what the other side was doing.
They rushed over to fend off the Giant Beasts, but as if the Great Alliance knew what they were going to do next, the Thunder Lizards cast wave upon wave of paralyzing lightning attacks, slowing down the Giant Beasts. The paralyzing effects of the lightning attacks though separately were only able to slow down the Giant Beasts, but stacked were able to paralyze them long enough for the Mud Wyrms to make another wave of attacks in order to whittle down the enemies' defenses and health. As the Giant Beasts of the Great Alliance continued to wipe out the weaker demonic beasts, most of them panicked and changed into their Giant Beast Forms in order to increase their strength even by a little. However, this was a bad move on their part. Not only do they not contribute to any increase in fighting power for their side, but they also took up a lot of space and got in the way of the other Giant Beasts. The Great Alliance took advantage of this disorder and attacked the entangled and helpless Giant Beasts.
Many died and more wounded with the first wave of attacks. Gradually, the Three Majors were able to regroup and fight back. After several clashes, the Great Alliance took victory. However, both sides suffered major losses. The Three Majors suffered the most losses. Both the Sharpfang's Patriarch and the Fiery Boarhead's Patriarch died in the battle. The young Patriarch of the Deathblooms, along with his warriors, retreated and used the other two families to cover their retreat. What started out with 2000 warriors had decreased to a mere 703 warriors. There were 301 Fiery Boarheads and 402 Sharpfangs left. That was how many alive...but when the Fiery Boarheads and some of the more weak-willed Sharpfangs saw the retreating Deathblooms, they too decided to sneak away and desert the battlefield...leaving only about 200 Sharpfang warriors left.
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Of course, like the Three Majors, the Great Alliance also suffered heavy losses. Of their over 2500 warriors, they've lost 1850 warriors. There were only 1 Deerkin alive - the Patriarch, 114 Fiercejaws excluding their Patriarch, 127 Pincherheads excluding their Patriarch, 32 Mud Wyrms including their Patriarch, 149 Thunder Lizards excluding both their Patriarch and his eldest son, and 227 Toxic Razortails including Matriarch Sheila and Sherul. Unfortunately, many elders including Elder Croa had perished in the battle. Matriarch Sheila had lost an eye and had received damage to her mana core, essentially causing her to drop a level.
Technically, this was a victory for the Great Alliance, but it felt like defeat. Matriarch Sheila walked up to the collapsed and tired Novile. With a sharp kick, she send the Sharpfang tumbling towards a tree trunk.
"H-how? We had better...stronger warriors...." Novile mumbled to himself but apparently it was loud enough for the demonic beasts nearby to hear it.
"Simple. We used our brains. I could guess, ever since your renewed alliance with the Fiery Boarheads, that you would plan for a war like this. That's why I had hurriedly met with all of the minor families in hopes of acquiring help." Matriarch Sheila sneered.
"I know this dammit! I had spies everywhere!"
"Yes, I know. I made sure to feed your spies false information. They may know that we made a successful alliance with four families...but they didn't know about our alliance with the Mud Wyrms. Not to mention, the secret training and planning our warriors did in preparation for the war. Your spies had no clue of any of it."
"So that's why you were able to move in such an orderly and controlled fashion...."
"Exactly. And that's also how you Three Majors weren't able to coordinate your attacks with each other, causing disorder and clumsiness. In other words...we were prepared, you weren't."
"Dammit!"
"Hmph! You have lost. Surrender now."
"Hehe...we may have lost here...but I'm sure we had won over there." Novile snickered as he spat out a mouthful of blood.
"What do you mean? Where's over there?"
"Your H-O-M-E-S."
"Our homes...?"
"Like you...I had also used my brains."
"What are you...? No!" Matriarch Sheila realized something. She looked at the other leaders of their families and saw that they too realized that something was wrong. She turned back to Novile and roared, "What did you do to our homes!"
"We gave each of your homes a little surprise...well, at least five of you that is. You see, I too had made an small alliance with a group outside the Three Major Families."
"No! Sherul! Have a few watch over them. The rest, follow me!" Matriarch Sheila ordered. "Respective Patriarchs and new Patriarchs, your homes may be in danger. You should go and check. Patriarch Mud Wyrm, I'll trouble you to help Patriarch Deerkin."
After sending the other families off, Matriarch Sheila quickly headed back to their dwelling along with a hundred warriors. Upon arriving, they were shocked and depressed at the sight.
..........
A few hours ago....
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"I hope Aunt Sheila and them will win." Aldred prayed as he helped with the evacuation of the young. "Come along kids, get in here. Just think of this as a drill."
Suddenly, Skaal stood up frantically, his senses on high alert. "I sense something...ominous."
"What is it, Skaal?" Julia asked as she peered outside of the dwelling. "I don't see anything."
"Careful!" Aldred bellowed as he pushed Julia out of the way. An Ice Spear flew to where Julia was at a few moments ago. "Everyone! Get to the bunker, we're under attack!"