The Great Wall was well within their sights, standing between the wide mountain pass that connected the corner of the forest to the rest of Stusis. To get into the heart of the country, the Resistance must break through the Dragonborn’s rampart.
The loss of half a forest impacted them more than anticipated. Most Scalemen diet consisted of meat. Days after the forest fire was extinguished, their hunting became less successful each day with many of trophies taken by the wildfire. The Droics they domesticated were too few to feed the mouths of thousands.
“Grumpy one, are you sure about this? If we don’t manage to break through this battle, it’d be the last of us. They will take our loss to counterattack, and we’ll have nowhere to go.”
“What’s worse, we only made two cannons in that time.” Krullu added. “To think the wall has already advanced this much.”
From the last time Kihet properly looked at the mega structure it was fifteen stories tall. That height has been nearly doubled and reached as tall as the cliffs. There was no moat, no watchtower, but its receded entrance made a direct strike at its weakest part difficult. At the top, they installed machicolations to prevent a ram from freely battering down the gates.
The front was complete, but he remembered the backside being exposed. It should’ve been impossible for the wall to be built on such a rapid pace. The Dragonkins probably reallocated their resources to complete the face of the wall. It could also be temporarily reinforced by earth magic which made him hesitant to reveal his trump card at the beginning of the battle.
“I would argue it’s Alc’Bruk that’s worse.” Draigh frowned. “He’s sure to be expecting us.”
“And if we all try to rush for the gate, his breath can annihilate all of us.” Lily chimed in.
Kihet heard their worries but didn’t particularly concern himself with it.
From his previous interaction with Alc’Bruk, the Dragonborn desired strong opponents. He would toy with his enemies to test their worth and once their entertainment value was lost, will he then annihilate them. After the display of humiliating his zealots, if Alc’Bruk were to find Kihet there was no doubt he would become a priority to be challenged to a duel.
The chance for an immediate wipe out was not zero. Kihet chose a second route of attack and had people working on it.
“Who says we’re rushing?” Kihet stepped to the front of the group. “In case you all forgot, I’ll debrief everyone on their roles again to make sure we’re on the same page.”
First off, Lily was in charge to relay information using Shikigamis she’s able to animate. Once Kihet determined the weak points of the wall, she will then assist with lining up shots using the cannons to target the gates. Of course, as the one who built them, Krullu will manage team of operators to load them with Tama and Ainig supporting Lily.
Draigh and Carmyn will direct the main force to act as diversion for the first phase. While the enemy focused on them, Kihet, Aten, Yizdra and Hilaqi will split into two groups to infiltrate and try to capture the top of the ramparts, working their way down to disable siege weapons.
At most, they could survive a week trying to test the defense of the Great Wall before they were forced to engage it. They would bombard it with boulders and found the structure incredibly sturdy although they could only hit the lower half of it.
“Oracle,” Hilaqi snaked next to him. “The ladder isss halfway complete. It would take one more day to complete.”
“We’re on schedule. That’s good.”
“Must a ssspellcaster like me be okay to leave the main force?”
“With Draigh and the Tortoise Folks, they should be fine. You’re more needed up there since you’re going to play an important opening role.”
“Important, me?”
“Something wrong with that?”
“No.” Hilaqi shook his head. “However, Oracle. I do have sssomething weighing my mind. I would asssk Yizdra or Holy Draigh, however they are preoccupied with important tasksss of their own.”
“I have a few seconds. Make it quick.”
“I only wish whenever an opportunity arisesss, allow me to take the head of Kaz’Bruk.”
Kaz’Bruk, Alc’Bruk’s blood brother and the leader who brought Kihet through the borders into Stusis. Although he was often outshone by Alc’Bruk, Kaz’Bruk did prove to be a capable warrior. The chance that Dragonkin would appear in this battle was certain. It only depends how likely Kihet would encounter him.
“Is he your sworn enemy?”
“Yesss. I hold a deep grudge against that Dragonkin. Only when his life is sssnuffed out by my hand, ssshall then end my torment.”
“Let’s see how things play out. However, you are to strictly put my orders as your priority. I will give you the chance if we meet him.”
“I am grateful. I ssshan’t take up more of your precious time, Oracle.” Hilaqi bowed as he slithered away.
Currently, the Scalemen possessed half the population to be soldiers, but was impossible to bring all their numbers as the Dragonkins weren’t the only threat. Fortunately, that threat which prevented Kihet from massing the full force of Scalemen applied to the Dragonkins as well. As the enemy controlled most of Stusis, they had more Tower Monsters to worry about.
Still, with a force of six hundred, could he hope to tear down the wall?
Watching the wall, he noticed a pair of transparent wings beat, kicking dust. After the smoke cleared up, Aten appeared before him with his slate.
“Feeling better?”
[I apologize. Thanks.]
“Just remember if something’s on your mind, you can let us know.”
[Will be transparent. Odds?]
“Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t even know how to conduct proper battles, but we’re up against someone who has tons of experience.”
From previous battles, he always had people who were experts at commanding people to advise him. The Resistance were built up of amateurs and strong cards he could play, but deep down he was afraid to lose any of them.
“Kihet. There’s something I want to talk to you about.” The one who called to him was Carmyn. “What are the chances of the other Oracle showing up?”
“Aten.”
[Have not seen.]
Still? Was the Dragonborn that confident he didn’t report it? Kihet knew Elius and the other Oracle were clearing dungeons up north. Assuming word had reached them, they would at least want to know why there were two Oracles. Since they’re not here, that gave the Scalemen better odds of success.
“Carmyn, how are things by Draigh’s side.”
“He’s giving a speech to boost the morale. He also said knowing you, you’re bad at them so he took it upon himself.”
“That’s one difference about us. He was always the outgoing one.” Kihet sounded happy, but his face remained emotionless as usual. “I need to check how Lily’s doing. It’s almost time.”
And the battle began after the first boulder made contact into the wall.
Breaking through the defenders was harder than it seemed. The battle of Ilum mines was proof defenders had the advantage as they held off Rozzosea long enough until reinforcements came.
The enemy had ballistae and catapults lined along the wall. With their height advantage, their projectiles easily reach the Scalemen who entrenched themselves. With the dark clouds providing darkness as cover, the enemy’s hit rate was abysmal. So was the Scalemen, but their aim was to damage the wall as much as they could and if their projectiles hit, it was fine. The time spent throwing stones at each other did give Kihet a sense how well defended the enemy was.
“It’s time. Let’s hurry. Stay low and move fast.”
Kihet and Yizdra, along with swift moving Nagas kept to the shadows where they could easily see enemy positions on top of the wall. If they could take and maintain control, the Scalemen would have an easier time storming the gate.
Like them, they encountered enemies lying in wait above the cliffs. It was likely there were ambushers on the other side of the mountain pass and a messenger was sent immediately to warn others below. Fortunately, none of them were seen and their staircase weren’t discovered. Kihet’s group made quick work of them, discovering the ambushers were Pamalyraian sellswords. The Nagas with their long bodies constricted the enemy movements, strangling them until their strength faded then killed them.
He expected Dragonkins to have a warriors prepared to fly down to engage the Scalemen once it was time. Examining the equipment, Pamalyra mercenaries were stocked with arrows. Perhaps they were going pepper them and throw their chain of order in disarray.
“Oracle, we are nearing the wall. Once we make our move, we will be exposed.”
“They’ll focus more on us, and the main army can attack the gates.”
“We are ready but is this alright? What if Hilaqi accidentally hits you?”
“He said he can control how the spell moves but can’t stop it. So, that’s the plan.”
Since there was a large time lag between communicating between the two infiltrating groups, Lily suggested a signal to begin their attack. It was agreed when a flaming boulder at a set time smashed into the wall was when both teams breeched the top of the wall.
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Kihet suddenly heard a melody of magic, a song only his kind could hear when someone within vicinity was preparing a spell and prepared himself. Six spikes of stones twist like branches, growing incredibly fast the top of the rampart from one end to another, ultimately stopped when the tips touched the Oracle’s flames. It was scary how much control Hilaqi had over the spell as the Naga spellcaster annihilated everything before him although he couldn’t end the spell at whim. He destroyed all the siege equipment and skewered the enemies, not leaving a single foe for the cleanup crew.
But he had no time to be praising people. Everyone immediately leapt into action, blocking enemies climbing the flight of stairs.
“They’re flying up!”
It wasn’t long until the Dragonkins realized the Scalemen captured the top and sent flyers to retake it.
“Aten, I need you to take care of them! Archers, support him!”
On command, Aten took a running leap off the wall and met the Dragonkins flying up. His compound eyes reflected everything in front of him and chose the order of his targets to eliminate. Lizardmen and Naga archers aimed down the wall. With the arrows they took from the mercenaries hiding on cliffs, it helped them suppress the enemy from closing on the captured area.
Just as Kihet expected. One thirds of the backside was exposed. That was how the Dragonkins were able to raise the thirty-meter wall. There were signs of earth magic reinforcing the structure, but there were too many enemies holding the stairway for him to get in.
Except for the Dragonkins keeping Aten busy, they’ve only encountered Pamalyrian mercenaries. It was the same scenario as previous battles when he was freeing slaves.
“Push!”
On the other side, Yizdra and her band of Lizardmen formed a shield wall at the top. Lizardmen were inherently stronger than Pamalyrians and soon broke into the floor below. The enemy came crashing down and were forced to retreat to the lower floors.
“Floor secured, Oracle!”
“We’ll keep our momentum. On my signal.”
Kihet revealed a cylindrical wooden tube, holding the fuse next to a burning torch. and raced to the start of the staircase. He sniped a Werewolf’s head and immediately lifted his cloak over his face. Blinding light filled the entire floor and dazzled the enemy.
“Go!” Along with other Scalemen rushing from the other flight of stairs, Kihet and other Nagas descended on the enemy.
As they fought their way down each floor, they met with less resistance. It was all too easy, but it was unsettling. The mercenaries were scattered. They have no leader commanding them. In no time, they seized the enemies’ ballistic devices. There was nothing left to stop them from revealing their artillery.
It was time to give the signal for Lily and others to bombard the gate, but then he heard weeping from downstairs.
Was it more enemies? If so, he could call a bombardment on the floor one level below. Before he flashed the Oracle’s flames, he took a quick peek.
The entire eighth floor was populated with slaves locked behind bars. However, a familiar scent tickled his nose, recognizing the barrels stacked across the room was filled with explosives and flammables. In the middle, the warden, a Dragonkin, opened its maw. An orange glow grew more intense as it crawled up its throat.
His eyes widened. It was a trap.
“For Crimson!”
“Get out of here-!”
As Kihet was about to throw himself back up, a hand burst out of the wooden stairs. It snatched him by the ankle and dragged him down to the seventh floor.
The impact made him blacked out for a second.
“Kuh… Shit.”
“Wake up, Faker. I am disappointed you would dare fall asleep at this moment.”
Kihet snapped awake after hearing the continuous sound of metal clashing outside. His hazy eyes slowly adjusted to his surroundings as he pushed his upper half off the ground and looked towards the figure sitting on a grand throne at the other side of the room.
Kihet sat upright and held his head waiting for the headache to subside. After his body adapted to the pain throbbing all over his body, Kihet once again focused on the voice bellowing to him.
“Alc’Bruk…!”
The Crimson bodied Dragonborn wore a new set of lustrous onyx plated armor. Before, it only covered the chest, but now he even had gauntlets and leggings made from the same hard material. There were also two new deadly weapons leaning against the throne. It was a set of deer horn knives equipped with serrated blades and the ends curved in like the tip of a billhook axe.
“Yes, that is my name. Does it inflict fear to your very soul?”
“You could’ve killed me. What’s your game?”
“My game?” Alc’bruk began chuckling. “To others, it is to isolate the leader from the enemy. In truth, I prepared this trap to set the score straight. I want revenge. You stole my victory over conquering Stusis.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not all that strong.”
“We shall see.”
Alc’Bruk stepped down from the throne dragging his weapons along with him. Once he saw Kihet lift a sword, the Dragonborn paused to ponder about something for a moment.
“No. That will not do. There is a vast difference in our equipment. I demand you to use your best weapon. Show me that spear and sword amalgamation you possess.”
“Are you kidding me? There’s not enough room for me to swing that thing here.”
“I have done so much to put you in this situation. One more couldn’t hurt. Then so be it!”
He unleashed a war cry and raised his chakrams. With a few powerful strikes, he demolished the floor beneath them and caused the both of them to drop down to a wider arena.
“Dammit. Is everyone that crazy to fight me?”
“This should be enough. Now draw!”
----------------------------------------
An incredible explosion with a sound of a vacuum shook the air. It didn’t come from their cannons as Kihet has yet given the signal. Counting up each level of arrowslits, the explosion came from the eighth floor. The level was consumed in raging flames filled with screams of agony.
The others thought it must be the Oracle’s doing, but Lily thought otherwise.
Suddenly, the gates opened.
“Alright! Kihet did it! Get ready to charge in!” Draigh cheered.
“No wait! Kihet would’ve sent a message a signal if we didn’t need to use the cannons!” Lily made a fist. “Something must’ve happened. Just in case, Krullu, are the cannons primed?”
“They are.”
“Carmyn, Ainig, I need the two of you to turn them towards the gate now.”
“C’mon, Ainig.” Krullu lightly kicked the Tortoise’s foot. “Stop being scared and be useful.”
“O-okay!”
Lily was the most perceptive of everyone around her. Even under the night sky where it was hard for many to see, she able to see general shapes of where everyone was. The flames above the gate provided enough light for her to make out the shape crawling out of the gates.
It wasn’t Kihet.
“Ready!”
“Fire!”
They heard a violent screech as two cannonballs pulverize whoever stood at the front of the gate. Seconds later, the sound of flesh being ripped, bones cracking reached their ears. Its wings spread apart. Familiar jet-black pinons shed from it.
“SKREEEEE!”
The creature unleashed a bloody curling screech fading.
“Tama, please tell me what I heard at is just my imagination.” Lily shrieked.
“Unfortunately, it is nyot.” The Werecat shook her head. “Nyie was wondering where it went, but to think it’s being used against us.”
“W-what are you two talking about?” Krullu asked. “Surely, it’s dead. N-nothing can survive that! I hope you two are joking!”
“It’s coming!”
Its long neck stretched out and its head aimed for one of the cannons. It was about to destroy the wagon carrying it when suddenly, a large shield came down like a guillotine and smashed the snake head into the ground to fine pulp.
“Heh! This guy?” Draigh smirked. “Don’t know why its’s called an Immortal when it’s so weak.”
“It’s not dead yet!”
“I appreciate the warning, Tomoe. It’s not my first time fightin’ it!”
After lifting his shield up, Draigh ran up to the body and threw his fist into the creature’s ribcage, sending it tumbling. The monster laid still for a few seconds then a new head quickly grew out of its neck. A giant arrow immediately pierced the creature’s wings and pinned to the ground.
“I only saw Behemoths but nothing like this with this much regenerative power.” Carmyn said, nocking another arrow.
“Umm… This is bad, nya. We have company from behind!”
The Immortal wasn’t their only foe. Torches lit up and spread across the skies like will o wisps. The enemy did not come from the wall, but from the forest behind.
“They snuck behind us! How?!” Lily was sure to have lookouts in the forest to warn of them of any potential threats, but she received no warning.
The sudden emergence of their enemy didn’t bode too well for the Scalemen. Archers panicked by peppering the Dragonkins with arrows that were easily deflected. Their desperation only served to cause their morale to severely drop after the Dragonkins swooped down at them.
“Are they’re after my babies?” Krullu shrieked. “Not good. Not good! We have to reload! Tama, give me a hand! Tama?”
“Brace yourselves! They’re diving down!” Carmyn warned, launching one arrow after another with her great bow. “What about the monster?!”
“I’ll handle it!” Draigh cracked his fist. “Now that we revealed our hand, it’s all or nothing! You guy keep the cannons safe!”
It seemed the Resistance was able to regroup, but Lily knew their ranks were collapsing with everything thrown at them at once. Draigh split from the army to keep the monster from terrorizing the Scalemen, but they were being decimated by the sudden overwhelming numbers of Dragonkins ambushing their rear.
“Brothers, burn everything to ashes!”
“They’re going to land! Shields, face towards the rear!” Carmyn commanded. “Take cover!”
The Dragonkins opened with a curtain of breath attack to create a landing area. Tortoise folk and their massive shields sheltered those who were close to them.
“Heretics, heed me! I am Kaz’Bruk, blood brother of the Crimson’s wrath! Today marks the day of your end!”
The Dragonkin known as Kaz’Bruk cut through the curtain of fire with his burning glaive and lunged at a Tortoise guarding several Scalemen behind it. The blade of his weapon glowed orange as if it was heated by the forge and sliced apart the reinforced shield like butter. Kaz’Bruk immediately took his stance, aimed, and skewered the shield bearer.
“Though my blood brother is many times stronger than I, there is nothing you Scalemen can do against me. Accept this mercy for I will end your weak and pitiful existence!”
“What about me?”
Two axes arced down one after another, hacked against the shaft of Kaz’Bruk’s glaive. The Dragonkin leader grinned learning his foe was not a Scalemen he looked down upon, but a Rozzalian.
“You. I see. You were the one who escaped with the Devil Folks.” Kaz’Bruk braced himself. “I have been wanting to test my skills against a Giant.”
“Sorry, but this is not a duel. It’s a battlefield.”
Suddenly, Kaz’Bruk heard the wind being cut and backstepped away from two projectiles nearly biting into his neck. The arrows came from opposite directions. He noticed an archer stood beside the Giant with two horns on her head.
“What kind of trickery is this? No archer I knew of, not even the best could manipulate the trajectory of arrows like you did.”
Lily remained quiet and nocked her next arrow, aimed at Kaz’Bruk.
“Hmm. The male Devil Folk is absent. I presume he was leading the assault from above the walls. Too predictable.”
“You think you’re so smart.”
Carmyn went in slashing and hacking. The two Dragonkins who got in her way were crushed easily by a Giant’s superhuman strength. Even their weapons they used to block didn’t stand a chance against brute force.
But the weapon Kaz’Bruk held was a relic with enchantments. So long as the wielder had the strength to, the weapon could withstand heavy punishments. Kaz’Bruk continued to skillfully deflect blows that would shatter bones. When it came to performing a counter, Lily denied Kaz’Bruk by launching a flurry of arrows at his flank.
“Magnificent display of skill, young archer. Sadly, this Giant is an hindrance for you to fully showcase your full potential. So I ask, is it wise the male Devil Folk to be left alone? By now, Eldest Brother must’ve pulled him into his grasp as planned.”
“He’s not alone.” Lily curtly responded.
“Surely we’ve taken account of that. We know your insectoid friend is a formidable foe. One with incredibly respect. Which is why Eldest Brother took necessary precautions and assigned the Oracle’s companions to keep the Vivirian at bay.”
“They won’t lose.” Carmyn added.
“Nor my Blood Brother.” Kaz’Bruk glanced over his opponents. “Enough talk. In the name of Crimson, I shall mark your graves!”
Sparks showered from steel clashing.
Carmyn’s movements were more graceful than the average Giant as she chained her attacks continuously, but the Dragonkin blocked each blow. She pushed and pushed, forcing Kaz’Bruk to step back when suddenly the Dragonkin performed a feint. His nimbleness slipped past Carmyn and lunged towards Lily.
“Tomoe!”
“I see him!”
She dodged the first swing, sidestepped the second. When Kaz’Bruk reeled his weapon in preparation of an unavoidable attack, Lily aimed her arrow towards the ground and quickly loosened it.
“Tch!”
By instinct, Kaz’Bruk barely dodged the projectile flying out of the ground. The tip of the arrow nicked his cheek and forced him to roll from two axes arcing towards him.
“I admit. This may be the most difficult challenge I ever faced. May I inquire your names?”
“This isn’t the way to ask for two ladies names.” Carmyn objected. “You have to be more subtle and gentle.”
“I’m afraid our cultural views for that are different. Subtlety and gentle are not a Dragonkin’s strongest trait. Dragonkin women prefer those who could bolster their strength.” Kaz’Bruk sucked in air. “Take this!”
Carmyn found herself facing a cone of flames rushing at her. With a wide swing of her arm, she able to brush it aside but she lost sight of Kaz’Bruk. He wasn’t anywhere on the battlefield, which meant-.
“There!”
Kaz’Bruk tanked Lily’s arrows. He dove straight down from the air and although he landed a blow, managed to cut into the Giant’s pauldrons and shoulder before forced to back away.
“Thanks, you saved me again.” Carmyn covered her bleeding shoulder. It was shallow.
“Kihet told me of your eye. I’ll cover you.”
Although Lily sounded confident, she couldn’t help but worry about Kihet. If Alc’Bruk did get to Kihet as Kaz’Bruk said, there was a chance he could be killed. She wanted to get to Kihet, but it’s not possible with her current situation.
For now, she should take out the leader. As her senses sharpened hearing everything around her, she caught a faint scream in the distance. Then it clicked. It came from Krullu.
“Help! The enemy made it to our cannons!”