Chapter 150 Teil Of Darkness.
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"Lily, wake up! The sun has risen!" I gently roused Lily from her sleep, and she groggily made her way to a basin to wash her face. After freshening up, she dressed in her tunic and armor, then attached her scabbard with her saber to her waist. She then secured her buckler on her back before heading towards the gate, where Alistar, Edelweiss, Ghander, and fifty elven soldiers were waiting.
"Lily, are you ready?" Alistar inquired.
"Yes!"
"Good. I'm glad there aren't any deserters. I am proud to lead you today," Alistar said with a smile as he counted his men.
"Yes, sir." The soldiers saluted firmly, their hands rising crisply to their chests. Smiles of loyalty adorned their faces, their commitment unquestionable.
"Lily!" Mark and Rick approached us, accompanied by Alith and Sana.
"Yes?"
"Can we join you as well? My mercenary group wants to witness the end of the undead," Mark expressed.
"I also wish to accompany you! It was challenging for us when you were away on dangerous missions while we remained in the fort! You are our lord!" added Lhorne, Alith, and Sana.
"Yes! We want to come too!" chimed in the Tailfolk men.
"Everyone..." Lily's voice trembled with emotion. Alistar also smiled, but he had to decline their request.
"I'm sorry, but this mission requires a more stealthy approach. We cannot bring all of you with us. Even the fifty soldiers we have now are stretching it. As for Lhorne, Alith, and Sana, you are vital for Edenthal and their army's chain of command. We cannot afford to lose you. I didn't even bring Rhegar here. Please understand," Alistar explained softly, regret tinged in his words as he acknowledged their sense of solidarity.
"I understand," Lhorne nodded, handing his quiver containing the beacon to Alistar. "I pray for your success without any casualties."
"Thank you," Alistar nodded in gratitude. He bid them farewell, saying, "Okay, wish us luck, gentlemen."
"See you!" Lily waved at them as if setting off on a leisurely outing. The serious atmosphere suddenly transformed into a cheerful one. As we mounted our horses and rode towards the darkened lands, the sight of the ashen fort left us with a sense of nostalgia.
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The dark lands were as foul and horrifying as ever. The moment we entered, a heavy sense of corruption enveloped us, hindering every step we took. The plains appeared dark brown, with black patches scattered throughout, emanating an eerie black mist.
"Edel! Where is the source of the leakage?" Alistar asked her. She retrieved a round device, pouring her mana into it. The device emitted a small beam of light that flew toward a direction in the dark lands, vanishing a moment later as its mana ran out.
"That way," she replied, pointing in the direction the light had gone.
We followed her guidance and encountered a group of undead horse riders, but our entourage swiftly dealt with them. Finally, we arrived at the source of the leakage, situated in the middle of a plain with no discernible features. However, we noticed a cloaked figure sitting upon it.
Wight: The Undead General
The undead general stood before its countless minions, a terrifying manifestation of undeath that threatened all living beings. Wherever it stood, a dark miasma polluted the air, and anything living near it would soon join its horde of minions.
Wight was the highest rank that an undead skeleton could achieve. It had the ability to summon numerous skeletons and was resistant to fire. It excelled in both magic and close combat.
"Who are you!" Alistar shouted, his question sounding more like a threat. Everyone drew their swords except for Edelweiss, who readied her staff. The figure turned towards us, clad in black, and its teeth clacked together as if laughing at us.
With a wave of its hand, the earth trembled, and a swarm of undead rose up from the ground, marching toward us. Alistar gestured, and soon the two groups collided. Lily dashed to the forefront, moving as if she were flying towards the black figure, with Alistar following closely behind.
Her saber flashed from its scabbard like a shooting star, aiming for the skeleton's skull. A resounding boom echoed, and her blade was deflected as if it had struck an invisible metallic wall. Alistar swung his broadaxe, producing an even louder boom, with sparks flying in every direction.
We stood there stunned as the skeleton continued to laugh. However, I took charge and seized the opportunity, shooting a firebolt like a gunslinger. The fireball was tiny and swift, but it was blocked by the barrier. Nevertheless, the barrier visibly cracked at the point of impact, accompanied by another booming sound.
"It's either weak to magic or fire! Lily! Edel! Ram it while we provide support!" Alistar shouted, swiftly changing his position and charging forward, then pulling back to swiftly eliminate the encroaching skeletons. His wide swings cut down the foes, causing them to dissipate into thin air, leaving nothing behind.
Lily wasted no time once we discovered the weakness. I swished my tail, launching a barrage of fireballs that engulfed the black skeletons. The clattering skeletons transformed from glee to agony as the fires relentlessly assaulted the shield, cracking it until it shattered. As soon as it did, Lily rushed toward the undead figure.
"Lily, stop!" Edelweiss shouted, and she obeyed without hesitation. She had known Edelweiss for a long time and never doubted her words. In less than half a second, she altered her course and changed her attack. In response, a barrage of stone pillars descended, crushing the undead from above. The undead met its demise for the second time, dissipating into thin air along with everything it had summoned.
Silence filled the area as we surveyed our surroundings. An eerie stillness hung in the atmosphere before Edelweiss spoke. "Does anyone require healing?"
"No, we must seal the leakage first," Alistar stated.