As the beasts started fighting against the defenders standing at the front, I was astonished by the sheer variety we faced. Both predator and prey fought side-by-side with unnatural ferocity. It wasn’t just the fastest runners that struck first. Smaller creatures, like rodents or monkeys, rode on the backs of the great cats and other swift creatures that ran at the front of the horde.
Though the shield bearers were clearly already low on mana after repelling the titan, they did what they could to hold back the onslaught. Defenders armed with spears and blades fought alongside them as those with magic or ranged weapons struck from the shelter of my barrier.
Stones continued to rain down on us, striking bodies indiscriminately. I stretched my barrier to cover as many people as I could, but I could only protect so many. I was forced to watch as a woman was struck down by a rock the size of her head.
Fortunately, the rain of stones couldn't harm our largest fighter. The slightly battered golem tore a gory swath through everything that got near it. It charged up and down the front of the line, taking pressure off our defenders wherever they started to falter.
Unfortunately, the beasts had colossal fighters of their own. Three more titans waded through the massing bodies. One was an enormous bird striding along on powerful legs. Another was what once may have been a grune, though it stood on six thick limbs and had twisting horns sprouting from all across its massive body. I couldn’t guess what the last one once was. It resembled a tall, feathered alligator with long claws and an almost monkey-like tail.
The giants did not bode well for our chances. It was both strange and fortunate that almost none of the monsters were using magic of their own. With so many different creatures gathered in one place, many more of them should have had deadly magical abilities.
I was distracted from the oddity by a loud sound from behind. It was similar to the sound the cannons made when activated, but much louder and deeper.
Evidently, there was some sort of powerful weapon back in camp that I had been unaware of. So powerful in fact, that the bird-like titan’s head vanished from the top of its long neck after being struck by the unexpected attack.
“Oh good, someone’s manning the ships.” A man next to me remarked as he launched another arrow into the horde.
More and more beasts clashed with our defenders as a number of the flying creatures began to dive down to attack as well. I knocked aside an angry parrot with my spear as a purple mark flashed in the corner of my vision.
My most recent boon had finished integrating. Being able to analyze magic using my simulation seemed helpful, but not terribly feasible in the middle of combat. Feeling the magical effect on the attacking beasts, I could only wish that I had a chance to make use of the new boon.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Momentarily distracted, I didn’t see the enormous bat swooping down towards me until it was too late for me to react. Unfortunately for the bat, I was not alone. Someone leapt over my head to intercept the beast.
“We seem to be having some rather unpleasant weather today.” Salvador remarked as he landed. “It’s almost like the sky is falling.”
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Interlude 23: All hands on deck
While the battle raged on, the camp’s noncombatants took shelter where they could. Some were late to do so, having trusted the strength of the walls. Doc Lorance was quite busy patching up the bruised and battered people who were unfortunate enough to catch some of the falling stones. Catherine considered herself lucky that the worst she got was a small bump on her side from a bouncing rock.
“That shouldn’t have been possible.” She complained. “Even a dragon shouldn’t have been able to punch through that barrier.”
“They must have done something to alter the barrier itself. That would explain how the wall tore itself apart.” Michel, another rune carver, observed.
“That’s one big snake.” Maria, the washerwoman remarked looking out the door at the ruins of the wall.
“Seriously? There are really things the size of sea monsters in this sun-scorched jungle?” Someone cursed. “The only weapons we have that could harm something that scorching big are on the ships. Everyone authorized to use those is already out fighting.”
“I’m sure our fighters will be fine, I picked a number of them myself after all.” The smug botanist stated confidently. His expression changed drastically as a large stone crashed through the roof of a nearby building. “My plants! Never mind the normal rules! You lot, you make the magic toys work, right? I authorize you to go make those vile creatures pay for what they’ve done!”
Catherine didn’t need any further encouragement. She always wanted to try firing the big cannon. “Let’s go.”
Ducking from building to building to avoid the worst of the falling rocks and occasional bird attack, Catherine and her fellow rune carvers worked their way to the docks. Along the way, they enlisted a few slaves to come help with the heavy lifting.
Fortunately, the ships themselves had shielding of their own, unaffected by the collapse of the camp’s barrier. It was one of the other main reasons Catherine was willing to brave the barrage to relocate.
Setting up at the front of the ship, Michel guided the slaves through loading a huge metal ball into the front of the cannon. “Looks like that snake’s gone, but I see at least a few more big guys out there. Anyone feel confident in their aim?”
“I’ve got this.” Catherine volunteered with a huge grin.
After countless hours helping maintain the runes on the weapon, Catherine had longed to try using the massive anti-sea monster cannon herself. With her chance finally at hand, she gleefully took aim at one of the colossal beasts.
The resounding thump as she fired was momentarily deafening. The ringing in her ears was not enough to drown out the cheers of her fellows though.
“Perfect shot! How did you pull that off?” One asked.
“Pure skill.” She brazenly lied, not admitting that she had been aiming for a completely different monster.