Elendria’s POV, 8:00 am, second morning of the wave
“Elendria.”
“Ashe.” I nodded at our wall leader as I took another bite of breakfast. “What’s up?”
“Might have an issue developing, care to take a look?”
“Damnit.” I growled. “I hope it develops fast, I was looking forward to breakfast.” Instead of leisurely eating like I wanted, I practically inhaled the porridge as fast as I could. Less than a minute later and I was wiping my mouth and following Ashe to the wall.
“I was hoping you might be able to see a bit better than me. Can you smell it?”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “Smoke. And the faintest whiff of rotten eggs with it. I can’t quite see it over the trees, but it is definitely coming. Looks like Brian was right about the volcano guardian coming to town.”
“Great.” Ashe groaned. “I’m doubling the watch. Is there anything you can do that won’t cause you to lose a bunch of mana?”
“I can summon some creatures and let them fight for me.” I said. “My regen will drop, but it shouldn’t be too much of an issue. I think the lizard is going to take its time and use the burning forest to flush everything it can at us.”
“I think you are right. Go ahead and summon your creatures then, and here.” He handed me a dark blue potion. “Just in case you aren’t at full when the guest of honor arrives. This is the strongest mana potion I have.”
“Thanks.” I said, and watched for a second as he walked away. Smart, to go around and gradually increase people on duty instead of calling for it. No need to panic some of the youngsters. “Come, my frostlings. It has been far too long since I have allowed you to frolic in this world.” Summonings felt drastically different than most spells. With the normal spell, everything was automatic, there was no feeling. As my mana followed the linkage of the contract, I could feel the joy of my otter friends on the other side. Normally I would only summon a few, but today was not normal. If I needed more, I would have to dismiss the ones summoned and wait at least an hour before summoning again. So I went and used over half my mana to summon the entire warrior and spellcaster ranks, ten of each.
“My how you all have grown!” I chuckled as I was swarmed with furry happiness. Each one striving to touch me or rub their fur against me. “Easy friends, easy. We have time to greet each other properly! But first, I must tell you of the reason you were all summoned.” At that, they broke away into a circle around me, and I got a good look at them. The warriors only had a metallic helmet and metal claws to enhance their striking, but that was deceptive. They could all summon icy armor to protect themselves, as well as create an icy aura that slowed down the enemy. The spellcasters were slightly smaller and lacked any equipment, but that didn’t make them any less deadly. While they didn’t have a large pool of powerful magics to draw upon, their ability to pool resources and synergize with each other was unmatched. Most enemies wouldn’t flinch if an ice javelin or two came their way. They would turn tail and flee if twenty or thirty did, if one of the otters hadn’t already frozen their feet to the ground.
“My dear friends, an enemy approaches from the west. He has emerged from his lair of smoke and flame, using fear to drive the creatures of the forest against us. He hopes to wear us down, so that he may burn and feast upon us. What he doesn’t realize, is that we stand against him. Will you help me and mine as we break the tide of forest creatures? Will you guard me, that I might marshall my strength, and unleash it upon the foolish lizard?”
The entire group started chittering and hooting, bouncing up and down in excitement. “I knew I could count on you. Spellcasters, split into three groups and position yourselves along the wall. Support the archers and mages already there. Warriors, position yourselves as you will. Guard those who attack from range against any enemy that manages to get within your range. Spare none.” The group swirled around me, each otter taking the time to run beneath my hands before surging off to their assigned positions. Those who had never seen them in battle might think them cute, as they bounced along, slamming their front feet into the stone. The hours ahead will change their minds.
“Impressive summoning.” Ashe said, having waited patiently for the area around me to clear. “Anything we can do to help them out?”
“Avoid fire magics if you can.” I said with a shrug. “Lightning is ok. The warriors will take care of anything that reaches the wall, and as soon as the lizard starts getting close all of them will activate their auras to combat any heat it brings forth.”
“Perfect.” Ashe said. “I’ll pass the word along.” He hesitated for a second, before turning back. “I’ve always heard there is a strong bond between summoner and summoned. I was just wondering, will they be ok? Especially if they get hurt here?”
“They’ll be fine.” I said with a gentle smile. “They can’t be killed on this plane unless it is under exceedingly rare circumstances.”
“Thank the gods.” He said. “That makes me feel a lot better.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Heidi’s POV, 9:00 am, second morning of the wave
“You Heidi?” I heard over my shoulder.
“Yep.” I agreed.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Lawrence, your replacement. What’ve we got?”
“Nothing too much to report.” I said, finally turning to see my replacement. He was an older man, hair just turning grey. “Had some lizard types try the defenses. They don’t dodge too well if you target the lower back area, and are fairly swift to bleed out after. Mostly traveled solo rather than groups.”
“Thanks. Go get some sleep, you look knackered.”
“Sounds good to me. Take care.” I said, getting a grunt from him. I was heading back to my cot area when a familiar voice called out.
“Heidi! Looks like you could use some breakfast.” Carrigan called out to me.
“Oh bless you, you beautiful man! Yes, I most definitely could use some breakfast. Wait, what’s this?”
“Third watch is always hell, so I figured you could use a treat.”
“Treat? You brought me breakfast that doesn’t have any turtle in it! Not only that, but you got bacon! Real bacon! No turtle was a treat, at this rate you’ll end up the father of my children.” I laughed, greedily taking the bowl he had and inhaling the heavenly aroma.
“Wow, saw right through my plans!” He joked, shaking his head.
“Hey, I never said it was a bad plan.” I joked right back, enjoying the moment. “So. I suppose I should know a bit about the father of my bastards. Where did you pick up that cantrip you showed me?”
“That? Oh, that’s a good one. There’s a city over in the demon lands called Aerie, right on the edge of the desert. We heard they were in a drought one year, and they often have some rare monster parts to trade. So Bribis, that’s the gnome who led all the caravans I traveled with, he gets this bright idea to go over there with several loads of grains. We pick up a few local guides, normal stuff, but we weren’t at all set up for the desert. Like most things, we eventually shifted over to moving at night, and the guides taught us the cantrip to help us see. After that, we started making good time and finally reached the city. Of course, by the time we got there, they already had several shipments figured out so we didn’t make the profit that Bribis was hoping for.”
“Oh no, poor guy! I take it you did make something on the trip?”
“Oh yeah. There is very little that Bribis does that doesn’t end up with some form of profit. We ended up breaking a lot closer to even than we were used to, but that happens. So what about you?”
“Eh, nothing nearly as amusing as yours I’m afraid.” I said, having finished my breakfast during his story. “Parents were cobblers in Penultimate, some of the few tradesmen in the city. I ended up showing some talent in magic, and they paid to send me out here to learn what I can from the adventurer’s guild. This is my second year here, they were hoping to get me out and back between the waves. Looks like that plan isn’t going to woooo-hooork.” I couldn’t help it, that last word came out mid yawn.
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“Shit, I’m sorry. You have to be exhausted. Go get some rest, I’ll take care of the bowl.”
“Thanks.” I grumbled, slowly standing and stumbling off to my cot. “Do you happen to know why we have to break later?” I turned to ask him before I trundled off to bed.
“Break later?” He asked confused for a second before it hit him. “Oh! You mean the replacements. Yeah, they were making sure that not all of the guards on the walls were replaced at the same time. The south wall and us got switched at 9, the other two at 8.”
“That sucks.”
“It does.” He agreed. “Though now our shifts have shifted, we won’t have any extra-long ones. Now get off to bed, I’ll check with Lori to make sure someone will be around to wake you guys for your shift.”
“Tha-hanks.” I mumbled through a yawn, struggling to keep my eyes open. Luckily they had arranged things so that the barracks we were using was on the same level as the wall, so I didn’t have to bother with any stairs. Once inside, I headed straight to a cot and collapsed.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Zach’s POV, 2 pm, second day of the wave
“Running low on arrows!” I called out behind me as I fired at yet another of the dragon mice. Annoying little shits, they were thankfully in no way related to dragons. They were simply mice that had a scalier than normal tail and a bit of flame magic.
“Quiver to your left.” The runner said before speeding off on another errand. I smiled at their efficiency before double checking my field of fire. Once it was clear, I swapped out quivers, transferring the few that remained into the new one and placing the empty back on the wall. The runner would be back at their convenience, and if not I would just carry it back with me when my shift ended.
“New enemy!” The guard to my right called out, and I turned to see what he was talking about. I could see a bit of shadow moving along the treeline, but that was it.
“Eagle eyes.” I activated a skill, and my vision telescoped in to see just what we were dealing with. I shuddered immediately upon recognition. “CALL UP THE MAGES! WE HAVE A SWARM OF SKITTERING SPIDERS!” I shouted, hoping the mages were nearby. I kept my eyes on the swarm, and a few minutes later there were six mages placed evenly along the wall, each with four runners.
“Report.” Eric, the leader of the Golden Lions demanded as he made his way to my side.
“Partner over there was the first to sight them, but I was the confirmation.” I said. “Skitterling spider horde, still at the treeline but they have been slowly advancing. I think they’re getting ready for a push.”
“Size?”
“The ones I see are all roughly chicken sized.” I said. “The bigger ones are probably coming.”
“Alright, here’s the plan. The mages will deploy kite bombs on the smaller swarms. Archers, you are to target anything that is dog sized to horse sized. Karina is leading our offensive push, she will come in from the west and flank them. At that point, mages should switch to smaller area of effect spells and keep them away from the fighters. Archers, targets of opportunity. You know your skills and limitations, don’t push them and injure any of our own. I hope you’re ready, looks like they are finally starting to charge!”
Sure enough, I could hear the tell-tale sound of a skitterling charge. Each leg was covered in a spiny chitin, and they would rub them together for a bit to create a staccato sound that would greatly inflate the perceived number of spiders you were facing. While their normal walking pace wouldn’t give you any sounds, they ran in such a way as to make more of the staccato. It was incredibly unnerving, especially if you were in the dark. One or two spiders an adventurer could easily handle. Their poison, especially for the smaller ones, only caused a bit of discomfort. It wasn’t until thirty or so bites that you started feeling effects. This was cut down to ten bites from the larger spiders, and the biggest ones would start to immobilize you with their venom after a bite or two. The biggest problem was what we were facing now: skitterlings hardly ever traveled alone.
“Mages. Release the kites.” Eric ordered once the skitterlings had crossed roughly a third of the distance between the treeline and our walls. That was a horrifying sight. A swarm of spiders the size of chickens covered in black armor charging towards you. Our side didn’t even have all the obstacles the other walls had, as we were hoping to deploy some eagzard cavalry at some point.
As I watched the charge, I saw the mages send out their kites. They were simple designs kids always made, a rough diamond shape of cloth. Except these ones had small clusters of alchemical bombs at each corner, much like oversized grapes. Wind magic ensured they moved where they were needed. “Deploy round one.” Eric said as soon as the kites crossed the line of skitterlings, and arcs of lightning shot along trailing wires from the mages to the kites. These ignited the fuses as well as dropped the bundles. As they fell, a small charge detonated and spread out the bombs, which in turn exploded a few feet off the ground.
“Gods above.” A runner whispered next to me, staring at the devastation.
“Indeed.” I agreed. Clay shards shattered any chitin it came into contact with, while globs of alchemical ingredients rained down upon the injured spiders and set them ablaze. They shrieked in agony as their fellows started crawling over them, but it wouldn’t be fast enough. The second round of explosives were on the way already.
“Archers. Target the larger ones please.” Eric gently reminded us, and I shook myself into action.
“Sorry boss.” I said. “First time I’ve seen concentrated alchemical fire like that.”
“Don’t worry.” He replied. “Just don’t seize up if we have to deploy the trebuchet.”
“I’ll try not to.” I said, before sighting another enemy and unleashing a skill. The bombs were devastating to the smaller ones, but it really took a perfect shot to the larger ones to take them down. That’s where our piercing shots came in. The burning bodies distracted them enough that nearly all our shots were on target, and we reaped lives left and right.
“Looks like the queens are heading in another direction.” Eric said before turning to a runner. “Tell Karina to stand down. We broke them this time.” As the runner took off, I exhaled in relief. Even with my stats, constantly launching arrows for nearly fifteen minutes took a toll on the body.
“Archers and mages go ahead and take a break, you deserve it. I’ll pull in the reserves a bit early and let them handle the stragglers.” Eric called out, much to the joy of everyone. I simply tilted my head back and basked in the slight breeze, glad that for this afternoon we had partly cloudy skies.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Dorian’s POV, 3 pm, second day of the wave
“Hold! Everyone brace for impact!” I yelled as our squad settled down and prepared to take the charge of group of brownies.
“Ettatta Katta!” Their leader shrieked, raising his knife as he rampaged forward. I simply smiled. There wasn’t much to fear, as they had no battle line to speak of while ours was bristling with a double layer of spears, with the shield bearers ready to unleash a thrust from their swords once the charge was broken. Of course, it wasn’t even going to get that far, but I had to sell the story.
Halfway to our position, I got to see their leader’s eyes widen in terror for a half second as his feet inexplicably sank into the ground, followed swiftly by the rest of his body. His brethren were too bloodthirsty to notice, and they all fell down into the pitfall as well.
“Sir?” Caleb asked.
“Yes?”
“Why did we need to set everything up like that? Wouldn’t we have been able to defeat a small brownie village?”
“Of course we could have.” I answered. “But they aren’t the only enemy, and the chances of taking a few small wounds is high. So we are using as many strategies as possible to minimize our injuries, as they will pile up. If that means baiting a group of overzealous monsters into charging headlong into a pitfall covered by an illusion, then I’m going to do that as much as possible.”
RRRROOOOOOAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!
My instructions were interrupted by a massive grizzled bear emerging from the forest and roaring a challenge at us. I grinned in return, feeling excitement start coursing through me. “BELOR!” I yelled, but I knew he was already on his way.
“ON IT!” He called back, and I walked forward so I could look my squad in the eyes.
“This one is mine and Belor’s.” I said. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, or that I lack faith that you would come out on top. But battling an ursine opponent is not something that is well suited for a shield wall. He would power through and destroy your formation. Remember, every formation has a weakness, and you mustn’t be afraid to change your formation to suite the battle at hand. Large, strong, slow creatures should be countered with something fast and flexible. So pay attention. I am going to act as the focus, drawing the enemy’s rage. Belor is my flyer, he will flank and harry it. Hopefully he will get a quick crippling blow, letting one of us finish him off.” Explanation done, I pulled out my axe and checked my shield.
“Ready brother?” He asked, giddy with excitement.
“Always.” I replied, and we headed toward the bear at a sedate pace. As we neared, Belor started putting distance between us. “Hey! Scruffy! With hair like that your momma must have had permanent mange!” I yelled, slamming my axe against the shield edge to get his attention. A hand axe with a crescent blade and a large, steel edged buckler wasn’t the most common of pairings, but I liked the added damage the axe gave over a sword.
Rrrrroooaaaarrrrr!!!!!
Though he couldn’t understand me, the bear was nonetheless enraged. It reared up on its back legs, muzzle sniffling in the air. Nearing 25 feet tall in this position, most people would be a little bit intimidated. I wasn’t most people, and had experience battling ursine shapeshifters under a battle frenzy. This little cub seemed almost cute in comparison.
“You want a belly rub? That it?” I called as I feinted a forward lunge. The bear took the bait, dropping down to add speed to his massive paw strike. I bunkered down like I was going to block the blow, only to use my buckler to push the paw to the side and spin around to the unprotected flank. “Cleave.” My weapon glowed crimson as a wave of energy ripped through the fat and exposed several ribs. The bear bellowed in agony, spittle flying in my direction as it tried to bite me, but I was already dancing backwards.
“Crippling blow.” Belor activated a skill, hamstringing both back legs of the bear.
It’s rage rapidly gave way to fear as it’s back legs gave out, allowing me to dart in and finish it. “Skullsplitter.” I brought my axe down in a powerful double handed chop right into the middle of the creature’s head. The results were swift and painless for the bear.
“Weak.” Belor complained.
“Still only the second day.” I chided him. “Come on, help me get this back to the city. No sense in letting good meat go to waste.” I said, only to stop as I heard several massive explosions coming from the city.
“What the hell was that?” Belor asked, and I couldn’t answer. There were several clouds of dust rising up from the middle of the city.
“I don’t know brother, I don’t know.” I said. “SQUAD! MAINTAIN POSITION! CALEB’S IN CHARGE!” I shouted, then turned back to Belor. “Let’s hurry and get this back. If it were me, I would be attacking other areas at the same time while everyone was distracted by the explosions in the city.” Belor nodded in agreement, and we quickly hauled the carcass back to the city.