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The Outskirts of the Ruined City II
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A small white pup strolled through the crumbling city. The debris of broken buildings littered the ground, and large puddles of mud had formed on the dust-covered streets. A black-clothed Ise attentively walked behind it, followed by Alduin and Veleda, and lastly Leon who carried a round clothed object.
Their steps were taken with caution as they got used to this new environment. The doors they passed had each been marked with a black cross, some were open, others closed, but one thing they all had in common was that they all showed signs of breaking in.
“This should be fine,” Ise said as she looked back. She had been leading the way while carrying the map they received from the clerk. “Let’s go inside.”
Mud-covered boots left dirty footprints inside the house they entered. They could only feel a sense of desolation from the clothes and items cluttering their surroundings. Was it the panicked evacuation of the former residents? Or was it what remained after looting everything inside? An oppressive silence lingered as each of them felt uncomfortable entering someone’s home unannounced.
Surrounding a table, Alduin, Veleda, Leon, and Ise stared at a map they had received, one that showed the changed territory of this city.
“The mission we received needs us to move towards the east side of the city,” Ise started her explanation, “We’re group 13 so we need to be present in this area.” Her finger pointed slightly east of the center of this map. “I think we all know what that means, right?”
Alduin nodded and replied, “We need to enter that colony.”
“Right.” Ise nodded, they were going to adjust their plans following the information they received. “There are currently three areas we are not allowed to enter. Well… technically there are two, but…”
The city was divided into four.
The first area was the North district, the only area where humanity had a foothold. It was also closest to the main army base, and the current military occupation allowed all survivors to gather there.
The second area was the East district, it was the destination they needed to head toward for the ‘mission’ of reclamation they received. But this area was occupied by humanoid dwellers, not even the army had given them much information on these creatures. From what they saw during their journey to this city, the amount was several times more than the Goblin invaders.
Yet one thing they learned was that these invaders originated from the third area, the South district. The entire south had become a swamp, and this proved to be the largest problem they were facing.
Alduin pointed to the edge of the Southwest part of the city, the place where the South district met the East, and said with a heavy voice, “Our home is located here."
Silence overwhelmed them, they knew their efforts would be an immense challenge, but still, the area Alduin pointed toward screamed danger in every way imaginable. This area neighboured the East district, as well as the location beyond.
Not much was known about the east district. The only rumor they could gather was that a gigantic tower replaced the skyscraper that stood there, the landmark of this city had transformed into a dungeon. It was a location the military was strongly guarded against, and they had no way of entering.
“This leaves us with a single route forward,” Ise said, “We’ll make use of the other volunteer soldiers, as well as the army, but…” She stared at Alduin as she left the decision to him.
“It’s alright.” Alduin smiled gently and said, “Our highest priority is our safety, we’ll go along with the mission we received, but we’ll make our way south if the possibility arises.”
Alduin sighed as he passed the map back to Ise and continued, “We might not make it the first time around, even getting there will take us more than a day, but as long as we pay attention, I think we should survive.”
They didn’t have to say it out loud. It was clear the moment they received their mission papers. If the army was going to use them as a distraction, then they would use the opening provided by them to achieve their own goal.
Four large backpacks were filled to the brim with necessities to keep them alive for several days. If they needed to sleep somewhere, well… there were plenty of houses. Alduin smiled as he finally uncovered the clothed items and thought, ‘There’s no way we’ll follow their plan and recklessly charge in.'
His hand pulled three ash-grey pikes from a cloth, they were thorns of a giant tree. Aside from the leather armor, which he wore underneath his jacket, this was the other loot he had received from the Goblin lair.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
Having moved away from all the volunteer groups surrounding them, their equipment was finally unveiled. They would not leave a single chance to fate, right now, they could only rely on themselves. The desperation of the survivors would prove to be as dangerous as the monsters they would face.
Their plan was set, and their route was decided. Starting from the center closest to the east district, they would try to pass the edges of the swamp to get to their destination. Alduin felt comfortable with this plan, 'We'll go about it safely. If the first time doesn’t work, we will scout and attempt again.'
Four pairs of boots left their final marks in this empty home, moving forward with a clear goal in mind. A city divided by four, and two giant dungeon gates dominating it.
However, there was a final place they didn't mention. It was a place that bordered the southwest area and wasn’t held back by anything else. They had learned from the army that a third gate was located there, surrounded by a giant jungle that completely swallowed everything to the South and West of the city.
It was the jungle they had seen on the highway, one that completely overwhelmed the concrete structure. And nobody knew what was hidden in its depths, other than the sounds of insects that the first survivors had heard.
***
Traces of destruction became more apparent as the group approached their destination. Marks of looting accompanied traces of fighting and blood. And finally, they passed the last door with a black mark.
However, this group didn’t care about looting, following the small pup, they moved deeper into the East district.
“There are traces here,” Ise quietly informed the group. Her experience of evading the goblin patrols helped her out as led the formation.
Leon, who was second, looked down at the ground. Puddles of mud became more frequent with the increase in water that flowed through the dirt-ridden streets. “What’s that?” He looked at the footsteps but couldn’t figure out what he was looking at. “Are they dragging something?”
Two footprints were disrupted by the recurring marks of an object being pulled over the ground.
“Do they have a tail?” Veleda also chimed in.
They hadn’t learned much of the creatures they would be facing, only that they were humanoid and strong. The subject seemed to be a taboo for the survivors in the city and they didn't have time to pry deeper.
“We’re getting closer.” Alduin gripped his spear, their first priority was to find out what they would be facing. Yet he felt some comfort in the fact that they weren't completely surrounded this time.
“Hati,” Alduin called the small pup. “Can you track its scent?”
But the small pup only scowled at him in return. It felt like it already did enough as it turned around and ignored Alduin.
“Hati,” Veleda asked in a soft voice, “I’ll clean your fur tonight if you help us.” Hati’s ears twitched in response, yet he remained steadfast. Veleda smiled and continued bribing the white wolf, “If you’re a good boy then I’ll give you some of those gems you like.”
With a sideways glance, Hati looked at both Alduin and Veleda before it trudged forward and started sniffing the marks on the ground.
Alduin stared with a frown and asked, “How come he only listens when you ask something?”
“That’s because he needs more attention from his father,” Veleda said while puffing her chest.
Alduin froze in surprise. ‘How can she say that with a straight face?’ No matter how long he was acquainted with her, she always managed to catch him off guard.
“Isn’t that just because you’re bribing him?” Leon, who was listening closely, asked a straightforward question.
“I wonder how Frieda is doing back at home,” Veleda replied as she stared longingly into the distance.
“Focus,” Ise interrupted, “Veleda, there’s a time for being lovestruck, but right now we need to focus on the task at hand.” Ise coldly remarked as she noticed they were getting distracted.
“What?” Veleda turned with a blushing expression, “L-lovestruck?”
A sigh escaped Alduin as his mind cleared. With this last release of their worries, he felt the tension they all carried disappear. But from now on they needed to pay attention, they were about to enter enemy territory.
“Veleda,” Alduin said, “It’s starting now, remember what you promised me.” His stern voice broke the small conversation immediately.
“I will,” She said as she looked to the side with a guilty expression.
“Don’t worry too much,” Alduin smiled and said, “We’re more than prepared.” The tracks on the ground entered his eyes once more as he bent down and continued, “Hati, let us know when you catch their scent. You’ll help Ise with tracking our prey.” His hand patted the small pup and said, “If you stick with us, we’ll make sure you’ll grow into a strong wolf.”
The juvenile eyes of this little wolf turned serious as it replied with a whimper. Its small struts seemed eager to show off its usefulness as it approached Ise.
“Leon.” Alduin patted his friend as he checked his equipment. “We’re counting on you.” His eyes conveyed a great trust, out of all of them, Leon’s role was vital for their safety.
Leon’s hand tightened his grip on the shield as he replied with a strong voice, “I’m ready.”
“Right,” Alduin nodded, “Ise, let’s continue.”
Their preparations were complete.
The dagger, coated in black, traced their prey alongside a moonlight-colored wolf. A thick metal shield and a sword formed the vanguard of their formation. And an ash-grey spear, a thorn more solid than the core of a tree, protected a young girl carrying a small round shield.
They had entered the East District following the path instructed to them.
The volunteers would be the vanguard holding back the spreading colony from the southern swamp. The invasion was increasing in speed, water flowed from the south to the north as the territory changed. Collections of mud coated the streets and traces of the scouting monsters were visible everywhere.
Two webbed feet and thick scaly legs, large creatures with bent postures, carrying a variety of weapons, slowly but surely increased the area of their dominion.
The swamp, the purple dungeon that still existed after the dungeon break, was the origin of these monsters.
“Lizardmen,” Alduin said, their observation had paid off. His arm held his wooden spear tightly, and the beating of his heart increased. “Get ready.”
Their target was found, and with blazing hearts they approached the start of their next fight.