I slept late the following morning and woke up feeling the best I had since arriving here, mentally and physically. I could hear Cass and Leo conversing in the lounge, so I decided to go and greet them. Their conversation stopped the moment they saw me enter, and they were both staring at me expectantly.
"What?" I asked although I knew what they wanted to hear.
"How did it go?" Cass inquired eagerly.
I smiled, "Excellent, honestly. We had a great night."
"That's it? We want details, man!" Leo declared.
"A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell," I replied.
"So you kissed her?" Leo probed.
I rolled my eyes and waved him off.
"Look, guys. There's something I want to talk to you about," I said. I proceeded to share much of what I had told Nerzhyn last night regarding my behavior and past experiences.
"We could tell something was wrong but didn't want to push you," Cass replied.
The three of us talked at length, not just about me but also about what Cass and Leo had been dealing with. I told them my feelings about being unable to return home, and it seemed to lift a weight from their shoulders. They explained that while they wanted what was best for me, they didn't want to lose me. It was somewhat of an impromptu group therapy session. I think we all felt much better afterward.
We were discussing what to eat when a knock at our door interrupted us.
I opened the door to find an elf in full leather armor. I noticed his Stalker insignia immediately. He didn't even give me a chance to speak.
"Commander Nerzhyn requests your team's presence immediately," he stated somberly.
The elf ran off before I could even respond. I told the team, and they quickly changed into their combat gear. Teos joined us, and we made our way to the Hall.
I knocked, and the commander instructed us to enter. Her expression was grim.
"I am sorry for calling you here so soon. I know I told you to take a few days of rest, but something has happened, and we need your team to handle it," Nerzhyn stated.
"What is it?" I asked. Concerned that something had happened with the Seal.
"A band of troglodytes has attacked a smaller town called Wallerdale. Nearly all our other teams are in Oraphis, so we need to send you to deal with it," she responded.
"Do you have an estimate of their numbers, levels, and capabilities?" I asked.
"The only information we have is from a messenger they sent. She claims over fifty enemy forces. All are estimated to be between levels 8 to 19. Most are equipped with crude gear, but a few appear to have been outfitted with higher-quality weapons and armor. The town holds, but she estimates they will fall within the day. If you leave now, you should be able to reach Wallerdale in two hours. We're the closest Guild Hall, so it's up to us." Nerzhyn said.
She passed us each a contract with one requirement: Defend Wallerdale. The reward was 25 Gold. She also handed me a baseball-sized spherical crystal covered in complex runes while she held an identical one.
"These are communication crystals. They allow us to speak briefly over long distances before needing to be recharged. Report to me once you have the situation under control," she instructed.
"Permission to spend ten minutes purchasing supplies, commander?" I asked.
"Granted. Now go," she responded.
Be careful. She told me in Arach, her tone full of concern.
I sprinted to the blacksmith and purchased a Warhammer. It was a savage-looking weapon with a square hammer head on one side and a vicious spike opposite it. The handle was wrapped with leather and provided excellent grip. Frost periodically coated the head as I watched.
[Frostsong Battlehammer]
Rare Weapon - One-handed Mace
230 Attack
+15 Strength
+20 Vigor
+20 Endurance
Equip: Chance on hit to cause an explosion of ice, damaging all enemies within 3 yards of your target.
I stored the new weapon in my Cache, grabbed some mana and health potions from an alchemist nearby, and began our trek to the city. We arrived quickly, running for most of the duration. The additional endurance we had gained from our new classes and improved gear enabled us to achieve long-distance run times that cross-country and marathon champions on Earth could only dream of.
A low wall surrounded the town. I estimated it was around eight feet tall. It was in poor condition and held no real cover for ranged troops to utilize. There was a section along the wall with large chunks missing. The only entrance was a large gateway sealed by a portcullis. An army of bipedal lizards wearing crude armor and wielding improvised weapons surrounded most of the northern wall. Most were the same size as the average human. Many hurled spears and fired arrows over the wall. The town's defenders tried to answer but could not do much from their positions. A raised tower on the northeastern side of the wall allowed the town's archers to fire from safety, but it appeared only five or so bowmen could occupy it.
A quick scan confirmed that most of the troglodytes in crude gear were levels 8 to 11. Some were as high as Level 13. Roughly ten larger ones called Troglodyte Captains were directing them. All were level 14 or 15. Four more of the creatures in high-quality equipment were located at the rear of their formation. All were either level 17 or 18 and were called Troglodyte Ravagers.
"We need to find a way inside the city," I told my team.
"We can attempt to thin their numbers from the flanks," Cass suggested.
"There's too many. If they realize there are only three of us, they can direct their entire force on us. We need to get inside. I have a plan once we do." I replied.
"Is it you go in and get your ass kicked?" Leo asked
"No, a real plan. Now think! How can we get past those creatures and into the city?" I asked
"We can attempt to sneak over the wall," Leo said.
"No, too risky. The town's guards may misidentify us and fire on us, " I replied.
"I have an idea, but I don't know if you're going to like it. How intelligent are these things?" I asked.
"They're not particularly smart, the higher level ones may be, but most of them are barely more intelligent than your average monster," Leo stated.
I explained my idea, and we agreed we lacked any better options. We decided to go with it.
"Remember, stick close behind me," I warned.
We approached the dozen or so monsters blocking our path to the gate. I targeted the troglodyte closest to the portcullis and used Shield Charge. With my shield raised, I plowed through the troglodytes on the way and smashed into my target, killing it instantly. My team had managed to rush through the gap I created and now turned to face the inevitable counterattack. Teos snarled and unleashed a jet of flame in a wide arc. Cass roared her stagger ability, and Leo placed a Tornado in front of us, blocking their path to us.
"We're from the Guild! Let us in!" I shouted, praying someone was inside to hear me. Agonizing seconds passed before the portcullis creaked and opened a few feet. We ran under, and it slammed shut behind us. I quickly stood and scouted the situation inside the wall.
A handful of guards were battered and wounded. Most of the citizens must have been taking shelter inside their homes. The area directly inside where we entered was a mud courtyard with a well in the center. It was littered with enemy spears and arrows. Their commander came rushing up to me once she was informed of our presence. She introduced herself as Sergeant Holme. She was a well-built Level 22 woman with short blonde hair and green eyes. She wore heavy silver armor and wielded a halberd.
"Thank the gods! Is the rest of your force still outside the walls?" she asked me.
"I'm afraid it's just us, Sergeant," I responded.
The woman's face went from thankful to dread as she looked at the four of us.
"No offense, but what can you hope to accomplish against that force? There's over fifty of them!" she said, not hiding her anger.
"Why not hunker down and wait out the seige?" Cass asked.
"Did you see the damaged section of the wall? We don't know how, but every so often they hurl a large boulder at it. There are no catapults, no mages that we're aware of. It's as if the stones just materialize. It can't take much more. Once the wall falls, we're done," Holme stated.
"How many troops do you have with heavy armor and shields?" I asked her.
"Four. I don't see how that helps us. They have us trapped here, and we don't have the numbers to take them on in a straight fight. I only have eighteen archers and fifteen guardsmen. Most of them are already wounded in some way, with six incapable of further combat," she said grimly.
"Leo can help heal your wounded, how much time before that wall falls?" I questioned as Leo went off and began healing the injured troops.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
"I can't say, it could be the next boulder for all I know. The sooner we end this, the better," Holme answered.
I nodded. Four would have to do. I explained my plan and asked the woman to find those troops for me. Spears and arrows occasionally whirled over our heads as we spoke. While we waited, I informed every archer and guard that I could of the plan and asked them to spread the word for me. I spotted a troglodyte that had managed to scale the wall to my right. I threw my spear and impaled the creature, sending it hurtling back over the wall. I raised my hand, and the spear returned as a small cut appeared on my forearm.
Finally, Sergeant Holme returned with the four troops in heavy armor. They were all Level 14 and carried large shields and swords. We told them my plan and began the preparations. I inspected them as they hurried along ahead of me.
[Knight - Level 14]
I now stood shoulder to shoulder with the four heavy troops, with Cass on our far left and Teos on our right. A few standard troops mixed in with us to fill any gaps. We filled the entire gateway like a wall. Leo, Holme, and her combat-ready troops stood behind us, ready to intercept any troglodytes that made it through us. I turned and nodded to the Sergeant.
"Open the gate!" she roared above the sound of battle.
The portcullis creaked again and slowly began rising. We stepped forward in unison until we were near the edge of the archway. The troglodytes seemed to be considering what to do. I ran forward until I was sure I had most of the close ones in range and roared a Provoke. They rushed me, and I quickly ran back into the formation, blocking their only entrance to the town.
They crashed against our shields in a fury, swinging their crude axes and clubs. I bellowed a War Cry followed by a War Stomp. A dozen or more of the lizard people were staggered and slowed by my attack. More clamored to reach us, but the gateway acted as a choke point and prevented us from becoming overwhelmed.
"Now!" I roared.
We shoved them back with our shields and began hacking, stabbing, and slashing. Cass ripped through three unbalanced enemies with her axes in an instant. Teos had killed two with a single claw swipe and had just reached Level 13. We took full advantage of the slow, killing nearly every troglodyte that my War Stomp had afflicted.
Once the other reptilians noticed the gate had opened and that some of their comrades had charged, they began rushing toward us, clamoring to get past us. Leo tore into them with Chain Lightning and Boulder Throw. He unleashed Tornadoes ahead of us to funnel and slow the enemies as they approached.
Whenever no enemies were in melee range, I hurled my spear at a charging monster, summoned it back, and repeated the process. It was chaos inside the archway. This was my first taste of a large-scale battle. The experience was wholly different than the arena or dungeon. Eventually, one of the commanders of the enemy must have ordered them to regroup. I used the lull to check how much damage we had caused. A quick glance told me at least sixteen enemies lay dead. Leo used the reprieve to heal any of our wounded.
The troglodytes formed a new line, placing heavier melee troops up front. A horn sounded behind them, and they charged, roaring and snarling as they did.
"Brace!" I yelled.
We resumed our shield wall, preparing for the charge heading toward us. Four of us held, but the force of the impact knocked the Knight to my right back and onto his ass. The troglodyte that knocked the man down immediately stabbed him with his crude polearm. There was nothing I could have done, enemies were pushing against my shield and slashing or stabbing at any exposed flesh. I cursed and slammed a War Stomp. There was now a gap that our enemies could exploit and I had to trust Leo, the Sergeant, and the troops to deal with any that broke through our line.
"Now!" I roared again.
We shoved them back again while they were slowed. I equipped my new Battlehammer and swung it at the closest enemy's head, crushing it like a watermelon. I risked a glance over my shoulder and relaxed as I saw charred monster corpses a few steps in front of Leo. We had discussed what to do if one of the shield bearers fell, and we took on a new formation. I noticed a prompt that declared I gained a new talent. It was probably related to using a new weapon type, so I ignored it.
I was on point with the other three slightly behind me in an arrow formation. Cass and Teos remained in their spots but somewhat further back. Enemies crashed into my shield, and I shoved them either left or right, letting the others finish them off. I activated Frenzied Strikes and smashed my hammer repeatedly into advancing enemy troops. Each blow crushed bones and crumpled armor. The heavy weapon moving with my increased attack speed devastated my enemies and sent them flying.
Cass was cutting through the stragglers as Teos pounced on a lone enemy who attempted to sneak through. He ripped the reptile's throat out with an effortless motion. I sent him a mental command. Teos opened his maw, and a fireball began to form. He launched it at the last wave of charging troglodytes, and it exploded on contact. It sent many flying and completely disrupted their charge. That was our cue.
We retreated into the courtyard and joined the troops. The last wave of roughly twenty reptiles poured through the gate and charged at us. Once all of the lesser reptiles had passed the threshold, the portcullis slammed shut behind them. Archers atop the wall launched arrows at the charging beasts. I swung my hammer savagely, crushing skulls and shattering sternums. Occasionally, my weapon would unleash a devastating explosion of ice that tore apart any nearby enemies. Cass let out a roar, which staggered every enemy around her. She proceeded to quickly cut down each and every one. Her boosted attack speed with her axes made her a blur on the battlefield.
The horde of troglodytes attempted to surround us, but the troops held their formation and kept them at bay. Teos mauled one after another and ripped through them as if they were chew toys. Lightning from Leo crackled and jumped around the battlefield, leaving charred and smoking corpses in its wake. I constantly swapped between my spear and hammer, depending on the situation. I released one final War Stomp, and everyone rushed to dispatch our slowed enemies. Cass finished off the last troglodyte in the courtyard.
I approached the gate and scanned the battlefield. Only two or three of the low-level troglodytes were still alive outside. Seven of the Troglodyte Captains and three Ravagers still lived. We still had a difficult battle ahead of us. Including my team, the three shield bearers, and Sergeant Holme, we had eight. The rest of her troops were too wounded or too low-level to be of any use. The higher level troglodytes had learned from our trap. They remained well out of range, but did not retreat. We decided that Holme, Cass, and I would each take a Ravager. Leo, Teos, and the three Knights would deal with the Captains. Letting the troglodyte elites fight together as a group was too risky.
The portcullis once more creaked open, drawing up into the archway. We separated and approached our targets. I circled the reptilian, trying to get a feel for him. He wielded a curved sword in each hand and wore thick leather armor. I inspected him quickly, hoping to find any information that would grant me an advantage.
[Troglodyte Ravager - Level 18]
The Ravager made the first move, dashing toward me and unleashing a trio of fast strikes at my chest, neck, and head. I let the first bounce off my armor, parried the second, and blocked the third. I countered with a Crushing Blow, stunning him for a split second and swinging my Battlehammer right at his head. He dodged at the last second, but my weapon still clipped his shoulder. The monster roared in pain, revealing a maw full of sharp teeth. The blow didn't slow him down as he resumed his attacks against me. I blocked and parried each attack that I could, but to the Ravager's credit, he cut me quite a few times on my unarmored areas. He was clearly more intelligent than the ones from the gate.
I felt a quick wave of anxiety from Teos, so I hopped backward and looked toward him. Leo was on the ground with a troglodyte standing over him. Teos was too busy with his own enemy to help. I threw my hammer at the Ravager, forcing him to dodge, then equipped my spear and hurled it at the enemy above Leo. My spear impaled the creature through the neck, killing it instantly. I summoned the spear back to my hand just in time to parry another attack from the Ravager. I felt some of my wounds close as Leo healed me. I mentally thanked Teos and focused back on my enemy. I felt a wave of power flow through my right arm, and each of my Runes glowed brightly for a moment before a notification appeared.
[You have reached Level 15. A class ability has been unlocked.]
I didn't have time to think about that. My hammer was now behind the damn troglodyte, and I couldn't store items I wasn't touching in my Cache. I used Shield Slam, my shield hitting the Ravager like a freight train and throwing him backward. That attack should have pulverized him, so I assumed he used a defensive skill. I rolled to my hammer and placed my foot on it, storing it in my Cache. I probed my enemy's defenses with various jabs and slashes, all of which he parried expertly with either of his swords. I activated Frenzied Strikes, a plan forming in my head. I blocked every counterattack he made and repeatedly stabbed until my buffs were maxed out. I slashed again with my spear, prompting the troglodyte to raise one of his swords to block. At the last second, I replaced my spear with the Battlehammer. My opponent was unprepared for the extra force and weight of the weapon, and his sword was batted away as my hammer crashed into his neck, generating a loud crack. He did not get back up.
I used the reprieve to check on my teammates. Cass was battling a Level 17 Ravager wielding a pair of daggers. I watched her dodge its attacks and retaliate with savage counters, but they appeared to be at a stalemate. Holme had just dispatched her enemy with a powerful slash from her halberd.
"Holme! Help Cass. I'm going to aid the others!" I ordered, not bothering to wait for the sergeant to acknowledge me.
I sprinted toward the others. Leo was healing Teos and the three soldiers as they battled the six remaining Captains. Two low-level troglodytes were still alive but seemed fearful to enter the skirmish. I used Intercede on Leo right as one of them charged him from behind. The creature's club bounced off the mage, and I was there momentarily. I backhanded the lizard with my shield, sending it flying like a ragdoll. I didn't think the Level 8 lizard could hurt Leo too much, but I didn't want him to be distracted from his healing.
Teos was tearing apart a Captain he had dragged to the ground, and the three shield bearers were fending off the remaining five Captains. I entered the fray, swinging my hammer at the nearest troglodyte. She blocked with her two-handed axe, then kicked at me. I staggered backward slightly, and my opponent used the opportunity to swing her axe right at my head. I raised my shield and blocked the blow, the impact from the mighty weapon rippling through the shield and into my arm. I answered with a War Stomp, staggering and slowing the enemies around us. I hit the axe-wielding Captain with a Shield Slam, and she launched backward as if shot by a cannon.
Four left. I cast Frenzied Strikes and began harrying the next closest enemy—a Troglodyte Captain wielding a flail and shield. I tightened my grip on the Battlehammer and began a furious assault. My weapon repeatedly smashed into his shield, and I was very familiar with the damage it was doing to his arm. The ferocity of my onslaught forced the monster to one knee, but I did not relent. His iron shield was now dented and malformed. The slow from War Stomp ended, and he hurried back to his feet. His shield arm hung limply at his side, and he began spinning his flail above his head. He finally lashed out at me with the weapon, and I let it bounce off my shield. I retaliated with a quick jab with my hammer, the head hit the Captain's stomach, and he doubled over. I used Execution, and the hammer came down on his bowed head.
[Augment Rune: Onslaught has progressed to Level 6 - Expert Rank - You may now choose an upgrade for 'Execution.']
Three left. I risked a glance toward Cass and Holme. They were nearly finished with their battle against the last Ravager. We were down to two shield bearers, as one had been killed while I fought the flail user. I was getting angry. My plan had led these men to their deaths. I pushed the thoughts away and focused on the three remaining enemies. Teos was rending and tearing at a Captain wielding a longsword. Leo was healing and occasionally sending offensive spells at our enemies when he could. The remaining troglodytes were battling with the two Knights.
I ran up to Leo and discussed a quick plan. He nodded in agreement. I mentally informed Teos and told the two Knights to retreat on my mark.
"Now!" I yelled.
The Knights jumped backward as Leo erected a massive stone wall between the troglodytes and us. Leo said it would last about 10 seconds. I quickly explained my plan to the Knights, and we readied ourselves. The wall fell, and Leo paralyzed one of the Captains while Teos launched a fireball at another. I used Crushing Blow on the third, and the two Knights immediately cut him down. I Shield Charged the paralyzed Captain and impaled him with my spear as he crashed to the ground. I turned to one Teos had blasted, only to see a smoking corpse.
"I couldn't let you guys have all the fun," Leo stated.
I clapped him on the shoulder, and we returned to Cass and Holme.
"That was a hell of a battle. I can't believe it worked," the sergeant told me.
"We're not done here, Sergeant. Something has been bothering me about your town," I stated.
The woman raised an eyebrow but didn't respond.
"What is it, exactly? It's a fort or military base, right? Why would a town in the middle of nowhere need a wall and gate like that? Also, the courtyard with the well? There's nothing else there. No evidence of food or vendor stalls, no discarded belongings as the citizens ran for their homes, nothing,"
The Sergeant sighed and ran a hand over her face before speaking, "You four saved our asses, so I suppose I owe you the truth. Wallerdale is a secret manacrystal mine. The mines are insanely profitable, and the man who found it pays us to keep it a secret and defend it. The kingdom demands half of all manacrystals mined as a 'tax.' It's just so they don't have to devote their own people to mine for them. That well is an illusion maintained by one of our mages. It's actually the entrance to the mines."
As she spoke, I looted the troglodytes I could. Unfortunately, none of them dropped anything of note. I did make a few extra Gold from the process, however.
"Manacrystals?" I asked, which elicited a bizarre look from Holme.
"He's from a... secluded village," Leo answered before adding, "Manacrystals are the raw form of all the magic-infused crystals you've seen. Those communication crystals, cooling crystals, and heating crystals are all examples. There are tens of thousands of uses for raw manacrystals. They have a property that allows them to store mana, and when carved with the correct runes, they can be used for just about anything you can imagine."
I nodded in understanding. As we headed back to the fort, I pulled up my interface to see the upgrade options for Execution and my new class ability.
The Onslaught Ability: Execution may be upgraded.
* Execution - Attempt to finish off a critically wounded enemy. This attack deals 300% damage. The cooldown is reset if the target dies. Cooldown: 60 seconds. Cost: 10 Mana.
Please choose one upgrade from the available options:
1) Execution - Attempt to finish off a critically wounded enemy. This attack deals 400% damage. The cooldown is reset if the target dies. Cooldown: 60 seconds. Cost: 10 Mana
2) Execution - Attempt to finish off a critically wounded enemy. This attack deals 300% damage. The cooldown is reset if the target dies. Cooldown: 30 seconds. Cost: 10 Mana.
3) Devastate - This attack deals 225% damage. The cooldown is reset if the target dies. Cooldown: 60 seconds. Cost: 10 Mana.
This was a seriously tough decision. I was torn between option one and option three. Option one dealt even more damage, and Execution always mutilated my opponents. Option three removed the requirement for the target to be wounded. Sure, it dealt less damage, but that seemed a fair trade-off for being able to use it at any time. Not to mention it kept the cooldown reset portion of the skill. In theory, I could chain cast it against weaker enemies. I mentally confirmed option three and replaced Execution with Devastate.
I then checked my new class ability.
* Runeguard: (Upgradeable Class) Runeguards are powerful defenders who utilize heavy plate armor and a shield to protect their allies while dealing moderate damage to enemies. Grants the following class benefits:
1. Allows the use of Extra Heavy Armor with no penalty to dexterity.
2. While you have a shield equipped, all damage taken is reduced by 10%, and all damage dealt is increased by 5%.
Grants the following bonus attributes upon reaching a new level:
+ 2 Strength
+4 Vigor
+2 Endurance
+1 to all other Attributes
Class Ability 1: Aspect of the Protector - Fortifies a target ally with your protection. Any damage they receive for the next 6 seconds is transferred to you instead. Cooldown: 90 Seconds. Cost: 50 Mana.
Class Ability 2: Unlocked at Level 25
Now that was epic. In addition to Intercede, I now had an even more potent defensive ability to aid my teammates. We finally returned to the courtyard, and I told the team I would report to Nerzhyn.
I pulled out the crystal she gave me and focused my mana into it. The runes on it began to pulse, and eventually, I could hear the Commander's voice.
"Alex, what's the situation?" she asked.
I filled her in about the battle and Leo's concern about the troglodyte's odd behavior. I also informed her of Wallerdale's true purpose in Arach, just in case anyone was listening. She instructed me to stand by for now and return to the Guild Hall.
I returned to the group and saw Holme's worried expression.
"Relax, as of right now. We've been ordered to let it slide. I can't promise it won't be reported, but it isn't my call to make," I told the Sergeant.
"Thank you, all of you. You saved many lives today. The miners have prepared a small gift for you," she replied.
A dwarf approached with a large canvas sack and handed it to me. I looked inside, and it was full of transparent crystals of various sizes.
I shook Holme's hand and said goodbye to the soldiers. We exited the "town" and began the trek back to Fayne.
We had been on the road for only a minute or so when we heard a thunderous boom come from the direction of Wallerdale.