Lana amplifies the mana flowing from Gavin and Becky. Adding her support doesn't take all her focus or power as it does for the two templars, allowing her to combat stray lightning bolts targeting them or even boost the skeleton fighting a war on his own.
The skeleton of the unfamiliar man is full of power and much more impressive than his summoner. Compared to this warlord commanding hundreds of dead spirit beasts and demons, the death assassin is a trickling stream of power. And yet, he ran into the depths of the demon armor. Sure, he is hidden within a shadow veil, but that doesn't change the gutsy… foolish decision to charge into an overwhelming force.
Lana scans the battle taking place. The demon army is pushing in from the north of town. Small defenses have been created for the villagers to fight behind, reducing the threat of elemental attacks or arrow volleys. Village defenders reinforce the protection with their mana, making ice, stone, and air shields. The more attack-focused defenders send arrows, fire, and mana explosives into the incoming army.
Logistically, their defense doesn't stand a chance. In terms of power, they might have the advantage. Gavin is a high-tier templar, Becky and Scotty are just a rank below him, and then there are ten more templars who aren't exactly warriors but are adept enough to aid in the fight. Add in her power, the man, his companions, and a few dozen, and they have a strong village defense.
Unfortunately, strength can only carry a defense so far when you are vastly outnumbered. Even great sages fall to the might of an empire. Not only do these spirit beasts and demons have them beat in numbers, but they also have a total disregard for their lives. More common than not, these invaders are keen on taking stupid risks, like trying to flank a secure position alone or standing still to cast a powerful spell. They are trying everything they can to land a blow, leaving themselves completely open. Several of her life lances have claimed hundreds of these careless aggressors.
Fortunately, the man and his companions arrived when they did. As weak as he appears, his companions keep this town in the fight. The skeleton's minions create a barrier between the demon army and them. Without the dead army, they would already be overrun. Not only that, but the wolf lady also created a pseudo-dark realm for families and non-fighters of the town to hide in and has removed their most significant liability. If the worst happens, perhaps she can sneak the villagers away.
Of course, if worse came to worse, she could say to hell with Clip's rules and attract all the attention. Running away and changing her identity once more is a small price to pay if it means these people are safe. Selfishly, she prefers not to run. She likes these people, and she would love to be able to explore this island more.
Two lightning bolts blast into Lana's shield she casts towards the sky. The electric energy is absorbed, and she transfers it into six light spears that she sends to the pack of drakes that have broken past the dead army. The spears double in size in mid-flight. When they are close to hitting, they double in size once more — becoming larger than bolts fired by castle ballistas. The six bolts home in on their targets and pierce each drake in the heart. The momentum knocks the pack backward as their lifeless forms skid on the ground.
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Demons surge on the opening created by the drakes pushing their advantage. Lana uses the remaining power absorbed from the lighting to fuel another barrage of lances. She wills them to strike, only to pull back at the last moment. The skeleton claims the six drakes and rushes them to blockade the demon army. Lana transfers the remainder of absorbed energy to the skeleton summoner and more to Gavin and Becky.
Her instincts flare, giving her a warning. A light spear forms in her hand when seven assassins appear behind her. Her spear stabs into the assassin targeting her. The ashen scaly-horned man, a good foot taller than her and three times her size, chokes on his breath as she pulls back her spear that blew through her target's chest. Shields and barriers are summoned to protect her friends before the lifeless form can even hit the ground. She levels her spear to strike her next target when the remaining six demons lifelessly drop.
****
It's a mad dash to make it to the defenders in time. I pass Bones taking note that he's hardly struggling anymore. Goldi supports my companion just as the demons strike out of their shadows. I'm nearly there. Goldi already has a spear formed in her hand, and judging by her armor and skill, she should be able to take a hit from these ashen walkers.
Deciding to let Goldi take care of herself, I run past her and appear behind the three demons targeting Gavin and Becky. My perception is still covering me; however, I've pulled it back more, allowing my veil to be even thicker. When I step out of shadow, the ashen walkers don't sense I'm behind them. I slash through their bodies with both swords, completing three separate attacks in the flash of an eye.
I'm back in my shadow, looking at Goldi's attacker and seeing that he is well on his way to being impaled. I skip over him again and focus on the remaining three targeting the other defending templars. I'm behind them in a blink; my movement sped up from using shadow. Six more strikes claim three more demons. I step into shadow and sprint toward the demon army as all seven shadow assassins fall.
****
Lana looks for the cause of the demon's deaths and sees nothing. The only evidence is the deep wounds slashed through the demons' backs. Distracted by the intensity of the battle, none of her defenders even noticed the attack was happening. These assassins were skilled. The fact that they could get so close and nearly complete their attack is a testament to their skill. Some of them were even at the templar rank as well. Had they not been disposed of so quickly, it would have been a disaster.
She does her best to shake the discomforting chills that run down her back. With a thought, she taps into her well of power and bolsters her spirit. Her perception stretches out further, becoming more sensitive to the subtlety of the battle. The fight for her town has only begun.