After Timeus's dismissal, Erubin was escorted by his fellow warriors to a tent near the infirmary.
As much as Erubin wanted to be left alone, the doctors and healers very much insisted he get medical attention. After all, his wounds were still fresh after their harrowing clash this afternoon.
Erubin sat down with a deep sigh, his shoulders slumping down as he felt the urge to lay down.
Setting aside his blade, Erubin slowly took off his clothes and armor, peeling some of them off as they'd long stitched themselves into his skin.
"Tsss..." Erubin hissed in pain as he let go of his breastplate, followed by a resounding thud.
Erubin's chest rose up and down as he winced upon caressing the lacerations on his flesh. It's still a wonder how he's still able to move in his condition.
Erubin's attention soon shifted towards the tent entrance, where shallow footsteps slowly made their way across, revealing a man adorned in a white coat.
The man set down his tools on the side, opening them to reveal potions, knives, and bandages of all kinds neatly arranged in order.
"Mister Erubin? Am I not wrong?" The man asked.
Erubin gave a brief nod in reply, assuring the doctor of his identity.
Without wasting another moment, the doctor swiftly approached Erubin, examining his wounds with careful observation.
Seizing the opportunity, Erubin spoke. "Has there been any changes in the camp... Georgo Road lately?"
The doctor shot a quick glance at Erubin before replying. "The usual. Life's gone harder. More deaths, more casualties, and more suffering."
Erubin's jaw clenched tight, nerves etching lines in his face.
"Those bastards... how bad has it gotten?" Erubin inquired.
The doctor delicately cleaned off the blood marring Erubin's flesh before giving a response. "Bad."
A deep sigh escaped Erubin's lips. "So they forbade you from exposing anything to me?" he asked.
The doctor remained silent as he wiped the wounds with a cool liquid before tightly securing them with a bandage.
"You won't speak? Even if I give you my rations for the next three days?" Erubin bribed, his gaze tearing a hole in the man.
The doctor shot a look at Erubin before replying. "Five days."
Erubin's gaze narrowed. "Fine," he agreed.
The doctor rose to his feet as he took more bandages and medications.
"The abominations have advanced even further; they've covered roughly 80% of the Georgo road," the doctor revealed.
Erubin's expression fell grim. The atmosphere in the room chilled with every passing second.
"Raise your arm, please," the doctor said.
Erubin raised his arm up, allowing the man to wrap the area in clean bandages.
"What else?" he asked.
The doctor swiftly tore the bandage as he replied. "They've become fiercer and bolder with their attacks. Their tactics are as brutal as it gets."
"What do you mean?" Erubin asked, his brows furrowed.
The doctor shot a glance back, ensuring no one was in the vicinity.
"The abominations have been launching raids one after the other. How do you think they've covered so much land in such a short time?" He pointed out.
Erubin's frown deepened.
"They'll do anything to win. They'll use their bloody wits to poison our water and food and even obstruct our resource groups," the man said.
"It doesn't end there. They'll often mimic the voices of our comrades, slowly luring you out there before devouring you alive," he described, his hand tightly grasping his leg.
Erubin's gaze shifted down, his eyes quivering in surprise. The man's leg was gone. It was nothing but a piece of wood latched tight to his thigh.
The doctor took a sharp breath, slowly releasing his grip as he held the wooden table beside him, steadying himself.
"The general has forbade women, may it be warriors or healers, to leave without a group of at least twelve people," he revealed.
Erubin's gaze jerked up, meeting the man eye-to-eye. "Why...?" he asked.
The man brought his arm up, pinching the bridge of his nose as he responded. "Those fuckers would drag the women deep within their lair, raping them and giving birth to a recently discovered enemy. Hybrids."
Erubin's ears fell deaf, his face contorting in rage. Memories flashed before his pupils as he swiftly crushed the wooden panels of his bed.
"Legs and head resemble those of the abominations, but their upper body is that of a human," the doctor narrated, his face pale.
"They're faster, stronger, and smarter too," he said as he took a flask hanging on his waist, chugging its contents in one fell swoop.
Filled with infernal rage, Erubin asked. "What the fuck have Timeus and the rest been doing?"
The doctor shot a glance off the horizon, his gaze lost and unsteady. The scent of liquor wafted in the air.
"To be honest, no one really knows what they're doing anymore. No one has an inkling what the hell they're even here for," he responded.
Erubin lowered his gaze, taking sharp breaths as he composed himself, but to no avail.
He could still feel it. The rage. The pain. That unyielding urge to massacre every one of the abominations caused all this pain. That took everything from him.
"We're barely scraping off the little rations we have left. We get basically no sleep, no rest, and no relief. We're just... tired," the man said, his tone coarse and desperate.
The man brought his flash to his lips, only to find it empty as a lone tear meandered down his cheek.
"We just want to go home," he muttered.
Erubin bit his lips, his palm stained red under his grueling grip.
This war has tortured them for long enough. It has taken too many things from them. Just when will their suffering end? Just when will the gods finally have enough?
Erubin scoffed. Were the gods even watching? Have they no pity for them? If they were truly all powerful, why would they allow this?
How could they allow this?
RANGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!
Erubin and the doctor jerked their heads forward, their eyes wide, as the doctor swiftly peeked out of the tent.
"Oh fuck, fuck, fuck!" he muttered, his hands trembling.
Erubin held the bedframe as he painstakingly rose to his feet. "What's happening?!" he asked.
The doctor took a few steps back as he frantically gathered his tools, words unintelligibly coming out of his mouth.
"Answer me!" Erubin roared, breaking the man from his stupor.
"That sound! It's the alarms! The fucking camp is under attack!" He bellowed, his face as pale as the winter snow.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
The doctor slammed his case tight before bolting out of the tent, allowing Erubin to witness dozens upon dozens of warriors gather in a panic, their weapons in tow.
"Damn it," Erubin muttered under his breath. Without wasting another second, he snatched his weapon up and made his way out, revealing the chaos ensuing outside.
Groups of warriors flocked together, strengthening their formations, while the ballistas and siege weapons mounted on the walls had long started firing, unleashing hell on earth.
The sound of arrows and projectiles breezing in the air, along with the thunderous explosion shaking the earth, sent dread to take root deep in the hearts of the soldiers.
Erubin's gaze darted around. The healers were led to a bunker deep below the camp, while some of the warriors had long lost their morale, sinking deep in their corner as they prayed for a swift death.
Erubin's grip tightened, the flames of rage setting his emotions ablaze.
How can they gamble everything on their gods when they've done nothing to help them win this war?
"Fools," he uttered before storming off.
Above the towers of the stronghold, soldiers, watchers, and knights alike stumbled as they dragged one ammunition after the other, relentlessly firing the ballistas without a sign of slowing down.
This scenario has never happened before. Never. Not a single beast has dared to attack the main stronghold. After all, it was a death sentence.
But doubt has now stemmed from the hearts of the warriors. Was the stronghold really invincible?
"WHERE THE FUCK ARE THEY?!" A soldier roared, fear glimmering off his pupils.
"I don't know!" A woman replied.
"WHERE THE FUCK ARE THE AMMUNITIONS?!" A fellow watcher bellowed.
"THEY'RE CLOSING NEAR THE GATE!!!" A burly man warned.
"FUCK, IT'S JAMMED!" A man roared.
Panic wafted in the air; the atmosphere has gone cold, and the men have long lost their cool.
Meanwhile, Erubin slowly made his way up the walls, where he was greeted by further chaos.
Soldiers ran about, dragging along large crates filled with ammunition. Some were spilled everywhere, blocking off the routes and delaying the delivery.
"Move!" A soldier screamed before brushing against Erubin, nearly knocking him off his feet.
Inching closer towards the edge, Erubin finally saw the lands beyond the towering walls, revealing the swarms of abominations heading for the gates.
Hundreds upon thousands of large black wolves traveled in hordes, their razor-sharp claws and canine fangs ready to tear everything in their path.
"WHERE'S THE GENERAL?!" A fellow knight asked.
"THE GENERAL IS OCCUPIED BY AN ABOMINATION!" A watcher replied before firing the ballistas.
"THE SECOND LINE OF DEFENSE HAS COLLAPSED!" A knight roared, fueling the frenzy even further.
Against the unwavering numbers of the abominations, mere wooden stakes were of no match. Their pitfalls have long been filled as well.
Erubin felt the world swirl around him. His hearing became muffled, and he felt suffocated as he hungered for air.
Were they really going to lose just like this?
After all their struggles? After all their sacrifices?
Erubin felt everything around him collapse. The wind felt stale, and everything was silenced.
Except for a single voice, or rather, a memory.
"Get your shit off the gutter."
Erubin clenched his fist, his fingers digging down the enrudite walls. Taking a sharp breath, he speared a glance forward, far towards the horizon where they came.
No. Not now. They still have a chance. A meager hope. But one he's willing to bet on.
Erubin straightened his back, steadfastly braving the pain as he ran towards the top of the tower.
Witnessing the utter chaos and panic shrouding the encampment, he knew that there was only one thing that could change the tide of battle. One they abandoned long ago.
Hope.
"WARRIORS! HEAR ME!" Erubin roared with his all, his voice reverberating in the air as it traveled far and wide, luring the attention of the soldiers, watchers, and knights.
Steeling his resolve, Erubin spoke. "GATHER YOUR COURAGE! GATHER YOUR LAST REMAINING STRENGTH AND PREVAIL! FIGHT! FIGHT UNTIL YOUR LAST!"
Erubin brought his arm forth, smashing it into his chest, where his frenzied heart thumps in defiance.
"AS LONG AS WE BREATH, IT'S NOT OVER! STRUGGLE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN! OUR HOPE IS YET TO BE EXTINGUISHED!!!" Erubin bellowed.
The warriors watched Erubin in silence, their gazes quivering. Did they really have a chance? A hope for victory?
But how?
"PUT YOUR FAITH ON ME... ON THEM!" Erubin roared.
The soldiers exchanged looks as one of them came forward and asked. "But who? Who shall we put our faith to?"
Erubin unsheathed his blade as he descended the stairs, his footsteps resonating within the fortress.
"You'll know soon," he replied.
The soldiers gazed at their bruised hands, slowly clenching them into a fist. Their nails digging in their palms, bringing forth a surge of clarity.
With a glance forward, their eyes held something they once thought they had lost.
The will to fight.
"MAN THE BALLISTAS!" A soldier roared, igniting the flames in everyone's hearts.
The soldiers roared once more, this time not out of fear but out of courage.
"YOU HEARD HIM LADS! FIGHT TILL OUR LAST!" A watcher said.
"FIRE THE BALLISTAS! SHRED THEM DOWN!" A female knight ordered, followed by consecutive thundering explosions.
The warriors moved in waves as they loaded the ballistas and siege weapons, mauling away the swarm of enemies marching towards them.
Meanwhile, the soldiers on foot swiftly fell into formation. Up front stood the soldiers, wielding shields, while the damage dealers stayed back, dealing with anything that got through.
They positioned themselves in front of the towering metal gate, ready to meet the horde with their remaining power.
"HYBRIDS!" A watcher warned.
"TAKE COVER!" A soldier screamed before ducking down.
The warriors above the walls fell to their knees, swiftly taking cover.
Far beyond the towering safety of the fortress, another horde of abominations came into view.
Grotesque hybrids, with their lower halves resembling that of a wolf while their torso was that of a man.
In their palms nested sharp stones as they slowly cranked their arms back, launching the projectiles with the utmost ferocity.
The sharp stones soared in the sky, blocking the moonlight with their might before descending down with unwavering strength. Bringing forth destruction in their wake.
The stones crashed down the walls, slowly carving their way through. Some tearing through the thinner portions near the upper segments of the fortress.
The soldiers remained low, narrowly dodging the barrage of stones hurling their way. Unfortunately, not all heard the warnings in time.
Some of the warriors remained upright, unaware of the danger inching in their direction.
When they finally noticed the sudden shift in the atmosphere, it was too late.
Before a watcher's eyes, a woman carrying a crate of arrows was blown open by stones, her body riddled with holes as her blood splattered everywhere.
The watcher couldn't do anything but watch as the woman's corpse fell down with a thud, her guts sprawling off her body.
Dozens more fell victim to the same fate, their bodies riddled with holes as the stones brutally took their lives.
The pale, cold floor of the fortress was soon painted crimson, replaced by the warmth of blood.
Noticing the end of the barrage, a soldier roared. "THEY'RE PREPARING FOR A SECOND ATTACK! FIRE THE SIEGE WEAPONS!"
The warriors hastily rose up, swiftly firing the machines mounted on the walls.
The dark night sky was lit for a brief moment as fireballs came hauling in from the heavens, striking down with ear-shattering explosions.
Towering flames engulfed parts of the plains, scorching dozens of hybrids and wolves in an instant.
However, the hybrids weren't done yet.
A soldier's eyes widened as he screamed. "TAKE COV—" His words were cut short as his face was teared off his neck, his flesh spraying off another man's face.
The warriors dove down in a panic as another myriad of stones brushed past their heads, blowing off some of their cover in the process.
Screams and cries of agony wailed in the air as some of their comrades wandered with chunks of their bodies missing.
Those left without a shield had no choice but to watch as the stones crashed through them, sending them back.
"RETALIATE! FIRE THE BALLISTAS!" A watcher instructed as he fired one arrow after the other.
Meanwhile, Erubin had joined the regimen below. He was now adorned in armor in preparation for their march outside the walls.
Their echoes have also taken position, their abilities are ready to go any second now.
Soon, Erubin felt tremors under his soles, followed by a warning.
"THEY'VE GONE PAST OUR FINAL LINE OF DEFENCE!!!" A soldier said.
Cold beads of sweat trickled down the warriors foreheads, their backs drenched in them as they tightened their grip.
The final line of defense outside these walls was mines, which means they're near the walls.
"DO NOT LET THEM PASS! IF WE FALL, TERA FALLS!" A burly watcher roared.
The warriors stomped their feet and banged their weapons as they chanted.
"AHOO! AHOO! AHOO!"
Slowly, a loud, cranking sound wafted in the air.
"THE GATES ARE OPENING!!!"
Erubin held his blade close, his eyes fixed ahead. Carefully watching as the heavy metal gates made way.
"CHARGGEEEEEE!!!"
The warriors roared as they ran forward, greeting the horde of beasts head-on.
The heavy units slammed their shields without mercy, knocking back the wolves.
Seizing the opportunity, those holding spears took their chances, impaling one wolf after the other.
The dark night sky was lit by spells as the echoes among them utilized their abilities, reaping through the waves of abominations.
However, the sheer number of enemies proved prevalent as they charged endlessly, bashing and clawing the shields of the heavy units.
The tanks pushed with all their might, their boots skidding off the ground as the wolves hurled like a stampede.
Groans and war cries resonated in the air, piles of bodies stacked against each other, forming small mountains of corpses.
Erubin groaned in pain as he swung his blade without rest, the sharp edge of his sword cleaving through the flesh of the abomination with ease as he spoke.
"Miturna!"
Erubin's blade burst into fire, scorching the wolves as he severed their heads.
Above them, the fireballs from the siege weapons soared in the sky, leaving incandescent streaks as they landed with hellfire.
"PUSH!" The soldiers bellowed.
The abominations kept pouring without an end, eventually breaking through the formation as they dragged the heavy units away, mauling them without mercy.
"AHHHH, HELP ME! NO—!" Their cries and pleas for help were silenced soon as the wolves tore them piece by piece.
Erubin's chest rose up and down, akin to a boat stranded in the sea, as his gaze wandered about, absorbing the mayhem and deaths.
Watchers, soldiers, and knights alike slowly fell one by one, their corpses lining up as their losses rose higher by the second.
Gritting his teeth, Erubin dashed forward, swiftly cleaving through five beasts in a second when he was overshadowed by another abomination.
Erubin jerked his head back, but to no avail, as the wolf bit his shoulders, dragging him through the dirt before launching him back.
Erubin struck the ground with a reckoning boom, stirring the dust and shattering the earth.
Erubin's pained groan left trails of echo in the air as he struggled to raise his head.
It wasn't over yet.
They were so close.
So close.
"No..." he whispered as his vision dimmed, tears welling up in his eyes.
Was this really the end for them?
Before Erubin's dimming gaze, the warriors he rallied were slaughtered like pigs, mauled to death by the fangs of the wolves that caused all their misery.
He felt angry. Frustrated.
Why was he so weak?
Erubin's eyelids felt heavy; he wanted to sleep.
"N...not l-like... this..." He struggled to utter when a voice reverberated in the air, luring everyone's attention to the towering trees on the horizon where two silhouettes took form in the darkness. Bringing forth...
Hope.
"Don't worry. Leave the rest to us."