Leo saw the strange formation used by the new types. They were hiding behind a wall while they hurled fellow new types to explode within the ranks of the Kalonians. Needless to say, the damage was devastating. A single explosion could easily decimate 5 adventurers.
While he was in owl form, he was able to use sharp eyesight whether night or day. From a safe distance up above the battlefield, he floated and started to gather his mana. Even though his owl form was glowing, it seemed like a tiny speck in the sky to the naked eye.
'[Explosion], [Explosion]!'
He started casting spells even while in owl form! It was a form of ultimate magic that Leo developed using his own innate abilities. Choosing an area of attack to deal more damage, he continued to unload spell after spell onto the monster' s ranks.
Boom! Boom!
Explosions detonated one after the other behind the monster's barricade. This time, the explosions were caused by Leo's magic onslaught. Each thunderous explosion set off a chain of explosions that shook the ground and threw dirt everywhere.
"Sebastian, it seems that Leo has made his attack. What should we do?" Zes asked her previous master who was now her comrade. Out of habit, she asked him what they were going to do next.
"Let's not go out there and get ourselves killed by friendly fire. Rest up and help recover the wounded. Once you see openings, pick off the new types if you can." Sebastian started chewing tea leaves to replenish his spent mana. It was a method unheard of in Kalonia, yet he found it convenient especially in the battle field. He didn't have the time nor luxury to sit down and have tea to replenish his mana.
With a nod, Zes started doing the same. She took apart a tea bag and chewed the leaves. Even though it was bitter and acrid, she found her mana slowly recovering. After Sebastian' s advice, she started to focus on recovering the wounded and bringing them over to the makeshift medic tent.
On the other side of the battlefield, a certain figure stood close to the front lines. A guard noticed her and tried to warn her.
"Rivie stay back! We'll focus on keeping the line here! You can stay back and focus on your spells."
Standing steadfast, she merely smiled and lifted her glowing staff. Even though it was mid-day, her staff still managed to illuminate her immediate surroundings. After mumbling to herself, she pointed her staff towards the new types clustered in front of them.
"[Explosion], [Explosion], [Lightning Storm], [Lightning Storm], [Ice Shards], [Explosion]!"
With the speed in her casting, it seemed that she unleashed magick spells in a single chain. The battlefield in front bore the brunt of her relentless attack. Explosions went off one after the other, leaving dead bodies in its wake.
Beside her, the guard who tried to admonish her stared at the havoc in front of him with mouth agape. He unconsciously lowered his weapon in response to the shock. This time, it was Rivie's turn to tell him off.
"Keep your weapons up! We don't know if new types survived the attack. They might rush us once the dust settles!"
"Um, I don't think anything could have survived from that attack." The guard responded with a meek voice, however, he still hoisted his weapon up in defence.
With the three-pronged attack, the battle seemed to sway in favour of the remaining Kalonians. The first layer of defence was able to swap out with fresh adventurers and guards. Healers and mages were also able to focus on their respective tasks as well. Some even started chewing tea leaves to replenish their mana stores. Who started the habit, no one could specifically tell. All they knew was that it worked once you got over the initial shock in the taste.
After a few hours, the other defensive forces were already raring to go.
"Elias, you can rest for now! We'll take it from here. Healers are already waiting for you at the back!"
"Rivie stand back for now. We can cover for you. Replenish your mana."
Adventurers and guards were swapping out with their three leaders to give them breaks. Even with the extensive damage they caused, the new types still continued to pour in from all sides. Fighting continued on until dusk.
"Make sure to disrupt their wall formations! They're trying to throw explosive new types over their wall!"
Everyone was already familiar with the new types' formation and method of attack. However, reality was about to keep them in check. Although they knew what to expect, their resources weren't unlimited. Everyone was mentally and physically exhausted. Cracks started to show in their own formations.
"[Ice Lance]! Damn, I missed!"
A mage carelessly shot his spell at a target and missed. Even though it grazed the new type at the back, it couldn't deal substantial damage. The intended target continued to rush through the battlefield, threatening the front liners.
"Step back! Archers and mages focus on that target! On me!" A lone guard broke the ranks and stood in front.
"Gerald wait! Damn it! Everyone support him!" Another adventurer called out and quickly reestablished order. Even a single new type caused much havoc in their formation. It was a testament to how stretched they were to the point of breaking.
Before Gerald was able to engage with the new type, a dark figure flew onto the line.
Boom!
A crater appeared where Gerald once stood. Even before the dust settled, the new type, now unhindered, charged through the ranks. It used its limbs to hew the helpless adventurers and guards caught surprised.
"It broke through-ack!"
"Where's the rest of the defensive line! Second layer!" Amongst the chaos, another guard tried to reorganise order. However, it was useless with all the chaos and death happening around them. Humans, beastkin, dwarves, and elves alike all prioritised their own survival over maintaining the perimeter.
The ensuing pandemonium spread like wildfire. Adventurers and guards alike were recklessly using their skills. Ranks were broken and lines disappeared. The new types didn't miss this opportunity and continued to pour in the weakened side.
In the distance, Sebastian turned his golden eyes towards the screaming and the cries. It sounded painful and raised goosebumps on his skin. He realised that he could never get over the sound of death on the battlefield.
Zes stood beside him. "Should we go there? I've rested enough." Her magick weapon, Pertinax hummed on her side.
Sebastian also held his weapon and coursed his mana through it. "Let's go. It seems that fatigue has taken its toll." Wordlessly, the duo slipped through the lines and got to the disorder fast.
"[Augment] Hyper Sense, Triple Physical Augment, Adrenaline Rush!" Sebastian became the embodiment of death as he struck down the new types that appeared before him. With each slash of his weapon, it cleaved new types into two. Before they even got the chance to condense their mana and explode, they were struck down mercilessly.
"[Oakskin]! [Fireball], [Ice Lance]!" Zes did her part in the foray as well. Using spells to cover Sebastian's blind spots, she managed to clear out the surrounding new types likewise.
When the other members of the panicked defence force managed to catch their breaths, an adventurer saw this and cast [Signal]. This was intended to beckon the entire defence force that this area needed support and fortifying at the very moment. However, he looked at the sky and froze.
Around the battlefield, multiple [Signal] spells were released at the same time. It almost seemed like a symphony of light and sound from the mana explosions caused by the spell. The surrounding sides also required help and were being pressed back. It didn't even help that Leo, Rivie, and Elias were back in the fight. There was simply too much for them all to handle.
Boom! BOOM! BOOM!
As if in response to the [Signal] spells, the new types responded with their own cacophony of destruction. Each explosion detonated in quick succession, blasting the entire first layer of defence away. Even the members of the second line of defense were affected by the shockwaves. That was how close and how many the suicide explosions were.
A bloodied beastkin staggered through the battlefield. He picked up an elf lying down on the ground. "Leo, you have to escape. Change your form and go! We can't hold on here!"
The elf looked up weakly to the beastkin who was bleeding profusely through his mouth. He tried to move his mana for a [Heal] spell, but he was too physically battered to materialise anything. "I can't. *cough* Find Rivie and go."
Elias was about to reply but he shook his head instead. Leo had already succumbed to his injuries. Seeing his companions die one after the other these past few days had been weighing heavily on his psyche. When he saw his old friend die in his arms, it broke him.
"Waaaagghh!" A mixture of a shout and sob broke free from his throat. The hot tears ran down his face and blurred his vision. His beastkin senses told him that something was approaching him fast. With a quick turn, he pointed his weapon at the incoming object. What faced him instead was a glowing wolf's head with 8 limbs.
BOOM!
***
Across the battlefield, Sebastian pulled Zes to safety just before the explosions happened. He sensed the turbulent mana envelope the entire battlefield a fraction of a second ago. Using his heightened abilities, he managed to grab Zes and dive behind the defensive line. It was a cowardly move, but it ensured their safety. Looking up, he saw that there was nothing left of the defensive line in front of them. New types continued to pour into their broken defence, picking survivors off and even exploding in the midst of a group of stragglers.
"Sebastian..." The stubborn Zes couldn't contain her emotions any longer and sobbed while embracing her previous master.
"Zes. Listen to me. We might not get out of this alive. I want to tell you that it's been a pleasure having you by my side. I wish I could tell the same to the other members of the party but..." His voice trailed off as he remembered the other adventurers that were part of his party and helped him learn and grow as an adventurer.
Jin, who always wanted him to follow the rules and who always prioritised others first.
Aima, the mature red-haired dwarf who haggled for every bit of money to send to her parents in the countryside.
Mel, whom he helped at first to overcome her trauma and became his emotional support when he fell into despair.
And finally, Becky. Who was extremely harsh with him and Jin when they first started because she had high hopes that they would help her in avenging her previous party.
He choked and held back the tears as he remembered the times they adventured together and got to know each other better through their petty fights.
Sebastian looked up at the dimming sky while continuing to embrace Zes. "This has been my second life. I wish I could have done better this time around."
As the darkness settled into the land, the sounds of dying screams and explosions began fading.
When the new day dawned and light seeped into this part of Kalonia, there was no movement left in the survivor's camp. New types had picked off the survivors and stragglers alike. The new day had dawned for the new types in this world.
The End