Nimrod was standing in the middle of the path that led to Moriah. The monster army had finally made it down the mountain range and charged downward toward him. Most of those monsters had humanoid features (they were bipedal creatures and looked like beastmen, but they weren't of any known species of beastmen), and still, there was a wide variety of them. Some didn't have any humanoid features whatsoever. But they were all out for blood.
When the first wave of monsters was within 20 meters of Nimrod, arrows started to rain. Archers were positioned throughout the plane, covered in mantles the same color as the snow covering the terrain. The camouflage tactic worked like a charm since they were all undetected until they started firing their arrows. The first wave of arrows that hit the monsters didn't damage them. The monsters were laughing at the seemingly futile attempt. But the next wave fired was a barrage of loaded arrows (the arrows had been imbued with elemental properties to mimic an elemental spell). The monster army started to scatter due to the loaded arrows. The strategy was working perfectly well. Several monsters were killed in the first three volleys of loaded arrows.
While they got scattered throughout the battlefield, Brawlers from the Morian army used martial arts techniques to take them down. Richard and Nimrod joined in on the action and started taking them down. Rachel was hidden somewhere on the field, providing Cure spells for whoever needed them. Legend was protecting Rachel, and Meg wasn't far away from them.
Andreza could see how the battle developed from the airship up above... or at least that was what she was supposed to do. She couldn't stop thinking about Zeldrys. Before he abandoned them, the emperor had already sent word of the Cabal's betrayal. But despite receiving word of that, she refused to view Zeldrys as an enemy (even though she was putting on a front in public).
Monster Captain: Shall I join the fight now, Commander?
Andreza: Huh? What are you talking about?
Monster Captain: You said earlier to wait a moment before jumping into battle... So… is now a good time to jump in?
She had forgotten entirely about the instructions she gave him and the other monsters. That was Dragovir. A murderer that had been sentenced to life in prison but was chosen for the soldier-to-monster program and thus pardoned of all his crimes. The enhancements he received in the process led by Doctor Hyde Park made him somewhat of a crossing between a Dragon and a Werewolf. When he was in battle, he could rip his enemies apart with brutal strength... He used his bare hands and sharp teeth to eviscerate his enemies in battle. In some cases, he even ate them for dramatic effect.
Andreza: Yes... You may go now, Dragovir.
Dragovir: Thanks, Commander. {Finally, gonna have some fun!}
He jumped to the battlefield from the airship (it was at least thirty meters high in the sky).
He landed on a monster from the Reach's army, squishing him and splattering all of its insides on the ground. There were two brawlers from Moriah in front of him. They got slightly startled as they suddenly saw him fall from the sky. They got nauseous when they saw what happened to the monster he landed on. Dragovir picked each one up in his hands, holding them from their faces. The brawlers were suffocating but fighting desperately as the pressure they felt was about to crush their skulls. A knight from Moriah came to their aid. He ran straight at Dragovir with his sword. He couldn't slash him because Dragovir shattered the blade with a chomp, then bit off the knight's arm.
Dragovir: That's not half bad! Hold on a sec... Be right back with ya to get some more of that...
He resumed crushing the two brawlers' skulls and slammed them face down. Even from a distance, you could hear all of their bones crack.
Dragovir: OK. As I was saying, good stuff. Come at me with your left hand now... I'd like to taste that one.
Moriah Knight: You are an abomination! – He said while almost going mad due to the pain.
Dragovir: That's the best comeback you've got? At least make it interesting! Oh well… Never mind...
Dragovir held him by the neck, piercing his armor. With his other hand, he pierced through his chest and cut him in half.
Dragovir: Ah... I forgot! I was gonna eat this one! Whelp... I guess I could always eat you! – he was looking at another soldier from Moriah who had seen the earlier interaction. He tried to escape, but Dragovir jumped high and fell on him as dragoons do with their special jump skills. He then ripped him apart with his massive sharp fangs.
Dragovir was enjoying himself thoroughly. It had been a long time since he had had the chance to let loose like that. Violence just made him happy.
Meg: Richard! Be careful with the one that has a dragon-shaped head! He's extremely dangerous!
Richard: Understood! {Wait... What is Meg doing here...? Why do I even bother...}
Up on the airship
Andreza: {Could I be under a spell of some sort? Impossible... I already used Scan on myself. But why am I drawn to him like that? I hardly even spoke with him! It doesn't matter... I must find him! After we're finished here... I must...}
While the battle took place on land by the mountainside, Andreza became increasingly distracted by her sudden infatuation with Zeldrys. At the same time, the effects of the Stop spell that she had cast on Vortigen had just faded away. He realized that he had been under a spell and saw Andreza distracted.
Vortigen: {This is my chance. This wench will learn not to ever again toy with me!}
He picked up his spear and swiftly pierced her behind the left ribcage. As he pulled out the spear's blade, he kicked her off the airship, watching as she fell out of sight into the mountain.
Vortigen: Serves her right! Now… who's piloting this thing? Bring it down in a safe spot. I want a closer look at our victory!
Down in the battle, Dragovir saw how someone was healing Richard and Nimrod. Since they appeared to be doing the most damage to his troops, he decided to take them on.
Dragovir: I finally get it. I was wondering how it was that you two were still fighting when most of the others on your team had run out of steam... You're cheating!
Richard: You are one big and awful-looking one... Nonetheless, I have seen worse.
Dragovir: Good talk – he then proceeded to charge at Richard with a full-strength body slam. Richard blocked with his shield, despite the incredible speed his foe possessed.
The sheer force of the impact was such that it shattered the shield. Richard was also stunned after the attack, with his shield hand feeling numb. Dragovir picked him up and was about to take a bite out of him when Nimrod used his Slam stomp, catching him off guard. Richard ran to pierce his vitals while he seemed stunned. He cut him three times, but he was nowhere near his vital points.
Dragovir: Hey, that's good. You're making this interesting. It wouldn't be fun if it were over too soon. I like it!
Dragovir launched himself at them, trying to grab them, but Nimrod was able to get out of his hand's range. He managed to grab Richard, though. He was holding him up with one hand from his face and began applying pressure to crush his skull. Richard managed to pierce his arm with his sword, but he couldn't pull the blade back out. He was also unable to see, and despite hurting Dragovir, his grip did not waver. Legend then went in with a clean slash, cutting off Dragovir's arm.
Richard: [Gasp!] [Wheeze!] Thank-you---Legend...
Legend: Don't mention it!
Dragovir: What the... You're a kid! You guys are pretty messed up to put kids to defend your kingdoms!
Despite losing an arm, Dragovir seemed unfazed.
Nimrod: Guys. I think he's the last of the dangerous ones... Looks like we've got this! All we gotta do is take this sucker down!
Dragovir looked around and saw that there were many of the monsters lying defeated on the ground.
It also seemed like the ground had started to shake... an ever-present sensation that would only intensify as time went on.
Dragovir: Oh, you think that this is all our army? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Sorry to burst your bubble, but we've got hundreds of thousands more. Just one portal away. As a matter of fact... You feel that? These guys are even more vicious than I am! Mad respect for their work!
The shaking was more intense. It felt like several significant tremors colliding at once. Then you could see them. Three giants were on their way down the mountain. Fin, Fan, and Fun.
Nimrod: That's it... We're all dead. Better run while we still can!
Rachel: No! There's nowhere left to run, Nimrod... if we don't stop them here, this time they'll kill all the people of Dalmacia and Moriah combined! We can't let that happen!
Nimrod: Aw, man... you know I can't say no to you...
Richard: I see now. Those three must have been the ones that defeated Kohrr...
Legend: What do we do?!
Rachel: I need you to distract them. I will use the most potent offensive magic I know. But I need time to channel the spell.
Richard: We'll buy you as much time as we can.
Nimrod: Just try and keep us alive, OK?
Legend: She can't cast other spells while channeling for a big spell, Nimrod. We need to protect her.
Nimrod: Uh... Right! Well, not to be pessimistic, but we're all gonna die.
Rachel: Enough of that, Nimrod. Focus on the task at hand!
Legend: She's right... We'll get you the time you need, Rachel!
All three heroes charged at Dragovir head-on. Richard missed when trying to slash him and got punched in the face by Dragovir's good arm. Incredibly, he was still toying with them. He was ruthless, but this was all about the thrill for him.
Nimrod hit him with his flying charge attack, but Dragovir didn't flinch. He bit Nimrod in the arm, leaving him wounded and bleeding. He was about to bite Legend when he focused the light energy of the sword, and when Dragovir was really close, he released a large blast of light with one swing. The explosion of light pushed him back about twenty meters. Dragovir was hurt, but it wasn't enough to defeat him.
Dragovir: What the heck was that?! You could have killed me!
The way how he complained at Legend sounded so odd. It was as if he thought it was wrong for someone to hurt him that way. Legend just felt that he was utterly insane.
Legend: Have your buddies retreat now! Next time you may not be so lucky…
Dragovir: Listen to this kid! What kind of a world do we live in? Unbelievable...
The three giants were already in range. They could attack at any second. General Vortigen also arrived at the scene. He had another large number of troops with him. The giant Fan used his Whirlwind to try to blow them all away. Nimrod and Richard got blown away and thrown way back out of sight. Legend blocked the magic with the power of the Sword of Light by making a light shield. Rachel was behind him.
Rachel: Legend! When I shout the name of the spell, get out of the way!
Legend: Got it!
Rachel: Immeasurable flow of the rivers of light... Grant me your great power to destroy those that would harm the innocent!
HOLY!!!
Legend got out of the way, and Rachel targeted the giants with her spell. But since the giants were so big, she only managed to hit one of them. The Staff of Zoe gave her an enormous boost in magic power. An explosion of light hit and obliterated the giant Fin. He was disintegrated on an atomic level. But after casting Holy, Rachel was utterly exhausted. She couldn't even remain standing.
Despite all the effort, they only managed to destroy one of the three giants. Dragovir, despite missing an arm, was still a considerable threat. Fan and Fun were distraught by the killing of Fin. And behind them was General Vortigen and an army of monster soldiers headed their way. Nimrod flew back to where Rachel and Legend were.
Nimrod: Well... This is the end, isn't it?
Legend: It's just us left against an entire army! It's not fair!
Rachel: I-I'm s-sorry... I just – wasn't strong—enough-
Richard was slowly walking back to where the others were. And out of nowhere, another person was suddenly there with them. The mysterious mage, Relm, had just appeared, and he had a weapon emitting a bright and astounding glow.
Relm: Greetings. I told you we would meet again, didn't I?
Nimrod: Geez... You almost scared the crap outta me! Will you finally tell us who you are?
Relm: I am Relm. But that is just a name. I shall show you who I am shortly...
Nimrod spoke quietly to the others:
Nimrod: So... What do you guys think? Is he a friend or foe? A guy with that look on his face is definitely not all there. Believe me, I know about these things!
While all the Reach forces were headed towards them, Relm stood in the middle of the field. He raised the rod in the air. The sky turned black. Lightning started striking. The ground began shaking intensely. Energy was being gathered into the rod. Then Relm shouted.
Relm: I know you can hear me. THIS IS MY WORLD. YOU CAN'T HAVE IT!
Vortigen: Who is that madman? I want all the troops to kill him first! EVERYONE! ATTACK!
Relm was getting ready to use some next-level magic. Legend thought it would be wise to put up a shield with the sword.
Legend: Everyone, get behind me!
Relm: ... OBLIVION BLAST!
A giant ray was fired from the Omega Rod. The display of it was as beautiful as it was terrifying. The beam destroyed everything in its path. The giants Fan and Fun. Dragovir. General Vortigen and all of his troops. The mountain where they descended from. The airship where they came in. It was all gone. The aftermath of the blast had blown our heroes away. Everything went blank for a considerable amount of time.
When they all came to, they realized that the enemy was nowhere in sight. Even the mountain range isolating Moriah was blown away.
Richard: Unbelievable! I have never seen anything like this!
Nimrod: Guys...
Legend: He destroyed all of them... Everything… Just how powerful is he?
Rachel: We're saved! The people are safe! It's finally over! Thank you!
While the dust and smoke settled, Relm had a really disturbing smirk on his face. Was Nimrod the only one to notice it?