Chereads / A skeleton's journey / Chapter 18 - The siege of Gobi

Chapter 18 - The siege of Gobi

[While Yosif was busy in the dungeons]

Matt was chatting with Lana about her next quest's details while Jacob and Derek were busy getting their equipment repaired. Luna is also there but she just keeps to herself reading a book in the corner of the room. Suddenly the doors to the guild busts open with a gust of wind as someone hurriedly rushes inside. That figure was none other than Maria, the town's healer who was wearing her nun outfit. But her eyes held distress, her face drenched in sweat and her silky black hair was disheveled.

Maria: MR MATT! WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY!

Before Matt could even say anything, he was roughly grasped by the arm and dragged outside towards the church. Despite Maria not having much strength, Matt was still pulled along like a ragdoll. This scene draws the attention of many adventurers including Lana and Luna who follow all follow Maria to the church.

The church does have benches and a pulpit like any other but this one doesn't specialize in preaching of any sorts but rather treating the wounded. A medical area was set up in the back acting as a hospital for the townsfolks which Maria was in charge of. Maria storms into the room while still holding Matt by the collar of his tunic and soon after, the adventurers arrive as well. The room was meant for emergency operation/important patient that takes priority is mostly empty save for a single bed.

In the bed lies an adventurer who was on the verge of death. It's a miracle that he's still breathing while missing an arm, lying in his own blood with an eye gouged out. Cuts and gashes covered his torso along with burnt skin and bruises. Multiple arrows stuck out of his back making him more akin to a porcupine. His hair has long turned red from blood and his face in spite of the pain still lits up with happiness when he saw Matt. Everybody else but Maria was horrified of such injuries on someone with the rank of platinum. Matt fell to his knees beside the bed as the dying adventurer beckons.

Matt: What in lord's name happened to you?

Adventurer: *cough* there isn't much time left *cough* raise the alarms, assemble the guards!

Matt: Much time for what?

Adventurer: They're coming... The Bandit king...

As the adventurer utters those final words, his eyes turned glassy and he slumps back into the bed. Matt was shocked at the revelation of the bandit king himself storming Gobi. Although the man might be a bandit, he was by no means a weak one. Brigand Vvulf used to be an obsidian adventurer but his greed got the better of him as his morals diminish from time to time before he completely turn to the path of crimes. His bandits, the Conquerors are well known for their strength to the point where it takes elite guards to repel a raid from them. Yet now, They are attacking Gobi with a siege. Since the new king has taken the throne, he has been focused on milking profits out of the people and nobles. The only place in Novistud that he cares about is the capital Canvastor where most trade takes place so he can tax them. And because of that, towns like Gobi doesn't get any aid from guards at all and have to rely on their local adventurers and militia.

Maria: mr Matt, what can we do to stop such a force?

Matt: everything Maria. LANA SPREAD THE WORDS, ALL THOSE WHO CAN FIGHT SHALL HOLD GOBI TO THEIR VERY LAST BREATHS!

The townsfolks were startled at the sudden of appearance of adventurers and guards quickly flooding the streets with weapons drawn. A horn sounded throughout Gobi as civilians run back to their homes and lock their doors. A total of 150 town guards and 80 adventurers including Lana's party along with other representatives of town were there. Roxanne has changed into padded leather armor and combat boots with steel gauntlets standing next to Maria who now has her staff gripped in her hands. On the other hand, Matt was in full knight armor standing next to an old man with gray hair wearing crimson robes. That old man was the mayor of the town, Osmond the Flaming Blade, known for his prowess as a warrior mage. Though age has caught up to him and bring him into retirement, he would be damned if he stay behind and watch his people die.

Osmond: WARRIORS OF GOBI! TODAY WE STAND HERE TOGETHER FOR THE WELFARE OF OUR HOME AND FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR FAMILY! TODAY, WE WILL DEFEAT THE BANDIT KING AND END HIS REIGN OF TERROR!

The surprisingly booming voice from the mayor fill everyone with courage as they cheer and take up their position on the walls and behind the gate. Soon enough, Vvulf arrives with his own people. On the horizon, banners of a howling wolf can be seen along with the thundering steps of hundreds. Brigands of all sort and size march towards Gobi with their leader Vvulf in front. Vvulf was a monster of a man standing tall at 2.5 meters wearing heavy plate armor with the insignia of an one-eyed wolf painted on his chest. He didn't wear helmet to show off his maniacal bloodthirsty grin and his grizzled beard. In his left hand, he wields a massive tower shield with spikes caked in blood on the top and bottom with a human skull strapped to the middle of the shield. With an earth shattering battle cry from Vvulf, all of the bandits charge forth with the staggering number of 500.

Archers and mages on the walls shower them with spells and arrows yet none of them slow down at all despite the damage dealt to them. The bandits have archers and mages of their own who return fire but the high walls of Gobi make it so that they couldn't directly hit the defenders. Suffering too much suppressing fire from the enemies, some defenders on the walls have to withdraw to treat their injuries. While down on the ground, the bandits have already arrived at the gate and started ramming it with all their might. Vvulf steps forward and breaks the gate apart with his shield as bandits pour into the town.

Vvulf: YOU CANNOT HIDE IN YOUR PUNY WALLS! TEAR THEM TO SHRED BOYS!

Chaos descended as the two sides clash with each other. The guards couldn't stand a chance being heavily outnumbered while the adventurers are barely staying alive with their skills. There is simply too many bandits for them to handle and add that with Vvulf cutting people in half with his shield. Maria is using all of her mana to tend to the wounded while Roxanne punches any flankers trying to get to the support line. Lana and Osmond rain fire upon the bandits managing to kill quite a lot while Derek focus on distracting them and Jacob focus on flanking. Luna casts buffs left and right unfortunately drawing the attention of their archers as she got struck in the shoulder by an arrow. Luckily, Derek blocked the other incoming arrows making an oppoturnity for Luna to safely retreat back to Maria. As the battle carries on with more and more people dying on both sides, Vvulf had enough and unleashes his full power.

Vvulf: GRAAAGGHHHH [BERSERKER'S MIGHT]

And just like that, Vvulf charges through the defenses like they were tissues squashing people with his shield. Osmond tried to stop the charge but his mana was already low and he could only cast a few [fire bolt] before being completely exhausted. Matt intercepts Vvulf with his own shield successfully stopping the charge but was blown back with his arms broken as a cost. Maria is barely conscious having had used all of her mana to heal the wounded. Things were looking grim for Gobi as the townsfolks look outside their windows to see the bandits winning. Now there were only 45 guards and 38 adventurers left with Matt barely standing, Roxanne and Osmond. While the bandits have 289 remaining and Vvulf didn't even have a scratch on him.

Without warning, Vvulf lunges at Lana who was the furthest in the front. Maria prays for a miracle from God as she closes her eyes and hope that the lord will answers. Strange enough, she could almost hear faint words sang from up above.

sent a message to the sky, wounded soldiers left to die

will they hold the wall or will the city fall...

*CLANG* *BOOM* the impact created an explosion kicking up the dust all around. As the dust clears, everybody looks away not wanting to see the state of Lana while the bandits look on in anticipation at their boss next kill. What both sides didn't expect is to see Vvulf being flung the air and crashes into the bandit. Lana slowly and fearfully opens her eyes at the gasp of the people. Right in front of Lana was a figure clad in armor holding a shield that blocked the attack completely. The all too familiar armor of the chef that brings joy to the town everyday. Yosif has returned...

Total inventory:

The iron castle

Warp dagger

Diadem of supreme arcane might

Helm of clairvoyance

Old knight captain's armor

11 slime essence

130 bone powder

5 giant cave bat wings

10 scrap metal

Crystal of decay

Leather accessories(pouch, belt, holster)

7 healing potions

Greater ironskin potion

Captain Lambert's journal entry #1

76 copper 53 silver 46294 gold

Current familiars:

- Sergei the Skeleton Paladin