Day 4, part 4.
After a moment that seemingly dragged on an eternity, the white world slowly recedes as my sight finally starts returning to normal.
Looking around tentatively, I relax slightly as I confirm that my teammates are all ok. Stunned and confused, but ok.
Scanning my surroundings, it takes me a moment to find the Harrowers. Or rather, what remains of them.
Having been hit with way more voltage than I had imagined, little else than exploded and partially carbonized limbs remain of their once intimidating forms. With the occasional stray upper or lower body that still remains partially intact; If badly burned.
With the exception being the one Harrower that Raven killed. Said subject lies a few meters in front of me; largely undamaged, except the arrow sticking out of its chest, most likely hit straight through its heart.
Scanning the surroundings, and finding the carbonized remainder of our enemies, Aya looks at me blankly.
"Ray… what�� the hell happened?" She asks me, as she comes out of her daze. "Did you do that?" she asks, her face revealing a bit of fright.
Hesitating a moment, I decide it is best to tell the truth. They will know of my magic abilities sooner or later anyway; if we can stay alive long enough, that is.
"...Yeah." I reply reluctantly.
Opening her mouth to say something, she hesitates, then closes her mouth again.
A moment passes as I wait for her to continue.
Finally, all I get from her is a simple: "I see." before she walks over to the remains of an Harrower, squats and and starts inspecting what remains of the once fearsome beast.
Looking over at the rest of my teammates, they are all looking at me apprehensively.
All, except Jana; who has a strange gleam in her eyes as she looks at me. "So you're a mage too?! I can use a bit of light magic, what about you? I can't believe you managed to skip the chant completely!" Jana says, eyes still gleaming. "Are you a Disciple class? Or maybe even a Adept class?!" she asks excitedly.
"Uhh, no… I just started basic magic training." I say truthfully, feeling rather awkward about it.
Looking unconvinced, she tilts her head slightly to the side and says: "If you've just begun basic training then you must have been born with an absolutely enormous mana pool…" she says ponderously.
A second later she is back to maniac mode. "Oh! if you are this strong now, I'm sure you will get super strong in the future! You may even become a Hero!" She says, eyes all sparkly.
Scratching my head awkwardly as Jana keeps nattering on, I look to the others for help to change the topic.
Aya is ignoring me in favour of the partially carbonized piece of meat, and Raven is seemingly lost in thought as he gazes towards the direction the Harrowers came from. Looking over at Jacen, he smiles apologetically and shakes his head weakly at me.
With Jana still going on about Hero this and prodigy that; and with no help in sight, it's up to myself to do something to steer the young girl's attention away from me.
Turning and looking at Raven, I ask: "Raven, you see something?" and follow his gaze. I can't say I'm seeing anything stran… Wait.
That horde of... Things in the distance aren't grazing cattle, are they? Don't tell me those are the monsters, because if they are? Well... Simply put, we're screwed. Royally screwed.
Looking back at Raven, I ask him what I'm afraid I already know the answer to: "Those aren't what I think they are, are they? The monster hoard?"
Quickly glancing at me, he returns his gaze at the approaching horde and nods slowly and whispers just barely loud enough for me to hear him. "Monsters."
"Shit." I say, a little too loud and look over to the others. Everyone has perked up and come alive again at my outburst and they are all taking in the sight of the monster hoard that is approaching.
"There must be tens of thousands of them…" says Jacen and spits to the side.
"I'm up to about 19,000 so far, and doubt it's even half of them...." Raven says and pauses a moment before adding: "I think." he finishes, face scrunched in focus.
Looking back towards the monsters, who are still an hour or so distance away from us, I squint and try to make out the individual monsters.
I quickly give up the idea and look to Raven again, asking the obvious question. "How can you see so far? Do you have perfect eyesight or something?"
Gaze fixed on the horde, he replies with a short: "Chi enhancement."
'Chi? Like martial arts and whatnot?' I muse to myself. 'I guess mage-ninjas might actually be a thing for real then...'
Looking closer at Ravens eyes, I notice his eyes are weakly glowing with a pale blue light.
'Huh… I guess that's a thing. I'll need to ask him about teaching me later…' I note to myself. A moment later I sigh, and add: 'If we survive that long…'
Looking back at the rest of my team, they have gathered together and are drinking and eating light food as they keep a wary eye toward the south and the incoming monsters.
Walking over, I join them in a light meal to recover and build up stamina for the sprint back home.
As we wait for Raven to finish, the occasional screech can be heard from the monster horde, causing us to flinch and fidget with our weapons nervously.
Ten or so minutes later Raven suddenly turns towards us and says: "I'm done."
Sighing, he adds: "I count about 50,000 total." he says. Looking up at the sky, he corrects himself: "That I can see."
Looking over at Aya he says: "Aya, can you write what I say down?"
Nodding, she pulls out a piece of parchment from a sack at her hip, and starts taking note of what Raven says.
"Thanks." Raven says, and continues: "Like I said, 50,000 or so total. Approximately 26,000 are Fergits, 10,000 Graymanes, 8,000 Goliaths, 4,000 Rocktrolls, 1,500 Nightmares and 500 Behemoths."
Pausing for a moment, he looks us over before he continues: "Leading them all, is a high demon."
Gasps can be heard from all around me. Looking over at my teammates all of them, except Raven of course, looks shocked at the statement.
"Are you sure?!" Aya asks flustered.
With a grim expression Raven nods slowly. "I triple checked, and according to what I know of demons, it is a high demon." he says as he looks back at the horde.
"Lesser demons only have 1 or 2 small horns. This one has 3 long ones, like a crown." he says and shakes his head.
"There is no doubt it is of a higher order; It would also explain why there are so many monsters gathered. The demon has made this army." Raven states finally.
A moment of silence ensues as everyone processes the new information.
Glancing over towards the incoming horde, I notice they are moving unexpectedly fast; another 30 minutes and they may be here.
Coughing to get everyone's attention, I say: "So, mission accomplished. How about we get the hell away from here on and get back towards Gerela before that horde catches up to us?"
Looking a little relieved at the change of topic, Raven says: "Let's." Looking back at the horde, he continues quietly: "Not that the city will save us from that..." Adjusting his giant bow and making sure it is secured firmly, he looks up at us and nods. "Let's hurry back. We need to report back ASAP." he says and starts jogging back northwards, the rest of us falling in behind him.
------------------+×÷=
After running at a fast pace for an hour; with the occasional stop to take cover as Harrowers sweeped the plains, we safely arrived at the outskirts of Gerela.
-------×÷+
Waiting where we left him, corporal Kal leaves the map table and comes walking towards us when he notices our arrival.
As we reach talking distance, we slow our jog to a walk.
Lungs burning and out of breath, all my strength suddenly leaves my body as it realises I have reached safety, however temporary.
Promptly slumping down on the ground, I lie on the grass with chest heaving as the corporal reaches us.
--------+×÷
After finishing our report, we were told to standby in the training hall until further notice.
Having our orders, we do as we are told and return to the training hall.
----------××÷+×+
Once at the training hall, we look inside and notice there are 30 people waiting inside.
'That makes 6 groups…'
Counting us, that means there are still 4 groups at large.
'Hopefully they are just running late…' I reason, trying to stave off the grim feeling that is creeping up on me.
Patting me on my shoulder, Jacen says: "Let's go rest some, ok?" he says and walks past me while mumbling: "We still have the rest of the day left…"
Looking at my teammates receding backs for a long moment, I nod slowly to myself and follow them.
As we, group 6, find a good place that is out of the way; we make ourselves as comfortable as the current situation allows and rest.
---------+××÷+
I awaken with a start as someone comes into the training hall shouting loudly: "Get ready for combat!"
Following a short pause, another shout sounds: "All forces are to be deployed, report to your supervisor immediately!"
Sluggishly getting up, I look over at the one shouting; A guard I don't recognize.
After finishing relaying orders, he promptly turns and leaves.
-----+×=
After hurryingly getting geared and ready, we quickly make our way out to the plaza outside the guard post as one large group.
Arriving at the plaza, we quickly find corporal Kal and report for duty.
Looking over the gathered trainees, I realise that; while one more group have returned, 3 groups are still missing.
With chills running down my spine and an ice block in my stomach, I ponder their fate.
'Did they not make it…? Or are they simply MIA?'
I get startled out of my grim thoughts as corporal Kal suddenly shouts: "Form up recruits!"
Obeying in a hurry, we stand all neatly line up within seconds and await further instructions.
Looking the gathered trainees over, corporal Kal nods ever so slightly.
Straightening, he says: "I am glad so many of you have made it back home safely."
Sweeping his gaze over us slowly, he taps his right foot a few times.
Continuing, he says: "Unfortunately, the real fighting is just about to begin." Looking us over, he makes eye contact with every other person in the group.
"If we are to successfully repel the monster, we need every man and women we can get.
Including everyone gathered here. I know most of you have yet to grasp the use of one weapon, never mind multiple ones, but I'm afraid we need every available hand we can get." he concludes solemnly.
A minute of silence passes as corporal Kal looks each and every one of us over once again.
"That said…" he sighs and continues: "Colonel Trayus has ordered us to stand guard on the walls of the front gate alongside the artillery division." Pausing, he looks over at the wall for a moment.
Refocusing on us, he continues: "Which means we will be supporting both the artillery division as well as the ground force, in any way we can." He says and looks us over. "We will split into two types, attackers; and defenders."
"Everyone with experience with a bow, able to use magic, or otherwise capable of continuous ranged attack, gather to my right." corporal Kal says. Belatedly he adds: "The rest, to the left."
Most of us move to the right, with the remaining few left, move to the left.
Giving the non-ranged group a quick look over, I notice Aya and Jacen both moved to the left.
Including them, there are about 10 people who don't have any experience or means of ranged attacks.
Nodding once, corporal Kal looks somewhat pleased and says: "Good. Better than I expected." he says and taps his right foot decisively.
"Non-ranged combatants will focus solely on defending, and will therefore be called defenders.
We will go to the armoury and get you lot shields and better armour; if needed." He says while inspecting the defender group.
Turning towards us, the attack group, he says: "The attack group will solely focus on supporting the ground forces and disrupting incoming volleys." Pausing to let it sink in, he continues a moment later: "Those in need of a ranged weapon other than a bow, follow the non-ranged group and me to the armoury." he concludes.
As corporal Kal moves to leave, he seemingly remembers something as he stops and turns back towards us again.
Clearing his throat, he says:
"The rest, fortify our position on the wall as best you can, until the rest of us arrive."
Sweeping his gaze over us one last time, he nods to himself and says: "Move out."
-------------------+××+
End of chapter 11