On the southernmost region of the Kalimrad Continent, roughly five thousand miles away from Capricia, lies another massive forest known as the Beast Forest. It serves as the home to nearly 6 billion Demibeast inhabitants.
Within one of the largest cities within the Beast Forest, the Bloodfiend Buffalo race resides. This city boasts a total population of 120 million, with 60 million being Bloodfiend Buffalos and their kin, while the remaining residents comprise various other beastly species.
Characterized by colossal curved horns, robust muscular physiques, and towering at around 8 feet tall, the Bloodfiend Buffalo race is renowned as one of the most aggressive Demihuman races, always at the forefront during conflicts against humans and other races.
The Bloodfiend Buffalo warriors favor the axe as their primary weapon, considering any other armament to be a disgrace to their race. Archers and mages are non-existent among the Bloodfiend Buffalo race, as their culture deems such professions as cowardly. They hold a sense of shame and contempt towards other Demibeasts who adopt these roles. Passed down by their ancestors, the Bloodfiend Buffalo race believes that only the axe befits a true beast warrior; thus, this singular weapon is uniformly wielded.
The Bloodfiend Buffalo City has yet to experience defeat from any other race. One could argue that their tribe's might rivals even the most preeminent human cities housing 'immortal' humans.
Amidst the dead of night, beneath the canopy of dark clouds looming low over the city, a heavy fog abruptly shrouded the city walls' periphery. The beasts stationed in the watchtowers were taken aback by the dense mist, although such phenomena were quite common in the Beast Forest.
Suddenly, one of the vigilant beasts on watch detected a faint sound echoing through the forest.
"Did you hear that sound?"
One of the guards chuckled, "Probably, we are being invaded."
When the other guards heard it as well, they laughed. In their thoughts, invading the city will be pure madness.
"It's just probably some guards playing around in the forest."
The guard who heard the sound angrily said, "Shut up! LISTEN!"
"I already told you, it is noth...."
"Wait a minute! I hear it too! Is it the cavalry?"
"It came from there! Listen!"
"I can't see a thing with this fog!"
Soon, the sound got louder and louder, and everyone in the watchtower heard it.
"What is it? Humans?"
"No, I hear a sound of growling."
Suddenly, a grotesque rotting flesh came into view. It has two legs but three uneven arms. It has two heads, one is bigger, and the other is small, having six soulless eyes placed randomly on its head. It has sharp nails and sharp teeth that can be seen. It has necrotic skin dripping with black goo.
"What in the beast's name is that?"
A few seconds later, more of its kind also came into view, until they saw almost hundreds of them.
"RING THE BELLS!!!!"
...
Soon, the once-quiet city was plunged into chaos, its residents struggling to comprehend the invasion unfolding before them.
Abruptly, a deafening explosion jolted every soul in the city. When the guards directed their gaze, they beheld a massive breach in the southern wall. Renowned for their elite status in warfare, the Bloodfiend Buffalos wasted no time. Almost two hundred thousand of them seized their axes, determined to defend their city at any cost.
As they awaited the invaders' approach, the air was filled with a cacophony of roars and the thunderous pounding of footsteps. What materialized before them was nothing short of shocking: a 30-foot rotund giant bearing four powerful arms, each wielding a massive axe. This behemoth sported crimson eyes, serrated teeth, and a skin of putrid red, oozing with black muck. Most unnerving was the enormous maw on its belly, adorned with large, razor-sharp teeth and a serpentine tongue. Trailing behind this colossal figure, millions of these grotesque monstrosities surged toward the valiant defenders.
For the first time, fear gripped the hearts of the proud Bloodfiend Buffalo warriors. The realization settled upon them that there might be no retreat from this dire confrontation. Yet, spurred by the prospect of a final stand, one by one, the Bloodfiend Buffalos hoisted their axes, exuding an aura of unrelenting brutality.
"May our ancestors bear witness to my valor in this battle. Should I fall, guide me to the promised afterlife," they solemnly vowed, and with resolute determination, they marched forth into the crucible of bravery and annihilation.
Meanwhile, the initial explosion on the southern front was swiftly followed by more eruptions. The sky was illuminated by a symphony of clashing magic and swords, akin to fireworks dancing across the heavens.
Throughout the streets, chaos reigned as beasts scattered in all directions, desperately fending off the encroaching abominations' gnashing teeth and slashing claws. The clamor of fierce combat echoed relentlessly through the city. Amidst the turmoil, citizens pleaded and wailed in vain, falling prey to the invading horrors.
Certain areas became gruesome battlegrounds, strewn with dismembered bodies of various beasts. The fallen rose anew, and the wounded morphed into fresh abominations, perpetuating the cycle of horror with alarming speed.
Before long, the gut-wrenching sound of bones being crushed were heard through the streets. Weaker Demibeasts, lacking in combat prowess, had already fled the city, while those who couldn't escape sought refuge within their homes.
Many of the Bloodfiend Buffalo civilians who were not fighting anticipated an end to the turmoil, an eventual restoration of order. They believed the chaos was a coup, an attempt to replace the ruling leadership. Such upheavals were not uncommon in Demibeast cities, where the law of the jungle often dictated power dynamics. Typically, the citizenry refrained from intervening, focusing on survival.
Tragically, their assumptions proved fatally misguided. Within hours, the city lay devoid of survivors. Buildings lay in ruins, their walls splattered with blood and gore.
Suddenly, as if orchestrated by an unseen conductor, the undead forces halted in eerie unison. After a few moments of eerie stillness, the undead horde resumed their march, converging toward the central region of the south. Their destination? The Thousand Mountains Kingdom, home to the renowned City of Capricia – the Slave City.
...