Slowing down the approaching army en route to warn the fortified Amber Village was a daunting task, one that fell upon Serena and this small dedicated group of recruits. As they journeyed toward the village, they were simultaneously engaged in a dual mission: buying precious time for the defenders and rushing forward.
Serena, a formidable necromancer, was currently their foremost strength. She tirelessly harnessed her dark powers to summon an army of undead, hoping to amass a formidable force capable of obstructing the enemy's progress. Unfortunately, her supernatural abilities had been significantly hampered since she had lost the sinister orb that once magnified her powers. Despite this, Serena pressed on, fully aware of the urgency of the situation and her need to contribute in any way she could.
The recruits, although not proficient in any magic, played a crucial role in their defensive strategy. They meticulously placed traps and obstacles along the enemy's path, doing their utmost to hinder their advance. However, the sheer size and might of the approaching army made it clear that these makeshift impediments would only delay the inevitable to a limited extent.
On the bright side, the massive army they were up against possessed its own inherent slowness, owing to its sheer bulk and logistical challenges. Additionally, the team had spent an arduous thirteen days constructing traps and obstacles. Though it might seem like a relatively brief period, their dedication, combined with the assistance of Chris, had already yielded a formidable arsenal of hundreds of traps, significantly bolstering their chances of success in the impending clash with the enemy forces.
-- Magmiranda's Perspective --
The impending march was meticulously arranged, and Magmiranda, the ancient dragon pulling the strings behind the curtains, observed it with burning intensity. The human mercenaries, seasoned warriors, took the vanguard position, setting the pace for what lay ahead.
Directly behind the vanguard of human mercenaries, an ominous sight unfolded as the infantry demon hordes approached. This grim assembly consisted primarily of low-level demons, each with its own distinctive malevolence.
Imps, the diminutive, crimson-skinned creatures standing at a mere 1.5 meters in height, formed the backbone of these unholy ranks. With sharp claws and resilient, scaly skin, they were the quintessential foot soldiers of demon armies. Their mere presence was a testament to the darkness that loomed. The Imps were bolstered by imposing Imp commanders, towering figures who wielded fiery whips with mastery. These commanders enforced discipline among the rank and file through a reign of fear and pain, a brutal reminder of the consequences of disobedience.
Among the infantry, there were also the enigmatic Incubi, beings who bore the lineage of both demon and human. Male counterparts to their seductive Succubi counterparts, the Incubi possessed a wide spectrum of strength and abilities. Those who had been conscripted into the infantry formations were the less formidable members of their kind, yet they remained a formidable force in their own right, surpassing the prowess of most human warriors. Their talents extended beyond seduction, encompassing a range of combat skills, making them a considerable threat on the battlefield.
Following this horde of malevolent entities, the more formidable demons made their presence known. While they were fewer in number, their sheer power compensated for their scarcity. Among them, a commanding Incubi wielded dark mastery over blood, resembling a blood mage in skill and potency. Beside them, a quintet of Succubi held sway, their enchantments weaving potent curses and irresistible charms to disorient and weaken adversaries. A corrupted crimson mist, deceptive in name as it was an evolved form of spirit, manipulated the very elements, wielding the might of lightning, fog, and acidic rain to control entire battlefields. At the very rear of the formation loomed the imposing figure of the great Demon Commander Abaddon the Sixth, a red-skinned behemoth armed with a colossal warhammer, radiating palpable menace.
Overhead, the formidable dragon Magmiranda surveyed the unfolding scene, her eyes ablaze with anger and fury. Her heart was set on a reckoning, and her thirst for revenge was unquenchable.
For the first half of the day, the march proceeded without incident. Magmiranda had expected a swift and uneventful journey, but then a twist of fate intervened.
The human mercenaries at the head of the formation began to scream and fall in rapid succession. The field, as it turned out, was laden with an abundance of hidden traps, concealed throughout the landscape, that significantly slowed their advance through the woods.
As the human mercenaries faltered, morale plummeted, and a few attempted to flee. Magmiranda reacted swiftly, incinerating them in searing flames to set an example for the others. It was a harsh reminder of what happened to those who dared to desert.
"Consider your options carefully," Magmiranda's voice thundered across the entire formation, echoing with merciless authority. "March or meet your end." She paid little heed to the fate of these expendable pawns; their sole purpose was to divert the enemy's attention, allowing her to exact her vengeance upon the human who had invaded her home and ruthlessly slaughtered her offspring.
-- Back to Serena --
As Serena and her recruits pressed on with their relentless efforts, the toll of their tasks became increasingly evident. Serena, in particular, bore the weight of exhaustion from continuously summoning undead creatures, while the recruits had been tirelessly engaged in the meticulous placement of traps for the better part of a grueling day.
With Amber Village still a considerable distance away, they found themselves at a halfway point in their arduous journey. It was at this juncture that they collectively decided this was the most they could realistically achieve for the time being.
This was to be the battleground where Serena's undead army would take its defiant stand. Among the daunting terrain, strewn with traps and obstacles designed to hinder the encroaching enemy, they would strive to delay the inevitable advance of the approaching army.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Serena and the recruits chose to quicken their pace and make a hurried return to Amber Village. It was there, within the fortified walls of the village, that the primary battle was destined to unfold. They understood that, as the returning scouts, it was crucial to convey the message that the enemy army was only a day or two behind them, ensuring that the defenders could prepare for the imminent clash.