In the months leading up until now, we had learned a lot of things.
Our construction job was going very well. Woodworking was becoming second nature to us and so was stoneworking.
We'd taken to storing construction materials in our inventories as a preparation for working each day. Unfortunately, I had to get rid of my old goblin traps as a result. I would really miss those things. They had so many memories and caused so much death. They saved my life plenty of times in the Lorelei Sewers.
Among the things we learned were forging, alchemy, and knowledge of machines.
Bronan really was a genius. He had designed a lot of the things used in modern dwarven society. On top of being an amazing metalworker and alchemist, of course. We learned a lot from him about machines.
One day, as we were getting breakfast ready, we heard a knock on the door.
Once I opened it, I saw Dufoth standing there. His expression was grim.
I knew what it meant.
It was time.
We let him in and he sat down with us.
"Can I get you anything? Something to eat?" I asked.
Dufoth shook his head.
"I'm in no mood to eat, Mizik. Not after what I learned..."
"Please tell us everything," Isabella said kindly.
"Where to begin... Well, we have information that we cannot verify the accuracy of. That is because the last country that we could communicate with has been destroyed. The united front, as we were aware, has failed. The final battle was against the Source, his masked bodyguard, and the black dragon. Although, the last communication said only the Source fought in this battle. He did not give a his name. He simply slaughtered all nine of the sword wielders. They never stood a chance...even with all of their power," Dufoth explained.
I saw Isabella take a quiet deep breath and compose herself.
"Where is the Black Ooze now?" She asked.
"Our scouts have found traces of it nearby. Additionally, ships out on the water have confirmed that the sky in the distance has darkened significantly. Some ships did not make it home. We expect the Ooze will be upon us by tomorrow... If not, maybe by evening... The crown has already sent word to the construction company that we require your assistance and you've been allowed to go. I would like you to come with me... We will be preparing to defend the city and want you on the front lines. Will you help us? If not, you may spend your final moments here alone..." Dufoth said.
I looked at Isabella and she gave me a nervous smile.
"We'll go. But let us talk to Bronan one last time before we do," I said.
"Aye...take all the time you need. Please just hurry if possible."
Dufoth stood up and bowed his head. He smiled nervously and turned to walk out of the house. As he did, I noticed his hands shaking.
After that, we went over to Bronan's place and found him tinkering with his machines.
"Oh, I didn't think you two would be here so early. Did something happen?" Bronan asked.
"Yes. We need to talk..." I said.
* * *
We spent an hour explaining everything to Bronan and once we had finished, he broke down crying.
"Is this really how it ends!? That damn Ooze has come for us and we can't even stop it!? There must be something! Anything!" Bronan said hysterically.
"I'm afraid that there isn't... We're outmatched. We will fight until our last breath, but we can only hold back the Ooze for so long," Isabella said.
"Well...that's it then... What can I do now? I suppose I'll just sit here and tinker away until they come for me... Nothing left for us to do... We're done..." Bronan said.
"What about your son?" I asked.
"What about him?"
"You love him, right? Why not go talk to him? Do you have anything to lose?" Isabella said.
"I do love him... I...after my daughter died...and then my wife, I became obsessed with my work. We had a falling out and he hasn't spoken with me since. But I don't know if I can bring myself to go see him... I know where he lives, of course but I can't bear to have him yell at me again..." Bronan said.
"Like Isabella said, what do you have to lose? The world is ending, Bronan. Talk to your son. Let him know you love him," I said.
"What about the workshop?" He said.
"Don't worry about it. There are more important things in life. Go, make your peace. We'll defend the city," I said.
"You two... You've been the best friends...no...family, an old dwarf could ask for. I'll never forget you. I love both of you like you were my own children. Please, take care of yourselves."
With that, Bronan stood up and hugged us both. Then he left.
We decided to head back to Dufoth and I got my armor on. He took us to the front of the city.
We spoke as we walked.
"Dufoth, tell us everything you know. What's the situation on the front lines? How are the troops and morale? Where was the last known location of the Ooze?" Isabella asked in rapid-fire.
"Easy, lass. I don't have all of the answers. I'll tell you what I know. The situation is desperate. Morale is at an all-time low, we know that the Ooze is approaching from the north as well. They'll be walking right into the line of fire from our weapons on the ramparts."
"Can you keep the troops off of the field? They'll be infected if they get too close. It's better if they attack from range," Isabella said.
"Aye, can do. You two can check our weapons and see if they'll be enough to kill these bastards," Dufoth said.
"Do your ships have cannons?" I asked.
"Aye. Proper cannons at that. They'll do nicely."
"Excellent. We should be able to make a good effort then. Have you told your family that you love them?" Isabella said.
"I already told them. My wife and kids are at peace," Dufoth said.
"Lastly, has the public been notified?" I asked.
"The public has been aware for some time. As much as many of them wanted to riot, they have lost the motivation to do so long ago. We pressed the idea of just waiting and praying for a miracle... We haven't heard anything from the gods."
"You won't, either. They left a long time ago. Those cowards are afraid of the Ooze," I said.
Dufoth sighed.
"That's...surprising...and doesn't inspire confidence. But can you really blame them?" He said.
"No... After what we witnessed months ago, I don't think we can," Isabella said sadly.
We spent the rest of our walk in silence. Eventually, we arrived at the front of the city.
We climbed up onto the city walls outside of the mountain and looked into the distance.
We saw that even the sky had darkened.
"Motivates you to do well. Right, Mizik?" Isabella said cheerfully.
She smiled at me after she spoke.
I saw soldiers on the ground scrambling off the field to the safety of the walls. Some of the men were crying. Others looked onward in horror as the darkness approached.
"Yeah. It makes me angry," I said.
"Angry?"
"The Ooze took everything from us. I want revenge on it. That's not hard to believe, right?" I said with a slight chuckle.
"Of course not. Your sword is always pretty angry. And you haven't been sleeping well for a while, either. I'm surprised you're so calm, my love," Isabella said.
I wasn't calm at all.
How the hell could I be calm in this situation? We were about to die in the most horrifying way imaginable at the hands of these abominations.
As angry as I was...as much as I refused to just lay down and die..I didn't think we had a choice.
We stood and watched as the darkness closed in. Soon we would move to the field in front of the walls as the first...and potentially last true line of defense...
"Hey...Mizik..." Isabella said.
I looked back at her to see her smiling as tears streamed down her face.
"I know I'm supposed to be brave...but is it okay if I'm scared? I'm terrified right now... Are we going to die...?" She said as the tears continued to fall.
I smiled at her and placed my hand lovingly on her cheek.
"Of course not. We're strong, remember? We're going to kill these things. The Source is no match for our power. We'll kill him and save the world. Then, we'll have dinner with Bronan like as always do. He'll bring his son and we can keep living together. I'll break that stupid arch and get some sleep... Then we can have children together. We'll have two beautiful children. We'll grow old and be renowned as the heros of Avernia. And as we grow old, our love will become stronger," I said.
Isabella leaned her on my hand and placed hers over mine.
She closed her eyes as if trying to imagine the things I said.
"Yes...we'll do all of those things and more. I love you Mizik."
"And I love you too, Isabella."
At this point, the darkness was almost to the shallow waters near the north coast.
"Are you ready to become a hero, Isabella?" I asked.
"Of course. With you, I'm invincible. Let's save the world, Mizik," Isabella said.
The two of us jumped off of the ramparts together and moved to the center of the field.
The Black Ooze would soon be upon us.