Five thousand of the Royal Capital elite knights who were known to be at least level 180, had already entered the abandoned town of Worcester bound to the main city of Avarel, when they all felt and saw the towering light surging upward to the sky that came from the royal capital itself, even if it was high noon the weather at the abandoned town was cloudy but the bright light that came up and pierce the cloud over the royal capital was unbelievably massive, so most battalion commanders and officers assumed the worst considering it had only been several hours since they left the outer territorial wall of the first garrison defence line of the Royal Capital, and they were already witnessing such a phenomenon. Panic and confusion spread among the knights as they struggled to comprehend the source of this unprecedented event.
The towering light seemed to pulsate with otherworldly energy, captivating their attention and instilling a sense of both awe and trepidation. As the elite knights were hesitating to press forward towards considering what they felt and saw their minds raced with questions and speculations. Could this be an attack from a powerful enemy force? Or perhaps it was some kind of magical anomaly, beyond the realm of their understanding? Regardless of the cause, one thing was certain their commanding officer had to reach a decision soon,
The abandoned town of Worcester, a silent and desolate land after the ghoul attack that killed nearly a thousand of its residents and was turned into a wasteland and a graveyard within a span of months, was now the destination of their mission, The elite knights, armed with determination and a sense of duty, marched through the desolation to seek shelter and await new orders from their commander and officers,
their footsteps echoing in the eerie silence. As they ventured deeper into Worcester, the remnants of destruction surrounded them like haunting reminders of a once-thriving community. Crumbling buildings stood as solemn witnesses to the horrors that had unfolded here, The air was heavy with a mix of decay and despair, making it difficult to breathe. Every step forward felt like a step into the unknown as if the very ground beneath them held secrets yet to be uncovered. Their hearts pounded in anticipation, fueled by a combination of fear and adrenaline.
They knew that whatever awaited them within the main road path, would test their mettle and push them to their limits. But they were soldiers, trained to face adversity head-on and protect those who couldn't protect themselves. With each passing moment,
now buzzed with urgency as knights hurriedly prepared themselves for any possible threat that awaited them. Orders were issued, formations were tightened, and weapons were readied. Lieutenant commander Elanil Talaedra took out a hand full of arrows from her quiver and drive the arrow she was holding onto the soft ground and took one and prepared for any ambush when the ground trembled and shook violently and they all felt the ground they were standing on, something huge was moving under their very feet,
the land terrain of the desolated and abandoned town of Worcester where hills and valleys intertwine, creating a picturesque landscape that tells a story of a forgotten town. Through the overgrown paths, nature has reclaimed its rightful place, with wildflowers and shrubs dotting the once-bustling streets. The remnants of old buildings stand as silent witnesses to the devastated area, their weathered facades bearing the weight of fear.
The air is filled with eerie tranquility, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant call of a bird. It's hard to imagine that this place was once teeming with life and activity. Now, it stands as a haunting reminder of what once was, a ghost town frozen in time. Yet, amidst the desolation, there is an undeniable beauty that captivates the soul. The rolling hills offer breathtaking views that stretch as far as the eye can see, while the valleys hold secrets untold. It's in these untouched corners where nature thrives, reclaiming its dominion over man-made structures.
When something made the ground move upward as the soil reeked of foul odor, the soldiers and knights who were standing on top of the moving dirt soon lost their foothold and balance as a 2-meter creature puffed upward and came out of the ground and created a terrible screeching sound that made all of the soldiers cover their ears as it was truly nerve-wracking to hear.
The colossal creature has an oval, plump, flattened, hard exoskeleton body, with segmented abdomens and six legs. They are mottled and dirt-coloured, often with bristles. The head is flattened and bears a pair of large, sickle-like pincers that often have spines. Because of its mutation, it was able to withstand extreme temperatures and had an incredible ability to regenerate its limbs. Its eyes, glowing a menacing shade of red, scanned the surroundings with predatory intensity. The soldiers, and knights, now realizing the magnitude of the threat before them, quickly formed a defensive perimeter, their weapons at the ready.
As they cautiously approached the creature, it let out another ear-splitting screech, causing some of the soldiers to stumble back in fear. The ground beneath them trembled as the creature charged forward with surprising speed for its size. It swung its massive pincers, Panic spread among the soldiers as they struggled to find a way to defeat this seemingly invincible foe. With each passing moment, it became clear that their conventional weapons were ineffective against this monstrous aberration. They desperately fought and awaited further instructions.
Chaos consumed everybody as more of these creatures rose up from the ground and just randomly attacked; most Antlion larvae ate anything they could grab, and most of the war wagons and Sleipnir horses were already dead. Most panicked, and some just ran away as the wagon flipped and toppled, discarding all their military supplies all over the ground. The soldiers, now outnumbered and disoriented, struggled to regroup and devise a new strategy. Amidst the chaos, one by one the commanding officers lost their lives, but a glimmer of hope emerged as Lieutenant Commander Elanil Talaedra assumed command as the rest of the battalion officers succumbed to fear,
As the chaos of the attack ensued, the knights swiftly rallied to Lieutenant Commander Elanil Talaedra's command. They scoured the area, salvaging whatever supplies they could find amidst the wreckage. With each passing moment, their determination grew stronger, fueled by the urgency to protect their fellow soldiers. The broken town hall became a makeshift outpost, where strategies were devised and plans were set into motion. Meanwhile, the Elanil Talaedra unit worked tirelessly to fortify their position, utilizing every available resource to strengthen their defenses.
The cargo wagons and windmills that still stood served as a reminder of what once was, now serving a new purpose in this battle for survival. Together, they stood united against the relentless onslaught, determined to turn the tide and save as many lives as possible from this relentless attack. as the remaining troops were all scattered and unconsciously formed their own unit just to fill in the ranks. and just survive this onslaught as more creatures came out of the hole in the ground. The chaos was overwhelming, but Elanil Talaedra remained steadfast in her determination to protect her people. She rallied the knights and devised a plan to lure the creatures away from the vulnerable units.
With calculated precision, they strategically positioned themselves at key points, drawing the attention of the enemy and engaging them in fierce combat. Meanwhile, the rest of her unit scoured every corner of the broken town hall, salvaging whatever materials they could find to fortify their temporary outpost. They used wooden planks to reinforce doors and windows, while others fashioned makeshift weapons from discarded scraps. Elanil Talaedra's leadership inspired hope among her soldiers, as they fought tooth and nail to defend their very lives.
Elanil Talaedra used her expertise with a bow and bombarded the beast with as many perforator arrows on its body weakening and killing it, but the toxins it was excreting from its wounded body were inflicting too much damage on their troops. The knights that could cast barriers were able to kill the 2-meter creature, but the lesser soldiers, who have minimal spells to cast because of their small mana capacity, were helpless to defend themselves from the toxins.
The battle raged on relentlessly, but their unwavering resolve never wavered. She knew that their survival depended on their resourcefulness and strategic thinking. With each passing hour, more creatures emerged from the hole in a desperate attempt to overrun them. Inside many run-down homes, most of them followed and copy what Elanil Talaedra and her team did, and just engage the monster inside the broken houses, tension hung heavy in the air as they barricaded themselves against the onslaught.
It was clear that their conventional weapons were no match for these relentless creatures. They needed something more powerful, something that could turn the tide of this battle. As they scoured their surroundings for any useful resources, screams and battle cries could be heard, clashing metals and different sounds of explosion spells and healing enchantments, could be heard as the thousands of these creatures poured out of the ground and attacked anything that move the Antlion larva were agile but not strong because they were still lacking sufficient nourishment and were still young, but their pinchers were strong enough to stop a sword, but because of their vast number and unknown physical characteristics they were severely outmatched,
the toxins were the hardest to evade and defend from, even after killing one the blood was acidic and instantly melted or corroded their weapons, even the elite knight armour was damaged and they needed to abandon and remove their gear as the acid eats the metal they were wearing as protection, leaving them vulnerable and exposed. The relentless onslaught of this antlion larva seemed to have no end as if they were specifically designed to annihilate any form of resistance. Desperation filled the air as the soldiers frantically searched for a solution, their minds racing against time. It was clear that conventional tactics and weaponry were futile in this battle against the deadly corrosive substances.
they could only stab the creature from inside the safety of the houses and just hope they could last a few more hours, but as their remaining weapons pierce and stab the foul beast's head and abdomen as it climb and surround the houses they were all using at an outpost they knew this was their end and some just silently kneeled and quietly waited inside the cramped broken house filled with many of them just waiting to get eaten alive,
As Elanil Talaedra released her last arrow into the enemy's head and killed it she had no choice but to use what was inside the town hall as weapons, wooded poles, and table legs, just to extend their life even for a few seconds. They knew that surrender was not an option, for they had seen the atrocities committed by the creature as it ate their fallen comrades.
she assumed the worst and accepted that most of them were already dead and became food to these hungry monstrosities, nearly a thousand strong were wiped out in a few hours of relentless attacks. The survivors, battered and exhausted, huddled together in the remnants of the town hall, their only sanctuary amidst the chaos. Fear gripped their hearts as they awaited the next onslaught, knowing that their chances of survival were slim. They had witnessed the unimaginable horrors unleashed by these creatures, their friends and fellow combatants were torn apart, eaten and melted by the creature's acid saliva and blood,
As Elanil Talaedra released her last arrow into the enemy's head and killed it she had no choice but to use what was inside the town hall as weapons, wooded poles, and table legs, just to extend their lives even for a few seconds. They knew that surrender was not an option, for they had seen the atrocities committed by the creature as it ate their fallen comrades. She assumed the worst and accepted that most of them were already dead and became food to these hungry monstrosities; nearly a thousand strong were wiped out in a few hours of relentless attacks. The survivors, battered and exhausted, huddled together in the remnants of the town hall, their only sanctuary amidst the chaos.
Fear gripped their hearts as they awaited the next onslaught, knowing that their chances of survival were slim. They had witnessed the unimaginable horrors unleashed by these creatures; their friends and fellow combatants were torn apart, eaten, and melted by the creature's acid saliva and blood. suddenly everything went quiet it was so strange like all of the sounds outside were removed and there was nothing alive outside, it was bizarre and unreal, suddenly thundering sound came crashing down like thousands of stampeding bulls, and all the remaining soldiers and knights, unreal. Strange, mages and healers were scared out of their minds, as something more devastating was running towards them without uttering a single sound. besides the sounds and vibrations on the ground,
The screeching sound of the Antlion larva added more anxiety and terror. The soldiers and knights, and other members of their unit, already on edge, felt their hearts race as the ground beneath them trembled. The Antlion larva's screeches pierced the air, intensifying their anxiety and terror. At that moment, their training and bravado seemed futile against this unseen force.
As they glanced at each other in desperation, their eyes filled with fear and uncertainty. The mages attempted to conjure protective spells, but even their magic seemed feeble against the impending doom. The healers frantically tended to wounded comrades, knowing deep down that their efforts may be in vain. It was a surreal scene of chaos and despair as they stood there, paralyzed by the unknown entity approaching them.
Every fiber of their being screamed for escape, but they were trapped in this nightmare-like reality. With each passing second, the anticipation grew unbearable, as if time itself had slowed down to prolong their torment. They braced themselves for what was to come, knowing that whatever lay ahead would forever haunt their memories,
Lieutenant Commander Elanil Talaedra saw something walk right past the barricaded window, it looked like a fully armored black knight and it was emitting a mana that was similar to Ram, as she took a chance to see what was happening outside and was about to stand up, all of the sounds vanish suddenly returned and the screeching sound came back but this time something was different, the antlion Larva sound was no longer agitation but was fear,
Elanil Talaedra peeked at the window barricade and saw countless warriors wearing black armor killing the creatures with ease, and fearsome creatures were accompanying these warriors as they massacre the 2-meter antlion without getting affected by its toxins, as one particular Commander type Knight wielded its long sword like its was cutting grass the sheer violence and brutality of his strike was mesmerizing to watch, as the black knight red cape flew into the air every time he would swing his sword to kill dozens of his enemy the insignia at is cape was clear as day,
the Arcadian insignia wave across the battlefield, The multitudes of demon Arachne spiders 3 feet tall were seen rummaging on the area carrying wounded soldiers and could be seen being surgically mending the wounded by using their own spider tread, it was overwhelming to see these being carried out their task, some knights were able to gain the courage to join the battle, not even fully understanding what was happening, as they weren't aware they were being rescued by the group they were tasked to destroy,
Elanil Talaedra orders the soldiers and the knight who was with her to open the barricaded door and join the fight, even before they could do anything the door burst open and the same commander black and introduce himself as Imperial HellKnight commander Sigma, as the HellKnight commander was speaking in a mild manly tone an Antlion came out of nowhere and attack him while his weapon was pointing downward, the creature's sharp mandibles were about to reach his neck, but Sigma just used his free right hand and back slap the beast's face and tore it instantly he even cast a fire burst spell outward to neutralize the squirting acid from its mount, grab then
and with a smooth movement, he slashed the 2-meter larva into bits, including the others that were around him. Elanil Talaedra's heart suddenly felt weird; she was a feared knight and never showed weakness, but now her heart was beating so fast she felt like floating in the air, The Knight warrior named Sigma called out a Gehanna wolf that was carrying a leather bag filled with assortments of weapons. Sigma told them to pick one and join them in this glorious hunt, unleashing their full potential against the looming threat. Elanil's mind raced as she scanned the assortment of weapons, each holding the promise of victory. With a decisive nod, she chose a gleaming silver longsword, its blade shimmering with otherworldly energy.
As the group pressed forward, their footsteps echoed through the crowded battle landscape as more of their fellow comrades were fighting alongside their savior's, their determination unwavering. Sigma's command and voice resonated in their minds, urging them to embrace their inner strength and fight for justice. The Gehana wolf howled, its cry harmonizing with the symphony of battle that lay ahead. Together, they ventured deeper into the unknown, prepared to face any adversary that dared cross their path. With every step taken, Elanil could feel her heart pounding with newfound courage and purpose. She knew that this hunt would test her limits, but she was ready to prove herself as a true warrior—unyielding and resolute in her pursuit of righteousness.
Every hack and slash was efficient and choreographed as Sigma and Elanil Talaedra fought side by side unconsciously and even exchanged strikes to protect and defend their exposed sides. They were dancing as more death and destruction laid waste on the land where these creatures were coming from. There are even times when Sigma will hold her hand. to pull her in or throw her upward, and held her in her waist to navigate her attack in a more effective way. Sigma was having fun while Elanil was filled with ecstasy and bliss as she never felt anything like this before,
her heart pounding with adrenaline and exhilaration. The bond between them grew stronger with each passing moment, their movements synchronized as if they were two halves of a whole. In the midst of chaos, they found solace in each other's presence, finding comfort and trust in the heat of battle. As the enemy forces multiplied, Sigma's determination never wavered, his unwavering focus guiding their every move. Elanil marveled at his skill and bravery, her admiration for him growing with every strike he landed. Together, they became an unstoppable force, their combined strength and agility leaving their foes in awe. With every victory they achieved, a newfound sense of unity blossomed within them.
Their unspoken understanding allowed them to anticipate each other's actions effortlessly, moving as one entity on the battlefield. Sigma's touch ignited a fire within Elanil's soul, fueling her desire to protect him at all costs.
After a few minutes, a Symbiote Homunculus warrior came to address his king that the Antlion ground near the hole was showing signs of movement, the Gehanna wolf growled and showed hostility toward the hole opening that they were guarding,
Ramiel orders his commanders to return to their stations and ensure the larva won't create another underground path that might lead to another highly populated area, because Ramiel has already mastered his transportation gate traveling from different location was now instantaneous and hardly an issue but still, he can be in multiple locations at the same time, and blowing up the entire terrain was not an option,
the one hundred thousand Symbiote Homunculus warriors under his command were sufficient to fight any army, but this was not your average force, they are driven by hunger and to breed and multiply at a rapid rate, left unchecked could potentially lead to disaster a catastrophic level,
Imperial Enforcer Captain Sierra gave her king a letter coming from soon-to-be Dextra Queen of Arcane, Viscountess Hilas Ugrihron expressing her gratitude for Captain Sierra's diligent efforts in protecting the kingdom from the threat of the Antlion infestation. She praised the Symbiote warriors under her command, acknowledging their exceptional skills in eliminating the larva tunnels and preventing any potential harm to the city walls.
The Viscountess emphasized that due to the collaborative efforts of various Guild associations, civilian casualties remained remarkably low during this critical time. Captain Sierra's unwavering dedication to maintaining order and safeguarding the populace had not gone unnoticed by the Queen, who commended her for being an invaluable asset to the kingdom's security. As she concluded her letter, Queen Dextra expressed her utmost confidence in Captain Sierra's abilities and conveyed her hopes for continued success in their joint mission to protect Arcane from any future threats.
At the very last part of the letter were written down a series of numbers that only Ramiel could decipher. As he carefully transcribed the numbers in his mind with each digit he decoded, a sense of anticipation grew within him. As he meticulously worked through the sequence, his intuition guided him towards a location, knowing her Ramiel knew what these coordinates means, he has more things to do so he decided to visit the location maybe tomorrow,
even Captain Sierra was curious what those number means and what they symbolized, but Ramiel just smiled and folded the letter and put it inside his pocket, the Gehenna Wolf were more irritated as Ramiel walked toward the hole that was 15 metres deep and 2 meters wide and cast
"Dragon Flame Burst."
the moment he took a deep breath and open his mouth a burst of intense flame came rushing out of his mouth and entered the hole the flame ran its course and followed the tunnel at a few more holes that were being Guarded by his mother wolf's, the blazing inferno bust upward like a tower of flame four more showed in the far west side of the town were a creek could be seen, Sigma saw this and sent out a unit to cover the area, when nothing came out Ramiel cast another spell to close the tunnel that the enemy created
"Magma Wave."
a symbol appeared in front of him floating in the air about five feet above the ground and after molten lava poured out like water coming out of a kettle, as is flowed inside the Antlion tunnel until it was able to reach all of the chambers the creature created, as signs of steam rose up from the opening they came out from as the magma was able to cover the entire unground tunnel reaching even the area were the creek was, then he just stops and orders the rest to continue with the mission, as Ramiel went back to the Royal Capital about 10 miles away,
continued with the plan of restoring his mother's rule over the land once again, re-implement the policies she started yeas ago and finally regaining the kingdom's honour and pride,