As vanellope continued exploring the camp suddenly she came across would look to be a massive tent towards the center of the camp
That must be where everyone else is
Letting her curiosity get the best of Hershey quickly made her way over to the giant tent
However, as she got closer, she could hear some commotion from inside the tent
Though she was curious, she wasn't sure if she should just walked inside the tent and interrupt whatever they were talking about.
The last thing she wanted to do was cause trouble for Zoro or any of the elves here by being guest that would invade the others privacy
Through on the other hand, a large part of her still wanted to know what they were talking about and just couldn't help but want to check out where this could go
Vanellope carefully crept closer to the large central tent, her tiny frame making it easy to stay out of sight. Her curiosity had taken over entirely, and she couldn't resist the temptation to find out what the elves were discussing. She tiptoed around the tent's perimeter until she spotted a small, worn hole in the fabric, just large enough for her to peek through.
But before she could place her eyes through the hole, Vanellope hesitated for a moment, standing outside the massive tent that seemed to hum with tension and purpose. Her small hand brushed against the fabric, her heart racing as she debated what to do. Do I sneak a peek, or do I play it safe? The little girl's insatiable curiosity won out, and her sharp eyes caught sight of a worn patch near the top of the tent—a perfect spy hole.
"Just one peek," she whispered to herself, crouching low and scrambling up to the vantage point with the nimbleness of a cat. She pressed her eye to the hole and peered inside.
Only to find all of the elves that she have met were all standing around a circular table with a map chart of what look to be the entire dark lands area and specific locations charted down.
It looked as if they were strategically planning something, though she had to get a better listen to hear what they were saying.
As she pressed her eye to the hole, she saw all the elves she'd met earlier standing around a circular table. A large map was spread out across it, depicting what appeared to be the entirety of the Dark Lands. Several locations were marked with symbols, some encircled or crossed out. The elves seemed engrossed in their discussion, their expressions serious and their voices hushed but firm.
Vanellope strained her ears to catch what they were saying.
"…The goblins are becoming more aggressive," said Ruven, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. "It's only a matter of time before they figure out where we are."
"Which is why we need to strike first," replied Bellas, her tone sharp and urgent. "If we wait too long, we'll be the ones cornered."
Elrohir shook his head, his voice calm but resolute. "We don't have the resources for a direct attack. Our forces are already stretched thin, and any reckless move could cost us everything."
Alicia, hearing all this couldn't help but point out something," well actually that's not fully true in the last few weeks of my patrols I've noticed a recent decrease of goblin activity not just the dry bones don't seem to be making much of an appearance either".
Jacob then thought about it for a moment before giving me his opinion on it," well maybe they're moving at different times then when we do our patrols, that's probably why we haven't seen them".
"But how can that be? I've changed my patrol schedule five times the last two weeks and I've still seen a lack of them anywhere", she said in response," hell the three goblins I killed today were the most I've seen in days".
Bellas hearing this couldn't help but chime in about that," do you think they might be scared to face our forces now or that maybe they're trying their best to avoid us"?
Before Alicia can answer, Ruven spoke up," highly doubtful, though our attacks are strategic and well placed. They've hardly done enough damage to hold off any of their operations. If anything, it amazes me how they wouldn't be motivated to target us sooner".
Alicia soaking this in, cross her arms and stroked her chin gently thinking this over.
Definitely planning something there was no question about that, but there was no way they could get answers for it now.
It was clear that the enemy was probably preparing to make some sort of move had no idea when and how it was going to happen.
And there was nothing that the elves could really do much about it, other than mainly sitting around toileting, their thumbs, and go on with their daily patrols.
It's not like they could head straight to their headquarters and launch a full on assault enemy has way too many forces on them. They'd be wiped off the battlefield before long.
That fact goes, especially when there are hordes of dry bones and goblins.
They would quite literally be torn apart them from them before they would even get the chance to do any damage.
Vanellope leaned in closer, her heart racing as she tried to process their words.
Wait, was this all about what's going on in the dark lands now?
Was all this weird stuff that they were talking about meeting something that she just couldn't understand?
What's gonna happen to them moving forward?
So many questions ran through her ears, but unfortunately, she didn't have anyone to answer them. All she could do is listen and watch.
Before either, Alicia could think further on this and Vanellope could ask more questions about the situation, suddenly, the flap of the tent opened, and Orrian, the leader of the group, stepped inside. His presence immediately silenced the others, and all eyes turned to him. His usually composed demeanor was shadowed by a heavy frown, and the air in the tent grew tense.
The sight before her was something out of a fantasy strategy game. All the elves she had met earlier were gathered around a large circular table, their faces grim and tense. A map stretched out before them depicted the entirety of the Dark Lands, marked with numerous red and blue pins. Runes glowed faintly on the edges of the parchment, pulsing like a heartbeat. Weapons and other artifacts were scattered around the room, and the air was thick with an unspoken dread.
Vanellope squinted, trying to focus on the leader of the group—Orrian, that's his name!—as he strode purposefully into the room. His usual stern demeanor was even darker now, his face set with a heavy seriousness that made her stomach twist. All eyes turned to him as he approached the table.
Everyone has to be quiet while they waited for him to announce why they were brought here.
Orrian began speaking, his voice low and burdened with the weight of terrible news. "The Penguin Kingdom… has fallen."
Gasps rippled through the room, followed by murmurs of disbelief. Alicia, standing near the edge of the group, clenched her fists tightly, her jaw set in frustration.
"How?" Khilseith demanded, his voice sharp with anger. "We had sent reinforcements weeks ago. How could they have been overrun so quickly?"
Orrian's gaze dropped to the map, his hands braced on the table. "It wasn't just an ordinary attack. Bular's forces unfortunately arrive there much earlier than anticipated . By the time reinforcements arrived, it was already too late. The kingdom has been reduced to ruins and the enemy was gone."
Khilseith slammed his fist against the table in response,, causing the map to jolt. " they showed up early? That means…" Their voice trailed off as realization set in.
"Yes," Orrian confirmed, his voice somber. "The last piece of Killerhead Bridge has been found. Bular's army now has all the components they need to complete the bridge."
Alicia's face paled. "Then they're heading for the Mushroom Kingdom next."
Orrian nodded gravely. "Exactly. Once the bridge is restored, the Dark Lands will no longer contain them. They will unleash their full might upon the Mushroom Kingdom and beyond. If that happens… there will be no stopping them."
Elrohir then added,"And once the bridge is activated, and they have the ability to cross over to other worlds, the magic of the bridge will release them of their curse of the sun, rendering them almost entirely indestructible and invulnerable", his demeanor soon began to darken as the horrifying realization filled the room," they'll be able to conquer and decimate other worlds with ease without having to worry about their vulnerability of sun, allowing them to roll over the entire universe".
Vanellope's eyes widened as she listened.
Terrified of what she just heard...…..
The tension in the room was palpable, the urgency pressing down on everyone like a heavy weight. She clutched the edge of the tent hole, her heart racing as she tried to make sense of what she was hearing. A bridge? The Mushroom Kingdom? This Bular guy sounds like big trouble.
She didn't exactly know what kind of enemy these elves were up against, but if they were as powerful as they were saying, they were then if they had the ability to come to other worlds and if they accidentally show up at their world and came to East blue....
Oh god...
Millions would be slaughtered before a single marine or Navy or even emperor pirate would bother to intervene.
spoke up. "We need to act now. If Bular's forces are mobilizing, we can't afford to wait. The rebellion must strike before the bridge is completed."
Orrian's expression darkened further. "Our forces are already stretched thin. The Penguin Kingdom was was one of our crucial allies, and with their fall, we've lost a crucial supply line and reinforcements".
Bellas then spoke up though it was clear that she was trembling,"W-well maybe we should think about all of this for a second".
Khilseith then looked at her and snapped," Think about what short stack?! What is there to think about?! We've lost! None of the kingdoms could stop him from getting that bridge completed and now he's got what he needs to take over the entire fucking world"!
Bellas Flintstone a little bit which Alicia noticed before she suddenly stared daggers at Khilseith," HEY! Lay off of her she's just asking a question and it's not as if we are completely out of options".
But the dark elf wasn't finished yet,"What other options could be possibly have in that situation?! There's nothing that any of our weapons could do so much a scratch those monsters! Hell we could barely take on the hoards of goblins and dry bones here in this god forsaken wasteland"!
Despite his outburst, they all kinda knew he wasn't wrong. This situation had gotten a lot worse than they thought. It's pretty much confirmed that they had lost the battle against the trolls and they didn't even get the chance to fight it yet.
There was an awkward, dreadful silence hung among the rebellion members no one knowing what to say.
well, that wasn't untilJacob Elfington, the goofy yet earnest member of the group, was the first to break the silence. His voice wavered slightly as he adjusted his crooked spectacles. "So… what's the plan now? I mean, if Bular found the last piece of the bridge, what's the point of us staying here anymore?"
Orrian let out a deep sigh but didn't immediately respond, his gaze fixed on the map.
Khilseith Sharie, the sharp-tongued mage of the group, crossed his arms and scoffed. "It's a valid question, isn't it? The logical thing would be to pack up, regroup with the fleet, and join the council meeting on Kong Island. Or does the great Orrian have some secret master plan he hasn't shared with the rest of us?"
Alicia shot a glare at Khilseith. "Cut it out, Khilseith. Let him speak."
Orrian raised a hand to silence the brewing argument. "The allied kingdoms are indeed gathering on Kong Island for a council meeting to decide whether or not to retaliate. The Elf Kingdom has already dispatched its representatives and troops to join the discussion."
"Well, that's good," Bellas Crabella chimed in, her voice hopeful. "So we'll head there too, right? We can make our way over with the rest of the fleet."
But as soon as Bellas spoke, she noticed Orrian's demeanor shift. His expression darkened, and the weight of his silence made the air in the tent feel heavier.
"We can do that… right?" Bellas asked, her voice quieter now.
Orrian took a deep breath before finally responding. "No. We won't be heading to Kong Island."
The tent erupted into a cacophony of voices.
"Wait, what?" Jacob nearly tripped over himself in his surprise. "But why not? Isn't that where we're needed?"
"This better not be another one of your 'strategic' calls, Orrian," Khilseith said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "We've barely managed to survive out here, and now you want to—what? Keep us in this wasteland?"
Alicia furrowed her brow. "Orrian, what's going on? Why wouldn't we regroup with the fleet? What are we still doing here?"
Orrian's voice was calm but firm as he answered. "Because the kingdom has ordered us to stay."
"What?!" Ruven Ilikian, typically the cool-headed one of the group, couldn't hide his frustration. "Stay? For what possible reason?"
Orrian clenched his jaw, his knuckles tightening against the edge of the table. "Our orders are to continue our mission here in the Dark Lands and prepare to launch a full-scale attack on Bular's base."
The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the faint rustle of the tent fabric in the wind.
Jacob's voice cracked as he stammered, "B-Bekuzar's base? You mean the one that's swarming with Dry Bones and goblins? That base?"
"Yes," Orrian confirmed grimly.
"Are they out of their damned minds?" Khilseith exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. "We're six people. Six! Against hordes of undead and goblins? I know the kingdom likes a good underdog story, but this is ridiculous."
Bellas placed a hand over her heart, her face pale. "But… that base is a fortress. How are we supposed to even get close, let alone take it down?"
Ruven tried to keep his composure, though a faint tremor crept into his voice. "Why? What could possibly justify this? We're talking about a suicide mission."
Orrian's gaze didn't waver as he explained. "The kingdom believes that cutting off Bular's forces here will delay his next move. They think we can cripple his supply lines and scatter his forces enough to buy time for the other kingdoms to mobilize."
"That's insane," Alicia said, her voice rising. "Orrian, we're too few. Even with the camp's full strength, we'd barely put a dent in their numbers. And what happens when they retaliate? This isn't a delay tactic; it's a death sentence. Those things will rip us apart before we even step foot the castle a bad idea."
Jacob nodded frantically. "Alicia's right! We don't stand a chance. They've got Dry Bones! Those things don't even stay down when you kill them!"
Ruven stepped closer to Orrian, his tone sharp but measured. "Have you even considered the logistics of this? The kingdom is asking us to take on an impossible task. Did you even try to argue against it?"
Orrian's voice dropped, heavy with the burden of his decision. "Do you think I don't know that? Do you think I didn't fight back when I received the orders? This wasn't my call to make. It came from the kingdom itself."
"That doesn't make it right!" Khilseith shot back. "Orrian, you're supposed to lead us, not blindly follow orders that will get us killed!"
Orrian's glare silenced Khilseith. "I am leading you. And if we're going to survive this, we'll need to work together instead of arguing like children. We just need to figure out a plan that could get us past their forces and shut this entire operation down"
" HOW! How the hell are we supposed to do that?! It's only six of us and I doubt my magic is strong enough to hold off those kinds of forces at least not without completely exhausting myself! And last I checked, YOU YOURSELF SAID THAT IT WAS A STUPID IDEA TO TAKE AN UPFRONT OFFENSIVE ATTACK AGAINST THE ENEMY, RATHER WE USE THE SHADOWS TO OUR ADVANTAGE SO THAT THEY WOULDN'T WIPE US OFF THE BATTLEFIELD!"The dark elf angrily argued back.
The room fell silent as the weight of Khilseith's words sank in. Each member of the group seemed to retreat into their own thoughts, grappling with the grim reality of their situation.
Especially when he voices it the way that it is in such a harsh but realistic way.
Though they didn't disagree, it kind of brought any chance of motivating them down because of how hopeless he made their situation feel like.
It was as if you were saying you had no chance whatsoever of taking this enemy on
Bellas finally spoke, her voice trembling. "What… what happens if we fail?"
"We don't have the luxury of failure," Orrian said simply. "We'll plan. We'll strategize. And we'll fight like our lives depend on it—because they do. Don't you see guys? We don't have any other choice we have to complete this mission otherwise bular will have his full arm at his disposal and take over the entire world."
Vanellope's heart sank as she continued listening to the conversation inside the tent.
"Well?" Ruven pressed, his normally calm demeanor showing cracks of frustration. "Why don't we just regroup with the others and come back with reinforcements? At least then we'd stand a chance."
The elves' leader, Orrian, stood in heavy silence for a moment after one of the others—Ruven, she thought—suggested going back to the kingdom for reinforcements.
Orrian's shoulders stiffened, and he glanced down at the map. The silence was almost deafening.
"Oh no," Bellas muttered, her face paling. "They're not sending reinforcements, are they?"
Orrian sighed deeply, his voice quieter than before. "No… they're not."
Khilseith didn't even have to get angry for this part. Alicia beat him right to the punch literally.
Alicia slammed her fist on the table, her eyes blazing with fury. "You've got to be kidding me! They're seriously leaving us out here to deal with this on our own? They can't expect us to take on an entire fortress with just six people!"
Ruven's jaw tightened as he crossed his arms. "So they expect us to die out here with no support on a whim? That's the plan?"
Jacob, who had been nervously fidgeting with a dagger, froze in place. "D-die? W-we're not gonna d-die, right?" His voice cracked as he glanced at Orrian, desperate for reassurance.
Bellas placed a hand on Jacob's shoulder to steady him, though she looked equally shaken. "This… this can't be their final decision. Maybe if we—"
"They've made their decision," Orrian interrupted sharply, though his tone lacked the usual authority. He sounded tired, defeated even. "The kingdom has no spare forces to send. Every soldier is either heading to Kong Island or fortifying defenses against Bular's advance. They can't risk taking forces from either one of the sides", his demeanor and tone begin to lower as he finished off his sentence his voice barely above a whisper," he're on our own for this one".
Khilseith sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm and bitterness. "Oh, of course. Send us to do the dirty work while the real soldiers get to sit in their fortified castles, no there asses and argue politics over tea and biscuits. FUCKING Typical!"
"Khilseith, that's enough," Orrian said, though his voice lacked its usual sharpness.
"No, it's not enough!" Khilseith snapped, stepping closer to Orrian. "Do you even realize what you're asking of us?! Six people—six, Orrian—against a fortress filled with goblins, Dry Bones, and whatever other monstrosities Bular has at his disposal! Even if we somehow manage to survive, what then?! Are we supposed to walk to Kong Island afterward and pretend everything's fine?! The goblin destroyed our means we never survive with these things swarming around this place!"
"Khilseith—" Alicia started, but Khilseith cut her off.
"No, Alicia, let him answer! What's the real plan, Orrian?! Or are we just pawns to be sacrificed for the kingdom's convenience?! or maybe tell me how you could possibly agree with this shit?!"
Orrian then took a deep breath, his face a mask of weariness. "I'm not saying I agree with them," he began, his voice low but steady. "But the kingdom has its reasons for making this decision."
"Reasons?!" Alicia snapped, slamming her hands on the table. "What possible reason could justify throwing us to the wolves like this?"
Orrian didn't flinch, though he looked even more tired as he answered. "Because this isn't just about the Dark Lands or even the rebellion. The kingdom believes this mission is critical to the larger war effort. If we can take out this fortress—cripple Bular's forces here—it will slow their advance significantly."
"Slow their advance?!" Khilseith interjected, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, brilliant. Let's sacrifice six elves and two humans for the possibility of buying the kingdom a few extra days. Do you have any idea how many of those monsters are out there? We might as well just be an appetizer for those devils."
"It's not just about time," Orrian said sharply, cutting him off. He straightened, his voice gaining more authority as he continued. "This fortress is a key supply hub for Bular's army. It's where they're stockpiling weapons, provisions, and reinforcements. If we destroy it, we don't just slow them down—we weaken them. Severely."
Ruven frowned, his analytical mind working quickly. "Even if that's true, how do they expect us to do this with so few people? Surely they know the odds."
"They do," Orrian admitted, his gaze falling to the map. "But they also know we're their only few options that they haven't tried yet. The rest of the kingdom's forces are either tied up defending our borders or preparing for the council meeting on Kong Island. There's no one else they can spare."
Bellas looked hesitant as she spoke up, her voice trembling slightly. "But… isn't that a gamble? If we fail, they lose us and the chance to take out the fortress."
Orrian nodded grimly. "It is a gamble. But from their perspective, it's one worth taking. If we succeed, the blow to Bular's forces will be devastating. And if we fail…" He paused, his jaw tightening. "Then at least we'll have tried. And what if they try to get information out of us? Then they'll know our kingdoms plans."
Jacob, who had been quiet for most of the conversation, suddenly blurted out, "A-and why us? Why not someone else? There must be other groups closer to the Dark Lands, right?"
"Because we're here," Orrian said simply. "We're already in position. Sending another group would take too long, and by then, the fortress will be reinforced even further. The kingdom is counting on us to act now, while they're busy preparing for the next half of this war."
Khilseith crossed his arms, his expression dark. "So, let me get this straight. The kingdom expects us to pull off a near-impossible mission with no backup, no resources, and two humans we're somehow supposed to keep alive during all of this? Am I missing anything?"
"Only that failure isn't an option," Orrian replied evenly, meeting Khilseith's glare head-on.
"Of course it isn't," Khilseith muttered, shaking his head. "Typical. They send us to do the impossible, and when it all falls apart, they'll wash their hands of us and say we were expendable. and look at you acting as their little fucking dog!"
Orrian's expression darkened, and he locked eyes with Khilseith, his tone low and steady. "You think I don't know what they're asking of us?! You think I haven't spent every moment since we got these orders questioning how we're supposed to pull this off?! But we're here now! This is our mission! If we abandon it, the kingdom loses valuable time, and Bular gains the upper hand!"
"He already has the upper hand he completed the bridge and has the trolls the Coopers and the Kremlin's working together! It's a loose loose situation"!, The dark elf snapped back.
"So we're supposed to just… die for time?" Bellas asked softly, her voice trembling.
"No," Orrian said firmly. "We're supposed to fight for time. And if that means risking everything, then so be it. That's what we signed up for when we joined the rebellion. for fuck sake guys this is what we signed up for that's the whole point of joining a rebellion. To go out and fight and or die for a cause that was bigger than ourselves we can't act surprised now we're just now getting moments like this. That's what the whole world is about sacrifice fighting dying for something better for the people who deserve it. We can't be surprised now that we've come to this point".
Outside the tent, Vanellope listened in stunned silence, her small hands trembling as she clung to the worn hole in the fabric. Vanellope crouched in the shadows, her tiny fingers gripping the edge of the worn fabric of the tent as she tried to steady her breathing
. The weight of what she'd overheard pressed heavily on her chest, her mind racing to make sense of it all. She barely understood half of what they were saying, but one thing was clear: these elves were in just as much trouble as she and Zoro were. They were outnumbered. Outmatched. And now, thanks to her and Zoro, the stakes had risen even higher. It wasn't just the elves' lives at risk anymore—it was theirs, too.
She leaned back, resting her small back against the cool bark of a nearby tree. "This is bad," she whispered to herself, her voice trembling. "This is really, really bad."
Her thoughts began to spiral. They had barely escaped the goblins earlier. If hordes of dry bones and goblins were waiting at that fortress, how could six elves and two outsiders hope to survive?
Zoro might be the strongest person she'd ever met, but even he wasn't invincible. And she? She was just a kid—scrappy, sure, but nowhere near strong enough to take on armies.
What could she do?
She didn't know how much her glitches would help against an army of goblins and dry bones.
But as fear clawed at her, another thought pushed through: They're doing this anyway. Despite the odds, despite the lack of reinforcements, the elves were still planning to carry out their mission. They didn't whine about how unfair it was, didn't even seriously question whether they should follow their orders. They were doing it because it was their duty. Because they believed it mattered.
These elves had something she didn't: experience. They'd been fighting in this war long before she and Zoro ever showed up.
Her fingers brushed against the charm Alicia had given her earlier. She pulled it out, staring at the small stone golem with the glowing elven rune carved into its chest. It was supposed to bring good luck, but it didn't feel like it was enough.
Her thoughts flicked back to Zoro. He was tough, no doubt about it, but he wasn't exactly a strategist. And let's face it—he couldn't find his way out of a paper bag, let alone navigate a battlefield without help.
The elves, They were clearly good at what they did, but they didn't know how they were going to get through this hell hole alive. They didn't know what she could do.
Her heart pounded as she realized the stakes of their situation. These people weren't just fighting a war; they were on the brink of annihilation.
And she and Zoro were caught right in the middle of it.
Just as she was about to climb down and maybe go back to Zorro to tell him what she had over her, Vanellope suddenly squinted into the distance, her focus snapping away from the tense conversation in the tent. At first, she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her—a fiery ball glowing brightly in the pitch-black horizon.
It pulsed with a strange, almost hypnotic light, flickering like a star fallen from the heavens. But the more she watched, the clearer it became that this was no ordinary celestial phenomenon.
The ball wasn't just glowing—it was moving.
Fast.
Her heart skipped a beat as she realized it wasn't alone. Behind it, dozens—no, an entire barrage of similar fiery orbs—were streaking through the sky in perfect formation, their fiery tails leaving trails of smoke and ash in the air. They weren't descending gently like falling stars; they were hurtling toward the camp with deadly precision.
"Oh no…" she whispered, her voice barely audible as panic tightened in her chest.
She pressed herself closer to the side of the tent, her small hands clutching at the fabric. Her mind raced, struggling to process what she was seeing. Were those… meteors? No, they were too controlled, too deliberate in their trajectory. They looked alive, as if some malevolent force was guiding them straight toward the camp.
"Those aren't stars," she murmured to herself, her voice trembling as she then quickly realize what those objects really were. "Oh no… those are—those are fireballs! They're being launched at us!"
Her stomach churned as she followed the arc of the fiery projectiles. They weren't just random; they were targeted.
Vanellope's eyes darted toward the horizon, searching desperately for the source. There! In the far distance, just barely visible against the darkened landscape, she spotted a faint, flickering glow. It wasn't just the fireballs illuminating the area—it was something even larger, something massive, almost like a siege weapon. Her heart sank further.
Catapults. Or worse—some magical, living artillery.
Whatever they were, they had multiple of them and they were aimed right at the hideout.
And being launched with no restraint or regard for any lives inside
She looked back at the barrage, watching as the fiery orbs grew closer, their intense heat already shimmering in the air. They moved with terrifying speed, lighting up the wasteland as they streaked overhead. The closer they came, the louder the ominous whooshing sound grew, filling the air like the roar of an oncoming storm.
Vanellope's pulse quickened as she realized how close the first fireball was to hitting the camp. She spun on her heels, her tiny feet skidding on the dirt as she bolted toward the tent. "They've got to know!" she muttered, her voice frantic.
The conversation inside the tent was still raging, their voices filled with tension and frustration. But Vanellope didn't have time to wait for them to finish. She burst through the flap of the tent, her face pale and her breath coming in panicked gasps.
"GUYS!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the heated argument like a knife.
The elves all turned to her in stunned silence, their expressions a mix of confusion and alarm.
"Vanellope? What are you doing—" Alicia began, but the panic in Vanellope's eyes stopped her mid-sentence.
"There's something coming!" Vanellope blurted out, pointing toward the direction of the fireballs. "Big, fiery things! A whole bunch of them, and they're heading straight for the camp!"
The elves froze for a moment, exchanging looks of disbelief before Ruven bolted toward the tent's entrance. He yanked the flap aside and looked out into the night.
His sharp elven eyes widened in horror. "By the gods… she's right."
The others scrambled to join him, their gazes snapping toward the fiery barrage rapidly closing the distance. The air outside crackled with heat as the fireballs streaked closer, illuminating the camp in a flickering orange glow.
"What the hell are those?!" Khilseith demanded, his voice tinged with both shock and anger.
"Siege fire," Ruven said grimly, his jaw tightening. "Launched from enemy catapults—or worse, magical artillery."
"Get everyone up!" Orrian barked, his voice sharp and commanding. "Sound the alarm! Move, now!"
The camp erupted into chaos as the elves leaped into action, their argument forgotten in the face of the impending attack. Bellas scrambled toward a nearby bell, ringing it frantically to alert the rest of the camp. Alicia grabbed her bow and slung a quiver of arrows over her shoulder, her eyes scanning the sky for the incoming threat.
Vanellope stood frozen in the chaos, her small frame trembling as she watched the elves rush to defend their camp. She had warned them, but now that the fireballs were almost upon them, she couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness.
"Vanellope!" Alicia's voice snapped her out of her daze. The elf knelt down in front of her, gripping her shoulders tightly. "Get back to your tent and stay there! Do not come out until I tell you it's safe, understand?"
Vanellope nodded, her eyes wide with fear. "But what about you guys? What if—"
"We'll handle it," Alicia said firmly, cutting her off. "Just stay safe, okay?"
Before Vanellope could respond, Alicia was gone, sprinting toward the outer edge of the camp to join the others. The first fireball crashed into the ground just outside the camp, exploding in a blinding flash of light and heat. The force of the blast shook the earth, sending waves of scorching air rippling through the camp.
Vanellope stumbled backward, her hands flying up to shield her face from the heat. She turned and ran as fast as her legs could carry her, her heart pounding in her chest. As the fireballs rained down around her, the camp descended into a frenzied battle for survival.
The first fireball exploded with a deafening BOOM, the shockwave shaking the very ground beneath the camp. The elves, already scrambling to respond, were momentarily thrown off balance. Flames erupted in the distance, casting flickering shadows across the camp as the fireballs continued their deadly descent.
"EVERYBODY GET DOWN!" Orrian roared, his voice cutting through the chaos. He dove to the ground, pulling Bellas down with him just as another fireball tore through the air and smashed into a storage tent. The explosion sent wooden crates and shards of debris flying in every direction, igniting smaller fires that began to spread rapidly.
Vanellope instinctively hit the ground, pressing her tiny body flat against the dirt. Her heart thundered in her chest as she clamped her hands over her ears, the roar of fire and the panicked shouts of the elves blending into a cacophony of chaos.
Alicia scrambled to her feet, drawing her bow with practiced precision. Her sharp eyes scanned the horizon, trying to locate the source of the attack. "Khilseith! Can you see anything?!"
Khilseith, crouched behind a stack of barrels, peered out toward the fiery barrage. His glowing eyes narrowed, his voice laced with urgency. "It's coming from the east! The trajectory—it's definitely siege fire! There's got to be at least three launchers out there!"
"Three?! We don't have the manpower to take that on!" Ruven shouted as he ducked behind the large central tree, narrowly avoiding a stray piece of flaming debris.
Orrian's voice was steady but commanding as he barked orders. "Bellas, get to the well and start putting out those fires! Ruven, help her! Jacob, grab the spare weapons and start distributing them—everyone needs to be armed!"
"What about the Dry Bones?! If this is a siege, they'll be sending ground forces in next!" Jacob shouted, his face pale as he frantically gathered supplies.
"Then we deal with them when they show up!" Orrian snapped. "For now, we survive this attack! MOVE!"
Vanellope pressed herself tighter to the ground, her mind racing. She couldn't stay here, not with fire raining from the sky. She thought of Zoro, still asleep in the tent, completely oblivious to the chaos erupting around them.
She wanted to run back to him, to shake him awake and tell him what was happening. But her small legs were frozen in place, her body trembling as she stared at the explosions lighting up the camp.
Another fireball crashed into the ground just a few feet away, sending a plume of dirt and fire into the air. The blast knocked Vanellope onto her side, her ears ringing as the world spun around her.
"Get up, kid! MOVE!" Alicia's voice cut through her daze as the elf sprinted toward her. Alicia grabbed Vanellope by the arm and yanked her to her feet, practically dragging her toward a cluster of barrels for cover.
Vanellope stumbled along, her eyes wide with fear. "Z-Zoro… he's still asleep!"
"I'll take care of him later! Right now, you need to stay out of the open!" Alicia said firmly, shoving Vanellope behind the barrels.
Vanellope crouched low, clutching the charm Alicia had given her earlier as if it were her lifeline. The fireballs kept coming, each impact shaking the camp to its core. The heat was suffocating, the air thick with smoke and ash.
Despite the chaos, Orrian's voice rang out above it all, directing the elves with precision. "Khilseith, get those shields up! Jacob, reinforce the southern perimeter! Alicia, cover the northern side!"
Vanellope watched as the elves worked together, their movements swift and coordinated despite the overwhelming odds. It was like watching a well-oiled machine in action, each of them playing their part to keep the camp from falling apart.
She clenched her fists, her small body trembling with fear and frustration. She wanted to help, but what could she do? She was just a kid—a kid who could glitch, sure, but what good would that do against a rain of fire and an army of monsters?
As the explosions continued, Vanellope's gaze shifted toward the tent where Zoro was still sleeping soundly. Her heart twisted in her chest. She had to do something. She couldn't just sit here and wait for the camp to be destroyed.
But what? What could she possibly do?
Jacob scrambled up one of the wooden watchtowers near the edge of the camp, his heart pounding in his chest. The structure wobbled slightly under his weight, but he managed to stabilize himself as he reached the top. Pulling a small spyglass from his belt, he scanned the horizon, his hands trembling as he adjusted the lens.
The horizon glowed faintly with the orange light of the fireballs still streaking through the sky. At first, he couldn't see much beyond the hazy, smoky distance, but then—there it was. His breath caught in his throat as the figures came into focus.
"Oh no…" he whispered, his voice trembling.
Through the spyglass, he saw them: a massive horde of goblins and Dry Bones, their skeletal frames glowing faintly in the dim light, their grotesque forms marching in perfect unison. The horde stretched as far as the eye could see, an unending wave of terror. At the forefront of the group was a towering figure, a goblin unlike any Jacob had ever seen before.
The goblin champion was an enormous brute, easily twice the size of the others. His green skin glistened with war paint and battle scars, and his jagged armor looked as though it had been pieced together from the bones of his enemies. In one hand, he wielded a massive club, its spiked surface stained with blood. His glowing red eyes radiated an aura of dominance, and his deep growl was loud enough to carry even to Jacob's perch.
The champion raised his club high, letting out a guttural roar that spurred the horde into a frenzied charge. The ground seemed to shake beneath their feet, the sound of clattering bones and guttural goblin war cries growing louder with each passing second.
"Oh no… oh no, no, no…" Jacob stammered, nearly dropping the spyglass as he scrambled back down the tower.
He hit the ground running, his legs wobbling beneath him as he sprinted toward the central tent. His panicked shouts cut through the cacophony of chaos. "They're coming! They're coming! A horde of Dry Bones and goblins, and they've got a champion leading them!"
Orrian, who had been helping Ruven secure the perimeter, froze at the news. His sharp eyes locked onto Jacob as the younger elf skidded to a halt, panting heavily. "What did you see?" Orrian demanded, his tone sharp and urgent.
Jacob gulped down air before blurting out, "A whole horde! Hundreds of them! And they're being led by this… this massive goblin! He's got a spiked club, and he's huge! They're heading straight for us!"
The elves exchanged grim looks, their expressions darkening.
"They must've used the fireball barrage to flush us out," Alicia muttered, her hands tightening around her bow. "And now they're sending the horde to finish the job."
Khilseith's face twisted with frustration as he threw his hands in the air. "Of course they are! Why wouldn't they bring the entire damn army? Because that's just our luck, isn't it?"
Orrian ignored the outburst, his mind already working to form a plan. "How far out are they, Jacob?"
"Not far," Jacob replied, his voice trembling. "Maybe five minutes at most. They're coming fast."
"Five minutes…" Orrian's jaw tightened as he turned to the others. "That's not enough time to fortify the camp. We'll have to hold them off here."
"What?! Hold them off?!" Bellas squeaked, her eyes wide with panic. "Against a horde? Orrian, we're outnumbered a hundred to one! We'll be torn apart!"
"We don't have a choice!" Orrian snapped, his tone sharp but steady. "If we run, they'll hunt us down before we even make it to Kong Island. Our best chance is to fight here, in familiar terrain."
Ruven stepped forward, his expression grim but resolute. "Then we make our stand. Everyone, gather your weapons and armor. This is going to get ugly."
As the elves sprang into action, Vanellope peeked out from her hiding spot behind the barrels, her small hands trembling. She could see the fear in their faces, but also the determination. They were ready to fight, even knowing the odds were stacked against them.
But as she watched, her gaze drifted back toward the tent where Zoro was still sleeping. Her stomach twisted in knots. Should she wake him? He was their strongest fighter—if anyone could take on a champion goblin and an army of monsters, it was him.
But Zoro had told her to let him rest, and she didn't want to disobey him. Her mind raced as she tried to decide what to do.
Orrian's voice thundered through the camp, cutting through the panic like a blade. "All right, everyone! Battle stations! NOW, NOW, NOW!" His commanding tone snapped the elves into action as they scrambled to their positions, grabbing weapons, and securing their defenses.
Alicia sprinted toward the tree at the heart of the camp, her bow already in hand. She nimbly climbed to one of the elevated platforms, where a quiver of enchanted arrows waited. Her eyes scanned the horizon as she knocked an arrow, her sharp elven sight catching glimpses of the horde charging toward them. "They're getting closer!" she called out. "We've got less than three minutes before they're on us!"
Ruven barked orders as he and Jacob began reinforcing the perimeter. "Set up the barricades! Anything we can use—wood, crates, rocks! Move, move, move!" Jacob, though still pale with fear, nodded and began dragging supplies to fortify the camp's entrance.
Khilseith, his hands already glowing with the faint shimmer of magic, muttered an incantation under his breath. The runes etched onto the ground surrounding the camp began to glow brighter, forming a faint magical barrier. "This'll slow them down," he said, though his voice wavered with uncertainty. "But it won't hold for long if that champion gets close."
Bellas was visibly shaking as she hurried to help secure supplies. "I-I'm not sure I'm ready for this," she stammered, clutching her weapon tightly. Alicia glanced down from her perch and called out, "Bellas, focus! You've trained for this. We need you out there!" Bellas took a deep breath, nodded, and forced herself to steady her hands.
Orrian remained at the center of the chaos, his calm demeanor masking the storm of thoughts running through his mind. He directed everyone with precision. "Khilseith, reinforce the barrier as much as you can! Alicia, take out as many as you can from range—focus on the Dry Bones! Ruven, you're with me on the front lines! Bellas, support from mid-range—use the cover to your advantage!"
Vanellope, crouched behind a nearby barrel, watched the elves spring into action with a mixture of awe and fear. They were clearly experienced, but the sheer size of the approaching horde made her stomach churn. Her fingers brushed against the charm Alicia had given her as she whispered to herself, "What am I even doing here?"
The sound of the horde grew louder—a cacophony of bone rattles, guttural growls, and war cries that sent shivers down her spine. She peeked out from her hiding spot just in time to see the goblin champion at the forefront of the horde, his massive club slamming into the ground as he let out a deafening roar. The horde surged forward, closing the distance rapidly.
Orrian drew his sword, its enchanted blade glowing faintly in the dim light. He turned to the others, his voice firm. "Hold the line! We protect this camp with everything we've got! No one gets through—no matter what!"
The elves braced themselves as the first wave of goblins slammed into the magical barrier. Sparks flew as the barrier held, but the horde didn't relent. Dry Bones clawed at the glowing runes, their skeletal hands emitting a horrifying screech as they tried to break through. The champion goblin raised his massive club, preparing to strike the barrier with all his might.
"NOW, ALICIA!" Orrian shouted.
Alicia released her arrow, the enchanted projectile whistling through the air before striking one of the Dry Bones in the chest. The skeleton exploded into a cloud of ash, but another immediately took its place. "There's too many of them!" she called down. "We can't hold them off forever!"
The goblin champion roared again, his club crashing down onto the barrier. The magical runes flickered, the shield trembling under the sheer force of the impact.
Khilseith gritted his teeth, his hands glowing brighter as he poured more energy into the barrier. "I can't hold this much longer!" he yelled, sweat dripping down his face. "If that champion keeps hitting it, it's going to collapse!"
Orrian's mind raced as he tried to think of a way to turn the tide. "Alicia, keep targeting the Dry Bones! We need to thin their numbers! Everyone else, prepare for the breach!"
Vanellope watched in terror as the barrier began to weaken. Her heart pounded in her chest as she clutched the charm tightly. "I can't just sit here…" she whispered to herself. Taking a deep breath, she stood and darted toward the group, her small form moving through the chaos. "Hey, what can I do to help?" she called out, her voice trembling but determined.
Orrian glanced at her, his expression a mix of surprise and urgency. "Get to cover and stay safe! This isn't your fight!"
Vanellope's eyes narrowed, her small fists clenched. "No way! If you're fighting, then so am I! Just tell me what to do!"
Before Orrian could respond, the barrier gave a final, desperate flicker before shattering with a deafening crack. The goblin champion let out a triumphant roar as the horde surged forward, charging straight for the camp.
"Here they come!" Orrian shouted, raising his sword. "DEFEND THE CAMP!"
And with that, the battle began.
.
The moment the barrier shattered, the camp was plunged into chaos. The goblin horde surged forward, their guttural war cries shaking the ground beneath their feet. The sound of clattering bones from the Dry Bones added a haunting undertone to the cacophony. At the forefront, the goblin champion bellowed his war cry, his massive club swinging in anticipation of crushing anything in his path.
Orrian stood firm, his glowing blade raised high. "Hold the line!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the din. The elves braced themselves, their weapons gleaming in the dim light of the campfires.
The first wave of goblins rushed into the camp, their crude weapons gleaming wickedly. Alicia fired arrow after arrow from her perch, each enchanted shot finding its mark. Dry Bones exploded into clouds of dust, and goblins dropped lifelessly to the ground, their bodies pierced by glowing projectiles.
"Focus on the Dry Bones! They'll get back up if we don't destroy them completely!" she shouted, her voice steady despite the chaos.
Ruven and Orrian took the front line, their blades flashing as they met the goblins head-on. Orrian's sword cut through the first goblin with ease, its enchanted edge slicing cleanly through the creature's crude armor. The goblin's blood sprayed out like a fire hose. Ruven spun, his twin blades moving with precision as he carved a path through the enemy ranks. pieces of goblin body sprayed the battlefield.
"Push them back! Don't let them overwhelm us!" Ruven barked, his calm demeanor now replaced with fiery determination.
Bellas and Jacob stood slightly behind the front line, providing cover and support. Bellas's hands trembled as she notched an arrow, but she steadied herself with a deep breath and let it fly. The arrow struck a goblin square in the chest, sending it sprawling to the ground in pain. Jacob, his face pale but resolute, hurled daggers with surprising accuracy, taking down goblins before they could get close.
Meanwhile, Khilseith stood in the center of the camp, his hands glowing with raw magical energy. He muttered an incantation under his breath, and a burst of light erupted from the ground, sending a cluster of goblins flying. "I'm buying us time, but don't expect miracles!" he shouted, beads of sweat forming on his brow.
Vanellope, small and quick, darted between the chaos, trying to find a way to help without putting herself directly in harm's way. Her eyes darted to the goblin champion, who was now stomping through the battlefield with terrifying force. His massive club slammed into the ground, sending shockwaves that knocked both elves and goblins off their feet.
The champion locked eyes with Orrian, a cruel grin spreading across his grotesque face. "Elven scum!" he bellowed, swinging his club down with earth-shaking force. Orrian dodged at the last second, the ground where he had been standing exploding into splinters and dirt.
Orrian shouted over the clamor of the battlefield, "Keep it distracted! Don't let it breach the center of the camp!"
Ruven, always quick on his feet, dashed toward the goblin champion, his twin blades flashing in the dim light. "Over here, you overgrown brute!" he taunted, slicing at the champion's exposed leg. His attack left a shallow slightly bloody cut, drawing the beast's attention. The champion roared, swinging its massive club toward Ruven, who rolled out of the way just in time.
Alicia took advantage of the distraction, leaping onto a makeshift platform to get a clear shot. She loosed a series of enchanted arrows, each one glowing with a faint blue light. The arrows struck the champion's armor, causing small bursts of magic to ripple across its body. The beast grunted in annoyance, but the attacks only seemed to enrage it further.
"Is that the best you've got?" the champion sneered, slamming his club into the ground and sending another shockwave rippling through the camp. Several elves stumbled, but Orrian steadied himself and charged forward.
"Focus your fire on the joints!" Orrian commanded. "Slow it down!"
Khilseith, still in the center of the camp, raised his hands and began chanting a spell. "Alicia, keep it occupied! I'm working on something big!" Magic crackled around him, forming a glowing sigil beneath his feet. "Just buy me a few more seconds!"
Vanellope, crouched behind a pile of crates, watched the battle unfold with wide eyes. Her heart raced as she saw the champion smashing through everything in its path. She clenched her fists, feeling a mix of fear and determination. "Okay, think, Vanellope. You've got glitches. Use them."
Summoning her courage, she darted out from her hiding spot and sprinted toward the chaos. She weaved through the fighting, her small size making it easy to avoid notice. As the champion raised its club again, Vanellope glitched forward, reappearing directly behind the beast.
"Hey, big guy! Bet you can't catch me!" she shouted, sticking her tongue out.
The champion turned, confused by her sudden appearance. With a furious roar, it swung its club toward her, but she glitched again, disappearing just before the massive weapon could connect. She reappeared several feet away, grinning mischievously.
"That's right, keep looking at me!" she called out, giving the elves a chance to regroup.
Ruven took the opportunity to land another blow on the champion's leg, this time deeper, causing it to stagger. "Nice distraction, kid!" he shouted, giving her a quick thumbs-up before diving back into the fray.
Meanwhile, Khilseith's spell reached its climax. "Everyone, get clear!" he yelled, his voice echoing with magical energy. A massive burst of light erupted from his hands, forming into a spear of pure energy. With a final shout, he hurled the spear toward the champion.
The magical spear struck the champion square in the chest, exploding in a brilliant flash of light. The beast roared in pain, stumbling backward as its armor cracked and splintered. It dropped its club, falling to one knee.
"Now's our chance!" Orrian yelled, charging forward with his sword raised. The elves surged alongside him, their weapons aimed at the vulnerable champion.
The battle raged on, the elves pressing their advantage while the rest of the goblin horde seemed momentarily disoriented by their champion's fall. And see how much more confident he is the movement. They're unsure brother to follow. They're trying to follow him. I mean, of course he has little to no intelligence.
The ground quaked as more enemies poured into the camp. From the shadows beyond the outer perimeter, an unending tide of goblins and Dry Bones swarmed forth, their guttural cries and clattering bones filling the air. It quickly became apparent that the initial wave was only a fraction of the true force. The elves' expressions darkened as they realized the overwhelming numbers.
Orrian glanced back at the others, his jaw tight. "They've been holding back on us. This was a trap to draw us out!"
Ruven, slashing through another goblin, growled, "What's the play now, Orrian? We can't hold this many off forever!"
Khilseith, still breathing heavily from his previous spell, grimaced. "I can't keep casting at this pace. We're going to run dry if we don't come up with something fast."
Alicia loosed another arrow, striking down two goblins at once, but even she looked pale as she glanced at the overwhelming enemy numbers. "They're cutting off our retreat! We're surrounded!"
The goblin champion, still staggering from the magical spear, let out a guttural laugh as it pushed itself back to its feet. "You thought that would stop us? Pathetic!" It reached for a massive horn strapped to its side and blew into it. The deafening sound echoed through the camp, signaling another wave of reinforcements. Moments later, larger, armored goblins began appearing, their jagged weapons gleaming in the firelight.
Vanellope, still hiding behind a stack of crates, clutched her charm tightly. Her earlier surge of hope was rapidly fading. "Oh no, oh no… this is bad. This is really, really bad," she muttered, her voice trembling. She glanced back toward the tent where Zoro was still fast asleep. "Wake up, you idiot!" she hissed under her breath, but she knew it was useless.
From what her knowledge of him was that once Zoro was asleep, it was pretty much impossible to wake him up unless it was a catastrophic event happening in front of him.
Which, considering the situation they were in would be enough to get him up and off his ass.
Orrian raised his sword, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Fall back to the inner perimeter! Protect the heart of the camp! Jacob, Bellas—get to the wounded and start evacuating them! Alicia, Ruven—cover their retreat!"
The elves moved like a well-oiled machine, but the sheer number of enemies quickly pushed them to their limits. The goblins and Dry Bones surged forward relentlessly, their numbers seeming endless. Despite the elves' coordinated efforts, the defensive lines began to buckle under the weight of the assault.
The enemy was tearing through everything in camp as a it was made of papier-mâché.
First, they were hanging up their weapon supply and arming themselves with even more weapons.
While tearing apart any magical items that can harm them.
However, that part of the plant quickly began to Foil itself, as since these magical items were well magically enchanted it left a certain protection spell that would cause severe burns towards the goblins and crossbones if they touched long enough.
They were also trying to surround the entire camp so that there was no place any of the elves or humans could go or escape if their base was taken over.
Jacob and Bellas darted between the chaos, helping the wounded elves to safety. Bellas shouted over the din of battle, "We've got to move faster! The inner perimeter won't hold for long!"
"I know, I know!" Jacob replied, his voice cracking with panic as he helped an injured elf limp toward the inner camp. "But we're running out of time!"
Alicia and Ruven fired off arrows and swung their weapons with precision, but even they were starting to falter under the endless tide of enemies. Alicia gritted her teeth as she loosed another arrow, her hand trembling from exhaustion. "They just keep coming! We're going to need a miracle at this rate!"
Ruven snarled as he sliced through another Dry Bones, the creature shattering into pieces before slowly beginning to reassemble itself. "These damned things won't stay down! Khilseith, can you do something about them?"
Khilseith, his face drenched in sweat, waved his staff and unleashed another burst of magic, incinerating a cluster of Dry Bones. "Do you think I have a limitless supply of magic?!" he snapped, his voice sharp with frustration. "I'm running on fumes here!"
Orrian barked orders from the center of the camp, his sword slashing through goblins as he tried to keep the others coordinated. "Hold the line! We have to buy time for the evacuees! Don't let them breach the heart of the camp!"
The goblin champion roared, its massive, grotesque form pushing through the chaos like a living battering ram. "Elves! You will die here!" it bellowed, swinging its enormous club and scattering several defenders with a single blow. The ground shook with every step it took, its beady eyes glowing with malice as it locked onto Orrian.
Orrian turned to face the champion, his grip tightening on his blade. "Everyone, focus fire on the big one! Bring it down before it tears us apart!"
Vanellope, still hidden, watched the chaos unfold with wide eyes. Her heart pounded as she saw the elves struggling to hold their ground. She clutched her charm tightly, her mind racing. I have to do something. I can't just sit here while they're all fighting… but what can I do?
Her gaze darted back toward Zoro's tent, and she felt a surge of frustration. "You'd better be worth it, big guy," she muttered. Then, taking a deep breath, she began to creep toward the inner camp, looking for anything—anything—that might help turn the tide.
Suddenly, a shadow loomed over her, and she froze. A goblin had spotted her, its jagged teeth bared in a wicked grin. "Little morsel!" it hissed, raising its crude weapon to strike.
Vanellope's instincts kicked in. With a burst of adrenaline, she glitched just as the goblin's weapon came down, disappearing in a flash of static and reappearing several feet away. The goblin stumbled, confused, giving her a brief moment to think.
"Okay, okay," she whispered to herself, her hands shaking. "I can do this. Just like the arcade. Think fast, Vanellope."
The goblin turned, snarling as it lunged at her again. This time, she glitched directly behind it and kicked its legs out from under it. The creature toppled forward with a surprised yelp, crashing into a pile of debris.
Vanellope didn't stick around to see what happened next. She darted deeper into the camp, her heart pounding in her chest as she searched for something—anything—to help the elves.
Meanwhile, the goblin champion let out a guttural laugh as it swung its club at Orrian, the massive weapon colliding with the elf leader's sword. The force of the blow sent Orrian skidding backward, his boots digging into the dirt as he struggled to stay upright.
"You'll fall just like the rest!" the champion roared, raising its club for another strike.
Orrian gritted his teeth, his arms straining under the weight of the fight. "Not today," he growled, lunging forward and slashing at the champion's side. His blade bit deep, drawing a spray of dark, viscous blood, but the champion barely flinched. It didn't help that he was a towering monstrosity, far larger than any of the other goblins, and it moved with a speed and precision that belied its hulking frame. Its muscles bulged under its crude, spiked armor, and its jagged club seemed to glow faintly with a malevolent energy. Every swing of its weapon sent shockwaves through the ground, knocking elves off their feet and shattering anything unfortunate enough to stand in its way.
Orrian and Ruven fought side by side, their movements coordinated and deliberate, but even their combined efforts barely made a dent. The champion deflected Ruven's strikes with ease, its club colliding with his sword in a resounding clang that sent sparks flying.
"Is this the best you've got, elves?!" the champion roared, its guttural voice echoing across the battlefield. It swung its club in a wide arc, forcing both Orrian and Ruven to leap back or be pulverized. The attack obliterated a nearby barricade, sending splinters flying in all directions.
"I can't get a clear strike!" Ruven shouted, his voice strained as he dodged another attack. "Its armor is too thick, and it's moving too fast!"
Orrian's face was grim, his breaths labored. "We need to distract it! If we can get it to expose its flank, we might have a chance!"
Alicia, perched on a nearby vantage point, loosed arrow after arrow at the champion. Each shot was aimed with precision, targeting the gaps in its armor, but the creature swatted her projectiles away like they were flies.
"It's like shooting at a damn mountain!" she muttered, her frustration mounting. "We can't keep this up forever!"
Khilseith, his hands glowing with arcane energy, unleashed a powerful blast of fire at the champion. The spell struck the creature square in the chest, momentarily engulfing it in flames. But when the smoke cleared, the champion stood unharmed, its armor blackened but otherwise intact.
"Is that all you've got?!" the champion sneered, its grotesque face twisted into a mocking grin. It stomped toward Khilseith, each step shaking the ground. "Pathetic little mage. You'll die first."
Khilseith stumbled back, sweat pouring down his face. "What is this thing made of?!" he hissed, his voice shaking. "That should've at least slowed it down!"
"It's enchanted," Orrian called out, his eyes narrowing as he studied the champion. "That armor—it's absorbing most of the damage. We need to focus on unprotected areas!"
The champion laughed, a deep, guttural sound that sent chills through the air. "You think you can find a weakness? You're welcome to try."
As if to prove its dominance, the champion swung its club again, this time slamming it into the ground with such force that the shockwave sent several elves flying. Bellas screamed as she was thrown backward, landing hard on the ground and clutching her arm.
"Bellas!" Jacob yelled, scrambling to her side. He helped her up, his face pale with fear as he glanced at the champion. "We… we can't fight that thing. It's unstoppable!"
Bellas winced, her face pale but determined. "We don't have a choice. We have to hold the line, no matter what."
Vanellope, hiding behind a stack of supplies, watched the scene with wide eyes. The champion was like a force of nature, an unstoppable juggernaut that the elves couldn't seem to touch. Her small hands clenched into fists as she struggled to think of a way to help.
"C'mon, think, think," she whispered to herself, her heart racing. "There's gotta be something…"
Suddenly, the champion spotted her. Its glowing eyes locked onto her small form, and its grin widened into a predatory sneer. "What's this? A little runt playing hide-and-seek? How cute."
Vanellope froze as the champion began stomping toward her, its massive club resting on its shoulder. The ground shook with every step it took, and its malevolent laughter echoed in her ears.
"No, no, no," she whispered, her mind racing. She clutched the charm Alicia had given her, feeling its rough surface against her palm. "Not now. Not like this."
Before the champion could reach her, Alicia loosed another arrow, this one striking the creature in the back of its knee. The champion snarled in pain, momentarily distracted.
"Vanellope, run!" Alicia shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.
Vanellope didn't need to be told twice. She glitched away, reappearing several feet closer to the inner camp. Her heart pounded as she darted behind another stack of supplies, her mind racing. I can't keep running. I have to do something! But what can I do against that thing?!
The elves continued their desperate battle, but it was clear they were losing ground. The champion's presence alone was demoralizing, and the relentless tide of goblins and Dry Bones only added to their struggle.
Orrian gritted his teeth, his sword flashing as he cut through another wave of enemies. "We need to take that thing down, or we won't last much longer!"
But how? The champion was more than a match for all of them combined. Unless something changed, their chances of survival were slipping away with every passing moment.
The swarms of goblins and Dry Bones poured into the camp like a flood, overwhelming the elves who struggled to hold their positions. The air was thick with the cacophony of battle: the clang of steel, the crackling of Khilseith's magic, the guttural roars of goblins, and the eerie clattering of Dry Bones as their skeletal forms moved with unnatural precision.
Alicia fired arrow after arrow, her quiver quickly depleting as she tried to thin the ranks of the incoming horde. "There's too many of them!" she shouted, her voice rising over the chaos. She pivoted, shooting a goblin who had managed to climb onto one of the camp's barricades, sending it tumbling to the ground with a sickening crunch.
Ruven slashed through a line of goblins, his blade glowing faintly with elven magic. "We can't hold this position forever!" he called out, panting as he drove another Dry Bones back with a well-timed kick. But even as the skeleton staggered, it began to reassemble itself, its bones snapping back into place as if pulled by invisible strings. "These damn things don't stay down!"
Jacob, who had taken a position on a makeshift watchtower, hurled a dagger into the fray below, striking a goblin in the eye. "They just keep coming!" he yelled, his hands trembling as he fumbled for another weapon. His usual bravado was replaced with sheer terror as the camp descended further into chaos.
Bellas struggled to keep her balance as she swung her blade at a goblin charging her. Despite her earlier injury, she fought valiantly, but the sheer number of enemies forced her to retreat step by step. "We're being overrun!" she cried out, her voice cracking.
Meanwhile, the goblin champion was a storm of destruction, its massive club smashing through everything in its path. Tents were torn apart, barricades were shattered, and the ground itself seemed to quake under its fury. Every swing of its weapon sent elves flying, their cries of pain echoing through the camp.
"Hold the line!" Orrian commanded, his voice steady despite the overwhelming odds. His sword flashed as he cut down another goblin, but even he couldn't hide the strain in his movements. "We can't let them reach the inner camp!"
But it was clear the elves were losing ground. For every goblin or Dry Bones they took down, two more seemed to take its place. The horde was relentless, their grotesque faces twisted with glee as they swarmed the camp.
Khilseith, positioned near the central tent, unleashed another blast of fire, incinerating a cluster of goblins. But the strain was evident on his face, beads of sweat rolling down his temples as his magic reserves began to dwindle. Khilseith gritted his teeth, his voice strained as he called out, "I can't keep this up forever! We're running out of time!" His hands crackled with energy, but the glow of his magic was dimming. With every spell cast, his movements grew slower, his breathing heavier.
Alicia glanced over her shoulder, her heart sinking at the sight of their once-organized camp now teeming with goblins and Dry Bones. The champion goblin roared, swinging its club with brutal efficiency, sending debris and elves flying. Her arrows seemed to bounce off its thick hide, and she cursed under her breath. "Orrian, we need a new plan!" she shouted, taking out another goblin with a precise shot.
Orrian was already in motion, slashing through a group of Dry Bones with calculated precision. "Pull back to the inner circle!" he commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Regroup around the central tree! We make our stand there!"
"But what about the tents and supplies?" Ruven protested as he fended off a goblin trying to climb onto the barricades.
"They're already lost!" Orrian barked. "If we stay spread out, we're dead! Fall back now!"
The elves hesitated for a moment, their gazes flickering between the advancing horde and Orrian's determined face. Then, one by one, they began to retreat, covering each other as they moved toward the central tree where their defensive line was stronger.
Jacob climbed down from the watchtower in a hurry, his steps frantic. "I've got a bad feeling about this!" he muttered as he narrowly avoided a goblin's blade.
That's when the goblin champion noticed they were retreat and began to shout towards his subordinate," BEAR WITNESS MY BRETHREN, THE ENEMY HAD BEGUN TO RETREAT! THIS IS OUR MOMENT TO END THIS THING ONCE AND FOR ALL! DO WHATEVER MEANS NECESSARY TO SEPARATE THEM! ONCE YOUVE DONE THAT...TEAR THEM APART"!!!!
He then advanced forward the army following after him doing exactly as he said.
Begin advancing upon the elves, overwhelming them with their sheer and overwhelming number of forces causing them to break up.
Bellas limped toward the tree, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she tightly clutches her freshly injured leg. She gripped her sword tightly, her knuckles white. "We can't let them break through," she murmured, her eyes flickering with determination despite the fear etched across her face.
As the elves desperately do whatever they can to regroup, the central tree loomed above them like a protective sentinel. Its massive roots and branches provided some cover, Alicia scrambled to take up new positions, her hands trembling as she nocked another arrow.
The goblin horde surged forward, relentless in their attack. The champion goblin led the charge, its monstrous roars echoing through the night as it barreled toward the elves' new defensive line. It swung its club with terrifying force, smashing into the barricades and sending splinters flying.
"We can't stop that thing!" Jacob cried, his voice rising in panic as he sticks his daggers upon the champion only for it to result in little damage.
Orrian stepped forward, his sword glowing faintly with an enchantment as he faced the goblin champion. "We don't have to stop it," he said grimly. "We just need to hold long enough to force a retreat."
Khilseith, his magic nearly depleted, staggered toward Orrian. "Force a retreat? How the hell are we supposed to do that when they have the advantage in numbers and strength?" Khilseith growled, his frustration boiling over. "We're barely holding them back as it is!"
Orrian turned to face the exhausted mage, his expression resolute. "Because we don't have a choice. If we fall here, the rebellion loses its foothold in the Dark Lands. We hold this position, no matter what it takes." He glanced back at the central tree, its branches reaching skyward like a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. "We've fought worse odds before."
Khilseith scoffed but didn't argue further. He turned his focus back to the battle, summoning a weak but steady burst of energy to repel a cluster of advancing Dry Bones. "If we make it out of this alive, Orrian, you owe me a drink. A big one."
Orrian chuckles as he's raised himself for another attack," I'll hold you to that my friend".
Alicia, perched in one of the higher branches of the tree, let loose a volley of arrows, each one finding its mark. "We can't let them breach the inner circle!" she shouted, her voice carrying over the din of battle. "I'll focus fire on the Dry Bones! You Guys take them down before they can reform!", she then took another shot, arrows slicing through the air with deadly precision. The Dry Bones, though relentless, began to falter under the concentrated assault. Their skeletal forms crumbled, but the elves knew it was only a matter of time before they started reassembling.
Meanwhile, the goblin champion continued its rampage, carving a path of destruction through the elves' ranks. Its massive club struck with the force of a battering ram, and even Orrian's enchanted sword seemed to struggle against the brute's raw power.
Ruven darted forward, his twin daggers flashing as he attempted to flank the champion. He managed to land a series of quick strikes, but they barely left a scratch on the creature's thick hide. "This thing's tougher than it looks!" he called out, dodging a wild swing of the champion's club.
"I noticed!" Orrian replied through gritted teeth, parrying a blow that sent him skidding backward. He glanced over his shoulder at Alicia. "We need to bring it down now, before it breaks through the defenses!"
Alicia hesitated, her bowstring taut as she lined up a shot. "I don't have anything that can pierce its armor! We need—"
Before she could finish, a guttural roar erupted from the champion goblin as it charged forward, smashing through another barricade. The elves scrambled to regroup, their formation breaking under the relentless assault.
Vanellope, still hiding in the shadows near the tree, watched in wide-eyed terror. Her small hands clutched the charm Alicia had given her, the faint glow of the elven rune providing little comfort. She wanted to help, to do something, but she felt completely powerless in the face of such overwhelming odds.
As the goblins and Dry Bones pressed closer, the elves' situation grew increasingly dire. Bellas stumbled, barely managing to parry a goblin's strike, while Jacob frantically fumbled with a bow he clearly wasn't used to wielding.
"We can't hold them!" Jacob shouted, his voice cracking with fear. "They're going to—"
A deafening crash interrupted him as the goblin champion struck the base of the central tree with its club, sending shockwaves through the ground. The tree groaned under the impact, its roots splintering as debris rained down around the elves.
Orrian's eyes widened in alarm. "If they bring the tree down, we're done for!" he yelled. "Focus everything on the champion! Take it out, now!"
The elves rallied, pouring their remaining strength into a desperate counterattack. Arrows flew, spells crackled, and blades clashed against the champion's thick armor. But the goblin leader seemed almost unstoppable, its roars of rage shaking the air as it swung its club with reckless abandon.
Noticing that they were only focusing on him to their futility, the goblin champion decided to use this to his advantage," WHILE THEY'RE DISTRACTED, ATTACK THEM....NOW"!
The goblins and dry bones did just as they were told using the distractions as a means of suddenly swarming and overpowering the elves.
Weaker elves like Jacob and Bella began to be overwhelmed by the forces, practically being tackled and shoved to the ground.
Jacob tried his best to use his daggers to get them off of him, but there are too many to push off and kill.
It didn't help that some of the elves that were helping with the tackle were sharpening their weapons as to administer the final blow.
Bella tried to reach over and help him, but there wasn't much she could do while they were holding her down as well and she couldn't exactly fight back unlike him.
The others would've gone over to help them if they weren't busy with the champion and the other enemy forces.
And Alicia couldn't leave her current position because she was currently range attacking and trying to best to keep the enemy from swarming the entire camp. Scientist.
In the chaos, Vanellope's gaze darted between the champion and the crumbling defenses. Her heart pounded as she realized that the elves might not make it out of this alive. She clenched her fists, her mind racing.
"I have to do something," she whispered to herself, her voice trembling. "I can't just sit here and watch."
Summoning every ounce of courage she had, Vanellope stepped out from her hiding spot, her small frame dwarfed by the chaos around her. She didn't have a plan—just a determination not to let these people, who had taken her in and tried to protect her, face this battle alone.
Taking a deep breath, she focused on her glitching ability, her body flickering with bursts of energy. "Hey, ugly!" she shouted, her voice surprisingly loud for her size. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size?!"
The goblin champion turned its massive head toward her, its glowing eyes narrowing as it registered the tiny figure standing defiantly before it. A guttural growl rumbled from its throat,"oh you little shit", and it began to lumber toward her, its club raised high.
Vanellope's heart raced, but she held her ground, her fingers twitching as she prepared to glitch. "Come on," she muttered under her breath. "Let's see if you can keep up."
And with that, she darted forward, disappearing in a burst of static as the champion swung its club down with a thunderous crash, missing her by inches. The elves, momentarily stunned by her sudden appearance, quickly realized what she was doing.
"She's distracting it!" Alicia called out, her voice tinged with both surprise and urgency. "Don't let her efforts go to waste! Focus all fire on the champion while it's distracted!"
With renewed determination, the elves launched a coordinated assault, their attacks converging on the champion as Vanellope darted and glitched around it, drawing its attention away from the others.
Unfortunately, as she was distracting it, Vanellope noticed one thing...…
...….Some of the goblins we're heading towards her and Zoro's tent.....
Vanellope's breath hitched as she spotted the goblins breaking away from the main battle, their grotesque forms skittering toward the tent she and Zoro had been resting in. Her stomach twisted in panic.
"Oh no," she whispered, frozen for a moment as fear took hold of her. Zoro's still asleep in there.
She glanced around desperately, hoping someone might have noticed, but the elves were too preoccupied fighting the relentless waves of goblins and Dry Bones. Arrows flew, blades clashed, and spells illuminated the battlefield, but none of them could afford to abandon their positions to help.
She then started flaring around desperately, screaming to the top of her lungs for them to go and help her friend,"Guys guys guys guys Zoro they're going up to Zoro's tent. You have to help him please"!
Alicia, perched high above, spotted the same group heading for the tent and cursed under her breath. "They're making a move for the humans!" she yelled, loosing an arrow toward one of the goblins. It found its mark, but there were too many for her to take out from her position. And even if there weren't, she still wasn't able to leave her position.
And, unfortunately, everyone else was preoccupied
Jacob and Bellas were still at the mercy of the goblins and we're too busy trying to fight them off.
Ruben was doing everything he could to get to them though there was no telling if he was gonna be able to get to them in time with the sheer number of goblins and dry bones. Much less head over to help out some new human they just met that day.
And Orrian and Khilseith we're still trying to handle the main force of the enemy, as well as taking on the goblin champion.
Vanellope's heart raced as she looked back and forth between the goblins and the tent. Her glitching wasn't strong enough to take on so many enemies, and she didn't have a weapon.
"ZORO! You have to wake up!!!," she shouted as loud as she could, her voice cracking. But the tent remained still, and the goblins grew closer, their guttural growls and wicked laughter sending chills down her spine.
And then, just as the first goblin reached the tent and tore open the flap, something unexpected happened.
Inside the tent, Zoro's peaceful slumber had remained uninterrupted, even as the battle raged outside. His swords leaned neatly against the wall of the tent, untouched.
But as the goblin entered and quickly glanced around the inside of the type of before spotting the sleeping swordsman snoring loudly as a snot bubble was rising and lowering out of his left nose hole.
Seeing an opportunity to strike him while he was as weak as the goblin began raising its crude weapon to strike the sleeping swordsman, Zoro's hand moved instinctively.
In a single fluid motion, Zoro reached for one of his swords, unsheathed it, and slashed upward. The goblin froze mid-strike, its beady eyes wide with shock before it crumpled to the ground in two clean go bloody green halves.
Zoro cracked one eye open lazily, his expression unreadable as he sat up. "Tch… noisy neighbors," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. His gaze flicked to the tent opening, where several more goblins were pushing their way inside.
He grabbed another sword, slipping it between his teeth, and rose to his feet, his presence suddenly radiating menace. The goblins hesitated, clearly unsure whether to proceed.
"I was having a good nap," Zoro growled, his voice muffled by the sword in his mouth. "And now… I've got to deal with you idiots."
Outside, Vanellope stood frozen in place, expecting to hear the worst. Instead, she heard a series of loud crashes, followed by goblin screams that were abruptly cut short.
"What the—" Alicia said, glancing toward the tent in confusion.
Ruven, dodging a swing from a goblin blade, shouted, "What's going on over there?!"
Before anyone could answer, the tent flap was ripped open—and Zoro stepped out, his three swords gleaming and his eyes sharp with irritation. Behind him, the bodies of the goblins that had entered lay scattered in various states of clean but gory dismemberment.
Zoro tilted his head, cracking his neck. "So much for a peaceful night," he muttered. His gaze shifted to the battlefield, taking in the chaos. He spotted Vanellope standing frozen near the central tree and raised an eyebrow. "Hey, kid! What'd I miss?"
Vanellope blinked in disbelief before breaking into a wide grin. "Zoro!" she shouted, her relief palpable.
Zoro stepped forward, his swords glinting in the firelight as he assessed the battlefield.
Everyone else's eyes darted towards the human swordsman.
They were all kind of surprised to see him out there
Wait, was he sleeping through all of that chaos that was going on?
Alicia, still perched above, let out a shaky laugh. "Looks like the reinforcements woke up," she said, her voice tinged with awe.
Zoro then yawn loudly," So someone wanna explain to me what the hell is going on"?
Jacob handled that as he then quickly yelled to Zoro from his position, finally getting out from under all of the goblins and dry bones on top of him thanks for the help of Ruben, who was helping him up," Were under attack by enemy forces. We're trying to hold off the enemy forces as best we can! You take the little girl and go hide somewhere?! We'll handle this!"
Zoro raised an eyebrow at Jacob's words, tilting his head slightly as though he hadn't heard him correctly. "Hide?" he repeated, his tone laced with incredulity. He stepped forward, his swords glinting ominously in the firelight. "You want me to hide?"
Vanellope, still standing near the central tree, stifled a laugh at Zoro's offended tone. She knew well enough by now that "hiding" wasn't exactly in his vocabulary.
Jacob, still brushing dust off his cloak and scrambling to stay upright, blinked at Zoro. "Yes! Hide! You're outnumbered—there are goblins, Dry Bones, and a massive goblin champion out there! This isn't the time to play hero! You can't possibly be able to handle the sheer number of them you're a human!"
Zoro let out a short, sharp laugh, one that sent a chill down the spines of everyone around him. His grip tightened on his swords, and he rolled his shoulders lazily. "Play hero? Nah," he said, his voice dropping into a dangerous growl. "I don't play hero. I just don't run from a fight."
Alicia, still firing arrows from her perch, couldn't help but smirk at his response. "Looks like he's got some spirit," she muttered under her breath.
The goblin champion, standing tall at the forefront of the attacking forces, noticed Zoro's entrance and let out a guttural roar. Its jagged, bone-like armor gleamed under the fiery sky, and it raised its massive club high, pointing it directly at Zoro as if issuing a challenge.
The goblin champion knew that this was the human, but he was told to bring his superior and he was going to do just that.
Though, that didn't mean he couldn't have fun with him at least.
A couple bruises and a broken bone or two wasn't going to weaken him too much.
Zorro knew that this big guy was challenging him and he was glad this guy saved him in trouble.
Vanellope, still rooted to her spot, couldn't help but noticed this exchange and shout, "Zoro, are you sure about this?! That thing's huge!"
He glanced back at her, his grin softening slightly. "Kid, if I wasn't sure, I wouldn't be here", he's in readjust his swords as he then says," And besides our relish, just kind of challenge".
Jacob, still wide-eyed, called out again, "You're insane! You can't possibly take all of them on by yourself!"
Zoro didn't even look at him this time. He simply adjusted the sword in his mouth and said, through gritted teeth, "Watch me."
Without another word, Zoro began walking toward the goblin forces, his pace calm and unhurried, as though he wasn't heading straight into the jaws of chaos. The goblins, emboldened by their numbers, surged forward to meet him, their shrieks and war cries filling the air.
And then, Zoro moved.
The first wave of goblins didn't even see the attack coming. In a blur of motion, Zoro swung his swords in a deadly arc, cutting through them with surgical precision. Blood sprayed the battlefield, and the goblins fell like leaves in a storm, their bodies crumpling to the ground before they even realized what had hit them.
The elves, who had been struggling to hold the line, paused briefly in stunned silence. Ruven, still fending off a group of Dry Bones, let out a low whistle. "Well… I stand corrected."
Alicia, firing another arrow into a goblin's eye, couldn't help but grin. "Guess the human's got more than just a sharp tongue."
Vanellope, watching from her vantage point, clutched the charm Alicia had given her earlier and whispered, "Go, Zoro…"
And with that, he charged into the fray, his swords slicing through goblins and Dry Bones with effortless precision.
He was moving so fast and that one of them couldn't even pick up his movements as he was cutting through them like effortless butter.
They had never seen anyone and they mean anyone fight with such quick accurate precision in their lives.
Despite being outnumbered, Zoro moved like a force of nature, his movements fluid and deliberate. The champion goblin roared in fury as it noticed him, but Zoro didn't flinch. If anything, he smirked.
before the champion even knew it was right in front of him, looking right up at him, casually with his one eye, "Finally," Zoro said, his voice low and dangerous as he then cracked his neck and pulled out the Wado Ichimonji. "Someone worth my time."
(End of chapter)