Stampede.
An event said to be synonymous with chaos and despair. A harrowing trial that went down in history as a devastating calamity.
The phenomenon first showed itself 6 years back, in the year 2043.
And at that time, two strongholds were raised to the ground and humans were forced to move their settlements further North, enduring the harsh climate there.
The territory where they once used to live and regard as their home was once again taken by monsters.
Most people among the masses don't know how it began. It's said that it just started one day unexpectedly.
Hordes of maddened monsters rushed towards human strongholds from all directions in a frenzy. Their aim was simple - destroy anything in their path.
They trampled over anything in their path, may it be humans, other monsters, rubble or anything remotely present on the path.
The stampede... it actually began unexpectedly. Humanity was, once again caught off guard.
The true cause is unknown but it's believed that the monsters were triggered in action by a sudden surge in mana levels that caused a frenzied reaction among them.
The creatures, already twisted by the apocalyptic changes, were driven into a berserk state, their instincts overwhelmed by a primal urge to migrate and conquer new territories.
It's theorized that this surge was not a mere coincidence but a natural result of the unstable environment, exacerbated by the shifting forces of mana.
But all of it didn't matter much.
What mattered is the sight that carved itself in the minds of people on that day.
On a fateful day in late autumn of 2043, a series of tremors shook the lands surrounding the Veye Bastion, the stronghold responsible for monitoring monster activity. Reports of unusual seismic activity had been coming in for weeks, but the true horror of what was to come was underestimated.
Without warning, an unprecedented number of monsters, primarily from the 1-metre to 3-metre classes, surged toward the Veye Bastion. The ground rumbled as if a giant beast itself was on the move, and the skies darkened with the dust and debris kicked up by the advancing horde.
A stampede is disastrous due to its sheer numbers and the uncontrollable momentum of the creatures involved. In 2043, waves of monsters of all sizes and types emerged from their habitats, driven by an unstoppable force. Their numbers were overwhelming, and their ferocity unmatched. The monsters attacked from all directions, converging on human settlements with a singular purpose: to annihilate anything in their path.
But after the discovery was made, nothing could've been changed anymore. They would have to fight the horde of the monsters if they are to survive the looming threat.
At the time of the stampede, not all strongholds had been established and some, like Terra Australis, were still in their formative stages.
The Veye Bastion stronghold, which is charged with the task of monitoring monster movements and hence is located at the very edge of human settlements, was the first to be hit.
And the moment the monsters reached the walls of Veye Bastion, it marked the beginning of the bloodbath that was about to insue.
Despite their vigilance, the sheer numbers and ferocity of the monsters overwhelmed their defenses. The stronghold faced devastating attacks from every direction, and its walls crumbled under the relentless assault.
Nataya, the General of Veye Bastion, quickly mobilized her forces. Despite their readiness, the sheer scale of the stampede overwhelmed the bastion's defenses.
The forces fought valiantly, determined to protect what little they have been able to built over years, but it's just wasn't enough under the relentless waves of monsters.
The battle raged for hours, with the Bastion's walls getting breached multiple times. Brutal close quarters combat were taking place throughout the stronghold.
Soon, reinforcements too arrived from the other strongholds but there was just no end to the amount of monsters.
While the Veye Bastion was busy battling the current crisis they were under, the other strongholds didn't have it any easier either.
Bloods splattered everywhere as the gutteral screams of monsters roared throughout the strongholds, which were once again bathed in blood. The glow from the crimson moon shined, reflecting the carnage that now lay strewn down the land.
The panorama of the beautified disaster chiseled itself deep down within the very soul of the people, shuddering it from terror.
Humanity seemed to saw the end, the dawn of annihilation they all feared now seemed near...
And under the despair, a solution was needed.
And so the leaders of humanity, Emma Williams and Frank Williams, devised a plan.
The plan was simple.
All of the experienced fighters and the insightful people of the time, including Emma and Frank, theorized that even if the cause of stampede was irregular mana fluctuations, the assault couldn't be this well directed.
In fact, they believed that monster infighting was the most likely outcome in this scenario, but it didn't happen. Rather, monsters launched an organised assault on human settlements.
They theorized....No, they believed.
That their has to be a leader, an Alpha among the monsters that's leading the attack.
When their thoughts reached that point, they didn't hesitate any further.
Emma, along with a few others, leaded an elite team of Ascendants into the monster horde.
Their target was the supposed Alpha, the monster which they belived was leading the charge.
She was the only General in the group, as the other Generals were busy fending off the monster invasion in their own strongholds.
As the elite team tried to find the cause of the disaster and eliminate it, the battle in the surroundings raged on. The sound of screams and metal clashing meat never stopping for a single moment.
The battle continued and soon, the elite team managed to infiltrate the rear of the monster horde!
And then they witnessed it...
'The monsters advancements in Ranks is parallel to their increase in heights, with no exceptions to this rule spotted to this day.'
They finally witnessed an exception to this rule.
Pitch black fur, yellowy glowing eyes, 2-meters tall with appearance a mix of a wolf and fox, the creature was dubbed the "Nightmare Conductor."
It emiitted a pressure and signature identical to General rank monsters but it's appearance said otherwise.
'It's a 4 met-, no, it's a General Rank, for sure.'
Those were the words of their leader Emma and no one in the elite team doubted it.
But this wasn't the end, as they discovered more shocking things about the monster
This monster.... The "Nightmare Conductor", was emitting a mana signal that seemed to drive the monsters into a frenzy!
This meant that the weird mana fluctuations that they thought was natural, was actually caused by this monster!
And this meant... that this monster, who not only drove the other monsters into a frenzy, but also guided them to attack human settlements... was the cause of everything...
/whooshh.../
With a thick killing intent emanating from them, all the members of the elite squad charged towards the creature, wanting to end it's life the very next second.
But the creature was no simple monster.
Not letting it's bloodthirsty instincts tooking control over it, it would constantly avoid the members of the elite team. Rather than attacking them himself, it will have it's minions do his bidding.
Frustration boiled up within the people from the elite team. They were losing their stamina battling the other monsters, and it's unknown how long they will last. Yet, they were unable to land a single hit on the "Nightmare conductor."
As they were starting to lose hope,another unforeseen event happened.
Frank Williams joined them.
They were baffled by this development as Frank was not supposed to be here, but they didn't have the time to complain.
Although Frank was only a Corporal rank himself, his strategic brilliance helped them greatly.
But hunting down the "nightmare conductor"....was still out of reach.
At this point, Frank's voice echoed out.
'At the very least, make sure to take out his eyes!'
He shouted on the top of his lungs.
Everyone was confused by the command, but they did as told.
They now aimed for the Nightmare Conductor's eyes, not trying to hunt it anymore.
The monster, as if sensing their strategy, too changed his movements and started to hide behind the other monsters.
Everyone gritted their teeths at this. All of their efforts and strategies were failing. If they are unable to hunt this strange creature, this stampede won't stop.
Emma, who was watching all this while battling the monsters, tightened the grip on her sword. A firm resolve appearing on her face.
She suddenly smiled faintly, while muttering inwardly, 'I am sorry, Ron.'
'I am sorry for not being a good mother.'
She thought inwardly as a tear drop appeared on the corner of her right eye.