Days following the urgent council meeting the fort buzzed with activity. Soldiers trained in the courtyard, blacksmiths worked tirelessly at their forges, and scouts moved in and out, bringing back reports from the surrounding lands. The walls were fortified, and traps were set under Bram's meticulous supervision. Everyone was on edge, knowing that the Galdorian army could arrive at any moment.
Kellan, alongside Bram and the other blacksmiths, worked on reinforcing the gates, setting up additional barricades, and ensuring that the repairs were finished and traps were functional. Despite the exhaustion etched on every face, there was a sense of grim determination in the air.
Lord Arlyn, though still visibly troubled by the fall of Blueheaven, moved among his men, offering words of encouragement. His presence boosted morale, and his strategic mind worked tirelessly, coordinating with General Draven and Strategist Maxwell Arlyn to prepare for the impending siege.
On the evening of the second day, a scout rushed into the main hall, where Lord Arlyn, General Draven, and Maxwell were gathered.
"My lord," the scout panted, "the Galdorian army is closing in. They will reach us by tomorrow morning."
A hush fell over the room as the gravity of the news settled in. Lord Arlyn nodded, his expression resolute. "Thank you for your report. How many do they number?"
The scout swallowed hard, gathering his thoughts. "Their army is vast, my lord. I estimate around ten thousand soldiers. They've brought siege engines and war machines. They are heavily armed and well-organized."
Maxwell's eyes narrowed as he processed the information. "Ten thousand... that's within what we anticipated. And what of our forces?"
"We have about eight thousand soldiers within the fort," the scout replied. "Most of them are well-trained, they are in for a surprise."
Lord Arlyn's face remained stoic. "Thank you for your report. Make sure the men are ready. We knew this day would come."
The scout saluted and hurried out. Lord Arlyn turned to his commanders. "This is it. All our preparations will be put to the test. Ensure every man is in position and ready to defend the fort. We will show them hell."
That night, the Galdorian army set up camp just outside the fort, their fires lighting up the horizon like a menacing constellation. The tension inside Fort Arkhaven was palpable. Soldiers and civilians alike whispered prayers and steeled themselves for the coming battle.
Eamon joined Kellan near the forge and sat with him and Marta, the three of them sharing a quiet moment. "Tomorrow," Eamon said, staring into the flames, "we fight for everything we've lost."
Kellan nodded. "And for what we still have. We'll hold the fort, no matter what."
Bram joined them, his face a mask of determination. "Get some rest, lads. Tomorrow will be the hardest day of our lives."
As dawn broke, the Galdorian forces began their assault. The ground trembled under the march of thousands of soldiers. From his vantage point on the wall, Kellan could see the enemy lines stretching into the distance. The air was filled with the sounds of drums and war cries.
Then, from the front lines of the Galdorian army, came a sound that made the very earth shudder a ground-shaking roar. Emerged from the ranks was a creature of legend, a very I mean very very large human, charged towards the fort with terrifying speed and power.
"What is that Monster?" someone shouted in disbelief.
"Fuck what is a Giant doing here." General Draven exclaimed.
Giants were huge humanoids that lived exclusively in tropical rainforests, where the abundance of food could sustain their massive needs. They stood 15 feet tall and weighed more than 400 kilograms. Their immense strength and resilience made them formidable opponents, but their presence this far north was unheard of. Giants never left their natural habitat of the Rainforest, because the food required for a single giant in one day was more than what 100 humans consumed combined. Their sustenance needs were simply too great for them to survive outside their usual environment.
As the giant drew closer, panic began to spread among the defenders. Archers on the walls loosed volley after volley of arrows, aiming for the giant's eyes and joints, but the creature's thick hide and relentless advance made their efforts seem futile. Spears and pikes were thrust at its legs, but the giant swatted them away as if they were mere twigs.
The giant reached the gate of Fort Arkhaven and, with a single punch, smashed it to pieces. The massive wooden and iron barrier crumbled as if made of paper, sending splinters and debris flying. The defenders braced themselves as the giant stepped into the breach, the melee battle beginning in earnest as Galdorian soldiers poured in behind it.
Brant, leading a group of soldiers, shouted orders to bring down the giant. "Aim for its knees! We need to slow it down!"
A group of soldiers armed with long pikes charged at the giant, thrusting their weapons into the back of its knees. The giant roared in pain, momentarily staggering but quickly regaining its balance. With a swift kick, it sent the men flying, their bodies crashing into the fort's walls.
Desperate, other squad members joined the fray, trying to find any weak spot on the giant. They hacked at its legs with their swords, dodging its massive fists and stomping feet. The giant's strength was overwhelming, and it seemed unstoppable.
It barreled through the battlefield, sending soldiers flying with every step. Arrows and bolts from the walls bounced harmlessly off its thick, leathery skin.
Brant's voice rang out above the din, filled with both determination and defiance. "Hold the line! For Arkhaven!"
Despite their best efforts, the giant continued its rampage, single-handedly smashing through the defenses and clearing a path for the Galdorian soldiers. The defenders fought valiantly, but the sheer size and power of the giant made it seem like an unstoppable force.
The battle for Fort Arkhaven had begun in earnest, and the outcome hung in the balance as the giant continued its onslaught, pushing the defenders to their limits.