My mind is now racing. What to do? What not to do? With my increase in speed also applying to mental calculations, I had developed a very risky but winning strategy. "Listen to me all of you. The numbers here will not make a difference. I want 100 of the most elite people to join me in this battle. The rest of you withdraw immediately." I shouted. "Hahaha. You human, you are the one who injured me. Picking a group of 100 elites to fight us, what a splendid idea. Make haste human I have not felt this excited in a long time." The once injured tortoise thundered. The absolute level of confidence to allow us to mobilize and plan really pissed me off. Although, it was warranted given the vast difference in our strengths. "What do you mean sir White Eagle? We can't possibly defeat te enemy with 100 people no matter how elite they are." The Wind Talon asked. The others also nodded and agreed with this assessment. "We are going to do something very risky. The attack just now proves that we cannot fight them at a distance and with large numbers. Three groups of 33 soldiers each is going to attack its own target at close range. This may neutralize the risk of suffering such an attack again because I don't believe they want to run a risk of hurting each other." I concluded. The plan was quickly adopted and the various commanders immediately left to get their best soldiers. The process took less than half an hour. I was now facing the 100 elites that were chosen."Soldiers, the enemy before us is more powerful than anything ever heard, seen or written in history. Countless lives amongst you will be lost on this day. It is our role as the strong and capable to protect the weak and vulnerable. If the enemy was to get past us now, millions of lives would be at risk. I ask you now valiant warriors, steel your resolve and buy enough time for me to prepare an ultimate attack that will send this sons of bitches to the great beyond. We do this for our families and above all, for the human race. We shall give the enemy no quarter." I shouted passionately. Cheers erupted from the soldiers. Every trace of doubt from their faces was now gone replaced with a look of pure determination. It was essential that we move very fast towards them and so the various wind mages were responsible for that by forming large whirlwinds for transport. I led from the front with my own whirlwind. The wind Talon was to lead an attack on one of the tortoise, Nathan and the other commander would lead attacks on the rest. My role was to stay at the center of the action and try to conjure a mythical grade spell. Of course the soldiers were not expected to defeat the enemy but draw attention away from the fleeing soldiers. My companion and I had come to a conclusion that my attacks lacked a penetrative force. The solution was to substitute metallic spears with lightning."Finally, I thought you would all run scared." The once injured tortoise said. We were now getting closer to our targets and I saw it fit to raise the morale. "NOOO" I shouted. "Quarter!" the soldiers responded. I repeated that two more times until we were practically on top of the tortoises. The soldiers then landed on top of the tortoise and started moving towards the neck area as discussed. Their attacks would not scratch the surface of the outer shells hence they would try by attacking from the inside. "Insignificant." One of the other tortoises said. In a blink of an eye, the forest on their backs grew larger and vines from the various trees started moving on their own. This is going to be a difficult fight. Half of the landing forces were now tightly bound by vines. The other half was in no position to help them and were currently facing a continuous onslaught with the never ending vines attack. I could not interrupt my ongoing spell to help them because that would be a very risky move. I secretly hoped that this would not interrupt the mission. The attention of the tortoises was now diverted. However, if the soldiers were all easily defeated then they would turn their attention on me. This would interrupt the spell I was conjuring. I was floating high above the air while raising both of my hands. Dark clouds started gathering above me. Wind from nearby was also sucked in the storm that was now forming. "Rescue those who are trapped. It will not be more than ten minutes before I complete this spell." I shouted. This was a bad move because as soon as I said that, the tortoise turned to face me and opened their mouths. "Blind their eyes immediately." The wind Talon ordered. Thank the gods that she was a very sharp leader. Those who were free were carried by wind mages next to the tortoises' heads in an instant. A constant barrage on their eyes began. I was saved albeit for a little while. It was now evening. I was now drawing fire into the storm. The battlefield was covered with a bright blue light that I would later come to know was seen from tens of kilometers away. A few minutes was all I needed to have the ultimate spell ready. The tortoises began to panic and unleashed their mouth attacks at different directions in the sky. Luckily for me, they were blinded and hence always bound to miss their targets. "Tactical retreat. Everyone retreat." I shouted. It was planned before time that once I ask for the soldiers to retreat, the earth and wind mages would create a large sand storm that will mask the positions of everyone. That is what exactly happened. All the previously captured soldiers had gotten free and were now doing their parts to aid in the escape. I waited for a few seconds and then covered my body with a metallic and barrier membrane. To prevent my targets from dispersing, I unleashed my spell 20 seconds after giving the retreat order. A flash of bright light covered the whole sky and in an instant the ground shook. The sky roared. A violent shockwave travelled through the air. I was flung so high up in the sky that I could see the planet's curvature. Did the others make it? I controlled my descent carefully with wind magic to a point a little further from the impact. A large mushroom cloud had formed and was glowing blue in color. This reminded me of nuclear weapons back on earth. They could not have survived this, could they?
[Your physical strength has increased by 2000% to 72,000
Your mana reserves increased by 2000% to 127,000
The tortoise attack skill 'dark void 'has been acquired
You have acquired the skill drya required to manipulate plants.]
Of course they didn't survive. The dust has yet to settle and visibility is now very low. I was feeling very exhausted, I think I will pass out in a few minutes. I have definitely overexerted myself. I landed on the ground and before I knew it, I had passed out. "When do you think he will wake up?" "I don't know. But we should let him rest for now. He did tremendous work for us." I heard various voices. I slowly opened my eyes and took a look around. A dark mage, I must be in some kind of hospital. "He is awake. The White Eagle is awake. Go get Miss Lavender immediately." One of them told the other. Miss Lavender? I left her in the Fire Talon's army. What is she doing here? "My older brother told me that you were strong but this is quite different. Defeating three of those old fools was very impressive to see." A lady looking no older than thirty said. "I know you. Did the 100 of you survive?" I asked struggling to talk. "I was never in any mortal danger but to answer your question. Yes the humans adequately protected themselves and survived." She answered. "Who are you?" I asked clearly on edge. "No need to be afraid. I am Zari, the younger sister to Zora. I was sent here by my eldest brother Zurin, the Emperor dragon to ascertain your level of strength. I am not here to kill you, yet." Zari answered. We had a dragon spy all along? What the hell is wrong with this people? I used my phoenix eye on Zari and the results were shocking. The mana reserves measured her at 457,000. "You are stronger than Zora." I mumbled. "Yes, but I am not as skilled as he is. When it comes to fighting, he is second only to the Emperor dragon. He is also not interested in pursuit of strength, only knowledge as you are aware." Zari answered. "Find me at the crater you created once you are done here. We have much to talk about." Zari said as she left the room. I am so confused right now. "My son. You are okay." Mother opened the door and hugged me tightly. I was glad to see her. "You Recognized me?" I asked bewildered. "Of course you are my son. Although now you look like King Silva in his younger years." She answered. We began talking about random subjects. Apparently she was responsible for the supply of food to the front line. The carriage business had peaked so much that mother now owned a private merchants caravan. After she received my letter, she was worried sick but decided to do something to help in the war efforts like her son. She assembled various farmers and asked them to contribute part of their produce to feeding the troops. There were no objections and that was what she had been doing. I was also informed that I was in a coma for three weeks. The battle situation had temporarily stopped after Zora delivered the words from the emperor dragon. 'The Emperor dragon wishes to stop all hostilities provided the human population serve under him with The White Eagle as your leader. You have one month to respond.' So we have one week left.Mother then said her goodbyes and went to fetch the various leaders that I was told had gathered here. A difficult discussion is certain to follow.