Chereads / Hardfall and the Hero / Chapter 18 - The final battle

Chapter 18 - The final battle

Before they could start a bell started ringing in the main hall. "It's a alarm!" Mark exclaimed. The three of them ran in to see what was going on. The guild master was standing on a balcony and began speaking after the bell stopped. "We just received news that a army of demons is on its way." The crowd began to murmur "My sources say king Edward Frostharrow used a artifact to summon a Demon King. It then called forth his army wiping out the continent. Hundreds of thousands have been seen headed this way. We will be using the warp gate to meet them just outside harbor town. All the other guild branches are already assembling." An uneasy energy set apon the guild as everyone prepared for battle. Berry had asked Carl about the warp gate. He told him every guild branch had one and they were all connected. However they were only used for emergencies. Carl had also retrieved a small metal disk with the guild emblem engraved on it. "Welcome to the guild" he said before running off into the crowd. He flipped the badge over in his hand seeing the same string of numbers that was written down in the book as well as his name in big letters, Hardfall it read. He placed a leather string through the hole in the top then slipped it over his head. It dangled next to his amulet and gave him a strange sense of belonging.

After a mad hour the quest board at the back of the hall was moved away reveling a large circular arch way. The guild master turned a key he had placed into a hidden hole and the gate activated. There was a bright light that faded away reveling the archway which looked like it was filled with light blue water. "Let's move out" he said stepping into the portal. Everyone began to pour through in a steady stream. As Berry touched the portal he felt a quick tugging that he was stepping out into the harbor town guild. Everyone was ushered outside as they existed the portal. Already thousands of advertisers had assembled alongside the army and the guards. It was more people than Berry had ever seen. He was surprised to see someone waving and calling his name. As he got closer he was greeted by Jenna. "Jenna I'm glad to see you." She gave him a quick hug "I'm glad you're hear. If we are going to die today I'm happy it will be in combat with a friend." She had a worried look on her face but tried to smile. A horn blew getting everyone's attention. Of in the distance near the horizon a black cloud appeared. It continued to grow till the sky itself was swallowed. They would be there within the hour.

The general of the army gave out the orders and the captain of the guard and the guild master relayed them to their respective groups. All the melee fighters gathered in the front with the tanks locking shields forming several lines of defense. After the melee fighters the range fighters assumed with barrels of extra ammo at the ready. Finally the mages gathered in the back ready to unleash their most powerful spells. Berry and Jenna were close to the front line's each with their shield ready. Each minute felt like hours as they waited. All the chatting had stopped as everyone waited in silence. There was a slight hum in the air that steadily grew louder as the cloud of demons drew closer. The sound of flapping wings and the howl of unholy screams pierced the silence. The general called out "steady yourselves men!" His voice carried over the thousands gathered there. "We are the first and last line of defense. All of mankind depends on us here today. If we fall the world of man falls, but we will not let that happen will we!" Thousands of voices called out as one "no!" He continued "let's send those basteredes back to the hells they called out of!" Everyone began to scream and stomp with determination. As the army of demons drew into range he called for the archers to take aim and then fire. All at once arrows sailed trough the air dropping demons in a shower of blood. However it was a small drop in the bucket. For every one that fell a hundred more grew closer. The mages began firing of spells along side the berage of arrows. The sky light up in a rainbow of colors from the different spells being cast. The first demons finally reached land and the front line of tanks unleashed a choirs of taunting calls drawing the attention of all approaching demons.

The human army was quickly swarmed as the demons decended. Berry and Jenna were a whirlwind of metal as they devoured the incoming demons. It didn't matter how many they destroyed there was just to many of them. As the battle dragged on and fatigue set in more and more humans died. Berry and the small group of fighters around him had formed a circle. They couldn't see how many of their comrades were still alive. The only thing keeping them going was Berry's orbs. He healed them if they took a hit and their stamina continued to be restored as well as their mana. Hours had already passed and there was no end in sight. Suddenly a beam of light swept across the sky. Thousands of demons exploded in the blink of the eye. A man appeared far above the battle field. He wore a brilliant and bright suit of armor that glowed with radiance. He held a massive sword with two hands and every swing sent tendrils of light out destroying everything in its path. Berry and the others looked up as he decimated the enemy army in seconds. They climbed over a mountain of corpses to try and see what was happening. The sky had cleared and the setting sun gave a eerie glow. That's when the Demon King finally revealed himself.