**Chapter 9: Mass Destruction**
The city of Verdon was a sprawling metropolis, its cobbled streets and towering spires a testament to human ingenuity and resilience. But as dawn broke over the horizon, casting its first light on the sprawling city, the silence was shattered by the sound of distant roars. A cacophony of unnatural growls and shrieks filled the air, growing louder with each passing second, as if the earth itself was trembling beneath the weight of an impending nightmare.
Malakar's army had arrived.
Riven stood at the front of his group, his heart hammering in his chest. He had seen the devastation that Malakar's forces could bring, but he had never imagined it on this scale. The streets below were already filling with smoke as the first wave of Malakar's beasts tore through the outer walls of the city. Buildings crumbled under the onslaught, and the cries of civilians echoed through the air.
The time for preparation was over. The battle had come.
"We move now," Riven commanded, his voice steady despite the chaos that surrounded them. His team was already positioned, ready to face the incoming tide of destruction. Zephyr, Nyx, Lia, and the others were at the ready, each one of them determined to fight with everything they had. But even Riven, hardened by countless battles, couldn't shake the gnawing fear in his chest. This battle would not be like the others. The forces they were up against were too powerful, too numerous.
Zephyr's voice cut through the tension, his face grim. "We can't hold them off for long. We have to stop them before they reach the heart of the city."
Riven nodded, his mind racing. They had trained for this moment, but no amount of training could prepare them for the sheer magnitude of the assault. The bestial horde, led by Malakar's monstrous creations, was already laying waste to the city's defenses. The few brave souls who tried to stand against them were crushed underfoot, their bodies mangled and broken.
"We won't let them destroy everything," Riven said, his eyes steely with determination. "Stay sharp. We fight until the end."
The first wave of beasts came crashing through the gates, a flood of monstrous creatures, their eyes burning with malice. Some were humanoid in shape, towering over the soldiers who tried to resist them. Others were horrific amalgamations of flesh and bone, each one more grotesque than the last. Their roars filled the air, drowning out all other sounds as they advanced like a plague, unstoppable and insatiable.
Riven's sword was in his hand before he even realized it, the familiar weight grounding him in the chaos. He and his team charged forward, pushing against the tide of beasts with all their strength. But no matter how hard they fought, they were vastly outnumbered. The bestial horde surged forward, relentless and fierce.
Lia moved with deadly precision, her blades cutting through the air as she danced around the beasts, her movements fluid and swift. But even her skill was not enough to stem the tide. One beast, larger than the others, broke through the front line and lunged at her, its claws aimed for her throat. She barely managed to sidestep, but not before the creature's claws raked across her side, leaving a deep gash that sent a spray of blood into the air.
Riven's heart skipped a beat as he watched her stagger, her breath coming in sharp gasps. But there was no time to react. The battle raged on around them.
"Get her out of there!" Nyx shouted, her eyes wide with concern.
Riven didn't hesitate. He dashed toward Lia, his sword cutting through the air, slashing at any beast that came too close. He reached her just in time to pull her away from the massive creature, her body trembling with pain from the deep wound. Blood stained her clothing, but her eyes were filled with determination. She gritted her teeth, unwilling to be taken down so easily.
"I'm fine," she gasped, her voice tight. "We need to keep fighting."
Riven clenched his jaw, but he didn't argue. There was no time for hesitation. They had to stop Malakar's forces before they destroyed everything.
Zephyr was already in the thick of it, his twin daggers flashing with every movement. He moved like a blur, cutting down beast after beast with precision and grace. But even his incredible speed wasn't enough to avoid the sheer weight of the enemy forces. One of the beasts managed to land a blow, sending him sprawling to the ground.
"Zephyr!" Riven shouted, rushing to his side.
The young warrior grunted, pushing himself up. "I'm fine," he said, his voice strained. "Keep going."
But Riven could see the exhaustion in his eyes. They were all running on fumes, each of them giving everything they had. But it wasn't enough. They were being pushed back, slowly but surely. The city was falling.
Suddenly, the ground shook beneath them, a deafening roar echoing through the streets. Riven looked up just in time to see one of the largest beasts yet—its body covered in thick, scaled armor, its eyes burning with an unnatural fire—charging toward them. It was like a juggernaut, unstoppable and relentless. Its massive claws swiped through the air, tearing apart anything in its path.
Riven's heart raced as the creature bore down on them. It was too powerful to take on directly. They had to find a way to stop it before it reached the heart of the city.
Zephyr, his breath labored, turned to Riven. "I'll hold it off. You go!" he shouted, his voice filled with determination.
Riven's eyes widened. "What are you talking about?"
But Zephyr didn't wait for an answer. With a defiant yell, he charged at the massive beast, his daggers raised high. Riven could only watch in horror as Zephyr launched himself at the creature, his movements impossibly fast for a moment—before the beast's claws swiped down, sending Zephyr flying through the air. He landed in a crumpled heap, his body unmoving.
Riven's blood ran cold. "No!" he screamed, but it was too late. Zephyr's sacrifice had bought them precious seconds, but it came at the cost of his life.
The beast turned its attention toward Riven and the others, its hunger not yet sated. But the sight of Zephyr's sacrifice was enough to ignite something inside Riven—a fierce, burning rage. He would not let his friend die in vain. He would not let Malakar's army take this city.
"Get to safety!" Riven yelled, his voice cracking with grief. "I'll stop this thing!"
Lia and Nyx didn't hesitate, pulling back as Riven advanced toward the monstrous beast. He could feel the weight of the city's lives pressing down on him, the weight of Zephyr's death. He would not let it be in vain.
With a roar of fury, he charged toward the beast, his sword raised high. The battle was far from over. The cost of this war was being paid in blood, but Riven would keep fighting—no matter what it took.
The final confrontation had begun.
---
As Riven closed the distance to the beast, a crushing realization settled in. The battle had only just begun, and they had already lost so much. The road ahead was long, and the sacrifices would keep coming—but he couldn't stop now. He had to finish this. For Zephyr. For the city. For all the lives that depended on him.