Siege

It took over a week to reach the foot of the Crimson Spire. 

Since leaving the Dark City, the mortality rate skyrocketed. Meaning that they had lost a few of their numbers. However, collectively, they had only lost 20 sleepers, so it was less than anticipated. 

In the last break before the final battle began, most people were lingering in fear. Some checked over their armour and weapons one last time while others made conversation to calm their nerves.

Aldric was meditating away his nerves. Nothing else would ease his heart. However, their time was nearly over.

"Formation!"

A voice shouted.

That was the signal for them to get into position. The sleeper army of nearly 600 was split into five different groups. The first and second battle formations were formed of those with combat-based aspects and powerful memories. Led by both Effie and Seishan, respectively, they consisted of the more powerful and experienced sleepers. Aldric, Gemma, and Caster were beside Effie at the front. They were the pinnacle of combat and strength.

Forming a pool of darkness around his feet, a familiar shape began to walk out of it. Cloaked in darkness, Bael was ready to wreak havoc on the battlefield. His biggest responsibility was to watch his masters back. 

Kai led the third group that made up the vanguard. Consisting of long-range attackers along with the siege weapons. Behind him were a small group of runners with no particular useful aspects or memories. Their role was to support the vanguard as well as bring back any of the lucky few that were injured to the final group, which were the healers. The reason it was lucky to be injured was because of how likely dying instantly was in this battle. 

As the sun rose higher and the dark sea retreated, larger columns of coral formed a bridge connecting the mainland to the island that the Crimson Spire stood on. Stood there were a myriad of different species of nightmare creatures. It reminded Aldric about the two clans of nightmare creatures that they fought on the builders statue so long ago.

They were made up of many creatures that he recognised from the Dark City. From the parasite-infested primates, basilisks, and locusts. To creatures from the labyrinth, such as the many variations of crab creatures. A horde spanning as far as the eye could see. It was horrific to all the sleepers present. They were all subjugated by the Crimson Terror. Like a king annexing neighbouring countries, all of these different clans of nightmare creatures were under its thumb. 

With no one directly in front of him, Aldric had a front row seat to the horde charging their way. Behind him, he could hear sleepers praying to anything and everything. Gods, legendary figures, and he even heard Nephis' true name mixed in there. 

Sensing their faltering will and fear, Effie shouted.

"Stand your ground wretches! If anyone runs, I'll kill you myself."

Aldric nearly chuckled at her serious words. It seemed that even Effie had an image to uphold.

Inhale.

Viscous darkness began to pour out the crevices of the [Mantle of the Underworld]. Compared to where he usually stopped, Aldric kept going. Completely encasing himself in a shell of darkness. Using his [Tenebrous Rule], he sculpted a set of armour over himself. Fashioned similar to the armour he wore underneath the darkness. With sharp edges and a minimalist design, he looked like a demon out of hell. 

This focus on defence came from the fact that he would hold back on the long-range attacks this battle. He had to conserve all the darkness that he could.

He could feel Nephis' Dawn Shard empower all his memories. The effect on his ascended-ranked memories was smaller but still useful. 

With his {Sundered Sorrow} covered in a coat of darkness beside him, he was ready. 

The ideal plan was for the first group to interrupt and hold back the first wave of nightmare creatures. Allowing time for the third group to use their range attacks to pick off the horde. The second group would support the first group and make sure that nothing reached the third group, eventually swapping with the first group once they exhausted themselves. 

However, typically no plan survived contact with the enemy.

Nephis, Cassie, and Sunny were nowhere to be seen. Not that it mattered to Aldric. To him, this battle was a chance to make a name for himself. To test his strength and evolve as a warrior. There was nothing like a grand battle to get stronger. 

Effie shouted out. 

"First mark!"

Behind them, Kai gave the order to attack with the siege weapons. Laying waste to the horde as engine-powered bolts crashed down onto them like a judgement from heaven.

"Second mark!"

Now arrows and all sorts of other long-range weapons were flying to their mark. Wounding many and killing some.

Aldric definitely had the hardest role out of the whole cohort. He would have to join the first group and battle the first wave, as well as be on the lookout for any fallen-ranked abominations. Knowing the kind of havoc a fallen creature could have on the sleepers present, it was his job to preemptively take them out. 

The horde was advancing.

Aldric was now in position. 

"Brace!"

Effie shouted at the top of her lungs. 

Exhale

Aldric began a dance of death and fury.

----------

An untold amount of time passed, Aldric. 

DODGE

WEAVE

LEFT

JUMP

DUCK

SLASH

Aldric was a god of death. Reaping the souls of countless abominations. Strengthened by his darkness, there was nothing that could stop him. No hide nor armour. Death was all that he promised. 

He had already killed three fallen-ranked creatures. While they were only fallen beasts, it was still a hassle to kill them. Aldric used his flaw to his advantage and looked out for whispers of madness around him, hinting at the arrival of a fallen creature.

A clearing formed around him. Made up of the corpses of his enemies, a moshpit circled him like in a concert. Many sleepers in the first group abandoned their own smaller battles and took refuge in the space that Aldric created. They used this opportunity to fight together and support Aldric from behind. Gemma, Caster, and Effie had formed similar nexuses, but they were much smaller in size. With the help of Bael, together they were able to cull more than twice compared to the others. Exhaustion was beginning to creep into Aldric's body. Ignoring the feeling, he continued on. 

'Shut your brain off.

Enter flow.

This is your chance.'

Avoiding all thoughts, all he focused on were the signal from [Insight], his own intuition, and battle experience. 

Thoughts and feelings passed through him like a haze. All he could feel were sharp signals that he used to guide his next move.

Just like that, Aldric had evolved.

**********

Thank you for reading. 

The siege has begun. What did you think?

Double upload today. I'm in the flow.

Ballad: that is a very valid point. 

I appreciate all the support recently. Much love.

Till next time.