Chapter 365

Vitar's Point of View

Capital of Vithari - Dwardew

"Get back to the palace!" I ordered my mother.

She had taken someone's hammer to use as she slammed into another one of the cloaked invaders. "Do not think to order me around just yet, boy!" My mother's response was firm but forced from her exerting herself. "You're not king quite yet." Then she raised the weapon high. "We hold here! Do not let the falling of our defenses be our demise! Make them regret-"

The Queen of Dwarves was cut off when the forces in front of us were crushed into the sand, horribly mangled. Bodies also started to fall from the sky. We all looked up to see Arthur floating above. This surprised me since I was certain I saw him get torn in half earlier. My mother was a huge boost to morale, which was definitely needed, but this Arthur Pendragon was giving out hope in droves.

"Rally, Vithari!" Arthur called out from above in a booming voice that could undoubtedly be heard throughout the entire city. "Rally to me!" He lowered down toward us as a red mist of sorts evaporated from him. "Dwarves of Dwardew, has Vithari not been a father to you? Did it not shelter you and protect you as all fathers do? Is it not steadfast and a stalwart guardian?" A few cheers rang out from my people. "This Kingdom belongs to you, your brothers, and your sisters!"

My mother leaned over to me. "Short, but to the point. Not a bad motivational speech."

I gave her a surprised look that she would even commend such a thing, but Arthur then looked toward the Druids. "Do you not want to save the Northern Forests? Has she not been a mother to you and your Druids?" He asked Lady Turiel. "Did she not care for you and your ilk?" The Druids weren't as boisterous as us, but many did seem to agree with his words as he looked over all of us. "Will you not fight for them!?"

Ventari's Point of View

Capital of Vithari - Dwardew

Cheers rang out loud and clear, even from inside the city. The sounds of footsteps got louder and louder before we turned to see the gates were once again filled with the invaders. However, behind us, we heard more battle cries, and most of the civilians of Dwardew charging toward us with weapons in hand.

My son shouted up to Arthur. "We can hold the ruined gate, but the fliers make it-"

Arthur cut him off as he raised his hand for him to stop. "Do not worry, Prince Vitar. All you, the Druids, and your people need to handle are the enemies that get by me." He said as he landed next to us, and he quickly turned toward me. "I will be letting a few through on purpose. Ventari, you need to capture a few of them for me. I'd like to question them."

"Their numbers are too great, even for you, Arthur." I told him. "There might be close to a hundred thousand enemy combatants."

"That Wraith is the only issue. Keep your people inside the gate. Ruined thought it may be, I will not be held responsible for anyone who comes out to help me." He told us firmly. "Do not leave this city, Ventari."

My son looked at me and clearly wanted to say something, but I stopped him before nodding. "You have my word I will keep them all inside. I'll make sure to inform the Druids as well."

His head turned toward the gate, but his eyes stayed on me shortly before flickering forward. "Good." Arthur then rolled his neck slightly as he moved toward the enemy forces. "I'm going to enjoy this far more than I should."

He continued to walk toward them without drawing his sword or showing any concern. However, it wasn't until they charged at him that things escalated far more than I expected. The enemies just started to be torn in half. It was so unexpected that many of us stepped back from the sheer power shown as Arthur continued to walk on like nothing was happening.

Blood rained down from above as the upper torsos of the bodies landed with dull thumps on the ground. Many of the enemy were barking out orders, but when dozens of them were torn in two simultaneously, everything turned to chaos. Spells from Elves focused on him, only for them to be redirected somewhere else, deflected, destroyed, or held in place. Creatures, much like the aforementioned Ghouls, started to appear.

"By the gods…" The words left my mouth in a whisper.

And all we did was watch as Arthur merely walked out into the desert. At least, until a few crept inside from behind him or flew in from above.