The Defense of the Territory

Zoren and his group were now within sight of the gate, but so were the Hog Riders. The enemy bore down on them, Gurd's monstrous laugh filling the air as he brandished his cleaver.

"Form up!" Kael commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos. The Beetlefolk held their ground, spears lowered as the Hog Riders charged.

"Archers, to the rear! Hold your fire until I give the signal!" Corvus commanded. The five Khajiit archers quickly took their positions. Their eyes were sharp, hands steady, though a hint of nervousness flickered in their gazes.

As Zoren reached the gate, he turned to face the oncoming horde. "We hold the line here!" he yelled. "No one gets through!" The Hog Riders crashed into the Beetlefolk's formation with a thunderous impact. The front line buckled slightly under the sheer force, but the Beetlefolk held their ground. Despite being outnumbered, their higher levels and resilience showed. Spears met flesh, and the Hog Riders found themselves halted, if only temporarily.

"Hold them off!" Kael urged, his voice cutting through the din of battle as the Beetlefolk rallied, pushing back against the overwhelming numbers.

Zoren's mind raced, calculating their chances. "Corvus, use your healing skill!" he commanded. Corvus raised his hand, and with a murmured incantation, a flash of light surrounded the Beetlefolk infantry. "King of Crows!" he called, the skill enveloping the formation.

Injuries mended rapidly, and their defensive prowess increased, their bodies glowing with an ethereal light. The tide seemed to turn as the Beetlefolk, now reinforced, pushed the Hog Riders back.

Meanwhile, the three blue orcs entered the Brawl, their brute strength and combat experience evident as they cut through the Hog Riders with ease. Each swing of their axes sent blood and bone flying, the Hog Riders no match for their ferocity.

Gurd's eyes narrowed as he saw his forces dwindling. "You damn insects! Squeak!" he bellowed, his rage palpable as he charged the Beetlefolk formation. His mount, Tainthog, a massive, spiked boar, tore through the battlefield, its tusks and hooves breaking the ranks.

"Muahahahaha… insects! Squeak!" Gurd laughed maniacally as the Beetlefolk infantry were sent flying, their formation shattered by the sheer force of Tainthog's charge.

"Fall back! Bring the injured into the territory!" Zoren's voice carried over the battlefield. He could see Kael, Corvus, and the blue orcs struggling against Gurd's relentless assault. Tainthog's size and power were nearly unstoppable.

Zoren quickly Appraise Gurd's stats:

[STATUS]

Name: Gurd

Level: 35 Race: Hog Folk

Strength: 35 Vitality: 46 Agility: 22 Intelligence: 20

"Damn it! He's stronger than I expected," Zoren cursed under his breath. He saw that Kael, Corvus, and the blue orcs were having difficulty keeping up with Gurd's relentless assault. Gurd and Tainthog's sheer size and power made them nearly invincible.

The rest of the battlefield was chaotic, with Nyx, Raksha, and the remaining forces engaged in combat with the Hog Riders. They were holding their own, but Zoren knew they couldn't sustain this forever.

"I need to find a solution…" Zoren muttered, his mind racing. Suddenly, a loud banging sound came from inside the territory. "What's that noise?!" he shouted, turning towards the source.

The banging grew louder, more insistent, until finally, with a deafening crash, the wall of the territory was breached. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring the view. As the dust settled, a massive silhouette emerged from the smoke—the Dreadhorn.

Its massive hooves stomped the ground, shaking the earth with each step. Its eyes were locked onto Tainthog, the two massive beasts glaring at each other. They were natural enemies, each sensing the primal challenge in the other.

"Stop, you stupid pig! Squeak!" Gurd screamed at Tainthog, striking its head to gain control, but it was too late. The two beasts charged at each other, their massive bodies crashing together with a resounding boom.The impact sent Gurd flying from his mount. "You stupid pig!" he roared as he hit the ground hard.

Zoren's forces, inspired by the sudden turn of events, roared in unison."Don't let this opportunity slip!" Zoren shouted, his voice filled with renewed determination.

The Beetlefolk and Khajiit archers seized the moment, pressing their advantage against the remaining Hog Riders. Arrows flew in a deadly rain, each shot finding its mark. The battlefield was soon littered with the bodies of Hog Riders, and within minutes, only Gurd remained.

Gurd struggled to his feet, bloodied but defiant. "Do you think you can kill me? Muahahahaha… Squeak!" His laughter was sinister, dripping with arrogance. "Even if all of you combine, you can't defeat me! Squeak!"

"We'll never know unless we try," Zoren said calmly, his confidence growing.

Kael tightened his grip on his spear and shield. Corvus and the blue orcs readied themselves for the final assault.

"I will avenge my comrades," the leader of the blue orcs said, his voice filled with quiet fury.

With a nod from Zoren, they rushed Gurd, Kael leading the charge. He took the brunt of Gurd's attacks, his shield absorbing the blows while the blue orcs flanked, their axes striking with deadly precision. Corvus supported them with healing magic, keeping them in the fight.

Gurd, realizing he was cornered, activated his Berserk skill. "Muahahahaha… Now you will die, insects… squeak!" he screamed, his body bulging with unnatural strength. His stats surged, increasing by 50%, but in exchange, his senses dulled, his control slipping.

The battle raged on, each side giving their all. Gurd's vitality kept him in the fight, but his senses were failing him. The leader of the blue orcs saw an opening—a brief moment of vulnerability. With a roar, he drove his axe deep into Gurd's chest, piercing his heart.

"You damn… insect… squeak…" Gurd gasped, his life fading away. The leader of the blue orcs twisted the blade, ending Gurd's life. "This is just the beginning," the orc muttered, his voice low as Gurd fell, dead at his feet.

[BATTLE SUMMARY]

Zoren's Troops: No casualties, many critically injured; Corvus's healing skill and the immediate

call to fall back saved them .

Grid's Troops: All slain, Abnormal Boar scattered.

The battle was won, but the toll was heavy. Zoren's troops were exhausted, and many were injured. Corvus's healing skills had kept them alive, but they were still battered. They gathered the injured in the City Hall, using it as a makeshift treatment facility.

"What do we do with these corpses, Zoren?" Kael asked, his tone somber.

"Burn the Hog Riders," Zoren replied quietly. "Gather the boars for food. We must move on." As the fires consumed the fallen Hog Riders, Zoren watched, a deep sadness weighing on him. "This is real…" he muttered to himself.

Later that night, a feast was held in celebration of their victory. The fires burned bright, and the mood was joyous, despite the losses. Kael, drunk and merry, sang loudly, "I am strong and handsome!" before collapsing in a heap. Laughter filled the air as his comrades joined in.

As Zoren walked through the camp, he noticed the three blue orcs sitting quietly under a tree, away from the celebration. He approached them, concern etched on his face. "Why aren't you joining the others?" Zoren asked. "The feast is for everyone."

The leader of the blue orcs bowed slightly. "We are fine here, Master," he replied. "We do not wish to intrude."

Zoren shook his head. "There's no intrusion. You fought bravely. You deserve to celebrate."

The leader hesitated before speaking again. "What are your plans now, Master?"

Zoren furrowed his brow. "What plan?"

The blue orc leader continued, "Now that you have defeated one of Grid's commanders, he will seek revenge. Grid is cruel, especially the one they call the Advisor. They killed two of my comrades."

Zoren's mind raced as he considered the implications. The victory had been significant, but it had also painted a target on their backs. He thought about the safety of his people and the looming threat of Grid's retaliation.

Seeing Zoren deep in thought, the blue orc leader spoke up again. "Help us get revenge, and we will follow you. We will fight for you, Master."

The three orcs knelt before him. "We pledge our loyalty to you, Master," they said in unison.

Zoren nodded, feeling a mix of pride and responsibility settle over him as he accepted their oath. "What are your names?" he asked.

The orc leader introduced himself as Skargash, followed by Grishak and Morgak. With determination and hope, they looked at Zoren, their leader who had guided them through the fierce battle.

The feast continued, but Zoren found himself on the roof of the City Hall, gazing up at the stars. Lost in deep thought, he considered the challenges that lay ahead. He checked the Territory Shield Duration.

[Shield Duration: 71:35:21]

"We still have time," he said to himself, looking forward to what would happen next.

[KINGDOM OVERVIEW]

Kingdom Name: Kingdom_1270548

Server: 204 Power: 18,034 City Level: 1

[City Level Up Info] [Event Calendar]

Kingdom Skills: Art of War (P), Polyglot (P), Urban Planning (P), Appraisal (A)

Title:First to Build a Sturdy House (P)

Population: 109

Race : (5) Human: 2 Kenku: 1 Beetlefolk: 50 Khajiit: 53 Blue Orcs: 3

Monster: Dreadhorn: 1