Chapter 131 131: The Barrier Disappear

The defenders of Ordeya unleash a barrage of spells and arrows upon the advancing monstrous army. The projectiles streak through the sky, descending upon the front lines with lethal intent. Yet, Nyssara's shield-bearing unit stands resolute, their interlocked defenses forming an impenetrable barrier. Arrows shatter against the sturdy shields, and spells dissipate harmlessly upon contact. From the city's walls, Ordeyan archers and mages intensify their assault, aiming to break the advancing formation. However, the cohesion of Nyssara's shield wall, combined with the monster army's resilience, allows them to weather the storm. The defenders' frustration grows as their attacks yield minimal impact. Behind this moving fortress, their own mages begin casting spells, hurling fireballs and bolts of dark energy toward the city's fortifications. Yet, Ordeya's protective barriers shimmer into existence, absorbing and nullifying the incoming magic. The city's defenses hold firm, repelling the arcane assault. Observing the stalemate, Sorin, the assassin commander, turns to Veltha, whose serpentine features glisten under the morning sun. "Veltha," Sorin speaks with urgency, "take your swiftest units and flank their eastern side. Disrupt their archers and create an opening." Veltha's serpentine eyes narrow with anticipation. "Consider it done," she replies, her voice a melodic hiss. With a fluid motion, she signals to her unit of fast-moving monsters. "Move swiftly and strike true," she commands. Her unit breaks away from the main force, darting across the battlefield with remarkable speed. They weave through the chaos, evading incoming projectiles with great agility. As they approach the eastern flank, Ordeya's archers scramble to adjust, but Veltha's forces are upon them before they can react. Veltha slithers up the city's stone walls with lethal grace. Her dagger gleams under the moonlight as she targets an Ordeyan archer poised to release another volley. She strikes, but the city's magical barrier flares, halting her blade momentarily. With a hiss of frustration, she channels her Tier 4 skill, and the barrier cracks under the pressure. Her dagger finds its mark, silencing the archer instantly. As the barrier begins to mend, she withdraws her hand, noting its vulnerability to her power. Emboldened, Veltha seeks her next target. She lunges at another archer, but her dagger clashes against a sword that intercepts her strike. Before her stands General Medel, a Tier 4 warrior of Ordeya, his eyes burning with resolve. "Your intrusion ends here, serpent," Medel declares, his voice a mix of authority and disdain. Veltha's serpentine eyes narrow as she locks onto General Medel, his sword gleaming. The battlefield's cacophony fades into a tense silence between them. "If you're that confident," Veltha hisses, her voice dripping with venomous challenge, "come down here. Stop hiding behind your little barrier." Medel's grip tightens on his sword. "I will kill you, monster!!!," Leaping from the parapet to land gracefully before her. The ground trembles slightly beneath his weight, a testament to his formidable presence. Without hesitation, Veltha strikes first, her dagger a blur aimed at Medel's throat. He parries with precision, their blades clashing in a shower of sparks. She slithers around him, seeking an opening, but Medel anticipates her movements, countering each attack with disciplined efficiency. Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield, Sorin, Nyssara, and Thurn observe the engagement, noting the barrier's susceptibility to Tier 4 attacks. The realization weighs heavily upon them; only the four of them possess such power. Nyssara, her massive shield slung across her back, steps closer to Sorin. "Sorin," she begins, her voice steady amidst the surrounding chaos, "what if I infiltrate the city and sow chaos from within?" Sorin's eyes narrow, concern evident. "That's dangerous. The enemy has at least four Tier 4 warriors inside those walls." Nyssara gestures to her imposing form, her armor gleaming despite the grime of battle. "You don't have to worry. Do you see my body? It would take a lot of effort to kill me." Thurn, his massive frame looming beside them, grunts in agreement. "I'll go with her. We can also destroy some civilian houses to make that human decide faster, or we do it ourselves." Sorin contemplates the proposal, the weight of command pressing upon her. After a moment, she nods. "Proceed, but exercise caution. Disrupt their defenses, but minimize civilian casualties. We need the city's infrastructure intact." Nyssara and Thurn exchange a resolute glance before advancing toward the city's barrier. Channeling their Tier 4 skills, they breach the weakened magical defenses, slipping into the city. Nyssara stands atop Ordeya's towering walls, her evolved Arachne form, gleaming under the sun. Her chitinous exoskeleton, reinforced by the consumption of rare ores, resembles a massive, intricately wrought suit of armor. With a calculated breath, she leaps from the battlements, her immense metallic body descending like a meteor toward the clustered Ordeyan soldiers below. The ground quakes as Nyssara lands amidst the defenders, a deafening clang echoing across the battlefield. Dust and debris erupt from the impact, momentarily obscuring the scene. As the cloud settles, soldiers stagger backward, their faces a mixture of awe and terror at the formidable figure rising before them. Without hesitation, Nyssara charges into the fray. Her multiple limbs, each ending in razor-sharp claws, slice through the air with lethal precision. She swats aside spears and swords effortlessly, her armored carapace deflecting blows that would fell lesser beings. An Ordeyan knight lunges at her with a battle cry, his blade aiming for a chink in her armor. Anticipating the move, Nyssara sidesteps with surprising agility, her clawed appendage sweeping across his midsection. The knight crumples, his armor rent asunder. Nearby, Thurn joins the assault. His dark exoskeleton exuding a sinister sheen. Specializing in poisons, Thurn's attacks are calculated and insidious. He weaves through the chaos, his movements a deadly dance. With a swift jab, he injects a paralyzing toxin into an unsuspecting soldier, who collapses, muscles seizing. Another defender raises his shield, but Thurn's silk threads ensnare him, the sticky strands laced with a corrosive venom that eats through metal and flesh alike. "Nyssara!" Thurn calls out amidst the clamor, his voice a guttural rasp. "We need to press toward the gatehouse. Disrupt their reinforcements." Nyssara nods, her multifaceted eyes reflecting the carnage around her. "Agreed. Stay close. I will carve a path." --- Dorel's pulse quickens as he watches the monstrous figures of Nyssara and Thurn breach the city's barrier and descend upon Ordeya's streets. Their massive forms wreak havoc, dismantling defenses and instilling terror among the citizens. The cacophony of screams and shattering structures fills the air, underscoring the city's dire predicament. The weight of his earlier encounter with the assassin presses heavily upon Dorel's conscience. The promise of his family's safety in exchange for opening the gate replays in his mind. Determined to protect his loved ones, he steels himself and makes his way toward the gate's control room, navigating through the chaos engulfing the city. Upon reaching the control room, Dorel halts abruptly. Generals Jherin and Rostin stand guard, their expressions grim and resolute. The room is tense, the air thick with the anticipation of impending decisions. General Jherin's eyes narrow as she spots Dorel. "Soldier, what are you doing here?" she demands, her voice edged with suspicion. Dorel snaps to attention, masking his inner turmoil. "Sir, two monsters have breached the city and are causing destruction. No one seems able to stop them." General Rostin's face darkens with concern. "What the hell are the others doing?" he growls, exchanging a glance with Jherin. Jherin's jaw tightens. "We can't afford to lose our soldiers. Rostin, let's move." Without further hesitation, the two generals push past Dorel, their focus solely on confronting the immediate threat. As their footsteps fade into the tumult outside, Dorel is left alone in the control room, the lever to the city's gate mere steps away. Dorel's gaze fixes on a glowing orb beside the lever—undoubtedly the barrier's core. His breath catches as he realizes the weight of his next move. The city's barrier has always been their primary defense; disabling it could spell disaster. But the memory of the assassin's proposition and the images of his family flash through his mind. His hands tremble, sweat slicking his palms. He clenches his fists, trying to steady himself. "It's for them," he murmurs, voice barely audible. Drawing his sword, he hesitates, the blade hovering over the orb. A storm of doubt rages within him. But the distant screams and the thought of his wife and son steel his resolve. With a swift motion, he brings the sword down. The orb shatters, releasing a pulse of energy that sends him stumbling back. The room dims momentarily, and a low hum that had always been present fades away. The barrier is down. Heart pounding, Dorel turns to the lever. His fingers curl around it, knuckles whitening. He takes a deep breath, whispering a silent apology to his comrades. Then, with a grunt, he pulls.​ The mechanisms groan in protest, gears grinding as the massive gates begin to part. A gust of cold air rushes in, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and something more ominous. Dorel steps back, the weight of his actions pressing heavily upon him. As the barrier dissipates and the city's gates begin to creak open, the monster soldiers who had been held at bay surge forward with a collective roar. Their weapons gleam under the sun as they charge through the opening, their eyes burning with anticipation and fury.​ On the eastern wall, General Tesorn watches in disbelief as the shimmering barrier vanishes. His eyes widen, and he grips the battlement tightly, knuckles whitening. "What the hell happened?!!" Tesorn mutters, his voice barely above a whisper. "The barrier... it's gone."