Chapter 154 - 156: The Sorrow's End

She holds the pendant aloft, her voice rising in a resonant chant that echoes across the battlefield. "By the ancient covenant of Ordeya, I call upon the sacred light. Let the bonds of our ancestors awaken and shield us from despair." The pendant begins to levitate, spinning rapidly as beams of light shoot out in all directions. A brilliant magic circle materializes above the city, its intricate patterns glowing with golden energy. The circle expands, encompassing the entire city in a protective aura. A surge of power washes over the defenders. Wounded soldiers feel their strength returning, their fatigue melting away. Mages, previously drained, find their mana reserves replenished, their spells casting with renewed vigor. Archers and swordsmen alike feel lighter, faster, more precise. On the front lines, Medren watches in awe as the tide begins to turn. A nearby mage, eyes wide with wonder, responds, "It's the Blessing of Ordeya. The queen has awakened the city's ancient magic." Emboldened, the defenders rally. With renewed strength, they push back against the invading forces, their morale soaring. The once-dim hope of victory now burns brightly in their hearts. Above it all, Queen Seraphina stands resolute, her eyes reflecting the golden glow of the magic circle. Her voice carries across the battlefield, "Ordeya will not fall. We stand united, our spirits unbroken. Fight, my people, for our home, for our future!" General Varkas hovers above the battlefield. His crimson eyes gleam with amusement as he observes the defenders of Ordeya rallying with newfound vigor. The radiant magic circle above the city bathes the battlefield in golden light, invigorating the human forces. "Interesting," Varkas murmurs, a smirk playing on his lips. "This skill already as strong as tier 6 skill. This should make things more entertaining." He turns his gaze to the front lines, where Nyssara's shield-bearing units press forward relentlessly. Their massive shields, now glowing with a faint aura, absorb and deflect the enhanced attacks from the Ordeyan soldiers. "Come on boys!" Nyssara commands, her voice cutting through the din of battle. "Reflect thier attacks!" Sorin stands atop a jagged outcrop, her assassin's garb fluttering in the wind. She surveys the renewed vigor of the human forces with narrowed eyes. With a swift motion, she activates a communication device, a sleek obsidian shard pulsing with dark energy. "Commanders," Sorin's voice cuts through the static, calm yet commanding. "Initiate the 'Finger of the Death God' skill. We'll shatter their barrier in a single strike." A brief pause follows, then acknowledgments crackle through the device: "Acknowledged," Thurn's gravelly voice responds. "Understood," Veltha's tone is sharp and eager. "Ready," Nyssara's voice is laced with anticipation. Across the battlefield, the monstrous units begin to converge. Sorin's warrior soldiers, Thurn's poison-infused beasts, Veltha's swift monstrosities, and Nyssara's shield-bearing units all move with synchronized precision. Their individual auras—once distinct—begin to merge, forming a swirling vortex of dark energy above them. The sky darkens as the combined aura coalesces into a colossal, ethereal finger pointing directly at Ordeya's barrier. The air grows thick with oppressive energy, and a low hum resonates across the battlefield. From the command tower, Queen Seraphina watches in horror. "What sorcery is this?" she whispers. Medren, standing beside her, grips his sword tightly. "Everyone, be ready!" he shouts to the defenders. With a deafening roar, the 'Finger of the Death God' descends upon the barrier. The protective shield shatters instantly, fragments of magical energy scattering like glass. The force of the blast sends shockwaves through the city, toppling structures and throwing soldiers off their feet. As the dust settles, Sorin's voice echoes once more through the communication device. "Advance. Leave none standing." The battlefield erupts into chaos as the monsters horde surges forward, their war cries blending into a cacophony of fury. The defenders of Ordeya, invigorated by the Blessing of Ordeya, stand their ground, their resolve unshaken. The clash is immediate and brutal. Nyssara's shield-bearing monsters lead the charge, their massive forms crashing into the front lines like battering rams. Their shields absorb and deflect the enhanced attacks from the Ordeyan soldiers. Behind them, Thurn's poison-infused monsters slither and lurch, their venomous fangs seeking any opening in the human defenses. Veltha's swift monstrosities dart through the chaos, their movements a blur as they exploit gaps in the lines, sowing confusion and panic. Sorin's warrior soldiers, disciplined and relentless, press the attack with their skills, their blades flashing in the sunlight. The defenders respond with equal ferocity. Archers release volleys of arrows, mages unleash torrents of fire and ice, and swordsmen meet the onslaught head-on. The air is thick with the scent of blood and smoke, the ground slick with the fallen. Amidst the turmoil, Queen Seraphina stands atop the command tower, her voice carrying across the battlefield: "Hold the line! For Ordeya!" Her words galvanize the defenders, their spirits bolstered by her unwavering presence. They fight not just for survival, but for their home, their families, their future. The battlefield is a maelstrom of chaos and fury. Amidst the clamor, Varkas, his lycanthropic form towering and menacing, floats closer to the command tower where Medren stands. "Human," Varkas growls, his voice a guttural snarl, "don't you feel bored just watching the battle?" Medren meets his gaze, eyes blazing with determination. "Of course, I am bored." he retorts, gripping his flaming sword tightly, "I will kill you and end this battle right away." With a roar, Varkas lunges forward, claws extended. Medren responds instantly, invoking his Tier 4 fire skill. "Inferno Blade!" His sword erupts in flames, the heat distorting the air around it. Their clash is explosive. Varkas's claws meet Medren's flaming blade, sparks and embers flying. The force of their collision sends shockwaves through the battlefield. Varkas snarls, his claws slashing in rapid succession. Medren parries deftly, each block sending bursts of flame into the air. He counters with a sweeping arc of his sword, flames trailing in its wake. Varkas leaps back, then charges again with a feral howl. Medren braces himself, channeling his energy. "Flame Wall!" A barrier of fire erupts between them, forcing Varkas to halt his advance. Undeterred, Varkas circles around, seeking an opening. Medren watches him closely, sweat mingling with soot on his brow. "Not bad, human." Varkas admits, a twisted grin on his face. With a guttural roar, Varkas activates his Tier 4 skill, Savage Onslaught. His form blurs as he lunges at Medren with a flurry of claw strikes, each blow carrying the weight of his monstrous strength. Medren meets the assault head-on, his Tier 4 skill, igniting his sword in blazing flames. He parries and counters, each clash sending sparks and embers flying. Seizing an opening, Medren channels his energy into a powerful thrust, his sword engulfed in fire. The attack connects, sending Varkas skidding backward. Varkas snarls, blood trickling from a wound. "I guess unless I go all out, I won't be able to defeat you," he concedes. He taps into his Tier 5 bloodline skill. A crimson aura envelops him, his muscles bulging as his power surges. His eyes glow with a feral light. "Now, feel the true might of a lycanthrope," Varkas declares. He follows up with his ordinary Tier 5 skill, Predator's Fury, further enhancing his speed and strength. In a blur, he's upon Medren, launching a relentless barrage of attacks. Medren struggles to keep up, his armor absorbing the brunt of the blows. He grits his teeth, focusing his energy. "I won't let you win," he vows. With a surge of power, he activates his strongest tier 5 skill, Phoenix Rebirth. Flames engulf him, healing his wounds and boosting his abilities. He meets Varkas's assault with renewed vigor, their battle lighting up the battlefield. The clash of fire and fury continues, each warrior pushing the other to their limits. Queen Seraphina stands atop the command tower, her gaze fixed on the battlefield below. Despite the Blessing of Ordeya empowering her soldiers, the tide of battle remains uncertain. She murmurs to herself, "Even with the buff skill, my soldiers are still struggling." Reaching into her robes, she retrieves a communication crystal, its surface shimmering with arcane energy. She speaks into it, her voice steady but urgent, "Commander, deploy the adventurers now. It's time for the surprise attack." A moment of static follows, then a voice crackles through, strained and panicked, "Your Majesty, we are under attack! A thousand assassins have ambushed us from behind. They're... they're overwhelming us!" Seraphina's eyes widen in shock. The Shadows of the Monsters—elite units known for their stealth and lethality—were supposed to be elsewhere. She clenches her fists, the crystal trembling in her grasp. "Hold your ground, Commander. Reinforcements will be dispatched immediately," she commands, her voice resolute. Turning to her aides, she orders, "Send a detachment to support the adventurers. We cannot afford to lose them." As the aides rush to carry out her orders, Seraphina gazes out over the battlefield, the weight of the unfolding chaos pressing heavily upon her. Her mind drifts to the ornate box secured within the inner sanctum of the tower. Inside lies an artifact of immense power—a relic whose origin she doesn't know, nor how the first king of Ordeya came to possess it. She has always known of its existence, a last resort meant only for the direst of circumstances. She whispers to herself, "The Sorrow's End... a fitting name." The artifact's power is unparalleled, capable of annihilating entire armies with a single invocation. But its reach is indiscriminate. If unleashed, it would not only obliterate the enemy but also her own forces, the city, and perhaps even the land itself.