by Han Yang
Our advance slowly lumbered forward.
I watched the enemy commander glance at my army, his citizens, and then the flanking lidka.
“Fall back, you have to,” I whispered.
“Yeah, they all die if Famo gets lucky,” Tarla said, also coming to the logical conclusion.
Nee said, “There he goes. Smart choice,”
The centaurs’ commander raised an orange, triangle-shaped flag. The enemy reacted immediately, rushing to clog the bridges that Famo realized were a priority. Their hasty retreat only exacerbated the issue caused by only having three crossings. The centaur bodies condensed onto the bridges, cramming them until the flow across slowed to a trickle.
Tarla said, “I’m -”
A fireball burst out of the forest’s canopy, soaring high. The clash of battle rang from the north side of the river.
“Excellent,” I said, interlacing my fingers and popping my knuckles. “Asha has sprung his trap on the guards set for the prince.”
I reached into my core, swirling magic until I readied my claim spell.
The magic shot out, and a second later, I received a few notifications.
3 lidka minions have died beyond recovery. Return to the spot of their demise to claim 33.318 Zorta. - recovery complete
You have connected to 36 lidka. Would you like to (Consume) or (Claim)
You have selected to raise 36 centaur minions for 457.392 Zorta. This will incur Nordan points. Do you confirm (YES) - (NO)
I raced through the prompts and my reaper slithered out, daring me to touch him. I defensively raised my hands, letting him eject out of my body to perform his grisly task.
The snap of the catapults firing rang loud enough to distract me.
This volley soared with a purpose, and I watched the rocks descent over the northern section of town. Their trajectory placed them right onto the left and right bridges.
Boom! Crack! Splash!
The mass exodus hit a snag. The centaurs trapped on the north side raced for the middle bridge. A few enemies decided to return to their abandoned posts, knowing we were going to tear through the town before the northern forces could retreat.
Every second mattered, and losing some troops was inevitable.
“Sound the charge for the bridge. Order a full stop once we secure the northern section,” I commanded.
Crack! Crack!
At least a dozen hastily fired bolts zipped forward from the defenders’ siege weapons. Their aim was shit, but the defenses funneled our forces. The wooden palisades had minimal openings, and brave goblins atop matogators raced into the breach.
A crackling of lightning predicated a massive boom and a streak of white light lancing down. The defenders found some courage, piling their magic into my army.
I winced, seeing a casting goblin die, his fireball incinerating those around him. The house platform whooshed up in flame, the lack of recent rain sparking the wood like kindling.
A trio of centaurs built an ice storm that forced a shielding goblin to faint from mana exhaustion. Geomancers from both sides summoned golems to create front line troops. Colorful spells brightened the day as the two sides neared.
A troll ordered the matogators to stack against the wall until a boney ramp gave my forces a new way in. I watched hundreds of matogators surge forward, making the same mistake the centaurs did by clogging the main entry.
Kaboom!
An explosion so massive it created a mushroom cloud blew from near the gate, and I instinctively flinched.
“Whoa, explosives,” I muttered.
“Gnomes are famous for ‘em,” Nee said with a whistle. “That added some spells to it too. Good news is that the breach is wider now.”
I shook my head, scared to look at the death notifications. The palisade smoldered in sections, a massive swath of defenses had been incinerated in the explosion, and a stampede of matogators with defensive huts stormed forward.
A new intensity of magic roiled between the two sides, and I knew some mages were running out of mana. A casting centaur died to a crossbow. His arcane spell erupted, clashing with void magic.
Kaboom!
Body parts flew into the air, and a cratered mess ran red with blood. A second explosion from gunpowder ripped through the mass of matogators and goblins. The assholes had littered their northern city with improvised explosive devices.
Diabolically smart, and I hated them for it.
I reached out with my dark magic and connected to all the orbs. I felt some instantly accept while others resisted me.
I let go of my frustration, shock, and disdain at taking losses.
Letting my power condense, I swirled in my desire to dominate my foes. While the cries of battle rang loud, I focused on my part, raising the dead.
Whoosh!
The magic surged forth, smashing through stubborn centaurs who refused their new master.
39 matogator minions have died beyond recovery. Return to the spot of their demise to claim 1433.318 Zorta. - recovery complete
Repair 147 matogators, 14 lidka for 592 mana. Only 300 mana available. Repair all minions for 300 mana and 292 Zorta. Confirm (YES) - (NO) - confirmed
You have connected to 172 goblins, 4 centaurs beyond recover. Consume 64.221 Zorta (YES) - (NO) - Zorta consumed.
You have connected to 188 centaurs, 93 goblins, and 17 trolls. Select (ALL) (GROUP) (SINGLE) - Group selected.
You have selected to raise 188 centaur minions for 943.322 Zorta. This will incur Nordan points. Do you confirm (YES) - (NO)
My reaper immediately reacted, smacking his hands together in an ear splitting clap. The power washed over the battlefield, and a swarm of ghouls dove in and out of the flat terrain like dolphins. When they reached the centaurs, their allies tried to mutilate the dead before they could rise.
The devastation started all over again when the ghouls slayed the idiotic centaurs who stood in their path.
I chose to watch snippets of the unfolding battle. Matogators bit centaurs in half, finding the human torso at perfect lunging height. Ice magic caused a centaur to become fixated right before a fireball scorched him to the bone.
A golem leaped onto a hastily created wall, smashing the defense but exploding from powerful vines ripping him asunder. A troll traded sword blows with an enraged centaur, a true David versus Goliath situation. The troll managed to deflect three swings. The swift motions came to an end when a punch snapped his head back and the troll crumbled.
The snap of crossbows rang loud, and Famo adjusted his siege weapons to arch over and into the clumped southern section of the city. The centaurs created a defensive formation to face the lidka, forcing them to charge into their magic or to wait.
The arcing boulders soared over the clashing mages in the northern city. The rounds continued over the panicked packed retreat over the bridge before the tumbling rocks finally smashed down into the masses in the southern city.
A fireball shot above the canopy on our right flank.
“Asha crossed the river,” Tarla said proudly.
“This is over. All undead minions without goblins, make all haste to aid Asha. No mercy,” I said.
The lidka that squared off against the centaurs kept glancing back and over their shoulders. They clearly grew concerned about the clash of battle in the jungle.
I had ordered Asha’s scouts to play water peekaboo until I could try to convert the lidka forces. His troops lacked magic but held two crossbows each. If they could kill enough lidka, my plan just might work.
Asha and I figured it was best if their primary targets were lightning and ice mages, but for the most part, they were ordered to peek, fire, earn a kill, and then retreat into the depths.
My immediate surroundings grabbed my attention.
Snap! Boom! Clash! Clang!
Rocks went high, magic exploded, swords clashed, and shields clanged. The cries, roars of challenges, and panicked shouts for help tried to reach me over the sounds of battle.
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I saw the surge of matogators and goblins into the northern section of the city became too much. The centaurs’ organized defense crumbled when the tide of my army smashed into the enemy. A few desperate centaurs both near the river and on the bridge dived into the water to escape the coming slaughter.
While the main fighters charged, our lumbering giants slowed, crossing the ruined palisades and entering the city.
Our mages magical might blossomed the day, sending revivals down, the sky and battle became awash in a golden hue. In our pre-battle report, I know our forces had forty four healers, and I was the forty fifth. This is it. The forty something trolls and goblins returned to life randomly while the rest… rested unless I stirred them.
I watched the matogators running in such numbers they vaulted onto the packed centaurs trying to get to the southern side. I winced, seeing the matogators riding the mass of terrified centaurs. Skeletal teeth snapped down, leaving the bridge slick with blood.
Whatever magic both sides held was fading with mana depleting, and the sheer weight of the matogator charge rolled over the centaurs.
The pressure kept going into the southern section of the city. The alpha centaur had been so certain that his allies would flank us, he never had his citizens ready for a hasty withdrawal. Centaur families tried to load wagons, clogging streets. The rain of catapult fire ruined roads, clogged paths with debris, and only worsened their plight.
We neared a whole lot of orbs, both friendly and those from the enemy dead. Again, I cast, but this time I felt dirty. I selected consume on everyone and everything that let me connect to it.
If our revivals were finished, then the dead were staying that way. It was sad, but it was war and about survival of the tribe.
You have connected to 1472 centaurs, 479 goblins, 141 matogators, 102 trolls, 97 lidka and 17 mares. Your desire to consume is accepted. Consume 14777.091 Zorta (YES) - (NO) - Zorta consumed.
Necromancy Level 6 -} Necromancy Level 7 = 35000/41721.222 Zorta Confirm upgrade (YES) - (NO) - Necromancer level upgraded.
Necromancer Minions - 2071/4800
“Yesss…” I said with a widening grin.
The fighting near the bridge intensified. Matogators surfing the dying centaurs became a slaughter, and I readied to begin amassing my army to a whole new -
A roaring shriek from above delayed me from raising new minions. A blinding light was the only warning I received.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
When my vision peered from under my arm, I saw a wash of blue shielding magic crackling under a surprise onslaught. Three massive lightning strikes streaked over our shielding from a diving griffin.
The knight carried a second mage with him who clung precariously to the rapidly falling duo.
Crossbows raced up, snapping a barrage of bolts after the attackers.
The griffin’s wings transitioned from flared to spread wide now that he managed to get within range for his caster to surprise fire.
The volley of projectiles swarmed out from my defenders. The griffin’s large frame and sudden stabilization ended up being its downfall.
I watched the griffin falter in flight, at least a dozen bolts diving into its flesh. The teeter succumbed to the reality of death, and the trio fell from the sky rapidly.
The impact jarred the ground, exuding a loud thud.
Kaboom!
The bridge exploded on the southern end; the centaurs trying to cut off our advance and sacrificing their remaining troops to the river or death.
Loud cries rang out and continuous magic burst down.
In the distance, I heard Asha toot a horn. Everything was happening so fast. There wasn’t time to piecemeal each section of the battle and then ingest the data so I could adjust. I had to react. Asha needed aid.
I closed my eyes, demanding my magic to meet my needs. When it condensed, I sent my magic out in a growing wave.
You have connected to 272 centaurs, 19 goblins, 57 lidka, 2 humans, and 1 griffin. Your desire to claim only is accepted. Consume 1861.399 Zorta to claim these beings as minions. This will earn Nordan and Ostriva Points. Confirm (YES) - (NO)
The battlefield darkened with a massive section of angry crowds rolling in aggressively until they drowned the area in blackness.
While my reaper went to work, I ordered, “Fill in the palisade gaps. Secure our northern flank. Continue to kill the centaurs on this side of the river but do not push across.”
Ghouls shot out of the ground, hands ripping flesh from bone. When the minions rose, the carnage only increased. I watched the undead centaurs maul their brethren wounded from the ghouls or our attacks. The death tolls climbed instantly.
“Come to me, my new human minions,” I shouted gleefully.
I shifted my glance to the jungle’s edge. I saw the lidka general fading from his revealed spot and returning into the depths of the canopy. A few seconds later, a second toot sounded from Asha, signaling for help again.
You have connected to 142 centaurs, and 88 lidka. Your desire to claim only is accepted. Consume 1555.287 Zorta to claim these beings as minions. This will earn Nordan Points. Confirm (YES) - (NO)
Again, the magic rolled over the battlefield, this time darkening in intensity over the jungle. Reapers fell from the sky, working to raise the dead into the undead.
While the reapers worked, I consumed the Zorta from my fallen minions. The vicious cycle had begun, and my army replenished its losses.
To my surprise, I saw the southern part of the city become chaotic. I had to remember we were hurling catapult rounds into the masses. Centaurs died, became minions, and then used their weapons on former friends or family.
Another horn toot.
I didn’t hesitate, continuing to connect and raise minions.
Another horn toot.
Another section of the dead rose. The numbers of available minions to raise only increased as the undead entered the melee.
Without a doubt, we were winning, and the result was devastating. The centaurs tried to flee, and I surmised the lidka in the jungle were facing the same thing. As my dead fell, I consumed and as the enemy fell, I created minions.
My army of undead only increased in number and the damage applied. Centaurs died in droves, rising moments later. After being raised, they charged and cut down their former allies. Those who died continued the pattern. In short order, I hit a specific notification.
You have reached your maximum minion capacity. Upgrade or consume.
I consumed as the slaughter continued. The fleeing centaurs turned into a panicked rout. In the end, I estimated a few hundred escaped when I ordered the centaurs to charge into the jungle. The thunderous charge of a few thousand undead heading into the jungle reverberated over the battlefield. My surging lidka army quickly carved into the lidka’s lines as they adjusted for the flank attack.
“Terrifyingly delightful,” Tarla exclaimed. “Watching you in action makes my knees weak. You literally are capable of turning a battle all on your own.”
“Yes, the lidka can’t run faster than the undead either,” I said with a smirk. “And we both know an incredible amount of work went into reaching this point.”
The shrieks, cries, and wails of pain erupting from the jungle would haunt me. Whenever an undead fell, I consumed. Whenever I had openings, I raised the dead.
Finally, a loud war horn blared in rapid succession, telling the lidka to retreat.
“No mercy, kill them all. Signal the army to cross the river so we can strip the dead for orbs. I’m at a ten thousand surplus again, and we need to hand out Zorta to our key units, even raise some goblin ogres,” I said.
“Wise of you to upgrade,” my reaper said.
“I can’t believe how fast the undead can defeat the living. Your magic is diabolical,” Nee said with respect. “When this is sorted I will repair the trampled fields with my magic.”
“Boss, we got incoming.”
A lar
ge swarm of massive moths flew in our direction. I had expected this, just as I had suspected the griffin would attack. That’s why I had kept my strongest shielding units with me.
The moths were a known factor because Nick had given me warning that his people would be overseeing the conflict. A yellow banner flew below the moths.
“Raise the orange,” I said.
“General Kadre will not like that,” Yermica snarked, showing an unusual sass.
A goblin raised an orange flag that snapped in the wind.
“He can wait for the fighting to end. Damnit,” I cursed, seeing him drop the red. This meant I was about to be declared a hostile force if I didn’t concede to his demand for peace. “Raise the yellow. Minions, cease killing.”
“Damn,” Tarla said, and I sighed. “You caved pretty quickly.”
“The orange was enough to save face, though, and I should defer to him. Building a rolling army of easy to convert lidka won’t be the same as 100 Zorta per minotaurs. They will fight my… level twenty-six cultivation. And while the meanwhile kill whatever troops stand,” I replied. “It will be a long process to become powerful enough to challenge the greats.”
“I can’t protect you if they attack or kill you,” Nee said, informing me we needed to wait for healing revivals to cool down.
“I know, I know. Ready the books from our wagon,” I said, kissing Tarla’s cheek. The two new human skeletons finished climbing up a vine ladder. “Oh, about time you came. Which of you humans was the lightning caster and the griffin rider?”
The taller skeleton raised a hand.
Resurrect Ursai Marin (YES) or (NO) - Selecting (NO) will incur Ostriva points.
The heavens split, and a massive golden light shot down, eviscerating the skeleton before rebuilding him. A brown-haired man materialized, his fierce gaze and strong jawline said he was likely well-liked by the ladies. He blinked, realizing he was no longer undead.