The Empires Rise

From the twelfth to the thirteenth, the groups of enemies remained relatively unchanged; the main change was that the sea devils became more organized.

Everyone has been healed in the best way we can. The one hunter hit with a spear had it removed, and then a bandage was wrapped around their arm.

The slimes are being dealt with. The slimes haven't had an increase in their numbers since the start. My concern is the sea devils.

They appear in front of us and immediately form a loose formation. The formation has no strict pattern; they shuffle about but remain in place. They act like there is a leader, but they can't manage all of them.

From my vantage point, I see a slightly larger sea devil. Its color is a lighter blue, on the verge of turning green, in comparison to the others, which are deep blues.

I analyzed the new sea devil to understand it a bit better.

- Sea Devil Baron [Elite]

Level 6

HP: 100/100 -

The first change to this creature is a new tag at the end: [Elite] is separated from the name. I have seen others with 'Elite' as part of the name, but with this new tag, I became confused until I remembered what the 'Elite Crazed Bandit' was like.

It wasn't much more challenging than the regular crazed bandits we fought; it had a little extra health.

Considering that, I look for Shadow or Vranjaya and call out, "Try and focus down the Baron [Elite]. If he goes, the rest might act like a mob, like they were before."

Many of the hunters prepare to fire. Taking a second glance, I notice one hunter aiming higher and pulling their bow further than the rest before letting their arrow loose.

It flies high into the sky and starts spinning rapidly before bursting. A shower comes down onto the clumped-together sea devils from the burst arrow.

Looking back at the hunter, I see he has exhausted himself. "What was that?" I hear Shadow call from further down the battlements.

"Arrow Rain, I learned this skill when I was out in the fog yesterday." I look closer and recognize him. It's Demetrius.

"Can you use it again?" I ask.

"It recharges slowly and takes up most of my mana. If we can delay the ending of the wave by a couple of minutes, I should be able to use it once per wave."

Hearing this, I call out, "Leave one of the sea devils alive; I want to have a longer rest before the next waves."

"Does anyone else have an area skill like this?" I call out.

Seeing people shaking their heads, I sigh. "Be ready to fire; the enemy is closing in."

Helping to accentuate my point, the arrow tower starts firing on the enemy.

Getting caught up in battle, from running around casting shields on those that require it and casting mend a couple of times, it doesn't take long before we are at the last of the sea devils. The only one left is the Baron. Analyzing it again, I find it hasn't taken much damage throughout the charge and fighting.

- Sea Devil Baron [Elite]

Level 6

HP: 83/100 -

There is a watery glow around its body. When an arrow gets close, it is deflected off the shield.

Cursing lightly, I find it going around the battlefield with little care for the arrows fired as it makes its way to the gatehouse.

One arrow sticks into the Baron after another volley is directed at it.

- HP: 77/100 -

The watery glow persists on its body.

"Can anyone tell me what is going on?" I ask.

"Don't you have a skill almost similar to this one?" Shadow asks.

"Are you talking about Barkskin?"

"Yes."

"Oh, right... I forgot about it." Embarrassed for not remembering one of my abilities, I figure it must have something similar to mine. I recheck the spell as a reference point.

- Name: Barkskin

Cost: 5 MP

Level: 3

Description: Cast on a friendly target to make their skin bark-like. It provides three points of defense when receiving an attack. Lasts for 2 Minutes -

"We just need to wait out his spell. It shouldn't last long... I hope," the last part of the sentence was said quietly. I continued to watch it approach the gatehouse.

Rushing down to the melee lines, I see the flame towers spewing fire on the Baron. After getting burned by the towers, his health dropped to 52/100.

There is cursing and a streak of lightning courses through the gatehouse.

Once it hits the Baron, I notice the lightning arcing, and it stops. Almost like it has been paralyzed by the lightning hitting its shield.

Smacking my head, I remember these monsters are all from water environments, meaning lightning is effective.

"Quickly hit him while he is stunned," I shout to the other mage while Draemish charges forward.

I'm casting my Arcane Shot, which does the most damage with the least mana expenditure. The shot lands, punching through the water armor and knocks it backward onto its back. It sadly missed falling onto one of the wooden stakes in the moat, but it did fall back into range of the flame towers.

Once again doused in fire, it quickly breaks the stunned effect and rushes back into the gatehouse.

Lightning again surges through, stunning it. With it again stunned, Draemish reaches it and fails to push it into the vines, which are sticky with slime goop. This time, the stunned effect continues longer than previously, allowing Draemish to bash the creature again, pushing it into my Nature's Grasp.

Falling down and still stunned, the water shield finally becomes overwhelmed. Draemish thrusts her sword down into its leg, crippling it. My arcane shot once again hits, crippling its right arm. And Gibnic's lightning strikes again, lowering its health to 13/100.

Allowing it to take damage from my spell, Draemish walks back to the group.

"It's time we start shutting the gatehouse again. This isn't the last time we will see a Baron of this species."

Nodding in agreement, I instruct the hunters on the walls to close the gates.

It takes a couple more minutes before the Baron dies of his wounds.

- Thirteenth Wave Cleared

Calculating Experience...

Contribution 21 Kills. 48 Experience granted.

Fourteenth Wave Starting in 1 minute -

"Shit," I hear someone swear behind me.

Turning around, I spot Draemish, "What?"

"Nothing. I'm just tired from all the fighting today. It's been a while since I've done this much."

"Oh, I understand," I give her a look.

She looks right back, "It would be obvious for you, but for me, as the general and matriarch, I don't have to move around as much. So, yeah, it's been a while."

Shrugging my shoulders at her, I look for my father.

"How are you and Xelyphe holding up?"

"I should be asking you that you haven't ever been a fighter; you are more invested in your games and books."

"It is hard. I am doing my best to ensure every one is as healthy as possible."

"Leadership is hard, right?" He gives me a knowing smile.

"Yeah, I don't know if I should be in charge of all these people. There is a literal general here and you with all your life experience."

"Yes, but everyone here has trusted you: delegate, son. You have been doing well but are overstrengthening yourself again," he says, concern creeping into his voice.

"What should we do about the next wave then? We can't have the gate open for fear of more Baron's showing up and being able to defeat our melee fighters."

"Son, the walls have so far been our best advantage. The sea devils aren't using siege equipment, and the slimes are stupid. They will probably sit outside and wait for their deaths." He says with a chuckle.

Having a bad feeling about what he said, I look at him. "Why?"

"Why, what?"

"Why did you have to put that into the world?"

"What?"

"The system has spawned those slimes. Have you seen the creatures we have been facing? I don't doubt that they have a way to get into the town if it is fully blocked off."

"Yea..." He says sheepishly.

Having a brilliant idea, I call the gate crew, "Is there a way to open the gate a little so maybe the slimes can still squeeze through?"

"Not necessarily," one of the operators says. "We can lift it, but we have to hold it in place manually; there isn't a locking position between it being closed and open."

Thinking out loud, "Is there a way to make something?"

Unable to think of anything, I sigh. "Let's leave the gate closed for now. Have the warriors go to the battlements. They might be able to help stave off the spears the sea devils are throwing at us, and it might give us an idea of what the slimes would do when they can't get in through the gatehouse."

Once again, a notification comes through.

- Fourteenth Wave starting in 5 Seconds

Due to the Average Level of Settlers increasing to 3.13, the difficulty has increased by one level. -

"Damnit," I shout, "Just what we needed, harder enemies..."

"Drake," someone calls out to me.

"What?" Fuming, I spin to the person calling my name.

"It could be worse. It could be on the fifteenth wave." Draemish smiles reassuringly and shrugs.

"True, but still," I feel like pulling my hair out from the stress.

"Go over there and meditate. Due to your stress, we don't need you to give contradictory instructions while we work. Trust us." She points to the side, near the wall, in case they need me.

With my father having just mentioned delegating further, I nod. "OK, but get me immediately if you need me."

Nodding, she walks to the battlements while I find a spot to sit.

Then the next wave starts, and everyone straightens, ready for battle.