The Empires Rise

- Ilpheus' POV -

After finishing the most recent wave with much difficulty, we all settled down to heal the wounds we had received from the battle before. Hopefully, this will be the final wave.

Looking down to where Drake is meditating, I see him convulsing on the ground with blood pouring out of his body. Shocked, I ran down and tried to figure out what was happening to him.

All I smell from him is death and corruption, but that doesn't make any sense to me. All I have ever smelled from him recently is medicine and grass.

Xelyphe and Madoka join me shortly after I get there.

"What's happening to him?" Madoka asks with concern laced in her voice.

"I don't know," I answer, my voice tense, "Before anything happens, though, we need to bring him back to the manor. Find a health potion. He might need it on short notice."

They both acknowledge, and we prepare to move him to the manor.

A few smells wafted into my nose: fire, wind, and another more earthen one. Looking at where they came from, I saw they were from Xelyphe and Madoka. Nodding, knowing something good must have happened to them, we brought Drake back.

"Madoka, can you stay here and watch over Drake?" I ask her.

"Yes, is there anything I should do?" Her concerned look makes me want to wrap her up in my arms, as I have done so many times when we have heard news of Drake's operations in the past.

"I don't know. If I can, I will try to get someone who knows more about mana and magic to visit him," I respond. "First, we need to survive this final wave. Xelyphe, let's go. The walls will need us, and Madoka, can I borrow your bow?"

She nods at me, knowing I have a better shot than her.

Rushing back to the walls, the final five seconds count down. Xelyphe and I approach Draemish, "What are your orders, commander?"

"Stop that. You know you are older than me and have more experience in these sorts of confrontations," she scoffs at me.

I shrug at her, "While I am older and have more experience, I won't forsake the commanders' orders just because they might not be what I would do. Where would you like Xelyphe and I?" I ask again.

"You have your wife's bow. Go over and pick off targets of opportunity. Be ready for these bastards to try climbing the walls again. There aren't many of us, but the more we can take down before they get over the parapets, the better."

Acknowledging her order, I head to my spot and fire at the spawned enemy.

Looking across to see how many there are, I become concerned. They are far more organized than even the last wave. At the back are 15 of the slightly green Barons, and they are surrounding another slightly larger enemy. I analyzed this new enemy.

- Sea Devil Viscount [Expert]

Level 8

HP: 500/500 -

Clenching my fists, seeing it, I look for easy targets to pick off and get some easy experience. Suddenly, Draemish shouts, "There are no slimes on this wave, and there are 200 sea devils. Thankfully, they are all on the same side, so focus on the enemies in front."

I'm glad we don't have to fight on two sides and can space people out less. We prepare for the slog.

Immediately, Demetrius fires his Arrow Rain. The enemies, not knowing wave to wave, are bunched up. Several more things happen from our side, though.

First, a couple more of the archers listening to his talk about his skill have also learned how to shoot an arrow rain. From the effects, it isn't as effective as his own, but still, it can significantly increase our firepower.

Next, Oria manipulated the earth more effectively, casting earthen spikes under the enemies' feet to slow them down.

Finally, arrows have been exploding into poisonous mist. These have all come from the Arachnea. Looking between her and Eleanor, I decided to approach the latter after the fighting was done.

The enemies get closer and have loosened the formation after hearing a guttural cry from one of the Barons.

Their numbers were depleted quickly at first, but as they got closer and could throw their single short spears at us, they received less damage since our area-of-effect abilities weren't as effective.

Occasionally, a fireball or some chain lightning would come from our side, scorching several sea devils at once and even crippling a few where they weren't effective in combat anymore. However, it was still far from enough to deplete the force coming towards us.

Ones and twos fall, but they continue to close in. Not far behind them are the Barons and the lone Viscount.

Once again, there is the guttural cry, and this time, the sea devils go into a frenzy, rush to the walls, and start to climb them.

Everyone is shocked at the change, but a cry from Draemish makes everyone focus. Those with blades take them out and prepare to repel those that poke their heads over the parapets first.

It isn't long before the first head sticks up, its eyes bloodshot, and its body is bleeding from several wounds on its body. A nearby warrior quickly stabs it in the head, causing it to fall down and out onto the stakes in the moat.

More of them start reaching the top of the walls, and it isn't long before the first of them land on the battlements with no obstructions.

An arrow from one of the arrow towers hits the sea devil in the head, knocking it down with a scream. This reminds the rest of the people on the walls that they are vulnerable.

Hunters start to take out the short blades they have with them while the mages begin to fall back off of the walls, ready to provide covering fire for those who need to retreat quickly.

The defenders become more bunched together as more space becomes available for the attackers.

Before long, Draemish calls out, "Retreat to the manor. Hunters, pick off those that you can as you run. Don't let them reach you. Warriors, be ready to turn and guard with everything you have. Mages, blow them up!"

With this next command, we are all in full retreat back to the manor. The mages are doing their best to give us more time without being harried by the monsters.

Not long has passed when one of the newer warriors is overrun by the sea devils. The warrior wasn't in the best shape to begin with, and then suddenly, being thrust into extensive combat, I am more shocked at how long he lasted.

Thankfully, the hunters have been able to fire as they run away, as with the mages, but more effectively. We have finally dwindled the opposing force to less than 40 members before counting the Barons and the Viscount.

Arriving at the pitiful fence surrounding the manor, the warriors' remaining warriors all get into position.

Oria has started to showcase how much his earth manipulation has expanded by slowly reinforcing the wooden fence with stones.

Looking at the oncoming enemies, I am thankful they haven't decided to burn down the settlement.

The arrow towers are still firing, and because the enemies are within the walls, three of the five towers can attack them, whittling them down even further.

Soon, there are only 20 sea devils in front of us. They have stopped approaching and are instead trying to hide behind buildings. Feeling that something isn't right, I look around.

The mages have run out of mana, and some are trying to meditate to generate at least one more point to help with the defense.

The hunters are almost out of arrows; several have stepped forward and are now near warriors, hoping to help deal damage when the enemies get closer with their blades.

And the warriors, we are the last stand for this settlement. I look at the arrow towers, seeing them firing. I'm glad we put so much in our defenses. I calm down for a second, then that calm turns to dread.

The arrow towers have stopped firing. The remaining sea devils step out once the three towers have finished their last volley.

Eight regular sea devils remain, 12 of the Barons and the Viscount. I analyze the Viscount one more time.

- Sea Devil Viscount [Expert]

Level 8

HP: 347/500 -

"Fuck." This is the last thing I say before preparing for a tough fight.