Chapter 2509: Story 2510: The First Day of the Siege

The mournful cry of the war horn echoed through every valley surrounding Blackstone Ridge.

Victoria Kane stood atop the ancient fortress wall, gripping the Marshal’s golden sword with both hands. The weapon felt alive, its blade humming softly as streams of golden light flowed across the engraved runes.

Far below, the undead army stretched beyond the horizon.

Thousands of zombies stood in perfect formation.

Behind them waited rows of Hollow Guard mounted on their silent black horses, their banners fluttering beneath a sky darkened by storm clouds.

At the center of the vast army sat the Crimson Rider.

His silver mask concealed every emotion, but his crimson cloak billowed in the cold wind like flowing blood.

Cole Mercer loaded fresh rounds into his rifle.

"I’ve fought wars before."

He looked across the battlefield.

"But nothing like this."

Lucas Reed climbed one of the old watchtowers carrying a brass spyglass.

"They’re building siege lines."

Everyone looked toward the plains.

The undead weren’t charging.

Instead, hundreds of zombies dragged enormous wooden towers, rusted cannons, and heavy battering rams toward the fortress.

"They’re preparing for a long siege," Lucas reported.

Dr. Evelyn Brooks frowned.

"That means someone is commanding every movement."

Father Gabriel Ward nodded.

"The Hollow King is still imprisoned."

"But his will reaches far beyond his prison."

Gideon Black rested one hand upon the fortress wall.

"This fortress was built to withstand armies."

He turned toward Victoria.

"But its greatest strength was never its stone."

"It was its defenders."

The old Marshal led the group into the fortress armory.

Dust covered countless weapon racks.

Ancient rifles.

Steel sabers.

Crossbows.

Boxes of black powder.

Most had remained untouched for generations.

Cole examined one of the old repeating rifles.

"It still works."

Gideon smiled faintly.

"The Black Star Order prepared for every future."

Meanwhile, Evelyn carefully unpacked her research inside the fortress library.

Ancient books lined towering shelves from floor to ceiling.

She compared the old manuscripts with her notebooks.

One faded journal caught her attention.

Its leather cover bore the crowned symbol.

She opened it carefully.

The first page read:

Field Notes of Marshal Elias Crow

Her heartbeat quickened.

The Crimson Rider himself had written it.

Before she could continue reading, the fortress shook violently.

BOOM!

A massive explosion echoed outside.

Dust rained from the ceiling.

Lucas burst through the library doors.

"They’ve started!"

Everyone rushed back onto the walls.

The first undead cannon had fired.

A huge stone projectile smashed against the fortress gate, splintering ancient timber.

The second cannon fired.

Then a third.

Soon dozens of explosions thundered across Blackstone Ridge.

Smoke covered the battlefield.

Victoria watched the endless ranks of zombies advancing behind enormous shields made from iron and timber.

"They’ve learned."

Cole stared in disbelief.

"They’re using military tactics."

Father Gabriel quietly whispered a prayer.

"The darkness is becoming wiser."

Suddenly the Crimson Rider urged his crimson horse forward.

He rode alone across the battlefield until he stopped within bowshot of the fortress.

Slowly, he removed his helmet.

Victoria expected to see the face of a monster.

Instead, she saw a weary man with pale skin, silver hair, and sorrow-filled eyes.

He looked directly at Gideon Black.

"My old friend."

His voice carried across the silent battlefield.

"It has been too long."

Gideon’s expression filled with grief.

"Elias..."

The Crimson Rider lowered his head.

"I came to offer mercy."

He looked toward Victoria.

"Surrender the Marshal’s badge."

"Surrender the sword."

"And no more blood must be spilled."

Victoria stepped forward, raising the glowing blade.

"The people of this land have surrendered enough."

"They deserve a future."

For the first time in decades, a faint smile crossed Elias Crow’s face.

"So be it."

He slowly placed his silver mask back over his face and turned his horse toward the waiting army.

As he raised his sword high into the storm-filled sky, thousands of undead voices roared together.

The ground trembled beneath their march.

The first assault against Blackstone Ridge had begun, and with it, the fate of the western frontier would be decided.