Chapter 2514: Story 2515: The March of the Abyss Walkers

A chilling silence settled over Blackstone Ridge.

No defender dared to speak as the enormous legion advanced across the shattered plains below.

The Abyss Walkers marched in perfect formation.

Each thunderous footstep shook the mountain itself.

Unlike the zombies, these ancient warriors showed no signs of decay. Their bodies were encased in jagged black armor that seemed to grow from their flesh. Crimson fire leaked through the cracks like molten lava, while their hollow eye sockets burned with unwavering hatred.

Victoria Kane stood upon the highest battlement, the Marshal’s sword glowing warmly in her hands.

"They’re not rushing us."

Gideon Black nodded gravely.

"They’ve fought wars for thousands of years."

"They understand patience."

Cole Mercer studied the advancing army through his scope.

"They’re carrying shields."

"And siege engines."

Lucas Reed climbed onto the watchtower roof.

"There are hundreds of them."

He paused.

"No..."

"Thousands."

Dr. Evelyn Brooks carefully observed the creatures through her binoculars.

"They’re communicating."

Victoria looked toward her.

"How can you tell?"

"They never speak," Evelyn replied.

"But they’re moving together."

"Every step is perfectly synchronized."

"They’re following one mind."

Father Gabriel slowly gripped the silver cross hanging around his neck.

"The Hollow King’s will."

Suddenly, a deep horn echoed across the valley.

The Abyss Walkers halted.

The ground beneath them cracked open once more.

From the darkness emerged six colossal beasts.

Each resembled an enormous rhinoceros forged from black stone and bone.

Towering iron platforms had been chained onto their backs.

Ancient ballistae rested atop each platform, crewed by armored Hollow Guard.

Cole’s face tightened.

"They’ve brought living siege towers."

Gideon stared silently.

"They’re called Earth Breakers."

"They shattered the walls of entire kingdoms."

Victoria turned toward the fortress defenders gathered below.

Men and women looked terrified.

Many had survived Dusthaven only to find themselves facing an even greater nightmare.

She climbed onto the fortress wall where everyone could see her.

"The enemy wants us afraid."

Her clear voice carried through the courtyard.

"They want us to believe this fortress is already lost."

She slowly raised the glowing Marshal’s sword toward the sky.

"But this fortress has stood for generations."

"It survived the Hollow King once."

"It will stand again."

The frightened defenders slowly straightened their backs.

Some gripped their rifles more firmly.

Others raised ancient swords recovered from the armory.

Hope returned to their eyes.

Even Gideon smiled.

"The Badge chose well."

Meanwhile, inside the fortress library, Dr. Evelyn continued studying the journals recovered from the Hidden Chamber.

One fragile parchment slipped from the pages of Elias Crow’s diary.

Across the faded paper was a detailed map of Blackstone Ridge.

Near the center of the fortress, a single sentence had been written in hurried ink.

The enemy must never discover the Heart Forge.

Evelyn frowned.

"The Heart Forge?"

Before she could investigate further, the floor trembled violently.

Outside, Lucas shouted from the tower.

"They’re moving!"

The Earth Breakers charged.

Each massive beast slammed its armored feet against the rocky ground, dragging enormous siege engines behind them.

The Abyss Walkers marched beside the giants with disciplined precision, raising their bone-forged weapons toward the fortress.

High above them, storm clouds swirled into a giant crimson vortex.

Within its center, the shadow of the Hollow King slowly became visible for the first time.

Only his upper body could be seen, still bound beneath chains of ancient golden light stretching into the earth.

Yet his presence alone darkened the sky.

His burning crimson eyes settled upon Victoria.

"So..."

His voice rolled across the mountains like thunder.

"The heir of the Black Star finally stands before me."

Victoria refused to look away.

She planted the Marshal’s sword firmly upon the battlements.

"We’ve stopped you before."

"We’ll stop you again."

The Hollow King laughed, a sound so deep that cracks spread through the fortress walls.

"You still believe this is the same war."

His eyes narrowed with cruel satisfaction.

"You have yet to discover who opened my prison."

The defenders exchanged uneasy glances.

If the Hollow King had help from someone still living, then the greatest threat might not be outside the fortress walls...

It might already be inside Blackstone Ridge.