Chapter 85: The Monster Attack

The eastern wall of the Duskryn territory shook as another wave of monsters emerged from the forest.

Dark elves stood along the defensive line with weapons drawn. Archers occupied the raised platforms while spellcasters remained behind them, ready to support the soldiers below. Further inside the settlement, civilians were being moved away from the eastern approach while smaller groups of soldiers secured the roads leading toward the Duskryn estate.

The forest had become a battlefield. But it was not the kind of battlefield Vaeron was used to. There was no single monster leading the attack..There was no obvious formation. Instead, thousands of creatures moved between the trees in scattered groups, appearing from different directions and disappearing whenever the dark elves tried to determine their numbers.

Vaeron stood near the center of the defensive line, his sword already drawn. "Hold your positions." His voice carried across the wall. "Do not chase anything into the forest." Several soldiers nodded. Nira stood a short distance away, watching the trees. Her dagger remained in her hand, but she was not looking at the monsters closest to the settlement. Something was wrong.

The creatures were attacking, but they were not behaving like wild monsters.

Whenever the archers concentrated their fire on one group, that group withdrew.

Another group immediately appeared somewhere else. When the soldiers moved to reinforce that position, the first group returned. "They are testing us." Nira said.

Vaeron glanced toward her. "I have fought organized armies before. These creatures are not fighting to break through." Vaeron lowered his sword slightly. "They are studying our defenses."

Before Nira could respond, a roar shook the forest. A massive beast charged from between the trees. "Now!" The order came from the wall. Arrows flew. Several struck the creature before it reached the outer defenses, but the monster continued forward. Its thick hide absorbed most of the impact. The soldiers on the ground raised their weapons. The beast crashed into the defensive barricade.

Wood splintered. Two soldiers were thrown backward. A dark elf mage immediately raised a hand.

"Wind Cutter."

The spell sliced through the creature’s shoulder. Blood sprayed across the ground.

The monster staggered. Three soldiers rushed forward together. One distracted it from the front while the other two attacked its legs. The creature collapsed. Before it could rise again, a spear pierced its skull.

The soldiers pulled back. Nobody celebrated. They had learned something.

The monsters were willing to sacrifice individual creatures to measure the strength of the defense.

Vaeron looked toward the forest."They are changing positions again." Nira followed his gaze. The eastern attack was moving north.

A soldier hurried toward them. "The northern patrol requests reinforcements." Vaeron’s expression hardened. "How many?" "At least fifty monsters. More are appearing from the forest." "Send twenty soldiers." Nira immediately looked at him.

"Twenty?" Vaeron nodded. "We cannot abandon the eastern wall."

Nira understood. The monsters had created a choice. Reinforce the north and weaken the east. Protect the east and risk losing the northern patrol. It was a simple tactic. Yet whoever was controlling the creatures understood the settlement’s defenses far better than they should have.

"Wait."

Nira looked toward the forest again. "Something is missing." Vaeron turned toward her. "What?" "The western settlement." For several seconds, neither spoke. Then a soldier came running through the inner road. "Lord Vaeron!" The man’s breathing was heavy. "The western settlement has been attacked." Several soldiers turned. Vaeron’s eyes narrowed.

"How long ago?"

"Less than ten minutes."

"How many?"

"We do not know. The patrol there was forced to retreat."

Nira’s grip tightened around her dagger. "They want us divided." Vaeron looked at the battlefield.

"Yes."

He turned toward one of his officers. "Send a second group to the west. Keep the eastern defense intact." The officer hesitated. "Lord Vaeron, that will leave us with almost no reserve."

"I know."

Vaeron looked toward the settlement. "That is why we cannot make another mistake." Nira watched the officer leave. Her eyes narrowed. There was something else bothering her. The western patrol had been given orders earlier. Someone had told them where to move. Someone had directed the soldiers. And only a handful of people had access to the patrol routes. Her thoughts immediately returned to Edris. He had still not returned. "Where is Captain Edris?"

Vaeron looked at her. "He should have returned by now." Nira said nothing. The answer made her uncomfortable. Edris was experienced. He always returned with a report. Even if the situation was dangerous, he would send a messenger. But there had been nothing. Only silence. Another explosion erupted from the eastern side.

A spell struck the ground.

Several monsters were thrown backward.

The dark elf spellcasters continued their coordinated attacks, alternating between offensive magic and support. One mage strengthened the soldiers’ weapons with reinforcement magic. Another cast a defensive spell over a group that had been surrounded. The archers fired into the gaps created by the spells.

The defense held. But the monsters kept coming. Nira dropped from the wall. She landed beside several soldiers and immediately moved toward the damaged barricade. "Replace the broken supports."

The soldiers began working. "Do not stand too close together." A monster suddenly burst through the trees. Nira raised her dagger. The creature swung its claws. She ducked beneath the attack and drove her blade into its exposed side.

The monster roared.

A soldier struck it from behind. Another attack followed. The creature finally collapsed. Nira pulled her dagger free. She looked at the body. Its eyes were still open.

It had been moving toward the settlement without hesitation, fear or even instinct to retreat. "Someone is driving them forward," She whispered. She looked toward the forest. There were too many eyes. Too many creatures. And somewhere beyond them, someone was watching.

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Deep within the forest, Edris stood between the trees. His armor was covered in dirt. His bow rested against his shoulder. He could see the eastern defensive line through the gaps between the branches. The monsters had done exactly what they were ordered to do.

The eastern patrol had been pushed north.

The northern soldiers had been forced to request reinforcements. The western settlement had been attacked. The defenders were spreading themselves thin. Edris watched silently. He had spent years protecting these lands.

He knew every patrol route. Every road. Every blind spot. Every location where soldiers changed shifts. Now he was using that knowledge against them. His fingers tightened around his bow. A voice spoke behind him. "You are doing well." Edris did not turn.

"I know."

"You sound unhappy."

"I’m tired."

The demon stepped between the trees. Its completely black eyes reflected the distant flames. "You knew what this would become." Edris remained silent. The demon moved closer. "Do not pretend you are surprised." Edris looked toward the settlement. "I am not surprised."

"Then continue."

Edris swallowed. "My orders were to create openings."

"You have."

"I was told no civilians would be harmed."

The demon smiled. "Did you believe that?" Edris finally turned. His expression was cold.

"You promised my son medicine."

"And I will give it to him."

"If I finish this."

"If you continue."

Edris stared at him.

For a moment, the sound of distant battle filled the silence between them. Then Edris turned away. "What happens next?" The demon looked toward the eastern defense.

"Next, they lose their strongest defenders."

Edris’s eyes narrowed. "How?"

"You already created the weakness." The demon pointed toward the forest. "Now force them to close it." Edris understood.

He looked toward the settlement again. The eastern wall was holding. The western settlement was under attack. The defenders would eventually realize they needed to pull their strongest fighters toward the west.

That was when the real attack would begin.

Edris’s expression changed. "You’re going to attack the estate." The demon smiled. "I am going to see how strong they really are." Edris looked down. He remembered his wife. His daughter. His son lying sick in a small room. He remembered begging the council for help. He remembered being ignored. He had told himself that everything he did was for his son. But standing there now, watching his homeland burn, another thought had begun to creep into his mind.

What if he had gone too far?

His jaw tightened.

No.

He could not stop.

Not now.

If he stopped, the demon would take the medicine away. His son would die. Edris raised his bow. "Then I will move the western defenders." The demon nodded.

"Good." Edris stepped deeper into the forest. He was no longer simply giving information. He was now directing the battle.

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At the Duskryn estate, Sylvara stood behind the defensive line. Her hands glowed with violet light. A group of wounded soldiers knelt nearby. She moved from one to another, closing wounds with healing magic.

"Hold still."

The young soldier winced.

"It hurts."

"I know."

Her expression softened. "Just a little longer." The wound closed. The soldier looked down in surprise. "Thank you, Lady Sylvara." "Save your thanks. You may need that arm again." The soldier smiled weakly.

Sylvara turned toward the battlefield. The number of wounded was increasing.

She could feel it.

Every time another soldier fell, another person needed her magic. And there were limits to how much she could do. Kaelith stood nearby with his sword drawn. He kept glancing toward his mother. "You should stay farther back, mother." Sylvara looked at him. "You should listen to your own advice."

Kaelith frowned. "I can fight."

"I know."

She placed a hand on his shoulder. "But fighting does not mean standing where you are most likely to die." Kaelith looked toward the forest. "I am not afraid." Sylvara smiled.

"You are."

He looked away. She did not tease him. "Being afraid is not weakness." Kaelith tightened his grip on his sword. "I am afraid something will happen to you." Sylvara’s expression softened. "Then stay close." Kaelith nodded. His fingers began to glow faintly. Fire gathered around his sword. He was not an elite swordsman. His sword training was basic. But his fire magic was strong for his age.

If something reached the estate, he would fight. Nira returned moments later. She stopped beside them.

"Where is father?"

"Still at the eastern defense." Sylvara answered. Nira looked toward the western road. "The western settlement is in trouble."

"I know."

"There is something wrong with this attack."

Sylvara looked at her. "You think someone is directing them."

"I am certain."

Before either woman could say more, a loud horn sounded from the western side.

Once.

Twice.

Then three times.

Nira’s expression changed.

"That is the emergency signal."

Sylvara immediately raised her hand. "Kaelith." "I know." He stepped beside her.

The soldiers surrounding the estate tightened their formation. Nira drew her dagger. "Something is coming." Everything became strangely quiet. The monsters that had been attacking the outer defenses suddenly stopped. For several seconds, nothing moved. Then a roar came from the western forest. It was followed by another.

Then dozens more. The ground began to tremble. Nira looked toward the trees. "Everyone, prepare yourselves." The first monster emerged. Then another. Then hundreds. They were no longer scattered.

They were moving together. Straight toward the Duskryn estate. Sylvara raised a violet barrier around the inner defensive line. Kaelith’s sword burst into flames. Nira lowered her stance. And somewhere beyond the monsters, hidden among the trees, Edris watched the estate.

His eyes fell upon Vaeron. His lord. His home. Edris slowly raised his bow. For years, Vaeron had trusted him. Now Edris drew an arrow. He aimed it toward the man he had sworn to protect. His fingers trembled. The demon’s voice came quietly from behind him.

"Do it."

Edris closed his eyes.

Then he released the arrow.