Chapter 172: Battle in the Dwarven Kingdom Part 2
Chapter 172: Battle in the Dwarven Kingdom Part 2
As they entered the Dwarven Kingdom, the air around them felt heavy with dark magic, an oppressive force that made even the most battle-hardened dwarves falter. Their aura alone seemed enough to unnerve the defenders.
"They've brought their strongest," Vincent muttered, recognizing the raw power radiating from each of the Demon King Generals.
Velara's gaze remained fixed on the crystal, her expression hardening. "These aren't just ordinary demons. Each one is capable of devastating entire armies."
"Those are probably the Demon King Generals. They are powerful...Them being here meant that they have a serious business here. How can we help?"
"Well there's nothing for you to help us. The Dwarves will protect their home. You can, however, leave here using our secret tunnels. We don't need outsiders fighting our battles." Vincent's jaw tightened. "Leave? You want us to flee while your people face those monsters alone? They can destroy armies! Even my own. Facing them is tantamount to suicide without proper help," Vincent finished, his voice firm as he met Velara's hard gaze. "You're leading your people into certain destruction if you think you can handle this alone."
"I appreciate your concern," Velara began, her voice steady but laced with the unmistakable pride of her people, "but the Dwarven Kingdom has stood strong for centuries. We have faced invaders, monsters, and even wars between realms. We've never needed outside help, and we certainly don't now."
Vincent's frustration was palpable. "This isn't about pride, Velara. These are not invaders you've faced before. These are the Demon King Generals-creatures capable of laying waste to entire civilizations. This isn't just a battle for your kingdom. If they succeed here, they'll be unstoppable."
Velara crossed her arms, her stance unwavering. "You're free to leave, Vincent. Take your people and go. We will hold the line. The Dwarves do not abandon their homeland. This is our fight."
"Leaving isn't an option for me. I've seen what these demons can do. Also, leaving you also risks the agreement that we just signed. We are going to need those materials that you mentioned in order to combat those demons. So we are not leaving. I'm calling for help."
Velara's eyes narrowed as Vincent spoke, but she couldn't deny the truth in his words. The agreement they had just signed was crucial for both their futures, and without the resources the dwarves promised, Vincent and his forces would be ill-equipped to fight the demon threat. Her stubborn pride clashed with the reality of their dire situation.
She turned away for a moment, staring hard at the crystal, which continued to flicker with images of destruction. The Demon King Generals were advancing steadily, each step bringing them closer to the heart of the Dwarven Kingdom. Her warriors fought valiantly, but it was clear they were outmatched.
Finally, Velara sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly in defeat. "You're right," she admitted, her voice quiet but resolute. "We cannot afford to lose this fight, not for the kingdom, not for our future. If the demons win here, it won't just be us who fall."
Vincent watched her carefully, sensing the weight of her decision.
Velara met his gaze, her expression hard but accepting. "Very well. We fight together. Call for whatever help you can, Vincent. We need every advantage we can get."
Vincent gave a short nod, immediately reaching for his communication device. "I'll contact my forces and get reinforcements here as soon as possible. We'll need every able fighter we can muster to push them back and buy us time."
As Vincent relayed his message, Velara turned back to her commanders, her voice stronger now. "Prepare the remaining defenses. We'll hold off the demons until help arrives. Strengthen the barricades, and make sure the tunnels are ready for fallback if needed. This will be the battle of our lives, but we will not yield."
The dwarven commanders saluted and rushed to carry out her orders. The once-proud resistance that had fueled Velara's defiance was now replaced with a grim determination. She knew that working together was their only hope of survival.
***Nôv(el)B\\jnn
Meanwhile.
Valeria's hands glowed with an eerie blue light as she raised them toward the sky. Dark clouds swirled above her, crackling with energy, and with a flick of her wrist, lightning bolts as thick as tree trunks came crashing down onto the dwarven battlements. Stone and metal melted under the sheer power of her magic, and the dwarves scrambled to reposition themselves. Garruk let out a thunderous roar that echoed through the mountains. He lifted his massive axe and swung it toward the nearest dwarven defenses. The force of his swing was so great that it sent shockwaves rippling through the ground, shattering stone walls and sending dwarven warriors flying through the air like ragdolls. With each swing, the earth cracked, and the very foundation of the kingdom trembled.
"Come and face me if you dare!" Garruk bellowed, his voice like rolling thunder.
Behind him, Thalor, seemed to disappear from sight, his form flickering in and out of existence as he moved with supernatural speed. In a blur, he darted past dwarven guards, leaving only trails of blood in his wake as his twin blades sliced through armor and flesh. His movements were so fast that by the time his victims realized they had been struck, it was already too late.
Morgath, the necromancer, followed closely, his skeletal hands weaving dark, sinister energy into the air. With each wave of his hand, the fallen dwarven warriors rose again, their eyes glowing with an unnatural, eerie light. The once-proud defenders of the kingdom were now twisted, undead puppets, attacking their former comrades with mindless aggression.
"You will serve me in death as you did in life," Morgath whispered, his voice chilling as the dead marched at his command.
Telus, the bloodmancer, raised his arms, and the very ground seemed to pulse in response to his presence. The blood of the fallen soaked into the earth, and as Telus murmured an incantation, it rose from the ground like tendrils, lashing out at the dwarves. Each tendril coiled around its target, draining their life force and feeding it into Telus, who glowed with renewed vitality.
"Your blood is mine to command," Telus said.
The combined power of the Demon King Generals was overwhelming. Even the strongest dwarven defenses seemed like paper before the storm of dark magic and brute force that tore through the kingdom.