With the passing of an uneventful night, the two armies took up their positions. Surprisingly, Bjorn’s command had taken the least casualties. This was likely due to the shock effect of them quickly breaking through the enemy commands frontline on their part of the battlefield. Harik’s section saw the greatest losses. As such, he had to pull some warriors from Bjorn and Ania’s command to shore up the centre of the army.
Thovok and his dwarven kinsmen stood on the front line of Harik’s command. Ready to hold the enemy charge in its place. As the sun crested over the mountains, the drums of the Sommerdan army began to beat. Sounding the start of the second day of battle. This time they marched slowly towards the gathered Skardian army. Seemingly wary of any tricks they may pull.
Exile’s eyes scanned their opponents as he made note of how many enemy players were among them. Unlike the first day, it seemed like the Sommerdan players had decided to join the battle.
‘They’re still holding back…’ Exile hummed as he focused on the auras staying in the rear with the reserves. ‘Parthus will likely use them to push us back once he believes we are exhausted enough.’
“Is there something wrong?” Midas asked with a strained tone as he glanced sideways at Exile.
“Not really… We’re just in for a tough time by the looks of it. Today will be more about which of us can come out on top rather than the NPCs.” Exile chuckled as he focused his attention on the task at hand. “Remember guys, this will be unlike any battle we’ve fought before. We’re not just fighting for ourselves, but we have to maintain the numbers of our people as well.”
“Right!”
With everyone confirming that they understood, he let out a wide smile. ‘Finally, now this is more my speed.’ Exile dashed forward with a roar, followed by the others in his group. At the same time a similar sight could be seen at the other sections of the Skardian army. A horn sounded from Exile’s right as he felt buffs coming into effect. ‘Looks like Clay has made his move…’
At the same time, the Sommerdan players charged forth to meet them. Midas broke away from the group to intercept a player attempting to go around them. The enemy player spoke a word in the Sommerdan language that Midas could not understand. But as the word was spoke, it appeared in golden letters before him. Midas frowned at the sight, right before flames gushed forth from the floating letters.
‘Damn!’ As the spell struck him, it was revealed by the combat log that his opponent’s Authority was higher by a fair amount. ‘So, his name is Kebhal?’
Midas cursed internally as he realised that he had likely chosen a poor opponent for himself. ‘Looks like I’ll have to spend a little… Wealth is power!’
[Please state how much Gold you would like to spend…]
“20 Gold!” Midas screamed as the amount disappeared from his inventory.
Suddenly, 10 points were added to his Authority score. Driving it up to match his enemy’s. ‘Now, Golden Arms!’
[Please state how much Gold you would like to spend…]
Midas grit his teeth and cursed before uttering his decision. “14 Gold!”
When the words left his mouth, the amount disappeared from his possessions as 7 points were added to his Strength. As another word was spoken by his opponent, new golden words appeared as ice shards shot forth from it. Midas grunted as he charged headlong into the spell and only took a single point of damage to his HP.
“You’re mine!” Midas roared as he swung his longsword…
“Looks like he’s got a handle on his opponent. Didn’t think he would be able to keep pace in this kind of fight.” Exile smirked as he blocked his own opponent using his shield before pushing him back. “How’s everyone else doing?”
Clay roared as he swung his two headed sword at the enemy before him. His opponent was creating walls made of rock using his spells to protect himself. Every so often, stone shards would explode from them. However, this was what Clay wanted. As his HP dropped, a smirk appeared on his face. ‘Glorious Counter!’
His blade struck the next spell aimed at him, and sent it back at his opponent. Carrying the power of all the damage he had taken so far. His opponent yelped as his own spell struck him, sending him bouncing across the battlefield with a massive chunk of his health missing.
Meanwhile, the two NPC armies had finally met. Their weapons clashed as the roared ferociously at each other. Aiming to take their enemies lives as if it were all that mattered to them. Bjorn drove into the enemy lines yet again. Leaving them feeling just as helpless as the day before. However, Randa was nowhere to be seen. ‘Hmph! Pathetic!’
His hammer crushed a man’s skull with a single swing as enemies began jumping on him. Attempting to drag him to the ground. Bjorn’s eyes went wide as he was dragged down into the snow. Spears and swords prodded at him between the gaps in his armour, but none of them were able to break his skin. Curses escaped from his mouth at the thought of how humiliating the situation was.
The warriors under his command became violent beyond understanding at the sight. No care was given to their own safety as they drove a path through the enemy lines to reach him. Blood and body parts flew as the enraged warriors did all that they could to savagely annihilate the enemies before them.
“Now!” Harik roared and the dwarves holding the frontline of his command began to rhythmically shout as they began to push against the enemy. Skardian warriors thrust their spears over the heads of their dwarven allies to pierce the enemy. As they went down, the dwarves trampled over them.
The battle appeared to be off to a better start than the day before. However, there was no telling what the day would bring. Winter laughed as she toyed with her opponent. The enemy player seemed to refuse to show any signs of what his Authority was. But Winter could not care less. The man always shouted enthusiastically as he struck Winter’s figure. But yelled in frustration as it faded away like some long forgotten dream. Revealing her to be in another location and still at full health.
Exile chuckled when he saw the hard time his Pantheon was giving the enemy. He himself also felt the need to hold back as Parthus had not shown his hand yet. But due to his years in Mayhem, close combat was where he shined. His own opponent became more flustered with each exchange. Feeling that Exile could read his every intention. Sometimes, he could swear that Exile was moving before he had even started his attack.
However, there were those who were finding it hard to hold their own on that battlefield. Beans was taking damage faster than she ever had before. Her opponent seemed to have spells connected to singing. Or music in general. However, she could not figure out her enemy’s rhythm. Each note the enemy sung seemed to cause a different effect but dispel the effect of the last one. One moment her own speed would drop and the next her opponent would become faster.
‘She’s completely controlling the tempo of our battle! This is bad! If it keeps up I won’t last long!’ Her eyes darted around as she tried to scan for anyone available to give her a hand. But everyone already had their hands full. ‘In that case, I need to drag her into two on two battle. But who would be best to team up with?’
Ania freely let her lightning loose on the enemy. Frying them before they could reach her position in her group. Although the enemy reached the right and left they could apply no pressure to the centre of her formation with her there. 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝐞𝐥.
“Lady Ania is amazing! Who knew she could do all of this?” The warriors around her whispered enthusiastically.
“Stop daydreaming and help those at either flank. We need to push those ends back to stop the centre becoming surrounded!” She screamed when she saw the warriors behind her standing by idly in amazement.
“Yes, My Lady!” The warriors yelled in embarrassment before rushing off in fear that she may turn her lightning on them. Everyone could feel the tension in the air. As if there were some great burden resting on the shoulders of those holding the frontlines of the battle.
At the same time, in the enemy reserves camp…
Parthus chuckled as he watched the display. Everything seemed to be going the way he predicted so far. ‘It should be about time. I think we should end this now.’
“Randa! Take all of the reserve troops and smash their Hero!”