Cracks appeared on the stone bear as Exile’s spear stabbed at its chest. Exile grinned at the ugly expression that appeared on Summer Sands’ face. After all, she had no idea his physical attacks took their damage from his Authority stat!
‘She was hoping I would get cornered in close combat.’ Exile chuckled at that thought. He was sure weapons based on the Authority stat were rare at that point in the game. After all, if every player had them, there would hardly be any need for the Strength stat.
Exile stepped inside the bear’s range and smashed the face of his shield against it. The giant construct stumbled backwards as Exile dealt a flurry of blows using his spear against it. However, the other puppets reacted to his assault by surrounding him. That action only made Exile’s grin grow wider.
Lightning bolts leapt from his figure to strike at all four puppets simultaneously. Deep cracks spread through their stone bodies as the sudden attack interrupted their actions. Exile used that moment to dash between the two puppets in front of him!
Summer Sands sneered at Exile as he dashed towards her. However, she realised she had messed up by stopping in the first place. Exile was honestly surprised when she did not continue to flee. Instead, a long whip appeared in her hands as a determined expression rested on her face.
A surge of respect for his opponent appeared in Exile’s mind as he angled his shield toward his opponent. The whip cracked as it struck his shield, and Exile felt compelled to halt his charge. His eyebrows arched upwards beneath his helm as he stared at Summer Sands with a curious expression.
‘She was able to match me with that attack.’ Exile hummed to himself as he thought about that development. He understood his base power in his tier was low. However, he was sure his items placed him above any lower-tier player. ‘She must be approaching the ascension to this tier. There’s something off with that weapon.’
His gaze fell on the whip in her hand, only to notice fine brown and silver strands made its structure. ‘It’s no use. I have no idea what those materials are or how she got ahold of it. I can only press on at this point.’
Exile’s eyes narrowed as he burst forward. He raised his shield to cover his charge as he zig-zagged to avoid the whip. However, a curse escaped his lips as the weapon reached around his shield and struck his exposed jaw!
-18 HP
When he glanced at the log, he realised what was going on. Summer Sands’ strength stat was far above his own when she wielded the whip. ‘I can’t let her keep hitting me with that.’ Exile frowned as he glared at his opponent before charging at her again.
This time Exile kept his gaze on the whip as he peered over the rim of his shield while preparing his spear. The whip cracked two more times. However, Exile was ready for it. It slapped against his shield harmlessly as he diverted the force of the attack so as not to slow his advance.
Summer Sands’ eyes widened as Exile lunged at her. She attempted to avoid the spear, but she was too slow. The pair exchanged blows as Summer Sands kept retreating. However, she could not lose Exile as he did not let her escape the range of his spear.
Damage piled up on Summer Sands as Exile controlled the tempo of their battle. Every time she dodged his spear, she found his shield striking at her. She cursed as her health plummeted. However, Exile’s attention never left her and each of her movements.
Exile saw the hesitation in her eyes and acted on it. He slammed his shield against her and pivoted on his left foot, swinging his spear in a wide arc. Summer Sands tried to jump out of the way. However, her balance was off from the shield strike. A glimmer of anger appeared in her eyes as the spear shaft struck her.
A solemn expression appeared on Exile’s face as he watched his defeated enemy turn into light. He took hold of her orb and stored it as he glanced around the battlefield. However, a curse escaped his lips as he looked at the state of the other fights.
Although Ragnarok claimed victory in those battles, it came at the cost of only Midas and Clay surviving them. ‘You can’t win them all, I guess.’ Exile sighed when he understood they still came out on top in terms of gains. The Sommerdan army had started its retreat while they were fighting. However, scores of NPCs were still dying in the bloody exchange.
Exile was confident those losses would have an impact on the Sommerdan invasion. However, he could not stop thinking about what Summer Sands had said. ‘If a second wave like this one lands on our shores…’ Exile shook his head as he turned his gaze to the sky. ‘I don’t see a way of stopping them.’
‘We need a full-time strategist. Luckily, I know who to call. I have to hope he accepts.’ Exile sighed as he watched the Sommerdan retreat.
In another place in Skardia, King Bargrux stared at the tall walls of Alessiam. ‘So, this is the capital of Stormcrown.’ His ancient eyes studied the walls with a frown. ‘This is the birthplace of Alessia’s first oracle. What we seek is hidden here.’
A determined expression set on his face as he ordered the attack. Eight cities had already fallen to his army, but they had only captured a few oracles who had refused to abandon their homes. However, they discovered that all the royal faction oracles had moved to Allessiam.
‘Who’d have thought we’d have the perfect excuse to search the only city we had an interest in.’ Bargrux watched as arrows rained down on his army. Allessiam was not like the other cities they had conquered. A sizeable army defended its walls.
Hours passed before the dwarves breached the walls. Bargrux watched with a glimmer of anticipation as the great gates opened to his army.
“Onward! Push them back! Seize the keep and the temples!” Bargrux bellowed as he kicked the ribs of his goat.
A few dwarves stuck close to him as personal guards on their mounts. They knew what their king was after with this attack, but they had to make sure nobody found out until the time was right. The sea of dwarves parted for their king and his entourage as they entered the Allessiam.
“Where is it?” Bargrux demanded as he turned to an old dwarf wearing grey robes on his right.
“The scriptures place it near the old outer walls that have been demolished.” The dwarf responded as he stroked his beard. “Judging by the old city plans and its current layout, it should be in that direction.”
Bargrux eyes narrowed as he glanced at a spot slightly to the right of the city center. “Then that is where we shall go!”
The group of dwarves did not spare a single soul as they charged toward their destination. Bargrux even ordered the death of any civilians they passed. In doing so, nobody could tell the tale of their passing or where they headed.
It took some time, but they persevered and struck down any group of warriors on their way. As they arrived at their destination, Bargrux grumbled as he stared at an ancient temple. A statue stood in front of it that depicted a woman surrounded by flames as an old man kneeled before her. ．𝙘𝙤𝙢
‘At least they’ve kept it well.’ Bargrux thought as he stared at the statue of Allessia. He nodded towards the dwarves with him, and they immediately charged at the temple’s door. The old wooden door groaned as the goats headbutted it before it splintered inwards. Excitement rose in Bargrux’s chest as he entered behind them.
“Destroy the altar.” He commanded after a quick glance around the room. He had understood when he first saw the altar that it had been made by dwarves. So it was only to be expected that it would take them some time to break through it.
The sounds of battle from outside intensified as time passed while the dwarves hammered at the stone structure. Bargrux tapped his foot on the wooden floor as he wondered how long they had until the fighting reached that part of the city.
That was when the altar broke apart as the dwarves around it wheezed. Bargrux grinned like a madman as his eyes wandered to the dark passage that had been hidden beneath it. ‘Finally! After all this time!’ Bargrux chuckled as he rushed towards it. He stared into the darkness and the steps that led deep into the earth.
“Prepare yourselves. Today, we recover a part of our history that has been missing since the time of Vors!” Bargrux announced as the other dwarves grinned. ‘Today, I seize the greatest weapon of our kind.’