The man’s enthusiasm was appreciated, and I stepped forward to hack at the shield of the front line ratkin. My axe landed hard, crushing the weakened shieldbearer.
I gaped to see the first group already dead or dying, the overlapping area of effect spells cutting down their HP in a matter of seconds.
“Front line, push forward!” I yelled, not wanting the enemy to recover fully and launch their own attacks.
The ratkin in the second formation were not willing to wait around any longer, though, and even as we slogged through their fallen comrades, orders were barked. “Spread out! Ten to the front. Third platoon fall in!”
And by the time we moved beyond the dead, the enemy had forged a new front. Those who’d taken up the line held tall shield and had long swords. Spearmen fell behind, their weapons bristling above the shield wall.
Round two would not be so easy.
“Halt!” I shouted, pulling our forces to a stop just a few feet from the enemy. “Advance carefully and keep together! Casters, throw everything you have at the spearmen behind! Everyone, buffs now!”
I walked beside Tejón, his bulky form drawing many of the enemies’ eyes. The warg and the flame leopard beside him were not easily dismissed, either. Oliver stood beside his Paladin, and just before we closed ranks in battle, several buffs passed through our group, suffusing our side in light and color.
Despite our increased abilities, the ratkin stood firm, no more slick mud to pull them under or magic spells to sap their health. The road was also slightly inclined, giving them a small but substantial advantage of higher ground. Regardless, I pushed into the fray beside Tejón, determined to exterminate as many rats as possible.
I used my Quake Stomp ability and brought two of the monsters to their knees, and Tejón stepped forward, his Gravel Storm coming alive around him. The mad bear bashed onwards, entering the ranks of the ratkin, his Crown of the Mountain King emerging from his skull as he thrashed about in wild abandon. He managed to decimate ten of their numbers in just a few seconds, but as many spears lashed out in retribution.
I shouted to the stubborn bear, Pull back, Tejón! Don’t get yourself killed!
At my command, everyone moved slowly but inexorably forward, the resistance of the few remaining shieldmen buckling under the pressure of our advance. “Push forward! We need to collapse their front!”
The flame leopard Xiao Pang blew out a gout of flame that roasted one of the ratkin, whose plate armor provided little protection against the heat. Some Mage cast a Chain Lightning spell that crackled between the troops, bouncing between them with deadly intensity.
We began to mop up the remainder of the second group, and I grinned, thinking that we had reduced their numbers by nearly one hundred. My gloating was cut short as a volley of arrows fells from the sky. It had come from the enemy.
One of them pierced my arm, the thin arrow slipping beneath my scale armor. I stared at it in fury, and saw that it was familiar: short and dagger-sharp, the arrow of a tasloi archer. Stepping back from the fray, I examined the shifting battlefield. A group of the archers had found a small hillock to fire from, and some trow were guarding them. It would be a bloody mess trying to bring them down.
Worse yet was the mass of writhing black limbs descending from the hill, a second group of trow among them.
They now had ranged support, and at least forty huge spiders and a couple dozen trow were racing toward us, only a hundred feet away. I knew what command I was likely to give next but inspected the enemy first to get as much information as possible.
Warped Trow
Level 30
HP: 15743/15743
Abilities: Blitz, Smite, Frenzy
Unfey Nightmare
Level 32
HP: 13880/13880
Abilities: Subdue, Entangle, Paralyze
Well, crap, that decided everything.
I screamed and shoved Tejón, making sure he got the message. “Fall back! Fall back!” Our front line began to move away, stepping back with careful precision. The oncoming foes would be here too soon. “Run, freaking turn and run, damn it!” I faced the ranged units behind us. “Ranged and casters, slow down those damn spiders. Buy the melee some time!”
Immediately, spells and arrows shifted to target the spiders barreling down the hill. There was a noticeable effect, but it was still going to be a close call.
And that was when crap turned south. Sarina’s peryton was finishing one last ratkin spearman, its antlers dripping with gore, when a dense volley of arrows pelted the beast. The deer creature screamed in pain and fell, writhing on the gore-churned soil. Sarina cried out and ran to her companion.
No, this was not the time.
Tejón, grab the peryton Momo. Let her companion ride on your back, and make sure they get back to safety!
The bear looked at me, fear and rage in his eyes. I will not leave you, Madi!
I winced at the hurt in his voice, but I needed him to listen. Just do it! I’m counting on you. I will be okay!
For a few seconds, I thought he was going to ignore my command. Instead, he growled in my face then ran to the peryton. Tejón was gentle when he bit the beast’s neck, dragging it away by the scruff. Sarina almost attacked him until she saw what he was doing.
“Sarina, jump on Tejón’s back!” I said. “He is going to take you two to safety. Go!” Then, turning to Oliver, who stood beside the paladin, waiting for the rest of the front line to retreat, I said, “Orc, it’s time you show your worth. You’re in charge until I get back. Make everyone retreat back to the bridge and be quick about it!”
He nodded, his eyes flicking between me and the incoming horde of enemies. I knew what he wanted to ask, but he had
