I raised a hand. I felt the spell forming. The mana in the world around me was gathering. Then sparks appeared. The embers quickly took the shape of arrows.
I conjured up the hail of Fire Arrows and sent it sailing across the battlefield. Soldiers raised their shields to block the attack with little issue, but were immediately pressed by the undead swinging wildly at them.
I watched as one of the flaming arrows struck the side of a soldier. The man recoiled in pain, clutching at his wound. It was not a fatal wound— his armor took most of the damage. But it still gave an opening.
An undead bear-like creature smashed his head in and I winced.
Yet, I did not let up. I clasped the dagger on my right hand tightly as I continued sending dozens of fiery projectiles into the ranks of soldiers. They were being pushed back and they were also outnumbered.
I saw groups of soldiers rushing from the other side of the fort to reinforce their rear. They clashed into the undead’s side, cutting them down— barely struggling with the reanimated monsters.
I was about to hurl some spells at them, when from the corner of my eye I saw a flash of light. A bolt of energy flew across the battlefield. And it was going straight at me.
I ducked to the side in a panic, almost falling as I did. The bullet barely whizzed by me. That was close. I steadied myself, looking back up—
And more bolts of energy were flying in my direction. I backed up, and erected a magical barrier in front of me. The gunshots impacted the Force Shield, forming small cracks with each hit.
I clenched my teeth, as I readied for a counterattack. The barrier was not going to last more than ten seconds. I had to start moving once it broke— getting ready to strike back with something big.
But the most powerful spell I knew currently was not enough to take them all out. Perhaps a snare? That could cover enough area to hit multiple of them at once. But did it even go that far?
I did not have time to think. I prepared to cast a spell and held it at the tip of both my hands, ready for the moment my barrier broke. Magic Missile it is, I decided out of necessity.
The cracks grew larger on the translucent blue shield, forming almost a spider web shape on its surface. Finally, after another bolt of energy struck it, it shattered. I stepped to the side—
And a wall of earth rose up in front of me.
I blinked.
"Huh—"
Then I felt it. The mana from the ground being pulled. I spun to my right, and saw rock and dirt flying through the air, forming a spear right next to Gerritt.
"I told you, you’ll be safe with me," he said, and I thought I could see him smiling gently at me.
Then the large projectile launched forward. Into the direction of the gunmen. I heard shouts, and a loud impact. The gunfire stopped momentarily.
I peeked over the corner of the earthen wall. The soldiers were not all dead. Only one or two died, the rest were injured. But they were thrown into disarray.
"Finish them off," the Dark Commander’s voice boomed past me.
I turned to my left, and I saw Ihsan nodding alongside the other Goblins. They loosed their arrows at the enemies trying to get back up. Forcing them down. And killing any who tried to reach for their rifles.
I watched as the soldiers realized their ranged troops had fallen. As they were overwhelmed by the undead and projectiles. They began to retreat, pulling back to the inside of the fort.
I stepped around the barrier protruding out of the ground, and surveyed the battlefield. Then I exhaled deeply. "Thanks," I said. "You saved my life."
Gerritt shook his head, but still focused on the fighting. "You did a good job, Melas," he remarked. "It’s because of your help, we’ve secured the outside faster than we planned."
I looked at all the dead bodies. Mostly Human, only some Goblins, and a lot of undead. Then I murmured an agreement and changed the subject. "I didn’t know you could also do Geomancy. I thought you were just a Necromancer?"
"Hrmph, that is correct." He nodded. "But I’ve lived a long time, and studied magic for most of it. While I can do some earth magic, my list of spells in that field is far more limited than in Necromancy. If I were more talented, perhaps I could expand on it more. But alas, I am not."
"Don’t say that! You can raise a hundred undead by yourself, and control them all at once. And that earth spell— the one that shot like a ballista bolt— I saw Victor use it before. That’s pretty powerful!"
The large man laughed, then placed a hand on my head. "You flatter me, Melas. I am grateful to hear that from one as prodigious as you."
"I am not a prod—" I bit my tongue, remembering what Ihsan said about Goblins. I was not sure if the same applied to Orcs, but I decided not to say anything. "Really. You just saved my life!"
"Indeed," Gerritt said. "But the battle is not over. Now we have to take the inside. Although, Karna’s group should be making its way out now. To regroup with us."
"They went to attack the armory, right?" I asked for confirmation.
"Yes. In the western wing of the fort. They were supposed to disrupt movement inside, before quickly finding their way back out," he replied.
"Do you…" I hesitated. I stared at the fighting, making its way into the stone and brick structure. "Do you
