The wall have been built.

Trenches have been dug.

Spikes have been set.

Walking around our big “camp”

I’m met with grim faces, shining swords and cold laughter.

The few elders and Fauns spread around are testing their bows, meditating, or simply wasting time.

Taking my gaze up, I’m shadowed by the big walls. Silhouettes of Fauns walking back and forth.

Looking back down, I see the centaurs looking more at ease, but compared to their usual splendor and childishness

They seem more stiff and scared. Joking little and no games being played.

Scanning around, my gaze stops once I see the human, talking loudly and cheerily with a stupid face.

Being the only one who seemed comfortable

The only one who seemed okay with this grim atmosphere.

Walking around merrily, whistling an unknown tune.

Looking at her, I felt my grip on the bow lighten.

A small smile forming on my lips.

Warmth filling me.

So, our plan-

A few hundred Fauns and Centaurs garrisoned behind these walls, waiting for the swarm to come.

Far from everyone, most staying far out of sight in the distance, but close enough to get to the walls within a day once the fighting starts.

We who’s stayed behind will try to kill as many as we can before fleeing, making this place seem like something important.

Then we’ll flee through the opposite wall.

Gifting them an empty “fort” ripe for picking.

Hopefully, nothing bad happens.

And hopefully.

They’ll stay for long enough so that the lizards can come and fight them.

A simple plan

Maybe too simple.

...

Swallowing down saliva, not being able to clear my dry throat.

I don’t like this.

There’s so much we don’t know.

So much that can go wrong.

For example, where are the lizards?

If they’ve been moving perpendicular with the swarm.

They should be close, close enough for our scouts to spot them.

But nothing

It’s like...

Like they’ve disappeared.

But it’s the only plan we have.

The only workable plan we have.

And the others seem like they’ve come to the same conclusion.

Many mellow faces, few jokes, stiff postures.

I don’t blame them.

I’m one of them.

The swarm is supposed to be here at any minute.

And we’ve already been waiting for the past day.

Most staying awake, even after knowing how slow they’ve been moving.

Me included.

Sleep is a fickle mistress when you hold the faith of an entire race on your simple plan.

Or multiple races

And the anger of a god.

“Hey mister Butler! Wanna see who’s the best archer?”

The human said as she merrily trotted towards me, holding a bow over her head.

“It’s you.”

I quickly answered back, already knowing the answer.

“Hey! I know I’m the best. But don’t be such a bad sport about it!”

She said, holding her bow over her chest in a in a defeated manner.

Making me chuckle slightly.

Looking to her right, I was met with disdainful eyes of a big centaur, who I just happen to call

Stupid face.

“Hello”

I said to him, feeling quiet, generous today.

Considering it might be my last.

“You don’t happen to wanna have an archery contest?”

I said, getting a raised eyebrow in response.

“He doesn’t do stuff like that, I think he’s retarded”

She said, loud enough for him to hear.

A vein bulging on his forehead, grabbing her bow in the blink of an eye.

Then let loose an arrow.

Missing the entire wall

How?

I don’t know.

But it made both of us laugh as he angrily threw the bow down on the dirt.

And if I wasn’t already aware that he was mute, I could have sworn I heard him say “Stupid mortal weapons”

“Dont be angry big guy! I’m sure you’re not retarded, just mentally deficient. ”

Pushing her tongue out, jumping away as she ran around the “Fort”. Giggling loudly as the big centaur chased after her.

Other Fauns and Centaurs laughing at their little spectacle

Me included.

Hehe

Yeah, thanks.

I think I needed that.

“ENEMIES SPOTTED!”

One Faun yelled from atop the wall, an unknown elder

But one that I’m happy is helping us. Even just ten elders are enough to ease my fears.

The rest of the garrison scrambled to their feet.

A rough wake up call, but weapons already close at hand. Fauns and centaurs already ready for something to happen.

A twisted relief washed over me.

Happy that something was finally happening.

But dreading what would happen.

The Fauns quickly ran up the hastily made earth steps. While the centaurs waited down below.

Their big bulk making it difficult for them to traverse to the top of the wall.

And the fact that they don’t use bows made it unnecessary.

They are here to be our escape route and final defence.

Making my way up the wall, joined by a smiling human. I’m suddenly blinded by the slowly rising sun as I peaked my head above the wall.

Blinking away the tears, I’m left standing stunned.

How could we miss that?

Standing on top of the twenty meter tall wall can give you a beautiful view over the landscape.

A landscape stretching further than the horizon, no mountains as far as the eye can see.

But looking a little down and forwards, as far as the eye could see.

There was darkness.

Writhing and wiggling its way forward.

A disgusting display of black.

I quickly looked to the elder, almost whispering.

“How did you miss that?”

The elder looked stunned herself, staring at the moving mass of darkness while responding.

“It was impossible to see them when it was dark... How is this possible? They are so many. How are we ever supposed-“

I ignored the rest of her words, speaking gibberish as she realised the magnitude of our enemy.

And so did I.

How are we even supposed to dent that?

Stop that?

Kill that?

Even if our little garrison fought to our last breath, each individual killing a hundred, a thousand.

We would still not even visibly shrink their numbers.

...

I get it

This is not an army.

This is a natural disaster.

As I continued staring at the disaster with wide eyes, I noticed something.

At the edges and top of the procession of the disaster. The grass was seemingly

Disappearing

Almost like it was evaporating

Gone, only to be replaced by murky dirt, then further replaced by the writhing and wiggling mass of darkness.

Continuing their way forward, towards us.

Hmm

Step one, success?

Even if they could be visibly seen.

It would still take them multiple hours to reach our maximum range.

However, it doesn’t change the fact that almost everyone was standing tense and ready.

No one daring to speak

No jokes being cracked

The only things happening were the switching of placements, trading of arrows and small nods of encouragement.

Even the human was sitting still, staring at the darkness in front of us.

A firm expression on her face, making me feel worried.

But I knew I would not have to worry about her, she’ll managed

She always does.

Instead, I focused inwards.

Trying to calm stirring thoughts

Remembering my training.

Words may be what Fauns strive for

But sometimes words fail.

And the bow is the only answer.

That is where I come in. Me and other warriors.

And on top of that, comes the elders.

A hierarchy of peace-loving warriors.

Ironic when you think about it.

Breathing in slow, my thoughts calm.

Resting on my knees as the wall beneath my feet becomes my friend

Then breathing out slow.

All my senses sharpening, widening coll-

A whoosh far above my ear, sounding like an arrow

Making me turn back, a worried expression on my face

Seeing the big centaur waving his arms wide, then stopping.

Going up to a nearby centaur, taking his sword from his hand. Ignoring the other’s loud protest.

Then leaning backwards with a sword in hand, then throwing with all his might

Making the sword whoosh through the air as it flew above me.

What the hell is he doing?

And why couldn’t he use his own sword? It’s still on his hip.

Both my brows were raised now, staring down at him with vivid confusion.

In the corner of my eye, I could see the human leaning over the wall, looking down on the big centaur.

“What is it?”

She shouted down.

And in response, the big centaur pointed down.

What?

The human looked equally confused, staring down at him with a hand on her chin.

“Down? Do you want me to come down?”

She yelled. But getting a shake in response, the big centaur pointing down again.

“Then what do you mean?”

The big centaur visibly getting frustrated, stomping his feet several times while pointing down.

I don’t get this. Does he wanna fight with us?

I looked sideways to the human, meeting an expression of deep thought.

Making me smile slightly

But asking.

“Maybe he wants to fight with us?”

She shook her head at that, seemingly just noticing me.

“Oh, erm.. No I dont think so. He’s not the kind of guy that fights...”

Letting the last of her words stretch out, going back into thought, staring down on the big centaur who continued stomping and pointing.

I took my eyes away from him, trying to think of something.

Then the human stood up. Taking my attention back on her, seeing two wide eyes.

“They are below us”

Huh.

They are wh-

Then a loud thunderous boom echoed from the middle of our “fort”.

Mud and dirt spewing out from the ground, coating the surroundings.

Forming into a giant hole, as if a giant worm had just bellowed out.

The hole was far from where we were standing, but still inside the walls.

Looking like a giant crater.

And after gawking at the hole for an entire second, something spewed out.

“Get down from the wall! We have to get the hell out of here.”

The human shouted, gathering the visibly shaken Fauns to their wits.

Creating order from confusion.

And as all were hardened warriors, they quickly recovered from the shock.

Swiftly making their way down the big wall.

Most by the makeshift stairs.

While elders were gliding down with their earth magic.

I joined them, using my poor magic to fall faster.

Inbetween using my magic and stabilising myself, I peeked at the huge crater.

And gawked.

Seeing huge, bipedal Lizards.

Taller and wider than the centaurs, holding huge mixes of giant stone axes, spears and clubs.

Hundreds of hundreds spewing from the crater.

And amongst the giant lizards stood one enormous Lizardman.

Towering above every other lizard, an entire head above them all.

A golden shine on his head, adorned with glittering emeralds and rubies.

Sapphires and diamonds.

Anything that sparkled adorned his body.

And when he pointed, the other lizards followed, running towards us.

Oh, fuck.

Scanning around me, I could see that the other elders had already made their way down.

Forming quick makeshift walls between us and the lizards, a swift and probably pointless defence.

But expertly made as they created small holes filled with spikes.

The Centaurs turned around to meet the new threat, neighing into the air as they spoke loudly to each other.

Psyching each other up before clashing with the lizards.

The Faun warriors desperately scrambled down the wall, me being one of them.

I had to stop the centaurs from fighting.

What we need to do now is flee, not fight.

I need to hurry!

This entire thing is a giant farce, a pile of shit.

Why did I let silver go?

She would have a way out of this mess

This has gone to shit.

But just as I thought that.

The human flew downwards, carried by invisible currents as she darted her way down the stairs.

Almost flying.

Being the first to make her way down to the ground.

And instantly running up to the gathered Centaurs, screaming loudly

“Dont fight! We have to go!”

One centaur turned around at her words, facing her as he screamed back.

“Where?! The Lizards block our path!”

Pointing her bow at the wall we were climbing, she quickly said

“Out there, then we’ll run around!”

One elder joined in on the conversation, still focused on building makeshift walls.

“Out there is the swarm.”

“They are still several miles away. We can run in their direction, then switch and run away!”

The lizardmen where nearing, close enough for the fauns on the stairs to start firing.

Basking our “fort“ with blood and screams.

Explosions, fire and dirt.

A second later, I found myself on solid ground, bolting in the human’s direction and shouting.

“We have to go!”

Getting the attention of a Centaur, Elder, and Human

The elder spoke first.

“Where?”

“Out, follow the Human.”

The Elders’ expression turned grim.

But nodding nonetheless, waving at the other elders to join him.

The Centaur looked equally grim, but shook his head.

“Enemy of stepp is here. Can’t run, must defend stepp”

I widened my eyes at that

Feeling an intense need to punch the centaur.

“You dense shit! You’ll die! You can figh-“

“No, stepp in danger, I must defend it.”

AAARG!

Is every centaur a stupid, dense pile of sh-

“We have to go, now!”

The human brought me out of my thoughts, pulling at my shoulder as she moved towards the wall.

I noticed her casting a glance back at the centaurs, furrowed brows, yet moist eyes. But quickly turning away.

“I can’t do earth magic. I’ll need you guys to tunnel us out.”

Elders joining up with us, Centaur running off, Fauns still sprinting down the stairs.

Noting that the big manly centaur wasn’t following the other centaurs, instead following the human.

Then I looked up towards the lizardmen.

Realising that the Fauns wouldn’t make it down the stairs before the lizardmen were upon them.

The human seemed to notice it too, quickly saying

“We’ll wait here, take up position as we hold them off.”

An elder lashed out at that, screaming.

“No! We have to go now! If we stay, we die! Who’ll inform the rest of the army? What about the plan?”

Talking in quick bursts.

I glanced at the Centaurs while he spoke, seeing them yell out a last scream before they galloped to their doom.

Swords high in the air as the very air itself started to flow with them

Making them go faster, blades going sharper, winds flying past, slicing lizards to bits.

Being brought back to the present as I noticed screaming.

“I WON'T LEAVE THEM!”

“THEN WE’LL LEAVE YOU!”

The Human and Elder screamed at each other, making me groan inwardly.

“Go! I’ll stay with the human while you inform the rest of the army.”

The Elders looked shocked at that, then worried, then horrified.

Shifting between expression within a single second.

“No-“

“You do as I say!”

I quickly added, staring down the elder that spoke.

Hesitating for a second

Then, nodding solemnly, running towards the wall with the rest of the Elders in tow.

And as the last Elder reached the wall. They created a small opening, big enough for them all to fit.

I took my eyes from them, looking back towards the Centaurs who had reached the fastest of the lizardmen.

Making me stare in a grim expression, taking out my bow and firing.

The Centaurs hacked and slashed with true skills.

Cutting limbs with practised swings.

Running down lizards taller than themselves, making them fly in all directions

As if this was just one big playground.

But the amount of lizards far outweighed their skills.

It was just a matter of time, exhaustion or bad luck before they would die.

One Centaur got jumped by a smaller lizardman, swinging an axe at the exposed back of the Centaur. Who in turn pierced his heart, only to get jumped again, and again, and again. Until he eventually fell over, the sheer weight and mass of wounds killing him.

Another got hit multiple times by weak spears, sticking small sharp stones into his body as his movements slowly dulled. Until a massive lizard used an equally massive club to mash his head.

Staring with a fixed expression, focused and calm.

Letting arrow after arrow fly out, not particularly aiming.

Imbuing arrows with explosive mana.

Firing explosion after explosion into the mass of lizards

Chunks of limbs and meat flying everywhere.

Distant explosions and flames spying forth from the mass of lizards, coming from the fauns on the walls. Who still ran with all their might.

The human was a sight to behold.

Letting arrow after arrow fly.

Not using explosive, but piercing mana to kill multiple lizards with a single arrow.

Even though the lizards were massive, they lacked any real defence.

Their scales were little to no help against our skill, training, and huge amounts of mana.

But their numbers kept on swelling.

The huge golden and glittering lizardman still standing by the crater.

Pointing in random directions while speaking to unseeable lizards.

And about thirty seconds later, the first lizardmen reached the makeshift wall.

Quickly breaking it down and falling headfirst into a spike, instantly dying.

I peeked over my shoulder, seeing that the fauns wouldn’t make it down before the Llzards made it to the walls.

Some fauns even noticing it too, instead running up while firing.

This is taking too long.

We’ll die at this rate.

Quickly looking around, searching for any options.

Feeling the clock ticking.

Think.

Come on.

Think!

...

But nothing came to mind.

I turned my gaze to the human

Feeling a deep and cutting sorrow welling up in my heart.

But I knew it was my only choice, my only chance.

I need to do this.

Taking a deep breath, ignoring my surroundings.

Feeling my thoughts go blank.

Focusing on her.

Quickly grabbing her arm and pulling her towards the wall.

She took a few seconds to realise what was happening, looking at me then down at my hand, saying

“What are you doing?”

But I did not answer, taking firm and hard steps towards the wall. Using magic to reinforce my limbs. Quickly closing the distance.

“Let me go!”

She yelled, trying to push me away. Finding my steel hard hands, as if she were trying to push a mountain

“I SAID LET ME GO!”

She screamed, punching my arm hard.

But yet again, she met steel.

And then we were by the wall, near the hole that the elders had made

Dragging her into it.

She was kicking and screaming at me now, making me taste blood.

But I continued marching forwards.

Dead set on my task

Dead set on saving her.

I glanced behind me, seeing the big manly centaur following close behind.

Just as I had hoped.

The key to this.

I locked eyes with him, keeping a firm grip on her shoulder as we continued marching outside the walls.

Whispering

“Take her to safety.”

To which he looked down on me with a neutral expression

Nodding, not giving me any sign of what he was feeling.

Even hearing me should have been impossible.

But that was fine.

This is fine.

She’ll be fine

And before I could reach the end of the tunnel, I threw her before me

Closing the tunnel between us.

Making her, and the big centaur, stuck on the outside.

Hearing the wails and screams of her pounding hands.

My heart crying.

Eyes bleeding.

And body quivering.

This is fine.

She’ll be fine.

She’s so strong.

Turning back from the tunnel, I bolted down it.

Quickly making it outside

Yelling out

“UP THE WALL!”

Getting the attention of a few fauns who had got down.

The lizardmen where close now

I could see no more Centaurs

All washed away in the storm of lizards.

I grimaced at that, but moved quickly to the wall.

Waving the Fauns near me.

Letting out a few unpowered arrows and slaying a few lizardmen

I was surrounded by seven Fauns

Four were not fast enough as they were brutally gutted, stomped and sliced to bits.

Closing my eyes, I focused on the ground.

Then let the ground take us, pushing us upwards. Lifted by a dirt platform.

And just three seconds later, a group of lizardmen tackled the bottom of our platform.

Using their massive claws and arms to climb it.

But only getting a face full of arrows.

But I found it hard to focus on that as I let my mana flow to the ground.

Pushing us further and further up

Further

Go

Furt-

A tug at my arm, letting my eyes shoot open.

I could see that we were close to the top of the wall.

The other Fauns had jumped off to climb the last meter with their sturdy hooves.

I mimicked their actions, climbing up.

Glancing down, I could see a horde of lizardmen at the bottom of the wall.

Some climbing it, some running up the stairs.

A few brave Fauns had taken up a chokepoint by the middle point of the stairs as their fellow brethren ran up again.

Feeling myself getting dragged up, I turned around to let loose arrow after arrow on the lizardmen below.

Imbuing mana, and then more mana

Slugging chunks of wall down

Forming spears to toss

Explosion after explosion

Arrow after arrow.

More came

And then more.

The Fauns by the middle point getting pushed over.

Stomped to a fine mush.

But we kept shooting.

Lizardmen falling left and right.

But they kept coming.

Brains flying, bones getting used as shrapnel.

Bodies piling as they blocked the way for the others.

Just to be tossed aside, only for the next lizard to get shot and killed.

Arrow after arrow, we shot and shot

Arrow aft-

Empty

It was empty

I turned to a Faun by my side, asking.

“Arrows!?”

Who looked at me with sad eyes.

Shaking his head as he dropped his bow down to the mass of lizardmen below. Sitting down on the edge, letting his hands fall on his face.

I turned to my other side, being met by a shake of the head.

A little further away, one Faun broke her bow. Sharpening it the best she could.

Then another, and another.

All running out, no arrows left.

One pulled off his horn, using it as a bloodied, makeshift weapon.

One jumped off the other side.

Focusing my eyes on the lizardmen below, I could see them clambering their way up

So very close

Just a few meters left.

Some Fauns had taken up shop at the end of the stairs

Holding bleeding horns or broken bows.

Others just held their hands up.

Time slowed as the lizardmen collided with the Fauns

Pushing them away like a rock hitting water

I stared, standing so still

My thoughts

A peaceful white

Finding thoughts drawn to someone

Someone precious

I made my way to the end of the wall.

A mass of darkness in the distance

Close now

Awfully close

But looking down, I could see her

In the arms of the big Centaur

Running away at high speeds

Yes

This is fine

She’s fine

This is all right.

Then a hot pain shot through my stomach

And I felt myself falling.

This

Is fine.

She’ll be all right