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Otis took a few steps back, his breath ragged. Michelle helped steady Otis as he came out of his daze. “An attack is coming. The Gray Man is coming.” He panted. “Some will arrive by nightfall.”

“Michelle take the lion and go scout the enemy! I want to know their level, distance and numbers! We need to know what we are dealing with.” Milo and Michelle dashed from the training area as soon as the Captain spat out the orders. He turned to Otis. “Violam gather the townsfolk and bring them here. I will get us combat ready.”

[4:342:22:02:12]

The sun had begun to set and soon it would be night fall. The rapid movement of the large force had cause dust covered the sky to the North. The townsfolk of Flower Hill village gathered at their Northern gate. It had been several hours since Otis had received the warning. They had done what they could to secure the village from the incoming invaders. All other gates to the town have been shut and barricades have been placed in front of the Northern gate to slow their progress.

“Do you all know your duties?” The Captain stood tall in front of the group.

“Yes, Captain.” They answered in unison.

“Leslie, hand out the potions. Health to the main melee force of Michelle, Joanna and the Lion. Give the mana potions to Violam, the mages and the priest.”

[Leslie Tiller Level 21 - Grand Alchemist]

“I am getting paid for this right? Wasting my good potions! If any of you die you will be donating your bodies to science.” The Alchemist mumbled a few more complaints and begrudgingly handed out her potions.

“You can put it on the mayor’s tab. So hurry up.” The Captain ignored the complaint. He leaned against the wooden fence as he began to polish and sharpen his [Captain’s Long Sword].

Otis interrupted the Captain’s battle ritual. “Captain, I am strong. I can fight out in the field too.”

Captain Trevino sighed. “Violam you have your orders. Do as you’re told.”

“That’s right. It’s too dangerous for a child out there. You need to stay in the back like the Captain told you.” Maggie chimed in. She was not thrilled about Otis being a part of the defenses to begin with and she was definitely not going to allow him to be a part of the melee force.

“Look Violam. Your job is important, far more important than theirs. I need you with the mages. I need that fire magic that you used against me so well to push them back. We need to keep the enemy in the box.”

“Box?” Otis looked confused.

“Yes the box.” Captain Trevino leaned over and used his knife to draw a square on the ground. “Michelle will harry their western flanks, while Joanna their eastern. The Lion will plug the holes and press them forward.” He pointed out their positions around the box while he explained.

“You and Lawrence will bombard them with fire magic to push them back into the box. This will also help prevent them from entering the town. Millicent will be casting her strongest Ice Magic, [Blizzard Hell], over the center of the box.” Captain Trevino scratched an X into the center of his diagram. “But your most important job is to use telepathy to keep me in contact with the lion.” He paused to look out to the dirty sky. “You will also help me secure the Northern Gate if something goes wrong and something always goes wrong. Any chance your bird will come back?”

Otis shook his head. "No, he has gone south to warn his clan."

“Don’t worry you have my high level fire magic.” Lawrence, the Fire Mage boasted. “Besides Michelle said that they only range from level 10 to 20. We will make short work of them.” Otis did not know where he got his confidence from but he had found it oddly reassuring. Even if Larry had the lowest level of the adults.

“You are probably right. Brother could handle all five hundred of them himself.” Otis added as he finished putting on the leather armor that the Captain given him earlier. He tested its flexibility he figured that leather suited him well. It was a plain set of leather armor meant for town guards. The most noticeable thing on his armor was the spaulders. They were black leather instead of brown like the guard armor. On his non blade arm it was much larger and had bent steel plates. This piece of armor came from Joanna the Blacksmith. Milo had used the [Mana Crystals] he gathered from Otis’s hunt to commission a set of armor and weapons. The spaulders are the only complete piece of the set.

An annoyed expression passed over Captain Trevino’s face. “We cannot always rely on the Lion's strength. So just do as you are told and keep alert.”

[4:342:21:02:12]

“Violam, do you have any word from the Lion yet?” The Captain questions him again. His patience was wearing thin.

“No he has to be in sight before I can communicate with him.” Everyone had moved into their positions. The three in charge of melee were currently following behind the enemy.

“Anticipation of a fight is always worse than the fight itself.” Captain Trevino mumbled to himself.

“I have word from Brother. The horde is beginning to pick up pace, they will be upon us soon. He believes that they were planning to catch us unaware. Now that the sun is about to they are initiating their attack.”

Captain Trevino raised his voice. “Did you hear? Our enemies will be here shortly. Let’s prepare a warm greeting for their arrival. Priest cast heals at your own discretion and do not forget to raise your barriers to stop any projectiles.”

“Brother and the others have begun their attacks and are funneling them to the North Gate.” Otis hefted his Mage staff that was given to him by Maggie. She said it would increase his spell distance and damage. There was something about the staff that he could not explain. It made him feel more in touch with the elements. He had a greater understanding of them than before and the elements were more willing to follow his commands. Maggie explained that the staff will work as a conduit for his magic. Human mages have a poor connection to the elements. Staves and wands will help bridge the gap to build that connection.

Otis split his mind into two. One to work with the Captain and observe the battlefield. The second to cast and analyze his [Fire Bolt]. “Captain they have entered the kill zone.”

“Tell the Lion to hit the ranged attackers first. Fire mages stagger your attacks and fire on my command!” He yelled.

Sweat and anticipation dripped from Otis. He could now make out the figures in the distance. They were large beast but most stood up right. He could not see their features but he felt their killing intent and the red aura that emanated from their ashen bodies.

“Fire!”

Otis began his cast a short moment after he noticed Larry started his. “Flaming Meteor!” The Fire Mage shouted as the gigantic ball of fire arced through the sky. A moment later Otis’s [Fire Bolt] shot out from the Northern Gate. Its size only a tenth of the [Flaming Meteor]. Before it landed Otis began to cast again.

[-240]

[-230]

[-156]

[-248]

[-224]

Otis’s magic landed, it knocked back many of the approaching beast. “Lawrence mind your placement. We need to knock them back not scatter them.” The Captain chided him. Larry’s magic landed in the middle of the first ranks scattering them in all directions.

“What does it matter they are all dead?” Larry paused his cast to question the Captain’s orders.

The Captain clucked his tongue. “Millicent begin the blizzard!” Maggie used the barricade furthest away as a target. The wind began to spiral and howl. Lightning arced through the sky as the freezing rain lanced through the enemy. Over time they began to move at a snail's pace and became isolated in the Captain’s box.

Their numbers fell rapidly. Any who made it through the icy wasteland met a burning death on the other side. Otis contributed to many of their deaths throughout the battle causing him to gain a level but this was not nearly as important as the revelations he made while casting his [Fire Bolt].

After his first three casts he earned [Fire Affinity]. His knowledge of fire magic increased exponentially. His control of the flames strengthened and the flames burned hotter. The heat that radiated from his [Fire Bolt] was equal to or greater than the heat of Larry’s [Flaming Meteor]. Soon he was doing double the damage with the same mana cost.

He also felt other elements within his [Fire Bolt]. First, he felt the earth at the core of the [Fire Bolt]. During the cast he felt tiny bits of earth gathering into a ball, compressed and then set a flame. Otis decided to play an active role in the earth balls creation. At this revelation he earned [Earth Affinity]. He gathered more of the Earth. He changed it composition making it more stone than dirt. He fired it at the enemy.

It was no longer a [Fire Bolt] or even a [Flaming Meteor]. Those two paled in comparison to what he had just created. It crashed into the ground. Vibrations could be felt at the Northern gate from its explosion. It broke the other mages concentration interrupting their cast. The priest could not steady himself and tumbled to the floor.

“Violam! What was that” The Captain shouted

“I don’t know my other mind must be experimenting.” Otis was at a loss. Hey watch it! Are you trying to kill us? He spoke to his second mind.

What are you talking about? His second mind responded.

That [Fire Bolt] just now almost ruined our plans. He was surprised it actually spoke back.

Okay okay. Just be quiet. I am working on something. Otis felt his second mind put up a wall between the two. Otis was about to tear down the wall when he was stirred from his thoughts.

“Violam do not do that again! Everyone back to positions! There is still a good 200 left!” The Captain shouted.

“I assure you it will not happen again.” Otis looked at the fire magic that his other mind was currently creating. The flame was no longer red instead it was closer to yellow.

“Uhh Captain you may want to step back.”

“What is it now?” Captain looked down at Otis. His eyes opened wide as he retreated a few steps from Otis’s side.

The heat emitted from the magic was intense. Luckily for Otis and the others the heat had been directed forward. The fire magic launched like a rocket. A terrible high pitched sound trailed the rocket as it sped towards the battle leaving flames on the ground in its wake. The rocket passed Larry’s [Flaming Meteor] as if it was standing still. Otis’s fire magic drilled through the battlefield without stopping. The Fire Rocket incinerated every beast in its path as it continued to fly towards the horizon. Otis could not even read the thirty to forty numbers that flashed into his vision. He decided that he would call this creation of his second mind a Fire Rocket.

The Captain rubbed his forehead, his eyebrows bent in consternation. “Are trying to make this as difficult as possible?”

Otis gave a hollow laugh another one of second mind’s fire magic rocketed away. “At least there is less enemies to deal with now.”

“And what if you hit one of our own? Do you think they can dodge...that?” He gestured to the fire rocket that just launched away.

Otis sent a message to Milo. “Brother is fine. He laughed at the thought of that killing him. He says there is a pack of wolves having back observing the battle. What do you want to do?”

“It must be a scouting party. They are judging our defenses. I want you to launch your fire magic at them. Tell the lion to take them out. They must not escape.”

Lawrence ran up to the Captain. His body was trembling with exhaustion and his robe soaked with sweat. “I am out of mana! I cannot cast anymore. I feel as if I am going to die.” Meanwhile Otis had continued launching Fire Rockets and relayed the message to Milo.

“Go to the priest see if he can relieve your pain.” The Captain doubted anything could be done for the Fire Mage outside of sleep. He turned to Otis. The spot between his shoulder blades itched for battle he had sat out of this one for too long. “Violam stop casting you are with me. Let’s clean up the mess.”

Otis merged his mind and stopped his magic. The feeling was a bit strange to instantly gain knowledge and memories of his other mind. There was also a strange mix of emotions too. He was angry with himself for being so reckless but also annoyed at himself for interrupting that reckless experiment. He was happy for the success and scared of the results.

Otis and Captain Trevino made quick work of the enemies that escaped from Maggie's’ [Blizzard Hell]. Otis made his way back to the Captain. “Brother reported that the alpha survived.”

Captain Trevino’s face looked as if he ate something sour. “Fine. Go tell Maggie to stop her magic. Then tell the lion to bring the others back.”

[4:342:19:26:53]

“Tosser! Were you trying to kill us?” The huntress punched the ragged looking Fire Mage.

“What are you talking about?” Lawrence asked before she could hit him again.

She looked down on the Fire Mage. Her hands clenched into fists. “I am talking about that bit of Fire Magic that you decided to drop on our heads!”

“That wasn’t me.” He tripped backwards in an attempt to distance himself from the raving woman.

“If not you then who would be so stupid…” The groups eyes fell on the silent Otis.

Otis knew he was caught. “I am sorry I did it by accident.” He relied on his boyish innocence. “I really didn’t mean to. It was an accident I promise.” He glanced at Maggie. She was nodding in approval and her arms opened up for an embrace. He was in the clear. Maggie would come in and save the day.

Michelle let out a sarcastic laugh. “We aren’t falling for that one. There is no way that...whatever it was...was just an accident. It left a crater in the ground. It broke my favorite bow!”

“I do believe Otis did it by accident.” The Captain spoke in his defense. “But accidents do not belong on the battlefield and we will be under attack again.”

[Mayor Dennis Gardner Level 5 (NPC) - Mayor of Flower Hill]

“What makes you say that?” The town mayor had arrived a little earlier with some food and water.

“This was just a scouting party testing our defenses.” The Captain began to remove his breast plate.

“A scouting party of 500 soldiers?”

“Yes. They would have ended us then if they could but since they could not they planned to report it back to their leadership.”

“Leadership? They were just beast.” The mayor stared at the Captain in disbelief.

Michelle stepped forward. “They were not just beast. There were some that were almost man but with beast heads or human heads with beast bodies. Some were beast I had never seen before. They stood on two legs and had lizard like skin. There were also Orcs and trolls mixed in. They had ranks and order.” She shook her head at a loss.

“Yes and the Lion spotted a pack of wolves that were observing the battle. He intercepted them but the leader still was able to flee. So I believe they will be back and in greater numbers.”

[Counselor Maryann Smithson - One of the Council of Seven]

“So sounds like we need to increase our defenses. This wooden wall will just not do and since our little one here caused so much trouble.” She handed Otis one of the cookies she brought to the gathering and patted him on the head. “I think a little manual labor will do him some good. The way I see it we need some stone walls built.”

Michelle snickered at Otis’s punishment. “Oh and huntress. Since you like to go around punching and wrongfully accusing our good townsfolk of things. Why don’t you join Violam?”

Michelle eyed the old woman. She never trusted the Counselor. She always felt the woman had some hidden agenda. “Sorry I am going to decline that offer. I have hunting to do you know.”

“Oh I am sorry dear. You have no choice in the matter.” The Counselor turned towards Captain Trevino. “I will leave the planning to you. All Flower Hill citizens will help in building the city walls and solidifying our defenses. I suggest you begin immediately.”

[4:298:05:48:40]

“Do you know how much I hate you for making me do this?” The young athletic woman complained. She dropped another stone in the pile.

“Oh you are just saying that. You love spending time with me.” The stone lifted off the ground floated towards the young man. As the stone floated in the air it changed shape until it became a cuboid that looked similar to a brick in his previous world. He laid this brick on the wall.

Michelle snorted. “Who would want to spend time with a brat like you? I have better things to do with my spare time than spending it with you building this ruddy wall.” The two of them had been working on the town’s defensive walls for over a month. Others had contributed to building the wall but not nearly as much as Michelle and Otis. This was their punishment after all.

“Like what? Drinking at Lang’s Tavern again?” Otis continued his work. They had almost finished the first section of the wall. Their first attempts at construction had been easily destroyed by the weekly attacks. Now in the completed sections of the wall stood 20 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Otis’s Earth Magic contributed the most to its speedy construction.

“And what is wrong with that? Drinking is an important social activity. You just don’t understand since you are still a child.” She held her head up and looked down on Otis with one eye.

Otis paused his magic a moment to look at the young Huntress. He raised his eyebrow. “You know your haughty attitude does not work when you are covered in dirt and mud. Besides when was the last time you drank with anyone else?”

“Huk.” A slight sound escaped Michelle lips as her shoulders tensed. Otis had hit a sore subject. “How am I supposed to drink with anyone if I am stuck here at all hours? When I can squeeze in a drink no one else is drinking!”

“Oh so you like to drink by yourself?” Otis questioned.

“That is not what I said and you know it!” Michelle stomped her foot down.

“I have seen you drink. I can understand that you would not want to show anyone that shameful appearance.” Otis’s smile grew wider as he spoke. He eyes glossed over as he seemed to recall a pleasant memory.

“What are you talking about? I only get a bit...loud.” Michelle’s eyebrow rose as she seemed to realize something. “And I have never seen you at Lang’s in the morning?”

Otis realized he may have said too much. He could not tell her that he cast shadow magic over himself so he could laugh at her slovenly appearance. “Uhh I am there in the mornings too. You were too drunk to notice.”

Michelle’s eyes narrowed as she stared at the young man. “I am still the Huntress you know. If you were just sitting there, I would have noticed. You have been secretly spying on me, haven’t you?”

“N-never. Like I said you were too drunk.” Otis stuttered as he tried to focus back on his work at hand. He tried his best to appear unfazed by Michelle’s accusation.

“You did not have to sit by yourself in the shadows. My little Violam if you wanted to join me for a drink you could have.” Her smile grew wide. Due to the turn of events she could hardly contain herself. “Oh but I guess you are still too young.”

This time is was Otis’s turn to tense up as Michelle guessed correctly. “I am taller than you now and I can drink at the bar if I want too.”

The huntress let out a condescending laugh. “Yea only if Millicent is not around.”

“Hey you are afraid of her too.”

“No I am not! I am the Huntress. Like I could fear some silly old mage.” Michelle stood a little taller her clothes still full of dirt as she carried another rock to Otis.

“Ok sure. My dear Huntress.” Otis passively answered as he focused building the wall.

A few minutes passed as the two continued their work in silence.

“You can call me Otis.” The young man interrupted their silence.

“What?”

“Earlier you called me Violam. I would prefer if you called me Otis. That is my real name.” Otis tried to sound unconcerned. He was tired of being called Violam by the townspeople but was afraid to correct them since they do not have their original memories. He and Milo were no closer now to solving that mystery than they were when they first arrive in Vilenna.

“What are you talking about? I have always called you Violam since you were a child. Since when was Otis your real name?” Michelle stood there in disbelief.

“It was my name before I came to this place.” Otis still feigned his unconcerned expression.

“You’re weird. Who else calls you Otis?”

“It would just be you and Milo.” He responded.

“Who?” Confusion was written on Michelle face.

“Oh right I mean Rylor.”

Michelle’s confusion transformed into a wide smile. “Aw that’s cute you guys have secret names for each other. Should I make one up for myself?”

“No. Your name has always been Michelle. Isn’t that right Milo?” Otis felt Milo’s presence as the Shadow Lion appeared behind him.

“Yes, your name has always been Michelle.” The Shadow Lion was disappointed that he was not able to sneak up on Otis. He had not been able to play any pranks on his Apprentice for a few months. Milo did not like the feeling, it made him itchy.

“Oh so you two do have secret names!” Michelle laughed and pointed at the two. “You guys are too cute. Are you trying to invite me into your little club?”

Milo’s face twisted into an evil smile. “Hey Little Brother. I have been wondering, why are you making this little girl carry all these heavy rocks? Her appearance is pretty poor, you know? She is covered in dirt and mud and isn’t that a stick in her hair?” Milo paused for a moment as the Huntress tried to fix her hair. “Couldn’t you just bring them over with magic? Why does she even need to be here?”

Otis immediately stopped his magic. He looked at Milo then to Michelle then back again. He slowly edged his way back away from the Huntress. He could see her face drain to a deathly pale as she listened to the Lion.

As the realization dawned on her color flooded back into her cheeks, her face burned red with anger. “OTIS! I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!”

Before she had even shouted his name Otis fled the area.

“Oh no. You cannot run from me!” The Huntress pulled back her hair and hefted her new bow on to her shoulder. “I am going to hunt you down and when I find you I am going to skin you alive!”

Milo stood at the newly built wall laughing at the other two's misfortune. He continued to laugh as he picked up the stone Otis left behind.

Milo stopped laughing as a jolt ran up his spine. The Shadow Lion looked at the 20 foot wall and began his lonely work.

[3:324:05:48:40]

“We have bats incoming!” The Fire Mage shouted into the [Mana Crystal] enhanced copper funnel. His voice could be easily heard by the entire Flower Hill Village. The Fire Mage standing on top of the Watch Tower cast a [Fire Flare]. It was a magic that burned incredibly bright, it illuminated the town and the incoming enemy.

“Gods! Why is it always on my watch?” The man cried out in horror. He lifted the copper funnel to his lips once again. “Thousands of them. Bats, lizard-birds, insects and Canaries!”

“Thousands? How many Canaries? Are there any ground troops?” The Captain shouted at Lawrence.

“I can’t tell. They blot out the sky!” Larry shook his head.

“Damn. Move over I am coming up.” Captain Trevino made his way up to the Watchtower. “Lion, go scout their ground troops and make sure you are not seen!” The Captain did not know if Milo was there he just assumed he was. Milo always seemed to be where the Captain needed him.

“Yes Captain.” Milo had not even appeared when he spoke and immediately left the area.

“If we have Canaries we need Violam. Go get him Lawrence.” Captain Trevino looked over the plains on the North Side of the Village trying to ascertain the number of enemy.

“I am already here. How many Canaries?” Otis hated Canaries. They had decimated Flower Hill’s livestock over the last year. In the attack last week Farmer Dan had lost an arm to them. If a limb is smashed or severed the Priest can heal it but after the Canary attack Dan had nothing left from his right shoulder down.

Otis thought that if you took piranhas out of the water covered them in feathers and gave them the ability to eat anything you would be close to having a Canary. They have very short beaks filled with razor sharp teeth and if you did not look closely they would just look like ordinary birds. The first Canary attack on the village came by surprise.

One day a tree in the center of town was covered in yellow birds singing a beautiful song. The birds were like the rabbits in the forest. They had close to no physical defense and also do not display a level over their heads. Later the residents learned that the birds have an extraordinary resistance to the elements. It was not uncommon to have animals in this world that were completely normal especially birds.

Milo was the only one who alarmed by their presence. If it was not for his shout in alarm everyone would have died that day.

A cold sweat covered the Fire Mage's brow. He fired his magic into the oncoming horde of flying creatures. Excitement flashed on his face as the flaming mass was within a few feet of the enemy. At this moment a large group of yellow birds darted for the magic. They covered the entire flaming ball and began to feast. They ate the fire, the earth and any traces of mana left in the magic. Afterwards the birds moved in a frenzied pace some had even gained in size. When Canaries feast on magic they grow stronger, faster and more ravenous.

Lawrence’s complexion immediately paled. “There must be hundreds of them.” He whispered to himself.

“Fool! Don’t waste your magic you are only making it worse!” Captain Trevino pushed him to the back of the watchtower to stop him from doing anything else.

“Violam. I am sorry we are going to have to rely on you in the watchtower. We have Canaries and cannot afford to let you be in the battlefield.”

“I understand.” After a year of battle Otis had become less excited about fighting and killing. His dreams were no longer of battle and glory but of a quiet evening spent reading those histories in the library.

“Lawrence go tell Millicent to come to this Tower. You, the priest and the Huntress will man the second tower.” The Captain pointed to the tower opposite their own on the Northern Gate. “You will fire on my command and only my command. Now go!”

The Fire Mage scurried down the ladder. The Captain with a steadfast expression watched the incoming mass of beast. They were waiting for something and seemed to be in no rush for battle. Waiting for what? Captain Trevino did not know.

“Sometimes I wonder if we should have built this wall. They never sent the flying beast until we finished it. It is like they are just toying with us.” The Captain paused for a few moments. “Violam when everyone is in position do your thing.”

“Yes sir. Will everyone else be okay? Will Dan be okay?”

The Captain’s body shook. “They know...” He looked down at the ground. “He knows his duties. The Mayor should have taken the non-fighters to the bunker by now and Joanna is on guard tonight.” The Captain eyed the boy. He was no longer the boy he was last year, he thought. Otis was now taller than the Captain. Otis looked and acted closer to seventeen than he did his actual age.

“Captain, Brother says there is no signs of infantry.” The Captain nodded in response.

Millicent climbed the ladder onto the tower platform. “We are all in position.”

Captain Trevino kept his eyes on the enemy. “Good. We are waiting on you Violam.”

When Otis learned the [Divine Dragon Language] he had gained a new organ. That first Canary attack allowed Otis to figure out its purpose. Otis inhaled deep, filling his lungs with air far past any human's capacity. He push his mana into that organ and the mana fused with his breathe.

The young man arched his back as the dragon’s roar left his body. This was the last component of the [Divine Dragon Language]. The domination of will.

[-1000 MP]

The ground rumbled as the invisible force spread through the sky. Any and all things below Otis’s level lost consciousness. The Canaries and a few of the other flying beast fell from the sky.

“Now at least we know that everything else is level 21 or greater.” Millicent mumbled.

Captain Trevino brought the copper funnel to his lips. “Fire at the fallen!” He motioned to Otis. “Focus on healing and barriers. Do not use too much Mana on attacks. I will let you know if more Canaries appear.”

Otis raised a barrier over his watchtower. The Mages and the Huntress attacked the flying beast. They were outnumbered but the watchtowers were completely stocked with potions. As long as the barriers held Captain Trevino estimated that they could fight for four days without break. After four days the stamina potions would no longer have any effect and in the end they would be overrun.

Otis had split his mind one focusing on attack magic the other on healing. Working with the two magic’s at once, instead of casting his own attack magic he increased the ferocity of Maggie’s [Blizzard Hell]. He caused the winds to howl as the rotation of the Hurricane reached a higher level then it could with Maggie alone. The freezing rain became full ice shards and the ground froze as he suppressed the temperature. The hellish storm grabbed the flying beast. It smashed, ground and ate the beast until their dead and broken bodies fell from the sky.

Any beast that escaped above the clouds met the Fire Mage’s [Reign of Fire]. Tens of flaming boulders pierced the sky as they plummeted to the earth. The lizard-birds that reached the altitude above the storm scream in terror. The relentless falling rocks crushed their lizard-bird flock.

The insects reached the barrier first. Many of them smashed into Otis’s barrier causing their own death. Their low Health Points could not withstand the collision but their suicide run still accomplished its purpose. Otis’s barrier could only withstand 550 damage and was significantly weakened. He immediately reinforced it with a second barrier. Barriers were different than the attack magic that Otis used. It was much easier and Mana efficient for Otis to use the Active Skill he had learned in the Library.

[Holy Light Barrier]

[-110 MP]

The Captain took the initiative to stop the next wave of bugs. The Captain slid his leg forward as he took his battle stance. Like an unwinding coil the sword slashed horizontally letting out a tiger’s growl that ripped through the watchtower. Three blades of sword energy shot through the oncoming bugs.

“Captain, ground infantry is approaching. Brother has already engaged and will delay them as long as possible.” Otis shouted at the Captain.

The Ice Mage’s [Blizzard Hell] began to weaken. “We have more Canaries! My Blizzard will not hold out much longer!” A panicked Maggie yelled.

“Violam! Do it!” The Captain shouted as he panted attempting to catch his breathe.

Otis had begun to gather his breath even before the Captain's command. Otis raised his head and roared. Thousands of beast dropped from the sky and many fainted in the infantry.

A roar from the beast army answered in response. The group on the watchtower paled, a cold sweat ran down their backs. “What was that?” Maggie asked.

An image came into Otis’s mind. A large black dragon, fire streaking out into the night’s sky.

“F-fire Dragon. Brother says it’s a Fire Dragon.” Otis stuttered.

“What is that sound? Thunder?” Maggie asked as the walls began to rumble and shake.

“OUT OF THE WATCHTOWERS!” The Captain grabbed the Ice Mage and leapt from the window. Otis followed after him.

A fire ball arced through the aerial beast killing most of them before slamming into the second guard tower. The terrifying explosion swept Otis up in mid fall throwing him through the wall of the nearest building.