As we run towards the undead we are forcibly stopped by an unknown force.

“Why can’t I move?”(Xyrra)

“I don’t know my goddess. I am not able to move either.”(Eslise)

(I am sorry Xyrra but I can’t let you interfere. This is something the mortals will have to solve themselves.) – Ziella

“Why big sister! They need our help they can't fight this many undead on their own.”(Xyrra)

(we have already interfered too much. I have already been summoned to be questioned by the lower chamber of the god's judiciary authority. We may have interfered too much already I can’t let you interfere anymore unless it is a threat to the balance or life of this world. The mortals will have to defend themselves. I am sorry Xyrra but I can’t do anything.) – Ziella

“I understand big sister I don’t want to put you or our sisters in any trouble but I don’t want the mortals to be harmed.”(Xyrra)

What should I do?

“Goddess Xyrra what should we do?”(Mortal)

While I was talking to Ziella a group of mortals approached me without my notice. The leader of the group is a man who looks to be in his forties with rabbit-like ears and a tail.

“I am sorry young ones but I am not able to help you we have already overstepped the line in how much we are allowed to help you.”(Xyrra)

“Do not worry goddess Xyrra. You and your sisters have helped us so much already. It is time that we help ourselves we cannot keep relying on you. While we were in the sanctuary we all learnt the basics of how to fight us and our ancestors have been making weapons so that we can fight if needed and now is the time. Some of us have even been practising magic which may be helpful in battle.”(Rabbit man)

I look down at them all and I can see the determination and bravery in their eyes. Even if I told them not to they would probably still do it. I lower myself to the leader's height and put my hand on his head.

“You are so young yet so brave. If it was my choice I wouldn’t let you fight for another at least five thousand years but we don’t have the luxury of time at the moment. Be careful prepare yourselves and come back victorious.”(Xyrra)

I stand up and look towards the undead. They are slow but are getting closer.

“You should go and prepare they will be here soon. Go young ones and prepare yourselves.”(Xyrra)

Without reply, the mortals leave running to go and prepare.

“Goddess do you think they will be able to defend themselves?”(Eslise)

“I do not know Eslise. Fate is a fickle thing. Fate may have decided that this is the time for them to leave this world if so they will be remembered as heroes and defenders of their people. If fate has decided it is not their time then they will be the ones remembering and carrying on the stories and legends of the heroically fallen. All we can do is wait and see.”(Xyrra)

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The undead are a lot slower than I thought they would be. Maybe it’s due to their number? Does that slow them down? I don’t know why it would. It has been about half an hour and the mortals have been able to make a makeshift barrier using simple earth magic and whatever they can find. They are now all standing in rows behind the barrier currently at the front are their archers and the few who can use offensive magic. The rest behind all are holding stone spears with the most experienced at the front.

The rabbit man who spoke to me earlier is at the front leading them. He seems to be the most experienced fighter among them and their de facto leader in all matters to do with fighting or hunting.

I am currently standing away from them and the undead with Xituna, Xecra and the divine helpers. The undead are nearly within bow range.

“DRAW BOWS.”(Rabbit man)

As he shouts the order all of the archers at the front draw their simple bows ready for the first volley.

“LOOSE ARROWS!”(Rabbit man)

Immediately a dense volley of arrows is released toward the undead. Many of the arrows miss but the out of the ones that do hit most have no effect. However, some of the zombies fall finally being able to rest in peace.

“LOOSE NEXT VOLLEY”(Rabbit man)

Another volley of arrows flies towards the undead with similar results.

“AGAIN, LOOSE ARROWS! FIRE A VOLLEY OF MAGIC.”(Rabbit man)

Like the last two times, the arrows have little effect, but the magic has much for success. From the front ranks flies a volley of zombie burning fire, bone-splitting rock and shredding ice.

“Fire at will!”(Rabbit man)

As the undead get closer they start to fire as fast as they can. At the closer range making it easier to hit and now with the magic the undead start dropping like flies. The first zombies set on fire have spread the fire to others. They now have skeletons and burning zombies coming toward them. That might not be good it doesn’t look like the fire on its own is enough to kill them quick enough.

-----

This continues for a few more minutes until something unexpected happens. The undead start running. They are now charging down the final stretch closing the distance faster than expected.

“SWITCH RANKS”(Rabbit man)

At his order, the archers and magic users move back letting the spearman get to the front. Finally the undead crash into the wall of spears impaling themselves on them. Held back by the makeshift wall the undead are stopped allowing the spearman to pick them off from behind the barrier. However, the sheer number of undead causes them to start to overcome the barrier.

“WE CAN NOT LOSE HERE THIS IS OUR FIRST FIGHT WE CANNOT FALTER.”(Rabbit man)

““HUZZAH!””(Mortals)

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For hours both sides clash against each other. By now the undead has broken the makeshift barrier pushing the mortals back but not at the cost of their numbers. The undead has been steadily whittled down quicker and quicker as the mortals work out their weak points. As they move back the land they leave behind is covered with burnt flesh shattered bones and the bodies of the heroic mortals who had fought for their and everyone else’s lives.

As the last undead falls the battlefield goes silent not even the sound of the wind can be heard. The survivors stand where they are until the silence is broken.

““HUZZAH!””

“WE ARE VICTORIOUS WE HAVE DEFEATED THE UNDEAD THREAT. WE HAVE PROVEN THAT WE CAN DEFEND OURSELVES, WE HAVE PROVEN THAT WE CAN STAND ON OUR OWN. WITH THIS WE CAN REBUILD. WE CAN REBUILD THE WORLD TOLD TO USE IN THE STORIES OF OUR ANCESTORS WE CAN BRING BACK THE GLORY THAT THIS WORLD USED TO HAVE. BUT FIRST WE REST AND BURY THE DEAD AS THE HEROES THEY ARE AND REMEMBER THEM FOR ALL ETERNITY.”(Rabbit man)

They have won. It looks like fate has decided that this will not be the end for them. That rabbit man is a good and inspirational leader. I should probably ask him for his name I think he will go far in the future.