“Dear Mom, Dad, Sis, Bro, whoever’s reading.

My friends are coming to visit over break! There’s two of them, one’s a half elf, the other’s from Melton! I’ll be honest, I don’t know the two of them that well but they’ve been kind and I still remember you (specifically mama, papa) telling me that I could roam around town on holiday only if I brought home friends. So I have held up my end of the bargain and invited friends.

But as per our previous correspondence, I’ll be back soon! I’m taking a ferry today and will be sailing over after a day and a few hours journey. My friends will arrive closer to Saint’s Day though. So please let me show them around town? Preferably without a chaperone or a minimal presence, please?

Love you all,

Al”

- Alodie’s Letter Home

14 Hours Ago

Thanks to the location of the inn being on a small incline on the edge of the central district. From her window in the inn, she could just barely see some of what the city was facing in the distance beyond the walls. The first masses of the forces arrayed against the city presented themselves, and all Aryana could make out was an undulating mass of creatures wreathed in shadow. Her view was occasionally illuminated by the fusillade of dwarven cannons that manned the section of the wall visible to her. Their explosive roars rattled the windows as they barked continuously, pouring down an unceasing rain of fire.

She didn’t know when the monsters had first appeared, but it had been a few hours already. Inhuman roars and shrieks the came from the never-ending mass. Just for the comforting bark of cannon fire to temper the primal calls. It was like a trade between who could seem the most aggressive, but unlike the monsters, there was a cold detached elegance to the dwarves. A certain sense of routine that functioned much like a clockwork machine. The level of organization was so precise that she could practically count out each volley alongside the clock in her room. First volley, tick-tock, second, tick-tock, third, tick-tock, fourth, tick-tock, repeat the first…

It was much like an artist at work and she couldn’t help but admire the dwarves over their well managed system of warfare. They’ve done this before, that’s for sure. Yana meanwhile, had been nervously fluttering around the room, zipping across as she usually did but with a palpable sense of tension between every circuit. The faerie wasn’t alone however, Crunak had also arrived at the inn accompanied by his squad. The dwarf had arrived mid siege and apparently snuck in using some more tunnels that belonged to the smugglers. He could however, only offer her a disappointed nod of his head that told her he had not discovered Sophie’s whereabouts. On the bright side, she felt a little more at ease now that the mercenary smugglers had temporarily holed up in the inn as well, offering a secondary safety net.

The city had been placed on full lockdown with thousands of dwarven soldiers popping up from hidden garrisons and barracks. Most manned the walls and defences while a few detachments were patrolling the streets. Conscripted militiamen loitered around key checkpoints including an archway a block down from where the inn was. She watched with a sense of morbid fascination as thick stone barricades happened to be the material of choice, a strange sight when compared to the wooden palisades of surface warfare.

Aryana knew that she was no Sophie, with very little combat or war fighting experience. However, she knew that she had more survival experience, able to notice the intricacies of an environment or the foods and supplies one might be able to forage. It was this attention of her new surroundings that made her frown. For amongst the cycle of cannon fire, she had heard a discordant volley. A smattering of muffled booms interrupting the clockwork rhythm of the dwarven cannons.

Then her world trembled as explosions rattled against the walls of the dwarven city. She could hear shouts of alarm from the floor below as the dwarves seemed to also feel the sensation, the hurried sound of their heavy boots telling her all she needed to know. This isn’t good.

Now the city itself seemed to react as the four volleys of dwarven guns turned into three, the last battery of artillery now firing whenever possible. She assumed the monsters had siege weapons of their own and the dwarves were now responding. Giving Yana a small prod, the faerie scowled before taking her place by latching onto Aryana’s shoulder. Having stowed away her passenger, Aryana headed downstairs to find the gathered dwarves crowded around the second floor balcony of the inn, craning their stubby necks in an attempt to assess the situation. They all winced collectively as another series of explosions hit the city walls, Aryana managing to catch the briefest flash of light.

It appeared that Mesurn and the scouts had also returned and upon spotting her, nudged Crunak. The older dwarf shot his comrade a frown before noticing her and having his expression change, as if something had clicked within him.

“Lassie, good timing. Torst, keep an eye out.” Crunak spoke.

“Aye sir.” An unfamiliar dwarf, likely Torst, affirmed.

“Rest of you, including you, lass. Meeting room.” Crunak directed the curious now grumbly crowd of bearded warriors.

Curious, she followed the warriors into a somewhat more luxurious room in the inn, though still cramped. Halnir was already inside and welcomed her with a gruff nod. Whilst Koli the scout was hunched over a map, looking surprised at the sudden influx of people.

“Sir…” The scout began but got cut off.

“Listen up. I don’t know what changed but it appears the echoes now have artillery.” Crunak stated matter of factly, “We all just saw it, no use trying to deny that.” He glared at another dwarf that seemed to want to speak, cowing the warrior.

“I assume there’s a reason for this then?” Mesurn asked, gesturing at the meeting.

“Aye, I want you to help move the lass and her things down here. No use trying to protect her if a stray shot hits the room she’s in.”

Aryana tried to hide her disappointment, the window view was one of the only ways she could see the city ever since she had recovered. Unsure of how to proceed without Sophie, the Inquisitor they were supposed to meet had asked for Aryana to be confined for now, or at least until Uldren or the half elf returned. Both possibilities fading even further away given the ongoing siege.

“Koli, any idea?” Crunak turned to the scout.

“Maybe?” The scout shuffled uncomfortably, “If Balsin made it in before, then based on where he was scouting, he should be holed up in this part of town as the lockdown came in.” He pointed to a distant part of the city map.

“Damn. And the commander?”

“Assuming that these echoes include ones from Kest Darzard? Uldren’s either scouting the city in their absence or he could’ve shadowed this group and is somewhere behind their lines.”

Before the dwarves could continue, a faint flash of shadow completely snuffed out any natural light from the amber that hung above them. The nominal orange glow was replaced by a brief darkness that turned all their attention to the doorway.

“Here comes the foe to take its toll.” Yana muttered quietly, her panic fluttering becoming a far more resigned hover.

“Lads!” A gruff voice shouted from the hallway.

As one, everyone including Aryana scrambled outside to find Torst shakily pointing out the balcony. While they plastered themselves against the windows and openings in an attempt to look out, Aryana could practically tell the exact moment everyone saw what the dwarf was pointing at.

While the amber crystal that hung against the cavern roof illuminated the city and kept the dwarven territories safe, at least according to the dwarves. It also had magical properties of its own, a higher concentration of pure ambient mana, based on what she could feel in the air around the city. That said, it was also a power source, one which was now emitting a soft dusty beam of light at what could only be described as an encroaching wall of darkness. Where the monster horde was composed of strange creatures that still occupied a physical space in the realm of reality. This was a thick, solid wall of incomprehensible terror that stared back at them. It stretched from the rocky floor all the way up to the cavern ceiling, completely enveloping any light in its direction.

Strange limb-like appendages the size of trees seemed to be physically moving the gargantuan creature by pulling itself using the cavern walls. Hundreds of flailing appendages accompanied the unimaginable number of eyes that stared at the dwarven city, their appearance alone striking fear into some of the defenders. Of the eyes that were all shapes and sizes, eight were formed into a strange spherical pattern around what could best be described as the maw of a mouth that was filled with nothing but darkness and shadows. A mouth that was now devouring the ray of light that shined against it from the crystal.

There was a moment of silence as the cannon-fire stilled, then a tremendous roar as dozens upon dozens of dwarven batteries encased the creature in a wreath of fire. Aryana watched with horror as the wall of eyes and darkness shuddered, creating a ripple that seemed to distort her vision of that section of the cave. Splotches of pure shadow and bile spilled forth from the wounds, occasionally even a few dozen eyes or a limb. But fire as they might, the creature continued to regenerate.

At the very least the dwarven cannons had halted the creatures advance. But those that weren’t focused on it had lost cohesion, the once organized volleys devolving into a semi free fire as less than half the cannons still fired in sync at the hordes.

The last thing she remembered was Yana fluttering around her in a panic, trying to signal something to her. But an overwhelming sense of dread had rooted her to the spot, and as she looked back at the shadowy wall, it was looking back. The eight central eyes felt as if they were honed in on her, and before she could even react, she felt a divine presence wash over her before she dropped unconscious.

Outskirts of Druzara, Now

A thick layer of smoke hung in the air, the sulfurous scent of gunpowder and shadow intertwining to cement the smell of battle. Kar Druzara was a mighty tiered city that stretched ever onwards within the walls of the cavern itself. Its formidable walls still held in most places, and Sophie could see the racks of dwarven artillery still blasting away at the horde. One section of the city remained obscured however, the massive eyewall that wrapped around it still had gigantic eyes that dotted its entire form. When they first spotted that, the entire ranger company came to a halt, with even the duo sucking in their breaths as everyone tried to comprehend the monster that they were seeing.

The towering eyewall seemed a focal point for the horde, the creatures using its presence to break the defenses through sheer strength alone. Parts of the wall had already been breached and even Sophie could tell that the amber crystal held aloft above the city was fading fast. Then she saw it, a stream of faintly amber colored energy being absorbed by the creature. Her blood chilled and she swallowed down her doubts, sending only one errant thought to her counterpart. It’s absorbing magic, like me.

Sophia shot her a warning look, as if the thought had already crossed her counterpart’s mind. But what did it mean? Sophie just dipped her head in acknowledgement, turning her attention back to the siege.

Countless dwarven battle lines had been breached and she dreaded to think what was happening in the collapsed sections beyond the outer walls. The horde surged forward unrelentingly, none even noticing the small company of rangers on their flanks. The air was filled with the screeches of the echoes, their wretched noises cutting through the constant boom of cannon fire. Trumpets and horns blew from somewhere deep within the city, their continued presence meaning that at least someone was coordinating the defences.

Having seen enough, the duo left the scout alone and scooted back down their small rocky hill, meeting Okil’s resigned gaze. Andruil seemed apoplectic whilst the scribe was quiet and cowering with a few of the other rangers. The head ranger beckoned for the duo to come over and the group huddled over a crude looking map that was laid out on a rock.

“Well, I suppose the situation hasn’t improved?” Okil mumbled.

Sophie shook her head and the dwarf sighed.

“Damn. Nothing we can do about that I suppose. Listen up.” Okil growled at the other dwarves, “No heroics, we’re all going to try and get back alive. Stick to the plan, we’ll lure what we can and keep doing it until there’s a way forward.”

“There’s gotta be at least twenty thousand if not more. I’ve never seen this many echoes assaulting anything other than a wayfort.” Gloomlin scoffed, “There ain’t no way we’re going to be scraping a way in.”

A quiet moment ran through the rangers, and Sophie could see the air of despondence hang over them.

“We still have to try. It’s our people in there and our duty as border rangers to protect the people of the Druz.” Okil snarled, “Hopeless or not, our duty is our duty.”

“Tch.”

“Any other insightful comments?”

Shadur motioned to speak and Okil gestured his approval.

“What about these two?” Shadur glanced over at the duo, “We really just letting them loose?”

“Aye!” Andruil chimed in, “Ye really plan on just letting these strangers go in the middle of this?! They claim they have the power of the amber lord in their weapons. Let them use it, I say.”

“I concur with Ranger Andruil,” Shadur nodded, “As much as the rules of hospitality go, we need every advantage we can get.”

The dwarves paused to look at the duo, Sophia then looking at Sophie expectantly. He could see the question in the dwarven eyes, asking the unspoken question of how she would wield the powers of the blade. Sophia knew however, and Sophie couldn’t avoid the smirk she saw on her counterpart’s face. Because she had absolutely no idea how she would utilize the divine power held within, or if it was even wieldable by someone like her.

Not that it matters. All we need to do is make them think we’re doing something, and once we’re in… well you’re good at thinking on the spot, right? Sophia interjected her thoughts.

Yeah, but that’s usually against one or two monsters. Maybe a handful at most. This? This is beyond me. Sophie shot back.

Worse comes to worse I’ll turn into an ornament or something and burrow inside your body. You’ll come back even from the worst plans.

That’s not encouraging at all! Sophie glowered at her counterpart.

Sophia just half heartedly shrugged and grinned, I mean simple is best sometimes. You’re good at fighting. We go in, kill what we can, figure out the rest from there?

Sophie rolled her eyes but didn’t respond, her hand uneasily wandering over the hilt of her new blade. There was truth to her counterpart’s words. Ahead of them was a horde beyond anything she’d ever had to fight with. But she was determined to see this through, that much was certain. After all, I’m the Lily knight and there’s a high chance Ary’s trapped in the city. Stars, I hope she’s alright. Feels like it’s been ages since we last spoke.

And she doesn’t get to come back from the dead.

Processing that, Sophie’s mood deflated only to be replaced by a grim determination. Sophia was right, her only choice now was to succeed no matter the cost.

“Lass?” Okil snapped his fingers in front of her, startling her back to life.

“Y-yeah?” Sophie stammered out, her thoughts still running amok.

“Ye alright?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m good.”

"Planning on causing us trouble?"

"N-no?"

Okil frowned, clearly unconvinced. Yet, the dwarf ignored her and gestured at the other rangers, the group returning a few firm salutes before splitting into their respective hunting parties.

“Remember, when the horn is blown, you two are free to do whatever you think is helpful. Just don’t get in our way and we’ll be good. Understand?” Okil growled.

“We won’t.”

“Good. Then may the Stonefather watch over you.” He grunted as he rejoined his men.

Sophie was left alone with Sophia, and the two stared off in the distance, peeking over the rocks to continue watching the battle unfold. Despite the chaos ahead of them, there was a sense of calmness that carried the battlefield. It was a feeling of acceptance, for the two knew that somehow, they would be caught in the thick of it, especially for Sophie. Whereas behind them, the rangers were making peace with the idea of an honourable death in battle against impossible odds.

As her hand touched her sword she could feel the emotions radiating from it, from the being that inhabited it. She felt bouts of despair, fear and concerns when she held on, the sorrow of a protector who failed her mission. Then she could feel the anger, the rage, the contempt that lurked deeper within the vessel. A profound hatred that boiled within the being, the indignity of watching its people being assaulted by vile forces and worse, the presence of whatever the massive eyewall was. Looking at it, she felt uneasy, as if some part of it was digging into her very soul.

“Rockbreakers!” Okil’s shout drew her attention.

The dwarf was standing atop his own boar, looking over the rest of the rangers with a steely eyed gaze of authority.

“Today, we show them why we are rangers. Today, we show the Druz why you are worthy. You’ve trained under myself and your commanders for weeks at the borders, keeping our people safe. So count today as your final examination, to put into practice the concepts we have trained with for so long. Remember, harass, evade, report.” Okil held up three fingers.

“Harass, evade, report.” Some of the rangers echoed.

“Follow your commanders and hit the flanks of the echoes hard and fast. Stick with your unit as you retreat back away. Maintain careful lines of communication between each other. Then repeat until the day is ours. Understand?!”

“Yes, commander!” Came a unanimous reply.

“Good. Then with the blessings of the Stonefather, may he grant his children the strength to survive and fight. And that may we all find refuge in the eternal earth should we fall. For Kar Druzara, for the under kingdom, for stone!”

“For the stone!” The dwarves cheered.

“Stonefather guide us! Advance on the horn!” Okil bellowed his last orders.

“Hurrah! For the stone!”

“For the stone!”

More dwarves chanted.

Sophie looked over to see that the outer fringes of the horde were pausing a little, clearly having heard a little of the disturbance that was going on. But despite looking like they would investigate, they didn’t almost as if nudged back into attacking the city. Seeing this, she turned to Sophia and the two reached a consensus, something is controlling the horde.

Their eyes were naturally drawn to the massive eyewall and it's grotesque amorphous form. Yet, as tendrils of its black sticky body reached out to batter the city, Sophie could feel a bead of sweat run down her back. At first she felt that it was fear, the terror of having to face such a creature. But as Sophia gripped her shoulder in solidarity, she realised it was something else, excitement.