Zeroth stood a few steps away, cautiously watching as Ardric channeled Luminara's golden light into Varic's chest, the gentle glow washing away the mage's lingering exhaustion. Tingle stood nervously beside them, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, clearly anxious to keep moving.
"You feeling better?" Ardric asked Varic softly, concern still etched into his features as the light faded from his fingertips. Varic offered a weary nod, standing a bit straighter, though a shadow of fatigue remained in his eyes.
"Much," Varic replied, voice steadier. "But we still have a siege to figure out."
Ardric sighed heavily, shaking his head, frustration evident. "I'm growing weary of Vulcanix's twisted games. I know he's been through much, losing Aenara, being locked away like some rabid animal—but gods, his callousness is exhausting."
Zeroth shifted uneasily, gripping his axe tighter at the mention of Aenara, feeling the pulse of Vulcanix's power within himself. He could understand the god's bitter rage; to lose everything and be locked away, forced into solitude for centuries would break anyone. Yet, that understanding didn't ease the sting of Vulcanix's unrelenting cruelty.
A brief silence lingered among them, interrupted by Tingle's worried voice. "Tingle is confused. How do we siege a stronghold with only five champions? Aren't armies required for sieging?"
Before Zeroth could offer any thoughts, a brilliant flash of golden light erupted nearby. They shielded their eyes briefly, turning to see Luminara standing serenely before them, her divine form radiating tranquil authority.
"Luminara?" Ardric questioned softly, a mix of surprise and reverence in his tone.
She inclined her head in greeting, her ethereal eyes gentle as they swept over the group. "Tingle raises a fair concern. But worry not. Your numbers shall be bolstered."
With a graceful wave of her hand, Luminara summoned forth golden wisps of energy from the ground, shimmering brightly as they began to form humanoid shapes. Zeroth watched, fascinated, as the wisps solidified into ranks of glowing, semi-transparent warriors, armored knights, hooded archmages crackling softly with magic, and rangers, eyes sharp and vigilant.
"You will command two hundred warriors, fifty archmages, and fifty rangers," Luminara explained calmly, gesturing toward the newly created army. "They possess no souls, only echoes of sentience and will serve your strategy without question."
The champions exchanged stunned glances, the overwhelming weight of responsibility settling heavily upon them. Zeroth met Luminara's gaze hesitantly. "And who among us will command this force?"
Luminara turned to Pyronox, who flinched visibly beneath her divine gaze. "The one who bears Vulcanix's crown must lead. That mantle now belongs to you, Pyronox."
Pyronox shifted uncomfortably, embers flickering anxiously along his fiery frame. Zeroth studied the elemental carefully, sensing his apprehension beneath a veneer of defiant pride. Yet Pyronox, with a measured breath, straightened and met Luminara's gaze resolutely.
"I accept this responsibility," Pyronox declared, his voice steady and firm, though Zeroth caught the subtle hesitation behind his bravado. "I will not fail."
Luminara nodded approvingly, her eyes warm with confidence before vanishing once more in a quiet burst of golden light.
Zeroth stepped closer to Pyronox, placing a reassuring hand upon the fiery elemental's shoulder. "You won't face this burden alone. We're all with you."
Pyronox glanced briefly at Zeroth, gratitude evident beneath his guarded expression. Turning toward their spectral army, he straightened to his full, intimidating height, flames surging across his form with newfound confidence.
"Then let us prepare," Pyronox declared resolutely, his molten voice resonating with determined authority. "We have a stronghold to siege."
Responding to Pyronox's surging aura, Zeroth stepped forward, feeling Vulcanix's flames pulse eagerly beneath his skin. With practiced ease, he allowed the divine power to flood through him, rapidly transforming into his full godform. Flames erupted along his massive form, his beard and hair igniting in vibrant bursts of fire as his eyes burned with an intense, molten glow.
"Impressive as this is," Zeroth rumbled, voice deep and resonant with power, "we're still going to need a proper strategy."
Varic approached cautiously, his expression thoughtful yet determined as he glanced between Pyronox and Zeroth. "Agreed. First things first, we need to pinpoint exactly where this stronghold is. And then someone, preferably with exceptional stealth," he continued, lightly gesturing to himself with a knowing smirk, "will need to scout the area surrounding it."
A momentary silence settled before the group exchanged quick, affirming nods. Ardric smiled in agreement, while Tingle vigorously nodded, nearly bouncing on the balls of his feet.
"You're our best choice," Zeroth confirmed firmly, eyeing Varic carefully. "You cover ground quicker than any of us and can easily sense the godly powers that must be radiating from the fortress. But remember to keep an eye out for Aunrae and Ralgar's alliances. No matter what you see, don't engage."
Varic inclined his head solemnly, his normally vivid emerald eyes fading into a shadowy, murky green hue. With a final nod, he vanished in a swift flash of shadow.
Turning back to the remaining champions, Zeroth motioned everyone closer, his large flaming form casting flickering, surreal shadows over their faces. "We should decide who commands each contingent now, while Varic scouts."
Ardric stepped forward confidently. "I think it's clear, I'll lead alongside you at the front. With your power and my defenses, we can lead the warriors straight into whatever awaits."
"Exactly what I had in mind," Zeroth replied approvingly. "Pyronox, you and Tingle should stay further back. Direct the archmages and rangers from a safer distance; use your combined magic and explosives to provide cover and support."
Pyronox nodded solemnly, eyes flaring bright in acknowledgment, while Tingle grinned broadly, patting his gunblade proudly. "Tingle can certainly handle that. Boom from afar!"
The minutes ticked by slowly, filled with tense anticipation as the group quietly discussed minor tactical adjustments, each of them alert and ready. Suddenly, Varic materialized beside them, the abrupt flash of shadow causing Tingle to jump, stumbling backward in surprise.
"Tingle does not appreciate surprise teleportations!" he sputtered, frowning indignantly.
Ignoring the gnome's exaggerated distress, Varic quickly began his report. "I found the stronghold and it's heavily fortified. They have defensive towers, sturdy walls, and I sensed powerful magic barriers encasing it."
He paused, allowing the seriousness of the situation to settle heavily over the group before continuing. "But that's not all. Ralgar's group is nearby, just standing out in the open but too far to suggest an assault. It's almost like they plan to observe rather than attack, at least initially."
"Observing?" Ardric questioned, his brows knitting in confusion. "But why?"
Varic shook his head. "No idea. And worse, I couldn't locate Aunrae's group anywhere. Not even a trace of their presence."
Zeroth exchanged an uneasy glance with Tingle, worry pooling in his gut. The lack of information was unsettling and he didn't like unknown variables, especially when they came in the form of an unpredictable alliance.
"Stay alert," Zeroth said gravely, his godform's flames flickering brighter in response to his anxiety. "I don't trust the silence. Aunrae's alliance could be anywhere, waiting for the right moment to strike. We must assume they're planning something."
Once the final details of their strategy had been settled, Zeroth glanced toward Varic, his expression shifting thoughtfully. "How far exactly is this stronghold from our position?"
Varic took a moment, mentally retracing his scouting route before responding confidently. "At our current pace, I'd say roughly two hours on foot."
Pyronox stepped forward, arms folded across his molten chest, his expression contemplative. "Varic, with your affinity for teleportation, is it not possible to simply transport us all directly there?"
Varic opened his mouth to protest, eyebrows furrowing in doubt. "I don't think that's—"
Before he could finish, Ardric nudged him sharply in the hip with his armored elbow, looking up with exaggerated innocence, a sly smirk hidden beneath his beard. "Oh, what's this? The mighty warlock, favored champion of Eldrinacht, the god revered across Myrtharia for teleporting effortlessly across entire continents, is intimidated by moving a small army a mere couple hours away?"
Varic scowled, his emerald eyes narrowing sharply, the playful challenge from Ardric sparking his pride. Letting out an exasperated breath, he muttered loudly enough for everyone to hear, "Fuck it, I might die today anyway. Let's see just how far I can push Eldrinacht's limits."
Zeroth and Tingle chuckled at the exchange, sharing an amused glance. Zeroth crossed his massive, flaming arms, giving Varic a supportive nod, while Tingle grinned mischievously, clearly enjoying the warlock's momentary irritation.
Varic stepped away, closing his eyes briefly as he began concentrating, Eldrinacht's shadowy energy surging around him. After several tense moments, he opened his eyes again, a determined gleam in them. "Just to be cautious, I'm only going to teleport a hundred soldiers at a time. I don't want to exhaust myself before the real battle even begins."
Zeroth nodded approvingly. "Wise choice. Send them to the edge of the forest surrounding the stronghold. Keep the army hidden as much as possible until we're ready."
Varic inclined his head in agreement, instantly summoning the first wave of troops. Eldrinacht's shadows cascaded outward, enveloping the ranks and spiriting them silently away. Varic repeated this process carefully, precisely shifting each subsequent group of soldiers with growing confidence and ease.
Finally, only the core group of Zeroth, Ardric, Tingle, Pyronox, and Varic remained. Varic took a deep breath, steadied his nerves, and extended his hands toward them. Shadowy tendrils wrapped around each champion, and in a heartbeat, reality warped and twisted around them, disorienting yet oddly comforting as they shifted through the dark plane. When reality stabilized again, Zeroth blinked, momentarily disoriented by the sudden brightness before realizing the significance of the spectacle unfolding before him. To his astonishment, a radiant orb, unmistakably a sun, was rising slowly, bathing the entire battlefield in warm golden-orange light. It cast elongated shadows from the massive fortress that stood defiantly ahead, banners flapping gently in the cool morning breeze.
His eyes wide, Zeroth stared incredulously, "Are we…are we really seeing this? We're technically still inside a damned coliseum. How in Aeonis's name is there an actual sun?"
A stunned silence passed through the group, each champion sharing Zeroth's awe and disbelief. Ardric shook his head slowly, a faint smile of wonder crossing his features, while Tingle openly gaped, speechless for once. At the edge of their view, across the open fields bathed in golden sunrise, stood Ralgar's small group, motionless and unsettlingly calm as they stared back, their presence a stark reminder that danger still lurked despite the beauty of the moment.
Pyronox broke the heavy silence first, his voice quiet yet tinged with grudging respect. "It seems Aeonis and the others spared no effort to make this Godswar truly unforgettable."
"Let's hope that doesn't include our deaths," Varic muttered dryly, eyes still locked in wary observation of their adversaries.
Zeroth straightened, squaring his powerful shoulders as determination chased away his lingering astonishment. "Stay sharp, everyone. We have a siege to begin."
Zeroth scanned the battlefield once more, ensuring everyone was prepared before giving Pyronox a solemn nod. "It's time," he rumbled firmly, then turned to the assembled champions. "Remember, avoid any direct confrontation with Ralgar's group unless absolutely necessary. They're content to watch for now, but if they move, notify me immediately."
His voice softened slightly, carrying a weight of reluctance. "Also, Mira and her companions are allies forced against us by circumstance. Do everything you can to incapacitate them without harm. They're not our enemies by choice."
Varic stepped forward, his expression serious but confident. "I can handle that easily enough. A quick trip to the shadow plane will leave them unconscious but unharmed." His emerald eyes darkened briefly as Eldrinacht's energy flickered beneath his skin, ready to surge forth.
Zeroth nodded appreciatively at Varic's readiness, though tension tightened his jaw. "Then I'll be the one to handle Mira personally. Ardric, you're the best choice to take on Kael. His storm powers from Thorund make him unpredictable."
Ardric gripped his longsword tightly, a gleam of excitement mingling with respect in his eyes. "Been hoping for that matchup," he muttered, determination clear in his voice.
A heavy, charged silence settled among them for a moment as they awaited Pyronox's command. Finally, the flaming general met Zeroth's gaze, exhaling a plume of smoke before issuing the command.
"Go."
The word barely left Pyronox's molten lips before Zeroth and Ardric surged forward, their steps heavy yet swift as two hundred spectral warriors roared behind them. Each stride resonated with purpose, Zeroth's flaming battle axe and thick wooden shield held firm, his godform pulsing quietly beneath the surface, ready to be unleashed. But the moment they reached halfway across the clearing, the massive fortress gates groaned and slowly swung open, their ancient hinges screaming protest. From the shadowed entrance poured forth a tide of monstrous creatures, each clearly the handiwork of Elythra's primal magic. The army of beasts surged forward with unsettling unity, a savage horde meant to stall their advance.
At the front lines lumbered towering stone elementals, their bulky forms grinding audibly as stone limbs thundered against the ground. Intermixed among them were nimble earthen golems, humanoid but distinctly unnatural, soil and clay shifting fluidly with each bounding step, their rocky fists forming and reforming into weapons. Alongside these stone giants burst creatures born from wooden beasts formed from tangled vines and splintered bark. Massive wooden bears, limbs reinforced by glowing green runes, charged forward roaring with unearthly fury. Packs of wolf-like beings, each carved from dense, enchanted oak and crowned by razor-sharp thorny protrusions, sprinted forward with blinding speed, their emerald eyes glowing fiercely.
Above the chaos swooped great avian beasts constructed of thorn-covered branches, massive wings spreading shadows across the battlefield. Their talons extended, sharpened points glinting dangerously as they prepared to dive at the approaching warriors. Zeroth quickly assessed the new threat, his pulse quickening at the sight. Behind him, he could hear Ardric draw deeply upon Luminara's divine strength, radiant sigils flaring golden-bright across his armor.
"Stay together! Shields forward!" Zeroth roared as he accelerated, bracing himself against the inevitable collision.
He let the raw energy of Vulcanix flow freely, his dwarven form erupting into full godhood mid-stride. Flames roared around him, burning fiercely enough to melt the earth beneath his feet, his size and power growing immense as he smashed into the oncoming ranks with unstoppable momentum. Beside him, Ardric surged with radiant might, his longsword crackling with divine energy, each strike calculated and fierce as he cleaved through earthen golems effortlessly. Behind them, the spectral warriors met the monstrous tide, the clash sending shockwaves of magical energy echoing across the battlefield.
In the distance, Zeroth could sense Pyronox directing their ranged troops, the rangers and archmages unleashing waves of fire and magic to counter Elythra's airborne monstrosities, while Tingle's chaotic explosions echoed through the clearing, decimating enemies with destructive precision. Yet, even as he tore through creatures with flaming axe and shield, Zeroth felt a creeping worry in the back of his mind. Mira and her companions remained unseen, and Aunrae's group was still entirely unaccounted for.
After what felt like hours of relentless, grinding combat, Zeroth's breathing grew ragged beneath his fiery godform. His muscles burned with exhaustion as he slammed his molten axe through another wooden bear, splinters and embers scattering across his charred armor. Around him, the battle had devolved into chaos; smoke and arcane fire lit the field in a swirling storm of color and destruction. Suddenly, the battlefield darkened as clouds swiftly coalesced above, thunder echoing ominously. Zeroth squinted upward, his heart tightening with recognition. A blinding flash erupted, a massive bolt of lightning splitting the air before exploding directly into the heart of their spectral army. The force of the blast knocked him back a step, ears ringing as electricity danced violently around them.
"Kael," Zeroth growled under his breath, shaking his head to clear the spots from his vision.
Frantically scanning the battlefield, he found Ardric battling fiercely several yards away, radiant longsword cleaving through enemies, golden energy flaring brilliantly from his armor. Determination surged through Zeroth, pushing him forward with renewed urgency. Charging ahead, he slammed aside a lunging earth golem, then pivoted sharply, raising his enchanted wooden shield just in time to intercept another bolt of lightning sizzling from Kael's Stormforged Blade. The shield crackled and flared brilliantly as it devoured the electrical energy, dispersing it harmlessly.
Through waves of splintered wooden monsters and broken stone constructs, Zeroth hacked and slashed relentlessly toward Ardric. Sweat dripped from his brow, sizzling away instantly against his flaming form as he finally crashed through the remaining foes separating them. Ardric spun, alarmed, his blade raised defensively before recognizing Zeroth's fiery visage. The paladin's armor radiated blindingly with Luminara's divine protection, his shaved head slick with sweat, muscles visibly strained from prolonged fighting. Zeroth hesitated briefly, struggling to gaze directly at his brother's blinding brilliance.
"Kael's made his entrance!" Zeroth shouted over the din, gesturing upward at the chaotic storm above. "It's your moment, brother. Go handle business."
Ardric's jaw set firmly, his expression shifting from exhaustion to steely resolve in an instant. Before he could respond, a swirl of shadowy smoke erupted behind him. Varic materialized from within the gloom, emerald eyes sharp and dangerous as his hands crackled with dark eldritch power. Without hesitation, Varic thrust an open palm outward, blasting apart a wooden wolf mid-leap as it lunged toward Ardric's back. Varic caught Zeroth's gaze and offered a brief nod, his eyes smoldering fiercely. Without a word, he grasped Ardric's shoulder, and in another swirl of shadow, the two vanished. Seconds later, Zeroth spotted a brilliant explosion of divine magic and lightning on the far side of the battlefield, the unmistakable start of a titanic clash between Ardric and Kael. Bolts of holy energy and jagged lightning crashed violently around them, scattering friend and foe alike, momentarily pulling everyone's attention.
Realizing the fleeting opportunity, Zeroth locked his shield onto his back and took his flaming battle axe in both hands. He inhaled sharply, mustering the last reserves of his strength before charging ahead like a mad dwarf possessed. His fiery aura erupted brighter than ever, scorching the earth beneath him as he barreled toward the stronghold gates, now momentarily unguarded amid the chaos.
Every step brought Zeroth closer, adrenaline flooding his senses as he closed the distance to the fortress. This was his chance, one he couldn't afford to miss. After cutting down the last straggler creatures at the fortress gate, Zeroth sprinted forward, his heavy boots pounding against the cracked stone paving of the inner courtyard. Skidding to a halt, chest heaving from exertion, Zeroth took stock of the daunting sight before him.
Fifty feet ahead stood Mira and Sylvana, both poised defensively, magic shimmering at their fingertips. Mira's eyes flashed with telekinetic energy, small objects around her subtly levitating, while Sylvana's fingers tightened around her staff, a verdant glow coiling around it like serpents. A brief, tense silence hung in the air, broken only by the distant echoes of battle raging beyond the fortress walls. Recognition flickered across their faces, briefly relaxing their stances. Zeroth saw relief, swiftly followed by reluctant determination settle into their expressions. He sighed heavily, shoulders sagging with genuine exasperation. Sylvana raised a cautious hand, a clear warning for him to stay back. Zeroth understood immediately that despite their alliance, the rules of the Godswar gave no room for friendly greetings on the battlefield. With resignation, he nodded slowly, lifting his voice just enough to be heard over the clamor outside.
"Not here to kill anyone," he assured them, meeting Mira's intense gaze. His voice carried a slight humor as he added, "But that doesn't mean it won't hurt a bit. Hopefully Ardric can fix that once he and Kael stop trying to blow each other to smithereens."
The women exchanged uncertain glances, clearly evaluating the sincerity in his voice. Zeroth's eyes flickered to Mira, feeling a nervous twist in his gut. He'd fought beasts, golems, and monsters but magic of Mira's magnitude, coupled with Sylvana's druidic powers, posed an altogether different threat. Where the hell was Varic when he needed him? Mira's fingers twitched, telekinetic energy crackling in anticipation, while Sylvana's staff pulsed, roots and vines sprouting aggressively from cracks in the stones around her feet. Zeroth grimaced internally, he couldn't hope to catch both women without help. Varic needed to hurry the hell up. But then an admittedly reckless thought crossed Zeroth's mind. He shrugged dramatically, locking his flaming battle axe onto his back beneath the massive shield crafted by Sylvana and Tingle.
"Guess the axe is outta the question then," Zeroth muttered with forced bravado, cracking his large knuckles and rolling his shoulders with exaggerated confidence.
Mira blinked in disbelief, and Sylvana exchanged a confused glance with her, both clearly startled at Zeroth's sudden decision to discard his weapon. Despite his confidence, Zeroth's stomach churned nervously. He needed to stall, desperately hoping Varic would sense his trouble soon. Without further hesitation, Zeroth lunged forward, charging straight into a blistering barrage of magic. Mira's telekinetic blasts slammed against his armored body like invisible battering rams, each impact reverberating painfully through his bones, slowing but never quite stopping him. Sylvana unleashed waves of thorny vines and lashing branches, their sharp edges slicing through his flesh and wrapping around his limbs, only to burn away under his searing divine aura. He reached out, almost managing to seize Mira's wrist, but Sylvana thrust her staff forward sharply, driving Zeroth backward with a surge of wild magic. He stumbled, staggering back before roaring forward again, gritting his teeth against another powerful telekinetic shove from Mira.
Again and again, Zeroth rushed forward, absorbing punishment with each step, frustration mounting rapidly. Sweat dripped down his brow, evaporating instantly against his blazing skin. He could barely grasp Mira's robes or Sylvana's cloak before one of them inevitably threw him aside. Panting heavily, growing increasingly irritated at their dance, Zeroth leaped back to gain a small measure of distance. With a frustrated growl he threw his arms skyward, channeling an enormous pillar of divine flame straight upward, lighting the courtyard in blinding orange and crimson. The fiery beam exploded upward, piercing the clouds above like an unmistakable signal beacon. Mira stared, bewildered by Zeroth's seemingly senseless waste of precious power. She opened her mouth to question his sanity but before a single word escaped her lips, darkness surged violently around Sylvana. Shadows erupted from the ground, twisting around the startled druid and muffling her startled scream. Within a heartbeat, Sylvana vanished entirely, leaving Mira frozen in stunned silence.
Zeroth allowed himself a satisfied smirk, breathing heavily as the shadows receded and Varic reemerged directly behind Mira, Sylvana's unconscious form draped gently in his arms. The warlock's eyes gleamed triumphantly, shadows dancing around him like tendrils of smoke.
With an exhausted but firm voice, Zeroth announced to Mira, "This siege is about to be over."