Joint efforts

It doesn’t take long to finish this part of the battle. The Order troops were wavering already when Niran fled, and when you charge back into them, flanked by Ferra and the raging demigod Samus, their resolve shatters. Most flee, scattering into the woods, and those that stand and fight are quickly isolated and overwhelmed.

Still, the battle is frantic enough to leave you out of breath in the end. More surprising is the state of Samus, however. Banishing his blades, the ragged, panting hunter drops to his hands and knees. You can hear the fighting by the docks, and you know you need to get over there, but you don’t want to abandon your newfound ally.

However, as you approach, Samus waves you away. “Go. I will. Be fine. My sanity. Slips. In battle.”

He lifts his head to look at you, his eyes glowing in the depths of his hood. “We will. Talk. Later. We have. Much. To discuss. But. I need. Time.”

You nod, and turn away. Shouting out orders, you detail a few to gather the wounded and get them to the hospital. The rest, you lead away, rushing through town towards the harbor gates. Even before you reach them, you can tell that their battle is not going as well, but you hope you can turn the tide.

When you pass through the gates, you make a quick assessment. It seems only one dreadnought made it ashore, the other is sinking, far out in the bay, riddled with holes from the siege weapons. However, the elite troops aboard the other are causing the skeleton force you left to defend to be forced back. You see Victor and Sarah in the thick of the fighting, both clearly exhausted from holding the line. Victor has his customary axe and shield, while the powerful hellhound wields a war hammer of her own creation. They see you arrive and look relieved, and you order a charge without hesitation.

The fight is vicious and bloody, but with numbers on your side, and the Order’s lack of magical support, the outcome is inevitable. You crash into their lines, Caliburn once again reaving the enemy. Ferra is, as always, an army unto herself, ignoring the occasional wound from magical blades as she fights like a demon.

In the end, it’s magic that truly turns the tide of battle. Once Amara and Alex begin working together with fire and stone, wiping out swathes of the enemy. Waves of molten rock decimate their forces, and though no one is unwounded by the end, you’re victorious.

As you survey the savaged docks, Victor limps over and shakes your hand. You look him over, noting the various wounds he’s taken, but fortunately nothing serious.

“Good job, Victor. I was worried I didn’t leave you enough to defend with.”

Victor chuckles. “Thank Sarah. Without her enchanting the catapult ammo, I doubt we could have sunk that dreadnought. And then it’s a very different result. I should also compliment her battle prowess. Remind me never to upset her!”

Sarah, who appears exhausted to the point of collapse, simply grins, leaning on the haft of her hammer. You kiss her cheek. “Thank you Sarah. You saved the town.”

You look back to Victor. “Catch your breath, and then head to the meeting hall. We’ll gather there, it seems like there’s big news.”