Helping out with the construction team, with Owen leading, we construct a wall out of stones, wood, and old shields that were inside the Barracks. Breaking apart part of the canyon wall and transporting it towards the cave was just one part of the whole process, we also compacted mud in between the gaps, supporting the whole structure with wooden planks. Shields were fitted at the front, wrapped in vines to keep them in place.
Torches were already prepared, placed into a small hole above the cave and around it, creating a ring of fire. Spare weapons are placed in clay pots nearby with a variety of spears, axes, clubs, and knives, with extra shields leaning against the canyon wall.
We also built a small platform for the archers by piling up mud and using wooden planks to give the archers solid ground. Robin was on the platform instructing her team of archers, making sure they are ready for the upcoming battle. I happened to overhear her speaking to them as I transported a clay pot filled with spears.
"Everyone, we have a duty to fulfill tonight. Last night we didn't do that well, but tonight it is different. That cave is the only place they can come in from. We need to shoot everything that can potentially come through. HOWEVER! We must also prioritize anything that is about to hit our front line. Trust in your aim and let your arrow fly true." - Robin
"Robin!" - Ian
Turning around from her team, Robin looks toward me.
"Ian, what's wrong?" - Robin
"Nothing much, I just overheard your speech. I quite like it. Is everything okay though?" - Ian
"It's as good as it can be. Everyone here is trying their best but other than the archer hobgoblin and a couple of the demi-humans they are average at best." - Robin
"It is hard to learn archery. I know if I tried I wouldn't be any better." - Ian
"Hahaha. I think you would do fine. I just wish there was a way for them to get better faster or a different kind of bow to make it easier for them to shoot. " - Robin
"I'll research something like that okay? I have an idea for it, but I don't know if we can do it yet. I have noticed that goblins and demi-humans are more suited to archery than the other humans. Any thoughts on that?" - Ian
"They have a better affinity for the bow and arrow. It's weird to explain, but I believe a goblin or a demi-human can learn this particular weapon faster than a human can, and I think that's more to do with the fundamentals of the different races." - Robin
"Huh. Then what are humans good at?" - Ian
"I would say adaptability. We can survive in a lot of different environments and use different tools to get by, I think that is what we are good at." - Robin
"Interesting. So, let me ask you something, Robin. What would happen if the skeletons were about to attack day and night? What would you do?" - Ian
"Umm…" - Robin
"We would have to run." - Noah
Turning around, I see Noah approaching Robin and me.
"Why?" - Ian
"We can't fight an undying force. It is as simple as that." - Noah
"We would run out of arrows and our equipment would break eventually as well, so there would be no merit in continuing a battle where we are just going to lose." - Robin
"Right, my thoughts exactly." - Ian
"Did something happen for you to mention this?" - Noah
"It's a potential future event." - Ian
"Melody's vision? If that is so, then it would most likely happen. The wall isn't going to stop an endless wave of skeletons and if there is anything stronger it will only get worst." - Robin
"I know, I know. I hope tonight isn't too bad because I don't know how we should approach the upcoming battles." - Ian
"Well, it is almost night. Get some rest first. We can handle this, Ian." - Noah
"Right, you are one of our strongest and the source of our morale. If you get injured everyone will be worried and anxious." - Robin
"Alright. I'll head over to Lucina and rest up near there." - Ian
Waving goodbye, I walk over to Lucina who had set up a simple shelter with large dead leaves and branches as a roof and dry grass as bedding. She had created a small area off to the side of the cave for us in case we get injured. Currently, she is organizing the healing potions as well as buckets of water with her team of nurses.
"Lucina, can I rest here until sunset?" - Ian
"Of course! Is everything okay? You look a bit stressed." - Lucina
"Do I? I guess it is showing on my face a little. This is only the second day but there is so much happening around us and HavenFall. I just don't want anyone to get hurt." - Ian
"I think you are doing more than enough, Ian. Everyone here knows the amount of work you have put into HavenFall and into making our lives more enjoyable and comfortable. No matter what happens, no one will blame you." - Lucina
"But that's the thing, I don't want it to get to that level." - Ian
"Then, what else can you do but fight? It is something we have been doing ever since we settled here. I know there have been periods where we were able to relax, but there is a lot of time used in fighting and we both know it. Fighting is just part of our lives now, I think I heard Howard saying something similar. Live and die by the blade." - Lucina
"Howard said that? Where did he hear that from?" - Ian
"He said it was back in the goblin encampment. A mysterious being wandering and trading goods with the goblins there, and he said that quote to Howard who had lost almost all his home. That line stuck by him, which made him never regret going into battle. " - Lucina
"Hmm, interesting. I quite like it. Well, thank you, Lucina, for talking to me. I'm going to rest up. Wake me up right before the sun set okay?" - Ian
"Of course. Rest up, Ian." - Lucina
Closing my eyes as I lie down on the dry grass bed, I let my thoughts float in my head, drifting around as I slowly fall asleep. My breathing slowed and my body relaxes, and it seemed like time had stopped. Lucina woke me up later that day, and the sky had turned from blue to orange indicating the approaching event.
"Ian, I think it is time to get ready." - Lucina
"Thank you, Lucina. Have you already distributed the potions?" - Ian
"Already done. Everyone had at least one potion and Gobi is already at the front with the other hobgoblins. He said that it should be them first as they are slightly weaker than the demi-humans." - Lucina
"Alright, I'll head over there now. Be careful here." - Ian
"I will. Take care and don't push yourself too much." - Lucina
Walking over to the cave, I see everyone else in position. Noah had taken a team away to the other entrance to HavenFall while Luna is positioned at the gate of HavenFall. The only ones left are Howard, Gobi and Robin as well as the troops here to fight. Looking around, I see the numerous determined faces. No one felt scared instead I could feel the burning desire to fight welling up inside their bodies.
Minutes pass and finally, the sun dips below the horizon. The pillars of light shine brighter in the night sky, indicating the start of the event and the beginning of the horde of monsters.
"It's coming. I can feel it." - Gobi
"Everyone in positions. Get ready. The second squad get ready to rotate in case of any accidents. The third squad be ready as well." - Howard
"Archers, in positions." - Robin
"Stay calm everyone. The monsters are coming, Robin fire a flaming arrow into the cave." - Ian
"Roger that!" - Robin
Grabbing a flaming arrow and igniting it against the torch, Robin pulls back the string until it gets taut before releasing it. The whistling sound of the arrow as it flies through the air echos in the cave as it lights up its surroundings but the moment it lands, we see the unexpected. Stepping over the arrow and becoming illuminated in an orange light weren't skeletons.
There was no blue fire in their eyes instead, a staggering, stumbling creature trod over the arrow. Bits of brown flesh drip onto the ground as larger chunks grip loosely onto the exposed bones. Grey peeling skin, desperately attached to the flesh, as dried blood paints the edges. Zombies….
Humans, demi-humans, goblins, kobolds, lizardmen, and even beasts like rats and snakes slowly turn the corner. The frontline was silent, mouths ajar, as they see the decaying corpse approach them from the darkness. Their breaths quicken and sweat forms on their foreheads. Quickly, I shout at the top of my lungs. I need to regain morale as quickly as possible, or else, tonight might end up worse than last night.
"EVERYONE! THIS TIME IT ISN'T SKELETONS BUT ZOMBIES. HUMANS, DEMI-HUMANS, GOBLINS, AND MORE ARE COMING! THEY ARE CORPSES THAT HAVE BEEN CURSED TO WALK ON THIS GROUND AGAIN! IT IS OUR DUTY TO KILL THEM ONCE MORE TO RELEASE THEM!"- Ian
"RIGHT! LAST NIGHT WE WERE ILL-PREPARED BUT TONIGHT WE ARE READY FOR WHATEVER COMES AT US! WE CAN FIGHT THEM!" - Howard
"PICK UP YOUR SPEARS! DRAW YOUR STRINGS AND FIGHT! FOR HAVENFALL!" - IAN
"FOR HAVENFALL! - ALL
This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦