Another long howl fills the canyon. One wolf speaking to another, signaling a pincer attack. In response, multiple higher pitch howls come from behind the enemy army along with the short grunts and yells from the goblins.
In the dark, their bright yellow eyes shone brighter than any light. I can see them darting around as they approach the confused enemy troops, some wading into the water while others nocked their arrows into their bows and let loose an arrow.
Screams and cries come from both the human and demi-human NPCs as they are attacked from different angles and directions by the goblins. Their lack of sight only increased their fear.
"STOP SCREAMING LIKE LITTEL KIDS! IT'S ONLY GOBLINS. STICK CLOSE TO EACH OTHER AND WATCH ALL ANGLES"
Gabe's booming voice struck all the NPCs like lightning. Quickly they formed groups of 3 or 4 with their backs against each other they only need to worry about the threat that is in front of them. Soon their counter-attack began, they slowly retaliated against the goblins and the wolf cubs waving their spears, clubs and arrows in front of them to ward off any attacks. However, they forgot that there was a team of archers above them and with them sticking close to one another without moving the target on their backs only grew larger.
Robin, Lucina, Lime and the goblins let loose a rain of normal arrows with some fire arrows mixed into it on the floating army. Arrows pierce skulls, shoulders, backs and arms filling the river with blood.
"GET BACK! GET BACK! RETREAT! KINGSTON! WE ARE RETREATING!"
With a hurried voice, Gabe tries his best to recall his troops, however, the ones stuck in the river could not get out. With goblins on the other side shooting arrows directly at the floating targets and goblin spearmen ready to pounce on any enemy close enough they could only slowly wade their way towards the river bank taking damage from the countless arrows.
The battle at the frontline wasn't looking too well for Gabe and his friends. Kingston is constantly being kept in check by Howard or David preventing him from turning around and running. The other demi-humans were busy doing their best to break down the Scutum wall but to no avail, the spears from Gobi and the other shield bearers slowly piling on the damage. Each stab and thrust hit the ankles, skin and feet creating lots of scratches and cuts. Furthermore, Noah, Frank and Owen were doing their best to attack any demi-human brave enough to try and climb over the wall.
Blood splatter in all directions and screams echo in my ears but lucky for me there have been no casualties yet. With the constant downpour of arrows as support for the main fight, everyone felt confident and morale skyrocketed.
"Gabe! We need to run now! Leave Kingstone he can't escape anyways."
"Shit, you are right Phil. Who is still able to retreat with us?"
"Just 3 demi-human archers and a human spearman."
"Okay, everyone let's leave this is a losing battle."
"Yes, sir Gabe."
As I observe the battle from behind my troops I could see the torch that was always illuminating Gabe's face moving further away. I squint my eyes and I couldn't believe my eyes. They are running? Already? The fight had just started. Only some of his troops had died but most have life-threatening injures. But even then there is still a big bulk of his army that has not died or given up yet. However, he gives up first?
"DROP YOUR WEAPONS ON THE GROUND AND YOU WILL BE SPARED! YOUR COMMANDER OR LEADER IS RUNNING THERE IS NO NEED TO FIGHT ANYMORE!"
"HAHAHA! Bullshit! Gabe would never leave me! Right, Gabe?"
Kingston steps back a bit after doing a big swing which cracks the shield and left a dent. He turns around expecting to see Gabe and Phil watching him from behind but to his disappointment they were gone. He could only see 10 or so humans and demi-humans drenched in blood and water with their hands in the air and their weapons on the ground next to their feet.
"What…?"
"Kingston, give up. Your friends left you to save themselves. "
"This…This…"
As Kingston begins to comprehend the situation some of the more heavily injured demi-humans fighting with the shieldbearers drop their weapon and slump on the ground throwing his head back and taking big breaths. With the one demi-human losing his will to fight a chain reaction is set forth throughout the remaining army. One by one whether they were human or demi-human they drop their weapons and looked at me waiting for my decision.
"Kingston. Let's stop this. How about you join me? I can tell you are a Traveller instead of a Leader. Gabe and Phil obviously left you to die. Are you going to just let them do that?"
"I…Gabe…He…He promised that after this we would eat some Korean BBQ together. We would get the money from Bones and…and have dinner together."
It felt weird seeing such a big guy confused about the situation and unsure about how to proceed, break down in front of me. I wasn't sure how to handle it myself but I can only try and get him on my side.
"I can't promise you Korean BBQ but I can at least promise you that if you team up with me you can at least ask Gabe why he let you."
"Really? I can do that?"
"Yes, you can."
"Okay, let's go now!"
From behind the shield wall, I come out and ask Gobi to move the wall to the side to shake Kingston's hand. The first player ally and it happened to be a previous enemy who would have thought.
As we just shook hands and I was about to tell everyone to start moving a blood-curdling scream is heard in front of us. Kingston turns around and I peek around his massive body. It's dark so I couldn't see much but the goblins further away started to sprint towards us with frightened eyes.
"Robin fire a fire arrow towards the bend. Now!"
Without hesitation, Robin fires an arrow the moment I finished my order. The bright orange flame zooms across the sky but I focus on the dark space that is the river bend.
To my surprise, the arrow lands on a body. With half a head, brains splattered across the ground and blood pooling was Gabe's body. The upper half of his body ripped and separated from his lower half with his intestines dangling between the two halves.
Another scream is head and what little of what used to be Phil's body was smashed on top of Gabe's body not once, not twice but three times. Merging the two piles of flesh.
A stone arm grips the leg of what once was Phil and pulls the congealed mess around the corner.
"Oh no…"
I guess my bad feeling was right. The fight was not over, heck it hasn't even begun yet.
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