One month later
Deep within a cavern swallowed by shadow.
Moisture dripped from jagged stone, each drop echoing through the cavern like a slow, measured heartbeat. Shadows clung to the walls, thick and unmoving... until they weren't.
Something waited.
Broad shoulders scraped stone. Scarred hands tightened around crude weapons. Tusks glinted faintly as torchlight flickered to life, revealing bodies far larger than any goblin, corded with muscle, layered in old scars, eyes burning with hunger.
A presence stirred deeper within the cavern.
"Is… it… ready…?" A cold, distorted voice echoed from the darkness, slow and deliberate.
A towering figure emerged from the shadows and dropped to one knee, the ground cracking softly beneath his weight. "Yes, my liege."
"We captured some of the humans. Others tried to flee.. so we made lunch out of them"
"Very… good…" A grim figure emerged barely from the shadow "Then… we… begin…"
A hideous laugh rolled through the cavern, rattling the stone like a promise of slaughter.
[Lucian – Perspective]
It has been over a month since the attack, and everything appears to be going according to plan.
The Ironhearth Clan, alongside Saturn, is nearly finished rebuilding the wall. The soldiers I have trained these past weeks show great promise. just give them a little more time and they will be ready soon. The people are finding their footing again, slowly rebuilding their lives after the devastation.
That is humanity's strength.
We fall… and we rise again. Even when the odds are stacked against us, we endure.
And yet… Everything feels too perfect.
"Hey! Hey!! You idiot—look down here!" Lucian blinked and looked down.
"Oh—my apologies, Durak," he said sincerely.
The dwarf scowled up at him, arms crossed. "Hmph. Never mind that. The wall is finished, just needs the final touches. Once everything's set, I'll embed the defensive magic."
"We truly appreciate your help," Lucian said, lowering his head.
"You should!" Durak barked. "And if I ever see my wall shattered again, I'll crush your head with my hammer! Got it?!"
"Yes—yes, we'll take better care of it next time," Lucian replied quickly.
Durak stormed off. He was like an angry child but a good one. Someone who wanted peace as much as Lucian did.
Night fell.
The nobles celebrated Lord Haldrix's forty-ninth birthday in the noble's district. The king and queen attended the lavish feast with gold flowed freely, dishes prepared at extravagant cost. Royal guards stood vigilant, swords at the ready.
Laughter filled the halls.
Back at the City Wall
Guards patrolled the streets. Archers rotated their watch atop the walls. At Lucian's order, every man stood alert. Snow drifted gently, settling over stone and steel alike, each cold breeze brushing armor and skin.
"Aww… look at them," a woman in armor sighed. "I wish we could attend a feast like that."
"One day," a young soldier teased. "Maybe I'll take you to one."
"Oh?" she smirked, stepping closer. "Are you sure?"
"Y-yes… of course," he stammered, face reddening.
She laughed. "You should see your face."
Then, more softly, "But… I think I like you too."
His breath caught.. He reached for her hands, holding them tightly. Words failed them. Slowly, their faces drew closer, lips just a breath apart.
However at the edge of the tress, something whistled through the air, spinning faster and faster.
An arrow struck at the head of the woman. Her head tore free from her shoulders.
For a heartbeat, the world froze... Her body remained standing as blood erupted outward, splashing across the young man's face, his chest, the snow beneath them. Her knees did not buckle, but his did.. The young man could not move
And from the darkness beyond the wall, something stepped forward. Tall. Broad. Savage. Not goblins.
"FOR THE HORDE!!!" The roar came from Gildorn, the Orc Shaman, his staff raised high as war cries erupted from the trees.
The night has been shattered and the second battle has begun.