Chapter 49

Chapter 49

Krivax could feel his heart pounding wildly as he waited for the enemy forces to walk down the tunnel. A group of three pale orcs was studying their surroundings carefully, but they suffered from the same failing that many non-nerubians faced.

They never look up.

The moment that they passed under him, Krivax dropped down from the ceiling and landed directly on top of the rearmost orc. While he mainly relied on magic when it came to combat, that didnt change the fact that Krivax was a ten-foot-tall spider person that weighed more than three hundred pounds. When the sharp ends of his sleek spider legs struck the orcs skull, it immediately pierced through and the orc fell dead onto the ground. He immediately followed up his surprise assault by casting a wave of ice around him that rooted the remaining orcs to the ground before quickly impaling them with frozen spikes.

Krivax was already running down the tunnel before the final orcs body even hit the ground.

I need to get back to the group!

After the tunnel entrance team had retreated underground, the battle continued to go well for them at first. Their traps had ripped the orcs apart and they easily turned the tunnels into a killing field that the Horde was unable to overcome. Everything had gone exactly according to plan until it became clear that the ambient Void was making it far more difficult for Crinis to open a portal than expected.

They had many powerful mages in their group, but their stamina wasnt inexhaustible and the Horde was proving to be utterly relentless. Their group had begun taking their first casualties when a two-headed ogre had unexpectedly thrown a massive fireball into a group of exhausted Dread Stalkers. After that, they fell back to a secondary defensive position until they eventually lost Archmage Drenden to the unending flood of orcs, ogres, and void creatures.

The Archmage had taken down many orcs with him, but his final spell also collapsed the tunnel and ended up separating Krivax from the rest of the group. His only saving grace was that the jormungar had dug out several paths leading to the main chamber and that his knowledge of geomancy helped him to remove minor obstructions in the tunnels. Otherwise, Krivax would have probably found himself stuck with no way to get out.

He had spent the past few minutes frantically running toward the nearest sounds of battle and fighting off any enemy that he came across. Fortunately, Krivax was confident that he was now fairly close to his allies.

He was proven right as he turned around the next corner and noticed the few Dread Stalkers hanging from the ceiling, prepared to ambush anything that came through the tunnel. Krivax nodded to them in acknowledgment and relief as he made his way into the main chamber and swiftly took in the state of the group.

Several Dread Stalkers and Viziers were in position on the ceilings around the other tunnel entrance while Archmage Karlain and Archmage Arugal cast deadly area-of-effect spells at groups of incoming enemies from range. The other mages and fighters were taking the respite to tend to their wounds with healing potions and recovering their stamina. From what he could tell, Archmage Ansirem was speaking intensely with Vizier Crinis to figure out how much longer it would take for her to open the portal.

The chamber itself was covered completely in arcane glyphs related to spatial magic, and Krivax could sense dense arcane energies flowing through and around Crinis, even as she spoke to Ansirem.

Krivax was suddenly pulled from his thoughts when he noticed the familiar face of Masruk, who was currently tending to a wound on his abdomen. He immediately made his way over to his friend and began examining his body for injuries. Masruk! Are you hurt? How bad is it?

Krivax. You survived, said Masruk, voice filled with relief. I feared the worst when the tunnels collapsed, but Im happy to see that youre well. My wounds are minor, merely a few cracks in my carapace that should disappear quickly once treated with a healing potion.

Krivax only relaxed when he saw that his friend was not downplaying his injuries. Thats good. Im glad to see that youre alright as well. How bad is the current situation? I can see that we lost a few more Dread Stalkers while I was gone. Is there any news about the fight above? I hope that Vizier Hadix will be able to get his hands on the Dragon Soul soon.

These orcs are as fearsome as Anubrekhan told us, Masruk admitted with grudging respect. Their attacks have been ceaseless despite their immense casualties, and our forces are slowly being exhausted. Vizier Saltik was lost to a sudden attack by a group of ogres. I hope that Vizier Crinis will be able to open the portal soon so that we can receive reinforcements, or make a hasty retreat if necessary.

Vizier Crinis best estimate is that she should be done within the next ten minutes, Archmage Ansirem announced to the mages and fighters in the cavern, nodding to Krivax as he walked over to the two of them. Krivax, Im relieved to see that you survived the tunnel collapse.

Thank you, Ansirem. Do you think well be able to hold out long enough for Crinis to finish her casting? Krivax asked worriedly.

Almost certainly. Our group includes many powerful individuals and the Horde forces are significantly restricted by the tunnels, Ansirem answered reassuringly before his expression turned grim. There may be more casualties and the constant stream of attacks will wear us down. Even after the portal is opened, well need to fight our way back to the surface, which wont be easy. I want all fighters and mages to rotate in and out of combat to conserve our stamina.

I see. Do we have any plans for that when the time comes? asked Krivax, glancing toward the group that was still defending the tunnels. He sincerely doubted that they would be able to push back the Horde with just their current forces.

We do. Archmage Karlain has been saving a few of his more potent alchemical concoctions. Im also hoping that whichever dragon comes to deliver the fragment of Deathwing will be able to help, said Ansirem, causing Krivax to let out a breath of relief. But enough of that. Anyone who has recovered should join the group at the tunnel entrance. I suspect that the black dragons can sense Vizier Crinis casting nearing completion, and are likely to send even more of their forces to stop us.

Krivax nodded to Ansirem and began making his way with Masruk at his side over to the tunnel entrance to join the rest of the defenders. After taking a moment to create a few webs that he could use to climb up to the ceiling if he needed to, he took position next to the other mages. Krivax immediately launched a bolt of ice at one of the orcs in the distance, only to let out a grunt of frustration when the creature hid behind one of the corpses littering the tunnel.

Im really glad I cant smell anything through the wards. All of these corpses must smell absolutely disgusting

Krivax lost himself in the rhythm of battle as a constant stream of Horde forces made their way down the tunnels.

The nerubians frequently used the terrain to their advantage, causing stone spikes to erupt from the sides with their geomancy and using their webs to slow down the enemy's advance. Whenever the Horde grew too numerous, Archmage Karlain threw out some kind of terrifying alchemical bomb to kill large numbers of them, which were doubly effective within the close confines of the tunnel. One seemed to release a lingering gas that turned any flesh that it touched into stone while another released a burst of arcane energy that caused violet crystals to grow from the enemys bodies. At one point, Ansirem pulled out a gem from his spatial bag that produced a thin beam of fire that melted through an ogres torso, quickly bisecting it.

Archmages are really scary, Krivax thought to himself as he threw a ball of silk at an orc that immediately exploded with arcane energy and blew a hole in its chest.

Despite this, the Hordes assault started to increase in intensity. When a group of two-headed ogres began charging down the tunnel with a flood of orcs following behind them, Krivax gulped nervously and felt his hands start to shake. Many of the orcs were killed by a particularly nasty geomancy spell that shredded them with a volley of rocks that tore through them like bullets, but the ogres protected themselves with crudely made arcane barriers. Unfortunately, one of them got close enough to hit their front lines with a massive burst of arcane magic that sent a few of the Dread Stalkers flying and knocked Krivax to the ground.

Krivax pulled himself together just in time to see one of the two-headed ogres snarling down at him and swinging its enormous club at his side. Taking full advantage of his alchemically enhanced reaction time, Krivax quickly created a barrier of ice around his body that was promptly smashed apart as he was knocked several feet back.

Thankfully, the protective bracelet that was given to him by Hadix as well as his highly enchanted robes meant that the blow merely broke the carapace on one of his arms rather than turn him into nerubian paste.

The chamber had broken out into a disorganized free-for-all. Krivax briefly glanced around him to keep track of any other opponents near him, before turning his full attention back to the ogre. He was confident that the Archmages and Dread Stalkers would be able to kill off the enemy eventually and restore order, but he couldnt afford to allow himself to become distracted.

As the ogre charged at him, Krivax turned the ground beneath their feet into thick mud and launched a lance of ice at their knee once they began to sink down. The spell accurately hit the target and the two-headed ogre bellowed in pain as the magic pierced their knee and froze the mud around their leg.

Before Krivax could celebrate, the two-headed ogre launched a missile of arcane energy in his direction and easily pulled its leg from the frozen earth with an impressive display of strength. Surprised by the unexpected attack, Krivax frantically created a barrier of stone and ice to block the arcane missile and only barely had enough time to jump back as the ogre swung his club at his head.

The ogre attempted to chase after him, but Krivax took advantage of his superior maneuverability to climb up a nearby web and avoid the creature. Once he wasnt in imminent danger of being smashed to pieces, Krivax reached to his abdomen and grabbed one of his spellweaves.

Let's see how well this one works

Once the ogre had drawn close enough, Krivax channeled his magic through the silk and activated the spellweave. A large net of silk immediately erupted from his hand and wrapped itself around the ogres entire body before beginning to glow with arcane magic. Krivax watched as the ogres flesh turned gray as all of the heat was sucked out of its body and funneled into the net wrapped around its body.

Not bad.

Grand Magus Antonidus, Prince Kaelthas, and Archmage Kelthuzad all seemed reinvigorated by the reinforcements and started to opportunistically strike at the flying black dragons while also casting wards to protect the assault group. Anubrekhan used the opportunity to heal himself with the light and charged back to assault the black dragons using his locust swarm.

Krivax froze a Void-corrupted dwarf to the ground as a pale orc leaped over the Dread Stalker in front of him, only to be immediately skewered by Masruk. Not having the opportunity to thank his friend, Krivax threw a spellweave into another group of enemies that caused several icy spikes to erupt from the ground and pierce through their bodies. Krivax cast a second spell that made the spikes forcefully explode and rip apart the nearby orcs with shrapnel.

The Archmages in the group constantly let loose a flurry of devastating spells that helped clear the way as they charged forward. Several of the Dread Stalkers and War Mages were ruthlessly pulled from the formation and torn apart by the enemy within seconds, but nobody allowed the gruesome displays to slow them down.

Once they finally reached the field of flailing tentacles, Magister Rommath summoned a huge phoenix made of fire that flew ahead of them and burned many of the tentacles to ash, only for them to begin growing back almost immediately.

Move forward, and dont hesitate! Ansirem called out.

Their group began to take on more casualties almost immediately after they moved into the Void-corrupted area. While the Horde forces were able to move nearly unimpeded, the tentacles attempted to wrap themselves around anyone else who passed by. All the while their minds were attacked constantly by the whispers of the Void. Krivax saw one of the tentacles reach toward one of Masruks legs and instantly froze it solid before it could get a good grasp.

They eventually succeeded in making their way to a clearing where Hadix and Archmage Modera, both of whom looked as if they were barely keeping themselves upright, were frantically fighting Chogall.

The ogre was several feet taller than the last time Krivax had seen him and his body was also covered completely in eyes while his second head screamed constantly in some strange eldritch language. Chogall was constantly throwing bolts of Void energy at Hadix as he did his best to smash Modera with his hammer.

Most importantly, Hadix had retrieved the Dragon Soul and fastened it to his abdomen with some of his silk.

Vizier Hadix! Krivax called out as he launched a barrage of arcane missiles at Chogall, who blocked them with contemptuous ease using a barrier made of Void energy.

The other mages must have taken that as a signal because they then launched their own flurry of spells at Chogall, allowing Hadix and Modera to safely break away for a moment and make their way over to the group.

Im glad to see that youre still alive, apprentice, said Hadix as soon as he was close enough to be heard. With pleasantries seemingly over with, he then turned his attention to Ansirem. I assume that you must have secured a fragment of Deathwing, correct?

We did. The scale is being held near the entrance to the tunnels, said Ansirem before glancing at the artifact sticking to Hadixs abdomen. You managed to get the Dragon Soul. Good. Ill leave a few of my men to hold off that monster while you take it to the scale.

No. Chogall is too powerful and your men dont have my experience with fighting the Void, said Hadix as he carefully removed the Dragon Soul and handed it over to Ansirem. Leave behind one of the Archmages and send the rest to escort this to the tunnels. The faster that its destroyed, the better.

Without waiting for a response, Hadix left them behind and returned to his fight with Chogall. Ansirem ordered Archmage Arugal to assist Hadix and Modera before sending the rest of the group back in the direction that they came. The second trip through the tentacle forest was worse than the first as they had already suffered significant casualties and had one less Archmage to help them keep the path clear.

The most powerful mages that they had left were Ansirem and Magister Rommath, both of whom were starting to grow tired.

Were nearly there! Its not much farther now! Ansirem yelled in an attempt to motivate them. The Hordes numbers were beginning to dwindle and the path ahead was clearer than it was previously.

Unfortunately, Nefarian chose that moment to send Eranikus crashing into Anubrekhan with a swipe of his tail and break away toward them.

Shit!

Krivax felt his life flash before his eyes as Deathwings eldest son opened his maw and spat a massive stream of lava in their direction that was only barely blocked by an arcane barrier created by Ansirem and Magister Rommath. The two of them visibly struggled against the onslaught, but they succeeded in holding it off once the War Mages added their power.

Vizier Krivax! Take the Dragon Soul and bring it to Archmage Karlain with the rest of the nerubians! Ansirem called out, shocking Krivax out of his immobility. Your people are much faster than the rest of us and have the best chance of making it!

Krivax very much wanted to argue and question the wisdom of this decision out of fear, but he didnt. There was no time for hesitation.

Instead, he took the Dragon Soul from Ansirem, ignored the powerful ancient magic flowing through the artifact, and began sprinting across the battlefield with Masruk and the remaining Dread Stalkers by his side. Although Viziers werent quite as fast as the nerubian warrior caste, they were still much faster than any human.

Several orcs attempted to stop them, but their efforts were about as effective as if they had jumped in front of charging cavalry. Onyxia and Sabellian both attempted to intercept them, but the other Archmages didnt allow either one of them to escape.

A two-headed ogre tried to directly throw their body at Krivax to slow him down, which forced him to use his last remaining spellweave. Krivax didnt bother to slow down as the ogre was suddenly teleported a hundred feet into the air before falling to their death.

Just as Krivax was beginning to believe that he would be able to make it unimpeded, he suddenly found himself falling to the ground as Nefarian slammed his tail into the ground and shook the earth. It was only thanks to his own training with geomancy and enhanced reflexes that Krivax was able to leap to the side and avoid being skewered by the massive earth spike that erupted beneath him.

Unfortunately, he wasnt quite quick enough to prevent one of his legs from being crushed by the next one. If it werent for Anubrekhan smashing into Nefarians side horn first, Krivax had no doubt that the next spike would have finished him off. He wished that he could say that he handled losing one of his limbs gracefully, but anyone close enough to hear him scream would have known that was a lie.

Krivax barely managed to fight through the pain and handed the Dragon Soul over to Masruk and sent him off to bring it to Archmage Karlain. His friend hesitated for several long moments, but he eventually ran off toward the tunnels with the Dragon Soul in hand.

Everything after that was a blur as a few of the Dread Stalkers attempted to carry him to safety while tending to the bleeding with healing potions. Krivax was far too distracted by the pain to truly understand what was really going on.

That only changed when a vast wave of magic exploded across the battlefield from the tunnels and the black dragons suddenly roared in maddened fury. Krivax could sense four extremely powerful streams of colorful magic fly up into the air and travel toward the horizon.

We did it

Krivax regained consciousness as he was pulled aside for healing by Eranikus. From Masruks relieved and rapid speech, Krivax learned that the black dragons had all successfully retreated shortly after the Dragon Soul was destroyed and everyone else got together and went to face off against Chogall. The ogre had lasted longer than expected, but there was no way that he could survive against such powerful enemies on his own.

His end came ingloriously as he was skewered and dismembered.

Hadix insisted on removing both of the ogres mutated heads and burning every inch of Chogall to ash. According to him, creatures that had been corrupted by the Void to such an extent had a tendency to survive even the most deadly of wounds and he didnt want to risk leaving anything behind.

Once their wounded had been healed enough that they were out of immediate danger, the group gradually began retreating to the portal. The destruction of the Dragon Soul had done nothing to deter the Horde from wanting to tear them all to pieces and so they needed to make a hasty retreat.

Rest apprentice. Your part in this is done, said Hadix as he carried Krivax to the portal on a floating platform of arcane magic.

Seeing no reason to disagree, Krivax stopped fighting to stay alert and allowed himself to slip back into unconsciousness.