The battle had begun. Tahoe had become a staging ground between two of the major human forces west of the Rocky Mountains. Considering the strategic relevance of Tahoe, it made since that these two settlements, each of which had made a name for themselves across the region, would be fighting over it.
On one side, you had the Crusaders of Elysium lined up in formation. Their general, while winning many battles against the undead. Had limited experience when dealing with an army of awakened like himself.
Hell, it was unusual in this vast wasteland of a world for any human faction to have enough awakened to field an actual army. And because of this, the battle for Tahoe was a first for Carolus. But the same could be said for Zane.
There was just one difference. Zane had some experience using his troops in formations against the undead. Something that the Crusaders of Elysium did not have. And because of this, his Horde swiftly and expertly moved into a formation.
The Ghoulish Auxiliaries took the front lines, using their tower shields, to cover themselves in an act of protection against the projectiles fired from the Elysian Archers and Casters. The lack of experience operating as a large army proved to be a flaw in Carolus' battle plan.
Considering these Crusaders were more accustomed to fighting in small unit tactics, they did not know how to properly coordinate with one another. With the casters firing their spells at will, and the archers doing the same.
Though the archers could quickly follow up with another shot, the casters suffered from cooldowns, cooldowns which varied per individual skill. Because of this, various flashes of light flew towards the Army of shielded ghouls at different speeds.
Some caused damage to individuals, others were area of effect based. Regardless, the Ghouls endured the storm, and when those among their ranks fell by the wayside, the gaps were replaced by the others beside them.
Carolus was bewildered when he saw the enemy formation advance with little contact being made. After all, it was only those units in the rear who dared to return fire. And they did so not with expert precision but rather with 100% area of effect spells.
And thus after traversing quite some time through hilly and wooded terrain. Zane and the girls finally arrived at their destination. With a silent nod of his head, Zane confirmed the order to encircle the enemy general.
Lily and Zane were the quickest among their party, but neither of them moved. Instead they pulled out their bows and aimed towards their opponent's vitals. Lily taking the heart, while Zane took the skull.
They fired their shots at the same time. But as if Carolus had a sixth sense, he quickly turned around and blocked the two arrows with his tower shield. Gazing into the forest to see who dared to attack him.
"An ambush? Come out and fight me, you cowards!"
With this challenge issued, Elena and Madison quickly revealed themselves, walking out of the woods with a certain gait that displayed thuggish intent. Upon seeing it was two beautiful women who had dared to attack him, Carolus chuckled before making a particularly lewd comment towards them.
"Oh? And here I thought I would be facing off against a couple of scruffy looking dudes. Yet, it appears that fortune favors me! When I'm done with the two of you, you will be begging to service me!"
Elena scowled when she heard this, and raised her Katana into a high guard, while Madison herself took a fighting stance with her shield forward and brace. The two of them quickly encircled the enemy general as the man kept his own guard raised.
The system did not alert one to what level another awakened survivor was, nor what their identities were. But he had a feeling these two ladies were not as easy to beat as he had so proudly boasted moments before.
No, if his instincts were correct, and they normally were. Then his attackers were both around level twenty, or perhaps a level or two higher. If that was the case, then he a level 20 awakened would be having a very difficult time dealing with these two attackers.
Carolus did not even think that there were another two opponents lying in wait for him just beyond the boundary of his sight. If he had, he may have attempted to flee his encirclement rather than fight.