Chapter 494: Rising



Moments after the powerful speeches from King Gulben, Erend, and Eccar, the atmosphere in the battlefield was charged with a renewed sense of bravery. The warriors and Mages have their spirits lifted by the sight of their leaders and their rallying cries. After that, they readied themselves for the fight ahead. The palpable tension of the battlefield seemed to momentarily ease.

But this fleeting calm did not last long. A sudden shift in the air signaled a new threat—an ominous, oppressive heaviness come back to press down on everyone. The ground beneath them began to tremble slightly. The once-glimmering light from King Gulben's Magic seemed to flicker in response to the dark energy that was beginning to awaken.

The sky grew dim and darkening again. The air was filled with chill and the warriors and mages felt their renewed courage waver for a brief moment.

From the ground in front of the wall a dark swirling aura began to seep out. The very earth seemed to part as a sinister black mist began to rise. The atmosphere was filled with the acrid scent of decay and an icy chill that set teeth on edge.

As the black aura thickened and coalesced the forms of monstrous shapes began to emerge from the darkness. Rising from the ground were the spectral remnants of their fallen enemies—Ogres and Daemons, their ghostly forms writhing.

The apparitions were a grisly sight: their once-fierce eyes now hollow and glowing with an dark light, their spectral bodies wracked unnaturally.

"Prepare yourselves! The Great Calamity stirs once more. We face the ghosts of our enemies right now!" King Gulben's sharp command cut through the growing dread like a blade.

The warriors and Mages snapped back into focus. Their fear quickly replaced by the resolve and bravery that had been kindled moments before. They drew their weapons and began to prepare their spells, readying themselves for the attack of the undead monstrosities that now emerged from the mist.

The once-cohesive battle lines formed a solid front as the first wave of spectral Ogres and Daemons surged forward, their ghostly forms flickering in and out of visibility.

King Gulben's Magic roared into action. He decided to join the fight with his warriors. Beams of light cutting through the encroaching darkness as he wielded his power to protect the front lines.

The air around the amalgamation grew thick. The individual wails of the ghosts blended into a terrifying scream. Slowly, a giant spirit emerged from the swirling mass—a monstrous figure composed of shadow and hatred, towering over the battlefield.

Its form was a grotesque amalgamation of all the Ogres and Daemons that had fallen, their twisted faces and limbs grotesquely fused together in a terrifying patchwork.

The giant spirit's eyes glowed fierce red, and its maw opened wide to release a roar that shook the earth. The ground beneath the Elves trembled, and the sky seemed to darken as the massive entity took shape.

The Elven warriors and Mages though momentarily stunned by the horrifying sight, quickly regained their composure. They tightened their grips on their weapons, their teeth gritted in grim determination. Fear was a natural response to such a monstrosity but these Elves had been through too much to let terror rule their hearts. They had stood against impossible odds before, and they would do so again.

King Gulben raised his hand and gestured for Erend and Eccar to hold back. "Stand down. This battle is for us to fight. We will take care of it."

Erend looked at the giant spirit with narrowed eyes. The impulse to charge headlong into battle was strong, but he respected the King's authority and wisdom. He knew when to trust in his allies. With a curt nod, he glanced at Eccar, who also gave a silent nod in agreement.

The two of them hovered back, retreating to a safe distance while still remaining vigilant, ready to leap into action if needed.

King Gulben turned his attention to the assembled Mages. "Mages, focus your power on the giant! We must strike it down quickly!"

The Mages who already exhausted from the continuous barrage of attacks dug deep into their reserves of strength. They began to channel their remaining energy.

King Gulben took his place at the forefront, preparing to lead the assault. The giant spirit let out another deafening roar, but the Elves did not flinch. They were ready and under the King's leadership.

---