( The next morning )
By sunrise next morning, the undead army had been nearly completely annihilated.
Except for a few stragglers that were being toyed with and ganged up by countless humans, everyone else had been wiped out and the injured had been called back to the healing stations.
Rocky killing the Lich was the turning point in the war after which casualties on the human side were minimal.
With the undead losing their strength and their tightly-knitted defensive shape, it was only a matter of time before their army crumbled, however, to minimize loss of life, the various guildmasters and experienced human leaders on the front lines, did not push like crazy and instead opted for a more moderate approach where they methodically dwindled enemy numbers while prioritizing human survival.
Even Though Rocky had made the biggest contribution in the war by leading the army that saved Karna and also defeating the Lich, he still continued to fight until the morning as he helped wherever his help was needed and did not stop fighting until he absolutely did not need to.
Covered in mud, grime, dark blood and all sorts of disgusting bodily fluids, Rocky looked like a battered war veteran, however, despite his appearance, he was hailed as a majestic hero wherever he went.
The news had spread fast amongst the fighting climbers that it was none other than the Champion Of Gemini who had defeated the Lich when the Mage God Cassius had fled Earth and hence wherever Rocky went to fight, he was welcomed with a raucous of cheers and admiration.
Finally, as the sun rose above the horizon and the last of the undead lost their life, the portal preventing entry into the tower of ascension dissipated, turning once again into a normal entry gate-way, signaling the end of this year's monster wave.
"IT'S OVER! WE WON! WE HAVE SURVIVED THE UNDEAD WAVE BY THE GRACE OF GEMINI" Shouted Pope Cole in elation as a guttural roar of joy spread across ground zero.
Swords were banged against shields, soldiers hugged their brothers with whom they fought on the front lines and wolf-like howls of joy were made.
The battlefield, once thick with the stench of decay and fear, now vibrated with an electric surge of victory.
Witnessing this moment, Rocky finally dropped his swords and dropped to his knees in joy, as he wished for nothing more than finding a soft bed to sleep on at the moment.
However, instead of getting his well deserved rest, he was swarmed by the soldiers of the Church Of Gemini, as they voluntarily hoisted him above their shoulders and paraded with him above their heads.
This spontaneous act wasn't just a gesture of celebration but a symbol of their faith and appreciation for Rocky and the Gemini gods, who they believed helped them win this decisive war.
Above the heads of the weary yet exhilarated soldiers, Rocky was raised as if he were the mast of a ship that had weathered a fearsome storm.
Faces, smeared with dirt and blood, lifted towards him, their expressions transforming from the taut lines of battle-readiness to the open joy of survivors.
These were the faces of men and women who had stared down an unimaginable horror, knowing they might never see another sunrise. Yet, here they were, beneath that sunrise, not just alive but victorious.
Behind them, a banner fluttered gently in the breeze, bearing the emblem of the Climbers' Association alongside the symbols of the various guilds.
Cody cleared his throat, his voice carrying across the crowd with a calm authority that belied his injuries. "Today, we stand on a battlefield that has tested the limits of our courage and the depths of our resolve," he began, his gaze sweeping over the faces before him. "The cost was high—the lives of our brothers and sisters, the blood of our wounded.
Every fighter who stood their ground has written their own story of sacrifice."
He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. "But amidst this solemn remembrance, we also find cause for profound gratitude. Thanks to the valor of heroes like Rocky and the strategic acumen of our guildmasters, we have turned what seemed like an inevitable defeat into a resounding victory."
Cody's voice grew stronger and more passionate as he continued. "This war was not won by the might of one, but by the unity of many. The Champion of Gemini, Rocky, stood where others might have fled. Killing the Lich bravely when our hired help shamelessly fled.
With him, our guild masters, who orchestrated our defenses, ensured that not one more life was wasted than necessary."
The crowd listened, rapt, as Cody shifted his tone to one of hope and forward-thinking. "As we heal, let us also strengthen—not just our bodies, but our bonds with each other.
Let us build not just our defenses but also our spirits such that in the next monster raid, four years from now, the losses on the human side can be reduced to a minimum"
He concluded with a lifting of his voice, a rallying cry that resonated with every heart present. "And let us always remember, by the grace of Gemini, by the strength of our will, and by the courage of our fallen, that we have survived, that in the end it's we who have triumphed!
So let us hail Gemini, hail Earth's climbers, and hail each of you who contributed towards making this defense a success, as to all of you I convey my deepest thanks and undying respect."
An immediate applause broke out, thunderous and heartfelt, echoing across the scarred landscape as Cody stepped back, his speech marking not just the closure of the war, but a clarion call for future hope and unity.
After he finished his speech, it was Pope Cole who stepped to the podium, and while his speech also included a gratitude message to all of Earth's climbers who participated in the war and condolences for the fallen, he focused more on how everyone had witnessed a miracle today and how important of a role faith played in one's life.
He encouraged the masses to participate in more prayers and lead a more pious life, using today's miracle as justification.
Throughout this time, Rocky was noticeably missing from the public eye, as Karna and Neatwit dragged him from the battlefield back to the True Elites Guild Office.
Since the monster raid was now over, Karna did not wish to waste a second more for planning the upcoming rescue mission to save Riva.
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/// A/N - That's it for the month of April from my side, thank you so much for all your support.
For the massive number of GT contributed throughout this month, I shall be starting next month with a 5 chapter mass release to show my gratitude for this support. ///