The gravity of the situation hit Kain like a sledgehammer. The southern gate, one of the city’s weaker points, was now breached. The gate was quite a distance away from main gate and not as heavily reinforced since it wasn’t even easy to access from the forest and so always had less attackers. And yet it had fallen.
The translucent barrier that had kept aerial attacks at bay was gone. The city’s defences were failing.
Before Kain could fully process this new development, a professor burst into their midst, his face pale and breathless.
“The sigils at the southern gate have been destroyed! A violet-grade spiritual creature and three indigo-grade beasts tore through it. The Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, and Deans of the beast-taming department are heading there now to handle the situation.”
“We need to hold this line while the higher-ups deal with the breach over there,” Ezra commanded, his voice steady despite the turmoil around him.
Kain’s heart pounded in his chest, but he forced himself to focus on the immediate threat. The city’s fate depended on their ability to keep the remaining spiritual creatures at bay.
The battlefield seemed to shift as the breach at the southern gate created a ripple effect. The green-grade and blue-grade creatures grew more aggressive, sensing the shift in the city’s defenses. Their attacks became more frantic and powerful, pushing the defenders back and causing the city walls to shake more frequently.
“Now that the wards are momentarily gone, focus on preventing any and all aerial attacks into the city. If even one yellow-grade spiritual creature manages to fly into the civilian areas it will wreak havoc.” Yelled one of the guard captains.
Thankfully, all of them have contracts with the ability to attack spiritual creatures in the air.
Kain’s remaining 11 guards would gang up to bring down a yellow-grade spiritual creature while being supported by Bea.
Soren’s dragon alone was able to contend with most yellow-grade spiritual creatures despite being a grade lower.
Kairos’ Cursed Book and Doll, and Ranya’s Mirage Butterfly were more focused on impeding the movements and abilities of those trying to fly into the city, while Kain’s Vespirae Guards, Soren’s Dragon, and Serena’s contract dealt the finishing blows. Together, they managed to prevent any invasions from occurring through their area of the wall.
Meanwhile, the professors, higher-level guards, and senior students at the main gate were engaged in a desperate battle to hold their ground. Kain could see flashes of powerful skills and the clash of high-level spiritual creatures from afar. The intensity of the conflict was staggering.
Most of the professors were at 6-stars, so they weren’t in any immediate danger. However, fighting against so many creatures at a similar level was exhausting. The situation was not looking optimistic.
Ezra’s voice cut through the turmoil, “We must not falter. The safety of the city and its inhabitants rests on our shoulders. If we can hold the line, the higher-ups will manage the breach.”
Despite the captain’s unwavering determination, Kain could see the strain on his face. Ezra’s contracts were pushing back the green-grade and blue-grade creatures, but the pressure was immense. The sheer number of attackers was overwhelming, and every minute stretched on for what felt like an eternity.
Kain’s thoughts were interrupted by a sudden shift in the battlefield. A new wave of blue-grade spiritual creatures emerged from the distance, their presence causing a collective gasp among the defenders. Within their ranks, Kain could also see a massive beast that towered over the rest, it resembled a ginormous turtle with what appeared to be a volcano on its back. Likely another indigo-grade.
An ominous air began to spread, the sheer number of high-grade attackers was unprecedented, and it was clear that the city’s defences were stretched thin.
Professor Night, one of the only remaining 7-star beast-tamers remaining there after the breach in the south, moved to intercept the new arrival since the only other remaining 7-star beast-tamer, a Commander of the city guards, was dealing with the other one.
However, in doing so, the vast area of the wall that she’d been guarding against a breach was vacated. Kain and the others were now stretched even more thin trying to compensate for her absence.
With the sudden absence of a critical line of defense, Kain felt the pressure of the situation intensify.
The defenders had to adapt quickly to the changing circumstances. The flying spiritual creatures, sensing the gap in the city’s defenses, surged forward with renewed vigour.
Despite all of their efforts, the gap left by Professor Night was proving difficult to close, and many of the younger defenders’ resolve began to shake.
To make matters worse the indigo-grade spiritual creature targeted by Professor Night let out a deafening roar, causing the ground to tremble. The defenders nearby were thrown off balance, and the sheer force of the beast’s presence seemed to sap the rest of their morale.
Seeing that the mental state of some of the younger guards wasn’t optimistic, Kain summoned Queen, who he up until that point had kept in the space for her safety.
“Use Noble Breeze and direct it to them.” Kain said pointing towards the guards. Noble breeze has a soothing effect on the mind, can restore mental strength in allies and heal minor mental ailments. Kain hoped that it’d be effective on the guards’ current state.
Thankfully it did seem to have a beneficial effect, but just to be sure, Kain still shouted, “You are all residents of Dark Moon. Most of you grew up in this city. Behind you aren’t just random strangers, but your parents, partners, children, and neighbours. If you falter now be prepared to lose everything!”
While not the most comforting of speeches he wanted to impress upon them the importance of maintaining the defensive line here.
As long as they could hold the line and keep the invaders at bay, there was still hope that there would be minimal civilian casualties until the defensive wards are back up. Faltering here is not an option.