Death's End

Chapter 34 - Invasion

Four nights the prince had slept with his men in guest houses within Ceil, four nights he had awoken, clutching his woolen quilt tightly as he tore himself back to reality from the nightmare. The things he saw were always the same. The image of him clutching Yurisviel's limp frame within his arms. The image of her shuttered eyes and blood-stained face. The image of her body disintegrating slowly into spiritual particles, leaving not a single trace behind.

These images...they burned right into him, like hot iron to mortal flesh.

But he began to relish the pain. For with every stab of agony he felt, for every pang of sorrow, the prince channelled them all towards the flame of vengeance burning within him. Sometimes, the fire flared up in uncontrollable spikes, which made it difficult for him to remain placid in front of Faelynn Erisbane.

When the general had relayed her battle plan to Zenvix two days before the invasion, the prince had cut her off mid-sentence with a hint of impatience. "That won't work. If your forces were to defend the city meekly from the walls, the beastmen would run you dry in a heartbeat. Ceil might have the advantage of the wall, but you need to understand that your forces are up against non-humans. Demonically enhanced non-humans. Ceil is facing something worse than what Nox had."

"Then what do you suggest?" Faelynn asked, folding her arms at the prince.

"I say we take the fight to them," Zenvix uttered, his eyes meeting those of Misaki, who had listened passively from the sideline. "To kill a snake, you cut off its head." He turned to face Faelynn, his eyes unswervingly resolute.

"We will take down the Alpha." The prince asserted. "The minions draw strength from their leader. Take the Alpha down, and the pack scatters. Meanwhile, the moment your soldiers have glimpsed the beastmen forces from atop the wall, sound the alarm. Alert Zila, and open her eyes to the truth. Since she refused to believe what I say, she might as well see the damn enemy for herself."

"How many will you take with you?" Faelynn asked. "The mission will be exceedingly dangerous. I don't expect the Alpha will succumb easily."

Zenvix brooded for a moment. Unfolding his arms, he said, "Only one. Will you come with me?" He directed his next sentence to the swordswoman of scarlet eyes.

"I don't really have a choice, do I?" Misaki replied, sporting a hesitant half-smile across her face.

"Only the two of you?" Faelynn sounded flabbergasted.

"Dylas can assist you with the city defence. Regular soldiers wouldn't stand a chance during our fight against the Alpha. They will only become fresh meat," Zenvix responded.

"And I have seen enough deaths as it is," he finished, a shade of melancholy in his voice.

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The day of reckoning marked its beginning with nefarious howls, the tribal beat of war drums and the smell of crushed granite. At the sight of the snarling Zargyles and their beastmen riders, the officers atop the Ceil wall gave the command, and ponderous granite rocks were loaded onto the trebuchets lined in orderly intervals across the broad ramparts.

As the beastmen drew within range, the order was given and the deadly projectiles were flung yards away to the field of battle below, disorienting the beastmen's advance. At the same moment, the heavy cavalry and infantry companies stationed near the foot of the wall readied their formations, and archers took their designated positions across the ramparts and battlements.

As per Zenvix's plan, the city bell had rung three times, signalling an invasion by enemy forces. A messenger had been sent by Faelynn to alert Zila and to beseech the full deployment of Ceil's military prowess. He only hoped that Zila would be able to reinforce the wall and the ground forces in time. They have to hold out until the Alpha is dead.