Legacy of the Jungle Smith

Chapter 3: The War of Four and Eight

The air was filled with hungry screeching that bayed for fresh meat that isn't filled with wretched venom behind hard chitin. The monstrosities poured out from the jungle in skittering hordes that made a beeline towards the gathering armies of the Four Kingdoms. The monsters were a old face that the Divines knew quite well. It was one that even novice adventurers can defeat with minimal struggle. "Why are there giant spiders on our world!? When did they get here!? HOW!?!?" raged Belinda who slammed her mug against the table. It was one of the many questions that needed answers but the fact these creatures are here is the foremost question. Yet they bear little resemblance in comparison to the ones on Zentria.

The Giant Arachnids of Zentria were quite tamed and docile in comparison to these new ones that have been infesting the Caged Jungles. These Arachnids of Areas are far larger, aggressive and filled with a savage hunger. The smallest hatchling was the size of a boar and the largest tower over even Deserphants of Zentria. These Areas Spiders were covered in fur of varying colors that ranged from shades of green to the odd few that were a deep dull blue. Thier scythed legs sheared the earth as they rush towards the fortresses in the pursuit of a seemingly endless feast. Their soulless nine eyes radiate a determination and lust for blood and flesh. The Divines are taken aback from these monsters that pour out of the jungle in swarms of chitin and fur. Mandibles and Jaws clacking in excitement and frustration. Why must their prey be so far away?

"These Insects Must Be Destroyed!" raged Talros but he and his kin are helpless for they are forbidden to directly interfere with the world unless Aion lets them. They can only lament and hope their people can withstand the coming tide. Belinda is confident that her people will give a good account of themselves and Talros grudgingly agrees while also silently optimistic. Cedila is worried but finding some solace that her people aren't as bad as Nerkos. The Ocean Divine is apprehensive about this new ordeal and he is nervous about his people's chances. A stirring speech may roused them to action but he doubts it will be enough to carry them through. He can only hope like the rest of his kin that can only watch as their world is being invaded by these otherworldly spiders.

War between nations brings tales of courage, sacrifice and trials that only the bravest and wisest can overcome. Yet, War only tests nations but when it turns into potential Extinction does it test the very people themselves. They are faced with such a trial that not even the Divines could have foresaw and now they can either rise up during this turmoil and thrive.

Or Return to the Muck that their Divines crafted them from.

The field outside the Exiled Prison was filled with a horde of, what the Marinas called, Terrors that are scaling the walls with relative ease despite the defenders best efforts to repel them. Bone and Chitin clash as the first Terror reaches the top. Harpoons and Tridents did little to the armored creature that shrugs off their feeble attacks and begins slicing through men and mermen alike. Turtle shell armor and shields proving to provide little defense against the piecing scythe talons that has begun to reap Marinas heads. More Terrors are scaling the ramparts and the defenders are near breaking from creatures that don't belong in this realm. Screams were mixed in with the unearthly wailing as the Terrors began feeding frenzy on the fallen. The walls are near abandoned if not a stern call to arms.

TO THE WALLS YOU YELLOW GILLED AND BLOODED FOOLS!!! DRIVE THE TERRORS BACK!

The Prophet Rashiam is doing everything he can to rally the army to stand their ground. Men and Mermen are either running the walls or charging in a mass chaotic swirl. Those running are pushed and dragged towards the walls while the brave warriors on the wall are being massacred. The Terrors climbing the coral walls with the same ease as their scythed talons ripping apart turtle shell armor yet more of the Marinas meet them with renewed zeal. Their tough chitin only being nicked by the bone weaponry though some have been slain by tridents to the eyes and heavy mauls to their weakly armored heads. Yet it was mere drops in the hungry sea of chitin that are starting to overrun the walls that many were quickly abandoning. Rashiam must concede the walls as the defenders were being slaughtered and devoured by the Terrors. But the men don't give up and continue to swarm the walls like the Terrors themselves. A vicious zeal burns in their blood and words of hatred replaced the screaming. Warriors sacrificed themselves if only to give thier comrades a chance to wound or kill these Terrors that feast on the dead even when they are being stabbed or bludgeon.