Return to Jorgaldur Volume V: Reunion (2)

Coordinated attack (IV)

The huge level 63 toad chief cursed its masters as it felt the pain in the ring around its left haunch. In the past, it had arrived in that city and taken its subordinates to what was a paradise for them. There were no powerful enemies, they had a comfortable lake, and it wasn't difficult to find food. Many low-level prey had nested in different parts of the city, and it was easy to hunt them.

However, one day, the vampires had arrived. Much stronger than them, they had killed several of it toads, and had subdued the chief toad itself. Therefore, it had been forced to carry out their orders, or face their wrath. It couldn't even hide, because that ring could cause deep pain, much greater than the current one. By now, they were just calling.

It would have liked to ignore that pain, but it knew the pain would be worse. It had no choice but to hurry and summon its kin. Immediately, they dove into the water.

They were in a cave whose entrance was inside the lake. A long tunnel led to their cave, where surprisingly there was air that was somehow regenerated.

It had been a secret base of a powerful mole-noble in the past, and the toads had found it easily. As it was a secluded place, with water and air, it had been the ideal hiding place. Until they had been discovered by the vampire invaders while searching for food.

They left the tunnel to respond to their masters' call, without taking any precautions. There was nothing in the lake that could threaten them, or at least, there hadn't been until then.

Unexpectedly, a tentacle caught the first of the toads, which was unable to resist. The rest retreated in terror. It wasn't only the difference in level, but their instinct was screaming at them that this was an existence that was far above them in the food chain. It was an overwhelming existence that they couldn't resist.

In a hurry, they returned to their shelter. When a tentacle entered after them, they rushed even further inside, terrified.

The pain from the ring became more and more intense as the patience of the vampire who was calling wore out, but the toad chief had no choice but to endure the pain. It was impossible for it to escape from there, even with the help of its people. They were totally blocked and terrified.

The kraken, for her part, didn't care about them hiding. Her task was to ensure that the reinforcements didn't leave that lake, and she could even allow herself to play with them. Like chasing them with one of her tentacles.

In fact, if she wanted to, she could Shrink and follow them. Even at a smaller size, given the difference in level, they would be no match for her. However, she had no reason to do so. She simply stayed playing in the water, ready in case her sisters needed her.

"Sister, I have a few of those toads trapped. They're much tastier if you cook them. What do you want me to do with them?" she asked Goldmi.

"Nothing for the moment. Later, we can go together," the elf proposed.

"Great!" she exclaimed excitedly.

She loved hunting with her elf sister in the water. Sometimes, even her four-legged sister joined them. Her winged sister didn't enter the water, but she had sometimes helped them from the sky, by locating prey and harassing them. On land, the kraken felt rather clumsy, but in the water, she was the queen. That proposal had excited her.

Not all the toads were hiding in the lake cave. Some were in the palace, and there were also some on patrol. A few were on the upper level, around the palace. The biggest problem for them was that they didn't know where those lethal arrows were coming from.

One after another, they were pierced by Wind and Piercing Arrows. The flexible skin of the amphibians was incapable of resisting the terrible power of the archer, who was practically twice their level.

"What're you doing here? I told you to patrol!" a vampiress chased them away when she saw them return to take refuge. "Wait, where're the rest?"

Too late she realized that something strange was happening. Three Rough Arrows hit her legs and arm at the same time, which caused her to fall onto the garden plants. These plants Tangled, gagged and immobilized her.

Her bruised arm and legs hurt, which were undoubtedly broken. She tried to resist with her other hand, but didn't notice a certain strange fragrance. With Toxic Nature, the elf had taken advantage of the toxin of one of the nearby plants to make her sleep, although not to kill her.

Over the years, she had learned to master this skill, thanks to her proximity to nature, and the help of a certain drelf. Goldmi could now easily dose the toxins she encountered.

"Vagui? What happened!?" a vampire approached, and wanted to free his companion.

However, he received the same treatment. Soon, two vampires were lying unconscious on the ground, bound by the plants. As for the toads, there were several corpses nearby, and some had managed to take shelter inside the palace. For now, they were safe, although they had had to go deep inside. With Curved Shot and Billiards, some had even fallen inside.

"It seems it's time to go down," the elf said to herself.

The lake was controlled, and there were no more enemies outside. Her winged sister had found no more, except for those she herself had struck down, either with Wind Blades, or by falling on them like the bird of prey that she was. They may have been too big for her, but the albino bird could Grow. If anything else showed up, she would take care of it.

Goldmi jumped, and Hovered to reach the ground gently. She made sure to land on a spot the toads had passed by, cast Life Detection, and avoid the traps with ease. Detect Mana and Detect Energy were ideal for this.

She didn't disarm them, as there was no time for it. She simply marked them with a golden arrow. It was the sign that all of her allies would recognize. If they saw it, they wouldn't come close.

After that, she entered the palace through the upper floor. She was wielding sword and dagger, and protected by Cyclonic Barrier. The elf hadn't detected any more enemies near her, but that didn't mean she didn't have to tread carefully. In the game, some enemies could escape her detection.