Chapter 17 - 17: The Day Before the Tide
The wind howled across the Greystone battlements as the gray light of dawn filtered through the overcast sky. The air carried the scent of metal, dirt, and distant tension. In the heart of the Barony, soldiers trained, shouting commands and striking at straw dummies. Steel rang against steel. Archers strung their bows and checked arrowheads. The distant crackle of runes echoed through the stone as magical defenses began humming to life.
Reynard stood atop the newly fortified wall, his arms crossed, surveying the preparations with a hawk's eye. Beneath him, the last of the pit traps were being disguised with grass and netting. Defensive stakes jutted from the trenches like jagged teeth, and barrels of tar and oil lined the inner walkway, ready to be ignited.
"All stations are active," a guard reported, saluting smartly. "Watchposts one through three confirm no movement near the forest's edge. Local militia is fully trained—fifty men and women, armed and armored."
Reynard nodded. "And the beastkin?"
"Thirty Stormfang warriors stand ready under Kaela's command."
"Good. Let's just hope it's enough."
...
Outside the walls, deep within the southern woods, Lucas moved silently through the trees. Umbra crouched beside him, barely a whisper of shadow, while Zephyra circled above in wide, silent arcs. Elira followed closely, her bow drawn and ready. Kaela flanked them on the opposite side, her great thunder saber, Thunderfang, padding forward with keen eyes.
They had ventured out at first light, Lucas wanting one last look before the storm descended.
"See anything yet?" Elira asked, her voice low.
Lucas shook his head, then raised his hand. "Wait."
The group dropped low.
Lucas's eyes flashed blue.
DING!
[Skill Activated: Identify Lv.3]
The dense foliage peeled back under his gaze as if pages of a book, revealing figures in the far distance. Shadows slithered along the earth. Massive beasts with pale skin and hunched forms moved in packs, their eyes glowing faintly red.
[Tide Scout – Pale Ape – Lv.18][Tide Hound – Corrupted Wolf – Lv.19]
But what froze his breath was what followed behind them—towering silhouettes. Three monstrous forms.
[General Kong – Ironhide Ape – Lv. 32]
[Inferna – Firebound Howler – Lv. 30]
[Whiteclaw the Silverback – Leader of the Southern Tide – Lv. 35]
Their auras crackled with violent magic. The very ground warped slightly beneath their feet.
Kaela growled. "So they come."
Lucas turned, his eyes alight with energy but tempered with resolve. "Yes. But so do we."
He opened the system panel.
[Quest Progress: Defend Greystone][Militia Trained: 50/50][Stormfang Beastkin Warriors: 30/30][Forest Watchposts: 3/3][Fortifications: 100% Complete]
DING!
[Quest Milestone Completed – Rewards Unlocked]
[Reward: Arcane Ward Trap x5 – AOE magical traps that emit a stun pulse on activation. Effective against Beast Tide Rank C and below.]
Lucas grinned. "Perfect. We'll place these near the choke points."
He looked to his companions. "Let's head back. It's time to draw the line."
...
Back in Greystone, the return of the party sent a quiet thrill through the ranks. Lucas walked with purpose, Kaela and Elira at his sides, their beasts trailing behind.
Reynard greeted them at the gate. "Scouting results?"
"Tide force confirmed," Lucas said. "A few scouting units under Level 20. Main wave incoming by dawn tomorrow."
"And the generals?"
Lucas's voice was calm, but steel lined his words. "Strong. But we can take them."
He handed the arcane traps to Reynard. "Distribute these at the lower points in the south wall. Where they'll funnel."
Reynard nodded. "I'll see to it."
The militia gathered that evening in the training grounds. Lucas stepped forward, flanked by Zephyra and Umbra. Kaela stood proudly with Thunderfang, and Elira watched from the rear, silent and unreadable.
Lucas raised a hand.
"I won't give a long speech. You already know what's coming."
The men and women leaned in.
"You've trained. You've bled. And you've made a choice to stand."
He paused. "The monsters come for what we built. But they've forgotten something."
He gestured around.
"This place is more than stone. It's our future. And tomorrow, when they come, we don't run. We don't hide. We make them remember who we are."
Zephyra let out a shrill call. Umbra roared.
"And when they break upon our walls," Lucas finished, voice rising, "they'll find more than a town. They'll find warriors. Beast-tamers. Survivors."
A cheer erupted.
That night, campfires burned brighter. Traps were laid. Runes carved. And eyes looked to the horizon.
For when dawn came, it would bring the Tide.
And Greystone would answer with fury.