The clone came back to the fort over Sebastian's shoulders in a near dead state.
As usual, Angakok had squeezed everything out of the poor guy's body and left him in a miserable position after his exit.
Thankfully Sebastian was there to save the day as he brought the clone back before he was butchered to death as if that happened then one of Max's main aliases would have needed to be buried.
Also, as expected the enemy had begun closing in on the fort from two directions.
From the West the Ocean Leviathans under Natasha were pushing DarkSorrow backwards, while on the North the first and second legion were about to engage against the coalition of Crimson shadows, Frostwolf marauders and whatever remained of the Greengale Phantoms.
A handful of Sebastian's second legion soldiers, also popularly called the Coward's legion were the last line of defence protecting the fort.
As Max glanced towards the north, he felt his stomach roll when all three gods Donatella, Vas and Gurdan were alive and at the helm of their legions.
Although he did not expect too much from Angakok, he had expected the old shaman bastard to at least kill a couple. But apparently he had only severely impaired two and left the job of finishing them off to Max.
' Fu***** fuck***, all he cares about is me gaining exp, doesn't understand that him not killing these god's will mean they kill thousands of Bloodfall soldiers ' Max cursed in his mind as he reluctantly strapped his armour again and began flying towards the northern battlefront to play his part as their Lord.
" Lord Ravan! A pleasure - " Gurdan said as he saw Ravan's figure land on the battlefield ahead of the frontline of the first and second legion troops.
" Tiger Guy, Wish I could say the same " Max replied as he did not even give Gurdan the satisfaction of knowing his name.
" You killed my martial brother Matumba Lord Ravan, I've come to avenge him.
Today you shall die here alongside your clan and the orb you are so desperately protecting shall be destroyed" Gurdan said as he made an orb crushing gesture with his hands.
As Max heard this, he began laughing out loud as he laughed in pauses almost maniacally before starting to laugh continually without a care in the world.
*HAHAHAHAHA*
" What's so funny? " Gurdan enquired with furrowed brows. He couldn't understand why his opponent was behaving this way.
" What's funny is that the harpy god I faced said the same thing and so did the dark elf.
Is this some kind of a death speech you Mercenaries give before you come to die by my hands? " Max said as the expressions of the three god's opposing him turned grim.
Nobody could underestimate the strength of the Bloodfall clan anymore. Two legions and god's had been annihilated by this clan today. If taken lightly they could kill them all as well.
"Crimson Shadows - prepare to flank!" Donatella's command rang out over the battlefield, as instantly his troops responded.
Max's eyes flickered over the enemy ranks, rapidly assessing the new formation. The Frostwolf Marauders, a formidable legion of twelve-foot tall frost giants, moved to take the frontline. These frost giants were essentially walking battering rams, their strength alone could shatter the shield-wall of the First Legion.
Currently his troops were organised in a way that the first legion was in the front making up the first four lines while the Second Legion was on the back with longer ranged weapons and a free role to fill the gaps wherever they were created when a first legion soldier died.
With the Crimson Shadows, a covert legion renowned for their deadly skills in stealth and assassination, flanking on both sides, the second Legion could come under a lot of pressure if they managed to bypass the front ranks of the first legion.
On paper, the strategy was sound, capitalising on the respective strengths of each mercenary legion. However, every formation had a weakness, and Max, with his still fresh newbie eyes, could still discern the chink in their armour.
The Frostwolf Marauders, though intimidating, were not known for their agility or manoeuvrability. Once they committed to an attack, it would be challenging for them to adjust their formation to immediate changes.
And the Crimson Shadows, while deadly, were primarily short ranged attackers and not warriors or brawlers. If they were discovered before they could launch their stealth attack, they would be vulnerable, especially against a larger force.
Smirking, Max shouted his orders, "First Legion, prepare to pivot on my signal! Second Legion, form a defensive perimeter. We have company coming!"
The First Legion, their shield-wall steady as ever, braced themselves. Meanwhile, the Second Legion immediately moved to form a protective circle, their spears pointing outward. It was a simple formation, yet effective, especially against an enemy that relied on stealth and surprise.
As the Marauders lumbered forward, a wall of frost and muscle, Max gave the signal. Like a well-oiled machine, the First Legion pivoted, their shield-wall turning to face the flanking Shadows, disrupting their sneak attack.
Max himself used Earth manipulation and created a wide and extremely deep ridge between the first legion and the charging frost giants who were forced to stop dead in their tracks.
The surprise on the faces of the Crimson Shadows was almost comical. Their stealth assault was thwarted as they found themselves facing the impenetrable wall of the First Legion. Before they could retreat or adjust, the Second Legion charged, their numbers and agility overwhelming the surprised Shadows.
Meanwhile, the Marauders, too slow to adjust, could only watch as their well-laid plans fell apart. They roared in frustration, but it was too late. The Bloodfall legions had seized the advantage, their superior tactics outplaying the enemy's brute strength and stealth.
The coalition of mercenary legions found themselves on the back foot, the tide of battle turning against them.
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/// A/N - Chapter 6 of 20, hope you all enjoy it! ///