Newhaven City transformed. The usual bustle of commerce gave way to organized chaos. Militia members in their standardized leather and steel hurried to assigned positions on the sturdy stone walls that encircled the city. Adventurers, a motley collection of individuals and small groups, checked their gear, their faces a mixture of excitement, grim determination, and outright fear. The EchoNet buzzed with frantic calls for party members, last-minute gear checks, and speculation on the severity of this particular Beast Tide.
David, Katrina, Hailey, and Isaac made their way to the section of the western wall assigned to them by a harried-looking militia sergeant. Veteran Kaelen was overseeing the entire defense, his booming voice cutting through the noise, directing units and bolstering morale. He gave their small party a brief nod, his expression tight with unspoken expectations.
Their assigned section was a sturdy stone parapet overlooking a wide, grassy plain which rose the shadowy outline of the Whispering Woods. Other small groups of adventurers and a contingent of city militia were already stationed nearby, nervously scanning the horizon.
"First Beast Tide for you, David?" Hailey asked, her grin still present but her eyes more serious than usual.
She was checking the mechanisms on a series of small, spring-loaded caltrop dispensers she'd attached to her belt.
"First one," David confirmed, his hand resting on the pommel of his [Trainee's Blade]. He activated his [Parry Stance], feeling the subtle shift in balance, the heightened awareness. The minor stamina drain was barely noticeable for now.
"They can be brutal," Katrina said, her gaze fixed on the distant tree line. She had a quiver full of heavy-gauge arrows at the ready. "The beasts are often mutated, faster, stronger, and more aggressive than their normal counterparts. And they come in waves."
Isaac spat over the rampart. "Just more hides to tan and more meat for the stewpots, if you're good enough. Good EP too, if you can tag enough of 'em."
A deep horn blast issued from the citadel, its echo a signal of war. The defenders fell silent. Bows drew back with practiced tension, and weapons clicked into readiness all along the line.
David took a deep breath. His [Riftward Bulwark] felt solid and reassuring on his arm, its Aura of Protection extending to his nearby party members and a few nervous-looking militia spearmen. The +2 Defense was a small comfort, but every bit helped.
Then, they saw them.
A dark line emerged from the Whispering Woods, a wave of fur, claws, and snarls that stretched as far as the eye could see. Shadowfang Pups, yes, but larger, their eyes burning with a rabid red glow. Hulking, boar-like creatures with tusks like daggers – "Tuskgors," Katrina identified them. Vicious, ape-like beasts with elongated limbs and razor-sharp claws – "Razorbacks." And soaring above them, dark shapes that looked like mutated bats the size of eagles – "Shrieking Skymantises."
The sheer number was staggering.
"Here they come!" a militiaman yelled, his voice cracking.
"Archers, first volley on my mark!" Kaelen's voice boomed from a command post further down the wall. "Spearmen, hold the line! Adventurers, pick your targets, neutralize anything attempting to breach the walls!"
The first wave of beasts hit the plains, a tide of snarling fury charging towards Newhaven.
"Engage!" Katrina commanded, her first arrow a silver streak that took a charging Tuskgor through the eye. It stumbled and fell, tripping several Shadowfang Pups behind it.
David spotted a pack of oversized Shadowfang Alphas leading a charge directly towards their section of the wall. They were faster than the others, their jaws dripping with corrosive saliva.
"Alphas, center!" David called out, pointing. He pushed his [Parry Stance] to the forefront of his mind. This would be its first real test.
He didn't have to wait long. One of the Alphas, impossibly agile, leaped onto a protruding rock near the base of the wall, then sprang upwards with incredible force, its claws scrabbling for purchase on the stone.
It reached the top, snarling, lunging straight for David.
Instead of a clumsy block, David moved with the flow of his newly learned swordsmanship. He shifted his weight, angling his blade. The Alpha's snapping jaws met not flesh, but the flat of his [Trainee's Blade].
CLANG!
[Parry Successful! Target Hit!]
[Riposte Strike Available!]
The Alpha recoiled, momentarily dazed. Before it could recover, David's blade flashed out in a [Riposte Strike], empowered by the successful parry.
[-25 Damage!] [Critical Hit!]
The Alpha yelped, a deep gash opening on its neck. It wasn't dead, but it was heavily wounded and off-balance. He followed up instantly with [Blade Dance]. Three rapid slashes, each one biting deep.
Whish-whish-whish!
[-12 Damage!] [-13 Damage!] [-12 Damage!]
The Shadowfang Alpha collapsed, dissolving into EP.
[Mutated Direwolf Alpha (Silver-tier) defeated! +75 EP!]
David grinned. The [Parry Stance] and [Riposte Strike] combo was incredibly effective!
The battle raged around them. Hailey was everywhere at once - daggers slicing, smoke flaring, caltrops clattering. Every move was instinct, her [Danger Sense] guiding her through the chaos. Below, Isaac anchored their defense, axe cleaving and shield crashing into the tide of Tuskgors battering the gate with relentless force. Katrina's arrows continued to find vital spots with uncanny accuracy, thinning the ranks of the attackers.
David found his rhythm. [Parry Stance] active, he met the beasts that reached the wall, his shield deflecting blows when a parry wasn't feasible, his sword lashing out in ripostes or swift [Blade Dance] combos. His [Nova Strike] was devastating against any shadowy or obviously mutated creatures, the burst of light causing them to shriek and falter.
He wasn't just surviving; he was excelling. His evolved skills and gear made him a standout defender on this section of the wall. Other adventurers and militia glanced his way with growing respect and not a little awe. The "newcomer" was holding his own and then some.
Suddenly, a section of the wall further down let out cries of alarm. A particularly massive Tuskgor, easily twice the size of the others, with glowing red eyes and thick, armor-like plates on its hide, was ramming a section of the parapet with ferocious intensity. Cracks were appearing in the stone.
[Armored Tuskgor Behemoth (Silver-tier Elite)]
"That thing will bring the wall down!" a militia captain shouted.
Before anyone could fully react, a figure leaped from the wall near the commotion. The mage was tall, robed in crimson and gold finery that practically glowed with enchantments. Fire danced along the length of his staff, pulsing in time with his heartbeat.
"Stand aside, amateurs!" the figure declared, his voice arrogant and carrying easily over the din. "Victor Sterling will handle this beast!"
He unleashed a torrent of fire from his staff – a massive [Fireball] that slammed into the Behemoth. [-150 Damage!]. The beast roared in pain and anger, but shook off the flames, its charge barely slowed.
Victor Sterling. The name Kaelen had mentioned. The prodigy from a wealthy Newhaven family. He was clearly powerful, but his flashy spell hadn't stopped the Behemoth.
The Behemoth rammed the wall again. More cracks spiderwebbed across the stone.
David saw his chance. The Behemoth was focused on Victor. Its flank was momentarily exposed. This was a Silver-tier Elite – a huge EP payout if he could land the kill.
He dashed along the wall, his party members busy with their own sections. "Victor! Keep its attention!" David yelled.
Victor scoffed, preparing another spell. "As if I need help from a swordsman."
David ignored him. He reached a point above the Behemoth. He took a breath. This was risky. He focused all his intent. "[Nova Strike]!"
He leaped from the wall, aiming his light-infused blade directly down at a less-armored spot he'd noticed on the Behemoth's broad back. The fall, the lunge, the radiant energy of the strike – all combined into one desperate, powerful blow.
CRASH!
The burst of light was dazzling.
[-90 Damage (Physical)!] [-50 Damage (Light)!] [Critical Hit!] [Armor Pierced!]
The Armored Tuskgor Behemoth let out a deafening, agonized screech. It shuddered violently, its massive legs buckled, and it crashed to the ground, twitching before dissolving into a huge shower of EP.
[Armored Tuskgor Behemoth (Silver-tier Elite) defeated! +250 EP!]
[Looted: [Behemoth's Bloodied Tusk] (Rare Material)!]
[Looted: [Thick Beast Hide] x5!]
David landed heavily, rolling to absorb the impact, his ribs protesting but his [Riftward Bulwark] taking the brunt of the fall. He pushed himself upright, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.
Victor Sterling stared in stunned disbelief, his jaw slack as the fireball in his hands fizzled into nothing. The other defenders on the wall who'd witnessed it let out a ragged cheer. David Mccabe had just stolen the kill – and quite possibly saved that section of the wall – right out from under the city's famed prodigy.
David looked up at Victor, a challenging glint in his eye. The arrogant mage's face was a mask of disbelief and fury.
"Consider that," David called up, dusting himself off, "a demonstration of 'swordsman' utility."
The Beast Tide was far from over, but David had just made a very powerful, very public statement. And a new, very potent rival.