The ground trembles violently beneath their feet.

Vibrant shades of varying colors. Resplendent against the pitch black walls of the cavern. The sharp steel of their weapons glinting blue in the darkness. A river of light in Perpetual motion, The Kruberan soldiers charged with great speed.

It might almost be pretty, Ashur thought, if they weren't here to kill us.

To his right, Ashur can hear the sharp intake of air from one of his soldiers as they tried to control their fear.

"Hold your Position!" Sigurd screamed at the changelings.

The air of the cave is filled with restless energy. The changelings shift in their stance but do not break the line.

They are closer now.

Ashur barely noticed, focusing entirely on slowing his racing heart.

From the corner of his peripheral, He watched Sigurd give the signal.

Behind him, the sound of knives striking stone together as one resounded in the cold cavern. Without hesitating Ashur and the rest of the changeling frontline took to one knee. The sharp sudden glow of the Lumnus crystals flaring in brilliant unison caught the charging trolls completely off guard. Pained cries rose from their mouths, as the Krubera staggered backwards, completely blinded.

Breathe.

Inhale.

Exhale.

"Archers!" Ashur called out Raising his sword up into the air, as the Krubera struggled to regain their senses, crashing into each other in their effort to retreat.

"Nock! Draw!"

The tunnel behind the Trolls ruptured with Light. The retreating soldiers wailed in surprise.

Seems our swimmers made it through, Ashur thought.

The tip of his blade came down to point at the doomed soldiers.

"LOOSE!"

A tempest of arrows skirled through the air, and the cavern filled with screams.

It was a butchery.

Again and again the Krubera militia had surged forward. Again and again the changeling lines faced them. Finally,They had managed to push back the Krubera and There was a lull in the trolls advance.

For this Ashur was grateful. Because the Krubera soldiers constantly showing up in endless waves was starting to, in his opinion, get annoying.

Sparks fly near his face as an axe surged forward, scraping the metal rim of his shield, as Ashur raised it protectively.

Frustrated, the Troll cursed as Ashur pranced out the way.

"Oh don't mind me," Ashur panted. " I'm looking for Gunmar's eye you wouldn't happen to have seen it?"

"Give it up Impure." The Krubera Troll snarled.

With a smile, Ashur raised his sword in front of him. "Now, now we mustn't keep what isn't ours."

Growling,The Troll took a violent swing at him.

The air whistled loudly as the sharp blade sailed past his head, Twisting out of the way Ashur moved behind the Guard and brought his sword in a low arc down the trolls right calf and up and across into the back of his left thigh.

The Krubera cried out in pain and he fell to his knees. Ashur unsheathed the dagger on his belt behind his back and in one swift movement sunk it deep into the back of the guards head. The Troll greyed and crumbled.

He ducked in time as A Krubera spear snapped too close to his face for his liking. Awkwardly, Ashur tripped on the slick dark effluvium gore that coated the cavern floor and beat away the shaft with his blade. Spinning, he swung his shield up into the chin of his opponent with a violent crack, wincing as the force of the blow sent painful tremors up his arm. Krubera grunted and stumbled backwards, his arms windmilling and exposing his torso. Without a second thought Ashur lunged forward sinking his sword deep into the soldiers middle.

His lungs feel as if they are on fire, and Ashur found himself gasping for air.

How long have we been fighting?

The weight of the shield is getting heavier with every movement and all he can hear are the wails and moans of dying soldiers.

Ashur paused briefly and Next to him a changeling screamed in agony as the shaft of a spear powered through their shield and pined it to their chest. Flinching back He cursed. They have advanced too far within the cave.

Acting quickly he dropped his shield and pulled the wounded soldier back to the main force.

"Clear the tunnel now!" He commanded handing off the changeling to the others, "Pull back!"

"The rear is clear," Lujain panted as she pushed her way into the front line, sending him an ugly look as he grinned at her words.

"I… I think… We should push forward."

"No," Ashur shook his head wearilly.

"Stick to the plan, keep drawing them out, the tunnel is too small for them to send a sizable force. "

He rolled his eyes as the cave gave a familiar rumble.

"Royal Guards!" Sigurd warned.

They've run out of soldiers.

Ashur grinned at the sudden realization.

"Why are you smiling?!" Sigurd screamed at him in horror.

Ashur walked backwards towards the changeling front.

. "We're close! Tell the Archers fourth line forward!"

Sigurd's blue eyes flared yellow as he realized Ashur's intent.

The Trolls were closing the distance.

"Shield Wall now!" Sigurd commanded, handing a shield to Ashur as they both re-entered the front line.

For once since this whole battle started the weight of the shield felt solid and strong, Ashur raised his voice "Shields together!"

The clanking of wood echoed through his ears as the changelings moved in unison.

"Archers!"

Behind him he could hear the others pull arrows from their quivers.

"Nock!"

The cave vibrated with the sounds of the Guards footfalls. The lights emitting from the

"Draw!"

"Third line Open Shields!" Sigurd called out and immediately the third line of shields protecting the upper bodies of the changelings swung open allowing room for the archers to aim.

The eyes of the Krubera trolls widened in fright as they realized what was happening, some tried to backtrack but it was too late to halt their advance.

"LOOSE!"

The arrows hissed through the air as they were released, the sound mixing with the cries of shock and pain that rose from the Krubera Guards.

"Nock, Draw! Loose!"

The soldiers that weren't hit by the first wave of arrows, were taken down by the second release. The Krubera staggered and tripped over the bodies of their fallen and cave was filled with the choked final gasps of the dying.

"Lock shields!" Ashur cried out, " With me! We move as one! Forward Advance!"

A great chant arose from the changelings as they pressed forward.

"Advance!"

Panicking a Krubera soldier lunged forward, his spear flying between two shields of their defensive wall taking a changeling in the throat.

They were taking too many loses.

Angered Ashur screamed, "I SAID LOCK SHIELDS!

"CLOSE THOSE FUCKING GAPS!"

"Close the Gaps!" Sigurd commanded as he moved next to him, "Keep the wall tight!"

Again and again the changeling advanced in unison, pushing the remains of the Kruberan force back from where they had come, straight into the Royal Hall.