AC: I want to thank my Beta-reader for proof-reading this chapter and all the previous ones I forgot to mention.
Chapter 140: The Final Battle Part 2
Maxxor, his soldiers, and the human soldiers were at their destination. Everyone was ready to create the diversion.
The green creature felt a bit uneasy. He was a part of the distraction while his friend Tom was in danger. Still, he knew it would be for the best. Since Tom was under their tendrils, he would be one of the best picks for a distraction.
"So far, they don't seem to have noticed us. Maybe they aren't aware of your presence," a human told the creatures.
"Good. They won't expect such a big army," he let out a small smirk. He wondered if they would break the morale of the M'arrillian tribe. He had heavy doubts about it.
Intress approached him, "We will strike in an hour. From what they said," she raised her claw at the sky. The sun shone brightly.
"Such a beautiful day for war," Arias commented sarcastically. A sunny day like this was never a beautiful day for war.
"Yes. We will have a clear vision of the creatures and the same for them. We cannot attack them by surprise," Maxxor crossed his arms. He closed his eyes and sighed, "I hope it won't turn for the worse."
"They will use them as a shield. Still, we have to get their attention anyway," Intress replied.
"Do you trust Theb-Saar's soldiers in the rescue mission?" Attacat asked as he finished preparing his battlegear.
"Yes. Theb-Saar won't break his word. He is taking this situation seriously," Maxxor let out a small smile and gazed at them, "Because he knows the price if he doesn't."
For now, they waited.
In the city, Tom and Sarah couldn't do much. They were at the top of the tower and could only watch the horizon. The sun was high in the sky. They were a bit hungry and a bit thirsty. None of them dared to complain and show weakness to Milla'iin.
The M'arrillian floated near them. He still ignored the parasitic thought in his brain. He couldn't let the words of a simple human get the best of him. It happened twice already, and it wouldn't happen a third time.
The two felt the tension increasing by the second. They knew something was about to happen. They knew the humans and the few creatures would come to save them.
Tom sighed, "Won't be long."
Milla'iin heard him, "Long for what? You already know the plan of my enemies?" He checked in the mind of the boy. He only found one answer. A gut feeling. Still, he went deeper when he noticed a few discoveries about the Lost City. He had no information on it and searched more. He growled when he saw the Messenger explaining a bit of his past in Perim during the first M'arrillian invasion.
Still, it reinforced his nagging feeling a little. The fact that the Messenger had never forsaken the M'arrillians. As if the Cothica wasn't closed for them forever. Still, he had no time for such distraction. He got out of the teenager's mind.
"When they come, it will be over for you," Sarah warned him.
"Tell that to yourself. Only eight creatures are with your kind and your battlegear are quite fragile," he reminded them.
The girl cursed herself mentally. That part wasn't in their favor.
" It won't give you victory. You lost the war when most creatures were under your control," Tom replied.
The creature grunted, but offered no counter-argument. He didn't slap the boy, as nothing was to provoke him. It was true that they lost that way when they were almost certain to be victorious. It was by a miracle of the Cothica that they lost. This time, it wouldn't happen again. There were fewer creatures and none of the rulers were present, "There won't be a second miracle Tom Major," he glared at the human.
The teenager looked right in the large eye of the M'arrillian.
Sarah grabbed the hand of her boyfriend and joined him in the glaring contest.
None of the three backed down.
The girl eventually declared, "We will see it soon and you will be wrong."
Milla'iin grumbled something under his breath and broke eye contact. He focused on watching the horizon.
In the east, Chaor watched the sun approaching its zenith. He knew soon, they would crush the M'arrillians once and for all. What would come afterwards didn't matter for now. They had to end this before they focused on the Cothica.
Agitos scratched his chin, "It seems like the M'arrillians didn't notice our presence. They aren't expecting you to come at them," he let out a small grin, "Which will be their downfall."
A human came, "We will strike after Maxxor gets their attention."
"He will get the first kill," the red Underworlder grunted.
Rothar raised his shoulders, "As long as we get Milla'iin."
Chaor frowned, "Yes. As long as I get him," he didn't forget. Milla'iin was the one who coded Kaz. If it wasn't because of that, Kazzy would have been dead forever. He showed his fangs for a few seconds, before he calmed down, "He will pay for everything he has done to the Underworld."
None of them forgot the damage the Underworld went through because of the M'arrillians. Especially since it was done under the command of Milla'iin.
The creatures were fired up.
"The time has come," a human said as he checked his watch.
It was noon.
The silence ended when they heard a loud war cry.
Chaor was certain he heard Maxxor above the others. He knew his rival and enemy would do anything to save Tom. If Kazzy was captured, he would yell even louder than him.
Milla'iin jumped for a second when the silence ended. His gaze went to the north and quickly noticed that many human battlegear came.
A loud sound came above them as a flying battlegear quickly passed them.
He checked on the minds of the two humans. He realized those were indeed flying battlegear. Loud and fast. Armed with powerful destructive weapons that could turn this city to ash. He then focused on the humans coming and paled a little. He quickly noticed that many creatures were present. The green skin of Maxxor couldn't be ignored as he stood above a large rock.
Despite that, Milla'iin recovered from the shock. He knew that they were in trouble if the Overworlders were there. He guessed the other tribes might be around, (The creatures are here! Prepare to fight and crush them and their spirit once and for all! We have two of their precious guides here!)
Tom noticed what the M'arrillian looked at, "Maxxor!" He let out a hopeful smile.
"You shouldn't keep that face for long Tom. Because you will be his downfall in the end," the M'arrillian warned him.
Sarah grunted. She knew they were in no position to escape. They couldn't rush anywhere. The creatures didn't know where they were. Unless the army located them, "Where are the other tribes?"
Tom offered no answer and avoided thinking about it.
She quickly understood and cut that subject out of her mind.
Milla'iin didn't care what their guesses might be, "They will strike from the four sides of the city. One per tribe," he quickly understood that. They were surrounded. Still, they could win, (Control the minds of the humans and turn them against the creatures. They surely wore nothing to protect their minds!)
(Milla'iin, they are wearing that battlegear!) One member of his tribe replied.
(Then we crush them all! I will remind Maxxor of the price of standing up against me!) He grabbed the two humans with his tendrils, "This battle is already over!"
He flew with them, before they had any chance to protest.
The Overworlders and the humans got the full attention of the M'arrillians as they fired at them. They quickly replied with attacks of their own.
A loud blast from the tanks created explosions on the buildings the enemies used for cover. They sent a few of them to the ground.
Many M'arrillians stood up and continued their assault.
Humans screamed in pain and agony as ice shards pieced their skin, a few of them dropped dead.
George grunted, "Dammit!" He pointed his rifle at one of them and fired right in the eye.
Maxxor quickly said, "Have the humans stand behind! We will take the front line!"
"Roger!" The man replied.
"My name is Maxxor," the creature replied, not understanding the sudden mistake.
"Explanation later," one soldier said.
The humans took a few steps back and remained close to their battlegear, while the creatures charged forward.
George watched the battle and waited for the signal to pull back a little. The others were in position and would strike at any second now. They just needed to keep them distracted long enough.
The creatures slowly pushed the M'arrillians back with their attacks. They had the advantage when the helicopters came and began to shoot at the M'arrillians.
The M'arrillians had to retreat and take cover from the battlegear in the sky.
Everything was going according to plan, but a creature came and floated above them.
(Stop this right now Maxxor! If you don't, they will pay the price!) Milla'iin warned them.
Maxxor raised his head and saw that Tom and Sarah were in the tendrils of the creature. He had a quick thought of the action of the other tribes and the Mipedians who were in their rescue mission. They had an advantage since he just showed them where they were. He didn't try to search for the Mipedians. The green creature hesitated to stop. They had to stop them, but Tom and Sarah were in danger.
"Release my son and Sarah now!" George ordered.
The large eye of the creature focused on the human.
"Dad!" Tom yelled.
Sarah grunted, "Don't listen to him!"
"George?" Maxxor asked.
The man gazed at the ruler of the Overworld, "Tom!"
"We'll be okay!" The teenage boy replied.
"Milla'iin!" Gal'drad flew in the air and faced the other M'arrillian, "How low are you going?"
"Watch what you are saying, traitor!"
"Do not hurt those two humans, Milla'iin. There is no need for this bloodshed. There are young M'arrillians here. They might get hurt or killed because of this war. Think about them," he clenched his hand. He wasn't a great negotiator. Still, he had to try, "Milla'iin. No one can say that you are an idiot. You are extremely smart. You know this isn't going to be an easy win. But holding two young humans as hostages…what does it say about our tribe?"
"That we have to win against the other tribes no matter what. We cannot lose against the inferior tribes. We will control the Cothica and nothing can stop us. This is only you trying to delay the inevitable," Milla'iin replied.
Gal'drad tried again, "Is it because of what Aa'une said? Is this what you want? Is this what our tribe wants? Think Milla'iin."
"This is not the time to think Gal'drad! And I won't listen to a traitor! Your false words! You believed a lie and you weakened our tribe!" The creature couldn't think back on the questions given by Tom.
The rebel gazed at the other M'arrillian. He cursed himself for lacking the charisma to convince Milla'iin. Unless, there was no chance from the beginning. He couldn't deny it, the other Chieftain was too entangled in the lies of Aa'une to believe he was deceived. Now, he couldn't do anything for the humans.
It was then that a flash of purple passed and tackled Milla'iin by surprise.
The two humans yelped as they began to freefall.
"Tom!" Maxxor and George yelled together. They heard Wamma, far away yelling the name of Sarah.
Tom and Sarah suddenly felt like they stopped falling. They felt some tendrils coiling around their gut. They noticed their savior, "Aval'par!"
Aval'par looked Milla'iin right in the eye, "You will not hurt those two humans," he raised his hand, "And I won't make the same mistake again," he turned around and flew away.
The leader of the M'arrillians gave chase.
Maxxor didn't waste a second and yelled, "Attack!"
The creatures and the humans let out a warcry as they returned to the offensive.
AC: This is the end of this part.
Next: The Final Battle Part 3.
As the battle continued, Aval'par does everything he can to protect the two humans, in hopes that the invisible M'arrillians will find him, before Milla'iin gets his tendrils on them again.