CHAPTER 6

The Final Stand

The forces of Jeuno were being pushed back further by the second. Not only Orcs, but Goblins, Yagudo, Quadavs and even demons were now devastating the great city. The last of the civilians were being rushed into the cave of Quifm and blocked in. Meanwhile, Hope was fading for Gazla and Leanthra. With the rest of the soldiers, they had been pushed back to the Ru'Lude Gardens at the highest peak of Jeuno. The entrance to the Gardens had been barricaded off but the enemy was rapidly braking through.

"Gazla look where we are" murmured Leanthra with a tear in her eye. Gazla looked at her feeling defeated.

"Yes this place shall hold many memories for us both Leanthra. And it's our memories that will go on. This isn't the end. We will meet again, and there will be no war or hate. It will be a place of peace for us both, here, like we experienced in this garden yesterday."

Leanthra had dried her tears and smiled at Gazla. "Well…it doesn't sound too bad",

"No, it doesn't" Gazla nodded. The remaining soldiers were crowded round Gazla, it seemed if there was hope; Gazla would be the one to provide it. With courage, he stood up and faced his fellow soldiers. There were no offices in sight, no captains or lieutenants and there was no general.

"Soldiers of Vanadiel, we are stood here today on the brink of Jeuno's doom. Evil has overcome and we have been overrun, however this is not the end for Vanadiel, We fight for Vanadiel, every single one of us, we fight for the Elves, the Galka, the Taru, the Humes...And the Mithra" looking at Leanthra, "This world belongs to each and everyone of those good people who fight for the little bit of good that remains. We can find it here today, in our hearts, Will we not give up, The Orcs will come, but we will fight for Vanadiel none the less!" The soldiers drew their swords and cheered loudly, standing facing the barricade. "This is our final stand!" shouted Gazla. The Beastmen had broken through and the last remaining people of Jeuno charged towards them "for Jeuno!" they roared. Clashing with the Beastmen, Gazla and Leanthra fought the Beastmen with every drop of energy they had left. Heroically, Soldiers fell all around them as their numbers fell even more, as the fighting continued, the Beastmen had finally entered the Gardens and now only Gazla and Leanthra remained the only people alive within the city. They ran back to the edge of the wall and looked on at the oncoming Orcs. It was never-ending. "This is it" said Leanthra.

"Be strong Leanthra, we are together." With that, they dropped their swords and held each other in their arms. They found themselves surrounded by Beastmen. However they weren't being attacked, the Beastmen stood around them looking, and watching. A Yagudo stepped forward and examined the pair. He stood there for a while.

Then the sound of drums and trumpets could be heard. Looking over the edge of the Gardens, a remarkable sight could be seen.

It was the forces of San d'oria led by Prince Trion himself! Taking a while to observe the situation, The Prince drew his sword and shouted as loud as he could; "To war!"

There was a small glimmer of hope on Gazla and Leanthra's faces, not for them, but for Jeuno…for Vanadiel. The rest seemed to happen in slow motion.

A large demon stepped towards Gazla and Leanthra. He too observed the two people holding each other tightly. There was a brief silence. "Kill them!!" he demanded. And with that, another two lives had been slain.

However the army of good, was charging for the city.