Reviews:

Guest 1: Zhao Ming's just proving why he is lord of the western provinces. But now Cathay's going to steadily get more involved with Azeroth as a whole at this rate.

Guest 2: With the portals in question it probably wouldn't take too long due to the nature of Khornitte followers, but it would be a lot of damage in heartland territory, and destroyed farms, murdered farmers, and salted lands etc have a much longer impact, at least with the absurd timescales that WoW uses.

rollynolly: An accurate statement. Not much i can expand upon there.

Dragon King of the West: Things on Kalimdor could have gotten very complicated...or it could be a common factor of a thing called war that the Blizzard Devs who forget major characters exist as well as entire races just forgot the quilboars then forgot to include.

machiavellian? are you sure? Well now i feel stupid, i was aiming for backstabbing authoritarian oligarch ;)

Ironwall: Dark, a truly Dark time for the Horde, and then who knows what shall come.

JiggyliFAP: NO! She's a Khornifornia Gurl and will dance as such! But the Highlands would be a decent place to offer.

Hakuryuu: It lays in fundamental racism. Gnomes are like clorfors, dirty money grubbing clorfors. But i plan to end that racism, after all you can't be racist to a race that doesn't exist, the Frieza model for ending racism works ;) But honestly most of my issue with the gnomes is the claimed Supreme intelligence which we never really see outside of products with no shown point of manufacture and anyone else seems capable of making/doing and then jumping to some startrek level tech and going "this is common place" the official writing around the species is one of the worst victims of my largest peeve with Blizzard, and Blizzard somehow do it worse than GW in every regard.

As for the Blood God's followers, remember until they are unleashed, Khorne actually favors discipline from his followers, and then savagery in battle. As for the Dragons, of the five Yin-Yin and Yuan Bo are the ones I'm most interested in. As for Kyn'ra well her goal is what N'zoth guides her to.

micelzod: Wellll as I've said to other reviews, Anduin's fun times are reserved for another story, but lets just say there "Emotional DAmaGE" for some, drama for others, and lots of headaches and lots more of Azeroth's side being on the offensive. After all it's easier to punch your neighbors in your neighborhood than to fly to another Continent and find and punch your neighbors there instead. Its also easier to bring a friend over to punch your neighbors, than to take your neighbors over to your friends place to punch them there.

The but the other drama might hurt, but I've had my time, and with my childhood, yeah it's nothing.

The Firebreak

The light of tbe sun was gone, no longer able to bless the land through the dark clouds and miasma that had claimed the skies. Shadows ruled the lands, and those who dwelled within could move unhindered and unnoticed. The true form of all things obscured to all but the sharpest eyes, only if they knew what to search for.

But in the Crimson Post none of these thoughts, occured to any of the defenders as instead a mass of hatred and bloodlust washed towards them carried on a wave of warcrazed Barbarians and Knights. Standing at the front ready to hold back this tide was Ergere, though he was not the first to strike, instead that fell to the Crane Gunners and the Horde's remaining mages. As the crack of long ranged guns came from deeper into the fortress spheres of cold and fire flew out to meet the oncoming cultists and marauders.

Heavy rounds tore into flesh piercing through the Khornittes and striking even the marauder behind them. Fire bolts detonated against chests setting hair, cloth and even flesh ablaze, while ice stabbed into muscles and hardened sinew slowing its victims allowing them to be trampled underfoot or struck again by the defenders' attacks.

Even with rounds and spells ripping into their ranks staggering their charge the Legion of the Gorequeen pressed forward. Even as tens and even hundreds fell they carged onward until flaming skulls started to fall among the defenders, explosions ripped through the defenders. Though these explosions were weak enough that the Horde defenders and their Cathayan allies only suffered few casualties from the blasts it provided enough cover for the Khornitte mobs to reach the walls. Ram headed beastmen, and Tauren-like creatures called Minotaurs ran head first into the walls causing massive damage and even breaching the wall at one point. Elsewhere axes, swords and two handed maces and larger swords and Axes tore small chunks from the wooden exterior of the wall as the blood-crazed warriors without tried to force their way into the Crimson Post.

While the defenders frantically battled against the volleys of explosive skulls and the warriors tearing at their walls the Khornittes brought forth several shaved logs carrying them as rams to batter down the walls of the fortress. Even as bolts and bullets of all kinds steadily struck down on them the Khornittes continued to hold the logs rushing them into the wall only to reset and to charge in again.

It was across the wall that Ergere took command standing atop its edge risking attacks by the attackers that the Blademaster swung down the tip of his blade splitting open the domes of those foolish enough to draw to close to the wall. But even as this took place the sky itself fell upon his position. Dozens of winged ghoulish creatures and what looked like a evil bat cousins of the harpies decended from the skies flooding over the walls and into the defenders. Several of the beasts streaked into Ergere slamming into the Blademaster even as his own sword cleaved them in twain.

The corpse of one of the bat harpies slammed into Ergere throwing him from the wall and back into the Fortress. The Orc rolled on hitting the ground and was back to his feet within seconds. already one of the ghoulish creatures was swooping at Ergere but his blade cut the beast's head in half before its claws could ever hope to reach him and the corpse mysteriously errupted into a explosion of blood and flame with not even a drop touching the Blademaster. While several more of these creatures tried to attack him, Ergere easily dispatched each allowing him to witness that the defenders here and elsewhere along the wall as far as he could see were instead busied fending off the flying fiends rather than protecting the now splintering and close to collapse segments of wall.

Indeed if not for his own presence his own location surely would be the first to break open under the myriad rams and Minotaurs attacking it. But as Ergere's sword brutally shattered the forms of the flying fiends around them his mages and warriors were freed to take to the wall's defense. With the Crimson Post's Commander's presence the defenders were instead able to start driving back the attackers even breaking some of the rams.

While he still had to fend the flying beasts off Ergere was able to resume command of his troops. This even allowed runners to report to Ergere. One, a Forsaken Death guard from the rear even comming to update Ergere on the status of the Crain Gunners asking for a target to prioritize.

"Does it need specifying? The Rams, put down these damn rams!" The Orc ordered to the Forsaken, who then took the time to salute the Orc even as Ergere cut down two more attacking Harpies.

The Forsaken runner then took off sprinting away to deliver the new targets to the Crane Gunners, only to suddenly disappear. Collapsing under the weight of the Forsaken's killer, all Ergere could see after the short sudden scream and thunderclap of the impact, one so powerful the Blademaster could faintly feel the concussive wave from several yards away, was a massive pair of wings wrapped around a hidden form with the shaft of a spear just poking above the sight blocking wings.

"Damn invaders!" Ergere roared at the thing in frustration, leveling his blade and preparing to carve yet another of the winged monsters in two. Even as Ergere took his first steps towards the creature the wings opened revealing the hideous monstrosity beneath. Both armor and flesh of the creature looked as if someone had taken a Succubus and reforged it into a blade, even this beings nose like like it could carve into the Orcish Blademaster's skin. In every sense this being was clearly something meant to bring suffering and destruction, but it had yet to meet Ergere and the Blademaster knew that while he needed to be cautious with the threat of the creatures of this world, he would ultimately win.

Then Ergere's opponent struck, the Forsaken still lodged on the blade of the monster's spear, with a spin for momentum was flung at the Blademaster with impossible speed. Instinct made Ergere deflect the near headless body with the flat of his blade, and skill caught the spear thrust that was hidden behind the flying corpse. With a half grin, half grimace Ergere held the shaft of his opponent's spear trying to wrench ot from her grasp, even as barbs in the blade drew blood from his hand. However the battle of strength over the spear only lasted a second as a hoove from the monster who vaultes herself off the spear he held collided with Ergere's jaw. The edge of the hoove cutting shallowly into the Blademaster's jaw, and the force such he was thrown back and away while relinquishing the spear. Indeed if he had been anything lesser than a Orc such as a Elf or Human his jaw would have shattered, indeed the Bone was bruised, maybe even cracked under the force of the blow.

Now the pair's duel was reset, both squaring off after the initial exchange. Ergere more carefully assessed his opponent. Her armor was thick, heavy and possessed a damning glow. The spear she held had a long broad blade and a cruel shaft that was barbed to draw blood from all but her gauntleted hand. The shield she possessed grimaced and sneered, the slightest glance towards it distracting Ergere with thoughts more suitable for celebrating victory rather than on the battlefield. Certainly the shield was magic as well. His opponent's gaze was through eyes of black sclera and red irises, basking in the violence, yet honed and spiteful. Her stance was not one of a trained warrior, but rather one born of experience that then added skills and stances and forms to fill in gaps in their ability later in life.

But while Ergere continued to analyze his foe she was overtaken with impatience. The spear in her hand swept low and swift as she ran at Ergere, in response the Blademaster parried the sweep, and in return the spiked shoulder of his opponent drove into his chest peircing his chestplate and stabbing slightly into his flesh beneath. In response he drove his knee into this woman-thing's stomach before slamming his elbow into her face sending her careening back, blood pouring from a broken nose like water from a faucet.

The Orc then pressed forward bringing his blade to carve his foe in half from head to foot. However the creature's shield, held at a angle Ergere thought impossible for her armor, blocked the blade giving not even a inch despite Ergere's strength and the weight of his sword. With quick thinking as the Khornitte pushed back with her shield Ergere let go of the blade he was using throwing a fist as the demonic thing's face. However the head he aimed for snapped to the side, a fanged mouth clasped around part of Ergere's bicep and tore away a small chunk of the Blademaster's flesh. However Ergere's following haymaker, hidden by his first arm slammed into his opponent's neck slamming her down into the ground where he moved to stomp on her, but a thrust by her spear wardes him back. This was just in time for Ergere to clasp his falling blade, now at waist height, and to follow with a sweep of the blade.

This blade sweep proved useless, unable to peneteate the monster's armor, only lifting her off the ground and to where Ergere could see her gore and torn flesh filled grin. This was swiftly followed by a 'punch' of the demon's own as her wing swept across Ergere's face and hiding the speae thrust she then made into his gut earning a raspy gasp of pain from the Blademaster before another hooved kick cracked his rib and sent him stumbling back.

Ergere stood gasping for breath, each intake of air a hiss of pain. His opponent's own ragged breaths seemed tinged with euphoria as for the first time since their clash bagan she spoke. "Khorne, accept this offering of Blood! Let me present a new unique skull to you aa my gift to you, my dedication to HATE!"

Ergere prepared, holding his sword in a defensive stance knowing she was about to again charge at him. But her charge naver came, instead the Blood-crazed lunatic threw herself to the side narrowly avoiding a torrent of fire before taking to the skies the snapping maw of a Dragon following afer her before she ducked and wove between his lashing claws and swiping at his stomach scoring a shallow hit against Iron Dragon peeling off scales.

As Ergere breathed he watched, angry at his own momentary uselessness. Useless as the wall burst open allowing barbarians and Blood soaked Knights and Warriors to come charging through clashing with the flying Cathayan riders, Cathayan Dragon Guard and Horde warrior reinforcements. Useless as the Dragon and the demon circled eachother lashing out at one another in a fatal dance. And then it was done, the Dragon caught the Demon in a blow that threw her to the ground.

Then the Dragon descended and with a shining light his form changed to that of Zhao Ming. "Now Ergere! We can end her!" The Dragon of the Western Provinces cried rushing at Valkia his Immortal fists forcing her shield aside where Ergere's sword had failed to move it. Ergere gathered himself and charged, his blade moving to remove his enemy's arm.

Instead Ergere found himself thrown back and away before his sword's swing could connect as a pulse of power emerged from Valkia's blade carried him away on wave of cutting magic. Letting Zhao Ming push her shield aside Valkia then thrust her blade forcing him to duck and dodge. Then planting the speartip the demon pole vaulted over the Dragon before taking flight once more before sweeping her arm down as if she was throwing her spear.

Ergere readied himself to block the spear, then froze. Terror overcoming the Blademaster as memories of the war against the Burning legion, and the descent of Sargeras' sword coming straight for Silithus, straight for his camp and soldiers, superimposed themselves over the image of the magic blade that then cut through the clouds falling straight for him. The terror held Ergere for two heartbeats longer before the Orc snapped back to reality. Ergere turned and ran, behind him Zhao Ming shifted forms before snatching up the Orc and flying away barely avoiding the blade. But the Sword's collision was still traumatic throwing stone and a concussive force into the area about it along with a dark magic power. Stones broke bones and peirced the armor of the Khornittes, Horde and Cathayans alike, force and fire ripping bodies apart without restraint. Zhao Ming and Ergere were caught in the force and tossed aside like dolls by a petulant child.

Atop a watchtower in the next layer of the defense Alyzz and Zhang Genji ovserved the battle while using a crossbow that was sadly far too large for the Goblin. While trying to help coordinate their forces the pair would fire bolt after bolt into the lunatic Horde. Yet even they with the chaos of the battle and attempting so many tasks could not help but see and watch as Ergere clashed with the one Zhang immediately identified as Valkia the Bloody, swordmaiden of the Blod God.

From their distance there was nothing the pair could do to aid Ergere as he clashed with his inhumane opponent, not without risking harming him instead. Instead they offered their wishes for his victory and cheered for Ergere until suddenly Zhao Ming in all his Draconic glory charged at Valkia and the two began to tear into one another. Yet Valkia smaller and faster was able to land far more strikes against Zhao Ming. But then just as it seemed that Zhao Ming and Ergere Brokenaxe had at last cornered Valkia and would defeat her, the False Valkyr instead resorted to mimicking Sargeras final gambit strike against Azeroth.

The blow was tremendous, the entire field they had all been fighting on in a instant was leveled into a wasteland the broken corpses of warriors from both sides lay broken, ruined and bleeding on what was once their field of battle. Meanwhile uncaring Knights of the Blood God and Daemons Zhang Genji Identified as Bloodthirsters rushed through the new opening in the defense.

Immediately Zhang Genji began shouting new orders to her allies. No longer could the first layer of defense hold, now they would need to consolidate on the second. If not for that Blade strike the defenders may have held for much longer as where Valkia had attacked had become the worst breach in the defenses and even there the enemy was contained and the Cathayans were organizing to send their Iron Hail gunners to combine with volleys from their crossbowmen to clear the gap allowing the Horde to plug it. If not for the blade that then made that an impossible task.

Alyzz looked down to Kogkradd knowing her next call would be difficult. "Kogkradd. Can you save our fighters? We need them off the enemy's menu."

Beneath the tower Kogkradd smiled widely as he walked away ready to lead his tribe into battle once again.

Half a world away the rolling of waves caused Eekizz Switchpickle to once again retch off the side of the ship. Then looking down and seeing the mass of creatures dragging the ship along. Already with some even working themselves to death the Gnome could see that they we rounding the edge of a coastline now h3ading south, the Bretonnian coast if he remembered the map of the world correctly. Still the absurd pace of Kyn'ra and her creations frightened him, especially without knowing where she was taking him.

"Lady Kyn'ra! Please where are we going? Maybe i can help navigate and move us more quickly." The Gnome tried to reason with his now deranged former leader, or at least he thought of her as his former leader and current captor. But he knew he had to follow her or he would certainly die.

"It would be pointless for me to try and tell you something I do not know Eekizz. I follow our God's guidance, the vision that will preserve the true order of Azeroth against the threats posed by this world's invaders." No words more driven by fanaticism and insanity had Eekizz ever heard. And so while he wanderes the ship still feeling the nausia that had overtaken him since the hit the difficult seas.

As he rocked along with the boat the Gnome had little to do. He already had taken his fair share of notes, and now the Gnome was left with little to do other than hope that someone could see him, or hear his thoughts and save him from whatever madness had taken his former ally. Sadly there were no Gods to hear his prayers, just parasites, relics of a faded age of glories, and deluded beings who thought vague concepts were worthy of his worship.

The only thing Eekizz followed was progress, and his own desire for a better future for himself. Anything that stood in the way of his advancement was nothing more than a trial to overcome and he would gladly use any tool necessary to overcome them in his own self advancement.

So for now he waited knowing that eventually he would free himself from the insanity of Kyn'ra, he just needed to pander to the twisted four armed Kaldorei-Naga fusion. Until then if he could just do anything to change course, or learn their destination would be the first step towards his inevitable escape. Indeed Eekizz knew one of the key rules of escaping captivity, never give up hope and work constantly towards it with every thought dedicated to the dream of freedom.

Perhaps if they departed to shore again his chances of escape would improve but until then getting every ounce of info was important. "Well Kyn'ra, maybe I can ask, I mean I know you find my support important but what exactly is it you want me to do? Or what do you think I know that's so valuable that of everyone you'd preserve me?"

The Kaldorei-Naga stared with a half shocked and confused expression covering her face as she looked on to her companion. She then seemed to bristle with excitement looking towards Eekizz with a smile lighting up her features distracting from the monstrosity Eekizzwas looking at. "We're going home, back to Azeroth, but the doors are barred against us. So we will just use a new door, one that is being prepared for us as we speak, one that your genius will serve as the key for."

Eekizz immediately suspected a double meaning and held back his nervous gulp. "Oh a key?" He asked simply.

"Yes, like with Jaina Proudmoore, even if the door is opened, it must be made wide enough for us to go through. I have faith that you will be the key to widening that door." Kyn'ra told her Gnome follower, blind fanaticism and incomprehension of the impossibility of her request clear on her face. This created a frozen pit in the renegade Gnome's stomach.

How was he, someone with no magical talent and a cursory reading of a few books pertaining to the theories behind how the portals from Azeroth to other worlds were supposed to function, supposed to perform a task that required Jaina Proudmoore and a entire team of the Alliance's best in the subject months to do. Particularly in a fast enough manner to satisfy someone as unstable as Kyn'ra?

"Well why didn't you just say so from the start. I'll start making sure were as ready as I can make us immediately. But just to let you know, depending on where the portal is could have some serious effects on the growth and development of the magical opening, particularly with the relationship of this world's magic and its potential impact on the portals. The one we were at seemed to be near a slight nexus point of magical power." Eekizz hoped his bluff would work, he needed it to work, and he needed to hope that no matter what he could be free of this insane wreck of a individual.

"Well we'll find out when we get there. But I know that everything will come together in due time." Kyn'ra responded turning to her N'raqi creations and silently commanding them. An hour later Eekizz could feel the boat lurching again as they traveled through rough waters fighting against insane winds and through massive waves, all while he clung to a bucket in the lower level of the boat cursing his fate wishing something about this all would change.

The battle looked to be going exactly as Ghozul had hoped, his trenches neared the fortress but now he was in the final stretch meaning he would have to expose his weapons and troops least he advance too slowly and earn a wrathful reprisal from his so called allies. So it was with a nervousness at the prospect of any losses or getting caught in the open by the remaining Cathayan army, that Ghozul finally made his determination.

If the Khornittes were able to bring forth a gigantic fortress busting sword and able to peneteate the outer defenses of the fortress then unfortunately to capture as many slaves as possible, speed would be necessary. "Move, bring the guns forward! Breach their walls and seize the slaves before they are wasted by the Blood-God's lunatics! Bring me, my due glory!"

And with that order the task masters unleashed the goblin and Ork slaves and the warriors and Immortals climbed their trenches carrying man-portable cannons, fireglaves, and equipment meant to breach the shoddy defenses of the Crimson Post. Siege weapons, such as a entire wave of light Artillery and similar equipment, a magma cannon, and three Hellcannons were all brought forward immediately. The hellcannons opened fire before their crews could properly aim their weapons the weapon's daemonic animation giving them to a thirst for violence they could no longer hold back.

Ghozul smiled as his warriors closed almost unopposed by the fortress defenders. Even as his Hellcannons daemonic fireballs landed indiscriminately among the fortess, its defenders, the Khornittes, and even the greenskin slaves that served as the chaff screening for the Dawi's advance, the Despot couldn't help but feel as though Hashut himself was granting him even more of his blessing to be a full tyrant over even more slaves.

Still with the Khornittes already pouring into the fortress' outer layer it was the risk of the Cathayan army attacking from the rear that was the only way that their attacking could now possibly fail. This meant Ghozul had to split his focus, preparing to defend against the Cathayans, yet also racing the Khornittes to capture slaves before they could pointlessly murder them all.

"Don't dig towards the fortress, expand our siegeworks to defend against outside attack, bring our supplies inside the siegeworks and prepare a defense." The Despot ordered watching the looming conflict with eager anticipation, though his mind went over every possible angle of attack and counterattack. Now the first earthshaker mortars began firing, though at this range they were unlikely to score a meaningful hits against the defenders.

Zharr Naggrund had now come, and those fools who thought themselves 'free' would soon be placed in chains where they belonged. And all for the glory of Ghozul and Hashut of course.

Inside the fortress Zhao Ming watched as a Blood Elf priest of the light tended to both himself and Ergere. The Dragon could sense the incomplete nature of the healing being done, yet it was all still very impressive and servicable. Swift, and invigorating, a healing like this could keep a champion fighting for much longer than they should, and a soldier away from certain death. The flesh that had been torn away by Valkia was filled in and fixed and the obvious difficulty Ergere had in properly moving his arm faded.

Even as the pair sat a wad of blue flame careened over the walls colliding into a Tauren before detonating shredding the cow-man into ribbons of flesh. Following this several small shells, each no larger than a grenade landed in among the defenses exploding but causing little more than a few injuries. Ergere immediately set out looking for the origin of the attack, and swiftly outside the wall Ergere spotted several large peices of equipment being brought forth by yet another invading force, greenskins and what looked like the local dwarves the reports from the fortress's battle under the previous commander had mentioned.

While Ergere stood cursing his misfortune Zhao Ming did little more than stand amusedly watching the battle unfolding saying, "I was right to hold back most ofy forces." Meanwhile Alyzz and her Cathayan hanger on both found their way to the healers bunker, clearly in search of Ergere.

Before they could waste time looking for him Ergere preempted the pair. "What is it?" The Orc shouted to the duo. Spotting him the Goblin P.I. scrambled to the Blademaster's side before giving a report.

"Ergere, your back up. Listen the inner fortress is struggling they unleashed these Wyvern like creatures that the Cathayans keep calling Manticores and their weird harpies and other demons are flying in from above. I want your permission to take some troops back to secure the inner fortress." The Goblin explained while pointing to the multitude of creatures flying over the fortress center.

"What about your ogre friends?" The Orc tried reasoning. After all if Kogkradd and his tribe secured the center he wouldn't need to spend troops needed elsewhere in the fortress.

In response Alyzz took to the segment of wall Ergere was on, tiptoeing and then pointing down to where Kogkradd and his tribe were locked with the Khornittes beating back armored warriors. And of course far too locked in, entirely surrounded infact, to join Alyzz at the Fortress center.

Finally with a growl of outrage Ergere made his decision. "Twenty, take Twenty warriors. Zhao where the hell is your army!? You boasted of them and said you're helping us, so help!" The Orc told Alyzz before shouting to the Dragon.

"I've already sent a messenger to order Geo Bei to come to the fortress at all due pace. Lei Fong I am willing to suspect is already moving into position. But for now what do you want to do. The fortress is sitting on the precipice." The Dragon responded, far too calm, logical, and smug for Ergere's liking.

"That thing we fought, she was their leader wasn't she? Will they give up if we kill her?" Ergere demanded, staring at Zhao Ming, watching him for any signs of deceit or nervousness.

"She is Valkia the Bloody, the Handmaiden of the foolish Dark God of Skulls, Kong Nüe. His deranged followers will lose their coordination and maybe some of their will if she is defeated. The Dwarves however I do not know what their objective is for this battle." The Dragon gave no sign of deceit or fear, only making a statement of fact.

"Where is she?" Ergere then asked turning to all those around him.

Alyzz answered him quickly. "After Zhao Ming dragged you back here she returned to the skies and we lost track of her, she's made a few swift attacks but she hasn't stayed committed to any fight for long."

"Damn it!" Ergere growled, slamming his fists together.

"She seeks to smite champions, claiming their skulls for her paramour. Perhaps with how she already once sought you out, she will come for you again if you rejoin the battle?" Alyzz Kneecord's companion, the Cathayan noblewoman stated. It was a reasonable idea, and Ergere agreed.

"Zhao Ming, I want you to join me, we're relieving the Ogres and breaking the encriclement around them." Ergere ordered, earning a swift glare from Zhao Ming before the Cathayan Dragon relented.

Immediately Zhao Ming changed his true Dragon form revealed before snatching up Ergere in his claw and decending upon the mass of armored warriors who were eagerly waiting for their chance to attack the Ogres. Fire from Zhao Ming consumed the invading warriors while the Dragon tossed Ergere who began to spin with his blade and creating mirrors of himself, all of them tearing into the chaff of marauders and lesser armored warriors about them.

While Ergere and Zhao Ming swiftly took off to rejoin the fight below Alyzz immediately picked twenty random Horde who looked to be in fighting shape to join herself and Zhang Genji in helping secure the fortress interior. They needed to keep these invaders from accessing the portal, and they needed to make sure their backs were secure. Zhang Genji knew first hand how tiring it was fighting while worrying someone was going to strike you in the back. And Alyzz had explained that that experience was half of the point of the rogue profession that adventures from her world loved so much. All an explanation Zhang would have to take at face value.

Still it took Alyzz and Zhang several minutes to gather some troops and climb to the peak of the fortress. The scene on the top of the hill was a chaotic mess, soldiers with polearms or swords were swiping at the air while crossbows and guns were fired whenever they could before decending monsters could try to tear into the flesh of those using the weapons. Alyzz didn't have many soldiers, but she told Zhang that those of the Horde would know what to do immediately as each of them set about trying to turn the tide against the flying beasts.

Zhang swiftly turned to Alyzz. "On your order my lady." Zhang stated earning a cute glare from the Goblin.

"Everyone spread out. Shield the Cathayan's gunmen they'll be able to put up enough fire to screen these fliers!" The Goblin shouted and the twenty warriors surged forward while Alyzz took off at a brisk but certainly slower pace. Zhang followed staying just behind Alyzz diligently.

Alyzz with Zhang behind her pushed forward only needing to strike down a couple Furies until they drew close to the portal. It was near the portal and with all the fighting further away in the mostly opened hilltop that the Goblin then suddenly spun on her heel and faced Zhang stopping Zhang in her tracks. "What is it?" Zhang asked preparing to fight whatever might be behind her.

"Do my boobs still look big? Like their fine right?" The question stunned Zhang who looked down at the Goblin like one would at someone whose health they feared for.

"Is now the time to be asking that?" Zhang hissed eyeing the ongoing battle as harpies and Furies were slowly being forced back while warriors of all kinds surrounded Manticores who lashed out blindly at mobs of attackers.

"We are by the portal and these money milkers are one of my biggest assets. And since we're basically alone for the first time since this chaos began, at what's got to be the safest position in the fortress. I need to know if I'm still able to pull off the Honeypot, I've been made fat, starved, beaten to all hell, and after this battle I want to make sure I can still make money despite everything. My future finances are at stake here!" The Goblin insisted while hefting her cleavage then drawing her knives scanning the battlefield herself.

Zhang found herself entirely awestruck, she had honestly never seen such vanity from a supposed warrior before in her life, and yet this whole moment felt, relieving and entirely natural for Alyzz at the same time. Truly if it was anyone else Zhang would have seen fit to beat them for such a behavior, but Alyzz, from Alyzz it seemed humorous. Though once the power dynamics changed she would have to discipline this Goblin to make her a proper warrior. "They-They're fine, great, I-I mean good! We're in the middle of a battle! What kind of person obsesses over making money and their appearance in the middle of a Bat-"

And then the air was driven from Zhang as the sound of squelching flesh and tearing metal alerted her to the stab in her side before the pain registered. Looking down she could see the point of a spear coming from her stomach, right before the feeling of a hoove struck her lower back peeling her off the offending weapon. Zhang then hit the ground hard enough to momentarily blacken her vision.

Then Zhang's vision returned to her Alyzz was back-peddling away from the looming form of Valkia, both the Goblin's daggers were fresh, drawn and ready. The Goblin only spared Zhang a momentary glance but it was enough for her to confirm thag Zhang was both alive and conscious, and enough for Zhang to know what to do. Immediately Zhang called a blossom wind throwing it at Valkia's head, the spells power was released however thr Blossoms remained, hopefully long enough to actually blind the monsterous woman as both Alyzz and Zhang charged her.

However Alyzz was stopped in her run by the face of Valkia's shield. Visions of her most pleasurable assignments flashing through her mind as well as visions of perhaps a more peaceful time with Kogkradd and Zhang. On the other side Zhang's clawing strike was forced to change to a parry as Valkia's spear moved to decapitate the Shugengan Lordess. Then a follow-up kick sent Zhang tumbling painfully back.

"Your skulls will be my dedication to Khorne marking this portal as his."