Yo! Here is chapter 13 and the third event. Let's get rolling.
Bing!
Yo, Kirito!
I figure you will show up to the event today so I want you to know that you are welcome to fight with me and the guys again. We will be eating in the same place as last event, so ya know just come on ever if you're game. Otherwise good luck today man.
-Klein
-[S]-[A]-[O]-
February 4th
Aincrad Tier One, Central Plaza
Kirito quickly closed the fifth message Klein had sent him since yesterday. The Moonlit Black Cats had requested him to join them for the event and for some reason he had agreed. So here he stood among the large crowd of players as they milled about waiting to deploy.
'So far it seems I missed nothing yesterday.'
The previous day's pre-event strategy meeting had ended before Kirito had even arrived in the city. But he doubted it was much different from the meeting before the second event.
-Meet up early in the morning. Check.
-Organize based on level and experience. Check.
-Wait for sign of event. Check.
-Mobilize, and deploy defense.
'All that is left is the event itself.'
A nervous looking Sachi stood in front of Kirito. She was zoned out and was probably busy worrying. He noticed she did that a lot.
"Oi! Don't hit me like that."
Ducker was flailing about as usual. He was a bundle of energy and Sasamaru had at some point made it his job to smack Ducker in the head whenever he got too annoying. With everyone's nerves on end today, the two were forcing themselves through the routine. Sachi smiled slightly at the duo's interaction.
'Huh. Maybe they are just trying to get Sachi to relax.'
His attention was drawn back to the group.
"Ha Sasamaru there is no way in hell you will get more kills then me. I am the best assassin Aincrad's ever seen. Beware my dagger of death, mwuhahaha!"
Bonk!
"You idiot stop dancing like that. It looks creepy. That little dagger of yours isn't gonna be worth anything in this cluster fuck of a fight. It's us with long reach weapons who do everything. So you should just go buy a spear."
Kirito ignored Ducker's animated response as he started looking around the plaza. Dozens of new stands stood around the edges of the square. Players hawking everything from bits of stale bread, too blacksmith's and carpenters trying to corner nervous players into last minute sales.
"You never know what this event will bring, you might really need this halberd."
All sorts of similar lines were being thrown around. Kirito was just glad no one had approached him.
It was now nearly noon and no news of the event had come forth. The sun was warm today melting the residue snow that had accumulated over the past week.
"Th-the weather is n-nice today, right Kirito?"
"Hmm? Oh yeah it is nice the storm cleared off."
Sachi fell silent again. And Kirito not wanting to just end the conversation so awkwardly spoke again.
"So err, you use throwing weapons right?"
She looked at him and smiled slightly.
"Yes. I have two different style of throwing picks and then I have javelins as well."
She materialized a different throwing pick into each hand. One was the Graig design Kirito was familiar with, the other was not a design Kirito had seen before. Sachi was twirling the picks around in her hands and Kirito noticed she was speaking again.
"-the Graig design is really nice as it flys really straight, but with this new pick I can deliver twice as much damage in one hit. It is still only half that of a javelin, but these picks are much quicker to throw and I can throw one from each hand."
"What? That pick does twice as much damage as the Graig variant?"
Sachi giggled at Kirito's amazed expression.
"Where did you get it? What's it called?"
"It's called a ‹‹Tywodach Throwing Pick››. The vendor I usually stock up at had this and several other kinds."
Sachi suddenly blushed.
"I picked them because they are tan colored. It was something different from gray and I wanted some variety… So…"
She trailed off and Kirito just looked at her amused.
'Tywodach huh? Must be someone found a city in a different direction. Maybe Liz knows something about it. I certainly won't be asking Argo.'
BONG! BONG! BONG!
The city's alarm bells suddenly blared. The noise in the plaza was gone in an instant. Hundreds of player's were disturbed from a relaxing lunch as the imminent event was announced. Faces grew stony and gazes sharpened all across the square. Kirito watched players equipping their gear in little flashes of light.
"HEY EVERYONE!"
The shout drew the square's attention. It was Diavel. He stood on top of a roof overlooking the square. His two lieutenants flanked him. Kibaou the noisy eager man in charge of the ranged division, and the stoic friendly looking Heathcliff. A man who was able to hold a shield wall together no matter the pressure.
"Hello everyone! I don't have time for a long speech or anything, but so far we think the event is going to be at the south gate. Npc refugees are coming in from that direction. I know that this is the most fractured our command has been since the first event.
"But I hope we can work together well with all the different guilds that are participating. Our victory will come through UNITY!
"Now, let's head south."
The mass of players began marching towards the south gate. This was very similar to the last event. The huge clump slowly moving toward the south gate. Kirito could only hope someone had figured out a way to repair it.
-[S]-[A]-[O]-
Aincrad Tier Three, South Gate
Coming into the vast courtyard that stood before the south gate Kirito noticed just how cramped it was. There seemed to be nearly twice as many people as the last event. Which would put their numbers somewhere around 6,000 players.
He saw players at the gate doing something with their inventory, but the crowd pushed him forward and he lost sight of them. Sachi was pressed into his shoulder as they followed behind the rest. Her shield was slung over her back for quick access and Kirito could see her white knuckle grip on a pick in each hand.
Then the two split from the MBC and joined the group moving toward the stairs. The ranged division was four times as big as before. It seems a huge portion of the new players in this event would rather launch projectiles then participate in the meat grinder melee that the gate fight turned in to.
The wall was very crowded and players were spread very wide. Kibaou had noticed this problem but his yelling was useless as there simply was no room. Kirito and Sachi were about 40 feet to the right of the gatehouse with the stairs in between.
"Kirito… Are you sure we can meet back up with the others?"
Sachi was worried as the last event she had equipped a spear and tried to assist her guild in the melee fight. This time, with encouragement from the guild she went with Kirito to the wall.
He turned and scanned the assembling crowd. They were once again being formed up into concentric lines around the gate. Keita had said they would try to get a spot on the left in the fourth line. So he looked and spotted Ducker's vibrant yellow hat bobbing about among the mess of people.
"Look."
He pointed.
"See Ducker's hat. They are right there."
Sachi's grip look a little relaxed now and she was no longer swaying back and forth. Kirito assumed she was now calmer. Looking toward the gate he saw those players again. This time large wooden beams were wedged against the gate. Extra reinforcement barring entrance to the city it would seem. Then a great clamor among the crowd drew his attention.
"What the fuck?"
The player next to him summed up everyone's thought. Five players were carrying a ballista through the square toward the wall. People were parting for the group giving them access. It was big and bulky, and looked somewhat primitive. However this made it none the less impressive. Somehow these guys had put this together.
They took it to the right side and were given plenty of room to assemble it on the spot. The stand was set and the huge bow slotted into place. Either side had large crank wheels. It looked almost unreal but there it was. Someone materialized huge metal tipped wooden bolts and laid them down in a bundle.
A player's shout of,
"I see them!"
Quickly drew everyone's attention off the large weapon. And indeed a huge dust cloud was hanging in the air off in the distance as a huge horde advances toward Aincrad. Individuals couldn't be distinguished from such a long distance. So what exactly was heading their way was still unknown.
The crowd once again quieted down as another shout sounded. Diavel was atop the gatehouse looking over the assembled players.
"Ahem. Alright everyone, this is no time to mess around. We have done this twice already we can do it this time then the next and the next after. Together we can survive this. Just follow the strategy, we don't need hero's here just winners. You guys are the best, now let us kick some mob ass together! Victory through unity!"
Just as Diavel finished a deep savage roar carried over the plain and crashed upon the defenders. With a series of pops the npc wall defenders materialized. The wall was much too crowded and the npcs appeared on the plain outside.
"They are on the ground outside…"
"Is this a bug?"
"That is a lot of firepower out there undefended."
The players were murmuring amongst one another. The npcs moved toward the gate and bunched up around it. Then just stood there milling about.
The approaching horde was starting to gain some clarity. Huge creatures were mixed in among thousands of smaller bodies. At the front a giant creature roared again and started to pull ahead of the main group. Its body seemed to glint as the sun shone on it.
"Is, is that a rhino?"
Someone asked.
"No, that's a giant armored rhino."
Someone answered deadpan. And indeed it was. A humungous rhinoceros covered in sheets of hanging scale mail and thick plates. Its horn was rounded off to a dull point. It screamed again and its charging speed picked up.
The ballista's bow snapped into place and sent a bolt hurtling out towards the rhino. It smashed into the ground nowhere near its target. Frantic shouts of reload where sounded and the five man engineering team frantically tried to slot another bolt and redraw the bow.
They managed and tried aiming at the giant again. Another sharp snap as the bow fired and the bolt hissed through the air. It again smashed into the ground. As they tried to draw the bow for a third time, the items durability gave out and the ballista snapped and fell into pieces. Cried of dismay sounded out from the defenders.
The rhino was close enough to get a good look at now. It stood 15 feet tall, much too big to fit through the gate. But that didn't seem to matter. As it continued to thunder closer the npc archers reacted and began firing arrows towards it. Everyone stared dumbfounded as the monster of a rhino didn't even react to the arrows plinking off its armor.
"Get the fuck away from the gate!"
Someone on the wall yelled down. The rhino's steps were shaking the ground and it was nearly at the wall. It roared again then dropped its horn and it smashed straight through the assembled npcs. They were pixelated instantly and the rhino collided right into the reinforced south gate with a tremendous crack.
Then it continued right forward. The gate house shook and began crumbling as the giant's girth struggled into the hole. The weight and momentum behind the titan's charge had obliterated the gate and the gatehouse was not stopping its size. It roared again and pushed itself straight up into the gate house.
The stone structure broke apart and head sized stones started raining around the area. Players in the first line could only stare in dumb shock as the titanic rhino regained its footing and advanced forward through the remains of the gatehouse.
"Throw your weapons! Aim at the neck! Aim at the neck!"
Kibaou roared to his skirmishers. An assortment of throwing weaponry began plinking of the rhino's immense armor. On the ground the first and second line had shoved backwards and gotten stuck against the third line. Now intermingled they had no order.
Several eager low levels rushed forward and their weapons failed to penetrate the beast's defense. It seemed like an un-killable tank. They were quickly thrown backwards as the rhino swung its head around. A small guild that was outfitted as pike men advanced forward in a tight formation. They started needling at the rhino's eyes.
One strike was true and the rhino's left eye was gored out. It reared back and roared its fury. It was on its back legs and the pike men jabbed their pikes into the unprotected underbelly and started trying to flip the rhino onto its back. When Agil dashed forward with his massive war hammer. It glowed a vibrant purple and he grunted as he bashed the rhino on the left flank.
The smashing hit did a great job and pushed the unbalanced monster over. Diavel was suddenly there and his sword found the creatures neck and he was quick to slash it repeatedly. Other players streaked forward and began delivering damage to its stomach.
A loud shattering noise was heard as the rhino broke into a storm of blue pixels and dispersed into the wind. In the aftermath of the shock and awe rhino battering ram, the defenders were quick to try and re-organize. Diavel's shouting managed to help the process.
Amazingly no players had been killed by the rhino. Several dozen skirmishers were injured when the gatehouse shattered, but they had all survived and the rhino had no real offensive power without its massive size to let it bulldoze through anyone.
Sachi looked at Kirito and asked.
"The others will be alright, right?"
"Umm, I am sure they are."
He tried to reassure her. He pointed to where they had been earlier.
"It doesn't seem like anyone died from the rhino, so I am sure they will be in the same place when the raid reforms."
Sachi nodded her head and they both turned to look out at what was coming next.
The advancing horde looked to be made up of thousands of random animals. Wolves, bears, foxes, lions, tigers, and several regular sized rhinos without the armor. Besides such normal creatures there were also huge insects. Bear sized spiders and wolf sized ants. And in the center of it all on top of a giant red scorpion was a small hut.
Dried wooden beams made the lattice work and interwoven were dozen of human skulls that supported the hut. In the hut's opening was a dark human sized figure. Presumable the boss leading this animal pack.
"Well fuck me sideways."
A player next to Kirito said. Kibaou had sadly managed to survive the collapsing gatehouse and now was standing atop one of the crenellations near where the structure used to be.
"Alright everyone. We fucked up with that rhino. But we won't now. Do you hear me? Nothing, literally not a single critter is getting inside this wall. So get ready to throw like you mean it."
A single wolf let loose a loud blood chilling howl. Then the assembled creatures roared, yipped, howled, and screeched together in a cacophony of noise and all as one started moving forward. The scorpion stayed back where it had come to rest.
The first line of defenders had been repositioned into the remains of the gate house. Players had scrambled to collect the loose stones and piled them with the foundation to create a very fragile defensive position.
Locked, shields together and stabbing weapons primed, the first line stood ready to receive the charge that was coming.
"Attack!"
Yelled Kibaou. Only for his voice to be drowned out as the skirmishers roared their challenge to the enemy and began peppering the oncoming creatures. Sachi even let out a short little yell and began hurling her picks two at a time.
The front line of the animal charge instantly melted. Left right and center the creatures broke apart into pixels, only for their brethren to continue through their remains. Only for the next wave of projectiles to smash down and deliver wholesale slaughter.
"YES YE YES! KEEP IT UP YEAH!"
Kibaou was going nuts as he saw his troops earn him eternal glory. Only for his plan to yield to reality as the creatures began to make it through the line of fire. A rhino was the first and it smashed into the shield wall and bent the defense deeply. The wounds it suffered in return sent it shattering into oblivion.
A dozen spiders on the far right made it to the wall and started climbing it. The newer weaker players there instantly turned and ran as the monsters reached the top and started decimating the skirmishers.
Havoc truly erupted as up and down the wall more and more spiders started to climb the wall. Only for the slower ants to join in once they reached the wall and ascend it as well. A panicked melee broke out on the wall. Most of the players only had their ranged weaponry and the stats didn't lend themselves well to melee combat.
Kirito had drawn his sword and slashed a spiders head clean through. Only to turn and see Sachi release a pair of picks into an oncoming ants skull. The creature twitched pitifully before Sachi now armed with a javelin jabbed it in the abdomen and shoved it off the wall.
Down below the animals were now freely assaulting the front line. They were holding but the strange and varied attack patterns were proving difficult to manage. The third line was issued to help the skirmishers.
The stairs were crazy. The third line was trying to fight their way up but fleeing skirmishers were madly trying to shove their way free. Spiders and ants were biting and spearing players around them with casual ease.
And then the worst happened. As the skirmishers broke up and down the wall. The giant scorpion began advancing. It quickly covered the distance and strode over the wall. A giant pincer slashed toward the right side of the first line and its blunt force knocked away a dozen players.
The gap in the shield wall was then exploited by several bears and a dozen foxes as they rushed in. The second line moved forward to try and respond but already the first line began to break.
"Sachi! We have to go and find the others."
Kirito's words got her attention and she stopped throwing javelins towards the hut on the scorpion. Kirito then started shoving his way through the remaining skirmishers and the melee from the third line towards the stairs.
The ants and spiders had been driven from the left side, while the right side of where the gatehouse once had been was close to being overrun. The scorpions other pincer was making quick work of whoever tried to stand and fight there.
Diavel was shouting his head off trying to bring forward the reserve 5th and 6th lines. They consisted mostly of newer recruits players whose levels were not quite up to where they needed to be for front line fighting. As Kirito shoved his way towards the stairs he was shoved back by a familiar heater shield.
The MBC stood before him.
"Sachi! Kirito, good you guys are alright."
Keita spoke when he saw the two of them.
"Keita why are you guys here? I thought you were part of the fourth line?"
"Well do you see this madness? We had to get to Sachi and you as well so we joined up with the guys heading this way. It is not like someone in the fourth line was gonna tell us not to go. They were all freaking out about fighting."
Before they could continue the scorpion lashed out and punched a hole through all the remaining lines of defense. And then is jumped and came crashing down on another section of the fourth line who were now fighting together with the first, second, and the fifth lines.
When the animals once again exploited the hole in the defense everything turned crazy. Already this event had been going much different from the previous two. The sheer chaos going on down below was crazy. Players were flat out turning and running. Every line was breaking and the scorpion and his minions were taking full advantage of it.
Kirito saw Diavel mixed in organized knot of players who were steadily backing up and fending off the advancing foes. Diavel was shouting for players to form up with him as they retreated giving ground. Kirito motioned towards them and the MBC all nodded in agreement.
The left side of the wall began retreating to catch up to the reforming defense as all around them animals bit and slashed at them. The defense was broken and right now the players were barely holding it together.
Kirito ducked under a brown bears thick paw, and used ‹‹dismember›› a vicious four strike attack to lop the bear's limbs off. It quickly shattered into pixels silencing its roar of pain. To his side Sachi hurled another javelin and struck down an approaching lion and Ducker and Sasamaru pinned down a pair of wolves. Tetsuo and Keita worked in tandem to fight a handful of small red foxes that were dashing about biting ankles and de-buffing player movement.
Behind the MBC a group of players followed in their wake as they bee lined straight toward the retreating front line. The giant scorpion was currently smashing the surrounding houses. Its thick pincers flattening everything they struck. Its tailed remained poised high above its back waiting for a good target to strike.
Diavel's group was currently stalled at the intersection of the two main roads in the southern third tier. The first road ran straight through all three tiers from the center plaza outside from the third tier gate. Then the main road the circled the entire tier was playing host to a losing battle.
Diavel's group was maintain their position to provide a safe zone to retreating players. If they continued falling back. Many players were in danger of being surrounded and overwhelmed. Kirito and co were close to linking up to the group. He slashed a wolf across the muzzle and shoulder shoved a stunned tiger. A throwing pick materialized in his left hand and a quick yellow glow illuminated it as he flicked his wrist and launched it into an advancing ant's skull.
All around him players were fighting ferociously to break free to the main line. A group of skirmishers stood near the center of the moving group and harried and animals that tried to sneak up behind the group.
Not soon later they broke through and Kirito plus a hundred other players linked up with Diavel's thousand odd force. Only a sixth of the original army remained fighting. The others had all retreated back to the second tier.
Kirito got near the back and took the time to catch his breathe. It felt like they had been fighting for days when it had only taken the creatures close to two hours to push the defenders this far. It had been a fierce and chaotic struggle thus far, and there still seemed to be hundreds of creatures smashing themselves against the defenders.
"We can't hold the scorpion. We must retreat to the second tier. Diavel we must retreat!"
His lieutenant Heathcliff was yelling at the raid leader. Diavel seemed to accept the man's words.
"ALRIGHT EVERYONE ORGANIZED RETREAT! ORGANIZED RETREAT! STAY IN FORMATION!"
The shield wall started backing up as dozens of wolves were kept at bay. Suddenly a clatter of hooves sounded out and a player's yell cut across the din of the battle field.
"WE WILL COVER YOU! DIAVEL, TAKE THIS TIME TO GET BACK TO THE SECOND TIER!"
A huge roar of,
"CHARGE!"
Followed the player's announcement and to everyone's shock the KoR came dashing forward. 30 mounted players came crashing into the animals flank and obliterated the creatures. They charged through and continued along the third tiers main circling road. A distance down they circled and reformed for a second charge.
The animal's attention was solely focused on the mounted guild and the foot troops broke the shield wall and turned to retreat in an orderly jog. They were still a while out from the second gate. The more time the knights could provide the better.
-[S]-[A]-[O]-
Asuna
"Reform! Reform! Alright forward canter. Charge on my command."
Her voice was strong and her guild had no issue listening. They had not planned to participate this event. But when the dire situation became clear, she had formed them up and led them to try and provide relief to the retreating front line.
The first charge had been great. No casualties on her side and dozens of animals were slain. Now they were charging back in without the element of surprise. This time large bears were rushing to meet them. With a battle cry Asuna spurred her horse forward and couched her lance. Her knights surged forward as well.
Their lances were adorned with banners that declared their guild's new name ‹‹Knights of the Realm››. The change was odd. But her guild mates had insisted it was much better then knights of ruin. And the same acronym could still be applied to their name so no one seemed bothered by the change.
But this wasn't important at the moment. What was important was driving her lance through that bears throat rather than admiring the banner on said lance. And so newly refocused the KoR clashed with their foes.
-[S]-[A]-[O]-
Kirito
"Wow was that really the KoR? I heard they had disbanded after their total failure last event."
"I wouldn't say such things about them. They may have messed up once, but what they just did for us is truly a blessing. That commander of theirs is now my guardian angel."
Smack!
"Shut up Ducker. No one wants to hear you say such things."
"Aww Sasamarrrruuuu! Don't hit me."
Sachi giggled at their interaction and Kirito couldn't help the small smirk as these two continued their never ending comedy act. Keita rolled his eyes and Tetsuo was too busy downing a health potion to care.
They had made it to the second tier and Diavel had sent people off to watch the other gates and ensure they were closed. Then he sent some of the lower level players who had no wish to return to the fight to try and evacuate any non-combat players to the first tier. It was just a precaution but it was better to be safe than sorry.
Kirito and Sachi bid the group farewell and made their way atop the second tier wall. It was a much sturdier and more defensive wall. Skirmishers were already taking position between the crenellations and above the gatehouse murder holes.
Diavel was trying to rest all the players who had fought during his mad retreat but they were his veteran core and he needed them to help hold the front lines again. So the players from before who had fled were being intermixed in the front lines to try and allow the tired front liners some rest.
The defenders were several thousand players strong once more. No one knew how many players had been killed during that chaotic melee but clearly there were players who were just not returning to fight round two.
Then from the wall Kirito saw several dozen horses dashing toward the gate. It would seem the KoR was done and had decided to return. The problem was the wolves nipping at their heels. It was going to be tight getting them inside.
Players quickly opened the large gate and the shield wall parted to make room for their entrance. The cavalrymen thundered in through the gate full speed. As soon as they were out of the line of fire, a hundred picks and javelins hissed down to slaughter their pursuers.
With the wolves dead and the KoR safely inside the foot troops began loudly cheering the KoR for their timely help. Kirito couldn't help but notice the missing knights. The KoR was down a third of their members it would seem.
But the time for celebration quickly ended as someone shouted.
"That giant ass scorpion is coming this way. What are we gonna do about it?"
As if in response to the player's exclamation 150 npc archers spawned on the wall. These npc guards were much stronger compared to the weaker version who defend the third tier. With space on the wall they were properly positioned. As the scorpion drew nearer the archers took aim and released a huge volley.
150 shafts screamed through the air and their metal heads punctured the scorpion's tough exoskeleton. The scorpion was only mildly bothered by the arrows. Its health dipped an unnoticeable amount and it continued crawling toward the second tier gate. Someone was tugging on his sleeve so Kirito turned his attention from the approaching monster.
"Kirito don't you think we should go up into one of the tower?"
"No Sachi. If I were that big scorpion the first thing I would do is smash those towers down. It's definitely better to be out of the way."
"Hmm yeah I guess that makes sense…"
Their conversation was cut from ended as Kibaou once more appeared among the battlements. His prominent spiky hair drawing the skirmishers attention. Whether they viewed him as someone with actual leadership over them was debatable. But Diavel trusted him and he had never done a bad job directing the skirmishers weaponry. As a person though he was unanimously disliked. Kirito often heard random skirmishers making snide remarks when the prickly man spoke.
"Alright guys bring me, no I mean us glory! Kill that scorpion!"
Kibaou then hefted a javelin and allowed the skill system to power his throw. It flew straight and far. But ultimately the scorpion still was a ways off. His javelin ended up smashing a random window. Several people did a poor job hiding their snickering at that.
"Well… When that scorpion is closer let's fuck it up!"
He then swaggered off to where ever it was he went to.
Jokes aside the scorpion was nearly in range. The archers were still hammering it but they were just shooting its limbs and causing little to no damage. Kirito could just barely make out a shadowy figure inside the hut atop the scorpion.
The remaining animals could be seen congregating down the road. They still numbered several hundred but their numbers were greatly diminished from all the fighting. The spiders, ants, rhino's and lions had been completely killed. Which was why the assault was paused till the scorpion manages to knock in the next gate.
Kirito judged it to be within range and ready one of his javelins. He still easily had over half his arsenal. As he had not had much time to really unload. The players around him seemed to be settling themselves in to do some serious fighting as well.
Suddenly an arrow flew from the hut and struck a player in the right tower. Her scream of pain was heard but thankfully it did not fall silent. She had not been killed by the singular blow.
The scorpion however decided to follow its rider's direction and advanced toward the right tower. This megalith of a creature stood around 20 feet tall and its massive pincer was strong enough to smash in the thick stone tower.
It was an explosion of stone. The chunks rained down on the defenders. Bodies flew among the debris and blue pixels floated away in the breeze.
The scorpion's sudden attack was met with a hail of projectiles. The players were not as simple as the npcs and they concentrated on the hut atop its back and at its beady black eyes. Javelins, knifes, picks, axes, stones, and even several glass bottles were hurled.
The first barrage carried several hundred projectiles. Dozens found their mark and the scorpions was blinded. The last thing it saw was its claw destroying the tower. Near a hundred projectiles connect with the hut but the only response was a second arrow flying forth.
Javelins were jammed into the scorpions joints limiting its movement slightly. While through sheer weight of numbers the scorpion's health was now below half. A vivid red filled the end portion of its health bar. It was thrashing wildly and was trampling a section of the third tier. Houses, inns, and shops became rubble instantly.
No obvious effect came from the thrown glass so Kirito assumed they had proven ineffectual. Until a player stepped forth with a lit javelin. His flaming missile sunk into part of the scorpions head and over half of its face lit up in a blaze of flames.
The creature shuddered once then collapsed against the gate. Oddly it did not shatter. The figure rose from the hut and revealed itself to be a large black garbed human. Or so Kirito saw till he registered the man's skin was also as black as his clothes.
‹‹Ranzat The Beast Overlord›› Was his displayed name. A small chunk of his health was missing. And clutched in his arms was a small curved bow. It was white with golden embellishments. Ranzat drew the bow back and an arrow appeared between his fingers fitted to the string. He released and it flew up and ricocheted off one of the battlements.
He roared in an unknown language and swung his arm forward. The remaining creatures surged forward and used the still there scorpion body as a ramp. The skirmishers were flinging full throttle and the advancing animals were dying in droves. Kibaou was shouting to Diavel the need for melee troops when one of Ranzat's arrows caught Kibaou in the shoulder. He would have fallen from the wall if someone hadn't grabbed his other shoulder to steady him.
To Kibaou's credit he ripped the shaft free and cursed loudly as he urged Diavel to redeploy quicker.
The higher level skirmishers with melee ability moved to stand atop the wall before the oncoming horde. Kirito was heading there himself before Sachi gripped his arm.
"Kirito where are you going? It is going to be very dangerous over there."
"Sachi. I don't know if you guys have figured this out yet or not but I am level 50. I am one of the strongest player's here. It is kind of my thing to fight at the front. So just let me go and watch cause I bet ya I do something bad ass, ok?"
Before she could respond he jumped into the flow of people pushing toward the fight. Already the faster wolves and foxes were engaging the players closest. Melee troops were trying to quickly move toward the area, but the skirmishers still trying to fight and others trying to retreat was delaying them.
At the front Kirito was able to quickly fill a hole and insert himself into the mad frenzy. He shoved a wolf off a downed player and sliced open its stomach cavity. A second swipe to the head ended the creature. He turned to see a fox lunging at him. His last second swing was too late and he missed. It barreled into his thigh and bit deeply.
His left hand suddenly lit up with light blew energy as he smashed it against the fox's skull. The short stun kicked in forcing it to release its teeth. Kirito kicked it away and caught it with a downward slash.
Looking around he could see more and more players arrive on scene. The air above was still filled with projectiles arc onto the advancing animals. Before he could get complacent a large white polar bear rushed into his area and slashed its claw toward him and a second player.
The player tried to dodge but ended up tripping himself and Kirito. In a jumble on the ground he quickly fumbled and activated his off-hand throwing dagger. It materialized and with a flick of the wrist was sent rocketing into the bears exposed throat. The streak of yellow light indicating it as a powered skill.
As the bear fell onto the two of them it exploded into millions of blue shards. Kirito shoved the player off himself and the two quickly regained their footing. Kirito caught a glance of the boss. Its hp was below half and it was riddled with an assortment of weaponry.
Likely Kibaou had told everyone to focus it. If it died to a thrown weapon his glory would naturally be eternal. It didn't matter if he wasn't the one to throw it.
But he was dragged into another fight as a pair of tigers ran toward him. The large orange striped beasts opened their mouths to show rows of sharp teeth. The closer one was larger and it leaped first. Claw extended, intent on ripping into Kirito.
With no room to maneuver away, he initiated a leap skill and met the tiger head on. His blade hummed with energy and sliced clean through one of the tiger's arms and bit deeply into its face. Its howl of pain was ignored as the second one came from the side toward him. But a silvery spear suddenly poked its brains out as a player assisted him. They both shattered into pixels.
But there was no time to admire the effects as another bear surrounded by three wolves was approaching this section of the wall. Kirito fell upon the first wolf in his vision and dispatched it quickly with a three strike combo. The other two wolves pinned a player. While a third player was needling the bear with his spear.
Another glance revealed the boss engaged in a quick back to back flurry of strikes and block with Heathcliff. The boss's health now blinked red.
As the third player kept the bear occupied Kirito summoned up a javelin and hurled it at the closer wolf. The missile went through its gut and knocked it off balance. And Kirito dashed after it to shove the wolf off the player. A fourth player appeared and slashed the beast with his katana. While several others piled into the fight and killed off the bear.
"Yo Kirito!"
Exclaimed a recognizable voice.
"Hello to you as well Klein. Issin, Harry One, Dale, Kunimittz, and Dynamm good to see you haven't died."
"Oi watch it Kirito. We are professionals now ya hear?"
"Hmph ok."
A twisted shriek erupted from the center of the battle. His minions were slain and the boss was on his knees in his final moments of life. Diavel stepped forward to deal the final blow. Kirito was not sure where he had come from, hadn't Heathcliff been fighting the boss?
But a small axe went whizzing by Diavel and smote the boss in the neck. The blow was fatal and the boss exploded in a shower of blue pixels. Sadly the scorpion dad as well. So dozens of players found themselves crashing into the ground form a short fall.
Luckily such damage was fixed as long as their health didn't drop to zero.
Up on the ramparts it was silent. Except for one loud obnoxious cheering voice.
"Fuck yeah! Did you guys see that? I just put that Beast Overlord wannabe straight into the ground. One blow from the mighty Kibaou and you shall be slain. FEAR MEEEE!"
Diavel was glaring angrily at Kibaou but he quickly covered his emotion as he realized he needed to keep his control while in front of his army.
"Ahh, a congratulations are in order for you Kibaou. A better blow not even I could have struck. Well done."
Diavel's voice was composed, except for his heavy breathing from the exertion of fighting he seemed to actually be happy for Kibaou. But the majority of people there weren't buying it. Someone kill steals you like that? Anyone would be pissed as hell.
"Well everyone, great job."
Diavel said in a tired voice.
"But it looks like we have a serious rebuilding to do huh?"
Surveying the southern section of the third tier Kirito saw what he meant. It was a mess. The second tier wall was one tower short. Most of the section between the walls was smashed to rubble. Reclaimable thrown weapons littered the ground here and there. And the south gate on the third tier wall was in shambles.
The gate house was missing the top half and most of the crenellations were chipped off the wall. All in all it was nearly un-defendable.
"Well I sure am glad I don't do construction work."
A nearby player chuckled at his statement. But Kirito had already turned and was heading off to go get a good meal then sleep in the closest inn.
Well that's chapter 13 and the third event.
I hope you enjoyed it.
And I hope you can see I do plan to start making the events varied. But rest assured there will be epic sieges to come.
As a side note, I have been thinking about my actions scenes and I figured what a better time to ask then during an action packed chapter.
So what do you guys think about my actions scenes? do they make sense, do they flow well? Do they make Kirito seem to op or to under powered? Are they full of plot holes where one moment kirito fights off an entire army then has his hands full with a couple wolves? I am curious about how you guys see it. So if you are willing please share your thoughts with me, either via a review, a pm or even check out my onslaught forum and discuss it there.
Anyway I am out, until the next chapter.