Time seemed to slow down. When no one dropped their weapons, they decided to go forward, and fired. Fires sparked, and lead got spat out. The bullets coming in that spelled doom.
Yet, it didn't come. Nemesis cracked her whip, and as it snapped, the sounds that rippled sent out a shockwave from her power, and they were knocked out of the air. When the musketmen realized that none of their shots hit, they quickly loaded up their next shot, but it was already too late.
Thompson and the others charged at them, clashing with each other as their weapons met. Blood flew from both sides, but they kept on pushing through, and any man that came to them was either killed, or beaten into submission.
"We need to find Dennis, quickly! Anyone of you know where he is?" The scotsman asked to his group as they managed to take cover.
"I dunno, last time I checked, he went out to apprehend the assassin that killed Noah. For what is worth, he could be in the dungeons if he's not dead yet." Ogrimm answered as he smashes his warhammer against a soldier's head.
"Well isn't that lovely. Fuckers betrayed us while we're deep inside, and now, we're gonna have to go even deeper to get him out. Almost tempted to leave him behind." Bronn added in as he looked ahead for opportunities to get through.
That was easier said than done however, as more of the soldiers inside began pouring in, coming in great droves to stop them. The only reprieve they have were the dead that came and started fighting against them, but they can only do so much against them, and with the militia here. Bronn grit his teeth as he had the same thought with the others: They were alone now, and this treachery might as well be the end of them.
That is until something came in like a blur, and cut down a good portion of them. When the deed was done, they looked upon the man, and the only thing that they saw was a knight.
"Zephyrin..." Nemesis uttered. "What brings you here...? And why only now?!"
"It... took a while, and under orders." He uttered before looking at the group.
"Very well then... Cover us as we reach for the keep." She ordered him as she and the orders ran off.
Zephyrin nodded, and when he looked upon the soldiers coming in once more, he raised his greatsword high, and cut them down one by one as if they were fodder.
When they finally made it to the keep, they went inside and held up to rest, and recuperate while they plan their next course of action. While they were resting however, they momentarily panicked when they saw the missionaries of Jasken coming up to them, only to feel relief when they made it clear that they have no true reason to hurt them, much less kill them.
"We could've needed the help, you know..." Nemesis uttered as she stared at them. "I discussed this with your leader, don't tell me he too is part of this treachery."
"That is why he asked to discuss things with you." Rhys Ball declared as he stood firm. "He knew that there was something foul within this settlement, and he discussed this with you. We didn't help sooner because they got to you first, and we can't show our hand yet..."
"Fuck me..." Bellamy Thorne cursed. "Would've been better if you told us that..."
"Regardless, you're safe here for now. The only thing that matters is to try and explain this to the people." Rhys declared. "As of right now, the militia's confused, and it's only a matter of time until the brotherhood uses this to their advantage. Fortunately, we have proof."
Bellamy and the others sighed in relief in regards to that, and they did what he asked them to do. They bandaged any wounds they have, disinfected any cuts, and even drank anything that has enough alcohol in it to give anyone a buzz.
Not long after, Dennis came in with the elf in tow. Normally, they would get mad at the sight of her, but they're too tired to deal with that now. The one thing that matters is that they themselves have bigger things to attend to.
"Damn..." The elf muttered. "Looks like the plan went into effect... I would've been happy if it wasn't for the fact that I got betrayed too."
"Good thing we have something in common..." Alicia said with a scoff. "Still can't believe that they'd do something like this."
"Well, they planned this... They were planning on capturing, and maybe even killing you as a way to appease the dogs." Rhys explained. "They were even planning to use this as a way to get the people here against you!"
Dennis groaned as it became even clearer that things were about to get even worse... And it got harder to think of a way out, specifically one that doesn't involve anything risky.
The only thing they can do now is wait.
However, a blessing did come to them, as Orella managed to break through with a good few squadrons of undead, reinforcing their numbers for a bit, but the issue is now having to hold out when the militia, and the brotherhood is now going to march onto them.
"Thought you were dead again..." Dennis joked to her, but he relented when he saw how unamused she is.
Despite that, he was greatful that she was able to provide aid. Especially since when the terrain and the fighting at Red Breaker Hills, she was willing to run off and replenish their numbers by rallying any stray undead she was able to find.
[Two Days Later]
Things went well for at least two days, mostly because the occultists were able to give them provisions while delaying the militia from checking in, especially since the dead were keeping them busy, and due to the ensuing chaos, they attracted some more so they would at least be busy at the walls and gates, but most of them are now dead inside the walls, meaning that not much is going to keep them busy for now.
Which brings us this current predicament... The brotherhood rallied anything what's left of them and the militia and sieged their own fort. They placed down battlements and even trenches just to mount some sort of defense against them. Thankfully, they aren't planning on marching soon for their energy was spent on having to deal with the undead for so long.
But it still meant that it was going to be an issue, and they can't deny, any options they have are slim.
Nemesis sat down on a chair with everyone else, but she doesn't seem to be too worried. Gods aren't often worried by the strengths of mortal men, but her silence have been a bit concerning for everyone around her, especially since they were pretty much holed up inside a dingy fort, and the only thing they have as an army to help them were the people of Derleth's Church, the foreigners who had no real reason to turn their cloaks.
Crows came in after a while, all of them squawking and cawing, and even fluttering about in a huge flock. When the militia saw the size of such a murder, they wavered in their morale, but the brotherhood weren't bothered, and had some of them shoot down a couple of crows, but the people felt that they committed a grievous act against something.
"That'll keep them distracted for a while..." Dennis muttered as he looks over.
In all honesty, the murder of crows did unnerve him for a bit, and it felt like they wee watching over him. Yet, at the same time, he felt relieved by that implication since it meant that some form of help will arrive soon, and hopefully, that will be Kazuma. Orella doesn't seem to be concerned by it all that much so that either means that it is indeed him, and hopefully it doesn't become much of a waiting game.
Well, that is until Jon came fort and roared at them.
"I know you're in there!" He bellowed. "I know that you're hiding in there, and I know that those traitors are their being complicit in protecting all of you! You brought this curse upon us, and lied to these poor people! If the necromancer expects all of us to be nothing more but nameless fodder, then we want no part in your war!"
Lies, all of them, but as far as they're concerned, they're holed up in here and still badly wounded by the events that transpired... Well, all except for Dennis and the elf he's with. Speaking of the elf, he never really learned her name.
Well, seems like a bad time to ask it now.
"What are we gonna do?" He asked around. "Fucker's over there, lying about what we're fighting for and someone has to tell them that it's wrong."
"Sounds like it'll be a good idea, if it wasn't for the fact that I doubt they'll even try to listen, much less even be eager in wanting to listen." Rhys interjected. "Unless we show them the receipts, it'll be our words against theirs."
Everyone grumbled at that, especially since it sounds like they should just give up and have them do what they wish to do to them, and only the gods know what they'll do to them.
Yet, Dennis refuses to admit the fact that they're now out of their league here, and he will refuse to back down.
[Hours Later]
The siege outside began to grow restless, the militia now starting to but heads with the brotherhood due to the way how things were turning out. Jon tried his hardest to reign them in, but the dissent has been made clear, and the cohesion of it all is starting to dwindle. Thankfully, Rhys was able to spot this, and quickly sprung in to take action.
"Now exactly what you planned, Jon? Tired and restless people now butting heads and even willing to disobey you? I thought the entire purpose of us banding together was to ensure that these people will be safe, and to ensure that they themselves won't be swallowed by the maw of chaos, and war? I guess that I shouldn't be surprised that a dog will stay a dog." He declared onto him.
"Shut your mouth, foreigner!" Jon retorted. "You're nothing but a stranger on our own lands! You don't know what goes here, and what even happens here! And how can you tell me that I'm still at bed with dogs, when I have left them?!"
"Because you planned to capture them, and sell them for ransom. Besides, when you said that you are not at bed with dogs, then tell me, why is there an army of them now marching at our walls?"
And with that, Jon's eyes widened, and with the people yelling the names of the dogs and retreating from the walls... It is a secret no more. The dogs have come.
When the people looked, the saw the banners of the dogs flapping at the wind as they were able to break down the gates and poured in, along the demons and monsters that fought and destroyed the dead at the walls. Led none other than Volt himself, smiling as he walks in, holding his sword over his shoulder as if things can't be any better.
"It appears that some things didn't go as planned, eh?" He said with a laugh. "Looks like the deal didn't really pull through, but, I can respect you for trying."
The militia was in an uproar, many of the pushing and even screaming against the brotherhood that they have been duped into assisting their enemies. One of them even charged against Volt with his axe, but he merely stepped to the side and mercilessly chopped his head off with one swing. The people backed down, but they kept their glares on him and held onto their weapons firmly.
"What? I had to do it to him." He laughed again, just in time for his army to come by his side.
"Do you not see, everyone?" Rhys declared. "They pulled the wool over your eyes, and they tricked you all into serving them. We would have told you earlier, but we feared you will not listen, so in reluctance, we decided to let you see it yourselves."
"How could you?!" One of them yelled and punched Jon in the face, and many more joined yelling curses at him.
Jon growled and he pulled out his sword, but Volt only raised his hand, and then something worse came. It broke through the wall, and it was more grotesque of a monstrosity than the one before. It was a gigantic mess of flesh, metal, and unholy sorcery... Something that Shamuhaza pulled no punches with it's creation, especially with the blades on it's innumerable arms, the cannons mounted on it's back, and with the added twist of cruelty, they put in literal towers just so it can be mounted like a war elephant.
It was a sick and twisted display, and it shambled ever forward, grumbling and muttering as it came over to them. Volt giggled like a child on a birthday party, ready to test out his brand new gift.
"Are they hiding over there, Jon?" He asked him, and when he only gave a silent nod. With that, he ordered the beast to come in, and aim the cannons at the fort.
Dennis gulped, and Bellamy started praying for anything good to happen. Orella and Rhys did their best to prepare for the oncoming onslaught, but they can only do so much against the impending doom of the cannons.
And thankfully, something good did happen, as ghouls and wraiths start pouring to the fort, and the man that made it possible was Kazuma himself. He came in from behind, backed by soldiers loyal to the Seven Shields, came in and attacked the soldiers with intense ferocity. Volt turned, and he can only be unamused as he looked upon the necromancer.
"Tch, not only did I have the displeasure of you coming in and interrupting me, you also had to attack me from behind! Didn't take you for a coward!"
"And when I get to you, I will rend every single limb off your body, and I will ensure that your head will be mounted on a spike!" He roared at him, and he started cleaving a bloody path to get to him.
Volt smiled ferally, and he charged into him as well, ready to have a duel with him in the midst of the battle. Unfortunately for his own men, only a few were able to join him to assist as the militia themselves started fighting against both the Brotherhood and his own soldiers. They themselves riled up against both their deception and treachery.
"Any of you guys ready to have a fight?" Dennis asked to his own group.
Thankfully, with the arrival of the necromancer, they were given fresh morale. With that, they charged at them, joining the ghouls and wraiths with the occultist forces to join the hectic melee. If the opportunity is here to end it now, then so be it. Volt will learn that they will not tolerate anymore of his abuse, and they will even burn it in his mind if they have to!
The battle rages on, armies fought to the bitter end, but Volt didn't care. The only thing he cared about is fighting against his newfound nemesis, and he was in joy as his sword clashed against the necromancer's own. It was glorious, and that made him fight harder.
Kazuma can only grit his teeth, but he pushed on, his sword glowing ethereally green as he danced around his swings, and even ensuring that with his spins and dodges, his sword moves with him as if it was an extension of his arm.
The training he got from Arcturus was well worth it, especially when he developed his own style of fighting. Certainly much better than using the sword he has like it's some long, glorified knife.
Nonetheless, he focused, and he continued on with dueling against his enemy. Volt only laughed, as he kept up with him, making it clear onto him that he didn't become a leader for nothing, and all the years of him leading his dogs made it clear that he has not just seen war, but fought in plenty of them.
"You fight like a girl, even dancing like one too!" He laughed aloud. "For a man that waged this war, you are nothing like a warrior, you are nothing like a sorcerer!"
Kazuma only growled, but it wasn't because of his taunts, but rather, due to the chaos around him. Everyone is here, and from the battlefield he is in, it has devolved into a brawl, and with so many people moving around, he couldn't risk hurting his own men. As for Volt? He knew how to weave around and fight in a tight crowd, and what also isn't helping is the beast that's laying waste onto the field.
It swung it's arms with reckless, uncaring abandon, and it didn't matter if it was killing the dog's enemies, or it's own allies. The only thing it cared about was ensuring that not only do they win, but Volt is safe and sound.
"Better not be getting tired!" He taunted him. "The last thing I need is someone like you getting tired, and I don't want that!"
Kazuma clicked his tongue, but he also manages to avoid the beast as it came over to him, and started getting in the way between them. Volt laughed heartily, and held out his arms in grandiosity.
"You think you're the only one with tricks?! I have my own too, and this is what I have to show for it!"
"And I can see it quite clearly, you don't have to state the obvious!" He retorted and went right in.
But as he did, the beast grabbed him, and smashed him into the ground. It roared, and the crew on top laughed boisterously. Volt laughed as he came over, hoisting his sword over his soldier with a mocking grin, enjoying the fact that the necromancer was struggling to escape. He looked down on him, and his grin grew wider when he got a glare aimed at him.
"At first I thought you would be a big problem for all of us. Believe me, you caught us off guard after you killed off some of our friends, and managed to build an army under our noses. Some of the boys even feared you, but even then, it appears that even someone like you can fall to us!"
He snickered with his boys after saying that, and he gleefully raised his sword up high, ready to lop his miserable head off. Well, he would have if it wasn't for the sudden shriek of pain that came. Kazuma was confused until he realized that his savior was none other than Dennis. He came in while he was too busy gloating, and in turn, with a broken spear he found on the ground, he impaled him right into his thigh.
Volt quickly got out of there, nursing his leg, and the beast growled with it's crew glaring down at him. However, they ended up leaving the necromancer free. Kazuma quickly stood up and ran to his side, both of them sharing a simple nod to one another as they stared down at Volt.
"You'll pay for that! You'll pay for getting between me and a rightful kill!" He barked at them, but Dennis can only snicker at him.
"All's fair in love and war, fuckface. You don't get to complain." Was the only thing he said onto him as he held onto his axe again.
Volt growled, and held onto his sword once more. He and along with his beast charged again, but Dennis and Kazuma followed suit, and both of them clashed blades once more.