80 Grand Liches (1/2)
It took Clay, Ryan and his people another 2 years to finally grow strong enough to face the Grand Liches. The first year, they had been marching towards the Grand Liches' towers and fighting countless undead along the way. They even faced lesser vampyrs, vamps and even the noble Vampires which led their own forces against their growing numbers. From 300, they slowly decreased in number as casualties could not be avoided even with Clay's runes. Especially when the runes are destroyed when attacked unfortunately. A dent in the runes would disable its effect, a scratch or even a tiny cut on the lines of the rune renders it useless. They found out about it the hard way and they became even more careful and united. They mourned for their dead and they pushed forward even more eagerly.
While pushing towards the Grand Liches, they encountered other sanctuaries that housed limited numbers of people which they invited to join them fervently and successfully increased their numbers through it.
Clay trained them as he had trained the first people he trained; however, the newcomers were trained by the veterans. Especially Herman's squad. They became the leaders of the people.
Ryan oddly did not grow as a child; it seems that their bodies stopped growing after they Teleported here. Maybe a side-effect of the spell, Clay did not worry too much about it and assured Ryan that he'd grow to be a good baby when they get back to their world. Alleucanth.
The men have started to truly grow as a nation and as a people through the countless battles that they have experienced and the leadership of Herman, once Lord of Erkshire, became that reminiscent of a king.
With their constant battling and growth, the undead forces no longer became a threat to them and instead they grew strong enough to oppose the Grand Liches. With the Grand Liches as their goal, they pushed even harder to train and to grow strong enough to stand at the battle that decides the fate of Evernight.
At the halls of their underground sanctuary which were expanded to accommodate thousands of people including women and children, in the mouth before the gates of the underground sanctuary, stood 800 or so soldiers, both veterans and rookies. At an elevated platform stood Clay about to give a speech.
”That was a splendid speech father! Truly admirable!” Ryan sent a telepathic communication to Clay.
”It is what they needed. And well, you should have noticed that I used magic to boost their morale. So, I cheated there.” Chuckling, Clay responded.
”No father, it was still splendid. It may not be pure pep talk; however, the effects of your magic shall bring them victory in tonight's battle. This shall be their final and decisive battle.”
”You are right son; this will be their decisive moment. If they don't move accordingly, they will all die, and we will not be able to help them any further.” It was a harsh declaration, however, Ryan understood. They already spent so much time here on Evernight. If they stayed more time here, then they may as well just live here, however, they could not. They had family and friends that awaited their return in Alleucanth, especially Clay.
”I understand father. If they fail to grasp their freedom from the rule of the Grand Liches, then they will only die, slowly but surely. Only time will tell. However, if they succeed, then they will be the hope of humanity and the world!” Ryan beamed as he imagined this world given sunlight by the Sun and the living creatures to be basked in the glorious sunlight. How wonderful for them.
Just as they both finished their telepathy; Herman gave the signal to Clay that they were all ready to march forward. The gates to the underground sanctuary was controlled by Clay exclusively. The soldiers did not have enough ability to open it up even with their numbers. The magic users that Clay had trained all have grown more powerful however, Clay had taught them to Chant and shout the name of the spell that they wanted to cast. Thus, preserving his technique for those that were truly worthy of it like his subordinates.
The troop consisted of soldiers, magic users and logistics at the back. The logistics handled the resupplying of the javelins that were thrown and couldn't be retrieved in the heat of battle as well as refreshments to those that needed to retreat from fatigue. The magic users were protected by the soldiers who had no aptitude for it. And they were the main damage dealers in this formation.
The moment Clay opened the gates, he roared, ”Kill them ALL~!” And then the marching of 800 people resounded clearly as even the earth trembled as they uniformly marched towards their final battle!
***
Before the fighting started.
Marduke, the one that the Lich that Clay killed three years prior had called for help was sitting at a round table with all 6 of the Grand Liches of Evernight, including himself. The Grand Liches ruled Evernight with the army of the Undead they each commanded. Each had a specialty, Marduke's being the magic-oriented undead of every species. The one sitting next to him to his right was Elkanor, a Vampire Ancestor who ruled the vampire-kind. To Marduke's left was Althel, progenitor of the Arch Fiend species. Directly across Marduke was Elyenthel, leader of the Specters. To Elyenthel's right was Ackers, Grand Arch Deathknight, leader of the army of dead military men, serving as their commander in chief. And to Elyenthel left was the leader of the undead staples, zombies, ghouls and even skeletons; Boni.