102 An ordered retrea (1/2)
Facing the masses that were getting more and more important as the seconds passed, the meager troops still guarding the West Gates were sweating a lot. They had hoped that the bells of Archet will never ring in that night since it would only mean one thing. That the captain of the guards had acknowledged a breach in their lines and that the safety of the citizens of the city was no longer guaranteed. At the same time, the previously closed gates will now open their doors, since the uncertainty lying beyond the tall stone walls was better than the waves of undead.
It was time for them to protect the terrified population from anything that will await them in the dark, and while a few were trying to appease the first families that were rushing toward them, a small group of guards was scouting the surroundings. The dim light of the torches they carried was not enough to see very far, but it seemed that no army was encircling them from that side. Just at the moment where the officer in charge was beginning to order everyone to go back, he froze himself at the bloodied spectacle in front of him.
Shadows from everywhere were decimating the twenty or so men that were first sent. Some of them didn't even have the time to raise their swords and shields before dying in a gruesome way. Screams filled the air, even reaching the walls of Archet. Shortly after, silence reigned once more supreme, shocking everyone. The gates that were beginning to be opened were immediately closed, and not even the most desperate human opposed this decision. It created a surreal situation where the first that tried to escape were violently preventing the latecomers to try that solution.
The issue that none that exited the city managed to came back made the lucky ones that were not part of that group shiver. But while they could still manage to appease the small groups that kept coming that way, it wasn't long before their numbers were too overwhelming. Even with the help of the dozens quickest that heard the same as them, the garrison could only stand their ground to prevent the opening of the few gates on that side of the wall. The fleeing families were gradually repelled only to that part of the city since both the northern and southern walls were getting more and more dangerous.
Neither the Mayor that was still knocked out nor Seron could have imagined that the flow of the battle would accelerate so quickly. But the latter couldn't do a single thing against the shadows that were blocking the way in the West since he couldn't spare a single man from the ongoing battle.The number of casualties was growing at a terrifying rate, and more and more adventurers that were previously resting were discreetly trying to escape. The only thing that was good for Seron was the fact that most magicians and priests that decided to leave still threw out a few spells.
It was enough to create many problems for the undead. Whether it was an elemental spell, that could turn the ground into ice, making the clumsy skeletons fall on themselves or support prayers, invigorating the exhausted warriors, they were of great help. But he still knew that it was only delaying the inevitable because undead were still climbing the walls of Archet. He couldn't know how many skeletons were still standing, but no zombies had been seen since the beginning. And their very presence meant that those liches could resurrect the fallen defenders. But besides the deadly spell they threw in the South, to deal with the killers of the Black Gauntlet, they had not made another move.
Looking around at everyone that was still fighting, Seron couldn't help but think that it was no longer possible to hold on such a large front. Soldiers were spread on such a large distance, and with the new increase of intelligence from those skeletons, it was not viable to stay like that. It had already been 15 minutes since the bells were ringing, meaning that everyone should have escaped by now. Or at least, left this side of Archet.
”RETREAT! TO THE CITY HALL! RETREAT!” They could only leave, but not in a disorganized way. As the message was spreading, the frontline was retreating step by step, not turning their backs toward the skeletons. If they dared to do that, no one could hope to escape. Many men were carrying the most injured and exhausted one with their shoulders. The process was slow, but no one was left behind.
As more and more houses were left in control of the undead side, there was only one particular thing that Seron was dreadful. The main barracks and armory was located in the North of Archet, but will be left defenseless if they retreated toward the City Hall. Logically, seeing how none of the skeletons sparred a single glance toward the numerous goods inside the houses, it wouldn't be a problem. But if they had another progress in their intelligence, many weapons were still usable on the ramparts, and a few things were not yet used. Not that they decided to save anything, just that they were useless against undead.
Diverse poisons and fluids particularly efficient against flesh would have only been dangerous for the humans. So, they were still stored inside the barracks, but it was only a worrisome idea. There were little chances for the enemy to even notice it. At the same time, the Guild of the Adventurers was located near the City Hall but will have to be protected at all cost. Even if he didn't know how many secrets were preserved inside this building, he couldn't let any of them escape.
While fighting and retreating at the same time, he could finally see by his own eyes why every report from that part of the battlefield was so eloquent. The two moving armors were rampaging amongst the undead, and even with their newly found weapons, they couldn't even scratch the two strange adventurers. This also created a vacuum in the influx of skeletons, many of them being attracted instead of continuing toward the guards. Just by themselves, they could replace nearly 100 guards, since they weren't tired and never rested.
He could only sigh since even himself had to rest a few times since the beginning. Even if he wasn't as vigorous as when he was younger, it was still a bit shameful to be that worse compared to the two. A few minutes later, both groups ended up in front of the majestic building symbolizing the very city of Archet. The large plaza was already filled with guards, many still defending the streets leading to that position while the injured were transported.