29 Edward Williams 4 (2/2)

The Three Realms Jamison_C 35190K 2022-07-22

”Very well, let us plan our attack on the demon spider tribe before heading back to Everdawn.” Said Edward as he signaled his cohort of officers.

The council stretched the entire afternoon as the spirit beast leaders and Edward's group planned their attack.

In a surprising move, Reine volunteered the spirit beast tribes for the more costly role of holding back reinforcements and supporting the attack on the main demon spider base.

The spirit beasts beside Reine frowned but after taking a look at Edward, they stilled their tongues and proceeded to back Reine's move.

(These are definitely survivors) Edward thought as he watched the spirit beasts change track with admirable speed.

The sun has yet to rise as the spirit beast tribes and Edward's company moved in on the demon spiders.

As the various spirit beast tribes sealed off the area of the demon spiders, Reine and the strongest of spirit beasts followed Edward's company of three hundred.

Edward had his best scouts mixed with the most stealthy spirit beasts going ahead and silencing the sentry with the sparrows providing overwatch. As they reached the demon spiders base,

Edward was flushed. In his opinion, the game was in the bag. To close in without issues in his previous operations, usually meant game over for the opposing side.

As Edward prepared to launch the attack signal, he reminded himself that the current operation was different from his previous ones and that he should not head in with assumptions.

Edward raised his hand and shot three spheres of red light into the lightening sky.

War cries shattered the air as humans and spirit beasts surged into the valley of the demon spiders from both ends.

Edward led the charge on the southern end and crushed many demon spiders with his heavy one handed blade.

Tiffany was carrying out her words. Her lanes of fire were lancing through the demon spider ranks as if a hot knife through butter. As the flames dissipated, the troops behind would follow in to mop out the survivors. Tiffany looked like a goddess of flame as she laid waste to the battlefield.

Caine had all nine golems out and surrounded himself and Tiffany in a protective cordon. Any demon spiders that entered the golems range were pummeled or sliced relentlessly by the nine. It was to the point that even friendly allies were avoiding the cordon and just allowing the mages to work their craft in peace.

A spider cry sounded out, forcing the troops in the southern end to cover their ears. An enormous red spider scuttled into the clearing where the front of Edward's company was followed by a smaller -but still large- black spider. The red spider shot several lances of red light from its eyes at the human troops forcing their divine barriers to activate followed by the troops teleporting out.

Edward's hairs on his arms raised as he took in the red spider and admitted to himself that he may have underestimated King class beasts. (Cyrus and his company took down over twelve of such beasts over a short time period?)

A flash of green flitted through Edward's vision as Reine shouted that the spirit beasts will take down the red spider. Edward and the mages made a beeline for the black spider. Caine started harrying the black spider with his golems and forcing the two apart. Reine threw a multitude of fireballs at a distinct angle further reinforcing Caine's move. Edward slashed towards the spider's legs only to be met with a strong counter as leg and blade connected. Orange sparks flew from the contact and the spider let out a gloating sound as it fixed its eyes on Edward.

Edward had the distinct impression he was being made fun of and his mind turned cool as he ran through his next moves. From the side, Caine positioned himself in the middle of the two groups fighting the spiders and erected a wall of steel with his golems to prevent the demon spiders from helping each other. Any attempts by the black spider were caught by Edward's golem without a single one passing through.

Tiffany generated a large lance of flame and hurled it towards the spider's eyes. The black spider screeched and repelled it with its legs. Spotting an opening, Edward activated lighten and zipped towards the spider's eyes and followed up with a series of thrusts towards the spider's eyes. One thrust struck its mark, and the spider gave a cry before focusing on Edward, this time with blazes in its remaining eyes.

(A little too late to get serious now, big bug) thought Edward as he sidestepped. Caine had four golems approach while Edward distracted the spider and the spider suddenly found itself pinned to a spot as four golems and two sets of vines bound six of its legs. A lance of flame larger than the previous one was generated and this time there was no escape. The flame lance shot straight into the middle of the spider's head and with a crash, the spider's head and body sunk to the ground and lay still.