3 Corpse Army (1/2)

Like enraged beasts, the horde of Ogres rushed into the grove holding their maces. Meanwhile, Elhorn and the other Elves who held their daggers, jumped from one vine to the other as they approached the rampaging horde. The Elves hidden at various spots on the trees, rained down arrows on the incoming Ogre horde. Unlike the previous case, most of the arrows ricochet off the armors of the Ogres. They could not target the openings in the helmets of the Ogres, too. Because, they ran with their heads facing the ground. Rather than relying on their sense of sight, they used their superior sense of smell to determine the position of the Elves.

Seconds later, both factions engaged in a brutal life and death struggle. In terms of physical strength, the Ogres had the advantage. Although not the most intelligent race on Skyhaven, they knew how to use their inhumane strength to their advantage. With Rheh leading the charge, the Ogres attacked the Elves with their massive maces. It sent the Elves unfortunate to meet its spike surface head-on, into midair. While fresh blood sprayed into the air. Some unfortunate Elves, had their bodies assaulted several times while midair. Unlike the armor of the Ogres, theirs cracked from the might of the Ogres.

Just like the Elves, the Ogres suffered losses, too. With Elhorn leading the charge, the Elves used their superior agility and intellect to dodge the berserker-like attacks from the Ogres. Unlike the Ogres who fought in individual units, the Elves fought as a unit. Comprising four members in a unit. Twisting in midair like agile monkeys, they bounced off the bodies of the Ogres while targeting the weak spots in their armor–the small gap in each joint. Also, the more skilled Elves killed the Ogres by plunging their daggers into the eye openings of their helmet. As Elhorn and the other Elves faced off with the Ogres, the hidden archery unit also assaulted the rampaging Ogres. Bombarding them with a continuous rain of arrows. Working in sync with the archery unit, the attacking unit ensured the Ogres raised their ends, which ensured the archery unit got a clear shot.

With both factions locked in heated combat, the enraged war cries of both parties echoed. Drowning the miserable shrieks of the slain and twangs of several bows. Blood stained the grass-covered earth, dying it with a mixture of red and gray. While several corpses and arrows littered the stained earth.

A few minutes later, from the over seventy Ogres, only twenty remained. Meanwhile, only twenty had fallen from the side of the Elves. They had used their superior agility and intellect to their advantage. Observing the corpses of the slain Ogres, several of them had one or more arrows embedded in their skulls. While their gray blood dyed the green grass. Also, a thick smell of fresh blood pervaded the air.

”You bastards! You will pay for this!” Gamgult said.

His howl reverberating in all directions, only a few minutes had passed since the battle started, yet more than half of his brothers laid on the ground. Never to wake up again. It filled him with rage as he stared at Elhorn and the others. Even though they had superior armors, weapons, and strength, he could not believe the outcome of the battle.

Meanwhile, Elhorn had the others had no change in their expressions upon hearing Gamgult's shout. Unlike before, the hidden archery unit merged with the attacking unit. They all had a fierce expression on their faces. Because, several of their friends corpses laid on the grounds. The same people they prayed with a few moments ago, would never see their families again. It filled them with rage. They had to avenge their slain brothers and sisters.

”Gamgult, there is no point wasting words with these bastards. We must avenge our brothers! Let's use the Item, the Order gave us,” Rheh said.

Like most of the Ogres, he took deeps breaths at odd intervals. While he used his mace to support his body. Looking at his left arm, an arrow pierced the elbow opening in his armor.

While his voice echoed, the Elhorn had an alerted expression on his face. Although he did not know what the Ogres talked about, he recognized an organization from Rheh's declaration–The Order. Leaving at the edge of the Great Kingdom of Mathras, he had encountered the occasional traveler or two from the Black Lands - Who spoke about a mysterious organization made up of powerful individuals belonging to the path of Darkness. According to what he remembered, this organization controlled a certain portion of the Black Lands, and its members comprised several races. Also, they had a hand in most of the gruesome mass murders carried out in the Black Lands.

”Parfs! We cannot let them do as they please! Eliminate them all as an offering for our slain brothers and sisters!” Elhorn said. The anxiousness in his voice alarmed the other Elves.

Before they could move, a silver urn appeared on Gamgult and Rheh's hands. While their sickening laughter echoed, ”You bastards, you brought this on yourselves! This is your reward for killing our brothers,” Gamgult said.

At that moment, in unison, both Ogres crushed the silver urn. Seconds later, a shocking turn of events followed. A black mist appeared out of nowhere, making its way into the slain corpses. Seconds later, a tarrying scene occurred. The dead Ogres and Elves, rose their feet while screaming.

The sudden change sent chills down the spines of the Elves. They had never seen such a bizarre and sickening sight! Even the other Ogres took a step back after the corpses stood again. From their reaction, they did not know Gamgult and Rheh had such an Item.

”Kill them all!” Gamgult said.

His mad howl would send chills down the spines of those who heard it.

Screaming in unison, the corpses dashed towards the stunned Elves with a savage expression on their faces.

”Prepare for battle! Kill these abominations! These animals will pay for disrespecting the corpses of our brothers and sisters!” Elhorn said.

His roar brought the frightened Elves back to reality. As the corpses approached the Elves, the Ogres retreated to the spot they left their mounts. They showed no signs of joining the impending battle. Unlike before, Rheh and Gamgult revealed their faces. Which shocked their counterparts, before they could say anything, Rheh's voice drifted into their ears, ”Don't worry, we have won this battle. These bastards can't handle what's coming next.”

Meanwhile, Elhorn and the rest of the attacking unit greeted the corpses in combat. The archery unit, fled to the top the surrounding trees, and they rained arrows on the corpse army. Contrary to their expectations, the corpse army was weaker than they imagined. Within seconds, both units massacred the corpses. Leaving them with awkward expressions on their faces.