The sun had barely touched the horizon when Roa led Mary and Ross toward the river. A thin fog still hugged the forest, and the world was silent but for the faint rustle of leaves and the distant churn of Craterhoof's preparatory movements up north.
The earth shuddered beneath their boots as Aegis-1 and Aegis-2 trudged forward, the heavy golems creaking with the strain of their own armored bulk. Salvaged grease filled the gaps between their plated joints, glistening dark under the muted dawn light. Their maces rested at their sides, swaying with every step.
Roa glanced back at the pair walking behind her, their expressions unreadable.
"So, why did you two volunteer?" she asked, keeping her voice low and eyes forward.
Ross tilted his head. "Did Commander Park tell you?"
"Irrelevant," Roa said flatly.
Mary spoke next, her tone even. "We want to earn the right for our freedom."
Roa's jaw tightened. "Don't even try. It will end with you dying tired. He doesn't intend to let any of us go."
"Told you so," Ross muttered.
Mary sighed. "It was worth a shot. But I do hope he doesn't mind children in the camp."
"He won't," Roa replied bitterly. "That's just more hostages for him. Though... I have to say, you two are taking this rather well."
"We don't have anything else besides each other. So it works out," Mary said simply.
Roa nodded faintly. "I see."
Ross pointed ahead. "We're here."
"Go ahead," Roa instructed.
Mary and Ross stepped forward, their arms extended as if embracing something unseen. In the mist, the great silhouettes of Aegis-1 and Aegis-2 moved forward, obeying the silent link formed by their new handlers. The two golems stepped into the river, metal feet sinking slightly into the mud before beginning their slow submersion.
Fog and morning haze cloaked them as they vanished beneath the surface, walking along the riverbed, weapons held low to avoid breaching the water.
"Make sure you stay in cover at all times," Roa warned.
"Roger," they replied in unison.
Three Hours Later — Southern Forest
Through the thick underbrush of the southern forest, the rhythmic crunch of golem footsteps was unmistakable. Thornjaw led the way, its wooden armor splintered in places but reinforced with salvaged steel and bone. Behind it, ten more golems advanced in a loose formation, creating a slow, deliberate noise designed to lure attention.
Roa walked just behind the vanguard, flanked by her thirty human combatants. They moved like shadows, fanning out to scout the terrain, checking for traps and hidden enemy patrols.
Mark trailed a few paces behind, eyes flickering to Brassheart, the modified golem now marching silently beside Roa.
"It's been weeks since we last saw this thing," Roa murmured, eyes not leaving the treeline. "It was just a servant before, standing behind Fornos like a loyal dog."
Brassheart was now transformed—armored from head to toe, one of its arms replaced with a multi-barreled cannon, the other sharpened into a blade-like pincer.
Mark glanced at her questioningly.
"He gave it to me," Roa added. "Just in case."
Mark offered a small, knowing nod.
Northern Cliff
Park stood atop the makeshift platform constructed from reinforced wood and earth, watching the broken fortress through a spyglass. Fornos stood beside him, arms crossed behind his back.
"Looks like they're in position," Fornos said. "Begin with the scattershot. Then take out the four towers."
Park raised one hand.
Below, Craterhoof creaked as its back unfolded, revealing a spinning multi-barrel cannon. The mana-laced scattershot was primed.
With a heavy pulse, Craterhoof fired. The sky lit up in a storm of streaking light. Dozens of luminous projectiles rained down on the fort, striking at random but devastating intervals.
Towers shook. Watchmen screamed.
Alarms rang through the fortress like shrieking bells.
"WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!"
"Golems advancing from the forest!"
"Artillery from the cliff!"
"Third Company to the north, NOW!"
Panic spread like fire through dry grass.
Craterhoof began to lob heavier payloads. Its cannon launched two-ton projectiles directly into fortified walls and defensive emplacements. Engineers atop the cliff adjusted scaffolding and recalibrated mana channels, making sure the slope could bear the weight.
All the while, enemy forces scrambled—pulling defenders to the north and south, just as Fornos intended.
Below the Surface
Aegis-1 and Aegis-2 crept along the riverbed. Their massive forms disturbed silt and pebbles as they moved with deliberate slowness, weapons raised and ready.
Inside their cockpit-seats, Mary and Ross sat strapped in, wet from condensation but focused.
A small viewing slot glowed with faint blue light, showing the underside of the fortress—its rear wall flush against the river. A hidden weak point. Unguarded, forgotten, exposed.
Ross adjusted the core dial. "Almost there."
Mary pressed the runeplate. "Weapons ready."
Back at the Cliff
Fornos watched the chaos unfold with clinical precision.
"They've taken the bait," he said aloud. "Now we wait."
Park said nothing, only nodded.
Below, the southern push continued.
Roa crouched behind a fallen tree as the first enemy scouts came into view.
"Formations," she ordered, her voice as steady as ever.
Brassheart raised its cannon arm and fired once.
The forest erupted.
The siege had begun.