Men surged forward like a tsunami where it devours every living being it touches, shields slamming into snarling bodies, blades cutting through green flesh. The sudden arrival of the reinforcements tore a path through the chaos and they have no intention to hold any prisoner.
Commander Lucian led the charge, thundering through the chaos as two goblins leapt at him with jagged daggers raised high. With a single swing, he severed their heads from their bodies sending them tumbling into the dirt. Another lunged from the side, but Lucian smashed it aside with his shield and the impact twisting its skull with a sickening crack. Lucian had no intention of taking prisoners. He and his men were not offering mercy, but death to every goblin that dared to attack his people.
Smoke drifted low over the ground, curling through the copper tang of fresh blood. Scattered limbs, torn armor and fractured shields littered the earth like the final echoes of a line of defenders that no longer existed.
Then… through all the brutal fighting and the blazing dark smoke… he saw him. A lone soldier standing at the center with piles of goblins corpses at his feet. Lucian eyes widen because he knew such a feat was so staggering that he could hardly imagine that it was humanly possible.
Goblins circled Harlic cautiously. Two, three, maybe more, sniffing at the scent of his waning strength. Each time one darted in, Harlic forced his body upright and swung, splitting bone and skull even as his limbs trembled with exhaustion.
Without hesitation, Lucian charged into the swarm, his courage relentless, his sword swinging with deadly precision. Five goblins tried to strike him head-on, only to be smashed aside by his shield. Others attempted to flank him, but they were met by the bloodthirsty Saturn at his side and men surged forward, a living wall of steel and fury.
"Commander, go! We've got your back!" Saturn shouted, nodding and signaling Lucian to advance toward Harlic.
Harlic heard the shouting and battle cries behind him. Slowly, he turned his head while his face pale beneath the dried and crusted blood.
Even with his vision fleeting, he saw the commander rushing toward him. A flicker of hope stirred in his chest and he managed a weak smile. "My lord…" he murmured, but his voice was swallowed by the chaos raging around them.
A goblin lunged at his back, but Lucian was faster. Steel flashed and the creature's head spun from its shoulders, its body collapsing at the ground.
Harlic legs gave up for it could not hold him anymore let alone make another step. Lucian reached and caught the old warrior before he hit the ground, lowering him gently.
"Soldier.. please tell me your name" Lucian softly spoke to the old soldier.
"Har...Lic, my lo.." the old soldier caught with blood before he could finish his sentence.
"Harlic.. what a warrior you are" Lucian leaned closer. "You held long enough to save this city. That is all any commander could ever ask"
The old soldier fingers twitched and searching. Lucian took his hand firmly.
"I… saw her," Harlic murmured. "My wife... *Pant heavily* She told me to fight… one more time."
Lucian's throat tightened "You honored her."
Harlic smiled faintly, his grip weakening "…I'm tired… commander…"
His eyes drifted upward toward the smoke darkened sky, yet the moonlight shined upon him, faintly as the sounds of battle faded from his ears. it's as if calling him home and glittering
Lucian bowed his head "Rest, Harlic. You've earned it" Harlic exhaled softly one last time.... And he did not breathe again.
For a moment, the battlefield seemed to fall silent. Even the screams and clash of steel felt distant, muted by grief. Lucian stood slowly, laying Harlic's hand over his chest and closing the soldier's eyes.
Slowly, he rose clutching his longsword in one hand and his shield in the other. He turned toward his army still locked in brutal combat against the goblins.
His voice rose not loud, but like iron heated in flame "FOR EVERY MAN WHO STOOD AND HELD THE LINE… CHARGE!"
The soldiers answered with a roar. Adrenaline and fury surged through them as they hurled themselves into the swarm, with Lucian at the very front. Many of these men were veterans, forged by countless battles. Their charge shattered the goblin ranks instantly, goblins broke formation leading them exposed and scattering in panic. One by one, they fall beneath the steel of Lucian's advancing army.