The sound of a massive explosion and people screaming brought Raymond and King Edward running out of the command tent.
Outside of the tent was total chaos. The air was filled with dust. People were running everywhere. Babies were crying. Women were screaming.
A boulder the size of a minivan came hurtling over the east wall at an incredible speed.
Raymond grabbed his double dragon and pointed it at the massive rock. A gust of wind howled in out of nowhere, caught the boulder, and pushed it back over the wall.
Alecia came streaking in like a meteor, landing in a crouch in front of Raymond.
Her report came between ragged breaths in a near panicked tone.
"Master! They're here! Demons, hundreds of them! From the east, north, and west!"
The King's face went pale as he rocked backward like he had been hit in the face.
"Demons? By the Dragons." His voice was a horse whisper
"Listen up!" Raymond commanded, falling into his old role as S.W.A.T. leadership. "First step is to get all these people off the street. I need every fighter you have at those gates."
"And remember, we're dealing with a necromancer, every man that falls will join his ranks. Plan A: don't die. Plan B: immediately burn the body of everyone that does."
Everyone just stared at Raymond for a brief moment before their brains caught up with reality. King Edward visibly shook himself and sprang into action.
"Ok you heard the man!" His voice, loud and commanding. "Mobilize everyone! Keep those demons out of my city!"
Moments later the city was a flurry of activity.
Meanwhile outside the east gate the Demons were gearing up for their next assault. The giant that threw the boulder initially, was struck by it when it was flung back, return to sender.
The boulder struck him in the face, killing him. His fall took out a large swath of the Demon forces at that gate. Including many of their siege weapons.
They were led by a trio known as the 'Three Beasts', sibling Minotaurs with a penchant for destruction.
Una- the youngest, a seven foot tall female, swift, and fierce, duel-wielded bastard swords like they were daggers.
Deuce- the brute, Eight feet tall, with gruesome scars on his face and chest, carried a massive battle ax that was almost as tall and wide as he.
Trey- the eldest, was a mage of fire and shadow, ten feet tall with his wrists and ankles wrapped in chains that he would use to strike his opponents while imbued with fire.
They strode slowly among imps, hell-hounds, and countless other hellish creatures. Their new plan was to rush the gate, and overwhelm the city with sheer numbers.
As they drew near, their minions broke into a run, roaring with burning intensity.
Just as they came within arms reach the massive wooden doors burst open and a torrent of lightning rushed forth. The lightning leapt from body to body, sending each one into convulsions as it incinerated their insides.
Dozens of Demons fell in an instant.
Next there was a mighty war-cry as a wave of hundreds of Elven soldiers with swords and shields spilled out from inside the walls, slamming into the remaining demons.
A band of fire spread across the top of the wall. Flaming arrows spat out from the band, lighting bodies on fire everywhere they struck.
A man, larger than the rest, sped out the gate on the back of a massive wolf.
Deuce sprang into action, a manic grin on his face. The large man leapt and back-flipped off the back of the wolf as it clashed with Deuce in a fast and furious battle.
The man landed on his feet, a long curved blade in his hand, crackling with magical energy.
He locked eyes with Trey and sprinted toward him, both hands on his sword, blade pointed backward.
Before he could get close he was intercepted by Una. Trey watched, impressed with how well this man deftly avoided her double bladed attack.
Raymond wanted the big one. He didn't know if he could take him, but his cool demeanor clearly spoke of someone who was in charge.
Before Raymond could even get close his danger sense went off like a car alarm. He stopped short, narrowly avoiding a chop from a massive sword.
Next he threw himself into a back-flip to avoid a horizontal slice aimed at his face. Once he righted himself, he immediately found himself weaving left to right, avoiding a flurry of slashes meant to cut him in half.
While he dodged, Raymond pointed the hilt of his sword at his attacker. He sent a powerful pulse of wind magic to knock them back so he could get some space.
His opponent was knocked off balance by the attack and stumbled back a few feet. She stayed upright, and righted herself, staring Raymond down.
Nikki was a blur of fangs and claws, relentless against Deuce and his battle axe. His swings were powerful and deceptively fast, but so was she.
His hide was tough and hard to cut through but so was her's.
He couldn't touch her with his blade, but he had bashed her good a few times with the flat side and the pummel.
She shadow-stepped around him, remaining elusive as she bit and scratched his massive back and arms. They dragged on for several minutes before he finally started to bleed.
They were both growing increasingly tired.
Out of seemingly nowhere, an arrow sailed through the air and landed in his chest. It cut deep enough to stay in place, but not deep enough to do real damage.
Nikki saw her opportunity and rushed in, intent on driving the arrow deeper.
The brute recovered faster than she anticipated. She narrowly avoided a downward slash, but it took the tip of her ear off clean. It was followed up with a flat side bash that sent her flying.
Alecia watched in horror as her new sister was swatted away like a pesky fly. She thought her arrow would help, though she knew she was too far away to be fatal.
That was about to change.
She screamed at her fellow archers to keep firing as she took to the air. She made for the brute like she had been fired out of a cannon, eyes focused solely on her prey.
She made pass after pass, raking her claws at his face and eyes. The brute flailed wildly at this new threat, screaming in pain and anger.
Alecia flew into the air directly above her prey and took aim with her bow. "UP HERE!" she screamed to get his attention.
He looked up, roaring in anger, just to receive an arrow right between his eyes for his trouble. He staggered back, swaying, an arrow stuck in his skull.
He tried to leap in the air after his assailant, to no avail. Alecia unleashed her fire breath as soon as he left the ground, turning the minotaur into well-done steak.