33 The Battle Of The Two Armies
The wind howled through the valley, whispering secrets only the rocks and the grass could hear.
The air was thick with otherworldly energy, like the fabric of reality had grown thin, and anything could burst forth from the land at any moment.
A creeping sense of unease only intensified in the inky blackness of the night, as the observer felt like they were walking on the cusp of something both mysterious and terrifying.
Archer was staring into the distance, wondering why there were grasslands here. As he was thinking, Tiefel walked up behind him. ''Little guy, why do you have that look on your face?''
He turned to face her. ''Why are there grasslands in the middle of a mountain pass? I don't get it.''
Tiefel started to laugh as she covered her mouth. Archer looked up at the woman with blonde hair and amber eyes.
He noticed she was pretty tall for an elf. ''What's so funny?''
She stopped laughing as she answered. ''Well, this mountain range is called The Giant Mountains. Historians say the giants once had a city here, and they had magic that could revitalize the soil and allow crops to be grown.''
Archer nodded his head with a smile. The camp was set up, but the only issue was there were no trees for him to sleep in.
As he looked around, he pulled out a meat wrap and started eating. Sarah approached him. ''Archer, I have a tent set up for you. Follow me.''
When Archer followed her, he saw a small tent set up not far from the green tents of the guild staff, and he thanked Sarah as he entered the tent.
He pulled out a honey brew and started drinking. It tasted really sweet and gave him a warm feeling that spread throughout his body.
Sitting on the bedroll, he started eating the ten hearts he looted. Once he finished eating, he checked his status.
'Status.'
[Experience: 1300>3000]
[SP: 2>12]
He saved the points and got comfortable on the bedroll, falling into a deep sleep and having another horrible nightmare.
In the nightmare, Archer desperately clung to Ella's hand, trying to hold on tight as she pulled away from him.
Her face was twisted in pain and sorrow, and her eyes told a story of heartbreak and loss. Archer could feel his own heart breaking into a million pieces as he watched her slip away.
He tried to scream out her name, to convince her to stay, but no sound came from his lips, and she kept moving further and further away.
She was disappearing, and Archer knew he was losing her forever. He ran after her, blindly pursuing her, but she was always just out of reach.
Her voice echoed through the darkness, telling him that she had to go, that they couldn't be together.
It was worse than any physical pain he had ever experienced, like something was tearing him apart from the inside out.
Finally, he collapsed on the ground, helpless and alone, as Ella disappeared into nothingness.
He was left with a deep feeling of loss and despair as if the world had become a little bit darker and colder without her in it.
The nightmare was a cruel twist of fate, reminding him of how fragile happiness could be and how easily everything he loved could be taken away.
Archer woke up in a panic, looking around. Remembering Sarah gave him a tent to sleep in, he heard talking and laughing as he got up.
He cast cleanse on himself and changed into a new set of clothes. He tidied up his messy hair while stepping out of the tent.
Archer saw Tiefel, Barador, and Isaiah sitting around a campfire while cooking. Jaen was nowhere to be found.
Tiefel noticed him and called him over. ''Little guy, come over here and have some breakfast!''
He walked towards them and took a seat. As he did, Barador flicked his horns, causing a jarring feeling to run throughout his body.
Archer slapped his hand away, causing Barardor to laugh as he rubbed It, feeling a slight sting.
He complimented him. ''Wow, little man, you're quite strong, especially since you're so little.''
They all started laughing, and Archer let out a small chuckle as Tiefel handed him a bowl. Looking in, he saw a soup-looking food and bits of meat.
He took the spoon and started eating. The meat tasted like pork; the soup was spicy and nice.
Archer pulled out a fizzle fig and drank it. The drink tasted fruity, and he noticed everyone staring at him with wide eyes.
When he noticed them, he asked. ''What's wrong?''
Isaiah spoke before anyone else could. ''How much stuff do you have in your storage? For the last month, we have seen you pull out all sorts of stuff. Now fess up.''
Archer looked at him while he finished his soup. He put down the bowl while pulling out some chocolate and started eating. ''Food and drinks.''
Everyone looked at him like he was an idiot. Tiefel spoke up as silence took over the group. ''He meant, what kind of food do you have.''
''Chocolate, sweets, pastries, and other goodies, and I bought one hundred drinks from a stall before we left,'' Archer answered nonchalantly.
Everyone's eyes opened wide as they heard him speak. Barador looked at him. ''Why do you have so much food?''
Now, it was Archer's turn to stare at the man like an idiot, causing the old man to bark out. ''Don't look at me like that boy!''
Tiefel laughed at her husband, seeing him get flustered. Archer just stared at the elf while eating chocolate. ''Because I like food and knew I'd be away for a while, I bought extra.''
They all nodded while finishing their food, and Archer watched the guards who started packing up the camp.
A couple of hours later, they exited the Giant Mountains and entered vast grasslands with a raging river running through it, but the whole caravan could see black smoke in the distance.
Elric stopped the caravan and started talking. ''Be alert and keep an eye out. The noble faction is pushing the royal faction into a desperate situation; only the goddess knows what they will do. Be careful, everyone.''
He motioned for everyone to continue. Karna city wasn't far from the border, so getting there wouldn't take long.
A few hours later, a city could be seen in the distance, and thick black smoke could be seen blotting out the sun.
The caravan crossed a wooden bridge and got close to the city, and the bridge was half a mile away.
More and more beasts appeared, and everyone could see an army battling with goblins, orcs, and trolls in front of the city.
Archer rushed to the front, summoning his two swords, and started killing the goblins he was coming across.
He heard a caravan guard call it a beast wave. From the memories he can piece together, it happens when dungeons become full and the beasts start pouring out.
They ravage lands and slaughter the people, and other beasts try to break off, escaping to other parts of the kingdom.
The caravan guards all charged toward the beasts along with the adventurers. At this point, he was spamming Fire Missiles and cutting beasts down left and right.
Archer took a deep breath, his hand clenching tightly around the hilt of his Cosmic Sword. He had fought beasts before, but this was different.
The goblins, orcs, and trolls had joined forces to take down a human city, and he knew that stopping them would require every ounce of his strength and skill.
As the two armies collided, he swung his sword, cutting down goblins with ease. Feeling the power coursing through the blade, crackling with electricity and charged with cosmic energy.
He cast spells that brought chaos to the enemy's ranks as he fought. With each strike, Archer grew stronger, slaying orcs with a flick of his wrist and summoning bolts of lightning that burned bright against the dark sky.
The goblins, orcs, and trolls fought fiercely, but they were no match for the strength and willpower of Archer or the people fighting behind him.
The battle raged for what seemed like hours, with the fire of combat never ceasing. His stamina faltered as he battled on, but he refused to quit.
That's when he heard the bad news being shouted out. ''More beasts are coming, retreat!''
Adventurers started pulling back, but Archer stepped forward and killed the beasts. The orcs, goblins, and trolls fought desperately to stop him, but he was too quick and powerful.
