Author's Note

I normally don't provide these, finding that they detract from the reader's experience of the story, but I would like to say that around chapter fifteen, my publication will start to slow down. Not stagnate, not stop, just slow down a bit.

I would also like to provide thanks to those of you who read this. We're already at eighty reads and I am shocked by the fact that my writings have gotten attention this fast. I am grateful to God Almighty and my readers for the fact that people enjoy my writings. It truly brings joy to me. If you would like to contact me, I am at Knight#1400 on discord. Thank you for reading this, Godspeed.

Thalleous heard a disturbing clattering noise in the distance. He recognized that noise.

Wither Skeletons.

He raised his crossbow and placed his hand on the lever to his cannon. He scanned the horizon as the dying flames licked the ground and water buckets splashed the trees. He heard the guttural tones of a wither, hissing and screaming into the night. He could tell they were coming closer. He heard the plodding footsteps of netherans, and saw the last guards on fire duty run inside as the flames began to die out. He steeled himself and prepared for combat.

"Lieutenant Thalleous!" one soldier yelled. "Look!"

A wither skeleton in chain-mail armor ran out from the forest. Five arrows promptly pierced his skull. He collapsed just as five more ran to take his place. More skeletons ran toward Eterden, swords at the ready. Netherans surrounded the fortress just as the arrow volleys of the ardoni rained. Thalleous aimed his cannon and fired, blowing twelve skeletons to smithereens. He prepared to load the cannon again. He smelled the all-too-familiar stench of blood in the air. Grabbing a block of TNT, he raced to the front of the cannon and prepared to fire again. He pulled the lever, destroying more enemies. The thud of wither skeletons pounding on the barricaded door. Shouts from ardoni warriors filled the night as the skeletons flooded the fortress. Thalleous drew his sword and ran downstairs into the fray. He raised his broadsword and brought it down on a skeleton's head. The withering potion-tipped blades of the enemy pierced his brothers. The chaotic fray was topped with the pained cries of warriors and the defiant hisses of their foes. Thalleous struck down a skeleton and exhaled heavily. There had been too many battles today. Thalleous suspected it was not a coincidence.

Sarrettus yelled as he struck down a foe, slashing with vicious anger from one skeleton to the next. His primordial skill in combat, renowned among his fellows, was now being put to the test. He slashed through skeleton after skeleton, even beating some foes with an enemy's arm. He raised his sword for another slash. As he brought his blade down, he saw Thalleous cut through his enemies.

"Don't let your wrist slack!" he yelled. Always Thalleous' one bad habit in swordplay.

"Yes, sir!" Thalleous smirked. Now, of all times?

"Those skeletons aren't letting their wrists flop around like a cod out of water! Why are you?" Yes, now!

Sarrettus yelled as he beat another skeleton with its limb. "Their numbers are falling! Push!" He raised his sword for a final swipe as the last skeletons were brought down.

Pridiral sighed as he sat in his cell. He had sacrificed so much for this moment, and had been rewarded with a cage. He thought about Tygren and their three months together, how his Voltaris friend had given his time to him. He prayed that Tygren would survive this dangerous night.

"Having trouble sleeping, Netheran?" a Kaltaris guard asked him.

"Many fears plague me tonight," Pridiral whispered.

"They do for all of us. Do you think your people will seek you out for your betrayal?"

"The only betrayers are them. They are being too reckless, too careless. They knew Tygren would be here, yet choose to raid this prison anyway."

"Why would they want to risk the lives of their ally for a dingy place like this?" The Kaltaris asked.

Pridiral chuckled. "This place is no mere prison to them. They think this area is a regular travel site of someone my people deeply want."

"Who?" The Kaltaris asked Pridiral.

Pridiral looked at the guard. "Someone who they think knows something they don't care to let be known. Someone they wrongly believe knows the true extent of this invasion." Pridiral hesitated for a moment, then blurted the name out.

"Aegus Nestoris."

"Pursue them! Kill every last one!" Sarrettus yelled. "Don't let them escape!"

Sarrettus frowned as Thalleous' group ran off to handle some rouge enemies. First the Voltaris, now the Nether. It was as if everything that had caused him pain had decided that this was the day to torment him once more. Shouting curses and threats at the enemy forces, he prepared his crossbow for a firework-charged shot. Just as his rockets soared through the air, an unholy hiss arrived to compliment his projectile's whistle.

The Wither had joined the fight.