The Last Fortress - Chapter 3

Chaos engulfed Valden's streets as the full force of the Blight invasion surged through alleys and climbed sheer structures with unnatural dexterity. Citizens screamed, fleeing the slaughter or being pulled down by the humanoid beasts swarming over the mountain city.

Following urgent bells and shouts, Edward navigated the labyrinth of mist-cloaked pathways back towards the outer districts holding the main line of defense. Around him sprinted fellow Wardens, new and veteran alike, their ceremonial blades unsheathed against the threat.

Reaching a broad thoroughfare clogged with panicking refugees, Edward's eyes widened at the sight of the largest Blight breeder he had ever witnessed lurching over rubble towards fleeing civilians. Easily twice the height of a man, the swollen sacs on its back emitted squalling child-sized beasts that dropped to the street below.

As the spawn scuttled hungrily towards the defenseless people, Edward dove into their path, swinging his longsword in deadly arcs. The newly birthed creatures fell in torn, writhing halves at his feet.

From the corner of his eye, Edward glimpsed Garrett bravely severing other parasite tendrils erupting from the massive breeder before they could implant embryonic Blight in unfortunates. Hope flickered - perhaps today Garrett would at last live up to his family's legacy.

Soldiers loyal to Valden had arrived now, herding dazed civilians towards the inner citadel while attempting to barricade key streets. Archers atop structures rained down volleys of flaming arrows onto the relentless Blight. Columns of smoke rose between the alleys.

A piercing scream drew Edward's attention back to the breeder beast looming at the end of the thoroughfare. There, caught in its oozing tendrils, was Master Bran. The instructor thrashed as a spawn sac descended towards his face.

Edward charged, slashing through grasping appendages as noxious fluids splattered his armor. Reaching Bran, he severed the vile sac just as it touched the Master's skin. The freed man collapsed coughing.

"Go!" Bran gasped, waving Edward off. "The lower districts..."

Needing no further prompting, Edward took off down mist-laden alleys toward Valden's outer walls where the fighting sounded most fierce. He passed Garrett rallying spent soldiers to bar intersections, giving Edward a grim nod as he sprinted by.

Skidding onto a broad battlement overlooking the lower city, Edward was greeted by a scene from a nightmare. The wall had been breached, allowing a sea of Blight to flow unending through the rubble into streets thick with combat.

Wardens wheeled through the air on maneuver gear, swords flashing as they slashed at the endless tide. But one by one the knights were being dragged down by the ravenous horrors.

Nearby Edward spotted Alyssa surrounded by soldiers, hands held aloft as she projected shimmering barriers of kinetic force against the oncoming Blight. But the strain of the endless assault was wearing on her.

Leaping from the battlement, Edward blasted his maneuver gear's grapples into the wall below, controlling his descent while surveying the battlefield. He needed to stem this breach or the lower city would be quickly overrun.

Landing atop a husk of a building near the wall, Edward watched the roiling mass of Blight streaming through the crumbled opening. Spying a precariously hung watch tower that loomed over the area, an idea came to him. A desperate gambit, but their position allowed no other options.

Firing his maneuver gear grapples to reach the top of the ruined tower, Edward scrambled onto its cracked parapet. The perilous perch shook under his steps. Grappling one of the enormous bell cords, Edward took a deep breath and jumped.

The cord caught his weight, swinging him out over the sea of Blight swarming under the wall breach. For an instant, Edward flew like one of Valden's guardian eagles. Then he pulled his blade and sliced cleanly through the supporting cord.

Time seemed to slow. The massive tower wall careened down as Edward retracted his grapples at the last second, narrowly evading the collapsing structure that smashed into the columns of advancing Blight. Stone and bodies crushed together, partially plugging the defense's breach.

But more of the horrors skittered forward over the gruesome mounds of the dead. Winded, Edward turned to rejoin the Wardens holding the line. Then his heart clenched in helpless horror.

There, pierced through the neck by a Blight's talons, was Garrett. Edward's proud rival lay broken amidst the rubble and carnage. His ancestors' legacy dying as blood pooled beneath him.

Blinded by grief and rage, Edward roared and carved into the ranks of Blight nearest Garrett's corpse. He severed limbs, split skulls, but every enemy cut down was instantly replaced by another of the inexhaustible horde.

It was over. Valden's ancient walls had been breached, its citizens slaughtered. Edward fought on in desperation, tears carving through the filth on his face. All his training, vows, and faith were as nothing before the Blight's endless malevolent fury.

A blast of searing light threw Edward to the ground. Head ringing, he looked up to see Alyssa high above on the cavernous wall, wreathed in brilliance like a vengeful star. Face streaked with pain and determination, she flung spears of blazing energy into the Blight ranks.

The radiant lances burrowed through flesh, reducing the horrors to ash. All along the wall the Blight withered beneath Alyssa's unleashed power. Their numbers dwindled, advance stumbling.

But the exertions were too much for one so new to her gifts. With a despairing cry, Alyssa collapsed against the wall. Her luster faded as the endless legions of Blight began massing once more below.

Rallying his last strength, Edward rose on weary legs and retreated up blood-slicked streets back toward Valden's higher tiers. Wounded and defeated, but with his soul still unbroken. This battle was lost, but so long as lives endured, hope remained.

The Blight gave no respite. They eagerly pursued the fleeing defenders, howling victory. But now it was the invaders who found themselves ambushed, as battalions of crossbowmen and shield-bearers suddenly lined the narrow alleys from makeshift barricades.

Volley after punishing volley rained onto the hostile ranks, littering the misty cobblestones with their corpses. Still they came on, though now slowed by spear and shieldwall. The inner citadel was near.

Passing wounded and exhausted allies, Edward ascended stone steps slick with blood and Blight ichor toward salvation. He heard Alyssa's strained voice singing spells of healing as she tended to the battered retreat. Together they would all make it.

Reaching a high parapet near the inner citadel, Edward turned back once more. Below, the Blight still poured through Valden's beloved streets, defiling all they touched. But the defense had bought precious time for civilians to reach the central keep's strong doors.

There Master Bran oversaw the evacuation, surrounded by loyal soldiers. The old instructor suddenly looked up at Edward high above and their eyes met across the distance. Bran raised his sword in grim salute.

Hot tears stung Edward's eyes as he silently returned the gesture. They both understood this was farewell. The Blight's numbers were too vast, Valden's strength too diminished. Bran would make his stand here so others might live.

The central keep's gates ponderously closed, locking tight with resounding notes of finality, as Bran turned away from Edward to face the Blight. After lifetimes of training and teaching, this would be the old Master's last lesson.

His heart heavy with sorrow, Edward hoped his sword would someday win back what had been lost today. For now, survival was victory enough, however hollow.

Leaving Bran to his solitary glory, Edward slipped through a small side door into the besieged citadel to join the other refugees. No Blight had breached here yet, but gloom gripped all who sheltered within these last confines.

Wardens cared for the injured or stood vigilant near the sealed gates. People huddled in dark corners trying to comfort their scared children. Everyone flinched at the countless impacts resounding from beyond the walls.

In this twilight aura, Edward aimlessly joined the defenders guarding the citadel entrance. None spoke of the horrors outside or how little time likely remained. Here at the end, only silent comradery endured.

Minutes stretched by, occasionally punctuated by a tremendous crash that shook dust from the rafters. Then came a deafening impact, and the steel gates bent inward, blasting loose from their hinges to crash open.

Like a wave crashing through a doomed vessel, the Blight spilled into the final refuge. And the Wardens strode forth to meet them, with Edward steadfast at their side. Valden's last ember of life would not go gentle into the night.

If this was humanity's end, they would face it with blades drawn. And pray their souls found some solace in the silence beyond Blight.