A zesty stench mixed with the air as soon as the monster opened its mouth, revealing its bloodstained fangs. It's presence, its size, its piercing gaze, its murderous intent—they were all paralyzing.
Thunder and fire rolled in its mouth, threatening to obliterate everything once unleashed but I couldn't move from the spot.
Was it because I knew no spell I could cast would save me from this attack? Or was it because I knew I would die regardless of where I ran to?
I couldn't tell why, all I could do was stand and watch this monster unleash its attack. A sea of flames and lightning poured out of its mouth but then something unexpected happened.
Buzz!
A loud buzzing came from the sigils on the wall and they glowed fiercely. A blue mana roof appeared like a lid atop the pearl smooth walls.
BOOM!
This time, the entire Castle Black shook hard. So hard, I fell to my butt with a thud and a look of surprise etched on my face. Fierce flames and lightning painted the entire Castle Black amber and azure, creating a breathtaking scenery.
"The barriers…. That's right, we have barriers!" I let out a gasp of relief.
And then I froze. My eyes moved towards my arm and I noticed the hairs on my body were standing. My body quaked though slightly—I was experiencing a mixture of fear and excitement.
"We need to get to the walls fast. The guards took Lucy and Leo there!"
I traced the source of the voice only to see Klien rising to his feet, however, before he could stand two consecutive explosions rocked the castle, causing him to lose his balance and fall hard with a thud.
Dust poured down the trembling buildings while a strong wind from the east.
Ding~Dong! Ding~Dong!
Ding~Dong! Ding~Dong!
From the east, the deafening sounds of the bell rang and we instinctively looked in that direction. Initially I thought the snake monster was a problem, however, seeing a horde of winged creatures flying our way made me turn pale.
They were like an endless expanse of darkness, with ghastly forms that mimicked the shape of a vulture but their skins couldn't be seen through the faint black fog that moved with them. All I could see were hundreds burning violet eyes within the ghastly darkness.
Devil Birds!
Thankfully, I read the monstoliogy textbook from the library, I knew what they were. These were the most common winged monsters under the control of the Knolls but they were also considered the most dangerous due to their staggering numbers.
It began with consecutive explosions that rocked the castle, then a colossal serpent and now a horde of devil birds. All on my first night here?
Is this the norm or is my luck that bad?
"Castle Black!" Hugo's voice shattered my train of thoughts and echoed throughout the fortress. "Commence counterattack.."
His voice was calm but loud for all to hear as if enhanced by magic. Hugo's confident tone and calm voice made the world seem quieter and less chaotic.
It calmed my nerves almost instantly, even I was stunned. Unfortunately, I didn't have liberty to enjoy the peace as a deafening 'twang' quaked the air as the ballistas unleashed deadly barrages of bolts.
SWOOSH!
My eyes trailed a few bolts soaring through the wind with scorching red tips. They ignited upon contact with the monster serpent's body, and unleashed consecutive chains of explosions that rattled the battlefield.
For the devil birds, net bolts were unleashed in rapid succession and then followed up by explosive bolts. A few devil birds were caught in the net, becoming seating dogs for the explosive bolts.
BOOM! BOOM!
BOOM! BOOM!
Explosions came from all directions and for a moment I felt lost.
What direction did we come from and where do we go?
What should we do now?
What happens next?
I glanced at Klien and he glanced around frantically, wearing the same confusion I felt.
Clank!
Suddenly, a symphony of clanking armor could be heard as a team of fifty black guard members marched past us, charging toward the direction of the eastern gates. They didn't even spare us a glance and they were all armed with heavy shields and halberds, moving nimbly even beneath their heavy armor.
This was a sign from the heavens!
"Castle Black's Black Guards!" I muttered with a flicker of realization before shifting to meet Klien's gaze. "Follow them!"
Without hesitation, we scrambled to our feet and chased after the black guards. We ran for nearly twenty minutes, occasionally falling over with each explosion that rocked the castle but these guards were planted to the ground. They were used to these chaotic situations and possessed better balance even though they didn't have magic.
It was embarrassing but I could only grit my teeth and keep running.
As soon as we arrived at the eastern gates, the devil bird flock were closing in—the ballistae assault failed to stop them!
The entire scenery was painted black and purple with their arrival. Archers lined on the battlements unleashed a wave of burning arrows but it was far too late!
CAWWWWWWWW!
One devil bird let out a fierce cry and broke out of the group, speeding towards the barriers above the walls.
Splat!
Purple blood rolled down the light blue barrier and the remnants of the ghastly bird was a bloody mess, broken and twisted by the impact.
"What the hell?" I mumbled with genuine surprise.
CAWWWWWWW! CAWWWWWWW!
CAWWWWWWW! CAWWWWWWW!
Soon thunderous chirping sounds filled the heavens as the devil beds erupted in a suicidal charge!
"They are coming directly at the barrier!" Klien yelled with knitted eyebrows.
At this point, I was just impressed. This situation did not only make this mute a talkative, it made the invincible future God of death anxious. It was an entirely different environment from what any of us was used to.
"I never thought I'd hear this much from Klien in one night, but here we are—monsters have that effect." I mumbled but my eyes never left the barrier.
Bang! Bang!
Bang! Bang!
One after the other, these demonic birds crashed into the barrier. At first it was just a horrifying suicidal sight but I knew there was more to this. I could smell the anxiety and fear within the hearts of the Black Guards.
They have seen this so many times but it still scared them altogether.
"Ready?!" Someone screamed and the Black Guards raised their shields over their head, leaving us slightly confused.
I looked back up and I finally understood why. Barriers used in protecting cities were powered by a core which gives its self regenerative properties. However that didn't mean it couldn't be damaged and bypassed.
After the constant bombardment on spot on the barrier, the devil birds opened a tiny hole which one of them shoved its head into, preventing the crack from closing up.
Cawwwwwww!
The mighty bird glanced through the small troops stationed at the eastern gates. We were clearly distractions to give the troops time to deal with the monster serpent which was the real threat.
A sinister grin spread through the lips of the devil bird, revealing a terrifying human-like expression and a mouth filled with jagged rows of teeth.
Its grin was human-like and there was intelligence behind its eyes.
Doesn't that mean, these things were just mindless creatures committing suicide. They were well aware of what they were doing and it excited them.
"Who the hell are you trying to scare!" My eyes revealed an amber glow.
If this thing believed it could enter here so easily, then it must be sorely mistaken!
"From ember's breath to blazing wrath, I shape the spear of burning death.
Flames coil, heat bends—pierce through all, until nothing stands.
Ignite—Infernal Lance!"
Fire Magic: Infernal Lance!
Buzz!
A fiery spear appeared in my hand as I leaped into the air, drawing everyone's attention.
SWOOSH!
The spear soared through the air and struck its mark—between the brows of the devil bird before triggering a small explosion.
'Mages!" A black guard gasped as if we were a pouch filled with gold coins he had discovered at the center of a deserted street at midnight.
Only now did these guards notice our presence but I wasn't interested in their reaction, my brows knitted as I realized my attack failed to kill its target.
Cawwwwwww!
The devil bird let out a furious cry and began squirming as it widened the hole on the barrier while forcing its way in. No one dared to fire at it in fear of further damaging the barrier but it was pointless.
As the devil bird trashed around, web-shaped cracks spread across the barrier surface and the hole widened slowly. More beds rammed into these cracks before they could seal up, sticking their heads through.
KRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSSH!
And then it finally happened. The sound of glass shattering resounded across the battlefield as a devil bird broke through. What was meant to be our first night in Castle Black was fast becoming a night of slaughter.