The sweat ran down my face, and my arm throbbed.
The constant movement of thrusting and pulling back the spear charged its price in pain — a throbbing burn that rose from the shoulder to the fingers. But I couldn't stop. There was little left.
"Sir, they're retreating!"
The sweat, mixed with the enemy's fluids, made me lose track of what was happening around me.
Only what was right in front of me mattered. It was the only way I had found to keep myself awake, to keep the movements constant, blow after blow, without letting exhaustion swallow me.
"Finally."
I fell backward, feeling my chest burn. It was another day. Another victory.
"Lord, I'm coming!"
Morgana ran to me, casting her healing.
I was already getting used to that process: fighting until my body screamed, and right after being healed by her. My eyes closed involuntarily while the warmth of the healing, and the pain being pulled out by what seemed to be an invisible hand, made me want to sleep right there. But it wasn't the moment. As soon as the healing ended, I stood up.
"Damn. These sons of bitches are infinite."
My lament wasn't rage, nor self-pity. It was just the reality — proven, day after day, over the last four days.
After so much time, I had understood. That would never stop. It would keep the same constant rhythm: infinite enemies crashing avidly against our front line, without strategy, just hatred and fury, until finding a weakness to exploit. That was how everyone before me had fallen. And that was how those wretches would keep trying, until they managed to destroy me.
✦ ✦ ✦
"Help me up."
Morgana gave me her hand, while I looked at the front line.
I had already lost thirty Orghaal over the four days. Fortunately, since I had cleared all the terrain behind me, I managed to compensate for the absence of a fixed defense line with more bodies — in this case, those of the Burmans. And my own.
"Lord, they should be arriving any moment."
Of course. I had even forgotten.
Fighting to the brink of exhaustion makes you forget even your own name. But, over those four days, I hadn't just stood still, waiting for the enemy to stop. The Wolves and the Fairies proved extremely valuable for investigating the tunnels — and, already by the second day, I had mapped 90% of all the branchings behind the protected line and cleared the remaining enemies.
Pegasus, in turn, revealed herself an exceptional slayer.
She killed everything she found in a few instants. She was smaller than most of my creatures, and even so managed to be as strong as them — sometimes, I felt not even the Burman elite would be capable of doing what she did in a single day. But the most surprising thing wasn't the kills she accumulated. It was what she managed to find.
"Yes, you're right. Let's go back."
✦ ✦ ✦
If there was any good news in fighting the whole night without rest, it was the enemy's rhythm.
Just as the day made the Tyrin pull back on the surface, the attacks in the tunnels also became much more spaced out and less numerous. It was as though the creatures got weaker, or less interested, during the day. And that was excellent news — because I would never manage to fight twenty-four hours straight. In the little time of truce I had, I could check how the kingdom was, and, mainly, seek ways to improve the defenses or reposition my defense or even study my enemy.
When I passed through the Void's portal, I found Eris waiting for me, as in the previous days. But, this time, she wasn't alone.
It was Livina who spoke to me as soon as I arrived. Unlike Morgana and me, who stayed in the tunnels, it was she who defended the wall — protecting the mages and the archers from any enemy that approached. And it was she, too, who was responsible for receiving Eris while I was still down below, in the fight.
"My Lord, Miss Eris has arrived, accompanied by the Burman Lord Bestaria and the Aquamarine Lord Wignall. They're here for the summons."
The filth impregnated in my body, mixed with sweat, left me in terrible presentation.
But I knew that mattered little. They weren't there to strengthen relations. They were there because I had summoned them. I advanced to where the two races I already knew were waiting — but that seemed much more frightening seen up close.
✦ ✦ ✦
On one side, a Burman with the face of a lioness, nearly three meters tall.
Imposing and voluminous — honestly, the dream of many men, were it not for the feline face, which always seemed about to taste human flesh. Beside her, a much smaller humanoid being, with aquatic features. To anyone who didn't know that race, he would be nothing more than a mere companion of that colossus of a woman. But I knew the truth: that one there was the true bigwig of the place. And, if there was someone I should fear, it was him.
"Lords. I see you answered my summons."
Eris, who was behind the two of them, seemed tense at the direct way I spoke.
Honestly, I had no idea how I should treat those two — and I wasn't in the mood to waste time. But, to my surprise, the Burman let out a smile that looked more like a call to war.
"HAHAHA! I expected nothing less from such a peculiar human. I heard, from my protégée, that you have something to show us, sweetie. So? What is it?"
The great Burman seemed so pleased with my manner that she dropped all the formality she had been trying to carry before.
I grew calmer. That informality was, by far, the best way to deal with things — the Oasis already demanded too much for us to waste time with etiquette. The Aquamarine, on the other hand, just like his summon, seemed to observe us as mere commoners. I, like the Burman, simply ignored him while we talked.
"You know, human… I, Bestaria, have seen many of your race. But it's the first time I see one who doesn't seem to be afraid of us. You must have had your share of encounters with our race, isn't that right?"
"Maybe."
There wasn't much to say.
I certainly wouldn't tell that I had already killed someone of her race. After all, those Burmans were still the only source of sustenance I had — I had transformed all my work units into mages and archers, and possessed no other way to get supplies than through those in front of me. Even being informal, I didn't want to be rude. Fortunately, the Burman seemed to enjoy the informality, while the Aquamarine simply didn't care. Or at least that's what I thought, until he spoke.
"Human. We didn't come here to exchange words. I'm here because you said you had something to show. How about speeding this up?"
I realized that, with that one, I couldn't afford the luxury of being so informal.
"Of course. Forgive me. Let's go."
✦ ✦ ✦
Those two were profoundly eccentric.
Despite being, clearly, the most powerful of that place, they didn't even bother to bring someone to protect their own backs. It was as though walking alone were a way of announcing that they needed no one. Maybe there was some rivalry between the two — honestly, I was certain that, were it not for a common enemy, those two would probably be trying to kill each other, instead of walking side by side.
"Lord Leonidas, where are we going?"
Unlike the tranquility of the two bosses, Eris seemed much more restrained.
It was clear on her face how much she feared going into the tunnels.
"Don't worry, Eris. The branchings have been cleared and protected. In fact, if you take this map, you'll see they all lead to the two tunnels I control. You can relax."
While I showed Eris the map I had assembled with the help of the Wolves and the Fairies, the Burman approached and snatched it from her hand.
"Hmmm. So you didn't just stand still defending, after all."
"Actually, after the first day, I managed to free up part of the Wolves and the Fairies to help me clear the areas."
"Humph. So those pieces of junk were good for something, after all. HAHAHA!"
It was clear that those two knew one thing: despite having control of the region, they couldn't force their own subordinates to give their best.
That form of partnership without, in fact, being partners was funny. Some things were too human, even among those who weren't human.
✦ ✦ ✦
"We're going to enter through the portal where my daughter stands guard. So you don't need to worry. And, if possible, don't attack her."
"Hmmm. I'm quite curious to see this Yokai. My protégée spoke very well of her — I heard she's a Yokai queen. Is that true?"
Finally the Burman seemed interested in something that wasn't provoking me, so I took the chance to try to strengthen ties.
"Yes and no. She has the potential, but hasn't yet reached such heights. Even so, she's very capable. And, above all, very strong."
While we advanced to the portal, I saw, for the first time, a reaction from the Void that wasn't standing still, despising everyone.
As soon as he saw the Aquamarine, he knelt immediately.
"Hmm. So you know how to do something besides look down on people."
"Did you say something about my summon, human?"
"No, nothing. Let's go."
✦ ✦ ✦
When we crossed the portal, the Burman and the Aquamarine could finally see the Yokais.
Of all the battlefronts, that one was the calmest. After all, those creatures were elite even among the normal ones — and what I had was anything but normal.
"Aren't these Yokais too big? And I don't remember them being so strong either."
The Burman was the first to notice the difference. Even the Aquamarine seemed to lose himself for a few seconds.
Those there were my pride.
"Since the start of the battles, I haven't lost a single unit. They're very capable and extremely strong. Unfortunately, due to the constant confrontation, I haven't managed to free up Arachne to generate more children."
When I pronounced her name in the tunnel, the Burman and the Aquamarine heard heavy footsteps coming from a bend.
Right away, they drew their weapons — the Burman, two golden daggers; the Aquamarine, a staff.
"Hahaha. Don't worry, it's just my daughter. She likes to feed on the enemies, so she goes further ahead to grab some snacks."
Soon, Arachne appeared.
A colossus squeezing through the hole that, even gigantic, seemed small for her — allowing only basic movements, like turning or walking.
"So it really is a queen… how surprising. You know, I know many Bloodsuckers, but I don't remember any that controlled a queen. You're very lucky, human."
The Burman seemed genuinely shocked, while Eris observed the great creature with a touch of nostalgia — especially the affectionate interaction she had with me.
"Very well. If you've already shown your toys, how about showing us why you called us?"
The Aquamarine put away his weapon and returned to the stoic face from before.
"Yes, of course. Daughter, can you show the path that Pegasus found?"
"Yes, of course, Papa. I'll ask my youngest child to take you to the place."
✦ ✦ ✦
Arachne went back to the front line, while the smallest of the Yokais approached.
Even being the smallest, he was still nearly three meters. He advanced through the tunnel at a low but constant speed. And, while we followed, Eris finally approached me — while the two leaders observed the tunnel with a strange, almost hungry curiosity.
"Lord Leonidas… what was it you found to call the leaders all the way here? You know they'll kill me if it's nothing."
I understood her concern.
Those two had much more to do than be there — and, most certainly, they would blame Eris for having made them waste precious time visiting tunnels. But the truth was that I was certain they would like what they saw.
"No need to worry. When we get there, you'll understand. And rest easy — what I have to show is of interest to those two. Honestly, I myself think that, when they see it, they'll know more than I do."
Eris seemed confused by my words.
But I was certain something didn't fit. Those leaders of the inner belt were beings who wouldn't need to be there. And, the more I thought about the reason they remained in that place, the more my mind sought reasons that went far beyond mere will. A Burman, I could explain — they were eccentric and stubborn, and it was believable that they simply didn't leave out of pure stubbornness. But that didn't apply to a Fairy. Nor to the Lycans. And much less to the Aquamarine who led them.
To me, some of those races should have left long ago.
And, even so, they preferred to remain — refusing to move to a place with more of their own kind and with commerce. I was certain the reason was the same for which the Tyrin attacked that wall. I just didn't know what it was. At least, not until the night before. Until Pegasus found the answer.
✦ ✦ ✦
"We've arrived."
Finally, the Yokai stopped before a tunnel no more than three meters in height by two in width.
It was too narrow for him to pass — but I knew that all it took was to follow that corridor, and in a few meters we would be at the place.
"Where are we, anyway?"
The Burman asked, while the Aquamarine simply seemed eager to hear my answer.
"This was one of the last tunnels to be built. And Pegasus made a point of killing the Tyrin that was digging it before it could flee — so, probably, the enemy doesn't even know yet that we found it. She warned me, and I asked Livina to take a look. You won't believe what she found."
While we advanced, the hole grew smaller and smaller, becoming cramped even for the great Burman, who was clearly uncomfortable.
"Are we getting there yet, human? It's going to be hard to move here. Damn."
While she dragged herself along, she didn't notice — but she wouldn't need to do that anymore. We had arrived.
✦ ✦ ✦
"What the hell is this?"
Eris was the first to speak, while I observed, before us, the reason I had called everyone.
The end of the corridor gave onto an enormous chamber, dug into the rock — with something between twenty and thirty meters in height, by the same measure in width. It looked like a sanctuary, raised in the depths of the earth. And, in the center of it, a colossal, ancient gate, covered by symbols I didn't recognize — flanked by two humanoid statues of bronze.
"Well, I have my suspicion. But I think there's someone here who knows, isn't there?"
I looked at the Aquamarine's face.
Eris and Bestaria followed my gaze — only to find an enormous smile stamped on Wignall's face.
"Finally."
The word left his mouth like a prayer. Like a devotion to something sacred.
"What the hell is this, Lord Wignall?"
The Aquamarine simply ignored the Burman and began to advance.
"I wouldn't do that, if I were you."
He turned to me, confused. I pointed to the two statues before the gate.
"Those two are alive. If you approach, they attack. That was exactly why I called you."
"Lord Leonidas… where are we? And what is this?"
Eris was still lost, understanding nothing. And, since the Burman and Wignall seemed too hypnotized to say anything, I decided it would be me to clear up her doubt.
"This, Eris, is something very rare to find in the Oasis. Something reported in very few books — because it isn't often that it appears. But, when it appears, it's always in the same way. An enormous gate filled with symbols and runes. Protected by bronze statues of S level."
Eris seemed to have a click in her mind.
"Wait… you're trying to say this is…?"
I stared at the colossal gate, feeling the weight of everything that meant.
"That's right. A nest… A Dragon's nest."