Army of the Damned

VOLUME 5 Chapter 8

Putting a saddle on his horse and checking the stirrup if his feet were properly positioned with it and was comfortable, Bahamut took flight. Staying a few meters ahead as he rides into the darkness of the night. He cants Nightvision in his head, temporarily giving him the ability to see at night. After a while, he is surprised the beautiful luscious forest was turning withered and gray. As if even the Soil was dead and he was walking into the aftermath of a nuclear explosion.

Riding into the darkness of the night, Bahamut was so happy to be alone with her Master. Performing stunts like barrel rolls and twists.

"Ahahahaha, keep your eyes out Bahamut. I know you're excited but we gotta be safe."

"Of course Master, but this reminds me of when we'd go out into the world together and fight alongside one another."

"Indeed, it's been very long. Just keep your eyes peeled. We have to watch out."

On the back of his head, Paul was still feeling guilty about what he did. Though it wasn't his first time killing actual creatures. He was still unused to having to do it with melee weaponry. After a while, he got even more concerned as the landscape changed, it was hostile and deathly.

"Master, I smell them. The High Elves!"

"Alright, I'll stop a few meters ahead and start walking to them. Cover my back."

"Of course."

Stopping, he could see through the dead forest a shine of light. He crouches down and starts sneaking through the withered bushes with weak branches easily turning to dust as his heavy armor steps on it. As he gets nearer, he unsheathes his greatsword from his back. Dragging it through the gray dirt on the ground. Getting closer, he takes a peek at their outpost.

It was no ordinary Outpost, it was a staging ground for the Operations in the area. It was crawling with High Elves, with their long pointy ears. To his surprise, the lowly Grunts were wearing a full set of armor and at first glance, he thought it was Bronze but one walking past the perimeter, he saw that it was actually Composites and there was one Elf with an annoying snobbish voice in an Ornate Robe in the middle of the camp, directing orders as they herd Cattle and Pigs around. He sees why they did this. Whatever happened to the soil also made their Crops die out.

"Divide the Rations! Brass already told us that they won't be sending any supplies due to the environment shifting and the high amount of beasts moving into our sector!"

They spoke like a modern army, and acted more professional than anything he'd seen before. Paul already knew they were big trouble. "No wonder people are afraid of them. Well armed and well trained." moving around to see any holes or mistakes in their cover that were deployable steel walls, every nook and cranny was properly guarded and maintained. Thinking of a way, he waits for Bahamut to return to him.

"Master, there's no proper opening."

"I know, so we'll do this instead. You see that flat patch of land on the other side? I want you to burn it. Do you have a Passive Skill Keeper of Fire?" Bahamut nods, affirming his suspicion that she holds a repertoire of spells. Keep it controlled but just make it big enough to gain everyone's attention."

"Hm hm hm."

Nodding and agreeing, the little Dragon flies high into the night sky and shoots a tiny fireball which then turns into a giant controlled fire. Even though the soil was dead and the trees would collapse the moment a sniff of wind hit it, Bahamut's authority over fire caused it to still spread. A Bell rings and the guards rush to the fire to contain it. Bringing over what water they could find in the barren outpost. Seeing the opportunity, Paul rushed into the Outpost as they stared at the spreading wildfire, looking for where the air was going.