(24) The Lands of Ralosia & Ranuulo: The Battle of Dialtown (8k words)

King Zantii's army marches to Dialtown where the people of the Lands of Ralosia prepare to make their final stand. Wielding Ralosia's Gauntlets, Corri is determined to turn the tide of battle. Aero and Jirro hurry across the land in hopes of being able to lend their aid using their newfound strength. But will they be able to defeat the mighty Zantii?

(2/2/22) Self Edited, Audio Edited, and Peer edited.

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~Chapter 1- Zantii cometh~

~Age 991 B~

Corri was gifted a set of radiant golden armor, matching the design of the gauntlets she wore. They were modeled after the armor that the Goddess supposedly bore long ago. She donned the armor and immediately regretted it.

It seemed so gaudy. When she tried to raise her arm, the shoulder plates clashed with the rest of her armor. It would've restricted her movement if she didn't force the metal to bend.

When she rapped on the metal of the armor with her hand, she easily dented it. If she had the strength of a normal person, maybe this armor would prove useful. But for her, it would only slow her down. She discarded the armor but kept the Gauntlets. She would need those.

The 14-year-old girl walked the abandoned streets of Dialtown, peering into the many empty wooden homes dotting the city. She passed through an empty plaza that was once a bustling bazaar. At the center stood a statue of the Goddess, with a church nearby.

The cobblestone streets and carpenter made homes of Dialtown were empty. The city had been evacuated. The only ones who remained were those prepared to fight. Warriors from across their world gathered here in defense of their home.

Chief Cmar and the warriors of Nout's tribe sailed in from the Ralosian seas to lend their aid, as did many of the Phantine warriors from Titus Forest.

Rocky Densius warriors migrated from the Platt and Ichino Mountain ranges. Mecarne came from Weld Mountain and the Ichino tundra. The entirety of the Fighting Academy was present as well. Sky riders aloft many sizable birds descended from the Sky Lands above to lend their help. Oshu, Watt, Hathi, Granul, and many other champions from past tournaments traveled to Dialtown.

The wolf-riding hunters from Lupine Lake rode into the city, ready to help in the coming fight, with Borjo leading them. Oopa accompanied them and found Corri, asking where Aero was. She told her she honestly didn't know but was sure he'd be alright. He was too strong for anything bad to happen to him.

Alchemists like Veena and Koka brewed their strongest potions and had them transported to Dialtown. They couldn't fight, but they were still going to help as much as they possibly could.

Warden Celcius traveled from his prison in the north with his guards in tow, as well as many of the criminals that he imprisoned. For the fight that was coming, they would need all the help they could.

Coppah and her raven riders were released from their cells. Even the bandits Cook & Chill were freed to help in the fight. Vos and Diva accompanied the Warden, ready to lend their strength, as well as their knowledge of the enemy.

Dama, Theo, Amethi, and Therma acted as generals for the army that was forming around Dialtown, with the Sky Deity Ool acting as their leader.

The southern end of the city was busy with warriors preparing for battle. Phantines sharpened their tusks. Densius modified their bodies to make themselves sturdy and more deadly. Mecarne who had the ability to release heat, cold, and electricity did their best to teach these abilities to their peers. Those who didn't possess great strength donned armor and equipped whatever weapon they could muster.

Armaments were dusted off. Ballista, catapults, and other long range weapons. These ancient tools hadn't been used in centuries, from a bygone era of war. Unfortunately, they had a need of them again. They were positioned on the southern border of Dialtown.

A meeting was held by Diva and Vos. They've lived in the Lands of Ranuulo for years and knew more than anyone else here about the coming enemy.

"The Arachna," Diva began, brushing her long brown hair out of the way as she spoke to the masses, "They possess the ability to expel webbing, climb walls, and sprout spider-like arms from their backs. They're very fast. A common strategy employed by them is to web up their opponents at a distance, closing in once they've been subdued. Don't give them the chance. Engage them at close range, and don't let them get away."

"The Regenek," Vos said with a strong voice, "Reptilian like in appearance. They're able to elongate their limbs and regenerate them if necessary. Many Regenek are reckless because of this ability. Take advantage of this. I've heard rumors that some are able to belch fire, but I've yet to see this. Keep them at a distance or use that reckless behavior against them. If you're going for a kill, go for their heads. They won't be able to regenerate from that."

"The Densius," Diva spoke, "They have Densius like we do, but theirs are feral in nature, taking the form of beasts and behaving like animals. The enemy will treat them as expendable. They're strong, but they'll be easy to outsmart."

"And finally, the Ranuulans," Vos said, "Their appearance may differ from us Ralosians, but you'll be able to combat them in the same way. Most of their army is composed of Ranuulans. Their leader is a Ranuulan man known as King Zantii. He is extremely powerful and wields a sword that can cut through just about anything. He even defeated Dama. Do not engage him! We have other plans for Zantii."

Corri listened closely as Vos and Diva spoke. She had already seen Zantii and his army back at Challenger's Lake, but it was useful to know all those strategies now.

After Diva finished up the presentation, she found Corri among the crowd, "Glad to see you're alright."

"You too!" Corri smiled.

"Do you have any idea where Valr or the other boys are?" Diva asked worriedly.

Corri shook her head, her red hair tousling from side to side, "No. They might still be in the Lands of Ranuulo."

Diva winced, "They should be fine if they stick together. They're strong. After this is over, we'll go look for them."

Corri met with those commanding the impromptu army around the town square. The Sky deity Ool perched at the top of a church, its wings wrapped around him like a cape. The Four were there - Dama, Therma, Amethi, and Theo. Along with them were the former Sky Bandits - Vos, Diva, Lucar, and Razan. Between them, they may be the strongest warriors in all the Lands of Ralosia.

Corri listened as they talked about the positioning of the army and tactics to employ when Zantii's army arrives. None of them had ever been involved in a battle of this scale and were doing their best to strategize.

Finally, they came to the issue of Zantii himself, and Corri perked up her ears.

"We need to get Zantii out of the way as soon as possible. If set free on the battlefield, he'll do too much damage," Dama explained.

"I'm sure the eight of us could defeat him-" Lucar ascertained.

Ool tilted his head towards Lucar, "As long as he holds Ranuulo's sword, he's nigh unstoppable. Only Corri and her gauntlets will be a match for him. It'll be risky, but I may be able to serve as bait and draw him away where Corri can ambush him."

"Where to?"

Corri spoke up, "I think we should draw him into the city. If Ool tries to draw him away from Dialtown, he might not fall for it or might suspect a trap."

Dama folded her arms, "The city could be damaged pretty badly if he gets inside."

Ool spoke, "If we lose, it most certainly will. If part of the city must be destroyed to win, so be it. If I draw him inside the city with Corri, then all of you can focus on the rest of Zantii's army."

"Corri shouldn't be on her own," Razan said, sounding like a concerned father for once.

Ool spoke, "I agree, but it doesn't make any sense for any of you to be there. Your strength would be wasted fighting against that sword."

"I have a few people in mind to come with me," Corri added. She already knew who she'd bring - Ruben, Nout, and Temp. They'd bring along some others with them to bolster their numbers, but she'd count on those three most of all.

They'd lay a trap for him and when there was an opening, she'd strike. As long as she wore the gauntlets, all it'd take is one strike. Though, if Zantii held that sword, the same was true of him.

"When Zantii enters the battlefield, I'll try to draw him to the city. Everyone should let him through when it's time."

After the meeting, Ool extended his wings, soared up into the sky, and looked at their surroundings. When he landed back on the ground, he said, "They're nearly here. Get ready!"

Everyone scrambled to their starting positions, but Razan grabbed Corri by the shoulder before he went off, "Just be careful, sweetheart."

Corri was still angry at him, but she couldn't manage to say anything callous. Not now. She quietly replied, "You too."

Everyone gathered around the southern gates of Dialtown, the Platt Mountain range visible to the west of them. Corri stood at the top of the gate beside the sky Deity.

In the distance was an army clad in black, bearing flags with the symbol of a jagged sword. Even with all the help they had accumulated, they were still outnumbered. Zantii's army approached.