Torzun unleashed another volley from the cannon, destroying a group of creatures that were trying to scale the walls. Across from him, Oreana, Zaeron and Commander Uriak were doing the same. Reyna and Irma were operating a heavier cannon, that sent large masses of energy into crowds of creatures, obliterating them with a single shot. Freya, Elsor, Lyra, Kaira and Juron dropped small bombs from trap doors that stuck out from the main building.

Keltir, Raelin, Akala, Alezur, Arken and Kylara, secured by harnesses to the top of the building, fought with their swords. Keltir, as the weakest and least experienced of the Ark Knights, was in the center. Still, he got plenty of action. He cut down a creature that was aiming at Traum, and intercepted another that was going for Aegis.

"Kid, lookout!" Aegis called, and Keltir narrowly evaded a larger monster that managed to evade all the cannon fire. The monster batted his sword aside and prepared to deliver the bite, when Traum skewered it with his sword, and drove it up through its chest, cutting through its head.

"Thank you", Keltir said, taking a moment to recover.

"Everyone down!" called Reyna, as a volley of energy bursts flew over them, knocking down and destroying creatures on contact, before slamming into the mass at the door.

Torzun spotted a creature trying to flank Zaeron, and rotated his cannon to target it, sending its corpse down to the ground. At that moment, a creature got in close range, and as he tried to attack, it pinned the cannon in place, and threw its body forward. Torzun barely managed to evade the bite, and thrust with his spear, impaling the creature through the snout.

Uriak and Zaeron shot down any creatures that got close to him, and Irma and Reyna continued pummeling the horde with their cannon. Torzun got back to his cannon, and joined in. They aimed at the creatures trying to flank their allies on the wall, mowing them down in. Together, they were holding the creatures at bay. And then, Torzun heard a thud behind him. He turned, and to his horror, saw cracks forming in the wall.

"They are breaking through behind us!" he called to the others.

"We have to pull back, then. Everyone back to the roof!" Traum ordered, cutting down another creature. Elsor, Kaira, Juron, Freya and Lyra pulled them back, before resuming their bombardment.

The cracks widened, and a creature broke through. Torzun launched into action, swinging and thrusting with his spear, landing hits on the monster, and at last cut through its face, before burying the spear's blade in its skull. He withdrew the weapon, just in time for more creatures to enter through the hole. The creatures tried to surround him, but he finished them ff with his spear and blaster. Blue light flashed outside, as more creatures were cut down before they could enter.

Raelin blasted another creature with lightning, and skewered one more with his sword. Keltir and Akala reinforced him, and them stood back to back, keeping the creatures on the roof occupied, allowing Elsor, Lyra, Kaira, Freya and Juron to maintain their bombardment. Alezur kept the gap under control, allowing Torzun to return to his cannon, and along with Reyna, Irma, Zaeron and Uriak, maintain fire. Traum and Aegis joined in as well, firing with their small missile launchers.

"They are breaking through the front door! We need to get all the supplies up here!" Traum said, destroying a large monster with a head shot, blowing a few nearby creatures. "We shall go with you", said Raelin. He, Akala, Traum and Aegis rushed downstairs, and headed to the storage. They took whatever food, water and medicine that was left, and rushed back upstairs, when the front door shook, and fell in. The creatures swarmed them, and only with the help of Raelin and Akala's fire and lightning blasts they managed to keep the tide from overwhelming them.

A creature grabbed onto Torzun's arm, and before he could move away, pounced on him. Neither Oreana, Uriak or Zaeron were able to help him this time. The monster landed 2 bites, before Torzun threw it off and cut through its skull. He took out his blaster and shot himself, just as the infection reached the outer portion of his brain. To his horror, he was still alive. The infection progressed quickly enough to keep him alive, yet to the point that he maintained a degree of his consciousness. He had become a half zombie, half human. His fingers elongated, but the claws had not fully formed, and his skin had some color in it. His teeth had transformed as well, but only partially.

A different kind of hunger awoke in him, but to his relief, he felt no urge to attack either Oreana, Uriak or Zaeron. He returned to his post, and resumed fire. At that moment, he heard a scream of pain, and saw a large wound on Zaeron's neck. His heart sank, knowing that it was too late. Zaeron abandoned his post, glanced at him briefly, and turned on Uriak. Torzun sprung at him, and brought him down to the floor, surprised by his increased strength and speed.

The zombie made no attempt to bite him. Instead, it tried to throw him off, but with no success. "I am sorry, old friend", Torzun said, and blasted him in the head. The zombie lay still, its flesh already beginning to rot away. Torzun felt his hunger spike, and pulled away, disgusted.

Screams sounded from the bomb bay, followed by a few shots. Freya, Kaira and Juron rushed out, the latter now missing a hand. Keltir, Traum, Aegis, Uriak and Alezur joined them. Only now, have they noticed Torzun's partial transformation. Torzun felt a slight urge to attack, but he quickly suppressed it.

"Torzun, are you still there?" asked Oreana. "Partially. The transformation is only partial", Torzun replied.

The building shook again, and the sounds of creatures came from below. A large creature broke through the roof, and slammed down on the stairs, crashing through.

Raelin, Akala, Traum and Aegis stood back to back, completely surrounded. Oreana brought her cannon to bear on the creatures, killing the nearest in seconds. Torzun closed the distance between them, and came at them like an inferno. No  creatures targeted him, allowing him free rein. Alezur and the others moved to assist them, but more creatures entered through the hole in the roof, forcing them to back away. Several trees and other rubble fell through the roof, creating an impenetrable barricade, keeping the two groups from assisting each other.

Bursts of fire and lightning forced the remaining creatures to back off, and the survivors sealed the gaps as best they could. Dinner was cold. They went to sleep early, assigning 1 hour watch duty for each.