Evolution: A Warlock’s Rise To Power

"Baron Quilldrake, I assume you have heard what is happening here."  Mayor Faylen said as Lucan approached him.

"Yes, I was made aware and came to have a look."

"Will you be participating with the other travelers?"  Mayor Faylen asked.

"No, I will remain here in case something unexpected happens."

"Good, good, then I can rest reassured.  I think it is unlikely that the beast tide will reach the city but it is always good to be prepared for the worst."

"Mmm."  Grunted Lucan while he looked out across the crowd of players that were preparing for the fight.

"My only worry is that their will not be enough beasts for the players.  When I asked for help, I didn't expect those who answered the call to come in such numbers.  Things have really changed since we came here.  Those who didn't support us all took the chance to run away when disaster struck Baramore."

"Although it is unfortunate that most the higher level government employees fled with the countries money.  At least now you know who actually cares about the people.  When it comes to appointing others for positions inside New Avalon, I hope you make proper considerations."

"You don't need to worry about that Lord Quilldrake.  We have learned our lesson and are taking every precaution available to make sure that those who represent the people truly intend to uphold their promises."

Lucan nodded and the two continued to chat.

After a while, Adrestia was able to see the beast tide that was approaching.  From the look of it, the beast tide was still growing.  As they advance forward, more and more beast came and joined the group that was charging towards the city.  Lucan informed Faylen.

It was well past midnight when the mayor went to address the players.

"…As you have all heard, the beast tide is still growing.  Now it looks as if there are over twenty thousand beasts involved.  We can't waste anymore time.  It is time for you brave travelers to set off into the forest and confront the beasts before they can amass in larger numbers.  Since everyone is new too New Avalon and we don't have the proper protocols set up yet.  We will be handing this matter over to the Cloud Saint Guild since they were the first guild established in the city.  I hope all the guilds and free travelers can work together to make sure that a disaster doesn't befall our new home."

At that point, Heaven stepped onto her cloud mount and floated above the players.  Our cloud saint guild doesn't intend to throw our weight around and make up a bunch of nonsense rules.  The only thing you all need to remember is that team kill will earn you the scorn of everyone present.  Don't fight over beast kills.  If you have issues, take a video and solve them after we return to the city.  If we start fighting amongst ourselves, we will have bigger problems than a beast tide.  With that said… Let's go kill some beasts!"

Silent and Marie joined Heaven on the cloud, and they led the charge into the forest.  The players shouted and hollered while getting on their mounts and following through either land or air.

Lucan had spent his time making preparations, on the off chance that something did happen in the city.  He now had many phantoms set up underground just incase.

***

The players charged through the forest and up ahead, under the moon light they caught their first glimpse of the approaching horde.  Everyone had imagined it but few were prepared for the sight of thousands of different beast charges towards them.

That wasn't to say that they were afraid or ready to retreat.  In fact it was the opposite.  Their blood was boiling, and they were ready for a fight.

Heaven stayed on her cloud, but Marie had wanted to go down into the thick of it, even though she didn't stand a chance.  Of course, Silent wasn't going to leave her on her own.  So she followed he down.

"Nervous?"  Silent asked.

"A bit, but mostly excited."  Marie answered.

"ROARRR!!!!!"  The beast trampled through the forest and charged towards the line of players.

*Bang* *Boom* *Kablam*

Spells and explosions echoed through the forest as the players unleashed their might against the wild beasts.

"COME GET SOME!!!!"  Marie shouted while charging towards a boar that was running straight at her.

Four arrows flew over the fighter's shoulder and struck the level 115 boar.  Little brown chirped as shadows stretched from the ground and wrapped the beast in chains, locking it in position as Marie ran forward and brought down the greatsword that was as tall as she was.

*Slash*

The might weapon did a single point of damage.

A barrage of icicles from another player turned the boar into a pin cushion before it fell over dead.

Marie was bathed in light as she leveled up twelve times from the little portion of experience, she received form the boar.

"HA, HA, HA, no beast can survive me!"  She shouted before she turned towards a night tiger.

Lucan and Silent both kept an eye on Marie and made sure that she didn't get squashed.  Marie herself wasn't doing much damage but she managed to get a strike on a few creatures before they died, giving her a bit of experience.  At her insignificant level, even a bit of experience was enough to send her level skyrocketing.

Even though Lucan was paying close attention to his aunt, he noticed that something was wrong. These beasts weren't stopping to deal with the players.  They were desperately trying to break through and keep running.  This was not what Lucan had expected.

They weren't acting like hungry beasts that were looking for a meal.  There was something else going on.

The players were constantly running back towards the city while fighting to keep up with the beast. Two thirds of the beast tide had been slain within twenty minutes, but the surviving beasts didn't flinch or break stride.  They kept running towards the city.

Adrestia, who had been in battle since the begin flew up into the air and landed on a tree while Lucan used her eyes to get a better idea of what was happening.  That was when he noticed it.

There was a tremor going through the ground at even intervals.  Lucan ordered Adrestia to stop pursuing the beast tide.  He wanted to find out what was going on.

The tremors were getting more pronounced.  At first it was light and hardly noticeable, but after a few minutes he could even see the trees shaking under the periodic vibrations.

That was when Lucan realized he had overlooked something.  Adrestia turned towards the direction the beasts had come from.  He had gotten it all wrong.  The beasts weren't running towards something, no, they were running away from something.

Far in the distance, Adrestia could see a hulking shadow moving through the forest.  The creature in the distance was over five hundred meters tall and moving through the forest.  It was hard to identify it from a distance at night, but Lucan could tell that it was moving on four legs.  Each time it stepped forward; the ground shook underneath it.

And whatever it was, it was coming towards new Avalon.