Summoning Magic—Triple T-Rex Summon!
"Charge!" Commander Michain's voice thundered across the battlefield, carrying over the cacophony of combat and torrential rain.
From the gates of Roimika Fort emerged three monstrous creatures, each standing 3.6 meters tall and stretching 12 meters from snout to tail. Their massive heads, equipped with serrated teeth the size of daggers, swung from side to side as they surveyed the battlefield. Muscular legs propelled their six-ton bodies forward with surprising speed, each footfall leaving deep impressions in the mud-slicked ground.
The lead T-Rex charged directly into the Grunt swarm, its jaws opening wide to reveal rows of teeth designed for crushing bone. It clamped down on the first Zerg it encountered, serrated edges sinking through the olive-green exoskeleton with a sound like cracking pottery.
The Grunt's mandibles clicked frantically as pressure increased, its internal organs rupturing as the T-Rex's bite force, equivalent to the weight of three ox carts, compressed its thorax beyond structural integrity.
With a violent shake of its massive head, the T-Rex lifted the twitching Zerg from the ground and flung it back into the advancing horde. The impact knocked down six more Grunts, creating momentary confusion in their otherwise coordinated front.
The second T-Rex pivoted leftward, sweeping its powerful tail in a wide arc that sent a dozen Grunts tumbling. Its jaws snapped closed around another Zerg, teeth penetrating the exoskeleton at precisely the joint between head and thorax. Green ichor fountained as the creature's equivalent of a spine severed, its limbs spasming in death throes even as the T-Rex discarded the corpse and moved to its next target.
The third summon advanced on the right flank, creating a wedge formation with its brethren. Together, the three behemoths carved a swath of destruction through the Grunt vanguard, their primal ferocity matching the alien determination of the Zerg swarm.
For a moment, it seemed the defenders might hold, until a Grunt leapt onto the left T-Rex's flank. Its mandibles, designed for shearing through hardwood, clamped onto the dinosaur's muscular thigh and tore away a chunk of flesh the size of a dinner plate. Blood gushed from the wound as the T-Rex roared in pain, its balance compromised by the sudden injury.
Before the Grunt could press its advantage, the wounded T-Rex's form shimmered and vanished, dissolving into mana particles that scattered in the rain-lashed wind.
"Healer!" Michain shouted from his position atop the fort wall. His hands moved in a swift, practised gesture, and followed by the appearance of a magic circle, the wounded T-Rex rematerialized directly behind him on the wide battlement.
A young Summoner with the Acquired Magic of Vine Suture immediately pressed forward, her hands glowing with verdant energy as she placed them on the dinosaur's bleeding thigh.
Wood Magic—Vine Suture!
Translucent tendrils emerged from her palms, weaving themselves into the torn muscle and flesh. The T-Rex growled low in its throat but remained still, instinctively understanding the healing process. Within thirty seconds, the wound had closed sufficiently to return the creature to battle.
Michain nodded his thanks to the young mage, then raised his hand toward his healed summon to undo his summoning.
The T-Rex vanished once more, only to reappear before the gates as Michain faced his summoning magic circle in the respective direction. It landed with a loud boom and caused the Zergs to flinch in response. Taking advantage of the confusion, the massive predator tore through a dozen enemies before they could react.
On the battlefield below, Michain's tactical genius became evident. Rather than allowing his summons to fight until destruction, he continuously recalled injured creatures for healing before returning them to strategic positions. This rotation kept his three T-Rexes in nearly constant action while preventing any from sustaining fatal damage.
His secondary summons proved equally effective. Three velociraptors, each standing one meter tall and two meters long, perched on the backs of the T-Rexes like remoras on sharks. Their nimble forms used the larger dinosaurs as mobile platforms, leaping from this safe position to execute precision strikes before returning to safety.
Grrr!
A raptor launched itself from the back of the lead T-Rex, soaring through the air with a calculated trajectory. It landed directly on a Grunt's head, razor-sharp claws immediately digging into the creature's compound eyes. The Zerg thrashed wildly, but the raptor had already completed its mission, severing the optical nerves before springing back to its T-Rex mount.
Another raptor targeted the vulnerable tail section of a Grunt, where the tentacle-like appendage connected to the main body. Its teeth severed the connection in a single bite, depriving the Zerg of its climbing and swimming capability. Each raptor strike was surgical, precise, and devastatingly effective.
From the central watchtower, Locra maintained her Wind Dome, using it to accurately piece together the position and movements of the Zergs.
Despite the rain, Roimika's archers loosened volley after volley into the Zerg mass. The accuracy was abysmal thanks to the rain. However, their sheer numbers served as a distraction for the Zergs, making opportunities for the Summons to go in for the kill.
High above the battlefield, a bright streak cut through the storm clouds. Docra stood atop a semi-transparent platform of condensed air, his sister's Wind Cloud spell maintaining enough stability to support his weight. With both hands extended before him, he channelled his mana into his magic spell.
Wind Magic—Dual Jet Stream!
Twin currents of high-velocity air propelled him forward at tremendous speed, leaving a visible trail in the clouds behind him. Despite the dangerous turbulence caused by the rainstorm, Docra maintained his course, racing toward Rheumberg City with urgent news of the invasion.
His silhouette grew smaller as distance increased, until finally he disappeared beyond the northern horizon. Whether he would reach his destination before his mana depleted remained uncertain, but the fate of Encarta now depended on his success.
On the battlefield below, despite Michain's tactical brilliance and the valiant efforts of every defender, the reality of their situation became increasingly apparent. For every Grunt they killed, three more took its place. The Zerg swarm's numbers seemed endless, stretching beyond the southern horizon in a living carpet of chitin and malice.
…
At a point fifty kilometres south, the weakened Cerberus staggered along a forest path, its three heads hanging even lower with exhaustion. On its back rode three passengers, each looking as battered as their mount.
"Stop," Willy commanded, placing a hand on Kalina's shoulder. "Your summon can't continue like this. It needs rest."
Kalina reluctantly signalled for the Cerberus to halt. The massive hound practically collapsed the moment it stopped moving, all three tongues lolling as its sides heaved with laboured breaths.
"How much farther to Roimika City?" Willy asked, sliding from the creature's back to assess their situation.
"Two hours, maybe three," Kalina answered, dismounting with visible weariness as she patted her Cerberus, "...If we were to give it time to rest."
Willy surveyed their small party. "Let's assess our combat capability honestly. You're down to a single circle as a Summoner, with exactly two spells at your disposal—the Cerberus, which is already running on fumes, and Vine Suture for treating wounds."
He turned to Volmar, who glared back with undisguised hostility. "And you've lost all your Summoning Magic circles. You have only your Water Bubble as a defensive ability, which might protect us from a single Grunt at best."
"Between the two of you," Willy continued, "we have next to no offensive capability remaining. If we encounter even a small Zerg patrol, we're finished."
"And whose fault is that?" Volmar snarled, rising to his feet despite his obvious exhaustion. "You destroyed the Summoner Tower! You resulted in the death of our summons! We wouldn't be in this position if not for you!"
Willy didn't argue the point. Instead, he raised his right hand, turning it slowly as he examined the fully regenerated flesh. His wounds had finally healed completely during their journey.
"I'm fully healed now," he said quietly, his tone carrying an undercurrent of confidence that silenced even Volmar's rage. "And given our situation, I believe it's time for a more direct approach."
Before either Summoner could question his meaning, Willy stepped away from the group, moving to a small clearing among the trees. He looked upward at the rain-heavy clouds, his expression resolute.
"Stay back," he commanded. "And try not to be frightened by what comes next."
As if responding to his will, the clouds above the clearing began to swirl. A low rumble of thunder grew in intensity, building to a deafening crescendo as electricity charged the air. Kalina and Volmar watched in horrified fascination as a massive bolt of lightning descended from the heavens, striking Willy with blinding intensity.
The forest illuminated as if day had suddenly returned, birds scattering from trees in panic as the thunderclap shook the earth beneath their feet. When their vision cleared, where Willy had stood was now a crater five meters across, steam rising from its centre.
And from that steam emerged a massive, crystalline hand.