Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 397: Third day

Chapter 397: Third day

Hours passed as the flow of magma continued its relentless descent, consuming everything in its path and flooding the outer ring of Kuro Mountain. The scorching heat unleashed made it impossible for the Leviathans to advance, keeping the dark wave of more than three and a half million creatures at bay. This natural barrier granted the Xaos Forces and the Turkin soldiers a much-needed respite.

Unfortunately, all things had to end. After fifteen hours, as the sun began to rise, the flow of magma ceased. The lava would only take a couple of hours to reach a temperature where the Leviathans could traverse it without harm.

The tension in the air was palpable as the troops began to ready themselves. The higher they climbed on the mountain, the more pressure they faced. They all understood the dire consequences: if the Leviathans were to reach the zenith of Kuro Mountain, they could attack from above and below, leaving no escape for the Xaos Forces and Turkin soldiers.

The sounds of troops moving echoed through the air as the soldiers prepared for the imminent battle. The Xaos Forces and Turkin riders stood with sharp eyes fixed upon the Leviathan forces at the mountain’s base, watching intently for any sign of movement. Time seemed to stretch endlessly until, finally, the hive mind sent the signal.

A distant but growing sound of ticking echoed ominously. Thousands upon thousands of drones began to move across the solidified lava. Despite their limbs burning, they showed no hesitation, driven by the relentless will of the hive mind.

A cold determination flowed through the eyes of Freya, Grand Marshal Anglius, Major General Theodoro, and King Viserin as they observed the dark waves marching forward. Their gazes sharpened further when they noticed that the aerial units, Leviathan warriors, and Armored Leviathans remained behind, standing motionless like ominous statues. It was as if the hive mind knew this first wave would meet disaster, sacrificing the drones to force them to reveal their trump cards.

Just as the swarm of drones was about to reach the inner walls, hundreds of Earth Mages stepped forward in unison. They placed their hands on the ground, their fingers splaying wide as they channeled their energy into the earth. The magic sigils carved around the base of the walls began to glow with ethereal light.

Suddenly, the ground beneath the advancing drones trembled. A low rumble grew into a deafening roar as the Earth Mages activated the landslide. The earth itself seemed to rise up in rebellion against the Leviathans. Massive sections of rock and debris broke free from the inner walls, cascading down the slopes with unstoppable force. The landslide swept down from the inner walls, a tidal wave of stone and earth that crushed everything in its path.

The Xaos Forces and Turkin soldiers stood safely behind the walls, watching as the devastating avalanche tore through the Leviathan ranks. Bodies were crushed beneath the weight of the falling debris, limbs torn asunder as they were swept away like leaves in a storm.

But the destruction did not end there. The violent tremors shattered the solidified lava that had previously flowed down the mountain. From these fissures, pockets of trapped heat and molten rock were released. Waves of scorching fire surged downward, following the path of the landslide.

The combined force of earth and fire was a cataclysmic sight. Tens of thousands of drones perished violently as the fiery avalanche consumed them. The heat was so intense that the chitinous exoskeletons of the Leviathans ignited, flames erupting from their bodies.

It was a bloody sight, one that brought grim smiles to many of the soldiers as they witnessed the destruction of the creatures that had taken so many lives of their comrades.

However, Freya, Anglius, Theodoro, and Viserin were not so easily pleased. They knew that the ones perishing were only drones—the expendable foot soldiers of the hive mind. The true threat remained, and there was not much they could do about it at this moment.

The landslide lasted for nearly thirty seconds. Finally, the magic sigils and spells lost their power. The ethereal glow faded, and the earth settled once more. The Earth Mages gasped for air as they pulled back, most having consumed nearly all the magic within their Soul Dimensions.

Silence hung heavy for a brief moment, broken only by the crackling of dying fires and the distant groans of shifting earth. But the respite was short-lived. The Leviathan drones showed no reaction to the massive casualties they had just suffered. Driven by the relentless hive mind, they began to march once more, climbing over the smoldering remains of their fallen brethren. The swarm now finally reached the inner walls, an unending tide of darkness advancing with single-minded purpose.

They were met by a torrent of spells that blasted them to pieces. Fireballs exploded amidst their ranks, lightning bolts arced through the air, and shards of ice pierced their exoskeletons. The sky was alight with the colors of elemental magic, casting an otherworldly glow over the battlefield.

King Viserin’s eyes were cold and focused. Even as the torrent of spells rained down upon the drones, he directed his riders forward. "Advance!" The Turkin riders surged ahead, their demonic mounts thundering across the uneven terrain. The inner ring was much smaller than the outer ring, so they needed to utilize every inch of space. They advanced in sharp directions, zigzagging around the terrain to maintain their momentum and avoid being overwhelmed by the drones.

Their training proved invaluable. Just as the Turkin riders reached the swarm of drones, the rain of destructive spells halted seamlessly. The coordination between the Mages and the riders was flawless, preventing any friendly fire. Their eyes were sharp as they scanned the ground, always vigilant for hidden threats.

The previous earthquake had shattered the ground in the outer ring, making silent underground movement impossible. Not to mention that the inner ring was near the magma flow, so moving beneath the earth should not be possible. But they remained cautious; there was no way to tell what the hive mind could do.

Meanwhile, the Golden Wave Legion and the Shadowstrike Legion continued to work as a single, cohesive force. They marched beyond the inner walls, pushing into the outer ring. Their formation was tight, shields interlocked as they advanced steadily. The soldiers butchered everything around them before strategically retreating to avoid being swarmed, always keeping an eye on the elite enemy troops and hiding their own movements.

As for Freya and the Lords of Horror, they made their move from the very start. Rising into the air with a surge of power, they hovered momentarily before diving toward the position of the Special Unit Leviathans. The Viking princess knew that if the Special Unit was allowed to move freely, it could break the battle formations of the rest of the forces. She needed to keep it locked in combat, and the reinforcement of the Lords of Horror gave her the confidence to fight deep within the swarm.

The Lords of Horror landed around her, forming a protective circle. Their swords moved with blinding speed, cutting down any Leviathan that dared approach. Together, they engaged the elite units of the hive mind, drawing them away from the main forces.

The third clash of the Kuro Mountain battlefield had begun, and the smell of burning blood and broken bones immediately filled the air.