Vortex Origins
Chapter 83: The Third creature wave - 1

Chapter 83: The Third creature wave - 1

The sun crawled over the horizon, bleeding light across the Ironhold wall.

Steel glinted.

Men stood watch, lined across the battlements. Most were quiet. Eyes fixed on the distant fields. Fingers wrapped tight around their weapons.

One of them broke the silence with a yawn. Then he spoke.

"Why do the creatures come in waves? Wouldn’t it make more sense to just send everything at once?"

Another shrugged without looking away.

"They’re beasts. You think they plan this out?"

A third soldier spat over the edge.

"Tier Six beasts don’t seem so mindless to me."

"Then explain the waves." the first one replied. "They could’ve crushed us on the first day."

Boots stepped behind them—heavy, sure.

A voice answered, calm and cold.

"They could have. But someone, or something, doesn’t want it to be that simple."

The guards straightened fast. Every one of them brought their fists to their chests.

Commander Tim gave a slow nod, then walked past them toward the edge of the wall.

"The waves aren’t dumb. They’re calculated. Meant to break us down."

He turned and faced them, eyes sharp beneath the rising sun.

"The first wave? It’s just the fodder. Sent to test us. Maybe to entertain the lesser creatures. If they win, the wave ends. If they fail, the next one comes—stronger. Smarter. It keeps going like that. Until the settlement breaks."

One of the younger guards raised a hand.

Tim gave a small nod.

The soldier cleared his throat.

"Do the waves ever stop?"

A thin smile tugged at Tim’s lips.

"They do. But only when the enemy runs out of beasts to throw at us. The final wave is always the worst. Strongest ones they have. The highest we’ve ever seen... was Wave Three."

Another voice broke in from the ranks.

"So the one coming now...?"

Tim looked each of them in the eye.

"Yes. This is our last wave."

His hand gripped the hilt of his blade.

"And it’ll be the one that breaks us—if we let it."

The wall went quiet again. Hands tightened around weapons. Fear crept into their eyes, sinking in slow and deep.

No one said it—but the look on their faces made it clear.

They didn’t think they could win.

One of the men opened his mouth, maybe to ask something.

Then he froze.

His pupils shrank.

"Alarm! Sound the damn alarm—creature wave incoming!"

Heads snapped toward the horizon.

It was already too late.

The first swarm came fast—skittering across the dry field in a black wave.

Spiders. Hundreds of them.

But these weren’t ordinary ones.

Their upper halves were human-shaped. Pale skin stretched over twisted torsos. Arms moved like puppets as they ran on eight spiked legs.

"What are those things..."

A guard whispered, voice cracking.

Tim stepped forward, jaw clenched.

"Hallowmire Widows. They’re soul-eaters."

A tremor rolled through the ground.

Then came the second group.

Beasts with the heads of moose, black antlers twisted like charred roots. Their bodies were too large, too heavy, yet they moved with brutal speed. Thick arms pumped as they charged, muscles bulging with soul-fueled strength. Each stomp cracked the earth beneath them.

The wall shook.

And then... a shadow passed overhead.

Tim looked up.

Wings. Thin as paper. Countless.

Gliding through the sky were gray-winged moths the size of wolves. They flew low, swarming the air above the horde.

One of the guards spoke with dread in his throat.

"Duskwither Moths..."

Another followed.

"Then that means—"

Tim finished the sentence for them.

"The Lantern Maw is coming."

It wasn’t a guess. It was a fact.

The alarm finally screamed into the air—shrill, sharp, and loud.

But not from their wall.

Tim’s head snapped around.

"That’s the north tower. It’s under attack too."

His voice turned harsh.

"Why isn’t our alarm sounding?!"

Before anyone could answer, the bell on their side rang out at last, late and jarring.

Tim didn’t wait.

He turned and marched toward the stairs, shouting back over his shoulder.

"You—gather every team. I want them in position. Move!"

Boots thundered behind him as the guards scrambled into motion.

There was no time left.

————

The alarm rang through Ironhold—sharp, metallic, unrelenting.

Ash’s eyes snapped open. His heart raced.

"Shit."

Max burst out of his room, already strapping on his gear.

"We need to move. Now."

His eyes scanned the room.

"Kael’s still not back?"

The door creaked open behind him.

"I’m here."

Kael step in with a fresh shirt tugged halfway down.

"Just had to change. Last one smelled like smoke and death."

Max gave him a look.

"Great timing. Let’s go."

The three brothers pushed through the door, their footsteps thudding down the hallway. Behind them, Team RISE fell in—silent, focused.

Kael glanced over his shoulder at Alex, who matched his pace.

"Didn’t think you guys were the type to stick around. "

A faint grin forming.

"Didn’t take you for gamblers."

Alex shot him a look, eyes steady.

"With a Tier Six on our side? We’re not gambling. We’re betting on a sure thing."

They reached the center of the settlement.

Tim and Elder Eir stood waiting near an old fountain. The air felt heavy. Too still. Too quiet.

Team Galeforce was already there. Faces tight.

Kael laughed under his breath.

"Didn’t think I’d see this. I figured you all will be halfway out by now."

His eyes scanned the other team.

"You know what’s coming, right? This isn’t just another wave. This is the endgame."

Kaius turned to him. His gaze was sharp. Calm.

"And miss the fun? Not a chance."

Tim stepped forward. His voice cut through the tension like a blade.

"Enough. The wave has started. There’s no time for pride or talk."

He turned, eyes scanning the gathered fighters.

"We need a plan. One that doesn’t end with all of us dead."

Silence fell.

And just beyond the walls... the sound of marching claws and thunderous hooves closed in.

Mia stepped forward, eyes sharp.

"What are we up against?"

Eir didn’t hesitate.

"South wall has Hallowmire Widows and something new—moose-headed giants with antlers like black iron. There are Duskwither Moths in the sky too."

Kael cracked his knuckles, a grin tugging at his lips.

"So the Lantern Maw’s here, huh? Been a while since I stretched properly."

Max’s gaze snapped to Eir.

"Is that the only Tier Five on the south wall?"

Tim stepped in, face grim.

"We don’t know yet. Not even sure the Lantern Maw’s shown itself. Could just be the moths."

Kaius spoke next, his tone low.

"What about the north?"

Tim exhaled slowly.

"Worse. A swarm of undead—marching in formation. No panic. No noise. Just... moving."

Max’s brow furrowed.

"Undead?"

Tim gave a single nod.

"And there’s more. Scouts spotted figures in armor, knight-like. No confirmation on tier, but something’s off. We’re still missing pieces."

Hunter shifted. folding his arm.

"So what’s the play?"

Eir straightened.

"Same formation. Vortex takes the south. RISE holds the north. Gale Force will split between the two walls to support—"

Max raised his hand.

"Actually, Send all of Galeforce to the north."