After ensuring that the path was free of traps and obstacles, Storm and his forces moved on from Twin Rivers and towards their final destination.
They arrived at the foot of the massive mountain range that housed the hidden hunter base in roughly 5 day.
News of the fall of Twin Rivers must have reached the base prior to their arrival, because they found the entrance locked down and sealed.
A massive stone slab door led into the mountain fortress.
A massive draconic skull was carved into.the mountain above the door.
The door was set deeper into the mountain and was flanked by two large outcropings that created a narrow U shaped passage leading to the door.
This greatly constricted the space leading into the mountain, meaning that even if they breached the door, only a small number would be able to pass through at a time.
The rest would be gathered close together outside, at the mercy of the archers and war machines camped higher up the mountain.
Several platforms and fortifications had been constructed around the mountain entrance that housed all manner of different war machines.
These platforms were connected to the base itself by small tunnels.
And as a result, the only way to reach them from outside would be to climb the mountain or to fly.
Several platforms had also been set aside for archers that provides a unobstructed view of the entrance.
Several hunters were already stationed there and carefully watching the army of monsters camped on their doorstep.
Storm ordered they camp set up far out of range of the machines and the archers, then waited for reinforcements.
Aurora arrived at the camp a day later and she and Storm shared a heartfelt reunion.
He had missed her, these past two weeks and even if the circumstances weren't ideal, he was glad to be reunited with her again.
He inquired about the status of the egg and was reassured that all was well and that it had yet to hatch.
Storm prayed that the infant would wait until after the battle.
He did not believe it a good start for the hatchling's life to break free of it's egg, only to find both his parents away and not present to welcome him into the world.
The Kitsune forces arrived a day after along with Leyocan and his Nogitsune.
Storm was relieved to see his old friend alive and well, as the two of them hadn't communicated since their flight from Arcadia, and so was unaware of his fate.
Leyocan informed him that he and the Spellbreakers clan had managed to successfully smuggle the partially transformed survivors off the island, and that they should be arriving at the hideout in the next few weeks for treatment.
Storm hoped that the Grans would be able to reverse what had been done to them.
They had managed to partially reverse Pyros's transformation, but weren't able to fully restore him to his unaltered self.
He was currently still comatose and had yet to fully recover from his ordeal.
The additions from the Kitsune and Nogitsune almost doubled Storm's army, and was sorely needed.
Leyocan had brought his best infiltrator assassins for the assault that would be especially handy for silencing the archers and war machines built into the mountains.
On top of that, the Spellbreakers had also sent a small company of elite mage hunters in thanks for the aid he provided them at Arcadia.
As well as a shipment of poisons and bombs from Leyocan's brother back in Kingsport.
The Kitsune meanwhile brought every combat ready Kitsune with them, as well as their many combat trained partners.
Including several combat mages, mystics and sorceresses, that was as equally skilled with a blade, as they were with spellcraft.
Several of their human partners had secured horses and were planning to fight as fast moving cavalry and horse archers.
Something that Storm's army had lacked up until this point.
With the last of his forces assembled, and no further reinforcements coming.
Storm called the many leaders together for one last planning session before the assault.
They met at the large command tent.
A single small table had been brought with them and a layout of the fortress was opened up on the table that Storm had managed to retrieve back in Arcadia.
He was unable to confirm whether the layout was still accurate however as no one had managed to enter the fortress yet.
"Do we have any idea the size of the forces that the hunters have available?" Asked Storm.
Ursun and Kalipso shook their heads.
"We have only been able to make out the people stationed on the platforms.
There could be hundreds of warriors inside that we can't even see.
We could be walking into a massive trap." Explained Kalipso.
"Could we starve them out somehow?" Asked The Kitsune Matriarch.
"Not with the provisions we have on hand.
There's just too many of us camped out here!
There isn't enough in the area to sustain us all.
And our current provisions would only last another week at most!" Replied Grombrim.
Storm nodded his head.
"Waiting is out of the question.
If they managed to warn the kingdoms, we could possibly be attacked by a second army.
We'd be trapped up against the mountains with no way to escape.
The only path is 'forward'." Said Storm.
"Straight into a fortress that we have no idea what to expect once inside." Said Leyocan.
"Can we even breach the door?
It looks sturdy from here?" Asked Razor.
"Trust me!
If it's made of stone!
Then my people can crack it.
Might take a while to breach it, but I know it can be done!" Exclaimed Grombrim.
"What do we know about this place?" Asked Leyocan.
"Just the human legends.
That this is Mortis's burial site and that his army is supposedly entombed somewhere inside." Said Razor.
"So... old legends and 'ghost stories ' then?" Replied Leyocan.
"There is definitely something evil in the air of this place!
Something unnatural.
All those that are sensitive to nature's energy can feel it!" Said Ursun.
"My people feel it too!
Feels like 'poison' in the air." Replied Kalipso.
"We can't risk them waking up that ancient evil!
If the Lich is there, then who knows what he can do with that army!" Said Storm.
"Is he even here?
Didn't you already kill him?" Asked Grombrim.
"Twice already.
Unfortunately he has a rather nasty habit of not staying dead." Explained Storm.
Leyocan leaned over the layout.
"Our best bet would be for my forces to strike the weapon platforms and enter through the tunnels.
We might be able to open the doors from inside. "
"And what if your forces fell inside the tunnels?!
We'd be trapped outside with no way to enter!" Retorted Grombrim.
"Then let us do both!
Leyocan, myself and the Nogitsune will strike the platforms and enter the tunnels.
At the same time, our forces moves forward and strike the main entrance. " said Storm.
"When do we start?" Asked Aurora.
"At first light tomorrow. " replied Storm.