"Look, we'll take care of the shadow problem 'after' the battle.
We should focus on ending this siege." Exclaimed Storm.
"All right.
We'll resume this later." Said Leyocan.
They focused back on the door that was currently barring their way.
"It looks sturdy, we could break it down but it will take time to do so." Said Grombrim.
"Actually, I have something that could help!
An old family recipe in fact."
Leyocan took out a small vial of something that looked like some kind of oil and poured it over his sword.
Once he was done, he slid his sword between the gap of the two doors.
A strange hissing sound soon started up and a pungent smell filled the room.
A few minutes later Storm heard something heavy fall on the other side of the door.
Leyocan then simply pushed open the doors.
"What was that?" Asked Grombrim.
"Woodsbane. An oil that causes anything made of wood to melt, but leaves everything else intact.
Very good for getting past doors or locked chests." Explained Leyocan.
"Grombrim! Have your men secure the walls and war machines.
The rest of us will move in deeper." Ordered Storm.
Grombrim sent a group on the mission, before joining the remaining forces.
They found themselves in a vast cavern that could easily hold several dragons at once.
"Who built this place!?" Asked Aurora in wonder.
"Looks like dwarf work, lass.
Very good craftsmanship at that." Replied Grombrim.
"We should be able to fight in our natural forms here." Storm told Aurora.
They didn't have to travel long before they encountered the commander of the defenders.
They had formed a rough barricade around another large set of doors that led deeper into the base.
Archers were posted on either side on raise balconies that overlooked the barricade.
From this position, they could rain arrows down on any attackers without the risk of being counter attacked.
The commander stepped forward and banged his sword on his shield.
"You will go no further, monster!!
So swears Taylor the Silver Lion." Said the commander.
Beside him, Kalipso snickered at the moniker and Storm had to resist doing the same.
"It's all over, Taylor.
Surrender and no people will be harmed!" Said Storm.
"Nothing is over while even one last defender still draws breath!!" Replied Taylor.
Behind him, several soldiers grunted or called out in confirmation.
Storm shook his head.
"What is it with you paladins and your obsession to die for hopeless causes!!
Dragging others to their deaths with you!!" Exclaimed Storm.
"I wouldn't call our cause 'hopeless' by my count we still outnumber you." Said Taylor.
A pulse of dark magic suddenly flew through the entire fortress but caused no harm.
"What did you do!!" Yelled Taylor.
"We were just about to ask you the same thing!!" Retorted Grombrim.
A rustling sound came from behind them and Storm turned around with dread.
A massive horde of undead was rushing towards their flanks.
All the men and creatures that had fallen during the siege.
Monstrous creatures like Griffins were marching side by side with armored knights towards them.
Their flesh was pale and covered in blood and their eyes held no higher thought except the urge to kill and feed.
"Form up!!
Make a defensive line!!" Ordered Storm.
They just barely managed to create a defensive formation before the undead crashed into them.
Storm soon lost track of the time as he focused on defending himself.
These undead were an unnerving foe to face.
They never backed away, and continued fighting even through the most grievous of wounds.
Storm shifted into his true form and tackled an undead griffin.
He ripped a wing off his opponent, but it seemed to show no reaction at all.
A second griffin with half it's face ripped off rushed at him from the side before Storm could do anything.
Before it could tackle him, a silver armored knight rammed the griffin from the side with his shield.
As the two landed on the ground, he took a two handed grip on his sword and beheaded the undead.
Storm looked around and saw that the human warriors had joined them and the two adversaries were fighting side by side.
Once the undead were all put to rest, the two commanders turned to each other.
"You really aren't responsible for this travesty!?" Asked Taylor.
"No." Storm said flatly.
"Then there is only one other possibility.
Calderon!!! That treacherous snake!!" Exclaimed Taylor.
"What have you done!!" Said Razor.
"He said he had a plan!
Something that would help strengthen the settlement!" Exclaimed Taylor.
"This was always that Lich's plan.
Wait for us to kill each other off!
Then raise our dead as his slaves.
Taylor paled.
"He's a Lich!?" Exclaimed Taylor.
Storm nodded his head.
"If what you say is true, then this is worse than I thought!!" Said Taylor.
"Sir!! Mortis's army!!" Said one of the knights.
"Mortis's army is real!!?" Asked Aurora with concern.
"We found ranks of entombed, armored warriors deeper inside the mountains.
All buried with their weapons and armor on, as if they're waiting for an order to Marshall to war.
"How many!?" Asked Ursun.
"Legions upon Legions of them!
More than triple our two forces combined." Said Taylor.
"Sir!! The civilians!!!" Exclaimed one of the knights.
"Dragon!! It seems we must set aside our battle for the time being!!
The army has an clear path to the entire city.
If they kill the civilians, or the none human prisoners, it would swell their numbers even more.
We need to evacuate them from the base!" Suggested Taylor.
"Agreed, everyone who can't fight should be evacuated from the settlement, while everyone else holds them back here.
"I'll go on ahead and kill the Lich." Suggested Storm.
"You're going to need help, as well as a guide to help you reach the catacombs.
I've crusaded against the undead hordes all my life!
I'll go with you and help you slay this abomination!!" Exclaimed Taylor.
Before Storm could argue, a maniacal cackle echoed down the caverns.
Followed by dull tremors as an numberless army began to march.