Ch 80: Shattered Arms

The battlefield stretched endlessly before Kalem, an expanse of fire and chaos, the very air vibrating with the screeches of lava worms and the clash of steel against molten rock. Smoke and ash clouded the sky, casting an orange-red hue over the valley as if the sun itself had descended into the inferno. Kalem stood in the thick of it, his weapons arrayed across his body like a mobile arsenal, his focus core glowing fiercely against his chestplate.

With a deep breath, he waded back into the fray.

Kalem's approach drew eyes from those around him—mercenaries, knights, and smiths alike. It wasn't every day that someone walked onto the battlefield bearing an arsenal fit for an entire squad. Whispers spread, even amid the chaos.

"Does he really use all of those?" a knight murmured to a nearby mercenary.

"Look at him," the mercenary grunted, nodding toward Kalem as he switched seamlessly from spear to flail, his movements a deadly dance of precision and force. "I think he does."

Kalem paid them no mind. His focus was on the fight, his body moving as though it had been forged for this moment. He wielded his spear to keep the smaller worms at bay, thrusting its blade into their glowing bodies before transitioning to his flail to shatter the molten shells of the larger ones. His longsword came next, carving through the heated air and slicing into the thick, glowing hides of his enemies.

For every weapon he used, there was a purpose. For every movement, there was intent. And for every worm he felled, another took its place.

The lava worms were endless, their glowing, segmented bodies slithering from the fissures in the earth like rivers of molten rock. Smaller worms darted forward, their movements quick and unpredictable, while the larger ones lumbered with an intimidating weight that shook the ground.

Kalem thrust his spear into the eye of one such worm, twisting it until the creature screeched and collapsed into a heap of smoldering stone. As the spear's shaft cracked under the heat, Kalem discarded it without hesitation, drawing his axe and hacking at the next enemy in his path.

"Kalem, behind you!" Tharic's warning came just in time.

Kalem spun, raising the axe to deflect a molten tail strike. The impact sent vibrations through his arms, nearly making him drop the weapon. He countered with a wide swing, embedding the blade into the worm's flank before withdrawing it with a grunt of effort.

But the axe was weakening. Its edge had dulled, the once-pristine blade now chipped and warped from the intense heat. Kalem growled in frustration, abandoning the weapon and reaching for his flail.

The flail's spiked head swung in wide arcs, crushing smaller worms and forcing the larger ones back. Kalem's focus core pulsed with energy, amplifying his movements and lending him the strength to keep going. Around him, the defenders rallied to his side, their courage bolstered by his determination.

"Stay close!" Vornar shouted, his massive hammer crashing into the ground to send a shockwave rippling through the enemy ranks. "We hold here!"

Kalem nodded, his flail striking the glowing hide of a worm with a resounding crack. But as he swung again, the chain snapped, the spiked head flying into the molten river.

"Damn it!" he hissed, drawing his longsword.

The sword felt lighter in his hand, a familiar comfort amid the chaos. He moved with renewed vigor, cutting down the worms that threatened to breach their defensive line. But even the longsword couldn't withstand the heat forever. After a dozen strikes, the blade fractured, glowing shards scattering across the battlefield.

As Kalem tried to regroup, a shadow loomed over the battlefield. The largest worm yet emerged from the central fissure, its glowing body radiating an almost unbearable heat. It towered over the defenders, its molten eyes sweeping over them with an intelligence that sent chills down Kalem's spine.

"Focus all attacks on that one!" Vornar commanded, rallying the defenders.

Kalem tightened his grip on his standard sword—the last intact weapon in his arsenal. He charged forward, his focus core flaring with energy as he joined the assault.

The worm lashed out with its massive tail, scattering defenders like leaves in the wind. Kalem dodged under the swing, his sword slashing into its side. The blade cut deep, but the worm retaliated with a roar, spewing molten rock in all directions.

Kalem shielded his face, his chestplate absorbing most of the heat. He pressed on, his sword carving through the worm's armored hide even as the edge dulled. Each strike took more effort, his muscles screaming in protest as exhaustion set in.

The defenders surrounded the colossal worm, their combined attacks slowly driving it back toward the fissure. Kalem delivered a final, desperate strike, the sword's blade shattering as it bit into the worm's glowing head. The creature let out an ear-splitting screech before collapsing into the molten river, its body consumed by the fiery flow.

The battlefield fell silent, save for the distant rumble of the volcanoes. Kalem dropped to one knee, his chest heaving, the broken hilt of his sword still clutched in his hand. Around him, the defenders stood battered and weary, their faces etched with both relief and exhaustion.

Tharic approached, placing a hand on Kalem's shoulder. "You fought like a madman out there."

Kalem managed a weak smile. "Did we win?"

"For now," Tharic said. "But this is just the beginning. Get some rest while you can. We'll need you when the next wave comes."

Kalem nodded, his focus core dimming as he allowed himself to sink onto the scorched ground. The battle had pushed him to his limits, and the war was far from over.