The Fall of Carridan

The ruined encampment still burned behind us, the bodies of Carridan's scattered forces lying broken among the wreckage. The enemy had been shattered, their morale crushed before they had even reached our walls. But I knew this wouldn't last. If we gave Carridan time, he would rebuild. He would gather his strength, rally his remaining forces, and return stronger than before.

I wasn't going to let that happen.

Standing among my commanders—Gorak, Vaelin, Draven, and the Shadeborn—I made my decision.

"We're finishing this now," I said, my voice steady. "We're taking the fight to Carridan before he has a chance to strike back."

Gorak let out a pleased growl, tightening his grip on his axe. "No more waiting behind walls. Good."

Draven crossed his arms, smirking. "That's a bold move, Outworlder. But you better have a plan."

Vaelin nodded. "We just tore through his vanguard and forward base. He'll expect us to sit back and regroup. If we attack now, we have a chance to catch him before he's ready."

The Shadeborn's violet eyes flickered with interest. "I've already been scouting. Carridan's forces are scattered and disorganized. He's pulling his remaining men into his main stronghold about ten miles east of here."

That was our target.

Carridan's fortress was his last bastion, his only remaining foothold. If we took it, we didn't just win this war—we ended his rule permanently.

I opened my system, scanning my resources.

Current Gold: 2,100

Passive Income: 42 Gold per Minute

Enough for a final major upgrade before we marched.

[Available Upgrades]

Summon a Second Guardian (1,000 Gold) – Another elite defensive and offensive unit.

Recruit Siege Breakers (750 Gold) – Specialized warriors trained to destroy fortifications.

Enhance All Units (1,200 Gold) – Permanent combat efficiency boost.

Construct War Machines (1,500 Gold) – Unlocks battering rams and siege towers.

I needed to crack Carridan's fortress wide open.

[1,500 Gold Deducted – Constructing War Machines]

A deep rumbling shook the ground as my system activated. In the clearing behind us, massive wooden siege towers and reinforced battering rams materialized, their iron-plated structures glinting under the firelight. The goblins and mercenaries let out murmurs of shock and excitement, their hands running over the newly summoned engines of war.

[Siege Weapons Deployed: Increased Effectiveness Against Fortifications]

Gorak's grin widened. "Now we're ready."

Vaelin studied the siege engines with approval. "This will cut through his defenses like they're nothing."

Draven smirked. "Damn. I almost feel bad for the bastard."

I turned to my forces. It was time.

"We march now. We hit him before he has time to recover. This war ends tonight."

A roar of approval erupted from the gathered warriors.

We set off immediately, moving through the forest like a storm preparing to break. The siege engines rumbled forward, pulled by reinforced wagons and our strongest warriors. The elite raiders scouted ahead, slipping through the darkness to eliminate any stragglers or patrols.

The march took only a few hours, but by the time Carridan's fortress came into view, my blood was already pounding in anticipation.

The stronghold loomed ahead, a massive stone structure with thick walls, heavy iron gates, and multiple watchtowers. Torches lined the ramparts, and I could see archers patrolling above, their movements hurried, tense. They knew we were coming.

Vaelin stood beside me, surveying the fortifications. "They're expecting an attack, but they aren't fully prepared. If we hit them now, we break them before they get organized."

Gorak cracked his knuckles. "Then we smash through."

I turned to Draven. "Get your men in position. We need cover fire while we bring the siege engines up."

He nodded, signaling to the mercenaries. They moved swiftly, spreading out into flanking positions, archers finding elevated spots where they could pin down enemy defenses.

The Shadeborn reappeared beside me. "I'll handle the gate."

I raised an eyebrow. "How?"

She smirked. "By the time you reach it, it'll be open."

Then she vanished.

I didn't have time to question her methods. I raised my hand, signaling my forces into formation.

The siege had begun.

The first ballistae fired, their massive bolts slamming into the watchtowers, shattering wood and sending guards tumbling to their deaths. The enemy returned fire, but our archers, enhanced from my last upgrades, picked them off before they could rally.

I turned to the battering rams. "Move in! Break that gate!"

The massive iron-plated rams surged forward, goblins and mercenaries pushing them with all their strength. The enemy threw burning oil, shot arrows, but we kept moving.

Then—something shifted.

The fortress gate suddenly creaked, then swung open.

Confusion rippled through the enemy ranks. They weren't the ones who opened it.

Then I saw her.

The Shadeborn stood just inside the entrance, a dead guard at her feet, a stolen key in her hand.

She had done it.

"NOW!" I roared.

The goblins rushed in first, screeching as they poured through the open gates, cutting down disoriented defenders. The mercenaries followed, their disciplined strikes cutting through enemy ranks.

I led the charge, my Guardian beside me, its massive blade cleaving through anyone who stood in our way.

The fortress erupted into chaos.

The defenders tried to regroup, but we were already inside, already carving through their ranks. They fought hard, but they were outmatched, outnumbered, and caught completely off guard.

Then, at the center of the fortress, I found him.

Carridan.

The warlord stood in his courtyard, clad in heavy black armor, his greatsword resting on his shoulder. Around him, his elite guards held the line, forming a protective wall.

His eyes locked onto mine.

"So," he said, his voice cold. "You're the one who's been ruining my plans."

I tightened my grip on my spear. "And you're the one who's been getting in my way."

Carridan smirked. "You should have stayed behind your walls, outworlder." He raised his blade. "Now I'm going to bury you beneath mine."