Chapter 20: The Hollowborn Champion
The creature stood at the treeline, watching. It was different.
Taller than the rest, its body wrapped in decayed armor, a rusted greatsword resting on its shoulder. But what truly set it apart were its eyes—two burning embers that flickered with something the other Hollowborn lacked.
Intelligence.
It raised its blade, pointing toward the settlement.
A silent command.
The Hollowborn surged forward once more.
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The walls trembled as the undead slammed against them, rotting hands clawing at the palisade.
On the northern side, a section of the wooden stakes collapsed, pulled down by sheer numbers. Hollowborn poured through the breach.
"Fall back!" Garrick shouted.
The defenders scrambled to form a new line, spears lowering. Too slow. The first guard screamed as the undead tore into him, dragging him down.
Leon clenched his fists. This wasn't a battle—they were being overwhelmed.
A sharp whistle pierced the air.
Whoosh!
A firebomb arced through the sky, crashing into the breach. Flames erupted, consuming Hollowborn in an instant. The bodies burned, black smoke rising.
---
Before the attack, Leon had worked with Robin and Bram to prepare a desperate weapon—firebombs.
Using his Extraction ability, he had broken down oil-soaked cloth, resin, and sulfur from salvaged materials, refining them into a crude but effective incendiary mix.
Stuffing the mixture into clay pots and sealing them with wax, they had just enough time to make a dozen of them.
Robin had volunteered to handle them during the battle.
Now, as the Hollowborn surged forward, the firebombs were their only advantage.
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Robin stood on the wall, clutching another firebomb. His hands were shaking.
"Don't stop!" Leon called. "Keep them burning!"
More bombs followed, pushing the Hollowborn back—but only for a moment.
Then the Champion moved.
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The massive creature charged, its greatsword dragging through the dirt.
It swung.
BOOM!
The wooden gate shattered, sending debris flying. A dozen defenders were thrown backward, some crushed beneath the wreckage.
The Hollowborn swarmed through the opening.
Leon felt a cold sweat drip down his back. This was bad.
"Hold them at the gate!" Garrick roared, raising his sword. "Form ranks!"
The defenders locked shields, meeting the undead head-on.
A brutal melee erupted—steel against rotting flesh.
Leon watched as one of his men, an older guard named Terric, fought desperately. He ran a spear through one Hollowborn—only for another to grab him from behind.
Before Leon could react, Terric was ripped apart.
Another soldier fell. Then another.
The line was breaking.
And the Champion was still coming.
---
Leon gritted his teeth. If that thing reached the center of the settlement, they were finished.
He couldn't fight it head-on. He wasn't a warrior.
But he didn't need to be.
"Robin!" he called. "Get Bram and meet me by the forge. Now!"
Robin hesitated, then nodded, disappearing into the chaos.
Leon turned to Garrick. "Hold the line for as long as you can."
Garrick gave him a sharp look but nodded. "Don't take too long, my lord."
Then he was gone, cutting his way through Hollowborn.
Leon ran.
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The forge glowed with heat. Bram stood ready, sweat dripping down his face.
Robin dumped the last of the silver weapons onto the table. "What now?"
Leon grabbed a silver-tipped spear, turning toward the battlefield. "We're going to lure that thing into a trap."
Bram hesitated. "You're not serious."
Leon just smirked.
"Watch me."
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Leon ran back into the fray, heart pounding.
The Champion had reached the center of the settlement, Hollowborn at its back.
It turned as Leon approached.
Leon gripped his silver spear, took a deep breath—
And threw it.
CRACK!
The silver spear struck the Champion's shoulder.
For the first time, it reacted.
The wound sizzled, black smoke rising from its decayed flesh.
Leon's eyes narrowed. Silver worked.
The Champion roared and charged.
Leon ran.
He dashed through the battlefield, leading the monster toward the forge.
Robin and Bram were waiting, more silver weapons ready.
Leon dove aside at the last moment.
The Champion swung its greatsword—
And Bram threw a silver axe.
THUNK!
The axe buried itself in the Hollowborn's skull.
The monster staggered.
Robin followed up, hurling a silver dagger.
It sank into the Champion's chest.
The creature howled, its body collapsing to one knee.
Leon seized his chance.
He grabbed another spear and plunged it into the monster's heart.
BOOM!
A shockwave erupted as the Champion's body disintegrated, dark energy scattering into the night.
The Hollowborn…
Collapsed.
One by one, they fell, their bodies turning to ash.
The battle was over.
---
Silence.
Then… the cheers started.
Leon dropped to one knee, panting. Around him, his people stood in awe.
They had won.
But as Leon looked around—at the bodies of the fallen, at the smoking ruins—he knew one thing.
This wasn't the end.
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