(21) The Lands of Ranuulo: Zantii's Assault (6.5k words)

Aero, Jirro, Valr, Gweneva, and Iggy have managed to repel several of Commander's Najiic's attack and are preparing to relocate the people of Dontown to a safer place. Little do they know that a new threat is coming. King Zantii is guided by Lunahreim to the Link Temple - the bridge between the Lands of Ralosia and the Lands of Ranuulo. Wherever the King treads, destruction follows. This is the beginning of the end.

(4/13/22) Self Edited, Audio Edited, and Peer edited

Peer editing by Mikrokosmostae

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~Chapter 1- Another Attack~

~Age 991B~

The Lands of Ranuulo was a harsh place - a desolate terrain filled with beasts of terrifying power. In the day, the skies were a dark red and purple, and at night, the land was plunged into near-complete darkness. It was no wonder the reptilian-like Regenek people living in Dontown were preparing to leave these lands for a new one.

But they wouldn't leave these lands so easily. A sizable militia of Ranuulan soldiers had laid siege to the muddy town with Commander Ujiic. He saw all non-Ranuulans as inferior and had returned with reinforcements to force the people of Dontown to submit.

Though they were outnumbered, the people of Dontown were prepared. A few individuals of great strength assisted them. Among them were a few Ralosian boys by the names of Aero, Jirro, and Valr.

The blonde-haired Jirro dispatched several Ranuulan soldiers at once, felling each one with a single strike of his fists. Alongside him was his cousin Aero, faring just as well on the muddy battlefield.

A soldier with an oversized war-hammer swung at Jirro, but the sixteen-year-old caught it in his bare hands. He struck the soldier, and they spiraled through the air.

Through the mass of combatants ahead of him, Jirro saw Commander Ujiic riding a four-legged stone creature. If he could defeat the Commander, that may end it.

Jirro looked at his cousin, "I'm going after him!"

"Be careful!" Aero shouted as Jirro sprinted through the battlefield, dispatching enemy soldiers as he went. Dozens of them tried to dogpile on top of him, but with his sheer strength, he broke free.

Jirro punched the air, and a blue light burst from his fist; A Focus Burst. It knocked aside many of the enemy soldiers, clearing the path to the commander.

Commander Ujiic had a pale face, ebon arms and legs, and spotted skin, just like most Ranuulans. His eyes were a luminescent green, and he cocked his head at the boy as he approached. Ujiic smirked and jumped off the stone Beast he rode on.

Ujiic glanced about the empty terrain around them, "You barely defeated me when you had help, what can you do alone?"

"I'm stronger than I was last time," Jirro said, taking a defensive fighting stance.

"As am I," Ujiic replied.

Jirro inched closer to Ujiic, intentionally leaving a small opening on his right. The Commander took the bait and swung at him. Jirro blocked and followed up with an elbow directly to his opponent's face.

Ujiic staggered back from the blow, wincing as he grabbed at his now bloodied nose. The Commander charged at Jirro again, unleashing a series of lightning-fast blows, all of which were either evaded or blocked.

Jirro couldn't help but think that Ujiic wasn't nearly as strong or fast as he remembered. But he knew it was really because of how much he'd improved.

Najiic made a circle in the air with his fingers, and a ring of light was formed - A Focus Ring. The commander chucked it at Jirro.

Jirro put both hands forward and flexed his forearms. In front of him, a wall of blue light manifested, A Focus Shield. The Focus Ring bounced off and rebounded back at Ujiic, knocking the commander into the mud.

Jirro allowed his Focus Shield to dissipate, and he looked into his opponent's eyes. Ujiic's face was full of disdain. The Commander punched into the air, and a burst of light shot above, acting as a flare.

"Everyone retreat!" He shouted, his voice overwhelming the sound of the battle.

With that command, Ujiic and his militia began retreating to their base to the north.

Jirro, Aero, and Valr walked with the Regenek Warriors back to Dontown. A muddy settlement placed near the coast with stakes of wood around its perimeter. At one of the openings of the town stood Donato, the elder of the community. He was overseeing the relocation of the people there.

Donato held a cane in his hand, swirled his tail, and looked to Jirro, "Is Ujiic dead?"

"No, he ran off like last time," Jirro said.

"He'll keep coming back... These attacks are becoming tiresome," Donato shook his head.

"All the more reason to clear out of here sooner," The brown-haired Valr remarked as he passed into the town.

"I can't thank you boys enough for your help here." Donato said, taking Jirro's hand into his own.

Jirro and the others walked through the muddy streets of Dontown. He saw a little Regenek boy and girl wearing whatever clothes could be scraped together. It was a hard life they lived here; the Lands of Ralosia would give them a better one. The Regenek Iggy was helping everyone get together their belongings.

Jirro, Aero, and Valr looked west towards a densely wooded area - Petri's woods. A safe haven in the Lands of Ranuulo.

Iggy met with them just outside the town. "It should take a while before they attack again. We'll be long gone by then."

"Perfect! Everyone can stay the night in the woods, and the next morning we'll take everyone to the Lands of Ralosia," Valr responded enthusiastically. The idea of relocating anyone was his idea, and he was eager to see it come to fruition.

Iggy nodded, "After we get everyone to safety... I'm coming back to finish Ujiic off. He can't get away with what he's done."

Jirro nodded in agreement, "I'll be right there with you."

With that, Jirro, Aero, and Valr headed towards Petri's woods through the desolate terrain, leaving Iggy, Donato and the other Regenek to finish up in their town.