If I haven’t made it clear to you yet just how overwhelming this opposing force was, millions of humans were savagely ripped from existence within those first few weeks. Even though the events of “The Night” had seen humanity leave darkness with means capable of defending itself, it appeared as if any preparation had not been near enough. A more concerning facet of the entire ordeal came after in the initial invasion. The pressing mass of bodies pushed inwards swallowing caravans and human defenders attempting to fight them off, but almost simultaneously, the unstoppable wave ceased after Egypt. It was as if something had simply turned the abominations off.
Within the major remaining hubs, citizens and soldiers alike had not yet seen with their own eyes the nightmare prepared to befall them. Gathered curiously watching display pictures showing the wretched creatures they could only put on a brave front. Despite the visuals and the stories of those who had escaped this hellish experience, many still believed peace could be achieved. When an emissary was dispatched to the creatures, the world watched with breath held tight to lungs, as those who ventured in the name of peace, were torn apart in spectacular carnage. Yet, the creatures did not move, they did not take one singular step closer. Perhaps they simply intended to starve humanity out, why waste the bodies when nature would take its impending toll?
Reports had come across communication channels early on claiming the beasts to number in the hundreds of thousands with each disastrous encounter. Egypt however had been something entirely different, but I must save that tale for another time. With the monsters in an almost stasis like trance humanity had to act fast. Every possible resource was pooled and distributed as far and wide as possible, those capable were given direction to seek every possible advantage in war, and as the days turned to weeks and weeks to months, humanity began to relax.
At first glance Outpost Iridina did not look like much, in fact it did not look like anything at all. Ancient ruins lay in place for as long as history had become aware of itself. Perhaps it had been a bastion of strength in times long forgotten. Soldiers stood guard assigned seemingly at random from different detachments across the remaining continent. Soldiers on edge during their initial deployments, returned to their habits, gossiping about what their purpose could possibly be standing guard over immobile stone and swaying grass while the horde remained immobile, far beyond their view.
An orange razor cut a jagged mountain outline as the sun slowly rose into a new position in the sky, in that moment the horns echoed throughout the outpost. Soldiers scrambled out of their rests, reaching desperately for armor and weapons. Aggressively rubbing the sleep from their eyes, they shambled into position as if anticipating yet another drill. Why did the commanders press them so? Months had gone by and the creatures still remained in their statue like guard, penning humanity into its confined area. There was no need for this drill today.
Whatever weariness remained evaporated as several dozen men stood in the center of the outpost with strange weaponry in their hands. Brothers in arms gave questioning glances to one another across the ranks as realization set in of what their task of guarding had been. Quickly, commanders found their squads and hustled around the ailing outpost, ordering men and women into defensive positions. As troops found cover and checked weapons, the sunlight creeping across the plains revealed what they still failed to believe. Before them stood hundreds of thousands of monsters, fangs chomping at the air, claws raised in intimidating fashion. Iridina however, had a surprise up it’s sleeve. New, secret tech had been dispatched quitely amongst elite soldiers in the garrison. Now was the time to deploy it.
The roar that let loose from the horde signaled the next phase of action; war had resumed once more.