The first of the giants stepped through the rubble.

As the colossal creature heaved a massive hand onto the shattered remnants of the city's fortifications, chaos erupted anew within Hafenstadt. The walls, once a symbol of safety and strength, now lay in ruins, their stones scattered all around. The giant's foot crashed onto the city streets, each stride sending tremors through the ground that rattled windows and shook the very bones of those nearby.

Screams mingled with the sounds of crumbling buildings as the giants pressed their assault. In mere moments, additional breaches appeared along the city's defenses. Two more giants were forcing their way through, their immense forms silhouetted against the fiery glow of a city under siege.

Amidst the turmoil, Jamie struggled to remain calm. His mind raced, but every plan he conjured seemed futile against such overwhelming power. They lacked the might to confront foes like those. Doubt gnawed at him, yet he refused to succumb to despair.

Reaching over his shoulder, he grasped the bow and quiver he'd used during the trials. Nocking an arrow, he drew the string back, aiming at the nearest giant. He released, and the arrow soared through the air. It struck the giant's thick hide but barely penetrated, looking pitifully ineffective against the creature's massive frame.

Undeterred, Jamie fired arrow after arrow, each one a desperate attempt to inflict any damage. The missiles peppered the giant, but to little avail. It was like trying to fell a mountain with pebbles.

"Retreat! Fall back to the Festival Square!" soldiers shouted around him, their voices strained as they tried to coordinate amidst the chaos. They moved in frenzied motions, attempting to form defensive lines even as they were pushed back.

Realizing the futility of his attacks, Jamie loosed one more arrow. It grazed the giant's arm, causing it to glance momentarily in his direction but doing no real harm. Accepting that he could do little more here, he turned and sprinted away from the gate, his feet pounding against the cobblestones as he made his way toward the Commercial Quarter's central street.

Upon almost reaching the festival square, he was met with a disheartening sight. Only a little over fifty soldiers had gathered there, and none of them appeared confident. Their faces were pale, eyes wide with the stark realization of the enemy they faced. Murmurs of doubt and fear rippled through their ranks.

Jamie scanned the group, seeking someone, anyone, in a position of authority. Spotting an officer by the medal on his chest and the way he tried to rally his men, Jamie approached swiftly.

"Do we have any mercenaries in the city?" Jamie asked urgently, foregoing any formal introductions.

The captain turned to him, a deep furrow etched between his brows. "A few ranks C and D," he replied tersely. "But they won't be of much help. They're so terrified they've probably already bolted for the North Gate."

"Damn it," Jamie muttered. His mind whirred, desperately seeking a solution. But every option seemed blocked. They were severely outmatched, and hope was slipping through his fingers like sand.

Beside him, Thomas stood with shoulders heavy from exhaustion. Sweat and grime streaked his face, and his breathing was labored. After nearly a full day of relentless fighting, fatigue clung to him like a cloak.

'Any ideas, Jay?' Jamie thought, reaching out to his ever-present companion.

"Run?" Jay the cat suggested nonchalantly, his voice echoing in Jamie's mind.

'No,' Jamie responded firmly within his thoughts. 'We'd have to start over, and we don't have the resources we once did.' He assessed the situation coldly. While he wasn't opposed to rebuilding from scratch if necessary, abandoning the city now felt wrong. Too much was at stake, and he was deeply invested.

Even from a distance, Jamie could see that the battle atop the city walls raged on. Flashes of arcane energy lit up the sky as spells were flung from battlements, leaving trails of shimmering light in their wake. Thunderous booms echoed across the city as bolts of lightning struck down from ominous clouds, shaking the very ground beneath his feet.

"Sir!" A soldier sprinted toward the captain beside Jamie, his armor clanking with each hurried step. Sweat and grime streaked his face, but his eyes were sharp with urgency. "Sir, the Arcane Tower reports that two groups of adventurers are returning to the city. One is an A-rank party, the other S-rank. If we can hold out for another hour, they should arrive!"

"An hour?!" The captain's face twisted in exasperation, his eyes flaring. "Those mages must be snorting dragon dust! If we last ten more minutes, it'll be a miracle!"

"One hour," Jamie murmured to himself, his brows knitting together. At least we have a goal now.

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"Move all soldiers to defend the south gate!" the captain barked, turning away to issue orders to his men.

Jamie stepped forward, concern edged in his voice. "If you pull them from the walls, the giants will pour into the Lower Quarter!"

"To the abyss with the Lower Quarter!" the captain snapped back, his frustration boiling over. "I don't have enough men to hold the blasted gate as it is!"

As if fate wished to emphasize the dire situation, two giants finally burst through the broken gates at that very moment. One turned, thundering down the main street, crushing anything unfortunate enough to be in its path. The other veered toward the labyrinthine streets of the Lower Quarter, where narrow alleys and tightly packed homes offered little resistance to its immense strides.

"Golden Fiddle Company!" Jamie's voice rang out, sharp and commanding. He needed to act swiftly. "Position to protect the Lower Quarter!"

Aldwin and Camille were mixed in with the crowd fleeing from the South Gate when they heard their leader's command. Without hesitation, they sprinted after the giant heading toward the Lower Quarter, intent on diverting its destructive path away from the vulnerable homes and panicked citizens.

A few steps behind them, Jamie spotted two figures weaving through the chaos. Dieter and Holz, the newest recruits.

'Good to see they're still with us.' Jamie thought.

Amidst the sea of fleeing townsfolk, Jamie searched desperately for Thyra and Emyr. The ice-wielding mage and the inventive gnome were nowhere in sight. Perhaps they were caught up in other skirmishes or were aiding elsewhere in the besieged city.

High atop the battered walls, flashes of lightning illuminated the sky. Jamie glanced upward to see Alonzo unwavering at his post, hurling bolts of crackling energy at the giants attempting to breach the defenses. He clearly was following Jamie's orders to the letter.

Jamie watched as his team disappeared into the winding streets leading toward the Lower Quarter.

The city's once-familiar avenues were now a labyrinth of panic and destruction. Yet, he and Thomas remained in the central street, a fleeting island of calm amidst the storm. Thomas's gaze lingered anxiously in the direction of the giant heading toward the Lower Quarter. Jamie knew his friend was torn; Julie was likely safe at the tavern, but the urge to protect his daughter tugged at him fiercely. Still, Thomas stayed by Jamie's side, his duty compelling him to guard his leader.

Jamie, however, needed information. The battlefield shifted like quicksand, and only by staying close to the captain of the guard could he hope to grasp the full scope of the city's defense. Around them, messengers darted to and fro, their faces etched with urgency as they relayed orders and updates.

A sudden commotion drew their attention. Soldiers were rallying to confront a towering giant advancing relentlessly along the main avenue. Its massive footsteps cracked the cobblestones, each stride bringing it closer to the imposing walls of the Academy. The defenders encircled the behemoth, spears poised like a bristling hedgehog. They thrust their weapons forward in unison, but the steel tips barely penetrated the giant's thick hide, glancing off with sparks or embedding shallowly without causing significant harm.

Undeterred, the giant raised a colossal fist, ready to pulverize the Academy's wall. But as its fist descended, a ripple in the air shimmered, a protective barrier flared to life. The giant's blow was deflected with a resounding boom, and the force of the rebound sent the creature staggering backward, crashing into a nearby building, which crumbled under its weight.

Standing between the wall and the giant was Tannenbaum, the academy's director. He stood casually, one hand cupped over his mouth as he released a prodigious yawn that seemed comically out of place amidst the chaos.

"Hey! Hey!" Tannenbaum called out, his tone more irritated than alarmed. "Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to sleep? And you're all waking me up!"

Jamie arched an eyebrow, a mix of surprise and relief washing over him. The director's arrival could be the turning point they needed. 'Perhaps with the professors of the Academy joining the fight, we can hold back the Monster Rush,' he thought, optimism sparking.

But as he observed the reactions of the surrounding soldiers, a knot of concern tightened in his stomach. The guards were shouting frantically, their faces pale.

"Get back! Stay away from him!" they yelled, retreating rapidly from the vicinity of the director. Confusion flickered across Jamie's face. "What's happening?" he muttered under his breath.

"I hate this form," Tannenbaum grumbled audibly. Before Jamie could process the statement, the director's shirt began to strain, seams popping audibly. In an instant, the fabric tore apart, exploding into countless scraps that fluttered to the ground.

A primal scream tore from Tannenbaum's throat as his body underwent a dramatic transformation. From his mouth, two massive ivory tusks sprouted, curving menacingly outward. His skin darkened to a rough, gray texture, thickening into a hide that seemed impervious to harm. His frame expanded enormously, muscles bulging and bones reshaping as he grew to nearly match the giants in stature.

His ears elongated and widened, flapping slightly as they settled into place, while his nose extended into a formidable trunk that hung heavily over his chest. Arms and legs thickened, becoming pillars of raw power. The remnants of his clothing shredded away, save for his boots and tattered robes that clung to his lower half, mercifully preserving his modesty.

Jamie stared in awe and horror. In moments, Tannenbaum had metamorphosed into a creature both magnificent and terrifying—a were-elephant, blending human and beast in a grotesque yet awe-inspiring form. The director's eyes had sunk deep beneath a furrowed brow, and an otherworldly glow emanated from them. Though his gaze seemed unfocused, it was clear his attention was locked on the giants before him.

With a thunderous bellow, Tannenbaum charged. Each of his steps sent tremors through the ground, echoing like distant thunder. The soldiers scattered, desperate to avoid being caught in the path of this new titan.

"He's losing control!" someone shouted.

"Watch out for the were-elephant!" another voice cried, panic tinging the air.

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