The group landed just outside the southern gate, the faint shimmer of the teleportation fading behind them. Without hesitation, they moved through the wooden gate into the village. The sound of clashing metal and distant shouting reached them almost immediately, carried on the breeze from the northeastern corner of the town. Flashes of light lit up the evening sky, flickering like erratic fireworks.

Rose slowed for a moment, squinting toward the chaos. "What's going on over there? Looks like fireworks," she said, starting to head in that direction.

Alice caught her arm, nodding toward the village center. "Hey, look. That group looks like they're in charge. Let's get some information first."

Rose glanced back, seeing a cluster of figures gathered near a fountain in the center of the village. She sighed, conceding the point. "Fair enough," she said, pausing to make sure everyone was with them. Her gaze caught on the three wolves padding silently behind Ed. "I guess they came too?"

Ed glanced at his companions, a faint look of surprise crossing his face. "Seems like it. I wasn't sure if they'd be brought along since they weren't in the room, but I'm glad they're here."

Argenta's voice echoed calmly in Ed's mind. Where you go, we follow.

Without further delay, the group moved toward the fountain. The village was small, no more than fifteen buildings spread out along winding dirt paths. The signs of battle loomed closer with every step, the flashes of light intensifying, but the group near the fountain held their attention.

As they approached, the villagers looked up, their faces a mix of exhaustion and determination. They appeared to be leaders, each carrying themselves with a sense of purpose despite the chaos raging nearby. Rose took the lead, her eyes scanning their expressions for clues to the situation.

As the group approached the fountain, three figures turned toward them. Two women and one man stood at the center, their expressions cautious but welcoming. The older woman, tall and broad-shouldered, stepped forward. Her braided blonde hair was streaked with silver, and her sharp blue eyes carried an air of command.

"I am Astrid Sigvaldsdottir," she said, her voice firm but steady. "Leader of Thorsgild. These are my councilors—Eira Halvorsdottir and Leif Torbjornsson."

Astrid's gaze swept over the group, lingering on the wolves briefly before settling on Rose. "We're grateful for any help, but who are you, and what brings you here?"

Rose stepped forward, meeting Astrid's sharp eyes. "I'm Rose Arrington," she began, gesturing to her companions. "We were sent here on a quest to help. Odin himself gave us the task to protect Thorsgild from the Myrkr's forces."

Astrid's brow furrowed at the mention of Odin but nodded, her expression softening slightly. "If you're here on Odin's word, we won't question it. We've been holding them off, but the Myrkr's attacks are relentless. Any aid you can give is welcome."

Eira, a lithe woman with cropped dark hair and an archer's stance, added, "They've been striking from the northeast. Small waves at first, but their numbers are growing. We've lost too many already."

Leif, younger than the others and with a sword strapped across his back, spoke next. "The villagers have taken up arms where they can, but they're farmers and tradesmen, not soldiers. The longer this goes on, the harder it will be to hold."

Rose nodded, her expression serious as she turned to her group. "We'll help where we can. Just tell us what's needed."

Astrid glanced toward the northeastern corner, where the sounds of battle continued to rage. "The gate defenses are barely holding. If you can reinforce them, it might buy us time to regroup and protect the rest of the village."

The group began assessing their options, moving through the village with quick steps. The signs of battle were evident—splintered wood, charred ground, and villagers tending to wounded as best they could. Ed paused by one of the makeshift barricades, examining its weak points.

"We'll need to reinforce these," he muttered, glancing at Argenta, Bruiser, and Onyx. The wolves padded closer, their sharp eyes scanning the area for threats.

Rose spoke quietly to Alice and Victoria, mapping out defensive positions as they prepared to lend a hand.

The group quickly split into teams, each moving with purpose to manage the tasks at hand.

Ed, accompanied by his three wolves, joined Chewy and Leia for a scouting mission. The six of them moved swiftly between skirmishes, weaving through the broken village paths and undergrowth to get a better understanding of the terrain.

As they paused near a cluster of trees, Ed gestured to his companions. "These three are with me," he said, introducing the Forest Wolves to Chewy and Leia. Argenta inclined her head slightly, while Bruiser stood stoic, his eyes sharp as he scanned the horizon. Onyx gave a quick huff, his energy barely contained.

Chewy sniffed at them briefly, his stance relaxed but watchful. Good to have more of us here, he said, his tone measured. Leia gave a slight wag of her tail before turning her focus back to the task.

Meanwhile, back at the northeastern defenses, Rose took charge. She stood at the front, launching attacks at the advancing packs of golems that surged toward the village. Her strikes were stunning, each one calculated to thin their numbers and disrupt their charge before they reached the barricades. Using Infernal Gale and Ice Orb she was able to blow apart groups of the golems as they threatened to overwhelm the defenders.

Alice worked tirelessly alongside the villagers, hauling increasingly heavy loads to reinforce the fence row. Her movements were quick and efficient, her agility and strength giving her an edge as she lifted and carried materials that most of the villagers struggled to move.

Victoria moved among the injured, kneeling beside those who had been wounded in the earlier attacks. Her hands glowed faintly as she applied her healing abilities, closing gashes and soothing burns. The villagers offered murmured thanks before returning to their posts, bolstered by her calm presence.

Each member of the group focused intently on their tasks, the coordinated effort bringing structure to the chaos of the battle. The village's defenses grew stronger, and the rhythm of their work began to counter the relentless pressure of Myrkr's forces.

The steady rhythm of smaller skirmishes lulled the village into a tense but manageable state. For hours, the attacks came in bursts—small groups of golems testing the defenses before being driven back. Villagers worked tirelessly, hauling materials and patching wounds.

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The calm was shattered with the distant sound of something heavier, a growing rumble that sent vibrations through the ground. Moments later, the Western gate burst open as Ed and the wolves sprinted through, their movements sharp and urgent. Dust clung to their coats, and their breaths came in quick, visible puffs as they slowed.

"There's a group heading this way," Ed said, his voice clipped. "About three hundred golems, at least."

His words landed heavily. Argenta moved to his side, her silver-tipped fur bristling as she scanned the village. Bruiser and Onyx flanked him, their hackles raised.

The villagers around the gate froze briefly before the weight of the news spurred them into action. The makeshift defenses, solid enough for smaller skirmishes, now seemed woefully inadequate against an approaching horde of that size.

Rose emerged from her position near the northeastern defenses, wiping grime from her hands as she approached Ed. "Three hundred?" she asked, her voice even but firm.

Ed nodded, his expression grim. "Moving fast. They'll be here soon."

The wolves shifted, their eyes darting toward the horizon, ears twitching at the faint rumble of the advancing force. Behind them, villagers scrambled to reinforce barricades, hauling planks, barrels, and whatever else they could find to brace the eastern defenses.

Alice jogged up, her eyes narrowing as she glanced at the wolves and then Ed. "How long do we have?"

"Not long," Ed replied. "Maybe fifteen minutes. Twenty if we're lucky."

Victoria joined them, the faint glow of healing magic still lingering on her hands. "We'll need to hold them off until we can regroup," she said, her eyes flicking to the eastern path. "If they break through here, the village doesn't stand a chance."

The group exchanged quick, determined glances before springing into action. Every second counted now as they braced for the largest assault yet.

The rumble of the approaching horde grew deafening, a tide of stone and metal surging toward the village. The defenders braced themselves, weapons drawn and ready. The first wave of golems broke through the treeline like a flood, their jagged forms glinting in the fading light. Ed took a moment to Analyze them and call it out to the group.

Name: Mutated Golem Race: Elemental Golems

Description: Once pure creations of elemental magic, these golems have been twisted by the influence of the Myrkr, their original forms corrupted into grotesque parodies of their former selves. Their bodies are an amalgamation of jagged stone, warped metal, and pulsating veins of dark energy, bound together by unnatural magic. Cracks in their surfaces glow faintly with sickly green light, a testament to the Myrkr's dark power coursing through them. Mutated Golems are slow but relentless, their heavy limbs capable of smashing through defenses and crushing anything in their path. Each strike spreads traces of corruption, further weakening their surroundings and those who dare oppose them.

"Blunt weapons then folks. Swap em if you got em." Ed called out loudly over the clamour.

Rose stood at the forefront, her hands glowing with the energy of her latest Infernal Gale. She hurled a volley of fire toward the oncoming attackers, the heat rippling in the air as the blast collided with the front ranks. The explosion sent shards of broken golems flying, but for every one she destroyed, more pushed forward to take its place. She gritted her teeth, her breathing steady despite the unrelenting pressure.

Ed fought near the barricade, his club a blur of motion as he struck the legs of a nearby golem, toppling it with a well-placed blow. His companions, along with Chewy and Leia, had spread out along the line, ready to jump in and trip or distract any golem that actually made it inside the makeshift defense.

"Hold the line!" Ed shouted, his voice barely carrying over the din of battle. He swept his club upward, using his strength to drive another golem back as Chewy leapt in from the side, his massive jaws clamping down on its neck. The creature collapsed, but Chewy was already moving, keeping pace with the flow of the battle. Ed marveled that the Direwolf could crush the rock neck of a golem.

Alice wove through the chaos with a series of fluid movements, her fists flashing as she targeted the gaps in the golems' stony armor. A sharp slash across a golem's exposed core caused it to falter, giving a villager just enough time to land a killing blow with a crude spear. "Keep moving!" she shouted to those behind her, dodging a sweeping blow from another attacker.

Victoria stood at the center of the chaos, her hands glowing as she worked to keep the defenders on their feet. A young villager stumbled back, blood pouring from a gash on his arm. Victoria grabbed him, the glow from her palms spreading into the wound as it sealed in moments. One section of the wall started to bulge near her. She sprinted forward, wings sprouting from her back as she triggered Freyja's Embrace. A shimmering golden wall of power erupted right at the wall, holding the monsters back and healing those shielded by it.

She screamed at them, "Brace that wall. You have 15 seconds until the spell ends." She saw that they thankfully heard her as several ran up holding timbers and wedging them into the wall itself.

The golems pressed forward in waves, their numbers seemingly endless. Every time the defenders pushed them back, more surged in to fill the gaps. The eastern barricade groaned under the weight of the assault, the hastily built structure cracking in places as golems smashed against it with relentless force.

Rose hurled another blast, the light from the explosion illuminating the sweat streaking her face. "This is getting out of hand!" she shouted, her voice edged with strain. Chain-casting Ice Orb seemed to do the most damage, as the explosion was blunt, and besides slowing them, it also caused them to lose limbs.

Ed struck down another golem, his arms burning from the exertion. "Just hold on!" he called back, glancing at the wolves as they tore into the enemy ranks. Onyx darted forward, sinking his teeth into a golem's arm before leaping away, narrowly avoiding a crushing blow.

Alice tumbled past a collapsing villager, catching him by the collar and hauling him to his feet. "Don't stop moving!" she snapped, shoving him toward a safer position. Her fists flashed again, cutting through the joint of a golem that had almost blindsided her.

Victoria stood near the rear, her wings half-extended as she healed another defender. A sharp gust from their movement knocked back a cluster of ash and debris, revealing yet more golems advancing through the smoke.

The line was holding, but barely. The defenders were battered, their movements slower with each passing minute. The fight was far from over, and every moment demanded everything they had.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the final golem of the massive horde fell with a resounding crash, its shattered remains joining the countless others strewn across the battlefield. The defenders stood among the wreckage, panting and battered, their weapons slick with ichor and dust. Several sections of the makeshift wall had been torn down, and broken barricades lay scattered across the ground where the golems had breached.

Rose leaned against a jagged post, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. The frost from her last spell was still showing faintly on the nearest pile of rubble.

Ed dropped his club, his hands on his knees as he surveyed the damage. "Everyone alright?" he asked hoarsely. Argenta, Bruiser, and Onyx stood nearby, their coats matted with grime but their eyes still sharp. Chewy and Leia prowled the perimeter, watching for any signs of movement in the fading light.

Alice stumbled to the remnants of the wall, her daggers still clenched tightly in her hands. "We held them off," she said, her voice strained but steady. "But this is bad. If another wave like that hits, we won't have anything left to defend with."

Victoria moved between the injured defenders, her wings now folded as she worked to mend gashes and bruises with what little energy she had left. The glow of her healing magic flickered, weaker than before but still enough to keep them going. "We can't stop yet," she said quietly, brushing a hand over a villager's torn shoulder. "We need to rebuild the defenses before it's too late."

The group moved quickly, hauling planks and debris to patch the breaches in the wall. The makeshift repairs were rough, but they would hold—at least for now. Every movement was labored, their exhaustion weighing heavily on them, but none of them dared stop.

As the last plank was set into place, Rose paused, her gaze fixed on the field beyond the wall. In the dim light of the moon, she could see another small batch of golems emerging from the treeline. They moved slowly, their numbers far fewer than before, but even a handful felt like too much for the drained defenders.

Rose clenched her fists, her eyes burning with frustration and determination. "Please wake up soon, Sinclair," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "We need you."

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