Chapter 397: Third day
Hours passed as the flow of magma continued its relentless descent, consuming everything in its path and flooding the outer ring of Kuro Mountain. The scorching heat unleashed made it impossible for the Leviathans to advance, keeping the dark wave of more than three and a half million creatures at bay. This natural barrier granted the Xaos Forces and the Turkin soldiers a much-needed respite.
Unfortunately, all things had to end. After fifteen hours, as the sun began to rise, the flow of magma ceased. The lava would only take a couple of hours to reach a temperature where the Leviathans could traverse it without harm.
The tension in the air was palpable as the troops began to ready themselves. The higher they climbed on the mountain, the more pressure they faced. They all understood the dire consequences: if the Leviathans were to reach the zenith of Kuro Mountain, they could attack from above and below, leaving no escape for the Xaos Forces and Turkin soldiers.
The sounds of troops moving echoed through the air as the soldiers prepared for the imminent battle. The Xaos Forces and Turkin riders stood with sharp eyes fixed upon the Leviathan forces at the mountain’s base, watching intently for any sign of movement. Time seemed to stretch endlessly until, finally, the hive mind sent the signal.
A distant but growing sound of ticking echoed ominously. Thousands upon thousands of drones began to move across the solidified lava. Despite their limbs burning, they showed no hesitation, driven by the relentless will of the hive mind.
A cold determination flowed through the eyes of Freya, Grand Marshal Anglius, Major General Theodoro, and King Viserin as they observed the dark waves marching forward. Their gazes sharpened further when they noticed that the aerial units, Leviathan warriors, and Armored Leviathans remained behind, standing motionless like ominous statues. It was as if the hive mind knew this first wave would meet disaster, sacrificing the drones to force them to reveal their trump cards.
Just as the swarm of drones was about to reach the inner walls, hundreds of Earth Mages stepped forward in unison. They placed their hands on the ground, their fingers splaying wide as they channeled their energy into the earth. The magic sigils carved around the base of the walls began to glow with ethereal light.
Suddenly, the ground beneath the advancing drones trembled. A low rumble grew into a deafening roar as the Earth Mages activated the landslide. The earth itself seemed to rise up in rebellion against the Leviathans. Massive sections of rock and debris broke free from the inner walls, cascading down the slopes with unstoppable force. The landslide swept down from the inner walls, a tidal wave of stone and earth that crushed everything in its path.
The Xaos Forces and Turkin soldiers stood safely behind the walls, watching as the devastating avalanche tore through the Leviathan ranks. Bodies were crushed beneath the weight of the falling debris, limbs torn asunder as they were swept away like leaves in a storm.
But the destruction did not end there. The violent tremors shattered the solidified lava that had previously flowed down the mountain. From these fissures, pockets of trapped heat and molten rock were released. Waves of scorching fire surged downward, following the path of the landslide.
The combined force of earth and fire was a cataclysmic sight. Tens of thousands of drones perished violently as the fiery avalanche consumed them. The heat was so intense that the chitinous exoskeletons of the Leviathans ignited, flames erupting from their bodies.