Chapter 485: A Single Spell and Technique
At last, the order to march was given, and barely an hour later, I found myself atop a similar hill, this time overlooking Brithlite itself. We were only a mile from the city and half a mile from the first line of defense.
The Brithlite army formed a formidable bulwark before the city walls. Much of their forces had been scattered throughout the kingdom, desperately holding back the relentless demon hordes, and a significant number had defected to join our ranks. That left only a fraction of their original army trained and powerful, relying on drafted recruits to bolster their numbers. It was easy to see who they were, even forgetting the weak power of their souls, by the fervent devotion in their eyes. They were here only by the influence of the heart crest, with no courage or confidence beyond that.
The Church’s forces, on the other hand, were a different story entirely. They were a coalition army comprised of the strongest soldiers from kingdoms that had yet to fall under attack from the demons, sent to bolster Brithlite’s defenses. With just a casual glance, I spotted a handful of seventh-level warriors and mages among them, several bearing the distinctive colors of the inquisitors.
There were heroes among them as well, though they remained concealed for now, undoubtedly to be used as trump cards should the battle turn against them.
The Last Light Company wasn’t without its own strengths. While half our soldiers were indeed inexperienced, the other half were, at minimum, third level. These veterans had been with us from Blue Canyon, fighting demons, mortals, and heroes alike without faltering. Thanks to countless battles and the guidance of Korra and myself, over two hundred had reached sixth level, with nearly a thousand at fifth. As for seventh-level combatants, we had Bethiv and his highest-ranking officers, myself, Korra, Gayron, and Kahlen.
As Bethiv commanded the troops forward, I glanced at the Star Guard. They were all on the cusp of seventh level themselves. Perhaps, I mused, this battle might provide the spark they needed to cross that threshold.
At Fable’s low growl, I turned and stroked his neck, a faint smile touching my lips. "I haven’t forgotten you," I murmured in his ear. "You’re my secret weapon, after all."
No, it would be a mistake to simply consider him part of my strength. He still hadn’t had a chance to unleash his full power since breaking through, and he was already halfway to eighth level. His rate of growth was simply astonishing.
With a graceful flourish, I summoned my staff and cast Nexus, binding the souls of my companions together. I wove the usual assortment of protections and support spells into the Nexus, shielding us in a shimmering bubble of starlight and silver energy. Then, I raised my staff towards Brithlite, and my resolve hardened.