Level Up: Voidwalker

After visiting the first town and buying a few months' worth of provisions for their journey to Thalassar City, the four women traveled across the Oakenheart Kingdom, dodging most of the population centers.

They found themselves on a trading road that led them through the dwarf realm, where refugees fled in the thousands. The group passed by a mountain city called Highbuldohr, which was already locked down due to the impending invasion.

Amethyst looked at Estelle and questioned, ''Won't the Southmen break the gates and get in? It seems stupid to stay put inside the mountain.''

The blonde knight shook her head before answering while watching the Oakenheart Soldiers ushering citizens inside, ''They are cities built deep under the earth and mountains. Once the dwarf mages lock the gate, it won't open until the king gives the order.''

"How do they get their food?" Artemis asked in a curious tone. "What if they have been in there for years?"

Estelle was about to speak, but Grishna beat her to it, ''They have stockpiles of food, underground lakes, and rivers that produce fish, and if anything, the Cave Mushrooms would be eaten.''

Everyone nodded, but the orc girl continued, ''I remember the war between the Thalassians and winter dwarves in the north. After burning their crops, they locked down every town and city, forcing the dark elves to retreat.''

"Have you heard of the Runestone Empire in eastern Aridonia?" Artemis interjected after Grishna finished speaking. "They're a formidable naval power, commanding vast territories. Unlike other realms, they don't simply lock down their cities; they actively repel anyone who dares to invade their lands."

Afterward, the group resumed their journey and soon arrived at a Mana Airship station. Estelle's eyes lit up as she said, "We could catch a ride to Thalassar City from here. It's 3 gold coins each, but it's worth it for the convenience."

Everyone agreed, and they headed towards the airfield, where imposing Hobgoblin warriors stood guard, their well-crafted armor glinting in the sunlight. When the soldiers spotted Grishna, they saluted, which she returned.

As they approached, a small goblin with a clipboard stepped forward to greet them, ''Afternoon travelers. Welcome to the only Oakenheart Airfield that is still open. I'm Martin Spitwittle, manager of the Highbuldohr Airfield. Where do you wish to travel?''

''Thalassar City,'' Estelle replied. ''When is the next airship leaving?''

The goblin looked up with beady eyes before answering, ''I believe the captain is readying the craft for take off now, so about twenty minutes. Do you wish to take the last four seats?''

''Yes. Is it still 3 gold?'' the blonde knight questioned.

''Unfortunately not. We had to raise the prices to 5 gold pieces because a dozen of the Confederation airships had gone missing over the last two weeks, and we suspect the Achaemenidians are involved as no attacker has been found,'' the goblin manager explained.

Afterward, the women handed over 20 gold and were escorted to the last airship. She was amazed when she saw the craft; if Atlas were here, he would recognize it as a blimp, but the passenger compartment was five times the size of their Earth counterparts.

As they walked across the airfield, Amethyst noticed Martin's gaze fell on a cluster of Wild Orcs laboriously hauling large crates under the supervision of another goblin. His voice rang out, sharp with urgency, "Joe! Get those pigs moving! We need to clear out of here by tonight!"

"Yes, boss!" the other goblin shouted back before whipping the Wild Orcs, which made the four women laugh.

Martin looked at the orc girl with a curious glance, ''Why are you with two demi-humans and a human? Orcs usually stick with their own, especially this far north.''

Grishna shrugged, ''We formed a party,'' she replied.

That's when the goblin's expression shifted to alarm as a distant explosion echoed through the airfield. "We need to get you ladies on the airship immediately!" he urged, his voice edged with urgency.

The group hurried to the craft without hesitation, boarding quickly as the explosions grew closer. Estelle faced the three women as the doors sealed behind them, saying, "Everyone, take your seats and brace yourselves. The Southmen are closing in, and we're in for a bumpy takeoff."

The captain's voice rang out over the tannoy, ''Ladies and gentlemen, this is your handsome goblin captain speaking. Hold on tight. This will be a rough take off; the devilish Southmen have smashed the allied army at the Battle of Kugulur, after which the Blood Prince killed all the prisoners.''

When the four women heard this, Artemis gritted her teeth angrily as Amethyst spoke, ''Do you think Rollo escaped?''

Grishna sighed. ''That old man is tough, but I honestly don't know. The Blood Prince is ruthless and kills everyone who surrenders. She has a cavalry unit called the Hunters, which chases the fleeing soldiers,'' she explained.

The airship started rising as the Greenskin Confederations defenses opened fire on an approaching army. Amethyst rushed over the window to get a better view as the goblin cannons roared to life.

Volatile arcs of mana flew through the air and peppered the Southmen's frontline, but they had mages that deflected most of the damage. While watching the ongoing battle, Artemis shouted, ''Thunderships! They sent their Air core after us.''

When the others spotted it, their eyes widened in alarm. A smaller, swifter airship, sleek and brown with eagle-like wings, streaked towards them with impressive speed.

Estelle pushed them aside, urgency in her voice. "If we don't take that down, it'll destroy our airship."

All eyes turned to Amethyst. She let out a nervous squeak but quickly found her resolve. Summoning her wings, she stepped toward the balcony exit, ready to confront the threat.

***

[Rollo's POV]

The old man fought on the frontline when the Shahin's Phalanx joined the fray. The allied soldiers fought bravely but were slaughtered in the hundreds thanks to the Southmens spears and shieldwall.

When Rollo saw this, he raised his sword, ''Soldiers of the Golden Lion Legion! Retreat to the camp and don't look back.''

He turned around and started slowly fleeing, ensuring his soldiers got away. Once they were safe, Rollo rushed back to their camp, where two thousand warriors of the mercenary group survived the battle.

The commanders hurried over, seeking his instructions. He took a moment, recalling the four women he had encountered during the Blood Bridge battle. A sense of unease lingered—something about them made him feel they needed protection.

Turning to his second-in-command, Rollo said, "Jorik, come with me to the main tent."

He then addressed the remaining commanders. "Prepare the soldiers to move north immediately. We need to put distance between ourselves and the Blood Prince before he can reach us. Also, ensure we have guards stationed around the camp at all times."

The two men entered the tent following that, but Rollo approached the shrine he had built for Nyx, his patron goddess. The older man started praying hard to get the answers he needed from a higher power, but that's when his consciousness was sucked into another realm.

"Little Rollo, it's unlike you to be so fervent in your prayers. What answers are you seeking from the goddess of darkness?"

Rollo swallowed hard, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Are those four women significant? I'm getting an odd feeling about them, but I can't quite figure it out."

Nyx started laughing before revealing something that would shock the older man, ''Let's say they are a part of the Azhar'Zul'z path and four of the thirteen stars spoken in the scripts. They need to be protected until they're strong enough.''

''The Mahdi is truly real?'' Rollo questioned in disbelief.

"Yes, he's currently engaged with those vile chaos spawns, but he'll soon be heading to the Northern Wastes to join his party. You must ensure the safety of the four women while they are there and guard them against the monsters that roam those dangerous lands."

Rollo nodded, about to ask another question, but the goddess instructed him. "Follow the Azhar'Zul, and the Golden Lions will become the Voidwalker's soldiers. As he fulfills his destiny, you will gain immense wealth and power if you stay loyal to the boy."

After Nyx spoke, she waved her hand before saying one last thing as the scene turned black: ''Hurry up and head north. They will be at the Death Pass in a couple of weeks.''

That's when he woke up to Jorik shaking him, ''Oi old man! Don't go dying on us,'' the younger man spoke.

''Shut up; I'm not dead and won't be until we reach paradise,'' Rollo responded while standing up.

He brushed the dirt off his clothes before continuing, ''I spoke to Goddess Nyx, and she revealed that the Mahdi has arrived on Valoria, and we must guard those four women who took Blood Bridge as their wives.''

Jorik's eyes widened in shock, and seconds later, he dropped to his knees while praying, ''May the one who points the way lead us to paradise.''

Rollo shook his head, his expression resolute. "We'll move north to seek the stars. Once we locate them, we'll establish a fort in the wilderness and wait for the Mahdi to join us."

The younger man nodded eagerly, his brown eyes shining with enthusiasm. Rollo knew his two thousand devoted followers would enthusiastically embrace this mission, provided their families could accompany them.

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