Return of the last survivor

Within the stronghold of the Shi Clan, everyone was preparing for another battle. Word had gotten to them that the Du Clan was planning something big. Up until now, they had always been the one with the initiative. However, no one would underestimate a cornered and injured beast.

That was because someone like this had nothing to lose anymore, and might use suicidal attacks to either escape, or bring down the enemy with them. If the Du Clan chose the latter, the Shi clan would also face terrible losses to destroy the Du Clan, making them the next prey for the other clans, who were waiting and watching this battle like hungry wolves.

Therefore they had to maintain the vigil all the time, and be ready for sever retaliation.

The commander of this fortress was currently having a meeting with his subordinates to discuss the current situation of the stronghold.

"We have already received a new group of 50 Tier 4 soldiers. Although they are not experienced veterans, they can still be considered elites who would be more useful for strategically placed battles and harassing the enemy when they deploy their forces in full swing, instead of using them as cannon fodder at the beginning of the main battle." Said one of the subordinates who was in charge of managing personnel.

"Do you have any information on when they will be deploying their forces?" asked the commander.

"As of now? They are still preparing. Based on the information from the man I have on their side, it should take them at least a week to deploy, and another 3 days to arrive here. All things considered, we have around 2 weeks to prepare for battle against the enemy." Said another subordinate who was in charge of espionage, with a long scar on his right hand.

"But we need to still prepare for sneak attacks from their elite forces." Said one of the subordinates who had a slight hunch and an extremely thin body.

"Alright. Put everyone on alert level 3. And make sure to prepare everyone for an all-out battle. Also, send an informer back to base regarding the enemy movement, and ask them for proper reinforcements." Just as the commander was giving out his orders, he heard sudden explosions and cries for help, along with the sound of freezing, sizzling, burning, and some other unnameable actions.

"What? Shid, go and figure out what is happening. Shimmy, go and organise the troops and prepare for battle. Go!"

However, no one would remain to tell the tale of this nameless fortress. Everyone would be destined to spend the last seconds of their lives in this fortress, buried under the rubble of the fortress they had built to protect themselves.

A few kilometres away was another fortress, the only difference was that it was 3 times larger. This was the frontline base camp of the Shi Clan.

At this moment, the commander of this base, along with 2 other commanders, who together controlled the entire base fortress, were sitting in silence.

Suddenly, a messenger opened the door, rushed in and declared loudly.

"We got news about the fortress we had lost contact with a few days ago!"

"Go on"

"They were sieged by the Du Clan, and completely whipped out. Not a single survivor remains."

A moment of silence later, the only female commander spoke up.

"What about the enemy forces?"

"Based on the battle marks left in the fortress, it was a single magic user." The messenger stuttered a little while saying this part.

"What?! One mage destroyed an entire fortress that took us 2 months to build, and killed off all of the 50 occupants, and 150 military personnel? Form which 140 were Tier 4?" yelled the burly commander.

"Y- Yes?" Replied the messenger, however, he hesitated for a few moments, before continuing,

"There was also a message he had written"

"What?" Asked the lady commander.

"…"

"Spit it out! We need to make our plans!" yelled the burly commander, while the third commander remained silent, yet looking at the messenger with an intrigued expression.

"Uhm…" The messenger gulped dry saliva, before continuing,

"Get ready you little sh*ts, calling yourselves dwarves but being taller than me? Just wait, I will kill all of you Shi Clan b*startds!"

"That's enough. You can leave." Said the silent commander with a sombre expression as he massaged his temples from the headache that was being formed from this unknown variable in the battle between the Shi and Du clans.