Chapter 207: Let's not Let Him Escape
Chapter 207: Let's not Let Him Escape
Garruk stared in disbelief as the dark energy that had once been Valeria dissipated into the air, leaving nothing but silence in its wake. Valeria, the strongest among the Demon King Generals, had been defeated-crushed by the combined might of the humans, dwarves, and elves. The sight left a bitter taste in Garruk's mouth, his shock rooted deep as he grappled with the brutal reality. His ally, the most formidable force of darkness, had fallen, and it was clear that their assault on this island was unraveling.
Garruk's gaze swept over the battlefield, taking in the grim scene before him. His own forces had been decimated. Demon soldiers lay scattered across the sand, lifeless bodies twisted in grotesque shapes. Those that remained were locked in a desperate struggle, fending off attacks from the coalition forces who now pressed their advantage. The human tanks, dwarf cannons, and elven mages were tearing through what was left of his army, each strike diminishing the ranks of demons who fought with diminishing hope.
The heavy weaponry of the humans had proven far more deadly than he anticipated. The Abrams tanks rolled forward, their guns firing in unison as they cut down demon soldiers by the dozen. Each shell landed with deadly accuracy, throwing up dirt and rock and sending waves of demons flying. The M2 Browning machine gunners focused fire on any demon foolish enough to break formation, the relentless spray of bullets tearing through even the toughest demonic armor. Garruk felt rage boiling within him, but his fury was tempered by the cold, unyielding reality of their failing assault.
With a growl, Garruk turned his attention to the enemy lines. "Keep fighting!" he roared, his voice thunderous as he tried to rally his troops. "We may have lost Valeria, but we are not defeated! Show them our strength!"
His remaining soldiers fought with renewed fury, their resolve rekindled by Garruk's command. But even as they surged forward, the coalition forces responded with ruthless efficiency. From above, Apache helicopters circled back, releasing another round of Hydra rockets into the demon lines. The explosions sent shrapnel flying in all directions, cutting through demonic ranks and leaving gaping holes in their defenses. The coordinated attacks left little room for Garruk's forces to regroup, every attempt at an advance thwarted by relentless air support and heavy firepower.
Garruk clenched his fists, his frustration mounting as he realized the scale of their losses. The human soldiers moved with discipline, their formations tight and their tactics coordinated. The dwarves' cannons boomed from the hillsides, each blast sending shockwaves across the battlefield. And the elves wielded their nature-based magic with deadly accuracy, vines erupting from the ground to ensnare and crush any demon who dared approach.
With a snarl, Garruk pushed forward, barreling into the coalition forces himself. His fists swung like battering rams, crushing soldiers in his path. Each punch sent soldiers flying, his demonic strength overpowering any who tried to block his advance. A human soldier charged at him, rifle raised, but Garruk swung his fist, slamming the soldier into the ground. A dwarven warrior came next, wielding an enchanted war hammer, but Garruk's strength proved too much as he grabbed the dwarf by the waist and tossed him aside like a ragdoll.
But for every soldier Garruk defeated, two more seemed to appear, weapons raised and ready. The coalition forces closed in around him, forming a tight circle as they fired from all sides. Bullets ricocheted off his armor, and though he absorbed most of the blows, Garruk could feel himself tiring. Each impact chipped away at his strength, the constant barrage wearing him down as he fought to keep moving.
In the distance, Vincent noticed Garruk's predicament. With a quick command over the radio, he ordered the surrounding units to focus on the remaining Demon General.
"All units, concentrate fire on Garruk! Take him down before he escapes!" Vincent's order echoed across the battlefield, and within moments, a coordinated barrage was unleashed.
The snipers took their positions, their Barrett M82 rifles aimed. The shots rang out in unison, high-caliber bullets piercing the air as they struck Garruk's armor. While his demonic resilience protected him from most conventional attacks, the sheer power behind these rounds was enough to make him stagger, each bullet piercing through his defenses bit by bit. "Enough of this!" Garruk growled, raising his fists as dark energy crackled around him. With a bellow, he unleashed a shockwave of demonic power, throwing back the soldiers who had dared to close in on him. Bodies were sent flying, the air filled with cries of pain as soldiers scrambled to recover.
But Garruk knew this was only a temporary reprieve. His forces were dwindling, and the relentless assault from the coalition left him no chance to regroup. Even his shockwave, powerful as it was, did little to halt the unyielding advance of Vincent's army. His heart pounded with the realization that his only chance at survival was retreat.
He caught sight of Vincent in the distance, the human commander standing resolute as he directed his troops. Rage burned within Garruk as he locked eyes with Vincent, a growl escaping his throat. But even as he prepared to charge, he could see the remaining Apaches circling overhead, their guns trained on him.
"Not yet," Garruk muttered, his voice low. "I will have my revenge-but not today." Garruk turned, summoning what was left of his energy. He let out a piercing call, signaling to the remaining demon soldiers to fall back. The demons, battered and bloodied, obeyed without question, retreating from the battlefield as they abandoned their positions. Those who could still fight held off the coalition forces long enough for their comrades to retreat, forming a defensive line as they pulled back.
The coalition forces pressed forward, unwilling to let their enemies escape. Vincent's tanks fired one last barrage, shells exploding in the path of the retreating demons. But Garruk pushed onward, his massive form cutting a path through the chaos as he led his forces toward the beach.
But-they got here because of Valeria's cloud mist. Without Valeria, there was no way for his forces to cross the ocean.
"Shit-"
Garruk's mind raced as he reached the edge of the island. The realization was brutal: without Valeria's cloud mist to transport his forces, there was no way back. His remaining soldiers looked to him, eyes wide with desperation, awaiting orders. Panic gnawed at Garruk's resolve, but he couldn't show weakness. Not now.
"Fall back to the tree line!" he shouted, his voice a harsh command. "Hold your ground and buy me time!"
The demons scrambled, forming a haphazard line, their bodies tense as they faced the advancing coalition forces. The humans, dwarves, and elves showed no sign of slowing; their soldiers moving forward as each step driving Garruk's forces closer to annihilation.
In that instant, Garruk knew what he had to do. If he stayed, he'd be dragged down alongside his dwindling soldiers. His survival would mean the chance to gather strength, regroup, and someday avenge Valeria. But abandoning his forces meant certain death for them.
With a final glance at the battlefield, Garruk took a steadying breath. The air crackled as he unfurled his dark wings, their span vast and imposing. The moment they extended, the nearest demons looked at him in shock, understanding dawning in their expressions. "My lord, what-" one of them began, but Garruk silenced him with a cold glare.
"Your sacrifice will not be forgotten," he growled, his tone as unwavering as the hatred burning within him. "Fight until your last breath. Make them pay for every inch they take." The demons' faces fell, but there was no time for words. With a powerful beat of his wings, Garruk launched himself into the air, his massive form leaving the battlefield and the demons he'd led behind.
From above, Garruk could see the chaos below in full clarity. His forces, loyal until the end, threw themselves against the coalition, clawing and biting, fighting with the rage of those who knew their end was imminent. The tanks fired one more volley, tearing through demonic ranks, while the Browning machine guns continued their unrelenting assault, mowing down any demon who dared advance.
Vincent's sharp eyes tracked Garruk's escape, and he immediately gave the order: "Apache units, target Garruk. Do not let him get away!"Nôv(el)B\\jnn
The Apaches whirled in formation, adjusting their sights to track the fleeing demon. Hydra rockets locked onto Garruk's soaring form, and with a thunderous burst, they launched, screaming through the air. Garruk turned just in time to see the streaks of smoke trailing the
rockets.
With a desperate dive, he banked left, his wings folding as he narrowly avoided the incoming projectiles. The rockets detonated behind him, the explosion searing the edges of his wings as he fought to stay airborne. Garruk's breath came in ragged gasps, his body straining to maintain altitude. Blood dripped from the wounds that the explosions had opened along his shoulders, but he couldn't afford to stop. He pushed onward, his determination as fierce as his
fading strength.
From the ground, Vincent watched the Apaches pursue Garruk, their guns blazing as they kept
up the assault. His gaze shifted back to the remaining demon forces, which were being quickly
overwhelmed.
"Let's not let him retreat for once shall we," Vincent muttered.