Ares remains at the shattered breach, the arrow wound in his shoulder burning beneath torn cloth. Athena stays beside him, spear ready, while Helios and the willing militia brace against the opening.
Athena
There. Zukalina herself advances behind that elite shield formation. If they break this line, the streets become their battlefield.
Beyond the broken stones, Zukalina moves with measured purpose, her warriors locking shields as arrows glance from their rims. Their formation advances through smoke and falling ash.
the militia captain
You heard the god’s command, but you need not love these outsiders. Hold the gate, loyal sons of Corinth, and let them spend themselves at the breach!
The captain’s remaining loyalists gather near the gate, leaving the defense divided. Their spears point toward the enemy, yet their eyes keep darting toward Helios and Athena.
Helios
Shields forward! Do not chase them. Let their formation break against ours, then drive them back together.
Helios plants her damaged shield and leads the willing militia into a tighter wall. Zukalina raises her blade, and the elite formation accelerates toward the breach.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the breach against Zukalina's leading force
“I brace beside Helios and meet Zukalina’s formation at the breach.”
SUCCESS (Superb Melee Combat, rolled +1)
Ares plants himself beside Helios, shoulder burning beneath torn cloth, and lowers his stance as the elite shield formation bears down through smoke.
Helios
Hold here, Ares. Let them learn that this gate belongs to those who defend it.
Helios’s battered shield locks against his. Around them, the willing militia closes ranks, their fear steadied by the god standing in their line.
Athena
Good. Meet their weight, then break the rhythm of their advance. Do not let Zukalina divide you.
The formations collide at the breach. Ares absorbs the crushing impact, boots grinding over shattered stone, while Helios drives her shield into the nearest gap.
Zukalina
So the war god chooses a wall instead of a throne. Stand aside, Ares, and Corinth may yet yield with dignity.
Ares holds beside Helios, directly facing Zukalina’s formation. The enemy’s advance stops against their united line, and the breach remains sealed.
Quest Complete
Secure the breach against Zukalina's leading force
“Defense is all well and good, but I prefer the open battlefield myself. I let Athena take command of the defenses and charge at the enemy formation head on.”
SUCCESS (Superb Melee Combat, rolled +0)
Ares tears free of the locked shield line and launches into the open ground, leaving Athena to seize command as the defenses pivot around her.
Athena
Willing militia, advance by measured steps! Helios, hold the gate. Let Ares draw their eyes, then strike their exposed flank.
Athena’s orders cut through the confusion. The defenders reform under her direction while Helios anchors the breach, her damaged shield raised against the smoke.
Ares charges straight at Zukalina’s elite formation. Enemy shields turn toward him, their disciplined wall bending as warriors break ranks to meet the god alone.
Zukalina
There is the war god I expected. Close ranks around him, and do not let his fury scatter you!
The formation surges to contain Ares, but his assault drives into its center and forces the shield wall backward across the churned earth.
Athena
Now! Helios, take the flank. Corinthian soldiers, with me. Break their formation while they face Ares.
✓ Quest Accepted
Drive back Zukalina's elite formation
“I drive deeper into Zukalina’s formation and keep their shields turned toward me.”
SUCCESS (Superb Melee Combat, rolled +0)
Ares drives deeper into the shield wall, forcing its center backward. Bronze rims crowd around him, every warrior turning to keep their formation facing the god.
Zukalina
Keep him surrounded! Do not give the Corinthians an opening. Every shield stays on Ares!
The command takes hold. Spears angle toward Ares while the elite warriors brace against his advance, leaving their outer flank exposed to the defenders.
Athena
Helios, now. Strike the exposed flank and drive them inward. Corinthian soldiers, follow her pressure!
Helios leads the willing militia around the formation’s side. Her damaged shield crashes into an unprotected rim, and the enemy line buckles toward Ares.
Zukalina
Hold your ground! The war god is bait, not victory. Close behind him and crush their advance!
Ares stands deep within the enemy ranks, their shields still fixed on him as Helios and Athena fold the defenders around both flanks. The breach remains sealed.
Quest Complete
Protect the town from Zukalina's army
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Superb→Legendary
“I shatter the formation’s center and drive them back”
SUCCESS (Superb Melee Combat, rolled +2)
Ares drives into the packed center with overwhelming force. Bronze shields splinter apart, ranks buckle, and the elite formation tears open around him.
Zukalina
Fall back by pairs! Keep your feet, keep your shields, and give him no clean pursuit!
The order comes too late. Ares surges through the breach he created, forcing the warriors backward across the churned ground and away from Corinth’s shattered wall.
Helios
There! Press them while they retreat. Do not let their courage gather again!
Helios and the willing militia advance behind him, striking the exposed edges. Athena redirects the defenders into a disciplined wedge, sealing the enemy’s broken center.
Zukalina
Ares has broken our line. Withdraw beyond the ash field, then reform under my banner!
Zukalina’s elite warriors retreat in ordered steps, yielding the ground. Smoke rolls through the opened breach as Corinth’s defenders reclaim the wall and streets beyond.
Quest Complete
Drive back Zukalina's elite formation
Skill Upgrade: Melee Combat Superb→Legendary