I tore at the mob of Scalefolk that were scratching at my armor trying to find purchase in its protection. At the same time I tired to dispell the growing horde. Eventually the change came when the puppets reached me and I finally managed to tear my self free from them. Covered in viscera of the Scalefolk I looked for the white scaled Priestess. Seeing her in crowd I leaped off and into the fro wielding my sword I cleaned destruction through the fodder. The priestess reappeared at my side and her sword punched through the chainmail gap between torso and my hip. The Searing hot pain as the blade cleaves through sparked rage in my chest. Swinging back I struck her blade with my pommel wither it was the sheer strength of blow or shoddy craftsmanship the blade bent and I let out a curse as the blade inside twisted. Reaching I tugged it out and my eyes screamed of rage, a primal part of my brain seethed with conceited anger at the idea of being hurt. Pressing into another attack my opponent wisely backed away and dispersed into the crowd of her underlings. Seeking bloody vengeance I tore through them I attacked at anything insight until once again my opponent attacked this time with a different sword but of the same General style. Bashing her with my shield as I was prepared and I managed to get a slash into her arm before she disappeared again.

  This time she reappeared on my back her dagger attacking at the small gap on the back of my neck. Absorbing my sword in my ring I opted to grapple grabbing her wrist and throwing her over my shoulder and onto the group. That's when she sent another flare and I was hit with a flood of Scalefolk tearing at my armor.

  Grasping with my left hand and as I gripped my sword as the Scalefolk tried to peal the sword away from me, its long blade ineffective in such close quarters. Everything I grabbed I crushed, an arm here a leg here, as I left the blood splatter on my armor like rain on a roof. The sheer mass of the dog pile of Scalefolk warriors was causing my armor to give a groan and gritted my teeth in frustration. Man I really missed my magic, and also these guys really needed to learn about something called deodorant cause they were fucking rancid. The smell of iron helped some though I doubt it was from a storm coming, well maybe a storm of blood.

  That's when it struck me I was being a dumbass, withdrawing my sword I pulled free [Goblinbane] the dagger felt reassuring as I ripped its much smaller blade through a nearby Scalefolk. Finally I small a gleam of light through the visor of my helmet ripped out from it. Quickly rasing my shield to block as the Whitescale appeared in front me and sent a volley of magic combined with slashes from her sword. Switching back to my sword I prepared for her strike.

  I dodged what I could and blocked what I couldn't though it was apparent that she was leagues above me in skill and only my strength, agility, and endless endurance was what allowed me to hold my ground. Her attempts at killing me through sheer numbers had left her troops vulnerable to my puppets which were making head way in taking the pass. Her slit pupils flicked over to the front and she flicked her tongue it what I assumed was annoyance.

  "You barely know how to flail that sword about without cutting your own hand off" the Scalefolk stated venomously as her eyes narrowed. Before she struck I did, with a wipe sideways blow that forced her to angle the flat of her blade to absorb the blow as she was sent skidding a few places. Sending a probing thrust she bent around the attack and tried to get in close and I switched back to a dagger in a reverse grip and drove it towards me. My poor opponent barely noticed and evaded but my dagger nicked the side of her face, her pearly scales didn't stop my dagger and I felt the curse energy permeate the small nick.

  Backing up the Priestess raced a hand up to the small cut and her eyes widened first in shock and then in anger. She sent out a wave of energy that slammed into my shield before she recklessly attacked me. Leaving several openings. Having already switched to my longsword I took the opportunity and slashed. Expecting her to flinch to the pain but she dug my balls into the area between her hip and her rib cage. In turn her sword punched through my armor and jacket cut into the right side of chest and into my lung. Her eyes widened for a moment before she tried to retreat. I grabbed her by her throat and lifted upwards her eyes holding fear.

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  "Wh-..ere... Is your heart? YOU SHOULD BE DEAD!!" the struggling Scalefolk said as it took a moment to piece together before I put it together. The wound on my chest was about where my heart is on the left. Though I figured my wound would still be fatal pre-system.

  Deciding not to answer I began to close my fist around her throat. I was looking into her eyes but the loom of fear of pleading was unnerving, and I looked down though with my face obscured by my helmet I doubt she noticed. Then I felt her neck give gave a sickening crunch. Dropping the final Scalefolk Priestess her body made a dull thud on the floor. This time when the Priestess died the Scalefolk all sunk to their knees in surrender. Although I suspect they wouldn't be long for this world if the Scouting army was anything to go by.

  I was actually surprised by the state of the city given the genocide that went down here. The Monternoels were thankful and interesting, some had multiple traits of the different species some had either the legs, arms, or head of the Geckonese, and/or the partial shells of the Turtenani along with the a mixture of the Newtkin's traits, but none of the Scalefolk.

  I had already met with the leader of the Monternoels, who was an interesting fella and the conversation was to not only fill him in on what was happening outside of the city but also for my own curiosity. Due to my interest in wildlife biology I had wondered how the mixture of traits would work out.

  From what I found out it was a mixed bag and almost completely random. Since their isolation their was new people moving into the city it caused the already mixed Monternoels to become moreso. For some of them it was great having multiple of the strengths of the others and none of the weaknesses. Others were... Less lucky having received none of the benefits of the other species.

  One example the Monternoel Elder gave was of two brothers, one was to be the Elders successor and the other was a bit of a recluse. The Successor has the small sections of shell that overlapped with his major organs, the regeneration of the Newtkin and the claws and night vision of the Geckonese but otherwise was almost human in appearance. His brother on the other hand had the torso and tail of the Newtkin the arms, legs, and head of the Geckonese. However he had weak regeneration compared to a Newtkin and didn't have night vision despite having the head of a Geckonese and his only trait of the Turtenani was their massive bodies making him look like a monster, even though the elder praised him for his intellect.

  I met the Successor, the Monternoel's name was Kasen and he was impressive built like a powerlifting Samoan seven feet tall and wide as a brick.

  "Greetings Liberator, I am Kasen future Elder of the Monternoeli people" he said bowing slightly although he still loomed over me.

  "Best of luck with your future leadership, although I have a question" I stated and the Monternoel smiled before responding.

  "What do you need Liberator?" He asked jovially.

  "I was wondering where your brother is I want to meet him" I asked and the smile dropped from his face.

  "I am thankful for you freeing us, but if you are going to gawk at my brother—" I cut off, as his protectiveness reminded me of my own older brothers.

  "No, no, nothing like that I here he is quite the Academic and I am interested in his studies" I replied and Kasen's smile returned.

  "Then I'll be glad to take you to him, he does like talking about his work though it flies over my head" Kasen said guiding me to a house carved from the cavern wall with a set of steep stairs up to its entrance.

  "Hey, Nerd you've got a visitor he's interested and your studies!" Kasen yelled as me and him climbed the stairs.

  "I am Coming I am coming, who is it, Xaer! Dane?, or is it the Elder!?" An Excitable Voice yelled as a figure appeared from the house in stone. He looked confused as he locked onto my unfamiliar figure before his smile stretched even further.

  "Someone New!?" The Monternoel yelled excited, as I climbed up the stairs I saw the Monternoel closely. I knew deep down If it was the me that was enjoying his summer break a few months ago, he would have shit his pants right now. But me, as I am now? Just excited to talk to a fellow nerd.