“Girel! For the love of Afiele! Stop!”

He brought the hammer down with all of his strength. [Enhanced Strength] was his Skill. The blow had all of his strength and weight behind it. He saw Girel turn—the hammer swung at his head—

And the Draug blocked the blow. Idelt felt the tremendous impact; he saw Girel’s arm jerk and the arm and bones snap with the force. The Draug staggered back, arm broken. But it didn’t care.

The collision had torn the hammer from Idelt’s grip. He stared at his hand in shock; he was wearing his gloves and he never lost control of his hammer. But—his trembling fingers. He looked up, and the Draug raised its arms, roaring with spit and decayed breath. Idelt raise his arms—

The impact sent him to the ground. Girel had only used one arm as the other was broken, but the Draug was stronger than the man had been in life. Idelt’s mouth ran with blood; his head rang.

His hammer. Where was…? The [Blacksmith] felt around for it. Then he felt a huge hand seize him and drag him up. The world refocused and he saw two burning yellow eyes, glowing even in rot.

Girel. The Draug was squeezing. Squeezing Idelt’s neck. The [Smith] felt something popping. He heard a scream of his tendons and flesh. He battered Girel weakly, but he was too—too—

The world turned black. Across the town, Afiele’s defenders were being overwhelmed by the sudden onslaught. They fell back, arms shaking with the effort of fighting. Lord Lantal was gasping for air, fumbling for a stamina potion he didn’t have. He ran along the walls towards the Draug, who was lifting Idelt into the air by his neck.

Lantal saw a figure on the roofs, separate from the [Archers] desperately loosing arrows. He turned his head, despite the dire situation, fearing it was a Ghoul. But no. It was a young woman. She was standing there. And—for a second their eyes met.

Cara took a deep breath as the battle raged around her. It was just a song. But this world had given her a Skill. So she sang. Hoping, praying, it made a difference. Not a happy song. A song fit for this moment.

Rise Up, by Imagine Dragons.

The bass played with her. Cara raised her voice, desperately. She saw a struggling figure below. Idelt.

The lyrics caught in her chest. But she forced herself to sing. That was her class. She couldn’t fight. But—

Below her—she saw the Draug sense the sound and turn. Idelt slipped from its grip. The Draug moved towards the offending sound. Cara’s heart pounded. She saw the giant undead stride forwards.

And.

Stop.

——

Idelt heard her voice on the edge of his consciousness. But he felt the song taking away his exhaustion.

Giving his arm strength.

He tore Girel back. The Draug whirled and brought up its good arm to crush Idelt’s skull. The [Smith]