Chapter 2701: Story 2702: The March of the Dead

The first zombie reached the mountain slope.

Ronan swung his sword.

The blade cut through its neck, sending the creature tumbling into the snow.

Another came immediately.

Then another.

“Too many!” Lyra shouted.

Ronan raised his shield as three zombies crashed into him. Their hands clawed at the wooden surface while rotten teeth snapped inches from his face.

He pushed forward with all his strength.

The creatures fell backward.

Lyra released three arrows in rapid succession.

One struck a zombie in the eye.

Another pierced its throat.

The third buried itself in the skull of a creature climbing over the rocks.

“Left!” Lyra yelled.

Ronan turned.

A zombie lunged from behind.

He raised his shield just in time.

The creature slammed into it with tremendous force.

Ronan staggered.

Before he could strike, Lyra’s arrow passed beside his head and entered the zombie’s skull.

The corpse collapsed.

“You’re welcome,” she said.

Ronan glanced at her.

“I didn’t need help.”

“You almost became dinner.”

Ronan smiled faintly.

“Still didn’t need help.”

More zombies emerged from the trees.

But something was wrong.

They weren’t attacking randomly.

They were surrounding Ronan.

Lyra noticed it too.

“They’re herding us.”

“Toward the castle,” Ronan said.

A deep horn sounded again from the valley.

Every zombie stopped.

For one terrifying moment, the mountain became completely silent.

Then they all turned toward the ruined castle.

Ronan stared at them.

“Why are they stopping?”

A voice answered from behind them.

“Because they’ve already done what they came to do.”

Ronan spun around.

An old man stood between the trees.

He wore battered black armor beneath a heavy brown cloak. A scar crossed his left eye, and an ancient sword hung from his waist.

Lyra immediately aimed her bow.

“Who are you?”

The old man looked at Ronan.

“My name is Kael Voss.”

Ronan tightened his grip.

“How do you know my name?”

Kael ignored the question.

Instead, he stared at the glowing mark on Ronan’s sword.

His face became pale.

“No...”

“What?” Ronan asked.

Kael stepped closer.

“That symbol hasn’t appeared in over three hundred years.”

Ronan looked down at his blade.

“What does it mean?”

Kael looked toward the castle.

“It means the Hollow King has awakened.”

A cold wind swept across the mountain.

Lyra lowered her bow slightly.

“Hollow King?”

Kael nodded.

“The dead king who ruled this land before the infection spread.”

Ronan frowned.

“He’s a legend.”

“No,” Kael replied. “Legends don’t command armies.”

Suddenly, a massive roar shook the valley.

The armored creature appeared again on the distant castle wall.

Its burning eyes fixed directly on Ronan.

Kael stepped backward.

“It’s found you.”

Ronan raised his shield.

“What does it want?”

Kael looked at him with grim eyes.

“Your blood.”

The red symbol on Ronan’s sword suddenly blazed brighter.

Pain exploded through his hand.

He dropped to one knee.

Inside his mind, another voice whispered.

COME HOME.

Ronan gasped.

Then the castle gates slowly opened.

Behind them stood thousands of motionless corpses.

And at the center of the darkness stood a black throne.

Something was sitting upon it.

Kael whispered:

“The Hollow King is waiting.”