The few Ratfolk left wandered across the battlefield, which stretched for miles. They crouched beside their fallen companions and, like the growing flocks of crows, gnawed on Rat Meat that had yet to cool.
The startled crows made Annan uneasy. He climbed onto Illymoyas's back again and headed for the battlefield.
Some Ratfolk were still hiding in the woods. They were probably what had disturbed the crows. The Blue Dragon circled above the forest a few times, then suddenly flew south.
"Did you find something?"
"Some evil beings..."
Illymoyas carried Annan almost as far as Glacier Harbor. There, he saw a second Rat Tide gathering.
The black tide truly seemed endless. More Elite Ratfolk were mixed into it, along with enormous Giant Rats. As the Blue Dragon drew near, the horde stirred, and green Fel Energy flared among them. Ratfolk Ritualists were there too.
All of Annan's pride went out in that instant.
They had used the long battle line and exhausted every defense before finally wiping out the first Rat Tide beneath the City Wall. Now a larger, stronger second tide was approaching.
Star-Moon Bay's City Wall was "only" twenty meters high... Fifty Ratfolk corpses would be enough to make a pile reaching the top.
Annan pressed his lips together and patted Illymoyas's back.
"Let's go back..."
The Apocalypse Forecast had said early December. At first, Annan had thought that was when the Rat Tide would arrive, but it was only mid-November... What would happen in half a month? Would Star-Moon Bay fall? Would this tide be the one to take it?
Back in Star-Moon Bay, Annan told only his friends for the time being.
"They won't all be Elite Ratfolk by the end, will they...?"
The difference between ordinary Ratfolk and Elite Ratfolk was like the difference between