Shortly after the announcement, Ben and the others could be found inside the meeting room in the City Lord's mansion. They all stood around a table and waited for Ben to speak, all their faces serious.

"James I want to know which direction they are coming from. You and your rangers are to scout the forest, use the Red Forest Wolves if you have to." Ben said, his voice was carrying the authority of a leader.

James gave a small nod. "It will be done." he said.

"Once we discover where they are coming from I want the Shadows to go under the cover of night and find out the size of this invasion, their power and what the army is made out of." Ben continued, giving Deke and his Shadows a job.

Deke didn't say anything but gave Ben a nod.

"Lance, send a some people to guide the minors back to the city safely and deliver the rest of the ore to the dwarves. Also prepare our walls and defences best way you see fit. Ask the dwarves for help or ideas." Ben gave the man in s.h.i.+ning armour a command.

Lance struck his chest with his fist, giving Ben a form of salute.

"Hal how many swords and s.h.i.+elds can you have done in 5 days?" Ben asked the dwarf leader.

"300 at most I'm afraid." Hal said dejectivily.

"It will have to do. Give what you have made already to Lance and Colton. The s.h.i.+elds to Lance's division and the swords to Colton's when he is back. Equip them with your elite soldiers." Ben didn't have time to waist on yelling at anyone. He needed to prepare his city for war.

"Deke, how long until the other 3 divisions make it back?" Ben asked Deke.

"Three days if nothing happens." Deke said immediately.

"Let's make sure nothing happens then. I will send Taikon and Ava to them for support. Until then we will have to defend this city with the two divisions we have. Anyone have anything to add?" Ben asked wanting to finish this meeting.

"The Iron Mountain Clan wishes to partake in this fight. Though we have been craftsmen since we've been here, our axes have never dulled." the clan leader spoke proudly, his battle intent was clear to see.

"Everyone will partake in this battle don't worry." Ben rea.s.sured him. "Everyone has their jobs, now go do them." With that the meeting ended.

Running outside, Ben summoned Ava and Taikon. "Head south until you meet up with the generals and guide them back please. Try not to waste too much energy because I will need both of you in the upcoming invasion."

Taikon nodded his head vigorously, clearly excited from the upcoming battle. Ava rolled her eyes at his childish behavior and took off.

Ben frowned and looked into his soul realm. Duke was still surrounded by black and red energy, clearly not done evolving.

'Why is this evolution taking so long?' Daikon wondered, clearly worried about Duke.

…

The next two days went by in a blur. The days were spent with everyone making preparations and fortifying the city. What worried Ben the most was that the rangers were still unable to find out what direction the invasion was coming from. He himself went out to scout and still came up empty.

'Underground? No that's not plausible.' Ben raked his brain trying to figure it out.

"City Lord! We found them!" A short ranger ran into the room, sweat covered his face.

"Where?" Ben asked.

"The north." he said.

Ben's eyes narrowed. 'So it is him.' he thought, remembering the zombie king and how he was able to change humans and beasts into strong zombies.

Taking out the Communication Jade, Ben sent a thought into it, 'Deke when are the three divisions suppose to be back?'

Deke answered swiftly, 'Tomorrow at the latest.'

Nodded his head, Ben put the jade away.

Suddenly a large bang shook his soul realm. Looking into his soul realm, Ben saw that the ball of black and red was condensing and had cracks appearing on it.

'Duke is finally down evolving!' Ben exclaimed.

Ben's tattoo started to burn as Duke finished his evolution.

Appearing in front of Ben was a large black wolf with red stripes down his sides and down the middle of his head. His eyes were blood red with long fangs protruding out of his mouth. Red and black energy continued to swirl around Duke until it gradually was absorbed by him.

"Duke you evolved!" Ben cried as he hugged his friend, clearly missing him from the time spent apart.

'Master!' Duke cried as he tackled Ben to the ground. Ben laughed loudly as Duke licked his face.

"Wolf my a.s.s! You're still a dog at heart!" Ben said happily as he wiped the drool off his face and stood up.

He quickly checked Duke's stats.

Duke- Lvl 60

Demon Blood Wolf

Element: Demon & Blood

Vitality (VIT): 120

Strength (STR): 254

Dexterity (DEX): 210

Agility (AGI): 260

Intelligence (INT): 15

Loyalty- 100%

Skills-

Blood l.u.s.t

Blood Absorption

Demonic Energy Manipulation

Soul Beast

Ben grinned as he saw Duke's stats, he had gotten stronger and even had some new skills!

Blood Absorption- absorbs the blood of enemies turning it into the users strength.

Demonic Energy Manipulation- user is able to control the demonic energy inside its body.

'Strong skills.' Ben mused as he read the description.

"Couldn't have come at a better time bud. An invasion is coming." Ben told Duke.

'I know. I heard everything from your soul realm. This time I will show them my true strength.' Duke said proudly.

"c.o.c.ky are we? Come let's go get use to your new skills first." Ben said as he jumped on Duke's back. Together they headed outside the city.

People cleared the way as they saw a giant wolf walking down the street.

"Isn't that the City Lord on the wolf's back?"

"You're right! How did he tame such a powerful beast?"

"Didn't you know? Our City Lord is the number one Beast Tamer!"

Listening to the whispers around him, Ben grimaced.

'Beast Tamer? Hardly.' he thought.

Duke on the other hand was basking in the attention, his head held high as he marched down the street.

If Ava saw this att.i.tude she would have sent a fireball at his face.

Letting Duke have his fun, Ben's communication jade suddenly shook. Grabbing it, he heard Deke tell him that James needed to see him.

'Tell him to meet me at the North Gate.' Ben replied.

A while later Ben and Duke appeared at the north gate, James and the Red Forest Wolf Eve were waiting for him.

"What's up James?" Ben said as he hopped down from Duke.

"I see Duke evolved." James smiled looking at the ma.s.sive wolf.

Duke waved his head proudly, trying to catch Eve's eye. She responded by rolling her eyes at him.

"Yes but still a little immature." Ben said patting Duke's leg.

"I wanted to ask you what you plan to do about the Red Forest Wolves during the invasion?" James said plainly.

Ben looked at Eve and asked her, "What does he mean?"

Eve straightened her body and looked Ben in the eyes, 'Can we stay in the city during the invasion?' she asked.

"Of course!" Ben exclaimed. "Im sorry if that wasn't implied but yes. Anybody who has become an ally with us is granted protection by the city, beast or human."

A wolfish smile appeared on Eve's face. Even James seemed to relax at the answer.

"But this means you will have to hunt extra beasts to feed them during the invasion James, as they are under your Ranger division." Ben said grinning at James.

James paled before nodded, he then took off quickly.

"Hahaha don't worry Eve I only said that so he would have something to do. The rangers need something to do." Ben a.s.sured the wolf.