It had gone on for a long while. Too long. A quiet meditation only to gather strength and focus for a sundering stroke. The first signs were simply the dirt displacing. Soon, dessicated limbs could be seen clambering for the open air. Then, the hillsides began to crawl. Before long, a tremor in the very earth could be felt. A sea of undead, pulled into the living world like water into a sponge.
He walked the line, as he had done so many times before. The paladins stood at attention, rank upon rank, arms ready, eyes staring with resigned confidence. He struck his staff on the ground, and its radiance was re-awakened. "Their numbers will only ever grow. And so, it has ever been. It will not stop the light from reaching them all!"
The paladins drew their blades with a rallying cry.
"Alright! Seriously, though, this is almost a 3-year necro. Try to keep pushing them into the center -- don't let it go everywhere! Alright, off we go!"