Battle Begins!

As the five warriors mounted their horses, the early morning mist clung to the ground, shrouding the kingdom in an eerie silence. The sun was barely rising, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets as the group made their way out of the kingdom's gates. The tension was palpable, each rider aware of the gravity of the mission that lay ahead. Commander Thorian led the group, his presence a steadying force amidst the uncertainty. Vice Commander Alda rode beside him, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon as if trying to predict what awaited them in Vaebreta Kingdom. Zalthor and Lucien followed closely, their expressions a mixture of determination and the lingering grief from the loss of Nizara. Commander Viktor brought up the rear, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced by a grim focus on the task at hand.

As they neared the outer edge of the kingdom, Commander Thorian pulled his horse to a stop and turned to address Zalthor and Lucien. "Zalthor, Lucien," he began, his voice carrying the weight of his command, "I'm entrusting the defense of the kingdom's rear to you both. We don't know what to expect, and we can't leave any point unguarded. Your mission is to ensure that no enemy flanks us. Hold the line at all costs."

Zalthor and Lucien nodded in unison, their resolve firm. They understood the importance of their role and the trust being placed in them. "We won't let you down, Commander," Lucien said, his voice steady despite the nerves twisting in his stomach.

Commander Thorian's gaze softened slightly, a rare show of encouragement. "I know you won't. Now go. Protect the kingdom and its people."

With that, Zalthor and Lucien separated from the group, their horses galloping towards the rear of the kingdom. The sound of their hooves echoed in the distance as they disappeared into the mist, leaving Commander Thorian, Vice Commander Alda, and Commander Viktor to continue towards the front.

As they rode in silence for a few moments, Commander Viktor eventually broke the quiet, his voice carrying a note of concern. "Thorian, are you sure it was wise to bring Zalthor and Lucien along on this mission? They're still so young, and what we're facing… it's beyond anything they've encountered before."

Commander Thorian's expression remained stoic as he responded, his eyes focused on the path ahead. "I understand your concern, Viktor, but this mission will test them in ways that will make them stronger. They've already faced loss, they've already tasted failure. This is their chance to rise above it, to grow into the warriors we need them to be. If we shield them from every danger, they'll never reach their full potential."

Commander Viktor sighed, reluctantly conceding the point. "I suppose you're right. It's just… I worry about them. I've seen too many young warriors fall because they were thrown into situations they weren't ready for."

Thorian nodded, his expression softening slightly. "I worry too, Viktor. But we have to trust in their abilities. They've proven themselves before, and they'll do so again."

As they rode on, the conversation shifted to another pressing concern. Commander Viktor, his mind still racing with possibilities, spoke up once more. "Thorian, have you considered calling for reinforcements from one of the numbered squads? They might be able to provide the support we need."

Thorian shook his head, his tone resigned. "I've thought about it, Viktor, but all the numbered squads, as well as the colored and lettered ones, are tied up in their own missions. The kingdom is spread thin, and we can't afford to pull anyone away from their tasks. We have to handle this ourselves."

Viktor frowned, but ultimately, he knew Thorian was right. The kingdom's resources were stretched to their limits, and there was no cavalry coming to save them. It was up to the five of them to protect Vaebreta and prevent a disaster.

As they reached a crossroads, Viktor pulled his horse to a stop, preparing to head in the opposite direction. His task was to protect the throne, the heart of the kingdom, while Thorian and Alda defended the front. Before parting ways, Viktor looked at Thorian with a rare smile, his voice tinged with playful teasing. "Just remember, Thorian, don't go getting yourself killed out there. I'm not planning on attending any funerals anytime soon."

Thorian allowed himself a small smile in return. "I'll do my best to stay alive, Viktor. But you'd better do the same. We need every one of us to make it through this."

With a nod, Viktor turned his horse and galloped off towards the center of the kingdom, leaving Thorian and Alda to continue their journey towards the front. The two rode in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts about the battle to come.

As they neared the kingdom's entrance, Vice Commander Alda broke the silence, her voice laced with a mix of anticipation and concern. "Commander, we're close to the entry point. How do you want to approach this?"

Thorian's expression was thoughtful as he considered their options. "The kingdom is protected by a large magical barrier," he began, his tone measured. "It shields us from attacks from the sky and alerts us if anyone with dark magic tries to enter. That means our enemy's only options are to attack through the front or the rear—unless they find a way to deactivate the spell."

Alda nodded, her mind racing through potential strategies. "So we can expect a direct assault… but we should also be prepared for the possibility that they've found a way to bypass our defenses."

Thorian's gaze hardened, his instincts telling him that they were facing more than just a simple battle. "Stay alert, Alda. I have a feeling our enemy isn't going to play by the rules."

Meanwhile, deep within the dark recesses of the Vaebreta Citadel, the robed man who had defeated Nizara stood in a shadowed chamber, his presence radiating an aura of malevolence. The room was filled with dark energy, the very air humming with the power of ancient, forbidden magic. Before him knelt a group of hooded figures, their faces obscured by the darkness.

"Everything is proceeding as planned," the robed man intoned, his voice a low, resonant echo that seemed to vibrate through the very walls of the chamber. "Our enemies are divided, weakened. The kingdom's defenses will fall, and Vaebreta will be ours."

One of the hooded figures stepped forward, their voice hissing with barely contained excitement. "The magical barrier is almost down, my lord. Once it falls, our forces will strike from all sides. The kingdom will not stand a chance."

The robed man's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Excellent. Begin the attack. Leave no one alive."

The hooded figures dispersed, vanishing into the shadows as they prepared to unleash their assault on the unsuspecting kingdom. The robed man turned his gaze to the flickering flames of the torches lining the chamber, his eyes filled with cold, calculating malice. "Vaebreta will be the first to fall… but it will not be the last."

Back at the kingdom's entrance, Commander Thorian's senses suddenly heightened as a shiver of dark energy rippled through the air. He could feel it—the protective barrier around the kingdom was being tampered with, its power weakening with each passing moment.

"Alda, the barrier!" Thorian shouted, his voice sharp with urgency.

Before Alda could respond, a figure darted out from the shadows, moving with inhuman speed. The attacker, cloaked in darkness, struck with blinding force, slashing at Alda before she had a chance to react. She barely managed to block the attack, but the force of the blow sent her stumbling back.

Thorian's eyes widened in alarm as he watched Alda struggle to regain her footing. The dark figure didn't relent, grabbing Alda and dragging her away from Thorian, separating the two commanders. The figure moved with a deadly grace, and before Thorian could close the distance, they disappeared into the shadows with Alda in tow.

"Alda!" Thorian called out, his voice echoing through the empty streets. But there was no response, only the oppressive silence that followed the sudden attack.

Thorian's grip tightened on his weapon as he scanned the area, his instincts on high alert. A new figure emerged from the shadows, another of the robed man's comrades, their eyes gleaming with malevolent intent.

"You'll pay for that," Thorian growled, his voice filled with a mix of anger and determination. The air around him crackled with energy as he prepared to face this new foe, his muscles tensing in anticipation of the coming battle.

The figure before him merely smiled, their stance relaxed, almost taunting. "Your time is up, Commander. Vaebreta belongs to us now."

The tension between the two warriors was palpable, the air thick with the promise of violence. Neither moved, the silence stretching on as they sized each other up, waiting for the other to make the first move.

The clash that was about to ensue would determine the fate of the kingdom—whether it would stand or fall beneath the shadow of darkness. But for now, the battle had not yet begun, leaving the outcome uncertain.

*To Be Continued…*