XXVIII: Baptism by Fire.

Giorgos woke up, with his mind still clouded on how the sisters were still free, and worried that they may cause havoc on the Astonian lands, but then his fears came true. His scouts spotted Felina's legions marching towards Orencia, he hastily gathered his most elite troops to sally out or to be a diplomat.

Giorgos, clad in his formidable armor, galloped through the city of Orencia, rallying his troops and instilling a sense of determination in their hearts. The demonic legions that approached carried the heraldry of Empress Felina, a chilling sight that sent shivers down the spines of the city's inhabitants. But Giorgos, a seasoned warrior, knew that victory was not beyond their reach.

As the Athanatoi assembled, their ranks gleaming with the golden sheen of their armor, Giorgos's mind was preoccupied with the presence of the escaped sisters. He understood the threat they posed, their potential alliance with the demonic forces serving as a sinister omen.

Before taking his place at the forefront of his cavalry, Giorgos sought out the sisters in a private chamber. There, he spoke to them with a mixture of concern and urgency, his voice firm yet tinged with a hint of sorrow.

"Elina, Felina," he addressed them, his gaze filled with a mix of caution and disappointment. "I implore you to reconsider. This path you have chosen leads only to darkness and destruction. The empire, your own people, they are in peril. I know the power that resides within you, but I also know the goodness that once existed. It is not too late to turn away, to seek redemption."

The sisters regarded Giorgos with a mixture of defiance and resentment. The echoes of their demonic nature resonated within the chamber, a stark reminder of the forces they had aligned themselves with. Their eyes gleamed with a sinister glint, their voices laced with a touch of wickedness.

"You underestimate us, Giorgos," Elina hissed, her words laced with a hint of malevolence. "We have chosen our path, and we will not be swayed by your pleas. The darkness calls to us, and we shall answer."

Felina's gaze bore into Giorgos, her voice carrying a note of arrogance. "Do not think that you can dissuade us, Giorgos. Our allegiance lies elsewhere, and we shall revel in chaos and power. The empire will crumble beneath our might."

Giorgos's heart sank, a mixture of sadness and determination coursing through his veins. He had hoped to reach a sliver of humanity within the sisters, to ignite the spark of goodness that he believed still lingered deep within their souls. But his pleas fell upon deaf ears, drowned out by their unwavering devotion to darkness.

With a heavy sigh, Giorgos knew that he had done all he could. He turned away from the sisters, their fate sealed in their own choices. The battle awaited, and he had a duty to protect the city of Orencia and its people.

As he rode out to lead his cavalry into the fray, Giorgos carried the weight of his encounters with the sisters on his shoulders. He knew that this battle would not only determine the fate of Orencia but also test the resilience and resolve of the Astonian Empire.

Giorgos, mounted atop his steed and surrounded by his loyal Athanatoi, stood tall before his men, their eyes filled with determination and their weapons gleaming in the sunlight. The air crackled with anticipation as the demonic legions closed in, their numbers vast and their intentions clear. It was time for Giorgos to rally his troops, ignite the fire within their hearts and lead them into battle.

"Athanatoi! My deathless soldiers!" Giorgos's voice rang out, commanding the attention of every man under his command. "Today, we stand against the forces of darkness, against those who have betrayed us and turned their backs on honor and loyalty. We have shown them mercy, we have extended our helping hands, and this is how they repay us. With treachery and deceit!"

A thunderous roar erupted from the ranks of the Athanatoi, their anger, and resentment fueling their resolve. They brandished their weapons, ready to unleash their wrath upon their foes.

"But fear not, my brave warriors!" Giorgos continued, his voice infused with a blend of conviction and righteous fury. "We march forth guided by the divine presence of Saint George himself. His spirit dwells within us, lending us strength and courage. Today, we shall be the instrument of his justice!"

The soldiers' shouts filled the air, echoing with full anger and hatred toward their enemies. With a resolute nod, Giorgos spurred his horse forward, leading the charge with his mighty axe held high. The clash of steel and the screams of combatants resonated around him as chaos enveloped the battlefield.

In the midst of the frenzied fighting, Giorgos found himself beset by adversaries on all sides. But time and again, a certain Athanatoi emerged, their skill and valor shining brightly. They fought with unwavering loyalty and courage, their presence like a guardian angel protecting Giorgos's life. Blow after blow was deflected, strikes were parried, and enemies were cut down with precision and speed.

Giorgos, his adrenaline pumping and his determination unwavering, battled alongside his men, cutting through the ranks of the Lakthorian forces. He wielded his axe with deadly proficiency, cleaving through armor and flesh, leaving a trail of fallen adversaries in his wake. The blood of the enemy stained the ground beneath his horse's hooves as he pushed forward, his resolve unyielding.

Amidst the chaos, Giorgos's eyes locked with those of his savior, the certain Athanatoi who had saved his life time and again. A nod of gratitude passed between them, an unspoken acknowledgment of the bonds forged in the crucible of battle.

With each passing moment, victory seemed within reach. The Lakthorian forces faltered, their ranks weakening under the relentless assault of Giorgos and his Athanatoi. The battlefield became a scene of carnage, bodies strewn across the ground, their lives extinguished in the fires of war.

Finally, Felina's forces broke, their resolve shattered by the indomitable spirit of the Astonian Athanatoi. The battlefield fell silent, save for the heavy panting of exhausted warriors and the groans of the wounded.

The dust settled on the battlefield, revealing the toll that the conflict had taken. Giorgos looked around, his eyes filled with both relief and sorrow. The Athanatoi had fought with unparalleled valor, their unwavering loyalty resulting in a remarkable victory. They had managed to vanquish a force four times their size, losing only 62 brave soldiers in the process.

Among the fallen, the bodies of Lakthorian soldiers lay strewn about, their lifeless forms serving as a testament to the might of the Athanatoi. Giorgos's heart swelled with pride for his men, their sacrifices not in vain.

Amidst the chaos, a few figures caught Giorgos's attention. It was the sisters, attempting to escape amidst the confusion of battle. Swiftly, Giorgos rallied his remaining forces and charged after them, his Athanatoi cutting through the enemy lines with determination and precision.

The clash of steel reverberated through the air as Giorgos's cavalry closed in on the fleeing sisters. Despite their demonic powers and deceptive nature, they were no match for the combined might of the Athanatoi. The sisters fought back fiercely, unleashing their dark magic and attempting to fend off their pursuers. But the Athanatoi remained resolute, their determination unyielding.

With a swift maneuver, Giorgos and his men encircled the sisters, cutting off their escape route. The sisters, realizing their predicament, were left with no choice but to surrender. Their demonic forms were now stripped of their veil, revealing their true nature to all.

Giorgos dismounted his horse, his armor drenched in sweat and spattered with the blood of the fallen. He approached the captured sisters, his eyes filled with a mixture of disappointment and determination.

"You thought you could escape, didn't you?" Giorgos's voice carried a tone of resolute authority. "But your treachery ends here. Your powers may be great, but they are no match for the righteousness and unity of the Astonian Empire."

The sisters, their faces filled with defiance, glared back at Giorgos. Their once regal appearance was marred by the dirt and grime of battle, and their pride was now shattered.

Giorgos signaled for his men to bind the sisters and secure them. The Athanatoi swiftly carried out his orders, their iron grip leaving no room for resistance.

"You will be brought to justice," Giorgos declared, his voice firm and unwavering. "Your reign of darkness ends here, in the face of the united might of the Astonians."

Felina's voice trembled with desperation as she pleaded with Giorgos. "Giorgos, please! We may be demons, but we have seen the true face of Lakthor. He aims to bring chaos and destruction upon this land. If you release us, we can help you halt his advance and repay the debt we owe to Christos."

Giorgos's gaze hardened as he listened to Felina's words. The weight of responsibility bore down upon him, the fate of the city and its people resting on his shoulders. He understood the gravity of the situation, but he also knew the danger that the sisters posed.

"Felina, I cannot ignore the atrocities committed by you and your sister," Giorgos replied, his voice firm and unwavering. "While I acknowledge the threat that Lakthor poses, I cannot release you and risk the lives of innocent people. We will hold Orencia until help arrives, or until my last breath."

Felina's eyes filled with a mix of frustration and sadness. She had hoped that Giorgos would see reason and grasp the opportunity to combat the greater evil. But his loyalty to the people and his unwavering sense of duty held him steadfast.

"Very well," Felina conceded, her voice tinged with resignation. "If this is your decision, then we will respect it. But know that we still harbor a debt to Christos, and we will do everything in our power to make amends for our past actions."

Giorgos nodded, acknowledging Felina's words. He knew that their journey was far from over, and the battle against Lakthor would test their strength and resolve to the limit. But in his heart, he believed that their cause was just, and with the help of the Astonians and the resilience of his Athanatoi, they would prevail.

As the main Lakthorian force approached Orencia, Giorgos prepared his men for the impending battle. The city walls bristled with defenders, their determination shining through their weary faces. They were ready to face the dread legion led by Lakthor himself, knowing that their lives hung in the balance.

Giorgos cast a final glance at the bound sisters, his gaze filled with a mix of caution and hope. "Felina, Elina, may the path of redemption and forgiveness find you someday," he murmured softly, almost to himself.

With that, Giorgos turned his attention to the impending battle, rallying his forces and preparing for the fight that would decide the fate of Orencia and the Astonian Empire. He knew that the road ahead would be treacherous, but his resolve burned brighter than ever, fueled by the determination to protect his people and honor the trust placed upon him.

The battle for Orencia was about to commence, and Giorgos, alongside his loyal Athanatoi, would stand as an unyielding shield against the encroaching darkness.