Sidney: "I am Captain Sidney... of Leonithra."
Sylvanas' eyes narrowed.
Sylvanas: "Leonithra?"
Sidney coughed again, forcing herself upright.
Sidney: "I was on my way, but..."
Sylvanas sighed.
Sylvanas: "Enough. Take her. Two soldiers will escort her back to Aurik."
Sidney shook her head violently.
Sidney: "No... I don't want that. I can fight."
Sylvanas: "You're wounded. You'll be a burden."
Sidney's voice hardened.
Sidney: "You haven't seen pirate chaos, General. I have information—about the enemy, and about Prince Lucas's location."
Sylvanas paused, her gaze sharpening.
Sylvanas: "That... is valuable."
Sidney pressed her wounds, standing tall despite the pain.
Sidney: "Fuad was right. You didn't abandon Leona. I envy them... Leonithra needs you too."
Sylvanas studied her, then spoke quietly.
Sylvanas: "Do not worry. Prince Asser will be pleased with this news."
Sidney frowned.
Sidney: "Truly? Our ties were never strong..."
Sylvanas: "No. You'll learn everything when you meet him."
Sidney's eyes widened.
Sidney: "Wait... the king himself is coming?"
Sylvanas: "Yes. But not yet."
The soldiers glanced at her warily.
Sylvanas: "Do not fear. If she is a traitor, I'll kill her myself."
Sidney laughed, blood dripping from her mouth.
Sidney: "You're as mad as we are!"
Sylvanas allowed herself a faint smile, stepping forward.
---
Aurik — The Arrival of Aref
At the gates of Aurik, Aref stumbled in, shocking the guards.
Aref: "I must see the prince! Now!"
The guards and sorcerers raised their staves, flames erupting from their bodies.
Guard: "Calm yourself, old man."
From the ranks, Jalmud advanced.
Jalmud: "You? Who are you?"
Aref: "I am the High Royal Counselor to Prince Lucas of Leona. I demand to see the prince immediately!"
Jalmud's eyes narrowed.
Jalmud: "Our history with counselors is... poor."
His gaze pierced Aref. He raised his hand, summoning assassins from the tunnels of Korta.
Jalmud: "Escort him to the palace with guards. If he does anything suspicious—kill him."
Aref (shaken): "What?!"
Jalmud: "Do you not know? We are at war. Always on alert."
Aref trembled, his voice breaking.
Aref: "Wait... but we need—"
Jalmud cut him off.
Jalmud: "The army of Aurik marches to Leona even now."
The words struck Aref like a blade. He collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down his face.
The guards, sorcerers, and assassins stared in astonishment.
Aurik — The Messenger from Leona
Steel rang as Jalmud unsheathed his massive weapon, his eyes narrowing.
Jalmud: "You? What is wrong with you?"
Aref, blood streaming from his back, gasped.
Aref: "We... need help..."
Jalmud's voice was cold, commanding.
Jalmud: "Take him to the prince."
The guards lifted Aref, assassins of Korta surrounding him like shadows.
---
At the palace, the royal guard advanced, finding Princess Kasra standing tall.
The guards bowed slightly, awaiting her word.
Princess Kasra: "Prince Asser is occupied... speak."
Guard: "We have a messenger from Leona—the High Counselor, Aref."
Kasra's eyes sharpened.
Princess Kasra: "Let him enter."
---
Aref stumbled inside, his breath ragged, finding Kasra's gaze upon him.
Aref: "Your Grace... Prince Lucas rejoices at your support. I thank you from the depths of my heart."
Kasra stepped forward, her tone firm.
Princess Kasra: "Stand."
Aref obeyed, trembling.
Princess Kasra: "Treat his wounds. We need his knowledge of the enemy. My brother will go himself—I will not allow him to be harmed."
Servants surrounded Aref, tending to his injuries. He stood in shock, overwhelmed by her authority.
Kasra's eyes drifted downward, toward the lower chamber—where Prince Asser awaited, preparing in silence for what was to come.
Aurik — The Chamber of Crimson Flames
Beneath the royal throne, in the hidden chamber of the palace, Prince Asser sat alone. He placed a small crimson jewel upon the stone altar. A single candle burned before him, its flame trembling, casting long, dancing shadows upon the statues of his father Caesar, his grandmother Layla, and the long line of ancestors who had ruled Aurik before him.
The silence was heavy, the chamber cloaked in a suffocating darkness.
Asser: (Whispering) "Father... Grandmother... can you hear me?"
He stared at his trembling hands.
Asser: "I just don't know what to do... I feel lost in the middle of the desert, helpless. I don't even know if I can take out that monstrosity..."
He looked up at the statue of King Caesar.
Asser: "Father… I’ve read the stories. When Leona called for help, you answered without hesitation. When the Luminous Tree Tribe begged for aid, you drove the pirates away..."
He clenched his fists, his voice cracking.
Asser: "And now... everything has fallen. They asked for help... but I didn’t answer them immediately. I hesitated. I am a failure... aren't I?"
His breath grew ragged, cold sweat dripping from his brow. His entire body trembled with the weight of his crown.
Asser: "Aurik is at war. I declared it... to save my sister. Rumors say there is a healer who can remove the curse from Sarah... that’s funny, isn't it? Horrible, even."
He laughed bitterly, a sound void of mirth.
Asser: "Declaring a war on delusional hope? That rumor might be true, or it might be a lie. But I am doing it to answer Leona's call as well. I know you would have done the same... wouldn't you?"
The chamber remained silent.
---
Memories of the war council haunted him—Jaber's desperate words, Laika's warnings, Sylvanas's grim resolve. He saw the smiles of his sister, the shouts of his people, the eyes looking at him with pride he didn't feel he deserved.
- Jaber:"The girl who escaped Leona told me of the enemies that we might face."
- Laika:"The Reaper... I saw him long ago. The Five Kings clashed with him and generals of equal strength. He is the one your father fought, my Prince."
Asser's hands shook uncontrollably.
Asser: (To himself) "I trained... I became a warrior under my father's eyes and veteran soldiers... yet I feel weak. I don't know if I can defeat them."
---
He closed his eyes, sinking into the darkness of the chamber.
Suddenly, a crimson fire ignited before him.
Asser snapped his eyes open. A figure appeared from the flame—a childlike phantom, glowing with an intense red light.
Her face was terrifying, badly burned with one eye missing and the other clouded white.
Asser: (Startled) "Who are you?"
Crimson Spirit:Lara... four hundred years ago."
Asser's eyes widened.
Asser: "You?"
She nodded, her smile faint but knowing.
Lara: "Yes. I destroyed an entire army while trembling with fear. But I trusted my raw strength, for every nation looked to me as an anchor of hope... and I learned to fight when the invaders came right away."
She stepped closer, the fire around her feeling warm, not burning.
Lara: "Our blood is special... it can be soaked with hatred, love... the emotions of the people. The more you feel, the brighter it burns. Do not fall into the trap of being lost without hope... because that will be your end."
She placed a spectral hand over his heart, Asser begin to shake.
Lara:choose to do it. Not because we are forced. That is the creation of the Crimson Blood."
Her form dissolved into sparks of flame.
---
A hidden mechanism clicked, and a section of the floor opened, blazing with crimson fire. Asser stepped inside, finding statues of warriors—sorcerers, knights, archers, and champions of Aurik's past.
An Old Man appeared, his voice heavy with warning.
AsserAurik..."
Wael: "You carry all of us upon your shoulders. One mistake could destroy everything... erase this world."
He vanished as quickly as he appeared, leaving Asser trembling.
Asser: (Whispering) "I know..."
Another flame burst forth. From it emerged a woman with kind eyes—his grandmother, Layla.
Asser: (In awe) "Grandmother?"
Layla smiled warmly, the expression filled with love.
Layla: "So... this is my grandson? I see fear in your eyes. You fight the same enemies we gave our lives to resist. Well done."
Asser lowered his gaze, his voice breaking.
Asser: "I've done nothing... I'm afraid we are losing it. Everyone looks at me with eyes of hope, but I can’t look back at them… I cannot face it. If I fail..."
Layla's voice was firm, yet gentle.
Layla: "Do you think we fought without fear? Your father faced one who could have erased all of Silva with a single step. But with his allies, he held him back, buying the time we needed. I feared for him because, in the end... he was my son. I feared for him more than myself."
She reached out, her ghostly hand hovering over the crimson jewel Asser had placed on the altar.
Layla: "And now, look at you. We preserved our burning blood—for this moment. For you."
Aurik — The Legacy of Crimson Blood
In the depths of the royal chamber, Prince Asser trembled, his doubts spilling into the silence.
Asser: "I cannot face them... not with these abilities. Everyone looks to me, but I feel weak. When I use my blood... I unleash everything in a single burst, and then I collapse. It is not enough... I am not a bomb to be detonated once. I lack sustainability."
From the flames, Grandmother Layla's spirit appeared once more, her voice steady.
Layla: "You are not alone. Why do you try to carry the burden by yourself? We all fought together, side by side. Even my proud, selfish son—your father—was like you once... thinking he had to hold the sky up all by himself. Yet in the end, he smiled and relied on others, even while he held the reins."
She vanished, then reappeared directly before him, placing a spectral hand upon his head with a gentle smile.
Layla: "I am glad... my grandson fights. I thought our bloodline had ended when this chamber grew silent."
Her form dissolved into crimson fire.
---
Asser: (Desperate) "Wait, Grandmother!"
He lowered his hand, staring at the empty air.
Asser: (Whispering) "I am not alone?"
A touch upon his shoulder startled him. He turned—and saw a spirit glowing with a soft blue light, contrasting the violent crimson flames of the others.
Mother's Spirit (Layaly): "My son... why does sorrow cloud your face? I am happy to see you here."
Before him, another figure emerged from the crimson fire—huge, imposing, and cloaked in a terrifying aura. It was his father, Caesar, holding a massive spectral sword.
Asser: (Tears falling) "Father! Is that you?! I don't know what to do!"
Caesar's gaze was unblinking, heavy with the weight of command.
Caesar: "Are Kasra and Sarah safe?"
Asser bowed instinctively.
Asser: "Yes! I nearly..."
His mother silenced him, pressing a gentle finger to his lips.
Layaly: "Shhh... no need to explain."
Caesar's voice rumbled like distant thunder.
Caesar: "I see you have matured. You finally know how to ask for help."
His mother laughed softly, the blue light shimmering.
Layaly: "I raised them to always ask for help, Caesar. To cover the weakness of our previous King."
Caesar: (Smiling) "Funny as always, Layaly."
---
Caesar's tone grew solemn, shifting from father to King.
Caesar: "Each of us fought with our own style. Your grandmother bore a flaming ring. I carried a sword. Others wielded bows. Find your style... and it will reveal itself."
He stepped closer, his aura intensifying.
Caesar:you to destroy your enemies. But the fuel... the stamina to keep burning without turning to ash... that comes from others. The more people love you, the more they care for you, the more mana you have to burn."
Caesar crossed his arms, looking down at his son.
Caesar: "Hearing that you fall asleep immediately after unleashing your power... that simply means no one loves you. Except your mother, perhaps."
Asser shot up, indignant.
Asser: "Ha! That is not true!"
Layaly: (Laughing softly) "Don't be so harsh on him, Caesar..."
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Caesar smiled, a glint of pride in his eyes.
Caesar:you."
Asser: "Me? How? I was searching for a physical sword! Laika wouldn't answer me when I asked her about it..."
Caesar: "That means you were not ready. Or at least, not from her perspective."
Asser: "But... how..."
Layaly put her hand on his shoulder, her blue aura mixing with his crimson one.
Layaly:are the swords, my son. We are the living weapons. We protect the innocent by burning our own blood. If you use it recklessly... you will burn out and leave your sisters and your people alone."
Asser shook his head as the realization hit him.
Asser: "I have declared war on the Black Order."
Grandmother Layla’s laughter echoed from the shadows.
Layla: "Foolish boy!"
Caesar smiled faintly, but his eyes were serious.
Caesar:Aurik itself was born when the Black Order invaded Silva long ago. They are our oldest, hardest foe. And what they despise most... is the blood that runs in our veins."
Layla's smile lingered as she faded away completely. His mother embraced him one last time, her warmth seeping into his bones.
Caesar:That is strength."
Caesar smiled then—a wide, predatory grin that was terrifying to behold.
Caesar: "When you see fear in the enemy's eyes... you will understand everything."
Caesar's form dissolved, his final words lingering in the air.
Caesar "I trembled too, but I left my mark." "Our blood burns brighter when the love is true." "It relies on hope... and it relies on you."
Caesar: "I will always be proud of you... my son."
His mother's smile warmed him as she began to fade.
Layaly: "That is your father. Do not worry—we are with you, in your blood. Now, give this feeling to your sisters... and to your people, Asser."
She vanished.
·
The crimson jewel on the altar shattered, releasing its energy. The candle fell and extinguished.
---
The chamber blazed with a new light. Asser looked down. The physical sword—the conduit—lay there. Its hilt was gold, encrusted with crimson gems, glowing with unbearable heat.
He grasped it.
The blade was heavy, burning his hand, but he did not let go. Memories surged into him—his father wielding this same weapon, crimson fire roaring around him like a storm.
Asser: (Whispering) "So... Father... I was foolish to think the sword was the key... while my blood was the key all along. You carried this burden all this time."
He stood up, the crimson fire stabilizing around him, no longer wild, but controlled.
Asser: "I am ready."
Aurik — The Crimson Departure
Prince Asser breathed deeply, closing his eyes. In his mind, he saw the families of Aurik—their tears, their farewells, their pride as they sent sons and daughters to war from mages to Soldiers.
When he opened his eyes, his sword blazed with crimson fire, each exhale igniting the chamber, each breath filling the air with burning light.
I’ll do my best, not out of fear for my own life, but for the sake of my people.
---
He ascended from the depths, finding Princess Kasra standing with Aref. The counselor bowed low as he delivered his report.
Asser: "Report?"
Kasra: "Asser... this man is a counselor from Leona. He has provided us with maps of the corrupted regions and the source of the plague. And..."
Kasra's voice faltered, her eyes heavy with exhaustion.
Kasra: "Your suspicions were true. The sickness drives its victims into madness, and their strength grows as the night grows colder."
Asser's gaze hardened.
Asser: "Then we have our countermeasure."
Aref bowed deeply, tears falling from his eyes. "Your Highness... I am grateful. Truly thankful for your aid..."
Asser: "Raise your head, Counselor. This is far from over."
Asser looked toward the horizon, his expression dark.
Asser: "I suspect an attack from that wretch, Dais... The High Commander has prepared the spell for the walls, so we should be fine."
He turned back to his sister, his voice softening.
Asser: "Kasra... guard the palace in my absence. If anything happens, have the mages send a signal—I will reroute immediately. If everything does not go as we planned..."
Kasra: "Take care of yourself, brother."
Asser opened his arms wide toward Kasra, ignoring the stares of the royal guards and the mages.
Aref watched them, a faint, amused smile touching his lips amidst his grief.
Asser: "A last hug for your poor brother?"
Kasra smiled, her royal composure breaking as she ran and hugged him tightly. "Haha, I’ll miss you!"
Asser: "You too. Take care."
---
Within the Great Chamber, Laika stood at the center of a circle of sorcerers. Their staves glowed with intense light as they raised them high, the air humming with raw power.
Laika: "Your Grace?" she asked, startled.
The sorcerers stared in awe at the crimson aura now swirling violently around Asser. It was not just magic; it was the pressure of a ruler.
Asser: "Complete the incantation. When Sylvanas sends the signal—release it."
Laika: "At once."
Asser stepped closer, leaning in until his lips were inches from her ear. The room was loud with the hum of magic, masking his voice from the others.
Asser: (Whispering) "I know where the sword is... and I will take your head when I return victorious."
Laika stiffened, her eyes going wide.
Laika: "What?! Asser—! I mean... Your Grace!"
The mages and royal guards turned to look at her outburst, confused by her sudden panic. Laika quickly cleared her throat, her face pale.
Laika: "Ahem... purely technical adjustments."
She slammed her staff down. Her eyes flared, fire swirling around her in a chaotic dance. The circle erupted, shooting a volcanic beam of flame upward through the chamber's ventilation.
Asser watched the inferno, a faint, amused smile returning to his face.
Asser: "Just don't blow up the palace, Laika."
Laika: (Grinning nervously) "Ah... understood."
She stepped forward again, her hands trembling slightly as she handed him a crimson pendant.
Laika: "A protective charm. It will trigger if you are in mortal danger. Just... in case."
Asser took it, his fingers brushing hers. The threat from moments ago hung in the air, but his voice was soft.
Asser: "Thank you."
---
Prince Asser strode from the palace gates, his cape billowing in the wind. Commander Jalmud, the guards, and the citizens bowed low as he passed, a phalanx of royal guards and sorcerers flanking him like a wall of steel and magic.
Among the throngs of people, Lamis and Samhar watched in silence, hidden by the hood of the crowd.
Samhar: (Whispering) "Lamis... look. That is the Prince."
Lamis stared at him, entranced.
Lamis:Aurik without fear."
Samhar: "What?"
Lamis blinked, snapping out of her trance.
Lamis: "Nothing."
---
At the gates, Asser raised his sword, crimson fire blazing.
Asser (commanding): "These walls are under your care until my return!"
The soldiers roared in unison.
Soldiers: "Ha!"
The towers burned bright against the falling snow, and the Crimson Prince of Aurik marched forth to war.
·
Aurik — The Clash at the Walls
Prince Asser marched with his royal guard, the snow falling heavily upon the frozen plains. The wind howled, but through the storm, news reached him: SylvanasLucas's encampment.
Asser looked back toward the distant silhouette of Aurik.
Asser: "Good... if they are engaged now, then Jamih, Jaber, and Karras may have slipped inside unnoticed. I pray they succeed."
The army pressed onward into the night, leaving their home behind.
---
After a full day's march, beneath the storm of midnight, a streak of light pierced the sky. A green arrow, fired from the borders of Leona, arched across the heavens and exploded above Aurik.
The winds howled, the ice cracked, and the signal blazed like a green star.
Guard: (Shouting) "It's the mark! The signal is lit!"
In the Great Chamber, the light of the signal reflected in Laika’s eyes.
Her aura flared crimson, blazing violently as she rose above the circle of trembling sorcerers.
Laika:Aurik!"
The circle erupted. Volcanic fire surged through the palace conduits. The great towers of Aurik ignited, sending pillars of roaring flame into the sky.
The effect was instant. The snow ceased falling. The biting winds died down. A wave of intense, magical warmth spread across the land, turning the freezing winter night into a sweltering summer in seconds.
---
At the city walls, Commander Jalmud stood vigilant, watching the magical transformation.
Guard: (Alarmed) "Commander! The Black Order gathers before the gates! Massive portals are opening in the fields!"
Jalmud's voice thundered over the commotion.
Jalmud: "Battle stations! Archers and sorcerers, hold the walls! Spread out your formations! Guards and assassins—take your positions!"
A scout on the watchtower cried out, his voice trembling.
Scout: "Commander... look! At the front!"
Jalmud: "Report! Who is leading them?"
Scout:Dais!"
---
From the shadows of the opposing army, Dais smiled. He wore the robes of the enemy, but his face was familiar. His voice, amplified by magic, carried across the warm, thawed plains.
Dais: "Yes... I hear the bells of the walls. How I've missed the air of my kingdom."
---
Within the Throne Hall, the doors burst open. A Royal Guard rushed in, breathless.
Royal Guard: "Your Highness! Dais is outside—he commands a vast host of soldiers!"
Princess Kasra stood by the window, watching the fire from the towers illuminate the city. She gripped the bracelet on her wrist tightly—Varon’s bracelet—until her knuckles turned white. Her eyes trembled, but her chin remained high.
Kasra: (Whispering) "He knows... he waited for my brother to leave before showing his face."
She smiled faintly, a cold, dangerous expression that mirrored her brother’s.
Kasra: "Very well... show me what you have, wretch."
Her gaze fell upon her brother's empty throne. The weight of the kingdom now rested entirely on her shoulders. She clutched the bracelet one last time, her resolve hardening as the storm of war crashed against Aurik's gates.
Aurik — The Siege of the Walls
The city of Aurik trembled, the ground vibrating as the preparations for battle reached their peak.
In the lower districts, SamharLamis unsheathed her sword. Her knuckles were white, and fear lingered in her eyes, but her stance was firm. She would not run.
Guards, sorcerers, and assassins moved swiftly through the streets, a river of steel and magic flowing toward the gates.
JawahirJalmud. She nodded to him, her resolve hardening. She was no longer just a merchant; tonight, she was a defender.
High upon the walls, Razan watched with sharp, hawk-like eyes. Before her, the horizon was swallowed by darkness. A full wave of Black Order knights and sorcerers gathered, their ranks appearing endless.
At the center stood Dais. He did not shout. He simply smiled with cruel satisfaction, raising a hand toward the home he had betrayed.
---
Within the Great Chamber of the Palace, the air was suffocatingly hot. Laika hovered above the blazing circle of fire, sweat pouring down her face as she struggled to maintain the climate-altering spell.
Laika: (Voice trembling) "Should I stop the incantation? Your Highness... I cannot move like this! If they breach the gates... who will defend us?"
The heavy doors banged open. Princess Kasra entered, her dress sweeping the floor, her presence commanding and calm amidst the panic.
Kasra: "No. Continue."
Laika: "But—"
Kasra: "Aurik's army—and my brother—depend on this spell. The enemy attacks us here hoping we will drop the barrier to defend ourselves. If the snow returns, our forces in Leona will freeze, and the sickness will take them."
Kasra walked to the edge of the circle, looking into the magical fire.
Kasra: "This is our trump card—the fire that breaks the snow. Asser relies on it. We will hold the line."
Her eyes narrowed, determination burning brighter than the flames.
Kasra: "If we continue, they may breach our defenses... but we will find a way. We will not lose both fronts to fear."
Laika's face hardened. She looked at her Princess, then nodded. Fury mingled with focus as her aura flared. Crimson light exploded around her, doubling the intensity of the spell.
Laika: "Understood!"
---
Then, it came.
A thunderous roar tore through the silence. The Black Order surged forward, their war cry shaking the very stones of Aurik’s walls.
The ground quaked as the first wave of spells collided with the city shield. The air filled with the cacophony of steel clashing and the hum of dark sorcery.
Jalmud: (Voice thundering) "Archers! Sorcerers! Hold the walls! Leave space for the vanguards! Guards and assassins—take your positions!"
The defenders braced themselves as the enemy advanced, the night sky ablaze with the chaotic mix of golden fire and dark shadow. The Siege of Aurik had begun.
Aurik — The Library of Flames
Outside the walls of AurikJalmud's command.
Within the palace, the Royal Elite Guard formed an impenetrable line around the empty throne. Behind them, the Sorcerer Elite, led by Viola, stood ready, their staves humming with defensive magic.
The Mage Guild was in absolute chaos—sorcerers rushing in and out, shouting coordinates, reinforcing wards, and carrying wounded.
---
In the Research Wing, GamiFind the lost incantation of Layla. The spell that once set Aurik's walls ablaze and turned its towers into engines of fire.
Gami: (Panicked) "Not here... not here... by the Silva! where is it?!"
The sound of war thundered through the stone walls, Jalmud's distant commands echoing like a grim reminder of the time they didn't have.
---
Suddenly, the heavy oak doors banged open. Princess Kasra herself entered the chamber, her royal gown trailing through the dust.
The sorcerers froze, bowing instinctively. Gami nearly collapsed in shock, dropping a scroll.
Gami: (Trembling) "Your... Your Grace?!"
Kasra ignored his fear. She rushed to the shelves, pulling down scrolls with her own manicured hands, coughing in the dust.
Kasra: "What are you doing standing there? Hurry!"
The sorcerers stared, astonished, as their Princess joined the search.
Kasra: "Laika never finished cataloging the library after the renovations! She told Asser everything was ready... she didn't want to burden him with the mess. That means the spell may still be hidden in the unsorted piles. We must find it."
Her voice sharpened, cutting through their shock.
Kasra: "Divide into two teams! One searches with me. The other begins crafting a new spell from scratch based on the theory. Move!"
---
The doors creaked open again. The room fell silent.
A stranger entered, cloaked in robes of swirling Red Mist.
Kasra's eyes narrowed, her stance shifting from scholar to ruler.
Kasra: "You? That garb... Red Mist. Do you think you can deceive us again? Do you think you can simply walk into Aurik's heart?"
In an instant, the Royal Guards in the room raised their halberds to the stranger's throat. The sorcerers' staves ignited with flame, aiming at the intruder.
The stranger slowly lowered her hood. The cloak fell open—revealing a young woman with cascading golden hair and an innocent face.
Kasra's eyes widened.
Kasra: "A girl?"
The sorcerers tensed, guards pressing the blades closer to her neck. The stranger bowed deeply, showing no fear, only sadness.
Estella:Estella. I came to help."
Kasra's voice was sharp, suspicious.
Kasra: "Estella? Help? Why should we trust you? You wear the colors of our enemy."
Estella: "I can aid in the search... or help craft a new spell. I have knowledge enough."
Kasra's eyes blazed with fury.
Kasra: "Why should I believe you? Why would we accept aid from one cloaked in Red Mist? We will not play your circus games while my city burns."
Estella lowered her head, looking at her hands.
Estella: "I have no convincing reason. I simply... don't want anything terrible to happen here."
Kasra froze, surprised by the simplicity of the answer.
Kasra: "What?"
Estella bowed again, her voice trembling slightly.
Estella: "Please."
Kasra studied the girl's face. She saw no deception, only a strange, naive determination. She sighed, her decision swift.
Kasra: "Your presence here endangers the kingdom. However... we are desperate."
She pointed to the far table.
Kasra: "Guards—take her to an empty chamber. Place three sorcerers and two guards with her. Let her assist in crafting the spell. If she does anything suspicious... if she whispers a single wrong word... kill her."
The guards seized Estella by the arms, dragging her away. Estella did not resist.
Kasra sat down beside Gami on the floor, opening a dusty scroll with her own hands.
Kasra: "We will find this incantation. If not, we will forge it anew."
The chamber filled with frantic energy once more—scrolls unfurled, ink spilled, voices rose—as the fate of Aurik's walls hung upon their search.
Aurik — The Fire Within the Walls
The royal guard bowed deeply.
Royal Guard: "At once, Your Grace!"
Estella whispered in shock, her voice trembling.
Estella: "Your Grace...? She is a princess? I thought she was the commander of this place...so this is the Royal bloodline "
---
Led by the guards, Estella entered a vast chamber. Its ceiling was a glass dome, revealing the storm-darkened sky above. Outside, the towers of Aurik blazed violently, their flames roaring from Laika's incantation.
Within, sorcerers both young and old stood in formation, their bodies cloaked in immense fiery auras. Their eyes bore into Estella with suspicion, while the royal guard behind her remained motionless, weapons ready.
Estella (awed): "They truly are... something else. Their bodies resemble Flinz body. Even the elders here could slay monsters and face entire armies."
She bowed low.
An elder raised his hand, pointing toward her.
Elder: "You will stand there. Good fortune, Estella."
Her eyes widened.
Estella: "You... know my name?"
The elder said nothing more, returning to his work, weaving defensive spells with trembling hands.
---
His voice rang out, sharp and urgent.
Elder: "The old wards are useless against the Black Order! They are stronger now, and the traitor counselor among them bolsters their power. The storm favors them! Our only chance is to find—or forge—a spell strong enough, while the High Commander continues her incantation!"
The royal guard stepped forward.
Guard: "We are here if you need aid."
The elder nodded grimly.
Estella's eyes narrowed as she began writing upon scattered scrolls, working alongside the younger sorcerers.
Estella (to herself): "Wait... they saved sorcerers from Fontaine. This elder... does he know me? Is he from Fontaine? I feel a familiar strength in some of them..."
---
Aurik — The Research Wing-
In the archives, Gami searched frantically, his hands shaking as he rifled through scrolls. Beside him, Princess Kasra worked with equal urgency, her presence steadying the room.
The sound of war thundered outside—explosions, screams, and the clash of steel.
---
Aurik — The Walls of Fire-
Outside, the battle raged. Sorcerers hurled firebolts and beams of light against the Black Order, who pressed at the gates with relentless force. Assassins struck from the shadows, cutting down infiltrators.
Knights and guards clashed with the dark riders, steel ringing against cursed blades.
At the forefront, Jalmud fought fiercely, his voice carrying across the chaos.
Jalmud (roaring): "Look to the rear ranks! Protect them!"
From the walls above, archers loosed flaming arrows, while sorcerers hurled blazing spheres into the night.
The city of Aurik burned with defiance, its defenders holding against the storm.
Aurik — Clash at the Walls
The battlefield outside Aurik's walls roared with chaos. Steel clashed, fire erupted, and the cries of soldiers filled the night.
A soldier shouted amidst the carnage:
Soldier: "General! Princess Kasra commands—the royal guard will enter when the time is dire!"
Jalmud, locked in brutal combat with the dark knights, snarled as they rose again after every crushing blow.
Jalmud: "No! Keep them around the royal palace! Hold the line!"
---
On the ramparts, Samhar trembled as he loosed arrows. Each shaft struck the armored knights, only to bounce harmlessly off their blackened shields.
Lamis (urgent): "Samhar! Fall back! Aim for the sorcerers—avoid their blades!"
Samhar (fearful): "Y-yes!"
Lamis charged, her sword flashing as she struck down a Black Order fighter. With a swift motion, she hurled a strange herb that burst into choking gas. The enemy covered their eyes, staggering, and Aurik's sorcerers incinerated them in flames.
---
Samhar steadied himself, loosing another arrow. It pierced the chest of a sorcerer preparing a spell. The sorcerer's gaze turned upon him, furious, and he hurled a sphere of shadow straight toward the boy.
Samhar froze, terror locking his limbs.
Lamis (screaming): "Samhar!"
From above, Razan leapt, dragging Samhar down. A sorceress behind them conjured a fiery shield, absorbing the blast, while another siphoned its heat into her own spell. Razan rose, unleashing four arrows at once—striking the dark sorcerer in the head and chest, felling him.
---
Suddenly, a massive dark knight vaulted high into the air. Jalmud's eyes widened in horror as the warrior descended like a meteor upon the walls.
Assassins hurled enchanted nets, archers loosed volleys, and sorcerers unleashed torrents of flame. The knight burned, crashing to the ground before Jalmud.
Jalmud raised his colossal spiked weapon, his roar shaking the battlefield.
Jalmud: "Forward!"
He struck, the blow hurling the knight backward into a cluster of dark sorcerers, crushing them beneath his weight.
Aurik — The Siege Breaks
The clash at Aurik's walls reached a terrifying crescendo.
The royal guards fought desperately, many struck down by the wave of shadow unleashed by Dais. His laughter echoed as the black tide consumed soldiers and sorcerers alike.
Jalmud (roaring): "Fall back! Stay clear!"
---
In the center of the defenders, an elder sorcerer raised his staff. Flames gathered above it, trembling under the weight of his power. Younger sorcerers pressed their hands to his back, channeling their own fire into him.
The blaze grew into a massive inferno, hurled against Dais's strike. The collision erupted in a thunderous explosion, the shockwave shaking the walls.
Dais clapped mockingly, retreating as Jalmud lunged.
Dais (sneering): "Ah... you. Still protecting that foolish girl inside?"
Jalmud (snarling): "I protect Aurik—the kingdom that defeated you and cast you out!"
---
Dais's smile twisted into fury. He raised his hand, unleashing a beam of shadow. Jalmud braced, his colossal shield absorbing the blast, though blood spilled from his lips as the force drove him back.
Assassins struck from above, hurling enchanted daggers, while sorcerers rained fire upon Dais. He conjured a barrier of darkness, deflecting their attacks.
Dais (coldly): "This rabble... I should have destroyed them long ago."
---
Jalmud staggered, his weapon trembling. Sorcerers rushed to him, pressing their hands to his armor and weapon. Crimson light surged, enveloping his spiked blade in a burning aura.
Dais's eyes gleamed. He raised both arms, tearing open vast portals. From them poured dark knights and shadow archers, their numbers overwhelming.
Dais (declaring): "What lies within these walls is mine. If I cannot claim it... I will erase it from existence!"
---
The towers of Aurik blazed brighter, fire roaring into the night. The screams of soldiers mingled with the thunder of spells.
Dark knights, cloaked in shadow, hurled guards into the air with colossal strikes. Sorcerers of the Black Order unleashed spheres of darkness, colliding with the fiery wards of Aurik's guild.
Smoke bombs burst, assassins of Aurik leaping from the shadows, cutting down infiltrators with swift precision.
The battlefield became a storm of fire and shadow, each side locked in a struggle for survival.
One of the Black Order shouted, “General! There’s a knight flanking us from behind! He looks like the champion the Reaper raised!”
Dais face changed: hmm?
·
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