The moment the thundering hooves came to a halt in the center of Nefia Village, the atmosphere grew heavy. Titania leapt from her horse, her movements urgent yet steady."Messengers! Two of you! Ride at full speed to Lord Darius. Tell him to watch for the signal fires. Once he sees them, he will know what must be done!"As the messengers sped away, she turned to the remaining soldiers, ordering them to gather the villagers amidst a rising tide of tension and protests over abandoning their homes. Titania’s voice rang out with commanding power:"Listen to me! Houses can be rebuilt, but once a life is extinguished, there is no returning to your family. I know you are soldiers, and I trained you with my own hands, but we cannot let emotion dictate the fate of those who remain! If we are to fight, we must fight where we do not have to look back in worry. Do you truly believe you can swing a sword with one hand while clutching your wife and children with the other?"The heavy air shattered when Lyki ran toward Oscar, his eyes wide with frantic dread."Oscar! Have you seen Lyna? And Rin? Where are they!"A villager spoke up with a trembling voice, "Little Lyna and Rin? I saw them carrying baskets toward the river at the end of the valley an hour ago. They said they were going to gather wild Birds of Paradise for the celebration..."Those words struck Lyki’s heart like a bolt of lightning. "The river at the end of the valley... That is exactly where the Orcs are descending!""I’m going!" Lyki shouted without a second thought. "I know that path best. Commander, please—let me bring them back."Titania fell silent for a moment before speaking in a low, powerful tone. "The sun will set soon. We will depart even if you are not back... Can you accept that?""I understand. Regardless, I must go!" With those words, Lyki mounted his horse and galloped away instantly.In the tranquil silence of the forest at the valley's edge, Lyna looked down at her basket, which held only a few flowers, her eyes filled with regret."Rin, look... there are so few flowers this year. With only this many, tomorrow’s celebration will look so dull," Lyna said, brushing a stray hair from her face.Rin, who was washing her hands in the clear water, paused and frowned. "Lyna, this should be enough. The sky has looked strange since the afternoon. I think we should hurry back to the village.""Just a little further, Rin. I know a spot deeper in the valley, near the great rock. The Birds of Paradise bloom across the entire field there. I used to go there with Lyki all the time. I guarantee we’ll fill our baskets!"As they ventured deeper, the atmosphere shifted. A thin mist began to crawl across the ground. Suddenly, the massive boulder they had climbed began to move! Both girls tumbled to the ground in shock. Four gargantuan legs heaved upward as a wrinkled head with clouded eyes emerged from a stone shell."Grandpa Turtle!" Lyna cried out joyfully instead of in fear. "When did you fall asleep here? I’m so sorry, I didn't mean to step on your back!"The ancient legendary creature—the Aeon Stone Turtle—let out a low rumble in its throat that vibrated through the earth. It stared at her in wonder before extending a scaly limb. In its grasp was an old, tattered red cloak."Rin... look at this embroidery. It’s exactly like the pattern on the swaddling cloth Lyki told me Mother made for me when I was a baby... Grandpa... did you know my mother?"Suddenly, a deep voice echoed within Lyna’s mind. "You look so much like her... little one. The same pure stubbornness, the same face... even the scent of your soul. You are almost a living shadow of your mother in her younger days."The ancient beast commanded them to hide. "They are here... Hide by my side. Do not make a sound."The sound of Lyki and Reef’s galloping horses pierced through the mist, followed by frantic shouts for the girls. But the Orc scouts had doubled back, surrounding them. Reef cursed under his breath. "Lyki! I can’t use Great Magic! This mist reflects sound and energy. If I release a single burst, the entire Orc army on the mountain will swarm this location instantly!""Grandpa! Please help my brother!" Lyna pleaded.The Stone Turtle responded, lunging into the fray. "The owner of the red cloak never left anyone behind... and neither shall I!""Brother Lyki! Get behind Grandpa, quick!" Lyna screamed. Lyki watched in stunned disbelief as a turtle the size of a house charged forward like an ancient war chariot, with his little sister sitting atop its shell, arm raised like a goddess of the forest.CRASH!!!The turtle’s massive feet stomped the earth, sending a shockwave that threw the Orcs in all directions. Its wrinkled head lunged, snapping Orc weapons in half with primordial strength. Rin didn't stay idle; she grabbed sharp wooden stakes from the debris atop the shell and hurled them at the Orcs trying to climb up. "Don't you dare touch us!"Lyki and Reef scrambled behind the massive shell, which served as a stone fortress. Lyna peered down with a tearful smile. "Brother Lyki! Lord Reef! This is the Aeon Stone Turtle! He was a friend of Mother’s and he saved us!"The moment of relief was short-lived. The haunting blast of a bone horn echoed from the mountain peak. A massive horde of Orcs, numbering in the hundreds, began to charge down the slopes! The force of the turtle’s earlier stomp had been too great—Lyki and Reef’s horses had collapsed into a dead faint from the shock."The horses are down! we have to run! To the ruined fort, move!" Reef commanded.The four of them abandoned the horses and fled on foot through the blood-stained grass and dark mist, with the Stone Turtle bringing up the rear as a living shield.THOOM! THOOM!The turtle blocked the narrow valley path with its immense body. "Run... children... My strength cannot hold them all. Head for the light at the fortress. Do not look back!""No! Grandpa!" Lyna wailed as Lyki grabbed her arm, dragging her forward. The sound of blades and axes striking the stone shell echoed through the valley. As powerful as he was, the ancient stone form began to shudder under the relentless assault of hundreds of frenzied monsters.The sky turned a deep, bruised orange as the sun began to sink. They finally reached the outskirts of the village. Their pace, once swift, was now heavy as if bound by iron chains. Lyna and Rin gasped for air, their faces pale and drenched in sweat and tears."Brother... I... I can't run anymore..." Lyna whispered, her knees buckling against the rugged earth of the now-deserted Nefia Village.Lyki’s eyes darted around. The Orcs were closing in like a pack of starving wolves. Suddenly, he spotted a dark brown warhorse tied to a post in front of the village hall. It was the spare horse Titania had left behind!"There! The Commander's spare horse!" Lyki shouted with a final spark of hope. "Reef! Listen to me! Get them both on the horse! It can't carry all four of us. Head for the fort! Don't stop until you reach Lady Titania!""What about you, Lyki!" Reef asked, his face grim."I’ll follow on foot! I’m stronger than these kids. I'll watch the rear! Go now, before they surround us!" Lyki barked, his eyes fierce with resolve."Brother Lyki! Don't leave us!" Lyna sobbed as Reef snapped the reins, the horse galloping away into the distance.Lyki’s legs felt like lead. Suddenly, a sharp whistle pierced the air behind him.SWISH!An Orc scout swung a massive axe. Lyki ducked frantically, the momentum causing him to lose his footing and skid across the hard ground, his skin torn and bleeding. Gritting his teeth, he gripped his steel sword. Using his last ounce of strength, he parried and countered with the forms Darius had drilled into him. In a flash of steel, he slashed the monster's chest, sending it crashing down.But the victory was fleeting. Nearly twenty Orcs emerged from the shadows of the ruined houses. They sneered, baring yellow tusks, their eyes glinting with the cruel delight of predators cornering helpless prey.Lyki rose slowly, steam rising from his body as his muscles screamed in exhaustion. He gripped his sword with two shaking, yet iron-firm hands. As death drew near, the faces of those he loved flashed through his mind... his father, Lord Darius, his brother Lycan, Lyna, Rin, and Reef.'At least... they are safe.' The thought brought a strange, serene calm. His fear evaporated."Come on, you filth! If you want my head so badly, then come and try to take it!"He took the deepest breath he could, settling into a combat stance to meet the coming impact. He was ready to turn his body into a wall of blood, just to buy a few more moments for those behind him to survive...

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