Outside the towering walls of the human capital, Amukelo, Lira, and the other heroes grew increasingly anxious. As hours slid by without any sight of the human champions, tension hung heavily in the air.
Amukelo, his brow furrowed, finally voiced the concern that had been gnawing at him. "I'm beginning to think the king we met might not be the corrupted. The heroes' absence isn't just unusual; it's alarming."
Lira, her sharp elven senses always alert, nodded. "It's unlike the human champions to dawdle, especially during crucial times."
Before they could discuss further, Lord Brennus approached, concern evident in his eyes. "I couldn't help but overhear. If the heroes haven't appeared, something is wrong. I can guide you to the locations they frequent most. Their usual training grounds, inns they prefer, anything."
Amukelo glanced at the dwarf and orc heroes accompanying him. "Time is of the essence. Let's do it immediately ."
Deep within the sprawling training grounds of the human capital, Amukelo and his band of heroes followed Lord Brennus towards a large open arena. The rhythmic sounds of clashing steel and the hum of spells echoed across the field.
As they entered, three figures stood out from the rest. A tall, muscular man with sharp eyes and a long spear was expertly parrying and thrusting against training dummies, each strike precise and deadly. Beside him, a young woman with flowing golden hair chanted as her hands moved in mesmerizing patterns, releasing bursts of magical energy that hit targets with pinpoint accuracy. To their right, a dark-skinned, agile man, armed with a long, sleek bow, released arrows with such speed and precision that it seemed as if multiple archers were firing at once.
Recognizing them from stories, Amukelo approached the trio, his face showing urgency. "Lysander, Maela, Orion! The fate of the realms might very well rest on your shoulders."
Lysander, the spear master, stopped his exercise and looked up, his sharp eyes locking onto Amukelo's. "What's going on?"
Maela, the mage, lowered her hands, the glow of magic fading from her palms. "We heard nothing of the developments.
Explain."
Orion, nocking another arrow, waited patiently.
Amukelo took a deep breath, then quickly relayed the situation – Valarian's control over the undead, the controlled human army, the alliance of the other races, and the desperate plan to harness the ancient Elvish mana.
Lysander's grip tightened on his spear. "We received no word. No orders."
Maela's voice had a hint of anger. "Our king has been silent."
Orion finally spoke, his voice calm yet filled with concern, "We must act, and swiftly."
Lord Brennus interjected, "I delivered the message as soon as it arrived, but clearly, something went wrong. Whether the king's response was lost or deliberately withheld, we may never know. But now, time is not on our side."
Lysander nodded, "Let's not waste any more of it then. We will join you, Amukelo."
Amukelo gave a sigh of relief. "We need every bit of strength. Together, we stand a chance."
Orion's fingers worked expertly, packing away his arrows. "Lead the way."
As the group made preparations to leave immediately for the dwarf capital, the weight of the task ahead was palpable. But with the human champions now on their side, there was a glimmer of hope in the ever-darkening horizon.