As Arthur prepared to engage the dragoon again, he noticed a pattern in the enemy's attacks.
The dragoon's aerial descent always cast a fleeting shadow before landing, giving Arthur a crucial split second to anticipate the next strike. Armed with this insight, Arthur was ready to counter.
The dragoon, soaring high once more, prepared for another devastating descent. This time, Arthur focused intently, watching for the telltale shadow.
The moment it appeared, Arthur swiftly sidestepped the incoming spear, narrowly avoiding the attack. The dragoon, committed to the momentum of his descent, couldn't react in time to Arthur's evasion.
Seizing the opportunity, Arthur retaliated with a swift and powerful counterattack. His sword, blazing with Chyrum's fire, arced through the air towards the vulnerable dragoon.
The blade connected with a resounding impact, the force of the strike amplified by Arthur's determination and skill.
Caught off-guard by Arthur's precise and powerful response, the dragoon struggled to regain his footing.
Arthur, sensing the shift in the battle, pressed his advantage. He unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one a blend of his intense training and the fiery energy of his sword.
With a burst of speed fueled by determination and skill, Arthur lunged forward. His sword, alight with fiery energy, was a blur as he aimed a powerful blow towards the dragoon. The dragoon, caught off-guard by the suddenness and ferocity of the attack, had little time to react.
Arthur's sword struck true, the impact resonating with a thunderous clash. The force of the blow was so immense that it sent shockwaves through the area, causing the very ground to tremble. The dragoon staggered under the strength of Arthur's strike, the surprise and intensity of the attack leaving him vulnerable.
Commander Lord Van, regaining his strength and inspired by Arthur's display of skill and bravery, joined the fray to assist Arthur in finishing off their formidable opponent. Despite his injury, Van showed remarkable resilience and determination.
With Arthur having significantly weakened the dragoon, Commander Van moved in with calculated precision.
The two warriors, perfectly synchronized, launched a coordinated assault on the dragoon, exploiting every opening and weakness exposed by Arthur's initial onslaught.
Commander Van's experience and tactical acumen complemented Arthur's fiery vigor, creating a formidable duo against the dragoon.
Together, they fought with a blend of strategy and raw power, slowly but surely overpowering the enemy.
The dragoon, now facing the combined might of Arthur and Commander Van, found it increasingly difficult to counter their attacks.
His movements, once swift and deadly, were now sluggish, hindered by the sustained injuries and the relentless pressure exerted by the two warriors.
In a final, decisive move, Arthur and Commander Van struck simultaneously, Arthur with his flaming sword and Van with his seasoned warrior's expertise.
The dragoon, unable to withstand this final assault, fell defeated, marking a significant victory for Arthur and Commander Van.
While catching his breath, Arthur drove his sword into the ground, using it as a temporary support to regain his strength. Commander Lord Van, on the other hand, gave a forceful kick to the dragoon's corpse, turning it over to confirm their suspicions.
The insignia and armor unmistakably belonged to Velos Desi, yet the reason behind their invasion remained a mystery to him.
The sight of the fallen dragoon soldier, adorned in the distinct gear of Velos, puzzled both Arthur and Commander Van.
It was clear that this was no ordinary attack; it bore the hallmarks of a well-planned and executed military operation. Yet, the question loomed large: why would Velos Desi, known allies to their kingdom, suddenly turn hostile?
As the realization sank in, Commander Van examined the dragoon's features more closely, searching for any clue that might shed light on the situation.
The ambiguity of the attack weighed heavily on them, raising concerns about the broader implications for their kingdom and the stability of the region.
Arthur's realization struck with a sudden intensity. The number of enemies they had encountered was insufficient for a full-scale invasion; their true intent must have been an assassination attempt aimed directly at his father, the king, and his brother, Artemis, the Chyrum.
The gravity of this realization weighed heavily on him as he communicated his thoughts to Lord Van.
"We can't waste any more time," Arthur urgently conveyed to Lord Van.
"We need to find my father and Artemis immediately to ensure they are safe. This attack... it's a targeted strike, not a siege."
"Look, my lord!" exclaimed Lord Van urgently, just before they were about to leave. He had been examining the body of the dragoon and noticed something alarming.
The sashes on the dragoon's body were from their own kingdom of Chyros Desi. This meant that the enemy had been amongst them from the beginning, disguised as one of their own.
"Father and Artemis are in danger!" Arthur responded with growing alarm, realizing the full extent of the threat.
Without hesitation, the two quickly set off, moving swiftly to ensure the safety of Arthur's father and brother. The revelation that the enemy had infiltrated their ranks added urgency to their steps as they navigated through the chaos.
As Arthur and Lord Van hurried through the chaos, Arthur was suddenly gripped by an unexpected and intense pain in his head.
It felt as if someone was calling out to him, causing a ringing in his ears that brought him to an abrupt halt.
He scanned the surroundings, trying to pinpoint the source of this strange sensation.
Then, suddenly, he spotted a figure standing before him. The man was completely shrouded in a thick hood and clothes, masking his face.
He stood still, his gaze fixed intently on Arthur, unmoving and enigmatic. The mysterious presence of this hooded figure amidst the turmoil added to the urgency and confusion of the moment.
Arthur concentrated intensely on the hooded man standing motionless before him. The enigmatic figure slowly lifted his head, revealing only his lips beneath the hood.
He whispered something into the air, a message so faint and indistinct that Arthur strained to decipher it, yet he couldn't comprehend the words.
The mysterious nature of this encounter only heightened the sense of urgency and confusion Arthur was already experiencing.