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As Aery raced swiftly through the pool of blood formed by the corpses, splashes of the mixture of blood and water scattered around with every step. The ground had turned into mud, a blend of earth, blood, and sweat, deepening with each heavy stride.
Amidst the echoing war cries, clashes of weapons, and the moans of the wounded, Aery had but one objective: to ensure Ash's safety, facilitate the orderly and casualty-free retreat of the dark army, and securely rescue Ely.
Soon, Aery appeared at the front of the shield wall, continuing with determined strides. Approaching the shield wall, without a moment's hesitation, Aery leapt high by stepping on a soldier's shield. Hanging in the air for a few seconds, Aery landed perfectly by Ash's side.
Ash, engrossed in the surroundings, was alerted by Aery's sudden presence. Aery's face bore an expression of urgency and determination. Despite being out of breath, Aery began to recount what had been witnessed.
"You need to see this, Ash," Aery said urgently, words tumbling out rapidly. "Behind the walls, a man was shouting. He announced the prince's arrival, but suspected no one went to meet him, so he sent a messenger to the army behind him. There are thousands of cavalry and infantry coming from the forest path. They're very close."
Even amidst the chaos of war, Aery's words had completely captured Ash's attention. Ash immediately grasped the significance of the news brought by Aery. The soldiers behind the shield wall watched attentively as Ash and Aery spoke, awaiting their next commands.
The information Aery had brought shone like gold in Ash's eyes as they met with determination. It signaled the need for the dark army to reconsider its strategy.
Meanwhile, a fierce blaze raged inside the ancient dungeon tower near the battlefield. Flames licked and passed over the tower's stone walls, the crackling of burning moss inside creating an ominous rustling mixed with the noise of battle. Dense smoke billowed from the dungeon tower, curling upwards towards the sky, drawing the attention of soldiers in the midst of combat.
The heat from the fire weighed heavily on the surrounding air, the dance of flames merging with the darkness enveloping the tower, creating a chilling spectacle that further heightened the already tense atmosphere of war.
As Ash tried to digest the news Aery had brought, he glanced briefly at the fire in the tower. For a moment, he wondered, "How did this fire start?" But now, he needed to prioritize. Dealing with the prince's army came first.
Inside the tower, Ely tore pieces of fabric around to shield herself from the smoke billowing from the fires below. Panic-stricken, she quickly dunked every piece she could find into buckets of water, pressing them to her face and mouth to try and filter out some of the ash and smoke. In this chaotic environment of spreading flames and smoke, her eyes watered and her breath grew shallow.
Ely desperately sought a way to escape in this life-or-death struggle. As the fire reached the stone walls of the tower, igniting the moss on the walls, the crackling of flames and the crumbling of stones sounded like a terrifying melody in her ears. With each step, she felt the crunch of burning wood underfoot, her eyes scanning for a safe way out.
After struggling for several minutes, Ely suddenly heard a few sounds that pricked her ears. She focused all her attention on the staircase descending to the lower level. Amidst the roar of the fire, she could distinguish the clashing of metal against metal and the hurried footsteps of several people. These sounds became a glimmer of hope for Ely, struggling desperately within this inferno of a tower. It could be an opportunity to escape this hellish prison.
Upon hearing the sounds, Ely began pounding, pushing, and kicking the rusty iron door of her cell with all her might. However, despite its rusted state, the door was heavy and securely locked. Ely's frantic efforts quickly drained her energy. Each blow diminished her strength a little more.
Her efforts to open the door rapidly depleted Ely's endurance, leaving her breathless. The stifling air created by the fire had already severely reduced the oxygen inside the cell. As Ely's lungs struggled to fill with the inadequate supply of oxygen, each breath became more agonizing. The hot air she drew into her lungs with each inhale only weakened her further.
As Ely realized her futile attempts to open the door, she collapsed in despair on the ground. The heat of the fire and the density of the smoke created an atmosphere akin to a hellish inferno inside the cell. Ely's mind raced, searching for escape routes while contemplating how to survive this desperate situation. Her eyes scanned every detail within the cell, searching for even the slightest clue that might lead to a way out.
However, with each passing second, Ely's despair deepened. Trapped inside the cell, were the echoing sounds behind the rusty iron door a sign of impending rescue or merely a hollow hope? Wrestling with these thoughts, Ely gathered her last shreds of energy to sustain herself. Perhaps those calling out were the only glimmer of hope that could save her.
Ash quickly devised a plan upon realizing time was running out to rescue Ely, and he promptly gave orders to mobilize. His commands were clear and precise. He organized his soldiers into a hollow rectangular formation, with shields raised high, positioning himself in the center.
"Now! Advance towards the Colosseum!" Ash called out with a strong and resolute voice. The soldiers began to implement the order without hesitation. The shields locked together, forming a protective wall that allowed Ash to move safely in the center of the formation.
Leading from the front of this formation was Aery, whose mission was to neutralize any challenging enemies they encountered.
As Ash progressed in the center of the formation, his mind raced through the necessary moves to rescue Ely. The secure shield wall provided by his soldiers allowed him the time and protection needed to execute his plan. With each passing moment, they were one step closer to Ely's salvation.
Approaching the Colosseum, Ash's steps quickened. While Aery systematically incapacitated enemies in their path, Ash had only one thought in mind: to rescue Ely from this ordeal. The shield formation led by Aery continued to advance resiliently toward the Colosseum, overcoming obstacles with strength and fortitude. Each step brought them closer to Ely and ultimate liberation.
Upon reaching the front of the Colosseum, Ash swiftly exited the formation and hurried towards the stairs leading down to the dungeons. His heart pounded with the urgency of rescuing Ely, knowing every second counted. The dark stone steps of the stairs echoed with Ash's determined footsteps. Above, his army stood in a steadfast defense, holding a tight line against enemy soldiers and a barrage of arrows.
The black army stood firm like an impregnable wall, shields raised to repel any threat. In these critical moments, Ash's commands and the solidity of the formation provided a significant advantage to his army.
Aery kept a keen eye on any weak spots in the formation. Whenever a breach appeared, she swiftly moved to the area, dispatching enemies with her sword to maintain the formation's integrity.
Ash swiftly descended the stairs into the dark and damp corridors of the dungeons, trusting in the battle prowess of his army above. Every echoing step resonated through the stone walls as he carefully scanned his surroundings. In each cell, he noticed the weariness and despair etched on the faces of the locked-up gladiators. The cold dampness seeped from the stone walls with each step, creating a suffocating atmosphere.
As Ash entered, the gladiators' gazes briefly flickered with hope. Dozens of eyes followed him through the iron bars. Each face bore the fatigue and pain of battle.
One of the gladiators spoke with a trembling voice, "What are you doing here? What is happening?"
Seeing that the gladiators were unaware of the current situation, Ash paused briefly, pondering his words. Then, in a cold and resolute voice that echoed eerily off the damp dungeon walls, he began to speak.
"For years, you have mingled your blood with the earth in these dark corners. You have lived like shadows under the tyranny of your masters. For a scrap of food, you have trampled your honor and pride. The darkness of these dungeons has seeped into the walls, but today, the doors of this decrepit prison will be thrown wide open."
Ash fixed his gaze on the bewildered expressions of the gladiators. As he spoke, he wanted to see the impact of his words reflected in each of their faces.
"The filth of these dungeons will no longer be your filth. Today, you will rise again from blood and soil. You will break free from the yoke of your masters and step into freedom. You, who have languished in the darkness, will now become warriors of liberty."
Ash continued, raising his voice slightly to ensure it reached every ear present.
"Listen to me carefully. Today, in the darkest hour of war, those like you who were born from shadows will find the light. Break the chains of your masters, for today you will reclaim not only your lives but your honor. Join us, taste the thrill of battle and freedom. Today will be the day when slaves stand against their masters."
Ash's cold and resolute voice echoed in the minds of the gladiators. Each of them, weary of living in the corners of these dark dungeons, searching for freedom, found a new hope as warriors. Under Ash's leadership, he promised to transform them into free individuals, reclaiming not just their lives but their dignity as well.
"You may not know what's happening right now," he said, his voice icy cold. "Allow me to explain briefly."
Ash stepped forward, locking his gaze into the eyes of each gladiator. Every word he spoke seemed to hang in the air like a frozen blade, sharp and clear.
"You have rotted in these dungeons, nourishing these stone walls with your blood and sweat. Your lives have been spent serving the whims of your masters. But today, you have the opportunity to rise from this darkness. Today is the day you step from slavery into warriors."
As he finished his words, the coldness in his voice did not waver for a moment. Each word echoed in the minds of the gladiators, shaking them to their core, seeping into their hearts.
"Today, you have the chance to take revenge for everything your masters have done to you. You have the chance to reclaim your honor and your freedom. Now, make your choice: Either remain condemned to death as mere shadows in this dark dungeon, or come with us and fight to earn your freedom."
Ash's cold and ruthless words ignited the fire within the gladiators. Those trapped in the dark corners of the dungeon seemed reborn with Ash's determination and courage.
"We have entered the capital and our armies have decimated a large portion of the garrison. But my true purpose has not yet been fulfilled," he said, his eyes gleaming with resolve. "My goal awaits me in the burning tower outside."
With these words, Ash captured the full attention of the gladiators. Faces hidden in darkness began to emerge one by one, feeling the weight of his words.
"Therefore," he continued, his voice maintaining its chilling composure, "you will heed my words to avoid becoming mere fodder for the thousands of soldiers approaching from the city outskirts."
Stepping forward, Ash locked eyes with each gladiator. His voice echoed off the stone walls of the dungeon, deepening the surrounding silence.
"If you do not wish to rot away in these dark dungeons, you will fight alongside me. Under my leadership, you will reclaim this city and your own freedom. Listen to me, and you can escape this dark and cursed place to become true warriors of freedom."
As Ash concluded his words, the determination and stern expression on his face swept away the fear and hesitation within the gladiators.
Continuing his speech, Ash's voice took on an even colder and more authoritative tone. He carefully chose his words, each one cutting through the air like a knife as he looked into the eyes of the gladiators.
"Once we escape from here, you are free to do as you wish," he said, his voice echoing off the dark walls of the dungeon. "However, I must add this: if I leave you here and you act on your own, let's be realistic, you will be crushed like a fly."
With these words, Ash clearly illustrated the dire situation the gladiators were in. Each one contemplated the truth in his words. The darkness of the dungeon, combined with Ash's cold and stern voice, intensified the hopelessness among the gladiators.
"I have a plan to get us out of here," Ash said, his voice now somewhat softer but still resolute. "If you follow my lead, we can all make it out of here alive. But remember, if we don't act together, we will die here."
The gladiator, intimidatingly massive, stepped out of his open cell and fixed his gaze on Ash. His face was lined with deep scars, remnants of past battles. The gleaming helmet on his head emitted a menacing shine. This man facing Ash had been through numerous wars, a seasoned warrior.
Approaching slowly with firm steps, the gladiator asked, "Who are you, and why are you fighting?"
Ash met the gaze of the burly man and replied with a calm yet firm tone. His posture was upright, quiet, and resolute. His weathered leather jacket bore the marks of time, and his face carried deep lines, symbolic of a warrior who had witnessed many battles. His eyes reflected painful memories of the past but also a sharp determination for the future.
"Who I am doesn't matter," Ash said, his voice cool and collected. The hardness in his tone reflected the hardships and pains he had endured. "All I want you to know is that this kingdom has meddled in my affairs."
Ash's words suddenly created tension in the room. In that moment, the atmosphere shifted, and everyone felt his seriousness and dangerous potential.
The massive gladiator, after pondering for a moment, removed his helmet and turned to the other gladiators around him. He continued, "For years, we have lived in these lands like a dark shadow. But enough is enough! We are not slaves, not playthings of our masters. We are gladiators, and in this arena, we will fight one last time to win our freedom!"
Upon hearing these words, a wave of determination spread among the other gladiators in the arena. The strongest among them believed in the promise of freedom, fueling their resolve even more.
The doors of the cells slowly creaked open, each one unlocked by other gladiators. With the metallic sound echoing, the doors that had been locked for so long finally opened to freedom. With hope and determination in their eyes, each gladiator stepped out as their doors opened.
The corridors of the dungeon were now filled with hope and defiance. Each gladiator felt the freedom they had regained under Ash's leadership, but it was too early to celebrate. It was now time to exit and escape from this challenging arena.