The night air was cold and foreboding as Kaelen stood atop the cliff overlooking his encampment. Behind him, the Shadow Battalion emerged from the darkness like phantoms, their blackened armor absorbing the moonlight. These were not ordinary soldiers—they were his elite force, trained in deadly precision and dark magic, their loyalty unquestionable.
Commander Vyn, leader of the Shadow Battalion, knelt before Kaelen, his face obscured by a mask etched with runes. "You summoned us, my lord," he said, his voice low and gravelly.
Kaelen's gaze remained fixed on the horizon. "The rebellion grows bolder. Rathar's failure is an embarrassment I do not intend to repeat." He turned, his cold eyes locking onto Vyn. "I want the rebels crushed. No mercy, no survivors."
Vyn inclined his head. "It will be done. Their sanctuary will burn before the next moon rises."
Kaelen's lips curved into a cruel smile. "Good. But be warned—Mira is no ordinary foe. She is resourceful, and her coalition is desperate. Do not underestimate them."
Vyn rose, his movements fluid and precise. "They will not see us coming."
The Sanctuary Prepares
In the heart of the sanctuary, Mira convened with her core team in the war room. The victory in the pass had bolstered their morale, but the atmosphere was tense—Kaelen's next move was inevitable.
Elara spread a map across the table, marking recent sightings of Kaelen's forces. "Our scouts report unusual activity in the western region," she said. "It's too quiet. I suspect he's regrouping, possibly planning something significant."
Erynn frowned, leaning over the map. "He won't make the same mistake twice. Whatever he's planning, it'll be devastating."
Solen nodded, his expression grim. "We should assume the worst. Kaelen has resources we can't even begin to match."
Mira's eyes narrowed as she studied the map. "Then we need to stay ahead of him. Erynn, double the patrols around the sanctuary. Solen, fortify the defenses. Elara, I want your mages ready for anything—barriers, counter-spells, whatever it takes."
Erynn glanced at Mira. "And you? What will you do?"
"I'll speak to Layla again," Mira said. "She might know something about Kaelen's elite forces. We need every scrap of intelligence we can get."
Layla's Confession
In the dimly lit cell, Layla sat on the cot, her posture tense. She looked up as Mira entered, her expression guarded.
"You again," Layla muttered. "What do you want now?"
Mira crossed her arms. "Information. Kaelen is planning something, and I need to know what."
Layla let out a bitter laugh. "You think he tells us everything? I was a spy, not part of his inner circle."
"You knew about the medallion," Mira countered. "You've been closer to him than most. If there's anything you can tell me, now's the time."
For a moment, Layla was silent. Then she sighed, her shoulders slumping. "There's one thing. He has a special unit—his Shadow Battalion. They're not like the regular soldiers. They're... something else. Faster, stronger, and trained in dark arts. If he's sending them, you're in trouble."
Mira's stomach sank. "How many?"
"Not many," Layla said. "But they don't need numbers. They're lethal."
Mira nodded, her mind racing. "Thank you."
Layla's gaze softened slightly. "Mira... be careful. Kaelen doesn't just want to win. He wants to destroy you."
A Warning from the Shadows
That night, as the sanctuary settled into uneasy quiet, a scout burst into the war room, his face pale and sweat dripping from his brow.
"Mira!" he gasped. "There's... something out there. We found a patrol—they're all dead."
Mira shot to her feet. "Dead? How?"
The scout shook his head, trembling. "It wasn't normal. No wounds, no blood. It's like... like their life was drained out of them."
Erynn cursed under her breath. "Shadow Battalion."
Solen frowned. "We need to act. If they're this close, the sanctuary is already in danger."
Mira nodded. "Gather everyone. We need to move quickly."
Preparing for the Storm
The coalition worked through the night, reinforcing the sanctuary's defenses and setting traps around the perimeter. Mira stood at the gates, her sword in hand, her thoughts racing.
Elara joined her, her expression somber. "I've strengthened the barriers, but against their magic, it won't last long. We'll need to fight smart."
"We'll fight," Mira said firmly. "And we'll survive."
Elara hesitated. "You should know... the Shadow Battalion isn't just dangerous because of their skills. They use fear. They'll try to break us before they even strike."
Mira's grip tightened on her sword. "Then we'll show them we're unbreakable."
The First Attack
Just before dawn, the Shadow Battalion made their move. Like wraiths, they emerged from the darkness, their presence barely detectable until it was too late. The outer traps slowed them, but they pressed on, their dark magic tearing through barriers and soldiers alike.
Mira rallied her forces, her voice cutting through the chaos. "Hold the line! Don't let them through!"
The battle was unlike anything the coalition had faced. The Shadow Battalion moved with unnatural speed, their strikes precise and devastating. But Mira's forces held their ground, fighting with a tenacity born of desperation.
Elara unleashed bursts of light magic, forcing the Shadow Battalion to retreat momentarily. Solen led a counterattack, his sword cutting through the enemy with brutal efficiency.
Despite their losses, the coalition refused to break. Mira herself faced off against one of the Shadow Battalion's commanders, their duel fierce and unrelenting.
"You're strong," the commander sneered. "But strength won't save you."
Mira's blade flashed, catching the commander off guard. "Maybe not. But determination will."
With a final strike, she brought him down.
A Glimpse of Hope
As dawn broke, the Shadow Battalion withdrew, their assault repelled—for now. The sanctuary was battered, but it stood.
Mira surveyed the battlefield, exhaustion etched into her features. "We held them off," she said quietly. "But this is only the beginning."
Erynn placed a hand on her shoulder. "We'll be ready. Whatever Kaelen throws at us next, we'll face it together."
Mira nodded, her resolve hardening. The Shadow Battalion had been a warning, but it was also a test—and they had survived.
Kaelen would come again, but so would their defiance.