The remnants of the Lyrion forces staggered back toward their own borders. Once proud and disciplined, the soldiers were now a ragtag band nursing wounds and mourning their fallen comrades. The storm continued to lash at them, rain pouring down in relentless sheets while lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating their weary faces.
As they reached the relative safety of the Lyrion border, the troops began to regroup. Morale was shattered, and whispers about the monstrous creatures that had decimated their ranks spread rapidly. Fear and confusion gripped the survivors, the Ret Raja's terrifying presence etched into their minds.
Captain Velis, now in command after the death of General Thrax, looked over his exhausted soldiers. The responsibility of leadership weighed heavily on him. Their defeat needed to be reported to the Emperor without delay.
"Form up!" Velis called out, his voice cutting through the storm's din. "We need to assess our losses and send a message to the Emperor."
The soldiers gathered around, their movements sluggish and filled with fatigue. Velis's gaze fell on the lifeless body of General Thrax, lying among the fallen. He knelt beside the general and gently closed his eyes, making a silent vow that his sacrifice would not be in vain.
Rising, Velis turned to the nearest messenger. "Prepare to send a message to the Emperor. He must know what happened."
The messenger nodded, his face pale but determined. He took out a piece of parchment and a quill, ready to write down Velis's words.
"Begin," Velis instructed, his voice steady despite the turmoil around him.
"To His Imperial Majesty,
It is with a heavy heart that I report the loss of our esteemed General Thrax in the recent battle. Our forces have suffered a significant defeat at the hands of the Asterios Empire, compounded by the unexpected appearance of these unknown colossal creatures.
These beasts, seemingly awakened from beneath the Golden Marches, wreaked havoc on our troops. Their size and ferocity were unmatched, and we were unable to withstand their assault. Despite our best efforts, we were forced to retreat to our borders to avoid complete annihilation.
The Asterios forces, though formidable, did not pursue us beyond a certain point. The beast ceased their pursuit approximately ten miles from our current position.
I request immediate guidance on how to proceed. The presence of these ancient creatures changes the dynamics of our conflict, and we must devise a strategy to counteract this new threat.
Awaiting your swift response,
Captain Velis"
The messenger finished writing and looked up at Velis, awaiting his approval. Velis nodded, his expression somber.
"Send it immediately," he commanded. "The Emperor must know what we are facing."
The messenger secured the parchment and handed it to a rider, who mounted his horse and rode off into the stormy night, bound for the Lyrion capital.
Velis turned back to his troops, who were tending to the wounded and gathering their fallen comrades. The weight of their defeat was palpable, but they knew they could not afford to despair.
"We will regroup and fortify our position," Velis announced, his voice strong and clear. "We must be ready for whatever comes next. The Emperor will provide us with guidance."
The soldiers nodded in grim determination, tending to their duties with renewed focus. Velis silently vowed that General Thrax's death would not be in vain. They would find a way to overcome this new threat and reclaim their honor on the battlefield. The Lyrion Empire would not be defeated so easily.