Across the battlefield, Galdor soldiers watched with mounting dread as the massive fireball began to form above the treetops. The sight was awe-inspiring and terrifying, a searing spear of flame, five meters in diameter, radiating a heat that could be felt even from the distance. The Galdorian soldiers, hidden within the dense forest, could hardly believe their eyes. Murmurs of fear spread through their ranks as they realized the power that was about to be unleashed upon them.
The Galdorian commander, a seasoned veteran with scars crisscrossing his face, quickly recognized the danger. His voice, sharp and commanding, cut through the rising panic. "Archers, ready your bows! Fire at will!" he ordered, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.
The command was met with swift obedience. The forest canopy came alive with movement as Galdor archers drew their bows and released a torrent of arrows into the sky. The arrows whistled through the air, their deadly tips glinting in the fading light as they arced towards the Alanorian mages.
But King Thorian had anticipated this move. With a calm yet authoritative gesture of his palm, he unleashed a powerful wind spell. The air around him swirled and surged forward, a wall of force that collided with the incoming arrows. Most of the arrows were swept away, spiraling harmlessly to the ground. However, a few arrows still found their mark, striking the soldiers at the frontline. Fortunately, the armor held, and no serious injuries were inflicted.
Galdor's archers, not deterred, swiftly nocked another volley of arrows. The order was given to fire again, and the arrows flew once more, but by then, the fireball was ready. It had grown into a massive spear of flame, five meters in diameter, its heat palpable even from the ground.
"Release!" King Thorian commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos.
The massive spear of flame shot forward with a roar, hurtling towards the Galdorian forces. Its heat was so intense that even the Alanorian soldiers on the ground felt it searing their skin. The fireball cut through the air like a comet, leaving a trail of scorched ozone in its wake. All eyes followed its path as it streaked towards the jungle, where it was expected to annihilate the enemy forces in one devastating blow.
But as the fireball descended upon the treetops, something unexpected happened. Instead of crashing into the forest and igniting everything in its path, the fireball exploded mid-air. The flames spread outwards but were halted by an invisible barrier, a transparent veil that shimmered for a brief moment before dissipating the fiery energy into nothingness. The trees beneath remained untouched, shielded by the powerful magical defenses that the Galdorian mages had erected.
The Galdorian troops cheered as their mages' defenses held strong, while the sight of the fireball's failure sent a ripple of doubt through the Alanorian ranks. Princess Maria and Grand Duke Sebastian exchanged worried glances, their confidence wavering.
Thorian's expression hardened. "Again!" he shouted.
The Alanorian mages quickly regrouped, focusing their energy once more. As they did, another volley of arrows was launched from the Galdorian side. Thorian, ever vigilant, unleashed his wind spell again, but this time, the Galdorians had mixed in several spears with their arrows. The spears, heavier and less affected by the wind, sliced through the air and descended upon the Alanorian forces.
"Shields!" the commanders shouted in unison.
The infantry at the front quickly raised their shields, forming a protective wall. The spears struck with a metallic clang, most of them bouncing off the sturdy shields. But some found gaps in the formation, slipping through and inflicting casualties among the troops. Cries of pain echoed as soldiers fell, their blood staining the ground.
Despite the losses, the Alanorian army held its ground. The mages, their faces etched with determination, continued their work. The new fireball slowly began to take shape, even larger and more intense than the first.