"Release!" King Thorian commanded, his voice ringing with the authority of a monarch who would not be denied. The second fireball, even more potent than the first, shot out from the circle of mages, roaring through the air with unstoppable force. All eyes were on the blazing orb as it hurtled toward the forest. But just like before, it collided with the invisible barrier and exploded in a burst of light and heat, the energy dispersing harmlessly across the veil that shielded the Galdorian forces.
"Again!" Thorian's voice echoed, undeterred by the repeated failure. The mages, though weary, responded immediately, channeling their energy to form yet another fireball.
Meanwhile, the battle had intensified. The Galdorian archers, emboldened by their magical defenses, unleashed volley after volley of arrows and spears. The air was thick with the deadly projectiles, and the Alanorian forces struggled to maintain their shield wall. Casualties mounted with every barrage; the cries of the wounded and dying mingled with the clash of metal and the thrum of bowstrings.
The allied mages continued their relentless assault, hurling one fireball after another at the barrier. By the time the fourth fireball struck, the strain on the Galdorian defenses was beginning to show. The barrier shimmered and wavered, and then, to the astonishment of all, a faint crack appeared in the seemingly impenetrable wall of magic.
Maria's eyes lit up with triumph. She had cleverly directed the magic to concentrate the attacks on a single point, steadily wearing down the barrier's strength. As the fifth fireball was launched, the crack widened, and with a deafening roar, the barrier finally shattered. The energy dissipated into the air, and a few embers fell onto the trees below, igniting small fires that quickly began to spread.
The resistance from the Galdorian side diminished significantly after the fourth fireball. As the mages prepared to unleash the sixth, they encountered almost no opposition. The fireball formed rapidly in the sky, a testament to the coordination and determination of the allied forces. When it was released, it streaked across the sky and slammed into the forest, instantly obliterating a large swath of trees. The flames leaped from tree to tree, intensifying as they spread, consuming everything in their path.
Thorian waited for a few moments, watching as the fire raged through the forest, before giving the signal to Anabella. It was time to extinguish the flames before they got out of control.
Anabella, the elder water mage from Pita, stepped forward, her eyes closed in concentration. She was joined by three other Pita mages who had been standing by, conserving their strength for this moment. Together, they began to weave their spells, their hands tracing intricate patterns in the air. Dark clouds gathered above the burning forest, heavy with the promise of rain.
With a final gesture, Anabella and her mages ignited the spark within their spell, and the clouds burst open. A torrential downpour descended upon the forest, quenching the flames with a hiss of steam. Within moments, the inferno was reduced to smoldering embers, and the fire was completely extinguished. But as the flames died, the rain created a thick fog that quickly enveloped the entire area, shrouding the battlefield in an impenetrable mist.
King Thorian peered into the fog, straining to see beyond the curtain of smoke and vapor, but it was no use. The battlefield was obscured, and the soldiers around him shifted uneasily, their vision obscured, their senses on high alert.
Sebastian and Samuel, however, were not fooled by the apparent stillness. Both men were attuned to the subtle vibrations in the earth, a skill honed through years of experience and mastery over their respective abilities. Their expressions grew grim as they detected the tremors of a massive force moving towards them.
"They're coming," Samuel shouted, his voice carrying over the din of the rain. The ground beneath their feet began to shake, the unmistakable sign of a large-scale charge.
"Prepare for impact! Shield wall!" The commanders at the front quickly relayed the orders, and the Alanorian infantry snapped into action, raising their shields and bracing for the imminent collision.
Meanwhile, Thorian focused his magic once more, directing a powerful gust of wind to blow the fog away. The mist swirled and then dispersed, revealing the true horror of what lay beyond.
Charging through the cleared space where the forest once stood was the full might of the Galdorian army. Over thirty thousand soldiers, their faces set in grim determination, surged forward in a relentless wave. To the shock of the Alanorian forces, it was clear that the Galdorian troops had suffered no casualties from the firestorm. They had retreated just in time, avoiding the brunt of the damage. Now, they were coming in full force, ready to crush the Alanorian army underfoot. The sight was terrifying.
"Shield wall," a command went up, as the Alanorian front line smoothly arranged their shields to form a sturdy wall, ready to brace the impact.