Alessia broke the silence, her voice filled with a resolute determination. "We must prepare for their arrival. Kenta, Sarah, I need both of you to lead the defense strategy."
"We need to rally our forces, devise a plan, and ensure the castle's defenses are impenetrable."
Kenta and Sarah nodded, their expressions serious. They knew the battle that was coming would be unlike anything they had encountered before.
"We'll do our best to protect the kingdom," Kenta pledged, his voice filled with determination.
Sarah echoed his sentiments, adding, "We won't let these undead breach our defenses."
The princess, her gaze moving between Kenta and Sarah, nodded with a mix of confidence and worry. "I trust your judgment. We'll follow your lead. But remember, we can't afford any mistakes."
Kenta and Sarah shared a resolute glance. They knew the weight of their responsibility and the stakes they were facing. They had to be the bulwark standing between the undead army and the kingdom, and they were prepared to do whatever it took to defend it.
Alessia spoke again, her voice firm and steady. "I'll rally the troops and gather as many fighters as possible. We'll need all the help we can get if we're to have any chance against this horde."
Kenta and Sarah nodded, acknowledging the importance of a strong defense force. They knew that numbers would play a crucial role in the upcoming battle, and the more fighters they had in their ranks, the better their chances.
"We'll also scout the area and gather as much intel as possible about the enemy's strengths and weaknesses," Sarah added. "We need to know what we're up against if we're to stand a chance."
Kenta followed up, "We'll start working on the defensive fortifications and prepare the castle for a long siege."
Alessia nodded, grateful for their quick thinking and proactive approach. "Good. Time is of the essence. Let's get moving and do what we can to ensure our kingdom's survival."
The undead army continued its slow, relentless march toward the kingdom. The sheer mass of skeletal bodies, corpses, and ghouls filled the landscape like a dark, ominous blanket, stretching as far as the eye could see.
Eclipse, the malevolent leader behind the undead army, stood near the frontlines, a smirk on his face as he observed the vast horde of undead at his command. A feeling of satisfaction washed over him, knowing that his wish had been granted, and now he possessed an army of one billion undead.
The morning after the alarm, the kingdom was mobilized for war. Two million soldiers were called to arms, their faces filled with determination and a hint of fear. Alongside them stood 160 adventurers, their unique skills and abilities making them invaluable assets in the coming battle.
Kenta and Sarah arrived at the frontlines, their eyes taking in the massive army before them. It was a sight to behold, an enormous host of soldiers and adventurers, their numbers far exceeding anything they'd encountered before.
In the distance, flanked by her guards, stood Princess Alessia, her head held high as she observed the preparations for battle. Her expression was a mix of worry and determination, her eyes searching for Kenta and Sarah amidst the sea of warriors.
She spotted them, standing tall amongst the soldiers. A sense of relief washed over her, knowing that two capable and powerful individuals like them were on their side.
Kenta and Sarah caught sight of Alessandra as well, noticing the worried yet resolute expression on her face. They exchanged a quick glance, silently agreeing to do everything in their power to protect her and the kingdom from the approaching horde.
With a roar that echoed through the field, the hordes of undead surged forward, charging towards the lines of soldiers and adventurers. Their numbers were immense, a vast sea of pale, rotting flesh and bone.
The air filled with the clanking of armor, the grinding of weapons against one another, and the guttural howls of the undead. It was a battlefield unlike any other, an apocalyptic scene straight out of nightmares.
The frontlines of the defending army braced themselves for the collision, the ground shaking beneath their feet as the colossal force of the undead army crashed into their ranks.
Chaos erupted as steel clashed against bone, soldiers and adventurers fighting tooth and nail to hold the line. The air was filled with cries of pain, the sound of weapons connecting, and the stench of rot and decay.
Kenta and Sarah fought with exceptional skill and coordination, cutting through the undead with precision and power. Their blades danced through the air, striking down enemy after enemy, but the sheer number of foes was overwhelming.
"How do we stop them?" Sarah asked, her voice filled with frustration as she dispatched another undead warrior. "There's too many of them!"
Kenta gritted his teeth, his eyes scanning the battlefield. "I don't know," he admitted. "But we have to find a way. We can't let them reach the castle!"
Eclipse, the cunning and powerful leader of the undead army, flew high above the battlefield on wings of shadow and wind magic. With a wicked grin on his face, he began casting support magic to strengthen and empower his minions below.
The already formidable undead warriors suddenly gained an additional boost, their strength and resilience amplified by Eclipse's dark magicks. The defending soldiers and adventurers found themselves facing an even tougher challenge, the odds stacked higher against them.
Watching the battle unfold, Alessia's worry grew with each passing moment. She saw the undead army surging forward, their numbers and strength bolstered by the dark magic from Eclipse's support spells.
A guard, his face pale with panicked urgency, approached Princess Alessia. He was clearly terrified, his worry evident in his expression. "Your Highness," he gasped, struggling to catch his breath.
Interrupted by his own fear, the guard tried to speak but seemed unable to form the words. It was clear that whatever news he bore was dire, and Princess Alessia felt her heart quicken with anticipation.
"Speak, guard!" she commanded firmly, her voice wavering only slightly. "What is it? Say it!"
The guard, visibly shaking, managed to force out the words. "T-the demon of battle...Kanji! Naein in AIR!!!...."
Princess Alessia's eyes went wide, her heart skipping a beat as the guard's words registered. Kanji, the Demon of Battle, was in the air and approaching fast. The already dire situation now seemed even more perilous and intense
Kanji appeared as a towering figure, his presence radiating a sense of danger and power. Those who beheld him, whether they be living or undead, felt a primal fear and terror. Even Eclipse, the leader of the undead army, was taken aback. The skeletons and other undead warriors froze in their tracks, their rotting bodies unable to ignore the intimidating aura emanating from the Demon of Battle.
Kenta and the other guards shared shocked expressions, their eyes wide with disbelief and worry. They knew the tales of Kanji's prowess and were now witnessing his fearsome presence firsthand.
Sarah, being from another world and having already encountered Kanji before, was somewhat detached from the fear that gripped others. Her interactions with him in the past had been in a one-on-one fight in a dungeon months ago, which had given her a different perspective. She observed the situation, her expression a mix of curiosity and caution, as the others around her cowered in fear or froze in awe.
Kanji, his gaze fixed on Eclipse, spoke in his usual emotionless, unwavering tone.
"Eclipse," he addressed, his voice carrying a hint of menace. "You've been daring to rule the world"
Eclipse, regaining some of his composure, raised his chin defiantly. "And what of it?" he retorted, his eyes glimmering with determination. "I have the power to make it happen. You cannot stop me."
A cold smile tugged at the corner of Kanji's lips, his eyes narrowing as he assessed his opponent. "You may possess power, Eclipse," he replied, "but true rulership requires more than brute force. It requires wisdom, leadership, and the ability to inspire loyalty. You lack those qualities."
Kanji continued his assessment, his calm demeanor betraying no hint of anger or aggression. "You think you have the potential to lead?" he inquired, his gaze piercing into Eclipse. "But you're not even on the level of an Emperor. Your grasp of power is weak, your leadership skills lacking, and your vision limited. You'll never be able to accomplish the task you seek."
In a swift and almost instantaneous motion, Kanji called upon his supernatural abilities, summoning 30 magic dark circles in the sky. Within moments, the circles unleashed a barrage of dark arrows that sliced through the air, raining down on the undead army below. The arrows, tinged with a malevolent power, struck their targets with devastating force, melting and burning the undead creatures with dark flames.
Kanji, turning his gaze back towards Eclipse, spoke with an air of nonchalant superiority. "Impressive army you have there," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "But do you really think they can stand against me?"
Eclipse gritted his teeth, his confidence shaken by the display of power Kanji had just unleashed. But he refused to back down, his gaze filled with defiance. "You may be strong, Kanji," he replied, his voice trembling slightly, "but you can't defeat us all. Not against a billion undead army."
Kanji's attack continued to wreak havoc, the dark circles in the sky unleashed a relentless barrage of arrows, slicing through the ranks of the undead army. Billions upon billions of the undead creatures, despite their vast numbers, were no match for the scorching power of the dark flames. The army, once a seemingly invincible force, began to dwindle before Kanji's onslaught.
Kanji, as he continued to unleash his powerful attack, spoke with a hint of cold determination. "You may think you're untouchable," he said, his gaze locking with Eclipse's. "But know this, even if you have an army, they can be defeated. And now, let's see how you fare against me directly."
With that, Kanji's magic circles began to take shape around Eclipse, forming an orb of confinement that surrounded him. The orb seemed to pulse with energy, a formidable prison meant to restrain its victim.
The orb of confinement, formed by Kanji's magic, began to burn and constrict around Eclipse. The intense flames seared his flesh, causing unbearable pain. Despite his attempts to break free, the orb held strong, trapping him within its confines.
The sight was gruesome, as Eclipse writhed and screamed in agony. The fire seemed to feed on his essence, drawing out his life force in a slow and torturous manner.
Kanji, his gaze shifting from Eclipse to Princess Alessia, floated mid-air like an ethereal presence. He looked at her with a hint of curiosity, his expression somewhat softer than usual. He seemed to acknowledge her presence, his eyes briefly meeting hers before flickering back to Eclipse's writhing form.
In the blink of an eye, Kanji materialized in front of Princess Alessia, moving with an unnatural speed. It was as if he had teleported, his body suddenly appearing before her without any warning. He stood there, his gaze fixed on her, a hint of intrigue in his usually stoic expression.
"We should talk," Kanji said, his usually emotionless tone carrying a hint of seriousness. His eyes flickered to the still writhing Eclipse, before returning to Princess Alessia. He seemed to be assessing her, studying her demeanor and response.
~Next chapter "tales of Altaria Kingdom"