The sun was just beginning to rise when Lukas and Zane were roused from their tent by the sound of heavy footsteps outside. The quiet murmurs of soldiers preparing for battle filled the camp, their movements swift and purposeful. This was no ordinary patrol; everyone could feel it in the air. The Drevyn rebels were growing bolder by the day, and today would likely bring bloodshed.
Lukas stretched, feeling the weight of his saber hanging from his waist. The tension in his chest hadn't eased since the night before, but there was something new there now—excitement. The anticipation of battle coursed through him, fueled by the system's promise of unlocking new abilities once he engaged in his first real fight.
Zane was already up and strapping on his short swords, his face calm but focused. "You ready?" he asked, glancing over at Lukas.
Lukas nodded, tightening the straps of his armor. "As ready as I'll ever be."
A soldier appeared at the entrance of their tent, his expression serious. "Captain Thorn wants you with the vanguard," he said. "The scouts spotted Drevyn movement not far from here. We're expecting contact within the hour."
Lukas and Zane exchanged a glance before following the soldier out into the camp. The atmosphere was tense, every man preparing himself for the coming battle. The camp, normally filled with chatter and the clamor of weapons, was eerily quiet now. Soldiers moved in tight formations, checking their gear and saying silent prayers to gods they hoped would protect them.
They were led to Captain Thorn, who stood at the front of a group of seasoned warriors. His face was set in a grim expression, his armor battered but ready for the fight ahead. He glanced at Lukas and Zane as they approached, his eyes cold and calculating.
"Hope you two are ready," Thorn said without preamble. "This isn't going to be a clean skirmish. The Drevyns have been probing our defenses for weeks. They're expecting us to be weak."
"We're ready," Lukas replied, meeting Thorn's gaze with steady resolve.
Thorn grunted. "We'll see about that. Stick close to me and the rest of the vanguard. I won't have time to babysit you, but if you get yourself killed, that's on you."
Lukas nodded, his grip tightening around the hilt of his saber. He wasn't here to prove himself to Thorn—he was here to survive.
The vanguard marched in near silence, the only sound being the crunch of their boots on the dirt path and the occasional creak of armor. They were headed toward a narrow valley where the Drevyns had been spotted earlier by scouts. It was the perfect place for an ambush, and the tension among the soldiers was palpable.
Lukas kept his eyes on the path ahead, his mind focused on what the system had revealed about the coming battle. He knew the moment they engaged the enemy, the system would unlock new tactical insights—something that could make all the difference in the heat of combat.
They reached the valley just as the sun rose fully into the sky, casting long shadows across the rocky terrain. The soldiers fanned out, taking up defensive positions along the ridgeline and the narrow path leading into the valley. Lukas and Zane stood near the center of the formation, their senses heightened as they scanned the horizon for any sign of movement.
Thorn raised a hand, signaling for silence. The soldiers froze, their eyes locked on the distant treeline. For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves.
Then, a faint rustle. The crack of a twig.
Lukas's heart raced as he squinted at the distant shadows. He couldn't see anything yet, but the feeling of impending danger was unmistakable.
"Here they come," Thorn muttered, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
The tension in the air snapped as a volley of arrows suddenly whistled through the sky, descending on the Valerian soldiers like rain. Men shouted, raising their shields as the arrows thudded into the dirt around them. Lukas ducked behind a rock, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Hold the line!" Thorn roared, drawing his sword as the first wave of Drevyn rebels charged out of the trees.
They came in a wild, screaming rush, their ragged armor and crude weapons a stark contrast to the disciplined Valerian soldiers. But what they lacked in equipment, they made up for in sheer ferocity. The clash of steel filled the air as the two sides collided, the valley erupting into chaos.
Lukas sprang to his feet, drawing his saber just as the system chimed in his mind.
[System Alert: Battlefield Awareness Unlocked]
Tactical analysis engaged. Highlighting enemy positions and weaknesses.
Suddenly, the battlefield came into sharp focus. Lukas could see the rebels moving through the trees, their positions marked by faint blue outlines in his vision. Weak points in their formation flashed red, and the system offered suggestions for counterattacks.
"Zane, stay close!" Lukas shouted, his voice barely audible over the din of battle.
Zane nodded, already engaged in a fierce duel with one of the rebels. His short swords flashed in the sunlight, moving with lethal precision as he parried and struck in quick succession.
Lukas's attention snapped back to his own fight as a Drevyn rebel charged at him, a wild look in his eyes. The man swung a crude axe, but the system highlighted the weak point in his stance—an overextension that left his side vulnerable.
Lukas moved instinctively, stepping to the side and driving his saber into the rebel's exposed flank. The man crumpled to the ground, his weapon clattering from his hand.
Another rebel rushed at him, but this time Lukas was ready. The system's tactical insights guided his movements, and he parried the incoming strike with ease, countering with a swift slash that left the man staggering.
The battle raged around him, but Lukas felt a strange sense of calm. The system's guidance was invaluable, turning the chaos of combat into something he could manage—something he could control.
But it wasn't just the system. It was his training, his experience, and the bond he shared with Zane. Together, they fought as one, their movements synchronized as they cut through the rebels.
Despite the initial chaos of the ambush, the Valerian soldiers held their ground. Captain Thorn moved through the battlefield like a whirlwind, his sword cleaving through the rebels with brutal efficiency. His presence alone seemed to bolster the morale of the soldiers, and soon, the tide of the battle began to turn.
The Drevyn rebels, once so fierce in their assault, began to falter. Their lines broke as the Valerian forces pushed forward, pressing the advantage.
Lukas and Zane fought side by side, cutting down any rebels that came too close. The system continued to provide tactical insights, but Lukas had grown more confident in his own abilities as the battle wore on. He no longer relied solely on the system—he trusted his instincts.
"Look out!" Zane shouted, pointing to a group of rebels attempting to flank them from the left.
Lukas turned just in time to see the group approaching, their weapons raised. Without hesitation, he moved to intercept them, the system marking the leader of the group as the primary threat.
The rebel leader was larger than the others, his armor pieced together from scraps of metal and leather. He wielded a massive warhammer, and his eyes burned with rage as he charged toward Lukas.
Lukas braced himself, gripping his saber tightly. The system flashed a warning—this was no ordinary rebel. His strength and endurance were far higher than the others they had faced.
But Lukas wasn't afraid. He had come too far to falter now.
The rebel leader swung his warhammer in a wide arc, aiming to crush Lukas with a single blow. But the system highlighted the opening in his attack, and Lukas sidestepped at the last moment, his saber flashing upward to strike at the man's exposed arm.
The rebel leader howled in pain, dropping his weapon as blood poured from the wound. Lukas didn't hesitate—he followed up with a swift strike to the man's chest, driving his blade deep.
The leader crumpled to the ground, his eyes wide with shock as the life drained from him.
Lukas stood over the body, breathing heavily. Around him, the battle was winding down. The rebels, leaderless and disorganized, were either fleeing or surrendering.
It was over.
---
As the dust settled and the remaining rebels were rounded up by the Valerian soldiers, Lukas found himself standing in the middle of the battlefield, his saber still dripping with blood. The system's tactical insights faded, and the world returned to its usual clarity.
Zane approached him, wiping the blood from his short swords. "You did good out there," he said, his tone impressed. "That system of yours is something else."
Lukas nodded, though his mind was still racing. The system had been invaluable, but it was more than that. For the first time since arriving in this world, Lukas felt like he was truly in control of his destiny. He wasn't just reacting to events—he was shaping them.
Captain Thorn approached, his expression unreadable as he surveyed the battlefield. He gave Lukas a long, appraising look before speaking.
"You fought well," Thorn said gruffly. "Better than I expected."
Lukas met his gaze, his voice steady. "We're here to prove ourselves. And we will."
Thorn grunted, nodding once before turning away. "We'll see."
The battle was over, but the weight of it still hung in the air. Bodies littered the ground, both Valerian soldiers and Drevyn rebels, while the few remaining rebels were being taken prisoner or driven away. Blood soaked into the dirt beneath Lukas's boots as he stood there, his body trembling with the adrenaline that had carried him through the fight.
Zane approached, sheathing his short swords. "You alright?" he asked, his voice low.
Lukas nodded, but he wasn't entirely sure. His hands were still shaking, the reality of what they had just survived sinking in. "I'm fine," he said after a moment, his voice steadier than he felt. "Just... taking it all in."
"You did more than just survive," Zane said, his eyes filled with a mix of pride and respect. "You took down that rebel leader like he was nothing."
Lukas glanced down at the body of the massive rebel leader, his saber still clutched tightly in his hand. The system had helped him, guided him through the fight, but it had been his own instincts that had delivered the killing blow.
"I had to," Lukas replied simply. "There wasn't a choice."
Before Zane could respond, Captain Thorn approached. He wiped his blade clean, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield with a practiced calm. "You did well out there," he said, his voice gruff but not unkind. "I've seen men twice your age crumble under pressure like that."
Lukas met Thorn's gaze, surprised by the rare note of approval in the captain's voice. "We're here to fight," he said. "We won't back down."
Thorn nodded, sheathing his sword. "Good. Because this was just the beginning. The Drevyns won't stay quiet for long. They'll regroup and come back stronger."
Lukas glanced around at the men gathering the wounded, his mind already working. "What's the plan?"
"We fortify our position," Thorn said. "Make sure we're ready when they return. I'll need every capable hand, and that includes you two."
Zane stepped forward. "We'll help however we can."
Thorn's sharp gaze settled on Lukas. "You showed some skill out there, boy. If you want to continue earning your place here, you'll work with my men on setting up defenses."
Lukas nodded. "We'll get started."
As Thorn moved away to give orders to the rest of his soldiers, Lukas turned to Zane, his expression thoughtful. "That wasn't as bad as I thought it would be," he admitted. "But we're not done yet."
Zane smirked. "We survived our first battle in this world. I'd say that's something."
"Yeah," Lukas agreed. "But Thorn's right. This was just the beginning."
The system pinged softly in Lukas's mind, a reminder of its presence and the advantages it had provided. He focused inward, activating it to check his progress.
[System Update: First Battle Complete]
Experience Gained: 500
Battlefield Awareness: Activated
New Quest Unlocked: Fortify the Eastern Front
Rewards: Ether Awakening Level 1 Unlocked upon Completion
Lukas's eyes widened as he read the last line. He hadn't realized it before, but the completion of this next task would finally allow him to step into the first stage of cultivation: Ether Awakening. His journey would truly begin then.
Zane noticed Lukas's sudden change in expression. "What is it?"
Lukas smiled. "The system's unlocking my first stage of cultivation—after we complete the next mission."
Zane's eyebrows shot up. "Ether Awakening? That's huge. You'll finally be able to start absorbing Ether."
Lukas nodded, excitement bubbling up inside him. "It's a step forward. And with cultivation, we'll both get stronger."
Zane clapped him on the back, his usual humor returning. "You're going to be unstoppable, Lukas. We'll both be gods at this rate."
Lukas chuckled, though he didn't disagree. With the system's guidance, he could see a path toward true power. But there was still much to be done, and the dangers were far from over.
"Let's focus on getting through this first," Lukas said, glancing back at the men fortifying their defenses. "The rebels will be back soon enough, and we'll need every advantage we can get."
---
As the sun began to set, the soldiers worked tirelessly to reinforce their position. Walls of sharpened stakes were erected, traps were set along the perimeter, and sentries were posted at key vantage points. Lukas and Zane worked alongside the others, using the system's insights to make quick decisions about the best defensive strategies.
By the time the camp was fully fortified, the moon had risen high in the sky, casting a pale light over the valley. The air was thick with tension as everyone prepared for the inevitable retaliation from the rebels.
Lukas stood at the edge of the camp, his eyes scanning the darkened treeline. The system had given him a brief reprieve, but he knew that once the fighting started again, it would reactivate, giving him the tactical edge he needed to survive.
Zane joined him, leaning on one of the wooden stakes they had driven into the ground. "Think they'll attack tonight?" he asked.
"Probably," Lukas replied. "They're not the type to give up easily."
Zane sighed, his breath visible in the cold night air. "At least we're ready this time."
Lukas nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his saber. "We'll make it through."
Just as Zane was about to respond, a faint sound echoed through the night—barely audible, but unmistakable. The soft rustle of leaves, the snap of a twig. Lukas's muscles tensed, his senses on high alert. He glanced at Zane, who had heard it too.
"They're coming," Lukas whispered.
Zane's hand flew to his short swords, his posture shifting into one of readiness. "How many?"
Lukas closed his eyes, focusing on the system. The battlefield awareness kicked in, highlighting several shapes moving through the darkness. The Drevyn rebels had returned, and this time, they weren't holding back.
"At least a dozen," Lukas said quietly. "Maybe more."
Zane tightened his grip on his swords. "Looks like we've got another fight on our hands."
Lukas's heart pounded in his chest as the system flashed another alert in his mind.
[System Alert: Incoming Hostiles Detected]
Engage and Defend the Eastern Front. Rewards: Ether Awakening Level 1 Unlocked.
The battle was about to begin again, and this time, there was more at stake. Lukas and Zane shared a look, both knowing that their survival—and their future—depended on what happened next.
"Let's do this," Lukas said, drawing his saber.
Zane grinned, his eyes flashing with anticipation. "Right behind you, brother."