Dawn broke with an eerie stillness as the soldiers prepared to move out. The tension was palpable, hanging heavy over the camp like the fog that clung to the ground. Men whispered quietly to one another, checking their weapons and armor, steeling themselves for the battle to come. Lukas stood with Zane near the front lines, his heart pounding with a mix of anxiety and anticipation.
The plan was bold. Kalen had convinced Captain Thorn and the other officers that the best defense was a decisive offense. They would strike at the Drevyn rebels before they could mount another attack, catching them off guard and breaking their momentum. It was risky, but if it worked, it would change the course of the war.
Lukas tightened the straps on his armor, feeling the weight of the saber at his side. The Ether flowed quietly through him, a steady pulse of energy that gave him strength. He had spent the previous night in deep concentration, trying to push his connection with the Ether further, but he was still only scratching the surface. He was close to unlocking the next stage—he could feel it—but the battle would be his true test.
Zane stretched beside him, his usual grin replaced by a more serious expression. "You ready for this?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," Lukas replied, his eyes scanning the ranks of soldiers gathering around them. "We're hitting them hard. We don't get a second chance."
Zane nodded, his hands resting on the hilts of his short swords. "I don't like that we're going into their territory, but we've got no choice. This is the best shot we've got."
Lukas agreed silently. It was dangerous to march into the heart of enemy territory, but if they didn't, the Drevyns would be the ones marching on them—only with greater numbers and a renewed sense of vengeance.
Across the camp, Kalen stood with Aurelia, the two of them discussing last-minute details of the strategy. Kalen's tall figure exuded authority, his armor pristine despite the wear of previous battles. Aurelia, dressed in her fitted battle armor, looked fierce and focused, her rapier at her side gleaming faintly in the early morning light.
Lukas watched her for a moment, his thoughts drifting back to their conversation the day before. There was more to Aurelia than the sharp-tongued warrior she presented. He could sense the weight of expectation that had been placed on her, the burden of duty she bore as the prodigy of her house. It was something they had in common, though their paths had been very different.
She caught his gaze from across the camp, her eyes narrowing slightly in that familiar way. Lukas smirked, giving her a slight nod. Aurelia's expression softened for just a moment—barely noticeable—before she turned back to her brother.
"You should go talk to her," Zane said, nudging Lukas with his elbow. "You're supposed to be her betrothed, after all."
Lukas shot him a sideways glance. "She's not exactly the warm and friendly type."
Zane laughed, though it was a quiet sound, weighed down by the tension in the air. "No, but she saved your life. Maybe that's her way of showing affection."
Lukas couldn't help but chuckle, though the truth of Zane's words lingered in his mind. "Maybe. Or maybe she just didn't want to deal with the hassle of me dying on her watch."
Zane shrugged. "Could be that, too."
A trumpet sounded, cutting through the murmur of the camp. Soldiers straightened, their hands moving to their weapons as Kalen and Captain Thorn approached the front of the ranks. The time had come.
Kalen's voice rang out, firm and clear. "We move out in ten minutes. Our scouts report that the Drevyns are camped less than half a day's march from here, deep in the forest. We'll take them by surprise and end this before they have a chance to mount another assault."
Captain Thorn stepped forward, his eyes sweeping over the soldiers. "Stay sharp, stay disciplined. We're marching into enemy territory, and the moment we engage, it's going to be chaos. Trust in your training. Trust in each other."
The soldiers nodded grimly, the weight of their words settling over them like a heavy blanket. This was it—the moment that would determine the fate of the eastern front.
Lukas felt his heart race as he joined the others in the march. The sound of boots hitting the ground in unison, the rustle of armor and weapons, all created a rhythm that matched the pounding in his chest. Zane walked beside him, his eyes scanning their surroundings with the alertness of someone used to battle.
The forest loomed ahead, thick with trees that stretched high into the sky, their branches tangled like twisted fingers. The further they marched, the denser the foliage became, the sounds of the camp and the outside world fading away into the background. Soon, the only sounds were those of the soldiers, their breathing, and the occasional birdcall from above.
Lukas tightened his grip on the hilt of his saber, the Ether in his body stirring as if in response to the growing tension. He focused inward, trying to summon the system's analysis, hoping for any tactical insight that might help them navigate the coming battle.
[System Alert: Scanning Environment...]
Drevyn forces detected ahead. Estimated numbers: 200. Elites present. Use caution when engaging.
Lukas frowned, sharing the information with Zane in a low voice. "There's a lot of them. And they've got their elites with them."
Zane's expression darkened. "Figures. We'll have to be smart about this."
The march continued for what felt like hours, the soldiers moving quietly through the underbrush. Kalen had split them into several smaller groups, hoping to surround the Drevyn camp and catch them from all sides. Lukas's group was assigned to the left flank, with Aurelia leading the charge.
They moved in silence, their footfalls muffled by the soft earth and fallen leaves. Lukas could feel the tension mounting with each step, his senses on high alert. The forest seemed to close in around them, the trees casting long shadows that made it difficult to see far ahead.
Suddenly, Aurelia raised her hand, signaling the group to halt. She crouched low, her eyes scanning the area ahead. Lukas and Zane followed suit, crouching behind a cluster of bushes.
Aurelia's voice was barely a whisper as she spoke. "The Drevyn camp is just ahead. We'll wait for Kalen's signal before we move in. Stay quiet."
Lukas nodded, his heart hammering in his chest. The plan was simple—strike hard, strike fast, and overwhelm the Drevyn forces before they had a chance to react. But simple plans rarely survived the chaos of battle.
They waited in silence, the minutes stretching on like hours. Lukas could hear the faint rustling of leaves in the wind, the distant sound of a stream somewhere in the forest. Every sound seemed amplified, each one setting his nerves on edge.
Then, without warning, a horn blared in the distance—the signal to attack.
Aurelia shot to her feet, her rapier gleaming in the early morning light. "Move!" she hissed, and the soldiers surged forward.
Lukas sprinted alongside Zane, his heart racing as they charged through the trees, the sound of battle already beginning to echo through the forest. As they neared the Drevyn camp, the first wave of enemies came into view—Drevyn soldiers scrambling to defend themselves from the sudden onslaught.
The clash of steel rang out as the two sides collided. Lukas drew his saber, the Ether in his body flaring to life as he cut down the first Drevyn soldier who came at him. The system highlighted weak points in his enemies' armor, guiding his strikes with precision.
But the Drevyns were well-prepared. Their elites moved through the ranks with deadly efficiency, their dark magic-imbued weapons cutting through Valerian armor like it was nothing.
Lukas ducked beneath a swing, his saber flashing as he parried an attack from one of the Drevyn elites. The man was fast, stronger than the others, and Lukas could feel the strain of the fight as their blades clashed again and again.
"Zane!" Lukas shouted, struggling to hold his ground.
Zane was beside him in an instant, his short swords flashing as he engaged another elite. "I've got your back!"
But even with Zane's help, Lukas could feel the tide turning against them. The Drevyn forces were larger than they had anticipated, and the elites were stronger—far stronger than Lukas had expected.
His heart pounded in his chest as he deflected another blow, his body moving on instinct. The Ether inside him surged, but it wasn't enough. He needed more power—he needed to reach the next level.
And then, just as he was beginning to falter, Aurelia appeared at his side, her rapier slicing through the air with deadly precision. She moved like a whirlwind, her strikes so fast they were almost impossible to follow.
"Don't fall behind!" she shouted, her voice fierce as she cut down a Drevyn elite with ease.
Lukas gritted his teeth, determination flaring within him. He wouldn't fall behind. Not now. Not ever.