The night was still, but Lukas couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. His brief glimpse of the shadowy figure earlier had left him uneasy, but he knew it was a warning—the Dark Commander was closer than he had thought. The air itself seemed to buzz with tension, the soldiers in the camp silent as they prepared for what would likely be the toughest battle yet.
Lukas stood before the flickering flames of a fire, his thoughts racing. Every piece of the puzzle, every rumor, every shadow pointed to the fact that the Dark Commander was more than just a skilled warrior; he was a master of dark arts and a foe unlike any Lukas had ever faced.
"Zane," Lukas said, his voice cutting through the quiet.
Zane appeared at his side almost instantly, his expression unreadable but his loyalty unwavering.
"I need you to scout the surrounding area," Lukas said, keeping his voice low. "Whatever we saw earlier wasn't a coincidence. I want to know where the Dark Commander's forces are moving."
Zane nodded without a word and slipped into the shadows, his form disappearing as he moved swiftly and silently through the camp.
Lukas returned to the command tent, where Marcus, Ikar, Darian, and Vespera were gathered, discussing their next move. The skirmish earlier had given them some breathing room, but they all knew that the real battle was still ahead.
Marcus was the first to speak, his voice a low rumble. "The Dark Commander won't wait much longer. His forces are massing, and when they strike, they'll hit hard."
Ikar nodded, his hand resting on the Wind-Splitter Spear. "We can't let him dictate the terms of the battle. We need to find him before he finds us."
"Easier said than done," Vespera added, twirling one of her Flame-Edge Swords in her hand. "He's been hiding in the shadows, watching us. It feels like he's waiting for something."
Lukas remained quiet for a moment, his mind working through the possibilities. The Dark Commander's tactics were unconventional, and his use of dark arts made him unpredictable. Lukas knew they couldn't fight this battle the way they had fought previous ones.
"We need to turn his advantage against him," Lukas finally said. "If he's hiding, it's because he wants us to make the first mistake. We're not going to give him that satisfaction."
Darian grunted in agreement, his fingers drumming on the handle of the Thunderclap Halberd. "So what's the plan?"
"We're going to use the terrain to our advantage," Lukas explained, his fingers tracing the map on the table. "There's a valley north of here. It's isolated and difficult to navigate, which is exactly why the Dark Commander won't expect us to move through it."
Marcus leaned in, studying the map closely. "You're suggesting we take the fight to him in the most dangerous part of the region?"
"Yes," Lukas replied. "We'll lure him into the valley, where his numbers and dark arts won't matter as much. We'll turn his ambush into a trap of our own."
The group exchanged glances, and one by one, they nodded in agreement. It was a dangerous plan, but it was their best chance to turn the tide.
---
The following morning, Lukas and his elite soldiers moved out, leaving the majority of their forces to defend the camp while they ventured into the valley. The terrain was rough, with jagged cliffs and narrow paths that made any large-scale battle nearly impossible. But that was exactly what Lukas wanted.
As they descended deeper into the valley, the oppressive weight of the dark energy surrounding them became more palpable. Lukas could feel it gnawing at the edges of his Ether, a cold, malevolent presence that seemed to drain the very life from the air.
Zane reappeared from the shadows, his expression grim. "The Dark Commander's forces are on the move. They're coming."
Lukas drew Stormbreaker, the familiar hum of the saber calming his nerves. "Good. Let's give them a proper welcome."
The Dark Commander's forces moved into the valley as Lukas had predicted. They were cautious, their numbers smaller than expected, but they were skilled. The darkness clung to them like a cloak, making them difficult to spot in the shadows.
But Lukas's soldiers were ready. Hidden along the cliffs, Ikar, Darian, and Vespera waited for the signal. Marcus stood beside Lukas, his greatsword Earthshaker ready to crush the ground beneath the enemy's feet.
Lukas raised his hand, and with a sharp, almost invisible movement, Ikar struck first. His spear flew through the air, its Wind element slicing through the darkness like a razor, impaling the first enemy before they even knew what hit them.
Chaos erupted as the Drevyn forces scrambled to respond, but it was too late. Darian leaped from his hiding spot, his Thunderclap Halberd crashing into the ground with the force of a thunderbolt, sending shockwaves through the enemy ranks. The lightning danced along the metal, stunning those nearby as they struggled to regain their footing.
Vespera, with her Flame-Edge Swords, became a blur of fire and steel, cutting down anyone who dared to come close. Her movements were fluid, deadly, and relentless, leaving a trail of flames in her wake.
Lukas joined the fray, Stormbreaker crackling with both Wind and Lightning. Each strike was precise, his enemies falling one after another as he moved through the battlefield with deadly efficiency. The air itself seemed to bend to his will, guiding his movements and amplifying his attacks.
But just as the battle seemed to be turning in their favor, a cold wind swept through the valley, carrying with it the unmistakable presence of the Dark Commander.
Lukas froze, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the battlefield. There, at the far end of the valley, a figure cloaked in shadows appeared, his dark aura swirling around him like a storm.
"It's him," Zane muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
The Dark Commander stepped forward, his eyes glowing with malevolent energy. The air around him seemed to warp, the darkness growing thicker as he drew closer. Lukas could feel the weight of his power pressing down on them, an oppressive force that made it hard to breathe.
"You've fought well, Lukas Veridan," the Dark Commander's voice echoed through the valley, cold and mocking. "But this is where your story ends."
Lukas tightened his grip on Stormbreaker, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew this fight was coming, but now, standing face to face with the Dark Commander, the full weight of what he was up against became clear.
This wasn't just a battle for the eastern frontier. This was a battle for the future of Valeria.