"What the—!" a third minion shouts, only to have the ground beneath him give way, spikes glinting in the moonlight below. His scream is short-lived.
"Traps!" someone yells, panic spreading like wildfire through the ranks of the minions. They scatter in confusion, their previously disciplined march devolving into chaos.
The elite warriors halt in their tracks, the serpent-tattooed man cursing under his breath. "Damn it, leader! They were really expecting us!"
The leader's face hardens, his eyes narrowing. "Hold your ground!" he roars, his voice cutting through the cacophony. But before his words can fully settle, shadows begin to emerge from the village.
From alleys, rooftops, and behind walls, soldiers of the Rion Clan spring into action. Their armor gleams faintly under the moonlight, and their weapons are drawn, ready for blood. The quiet village is suddenly alive with the sound of war cries and the clash of steel.
