The attack came under the cover of darkness. The Shadow King's army, a twisted mass of creatures and dark magic, surged from the forest like a tide of black smoke. Their howls echoed through the air as they slammed against the walls of Elanor, their claws and weapons battering the ancient stone.
Aelric stood on the wall, his heart racing as he watched the chaos unfold below. Soldiers and mages fought valiantly, but the sheer number of the enemy was overwhelming. Shadow Beasts leapt at the walls, their twisted forms clawing their way up with terrifying speed.
"Aelric!" Lyra called, pulling him from his trance. "Now's the time! You must use your magic to hold them back!"
Aelric's hands trembled as he raised them, feeling the familiar warmth of his magic building within him. He closed his eyes, focusing on the light inside, and as he did, the pendant around his neck began to glow. A wave of golden energy surged from his hands, creating a barrier of light that repelled the Shadow Beasts.
For a moment, the creatures hesitated, their dark forms recoiling from the light. But they quickly regrouped, their snarls filling the night as they pushed against the barrier with renewed fury.
"You're doing it!" Lyra shouted, her voice filled with urgency. "But you have to keep it up!"
Aelric gritted his teeth, pouring everything he had into maintaining the barrier. His body shook with the effort, sweat pouring down his face as the magic drained him. He could feel the Shadow King's presence, dark and oppressive, pressing down on him from the distance.
Just when he thought he couldn't hold on any longer, a roar echoed from the sky. A massive figure swooped down from the clouds, its wings beating against the air with incredible force. A dragon, its scales glinting in the moonlight, descended upon the battlefield, breathing fire upon the enemy ranks.
The sight of the dragon sent shockwaves through the Shadow King's army, and for the first time that night, Aelric felt hope spark within him.