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Chapter 36 - Battle of Five Armies

he battle rages on outside the gates of Erebor as the Orc forces continue their relentless assault. Taranis stands beside Thranduil, cutting down Orc after Orc with Anguirel. The battle is at its height, and the sounds of clashing steel and the cries of the wounded fill the air.Thranduil (slicing through an Orc with grace):

"The Orcs will not stop until we are all dead!"

Taranis (gritting his teeth, striking another Orc):

"Then we'll make sure they know the price of crossing us!"

As they fight, a massive Orc warrior swings his blade at Thranduil, aiming for the Elven king's side. Taranis, with lightning-fast reflexes, leaps forward and deflects the blow with Anguirel, sending the Orc's weapon flying.Taranis (shouting to Thranduil as he cuts down the Orc):

"Watch your flank, Thranduil!"

Thranduil (narrowing his eyes in gratitude):

"I see you, Storm. You fight well."

But before Taranis can reply, Azog's forces push forward, and the two are forced to separate. As Taranis continues his fight, Thranduil is struck by an Orc's spear that glances off his armor. In that moment, a huge Warg charges toward him, its rider aiming a spear directly at his chest. Taranis sees this and rushes to the Elven king's aid.Taranis (shouting as he slices through the Warg's rider):

"Move!"

Taranis cuts the rider down, and the Warg stumbles, giving Thranduil a moment to regain his composure. Thranduil, acknowledging the saving blow, gives Taranis a slight nod.Thranduil (with a rare, appreciative tone):

"I owe you one, Storm."

Inside EreborThorin stands in front of the treasure hoard, his eyes wide, wild with greed and madness. Gandalf tries to reach him, but it's no use. Thorin is too far gone, and the hallucinations of Smaug's voice cloud his judgment.Thorin (in a disoriented state, hearing Smaug's voice):

"I will not share my treasure with anyone!"

Smaug's voice (echoing in Thorin's mind):

"You are mine now. Nothing is more precious than gold."

Thorin stumbles, falling to his knees, clutching his chest in agony. His grip on the treasure tightens, his obsession taking hold. Dáin enters the throne room and sees the state Thorin is in.Dáin Ironfoot (shouting in disbelief):

"Thorin! Snap out of it!"

As the madness begins to subside, Thorin's breathing grows heavy, and the hallucinations begin to fade. He stands, steadying himself, and looks at Dáin, realizing the depth of his mistake.Thorin (with regret, shaking his head):

"I... I have lost my mind."

Dáin Ironfoot (placing a hand on his shoulder):

"Aye, but you're not lost yet, lad. We need you."

Thorin looks to the outside of Erebor, the battlefield in chaos.Thorin (steadily, a fire rekindling in his eyes):

"Then let's end this, once and for all."

The battle rages on as Taranis stands at the forefront of the conflict. Orcs and Wargs are being cut down left and right, and the ground beneath him is littered with their corpses. With each strike of his blade, he can feel the familiar surge of power coursing through him. But this time, something is different. His body feels stronger, faster.Taranis (grinning fiercely as he slays another Orc):

"More of them. Keep coming!"

His Anguirel crackles with the energy of his strikes, and as more and more Orcs fall beneath him, the ground shakes with the fury of the battle.Suddenly, the system in his mind flashes:[LEVEL UP! LEVEL 30 REACHED!]New Ability Unlocked: Lightning BoltYou can summon and hurl a devastating Lightning Bolt that causes a massive explosion.Mana Cost: 5 ManaUsable Once Per YearTaranis (stopping mid-swing, his eyes widening in disbelief):

"Lightning Bolt...!"

Just then, an overwhelming force of Orcs rushes at him, their weapons raised. Without hesitation, Taranis lifts his hand into the sky, feeling the full weight of the storm within him. The Lightning Bolt crackles to life, glowing with pure energy.With a single, forceful motion, he hurls the bolt toward the oncoming Orc horde. It strikes the ground with a deafening crack, sending a massive explosion through the ranks of Orcs, blasting them apart with raw electricity.The blast is so intense that it momentarily lights up the battlefield, sending nearby combatants stumbling back from the shockwave.Taranis (breathing heavily, his voice tinged with disbelief):

"By the gods... that was incredible."

However, after the explosion, Taranis feels a sharp pull within him. His mana has been depleted, the energy from his Lightning Bolt consuming all of it.Taranis (gritting his teeth, feeling drained):

"That's it... I've got no more left."

Thranduil (approaching cautiously, still in awe):

"Your power is unlike any I've seen, Storm. You wield lightning like it is nothing more than your will."

Taranis (shrugging, a humble smile on his face):

"It's a gift, though... the cost is steep."

Thranduil (eyes narrowing in thought):

"It is... a powerful gift. But such power comes at a price. You've exhausted your mana, haven't you?"

Taranis (nodding, a little breathless):

"Yes. For now, it's all gone. But there's more to me than just that."

Thranduil (with a nod of approval):

"You are a strange one, Taranis Storm. I have fought many battles, but I've never seen anything like that."

Taranis (looking back at the battlefield, still assessing the damage):

"It's not over yet, Thranduil. We need to finish this before the Orcs regroup."

The Elven King, still in awe of Taranis' display of power, nods solemnly. He turns his attention back to the battle, but not before casting one last, thoughtful glance at the man who has become a force to be reckoned witTaranis (with a grin, trying to steady himself):

"I've used everything I've got, Thranduil... But I'm not done yet."

The battle rages on. Taranis, now out of mana, resorts to his Anguirel and his raw strength, slaying Orc after Orc with swift strikes. His body is covered in blood, exhaustion creeping into his muscles, but his spirit burns bright as ever. He may have expended his mana, but his resolve is unshaken.Outside, the battle has reached its boiling point. Thorin emerges from Erebor, his eyes scanning the field. With a furious roar, he charges, riding with DwalinFíli, and Kíli toward Ravenhill to confront Azog.Thorin (shouting as he mounts his steed):

"To Ravenhill! Azog must die!"

Fíli (looking back at the Dwarves with a determined look):

"We will not let him take Erebor."

Kíli (nodding):

"For Erebor!"

At RavenhillAzog stands atop a ruined tower, watching as Thorin and his company approach. He sneers at the Dwarves and raises his massive weapon.Azog (roaring as he sees them):

"Come then, Thorin! I'll send you to your ancestors!"

Meanwhile, Legolas and Tauriel, having been banished by Thranduil after warning him about Bolg's army, are racing toward RavenhillBilbo follows closely behind, trying to warn the Dwarves of the second Orc army approaching.Legolas (looking back at Tauriel as they ride):

"We must hurry! The Dwarves are walking into a trap!"

Tauriel (with urgency):

"We cannot let them face this alone. Not again."

Bilbo (breathing heavily):

"I should have warned them sooner. I... I failed!"

The battle rages on around Ravenhill as the DwarvesElves, and Men fight with all their strength against the overwhelming Orc forces. Taranis and Legolas continue their fight, slashing through the Orcs, while ThorinFíli, and Kíli prepare to confront Azog.As Azog fights with Thorin on the battlefield, the battle reaches its emotional and tragic peak. Fíli and Kíli, the sons of Dis, bravely charge forward, but the battlefield is a cruel place, and fate has other plans for them.Fíli (gritting his teeth as he faces Azog's forces):

"We will not fail, Uncle. We will not let you down!"

Kíli (looking at Fíli, determination in his eyes):

"Together, we stand."

Azog (smiling wickedly as he watches the two approach):

"You are too late."

The brothers push forward, but Azog, with his overwhelming strength and vicious tactics, grabs Fíli, throwing him against the wall of a ruined tower. Kíli charges in to help, but Azog quickly catches him too, slamming the younger Dwarf to the ground.Kíli (grunting, trying to push Azog off):

"No! Stay away from him!"

With Azog's swift strike, he stabs Fíli in the back, and the Dwarf lets out a final, pained cry. Azog throws his body off the tower, and Kíli screams, rushing to his brother's side.Kíli (desperately trying to hold his brother):

"Fíli! No! Don't go! You can't...!"

But it's too late. Fíli is gone, and Kíli—in his grief and rage—rises to his feet, defiant, despite the odds.Azog (mocking, his blade dripping with Fíli's blood):

"You are weak. This is the end for you both."

At that moment, Taranis bursts into the fray, his sword Anguirel glowing brightly as he slashes through the Orcs around him. He rushes to Kíli, who is attempting to fight Azog, but the odds are against him. Taranis arrives just as Azog swings a fatal blow toward Kíli, but he blocks it with his sword, saving Kíli's life in the nick of time.Taranis (gritting his teeth as he holds his sword steady against Azog's):

"Enough!"

With a powerful thrust, Taranis slams his sword into Azog's side, forcing the Orc back. Kíli, breathless and trembling from the shock, scrambles to his feet, trying to reach his brother.Kíli (shouting desperately):

"No! Fíli! Fíli!"

But the battle doesn't slow down. BolgAzog's son, appears, bringing death to the already grieving KíliTaranis, seeing the horror unfolding, races to help. He slashes through Bolg's forces, his sword dancing with lightning-fast strikes.Meanwhile, Bilbo, trying to make his way through the carnage, looks up toward Ravenhill, where Kíli is falling.Bilbo (murmuring to himself, his heart heavy):

"No... This can't be happening..."

Back at RavenhillKíli, despite his grief and pain, continues fighting, trying to protect Tauriel from Bolg's fury. But Bolg, too powerful and brutal, strikes Kíli down, his sword piercing the Dwarf's heart as he falls to the ground.Kíli (gasping, as he falls into Tauriel's arms):

"Tauriel... I... I..."

But it's too late. Kíli's final words are lost in the chaos of the battle. Tauriel's tears mix with the dirt and blood of the battlefield, her grief consuming her. She tries to fight on, but the pain of losing Kíli has broken her heart.Taranis (looking over at Bilbo):

"I... I can't believe this is happening. So much lost... for what?"

Bilbo (his voice raw with sorrow, his face pale as he stands next to Taranis):

"War... it never ends without loss. But we must keep fighting, for them. For everyone."

As Thorin—fueled by rage and grief—finally confronts Azog on the battlefield, Taranis rushes forward, joining Legolas and Tauriel, fighting to keep Bolg's forces at bay. The sheer devastation of the day weighs heavily on them all, but the battle rages on.Legolas (glancing at Taranis while fighting Bolg's army):

"We must hold them off until the end."

Taranis (nodding, his voice grim):

"We can't let it all be for nothing."

At the height of the chaos, as Thorin and Azog clash in a brutal fight, Taranis turns his attention toward Bolg. He realizes the battle is almost lost without a final push.Taranis (gritting his teeth, charging toward Bolg):

"This ends now!"

Legolas (following him closely, his voice urgent):

"We end this together, friend!"

Taranis (with a fierce determination):

"Agreed!"

As the battle reaches its height, Legolas and Taranis are able to deliver the final blows to Bolg's forces, but it's the arrival of the Great Eagles, led by Radagast and Beorn, that finally turns the tide of the battle.