### **Chapter 7: First Impact**
The cold wind howled across the mountains as the first rays of dawn crept over the horizon. The fortress of Ironfall loomed like a silent guardian against the rising sun, its stone walls battered but unyielding. Situated at a critical point between the valley and the city, it served as both a barrier and a warning system for approaching threats. But today, Ironfall faced the full wrath of an enemy intent on shattering its resolve.
Riven stood atop the outer wall, his sharp gaze fixed on the treeline in the distance. The reports had been clear—enemy forces were moving fast, their numbers growing with each passing hour. What no one had expected, however, was their audacity to strike before dawn.
"They're testing us," Riven muttered to himself, his breath misting in the cold air.
Behind him, Lia climbed the stone steps, her silver eyes catching the morning light. "The scouts confirmed movement less than an hour ago," she said. "They'll be here soon."
Riven nodded. He felt the tension in the air, a taut string ready to snap. Below, soldiers scurried to reinforce barricades and prepare defenses. His beasts—Nyx, Astra, and Zephyr—moved among them, their presence both awe-inspiring and reassuring to the men.
"It won't just be soldiers," Riven said, his voice low. "They'll bring their beasts too."
"Then we'll show them what real bonds look like," Lia replied, her tone steady.
---
### **The First Wave**
The attack came suddenly, like a storm breaking loose from the heavens. Horns blared from the enemy ranks as dozens of armored soldiers poured out of the forest, their movements precise and deadly. Alongside them came monstrous creatures—hulking wolves with glowing red eyes, serpentine beasts that slithered faster than any arrow, and hulking trolls wielding crude weapons.
From the wall, Riven's eyes narrowed. He had seen these beasts before—tools of war, controlled through dark Vitalis techniques that stripped them of their will.
"Archers, ready!" he commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos.
As the enemy surged forward, a volley of arrows rained down from the walls, striking true. Several soldiers fell, their cries lost in the roar of battle, but the beasts pressed on, shrugging off the damage. One of the trolls reached the base of the wall, its massive fists slamming against the stone with enough force to make it tremble.
"Nyx, now!" Riven called.
The shadowy panther darted forward, leaping from the battlements with a grace that defied her size. She landed on the troll's back, her claws sinking deep into its flesh as she unleashed a roar that sent shivers down the spines of even the bravest soldiers. The troll staggered, swiping at her with a massive hand, but Nyx was too fast. She darted out of reach, leaving deep gashes in its arm.
Meanwhile, Astra soared overhead, her icy wings glinting in the sunlight. With a powerful beat, she unleashed a flurry of frost shards that rained down on the enemy ranks, slowing their advance and causing chaos among their lines.
"Zephyr, cover the flanks!" Riven shouted.
The wolf-like beast obeyed instantly, darting to the side with blinding speed. He intercepted a group of enemy soldiers trying to scale the walls, his fangs flashing as he took them down one by one. His movements were a blur, a testament to the bond he shared with Riven.
---
### **Heroic Resolve**
On the western wall, Kieran stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Lia, his sword gleaming in the early light. "Looks like they're serious about taking this place," he said with a smirk, though his grip on the hilt betrayed his focus.
Lia didn't respond immediately. Her eyes were locked on a group of enemy soldiers carrying a battering ram toward the gates. "We need to stop that," she said. "If they break through—"
"They won't," Kieran interrupted, his tone firm. "I'll handle it."
Before Lia could protest, Kieran vaulted over the battlements, landing in the midst of the enemy with a crash. His sword flashed as he cut through the soldiers with precision, his movements a mix of brute strength and calculated strikes. For a moment, it seemed as though nothing could stop him.
But then came the beast.
A massive wyvern, its scales glinting like molten gold, swooped down from the sky. Its talons tore into the ground as it landed, its piercing shriek echoing across the battlefield. Kieran froze for a split second, his eyes widening as the creature turned its gaze on him.
"Kieran!" Lia shouted, her voice carrying over the din of battle.
Without hesitation, she leapt from the wall, her Vitalis surging as she landed gracefully beside him. The wyvern roared, its wings spreading wide as it prepared to attack.
"I thought you'd let me have all the fun," Kieran said, a grin breaking through his tension.
"Just focus," Lia replied, drawing her twin daggers.
The two of them moved in perfect harmony, Kieran distracting the wyvern with powerful strikes while Lia darted in to exploit its blind spots. Their combined efforts pushed the beast back, though it was clear the fight was far from over.
---
### **A Turning Point**
On the eastern wall, Riven was locked in his own battle. The troll Nyx had attacked was now weakened but not defeated, its relentless attacks threatening to collapse a section of the wall. Riven climbed down to the battlefield, his sword drawn and his Vitalis burning brightly.
"Together, Nyx," he said, his voice steady.
The panther growled in response, her movements syncing with his as they faced the troll head-on. Riven's blade struck true, guided by the energy flowing between him and Nyx. The troll let out a final, earth-shaking roar before collapsing to the ground.
Around him, the battle was reaching its peak. Soldiers clashed with ferocity, the air thick with the sounds of metal on metal and the cries of the wounded. Despite the chaos, Riven felt a surge of hope. His bond with his beasts, his trust in his allies—it was these things that gave them the strength to endure.
"Kieran, Lia, fall back to the walls!" Riven shouted, his voice cutting through the noise.
The two of them obeyed, retreating just as the wyvern let out a deafening roar. Astra swooped in, her icy breath freezing the beast's wings and sending it crashing to the ground. Zephyr darted forward to finish it off, his fangs sinking into its neck.
---
### **Aftermath**
As the enemy forces began to retreat, a cheer rose from the defenders. The first wave had been repelled, but Riven knew this was only the beginning. The enemy would regroup, and the true battle was still ahead.
On the wall, Kieran clapped a hand on Riven's shoulder, his grin wider than ever. "Not bad, huh?"
"You were reckless," Riven replied, though there was a hint of admiration in his tone.
"And you wouldn't have it any other way," Kieran said with a wink.
Lia approached, her expression calm but her eyes blazing with determination. "We've bought ourselves some time. Let's make sure we use it."
Riven nodded, his gaze shifting to the horizon. The fires of war still burned, but for now, they had held their ground.
---
**End of Chapter 7**