The respite was brief. Arteja barely had time to catch her breath before the second wave arrived, larger and more organized than the first.
This time, the attackers came with shields and bows, using their superior numbers to press the defenders further back. Arrows rained down on the village, forcing Arteja and the others to take cover behind the barricades.
"Archers on the rooftops!" Arteja shouted, directing the villagers with bows to return fire.
The battle raged on for hours, the lines shifting as both sides fought for control of the village. Arteja found herself in the thick of it, her spear darting out to parry, strike, and kill.
An enemy swordsman lunged at her, his blade aimed for her heart. Arteja sidestepped, deflecting his strike with the shaft of her spear. She countered with a quick thrust to his throat, the blade sinking deep.
The man gurgled and fell, but Arteja didn't have time to think. Another attacker was already upon her, a mace swinging toward her head. She dropped low, the weapon passing harmlessly overhead, and swept her spear across his legs.
Around her, the battle was chaos. Lirael fought with unmatched ferocity, cutting down any who dared approach her. Corliss, though visibly weakened, held the line with a small group of villagers, her sword a blur of motion.
The villagers fought bravely, but their inexperience showed. Arteja saw one man hesitate, and an enemy blade found its mark, cutting him down. Gritting her teeth, Arteja pushed forward, rallying the defenders.
"Push them back! Don't give them an inch!"
As the sun began to set, the attackers finally withdrew, their numbers too depleted to continue. The village was bloodied but still standing.