The sound of war drums reverberated across the battlefield as Ashar and Rylah's forces held the gates. The Orcs were relentless, but so were they. The clanging of metal, the crack of arrows, and the shouts of warriors filled the air, creating a cacophony of chaos. But there was one sound that stood out above the rest—the deep, guttural roar of an Orc leader.
Ashar stood at the front, hacking through enemy ranks, his sword flashing with deadly precision. But his focus kept drifting to the eastern flank. From the dust and smoke rising from the battlefield, a massive figure emerged, cutting through the Orc soldiers like a wildfire. A towering beast, covered in black iron armor, and carrying a colossal battle axe that swung with terrifying power. His crimson eyes burned with a malice that made even the bravest warriors hesitate.
"That's him," Garik muttered, his voice filled with dread. "Ironclaw."
Ashar narrowed his eyes. "The Beast of Ironclaw?"
Garik nodded grimly. "The Orc Warlord. He's known for his ruthlessness and strength. If he's here, it means this isn't just a raid. This is their final push."
Ashar could feel the tension in his chest. The Orcs had brought their worst. Ironclaw's reputation as a merciless warlord preceded him, and now he stood between them and victory.
"Then we kill him," Ashar said, his voice unwavering.
Rylah, her sword bloodied from the previous skirmish, approached them. Her face was set with determination. "We hold the gates. If we let him through, we lose everything."
"Ironclaw won't get through," Ashar declared. "Not while I'm standing."
***
Ironclaw's war cry shook the earth beneath their feet as he barreled through the battlefield, his massive frame making him an unstoppable force. His armor gleamed black in the sunlight, adorned with skulls of his enemies, and his great axe, nearly as tall as a man, cleaved through any who dared to approach him.
His eyes fixed on the stronghold's gates, and with a battle roar, he surged forward, carving a path through the defenders. His movements were fluid and calculated, honed from years of bloodshed. His massive frame was deceptively quick, each swing of his axe striking with the force of a battering ram.
"This is what we feared," Garik said, gritting his teeth. "Ironclaw has been known to turn battles single-handedly. We'll need more than just swords and shields to take him down."
Rylah stepped forward, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. Her mind raced, calculating the options. They couldn't defeat Ironclaw in a direct confrontation—his sheer strength and ferocity would crush them. But if they could draw him in, if they could isolate him, they might have a chance.
"We need to outsmart him," Rylah said, her voice low but firm. "Lead him into the kill zone. We use the traps."
Ashar's eyes lit up with understanding. "The traps around the outer walls. We've already lured smaller Orcs in. Now, we'll use Ironclaw's arrogance against him."
"Exactly," Rylah replied, her tone resolute. "He'll think he can take us head-on, and we'll show him just how wrong he is."
***
The battle raged on, but Ashar and Rylah's plan was already in motion. The gates were holding, but just barely. The Orcs, seeing their warlord leading the charge, grew more vicious, pushing against the walls with relentless force. Ashar's heart pounded in his chest as he signaled to his men to pull back slowly, creating a false sense of retreat.
"We draw him in," Ashar muttered to Rylah. "Once he's inside the kill zone, we spring the trap."
The two warriors positioned themselves on the walls, watching the movement below. Ironclaw's roar could be heard above the din of battle, growing louder as he pushed closer to the gates. His eyes locked onto Ashar's position, his gaze like a predator spotting its prey.
"This is it," Rylah said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at the back of her mind.
As Ironclaw charged forward, swinging his massive axe, Ashar made a signal to his archers. The tension in the air was palpable as the soldiers on the walls took aim, their bows pulled back, arrows ready to fly. They had one chance to stop Ironclaw before he could breach their defenses.
At the last moment, Ashar gave the signal.
The ground trembled as a series of hidden spikes shot up from the earth, catching Ironclaw's war horses off guard. The beasts reared up in panic, throwing their riders into the air. The warlord himself staggered but remained upright, his battle axe cleaving through the air as he roared in defiance.
"He's not dead yet!" Rylah shouted. "Keep pushing!"
The trap had slowed Ironclaw, but he was far from finished. His massive frame shook off the shock of the trap as though it were nothing more than a minor inconvenience. His axe swung once again, this time carving through two of Ashar's soldiers who dared to approach.
"Damn it!" Ashar cursed, drawing his sword. "We need to take him down before he reaches the gates."
"Get back!" Garik yelled, charging forward with a few of his men. "We'll hold him off. You two take the shots."
Ashar and Rylah exchanged a glance. There was no time for hesitation. They both knew what they had to do.
"We need to kill him now," Ashar said, his voice grim.
The two of them leapt down from the walls, charging toward Ironclaw. The warlord had already cut down several soldiers in his path, his bloodlust growing with every swing of his axe. But he didn't expect Ashar and Rylah to face him head-on.
"Come, human!" Ironclaw bellowed, his voice like thunder. "Let's see if you're as strong as the stories say!"
Ashar's heart pounded in his chest as he closed the distance. His muscles burned with anticipation, but he couldn't afford to falter now. Ironclaw's axe swung down toward him with the force of a mountain, but Ashar was ready.
He dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike, and aimed for Ironclaw's exposed side. His sword met the armor with a sharp clang, but it was no use. The beast's armor was too thick. They needed to strike deeper, find a way through the impenetrable defense.
Rylah joined him, attacking with swift, precise strikes to distract Ironclaw. But even as they worked together, the Warlord's fury seemed unstoppable.
"This won't be easy," Rylah muttered, gritting her teeth.
"We don't have a choice," Ashar replied. "We have to end this now."