The magical barrier glimmered around the trapped Silverfang warriors, glowing with an ominous light. It was a constant reminder of the powerful magic that had caught them off guard. Outside the barrier, chaos erupted. Erland's voice cut through the noise, shouting commands with rage and disbelief. The Silverfang warriors scrambled to regroup, their earlier confidence now shaken.
Erland, the third son of the Silverfang Clan leader, Ulrich, paced back and forth, his anger boiling over. "Regroup!" he barked, his tone sharp and commanding. "This is nothing but a trick! We are the Silverfang Clan! We will not be stopped by something as minor as this!"
The warriors hurried to form ranks; Their movements were quick but uncertain. Kael stepped forward. He had fought the Blackthorn before and knew how dangerous their strategies could be. "Erland, we need to think this through," Kael warned, his voice steady. "Rushing in blindly will only get more of our men trapped. We need a solid plan to break this barrier."
Erland looked at him with an annoyed glance. "You're too cautious, Kael. The Blackthorn think they can scare us with their magic. We need to show them the true strength of the Silverfang Clan!"
Kael took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "We've seen what happens when we underestimate them. Remember what happened last time? If Draven is behind this barrier, it could be more dangerous than you realize."
"Draven is just a servant!" Erland snapped, waving a dismissive hand. "He's no match for us. Let's stop wasting time and crush them!"
Despite Erland's confidence, Kael remained uneasy. His eyes drifted to the trapped warriors inside the barrier. They were pounding on it, desperation in their faces. Kael knew they couldn't afford to rush into another trap. "We need to create a distraction," he suggested. "If we can draw the Blackthorn forces away from the barrier, it might give our men a chance to escape."
Erland paused, his expression thoughtful for a moment. Then, he smiled in an unrestrained manner. "A distraction? Yes! We'll set fires at the far side of the stronghold. That will draw their attention. While they're distracted, we'll destroy the barrier!"
With renewed determination, Erland began shouting orders. "Gather anything that will burn! Wood, kindling, anything you can find! Quickly!" The warriors sprang into action, collecting materials for the fires.
Kael watched them work, his unease growing. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. "This has to work," he muttered to himself. They were running out of options.
Soon, flames flickered to life at the far end of the stronghold. Smoke rose into the sky, carrying with it a faint sense of hope for the Silverfang warriors. Some of them cheered, but Kael remained cautious. "It feels too easy," he thought, scanning the area for any signs of a trap.
Erland rallied his men, his voice booming. "Now! Everyone to the barrier! Focus your energy!" He positioned himself at the front, his confidence unwavering.
The remaining warriors gathered around the barrier, their hearts pounding. Erland raised his hand. "On my mark! Three… two… one… NOW!"
The Silverfang warriors unleashed their energy at the barrier with a unified shout. A shockwave rippled through the air, and the barrier flickered as though struggling to hold. The trapped warriors inside felt a flicker of hope as they sensed the barrier weakening.
With a loud crash, the barrier shattered. Shards of magical light flew in all directions, and the trapped warriors stumbled out, gasping for air. Erland's face lit up with triumph. "We did it! Now, let's show the Blackthorn who we are!"
Erland's triumphant grin spread wider as he surveyed the scene. "See? I told you! Mere tricks cannot defeat the Silverfang Clan!" He turned to Kael, his arrogance clear. "Now, let's finish this once and for all."
Kael's expression hardened. He could feel a shift in the air. "Erland, we need to be careful. Draven won't let this slide. He'll have a counterattack ready."
"Draven?" Erland scoffed, his confidence unshaken. "He's just a servant! He's already shown how weak he is. We'll crush the Blackthorn and end this nonsense!"
As the Silverfang forces regrouped, Kael's unease deepened. He knew Erland was underestimating Draven, and that was a dangerous mistake. Scanning the stronghold, Kael searched for any sign of the Blackthorn's next move.
Meanwhile, Draven watched from the shadows, his expression calm and calculating. He had anticipated Erland's plan and was ready for what came next. The barrier's destruction wasn't a loss; it was part of his strategy. Time was on his side, and he knew how to use it.
Erland's sharp eyes caught sight of Draven in the distance. His triumph turned to fury. "There he is!" Erland shouted. "The servant who dares to challenge us!"
Draven stepped into the open, his movements slow and deliberate. His voice was steady as he replied, "You're making a mistake, Erland. This fight isn't over."
Erland smirked, his arrogance showing clearly. "You think you have power here? You're nothing but a coward hiding behind tricks and magic!"
Draven's lips curved into a faint smile. "Confidence is good, Erland. But overconfidence?" He paused, letting the words hang in the air. "That's dangerous."
Before Erland could reply, Draven raised his hands. The ground trembled beneath them, the vibrations growing stronger with each passing second. The Silverfang warriors glanced at each other nervously, their confidence faltering.
Kael's heart raced as he watched the scene unfold. He could feel the power shifting in Draven's favor. "This isn't just a battle anymore," he thought. "It's a game of wits."
The tension reached its peak when a roar echoed across the battlefield. The ground shook violently, causing the Silverfang warriors to stumble. Fear rippled through their ranks as they froze, unsure of what was coming.
Erland's eyes widened. "What is that?" he demanded, his voice tinged with panic.
Draven's smile widened, his tone calm but dangerous. "Just a taste of what's to come."
Kael shivered, a chill running down his spine. He knew they were in more danger than Erland realized. This battle is far from over.
To be continued..