The fortress walls buzzed with activity as preparations for the impending battle began. The riders of the Northern Watch moved with practiced efficiency, their grim determination palpable in the cold mountain air. Fires burned bright in the courtyard, casting long shadows over the stone walls.
Alaric stood near the gates, his hand resting on the hilt of his dagger. Nico sat nearby, bundled in a thick cloak to ward off the chill. His eyes were wide with fear, darting between the bustling riders and the distant forest where the enemy gathered.
"Will they get in?" Nico asked quietly, his voice barely audible over the commotion.
Alaric crouched beside him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Not if we can help it," he said firmly.
Cyril approached, his bow slung over his shoulder and a quiver of arrows at his hip. "The defenses are strong," he said, though his expression was far from relaxed. "But those soldiers won't stop until they have what they came for."
Alaric nodded, glancing at the distant treeline. "We've faced worse," he said, though he wasn't sure if he believed it.
---
The Enemy Advances
As night fell, the first signs of the soldiers' approach became evident. A low, rhythmic drumming echoed through the forest, accompanied by the flicker of torches. The sound grew louder, more oppressive, as the enemy drew closer.
Captain Myra stood atop the wall, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon. "They're testing us," she muttered to one of her officers. "They want to see if we'll break before they even reach the gates."
The officer nodded grimly. "And if we don't?"
"They'll come with everything they've got," Myra replied.
---
A Desperate Plan
In the sanctuary's war room, Alaric, Cyril, and Myra gathered with the other leaders to discuss their strategy. A map of the surrounding area was spread across the table, weighted down by heavy stones.
"They outnumber us," Myra said, her finger tracing the forest's edge. "But they'll have to funnel through the pass to reach us. That's our advantage."
"What about the boy?" one of the officers asked. "If they breach the walls—"
"They won't," Alaric interrupted, his voice sharp. "I won't let them."
Myra studied him for a moment before nodding. "We'll station a guard with him, just in case. But our focus needs to be on holding the pass."
Cyril frowned, his arms crossed. "What's stopping them from just waiting us out? Supplies are limited, and they know it."
"We don't give them the chance," Myra said, her eyes glinting. "We force their hand."
---
The First Assault
At midnight, the soldiers made their move. A wave of them surged out of the forest, their torches illuminating the narrow pass. The riders of the Northern Watch met them with a hail of arrows, cutting down the front lines before they reached the gates.
Cyril stood atop the wall, his bowstring singing with each shot. Beside him, Alaric coordinated the defenders, ensuring no part of the wall was left vulnerable.
Nico watched from the safety of the inner courtyard, his small hands gripping the edges of his cloak. He flinched with every shout, every clang of metal on metal.
The soldiers pressed on, undeterred by their losses. They carried ladders and battering rams, their determination chilling in its intensity.
"They're relentless," Cyril muttered, loosing another arrow. "It's like they don't care how many of them die."
"They don't," Alaric replied grimly. "They only care about getting Nico."
---
Nico's Awakening
In the midst of the chaos, Nico felt something stir deep within him—a strange, unfamiliar sensation that made his chest feel tight. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he thought he was imagining the faint glow that seemed to radiate from his hands.
"Are you all right?" the woman asked, kneeling beside him. She had stayed close, unwilling to abandon him despite her own fears.
"I… I don't know," Nico whispered, his voice trembling.
The glow grew brighter, and the air around him seemed to hum with energy. The woman gasped, her eyes widening. "What's happening to you?"
"I don't know!" Nico cried, his voice rising in panic.
---
A Turning Point
As the defenders fought desperately to repel the soldiers, a blinding light erupted from the courtyard. The riders paused, their eyes drawn to the source of the brilliance.
Alaric turned, his heart lurching when he saw the light emanating from Nico. "No," he whispered. "Not now."
The soldiers outside the walls faltered, their advance slowing as they too noticed the light. Whispers rippled through their ranks, a mix of awe and fear.
Captain Myra's voice rang out, cutting through the confusion. "Hold your positions!" she commanded.
Nico's small body trembled as the light engulfed him. For a moment, it seemed as though the boy might collapse, but then he straightened, his eyes glowing with an otherworldly radiance.
---
The Enemy Retreats
The light burst outward, a wave of energy that swept across the battlefield. The soldiers cried out, shielding their faces as the force knocked them back. The battering ram fell to the ground, and the ladders toppled from the walls.
The defenders watched in stunned silence as the soldiers began to retreat, their once-relentless assault broken.
Alaric rushed to Nico's side, dropping to his knees beside the boy. The light had faded, leaving Nico pale and exhausted.
"Nico," Alaric said urgently, his hands gripping the boy's shoulders. "Are you all right?"
"I… I think so," Nico murmured, his voice faint.
Captain Myra approached, her expression a mix of awe and suspicion. "What just happened?"
Alaric didn't answer. He pulled Nico into his arms, his mind racing. The boy's power had awakened, and it was more potent than he had ever imagined.
---
End of Chapter 10