At the heart of the Confederate line, six individual diagrams were strategically placed, spinning slowly and converging on a single point.
At the center of the system stood the Snow lineage mage, arms outstretched and eyes closed, maintaining the fusion of the diagrams.
"In unum, vinci. In unum, regnum." The diagrams overlapped, forming a single eight-dimensional circle that rotated slowly in the sky.
The impact was immediate. The temperature plummeted further, and an ice storm engulfed the Union positions.
While the Confederates consolidated their magical power, General Tyler ordered his troops to advance on the eastern fork of the river. His hope was to break the Confederate lines before the fused diagram became fully operational.
Derek quickly returned to Coralina's defensive perimeter.
"They've ordered an assault on the eastern side," he said, catching his breath. "They need immediate support."
"Jackal," she said, turning to her second-in-command. "Take twenty recruits and support the offensive. Thomas, go with him. I need you to return with information about the enemy's position and the state of our troops."
Ten minutes later, a messenger arrived with bad news. "Tyler's artillery has been captured! An attack on the rear is expected."
The first bullets and spells hit their position. Soldiers scrambled to take cover from the advancing Confederate columns led by the British mages.
"Cadets and regular troops, form ranks! Don't let them get into position!"
Coralina's troops lined up, bullets and magical spells cutting through the air, seeking to halt the enemy's advance.
From the east, Claire came running, raising her voice to be heard over the noise of battle. "An aerial unit of Confederate mages is approaching from the east!"
"Intercept and delay them as long as you can, Claire! Don't let them reach our diagram."
Peter Porter appeared unexpectedly on the battlefield, wearing his mechanical combat armor. He charged straight into an enemy column attempting to flank Coralina's troops.
With a single blow, Peter shattered the Confederate line, scattering their soldiers like leaves in the wind. His armor gleamed, inspiring the Union soldiers who witnessed his actions.
"What the hell is that kid doing here?"
She raised her voice so Peter could hear her. "Porter, get back immediately! You are not authorized to be in that position! Return before the storm makes visibility impossible!"
Driven by his desire to impress, he ignored the order, advancing beyond the defensive perimeter and into enemy territory. Coralina, still directing her troops, couldn't take her eyes off him.
Damn it, his recklessness is going to get him killed.
He was intercepted by the British mages, Ashok Rathore and Mei Ling.
Ashok struck first, launching a wind spell that destabilized Peter's armor, forcing him back a few steps. Mei Ling followed up, creating illusions that disoriented him, making him believe he was surrounded by multiple enemies.
Peter tried to launch an amplified punch with his mechanical arm.
"Is that all you've got, boy?" Mei Ling said, casting a water spell that partially froze Peter's legs, limiting his movement.
You're an idiot, Porter Junior, she thought with contained rage. I hope you survive long enough.
The Louisiana Tigers advanced from the direction where Jackal had led the recruits, heading toward Coralina's lines.
Light spells flared from the enemy ranks, blinding the Union troops and disrupting their formation. Among the Tigers was their commander, a young woman with red hair and green eyes.
"Break their defenses!"
Annabelle Dupree's reputation in the Confederate army was both feared and respected.
"Derek, take cover!" Coralina shouted, but it was too late.
The spell pierced the young man's side, and an explosion of blood splattered across Coralina's face. Derek collapsed to the ground with a weak groan, his wand rolling from his hand as the snow beneath him turned crimson.
She lifted him in her arms, glaring at Annabelle, who returned the look with a satisfied smile from a distance.
"Retreat!" Coralina commanded. "Fall back behind the defensive shields!"
With a motion of her bloodied hand, Coralina shifted the Triangle of Darkness along with her troops. The diagram emitted a black glow that enveloped the remaining soldiers, creating magical shields that temporarily blocked enemy spells and projectiles.
"Hold formation!" Coralina shouted, still holding Derek in her arms.
Thomas, who had returned with Jackal, quickly took the injured young man. "I've got him."
"Jackal, report!"
"We lose!, None of the recruits died," Jackal said, panting as he helped a pair of wounded rookies walk. "But they're in bad shape. We need to get them out of here now."
The situation was untenable. With a swift motion, Coralina cut her palm with the blade of her black sword, letting her blood drip to the ground. Using her anti-magic, she extended the diagram's reach and mobilized all the units within it.
Within seconds, the troops were transported four kilometers from the front, out of the enemy's immediate range.
Upon arrival, the soldiers collapsed to the ground, some crying in relief, others aiding the wounded. Thomas carefully laid Derek on an improvised blanket.
"We made it out of that hell," Thomas said, looking at the smoke-stained sky.
Peter Porter was still fighting. Snow covered his armor, now damaged by the combined attacks of the British mages.
"Is this your first battle, boy?" Ashok asked.
Peter didn't reply, panting as he struggled to get up.
"You went too far," Mei Ling said, her tone slightly sympathetic but still cutting. "Are you stupid or what?"
Something clicked in both mages' minds. "Wait. Do you like her?"
His expression gave him away. Mei smiled. "Love makes you do stupid things," she said in an almost maternal tone. "It's your first love, isn't it?"
Unable to lie, he weakly nodded.
Ashok clicked his tongue. "We've all done crazy things for love, kid. Who hasn't been in your shoes?"
Mei showed a flash of sympathy as well. "It's sweet, but… this is where it ends."
Without further words, the two British mages destroyed Peter's armor with a series of coordinated attacks.
When there was nothing left of his protection, they attacked him physically, beating him until he fell into the snow.
"There's no point in killing him anymore," said Mei Ling, staring at Peter's naked and battered body lying on the snow-covered ground.
Ashok nodded. "The cold will take care of the rest."
Peter lay motionless in the snow. His skin was pale, and his body trembled uncontrollably from the cold. He had fought to the very limit of his strength and now teetered on the brink of death, naked and abandoned.
The icy wind howled around him, covering his body with a fine layer of frost. Despite it all, only one image filled his mind: Coralina, leading her troop while he lagged behind.
"Coralina..."
The freezing wind swept across the battlefield as Coralina surveyed the devastated area. The aftermath of the fight was evident: abandoned weapons, bodies blanketed by snow, and the trail of destruction left by the British mages and the sorcerer Snow.
"You've got to be kidding me," she muttered, spotting the naked, battered figure of Peter Porter sprawled in the snow.
He wasn't alone. Behind Peter, the British mages and Snow emerged from the shadows.
"So, you came," Snow said.
"Give him back to me," she demanded.
"Give him back?" Snow repeated, a mocking tone in his voice. "How amusing. I'll give him back... but only if you kneel and beg me for it."
The British mages, Ashok and Mei Ling, watched with disdain. Mei, tired of Snow's games, "Stop wasting time and kill her already."
Snow raised a hand to silence her. "No, Mei. My name will be immortalized if I subjugate the Daughter of Darkness. That will be part of my legacy."
Coralina swallowed her pride and knelt before Snow.
Snow's smile widened as he approached her. "How pathetic the Union has become," he said with scorn, leaning in to look Coralina directly in the eyes.
He raised his hand and struck her hard across the face, causing her head to snap to the side.
"Is that all you've been?" Snow asked, grabbing her by the collar. Without warning, he began striking her repeatedly, each blow echoing in the frigid air.
"I defeated Tyler in battle. I vanquished Samuel. And now, I have the famous Coralina Álvarez on her knees. This is what remains of the Union: trash."
Coralina said nothing, enduring the blows, though her body began to tremble under the punishment.
Finally, Snow let her go, allowing her to collapse to the ground. He leaned closer with a cruel smile. "Tell me, what does this boy mean to you?"
"He's a headache. Always seeking my attention and approval. Nothing more."
Snow laughed darkly. "Then let me do you a favor. I'll take him out of your life for good."
It was then that Coralina closed the distance between them, grabbing Peter before Snow could react.
"That won't happen," she muttered as she lifted the wounded boy in her arms.
"Not so fast!" Mei Ling shouted, slashing at her. The blade grazed Coralina's side, leaving a deep cut that began to burn with magical poison.
Coralina staggered but managed to activate the remainder of her anti-magic, vanishing with Peter and reappearing six kilometers into Union territory.