The battlefield was chaos incarnate. The soldiers of the allied kingdoms fought with everything they had, their desperation lending strength to their blows. Yet, the herald seemed unstoppable, its massive form absorbing their attacks as though they were mere annoyances.
Selene darted through the fray, her enchanted blade carving through lesser shadows with precision. Her movements were calculated, each strike a step closer to the herald's legs.
"Focus fire here!" she shouted to her troops, pointing to the creature's jointed limb. "We weaken its foundation first!"
On the other side of the battlefield, the princess rallied her own forces. Her armor gleamed despite the blood and grime, a beacon of hope amidst the despair.
"Protect the child!" she commanded, glancing toward the glowing figure at the heart of their line. "Their light is our shield!"
---
The child stood firm, their radiance pushing back the encroaching darkness. Their face, though calm, betrayed the strain of holding such power.
"The balance teeters," they murmured to themselves, their voice lost in the roar of battle.
Eldric, standing protectively at their side, tightened his grip on his shield. "Balance or not, we need more than light to win this."
The child glanced at him, their glowing eyes unreadable. "It is not just light. It is hope. And hope is the strongest weapon they have."
Eldric snorted. "Hope doesn't stop a blade."
The child smiled faintly. "No, but it gives you the strength to wield one."
---
The herald let out another earth-shattering roar, its form shifting as dark tendrils erupted from its body. The tendrils lashed out wildly, striking soldiers and sending them flying.
Selene raised her shield, deflecting one of the tendrils before it could impale her. "This thing adapts too quickly," she muttered, frustration creeping into her tone.
The princess, fighting nearby, glanced at her. "Then we adapt faster."
Selene smirked despite herself. "Spoken like a ruler."
Their exchange was brief, but it carried a sense of mutual respect—born not of trust, but of necessity.
---
From His vantage, He watched the unfolding events with a deepening sense of intrigue. The mortals had pushed themselves to their limits, their resilience defying the odds. Yet, the herald was no mere beast; it was a force of nature, an embodiment of the chaos that had consumed this world.
He noticed something, though—a subtle shift in the flow of the battle. The soldiers, once disparate and disorganized, were beginning to move as one. Their leaders' unity, however fragile, was seeping into their ranks.
It was a small thing, this newfound cohesion. But small things often held the greatest power.
---
The princess and Selene pressed forward, their combined forces focusing their attacks on the herald's weakened limbs. The creature faltered, its massive form swaying as its balance was compromised.
"Now!" Selene shouted, her voice cutting through the din.
The princess leapt forward, her sword glowing faintly as she aimed for the herald's core. Her strike landed true, piercing the dark mass with a surge of energy.
The herald let out a deafening screech, its form convulsing. For a moment, it seemed as though they had won.
But victory was fleeting. The shadows around the herald surged, their forms merging with the beast and mending its wounds. The creature rose again, stronger than before.
---
The child's light dimmed, their face pale. "It is feeding on the conflict," they said softly, their voice tinged with regret.
Eldric looked at them sharply. "What does that mean?"
The child closed their eyes. "This battle cannot be won through force alone. The herald thrives on division. As long as the alliances remain fragile, it will continue to grow."
Eldric cursed under his breath. "Then how do we stop it?"
The child opened their eyes, their glow brightening. "They must find unity—not just in purpose, but in heart."
Eldric's expression darkened. "Easier said than done."
---
As the herald prepared to strike again, a single soldier stepped forward. Their armor was battered, their weapon chipped, but their voice was clear.
"We fight together!" they shouted, their cry echoing across the battlefield.
Others took up the call, their voices joining as one. The sound grew, a chant that spread through the ranks and bolstered their spirits.
The princess and Selene exchanged a glance, understanding passing between them. Without a word, they raised their weapons and charged together, leading the unified army in a final, desperate assault.
---
From His distant perch, He observed the tide begin to turn. The mortals, driven by something greater than fear or anger, were beginning to push back.
It was a fragile thing, this unity. But it was enough. For now.
And so, He continued to watch.