The fortress stood atop of the Puente Hills with its rugged terrain and its walls weathered but still formidable. The soldiers stationed within its perimeter worked tirelessly to fortify their defenses for the upcoming assault. Aldo Quasti, The patriarch knew they couldn't hold out forever like this. It wasn't just a battle to win but was a war between thier life and death.
Aldo Quasti walked into the medical ward with his face grim. The injured laied in rows with some groaning in pain while others stared at the ceiling through their eyes vacant with no life. The bald beggar like doctor had gained reputation for his peculiar methods for saving people and He was standing over a table grinding herbs with unsteady hands.
"Doctor." Aldo called his voice low but commanding. "I need your research work. We have reached the end of our options. It is time to use that."
The bald doctor looked up, his eyes shadowed by fatigue. He gestured for Aldo to follow him into the adjoining chamber. "Come. We'll speak inside."
Vesh, who had been treating minor injuries under the guidance of the doctor's disciple noticed the exchange. His curiosity had been piqued from their interaction and he silently moved by the corner outside the room and tried to listen their conversation in detail.
Inside the chamber, the doctor spoke in frantic tones. "This is not a miracle cure for this war." he began. "It's a poison an airborne one at that, it will be only subtle. It won't kill them but it will weaken their senses from dizziness,lose of eyesight and blackouts. It won't affect the Ki warriors even if it did though. They'll remain as dangerous as they could be."
Aldo leaned against the wall. "Are you certain it won't harm our own soldiers?"
"It will." the doctor admitted. "But less so. Our men will recover faster with some medicine I have already prepared. The enemies won't have that kind of luxury in a war."
There was a long pause. Vesh from his hidden vantage point furrowed his brows. "Interesting thing" he muttered under his breath. A poison that only slowed its victims though it was crude but perhaps still effective. He couldn't help but feel the imbalance of power.
Vesh could actually use some of his power to stop them but the down side of that was he couldn't recover the used void energy. If Vesh could get his hands on the so called Ki warriors, He thought he might find a way to use the strength of this world.
Aldo straightened his resolve "Give it to me."
The doctor hesitated before handing over a sealed container, its glass surface clouded with an ominous green mist. "Use it wisely." he said gravely.
Aldo left the chamber, Vesh watched from the shadows. He saw Aldo pass his daughter in the hallway. She stepped forward her bow slung across her back.
"Father." she called. "Let me fight. I can help."
Aldo stopped her speaking by placing a firm hand on her shoulder. "Stay inside. Protect the others. That's where your strength is needed."
"But I..."
"No." he interrupted his tone final. "You've always been brave, but this battle isn't yours to fight. Not yet while we are still here."
She clenched her fists but nodded stepping back as her father continued toward the fortress gates.
Outside, the two remaining elders whose faces bore the marks of countless battles stood waiting. One of them, Eldrin stepped forward. "What's the plan, Aldo?"
Aldo held up the jar. "This."
Eldrin raised an eyebrow. "Do you think you'll survive using it?"
"No." Aldo admitted. "But I'll weaken them enough for the rest of you to hold the line."
Eldrin shook his head. "Let me go. You still have years left to lead. My time has already passed."
Aldo hesitated but Eldrin's expression was resolute. Finally, he handed the jar to the elder. "Return back safe."
Vesh now back in the medical ward could only catch glimpses of the unfolding events. He treated wounds extremly quick and his mind elsewhere. "This world" he thought "is full of chaos. Yet there's potential here power waiting to be harnessed."
As the fortress gates creaked open, the enemy forces surged forward led by the middle-aged Ki warrior, Kael. His recent ascension to Ki mastery had made him arrogant with his confidence bolstered by tales of his talent. Ignoring the orders of his superiors, he charged ahead on horseback with his soldiers trailing behind.
Eldrin stepped out alone with the jar in one hand and a sword in the other. The enemy soldiers hesitated at the sight of a single old man standing against their might.
Kael sneered. "What is this? A sacrifice?"
Eldrin remained silent, his eyes fixed on the young Ki warrior. As Kael spurred his horse forward, Eldrin shifted his stance. With a sudden burst of speed, he struck the horse's flank forcing the beast to fall back. Kael leaped off landing gracefully as he drew his blade.
"You think you can stop me, old man?" Kael taunted circling Eldrin.
Eldrin smirked. "I've fought warriors stronger than you before you even held a sword."
Kael lunged his movements swift and precise. Eldrin parried his strikes calculated. The clash of their blades echoed across the battlefield.
Meanwhile, the enemy soldiers advanced scaling the hills toward the fortress. Eldrin, seeing his opportunity arrive hurled the jar to the ground. A green mist erupted from it spreading rapidly.
The soldiers coughed and stumbled, their movements sluggish. Some dropped their weapons and clutching at their throats as the poison took hold.
Kael unaffected by the mist pressed his attack. "Poison?" he spat. "Pathetic."
But Eldrin was undeterred. Using the confusion to his advantage, he fakd a stumble drawing Kael in. As the younger warrior moved to strike, Eldrin pulled his blade slicing through Kael's defenses.
Kael staggered with blood dripping from the deep wound on his side. "You…" he gasped with fury and disbelief in his eyes.
Eldrin didn't hesitate. With a final and powerful strike, he ended Kael's life.
The remaining enemy forces being disoriented and leaderless began to retreat. Eldrin breathing heavily turned back toward the fortress. The poison had taken a toll on him as well but he stood tall with his mission complete.
From the fortress walls, Aldo watched the scene unfold. "Eldrin." he whispered a mix of pride and sorrow in his voice.
Inside the fortress, Vesh finished treating another soldier. He glanced toward the gates, his expression unreadable.
As the fortress gates closed once more, the defenders prepared for the next wave. They had won a small victory but the battle was far from over.