The battlefield was a chaotic clash of steel and blood as the Aerithian armies engaged the Avan royal forces in intense hand-to-hand and sword combat. For a moment, it seemed like both sides were evenly matched. Swords clashed, shields shattered, and war cries filled the air. But then—
"Activate the shadow attacks!" the Aerithian commander's voice boomed across the battlefield.
The shift was instant. Dark energy surged across the enemy lines, and suddenly, the Avan warriors found themselves facing something far worse than mere soldiers. The Aerithians unleashed shadow slashes, shadow blasts, and quick shadow maneuvers, their attacks moving like streaks of darkness.
Every Avan soldier struck by these attacks didn't just fall—they vanished into smoke, erased from existence. One by one, the Avan warriors disappeared into the nothingness, leaving behind only their fading screams.
Agent Smith's face turned grim as he fought his way toward King Morphine, cutting down an enemy with swift precision. "We have a shadow situation, Your Highness!"
King Morphine barely dodged an incoming shadow-infused blade as he hurled his own sword at an approaching Aerithian. But before his weapon could strike, a shadow blast deflected it with ease, and the enemy surged forward.
"Yeah, I noticed," the king muttered.
Seeing the danger, Agent Smith and Buckler immediately closed in around him, forming a protective stance. But before the Aerithians could land their killing blows—
A blinding burst of light erupted across the battlefield. Queen Lysandra stepped forward, radiating golden brilliance. The Aerithians screamed as their dark energy was overpowered by the purity of her light.
"Now!" she ordered.
The Avan archers and warriors wasted no time, swiftly unleashing a flurry of arrows and slashes against the disoriented Aerithians. The battlefield became a spectacle of death as the blinded enemies fell under the merciless assault.
Queen Lysandra approached the three men, removing her helmet. "Are you okay?"
"We're fine," Agent Smith replied.
"Wish we had powers like you," Agent Buckler muttered.
But the king wasn't focused on that. His gaze was locked on the battlefield, where the Aerithians' strange shadow techniques continued to overwhelm his forces. He frowned. "Where did they learn shadow moves and skills?"
For a moment, no one had an answer.
The Avan soldiers at the front lines continued to fall, succumbing to shadow arrows, shadow slashes, and deadly explosions. The Aerithians, with no airships, no cannons, and no advanced machines, had now completely dominated the battlefield.
Something had to change.
King Morphine, Queen Lysandra, and the two commanders surveyed the battlefield before coming to the same dreadful realization.
"The Shadow," Agent Smith and Buckler said in unison, turning to their king and queen.
Lysandra exhaled sharply. "We can't win like this. We need elemental reinforcements."
She fastened her helmet and gave the king a sharp look. "Think strategically." With that, she activated her laser beams and dashed into battle, slicing through the enemy lines.
King Morphine stood in silence for a moment.
"She's talking about the tribal leaders, right?" he finally asked.
"Of course she is," Agent Smith grumbled, clearly annoyed.
But the king's response was far from reassuring. "There's nothing like elemental reinforcements."
Agent Buckler's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
King Morphine turned toward the battlefield. "They refused to help. It's up to us. We fight, or we die here."
Without another word, his right hand crackled with lightning, and his staff materialized in his grip. In the blink of an eye, he dashed forward, electricity crackling around him, striking down Aerithian warriors with powerful lightning bolts.
"Wish we had powers, bro," Agent Smith groaned, rubbing his forehead.
"I think this will do, my lords," a soldier said, marching forward with a long strip of grenades and explosives wrapped across his chest.
The two commanders exchanged a glance—then smiled. There was hope.
The Beast's Burden
Billy sat motionless, watching Ella's lifeless body on the bed. His mind was a storm of emotions.
He hadn't meant to hurt her.
No one had told him that his beast abilities included a sonic scream. Sonic screams were for female superheroes, weren't they? But when it happened… he knew it was his power. And now, Ella wasn't moving.
At that moment, the door swung open. Catherine entered and rushed to Ella's side.
She pressed her fingers to Ella's wrist, then her neck. Her face darkened.
"She's not breathing. No pulse."
She turned to Billy, her eyes blazing with fury. "What have you done?"
Billy's mouth went dry. He took a step back, but Catherine followed, shoving him with her weak arms.
"I asked you—what have you done?!" she screamed.
Billy lowered his head. "I… I don't know. I just… used my powers." His voice was thick with guilt.
Catherine's eyes welled with tears of rage. "I'll be the first to report you to Her Highness. You killed her!"
"She's not dead."
The voice came from behind them. They both whipped around to see Magus Ben standing in the doorway, smiling.
"She's just unconscious," he reassured them. "She'll wake up soon."
Billy let out a deep sigh of relief.
Magus Ben stepped closer, his grin widening. "Guess you could train with me, little beast. I have powers too."
Billy scowled. Great. Just what he needed.
The Final Stand
Back at the battlefield, Agent Smith and Buckler were out of grenades. Their strength was fading, and their forces were dwindling. The Avan soldiers were losing.
King Morphine sent another lightning blast into the enemy ranks, but his eyes widened as dozens of spears and arrows flew toward him.
He braced himself—
A golden, translucent shield materialized around him.
Queen Lysandra had stepped in, blocking the attack.
"We don't need magic shields and staffs!" she shouted. "We need elemental reinforcements!"
And then—
A fleet of Avan airships appeared in the sky.
The battlefield paused.
The tribal leaders had arrived.
Reed – Inaru Tribe (Building & Construction Magic) – Spade-shaped staff
Von – Avan Tribe (Elemental Weapons) – Ice Sword
Callus – Orthy Tribe (Beast Tamers & Summoners) – Dragon-headed staff
Drakos – Ulthar Tribe (Light Magic) – Light Magic Staff
The Aerithians tensed. The Avan warriors cheered.
The tribal leaders leapt into battle. Beasts roared, light magic burst forth, the ground swallowed enemies whole. Airships rained destruction on the startled Aerithians.
"Aerithians! Retreat! RETREAT!"
The battle was won.
King Morphine met the tribal leaders. Callus bowed deeply. "Forgive us."
Morphine nodded. "You are forgiven."
Queen Lysandra smirked. "One down, two to go."
Everyone turned to her.
"The Shadow… and Elara."
Little did they know—the two had joined forces.
To be continued…