The storm broke just as the first wave of enemy horns rang out, their sound deep and hollow like a death knell echoing across the ridges. Lightning forked across the sky, illuminating the towering walls of Kaelreach and the sea of Dral'Thar banners unfurling along the battlements. The fortress gates groaned as they creaked open, revealing ranks of shadow-clad warriors bristling with spears and cruel blades.
Drakar's heart thudded in his chest as the air grew thick with anticipation. Rain began to fall in steady sheets, hissing as it hit the emberlight pulsing from his tattoos.
Taronis stood at his right, sword raised. "They'll try to overwhelm us before we can hold the courtyard."
Elara Wynvaris, her crystalline blade gleaming in the stormlight, stepped forward. "Then we cannot let them control the tempo of battle. We strike first."
Drakar nodded, meeting her gaze. "The tunnel gave us the element of surprise. Let's use it."
The Opening Assault
With a single, sharp signal from Taronis, the Aerthas warriors surged forward. The sound of metal boots striking stone echoed as the first wave of fighters charged into the courtyard.
Drakar's dagger flared with emberlight as he led the charge, Emberfang at his side. The wolf-dragon let out a thunderous roar that reverberated across the walls, causing several Dral'Thar soldiers to falter.
The clash was immediate and deafening. Swords rang against shields, and sparks flew as steel met steel. Drakar's dagger moved like a flame in the wind—swift, unpredictable, and deadly. His first strike tore through a Dral'Thar warrior's guard, cutting him down in a single fluid motion. Another lunged from the side, but Drakar spun low, sweeping the assassin's legs from under him before driving his blade down.
"Push forward!" Taronis roared.
Kaelen's archers took their positions along the eastern ridge, their arrows raining down in precise volleys. Mages led by Vaelen chanted spells, sending waves of fire and crackling energy into the Dral'Thar ranks.
Elara moved with deadly precision, her sword flashing like a blade of ice. She parried a heavy strike from a Dral'Thar commander, pivoting with grace as she sliced upward. Frost formed along the blade's edge, and the enemy staggered, encased in a sheen of ice before shattering under her next blow.
Despite the momentum, more Dral'Thar reinforcements spilled from the fortress interior. They poured through the breached gates, shadows trailing behind them like living smoke.
The Enemy's Hidden Weapon
A deep rumble reverberated beneath their feet. The ground trembled, and from the darkness of the main hall, a massive, armored figure emerged. Standing nearly three times the height of an average orc, the creature's armor was jagged and forged from black obsidian, glowing faintly with crimson runes.
Taronis's eyes widened. "A Dral'Thar Dread Titan."
The beast's roar shook the stone walls as it hefted an enormous war maul, the weapon crackling with dark energy.
Drakar's breath slowed as he assessed the creature. It was strong—far stronger than anything they'd faced so far.
"Form ranks!" Taronis called, but the Titan didn't wait. It charged forward, the ground splitting beneath its feet.
With a blast of heat, Drakar surged ahead. His tattoos flared as he called out, "Ignis Aegis!"
A wall of fire erupted between the Titan and the frontline soldiers, halting its momentum for a brief moment.
The Titan swung its maul, shattering the flame barrier in a single blow. Drakar dodged the swing, the shockwave sending debris flying. He retaliated with a precise strike, aiming for the creature's exposed flank, but the Titan's obsidian armor absorbed much of the blow.
"Watch its armor!" Elara shouted as she closed in from the side.
The Titan roared again, swinging wildly. Drakar ducked under the strike and drove his dagger upward, aiming for a gap in the plating. His blade found its mark, and a burst of emberlight seared into the Titan's side.
Emberfang leapt onto the Titan's back, his claws raking across the creature's armor as he bit down hard on its shoulder. The Titan staggered, bellowing in fury.
Turning the Tide
As the Titan thrashed, the Aerthas warriors rallied. Kaelen's archers loosed volley after volley of enchanted arrows, striking weak points in the Titan's armor. Vaelen's mages formed a circle, chanting in unison as a brilliant sphere of lightning coalesced above them.
Drakar shouted, "Now!"
The sphere of lightning shot forward, striking the Titan with a deafening crack. Electricity danced across its armor, causing its movements to slow.
Drakar seized the opportunity, vaulting upward with Emberfang's help. He landed on the Titan's shoulder and drove his dagger deep into its neck. The Titan let out a final, gurgling roar before collapsing to the ground, shaking the courtyard.
A wave of silence followed as the Aerthas forces caught their breath.
Taronis stepped forward, his blade dripping with dark blood. "The gates... they're still open."
Drakar wiped the sweat from his brow. "Then we close them."
The Aftermath
With renewed determination, the soldiers of Aerthas pushed forward, securing the entrance to Kaelreach. The storm above raged, but within the fortress walls, the fires of victory began to burn.
Elara approached Drakar, her face still stern but softened by the faintest hint of respect. "You've earned more than their loyalty today."
Drakar met her gaze. "And you've earned mine."
A flicker of something unspoken passed between them before Elara nodded and turned away.
As the gates were barricaded and the final defenses secured, Drakar felt the weight of the battle settle in his bones. Yet, as tired as he was, the fire within him remained unextinguished.