A cold morning enveloped the camp, with thick mist shrouding the ground. Ethan stood on the edge of a hill, gazing at the vast plains stretching out before him. Their forces were beginning to mobilize, forming ranks to prepare for an attack from the dark army that had been detected approaching. However, Ethan's thoughts were fixed on their primary objective—finding Zerathis' power core, the Void of Eternity.
Inside the command tent, the core group had gathered. Maps and ancient scrolls were spread out on the large wooden table. Lila carefully unrolled one of the scrolls Asha had discovered the night before. Symbolic drawings and ancient writings appeared, depicting patterns resembling stars and shadows.
"I'm certain this is the clue," Lila said in a low but firm voice. "It describes a location known as the Temple of Eternal Shadows. This place is in a region once called the Forgotten Lands, far to the northeast. But to reach it, we must pass through the Ormox Valley."
"The Ormox Valley?" Rowan raised an eyebrow. "That means going through the orc den. They're notoriously savage, and their numbers are massive. If we go there, we'll undoubtedly face attacks."
Asha nodded, her expression serious. "But this is the only way. That temple likely holds crucial information about the Void of Eternity and how to destroy it. If we avoid Ormox, we'll lose too much time."
Kael leaned against the tent wall with his arms crossed. "Great. So our plan now is to figure out how to get through thousands of orcs while hoping we don't die along the way." He sighed heavily. "At least it's better than waiting for the darkness to swallow us."
Ethan stared at the map intently, then spoke in a decisive tone. "We'll divide the tasks. Lila and I will lead a small team to the Temple of Eternal Shadows. Rowan, Asha, and Kael will stay here to strengthen the defenses against the dark army. If we can hold them off long enough, the scouting team will have the time they need to complete the mission."
"What if the dark forces attack before you return?" Rowan asked.
Ethan looked at Rowan, his eyes full of confidence. "That's why you'll lead. You're the best I've got. I trust you."
Asha placed her hand over her heart, her voice soft yet resolute. "We won't let you down, Ethan. But you must be careful too. If you fail, the whole world will fall."
"And if we fail to hold the line here, there won't be a place for you to return to," Rowan added, raising his sword with a faint smile to mask his worry.
The discussion continued with logistical planning. Lila sketched the travel route through the Ormox Valley, pointing out dangerous points to avoid. Meanwhile, Rowan began crafting defensive strategies, with Kael offering input on mental traps that could deceive the enemy.
"This defense isn't just about holding off Zerathis' forces," Kael said, pointing at the map. "We need to make them believe that our entire army is here. If they find out Ethan is gone, we'll lose everything."
The plan was finally agreed upon. Within less than two hours, the core group began moving according to their assignments.
Outside the tent, the main army was already on high alert. Ethan stood before them, giving a brief address. "Today, we take the first step toward the end of all this. We all know what's at stake. If we fail, this world will be consumed by darkness. But I believe in you. Stay strong, stay united, and remember, we're fighting not just for ourselves, but for everyone we love."
The soldiers' cheers echoed his speech. Their spirits, though cloaked in tension, began to burn brightly.
With resolute hearts, Ethan, Lila, and their small team set out toward the Ormox Valley. Meanwhile, Rowan, Asha, and Kael prepared for the imminent battle.
The first step toward confronting the Void of Eternity had been taken, but new dangers now awaited them. The darkness drew closer, and time was running out.
---
While Ethan, Lila, and Kael led the first step toward the valley full of threats, Asha and Rowan carried out their mission in a far different location. They knew that their strength had to be combined with accurate information and coordinated forces to face the ever-approaching darkness.
Asha now found herself in a quiet underground chamber, surrounded by ancient books and scrolls filled with manuscripts that were difficult to decipher. Full of determination, she reflected on the existence of the Void of Eternity, which should be the key to defeating Zerathis. However, to locate the source of this dark core, Asha realized that only the knowledge written in these books could provide clues. "The Void of Eternity," she thought, "an entity connected to primordial darkness. But where can we find it?"
On the other side, Rowan stood tall outside the headquarters, looking at the assembled army. They were few in number, but every warrior appeared determined, ready to face the dark army that was closing in. Most of these soldiers were common fighters, but some had been specially trained by experts. Rowan was not only a tactical leader on the battlefield but also felt the heavy responsibility that weighed on him. "We must prepare carefully," he muttered. "Every battle we fight must be calculated, because if we let our guard down, we'll lose more than just the battlefield."
Though not on the frontlines with Ethan and Kael, both Asha and Rowan had clear goals. Asha focused on delving deeper into the Void of Eternity, gathering information that could lead the way for them to strike at Zerathis' core power. Meanwhile, Rowan led the army in fortifying the defenses, ensuring they were ready to face the threat from the dark forces that loomed closer. Their goal was to buy enough time for Ethan and Kael to attack Zerathis' power core while they themselves worked to stabilize the defenses and gather the strength needed.
Though separated, their mission remained the same: to defeat Zerathis, uncover the secrets of the Void of Eternity, and bring victory to their world.