The victory at the southern wall had given the defenders a much-needed reprieve, but tension still hung heavy in the air. Morrath stood atop the ramparts, his crimson eyes fixed on the Dominion's distant camp, where the flicker of weak fires signaled their retreat. He knew better than to trust the quiet—this was only the calm before the next storm.
Vivienne approached, her sharp gaze scanning the battlefield. "The walls held, but at a cost," she said. Her voice carried a tone of measured concern. "We've lost a third of our archers, and our reserves are running low."
Morrath nodded, his expression hard. "We don't have the luxury of resting," he said. "The Dominion will return, and when they do, they'll hit harder."
Klara climbed the ramparts, her armor scratched and smeared with blood, though her grin hadn't faded. "Let them try," she said, spinning one of her twin blades in her hand. "We'll send them packing again. Right, boss?"
Morrath allowed a faint smirk to cross his lips. "Confidence is good, Klara," he replied. "But confidence without preparation is just arrogance."
Kaela worked tirelessly in the central chamber, her staff glowing faintly as she channeled her magic into the wards. The Philosopher's Stone pulsed with energy, amplifying her efforts but draining her strength with each surge. She paused to wipe the sweat from her brow, her hands trembling from the strain.
Sir Durak entered the chamber, his armored footsteps echoing softly. He carried a bucket of water, setting it down beside her with a nod of encouragement. "You need to rest," he said firmly. "Even the strongest flame burns out."
Kaela glanced at him, shaking her head with determination. "I can't stop," she said, her voice steady despite her exhaustion. "If the wards fail, everything we've fought for will be lost."
Durak studied her for a moment before kneeling beside her. "You've done more than anyone could ask," he said. "But even you can't do this alone."
Kaela hesitated, her grip tightening on her staff. "Frank's counting on me," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "We all are."
Durak tilted his head, unfamiliar with the name, but chose not to question it. Instead, he nodded and stood, his respect for her unwavering.
Morrath descended from the ramparts, his blackened armor absorbing the faint glow of the fires around him. The castle courtyard buzzed with activity as soldiers tended to the wounded and reinforced the defenses. Despite the chaos, Morrath moved with calm precision, his presence commanding and reassuring.
[System Update: Rank Progression: 96%. Milestone Approaching: Strategic Mastery.]
Morrath frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping over the courtyard. "We're close," he muttered under his breath. "But not close enough."
Vivienne intercepted him, holding a sheaf of parchment. "Reports from the scouts," she said briskly. "The Dominion is regrouping at their main camp. They're pulling in reinforcements."
"How long do we have?" Morrath asked, his tone sharp.
"Hours, maybe less," Vivienne replied. "Their movements suggest they're preparing for a final push."
Morrath's crimson eyes narrowed. "Then we'll meet them head-on," he said.
Kaela found Morrath near the castle gates, his expression distant as he studied the horizon. She approached cautiously, the faint glow of her staff reflecting in his armor. "Frank," she said softly, her voice breaking his focus. "You're thinking too much again."
Morrath turned, his hardened gaze softening slightly at her words. "You're the only one who calls me that," he said quietly, glancing down at the faint green glow of his mark. "Sometimes I forget I even told you."
Kaela smiled faintly, leaning on her staff. "It's a name worth remembering," she said. "Even if the others only know the Demon Lord who saved them."
Morrath chuckled, shaking his head. "And what do you think?" he asked, his voice low. "About the man behind the name?"
Kaela hesitated for a moment, then met his gaze. "I think he's trying to build something better," she said. "And I believe in him."
Morrath exhaled, her words grounding him in a way little else could. "Then I'll try not to let you down," he said, his tone more resolute. "Now, let's finish this."
The preemptive strike began under the cover of darkness, with Morrath leading a small, elite force toward the Dominion's camp. Shadow Veil cloaked their approach, rendering them invisible to the enemy's scouts. The system chimed softly in his mind.
[Stealth Rating: Optimal. Enemy Awareness: Low.]
Morrath gestured for the group to halt, his crimson eyes scanning the camp. The Dominion forces were spread thin, their guards clearly lax after the failed siege. He smirked faintly, his voice low. "They're not ready for us."
Klara grinned, her twin blades glinting faintly in the moonlight. "Time to wake them up," she said, her voice filled with anticipation.
Vivienne positioned the archers on a nearby ridge, her precise commands ensuring their volleys would strike critical targets. Durak and his knights flanked the main force, their shields raised and ready to charge. Morrath raised the Shadow Blade, its dark energy thrumming in the still air.
"Now," he commanded, his voice firm.
The attack was swift and devastating. Arrows rained down on the Dominion camp, igniting supply wagons and command tents. Morrath led the charge, his blade cutting through enemy ranks with ruthless efficiency. The system chimed again as the camp descended into chaos.
[Rank Progression: 98%. Enemy Forces Neutralized: Significant Impact.]
Vivienne's archers maintained a relentless assault, while Klara's mercenaries struck from the shadows, targeting key officers. Durak's knights formed a defensive wall, their shields absorbing the counterattacks with precision. Morrath pushed deeper into the fray, each strike of his blade driving the enemy further into disarray.
The Dominion forces began to crumble under the combined assault, their morale shattered. Morrath drove the Shadow Blade into the ground, releasing a wave of dark energy that sent the remaining soldiers fleeing. The system chimed one final time.
[Milestone Progression: 100%. Milestone Achieved: Morrath's Bastion.]
[New Rank: Rank D]
As the dust settled, Morrath stood amidst the wreckage of the Dominion's camp. His blackened armor gleamed faintly in the moonlight, and his crimson eyes burned with quiet determination. Around him, his forces regrouped, their victory hard-earned but decisive.
The system displayed a new notification.
[New Castle Title Acquired: Morrath's Bastion. Spells Enhanced: Shadow Veil, Lesser Healing Aura, and Fear Aura.]
Klara approached, her grin as wide as ever. "Well, boss," she said, leaning on one of her blades. "I think they got the message."
Vivienne joined them, her tone more reserved but tinged with respect. "This victory was decisive," she said. "The Dominion won't recover from this anytime soon."
Kaela appeared moments later, her staff glowing faintly. She approached Morrath slowly, her voice soft. "Frank," she said quietly. "You did it."
Morrath turned to her, his voice calm but firm. "We did it," he corrected. "Together."
Morrath ascending the castle's ramparts one last time, his allies at his side. The battlefield lay quiet beneath the rising sun, the Dominion's camp reduced to smoldering ruins. For the first time, Morrath felt the weight of his growing power and the responsibility that came with it.
"This is only the beginning," he murmured. "We're not just defending a castle. We're building a kingdom."