King Raynold rode his horse before his people and his armies, his voice booming across the battlefield like thunder. He shouted, "Those demons are here to take what is ours!"His horse paced back and forth as he pointed toward the endless darkness host in the distance.He continued, "They came here to take the lives of those we love and the homes we built with our own hands. They came here to destroy everything we live for! Everything we stand for!"His eyes swept across the millions of soldiers standing behind him.He continued, "Are we going to let them do that? Are we going to let them destroy everything we and our generations have built?"A deafening silence followed. The soldiers tightened their grips around their weapons.King Raynold continued, "Are we going to let them burn our homes and slaughter our families like goats? Are we going to fail our forefathers?"Anger spread through the ranks. The armies erupted with rage.King Raynold raised his sword toward the sky. He continu

Fighting for what one loves can turn men into monsters, and on the battlefield of Axrax, that was exactly what happened.King Raynold and his armies could no longer fight from horseback. The battlefield had become too chaotic, too violent. Garrlys and Orgmus swarmed beneath them, tearing into horses, dragging riders down, forcing the entire cavalry to collapse into foot combat.The moment boots hit the ground, the war changed.Axrax’s soldiers fought like possessed warriors. With shields locked and weapons drawn, they pushed into Marcelos’ forces without hesitation. Garrlys lunged first, claws flashing—only to be met by disciplined shield walls that absorbed the impact. Spears drove forward in coordinated thrusts, piercing Orges through their weak neck points as Zussorender had warned.The Orgmus charged next, massive bodies crashing into formations. Soldiers staggered—but held. Axrax warriors adapted instantly, rotating shields and striking joints and exposed necks until the beasts f

MORNINGThe morning sun cast a pale glow across the battered camp of Axrax. The scars of war were everywhere—injured wizards, wounded soldiers, and the heavy silence that hung over men who had survived a battle they had never truly expected to endure.King Raynold personally rode through the camp with his subjects, inspecting what remained of his once-mighty army. Everywhere he looked, he saw exhaustion and loss. The survivors still stood proudly, but their numbers had been cut down terribly.When the inspection was over, the Great King summoned his closest leaders.Inside the royal tent, a massive table occupied the center. Around it sat Lord Emmanuel, Zussorender, the princes, the princesses, the Head Guard, the generals, and the Head Wizards. No one spoke carelessly. The weight of defeat rested upon every face.King Raynold looked toward the Supreme General. He said solemnly, “Since we have assessed our forces, how many soldiers, Light Army soldiers, and wizards do we have left?”

Three days after calming the fears that had nearly gripped the people of Axrax, the Great King stood before them once again. Word of panic and doubt had spread through the city after rumors of Marcelos' unstoppable armies, and many had begged to leave the safety of Axrax. But the Great King had refused.Standing before the gathered citizens, his voice carried across the crowd with authority and compassion.He declared, “It is not safe for any of you to leave Axrax. Beyond these walls, only Marcelos and his armies await. They are death itself. Anyone who abandons Axrax will only walk into slaughter, and I will not allow my people to leave merely to be killed.”The crowd fell silent.The Great King looked upon them with sadness. He continued, “Why have you lost faith in me? Why have you lost faith in the armies that have protected you all this time?”None among the people could answer him. Shame filled their hearts.The Great King continued, “If you lose faith in us, then there is no wa

WEST, NORTH, EAST, AND SOUTH GATESInside each gate, soldiers, guards, and reserve archers stood ready with shields and weapons in hand. They waited patiently for any of Marcelos' creatures that managed to break through the battlements and descend into the gates themselves. None intended to retreat. Their duty was simple—to kill whatever came through.Above them, upon the battlements, the battle had already become a storm of death.Archers fired as rapidly as their arms allowed, sending endless waves of arrows into the attackers. Wizards unleashed magical blasts one after another, their staffs glowing brightly as bolts of force, explosions, and streams of energy tore through Gargoyles, Orges, Dark Druids, Orgmus, and Garrlys.But Marcelos' armies never stopped. No matter how many fell from the walls, others climbed over their corpses and continued upward.Seeing that the enemy was about to reach the battlements, the soldiers moved into formation. Shields locked together, creating an i