Elven Rebirth

Chapter 19. The First Wave

General Adolph led the human army into the dark forest.

Their armor glinted in the faint sunlight filtering through the canopy.

As they marched, the ground grew spongy.

Suddenly, the earth gave way.

Soldiers screamed as they fell into a hidden ditch.

Mounted spears sprouted from the ground.

Men cried out in pain.

General Adolph's horse reared.

"Regroup!" he bellowed.

Princess Isabella drew her sword.

A war cry shook the forest.

Goblins, orcs, and harpies emerged. Arrows rained down.

Goblins scurried up trees. Harpies swooped. Orcs charged. The human army formed a defensive circle.

General Adolph fought bravely. His sword clashed with goblin blades.

Isabella parried orcish blows while the soldiers struggled to regain footing. The ditch became a death trap. Spears impaled the fallen.

Goblins tossed rocks. Harpies dived. The battle raged.

The humans were trapped. Grimp had a satisfactory expression on his face. He could not be more proud of the King he was now serving. To him, Eryndor was more than just a King, Eryndor was his idol.

The human army fought valiantly, but the enemy seemed endless.

Goblins scurried up trees, hurling rocks and arrows. Orcs charged, their heavy blades biting into armor.

Harpies swooped, talons outstretched.

General Adolph parried an orc's blow, counterattacked.

His sword sliced through the air, striking true.

Isabella dodged a goblin's spear, struck back.

Her sword flashed, biting into the goblin's shield.

Soldiers clashed with orcs, shields shattering.

The ditch became a death reaper.

Men screamed, fell.

Eryndor's forces pressed.

A harpy dived, talons snatching a soldier.

He screamed, dragged away.

Isabella leapt, sword flashing.

The harpy screeched, released its prey.

The soldier crashed to the ground.

Breathless, he stared up.

"Thank you, Princess!" he gasped.

Isabella smiled, helped him rise.

"Fight on!" she urged.

General Adolph rallied his men.

"Hold the line!" he bellowed.

But Eryndor's forces pushed as the humans stumbled.

Goblins poured in. Orcs hacked. Harpies shrieked.

The battle raged. Trees shook. Leaves fell.

The forest itself seemed to join the fray.

A goblin arrow struck Isabella's armor.

She winced, shrugged it off.

General Adolph fought on. His sword was dancing in a beautiful way and each time he swung the sword, Orcs fell. But still more came to replace the fallen.

Grimp was watching. He was there to represent Eryndor. The Generals had convinced Eryndor to let them prove themselves in this battle, therefore Eryndor wasn't needed. Grimp was excited to see that the plan of his Kingwas unfolding perfectly.

The humans would break.. soon.

Suddenly, a horn blared.

The elves.

Lyrien's army emerged.

Their banners fluttered.

"Elves!" General Adolph shouted.

"Reinforcements!"

Hope surged. The humans fought on.

General Adolph gazed ahead, confusion etched on his face.

The elves approached, frantic expressions on their faces.

Lyrien led, his armor battered and dented.

Some elves had lost arms or were gravely injured.

General Adolph's brow furrowed.

"What happened?" he wondered.

A horn blared amongst the goblins.

The monsters retreated, vanishing into the forest.

General Adolph raised his voice.

"Hold position! Don't pursue!"

His soldiers cheered, relieved.

No chase, no more bloodshed.

General Adolph and Princess Isabella approached Lyrien.

Lyrien's face was grim.

"We were ambushed at the Lizardmen Lake," Lyrien explained.

"Eryndor's forces were waiting."

General Adolph's expression turned stern.

"Rest and recuperate," he ordered.

"Lyrien, what happened?" General Adolph asked.

Lyrien hesitated. "We underestimated Eryndor's strength," Lyrien admitted.

General Adolph's voice turned sharp.

"You didn't gather enough intel," General Adolph criticized.

"The elves are known for their scouting skills."

Lyrien's face fell.

"We failed," Lyrien acknowledged.

Princess Isabella placed a hand on Lyrien's arm.

"We'll work together," she reassured.

General Adolph nodded.

"Together, we'll crush Eryndor."

The elves and humans began setting up camp.

Healing and rest were priority. But General Adolph's mind whirled. He could feel that there was more to this Eryndor than the elves were telling him. The most interesting thing was how this Eryndor managed to get the allegiance of so many beasts.. that was simply impossible.

The goblins returned to their village, weary.

Grimp hastened to Eryndor's hut.

"Eryndor, my lord," Grimp began, "the battle unfolded as planned."

"The humans and elves were caught off guard."

Eryndor nodded, approval in his eyes.

"Well done, Grimp."

Eryndor turned to General Vexar. "Vexar, choose your best archers. Hide near the human camp, and wait for their guard to drop, then you unleash a volley of arrows, don't forget to retreat before they regroup, don't let them rest."

General Vexar nodded.

"I'll see to it, my lord."

Eryndor shifted his gaze.

"Grimp, Gorthok, ensure our soldiers rest."

"We resume assault at sundown."

Grimp and Gorthok acknowledged.

Their faces set with determination.

Eryndor's plan was simple, weaken the enemy, wear them down, crush them. He didn't know why Goddess Gaia chose him and brought him here, he doubt it was pity as she had said, but one thing was certain for Eryndor, he was never going to let anyone trample him again. If he had been powerful enough, he would have seen the betrayal lurking in the eyes of his colleagues then, but no use crying over spilled milk. Adam Hills is gone, he was Eryndor Thorne now, and he will do whatever he can to acquire the entire dark forest as his own territory. With loyal soldiers to his side, he will never fear betrayal ever again.

Grimp and Gorthok left.

General Vexar gathered his archers.

The village bustled. Preparations resumed.

Eryndor could not contain his excitement. The battle was far from over.

In the human-Elven camp, Princess Isabella, General Adolph, and Lyrien huddled in a tent.

Maps and strategies covered the table.

General Adolph pointed.

"We need spies to find Eryndor's hideout."

"If we eliminate him, this battle ends."

Princess Isabella leaned forward.

"I'll lead the spy mission."

General Adolph's expression turned firm.

"No, Princess. Too risky."

Lyrien shifted uncomfortably.

"Choose experienced elves," General Adolph instructed.

"Lyrien, see to it."

Lyrien hesitated. He didn't see why he should send his own men on this dangerous mission that could turn out to be a suicide mission.

"I'll handle it," he said finally.

His face showed reluctance.

"Go," General Adolph urged.

Lyrien exited the tent.

Outside, he gathered his thoughts.

This mission weighed heavily.

He summoned trusted elves.

"Kael, Thalion, Althor," Lyrien called.

The elves approached.

"We have a mission," Lyrien explained.

"Infiltrate Eryndor's ranks and find his hideout."

The elves nodded, their faces had the look of determination.

Lyrien handed them a map. "Be cautious."

The elves vanished into the night.