The rhythmic drumbeat of the Cult of the Iron Flame reverberated through the forest, a relentless pulse that drowned out the fading roars of the non-human entity and the chants of the Order of the Veil. Elias Vaeron crouched in the clearing, his frail, six-year-old body pushed beyond its limits, the musket with its rune-etched bayonet gripped tightly in his blood-streaked hands. His pale face, smudged with soot and marked by an arrow graze on his left cheek, was set with defiance, his steel-gray eyes flecked with amber locked on the red-robed figures emerging from the trees, their iron masks glinting with fiery runes. The Dominion Interface blazed in his vision: Cult of the Iron Flame: 30 infantry, arcane signatures. Intent: Hostile. Threat Level: Severe.
The black stone altar behind Elias pulsed with green runes, its resonance syncing with his heartbeat, the Vaeron Relic: Arcane Amplifier in his blood drawing enemies like a beacon. The non-human entity, its obsidian-scaled hide scarred from Seline's spears, thrashed near the well, its red eyes glowing with hunger. The black-armored figure, their helm obscuring their face and their arcane blade dimmed by Elias's runic bayonet, staggered but advanced. The Order of the Veil's white-cloaked leader, their gaunt face pale and silver hair singed, raised their cracked staff, their green eyes blazing. House Taryn's green-armored cavalry, led by Lord Edric Taryn, fought the imperial vanguard's lances, their golden stag banners tattered. Lady Seline Kaelar, her silver armor dented and blonde hair matted with blood, stood firm with her two riders—scarred-jaw and patchy-beard—their spears bloodied but steady. Mira, her freckled face pale and auburn braid frayed, clutched her dagger beside Elias, her brown eyes fierce despite her bandaged arm. The two remaining militia, gaunt and bloodied, held rusted swords, their loyalty unwavering.
Elias's burned right arm throbbed, the blistered skin screaming under his tattered nightshirt. The interface flashed: Tactics (Level 1): Exploit factional conflict to reduce threats. The Cult's arrival shifted the battlefield—hostile to all, they could be a wedge to break the stalemate. His past life's instincts—urban warfare, chaos as a weapon—urged him to act.
"Seline!" Elias shouted, his voice raw but commanding. "Flank the Cult! Keep them off the altar!" Seline's blue eyes met his, her angular face set with resolve as she signaled her riders to pivot. "Mira, reinforce the vine trap—slow that beast!" Mira darted to the clearing's edge, tying more vines, her wiry frame tense but quick.
The interface pinged: Diplomacy (Level 1): Incite Cult against Veil. Elias raised his voice, shouting toward the red-robed figures. "Iron Flame! The Veil holds the relic's power! Take them, and it's yours!"
The Cult's leader, their iron mask carved with flame-like runes, tilted their head, their voice a low rasp. "The Amplifier is ours by right, Vaeron. Step aside, or burn." Their hands flared, fireballs forming, aimed at the Veil's white-cloaked leader.
Elias's smirk was grim. Chaos was his ally. The Cult's fireballs arced, striking the Veil's followers, incinerating two. The interface updated: Veil Losses: 2 infantry. Morale: Critical. The white-cloaked leader's staff flared, a green shield deflecting a fireball, but their chant faltered.
The black-armored figure lunged at Elias, their blade glowing faintly. He parried with the runic bayonet, sparks erupting as the arcane energies clashed, the interface noting: Enemy Damage: Minor. The figure's armor was gashed, but they pressed forward, their helm's visor glinting.
The non-human entity roared, breaking through Mira's vines, its claws tearing toward the altar. Seline's riders jabbed their spears, drawing blood, but the beast's tail lashed, felling patchy-beard. The interface screamed: Allied Losses: 1 rider. Elias's heart clenched—Mira's cry echoed, her dagger raised in defiance.
Taryn's forces faltered, Edric's bearded face bloodied as he fought the vanguard, their lances piercing his cavalry. The interface updated: Taryn Losses: 3 cavalry. Morale: Wavering. Elias needed Taryn to hold, or the vanguard would overrun them.
He scanned the clearing, spotting a broken spear shaft. The interface pinged: Legacy Protocol: Unlocked. Blueprint Available—Arcane Flare Trap. A device to blind arcane users: alchemical residue, glass shards, oil. The well's cracked vial, still in Mira's pouch, could work. "Mira, the vial!" he shouted.
She tossed it, her braid bouncing. Elias caught it, packing the glowing residue into a glass shard bundle, tying it with vine. The interface estimated: Construction Time: 40 seconds. He worked fast, his burned arm screaming, blood seeping through his nightshirt.
The Cult's fireballs lit the forest, clashing with the Veil's green bolts. The black-armored figure struck again, their blade grazing Elias's shoulder, pain flaring. He countered, the runic bayonet slashing their arm, green sparks flying. The interface flashed: Enemy Damage: Moderate.
The beast charged the altar, its red eyes fixed on Elias. Seline's remaining rider, scarred-jaw, thrust his spear, piercing its hide. The creature roared, its claws raking, but the rider held. Elias finished the flare trap, lighting the vine fuse. "Seline, clear!" he shouted, tossing it at the Veil's leader.
The trap exploded, glass shards and green light blinding the white-cloaked figure. Their staff fell, their chant silenced. The interface updated: Veil Arcane Output: Disabled Temporarily. The black-armored figure staggered, their blade dimming further.
But the Cult pressed forward, their iron masks glinting, fireballs arcing toward Elias. He dove behind the altar, the stone absorbing a blast, its runes flaring brighter. The interface warned: Relic Resonance: Intensifying. Risk: Catastrophic. His blood tingled, the altar's pulse matching his heartbeat.
The non-human entity lunged, its claws grazing the altar, cracking stone. The interface screamed: Entity Target: Relic Core. Elias's mind raced—the beast wanted the altar, not just him. Was it drawn to the Amplifier's power?
"Seline, drive it back!" Elias shouted. Her rider jabbed, but the beast's tail lashed, shattering his spear. The militia struck, their swords chipping scales, but they were no match. The interface noted: Allied Morale: Critical.
Taryn's forces broke, Edric's voice roaring as he retreated, his green armor bloodied. The vanguard surged, Valthar's gold-trimmed helm gleaming. The interface flashed: Vanguard Proximity: 15 meters.
Elias gripped the musket, its bayonet glowing faintly. The Arcane Pulse Grenade blueprint lingered, but he needed copper wire and a crystal. The altar's runes might substitute, but touching it risked everything. He scraped the bayonet again, etching deeper runes, the glow intensifying. The interface confirmed: Bayonet Enhancement: Amplified.
He charged the black-armored figure, the bayonet slashing, cutting through their armor's arcane aura. They fell to one knee, blood seeping from gashes. The interface flashed: Enemy Combat Ability: Severely Reduced.
The Cult's leader advanced, their fireballs scorching the clearing. The Veil's leader recovered, their staff flaring weakly. The beast roared, its claws tearing at the altar, runes flickering. Elias's vision blurred, his frail body failing, but his soldier's instincts held.
"Mira, the vines!" he shouted. She tied more, tripping a Cult follower, their fireball fizzling. Seline's rider fell back, bloodied but alive. The militia fought, one dropping to a Cult fireball. The interface screamed: Allied Losses: 1 militia.
A new sound broke through—a high-pitched hum from the altar itself. The runes flared, a green shockwave erupting, knocking everyone back. Elias hit the ground, his musket clattering, pain searing his burned arm. The interface screamed: Relic Activation: Initiated. Source: Vaeron Blood.
The forest shook, trees splintering. A figure emerged from the altar's light—a spectral warrior, translucent, clad in ancient armor, its eyes glowing green, locked on Elias.