The bandit camp stirred before dawn.
Men and women clad in ragged armor strapped on mismatched gear, sharpening rusted blades or checking crossbows. Horses snorted restlessly while smoke curled from dying campfires. Despite the chaos, every eye eventually turned to the towering figure who stood at the center—Valen, their leader.
Valen's massive frame loomed over them, muscles coiled like iron cables. Across his back rested a sword so large it could cleave a man and horse in half with one swing. He drew it free, the steel catching the weak light of dawn. The edge gleamed unnaturally sharp, coated with oil and menace.
"Today," Valen growled, his voice carrying like thunder across the clearing, "we take what is ours. That wall, that land, that soft-bellied ruler hiding behind his guards—it all belongs to us now!"
The bandits roared, banging weapons against shields.
What Valen and his raiders didn't know was that, just beyond the tree line, shadows followed their every move. Onyx and a detachment of Scavenger Ghouls crouched low, their bony frames covered in ragged hides for camouflage. Their empty sockets flickered with dim green light as they silently mirrored the bandits' march, waiting for Kairo's command.
At the Territory Base
The morning sun spilled over Kairo's growing stronghold. Inside the command tent, Kairo and Shiri sat hunched over a crude map spread across a wooden table. Pebbles, bones, and sticks served as unit markers.
Shiri tapped the map with a thick, scaled finger.
"The bandits are organized, Kairo. Not like beasts. They'll use flanking maneuvers, fire arrows, and charge formations. We should set the ghouls as bait, then close with kabolts on their sides."
Kairo rubbed his chin. "If we stretch too thin, the wall becomes exposed. I'd rather anchor the defense here, let them smash against the kabolts' shield wall."
Before Shiri could retort, the tent flap rustled. Theo stepped in, shoulders squared and eyes blazing with determination. His hand rested on the hilt of his curved blade, the one forged to fit his naga heritage.
"Kairo," Theo said, voice steady, "let me fight on the front lines."
Shiri stiffened instantly, his tone sharp. "Out of the question. You're valuable, but you're not ready. The frontline isn't for reckless bravery."
Theo's eyes hardened. "This isn't recklessness. I can feel it. Something has awakened in me."
Kairo frowned—then the system panel flickered into existence before him. Lines of glowing text scrolled across his vision.
NAME: Theo
TITLE: Heir of the Scale
BLOODLINE: Dragon's Spark (Awakened), Naga Heart (Stage One)
CLASS: none
TIER: 1 (Ascending)
SKILLS:
Naga Style – Stage One: Rattle in the Deep Blade Serpent's Flow (Intermediate) Enhanced Reflexes
Kairo's eyes widened. Dragon bloodline… and a Naga Heart? No wonder Theo felt different. The skill name itself radiated potential—Rattle in the Deep sounded like the prelude to a devastating martial art.
Theo stood tall. "I'm not asking permission, Kairo. I'm asking for trust. Let me fight with my people."
Shiri slammed his fist on the table. "He'll get himself killed!"
But Kairo raised a hand, calm yet firm. "No. He's changed. I can feel it." kairo whispered. "Theo, you'll lead the first rank of kabolts."
Theo's lips curled into a fierce grin. "I won't let you down."
Shiri glared. "This is a mistake."
Kairo placed a hand on Shiri's shoulder. "Or it's the step we've been waiting for."
Watching Eyes in the Shadows
High in the brush-covered hills, Renn the bard crouched with a group of bunnymen scouts. His enchanted spyglass glinted faintly as he peered at the distant wall.
Through the lens, he caught Theo speaking with Kairo and Shiri. Curious, Renn twisted the runes etched into the spyglass. Lines of information shimmered into view.
NAME: Theo
TITLE: Heir of the Scale
BLOODLINE: Dragon's Spark (Awakened), Naga Heart (Stage One)
CLASS: none
TIER: 1 (Ascending)
SKILLS: Rattle in the Deep, Blade Serpent's Flow, Enhanced Reflexes
Renn's jaw slackened. "A dragon bloodline… in such a low territory?"
He adjusted again, targeting Shiri.
NAME: Shiri
TITLE: Soul Crafter's Echo
BLOODLINE: Naga variant – Soulbound
CLASS: Soul Crafter
TIER: 2
SKILLS: Soul Thread Weaving, Advanced Armory, Marionette Bind
Renn nearly dropped the glass. "A… Soul Crafter? Here? Impossible…"
Then, trembling with anticipation, he fixed the lens on Kairo.
NAME: Kairo
TITLE: Rotbane Strategist
BLOODLINE: ???
CLASS: ???
TIER: 2
SKILLS: ???
Everything but his name, tier, and title was hidden by rows of question marks. Renn's face drained of color.
"What… what are you?" he whispered.
He snapped the spyglass shut and turned to his men. "We report immediately. Lord Lyra must hear this."
When Renn delivered the message, through the orb in his hand. Lyra's expression grew stormy. Her jeweled eyes narrowed as she spoke, voice cold and commanding.
"Do not let this Kairo die. I am coming myself—with the other two. Ready my army."
Renn bowed deeply. "As you command."
Clash Approaches
By noon, the bandits emerged from the forest. Dust rose beneath their boots as they marched in rows, weapons gleaming. Valen strode at the front, his giant sword resting on his shoulder.
Before them, the wall of Kairo's territory loomed—fresh but sturdy. At its base, lines of kabolts stood in formation, shields locked, spears angled forward. Theo led them, his scaled hand resting on his curved sword, eyes burning with resolve.
On the wall itself, the one remaining cannon that survived Karhux stood proudly, its black mouth aimed at the approaching horde. Skeleton crews manned it, bones rattling in readiness.
Behind the bandits, unseen, Onyx and the scavenger ghouls melted into the bushes, lying in wait like vultures before a feast.
Valen stopped just outside arrow range. His grin split wide as he raised his sword and pointed it toward the wall.
"Ruler of this miserable patch of dirt!" he roared. "Come out and face me, unless you plan to cower while we burn everything you own!"
The wall's gate opened slowly, and two figures appeared at the top—Kairo and Shiri, side by side.
Kairo's voice rang out, calm but edged with steel. "This territory isn't yours to take. Leave now, and I may spare the ones wise enough to run."
Valen threw back his head and laughed, a booming sound like rolling thunder. "Spare us? Boy, you have no idea who you're speaking to. We are death, we are fire, and today, we'll plunder everything you hold dear!"
The bandits howled in agreement, raising their weapons high.
From the walls, Kairo narrowed his eyes. Shiri leaned close, whispering. "He's not bluffing."
Kairo's fingers tightened on the railing. "Then neither are we."
The air grew heavy, the silence before the storm. Both armies stood on the edge of collision—unaware that forces beyond their reckoning were already moving into place.
The battle was about to begin.