The companions stood at the edge of the ridge, the forest stretching wide below them. Across the valley, banners of black and crimson swayed in the chill wind. The Sovereign's warbands had arrived—hunters sent to test their strength, to bleed them before the true host advanced.
Drums thundered, echoing against the hills. Rows of armored soldiers, their faces hidden behind jagged helms, moved in grim unison. At the front rode a knight in tarnished silver, a cruel spear tipped with obsidian clutched in his hand. His voice carried across the field like a challenge:
"By the decree of the Sovereign, your blood shall stain the earth."
Kael drew Crimson Fang, its crimson edge sparking faintly as though tasting the air for death. He looked over his shoulder at his companions—Arden rolling his shoulders, Selene drawing light into her palms, Elira stringing her bow, Kaelen silent but watchful.
"This isn't the full storm," Kael said, his voice steady, commanding. "Just the first wave. We cut them down here—or we'll be hunted like animals across this land."
Arden cracked his knuckles, grinning. "About time."
The enemy surged forward.
Arrows rained down from Elira's bow, each shot precise, felling riders before their charge could fully break. Selene's incantations shimmered, threads of light weaving a protective barrier that turned aside the first volley of enemy bolts.
Kael moved.
Crimson Fang whistled through the air, carving a wide arc of red light.
"Scarlet Rend!" he roared, and the earth split beneath his strike, scattering soldiers like leaves in a storm.
Arden leapt into the gap, his axe shattering shields with brutal force, each swing a crack of thunder. Selene followed behind, striking down those who slipped past with bursts of radiant fire.
But Kael did not relent. Every motion of his blade was purposeful, every step inexorable. A soldier lunged, and Kael's counterstroke took his head cleanly, the crimson glow trailing through the air like fire. Another came from behind, only to be met with a reverse slash that cleaved armor and bone alike.
"Black Flame Sever!" Kael's blade ignited with dark fire, cutting through a cluster of foes as if they were made of parchment.
The knight in tarnished silver rode forward, spear lowered, aiming for Kael. Their weapons clashed in a burst of sparks, the ground quaking beneath them.
"You bear the mark," the knight growled. "I will take your head to the Sovereign myself."
Kael's eyes burned crimson, his aura flaring. He pushed back, Crimson Fang carving through the knight's spear shaft with sheer force.
"You'll take nothing but silence to your grave."
With a single decisive strike, Kael drove his blade through the knight's chest, the crimson light bursting outward. The commander toppled from his mount, lifeless, and the enemy warband faltered.
The companions pressed the advantage. Elira's arrows pierced retreating riders, Arden's axe smashed through stragglers, and Selene's light seared through the wounded. Soon, the valley was littered with broken bodies and shattered weapons.
The drums fell silent.
Kael stood among the dead, his blade dripping with crimson light that slowly faded back into steel. His chest rose and fell, but his eyes remained sharp, already searching the horizon.
"That was the first wave," he said quietly. "The Sovereign is testing us. The next won't be so easy."
Kaelen finally stepped forward, his voice carrying a grim certainty.
"Then we sharpen ourselves now. For soon, Kael… you will not face mere warbands. You will face generals."
The companions exchanged glances. The respite was over. The real war had begun.