The battle on the border of the two empires raged on. Fire and steel clashed, the cries and clanging filling the air. Each side fought with all its might, yet it became clear that neither could overpower the other.
Arin stood amidst the battlefield, his breath heavy and heart filled with doubt. The runaway prince said:
"This battle is endless… the only way is a pact."
Lyra shook her head:
"But how can we trust our enemy? We still don't know their true intentions."
The Silent Sorceress calmly replied:
"Sometimes, to survive, you must give blood and make a pact. True enemies always lurk in the shadows."
At that moment, representatives of the Iron Empire and the Crystal Dominion stepped onto the field.
Arin lowered his sword and said:
"Let us form a temporary pact. The real enemies are still out there, and only united can we survive."
The Iron Empire's representative spoke in a harsh voice:
"We cooperate only for our own interests… but for now, this alliance is acceptable."
The Crystal Dominion's representative added:
"This is a blood pact… but know this: any move against us will be met with severe retaliation."
The battle paused, and both sides withdrew. Arin and his group exhaled in relief, yet deep down they knew the pact was fragile, and the true threat still lurked in the shadows.