The sun barely peeked over the northern horizon when a rider arrived at Aurenfall, covered in dust and urgency. The scout dismounted, panting.
"Sir! Towns along the northern trade route… they've been attacked! Supplies burned… people captured!"
Frank's jaw tightened. "He's retaliating… faster than I anticipated."
Elara's eyes flashed. "It's personal now. He's punishing us for taking the artifact."
Leo slammed a hand on the table. "We can't defend every town at once!"
Frank shook his head, resolve hardening. "Then we hit him where it hurts—his staging grounds. We force him to split his forces. That's the only way we gain control of the situation."
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Back in the council hall, maps were spread across the table. Frank pointed at the northern towns and the forest paths leading to Caelum's encampment.
"We can't match him in numbers," Frank explained. "But we can control the battlefield. The terrain favors us if we're smart. We'll use hit-and-run tactics, ambushes, and the artifact to strike fear into his forces."
Elara nodded, gripping her staff. "And we need to be ready for anything. The artifact's energy can help us, but we don't fully understand it yet."
Rhea added, "Caelum's strategy is always about manipulation. He will test your weaknesses, Frank. Trust your instincts… and each other."
THE FIRST ENGAGEMENT
As dusk fell, Frank, Elara, and their allies moved through the forest. Ahead, Caelum's army had set up temporary camps near the trade route. Soldiers were alert, but overconfident.
Frank signaled. "Wait for my mark… now."
Frank and Elara struck simultaneously, their movements enhanced by the artifact.
Ambush traps were triggered: pitfalls, toppled wagons, and debris slowed the enemy advance.
Mercenaries blocked reinforcements while Frank targeted Caelum's lieutenants, aiming to disrupt command.
Chaos reigned. Soldiers scrambled in disarray, orders ignored, while Frank and Elara moved like a storm—precise, unstoppable, terrifying.
A BRIEF GLIMPSE OF CAELUM
From the top of a cliff overlooking the battlefield, a cloaked figure observed silently. Caelum's voice, low and sharp, cut through the wind:
"Impressive… but predictable. Let's see how they handle true power."
He raised his hand, and a faint surge of energy rippled through the forest. Trees shuddered; distant fires flared. His forces tightened their formation, their movements coordinated and deadly.
Frank noticed it immediately. "He's amplifying them… with something beyond normal skill."
Elara whispered, "The artifact… he must know its power exists now. We need to stay ahead."
AFTERMATH & FORESHADOWING
By nightfall, Frank and his team had won the skirmish but at a cost. Several towns had been damaged, allies exhausted, and the artifact's energy left them drained.
Frank clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes. "He's coming for us in full force next. And when he does… we have to be ready. There's no turning back."
Elara placed a hand on his arm, steadying him. "Together, Frank. Always together."
Far to the north, Caelum's eyes gleamed with malicious satisfaction. "Let the real game begin… and may they survive what comes next."